September 2014 brings free arcade action to PlayStation Plus

By Will Fulton August 27, 2014

Sony has shared the latest batch of free games that PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download for their PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita in September.

Velocity 2X (PS4, PS Vita): This sequel to the arcade space shooter Velocity adds puzzle platforming levels for when you get off your ship that still utilize the teleportation mechanic to tie this fast-paced and challenging game together.

Sportsfriends (PS4, PS3): Invite your friends over for this compilation of local multiplayer games like retro-style fighting game BaraBariBall or the physical party game Johann Sebastian Joust. All of the games utilize the DualShock 4 controller and Johann Sebastian Joust is particularly well-suited for the PlayStation Move controller.

PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale (PS3, PS Vita): It’s Super Smash Bros., but with PlayStation characters instead of Nintendo staples. You can finally decide once and for all who would win in a fight between Kratos and Parappa the Rapper.

Hoard (PS3): If you’re sick of being a noble hero, slaying monsters and rescuing princesses, Hoard turns that on its head and casts you as a sinister dragon to exploit the countryside and accrue treasure while fending off pesky knights and thieves. A variety of modes lets you play solo, co-operatively, or competitively with your fellow dragons in this fun and innovative arcade game.

Joe Danger (PS Vita): Before throwing the entire gaming public into a tizzy over their upcoming open world space game No Man’s Sky, Hello Games made a name for itself with this charming, colorful motorcycle arcade series. Guide the titular stunt riding hero through levels chock-full of secrets with conventional or touch controls (as developed for recent iOS ports), and make your own levels with the editor mode.

TxK (PS Vita): Throw on your Members Only jacket for this re-envisioning of the ’80s classic arcade shooter Tempest. A pulse-pounding soundtrack drives your pursuit of ever-higher scores in this spiritual successor to the seminal tube shooter.

All of the above games will be free starting September 1 for PlayStation Plus subscribers on Sony’s various platforms.

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Will Fulton is a New York-based writer and theater-maker. In 2011 he co-founded mythic theater company AntiMatter Collective…

Gaming

Everything announced at PlayStation’s September 2022 State of Play

Kratos looks at the Leviathan Axe.

Sony pops up every few months with a new showcase that highlights titles coming to PlayStation platforms. While fans were hoping for a full-fledged PlayStation Showcase this month as State of Play presentations took place in March and June, Sony decided to hold another State of Play on September 13 ahead of Tokyo Game Show to highlight games coming to PS4, PS5, and PlayStation VR2. As the June State of Play featured the likes of Street Fighter 6, Final Fantasy XVI, and Resident Evil 4's remake, this presentation had a lot to live up to.
State of Play | September 13, 2022 | [English]
While it wasn't as impressive, lasting 20 minutes and featuring 10 games, every title shown looked intriguing in its own way. In particular, we got a look at the next Tekken game and an exciting trailer for God of War: Ragnarok ahead of its release in November. This is every announcement that PlayStation made during the September 2022 State of Play.
Tekken 8 announced for PS5
Tekken 8 - State of Play Sep 2022 Announcement Trailer | PS5 Games
The announcement that kicked off the show was Tekken 8. We saw some cutscenes and gameplay featuring Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, and it looks just as impactful and satisfying as ever. In a PlayStation Blog post, Katsuhiro Harada explained that this content was taken straight from the game's story mode, and runs at 50 frames per second. It has no release date but is confirmed for PS5.
Like a Dragon Ishin! is finally coming to the West with a remake
Like a Dragon: Ishin! - State of Play Sep 2022 Announcement Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games
Rya Ga Gotoku: Ishin is getting a full remake treatment. This game was released for PS3 and PS4 in the early 2010s but never came to North America or Europe as the Yakuza series was not yet popular in the West at the time. It's now titled Like a Dragon: Ishin!, remade with Unreal Engine 4, and will be released for PS4 and PS5 in February 2023.
God of War looks great and is getting a themed DualSense controller
God of War Ragnarök - State of Play Sep 2022 Story Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games
To wrap up the show, Sony revealed that a limited-edition DualSense wireless controller based on the next God of War game is launching on November 8 before providing a deeper look at God of War: Ragnarok. We saw more interactions between Kratos, Tyr, and Atreus, as well as some new gameplay featuring the awe-inspiring fantasy enemies and set pieces players will encounter during the game. God of War: Ragnarok launches on November 9.
Everything else

Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge Enhanced Edition is coming to PlayStation VR2.
Demeo is coming to PlayStation VR2.
Hogwarts Legacy is getting a PlayStation-exclusive quest.
Pacific Drive, the debut game from Ironwood Studio, was announced.
Sony explained how PlayStation Stars works and confirmed that it will start rolling out in various regions later this month.
Bandai Namco announced a new mecha game called Synduality.
PlayStation will publish Stellar Blade, which debuted at last year's PlayStation Showcase as Project EVE, and it will launch in 2023.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is publishing Rise of the Ronin from Koei Tecmo Games' Team Ninja as a PS5 exclusive in 2024.

