July 29, 2013July 31, 2013

PlayStation Plus: Dokuro Marches to PS Vita’s Instant Game Collection

We’re putting the finishing touches on July’s PlayStation Plus lineup by welcoming Dokuro! The PS Vita exclusive that captured the hearts of many can be yours, free as part of your PS Plus membership. Also, PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD for PS Vita is on sale for its launch week!

With all the PS Vita love, our friends at Rockstar decided to balance things out by putting a huge discount on one of the most intense action games of 2012. PS Plus members can grab Max Payne 3 for $7.99, or the Ultimate Edition for just $11.99. Action game lovers who may have not been able to play it last year: do not miss this one.

The clock is ticking to grab the PS Plus preorder discount on PlayStation Store PLAY titles, like Ibb and Obb and DuckTales Remastered. You can only snag those discounts by preordering.

Read on for this week’s full PS Plus lineup, and we’ll see you next week for the reveal of August’s Instant Game Collection additions!

Dokuro (PS Vita)

Regular Price: $13.99, Free for PS Plus members

Dokuro is a stoic, little skeleton who is a mere peon in the Dark Lord’s army. One fateful day he witnesses his master returning with a helplessly abducted Princess he intends to force into marriage. At once smitten by her plight, Dokuro resolves to free her from the Dark Lord’s treacherous, monster-infested castle. Along the way, Dokuro must switch between his Skeleton and Hero forms to utilize his various skills and abilities. While the Skeleton form allows him to stalk about in the shadows and ensure her safe passage, the Hero form enables him to mount a gallant offensive against the armies of darkness!

PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD (PS Vita)

Regular Price: $14.99; PS Plus Price: $11.99

The definitive PixelJunk Monsters experience! Tikiman the Forest Defender is in trouble. Hordes of monsters are sweeping through his realm, hoping to chow down on his offspring – and it’s up to you to defend them. Whether you’ve played the original, or have never taken PixelJunk Monsters for a spin before, this is an amazing way to experience a classic PSN game.

Max Payne 3 Sale (PS3)

Max Payne 3 – Regular Price: $39.99; PS Store Sale Price: $9.99; PS Plus Price: $7.99
Max Payne 3 Ultimate Edition – Regular Price: $69.99; PS Store Sale Price: $14.99; PS Plus Price: $11.99

For Max Payne, the tragedies that took his loved ones years ago are wounds that refuse to heal. No longer a cop, close to washed up and addicted to pain killers, Max takes a job in São Paulo, Brazil, protecting the family of wealthy real estate mogul Rodrigo Branco, in an effort to finally escape his troubled past. But as events spiral out of his control, Max Payne finds himself alone on the streets of an unfamiliar city, desperately searching for the truth and fighting for a way out.

Last Chance (Leaving on 8/6)

Instant Game Collection
Battlefield 3

Discounts
Thomas Was Alone: Benjamin’s Flight
Ibb & Obb Preorder

What’s your favorite content from this week’s update?

You’ll find all the content detailed above with their Plus benefits active when the PlayStation Store updates on 7/30. We’ll be back next week with more details on the game arriving to the Instant Game Collection as well as any other benefits we can share.

If you’ve got feedback or thoughts on today’s Plus update, leave them below, or, if you’re looking to engage with more of the PS community, make sure you head over to the PlayStation Community to discuss this week’s news, find other topics to contribute your thoughts to, or start one for yourself. See you in the comments!

Comments are closed.

354 Comments

32 Author Replies

Studness4
July 29, 2013 at 2:52 pm PDT

I hate when the week ends after Tuesday. It sucks waiting for the update when EU knows what they get weeks in advance.

Speaking of EU, there are lots of titles we American gamers would love that EU has already got, for instance…

Okami HD
Ico and Shadow of the Collosus Collection
Catherine (Yes Please!)
Hitman Absolution

And for vita Unit 13 or Metal Gear Solid HD collection would be absolutely fantastic. Keep the awesomeness coming Morgan!
hazelcabug
July 29, 2013 at 2:59 pm PDT

@ MORGAN and other who insisted psp games.

PS plus is advertised as ps3 / ps vita, so that is why we are enrage why US are still releasing psp games on ps plus. We subscribed in ps plus as Vita owners not for psp.

