We are in the early days of a new month, so it’s time to take stock of our backlogs. But thanks to services likePlayStation Plus, backlogs are not as simple as they once were: players now have access to dozens, if not hundreds, of new games through such services. Nevertheless, gaming audiences press on, delving into these catalogs time and again for fresh experiences.
Looking at whatPS Plushas been offering, this isn’t surprising. The subscription service has been on a roll lately, with recent arrivals likeDiablo 4andCyberpunk 2077serving up hard-hitting AAA thrills alongside lighter indie fare. This trend is continuing, as the Essentials tier of the platform is getting a fresh batch of titles, and the back-catalog is as robust as ever. If you want a touch of guidance when navigating this sometimes-overwhelming collection, then read on.
The PS Plus Essentials July lineup, composed ofDiablo 4,Jusant, andKing of Fighters 15, will no longer be available starting August 5.
PS Plus Essentials Free Games Drop August 5
DayZandMy Hero One’s Justiceare a bit more modest by comparison, but welcome additions nonetheless. Still massively popular despite its crowded genre space,hardcore survival MMODayZis an easy recommendation for fans of unique multiplayer shooters. Meanwhile,My Hero One’s Justiceis a decent choice for anime brawler fans; with simple but satisfying gameplay, it’s able to offer a strong, if restrained, arena fighter experience.
Lies of P
WHERE TO PLAY
Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.You are a puppet created by Geppetto who’s caught in a web of lies with unimaginable monsters and untrustworthy figures standing between you and the events that have befallen the world of Lies of P.You are awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the plagued city of Krat - a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust. In our soulslike, you must adapt yourself and your weapons to face untold horrors, untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city’s elites and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find yourself.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Available on PS Plus Extra
If the new Essentials games aren’t speaking to you, and you want to take a gander at some slightly deeper cuts,Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxyisn’t a bad place to start. Still a fairly ambitious game,Guardians of the Galaxyis certainly more quaint and reined-in than your average AAA superhero outing. The action-RPG offers a linear, charming story following the titular space-farers, and while the gameplay is solid, the real star is the writing: this game may have thebest version of the Guardians of the Galaxyto date.
Fire up a wild ride across the cosmos with a fresh take on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. In this third-person action-adventure game, you are Star-Lord, and thanks to your bold yet questionable leadership, you have persuaded an oddball crew of unlikely heroes to join you. Some jerk (surely not you) has set off a chain of catastrophic events, and only you can hold the unpredictable Guardians together long enough to fight off total interplanetary meltdown.Use Element Blasters, tag-team beat downs, jet boot-powered dropkicks, nothing’s off-limits. If you think it’s all going to plan, you’re in for a world of surprises, with the consequences of your actions guaranteed to keep the Guardians on their toes.In this original Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy story, you’ll cross paths with powerful new beings and unique takes on iconic characters, all caught in a struggle for the galaxy’s fate. It’s time to show the universe what you’re made of. You got this. Probably.
Celeste
Moving on from “great” to “phenomenal,” we haveCeleste, anindie platformerthat will make you cry, shout in frustration, and leap in triumph, all with disturbing regularity. The 2D side-scroller follows Madeline, a young woman battling internal demons, as she attempts to climb the treacherous Mt. Celeste. The movement mechanics are deceptively simple, every level feels unique and refreshing, and appropriately clicky controls, a killer soundtrack, and a forgiving checkpoint system all lend the game a sense of momentum and style. The introspective, emotional narrative is just the cherry on top.
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight, hand-crafted platformer from the creators of multiplayer classic TowerFall.A narrative-driven, single-player adventure like mom used to make, with a charming cast of characters and a touching story of self-discoveryA massive mountain teeming with 700+ screens of hardcore platforming challenges and devious secrets.Brutal B-side chapters to unlock, built for only the bravest mountaineersIGF “Excellence in Audio” finalist, with over 2 hours of original music led by dazzling live piano and catchy synth beats.The controls are simple and accessible - simply jump, air-dash, and climb - but with layers of expressive depth to master, where every death is a lesson. Lightning-fast respawns keep you climbing as you uncover the mysteries of the mountain and brave its many perils.
Prey
Here’s another game that deserves more attention: often considered one ofArkane Austin’s best works,Preyis a can’t-miss immersive sim. Of course, fans of Arkane and immersive sims probably don’t need this recommendation, but even genre newcomers can find something to love inPrey. There are plenty of opportunities for emergent and experimental gameplay, butPreycan also be enjoyed as a fairly straightforward action-RPG, if one so chooses. It’s this flexibility, coupled with a strong story and setting, that makesPreyparticularly crowd-pleasing, and more accessible than many give it credit for.
In Prey, you awaken aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the moon in the year 2032. You are the key subject of an experiment meant to alter humanity forever – but things have gone terribly wrong. The space station has been overrun by hostile aliens and you are now being hunted. As you dig into the dark secrets of Talos I and your own past, you must survive using the tools found on the station – your wits, weapons, and mind-bending abilities. The fate of the Talos I and everyone aboard is in your hands.
