PlayStation Plus April Preview: Arkham City, Mercenary Kings and More

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PlayStation Plus April Preview: Arkham City, Mercenary Kings and More

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Batman! Yes, that is the sound of Batman: Arkham City coming to PlayStation Plus in April for PlayStation 3 owners. Arkham City garnered praise from gamers and critics alike, as evidenced by its cumulative 96/100 score on Metacritic. With the recent announcement of Batman Arkham Knight, this is a great way to catch up on Batman’s adventures.

PlayStation 4 owners can join up with friends and take down an evil corporation in a new 2D action game, Mercenary Kings. As you explore the island CLAW (that’s the evil corporation) has taken over, you’ll discover weapon parts that you can take back to your base and use to fashion together some new spiffy gear.

There are two other PS3 games this month: Stealth Inc. A Clone In the Dark and Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse. Stealth Inc. is, as you can probably guess, a game where you should stick to the shadows. The only way to make it out of the lab alive is via some sneaky platforming, so proceed with caution. Castle of Illusion is a proper remake of the Sega Genesis version, not just an HD upgrade. There are new levels to navigate but the goal is the same — save your #1 mouse (that’s Minnie) from the evil witch.

While Vita owners can also enjoy Stealth Inc. (the benefits of Cross-Buy!) this month, they’ll also get Velocity Ultra, an arcade-y space shooter where you’ll teleport around and save other ships, and Pixeljunk Monsters Ultimate HD, a classic tower-defense style game where you’ll need to save baby Tiki-people.

April PlayStation Plus Preview

Mercenary Kings

Mercenary Kings (PS4)

Free for PS Plus members

In this frantic 2D action game, you are part of the Mercenary Kings, the most skilled team of warriors-for-hire on Earth, but when your comrades have fallen and the fearsome forces of CLAW have seized an island-wide top secret Laboratory Base, you must do what it takes to stop them. But you’re not going in unprepared! Your back-up is made of a crew of rogue geniuses and experts of their field! Able to craft & customize guns’n’blades or upgrading body armor, you’ve never been this ready to join the fight.

Batman Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City (PS3)

Free for PS Plus members

No escape from Arkham City…the sprawling super-prison in the heart of Gotham City, home to its most violent thugs and infamous super villains. With the lives of the innocent at stake, only one man can save them and bring justice to the streets of Gotham City…The Batman.

IGN: “Batman: Arkham City is a brilliant game”

Stealth Inc

Stealth Inc. A Clone in the Dark (PS3)

Free for PS Plus members

Stealth Inc is a fast-paced stealth platformer featuring brutal hazards, ruthless enemies, fiendish puzzles and red pixels galore. Jump, sneak, and be chunked through 80 levels. Will you make it out alive? Armed with only your wits and a pair of top of the range Stealthing Goggles, it’s your job to sneak your way through a deadly facility that’s determined to extinguish your fragile little life. With no weapons and no armour, being seen means instant death.

Castle of Illusion

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (PS3)

Free for PS Plus members

Mickey Mouse returns to star in Castle of Illusion, a fantastical re-imagining of the Sega Genesis classic. With all-new HD graphics and gameplay, Castle of Illusion brings Mickey and his world to life in this magical Disney adventure! When the evil witch Mizrabel kidnaps Minnie, it’s up to Mickey to brave the dangers of the Castle of Illusion to rescue Minnie. Gather your courage and traverse enchanted forests, take on hordes of rebellious toys and navigate mazes of living books. Play as Mickey and save Minnie from Mizrabel’s evil clutches!

Velocity Ultra

Velocity Ultra (PS Vita)

Free for PS Plus members

Featuring a new anime-influenced art style, touch screen to teleport, bombs on right stick, explosive visual effects, a Platinum trophy and PlayStation Trophy Leaderboards, Velocity Ultra improves on the 2012 Game Of The Year and PSN Gamers’ Choice Awards release in every area (except music ‘cos that rocked the first time around).

PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate HD

Pixeljunk Monsters Ultimate HD (PS Vita)

Free for PS Plus members

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. By placing weapon towers at strategic points around the landscape, you can destroy the invaders and save the little ones. Collect treasure along the way to build up your arsenal and pay for new towers – countless waves of monsters are out to get the babies, so you need to be prepared to battle!

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.

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354 Comments

3 Author Replies

  • Free games are free games. If you don’t like what’s offered don’t complain about having nothing to play, go buy games that you want to play. People are not entitled to get all the games they like for free. I personally like what they’re doing with PS4 so far, being that they’re offering games that are just being released for PS4 for free. PS+ on PS4 needs to be looked at as paying for online multiplayer (like it’s competition but $10/year cheaper) and getting free games every month as a bonus. Down the line, non-indie titles will be offered for free but right now it’s hard not to be happy getting brand new releases for free every month to supplement any other games you purchase. People using PS+ as their only way of getting games to play should open up their wallets and stop complaining.

