Ever since the PS2 and OG Xbox days, the two “factions” of gamers have debated which is better hardware, which has better exclusives, and more. The past couple of years have seen a new point enter: which has the better subscription service? For Sony, there are options like PS Now and PS Plus, while Microsoft has Games with Gold and Game Pass.
Ultimately, few would deny that Game Pass is the best valued subscription service on the market today. It grants access to a ton of games, has begun securing bigger titles from Bethesda and EA, and will see all Xbox exclusive content launch there day one. Perhaps Microsoft’s confidence in Game Pass led to the recent Gold Price Hike debacle, which Microsoft quickly realized was a mistake and backed down from. That’s only good for the company, but also neither here nor there. Game Pass is going as strong as ever, and despite severe structural differences, is the biggest competitor to PS Plus itself.
PS Plus is required to play non-free-to-play games online, but it also grants free games every month. Ever since PS5 marketing began, PS Plus has doubled down on what makes it so great, increasing its value and putting itself right beside the hardware. While many expected it to be months before PS5 games graced PS Plus, that’s not the case. As a result, PS Plus is setting itself up for a big 2021.
The value of PS Plus cannot be understated. Getting a full year comes at a steep discount and can be stacked when sales and deals are ongoing, but even for those who pay the $9.99/month, that’s barely $120/year. This number is noteworthy because, tracking the free games for January 2021 at full value (as indicated by the PlayStation Store), Maneater, GreedFall, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider comes in at $150. That’s more in games than what the full year costs at its highest price, and thus far this year, those subscribers have only paid $9.99. Even taking discounted prices into account, pre-owned copies of these games total at about $58.97 vs. $9.99 aside. Even one of these games trumps that cost.
Putting price aside, though, PS Plus’ strength again is that January puts 2021 on a great path, but it follows a great pattern. Many were reasonably upset last summer when two simulator games were made available, and it seems Sony has taken that in stride. Since then, it’s been a constant influx of good games with PS5 games on top of that. Sure, there’s a question of sustainability here and, eventually, PS Plus will have another bad month, but few could say that one or two bad apples could really ever ruin this tree.
After all, it’s not just January hitting a height in this stride, fans know more games will be announced in the coming days. PS Plus free games for February 2021 are still mostly in the air, but most importantly, fans know that they are getting access to a PS5 game for two months (meaning those still attempting to get one can still hopefully cash in). Destruction AllStars is taking stage in February 2021, and will be joined by two other free games. The trick is, Destruction AllStars is launching on PS Plus, like a very small list (BugSnax, Fall Guys, and Rocket League) before it.
It’s uncertain what will join Destruction AllStars in March or if there will be another launch game to follow it in April, but the bottom line is, PS Plus has pulled no punches. PS5 is a premiere hardware system (both consoles are), but PS Plus is proving that it is just as valuable in the subscription department.
PlayStation Plus subscribers get Destruction AllStars and more in February 2021.
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