PS Plus Offers Gamers More Than Networking

(Image credit: Santa Monica Studio)

Multiplayer Action is only the Start

For years now, console makers have required subscriptions for online gameplay, but the services are not the same across every platform. Sony’s PlayStation Plus offers much more than network access that brings additional gaming value, especially to new PlayStation 5 users. Although Xbox and Nintendo have similar services, Sony provides more content at the base level. The Load Screen covers how gamers can get the most value from their PlayStation Plus membership, including PSVR content.

Getting free games every month is a common benefit for network subscriptions on consoles, but unlike the other platforms, Sony offers free licensing for VR games and recent releases. The PlayStation Plus Games for November list contains Knockout City, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, and First Class Trouble but will cycle out early next month. However, three additional PSVR titles are available until January 3rd: The Persistence, The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners – Standard Edition, and Until You Fall. Of the two competitors, only the alternative Xbox Games with Gold lists three to four game licenses on the Xbox Games with Gold for December page.

(Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment)

In addition to the rotating free licensing for games, Sony has a curated set of classic PlayStation titles on the PS5. They call it the PlayStation Plus Collection, and it contains God of War, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, The Last of Us Remastered, and more. In total, there are twenty games listed on the PS Plus website. This list gives gamers instant content for the PS5, and the titles represent some of Sony’s best in recent years, especially for gamers switching to PlayStation for the first time; see the current PlayStation Plus Collection below.

Another PS5 benefit described on the PS Plus page is the Game Help system that links how-to videos for any supported title, and the current list is available at the bottom of this page. This feature gives instant access to hundreds of walkthroughs and tutorials approved by PlayStation as the best guides for each game without leaving the game directly. It is easier than wading through the hundreds of online solutions since the help includes Easter Eggs and other hidden artifacts to complete playthroughs.

(Image credit: Capcom)

Both Nintendo and Xbox have a similar curated game list, but they have additional restrictions. Xbox users must upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for access to hundreds of titles as listed on the Xbox Live Gold upgrade website. While the Nintendo Switch Online subscription provides over one hundred Nintendo and Super Nintendo games for free, according to the Nintendo Switch Online service page. Nintendo 64 and Sega lists are available on the Switch, but they require upgrading services like Xbox. In contrast, the only conditions for the Sony set of titles are owning the PlayStation 5 and having a working PS plus account.

All three console subscriptions offer discounts for buying titles, but PlayStation is notorious for providing a ton of exclusive game content. Currently, Sony is giving away in-game money for GTA Online players. To celebrate the updated PlayStation 5 version of the game, PS Plus members can get GTA$1,000,000 per month as shown on the GTAV and GTA Online now coming to PS5 March 2022 article. It is a nice bonus for those who play GTA Online since getting a million dollars in Bull Shark Cash Cards would cost at least $19.98 plus tax on the Rockstar Store GTAV page.

While it does take a PlayStation 5 for the gamer to take advantage of all the PlayStation Plus membership features, PS4 and PSVR players have access to several games per month as well as 100 GB network storage and other PlayStation exclusives. The other major console makers provide similar services but require upgrades for comparable content with the PlayStation Plus subscription. Sony adjusts in-game benefits constantly, so the crafty consumer should check out the PlayStation blog for occasional updates.

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PlayStation Plus Collection Games:

• God of War

• Infamous Second Son

• Monster Hunter: World

• Mortal Kombat X

• Persona 5

• Ratchet and Clank

• Resident Evil 7 biohazard

• The Last Guardian

• The Last of Us Remastered

• Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

• Until Dawn

• Batman: Arkham Knight

• Battlefield 1

• Bloodborne

• Call of Duty: Black Ops III – Zombies Chronicles Edition

• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

• Days Gone

• Detroit: Become Human

• Fallout 4

• Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition

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PS5 Titles with Game Help:

• Maneater

• Manifold Garden

• Maquette

• Marvel’s Spider-Man

• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

• Nioh

• Nioh 2

• Oddworld

• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

• Resident Evil Village

• Sackboy: A Big Adventure

• Scarlet Nexus

• Watch Dogs Legion

• Wreckfest

• A Plague Tale: Innocence

• Astro’s Playroom

• Borderlands 3

• Bugsnax

• Chicory

• Control: Ultimate Edition

• Crash Bandicoot 4

• Demon’s Souls

• Destruction AllStars

• Devil May Cry 5

• Haven

• Hitman 3

• Hunting Simulator 2

• Immortals Fenyx Rising