Earlier this year, Sony made the somewhat shocking announcement that PlayStation's Play at Home Initiative was making a comeback. In early 2020, this initiative provided gamers a few games to play in order to encourage staying home and helping flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its return likely has the same goals, but it's back bigger than ever. Alongside other benefits, the first Play at Home game was Ratchet and Clank (2016).
Many expected some continued benefits and yet another game, but Sony made another wave when it was revealed not 1, not 2, not 3, but a whopping 10 games would be made free as part of PlayStation's Play at Home initiative between March 25 and May 14.
What's more, unlike the selection of PS Plus games every month, players fully own these games when they claim them. As such, there's really no reason not to grab and download the games.
PlayStation Play at Home March 25-April 22 Games
Of course, this begs the question exactly what some of these games are. Some of them are names big enough that many have likely head of before, like Enter the Gungeon or Subnautica, but there's some smaller (yet good) titles like Abzu and Rez Infinite. For those interested in the line-up, here's a brief description of each game. These games can be claimed between March 25 and April 22 at 8 PM PT (both days).
- Abzu - Players take on the role of a female diver in this underwater action-adventure game. They can explore several environments, unlock new areas, solving various puzzles, and finding collectibles. The story is told without dialogue through cutscenes
- Enter the Gungeon - A bullet hell roguelike dungeon crawler that combines shooting, looting, and dodging to reach the ultimate treasure. Players choose a hero and fight through evolving floors while armed to the teeth, with plenty of secrets and hidden opportunities scattered throughout.
- Rez Infinite - A musical rail shooter that captures a full 360 degrees of enemies and transforming bosses, with a blast of move-triggering colors set to a powerful techno soundtrack.
- Subnautica - An open-world survival action adventure game set in the underwater environment of an alien planet that combines both the mysteries of an alien world and the deep blue.
- The Witness - A puzzle game where players explore an island and its natural caves, formations, and the like. There's 11 regions surrounding a mountain, the end goal, and each region has its own unique puzzle design.
- Astro Bot Rescue Mission (VR) - A highly-rated VR game where players must rescue other bots all over space.
- Moss (VR) - A VR puzzle game where players are Quill, a small mouse, that focuses on characters, combat, and exploration with all the workings of VR.
- Paper Beast (VR) - Players are the first human in a new ecosystem, where players can manipulate the environments, the beasts in it, and even built their own world within the confines of sandbox.
- Thumper (VR) - A simple but well-reviewed rhythm game where players take on the role of a space beetle. There's nine levels, big boss fights, simple controls, and "psychedelic" graphics and more.
The PlayStation Play at Home Headline: Horizon Zero Dawn
Last, but certainly not least, players will be able to claim a copy of Horizon Zero Dawn for keeps. It'll be available from April 19 to May 14, beginning and ending at 8 PM PT both days. Those who haven't played the game before will likely find this the best of the bunch, as Aloy's journey has catapulted her among bigger PlayStation mascots like Kratos and Ratchet and Clank. In fact, the addition of Horizon here is interesting.
Ratchet and Clank was the first game, and it's receiving a sequel later this year. Horizon is up for grabs soon, and its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, is expected to release later this year. It's a great way to grab the game now in preparation of a sequel later, especially for any PlayStation newcomers. Either way, fans have a lot of games coming their way, and that's without even mentioning the killer line-ups of PS Plus free games this month and whatever comes in April.