PlayStation Plus Premium: 10 Hidden Gems Worth Your Time

It’s been just over a month since the release of the new PlayStation Plus tiers, and whilst Sony have given us some stellar titles to download — including greats such as Ghost of Tsushima and Demon's Souls (2021) — I’d like to take a look at 10 potentially lesser-known titles that I’ve played. Spanning from the original PlayStation all the way to the most recent console, in no particular order, here are 10 hidden gems on PlayStation Plus Premium that are worth your time!

Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!

There seems to be no sign of intelligent life anywhere

I’m not sure if this is just a hit of nostalgia or if Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! is a good game, but the collectathon platformer is full of charm, with a variety of tasks to perform in each level. Sure, the platforming isn’t pixel perfect, and I missed several leaps of faith and went plummeting back to the start of whatever large structure I was scaling. However, thanks to the rewind feature built into all the games available in the classic catalogue, this became much less frustrating.

I Am Dead

Who knew death could be so colourful?

If you’ve ever wanted to whimsically explore the afterlife without the effort of actually dying, then I Am Dead is the game for you. A simplistic puzzle game in which you play as Morris, a ghost with the ability to “slice” through objects to take a look at what's inside them in order to find a specific item needed to progress the story. It’s unique, quirky, and very colourful, and is definitely a game to help you unwind.

The Artful Escape

Come on, who hasn't had a daydream like this?

Come with us now on a journey through time and space, in this music-infused adventure! I don’t want to give anything away in regards to the story of this magnificent game, but I will say that this short, side-scrolling shred ‘em up is wonderful, from the soundtrack to the art style. Whilst not offering super in-depth gameplay, the journey experience in The Artful Escape more than makes up for it.

White Knight Chronicles II

The titular White Knight readies itself for a fight!

What’s better than one epic JRPG that you can sink over 100 hours into? Well, two of them! White Knight Chronicles II actually features an updated version of the first White Knight Chronicles, which is essential as the second game picks up right where that one left off. They are both vast JRPGs that perhaps went under the radar during the PlayStation 3’s heyday, but with a fun combat system, cool as hell mechs, and an interesting cast of characters, this one is worth a try!

Minit

The angel from my nightmare...

The very basic premise of this game is that after every 60 seconds, you die. No, this isn’t DARK SOULS, it’s Minit! Time and time again, you’ll find yourself back at the start; there is no way to cheat the system or extend your time, so once your minute is up, that’s it. However, you do keep anything you collected during your previous run, making this retro-inspired puzzler the ultimate “oh, just one more go” videogame. Unlocking shortcuts and plotting out a strategy is all part of the 8-bit fun, and fun is definitely what you’ll have when you give this one a go. You’ve got a minute to win it!

Primal

Isn't Scree just adorable?

Far from being the most polished game on this list, what Primal lacks in technical prowess, it more than makes up for it with a gothic atmosphere and intriguing narrative. Play as Jen, a woman who awakens from a coma to find a pint-sized talking gargoyle named Scree, who leads her into his world. With strong vibes of the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver games, I have an undying love for this title, partly due to a heavy dose of nostalgia, but mainly down to its grim setting and clever twists. Is it perfect? Not at all, but Primal is still worth a playthrough almost 20 years later.

StarLink: Battle for Atlas

What Beyond Good & Evil 2 could have been, if Ubisoft hadn't left it for dead.

I was never a fan of the toys-to-life gimmick that ran rampant during the last generation of consoles. Thankfully, the digital version of StarLink: Battle for Atlas is a competent space shooter that does away with swapping out plastic weapons and spaceships, instead giving you a modern-day Star Fox adventure, just without Fox himself (unless you buy the Switch version!). You’ll travel to a huge variety of planets throughout your adventure, and comparisons could be made to No Man's Sky, just a lot more streamlined. It feels like most other Ubisoft games, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing depending on how much enjoyment you get out of them. A fun, light RPG shooter that is worth checking out.

Tearaway Unfolded

The most charming papercraft you will ever see!

A PlayStation 4 re-release of a must-play Vita classic, Tearaway Unfolded is one of the most visually pleasing games I’ve ever seen. A gorgeous papercraft world to explore, with a heart-warming narrative and a ton of abilities to unlock. Even my partner, who isn’t as obsessive as me when it comes to games, was determined to get the platinum trophy and spent a solid week collecting and seeing everything this digital bundle of joy had to offer.

The Caligula Effect: Overdose

Naruko's about to do her thing.

Are you a fan of the Persona franchise or Sword Art Online? Then you best get downloading this JRPG gem! Our heroes are trapped in a virtual reality programme and set out to escape from their digital prison, whilst strengthening their bonds along the way. NPCs can be recruited to your party, giving players a decent mix of fighters to take into battle. Whilst it doesn’t have the budget of Persona 5- Dancing in Starlight, The Caligula Effect: Overdose is an engrossing tale that fans of the genre cannot miss out on.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

+1 for good boi Walt

Never has a game so harrowing looked so good. Valiant Hearts: The Great War is a 2D puzzle adventure set during World War I. It deals with some truly heartbreaking subject matters in a touching way, which may surprise people when they see the game's artistic style. Each of the various playable characters have so much personality, it’s hard not to grow attached to them, even though the game clocks in at around six hours. This is a unique take on one of the most horrific eras in human history, focusing on the human side of war.

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So, have any of these games piqued your interest? Or have you already played some of them and want to gush over them together? Let me know in the comments below!