PlayStation Plus has seemingly added a new free game that’s being compared to The Last of Us and Dead Island, giving subscribers another survival-based game to try out at no extra charge beyond their membership. The comparison points to a blend of tense post-apocalyptic storytelling, infected enemies, exploration, and close-quarters combat, which could make the game especially appealing to players who enjoy darker action experiences.
Big Comparisons To New PlayStation Plus Game
The addition is drawing attention because The Last of Us and Dead Island are two very different but highly recognisable styles of survival gaming.
The Last of Us is known for stealth, emotional character development, deadly infected enemies, and cinematic storytelling.
Mixing elements of both in a game could provide an interesting middle ground.
The main selling point could be Survival Gameplay.
You’ll frequently find yourself in these games dealing with scarce resources, exploring new areas and facing the ever-present danger of aggressive foes.
Players may have to search buildings, scavenge supplies, upgrade weapons, and choose whether to fight or flee from dangerous encounters.
That sort of structure can make even mundane scavenging feel tense, especially when your health items, ammo or crafting supplies are low.
PlayStation Plus Continues to Expand Its Library
Sony revamps PlayStation Plus with monthly games, bigger catalogue additions depending on subscription tier.
These updates are important as they provide players with the opportunity to try titles that they might not buy individually.
A good survival-action game can be very popular through subscription access. A much larger audience can discover it at the same time.
Fans of The Last of Us Will Like the Atmosphere
Fans of The Last of Us will probably find the biggest similarity in the atmosphere, rather than the specific gameplay.
Post-apocalyptic settings, abandoned buildings, infected creatures and stories about surviving dangerous communities can create a familiar sense of tension.
If the new PlayStation Plus addition places as much emphasis on mood as it does on combat, there will be plenty for players who enjoy slower exploration and environmental storytelling to like.
Fans of Dead Island might enjoy the combat
If the game also has aggressive melee action it could appeal to Dead Island players.
That franchise is known for letting players brawl with all manner of weapons and upgrades, often resulting in chaotic close-range encounters.
A PlayStation Plus game with similar mechanics could be a more action-oriented alternative to the traditional stealth-focused survival games.
Free Access Can Give Older Games Second Life
Games that have been out for a while often experience a large resurgence due to subscription services.
Throwing a game on PlayStation Plus means thousands of new players can dive in all at once, which means more online chatter, streaming, guides, and multiplayer (where available).
That extra exposure can make a game that might have been missed one of the most talked about new releases of the month.
Sources
- PlayStation Blog – Official announcements of monthly PlayStation Plus games & catalogue
- PlayStation Store – Where to purchase subscriptions, supported platforms & game listings
- Sony Interactive Entertainment – PlayStation Official Service and Membership Information
- ScreenRant – The Last of Us and Dead Island vs. PlayStation Plus addition coverage
- US Gaming Coverage – PlayStation Plus Updates, Survival Games, and Big Releases – IGN
