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Enlarge / A look at the games available in the PlayStation Plus Collection, which will no longer be offered to PS5 subscribers as of May.
For over two years now, PlayStation Plus subscribers who owned a PS5 got access to the PlayStation Plus Collection, a set of 19 legacy PS4 games available for free download and play via the console’s backward compatibility. This week, Sony announced that it will be ending this subscriber benefit in May. Current PS5 owners will have until then to redeem their free games, which will remain available on their account as long as they stay subscribed to any of PlayStation Plus’ multiple tiers.
Hundreds of legacy PS4 games are still available for download as part of the higher-end PlayStation Plus “Extra” and “Premium” tiers (starting at $14.99/month or $99.99/year). That list includes many of the titles that were part of the PlayStation Plus Collection, including almost all of Sony’s first-party titles. But the PlayStation Plus Collection was also available at the cheapest “Essential” pricing tier ($9.99/month or $59.99/year).
The PlayStation Plus Collection served as a valuable introduction to legacy PlayStation franchises for PS5 owners who never owned a PS4. Sony said in an earnings release last night that such users made up a full 30 percent of the PS5’s monthly active users, suggesting that “the acquisition of new users is progressing,” as the company put it. Players who did upgrade from a PS4 to a PS5, meanwhile, are spending significantly more time and money on the new console on average, according to Sony.
The sunsetting of the PlayStation Plus Collection comes as Sony promises that long-standing retail shortages of PS5 hardware should be easing thanks to increasing supplies and despite “unprecedented demand.” PlayStation Plus currently boasts 46.4 million subscribers across all consoles, Sony said, a number that has remained essentially flat over the last two years.
Microsoft, meanwhile, announced that it had reached 25 million Game Pass subscribers last January, and Sony publicly estimated that number had grown to 29 million by November. Both those subscriber numbers are up significantly from the 18 million Game Pass subscribers Microsoft claimed in early 2021, though that subscriber growth is reportedly well behind Microsoft’s targets.
Subscription numbers for both console subscription services might be hitting a saturation point, though. As Xbox CEO Phil Spencer said in remarks last October, “at some point, you’ve reached everybody on console that wants to subscribe.”
Here’s the full list of the PlayStation Plus Collection games that will be departing in May (games still available on the Extra/Premium tier are noted with a *):
PQube [293 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/pqube”>PQube will release physical standard editions of Inti Creates [212 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/inti-creates”>Inti Creates-developed Side-Scrolling [261 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/side-scrolling”>side-scrolling action Adventure [675 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/adventure”>adventure game Grim Guardians: Demon Purge [4 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/grim-guardians-demon-purge”>Grim Guardians: Demon Purge for PS5 [4,132 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps5″>PlayStation 5, PS4 [24,559 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps4″>PlayStation 4, and Switch [12,915 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/nintendo/switch”>Switch in North America and Europe this spring, the company announced. Collector’s Editions will follow this summer. PQube will also act as the digital edition publisher for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 versions.
Get the details below.
About
When a demon’s castle darkens the land, two sisters challenge its halls. Together, they can break the curse!
Step into the world of Gal Gun: Double Peace [23 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/gal-gun-double-peace”>Gal Gun: Double Peace once again with a 2D Metroidvania [62 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/metroidvania”>metroidvania twist!
Shinobu and Maya Return – Your two favorite Double Peace demon hunter sisters are back! This time they are on a mission to return their school—which has turned into a demonic castle—back to normal
Different Character Skillsets – Both sisters have very different abilities—which will you choose?
Visual novel style story sections with beautiful artwork and fun dialogue!
Two-Player Cooperative Play – Play with a friend in Co-Op [73 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/multiplayer/co-op”>cooperative mode and take down the bosses that roam the halls together!
Use the three difficulty styles to play your own way.
Experience [206 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/experience”>Experience the quality and challenge that you expect from an Inti Creates title, this time with a gothic- Horror [188 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/horror”>horror aesthetic.
