Europe: PS+ April 2014

Aw yeah! The PlayStation Plus line-up for April has been announced, one of my favourite times of the month. As always, you will be getting five free games if you are a member of PlayStation Plus. Many of last month’s games will be leaving the Instant Game Collection, so be sure to pick up Tomb Raider and the other games if you haven’t done that yet. Alright, so what’s in store for you this month and is it just as good as the previous months?

Mercenary Kings (PS4)

We haven’t seen any triple A games so far for the PlayStation 4, but the console hasn’t been out for that long. First up is Mercenary Kings for the PlayStation 4, an 8-bit indie shooter that should give you the retro feel, yet the game runs very smooth and this makes it very pleasant to look at. If you are up some arcade shooter action, you are in luck with this month’s free game. The game also features multiplayer, which is almost mandatory in shooters nowadays.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 (PS3)Most soccer fans around the world have probably played both a FIFA or PES game once, but the majority of the people that I know choose to play FIFA. If you are one of those people, you can give PES another go (for free) now. PES 2014 promised more ball control and better gameplay, yet it fails to deliver. Artificial Intelligence still is one of the weakest points of the game, and it just doesn’t stand up to it’s competitor FIFA.

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (PS3 & PS Vita)You might remember Sly Cooper back from the PlayStation 2, as that is where the game made its first appearance. This cell-shaded platformer game takes you back in time: re-live your youth by playing this game and actual time-travelling in the game. Time travelling? Yep Sly Cooper has to travel back in time and do what he’s good at: stealing shinies! Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time also supports Cross Buy, Cross Play and Cross Save, so you do not have to worry about missing any action if you have a PS Vita.

Hotline Miami (PS3 & PS Vita)

Have you ever watched the movie Drive? Did you enjoy it? If you did, you will most likely enjoy Hotline Miami as well. This 2D indie game has everything that you can wish for in an indie game, except if you don’t really .. like blood and violence (you should probably skip this game in that case, just saying). Hotline Miami has an amazing soundtrack and an awesome 80’s feel, mix this together with top-down 2D action and you have one of the best indie games out there. The game also has Cross Buy enabled, so you can play it on both your PS3 and PS Vita.

MotoGP 13

Another racing game is added to the list of PlayStation Plus games, and this motor racing game delivers what it should: a good motor racing experience. It definitely isn’t the easier racing game out there and you really need to practice if you want to be able to ride on the faster bikes. If you are into motor bikes, you will most likely enjoy this game. If you aren’t a real fan of motor racing, you might find the game a bit too hard, but you can always try it out of course.

Be sure to pick up the games that are leaving the Instant Game Collection of PlayStation Plus before the 2nd of April:

Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition (PS4)
Tomb Raider (PS3)
Borderlands 2 (PS3)
Pixeljunk Monsters Ultimate HD (PS Vita)

Smart As (PS Vita)

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Europe: PS+ March 2014

It’s a another beautiful month for PlayStation Plus subscribers, since Sony is once again being really generous this month with the games that you will be getting with your PlayStation Plus subscription. Sony is giving PlayStation Plus subscribers five games this month: one for the PS4, two for the PS3 and also two games for the PS Vita.

Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition (PS4)
Do you like shooting zombi-.. Okay, that is a silly question, since everyone loves shooting zombies (or hacking them in pieces with an axe or a machete). Dead Nation is a top-down zombie survival shooter that can be played locally and online with two players. Purchase new weapons with the money that you earn by shooting zombies, doesn’t that just sound delightful?

Tomb Raider (PS3)

This is last year’s reboot of the popular Tomb Raider franchise, and the game starts the story from scratch: you are a young Lara Croft that has to survive on a mysterious island. If you enjoyed the Uncharted games, you will probably have no problem to play this game as it has a lot of similarities.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (PS3)

The other game for the PS3 this month is Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. In this story based adventure game you take control of two brothers, who will move simultaneously and have to solve puzzles. The game has received multiple prices, such as Best Xbox Game of 2013 (it competed with games such as GTA V and Tomb Raider - so yes, it is a pretty good game).

Pixeljunk Monsters Ultimate HD (PS Vita)

This Tower Defense game gives you all the content from the original PS3 game and HD levels from the PSP version. Constructing towers in the beautifully cartoon world of Pixeljunk is definitely not a punishment, so pick this up as soon as you can.

Smart As (PS Vita)

Are you a genius and do you sometimes feel like you want to show it to the world? Or do you want to become one? Smart As is the perfect game for you in that case! This brain-training PS Vita only title is made to be played once a day so you can make yourself a bit smarter every day. The game consists of 20 individual mini games with 4 different difficulty levels.

The games will be entering the PlayStation Store on the 5th of March, and it will replace five other games. So if you haven’t added any of the following games yet from previous months yet, be sure to download them before the 5th of March. Adding games to your PlayStation Plus library is also possible through the PlayStation Store website now, no need to turn on your PlayStation device for it!

List of games leaving the PlayStation:

- Outlast (or Sound Shapes if Outlast wasn't available in your country)

- Metro Last Light

- Dynasty Warriors Next

- Guacamelee!