We owned and already played most interesting psp games long time ago already. The reason we subscribed here is to enjoy our new handheld vita but instead we get psp games on our vita?????

@ Morgan if you really want us to have a heart then please take a look at yourself too. SONY US should be the one to have a heart towards it’s subscriber.

Since theintroduction of Vita to PS plus in EU and Asia region, they were fulfilling their exact service by giving 2 vita titles to ps plus subscriber every month. As advertise PS plus is for vita and ps3, plain and simple it doesn’t said psp correct?
TwinDad
July 29, 2013 at 3:03 pm PDT

@morgan,

Excellent feedback to the gamers.

In question to feedback we give you and you take back to the executives, does the “list wars” of IGC games that we liked/disliked, or want, help? Or is that included not really included in the information given to the PS+ powers that be?
MarkakaJin
July 29, 2013 at 3:07 pm PDT

That Max Payne sale is so tempting and yet I am unable to get it at this time. Focusing on some other stuff that’s necessary for the moment while. EU PS+ are getting out Need for Speed Most Wanted for free. Can we get as well? Or maybe another free PS3 game from Ubisoft?
TwinDad
July 29, 2013 at 3:10 pm PDT

@hazelcabug,

Actually it did say PSP if you think about it. The E3 announcement of PS+ for Vita. Clearly stated that Final Fantasy tactics for PSP was included in the PS+ Vita collection. There has been a PSP game in the collection from Day one.

The comparison to EU is fair.
hazelcabug
July 29, 2013 at 3:21 pm PDT

As advertise, PS PLUS for PS3 / PS VITA.

If they should had impose that PS3 / PS VITA / PSP then most of those who owned only a vita should had gone to EU or Asia already. Since PS plus should only be to PS3 / vita then a psp title should had been only on discounted price, and must not replaced vita title to ps plus vita subscribers.

The worst month here is that we sometimes get back to back 1 indie ps vita game and 1 psp game. If it was 2 indie ps vita titles then it’s better than having a psp at all.

If only they should make another poll directly to vita owners, it would be clear that most vita owners prefer vita titles than psp. Those who own a ps3/psp who mostly approved to have a psp on ps plus should not be greedy, why? ps3 titles a month are already too much so why would would they insist psp too? We who only own a vita are greatly affected by this.
TimboJames
July 29, 2013 at 3:28 pm PDT

First off I want to say I am very much happy with ps plus even though a lot of times there is nothing for me it is still overall very much worth it. I was forced to upgrade to a 1tb hard drive due to the number of titles you have given me so why would I complain. Look forward to picking up full edition of max payne as well as dokuru for the lil mans vita. One thing I have been wondering for a while though. I just have two things to ask though

1. Whatever happened to the free themes and avatars in plus. They both just stopped for a while now and I have not heard anything about that. Could have just missed but still would like to know.

2. Can we figure out how to continue playing music in background while doing something else. Copying to/from online save, installing/playing game.

Both minor issues really but thought I would just throw those out there. Got plenty more as well but I don’t really have that kind of time ;-) Overall a fan of everything PS since day one and will be so till one of us dies
Screamie
July 29, 2013 at 3:33 pm PDT

WHAT WE ALL REALLY WANT IS…..STAR WARS EPISODE 1 RACER!!!!!…..
danestin_
July 29, 2013 at 3:39 pm PDT

Hi, why you don’t add god of war Ascension to the store and make it discounted with plus?
PSN supporters did that with origins’ one, I and II..
I hope you guys listen to my idea
sicuro95
July 29, 2013 at 3:55 pm PDT

Never played MAX PAYNE games before, might as well get MAX PAYNE 3 Ultimate Edition for 12$, good price
luis_br666
July 29, 2013 at 4:21 pm PDT

GTA chinatown wars FREE please *-*
saab01
July 29, 2013 at 4:47 pm PDT

Really hoping for Catherine or Dishonored next month I will keep my fingers crossed that at least one of those games will join the IGC.
ishralene09
July 29, 2013 at 4:51 pm PDT

@thelookey6

“yes uncharted ,wipeout and gravity rush are real vita tittle but why are they still there in the igc?
they should have been rotated by now.”