Standard Physical Editions Coming this Spring
Standard physical editions of Grim Guardians: Demon Purge will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch this spring.
Collector’s Edition Coming this Summer
You can also get your hands on the special Collector’ Edition, releasing this summer.
The Collector’s Edition contains:
A special Collector’ Edition box.
A physical copy of Grim Guardians: Demon Purge.
Origami paper based on Maya’s special ability.
A keyring featuring the Kamizono sisters.
A set of four A6 art cards.
A 40-page art book containing beautiful character art and game scenes.
A holographic acrylic standee with Shinobu and Maya in their demon hunting attire.
A set of five Grim Guardians: Demon Purge stickers.
Shinobu and Maya are Back
Your two favorite Gal Gun Double Peace sisters return for another adventure! Play as either character at any time, each with their own playstyle and strengths. Use both to get through the halls of the castle and defeat the dangerous bosses that get in your way!
Shinobu – The elder Kamizono sister, Shinobu has a higher health pool so that she can withstand more attacks and act as your tank on the battlefield. She also has her trusty anti-demon submachine gun for long-ranged attacks which will be useful for taking out enemies at a distance!
Maya – Younger sister Maya uses a sword for close-ranged attacks, and can also create powerful weapons out of origami! Her special protective barrier ability will prove useful despite her lower overall health. Maya’s ability to crouch under smaller spaces will prove useful to get to hard to reach areas!
Max out the Purge Gauge so that Shinobu and Maya can use a powerful combo attack! Use both characters together to succeed, switching between either Shinobu when you need a defensive stance or Maya when you need an all out attack!
Earn More Weapons from Boss Fights
As you progress and defeat bosses, you will obtain brand-new sub-weapons, which will prove useful for taking down bosses that were previously impervious to your attacks. Make sure you explore every nook and cranny as you search for the missing students in the castle and open up new routes!
Adjust the Difficulty to Your Style
Three different difficulty styles are available, giving players the option to adjust the game to how they want to play.
Casual Style – Perfect for beginners or those looking for a casual playthrough.
Veteran Style – A challenging and rewarding mode inspired by past Action [878 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/action”>action games
Legend Style – Unlock this most dangerous difficulty and see if you are up to the challenge!
Grim Guardians: Demon Purge also features two audio options—choose “Pure” for original Japanese voice acting for the story mode or “Refined” for the English voice acting focused on the combat!
Play with a Friend in Local Cooperative Play
With the ability to jump in at any time during the game, gather a friend to join you on your adventure! With each of you controlling one of the sisters, team up to fight those notoriously hard bosses and execute brand new combo options!
You can even jump on top of each others heads to unlock greater heights and access previously inaccessible routes!
Grim Guardians: Demon Purge is due out for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series [3,173 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/xbox/xbox-series”>Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One [11,791 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/xbox/xbox-one”>Xbox One, Switch, and PC [16,746 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/pc”>PC via Steam on February 23 for $24.99. Read more about the game here and here.
Watch a new trailer below. View a new set of images at the gallery.
Publisher Ubisoft [1,208 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/ubisoft”>Ubisoft and developer Ubisoft Ivory Tower” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/ubisoft/ubisoft-ivory-tower”>Ubisoft Ivory Tower have announced The Crew Motorfest [1 article]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/the-crew-motorfest”>The Crew Motorfest for PS5 [4,132 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps5″>PlayStation 5, Xbox Series [3,173 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/xbox/xbox-series”>Xbox Series, PS4 [24,559 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps4″>PlayStation 4, Xbox One [11,791 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/xbox/xbox-one”>Xbox One, PC [16,746 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/pc”>PC ( Epic Games [322 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/epic-games”>Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store), and Luna [12 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/cloud/luna”>Luna. It will launch in 2023.
Users can sign-up for The Crew Motorfest Insider Program now for a chance to test the game before release.
Here is an overview of the game, via Ubisoft:
About
Welcome to Motorfest! Join a one-of-a-kind festival and enjoy the best experiences car culture has to offer in a beautiful Hawaiian open world.
