Microsoft has announced the two free games it will offer to Xbox Live Gold subscribers for October, and Sony recently announced the free PlayStation 3 and Vita games it will offer PlayStation Plus members during the month as well. Both companies offer some solid games for premium subscribers, but which company offers the better package?
Microsoft will offer two games for free at different times during October, according to Eurogamer. The first, which will be available from Oct. 1 until Oct. 15, is "Might & Magic Clash of Heroes." This is a critically acclaimed a mix of RPG and puzzle game, and is a worthy download for those curious.
The second game that Microsoft will offer players (which will be available from Oct. 16 until Oct. 31) is one of the most popular games ever put on the console, Halo 3. The end of the original Halo trilogy by former developer Bungie can provide newer fans of the series a glimpse of the original trilogy's multiplayer as well as the final act of Master Chief's original adventure.
In comparison to Microsoft's smaller, time specific approach, Sony is offering five different games for players to choose from at any point during October. The biggest title offered is the HD remake of the PlayStation 2 classic "Shadow of the Colossus." This game was one of the best of it's generation, and is worth checking out for those interested in puzzle-like gameplay and emotional storytelling.
The next big titles offered by Sony are the digital-only hits Hotline: Miami and Poker Night 2. Hotline Miami gives players some old-school top-down 2D action, while "Poker Night 2" is a poker game that uses characters from cartoons and video games such as "Claptrap" and "Brock Sampson" as avatars. Both games are solid choices for players to download and play. The final two games available to PlayStation Plus owners are "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" and the Vita game "Sine Mora."
Overall, both companies offer a very good slate of games for premium subscribers. While Sony offers more titles, only "Shadow of the Colossus" can compare to "Halo 3" in terms of quality. "Hotline: Miami" and "Poker Night 2" are solid cult hits like "Might & Magic Clash of Heroes," so those interested in the genres they fit in will be excited, but their mainstream appeal is questionable. October seems to be a tie in the battle of Sony vs. Microsoft, with Sony perhaps getting a small edge due to its five free games versus Microsoft's two.