No, it’s not yet a year for the Vita IGC.
As you can see, the PS3 titles are rotated because it’s been a year for the PS3 IGC.
Wait for the 1st year anniversary of Vita IGC and if it is still not rotated, complain.
Dragojosh
July 29, 2013 at 4:58 pm PDT

Will we see anymore updates to ps1 one classics? There are a couple of ps1 classics I would absolutely love to see on the store.
my360broke_again
July 29, 2013 at 5:04 pm PDT

I bought Dokuro when it was on sale. Not my cup of tea. Didn’t enjoy it much at all! But Pixel Junk Monsters. Had that when it first came out on ps3 YEARS ago. Totally getting that again for vita!
and I already beat the crap out of max Payne 3 for xbox 360. Totally going to buy it again on ps3 for that sale price!
thelookey6
July 29, 2013 at 5:20 pm PDT

ishralene09
check out other regions even if they do not rotate they get full ps3 games and full vita games and on top of that we get psp games and not vita games in our IGC

this is not a time to play suck up this is a time to speak loud and clear about sony saying ps+ is for ps vita so vita owner sub and they only give us psp games.

we dont want those old games that we own or sold 3 years ago.
if eu and asia can get full vita tittles since ps+ started for vita then so should we . and it is people like you who make sony think it is ok to give us old psp games for ps vita?

if we wanted psp games we would have bought a psp and not a vita.
how about sony give you guys ps1 games and not ps3 games for your IGC
SulFuR1c
July 29, 2013 at 5:21 pm PDT

Max Payne for $8?! I already have too many games to play before PS4!
derb
July 29, 2013 at 5:29 pm PDT

I seriously thought that Max Payne 3 had a price typo.

That is pure sale insanity!

I will definitely be grabbing the Ultimate Edition for $12

Also, thanks for the heads up on Duck Tales Remastered discount leaving.

This is probably the first time I’ve checked you’re PS+ update Morgan, without any free PS3 titles & have been completely blown away. Cheers!
cheddar2010
July 29, 2013 at 5:30 pm PDT

very excited for ducktails and with the pre-order bonue and discount i am a very happy guy.
I also apreciate PSN+ and the free content is provided, although there is nothing for me this week, it is sweet to know when i do buy a vita I will already have a decent collection of games to get me started.

Also as i just downloaded BF3 jetset and several other free games I will be busy playing them until the next drop!

keep up the good work Morgan and the psn+ team
hazelcabug
July 29, 2013 at 5:32 pm PDT

@ 216 thelookey6

That’s definitely what I’ve been saying out since June.

I’ve had enough of psp games every month since Nov 2012, while EU and Asia still manage to deliver vita titles since it started in their region. I subscribe in ps plus for my vita system but it keeps on getting psp games. They should had clearly said in PS PLUS terms and condition that we get psp instead of vita.
chrisgomez3030
July 29, 2013 at 5:33 pm PDT

well, as usual nothing good, kinda regretting the service now, hope next month isn´t as disappointing.
my360broke_again
July 29, 2013 at 5:34 pm PDT

everybody keeps saying 12$ for Max Payne. The regular is only 8. IMHO the ultimate edition is a waste of money unless you plan on putting in a TON of mp time. Its not more single player missions. Its a bunch of MP stuff. and agian in my IMHO Max Panye 3 is a terrible game to jump in the mp late. I got the game on the 360 about a few months after launch and everyone online was already maxed out and WAY overpowerd compared to me. Like mega shotguns and grenede launchers while I was forced to try and take them out with my single handed pistol vs their two handed double barrel upgraded shotgun. Its just not a good mp game to jump into this late in the run.
Reshes
July 29, 2013 at 5:34 pm PDT

First time PS+ subber here. I only have a Vita and subbed so I wouldn’t lose VLR and so I could grab Dokuro. I don’t even have a PS3 yet, but man this deal is the best deal in gaming!

Bring on any games as long as they are innnovative, thought provoking, and fun to play.

PS Vita, PSP, PS3, I don’t care. Just make good choices across a variety of genres!

Thanks Playstation!
- Morgan Haro
  July 29, 2013 at 5:48 pm PDT
  
  thanks for the support! glad to have you on board with PS Plus =)
hazelcabug
July 29, 2013 at 5:38 pm PDT

To follow up, last survey mostly those who wanted psp games are those who owns ps3 and psp, they definitely said they don’t own a vita so why remove psp on PS PLUS. Then how about us vita owners only? We paying for our vita but we get psp? If we own a ps3 then it’s fine.