Key Features
The Newest Chapter in The Crew Franchise – The Crew Motorfest builds on the legacy of The Crew franchise to make it the best open world Action [878 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/action”>action-driving experience in the series. Get ready to race through the city streets of Honolulu, go down the ashy volcano slopes, Adventure [675 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/adventure”>adventure deep in the lush rainforest, drift along the curvy mountain roads, or just chill down on the sunny beach.
O’ahu Turned into a Motor Paradise – Evergreen car culture festival at the heart of the game, Motorfest has settled in the beautiful island of O’ahu, part of the Hawaiian archipelago. On your own or with your crew, come explore this beautiful new playground behind the wheel of hundreds of the most legendary vehicles.
Motorfest Never Ends – The festival will allow you to fulfill your ultimate action driving bucket list through a series of tailor-made races, themed events, and other unique challenges. Whatever the way you enjoy cars and driving, there is something in there for you!
Watch the teaser trailer and first developer diary below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.
NIS America [67 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/nippon-ichi-software/nis-america”>NIS America will release Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless [24 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/disgaea-7-vows-of-the-virtueless”>Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless for PS5 [4,122 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps5″>PlayStation 5, PS4 [24,550 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps4″>PlayStation 4, Switch [12,906 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/nintendo/switch”>Switch, and PC [16,734 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/pc”>PC via Steam this fall in the west, the companies announced. It will support English and Japanese audio, with English and French text options.
The Deluxe Edition will include a copy of the game, digital soundtrack, and digital art book. A limited edition will also be available for $158.99, which includes a copy of the Deluxe Edition, “The Art of War” hardcover art book, “Songs of Honor” two-disc original soundtrack, SteelBook, mini Byoubu art display, “Netherworld Warriors” yunomi teacup, and a collector’s box. Pre-orders are available now via NIS America Online Store.
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless first launched for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch on January 26 in Japan.
Here is an overview of the game, via NIS America:
About
The demonic realm of Hinomoto is changing and the days of noble warriors are numbered. Caught up in the commotion, the lazy samurai Fuji and bushido fangirl Pirilika find unlikely allies in each other as they fight against a tyrannical regime while discovering the meaning of honor and redemption!
Embark on an epic Strategy RPG [185 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/rpg/strategy-rpg”>strategy RPG Adventure [673 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/adventure”>adventure stuffed to the brim with new features including Jumbification, Hell Mode, Item Reincarnation, new and improved auto-battle, and online ranked battles! You can even customize your own team with a robust roster of over 40 character classes. Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is bigger and better than ever!
Key Features
Combat to the MAX – Loaded with new content including Hell Mode, Item Reincarnation and Jumbification, which lets your characters grow to supersized proportions and inflict larger than life damage!
Allies in Arms – The combat potential is limitless with over 40 character classes including four brand-new additions: Maiko, Bandit, Zombie Maiden, and Big Eye!
A Warrior’s World – Inspired by feudal Japan, the setting of Disgaea” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/series/disgaea”>Disgaea 7 draws its roots from ancient and modern history, and beautifully tells a tale of redemption.
Watch the announcement trailer below. Visit the official website here.
The monthly PS Plus Essential games for February 2023 have leaked ahead of next week’s official reveal. As per usual, the information comes from the ever-reliable @billbil_kun, who was been posting early PS Plus lineups for years now.
These are the PS5 and PS4 titles that subscribers can apparently look forward to:
The leaker does mention that Mafia: Definitive Edition may be a bonus addition, or possibly a replacement for another game in some regions. As such, we’ll have to wait for the official announcement to know for sure.
But other than that, this looks like a fairly solid selection. OlliOlli World is a highly rated indie release from last year, and Evil Dead: The Game offers up some groovy multiplayer fun.
Meanwhile, Mafia: Definitive Edition is a rather impressive remake of what some would consider a bit of a classic, and Destiny 2: Beyond Light is a well received 2020 expansion for Bungie’s popular shooter (not to be confused with Destiny 2: Lightfall, which releases next month). We assume, by the way, that because Destiny 2’s base game is free, this is simply giving PS Plus Essential subscribers access to all of the content that’s locked behind owning Beyond Light.
