What Games Were Free on PS4 in May 2023? A Deep Dive
The PS Plus Essential Lineup for May 2023
If you were a PlayStation Plus Essential subscriber back in May 2023, you were treated to three exciting free games for your PS4 console. The lineup consisted of:
- GRID Legends: A high-octane racing game that pushes the boundaries of motorsport.
- Chivalry 2: A medieval multiplayer melee combat game filled with epic battles.
- Descenders: An extreme downhill biking game that emphasizes skill and risk.
These titles were available for download starting Tuesday, May 2, 2023, and could be added to your library until the end of the month. As long as you maintained an active PlayStation Plus Essential subscription, you had unlimited access to play these games. It’s important to note that these games are not free forever; access is tied to your ongoing subscription. If your subscription lapses, you’ll lose access until you renew.
GRID Legends: The Thrill of Racing
GRID Legends offers an intense and dramatic racing experience. With a deep career mode, a wide variety of vehicles, and stunning visuals, the game caters to both casual and hardcore racing fans. The game includes a unique story-driven mode where players follow a dramatic storyline through the world of racing. Its diverse tracks and car types provide plenty of content to keep you engaged. The game is a great option for those looking for some adrenaline-fueled action.
Chivalry 2: Medieval Mayhem
For those who prefer close-quarters combat, Chivalry 2 provides an engaging experience filled with brutal and chaotic battles. Players take on the roles of medieval knights, engaging in large-scale battles, sieges, and more. The game is known for its skill-based combat system that rewards timing, accuracy, and strategy. This multiplayer title is a perfect option if you’re looking for a unique experience and love a chaotic battleground.
Descenders: The Thrill of Downhill Biking
Descenders offers a fresh take on the extreme sports genre. Instead of racing cars, you’re controlling a downhill mountain biker, navigating dangerous and procedurally generated trails. The game offers a unique risk and reward element, where pushing your limits comes with the risk of crashing. Its rogue-lite structure ensures that each run feels fresh, and the satisfying physics make the game both challenging and fun.
Important Considerations
It’s vital to understand that these games were available through the PlayStation Plus Essential subscription. This base tier gives you access to a monthly selection of games, online multiplayer access, and exclusive discounts. Without this subscription, you would not have been able to claim these titles for free. Further, these games are only accessible with an active PlayStation Plus subscription. If your subscription lapses, you will lose access until you renew your membership.
While these games were the primary draw for May 2023’s PS Plus Essential lineup, PlayStation also offered a variety of free-to-play games on the platform. This includes popular titles like Roblox, Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Rocket League, among others, these are always free to download and play, irrespective of your PlayStation Plus subscription status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I claim PS Plus free games?
To claim free games on PlayStation Plus, you must have an active subscription to the service. Navigate to the PlayStation Store on your PS4 or PS5, find the section for PlayStation Plus, and locate the free games available for the current month. Select and “purchase” them – although they’re free with your subscription, they’ll be added to your library this way.
2. Are the PS Plus free games available forever?
No. PS Plus games are not free forever. You can download and play them as long as your PlayStation Plus membership remains active. If your subscription expires, you will lose access to the games. Access can be regained if you resubscribe.
3. What is PlayStation Plus Essential?
PlayStation Plus Essential is the base tier of the PlayStation Plus subscription service. It offers monthly free games, online multiplayer access, and exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store. It’s required to play most games online.
4. Are all games on PS4 free?
No. The vast majority of games on PS4 are not free, they need to be purchased separately. However, many free-to-play options are available without a PlayStation Plus subscription.
5. Is Roblox free on PS4?
Yes, Roblox is free to download and play on PS4. You don’t need a PlayStation Plus subscription to access and play this game.
6. What free games are always available on PlayStation?
Several free-to-play titles, like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League, Overwatch 2, and Roblox, are always available to download and play on PlayStation consoles.
7. Is PlayStation Plus required for free-to-play games?
No, PlayStation Plus is generally not required to play free-to-play games online. These titles do not require a subscription for online access.
8. What if my PS Plus subscription lapses?
If your PlayStation Plus subscription lapses, you will lose access to all previously claimed free games. They’ll remain in your library but will be locked. You can regain access by renewing your subscription.
9. Can I play the free games offline?
Yes, you can typically play PlayStation Plus free games offline as long as your account is set as the primary account on that console, and your subscription is still active.
10. Do I have to download the games during the month they’re free?
While you don’t have to download the games, they are only claimable for free during the specific month they’re offered. After that month, they return to their normal retail price.
11. How often does PlayStation release new free games?
PlayStation typically releases new free games for PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers on the first Tuesday of each month.
12. What are the other PlayStation Plus subscription tiers?
In addition to PlayStation Plus Essential, there are also PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium tiers, which offer access to larger game catalogs, cloud streaming, and classic games.
13. Are there free games on Amazon Prime?
Yes, Amazon Prime Gaming also offers free games each month for Prime subscribers, and these games vary month to month, though they are not PlayStation games.
14. Can I still play free games if I upgrade PS Plus tiers?
Yes, if you upgrade to a higher PlayStation Plus tier, you will retain access to the monthly games you claimed with your Essential subscription, plus you’ll gain access to the other games and benefits of your new tier.
15. Where can I find the full list of PS Plus free games each month?
You can find the full list of PlayStation Plus free games on the PlayStation Blog, the PlayStation Store, and several gaming news websites. Be sure to check at the end of each month for the games coming in the next.
In conclusion, May 2023 provided PS4 owners with a diverse lineup of free games through PlayStation Plus Essential. Remember that while these games were claimable during the month, they’re only accessible as long as you have an active subscription. Always be sure to check your PlayStation Store and other gaming news outlets for the newest free games.