December is here and with it comes a bounty of free games for Sony systems! It looks like Christmas is coming early for Playstation Plus subscribers. The Playstation Network Instant Games Collection titles for December have been released and it’s a doozy. While Sony’s new PS4 won’t be getting any free game love this month, the PS3 and PS Vita are both getting hooked up in a major way.
The PS3 is getting a free download of Borderlands 2, a game critics and consumers agree to be one of the best of the generation. If you get sick of sci-fi multiplayer action, maybe a little racing action is what you need. Grid 2 will be downloadable this month also, offering up racing action!
Perhaps you like your racing a little more mind-warping? Indie racer Dyad is free this month too! The game offers up some colorful first-person racing in a delightfully psychedelic package. Once again, the PS3 is getting well-stocked with quality titles!
Sony didn’t leave out its handheld either. The PS Vita is getting Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed, putting all kinds of Sega kart racing goodness in the palm of your hands. Sony’s handheld console is also getting Urban Trial Freestyle for free this month!
For its part, Microsoft has continued its Games with Gold initiative. Sony’s main competitor is offering up a few titles for its now last-gen console, the Xbox 360. Once again, it’s plundering the depths of its back catalog and offering up games that you might say are…… vintage. This month Microsoft is leading off Games with Gold with a free download of the original Gears of War for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. While Gears of War is certainly a much-loved classic and has spawned excellent sequels, the game was released in 2006! It’s clear that Microsoft isn’t trying to compete with the Playstation Plus Instant Games Collection, it’s content to just be offering free monthly games too.
Sony’s announcement lists off all the games. For more information, check it out below:
PlayStation Plus: December Preview
+ Posted by Kristine Steimer // Sr. Community Specialist
GRID 2 launched to critical acclaim earlier this year for its successful mixing of arcade and simulator styles. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, on the other hand, is more of a kart racer, complete with power ups but the ever-shifting tracks means your badass kart can also transform into a plane or boat.
You can hop into Borderlands 2 for free later this month on PS3, and this game absolutely shines with co-op, so be sure to bring some buddies along with you while you blast away all the skags on Pandora. You can build out your vault hunter how you like – focus on damage or get some support skills to aid yourself & your friends.
Finally, Vita owners can scrape their knees up a bit with Urban Trial Freestyle. Successfully complete the tricks, customize your bike and then challenge your friends with the asynchronous Ghost mode.
PS Plus: December 2013
These games will hit the Instant Game Collection at various times throughout the month, so check back with us every Monday morning to see all the benefits of your membership.
There will also be a special Black Friday deal for PlayStation Plus at select retailers nationwide. Pick up 1 year of PS Plus for only $29.99* — that’s 40% off the regular price of $49.99. With PS Plus, you’ll get new games every month with Instant Game Collection. You’ll also get access to online multiplayer on the PS4 system. Best of all, one membership will cover you across your PS4, PS3, and PS Vita, for just $29.99*.
*A one-year PlayStation Plus membership will be $29.99 on Black Friday only
December PlayStation Plus PreviewGRID 2 (PS3)
PS Plus: Grid 2
Free for PS Plus members
Be fast, be first and be famous as you join the elite in ‘World Series Racing’ where the greatest cars, drivers and events come together in the search for a new motorsport icon. Experience aggressive racing against advanced AI and become immersed in the race with GRID 2’s new TrueFeel Handling system which powers edge-of-control exhilaration behind the wheel of every iconic car. An extensive, separate online campaign powered by RaceNet sets new standards in the genre. Welcome back to racing.Borderlands 2 (PS3)
PS Plus: Borderlands 2
Free for PS Plus members
A new era of shoot and loot is about to begin. Play as one of four new vault hunters facing off against a massive new world of creatures, psychos and the evil mastermind, Handsome Jack. Make new friends, arm them with a bazillion weapons and fight alongside them in 4 player co-op or split-screen on a relentless quest for revenge and redemption across the undiscovered and unpredictable living planet.Dyad (PS3)
PS Plus: Dyad
Free for PS Plus members
Descend into Dyad to experience transcendental sensory overload in this abstract psychedelic racer. Blast through a reactive audio-visual tube to create a harmonious synthesis of color and sound as you hook, graze and lance enemies to master Dyad’s 27 unique levels.Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (PS Vita)
PS Plus: Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed
Free for PS Plus members
Sonic and the All-Stars cast line up on the starting grid once again to battle for supremacy in the ultimate race. It’s not just racing, it’s Racing Transformed! Bonus Edition also includes extra racer Metal Sonic, and bonus Outrun track!Urban Trial Freestyle (PS Vita)
PS Plus: Urban Trial Freestyle
Free for PS Plus members
Don’t miss the ultimate urban trial freestyle game for PS Vita system! The city is your playground! Nothing will stop you on your freestyle trials bike. Use the urban landscape to pull spectacular tricks – backflips, 360s, wallrides, ollies, and more. Customize your bike to boost your performance in Time Attack or Stunt mode. Choose between speed and style, developing your own unique riding style.
Pollheader
What do you think of the current Instant Game Collection?
If you’ve got feedback on PlayStation Plus make sure you take the poll above as well as leave a comment below. To chat about all things PlayStation, including this update, you can head over to the PlayStation Community Forums. You’ll also find other topics you can contribute your thoughts to, or you can start your own discussion.
[Via: Playstation Blog]