Sony’s subscription service PlayStation Plus was in dire need of a stacked month, and it seems July has finally delivered it.
According to the PlayStation blog, there are several gems poised to be picked up for “free” (or as “free” as possible in a paid-for subscription, anyway) throughout the month. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out this article, with games coming out this month on other platforms as well.
Check out the full list below:
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PlayStation Plus: what’s coming on July
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
- Tropico 6
- Twisted Metal 3
- Twisted Metal 4
- New World: Aethernum
- Risk of Rain 2
- Planet Zoo
- Bluey: The Videogame
- Abiotic Factor
Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5/PS4)
Talk about an “learning from its mistakes” type of success case: after Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky start, bug-ridden and completely rushed in December 2020, the complaints around were so numerous it ended up pulled from the PlayStation Store altogether. Five years and a lot of updates later, it’s become of the CD Projekt Red’s best offers—even spinning out in anime form and a major DLC piece that equals the main game.
Arriving on July 9,this one comes in a cool timing: PlayStation Plus subscribers can also purchase the Phantom Liberty DLC with a 30% discount (only after July 22).
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden (PS5)
A pleasant surprise directly from The Game Awards in 2022, Banishers: Ghost of New Eden garnered great success by mixing third-person action mechanics with an intriguing character development. Set in 1695’s New Eden, North America, Antea and Red are “Banishers”—essentially, ghost hunters who scour the land to, well, banish the lost souls of the deceased. During an ill-fated mission, Antea succumbs to a fatal wound, becoming the very thing she and her husband vowed to, again, banish. The game is packed with moral choices and challenges that may or may not allow the still living Red to restore Antea to this world, or perhaps the entire quest might be the all for nothing kind? Find out on July 15.
Tropico 6 (PS5/PS4)
Ah, yes. Once again the resource management genre graces PlayStation Plus subscribers with Tropico 6. Hey, fun fact: this game’s predecessor was one of the first offerings the platform had when it was revamped into the multi-tiered system we know today.
Anyway, Tropico 6 expands on a lot of the previous game’s strongest points, bringing more management features, better animations and an overall more streamlined progression system. Oh, and the PS5 version comes with the “The Llama of Wall Street” DLC and the El Prez Pack, which contains one additional mission, new buildings, new customization options for your palace, outfits and a lot of other neat stuff.
Twisted Metal 3 (PS5/PS4)
The original, 1998 destruction racer arrives on PlayStation Plus on July 15 and it comes in its revamped form: updated visual textures and remixed sound for better compatibility with modern day platforms. For you youngsters out there, think “Mario Kart”, except with actual missiles and dangerous firearms instead of turtle shells.
Twisted Metal 4 (PS5/PS4)
Much like the previous entry, Twisted Metal 4 have also got a fresh coat of paint, better rendered animations, improved sound quality and a direct narrative coming fresh from the previous game’s final moments. Yes, Twisted Metal has a backstory, believe it or not. This one also comes on July 15.
New World: Aethernum (PS5)
This action RPG combines elements of real time strategy, making you scavenge for resources to ensure your survival in the supernatural island of Aethernum and its strange threats. The combat system allows you to mix physical and magical attacks and equipment, paving the way to a multitude of creative fighting. Be ready to try it on July 15.
Risk of Rain 2 (PS5/PS4)
Despite having the “2” on its name, this is not a game where you’ll need to play its predecessor to understand. You’re stranded in an alien planet and must combine all loot you get to fight dangerous monsters while ensuring your own survival. This, however, is a game to be played online with friends or your own, and it has a neat scaling system that stops you from being over-leveled, so things are always challenging. Download it on July 15.
Planet Zoo (PS5)
From the beautiful minds of Zoo Tycoon, Planet Zoo allows you to create, nurture, manage and interact with several animals and habitats, ensuring each animal’s survival as you travel around the world building epic zoos in Career Mode, or take on an even more challenging capacity on…Challenge Mode. See if you have what it takes on July 15.
Bluey: The Videogame (PS5/PS4)
Yes, that Bluey, from the TV show. A more family friendly game, this one features an easy-to-progress adventure that renders several environments from TV with high fidelity, while collecting items, unlocking outfits and scouring the areas for all of their secrets. Just like most of the other PlayStation Plus offerings in July, this one will also be available on the 15th.
Abiotic Factor (PS5)
The only game on the list to come out on July 22 because of reasons, this multiplayer sci-fi adventure sees you and a crew of (up to) 5 players join forces on the search for supernatural artifacts, combining crafting mechanics with a somewhat dense exploration of sandboxed environments. The cartoonish visuals make up for a fun time waster.
Some caveats to watch out for
As it usually happens every month, not every PlayStation Plus offering is available to every subscriber. Not only some of the above are platform-restricted, there’s also the matter of which plan nets you the most bang for your buck.
- Just like always, the Premium membership ($17.99 monthly/$49.99 quarterly/$159.99 annually) will give you access to everything you just saw above.
- The Extra membership ($14.99/$39.99/$134.99) will allow you for everything, except both Twisted Metal games.
- And, finally, sorry, Essential subs, you get nothing of the above. Again. The cheapest plan ($9.99/$24.99/$79.99) only allows access to multiplayer matches and other online functions, as well as the two/three free games of the month (Diablo IV,The King of Fighters XV and Jusant—the latter, exclusively on PS5).
So, which one of these babies are downloading first? Let us know in the comments!
