As an experienced Playstation gamer and data analyst, I‘ve put together this comprehensive guide to give you the full scoop on the PlayStation Plus monthly games coming in November 2022. Let‘s start with a quick primer before diving into the lineup.
What is PlayStation Plus?
For those new to the world of Playstation, PlayStation Plus (commonly abbreviated PS Plus) is Sony‘s premium subscription service that unlocks online multiplayer, members-only discounts, and most importantly, free monthly games.
PlayStation Plus is available in three tiers offering various benefits:
- Essential – Provides the basics like online play, monthly games, store discounts and cloud storage. Costs $9.99/month.
- Extra – Adds a catalog of 400+ downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. Costs $14.99/month.
- Premium – Further includes 340+ retro games from PS1, PS2, PSP and PS3 eras. Costs $17.99/month.
Now let‘s see which free games you can look forward to in November 2022!
November 2022 PS Plus Monthly Games
Sony revealed three PlayStation Plus games for November 2022:
- Nioh 2 (PS4/PS5) – Brutal action RPG set in supernatural feudal Japan.
- Heavenly Bodies (PS5) – Physics-based puzzle game aboard a space station.
- Lego Harry Potter Collection (PS4/PS5) – Relive the Harry Potter saga in fun Lego form.
I‘ll be breaking down each title in extensive detail throughout this guide. But first, let‘s briefly compare them side-by-side:
| Game | Genre | Platforms | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nioh 2 | Action RPG | PS4, PS5 | Mature gamers seeking challenge |
| Heavenly Bodies | Puzzle | PS5 | Casual & hardcore gamers |
| Lego Harry Potter Collection | Adventure | PS4, PS5 | Families, Potter fans |
As we can see, the November PS Plus lineup represents quite the genre spread from the brutal challenges of Nioh 2 to blocky Potterverse adventuring with Lego Harry Potter to physics-based absurdity aboard Heavenly Bodies‘ space station. Truly something for all player types!
Now let me provide my deep-dive analysis on each title so you know exactly what to expect when they release…
Nioh 2 Breakdown
Genre: Action RPG
Platforms: PS4, PS5
Metacritic: 89
Let‘s kick things off with the demon-slaying mayhem of Nioh 2 – the tough-as-nails sequel to 2017‘s cult hit Nioh that transports you to a dark fantasy version of feudal Japan. If you crave challenging gameplay, then Nioh 2 promises to test your skills, reflexes and sanity over the course of its 50+ hour campaign.
As a lethal half human, half Yokai warrior, you‘ll hack, slash and unleash supernatural powers upon deadly foes like vicious samurai and horrifying creatures from Japanese folklore across Nioh 2‘s sprawling landscapes. All in service of uncovering your mysterious past life.
Brutal, Stylish Combat
Nioh 2 doubles down on the razor sharp combat and stamina management that defined the first game. Choose from 8 badass melee and ranged weapons like chain whips, axes and bows – each with diverse movesets and combos to master. Quick stance changes, well-timed dodges and managing your ki (stamina) are all crucial to overcome Nioh 2‘s challenges.
The sequel then layers on Yokai abilities, letting you transform into demons for added abilities. Combine these new mechanics with the deeply customizable skill tree and Nioh 2 delivers stylish, frenetic battles packed with options to approach its diabolical enemies.
Terrifying Bosses
Of course, the real tests in Nioh 2 come in the form of its epic boss fights. These are large-scale battles against terrifying beasts and warriors that will crush the unprepared. Think dark sorcerers, giant serpents, zombie samurai and more – all boasting unpredictable moves designed to relentlessly punish mistakes.
Patience, practice and learning attack patterns are key to achieve victory. These primal clashes should delight any masocore action fan yearning for the ultimate skill challenge.
Rich Lore & Online Co-Op
Beyond the tight combat, Nioh 2 contains reams of lore to uncover across its grim take on Japan‘s Sengoku period. Meet historical figures like warlord Oda Nobunaga along with ghosts and grotesque monsters inspired by Japanese mythology. This creates an immersive, dark fantasy universe blended with real-world history.
