After several months than have left gamers with mixed feelings over the offerings provided by Sony Computer Entertainment with regards to the games available as part of the monthly Instant Games Collection, today Sony unveiled the games that we are being treated to as PlayStation Plus members for June 2015 and it’s an interesting selection…
The big game that Sony are promoting this time is the inclusion of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes for the PS4 and while this is certainly set to be the “showcase” title for the month, for many it already seems to be a disappointment with the game being a cut-down offering and not really being perceived as a full game by many, in the same way that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was on the PS3.
Supporting this on the PS4 is the turn-based strategy game Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-A-Fide Edition while PS3 owners are being treated to Call of Juarez: Gunslinger and the platformer Cloudberry Kingdom.
Unlike last time when the PS Vita had four titles, this month we are (as with the PS3) only getting two games and both of these are Cross Buy games shared with the PS4. The first of these is the brand new game Super Exploding Zoo developed by the same team who brough you Hohokum and it’s a blend of puzzle, strategy and arcade action.
Joining this is the 80s influenced Futuridium EP Deluxue which takes it’s inspiration from the Commodore 64 classic Uridium but wrapping it up in a brand new 3D look. It’s a game we loved playing here and it’s well worth taking a look at.
The only thing we are disappointed at is the overall offerings for the Vita. While we certainly don’t want to go into the Indie / AAA debate, both the PS3 and PS4 have what could be regarded as being high-budget titles in their games this month alongside indie titles, whereas the Vita is only receiving indie games, and these are ones that are being shared with the PS4. If anything, PS4 owners are getting the best out of PS+ this month with four games and PS Vita owners are being left out in the cold with what many feel are lesser offerings than their console counterparts.
Leaving PlayStation Plus:
- Ether One (PS4)
- Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition (PS4)
- The Unfinished Swan (PS Vita, PS3, PS4)
- Race the Sun (PS Vita, PS3. PS4)
- Murasaki Baby (PS Vita)
- Hohokum (PS Vita, PS3, PS4)
Entering PlayStation Plus:
- Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes (PS4)
- Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-A-Fide Edition (PS4)
- Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (PS3)
- Cloudberry Kingdom (PS3)
- Futuridium EP Deluxe (PS Vita, PS4)
- Super Exploding Zoo (PS Vita, PS4)
I have no idea why no JRPGs are never on the IGC, almost. Hyperdimension? Atelier? So many to choose from. The only one I remember ever coming to IGC is Muramasa Rebirth.
Perfect AA titles for IGC to accompany a smaller release.
Surely, Sony should know the Vita’s audience by now?
I know that signing titles up for PS+ isn’t a simple process and funds do play a major part in things. For titles that make their debut on the service, the development of these are often subsidised by Sony in the first place making it easier to release this way.
In other cases, it used to be older games where payment was needed from Sony (taken from a percentage of the PS+ membership fees/income) or from Sony’s own back catalogue. Some developers / publishers are understandably more willing to offer games if they have new versions of games available or DLC that can be sold but that isn’t always the case. For me, when Velocity 2X went straight to PS+ on day one, I bought all the DLC to give at least *something* to Futurlab and I guess that was part of the gamble they took with it.
Back to the point though about JRPGs and we have had a decent number on PS+ (Rainbow Moon, Virtue’s Last Reward for example) but I’d even love to see some of the old PSP games made available as there are some real classics there.
“I’d even love to see some of the old PSP games made available as there are some real classics there.” – This.
I’d even go so far as to say i’d be happy with the odd ps1 classic appearing.
The only sony product i have is my vita (my other ride is a PC) and these comments have just made me realise i’m only keeping up my ps+ membership for one reason: the ease of using their cloud save service.
Ps+ seems great for games if you have a ps3/4, but on the vita the carrot seems to be getting more and more dishevelled.
How about adding themes (the lack of something this basic still astounds me), avatars, even custom background music from games or something to make it a bit more worthwhile? They’ve essentially made it a completely closed system, and not taken advantage of it at all.
Sadly, I’m on the same boat.
My PS+ membership expired in March, and Vita being my only PS platform, I’ve seen no reason to renew it.
As I mentioned on one of our podcasts recently, I look at the bigger picture with PlayStation Plus. Over the course of the year there are at least 24 games but I also take advantage of the discounts too. When Broken Age was released I saved £6 on that alone so in a year I think I’d save more than the cost of my membership.
That’s an excellent point.