Publisher Thunderful Games [260 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/thunderful-games”>Thunderful Games and developer The Station” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/thunderful-games/the-station”>The Station have announced city builder game SteamWorld Build [1 article]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/steamworld-build”>SteamWorld Build for PS5 [4,094 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps5″>PlayStation 5, Xbox Series [3,144 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/xbox/xbox-series”>Xbox Series, PS4 [24,523 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps4″>PlayStation 4, Xbox One [11,771 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/xbox/xbox-one”>Xbox One, Switch [12,875 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/nintendo/switch”>Switch, and PC [16,693 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/pc”>PC (Steam). It will launch in 2023. A demo is available now for PC.
Here is an overview of the game, via Thunderful Games:
About
Be the architect of a SteamWorld mining town! Break ground and raise houses for your steambot citizens, keep them fed and provide some rootin’-tootin’ entertainment.
There’s an abandoned mine sitting under your town, and it’s rumored to be filled with ancient tech that holds the key to escaping the impending doom. Use the natural resources above ground and the abundant ores buried in the mine to expand your town. Stimulate new residential tiers to join the quest to dig deeper, unearth untold riches and ultimately help them to hightail it off the planet!
Manage
As the town expands in all directions, new kinds of steamfolk find their way to the settlement—and their needs are ever more complex to satisfy. To keep everyone content, you’ll need to make sure everyone works their darn hardest.
Buy items to boost the efficiency of buildings. Keep goods flowing up and down the mine by speeding up the miners with encouraging jolts of electricity. Or, just barter at the local train station and get what you need that way. It’s all up to you!
Mine and Explore
As you go hunting deeper and deeper in the mine after riches, eventually something will start hunting you back. Defend your workers from creepy creatures and keep the walls from caving in as you explore the deeper levels of your mine.
Key Features
Build your own unique city.
Explore and develop an exciting mine.
Manage and optimize increasingly complex resource chains.
Tackle dangers you will encounter.
SteamWorld universe.
Easy to pick up and play with traditional keyboard and mouse or with a controller.
Trade resources at the local train stop and welcome special visitors who’ll lend a hand.
Explore five distinctive SteamWorld inspired maps littered with secrets.
Three well-balanced difficulty levels to give all players a challenge.”
Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.
Publisher Cygames [207 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/cygames”>Cygames and developer Arc System Works [1,162 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/arc-system-works”>Arc System Works announced Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising [1 article]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/granblue-fantasy-versus-rising”>Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising for PS5 [4,086 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps5″>PlayStation 5, PS4 [24,514 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps4″>PlayStation 4, and PC [16,682 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/pc”>PC (Steam) at Granblue Fantasy [11 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/series/granblue-fantasy”>Granblue Fantasy Fes 2022 – 2023. It will launch in 2023 worldwide.
Get the first details below.
■ About
This 2D fighting game based on the hit mobile RPG [14,834 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/rpg”>RPG from Cygames was an ambitious title that set out to expand the boundaries of the genre.
Since 2020, events and tournaments have been held worldwide with the loving support of players and fans alike.
And now… the next version of Granblue Fantasy: Versus [86 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/granblue-fantasy-versus”>Granblue Fantasy: Versus, revamped with all-new features, has arrived: Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising.
■ New Mechanic: Ultimate Skills
An even more powerful version of Plus Skills.
Briefly slows down the opponent’s movement, enabling new ways to land combos and punish openings or whiffed attacks.
That’s not all! More new mechanics will be revealed soon!
■ New Characters and Stages
In addition to the original cast of 24 characters, even more playable characters will be joining the roster! Whose stage could this be?
■ New Story Content
Enjoy a simplified version of RPG Mode in an all-new Story Mode, including all chapters from the first Granblue Fantasy: Versus!
An original saga featuring new characters is set to unfold.
