Can I Play Ghost of Tsushima: Legends Without PlayStation Plus?
The short answer is, unfortunately, no. To access and play the Ghost of Tsushima: Legends mode, you need an active PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) subscription. While you can play the main Ghost of Tsushima single-player campaign offline, Legends mode is an online-only experience that requires a PS Plus membership to function. Let’s dive into the specifics of why this is the case and explore the ins and outs of accessing and enjoying this fantastic multiplayer expansion.
Understanding the Requirement: Why PS Plus for Legends?
Ghost of Tsushima: Legends is fundamentally a multiplayer experience. It’s designed for cooperative gameplay, where you team up with friends or other players online to tackle various missions and challenges. Because it relies on PlayStation’s online infrastructure for matchmaking, communication, and gameplay synchronization, a PlayStation Plus subscription is mandatory.
This requirement stems from Sony’s policy regarding online multiplayer access. While some free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone are exceptions and don’t require PS Plus, the majority of games that offer online multiplayer functionality on PlayStation consoles do. Legends falls into this category, even if you purchase it as a standalone title.
Exploring Legends Mode: What You’re Missing Without PS Plus
If you don’t have PS Plus, you’re missing out on a wealth of engaging content within Ghost of Tsushima: Legends. This includes:
- Story Missions: Play through a series of narrative-driven missions that expand the world of Ghost of Tsushima with supernatural elements and Japanese folklore.
- Survival Missions: Defend locations against waves of increasingly difficult enemies, requiring teamwork and strategic coordination.
- Raid: A challenging endgame activity that tests your skills and teamwork with complex puzzles and boss encounters.
- Rivals: A competitive mode where two teams race to defeat waves of enemies while sabotaging each other.
These modes are designed to be played cooperatively, and the experience is significantly enriched by interacting with other players.
Navigating Alternatives: What You Can Do
While you can’t play Legends mode without PS Plus, consider these options:
- Single-Player Campaign: The main Ghost of Tsushima campaign is a fantastic single-player experience that you can enjoy offline without any subscription.
- Explore Other Games: There are many other games on PlayStation that offer engaging single-player or offline multiplayer experiences that don’t require PS Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Legends and PS Plus
1. Is Ghost of Tsushima: Legends a free update?
Yes, Ghost of Tsushima: Legends is a free download for owners of the full Ghost of Tsushima game. However, even if you download it for free, you still need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play it.
2. Can I purchase Legends as a standalone game?
Yes, Ghost of Tsushima: Legends is available for purchase as a standalone game. However, purchasing it doesn’t bypass the PS Plus requirement.
3. Do I need PS Plus to play Legends if I play solo by turning off matchmaking?
Yes, even if you play solo and disable matchmaking, you still need PS Plus to access Legends mode because it’s an online-only component of the game. The connection is still required regardless of multiplayer participation.
4. Are there any games on PlayStation that don’t require PS Plus for online play?
Yes, free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone typically don’t require a PS Plus subscription for online play.
5. What happens to my PS Plus games if my subscription expires?
If your PS Plus subscription expires, you lose access to the games you obtained through the service. They remain downloaded on your console but are locked until you renew your subscription.
6. How much does PlayStation Plus cost?
PlayStation Plus has different tiers with varying prices:
- PlayStation Plus Essential: Offers online multiplayer access and a monthly selection of downloadable games.
- PlayStation Plus Extra: Includes the Essential benefits plus a large catalog of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games.
- PlayStation Plus Premium: Includes all previous benefits, as well as access to classic PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games, and cloud streaming.
The prices vary depending on the length of the subscription (monthly, quarterly, or annual).
7. Can I share my PS Plus subscription with other accounts on my console?
Yes, if your account with PS Plus is set as the primary account on a console, other accounts on that console can access the online multiplayer features of games. However, the free monthly games are only available to the account with the active PS Plus subscription.
8. Is Ghost of Tsushima: Legends cross-platform?
As of now, Ghost of Tsushima: Legends is not cross-platform. It’s only available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.
9. Can I play Legends mode offline at all?
No, Legends mode is exclusively an online experience and cannot be played offline. This is a core design decision that prioritizes cooperative gameplay and online interactions.
10. If I buy a physical copy of Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, do I still need PS Plus?
Yes, even if you purchase a physical copy of the standalone Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, you still need a PS Plus subscription to play it.
11. What’s the difference between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now?
PlayStation Plus primarily focuses on online multiplayer access, free monthly games, and exclusive discounts. PlayStation Now (now integrated into PlayStation Plus Premium) offers a library of streamable games, allowing you to play a wide selection of titles without downloading them.
12. How do I cancel my PlayStation Plus subscription?
You can cancel your PlayStation Plus subscription through your PlayStation console settings, by navigating to Settings > Users and Accounts > Account > Payment and Subscriptions > Subscriptions > PlayStation Plus and turning off auto-renewal.
13. Does the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut include Legends mode?
Yes, the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut includes the full Ghost of Tsushima game, as well as the Legends mode. However, you still need PS Plus to access and play Legends.
14. Can I earn trophies in Legends mode?
Yes, you can earn trophies in Legends mode. These trophies are separate from the main Ghost of Tsushima game and offer additional challenges and rewards.
15. Is there an educational aspect to playing Ghost of Tsushima: Legends?
While not explicitly designed as an educational tool, Ghost of Tsushima: Legends exposes players to elements of Japanese folklore and mythology, and promotes teamwork and communication. The game can also inspire interest in Japanese history and culture. To learn more about the intersection of games and education, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or check out GamesLearningSociety.org
The Bottom Line
While the requirement of PlayStation Plus to play Ghost of Tsushima: Legends may be disappointing to some, it’s a necessary condition for accessing the game’s online multiplayer features. If you’re looking for an engaging cooperative experience with a unique blend of samurai action and Japanese folklore, then a PS Plus subscription is well worth considering to fully enjoy Legends mode.