SOny should conduct survey again to those who actually own a vita.
thelookey6
July 29, 2013 at 5:40 pm PDT

hazelcabug
what is funny to me is the few guys that claim psp games are ok for the IGC should have already played or owned those old games buy now. 9 times out of 10 those who want psp games do not own a vita or no the power the vita has.
if these guys are so pumped about these old psp games then how come they did not buy then 3 or 4 years ago.

i would like to see the look on there faces if sony stopped adding full ps3 games and started adding ps2 games or ps1 games for the ps3 IGC
race2winnet
July 29, 2013 at 5:47 pm PDT

Morgan,
I have made my views on PSP games in the IGC known (I have already played all of the PSP games that I wanted to play on my two PSPs, I want Vita games on the Vita please) but I have a serious question, since the PS Plus team is bound and determined to force PSP games on us, can you share with us your reasoning behind it? I am really curious to know why it is so important to continue with this policy when the Vita library has grown to a nice healthy state. If you think about it, by continuing this policy, you are punishing your core, die-hard fans who own all of your products, which, face it, make up a large portion of Vita owners. We have already played these games or have already passed on these games because they were of no interest to us. I understand including PSP games was sort of a necessity in the beginning but now that the Vita library is constantly growing with great titles, I just don’t see it. I would rather get nothing over getting PSP games, since the value would be the same to me. I mean, will be this way on the PS4? Will you be including PS3 titles on the PS4 IGC? Do you have a timetable in mind as to when we can bid farewell to the PSP games or are you just playing it by ear?
- Morgan Haro
  July 29, 2013 at 6:01 pm PDT
  
  Well, I think for now, it’s still very much the beginning of the PS Vita’s life; so to you, there may be a vast library of content (and I would agree!), but we do have to make sure we provide content in PS Plus from a PS Vita standpoint that strikes the right balance for all of our partners. Therefore, while the PS Vita is still very much in a growing state, I think you’ll find that we’ll continue to operate along that balance until we can feel sure of moving in a different direction. But you have to remember that when we make a move, we make it for the foreseeable future. So we have to make sure that everything is ready for 1, 2, 5 years out.
  
  I know the above is fairly vague, and intentionally so, but understand that we’re listening to your feedback, but for the time being, we’re comfortable with the value that PS Plus delivers PS Vita members via a mix of PS Vita and PSP games. As for an ETA on when the philosophy might evolve? can’t say (ie, I have no idea ;) . But we definitely don’t just ‘play it by ear’. Everything we do is carefully considered, thought out, and planned very deliberately with gamers ALWAYS at the heart of the decisions we make.
  
  Thanks!
jgrangervikings1
July 29, 2013 at 5:56 pm PDT

Good work on PS Plus. I love my PS3 and my Vita, and I’m glad the game selection often features “hidden gems” that most gamers haven’t played. Looking forward to Dokuro!

As far as games I’d love to see (that I already own but would love to see others experience for the first time):
–Akimi Village (family friendly & lots of gameplay & easy for beginners but also deep and rich experience)
–EDF Insect Armageddon (lots of fun, way under-appreciated, and good marketing for the upcoming sequel)
–Tornado Outbreak (family friendly, great fun for 1 player and has good couch co-op)
–Enslaved (great, under-appreciated game)
–Singularity (great shooter that very few played)
–Bulletstorm (another great shooter that many people missed because the game has a dumb name)
thelookey6
July 29, 2013 at 5:56 pm PDT

i do not mind paying another $50 for eu playstation plus but i can not buy anything from the eu store.
does anyone know how i can get a eu ps+ card?
purse317
July 29, 2013 at 5:57 pm PDT

Why not be open and sharing polling #’s with us. As a engineering statistician I know the importance of data gathering but after its been gathered and analyzed why not share it with the public. It would certainly let us know your listening after all action speaks louder than words.
- Morgan Haro
  July 29, 2013 at 6:04 pm PDT
  