In-game shaders and post-processing effects have been enhanced to replicate the iconic art style of Granblue Fantasy.
■ New Online Lobby: Island
Run, jump, play, and explore in the new online lobby island! There’s more than just battles in-store!
■ Grand Bruise Legends
Take a break from the fight and discover new ways to play with Multiplayer [114 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/multiplayer”>multiplayer Party [25 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/party”>party games.
Rising Royale – Race to the finish while avoiding obstacles and use items to take out other players in this topsy-turvy Battle Royale [20 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/battle-royale”>battle royale!
Gold Brick Hoarder – Wrangle up Gold Bricks and take them to your team’s stockpile within the time limit. Just like in Skybound Sprint, you might need to play dirty to win!
Go head-to-head against others in various battle royale and team-based mini-games!
Watch a set of announcement trailers below. Visit the official website here: English, Japanese.
Publisher Dear Villagers [48 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/plug-in-digital/dear-villagers”>Dear Villagers and Towaga: Among Shadows developer Sunnyside Games” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/sunnyside-games”>Sunnyside Games have announced Side-Scrolling [253 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/side-scrolling”>side-scrolling Action [859 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/action”>action Adventure [660 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/adventure”>adventure game Nocturnal” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/nocturnal”>Nocturnal for PS5 [4,070 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps5″>PlayStation 5, Xbox Series [3,131 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/xbox/xbox-series”>Xbox Series, PS4 [24,504 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/playstation/ps4″>PlayStation 4, Xbox One [11,761 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/xbox/xbox-one”>Xbox One, Switch [12,857 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/nintendo/switch”>Switch, and PC [16,671 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/pc”>PC (Steam). It will launch in Q2 2023.
Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:
About
After a difficult journey across a troubled sea, Ardeshir, soldier of the Enduring Flame, returns to his home island of Nahran. A peculiar Mist is covering the entire island and the only way for Ardeshir to progress through is to wield fire as a repellant and carve his way into the island. But the Mist can also uncover great locations and lend powerful abilities to the ones who are willing to explore its mysteries.
Key Features
Fight for Your Home Island of Nahran – Ancient [7 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/ancient”>Ancient soldier you will have to find out what happens to your brothers to free your island from the dark Mist. Combat challenging and varied enemies that block your way to your goal: to free the island from the Darkness.
A Deadly Mist – A mysterious fog covers the island and chases you on sight. Make your way into it to discover its source and make an end to this. But be forewarned: one cannot breathe in the Mist, so you’ll have to use your wits as you intuit new ways to keep it at bay.
Awaken the Guardian of the Enduring Flame that Sleeps in You – As the Mist is your enemy, Fire will be your ally in your journey. Flame can ward off the Mist, ignite the scenery, turn on machinery, and be used to burn beings of dark magic impervious to conventional weaponry.
Explore the Island and its Secret Places – The Mist covers a vast expanse and hides powerful abilities for those willing to explore its mysteries. Gain ashes by killing enemies and exploring your environment and make an offering to the Phoenix statues to give you new abilities and stat boosts you need to survive.
Speed-Run Mode – Speed run options are available. You can select those to improve your speed-run time.
“With Nocturnal we wanted to combine the immediacy and timelessness of classic platforming adventures with a more modern dynamism,” said Sunnyside Games co-founder Gabriel Sonderegger in a press release. “The flames and mist give players a neat balance of oscillating between feeling weak and oppressed, with fleeting moments of triumph as they engulf their weapons in fire. We think it adds a unique flow to a classic genre and look forward to everyone being able to play Nocturnal when it launches later this year.”
Dear Villagers head of publishing Guillaume Jamet added, “We love classic side-scrollers with a new twist and Nocturnal hit that nail on the head for us. It’s often fast and frenetic, while also offering a healthy dose of tense pressure as your flame extinguishes, and you’re being attacked by dark forces in the shadows. It’s fantastic!”
Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.
![[NA] The Crew Motorfest: Teaser Trailer](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/L-ybHZWgPH0/hqdefault.jpg)