- ModNation Racers Road Trip

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Europe: PS+ November

It’s that time of the month again: the games that will be free to download for PlayStation Plus members have been announced. Normally as a PlayStation Plus member you would get three PlayStation 3 games, but this month you will (only) get two games. Don’t get frustrated yet, since there is some good news: a free game every month for the PlayStation 4. The first game that will be free to download for PS+ members that are getting a PlayStation 4 is the game Drive Club.

Below is a list of the games that will be free to download starting October 23rd.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PS3) Ready for some real action on your screen? In that case you shouldn't be  skipping this game this month. It definitely isn't a game you would expect from the Metal Gear franchise, and Revengeance gives the player a whole new experience. If you are a fan of the franchise, you should definitely give this refreshing game a chance.

Remember Me (PS3) While most critics did not like this game and the metascore is pretty low as well, a lot of people are still eager to try it out. The game takes place in the year 2084 and in this time personal memories no longer belong just to yourself. They are now being sold, traded, gifted and stolen. In the game you play Nilin, a memory huntress that escaped from jail. With the help of her only friend she tries to recover her identity.

Oddworld Stranger's Wrath (PS Vita) In the HD remake of this classic game, you take the role of a mysterious bounty hunter. For unknown reasons, you are trying to collect enough money for a surgery that he needs to survive. The game combines first-person shooting with platforming and puzzling, a silly but surprisingly awesome trio. The original game got praised a lot, and the remake of the game makes sure that the game still feels up-to-date (for all the graphics lovers out there).

Motorstorm RC (PS Vita)
If you own a PlayStation you have probably ever heard of the Motorstorm games. Motorstorm RC is a racing game just like the other games in the series, but there is something that makes it different: radio-controlled cars. Instead of the original games, this game is played from a somewhat top-down angled camera, which doesn't disturb the gameplay. The game features 16 different tracks and 24 different cars, and the game has little to no loading time. Spin-offs of big games don't have to necessarily be bad, and Motorstorm RC proves this. 

With PlayStation Plus becoming mandatory for online multiplayer on the PlayStation 4, it is obvious that a lot of new people will become PlayStation Plus members. Will this affect the games that are free every month in a good or a bad way, or will nothing change? With Drive Club being the first free game for PlayStation Plus members with a PlayStation 4 it is looking good so far, so let's hope that the future has a lot more cool stuff in store for us!

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Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus Preview

If you enjoy platformers and you have ever owned a PlayStation 2 or 3, there is quite a chance that you have ever played a game from the Ratchet & Clank Series. But lately our furry Lombax and shiny metal friend haven't had a lot of old-school adventures. With All 4 One being a 4 player co-op game and QForce being more of a tower-defense styled game, it feels like the series has lost it's sense of traditional gameplay. The exploring and free-roaming that made the earlier games in the series so great, has made place for newer types of gameplay. Luckily a new game has been announced by Insomniac Games and it should feel like the older games.

Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus will be released on the PlayStation 3 and should bring the old-school gameplay back. This means that there will be lots of crazy weapons, heaps of bolts, a lot of jokes and of course there will be platforming. A new addition to the gameplay will be gravity, which will be an important aspect of the game. 

Ratchet's trusty gravity boots will be returning, making it possible to make huge jumps between platforms. The Swingshot will be returning as well, so get ready for grappling from platform to platform. But like every Ratchet & Clank game, there will be new gadgets: the Gravity Tether will allow a bunch of new cool puzzles, which is always a fun thing to do between the shooting and smacking.

The semi open world has always been one of the factors that made the series great, and it looks like Insomniac has found a way to perfect the series. There will be multiple paths to complete missions as the planets don't have just one way to get to the end. As always, there will be lots of funky and deadly weapons that you will be able to purchase and upgrade. As always this will all be accompanied by the classic humor the series is known for, together with an entertaining story. You might think it's more of the same, but it's something we have learned to love. 

And the art style of the game remains the same, but the graphics have been slightly upgraded. The particle system has been upgraded, and it gives the environment the feeling it's more alive. The lightning system helps the graphics as well, it just feels right and makes the movement of the characters look fluid. 

It's everything that the fans of the series have been waiting for, and it might be Ratchet's last adventure on the PlayStation 3. For those that have been disappointed by the last two games, Into the Nexus might be the game that will restore the faith in the series.

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Europe: PS+ October 2013

PlayStation has announced the games that will be free to download for PlayStation Plus members in October. Just like the past few months the selected titles this month are pretty amazing. Assassin's Creed III was last month's big free game, and this month you will be getting another amazing title that was one of the biggest games of 2012. As always, you will be getting three games for the PlayStation 3 and two for the PlayStation Vita.

Far Cry 3Big chance that you remember this awesome game from last year, and the time has come to play it if you didn't already. In Far Cry 3 you take the role of Jason Brody, whose tropical holiday with his friends turns into a horrifying disaster when they get stranded on an island that is getting terrorized by pirate and slave trader Vaas. Do you have the will to survive on the massive open-world island and rescue your friends, or is certain doom awaiting you?

