The Bigger Game – Yakuza Kiwami 2
PS Plus Free Games Predictions
While the year is almost done, December 2020 marks only the second time we have seen a PS Plus lineup after the release of the brand new PS5 console. The offical list from Sony has yet to be revealed for next month, but in the meantime we have some PS Plus predictions as to what those free games might be.
For the current month of November, Sony went a little unconventional and offered the PS5 version of a brand new indie title to its PS Plus lineup, Bugsnax, as well as two additional games: Middle-earth: Shadow of War and Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition.
Offering Bugsnax for free right as the game was launching was similarly done by Sony back in August 2020 when Fall Guys was offered for free right away for PS Plus players.
Something else to keep in mind when trying to guess PS Plus predictions for next month is alongside the launch of the PS5 on Nov. 12, Sony has offered 18 games free to play right away on PS5 via the PS Plus Collection. This includes:
- God of War
- The Last of Us: Remastered
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
- Battlefield 1
- Monster Hunter World
- Fallout 4
- Final Fantasy XV
- The Last Guardian
- Ratchet and Clank
- Infamous: Second Son
- Days Gone
- Bloodborne
- Detroit: Become Human
- Batman Arkham Knight
- Mortal Kombat X
- Persona 5
- Until Dawn
- Resident Evil: Biohazard
Therefore, these games are ruled out from this PS Plus predictions list, and likely every future one as long as the game remain free to play on PS5 for PS Plus subscribers.
Usually a larger AAA title headlines the list, and for December 2020 we predict this will be Yakuza Kiwami 2, the 14th entry in the Yakuza series originally releasing in December 2017 as a remake for Yakuza 2.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 has been included on the PlayStation hits lineup on the PlayStation store, along with physical editions as well. With the newest entry Yakuza: Like a Dragon releasing recently on Nov. 10, it makes sense for Sony to consider offering a past entry in the series as well.
Additionally, Sony has a history of offering not only SEGA games on PS Plus in the past, but specifically entries in the Yakuza series. This includes Yakuza Kiwami in November 2018, Yakuza 5 in August 2016, and Yakuza 4 in February 2015.
The Smaller Game – Knack 2
PS Plus Free Games Predictions
After the larger game usually a smaller indie makes the list as well, and we suspect Knack 2 would be a wise PS Plus prediction after the launch of a new console.
The original Knack launched alongside the PS4 back in 2013 and was included in bundles with the console Knack has also already been offered on PS Plus back in February 2018, and in April 2020 Knack 2 was offered for free on the Play at Home Campaign for players in Germany and China instead of the Uncharted: The Nathan Drake collection bundle.
Like Knack, Astro’s Playroom was offered within the PS5 as a pseudo tech-demo for the new DualSense wireless controllers (but is also an noteworthy platformer console owners should definitely check out).
When considering potential PS Plus predictions, especially in the wake of the release of a new console, one should remember Sony will likely prioritize younger customers either obtaining or trying out the console and will want to gift those players more gameplay-simplistic, platformer titles to enjoy outside of shooters and longer RPGs.
Knack 2 fills that role perfectly, and is a logical inclusion following the same train of thought that spurred Sony to include the first Knack with PS4 editions and Astro’s Playroom with PS5s.
Make sure to check back in the next week or so for the offical list from Sony to see what free PS Plus games will be included for PS4 and PS5 consoles in December 2020, and to see if any of our PS Plus predictions came true.
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