Although the recently rebooted PlayStation Plus is still only a few months old, that hasn't stopped the subscription service from making plenty of news headlines. Thanks to Sony’s decision to update its tiers at different points in the month, there’s been a consistent stream of content for PS4 and PS5 owners to read about and play. Recent hits like Stray and Deliver us the Moon have not only headlined that phenomenon, but have also helped to establish the service’s validity.
It’s worth keeping in mind that, since its global rollout started in May, the discourse surrounding the rebooted PS Plus hasn’t always been universally positive. August’s Premium update in particular demonstrated the challenges that Sony is seemingly facing in bringing content to all three of its tiers. However, following the announcement of September’s update, there are signs that the publisher is taking steps to address the issues that have popped up. On multiple fronts, the next batch of Extra and Premium subsequently represents a significant step in the right direction.
Extra’s Diversity
One of the dilemmas that can make the prospect of updating services like PlayStation Plus hard is the fact that each subscriber has their own unique tastes and preferences. Making sure that every player can find something to enjoy each month takes considerable planning as a result. While there’s no denying that Sony’s PS Plus Extra updates have done a decent job of managing all of this so far, September’s list of games is still a significant step forward.
During the July and August PS Plus Extra updates for example, there was a slight imbalance when it came to genres. Although the continued rollout of the Assassin’s Creed and Yakuza franchises has been a major boon for the service, both of these additions have taken up significant 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 at September's update though, as each entry is the only representative from their respective series.
The deal that Sony has struck with Ubisoft that's resulted in the publisher adding its biggest games to PS Plus Extra, arguably spearheads the service’s latest update once again. However, with Assassin’s Creed Origins, Watch Dogs 2, and Rayman Legends all featuring this time around, there’s a nice mix when it comes to franchise representation. The same can also be said more broadly when looking at the other experiences that are on offer. Most genres feature in some capacity thanks to flighting games like Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 and racers such as Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 5.
Sony’s efforts to offer up more genres this time around represents a significant step forward for PS Plus Extra. With 11 different games available on the service for the first time, it’s not hard to imagine most players being able to find at least one that appeals to their sensibilities. There’s also a nice mix of AAA and indie experiences as well, which should help gems like Chicory: A Colorful Tale and Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition find the audiences they arguably deserve.
Deathloop's Star Quality
An uptake in diversity isn’t the only reason why PlayStation Plus Extra’s September update represents a big step in the right direction. There's also been a notable increase in excitement online surrounding the upcoming refresh thanks to one game in particular. With a Metacritic score of 88, it's no exaggeration to say that Arkane Studios' Deathloop has been one of the PS5’s best games since its debut 12 months ago. While its arrival on the service is therefore a big get, a steady stream of similar content is going to be needed in the future if Sony wants to keep making progress.
Deathloop’s presence could be interpreted as a sign that Sony is prepared to do just that, though. Beyond the game’s reputation as one of the PS5’s best experiences, it’s also worth keeping in mind that Deathloop is now a Microsoft first-party IP. Despite the specific details of the agreement being hidden from the public, the publisher's willingness to strike that kind of deal can be viewed as a signal of intent. As a result, it's not too hard to imagine more critically and commercially acclaimed games being added to the service further down the line.
Premium’s Significant Update
One of the biggest issues that's held back the rebooted PlayStation Plus since its launch has been a sense of inconsistency when it comes to how content has been added to each of its tiers. Due seemingly to undisclosed issues behind the scenes, PS Plus Premium’s library has only been bolstered by three titles since May. August’s update was a particularly low point for fans though, as zero new titles were added to its roster. Considering subscribers have invested money into the most expensive option, many were understandably displeased.
It’s probably because of this reception that Sony has taken steps to ease fan concerns at the first available opportunity. When PS Plus Premium is updated again on September 20, six titles will subsequently be added to its library. Headlining the update is the PS1’s Syphon Filter 2, which launched back in 2000. Based on how Trophy support has been a hit-and-miss feature of the Premium tier since May, its presence within the game will likely be seen as a significant step forward by Trophy hunters.
In a similar vein to the games that are being added to PS Plus Extra in September, Sony has hit a decent balance when it comes to the platforms featured within Premium’s offerings. Beyond the aforementioned PS1 title, the PSP’s Kingdom of Paradise and Toy Story 3 will both become available to subscribers as well. Even though the franchise was a cornerstone of PlayStation Now, subscribers will also likely be pleased that the entire Sly Cooper series is being added to PS Plus Premium via The Sly Collection, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, and Bentley's Hackpack.
Thanks to several leaks, there’s reason to believe that September's Premium update won’t be a one-time occurrence. In the run-up to the rebooted PS Plus going live, multiple game ratings were uncovered by fans that suggested classics like Ridge Racer 2 and Dino Crisis are being readied for the service behind the scenes. Provided that Sony can keep updating the service with September-sized updates in the future, it’s easy to imagine this huge step forward being the first of many.
PS Plus subscribers get a handful of games every month.