Summary
June 2024’s PS Plus lineupisn’t guaranteed to appeal to a mass audience, as it consists of several rather niche titles. That being said, fans ofSpongeBob SquarePants, wrestling, and engaging side-scrollers may be more than satisfied with what the service is offering. Included in June 2024’s PS Plus lineup areSpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake,AEW: Fight Forever, andStreets of Rage 4. It’s an interesting selection of games, to say the least, especially after the epic last couple of months PS Plus has had. Even so, each of June’s PS Plus titles has its merits.
PS Plus — SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake
is one of the more well-rounded titles in June 2024’s PS Plus lineup, as it combines satisfying platforming with warm visuals. Developed by Purple Lamp and published by THQ Nordic, the publisher behindpopular titles such asDarksidersandGothic,SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shakeis a 3D platformer that sees players controlling Nickelodeon’s most famous sponge and journeying through alternate realities known as “Wish Worlds” to save Bikini Bottom.
Throughout their journey inSpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, players will navigate each Wish World withtraditional platformingand a host of combat and traversal skills to help them conquer their enemies and the obstacles that threaten to impede their progress.The Cosmic Shakeisn’t the best-reviewed game in June’s PS Plus lineup, but it is more than worth playing, especially considering it can be beaten in under ten hours.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake
WHERE TO PLAY
Wish-granting Mermaid’s Tears in the hands of SpongeBob and Patrick… What could possibly go wrong? Sure, the very fabric holding the very universe very together could come very undone, opening up portals into Wishworlds full of knights, cowboys, pirates, and prehistoric snails. But that’s nothing everyone’s favorite sponge can’t handle - with the right cosmic costume! Everybody do the Cosmic Shake!- Unlock classic and new platforming skills like the Fishhook Swing and Karate Kick- Don more than 30 F.U.N.tastic costumes like SnailBob and SpongeGar- Travel to 7 distinct Wishworlds like Wild West Jellyfish Fields and Halloween Rock Bottom- Experience all the buddy movie banter with SpongeBob’s permanent companion Balloon-Patrick- Meet all your favorite Bikini Bottomites from the series, voiced by their original actors- Brand-new soundtrack from the composers of Battle for Bikini Bottom + dozens of songs from the series!
PS Plus — AEW: Fight Forever
Fans of wrestling games should enjoy another of the PS Plus games for June 2024,AEW: Fight Forever. Unlike many otherclassic wrestling games,Fight Foreverfeatures arcade-style gameplay and offers a wide variety of match types, like singles, tag team, ladder, and Casino Battle Royale. There’s also the “Road to Elite” career mode, which allows players to take their own AEW wrestler through a regular schedule featuring the four major pay-per-view events of the AEW.
When it comes to critical reception,AEW: Fight Foreveris at the bottom of the list in PS Plus' lineup for June 2024. For the most part,Fight Foreverhas been criticized for its repetitiveness, shallow customization options, and performance issues. Still,wrestling fansmay findAEW: Fight Foreverto at least be the start of something big.
AEW Fight Forever
Developed by YUKE’S Co., Ltd., creators of numerous, multi-million unit selling wrestling games, AEW: Fight Forever combines arcade-wrestling game feel with innovative All Elite Wrestling finishers and tandem offensive moves. The All Elite Wrestling promotion is currently taking TNT and TBS networks by storm every week with their Rampage and Dynamite shows, featuring some of the biggest legends to enter the ring plus a stable of brand new, high-flying, AEW talent. AEW: Fight Forever brings more than 50 of the best of the best from that talent roster together in one game! Online co-op wrestling is going completely next level in Fight Forever with Tag Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. More than 10 different game modes, including Unsanctioned Lights Out and Falls Count Anywhere PLUS more than 40 weapons, deep customization, career mode, and mini-games all await in AEW: Fight Forever!
PS Plus — Streets of Rage 4
Streets of Rage 4is arguably the best game in June 2024’s PS Plus lineup, boasting better review scores than the others and offering a unique take on side-scrolling gameplay. At first glance,Streets of Rage 4may appear to be nothing more than a nostalgicbeat ‘em up game. However, while it has been meticulously designed to be a nostalgic experience, it balances that nostalgia with satisfying combat, artistic visuals, and a memorable soundtrack.
Streets of Rage 4’s Story Mode sees players progressing through various stages to liberate Wood Oak City from the Y Twins, ten years after the events ofStreets of Rage 3. Overall, it is an excellent addition toJune 2024’s PS Plus catalogand has really only received criticism for its online components and its tendency to feel like it’s stuck in the past.
Streets of Rage 4
Streets of Rage is a beat ‘em up series known for its timeless gameplay and electronic dance influenced music. Streets of Rage 4 builds upon the classic trilogy’s gameplay with new mechanics, beautiful hand-drawn visuals and a God tier soundtrack.Team up with iconic and brand-new charactersAxel, Blaze, and Adam teaming up with new brother and sister in arms Floyd Iraia and Cherry Hunter to clean up the streets.Outstanding Hand-Drawn Visuals and SoundtracksWith lush hand-drawn animations, new combat abilities, and fresh tracks from an amazing team of composers, Streets of Rage 4 will be a masterful tribute to and revitalization of the classic action fans adore.