  Yep; I share that importance on data, but there are other ramifcations to sharing it that we need to consider. Not sure what sharing it with the public would do to show that we’re listening though. I like to think that a real live person responding to comments shows more to the audience that we’re listening rather than showing results from a poll, but hey that’s just me! ;)
Starmark
July 29, 2013 at 5:57 pm PDT

It’s been a long dry spell for RPG fans on PS3. Please give us something. We’ve been patient. I have not seen a good game since Demon’s Souls. I can’t recall anything good for plus members in a while before Demon’s Souls for that matter. Of course I had already played the $#@%! out of that game a long ime ago. Still, it was nice to see. The discount for Dragon Fantasy was also great, but we need so much more. Show your PS3 RPG fans some love. Please.
thelookey6
July 29, 2013 at 6:05 pm PDT

@morgan
eu and asia has been getting full vita tittle since day 1. just admit you guys are milking and tricking usa vita owners by saying ps+ is for vita owners but it is clearly for psp owners.
cheddar2010
July 29, 2013 at 6:06 pm PDT

Why do you assume Morgan makes the decision of what games are available for what region?

also no one is forcing content on you, you choose to subscribe and this is the free contnet being offered for your membership.
sounds fair to me.
race2winnet
July 29, 2013 at 6:06 pm PDT

Thanks for the response. I appreciate the fact that you are listening.
thelookey6
July 29, 2013 at 6:10 pm PDT

cheddar2010
everyone knows he is just the messenger and the content is forced on vita owners who thought we would be getting vita tittles. or do u not understand that? or are you looking for a shout out
smoothboarder540
July 29, 2013 at 6:10 pm PDT

I don’t really want psp games but if we have to get them I would like some bigger name, better reviewed games. If we are going to get games for an old system, I think we should at least get the best games. Metal Slug XX is over three years old and wasn’t reviewed very well. Yes, I know video game preferences are subjective but I doubt you’ll find a big proportion of players that enjoyed getting that game last week. I looked on Metacritic and it’s not even on the first page of PSP games. And there’s about 200 games on the first page. How about picking one a little closer to the top?
KINGOCELOT
July 29, 2013 at 6:12 pm PDT

thelookey6
“9 times out of 10 those who want PSP games do not own a vita or no the power the vita has.
if these guys are so pumped about these old PSP games then how come they did not buy then 3 or 4 years ago.”

The power of the PS Vita has nothing to do with people wanting to play psp games on the Vita. My brother and I never owned a PSP and never got the chance to enjoy PSP games and now that we both have a Vita we are playing all those great PSP games. That’ why we are ok with PSP games on IGC. I don’t know why some complain about PSP games, we have only seen a few of them on IGC. IGC always have a good balance betwen PS3 and PS Vita. All this complain is unnecessary.
brr3gs
July 29, 2013 at 6:15 pm PDT

Very nice update, really.
I already played Max3 but just amazing having it digital for 8 dollars.

Keep get going Sony with nice upgrade, games and player-friendly politics and you guys got my money on PS4.
thelookey6
July 29, 2013 at 6:17 pm PDT

KINGOCELOT
how did you not play the psp games that you like by now? psp has been out forever and the fact remains that we should be getting full vita games for the vita just like eu and asia since we have the same vita tittles anyway.

so if you want to get owned call me out again. and maybe you should go buy game stop they have almost every psp games from $5 to $15 and you can use a coupon and get them cheaper
PGDarkLordMalik
July 29, 2013 at 6:22 pm PDT

Hey Morgan, you still haven’t replied to my comment that if Persona 4: Golden sale will end this week or not :)

And regarding the IGC for VITA, i am sure that all of us would love to own Rayman: Origins for VITA before Rayman Legends ;). It can either be released as free on IGC or on discount before the launch of Legends. Hope you consider this. Thanks for everything.
Squiggle55
July 29, 2013 at 6:35 pm PDT

I am on the side of don’t really mind PSP games in PS+, but I would like to see their quality reach a high bar. Final Fantasy Tactics is the best one we’ve gotten so far. The two old fighting games in a row was definitely the low point. Mega Man and Metal Slug were somewhere in the middle. There are lots of really high quality, popular, highly rated PSP games that I would be very happy to get from PS+. Lots of them are in the RPG genre, and lots of others were Sony published games.
unnoticedhero1
July 29, 2013 at 6:38 pm PDT

