While there’s been occasional revisions from time to time, for the most part PlayStation Plus’ core selling points have been largely unchanged since 2010. Following several leaks and insider rumors, Sony has confirmed that big developments are on the horizon. When June finally rolls around again,PS Plusand PS Now will merge into one multi-tiered service. Even though free games and content will remain a core aspect of the experience, now is still the perfect time to look back on the best months of the service so far.
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November 2020’s Lineup
November 2020 will not only go down in history as an important month for PlayStation Plus, but for gaming more generally speaking as well. Thanks to the arrival of the PS5 andXbox Series X/Swithin the space of just a few weeks, there was plenty of brand-new virtual goodness for early adopters to dive into at the time. Considering the historic nature of the month, it is not surprising that Sony went out of its way to make the occasion a memorable one for its main subscription service.
In an effort to drive sales of its latest console, Sony added even more content into the mix though. November 2020 will likely be remembered as one of the best months for the service, thanks to the subsequent arrival of the PlayStation Plus Collection. At the launch of the PS5, owners of the supply-constrained console were given access to 20 of the PS4’s defining experiences.Games likePersona 5,God of War2018, andUncharted 4, which helped shape a generation for many players, were all handed out as free bonuses. No matter what comes next for the service, it’s hard to envision many months offering the same quantity and quality.
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June 2012’s Lineup
While the first PlayStation Plus Collection didn’t quite match the sheer quantity of its PS5-based descendant, there was still enough content on offer to solidify June 2012 as one of PS Plus’ best months. At the time, Sony estimated that the 12 piece collection was worth nearly $260, which prompted the publisher to label it as the ‘best value in gaming.’ It’s perhaps telling that this exact same statement is oftenused to describe Microsoft’s Game Passtoday, as it shows how exciting June 2012 was.
November 2012’s Lineup
July 2015’s Lineup
Even though the aforementioned months are PlayStation Plus’ biggest when it comes to the number of games on offer, a case can still be made for July 2015 going down in history as the service’s most significant. For the first five years of PS Plus’ history, aside from occasionalhits like Housemarque’sResogun, most of the games that arrived on the service were pre-existing releases. Retro PS1 games, app-like Minis, and older PS3 titles were the standard fare that fans had come to expect from its monthly refreshes. As is the case to this day, the success of months like this can often be dependent on what a player has already purchased.
With the arrival of July 2015’s lineup though, Sony shifted these expectations forever. While older games likeRainand Pixelopus’Entwinedwere part of the month’s 6-part lineup, the day-one launch ofRocket Leaguestole the show. Thanks to the publicity that PS Plus offeredPsyonix’s soccer/racing-hybrid, the title quickly became an internet and e-sports sensation. Since then, more games have debuted on the service, such asFall Guys,Maquette, andDeep Rock Galactic.
If it wasn’t for the success ofRocket Leagueon PS Plus, it’s possible that subscription services like Game Pass might not have taken off as quickly as they did. Thanks to the acclaim of July 2015’s lineup, though, a blueprint was established for others to adapt. Over the last seven years or so, Sony’s ownPS Plusrefreshes have also been better off as a result of the increased exposure that month generated. While big hits likeFinal Fantasy 7: RemakeandDirt 5have gone down well with fans, it’s often months that featureRocket League-esque launches that are viewed as the best.