You can choose to brave Nioh 2 alone or join up with 2 other players online to take on its challenges as a squad. This cooperative multiplayer allows you to easily matchmake with others to defeat especially brutal bosses.
So if you crave an engrossing, thrilling action challenge, Nioh 2 stands among 2022‘s finest PlayStation offerings. Just be prepared to master its systems and fail over…and over again!
Heavenly Bodies Review
Genre: Physics Puzzle
Platform: PS5
Metacritic: 79
Providing a change of pace from Nioh 2‘s tense battles is charming physics puzzle game Heavenly Bodies. Here, you play as clumsy astronauts attempting to repair damages across a space station‘s perilous exterior. With intentionally loose controls and zero gravity physics, even the simplest of tasks like connecting cables and realigning satellites become challenging trials of balance, momentum and spatial awareness.
Let‘s float into further details on what makes Heavenly Bodies such an ingeniously fun head-scratcher.
Floaty Physics
The genius of Heavenly Bodies comes from giving you complete, fidgety control over your astronaut‘s limbs and tools while navigating fixed objects across the space station exterior. This means grabbing and turning valves, pulling yourself from grips, redirecting flashing satellites and all manner of repair work with the pressurized danger of space always looming.
Zero gravity and intentionally "floaty" controls ensures even the most basic actions send you pin-wheeling off course. The sheer physical comedy of awkwardly flinging yourself from grips and bumping off walls like an air hockey puck turns failure into laughs. Think Surgeon Simulator in space. Mastering precision handling of individual arms to carefully line up tasks provides immense satisfaction as well.
Relaxing & Reflex Challenge
Though superficially silly with its clumsy spacemen constantly careening into the void, Heavenly Bodies‘ 80 core puzzles offer plenty of challenge. Each asks you to thoroughly analyze environmental factors like available grips, physics objects and spatial alignment to deduce an efficient solution.
Some puzzles rely on reflexes – quickly adapting trajectories mid-flight across danger zones. Others allow a more relaxed, systematic approach with unlimited lives to test solutions. This means both casual puzzler fans lured in by the amusing chaos and hardcore veterans longing for a cerebral test can find appeal.
And if things ever become truly frustrating, up to 2 players can join forces via local/online co-op to achieve newfound appreciation for the complexity behind seemingly simple space tasks!
Stunning Visuals
Amidst all the physics mayhem, Heavenly Bodies impresses with understated, stunning space visuals. The sensation of slowly drifting across the surface of majestic planets or steering towards glittering nebulae is simply breathtaking. Paired with a haunting score evoking the lonely isolation of space, Heavenly Bodies crafts an entrancing ambience.
Fans of cerebral, physics-based puzzlers should absolutely dive into Heavenly Bodies‘ space hijinks – especially for a zero gravity change of pace from the bloody battles of feudal Japan over in Nioh 2!
Lego Harry Potter Collection Review
Genre: Adventure
Platforms: PS4, PS5
Metacritic: 80
Rounding out November 2022‘s PS Plus games is the Lego Harry Potter Collection. This bundles together action-adventure games Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 – allowing fans to experience J.K Rowling‘s beloved book series in cute block form.
With its playful LEGO charm, adorable aesthetics and gentle difficulty, the Lego Harry Potter Collection stands in family-friendly contrast to Nioh 2‘s merciless gore and Heavenly Bodies‘ complex physics. Let‘s examine what this magical journey has to offer for gamers of all ages.
Sprawling Wizarding World
True to the colossal books, the Lego Harry Potter games comprise a sprawling adventure across vast chunks of the Potterverse realized in LEGO. That means exploring iconic locations like Hogwarts castle, the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and more while controlling LEGO versions of Harry, Ron, Hermione and other beloved characters. Expect to constantly discover hidden rooms, secrets and puzzles hidden across the toy brick landscapes.
