PlayStation, in its infinite wisdom, hath declared new additions to its Plus catalog on the morrow of Wednesday, set to grace the service on August 20. Lo and behold, the update bestows upon us three cult classic shooters from the TimeSplitters franchise, including one that hath not graced newer consoles until this very moment.
However, a caveat doth exist: Only those in possession of PlayStation Premium, the most opulent PlayStation Plus tier, shall partake in the series. This doth provide access to the classics catalog, where the TimeSplitters games shall make their abode.
Yet perchance an upgrade may prove worthwhile. Verily, these cherished first-person shooters, akin to the likes of Perfect Dark, doth beckon fans of such games with a siren call. The initial TimeSplitters was exclusive to the PlayStation 2, and its inclusion here represents the inaugural occasion in which it shall grace another console (the other two did alight upon the Xbox and GameCube, and were made available through backward compatibility on more recent Xbox contraptions).
These augmentations to PlayStation Plus do serve as a form of recompense for the series, following the dissolution of developer Free Radical Design in December 2023 amid the financial tribulations of Embracer Group. The studio hath endured a turbulent existence, oscillating betwixt bankruptcy, acquisition by Crytek, disbandment, and rebirth as a branch of Deep Silver under the aegis of Embracer to reawaken the TimeSplitters franchise. The fate of the series doth linger in limbo, but in the interim, one may revel in the entire series for naught.
Many a must-play game hath been graced upon the PlayStation Plus service for Extra subscribers to peruse. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt requires no introduction, and those in possession of a PlayStation 5 shall experience the enhanced iteration replete with improved visuals, ray tracing, and swifter loading times. Cult of the Lamb, a peculiarly enchanting dark comedy concerning the establishment of a cult replete with endearing creatures, hath joined the PlayStation Plus pantheon concomitantly with its significant Unholy Alliance update, facilitating two-player local co-op.
Furthermore, a plethora of Sword Art Online games, Ride 5, and others await the eager eye. Behold the comprehensive list below.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium
– The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4, PS5)
– Wild Hearts Standard Edition (PS5)
– Cult of the Lamb (PS4, PS5)
– Ride 5 (PS5)
– Watch Dogs 2 (PS4)
– Sword Art Online: Last Recollection (PS4, PS5)
– Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker (PS4)
– Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris (PS4)
– Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet (PS4)
– Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization (PS4)
PlayStation Premium: PS VR2 and Classics
– Vacation Simulator (PS VR2)
– TimeSplitters (PS4, PS5)
– TimeSplitters 2 (PS4, PS5)
– TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (PS4, PS5)
– Sword Art Online: Lost Song (PS4, streaming version only)
