Summary
From early 2024 and for almost every passing month since then, the quality and nature of the games offered on PS Plus Essential have become increasingly worrisome. From the service adding games that are already either cheap or free to titles that haven’t performed well at all, PS Plus Essential has been failing to live up to its name, and that is especially noticeable when the games offered in the Extra and Premium tiers have maintained a much more positive reputation. Now,January 2025 sees PS Plus Essentialbringing another round of highly questionable additions to the service, although it largely has little to do with whether they are worth playing.
January 2025 Is Proof That PS Plus Essential Is Not as Essential as It Once Was
January 2025’s PS Plus Essential Headliner Was One of 2024’s Worst-Reviewed Games
Headlining January 2025’s PS Plus Essential lineup is none other than Rocksteady’sSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which just so happens to be one of 2024’s worst-reviewed games. At first,Kill the Justice Leaguelooked promising, at least from a certain perspective. This was due in part, of course, to the developer’s reputation with itsBatman: Arkhamgames, but the concept of controllinganti-heroes like Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark to confront iconic members of the Justice League was highly intriguing, and it arguably still is. Sadly, the game was let down by its prioritization of live-service mechanics, which led to overly repetitive gameplay that lacked substance at its core.
Considering the fact thatSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueis such a poorly-received gamethat has garnered so much criticism that it’s a meme at this point, it’s surprising that PS Plus Essential would consider adding it to the service. It could be a last-ditch effort to generate more interest in the game, but based on how its appearance in the PS Plus lineup for January has been received so far, that doesn’t seem very likely to happen. However, negative reactions toKill the Justice Leaguebeing one of January’s PS Plus Essential titles aside, the game’s status in the industry is rather telling of where PS Plus is at and what/who it prioritizes.
January 2025’s Other Two PS Plus Games Are a Remaster and a Remake
The other two titles available on PS Plus Essential for January,Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit RemasteredandThe Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, have a far better reputation thanSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, but that still doesn’t change what they are and the fact that they have taken up two out of the three available spots in this month’s lineup.Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remasteredis a remaster of the original game, which just so happens to be one of the greatest racing games of all time. Similarly,The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxeis a remake and pseudo-sequel to the original critically-acclaimedStanley Parable. Despite the positive reception of both of these games, however, they are nonetheless aremaster and a remake, raising questions about their eligibility as PS Plus Essential offerings.
Headlining January 2025’s PS Plus Essential lineup is none other than Rocksteady’sSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which just so happens to be one of 2024’s worst-reviewed games.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as the Suicide Squad to take down the World’s Greatest DC Super Heroes, The Justice League. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, is a genre-defying, action-adventure third-person shooter from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series.
