Playstation Plus October 2015
Another month has arrived, which means a fresh batch of free games to download for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Interestingly, the Vote to Play feature which was introduced in August to choose one of September’s games has quietly vanished. I guess we’re back to getting whatever Sony chooses for us. Hope you enjoy side-scrolling indie platformers!
Super Meat Boy, PS4, PS Vita
This indie platformer was praised for its brutal difficulty when it came out 5 years ago. As a squishy blob of meat, you dodge spinning blades and other nefarious traps to rescue Bandage Girl from the evil Doctor Fetus. Very gory, and very challenging.
Broken Age, PS4, PS Vita
This is a well written point and click adventure game from Double Fine Productions and the amazing Tim Shafer that was a kickstarted game debuting on Ouya and Steam. If you enjoy humor, fun characters, and an engaging story, this game is the one to check out this month.
Unmechanical: Extended, PS4, PS3
This indie side-scrolling platformer features a robot engaging in puzzles. Good thing we’ve never had a game like that on Plus before.
oh wait…I guess we have…
Chariot, PS3
A two player cooperative side scrolling puzzle platformer that is so good it was subsidized by the Canada Media Fund. The king is dead, and as the princess, you must haul his corpse on a wheeled chariot to his grave. Although playable as a one person game, this game is much better with two players jockeying the royal cadaver over obstacles.
KickBeat, PS3, PS Vita
This is the game I’m interested in checking out. It is a rhythm fighting game, so your button timing determines how well your character fights their enemies. Action often slows into slow motion, with spinning camera angles that make the combat look really cool. This one will get a spin on my Vita.
Kung Fu Rabbit, PS3, PS Vita
This ported mobile game is also free on android and $3 on iOS. You play as a cartoon rabbit fighting off aliens in this side-scrolling indie platformer.
You may have noticed I haven’t hid my disappointment with Sony’s choices this month. It’s been a long time since Sony has given Plus subscribers value for their money with a AAA title. For comparison, this month Xbox Gold subscribers can download Tomb Raider Definitive Edition, and Walking Dead Season 1. Sony used to be the leader in value for subscription service, but they are clearly slipping. Even the excellent game, Rocket League, offered a few months ago, was a budget title. What do you think? Do you like Sony’s Plus indie title offerings over Microsoft Gold’s focus on AAA titles? Let me know in the comments, and as always, you can hear more about my thoughts on these and other games on the Plug and Play podcast.