@thelookey6

Not everyone got a PSP the day it came out, I just got mine last year and still have about 30 games I’d like to play that no GameStop near me has for sale, and if they do, it’s in the $25-30 range. Also there are some people who have only one Sony system, Vita, PSP, or PS3, and all 3 get a fair amount of games for free on PS+, so everybody wins. Also Sony can’t release every Vita game on plus (there aren’t nearly as many Vita games as PSP or PS3), especially since most Vita games are made by 3rd party developers that need to make money by selling their games.
thelookey6
July 29, 2013 at 6:43 pm PDT

unnoticedhero1
sad story bro but the fact remains we need full vita tittles just like eu and asia.
we buy consoles day 1 and buy games on the regular basis but i am going to save myself some money and just join a rental service .
good luck with a psp game if it is still $30 . o and you do no that playstation plus is for vit and not psp right? that is

i am going to go download ac2 on my 360 before it is not free anymore
thelookey6
July 29, 2013 at 6:46 pm PDT

unnoticedhero1
sad story bro but the fact remains we need full vita tittles just like eu and asia.
we buy consoles day 1 and buy games on the regular basis but i am going to save myself some money and just join a rental service .
good luck with a psp game if it is still $30 you must live in the middle of nowhere . o and you do no that playstation plus is for vita and not psp right?

i am going to go download ac2 on my 360 before it is not free anymore. see you guys next week
paulokazii
July 29, 2013 at 6:55 pm PDT

WOW! The price for Max Payne 3 is INSANE! Too bad I already bought it when you had the ultimate bundle offer.Keep it up guys!
PsycheWinters
July 29, 2013 at 7:07 pm PDT

Guacamelee please! [=
TJF588
July 29, 2013 at 7:13 pm PDT

More PSP titles! I still haven’t jumped on a Vita, and won’t until the storage options become more affordable, for all the digital backlog I’m getting from Plus. My PSP, however…

Definitely fill that JRPG itch with PSP games from XSEED, Atlus, NISA, Aksys(?), and even Squeenix if they’ll ever get with the times and make their catalogue entirely digitally available.

And, off course, my clamoring for Dead Head Fred!
hazelcabug
July 29, 2013 at 7:27 pm PDT

@ morgan I still don’t get it why you think ps vita have insufficient library to support 2 vita games every month in PS PLUS.

EU psn plus able to manage to deliver 2 vita games since it started, up until now and incoming future. There are already tons of Indie vita games and AAA games in vita, 12 AAA and 12 indie vita games per year isn’t that much of a burden. 1 AAA / 1 indie vita every month is way better than getting psp game. To be honest those indie games that are ported from iOS/android are way better and fun than old psp game.

In conclusion if only US just keep up with EU then it would be no problem at all. In EU psn plus blog there’s nobody who wanted psp game on their vita.
Shadow_Enz
July 29, 2013 at 7:30 pm PDT

PJM: Ultimate HD! Can’t wait! Never disappointed when Q Games puts something out XD

Also, I already have Max Payne 3. Any word on whether the DLC itself will be discounted for those that don’t need to buy the ultimate since they already own the standard version of the game?

;) See you next week, Morgan!
hazelcabug
July 29, 2013 at 7:34 pm PDT

32gb vita card is 100$ and yet we still getting psp game on it? Isn’t that too much FACEPALM to vita owners? I subscribed in US because I thought they’re gonna remove the psp now that ps vita got tons of Indie vita titles and sufficient AAA titles, but I was wrong. I should had trusted my instinct and subscribed to EU or Australia.
purse317
July 29, 2013 at 7:50 pm PDT

Morgan indeed their will probably be ramifications for sharing your data with the public but I’ve usually seen that work in ym favor. I used to take employee surveys and never publish the results with assembly workers but the second I did share my results with them they took notice and became even more involved in my surveys. to the point where they wanted a deeper survey and requested.

Making people feel involved i the process of ongoing improvement is key. Most people expect negative feedback when posting survey results to survey takers but you usually get more feedback from them because they feel involved. They see changes being made because of their voices and now the participate more. Something your ultimately looking for.

Finally while it did get me a ton of more survey results to go over using minitab or excel or whatever software you may use for data analysis. It got my companies employees involved and got me a promotion.