February's big PlayStation Plus update will include isometric alien shooter Helldivers and quirky factory sim Nom Nom Galaxy on the PlayStation 4. The lineup has been leaked via the new-gen system's user interface, which includes a Coming Soon screen featuring the two forthcoming freebies. At the time of typing, we don't know which PlayStation 3 and Vita titles will be included.
We liked both of these games, awarding them each an 8/10. However, we suspect that this selection will be used as fuel once again to illustrate the subscription service's supposed decline, with no sign of a "retail" game in sight – although, technically, Arrowhead's outing did ship in a box. Are you ecstatic or outraged? Keep calm in the comments section below.
Comments 63
Maybe Helldivers is crossbuy? Another title to fill my Vita! =D
@get2sammyb lol theyre coming ...
Not saying it to be contrary, but I'm genuinely quite happy with those two. I've almost bought Helldivers on multiple occasions, and I enjoy the PixelJunk stuff.
Helldivers is a good one, enjoyed this on release but didn't have a good group to play with. Might go back to it if people on here are playing. It's really really good online with mics.
@get2sammyb Cool these seem like decent games. Even so maybe Sony should rebrand PS+ to Indi+?! hehe
Wow some feeling in me said I was going to hate this month but was I wrong. I'm tempted to buy helldivers for a long time now. Although nom nom galaxy is a let down, wonder what the psvita and ps3 games are this month.
Wicked was gonna buy Helldivers soon as well! I'm guessing it will be a Cross-buy. Nom Nom Galaxy looks interesting too.
@xX_RiscazZ_Xx it is crossbuy, and runs well on vita.
I am disappoint
@AhabSpampurse Sweet!
I would honestly literally rather have nothing. I only ever look forward to my Vita freebies.
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi That's crazy talk! I'd always take something over nothing, personally.
It's the time of the month where I double take and say to myself "Didn't we already have (insert game here) at some point before?"
People are going to be disappointed, but by now they should have realised the Plus program is only going to give away indie titles for PS4, and will probably do so for a while yet. It's all about setting expectations.
Still better than Knack.
@get2sammyb Have there been any disc releases on PS+ yet? System has been out for 2 years now, Knack, Killzone, Infamous 2nd Son, anything like that? The Order didn't exactly fly off shelves did it?
@RawShark I bought Knack recently because I kept hoping it would be a plus game. Knack is extremely average. People need to stop asking for Knack and pay £8 for it used if they want to see how average it is.
Hm, not interested. January's Grim Fandango is the one I have had more interest in since I have my PS4, and I still didn't get Plus.
Quite happy with Hell divers but Nom Nom Galaxy holds no appeal whatsoever to me.
@rjejr None of those, no. I think we had Injustice at one point, which was obviously a "boxed" game.
Nomnom galaxy sounds like a cut the rope clone or a game made by the cookie monster
Helldivers is a great game, and I'm sure the influx of new players will make it enjoyable again.
Very happy with Helldivers, I've heard good things about it... But with quite alot of games coming at once and me having to prioritize I would of never got round to buying it. Atleast it's not another one of those sidescrolling indie games that usually look very similar and I know I'll have no interest in at all. I don't know about Nomnom though sounds like the usual? I'm happy with PS plus though you usually get decent value for money by the end of the year and if not I skip a few weeks or so every now and then. Looking forward to Helldivers though.
Well, I like the look of both of these OK I guess. Hoping for some good PS3/Vita offerings to bulk it up a bit though!
@get2sammyb Meanwhile at Sony...
A good tactic for people who don't like the Ps plus offerings... Expect the same sh** indie games every month, and then when a decent game pops up that you like the look of you'll be pleasantly surprised. It's what I do haha.
@ShogunRok I'll be giving it a go so if anyone on here fancies a game I'd be up for that. It looks pretty good.
@xX_RiscazZ_Xx Helldivers is cross-buy, cross-play, cross-save, cross-chat between all the current PSN platforms (PS3, PS-Vita, and PS4)
I wrote a Blog on this recently, sorry it's a bit long, but it may help people to understand some things about PS Plus:
I constantly see people commenting on websites, Facebook and Twitter about AAA games on PlayStation Plus - particularly on the PlayStation 4. Now there's no one-sentence way to clarify this situation, so today I'm going to explain the PS4's PlayStation Plus games from a business standpoint.
