Sony has officially announced the free games lineup for PlayStation Plus subscribers in June 2019. The monthly offering includes two titles available for the PlayStation 4: Borderlands: The Handsome Collection and Sonic Mania. These games became available for download on June 4, 2019, and remained claimable until July 2, 2019. As is standard with the service, once these games are added to a user's library during the active window, they remain accessible for as long as the user maintains an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
The June 2019 lineup was announced shortly after Sony revealed its annual "Days of Play" sale, which ran from June 7 to June 17. The release of these free titles served to sweeten the offer for PS4 owners, particularly as the industry prepared for E3 2019, an event Sony chose to skip that year.
The June 2019 Lineup
The free games for June 2019 represented a mix of a modern retro revival and a comprehensive action RPG package.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection served as a significant value proposition for subscribers. This collection bundles remastered versions of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. It was particularly timely given the release of Borderlands 3 later in 2019, offering players a chance to catch up on the series' narrative leading up to the new installment.
The collection includes all downloadable content (DLC) released for both games. Specific DLC packs mentioned include "Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate's Booty," "Mr. Torgue's Campaign of Carnage," and the highly praised "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep," which is set in a Dungeons & Dragons-style world called "Bunkers and Badasses."
For PlayStation 4 Pro owners, the collection featured enhanced texture packs. Borderlands 2 is widely considered the best-reviewed entry in the Gearbox loot shooter series, known for its post-apocalyptic setting, cel-shaded graphics, and humorous dialogue. The gameplay is described as a "loot shooter" with addictiveness comparable to Diablo, featuring expansive environments and a focus on acquiring better weaponry.
Sonic Mania
The second title, Sonic Mania, was released in 2017 and was regarded as one of the best Sonic the Hedgehog games in over a decade upon its release. It is a 2D side-scrolling platformer that draws heavy inspiration from the Sega Genesis installments of the series.
The game features a "hyper-kinetic" platforming style with character, charm, and significant challenge. It includes an all-new adventure with classic characters such as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. The game features unique bosses and rolling 2D landscapes. Critics noted that the game methodically used sentimental appeal to great effect, healing wounds inflicted by previous disappointing entries in the series and surpassing the series' best with its smart and interpretive design.
Availability and Redemption
The free games were available to claim starting June 4, 2019. The window to add these titles to a user's library closed on July 2, 2019.
It is important to note the context of the PlayStation Plus service at this time. As of March 2019, Sony stopped offering free monthly games for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, narrowing the focus exclusively to PlayStation 4 titles. Consequently, the June 2019 offering consisted solely of two PS4 games.
For users looking to redeem these offers, the process involves accessing the PlayStation Store via the console or web browser and adding the titles to the library during the active dates. Once claimed, the games are tied to the user's account and can be downloaded at any time.
Previous Month's Availability
In accordance with the standard transition period, the free games from May 2019 remained available for download until the new games arrived on June 4. The May 2019 lineup included:
- Overcooked: A cooperative party game where up to four players work together in a kitchen to prepare meals. The game is noted for its difficulty, introducing elements like kitchen fires, shifting floors, and mischievous mice. It earned an 8/10 review score from GameSpot, praised as an excellent co-op experience.
- What Remains of Edith Finch: A narrative-driven adventure game.
Subscribers were encouraged to add these May titles to their libraries before they were replaced by the June 2019 games.
Conclusion
The PlayStation Plus June 2019 lineup offered two distinct experiences for subscribers: the comprehensive loot-shooter package of Borderlands: The Handsome Collection and the critically acclaimed retro platforming of Sonic Mania. Available from June 4 to July 2, 2019, these titles provided significant value and served as a bridge to upcoming releases, specifically Borderlands 3. The transition away from PS3 and Vita games earlier in the year solidified the service's focus on the PlayStation 4 ecosystem.