  • I’m looking forward to Batman: Arkham City myself, but are we ever going to get any family friendly games? I have 2 sons who want to game as well but they are too young for Devil may Cry, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Metro, Boderlands 2 and Batman. I know the Sony console is geared towards adults but it does have games like PSASBR, Puppeteer, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, Sly Cooper, Lego games, and Hasbro games. It’s been a long while since they were excited about something.

  • That’s an incredible update! So much love for the indies! I was very much looking forward to Mercenary Kings and now I even get it for free with my PS Plus subscription; that’s great!

    Now if we could have some affordable 64GB cards for the Vita, that would be great because I CAN’T HOLD ALL THESE GREAT GAMES!

  • About psp games on vita, Sony programmers should take a serious look at ppsspp emulator. Psp games run at hd-resolutions there. If Vita can pull off something like that, then I’ll start buy and download psp games on my vita.

  • Just so you know, Batman Arkham City is just the bast game only. NO dlcs are included.

    Another thing to note: saves from standard and GOTY are not compatible with each other.

  • @100 is 200 usd on vita games in 3 months enough of an open wallet?

    i love psplus just making suggestions…ill be sure to jump all over every ps plus sale in the future for those games i want to play :-)

  • Looks like Metal Slug : )

  • What a kick ass lineup. Similar to last month, I did already purchase some of these indies (at a low low sale price!) so I’m a little bummed that I don’t get as much for free in April. But still, I really don’t mind supporting indie devs, and also it’s really great to see the quality of free PS+ games rising over the past few months. Keep up the good work!

  • @101 Dude… What part of Mickey Mouse don’t you understand?

  • I’m really starting to get tired of indie game after indie game it’s been nothing but indie games on the ps4 , it seems like sony doesn’t care for ps4 because we have to have it to play online. Why not give us some cool triple a titles like drive club, I understand the actual game isn’t ready but come on we weren’t getting the full game anyway. Sony you need to show some triple a love on the ps4 or that xbox one I bought for Titan fall might become my system for all multiplats and reserve your system for exclusives that I want only and then there’s no need for me to pay for ps+.

  • Nice I never have gotten around to playing those Batman games so this is awesome. I would have liked a sports game like europe got but platformers are always fun too so I can’t complain.

  • Very good month …Thanks Sony !

  • Mercenary Kings!!! HELL YEAH!

    Could’nt be better timed then this, getting my PS4 next week!

  • Awesome games for April! I actually bought Batman Origins a week ago, I have yet to play it but, I thought it would be a great start with the Arkham games since it’s considered a prequel to the Rocksteady games. Now all I need is Batman Arkham Asylum and will hopefully be all caught up when Arkham Knight releases.

  • What happened to the promise of not putting games on sale right before they become free? I bought Velocity Ultra two weeks ago.

  • Question: Can you play AC in 3D? I own the 360 version and it has that option, so I wanna know if the PS3 version does it too.

  • Was Kinda of hoping for Sly Cooper like the EU got, but these are good picks. (Even if I already have Batman).

  • This is awesome! Thank you!!!

  • On one hand, I love the top-tier games coming out on Plus. Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, and now Arkham City – what a list!

    OTOH, I already picked up two of those three games from the bargain bin, and finished them before they hit Plus.

    For pure gaming value, it’s awesome – Plus is bringing us some incredible games. For monetary value, it’s not quite as awesome as it seems at first, since those games are in the $5-20 range by the time they hit Plus (often trending to the low end). I can’t expect Sony and game publishers to cannibalize retail sales too much, but this would have been an even better deal a year ago – or six months ago.

    I still think it creates a weird, uncomfortable sense that no sale is good enough, because whatever deal I buy today will show up on Plus for free next month. I’m not sure how to get around that, though – someone will always get bit by having purchased a game before it was announced on Plus, unless you start doing Day 1 releases (too much to expect) or announce the release schedule six months in advance (impractical). I think the compromises you’re making – top tier games well after they’ve hit the bargain bin, along with great indies and second-tier games – are decent compromises.

  • @Macello & others: I don’t recall any such promise being made. All I can remember seeing is an official reply that said something like, “We’ll look into it.”

    The truth is that games are put on sale just before they join the IGC; they’re not “accidentally” or otherwise put on the IGC just after being on sale. Companies know well in advance which of their games will join the IGC and when. So they try to shake a few dollars out of people’s wallets before that happens since most won’t buy afterward.

    There’s nothing shady or even dishonest about it; it’s just good business. And regardless of what people think or say about it, it will continue.

    Besides, everyone who buys anything (on sale or not) gets what they want at a price they’re willing to pay. If you know you’ll be mad if something you buy joins the IGC, stop buying games. :)

    Probably just Castle of Illusion for me this month. Already have the other PS3 games, don’t own the other systems.

