Unpacking the PlayStation Plus November 2020 Lineup: A Deep Dive into PS5 and PS4 Offerings
As brilliantly presented in the video above, the reveal of the monthly PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) lineup invariably sparks significant discussion among the gaming community. For November 2020, this tradition continues, amplified by the exciting launch of the PlayStation 5. Subscribers were presented with a compelling trio of games, catering to both the new generation and the established PS4 user base. A closer examination of these titles reveals a thoughtful curation that balances quirky innovation with critically acclaimed depth, ensuring that players found ample reasons to dive back into their consoles. What was ultimately delivered by PlayStation Plus for November 2020 was a compelling package designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of gaming tastes, solidifying the service’s ongoing value.
The perpetual challenge for PS Plus subscribers is often deciding which games to prioritize from the monthly selection, especially when varied genres are offered. This month’s offerings, available from November 3rd, offered a unique blend that demanded exploration. The inclusion of a groundbreaking PS5 title, alongside two highly-regarded PS4 experiences, meant that every player, regardless of their console generation, had something substantial to look forward to. Furthermore, for those embarking on their PS5 journey, the PlayStation Plus Collection provided an additional 18 acclaimed PS4 titles, dramatically enhancing the initial value proposition.
Bugsnax: The First PS Plus PS5 Game Offers Unrivalled Whimsy
Leading the charge as the very first PlayStation 5 game to be offered through PS Plus, Bugsnax truly captured attention with its bizarre yet utterly charming premise. Developed by Young Horses, the studio behind the equally unique Octodad: Dadliest Catch, this title was always destined to be something out of the ordinary. In Bugsnax, players are cast in the role of an intrepid investigative journalist, sent to the enigmatic Snaktooth Island. This peculiar land is home to the legendary Bugsnax, creatures that are an improbable and delightful fusion of insect and food item. It is the player’s primary objective to capture all 100 distinct species of Bugsnax and unravel the mysteries surrounding the island’s Grumpus inhabitants and their symbiotic relationship with these edible critters.
The gameplay mechanics are centered around exploration, puzzle-solving, and the inventive capture of Bugsnax. Various traps, baits, and environmental interactions are employed to lure and collect these quirky creatures, each with its own unique behaviors and dietary preferences. For example, a Strabby, resembling a strawberry-bug hybrid, might be caught using a tripwire, while a hungry Bunger, a burger-like creature, could be lured into a trap with ketchup. The game’s vibrant, almost psychedelic aesthetic, as highlighted in the video, disguises a surprisingly rich narrative. While it initially appears to be a light-hearted adventure, a deeper, more unsettling story is gradually uncovered, hinting at darker undertones and the true nature of Snaktooth Island. The visual spectacle and peculiar character designs, often prompting questions like, “What the freak is that in the sky?”, contribute to its undeniable allure.
A particularly significant detail for those anticipating the arrival of a PS5 was Bugsnax’s extended availability. It was made accessible on PS Plus for two full months, spanning November and December 2020, and remaining claimable until January 4th, 2021. This generous window meant that even if a PlayStation 5 was unwrapped on Christmas Day, there was still ample time for the new console owner to add this wonderfully weird and inventive launch title to their library. Imagine unwrapping a shiny new PS5 for the festive season, with such a distinct and highly anticipated game immediately available for download; it was certainly a compelling proposition.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War – A Nemesis System Masterclass
Returning to the PlayStation 4, the second game in the PlayStation Plus November 2020 lineup was the ambitious action RPG, Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Released in 2017, this sequel to the critically acclaimed Shadow of Mordor takes players deeper into J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy world, specifically set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The narrative follows Talion, a Ranger, and Celebrimbor, an Elven Lord’s wraith, as they forge a new Ring of Power to combat Sauron’s growing forces.
The game’s combat and traversal systems are noticeably built to resemble many mechanics found in earlier Assassin’s Creed titles, emphasizing free-flow combat, stealth mechanics, and agile environmental navigation within sprawling open-world maps. However, what truly set Shadow of War apart, and was its undisputed unique selling point, was the sophisticated Nemesis System. This innovative procedural generation system dynamically creates unique Orc and Uruk captains and Warchiefs, each possessing distinct appearances, personalities, strengths, and exploitable weaknesses. These enemies remember past encounters, leading to personalized rivalries and vendettas. An Uruk that defeated Talion in a previous skirmish might return later, promoted within Sauron’s army and boasting about its victory.
