2023 is quickly winding down, and 2024 will be here in the blink of an eye. A new year brings a new set of video game releases, new developments in the industry, new games on subscription services like PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass, and much, much more. PS Plus recently released its November 2023 free games, which include Aliens: Fireteam Elite (PS4/PS5), Dragon Ball: The Breakers (PS4), and Mafia 2: Definitive Edition (PS4), and fans can expect the PS Plus Extra and Premium games to be revealed soon. After that, there's only one more month of PS Plus 2023 game releases, but fans should be mindful to temper expectations ahead of December.
While they are not always predictable, PS Plus' Essential Tier does tend to operate on a handful of patterns, at least for certain periods of time. For example, there was a long stretch in PS Plus' history where it gave away two games, which were almost always a triple-A title and an indie game. In the leadup to and months after the release of the PS5, PS Plus was practically used for marketing the PS5 with an awesome selection of games. Patterns can break at any time though, which was the case with PS Plus' March pattern. Typically, March is the biggest selection of games every year, with years prior to 2023 giving away games like Bloodborne, 2016's Ratchet and Clank, The Witness, Shadow of the Colossus, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but this year's selection was by no means the best.
Sony Stops Updating PS Plus Subscriber Numbers
Sony has failed to disclose the number of players paying for the PlayStation Plus subscription service since the PS Plus price hike came into effect.
PS Plus Essential Tier - December 2023
It remains to be seen how PS Plus handles December, but it tends to have a pattern with the month every year too. Despite being a holiday month, Sony tends to end the year with a mixed-bag selection of games, meaning there's usually one game that should appeal to everyone and otherwise a selection that is going to be too niche for its broader audience. It's pretty easy to see how this pattern has unfolded over previous years.
PS Plus Free Games for December 2020
- Just Cause 4
- Worms Rumble
- Rocket Arena
In December 2020, Just Cause 4 outshined the other two PS Plus games. While neither are bad games, Just Cause 4 cast a big shadow and made sure the other two games were largely forgettable as a result.
PS Plus Free Games for December 2021
- Godfall: Challenger Edition
- LEGO DC Super-Villains
- Mortal Shell
The PS Plus free games for December 2021 found themselves in a mixed bag of controversy. While Godfall did not receive good reviews at launch, the team worked diligently to improve and add to the game. Then, come PS Plus, it turned out that the version fans were getting was a limited content special edition; in other words, PS Plus wasn't even giving away the full game, which rubbed a lot of folks the wrong way. The other two are good games for specific audiences, with LEGO obviously catering to LEGO and DC fans and Mortal Shell catering to Soulslike fans, but it was hard to overlook the outrage and controversy.
PS Plus Free Games for December 2022
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition
- Divine Knockout: Founder's Edition
- Biomutant
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a collection of three well-reviewed and well-loved games, and it dominated this month last year Pairing it with a platform fighter, which makes the appeal much more niche, and a game that many found disappointing at launch wasn't really a bad way to end the year, but it could have been better.
PS Plus Free Games for December 2023 Could Break This Pattern
What's clear across every PS Plus December release of the past few years is one shines to some degree (or two to specific audiences) while others are left behind. December 2020 had a star of the show that cast a long shadow, December 2021 had two games targeting a particular audience but a controversy that dominated the month, and December 2022 released a collection that once again overshadowed the other releases. Fans can reasonably expect another mixed bag of games for the upcoming month, though it's worth noting that it's becoming more and more common for the PS Plus Extra and Premium games to improve an otherwise mediocre month. Perhaps overall though, it would be a good time for Sony to break away from this pattern.
As aforementioned, PS Plus broke from its typical March pattern this year, and it's uncertain if fans can expect big releases next March, if this March was just an anomaly, or what will come of it next month. The mystery over any given month is exciting, and if PS Plus sheds that pattern, perhaps it'll change how it handles December. It all remains to be seen, but fans should be prepared for a mixed bag and be hopeful for a better present.
PS Plus subscribers get a handful of games every month.
