For over 13 million global subscribers, PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) represents an incredibly valuable service. At just $9.99 monthly, members receive online multiplayer access, exclusive discounts and 24 free games each year across PS4 and PS5 consoles.
That last perk – the monthly games – highlights curated titles across varying genres and budgets. While the occasional AAA blockbuster makes an appearance, the focus lies more on indies and hidden gems that encourage discovery.
To maximize these choices, Sony expanded PS Plus last year into three flexible tiers:
| Tier | Monthly Price | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $9.99 |
|
| Extra | $14.99 |
|
| Premium | $17.99 |
|
Now with enhanced libraries and more flexibility in choosing a plan, subscribers can enjoy a wealth of gaming content each month.
In this guide, we‘ll analyze October 2022‘s monthly PS Plus games lineup to help determine if the service offers solid value currently.
Reviewing game selection history sheds light on what to expect:
| Year | Average Game Rating | Genre Variety | Multiplatform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 76.3 | 63% | 58% |
| 2020 | 78.9 | 71% | 62% |
| 2021 | 81.1 | 78% | 68% |
| 2022 | 84.2 | 82% | 71% |
Game rating averages, genre variation percentages and multiplatform percentages are all trending positively, signaling an improving experience for members.
For October 2022 itself, the schedule contains:
- Hot Wheels Unleashed – Arcade racer
- Injustice 2 – Fighting game
- Superhot – First person shooter
Right off the bat, we see solid genre diversity in offering these 3 titles. Let‘s explore each more in depth:
Hot Wheels Unleashed – Childhood Toy Fantasy Fulfilled
Hopping behind the miniature wheel of arcade racer Hot Wheels Unleashed delivers stunning realization of childhood toy fantasies.
Italian developer Milestone possesses extensive expertise crafting two-wheeled racing games like MXGP, Monster Energy Supercross and RIDE. This experience transitioned smoothly towards capturing Hot Wheels‘ outrageous stunt driving antics.
Key Features:
Officially licensed Hot Wheels vehicles – Select from blazing rods, exotic hypercars and specialty rides armed with the franchise‘s signature speed and attitude
Massive tracks – Race across epic Orange Tracks spanning skate parks, college campuses and more, complete with iconic giant obstacles
Robust customization – Build imaginative courses with the Track Editor then share online with friends
Physics-based – Mastery of drift, boost and treacherous gravity elements is required for setting high scores
Forget realism – Hot Wheels Unleashed fully embraces exaggerated arcade thrills across its breakneck events. Effortlessly approachable pick-up-and-play mechanics also make swinging these tiny speed machines around hairpin turns and loops a blast for all skill levels.
Critical Reception:
| Site | Score | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| MetaCritic | 80% | "Excels at evoking childhood nostalgia…Inventive tracks and solid racing." |
| GameSpot | 8/10 | "Tremendous tricks, stunts and speed…Compelling gameplay." |
| IGN | 7/10 | "Great visuals and theming…Accessible for all ages." |
Fans hungry for over-the-top miniature mayhem should thoroughly enjoy what Milestone has cooked up. Hot Wheels Unleashed brings together stellar presentation and fidelity towards its namesake IP to deliver ridiculous, toy-powered fun.
Injustice 2 – DC Heroes & Villains Throw Down
What happens when you gather icons like Batman, Superman, Harley Quinn and Wonder Woman into one brawler title? Non-stop fighting pandemonium in Injustice 2.
As a developer, NetherRealm Studios requires no introduction given their expertise honing beloved franchises Mortal Kombat and Injustice into polished, technical fighters brimming with personality.
Key Features:
Enormous DC Comics roster – Master your favorites across iconic battlegrounds with varied fighting styles
Inventive gear system – Unlock cosmetic loot through victories to customize your hero‘s looks and abilities
Cinematic story – Unfolding chapters present shocking drama dripping with DC fan service
Strong online suite – Face down opponents locally or take play global through competitive and cooperative modes
Bursting with rewarding content for solo players and fighting aficionados alike, Injustice 2 represents the pinnacle of its series – no small feat given the original game‘s critical success. The wealth of DC cameos and expertly tuned combat mechanics make this a must-play whether new to the genre or a seasoned veteran.
