With a library of around 400 games, PlayStation Plus Premium can seem overwhelming. While the service has titles for every kind of gamer, it can be difficult to know where to invest time. It truly is a bounty of spoils. There are plenty of great AAA Sony exclusives and indie darlings on the service. However, there is a trove of titles that often get overlooked. From kid-friendly indies to remastered exclusives, let’s look at five stand-out titles that deserve more love.
5. 9 Monkeys of Shaolin (2020)
Sobaka Studio’s 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is an excellent side-scrolling action game rooted in history and mysticism. Players control a fisherman who becomes one of the masters of Shaolin. Based on the Chinese fantasy genre of Wuxia, the game combines fluid combat with magical powers to help players defeat increasingly difficult enemies. The game occurs throughout five chapters, in which players fight different clans for each.
Armed with a staff that can be upgraded with perks, players fight through waves of enemies and bone-crushing boss encounters. 9 Monkeys of Shaolin’s satisfying fight system is unique and easy to learn. However, the game is hard to master as there are countless combos and fight styles to explore. This one is a must-play for fans of kung-fu films and old school beat ‘em up video games.
4. Spirit of the North (2019)
Spirit of the North might be the most mellow games PlayStation Plus Premium offers. Infuse Studio created a game experience unlike any other. Players take control of a fox to explore a long-forgotten frozen land. Inspired by the Finnish legend of “Tulikettu,” Spirit of the North contains no dialogue or narrative. It’s all vibes and context clues.
The gameplay is simple yet thoroughly engaging. With the help of a magical spirit, players are left to discover what happened to the land that has lost most of its life. Spirit of the North is one of those games that doesn’t require a lot of intense focus or skill. However, that doesn’t take away from how engaging it is.
3. Thomas Was Alone (2010)
Developer Mike Bithell might be one of the hardest-working guys in indie games. Originally a Flash-based browser game, Thomas Was Alone follows a group of rectangular shapes trying to escape each level. The game is filled with heart and humor, most of which is from the narration by British comedian Danny Wallace.
The game design is simple yet profound. Players switch between various AI entities (all represented by shapes with unique names and personalities) to solve increasingly complex puzzles. The game occurs inside a computer where something terrible has happened, causing the varia Ais to become self-aware. Thomas Was Alone is a puzzle platforming game for players looking for a real challenge and a good laugh.
2. Party Hard (2016)
Party Hard asks the question, what would a psychopath do to quell his loud neighbors from throwing parties? The answer to that is a series of vicious sabotages and outright murders. This game is for players looking for something to exercise some inner demons or have a sick sense of humor.
Pinokl Games’ action stealth game lets players take control of a disgruntled assailant who systematically stops parties by any means necessary. The gameplay has a cat-and-mouse feel to it. If partygoers witness your acts of mayhem, they will alert authorities. The narrative is tongue-in-cheek at first but spirals out into a massive crime epic.
1. Blasphemous (2019)
There are plenty of Metroidvania-style games on the PlayStation Plus Premium service. However, none are as challenging and rewarding as The Game Kitchen’s Blasphemous. Players take control of The Patient One, the lone survivor of the Brotherhood of the Silent Sorrow. The game is steeped in Roman Catholic iconography and Gothic architecture.
In its mechanics, Blasphemous is like other side-scrolling Soulslike games such as Salt & Sanctuary and Moonscars. However, it stands head and shoulder above the abovementioned games regarding bone-crushing combat and traversal. With a sequel on its way, it’s a good time to dive into the world of Cvstodia and see what Blasphemous has to offer.
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