Disclosure: I am not an employee of Sony. What I am about to say is constructed from the understanding of a scholar of the console gaming industry as a whole over the last twenty-four years.
Firstly, understand this key point: If they're going to charge to get access to online gaming on the PS4, in all honesty, Sony don't really have to give anything extra. Back in the days of the Xbox and Xbox 360, Microsoft used to charge £40 a year for online gaming and the occasional discount on digital games - and people were paying it without any concern.
PS Plus was originally a watershed moment in gaming that was rather brilliantly carried out. It was part of the start of the resurgence of the PS3 that ultimately led to Sony pulling away in the final few years of the last console generation. It was done with a two part purpose: A) Boosting console sales and B) Getting PlayStation owners used to the idea of a yearly subscription service - ahead of the PS4.
One of the great things about PS Plus from the beginning was that it got people playing games that they wouldn't normally buy. Following which the development studio would get a higher amount of praise/recognition and higher sales when they release their next title. This then garnered more money in future digital sales for Sony and boosted the industry in the process.
Moving to the PS4, Sony openly embraced this notion as it was very good for them financially.
On PS3 in 2012 PS Plus had a large number of older AAA titles that Sony were happy to pay out for, for two reasons:
1. Sony were second in console sales and were desperate to find a way to catch up.
2. People saw these inclusions as 'consumer-friendly', despite absolutely no business sense in their inclusion. Those AAA games had virtually no benefit for Sony going forward. They were considered old and the people that would have bought them in a launch window already have. And yet people still lapped this up and heralded Sony for these inclusions.
Flash forward to 2015 and, frankly, when consumers keep requesting games like Knack, Killzone: Shadowfall or inFAMOUS: Second Son to be part of the Instant Game Collection over a newer digital game - this is a baffling concept to market executives from a business point of view.
If you look at it from a business stance, those games are now two years old and subsequently they are very affordable. Anyone that wants to play them can acquire them with ease. In addition, someone who enjoys gaming as a medium is likely to have played at least one, if not all of those titles, already if they had wanted to play them.
So then who benefits from the inclusion of two year old AAA games? Well, the brutally honest but unpopular answer - people too cheap to actually buy those AAA games in the first place.
Crucially, Sony are the current market leaders over the Xbox One. That is why they don't really need to put AAA PlayStation games on PS Plus. They know that the people they need to keep happy are the core gamers, their bread and butter - the people that more than likely already bought inFAMOUS: Second Son when it was first released and wouldn't really want to be given it free now, two years later.
Comparatively, from the other side, Microsoft do now feel the need to place AAA games on Games With Gold for the Xbox One. As Sony were experiencing with the PlayStation 3 in 2011/2012, Microsoft are no longer the market leader. Placing AAA games on Games With Gold is seen as a way to entice gamers to switch to the Xbox One - a tactic that Sony found so effective in 2012.
Now, for a large number of PlayStation 4 owners, because of the way that the service was run on PlayStation 3, the way that the 'free' games on PlayStation 4's PS Plus service are coordinated has become largely misunderstood. And inevitably opinion on what IS available has become clouded by people expecting older AAA games, rather than newer digital, independent or second party titles.
Here's the thing: it's always, ALWAYS about money. And the simple truth of the matter is that the people baying for AAA games on PS Plus are generally not the people that Sony are targeting for their future profit margins.
Look at it like a business equation:
Paying to put old AAA games on PS Plus = Sony lose money with slim to nothing future returns.
Paying to put newer digital / independent titles on PS Plus = Sony make money in the future through higher coverage / word of mouth sales / sequels.
Boiled down to its barest bones, Sony needed PS3 console sales when they were putting AAA games on PS Plus. They're not worried about sales of PS4 consoles right now and it doesn't currently benefit Sony to put AAA games on PS Plus, it does benefit them greatly to put digital / independent games on PS Plus - so that's what they're doing.
