PlayStation Now was launched by Sony in 2014 as a streaming-focused alternative to its existing subscription service, PlayStation Plus. Despite it often being overshadowed by PS Plus, Sony has continued to add new and exciting titles to PlayStation Now over its lifetime, and October is no exception.
One of the persistent criticisms of PlayStation Now is that it doesn't have an up-to-date selection of games, but that might be changing with some new additions. There are seven new titles coming to PlayStation Now this month, including The Last of Us 2, one of the most prevalent games of the past few years. For those subscribers who like to know exactly what they're getting, here's a breakdown of every new game coming to PlayStation Now in October 2021.
Amnesia: Collection
Amnesia: Collection is a compilation of the first two titles in the Amnesia survival-horror series from Frictional Games. The collection includes Amnesia: The Dark Descent, including its Justine DLC, and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs.
The Amnesia series began in 2010 with Amnesia:Dark Descent, which was critically acclaimed for its strong atmospheric horror, pacing, and story. The game is set in the mid-19th century and follows the story of Daniel, an amnesiac trying to retain his sanity while trapped in the ruins of a monster-haunted castle. While not a direct sequel, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs is also set in the 19th century. It follows the story of Oswald Mandus, a wealthy industrialist recovering from a tropical fever in London who discovers a horrific machine built under his house.
Desperados 3
The most recently-released title to be added to PlayStation Now in October 2021, Desperados 3 is a real-time tactics game played from a top-down perspective. Set in the Wild West of the late 19th century, the game is actually a prequel to the very first Desperados title, which released all the way back in 2001.
In Desperados 3, players guide their team through a classic Western adventure, utilizing a range of unique abilities and tools to deal with enemies. The game can either be played with a focus on stealth, avoiding vision cones and hiding bodies or as an action title with the special Showdown mode. Showdown allows players to pause and line up multiple actions for their entire squad, allowing sudden attacks and ambushes.
Fallout 76
Bethesda has worked hard to recover the reputation of Fallout 76 after its lukewarm reception back in 2018. At the time players and critics were disappointed by the empty game world and lack of purpose, but three years of patches and updates have gone a long way to correct these issues. In particular, the 2020 Wastelanders update, which finally added NPCs to the game.
PlayStation Now subscribers will get a chance to see these changes in action themselves and dive into Bethesda's first multiplayer game. Fallout 76 is set in West Virginia and features many unique enemies based on local folklore. The game fits the same basic gameplay and RPG formula as the other Bethesda Fallout titles, though with less of a focus on story and dialogue.
Final Fantasy 8 Remastered
PlayStation Now will be steadily increasing its library of Final Fantasy games over the next few months, and Final Fantasy 8 Remastered is the latest to join the subscriber service. Final Fantasy 8 released for the original PlayStation back in 1999, and the 2019 remaster gives players a chance to experience the classic JRPG with updated character models and textures.
As well as these graphical improvements, the remaster also features some quality of life options, including a Battle Assist booster, a mode that turns off random encounters, and an option to speed up time. Final Fantasy 8 is known for its reform of the classic Final Fantasy leveling system, making it a must-play for fans of the series.
The Last of Us Part 2
Probably the biggest name to make it onto PlayStation Now in October 2021, The Last of Us 2 will only be available until January 3rd, 2022. In spite of some narrative decisions that have divided the fanbase, The Last of Us 2 received high praise from critics and holds the record for the most Game of the Year awards.
The Last of Us 2 picks up the plot of the original game five years on and focuses on two playable characters: Ellie, a major character from the first game, and Abby, a soldier in a post-apocalyptic militia. Gameplay is once again focused on a blend of stealth and action and played from a third-person perspective.
Victor Vran: Overkill Edition
Victor Vran is a top-down action RPG from independent Bulgarian studio Haemimont Games. First released in 2015, it received generally positive reviews from critics, mostly due to its slick and satisfying combat. Victor Vran: Overkill Edition is a bundle that combines the original game with the Motorhead Through the Ages and Fractured Worlds expansions.
Victor Vran is often favorably compared to the big players in the action-RPG genre, most notably Blizzard's Diablo series. Like those games, players in Victor Vran will spend most of their time leading the Van Helsing-inspired hero through hordes of monsters. However, where Victor Vran shines is in the sheer depth of its character customization options, and the dynamic nature of its combat.
Yet Another Zombie Defense HD
Yet Another Zombie Defense HD is a self-aware shoot-em-up that challenges players to hold their ground against undead hordes. The game features some basic RPG and roguelike elements, allowing players to level up and improve their characters between waves. They can also set up defenses, including automated turrets, and buy new weapons.
Yet Another Zombie Defense HD supports both local and online co-op modes for up to four players, and it's clearly the way the game is designed to be played. There are three game modes to choose from: Defense, Endless, and Deathmatch, each offering a slightly different zombie experience.
PlayStation Now isn't Sony's flagship subscription service, but these new additions should make fans of Now more hopeful for the future. If Sony is planning to take on the might of the Xbox Game Pass, we can expect more top-tier titles to be announced soon.