August is upon us! As well as the latest selection of PlayStation Plus free games (I’m still getting used to that). The past few months have seen some very ambitious inclusions to the subscription service. While this month is a tad subdued, by comparison, it still has a lot to offer for absolutely nothing! The PlayStation Plus free aames are Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 Cross-Gen Deluxe Bundle (and breathe), Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Little Nightmares. Read on for an in-depth overview of each game for the taking.
Otherwise, check out some 4K footage of Pro Skater by clicking here.
PlayStation Plus Free Games
Image source: NME
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Vicarious Games
Genre: Sports/Skating
Series: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
Certificate: 3+
Released: 8 June 2020
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Let us take a trip back to the late nineties and early 2000s when everyone sang Allstar by Smash Mouth while playing with Furbies. Tony Hawk was the poster boy for two great skateboarding games, Pro Skater 1+2. These classic titles have been intricately remade with a modern coat of paint. All of the goofy but lovable features of an early 2000s skating game.
Smashing barriers, grinding everything with an edge and turning the urban streets into your own personal skate park. Making impossible trick combos and racking up as many points as possible is the aim of the game. Not to mention there are tones of unlockable collectables and a ‘build a skatepark’ mode that you can share with your pals.
What will really kick you right in the nostalgia though is the incredible soundtrack. Classic punk and rock anthems, check out the full soundtrack here. So throw on a backwards cap, slurp down a Sunny D and get your skate on.
Image source: God is a Geek
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: SEGA
Genre:Action/RPG
Series: Yakuza
Certificate: 18+
Released: January 16 2020
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Next up on our list is Yakuza: Like a Dragon. This Sega classic series is a turn-based JRPG in a series of crazy scenarios and fighting… tactics(?) Such as using telephones and fruit as weapons. You play as Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking member of the Arkawa family. Ichiban confesses to a murder he played no role in to protect Sawasshiro from serving a sentence. Eighteen years later, you emerge from prison to a new world.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon has received scores of roughly 8/10 from reputable reviewers, meaning it is definitely worth a try. Particularly if you are a fan of turn-based RPGs. With a playthrough estimate of around forty hours, there is a lot of grinding to be done.
Image source: Moby Games
Little Nightmares
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developer: Tarsier Studios
Genre: Platform/Puzzle, Horror
Series: Little Nightmares
Certificate: 18+
Released: April 28th 2017
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
The last title on our list is certainly the most unique in the selection, Bandai Namco’s Little Nightmares. This survival horror platform crossover tickles every single anxiety as you traverse through a nightmarish underwater vessel as a small child narrowly slipping past the watchful gaze of some truly horrifying spectres. The looming paranoia of danger around every corner is very real.
With a unique yet disturbing art style that depicts every one of your childhood nightmares, you may wish to sleep with the lights on after a lengthy session. You really need to check it out if you have not yet done so. (Psst, click here).
The overall narrative remains vague for much of the playthrough, however, the ending is definitely worth sticking around. Though you will not find any spoilers here. Reviews range from8-9/10, so this highly-praised title should be on your bucket list if you have the nerve.
Final Words
There you have it, the PlayStation Plus free games for Essential subscription holders. All in all, a strong list following a welcomed trend of high-quality monthly rosters. Long may it continue!
Verdict – 8.5/10 – Very Good
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