Editor’s Picks: PlayStation Plus
by Luke Condon (Gaming Editor)
After a joyous six months, my subscription to PlayStation Plus Extra has concluded. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Sony’s game subscription service, and in honour of this I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourite titles that are currently available on it. Although PS Plus Extra grants you access to plenty of recognizable games like Horizon: Forbidden West, God of War, and Bloodborne, I’ve focused on some slightly more obscure titles here so that you can get the most out of your subscription.
Enter the Gungeon
Released in 2016 and developed by the aptly named studio known as Dodge Roll, Enter The Gungeon is an outrageously addicting indie rogue-like game. You’ll initially take control of one of four characters, whose questionable decisions have led them to the Gungeon, a randomised gauntlet that is full to the brim with (you guessed it) guns. These aren’t your average point-at-enemy-and-shoot firearms, however – Enter the Gungeon features a ridiculously large array of equally ridiculous weapons for players to delight in. Some might choose to play it safe with a boring old AK-47, but a true Gungeoneer will arm themself with a more silly alternative, like the AKEY-47 (it’s a gun in the shape of a key that also fires keys). Also, you can dodge roll through enemy bullets. That’s why the studio is called Dodge Roll.
If you’re lucky enough to own two controllers (and, more importantly, have a friend), Enter the Gungeon’s local co-op mode can be utilised to make the task of conquering the legendary Gungeon a little less daunting. It’s more forgiving than single-player, and the second character is given a number of advantages, including a limited-use revival item, so Enter the Gungeon’s multiplayer mode is an ideal way to introduce an uninitiated friend/lover/work acquaintance to the world of gaming.
Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds is a game unlike any other, but it can be loosely defined as an exploration puzzle game set in a fictional region of outer space (not to be confused with the similarly named Outer Worlds, Obsidian Games’ role-playing title that is also set in a fictional region of outer space). Playing as a cute little alien astronaut, you’ll fly around a charming solar system, exploring planets and space stations in search of answers to the universe’s mysteries: why are we here? Who came before us? Why is the sun exploding every twenty-two minutes, obliterating us in a fiery inferno?
One of these questions is, obviously, a more pressing concern than the others. Outer Wilds’ gameplay loop is restricted to cycles of twenty-two minutes; you’ll begin by blasting off from your home planet, attempt to explore and gather as many clues as you can in that time, and then be sent back in time to try again. A game mechanic like this might sound oppressively restrictive, but in Outer Wilds it’s quite the opposite. The only thing you retain through these loops is information, organised into a handy chart on your spaceship, and as you progress through the game you’ll use what you’ve learned to piece together a number of harrowing tales. Uncovering Outer Wilds’ many mysteries makes for an absolutely enthralling experience, and if you’re left wanting for more you can purchase the excellent Echoes of the Eye add-on, separate to PlayStation Plus.
Slime Rancher
If you’re looking for a more wholesome, laid-back experience, look no further than Slime Rancher. You control Beatrix LeBeau, an entrepreneurial spirit that has recently arrived on a sparsely populated frontier planet. Armed only with her trusty vacuum gun, she’ll quickly become accustomed to the art of slime ranching, the practice of capturing adorable blob creatures and raising them to produce valuable materials. To procure different types of slimes you’ll have to scour the wilderness surrounding your ranch with the help of various unlockable gadgets, including a jetpack and dash boots.
Slime Rancher is a relaxing farm simulator that lets you unwind however you see fit. You can set up a route that encompasses your ranch and leisurely walk around feeding your slimes and harvesting their materials, with the occasional excursion into the wilds to spice things up. Otherwise, you can focus on roaming the planet and playing through the game’s storyline, or even achieve advanced relaxation by automating your ranch to become fully self-sustaining. Whichever way you play, Slime Rancher offers a charming alternative for those who need a break from the intense nature of life (or even just other video games).