Honestly, doesn't matter with p4g and the Witcher keeping me busy until unravel and ratchet and clank, followed by ds3... no time for ps+ for a long time
Is the PS Vita version of Helldivers even available in Germany? I would not mind since it is a cross-buy title
If/when confirmed, I must admit I will be 'disappointed' with these games. Obviously its a 'minor' disappointment - not like I will cancel my PS+ in disgust! Neither game would be one I would even consider buying - even at 50-75% of their launch cost and neither would I consider playing - I would rather play games I have completed than these.
AAA games maybe a bit more 'expensive' although a lot of the older ones are as cheap now as the indie games. Not only that but they generally offer a lot more too and the potential to actually last the month or more. I also think that many AAA games can actually generate revenue as well with DLC purchases. Lets say for example Sony offered Killzone. The game can be purchased new for less money than indies. It has a longer campaign as well as the unlimited hours that the MP can offer. It showcases the PS4 visual capability too as well as utilises the DS4's new additions. It can generate sales of its DLC content too to those players as well. It also gives the PS+ a better image and a better reception too. Personally I have Killzone anyway but would much prefer to see games like this offered regularly. Even if I have the game, I feel more optimistic and look forward to the IGC announcements in the hope that 'next' month will have something for me.
Pretty pumped about Helldivers!
Helldivers: yay
Nom Nom Galaxy: nay
another month I can wait till I subscribe again.
Rather watch paint dry than play games like these.but can't grumble too much as we have to pay for the brilliant network that is psn,no wait not brilliant,I meant great !
Language -Tasuki-
Honestly, I like that we get indies and smaller titles on ps+. It is almost always games I would never buy but enticed to play because they are free. Also, there have been some real gems, rocket league for one. The big AAA games I want I almost always get the week they come out, because I have already researched them and read reviews and know if it is worth my money or not. I never even buy Indies anymore because I know plus has me covered on that front. Although, when hyper light drifter comes out I will probably buy that one, just to cool!
@rjejr injustice was on plus last year so was MGS ground zeroes
I've been looking into buying Helldivers, yay to couldn't make up my mind. Looking forwards to this months freebies now.
I wonder if the download size of the AAA games this gen has anything to do with their availability on plus? I mean a 50gb game like Killzone offered for free to ALL plus members would have to put a strain on the network. Maybe I am completely off base with this but it makes sense to me anyways, lol.
Well to say that Xbox is not that great also i would like to share this list:
http://www.tekrevue.com/complete-xbox-games-with-gold-list-details/
It is clearly that AAA titles are not so young on the gold list. I think we need to take some pressure of Sony as i see PLUS games as a free bonus for breaks between AAA titles I buy, own and play.
Probably give Helldiver's a shot. Tbh I think this is better than the rumored PS4 selection.
Nor do I really care I'd we get big games or not. Its probably to expensive for Sony to do now and the big AAA games dominate all sales charts, so PS Plus is a good way to spotlight Indies.
Not sure about nom nom never heard of it sounds like an eating game to me. Helldivers was a game I was interested in but never bought so happy with that. I really pay the £40 fee a year for access to online gaming and it gives good discounts on games. I see the games as a bonus if I like them great if not I have not lost anything. I never expect AAA titles whether they are old or new.
If Sony provide an AAA title which is years old then people would be unhappy as they already own it. The cost of PS Plus is less than £4 a month what games can you buy for that? You could save your money for 10 months and buy a big game but then you would miss out on the social aspect of gaming.
The size of downloads is also an issue not everyone can download huge games as they have limited dowload speeds or caps and would not want it all taken up on one game.
I already bought Helldivers ;n;
I had fun with it, I think it's a great game, but I didn't finish it because I have so many PS plus and AAA games (see what I did there?) to finish D:
Am interested on the Nom Nom thingy
Almost bought Helldivers the other day so glad that turned up before I did. Seems a bit of a catch 22 to me on the AAA stuff, everyone asks for it, but if they get it then people will either complain they already have it or will complain it is something mediocre like Knack. I'm happy if I get a few decent indies each month I may otherwise have missed.
Sony should just be honest and come and say PS+ is all indies from now on, if you don't like sorry... but they don't dare being honest they prefer to keep people hoping for AAA
Annnnd that's the fourth month in a row I won't be renewing my subscription.
Heard nothing but good things about both of these games. Sweet month.
