By: Max Cannon
Every month Sony and Microsoft release a slew of "free" games on their respective platforms if you are already paying for an online subscription for either company. You don't need the newest console to take part either as both PlayStation Plus and Xbox's Games With Gold offer games on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (and even PlayStation Vita.)
The New Games of PlayStation Plus
Starting Tuesday, January 3rd you can get these upcoming games for free if you have a PlayStation Plus subscription.
- Day of The Tentacle Remastered (PlayStation 4, Cross Buy On PlayStation Vita)
- The War of Mine: The Little Ones (PlayStation 4)
- Blazerush (PlayStation 3)
- The Swindle (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita)
- Azkend 2 (PlayStation Vita)
- Titan Souls (PlayStation Vita, Cross Buy in PlayStation 4)
January 2017's lineup for PlayStation Plus.Courtesy of PlayStation
Adventure game fans rejoice! The return of a classic hits the list this month while some quality indie games hit the other platforms.
Day of The Tentacle Remastered is another Tim Schafer adventure game, which seems to be very popular with PlayStation Plus. One of the original point-and-click games, this game will probably feel a little archaic to more modern gamers. But if you want a history lesson from one of gaming's most influential adventure games than you won't regret this download. This War of Mine: The Little Ones is a little less traditional but is a well-regarded - and very sad - sidescrolling puzzler. Set in a series of destroyed homes you'll try to free children from the chaos of their war torn world.
Blazerush is an isometric racer with a focus on weaponry as much as winning. Azkend 2: The World Beneath is a tile turning puzzler set in an electric - maybe steampunkish - world. And finally, Titan Souls is an awesomely difficult retro-styled 2D dungeon crawler.
The New Game of Xbox's Games With Gold
Starting on Sunday, January 1st you can look forward to the first wave of games on Xbox One and Xbox 360, if you have a Gold subscription on Xbox.
- World of Van Helsing: Death Trap (Xbox One)
- The Cave (Xbox 360 & Backwards Compatible on Xbox One)
The second wave of games begins on Monday, January 16th.
- Killer Instinct Season 2 Ultra Edition (Xbox One)
- Rayman Origins (Xbox 360 & Backwards Compatible on Xbox One)
While there is definitely one weak game in this collection, 75% of the games released this month on Xbox One are fantastic. World of Van Helsing: Death Trap is that weak link. A poorly made tower defense game with a Van Helsing tag - it looks like anything with the Van Helsing tag is doomed to fail. However The Cave is another adventure game, which we're seeing a trend of here, that focus on multiple characters working to escape the talking cave. It's a game brimming with character from last generation.
Killer Instinct is one of my favorite fighting games of all time that is typically free-to-play on Xbox One. Releasing all of the content on season 2 will definitely rejuvenate my interest and return me to one of my favorite fighting games of this generation. Rayman Origins is the refocus on Rayman as a 2D platformer. One of my favorite coop experiences of last generation and a truly challenging platformer.
Xbox's Games With Gold for the new year.Courtesy of Xbox
My Winner This Month:
Though I would say that PlayStation Plus holds onto the adventure game that has my attention, Xbox has an all around better package for me this month. I adore the Rayman platformers and Killer Instinct game me hours and hours of fun on the free version so I can't wait to get my hands on the full package.
Have Your Say!
Which package stands out most to you? Are you eager to get your hands on either lineup? Share your thoughts below!
