Although the recently rebooted PlayStation Plus is only a few months old, that hasn’t stopped the subscription service from making many headlines. Thanks to Sony’s decision to update its levels at various points in the month, there’s a consistent stream of content for PS4 and PS5 owners to read and play about. Recent hits like strayed and Give us the moon not only headlined that phenomenon, but also helped establish the validity of the service.
It’s worth bearing in mind that, since the global rollout began in May, the discourse surrounding the rebooted PS Plus has not always been universally positive. The August Premium update, in particular, showcased the challenges Sony is seemingly facing in bringing content to all three tiers. However, following the announcement of the September update, there are signs that the publisher is taking steps to address the issues that have surfaced. On several fronts, the next batch of Extra and Premium represents a significant step in the right direction.
One of the dilemmas that can make the prospect of updating services like PlayStation Plus difficult is the fact that each subscriber has their own unique tastes and preferences. Making sure that every player can find something to enjoy every month requires quite a bit of planning. While there’s no denying that Sony’s PS Plus Extra updates have managed this well so far, September’s list of games is still a significant step forward.
For example, during the July and August PS Plus Extra updates, there was a slight imbalance when it came to genres. Although the continued roll-out of the Assassin’s Creed and Yakuza franchises has been a big boon to the service, both additions have taken up a lot of space. So much so that there weren’t too many alternative options available to players looking for a different kind of experience. That potential criticism can’t be leveled with the September update, though, as each item is the sole representative of their respective series.
The deal Sony struck with Ubisoft that resulted in the publisher adding its biggest games to PS Plus Extra is arguably one of the spearheads of the service’s latest update. However, with Assassin’s Creed Origins, Watchdogs 2and Rayman Legends all with this time, there is a nice mix when it comes to franchise representation. The same can also be said more broadly when looking at the other experiences on offer. Most genres are prevalent to some degree thanks to flying games such as Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 and racers like Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Video Game 5.
Sony’s efforts to offer more genres this time around represent a significant step forward for PS Plus Extra. With 11 different games available for the first time on the service, it’s not hard to imagine that most players can find at least one that appeals to their sensibilities. There’s also a nice mix of AAA and indie experiences, which should help gems like Chicory: a colorful story and Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition the public think they might deserve it.
Deathloop star quality
An increase in diversity isn’t the only reason why the September update of PlayStation Plus Extra is a big step in the right direction. There’s also been a notable surge in excitement online around the upcoming refresh, thanks to one game in particular. With a Metacritic score of 88, it’s no exaggeration to say that Arkane Studios’ death loop is one of the PS5’s best games since its debut 12 months ago. While the arrival on the service is therefore a big gain, a steady stream of similar content will be needed going forward if Sony is to continue to make progress.
death loopHowever, the presence of Sony can be interpreted as a sign that Sony is willing to do so. In addition to the game’s reputation as one of the PS5’s best experiences, it’s also worth bearing in mind that death loop is now a Microsoft first-party IP. Despite the specific details of the agreement being hidden from the public, the publisher’s willingness to enter into such an agreement can be seen as a signal of intent. As a result, it’s not that hard to imagine more critically and commercially acclaimed games being added to the service later on.
Major update from Premium
One of the biggest issues that has held back the rebooted PlayStation Plus since launch has been a sense of inconsistency when it comes to the way content has been added to each of its levels. Due to seemingly unknown behind-the-scenes issues, PS Plus Premium’s library has only been bolstered by three titles since May. However, the August update was a particularly low point for fans as no new titles were added to the roster. Since subscribers have invested money in the most expensive option, many were understandably unhappy.
It’s probably because of this reception that Sony has taken steps to allay fans’ concerns at the first available opportunity. Then, when PS Plus Premium is updated again on September 20, six titles will be added to the library. Headliner of the update is the PS1s Siphon filter 2which was launched in 2000. Based on how Trophy support has been a hit and miss feature of the Premium tier since May, its presence in the game will likely be seen as a major step forward by Trophy fighters.
In the same vein as the games that will be added to PS Plus Extra in September, Sony has struck a decent balance when it comes to the platforms in the Premium offering. In addition to the aforementioned PS1 title, the PSPs Kingdom of Paradise and Toy Story 3 both will also be available to subscribers. While the franchise has been a cornerstone of PlayStation Now, subscribers will probably also be happy that the entire Sly Cooper series will be added to PS Plus Premium via The Sly Collection, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Timeand Bentley’s Hackpack.
Thanks to several leaks, there’s reason to believe that the September Premium update won’t be a one-off. In the lead up to the rebooted PS Plus going live, multiple game reviews were discovered by fans who like classics like Ridge Racer 2 and Dino Crisis being prepared for behind-the-scenes service. Provided Sony can continue to update the service with September-sized updates going forward, it’s easy to imagine this huge step forward being the first of many.
PS Plus subscribers get a handful of games every month.
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