So basically PlayStation made a big bang for December with no doubt. The official PlayStation account shared on Twitter the new games to be added to the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers, and I must confess, it is very impressive indeed, ‘mark it on the calendar’ impressive. The big names among the lineup are Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Skate Story, and Granblue Fantasy: Relink. And all of them are already there. No penalty period, just grab your download if you are a subscriber and start your playtime. That is quite a huge shift for the service as we enter the holiday season.
Here are the cold hard facts for fans of just the facts: PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers were treated to a major update on December 3 that included the most sought-after Assassin’s Creed Mirage and action RPG Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, among others The games are available for immediate access at no additional cost for the users.
Okay, let us now turn to the reactions because that is where all the drama really is. Gamers were quick to chatter under PlayStation’s tweet, and the general feeling was… mixed, but mainly hype? Many gamers showed a high level of excitement. A user by the name of Terry Dang perfectly summarized this feeling by tweeting, “mirage and wo long in one drop… december cooked fr.” And they are spot on. Getting two new big and quite expensive games like that is a giant win indeed. Another user, SebastianWols17, only said “OMG Wo Long! I wanted to play it!” which could be the main feeling of many that they have been waiting for a price cut to book the game.
Then there is this, as usually, the case with popular gaming dilemma, pointed out by RP | rp.eth, “Wo Long or Mirage first… tough call”. Surely that is the best problem to have with a subscription service. You are not making a selection of what to buy but rather of what to play first from the many games that you already have access to. What a good place to be in!
Nonetheless, it is still the internet, and not everyone is happy. The comments section also had its proportion of ‘enthusiastic critics.’ One user, AnaAnsan, whose name includes ‘Xbox GamePass Ultimate’, referred to it as the “worst subscription service ever 🤣🤣🤣”. That is a very classic case of console war drama right there. Another user, Mac Daddy, was quite upset and said, “It’s rubbish, the steam console is going to kill you with the exception of the exclusives if you don’t switch it up by 2026”. Okay, buddy, whatever you say.
Some complaints were a bit more precise in their arguments. Rino slammed the classics catalog, declaring, “Your classics collection is ABYSMAL… Seriously do something.” This is a strong argument for the Premium subscribers who only want retro titles. Then there was the whole… strange thing about Skate Story. User BasedDeer was fuming: “No way am I even close to skate story. The first scene requires you to sign a godamned contract giving your soul to the devil, who on earth is making this crap?” Another user, Rhys, just replied, “Lol. Lmao.” That little exchange has actually made me more curious about trying Skate Story just to see what it’s all about. Is it a metaphor? Is it literal? The mystery!
Along with all the craziness, there were some kind-hearted people too. The PlayStation Game Size account provided download sizes for all the new games with a link that is indeed a lifesaver for people like us who are managing hard drive space. Seán even gave a positive report from the field, saying “Currently streaming Mirage on the Portal, works great.” It’s nice to know that the remote play feature is strong with the new arrivals.
So what can we conclude? It looks like Sony is going to finish the year on a high note for PS Plus. The launch of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which was just out in October, is a tremendous win. It means they are going faster and in the direction of the newer-premium titles than some could have guessed. Along with Wo Long, an excellent Souls-like from Team Ninja, they have a powerful combination that many gamers will consider worth the subscription price. The other two, Skate Story and Granblue Fantasy: Relink, though less popular, are still intriguing additions that enhance the collection.
Is that silence enough to the critics or has the competition been defeated? I cannot say, and honestly, who cares? The whole console war thing is tedious. What actually matters is if you are a PS Plus Extra or Premium member, you have just been gifted a whole bunch of new games to play with no extra cost. That’s a win. You are ranging from a long Assassin’s Creed adventure to a hardcore martial arts RPG, and you can also look forward to titles like LEGO Horizon Adventures as a free monthly game.
