Category: Editorial

Sony Closing PlayStation Store on PS3, Vita, and PSP

Editorial Team

The end of an era is coming this summer. On their official Important Notices site, Sony announced the closing PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable this year on July 2nd, and for the PlayStation Vita on August 27th.

This means players will no longer be able to purchase games, downloadable content for games, or any video or media content for their PS3, Vita, or PSP. Nor will players be able to use PSN wallet fund vouchers on these devices.

However, the good news is that players will still be able to access any previously purchased game titles, video and media content, and redeem game vouchers. This also includes all claimed game titles for PlayStation Plus members, provided that the player’s membership remains active. Previously purchased games can be downloaded by accessing the Download List on the device.

Trophy hunters and Completionists may want to consider what this means for your trophy percentages. If there is any DLC for your PS3 and Vita games that you’ve been putting off, now would be the time to make those purchases. Otherwise, you will risk having less than 100% trophy completion on those titles, forever.

The PlayStation Store first launched on the PS3 on November 11, 2006. It was a groundbreaking way for players to make digital purchases of games, rather than having to visit stores and buy physical copies. It also enabled the ability to acquire downloadable content, play game demos before deciding on a purchase, and download different themes to dress up their interface. It also brought the Indie game market to PlayStation Players, particularly on the Vita.

While many of us have since moved on from the PS3 and PSP, and the Vita never really became a popular gaming device, it is still sad to see the closing PlayStation Store – especially on the PS3 where it first premiered.

PlayStation Plus Free Games March 2021

Editorial Team

St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching. And while many of us may not even be Irish, we still like to dress up in green and celebrate. But instead of needing a leprechaun, we’ve got Sony guiding us to the free games at the end of the rainbow, with a total of four freebies this month. And so, here are the PlayStation Plus free games March 2021 which are available for download on Tuesday, March 2.

First, there’s Final Fantasy VII Remake, the 2020 complete revamp of the original Final Fantasy VII first released in 1997 on the PlayStation One. Follow Cloud on his adventures as he teams up with the eco-terrorist group Avalanche to stop the evil corporation Shinra from sucking up the planet’s life essence.

Next, there’s Remnant: From the Ashes, a third-person action RPG featuring game mechanics similar to the Souls series. Wander a post-apocalyptic earth as you set out to put an end to the inter-dimensional evil known as Root that has destroyed the world.

Specifically for the PS5, there’s Maquette, a brand-new puzzle adventure. Recreate memories by performing actions on a table, which causes the outside larger world to follow suit.

Lastly, Sony is also giving away the PSVR action shooter title, Farpoint. Set on a hostile planet, use the PSVR Aim Controller to destroy dangerous aliens and stay alive.

All four PlayStation Plus Free Games March 2021 have Platinum trophies to unlock.

The easiest one, by far, is Maquette. If you follow a video walkthrough, the Platinum can be unlocked in under 5 hours.

The Platinum for Remnant: From the Ashes will take around 60-70 hours of gameplay, but is of average difficulty despite borrowing mechanics from the Souls series.

Final Fantasy VII Remake will require two full playthroughs, one on Hard mode, which in turn will need a lot of grinding to prepare for. Expect around 70-80 hours for the Platinum, and to be challenged during your Hard mode run.

The most difficult of the four Platinums is Farpoint which, though can be done in 30-40 hours, will require some serious shooting skills as well as some strategies.

PlayStation Plus Free Games February 2021

Editorial Team

Valentine’s Day is coming up! And what could be more romantic than playing some free games? So, here is Sony’s next line-up of PlayStation Plus Free Games February 2021 available for download on Tuesday, February 2.

First, there’s Control Ultimate Edition, a third-person action adventure originally released on the PS4 in August 2019, and now rereleased for the PS5. Jesse Faden is the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Control, an agency that studies any phenomena that violates the laws of reality, a job which certainly comes with its challenges.

Next, there’s Concrete Genie, an adventure title where players use the DualShock 4’s motion controls to create landscapes that come to life. Ash, a teenager, is handed a magic paintbrush used in vanquishing the darkness of a small town. Aspects of the game can be played using the PSVR.

