For many gamers, the PS Plus monthly free games were a source of excitement, a selection of some classic titles with perhaps an unheard-of indie game that could be stashed away in the library to play at a later date. However, it appears that Sony has fallen well behind in their monthly offerings and the PlayStation free games pale in comparison to that which is being offered with the Microsoft Game Pass.
Looking back over the previous months of PS Plus offerings we can see that there has been a steady decline in what Sony is putting up for fans. Given the price increase for the subscription service, this is nothing short of a slap in the face to those loyal fans who part with their hard-earned money only to be faced with below-par games.
What free games are PS Plus providing for December?
To say that the free games for December are lacklustre is somewhat of an understatement. The games that Sony is offering this coming month are Lego 2K Drive, PowerWash Simulator and Sable. Out of the three titles listed, it is perhaps the PowerWash Simulator that will draw the most ire from fans, and for good reason.
Whilst there are plenty of Lego games to choose from, Sony has opted to include the driving game which only launched earlier this year to substantially average reviews. There may have been praise for some of the track designs but overall the game was sub-par and there are certainly better racing games that could have been added.
Another month, another simulator game for free from Sony. Whilst some may have enjoyed the Farming simulator, many are left baffled by the inclusion of the PowerWash Simulator. The game is described as a ‘satisfying clean ’em up’ and whilst many fans enjoy a game where there is simplistic gameplay, we don’t think this will be appealing to many out there.
Sable may be one of the games for this month which piques the interest of some fans and certainly the indie game has received very positive reviews since its launch in 2021. However, given the games which accompany it this month, not even Sable can save the December free games from being criticised by the majority of fans.
We need only look at the previous months of free games to see the steady decline in the standard of titles being offered and this month is a far cry from previous months. As far back as July, we saw Alan Wake Remastered, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Endling, and since then with a couple of exceptions, the monthly games have been sub-par.
As can be expected with the calibre of this month’s titles, there has been a wave of criticism from fans who are fed up with the price of the subscription service being increased to be met with this standard of games.
“If I wanted to play kids games, I’d go buy a switch. Another garbage month.” – @GPUtd93
” ‘We increased the price to allow for better quality’. The claimed ‘better’ quality:” – @xGIHOST
If players are indeed looking to pick up any of the below-par titles and stash them in your library never to be looked at again, then they will be available from 5 December. However, a reminder that the current month’s free games of Mafia II: Definitive Edition, Dragon Ball: The Breakers, and Aliens Fireteam Elite are still available until 4 December.
It is clear that the crop of monthly free games has been lackluster of late and there is perhaps no surprise that fans are less than happy with this, given the subsequent price increase. With their nearest rivals providing a greater selection on Game Pass, how long will disgruntled PlayStation owners put up with this before deciding to cancel and move on? Take note, Sony.
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