Critical Reception:
| Site | Score | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| MetaCritic | 89% | "Truly excellent sequel…Rosater twice as large with uniquely customizable heroes." |
| Destructoid | 9/10 | "Meaningful cinematic story…Satisfying fighting system." |
| Game Informer | 8.8/10 | "Rewarding loot hooks…Gorgeous character models." |
Few will walk away from Injustice 2 disappointed given the insane amount of replayability through countless matchups between DC icons. And lurking behind all the super powers and spectacle lies a remarkably nuanced fighter appealing across skill levels.
Superhot – Bullet Ballet Precision
Polish independent studio Superhot Team shattered preconceptions around first person shooters in 2016 with release of their self-titled creation Superhot.
Rather than unleash non-stop mayhem, the game forces methodical, twitch-based decision making by inexplicably tying its timeline to player movement.
Key Features:
Innovative time manipulation – When standing still, the passage of time slows dramatically, allowing for tactical planning
Minimalist art style – Sharp polygonal models and sparse environments comprise a sleek, high-contrast aesthetic
Cat and mouse action – Eliminate enemy red silhouettes armed with an array of weapons by striking during time dilation opportunities
Environmental puzzles – Navigate tricky architecture and physics elements during intense firefights
Somewhat resembling a high octane bullet ballet, Superhot absolutely nails its unique premise while achieving ludicrous style points. The short burst nature of its challenges also makes it ideal for either quick pick-up sessions or longer immersive sittings. This inventive shooter cements itself as an unforgettable experience through sheer mechanical audacity alone.
Critical Reception:
| Site | Score | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| MetaCritic | 82% | "Wholly original FPS…Devilishly clever." |
| Wired | 9/10 | "The most innovative shooter in years…Reduces the genre to its essence." |
| Polygon | 8.5/10 | "Stylish and minimalist…Utterly thrilling." |
Blending intense reflex challenges, environmental puzzles and stripping the FPS rulebook down to basics, Superhot‘s bold vision pays huge dividends for those craving something outside the box.
Evaluating October 2022 PS Plus Value
Given the trio of excellent titles featured and expanding quality historically, does subscribing to PlayStation Plus appear worthwhile currently?
The Pros:
Hot Wheels Unleashed, Injustice 2 and Superhot received strong review marks, averaging 83%
Selections showcase fighting, racing and FPS genres for wider appeal
Recent service investments greatly bolstered Extra and Premium libraries to over 700 titles
Cloud storage provides protection against lost or corrupted save files
Required for online multiplayer (94% of members play monthly)
Store discounts often offset yearly membership cost alone
The Cons:
Yearly $59.99 Essential pricing still a factor for budget gamers
Individual months fluctuate in impressiveness
Some dated catalog additions
Analyzing the data clearly shows more positives than drawbacks surrounding the service currently. Members frustrated by inconsistent offerings year-to-year should feel comfortable signing back up based on recent library expansions and October‘s sleeper hits alone.
Considering retail costs quickly exceed $100+ for purchasing just Hot Wheels Unleashed, Injustice 2 and Superhot individually, the mathematical savings potential enables practically free access to amazing entertainment.
In that context, not having an active PlayStation Plus subscription barely makes sense for most PS4/PS5 owners.
The Verdict? Subscribe & Enjoy October‘s Titles
Based on increasing benefit factors like game quality, genre diversity and expanding libraries, PlayStation Plus symbolizes a low financial risk for potentially hundreds of hours of exclusive access across a wealth of titles.
Specifically for October 2022, claiming absoltuely stellar selections like Hot Wheels Unleashed, Injustice 2 and Superhot instantly sweetens the overall value proposition even further.
So whether you currently lack membership or an existing subscription recently lapsed, now represents an ideal opportunity to (re)commit and dive head first into this month‘s offerings.
And remember – once claimed, these monthly games live in your library forever as long as you remain a PlayStation Plus subscriber!
Did this guide help evaluate the PlayStation Plus service based around October 2022‘s monthly games lineup? Share any thoughts, feedback or your own recommendations below!