Finally, there’s Destruction AllStars, a brand-new vehicular combat game for the PS5. Players select from a range of vehicles each with unique abilities, and smash up their enemies. The game includes both single-player and online vehicular battles.

All three games have Platinum trophies to unlock.

The Platinum for Concrete Genie is by far the easiest to obtain, as the game itself is not particularly difficult. All trophies can be unlocked in only 7-8 hours.

Control Ultimate Edition is of average difficulty, with a Platinum that can be obtained in under 20 hours.

The trophies for Destruction Allstars require a fair bit of grinding as well as luck, needing anywhere between 35-45 hours. Also, take note that there are a number of online trophies which can be challenging and time consuming on your own, but much easier if boosted.

PlayStation Plus Free Games January 2021

Editorial Team

Happy New Year!

Or at least, here in Japan, it will be in about thirty hours. And what better way to enjoy the cold winter holiday than staying indoors and playing some new games? Sony has just unveiled their next batch of freebies, continuing with their latest trend of giving away two PS4 games and one PS5 games. And so, here are the PlayStation Plus Free Games January 2021, available for download on Tuesday, January 5.

First, for PS4 owners, there’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the 2018 action adventure by Edios Monreal and sequel to Rise of the Tomb Raider. Taking place shortly after the events of the previous installment, Lara Croft heads to the legendary city of Paititi in the Americas, battling against the paramilitary organization known as Trinity while attempting to stop a Mayan apocalypse from happening.

Next, there’s Greedfall, an action RPG by French developer Spiders. Taking place on a fantastical island in the 17th century, players are free to side with any of the foreign colonizers, or with the native inhabitants who are protected by supernatural beings, all while participating in combat, stealth, and diplomacy.

Lastly, for the PlayStation 5, there’s Maneater, an action title with RPG elements, where players take on the role of a female bull shark seeking revenge on a fisherman for killing her mother. Feed on aquatic wildlife for nutrients, wreck terrify and kill humans along the coast, and search out new abilities to prepare for the hunt.

All three titles have a Platinum trophy to unlock.

For those PlayStation Plus members with a PS5, the Platinum for Maneater is by far the easiest, and needing only 12-15 hours of gameplay to unlock.

Players familiar with the Tomb Raider series should know what to expect for Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The game itself is of average difficulty, and requires around 35 hours of gameplay for the Platinum.

Unlocking all the trophies for Greedfall is not much more difficult, though expect between 50-60 hours for the Platinum.

PlayStation Plus Free Games December 2020

Editorial Team

Season’s greetings!

It’s that time of the year when some of us may still be in the holiday spirit and perhaps exchange a gift or two. Sony is certainly still in a festive mood, as they are giving away another set of freebies to PlayStation Plus members. Also, like last month, we’re getting another three freebies, two for the PS4 and one to celebrate the launch of the PS5, so looks like this will become a common trend with Sony. So without further ado, here are the PlayStation Plus Free Games December 2020, available for download on the first of December.

First, there’s Just Cause 4, the next title in the action adventure series by Avalanche Studios. A sequel to Just Cause 3, the game takes place in an open-world set in the fictional nation of Solis, where Rico Rodriguez is seeking to take down a private military known as The Black Hand.

Next, there’s Rocket Arena, a third-person online shooter from Final Strike Games. Players select from a range of colorful characters with unique abilities, and jump into an arena where they assist teammates while battling against the opponent.

Finally, there’s Worms Rumble, newly launched for the PS5 but also available for the PS4. Players take control of their worm in this 2.5D action game and battle other players, while customizing their worm through unlocked cosmetic items.

All three games have Platinum trophies to unlock.

Players familiar with the Just Cause series will know what to expect in unlocking all the trophies for Just Cause 4. The game is not particularly difficult for average gamers, there are no missable trophies, and will require around 40 hours of gameplay.

The Platinum for Rocket Arena has some straightforward trophies, though the difficulty in unlocking the Platinum entirely depends on your online shooting skills. Expect anywhere between 50-80 hours, depending on your skills and luck.

The same can be said for Worms Rumble, which also requires online skills and luck for the Platinum, and could take anywhere between 50-80 hours. [EDIT]: Players be warned that a few trophies on the PS5 version have reported to be buggy, and not unlocking.