Skip to main content

November’s free PlayStation Plus offerings take gaming to extremes

Everybody's Gone to the Rapture | Launch Trailer 2015
Sony and PlayStation have announced the free games players can expect to receive next week through PlayStation Plus, and though there’s a distinct lack of any blockbuster AAA titles, you’re going to get extreme both on a bike and in the driver’s seat.

Starting next week, PlayStation 4 owners will be able to download The Chinese Room’s atmospheric adventure game Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture. Developed by the studio behind games like Dear Esther and Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs, the game was originally released for PC in April 2014 before coming to the PlayStation 4 a few months later. Critics praised its narrative and atmosphere, in particular, though some described it as essentially a “walking simulator.”

Recommended Videos

Also free in November on PlayStation 4 is The Deadly Tower of Monsters, a homage to classic science-fiction B-movies mixed with classic isometric action and, yes, a deadly tower full of monsters like aliens, giant apes, and even dinosaurs.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

PlayStation 3 owners will receive two games that were previously made available for free through the Xbox Games With Gold program: Dirt 3 and Costume Quest 2. Dirt 3 was released in 2011 to critical acclaim, and the follow-up Dirt Rally is one of the best-reviewed racing games of 2016. Costume Quest 2, meanwhile, uses Double Fine’s signature visual style and plenty of Halloween spirit to keep you from remembering it’s actually November.

On PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive Letter Quest Remastered, a puzzle game that will also have support on PlayStation 4. Pumped BMX+, also free on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, is the final game on the list. The side-scrolling biking game looks to blend the action of OlliOlli with the physics of the Trials series, and looks to be a great option for those playing on the go. The game first began its life on mobile devices in 2012.

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
Sony axes two more live-service games, including one God of War spinoff
A titan wielding a grenade launcher in Destiny 2..

In an apparent response to the Concord disaster, Sony has cancelled two live-service games, including one potential God of War title. However, in a bit of good news in light of the layoffs rocking the game industry, Sony says neither of its two studios are at risk of closure.

Jason Schreier of Bloomberg reports that Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, both PlayStation studios, were working on two separate live service games — a venture Sony has been heavily invested in. Last year, Sony saw one of its worst failures in the launch of Concord, alongside a massive success with Helldivers II. Live service games have proven to be a risky venture, but they are extremely profitable when done well.

Read more
PlayStation Plus adds God of War Ragnarok and more to its lineup
Kratos fighting a boss in God of War Ragnarok.

PlayStation Plus has added even more titles into its lineup, including several older PlayStation 2 games that are steeped in nostalgia. The heaviest hitter in the bunch is God of War: Ragnarök, which Extra and Premium subscribers can claim for no extra charge thing month.

PS Plus is a PlayStation subscription service that gives subscribers access to games every month. This month brings a respectable lineup of both modern and classic titles. Grand Theft Auto V is a chance to experience one of the most profitable gaming franchises of all time if you haven't played it yet, while Orcs Must Die 3 blends shooters and tower defense into one irresistible combination. Here's the full list.

Read more
Everything we know about the PlayStation handheld
Astro's Playroom booting up on the PlayStation Portal.

Handheld gaming is bigger now than ever, thanks to the Nintendo Switch (and soon-to-be Switch 2) and the Steam Deck. While these portable devices are not as powerful as the best video game consoles, their convenience and relative power make them ideal for anyone who is on the go, shares a TV, or just wants to play from the comfort of their bed.

Xbox has already made its plans clear about its own handheld, but many thought PlayStation had given up on the market after the Vita. It would later release the PlayStation Portal, which can be used for remote play or cloud streaming, but can't play games natively. Now, we have reports of a true PlayStation portable system on the way. Grab your UMDs and chargers while we talk about everything we know about the next PlayStation handheld.
Release speculation

Read more