The entirety of the mainline Yakuza franchise is coming to PlayStation Plus starting in August. With Yakuza: Like a Dragon being a part of the free PlayStation Plus Essential games next month, all of the other games will be added to the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium game libraries (though not all of them in August).
A long-time staple of the Xbox Game Pass subscription, PlayStation Plus is matching its arch game library rival with the popular Japanese franchise.
Here’s the breakdown of what will be available, and when.
One game will be given away as part of the PS Plus Monthly Games:
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon | Tuesday 2nd August | PlayStation Plus Essential / Extra / Premium Monthly Games
In August the first three games in the Yakuza story will join the PS Plus Extra Game Library:
- Yakuza 0 | August | PlayStation Plus Extra / Premium Game Library
- Yakuza Kiwami | August | PlayStation Plus Extra / Premium Game Library
- Yakuza Kiwami 2 | August | PlayStation Plus Extra / Premium Game Library
Then the rest of the series will be coming later this year, some of which are for the PS Plus Premium classic games library only:
- Yakuza 3 Remastered | PlayStation Plus Premium Classic Games
- Yakuza 4 Remastered | PlayStation Plus Premium Classic Games
- Yakuza 5 Remastered | PlayStation Plus Premium Classic Games
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life | PlayStation Plus Extra / Premium Game Library
It’s worth noting that, while Sony pitched the Classic Games Library in PS Plus Premium as being for PS3 games and older, these will be the PS4 native remastered versions of Yakuza 3, 4 and 5 from the Yakuza Remaster Collection. It’s an odd line to have drawn in the sand, but a way for Sony to pad that library out with games that can be played natively on modern consoles and not forced to rely on streaming.
What are the other PS Plus Free Games in August?
This Yakuza series announcement came alongside the confirmation of the trio of titles being given away as part of PlayStation Plus Essential. Yakuza Like a Dragon is being joined by Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 and Little Nightmares. Find out more about August’s free monthly games here.
What actually is PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium?
The PlayStation Plus relaunch rolled out around the world in June, transforming the PS Plus we once knew into a three tiered subscription service that bundles in and expands what was once PlayStation Now. The classic PS Plus is now called PS Plus Essential, giving access to online multiplayer gaming, cloud save backups, exclusive offers and at least 2 free monthly games. PS Plus Extra then adds a catalogue of PS4 and PS5 games into the mix, while PS Plus Deluxe and Premium (depending on your region) adds older PS2, PS1 and PSP game emulation, and game streaming for PS3 and other titles.
Source: PS Blog
MrYd
Are 3 to 6 only for Premium? The blog post is confusing and someone has to have got something wrong somewhere.
There’s the picture of the 7 games saying they’re available on Premium and Extra.
Then it says “Then later this year, for Extra and Premium members, Kiryu’s story concludes with Yakuza 3 Remastered, Yakuza 4 Remastered, Yakuza 5 Remastered and Yakuza 6: The Song of Life”
But then they list 3 to 5 as just Premium and 6 for Extra/Premium.
Stefan L
3 to 5 are Premium only, 6 is Extra. The wording is vague enough that it means that both groups will be getting something more later this year, which is then made more specific when you have the actual list.
Same as with the BioShock, Crysis, Mafia, Uncharted and plenty of other remasters. Sony’s decided that if the game originally released for PS3, then the PS4 remasters will be a part of the PS Plus Premium-only classic games library.
MrYd
Yes, the weird “remasters are classics” thing would suggest 3 to 5 are Premium only, but the wording is definitely potentially vague, if you want to read it that way. Which is an odd way to read it.
There’s nothing vague about the picture at the top of that blog post though. That says they’re available on Extra and Premium. But then the small print in the bottom right says “Game library varies over time and plan”.
I don’t know why they went for the 3 plans anyway. Should have kept the third option for those countries that don’t have the streaming option and just stuck with Essential and Premium.