The Nemesis System was significantly expanded in Shadow of War, allowing players to dominate Uruks and build their own army, placing puppet leaders within the enemy hierarchy. These dominated Uruks could be commanded to betray their former allies, infiltrate fortresses, or even rise through the ranks to become powerful War Chiefs, subtly undermining Sauron’s control from within. However, the system’s brilliance also lies in its unpredictability; these allies cannot always be trusted, creating thrilling moments where a carefully cultivated Uruk might turn traitor, resulting in a sudden, brutal betrayal. It is possible for players to replay this game multiple times and encounter completely different sets of unique, randomly generated characters, significantly enhancing its replayability. While reviews averaged around 7.5 out of 10 upon release, a solid score, the Nemesis System was consistently praised as a groundbreaking innovation in open-world game design. If it has been unplayed until now, it holds up exceptionally well, and for veterans, it is certainly time to jump back in and experience its dynamic world once more.
Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition – A Metroidvania Masterpiece
The final gem in the PlayStation Plus November 2020 collection for PlayStation 4 users was Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition. Also released in 2017, this title stands as a seminal work in the 2D Metroidvania genre, a testament to indie game development by Team Cherry. Players embody the silent protagonist, the Knight, on a solemn quest to uncover the secrets of the fallen kingdom of Hallownest, plagued by a mysterious infection known as “The Infection.”
Hollow Knight is revered for its expansive, intricately interconnected world, where progression is skillfully gated by newfound abilities. This design encourages extensive exploration and methodical backtracking to previously inaccessible areas, a hallmark of the Metroidvania style. The gameplay combines precise platforming with challenging, yet fair, combat against a vast array of unique enemies and memorable bosses. The game’s atmosphere is a masterclass in melancholic storytelling, presented through a striking hand-drawn art style, a hauntingly beautiful orchestral score, and subtle environmental narrative. Critically, the reviews for Hollow Knight were overwhelmingly positive, with scores frequently reaching the “tens and nines” across the board, earning it a reputation as one of the finest indie titles of its generation.
The Voidheart Edition, included in this PS Plus offering, is the definitive version of the game, featuring four substantial enhancement DLCs that greatly expand upon the original story and gameplay. These include:
- Hidden Dreams: Introduced two new boss encounters, additional lore, and new music tracks.
- The Grimm Troupe: Added a major new questline, featuring a captivating new boss, new charms, and a unique storyline involving a traveling circus of nightmares.
- Lifeblood: A minor update that included some quality-of-life improvements and a challenging new boss re-fight.
- Godmaster: The ultimate test of skill, presenting a boss rush mode with increasingly difficult boss encounters and new lore revelations, culminating in some of the game’s toughest challenges.
Imagine meticulously charting your course through the forgotten ruins of Hallownest, only to discover a secret passage leading to an entirely new, breathtaking area, unlocked by a recent ability – this encapsulates the joy of exploration that Hollow Knight provides. The depth added by these DLCs transforms an already expansive game into a truly colossal experience, offering hundreds of hours of content for those willing to delve into its dark fantasy world. It is a title that rewards patience, exploration, and a keen eye for environmental detail, cementing its place as an indie darling and a benchmark for its genre.
The Continuing Value of PlayStation Plus in a New Generation
The PlayStation Plus November 2020 lineup demonstrated a clear commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality experiences for its subscriber base, strategically bridging the gap between console generations. The inclusion of Bugsnax as a PS5 launch title immediately showcased the service’s relevance for the new console, while Middle-earth: Shadow of War and Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition provided fantastic, well-regarded experiences for PS4 owners. Beyond these three titles, the PlayStation Plus Collection significantly boosted the value proposition for new PS5 owners, providing an instant library of 18 critically acclaimed PS4 games.
This curation of games ensures that regardless of which PlayStation console a player owns, or what their preferred genre might be, there was substantial value derived from the PlayStation Plus subscription this month. The blend of innovative new experiences and beloved, deep adventures made this a particularly strong month for PlayStation Plus, reinforcing its position as an essential service for PlayStation gamers.
