PS Plus vs. Games With Gold: Which Free Games Win July?

Savings in July

June is over and July is officially upon us. The year is halfway done, and the onslaught of games continues to slow as summer continues and the weather gets warmer and warmer. This month, both Microsoft and Xbox have some great games to offer both longtime and new subscribers. You won’t be saving as much on either console, but there is still plenty to love, from horror games and bizarre ‘simulators,’ to over the top shooters and platformers.

Whatever kind of games you fancy, there is sure to be something for you to try your hand at this July. So let’s jump in and see what awaits Xbox Live and PS Plus subscribers in July.

PlayStation Instant Games Collection

Here are the PlayStation games on offer and their original titles:

PS4

• Until Dawn ($29.99)
• Game of Thrones ($19.99)

PS3

• Tokyo Jungle ($9.99)
• Darkstalkers Resurrection ($14.99)

PS Vita

• Element4l ($9.99)
• Don’t Die, Mr. Robot ($3.99)

For the month of July, PlayStation is spoiling its PS Plus subscribers. The two games on offer for PS4 players should not be overlooked. Both fall into the category of adventure game, but on very different sides of the coin. Game of Thrones is an expansion of the show’s universe developed by Telltale Games. It has the studio’s trademark style, mixing choice, action, and drama. It’s a great game for fans of the show to sink their teeth into, featuring many members of the show’s memorable cast.

Until Dawn bears more resemblance to Heavy Rain than any of Telltale’s titles. You switch between multiple teenagers as they party in a mountain cabin a year after their friends go missing. You are forced to make quick decisions, some of which end up killing off characters. The stakes are high and the gameplay is fun and horrifying. It’s a great horror game with a very different feel.

On the PS3 side of things, there is Tokyo Jungle. For the uninitiated, Tokyo Jungle lets players take control of different types of animals in an apocalyptic Tokyo, working their way through the food chain. It’s bizarre, hilarious, and strangely addicting. If you’re looking for something to play before the next big release, this might tide you over. The other PS3 title is Darkstalkers Resurrection, bringing together two entries in the Darkstalkers series with updated graphics and new modes. It’s a great look into one of Capcom’s lesser known fighting game series that deserves more fans.

The PS Vita has two fantastic indie titles for players to sink their teeth into. Element4l is a quirky platformer. Four elements have been united into a small, smiling cube, and players must utilize all four powers to traverse the world and find out what awaits them at the end of their journey. Don’t Die, Mr. Robot is far less serene. It’s a shoot ‘em up of sorts. Players guide a small ghost wearing a top hat and a monocle around the screen, avoiding lasers, collecting fruit, and trying to survive. It’s a nice foil to the peaceful nature of Element4l.

Downloading all of these games for free will save you a nice $89, so you better not pass up this chance to snag some fantastic PlayStation titles.

XBOX GAMES WITH GOLD

Here are the Xbox games on offer and their original prices:

Xbox One

• Grow Up ($9.99)
• Runbow ($14.99)

Xbox 360

• Kane and Lynch 2 ($14.99)
• LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game ($19.99)

The Xbox One has two great indies to enjoy, while the 360 has two older AAA titles that many might have missed. Grow Up is the sequel to Grow Home, and once again stars the uncoordinated robot BUD as he tries to maneuver plants to get home. The original was a quirky platformer similar to Octodad, where the player controlled BUD’s arms separately, making for a hilarious looking climbing experience. The sequel takes this idea and expands upon it, adding new tools and objectives. If you’re in the mood for a quirky 3D platformer, don’t hesitate to download Grow Up.

Speaking of quirky platformers, Runbow has something to offer fans of competitive 2D games. The main hook of the game is that the background changes color, which requires quick platforming from the player. Not only are there dozens of single player challenges to leap and bound through, but also an incredibly hectic multiplayer mode that offers Smash Bros. style fun with a platformer.

Kane and Lynch 2 is a cooperative shooter with style and edge to spare. Its two main characters are incredibly gruff and unapologetic and the action is nonstop and gratuitous. It isn’t the strongest title around, but it’s still a fun romp if you grab a friend and tear through the campaign as a team.

LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean is exactly what you think it is. The fun and wacky style of the LEGO games is perfect for the unique visual humor and swashbuckling action. This adaptation of the original three movies is fun for the young and old alike. If you’re a fan of Captain Jack Sparrow, you’ll have a good time traipsing through his blocky adventures.

Combining the original prices of these four games, you’ll save $60 this month if you download each one. Not the most savings Microsoft has ever offered, but still enough to cover the cost of a Xbox Live subscription.

Best Bang for Buck

Who comes out on top this month? Sony takes first place with $89 of savings compared to the $60 offered by Microsoft. It may not be the most packed month, but quality over quantity, right? With heavy hitters like Until Dawn, Game of Thrones, Grow Up, and LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean all free, it’s a good time to subscribe to the online game services, gaining access to multiplayer and some quality titles at the exact same time. At least now we have games to tide us over until the free games of August come around.