This month’s free game showdown is a matter of quality vs. quantity. Sony is bringing 6 games to the table (4 on PS4) with solid average quality, but Microsoft is unleashing some big guns the quality of which is rarely seen in the freebie realm.
So whose lineup is best this month? Let’s examine the particulars.
Playstation Plus
PS4:
Super Time Force Ultra (Vita x-play) ($14.99)
- Metacritic score: 80
Grow Home ($7.99)
- Metacritic score: 75
Teslagrad (PS3 x-play) ($14.99)
- Metacritic score: 78
Xeodrifter (Vita x-play) ($9.99)
- Metacritic score: 76
PS3:
Twisted Metal ($14.99)
- Metacritic score: 76
Vita:
La-Mulana EX ($19.99)
- Metacritic score: 76
Total Value: $82.94
Average Value: $13.82
Average Score: 76.8
6 games for free? Sony’s focus lately has been squarely on variety, and we’ve got that here – so long as variety involves 2D platforming. 3 of the 4 PS4 games are 2D platformers, but all are of admirable quality. Super Time Force in particular has a distinctive gameplay hook, while Xeodrifter is uniquely 8 bit in style. Grow Home is a 3D (OOOOH!) platform style game, but is a gorgeous and well-paced experience. Twisted Metal is a blast from the past, but is a solid car combat game. All are of impressive quality, but variety is somewhat lacking.
Games With Gold
Xbox One:
Tomb Raider Definitive Edition ($34.99) — September 16 – October 15
- Metacritic score: 86
The Deer God ($14.99) — September
- Metacritic score: 58 (PC)
360:
Crysis 3 ($19.99)
- Metacritic score: 76
Battlestations Pacific ($24.99)
- Metacritic score: 76
Total Value: $94.96
Average Value: $23.74
Average Score: 74
Tomb Raider – one of the best games of 2013 – for free? Nice! The Metacritic score speaks for itself, and this one freebie makes the whole month worthwhile. One of the best games I’ve seen for free! The Deer God is a little more questionable, but offers a pixel art survival experience that may appeal to some. The 360 lineup is great, with 2 very substantial and gameplay filled titles.
Head 2 Head:
Matching up values as best I can, which is the better offering? Excludes Vita titles, because, well, Microsoft doesn’t have a handheld. *yeah, this is an opinion*
Tomb Raider v. Super Time Force Ultra & Grow Home & Teslagrad
Advantage: Microsoft
The Deer God v. Xeodrifter
Advantage: Sony
Crysis 3 & Battlestations Pacific v. Twisted Metal
Advantage: Microsoft
Winner:
Microsoft swung for the fences, and hit a home run with the incredible Tomb Raider. Add in a solid 360 lineup, and all the platformers in the world can’t touch this lineup. Both companies have provided great value, but Microsoft takes this round handily.
Come back next month for another vicious grudge match! Which games turn your crank? Let us know on Twitter @COGconnected. Suggestions for this feature? Get in touch with me @yvr_paul!