Highlights
- PS Plus subscribers can enjoy two day one releases this month: Moving Out 2 on August 15 and Sea of Stars on August 29.
- Moving Out 2 is a sequel to the popular physics-based moving simulator, featuring co-op gameplay, online support, new characters, and exciting challenges.
- Sea of Stars is an eagerly anticipated retro turn-based RPG inspired by classics, with a unique traversal system, diverse gameplay features, and an intriguing story about two powerful protagonists.
While Sony may not add first-party games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 to PS Plus on day one, it has managed to still get some awesome titles added to the service at launch. Stray, Meet Your Maker, Rogue Legacy 2, and others have all graced the PS Plus service day and date with their release and/or landing on the PlayStation platform. PS Plus Extra subscribers may be in a treat this month though, as they'll be able to play two games on day one this month.
Across PS Plus Premium, PS Plus Extra, and the PS Plus free games for August 2023, subscribers get access to about two games in total. It's a solid selection with enough variety and quality to call August a good month, but Moving Out 2 and Sea of Stars stand out as day one releases. Moving Out 2 will join PS Plus day one on August 15, alongside the other PS Plus Extra additions, but Sea of Stars won't launch until August 29. Sea of Stars may be joining "late" compared to the other PS Plus Extra releases, but the good news is a month filled to the brim with awesome additions.
PS Plus Extra: Moving Out 2
As a sequel, Moving Out 2 may not need much of an introduction, but it is possible some folks slept on the first title. The premise of Moving Out 2 is pretty straightforward: in a physics-based moving simulator, players work as a F.A.R.T. (Furtniture Arrangement and Relocation Technician) to help various denizens of Packmore to pack up and move out. As a sequel, fans can expect beloved characters from the first game return, but there will be new characters to meet too. The same goes for gameplay features.
In addition to fun co-op gameplay with online support in Moving Out 2, players will also be able to complete silly, action-oriented challenges outside Packmore (thanks to the assistance of interdimensional portals). There is also an assist mode, a wide swathe of accessibility options, various skins, and more. Everything comes together for an exciting game package, as according to OpenCritic, Moving Out 2 currently has a "Strong" rating with 95% of critics recommending it (with a Top Critic Average of 83).
PS Plus Extra: Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars may not have reviews out yet (it's a tad bit too early), but many gamers have kept their eye on it since announcement. In short, Sea of Stars is a retro turned-based RPG inspired by classics; indeed, it seems tactical turn-based RPGs have been getting a lot of attention lately with Sea of Stars, Persona 5 Tactica, and many others embracing the gameplay style. Story-wise, the game is about two Children of the Solstice (Valere and Zale) who combine powers of Sun and Moon to perform Eclipse Magic. Their story and journey seems them facing off with an antagonist known as The Fleshmancer.
Features
- Turn-Based Combat (Timed Hits, Multi-Character Combo Attacks, a "Locks" system - no random encounters, transitions, or grinding involved)
- "Unshackled Traversal" - Sea of Stars boasts its traversal system which is not bound to a grid. Players will be able to travel seamlessly wherever their hearts desire.
- Gameplay features like sailing, cooking, and fishing.
- 2D Pixel Art
- 6 Playable Characters
Ultimately, it seems PS Plus subscribers are eating good this month, and while August may be about halfway over, September isn't far away. That means the highly-reviewed Baldur's Gate 3 will drop on PS5 and a whole new slate of PS Plus games will be revealed and added in the coming weeks.
PS Plus subscribers get a handful of games every month.