Leaked PS Plus Free Games for August 2021 Explained, and Why Subscribers are Upset
Prior to yesterday, many may have spent today looking forward to the PS Plus free games for August 2021 reveal later this month. Sony typically, with rare exception, reveals these games on the last Wednesday of every month. Technically speaking, August 2021 is already a bit of an exception, as Sony confirmed the PS5 PS Plus free game for August 2021 as Hunter's Arena: Legends during its latest State of Play.
However, a recent and super reliable leak has revealed the other two PS4 games. While Sony typically strives for variety every month and August is no exception, it's easy to see why many fans' reaction to the PS Plus leak are not exactly happy ones. Unless Sony changes something between now and later this month (an unlikely event), then the two games joining Hunter's Arena: Legends are Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville and Tennis World Tour 2.
All rumor and leaks live or die by their source, but this leak has the most trustworthy source out there: Sony itself. It seems the PS Plus games were posted by Sony on its website just long enough for people to get wind of it before it was removed. As such, the three aforementioned games are more than likely legit. Hunter's Arena: Legends is a battle royale game with a PvE element, inspired by ancient Asia. The background reveals that a Hunter is one to have unleashed chaos on the world, setting all up the events of the game. Overall, it's a different take on the standard battle royale formula, though it is worth mentioning that it has had mixed reviews on Steam.
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville, on the other hand, is one of those games people love or hate with a 77 Metascore but a 5.6 user score on PS4. Like the other PvZ Garden Warfare spin-offs, Battle for Neighborville is a third-person shooter where players are either plants or zombies in a co-op or comp MP game mode. There's 23 classes between Plants and Zombies, a new team play class, PvE zones, and more. Split-screen local multiplayer is available for all modes too, which is something that may grab the attention of many co-op fans. On the other end of the spectrum, though, the premise alone may not appeal to everyone. It's not a bad PS Plus game, but it is one of those that are varied and based on fan reception. Paired with other games, it would have fit right in.
Almost in reverse for Battle for Neighborville, Tennis World Tour 2 has a 56 Metascore and a 7.5 user score on PS4. In it, players can compete online, play through a career mode, enjoy virtual Tennis matches, and more, but what many point out on both sides of the scoring field is that it's a tennis game, plain and simple. A lack of innovation is often cited in reference to the game, thus limiting its appeal among even those who would love a good tennis game (excluding Nintendo's Mario, of course).
Typically, variety is a good thing for PS Plus, as many users can typically find at least one game they haven't played that catches their attention. For example, the PS Plus free games for July include A Plague Tale: Innocence (PS5), Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and WWE 2K Battlegrounds. Fans (at least those with a PS5) of single-player games have a solid offering to play through (one with an with an upcoming sequel), a chance to revisit Black Ops 4 before the new CoD drops, and a WWE game which could appeal to those who skipped it. There's a different draw in each game, and a broad enough approach that most people are going to download at least one of these games.
Where many are upset is that there's not that one game that appealing, according to this leak. Hunter's Arena: Legends is entering a battle royale market that's already oversaturated, and it's unlikely to draw fans away from Fortnite, Apex Legends, or Warzone. Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville isn't a bad game, but those who like it have likely already played it. Fair or not, it's the type of game many decide on based on the cover. Then, Tennis World Tour 2 only appeals to tennis fans, which some gamers likely are but not broadly.
The lack of appeal comes coupled with high expectations for PS Plus too. There hasn't been a reaction like this to the reveal since May 2020, which went so far as a petition being made to change the games. Many are upset because there's nothing really grabbing among the selection, and PS Plus has been on a hot streak since then too. Maybe not every month has appealed to every single person out there, but many, many of them likely did so more than the current month.
There is two silver linings fans should remain aware of, though. First, this may be the "worst" month since May 2020, but that's a lot of good time on PS Plus. It isn't always going to get the biggest, best games on the market, and Sony has built enough trust with its fanbase that those upset should keep in mind what else they've gotten from the service this year. PS Plus has not only offered more games this year, but there has been more value in PS Plus 2021 games than in all of 2020. Secondly, this is just a leak for one month, even if it's unlikely to change. The echoes of non-content may turn into a more proper uproar when the games are properly announced, but the games won't be on the offerings beyond August. September will bring in new games and have more for player to choose from.
Overall, as paying subscribers, it's understandable why many would be upset about the PS Plus offerings. However, this is just a small road bump in an otherwise smoothly-paved road.
PS Plus subscribers get a handful of free games every month.
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