  • Your giving away too many games man…
    Too many… Too many!
    But thanks and keep em coming :D

  • USA soccer team is on its way to make history in the world cup and SCEA doesnt even acknowledge soccer like they did in europe with PES 2014 a new game, unlike batman that everybody and their moms have it.

  • WOW! I just got my PS Plus membership three months ago and the quality of games is outstanding! My only complaint: I need more hours in the day so I can play all these games!!!

  • @FeistFan: A wise post. :)

    Might add Batman: AC to my download list because why not. If it’s a small enough download I’ll trade in my physical copy. And as always I’ll add the PS4 game via the web store.

  • USA is the country who got more tickets to brasil world cup in the world, yet SCEA prefer to give atealth and mickey, and give soccer fans a kick in the….

  • What about Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, like European Store?

  • Not bad! I’ve been delaying the buy of Arkham City, guess I’ll have to hurry beating Dark Souls 2 a times.

  • Im very impressed with the PS PLUS UPDATES..and thier free games..i guess its not that bad at all. Paying to play online is not my forte but if im also getting free games every month and crazy discount prices..then 50 buks for a year service seems like a great deal. So as soon as watch dogs gets released i shall have my next gen system ready to hack the town of chicago..:p

  • Hmm can’t say im extremely excited about the lineup for April, but i havent played half of these games so ill definitely give them a try. It’s free so why not. Mercenary Kings sounds like a lot of fun.

  • This month looks awesome!

    Kristine, I received an invite to the PS Now beta, accepted it and everything but have not gotten an email for over a day. Just wondering if you can let me know what is up with that. Beyond(!)

  • Niiiiice i cant wait. PS+ is the best investment I have ever made. I just traded in batman too so this is super win!

  • Also so should release the PS NOW ..NOW..so i can rent some games on the same day i want to play it and help them make a profit rather than gamefly..whom takes my money asap but makes me wait a few days to get my game ..

  • Thank you Sony. Nice month. Worth each cent for my 12 month PS+. Next Month will be great to see a Injustice:God Among Us for PS3.

  • I’m so glad Stealth Inc is on the list.. always wanted to try this little puzzle game

  • Since I became a Plus member, I can not keep up with the games each month, I still have games since last year did not play…..

    thank you SONY…… for great time and games

  • I’ve been playing video games 20+ years and Arkham City is one of the best games I’ve ever played! Mastery of the predator and combat challenges for the Platinum trophy was some of the most challenging and fun experiences I’ve had on the PS3.

  • I want Mercenary Kings, but it’s for Ps4.

  • If I get these great games free on PS+ can I buy them when they go on sale? How do I go about doing that?

  • Sweet……..

  • I gotta say this is the problem with plus. (the good kind of problem, I guess) …I basically bought a Vita to play games like those I download to my PS3 and never get around to playing like High Stakes Poker or PixelJunk Monsters (ironically both available on remote play but doesn’t work well) so buy a Vita with Walking Dead (TaleTell, another company’s games that I think should work best on Vita) and I go to buy PixelJunk and I stop and think “well, it I just wait…. it’ll eventually have a discount or even free… YAY THANK YOU!! … but I still haven’t bought a single game for my Vita. Currently playing Destiny of Spirits and Gravity Rush!

  • Very good update. Just bought Pixel Junk Monsters HD about a month ago and it pained me that I didn’t have enough in my wallet to get Velocity Ultra too. Now I get to have both XD!
    All the games look awesome. I’m excited for this updated.

  • Rough month for me, I have everything except Mercenary Kings already.

    That’s okay though, it’s bound to happen sooner or later.

  • Digital devil, make another account and buy to your heart delight.

  • Awesome, some games for about every one this month, both young and old. Thanks :)

  • If Stealth Inc. is cross buy on PS3 and Vita why not on PS4? Show a little more love for the those of us that helped you get to 6 million consoles sold. I see 3 games on on PS3 what amounts to 3 for the Vita and only 1 for PS4 . I understand that the PS4 is still trying to build its library but Stealth Inc is out there now I don’t understand why the early adopters have to miss out needlessly.

  • @Frodomec

    Please stop with the “WE” and use “I” or “ME”. Thank you.

    @DaBlog
    Great month. Really good selection of games all around. PJM is a fantastic game. Velosity is okay and I would have preferred to see a retail release. But that is okay.

  • This is one of the best Plus selections I’ve seen, and thank gravy I don’t own any of these yet. (Add Metal Gear Solid 2 or 3 for Vita one of these months!)

  • I’d rather have AAA PSP games instead of those indie “Vita games”.

    see? it’s all because of you people who complained about PSP games.

    don’t tell me these indie trash are better than Monster Hunter.

  • Playstation Plus blows me away every month. BEST SERVICE EVAR!!!

  • Cool month.

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