I would love to have the option to buy the games with a discount. Then again i have bought so many games with discounts. And the triple A/bigger games I wanna own on a disc.
@MeskaP Thats true and the games they have where on discounts so many times.
Haven't heard of Nom Nom, but Helldivers looks excellent
Plus a lot of the big AAA games are well over 25GB. My personal rule is if its over 30GB, I get retail if I can from now on. Plus development costs are at an all time high, so Sony probably can't afford to put a bunch of AAA titles on there. We will get big multipkats, just mostly from PS4's first year and just occasionally.
I think Hell Divers is a great game that everyone should own.
@get2sammyb Injustice barley counts, as it was just on sale for $6.99 on Wii U. $6.99 on Wii U is basically the equivalent of free. But I suppose it does count.
Here's an interesting potential poll question for PS4 owners - do you have PS+ for the online, the cloud saves, or the monthly game rentals (I call'em as they are, rentals, as you have to give them back when you're done).
@GlynCR "MGS ground zeroes"
The over-priced demo? Not really a PS+ selling point.
And both Injusitce and MGS were multiplats, where are the PS4 exclusive games? OK, I forgot about DriveClub, probably b/c it took almost 2 years to release. But I suppose that's something.
@rjejr InFamous First Light was a disc game in Europe.
@rjejr Yeah but the Injustice that was free with PS+ was the ultimate edition that included all DLC, the WiiU version was just the base version and in order to get all the DLC included on the version we got for PS+ on the Wii U you would have to spend an additional $80. So yeah you can hardly compare the Wii U 6.99 version to the PS4 Ultimate Edition.
And to answer your poll I got PS+ for the free games and discounts you get. Online play isnt that important to me as I don't play to many games online, but it's nice to have that option.
@Tasuki I went to the eShop to buy Injustice for $6.99, then when I saw all DLC items - I added them up quickly to $61 - I wondered how much was actually left in the game so I didn't bother buying it. Getting the "Complete edition" on PS+ is certainly different. Poor poor Wii U, left out yet again.
@rjejr Sad thing was I had Injustice on the Wii U after getting the PS4 version for $19.99 I sold it since as you said Wii U was left out again.
@Mega-Gazz Meanwhile, I hope you're not actually paying for the service. Because if you are, it does and should matter.
Myself, I got my PS4 five months ago, and so far haven't felt any semblance of urge to subscribe.
@rjejr you did specify exclusives though, I'm surprised they haven't had Knavk and Killzone up yet tbh Infamous First Light has been and gone that was ok
At the end of the day you pay for the online play now, I used to pay £40 for the privilege on XB live, on plus the *free games are a bonus, in the 2 years I've had plus (never bothered on PS3 as I generally had the monthly games) I've had way more value out of the games than the £70 I've paided for 2 year sub, plus I've saved plenty in the sales as well if your just using plus for the games you get a month and your not happy cancel the sub and buy a game you want with the cash
And being a AAA/boxed release game doesn't necessarily mean it's of better quality either
@GlynCR I'm sure PS+ is worth it now, but as somebody who signed up for the first 3 years owning only a PS3, I was getting seemingly way more than they offer now. That's the problem for me, and I suspect others like me. Back then it was all PS3 all the time - 3 games every month, usually one of which was a AAA title, plus a theme, plus an indie.
I can't recall all the games I played w/ PS+, but I'm sure of DmC reboot, Tomb Raider Reboot, one of the Batman games, I think City, Dragon's Dogma, and I think Little Big Planet, Mod Nation Racers, maybe one of the inFamous games.
Then they added Vita games, which I didn't have, but PS3 was still getting a lot. Then they added pay-to-play online PS4, and the "good" games stopped coming. I haven't been a PS+ subscriber for 2 years b/c I still only own a PS3 but the service is divided between PS3, Vita adn PS4. And I don't see the quality of games now that they had 2 or 3 years ago. Therefore in my mind the service has gotten worse.
Here's th list - I'd say 2013-14 was the height, 2015 on PS3 was not as good, but PS4 has always really been limited to DL games.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Instant_Game_Collection_games_(North_America)
Hope to see TrackMania Turbo or Tekken 7 as a March Playstation Plus game Pleaseee!! :')
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