Dragon's Dogma: Dark ArisenDark Arisen is the re-release of the action-adventure RPG Dragon's Dogma. The re-release features a lot of new content for the game, as well as a few changes. In this open-world fantasy game you will be fighting against huge monsters, as well as exploring caves and castles. If you feel like playing a good RPG, you should definitely check out this one.

Giana Sisters: Twisted DreamsIf you are old enough you might remember a game called The Great Giana Sisters, a game that was released for the Commodore all the way back in 1987. Twisted Dreams is the successor to that game, and in this beautiful fantasy platformer you are set out to save your sister, who has been abducted by a Giant Dragon. It doesn't get more old school than that!

Street Fighter X Tekken (PS Vita)

One of this month's games for the Vita is a fighting game. In Street Fighter X Tekken a lot of the Tekken characters will be stepping into the world and 2D style of Street Fighter. Can a person wish for more? Well, you certainly can since you get a lot more in the Vita version than the PS3 version, such as: 12 DLC characters for free and over 35 alternative costumes. Pretty good!

Touch My Katamari (PS Vita)

This was one of the launch games for the PS Vita, and the objective is pretty simple: roll the ball, also known as the Katamari. The ball has to grow in size and reach certain spots. A simple game that some people will definitely enjoy.

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Europe: PS+ September

PlayStation has announced the games that will be free to download for all PlayStation Plus members in September. The games that will be free this month definitely aren’t disappointing titles, and just like always there will be three new PlayStation 3 games and two new Vita games appearing in the PlayStation Plus instant game collection.

Assassin’s Creed III

That’s right, another AAA title this month. You probably know what the game is about, and since the game has been out for almost a year the chances are high that you have already played the game. Assassin’s Creed III will take you to America in the late 18th century, where you will take control of an assassin named Connor. The story of Connor will lead you through the game and you will meet many historic figures from the American history.

Jak and Daxter Trilogy

When you think about Naughty Dog, you might think about the Uncharted series and their latest game The Last of Us. But they have been making great games before they started with their most recent titles as well, and the Jak and Daxter Trilogy proves that. These platform action games can make you feel nostalgic if you have played these games in the past, and if you haven’t ever played them you should definitely give them a try. Note: Not sure if you will get the PS Vita version for free as well.

Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark (PS Vita)*

We haven’t been totally honest about how many Vita games you will be getting this month, since this game is both playable on the PlayStation 3 as it is on the PS Vita. This little 2D platformer will let you put some hours into it, if you don’t get too frustrated of some of the puzzles. While it isn’t the best 2D platformer out there, it’s still enjoyable.

Urban Trial Freestyle (PS Vita)

If you’re into motorbikes, this 2D race-stunting game might be something for you. The graphics of the game are pretty nice, and everything is 3D while the gameplay itself is in 2D. The game might be challenging, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the game.

New Little King’s Story (PS Vita)

The story is simple: a young boy finds a crown, and with that crown come certain powers. This adventure game sets place in a colorful fantasy world, where you will have to fight monsters and giants. You slowly gain more followers that listen to your command and you will have to make sure they will help you defeat your foes. A cute JRPG that will also appeal to kids, but if you dislike games that appear childish then you might want to skip this one.

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Europe: PS+ August

It's that time of the month again: Playstation announced the games that will be free in August for Playstation Plus members. Everyone that has a subscription to PS+ gets access to five games, three of these are Playstation 3 games and two are Vita games. And just like the free games in July, it looks like August will be a pretty sweet month as well. But here is the list of games that will be free to download for all PS+ members.

Spec Ops: The Line
This is not your standard shooter, since first of all it's an over-the-shoulder third person shooter. The story takes place in the abandoned city of Dubai, which is a refreshing setting from a lot of other shooters and together with the immersive story it's a very interesting game!

Mafia II
Ready to get sucked into the world of organised crime? In Mafia II you are taking the role of Vito, a criminal that gets the chance to work his way up to the top and escape his old life. The game has an immersive world that is based on several real cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Although the game wasn't as popular as it's predecessor, you can always give it a shot.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted

A decent street-racing game that could've been more. It still is fun to play, and it's easy to just play a few races. It might disappoint the fans of the NFS franchise, but it can be a fun play for those who just want to race around a bit in the open world.

Lego Lord of the Rings (PS Vita)

Get back to Middle Earth in this Vita game. You will play the whole story of Lord of the Rings filled with the goofy jokes that we know from the Lego games. Although this port certainly isn't as good as the console version, it's worth a try if you can enjoy these type of games. Otherwise it might be a huge letdown for you.

When Vikings Attack (PS Vita)

This cute game is fun and innovative. As your town suddenly is getting raided by Vikings, it is up to you to defend it. In this adventure-fighting game you will take the role of several local citizens such as a butcher or the pastor. And the fun doesn't end after you've finished the single-player. Lots of challenges that can be done and there always is multiplayer for even more fun!

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