Sony has unveiled its latest lineup for the PS Plus Essential tier, a selection that’s drawing criticism and discontent. The offerings for the month include Aliens Fireteam Elite, Mafia II: Definitive Edition, and Dragon Ball: The Breakers. While each game has its merits, the lineup falls short of expectations, especially considering the recent 33% price hike of the PlayStation Plus subscription, escalating the annual cost from $59.99 to $79.99 for the base tier.
Aliens Fireteam Elite, a third-person survival shooter set in the iconic Aliens universe, offers players a co-op experience reminiscent of Left 4 Dead. Despite being a competent and enjoyable title, the game has been on the market for over two years and has already seen a fair share of discounts and sales, reducing its appeal as a freebie. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball: The Breakers, an asymmetrical multiplayer game, provides a novel twist to the Dragon Ball franchise. Players find themselves either as survivors or raiders in a cat-and-mouse game, drawing inspiration from Dead by Daylight. While the game presents an interesting concept, it caters to a niche audience and might not resonate well with the usual fans. Finally, Mafia II: Definitive Edition has faced the most criticism. The remastered version of the classic gangster saga is a compelling narrative-driven game but it has been plagued by performance issues and bugs.
The consensus is that of disappointment and frustration. The price increase for PlayStation Plus was already a point of contention, and the expectation was Sony would justify it with a more robust and appealing game selection. Instead, subscribers are greeted with titles that, while not necessary bad, don’t match the value of the increased subscription cost. There’s growing dissatisfaction, with some accusing Sony of acting cheaply despite asking for more money.
It’s not just the games themselves that have drawn ire, but also the principle of the matter. Sony’s decision to hike the subscription price without a corresponding increase in the quality or value of the monthly games feels like a misstep. This is particularly jarring when considering the previous month’s offerings, which included titles like The Callisto Protocol, Farming Simulator 22, and Weird West – games that, while not blockbusters, at least felt more current and relevant.
To compound matters, Sony’s blog post announcement of the November lineup also mentions a 15% discount on Sony Pictures Core for PlayStation Plus members, a perk that feels inconsequential in the grand scheme of gamers’ priorities. Additionally, the divisive Silent Hill: Ascension is mentioned, with episodes available 24-hours before general release for Plus Premium and Deluxe members, as if anyone’s still bothering to watch the show after all the backlash the first episode rightfully received.
The situation is a clear indication that Sony is failing to read the room. Consumer loyalty is fleeting and competition is fierce, especially with the Game Pass consistently delivering value. In an era where consumer loyalty can be fleeting and competition is fierce, especially with rival services like Xbox Game Pass consistently delivering value, Sony’s strategy seems perplexing. Subscribers are left questioning the value proposition of their PlayStation Plus membership, and Sony’s recent choices are not helping to clarify or justify the increased investment.
The November 2023 PS Plus Essential lineup has become a symbol of frustrations with Sony’s subscription service. The company’s approach, seen as out of touch by some subscribers, raises concerns about the future direction of PS Plus and whether Sony will address the growing discontent.
As it stands, the November lineup is a missed opportunity for Sony to reinforce the value of PlayStation Plus, especially in the wake of a significant price increase.
But, hey, at least the PS5 is selling well and the PS5 Slim is coming soon, right?
