Headlined by Streets of Rage 4, AEW Fight Forever and SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake, the PlayStation Plus Essentials for June 2024 have been available for a couple of weeks now. However, one game that’s been available even longer is EA Sports FC 24 on PS4 and PS5, which was actually one of the free games for May 2024. To coincide with Sony’s Days of Play event, PlayStation Plus subscribers were given the opportunity to grab a free copy of the FIFA successor until June 18, which means you have less than 24-hours to redeem your copy before it goes back to full price. The other PS Plus Essentials will remain on the service until July 2.
While EA Sports FC 24 does have its critics (particularly when it comes to its controversial Ultimate Team mode), the recent release of the free Euro 2024 update means there’s never been a better time to jump in and play the game (especially while it’s free).
The official Euro 2024 game mode lets fans play through the tournament as their favourite team.
You can play using the official groups and teams, or you can rewrite history by taking a different European team into the competition.
It also features newly recorded commentary, not to mention official kits, stadiums and balls used in the tournament.
You can even use the game to make predictions by simulating the entire tournament and individual games. Indeed, in a recent experiment by EA Sports, England were tipped to win the competition based on the number of times they came out on top.
In one simulation, England were tipped to face Germany in the final, where they won 2-1 thanks to a goal by Harry Kane.
As for the remaining PS Plus Essentials, the highlight is undoubtedly Streets of Rage 4, which is one of the best beat-em-ups of modern times.
The game features a mix of new and returning characters, as well as a boatload of unlockable moves, costumes and retro styles.
I would also recommend picking up the Mr. X Nightmare add-on, which at £6.49 is an absolute steal.
The DLC adds a super addictive survival mode, where the aim is to clear as many stages as possible without losing a life.
Players can select a new upgrade at the end of each stage, including Toxic moves, double jumps, increased damage and weapon spawns.
If you’ve already downloaded all of the June 2024 Essentials (and EA Sports FC 24), then the next batch of games will be announced on June 26.