Gaming

The Last of Us Part I should launch on PlayStation Plus Premium

Ellie looking concerned.

The Last of Us Part I is one of the most notable PlayStation 5 games to launch this fall. It’s also one of the year’s most controversial titles.
Despite the acclaim associated with The Last of Us series, there is heated debate surrounding the remake’s $70 price tag, which is more than the original release and The Last of Us Remastered cost at release -- even though it's lacking the multiplayer mode that came with both. This situation turned what should be a certified slam dunk for Sony into a divisive release, and Sony could fix it with one key change: making The Last of Us Part I a day-one title on PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium.
This isn’t because The Last of Us Part I isn’t worth $70. In fact, its improved visuals and the vast amount of new accessibility features clearly warrant the price tag in the eyes of some. That said, even defenders of the heightened price can recognize the controversy arising from charging more than ever for a remake of a twice-released game. The Last of Us Part I is in a rough situation, and being a PS Plus game would ease some of those concerns.
Why being on PS Plus would work
As The Last of Us is one of Sony's most popular modern franchises and has a TV show on the way, it's understandable why Sony and developer Naughty Dog eagerly want a modernized version of The Last of Us Part I on store shelves at full price. Still, those who've already bought the game twice and aren't impressed by the visual and accessibility overhaul don't seem as compelled to pick up the game for the third time. Sony would remove this significant roadblock plaguing The Last of Us Part I by putting the game on a subscription service.
The Last of Us Part I Rebuilt for PS5 - Features and Gameplay Trailer | PS5 Games
There are plenty of examples showing why this would be a wise idea. The Age of Empire series' Definitive Edition games showed how well remakes work on subscription services. Several years after their original release, many players are still actively engaged with the first three Age of Empire games. While interested players can still purchase the remakes individually, putting those games on Game Pass for PC on day one ensured that the community didn't have to pay full price for a game they were already playing daily. Instead, they could just get the remake through their subscription and continue.
The Last of Us Part I is in a similar situation, even with the multiplayer content removed. This demonstrates why a subscription service release could lessen some of the negative stigmas around the game. The successful Stray, which was included in PS Plus at launch, shows that day one PlayStation Plus games can still generate plenty of positive buzz. The game's subscription service availability ensured that the conversation stayed on the game's cute cats, not the fact that it was a $30 game that only lasted about five hours.
Sony has recognized the power PS Plus can have on embattled games before. Destruction All-Stars was originally a $70 PS5 launch title, but ultimately launched as a PlayStation Plus game that was free to subscribers. Although The Last of Us Part I seems like it’ll be a better game than Destruction All-Stars, a day one game makes even more sense on PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra now than it did on PS Plus in February 2021.

Despite all of those factors, Jim Ryan made it clear that he does not want AAA PlayStation Studios games on PlayStation Plus Premium or Extra on day one during an interview with Games Industry.
“We feel like we are in a good virtuous cycle with the studios where the investment delivers success, which enables yet more investment, which delivers yet more success,” Ryan said. “We like that cycle and we think our gamers like that cycle … We feel if we were to do that with the games that we make at PlayStation Studios, that virtuous cycle will be broken. The level of investment that we need to make in our studios would not be possible, and we think the knock-on effect on the quality of the games that we make would not be something that gamers want."
His argument makes sense from a business standpoint, but data from Microsoft shows that people play more games (and games they might not have played initially) when they are available on a subscription service. Even if it seems unfair to judge, many people weigh the amount of new, entertaining content a game offers to its price tag. Sony's can't truly say whether The Last of Us Part I is worth $70, but it can shift the discussion in its favor with an act of goodwill.
The Last of Us Part I will be released for PS5 on September 2, 2022.

Gaming

PlayStation Plus is adding the Yakuza series. Here are what tiers you’ll need

yakuza series joins playstation plus lad

PlayStation has revealed it will be adding all eight mainline Yakuza games to PlayStation Plus throughout the rest of the year, starting in August.

Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon will be added first into the service next month. Later in the year, Yakuza 3 Remastered, Yakuza 4 Remastered, Yakuza 5 Remastered, and Yakuza 6: Song of Life will be included too.