With over 200 playable characters, collecting studs to unlock favorites like Hagrid, Dumbledore and Neville Longbottom serves as a compelling metagame between story missions. Overall, the Lego HP games serve as a relaxing guided tour through the books‘ most memorable scenes – perfect for younger fans.
Accessible Gameplay
Gameplay sticks to the straightforward Lego adventure formula focusing on defeating enemies, solving light puzzles and platforming with the added twist of using signature spells. Nothing here should challenge experienced gamers too mightily.
However, lower difficulty opens these magical journeys for enjoyment by LEGO newcomers and Potter fans of all ages. Co-op allows families and friends to casually experience Hogwarts together – a major advantage over November‘s other single player focused offerings.
With over 30 combined hours of content, the Lego Harry Potter Collection marks the user-friendly choice for November 2022‘s PlayStation Plus lineup.
Limits of the Collection
The only drawback with the Collection comes with slight dated visuals and mechanics. Having originally released between 2010-2011, some aspects like finicky platforming feel a bit antiquated by today‘s standards. Resolution bumps on PS5 help mitigate aging graphics.
Still, the Collection represents an unparalleled magical voyage for Potterheads young and old worth embarking on. Just don‘t expect lots of innovation if you‘ve extensively played newer Lego titles.
Tips to Maximize Your PS Plus Subscription
You now have extensive details on November 2022‘s stellar PlayStation Plus game offerings. Here‘s my advice as a veteran PS Plus subscriber for getting the most from your membership:
Claim all monthly PS Plus games – Even if you don‘t plan to play them immediately, add them to your library. You never know when you might change your mind and can access claimed titles whenever you resubscribe.
Explore PlayStation Classics catalogue – Premium members gain access to hundreds of iconic PS1, PS2 and PSP games via cloud streaming. From Ape Escape to Sly Cooper to FFIX, try out classics you may have missed!
Activate automatic downloads – Ensure new monthly PS Plus games automatically download to your console. This way they‘ll be immediately ready to play upon release vs having to manually start downloads.
Play online – Even traditionally single player focused games often have fun online components! So try out co-op in the Souls-like Nioh 2 or solve astro puzzles with a friend in Heavenly Bodies.
Stay engaged with Playstation Blog – Sony often sneakily adds new titles to the various PlayStation Plus libraries without warning. Keeping up with their official blog ensures you never miss a surprise addition.
Let me know if this guide gives you a complete perspective on November 2022‘s stellar PS Plus lineup! I‘m here to provide any other insight you need on these titles or maximizing your Playstation experience in general.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the November PlayStation Plus games release?
Sony has not officially announced availability dates yet. However based on past monthly updates, expect at least 1-2 games if not the entire lineup to go live on November 1st.
What PlayStation Plus tier do I need?
The monthly PlayStation Plus games are included with all subscription tiers. So whether you have Essential, Extra or Premium, you‘ll gain access to titles like Nioh 2. Higher tiers provide additional benefits like game catalogs.
Can I play these if my subscription lapses?
Unfortunately you cannot access any PlayStation Plus monthly games if your membership expires. You must maintain an active subscription to play titles like the Lego Harry Potter Collection.
Do I need a PS5 console for any November games?
Heavenly Bodies requires a PlayStation 5 console as it is a next-gen exclusive relying on PS5 power and DualSense controller features. However Nioh 2 and Lego Harry Potter Collection are playable across both PS5 and PS4 generations.
Can I play local co-op on these games?
Yes! Nioh 2 and Heavenly Bodies support online and local co-op for 2-3 players. Friends can tackles bosses together in Nioh 2 or solve cosmic puzzles together in Heavenly Bodies by passing a single controller. Lego Harry Potter also supports casual local co-op adventures for families with multiple controllers.
Let me know if you need any other details on getting the most from November 2022‘s stellar PS Plus game lineup and your subscription benefits!
