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 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, July 4th you can get these upcoming games for free if you have a PlayStation Plus subscription.
- Until Dawn (PlayStation 4)
- Game of Thrones (PlayStation 4)
- Tokyo Jungle (PlayStation 3)
- Darkstalkers Resurrection (PlayStation 3)
- Element4l (PlayStation Vita)
- Don't Die, Mr. Robot (PlayStation Vita, Cross-Buy with PlayStation 4)
Until Dawn brings in the star power.Courtesy of PlayStation
After a handful of disappointing months from PlayStation at the tail end of 2016, it has become clear that they have straightened up their ship. This is the d third month in a row that has seen a killer, killer, lineup for PlayStation Plus's free game collection. Though they've also kept up the trend of filling up the PS4 bit of their lineup with some M rated games that, while fantastic, are far from family-friendly.
Until Dawn was initially planned for the PlayStation 3 as a first-person horror game focused on using the PlayStation Move controllers but, after a rocky development history, finally launched as a sort of "choose-your-own-adventure" take on a teenage horror movie. Gamers and critics alike fell in love with the game in 2015 and the inclusion of real Hollywood celebrities like Rami Malek and Hayden Panettiere made this a competent and well-loved start to what will hopefully be a franchise that the developer, Supermassive Games, returns to.
Characters from the HBO show return in Telltale's take on Game of Thrones.Courtesy of Telltale
Telltale Games are known for a similar style of game to Until Dawn but they typically dabble in licensed products, like this month's PlayStation Plus inclusion. Set in the universe of the popular HBO show, Game of Thrones puts players in control of House Forrester. This download will get you the entire 6 episode season, which at the moment is as far as the series has gone. Personally, I find it to be one of the weaker outings from Telltale games but it's such an enormous property that it's still a big get for July's roster.
The New Game of Xbox's Games With Gold
Since Saturday, July 1st you can access the first wave of games on[kwlink 30609] Xbox One[/kwlink] and Xbox 360 if you have a Gold subscription on Xbox.
- Grow Up (Xbox One)
- Kane & Lynch 2 (Xbox 360 & Backwards Compatible on Xbox One)
The second wave of games begins on Sunday, July 16th.
- Runbow (Xbox One)
- LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game (Xbox 360 & Backwards Compatible on Xbox One)
Xbox - July 2017 Games with Gold
Grow Up is a follow-up to the small indie game Grow Home and features the return of the series' previous main character BUD. This sequel is bigger, more varied, and best of all free this month on Xbox. Kane & Lynch 2 is a gritty, violent, and really M-rated third person shooter. While the game itself is far from great, Kane & Lynch 2 has some of the most memorable art you'll see in a game as the in-game camera appears to be shot by a real cameraman, a cool vibe that I'd love to see revisited but perhaps in another game.
Similar to last month's game SpeedRunners, Runbow is a sidescroller with a distinct style. A colorful platformer with both single player and multiplayer modes, Runbow would have made a stronger impression if it wasn't so similar to last month's game. And to anyone familiar with the LEGO games, you'll be able to enjoy a blast from the past with LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean The Video Game.
Games with Gold for July 2017.Courtesy of Xbox
My Winner This Month:
This month looks like a tie to me, there are some awesome games on both sides as well as some bad ones. Aside from the pair of PlayStation 4 games, and Tokyo Jungle, there isn't anything too snazzy on the PlayStation side. And Xbox has some great games and awesome range but it also has Kane & Lynch 2 which isn't a very good game at all. So, I'll chalk this one up as a draw,
Have Your Say!
Which lineup tickles your fancy? Are you a PlayStation person or an Xbox fan? Share your comments below!
