Playstation Plus December 2018 Free Games Complete Lineup And Details

The provided source material focuses exclusively on PlayStation Plus free games for December 2018, not on free samples, promotional offers, no-cost product trials, brand freebies, or mail-in sample programs across categories like beauty, baby care, pet food, health, food & beverage, and household goods as specified in the prompt. Given this significant mismatch between the requested topic and available data, the following article addresses only the verified information about PlayStation Plus free games from December 2018.

PlayStation Plus subscribers in December 2018 received a diverse selection of free games across multiple platforms, including horror, racing, action, and puzzle titles. The lineup, announced by Sony, featured six games total for PS4, PS3, and PS Vita platforms, with Cross-Buy availability for one title. These games were available for download starting Tuesday, December 4, 2018, and remained free until the new January 2019 lineup was released on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

PlayStation Plus Free Games Overview

The December 2018 PlayStation Plus free games lineup offered variety across genres and platforms. Subscribers could download two games for each of the three supported platforms: PS4, PS3, and PS Vita. One title, Iconoclasts, was available as a Cross-Buy game for both PS4 and PS Vita. The games became available for download on the first Tuesday of December 2018 and remained free until the end of the year, when they were replaced by the January 2019 selection.

The PlayStation Plus service, which costs £6.99 a month, £19.99 per quarter, or £49.99 per year, typically offers subscribers a selection of free games each month across multiple generations of PlayStation consoles. This December lineup continued that tradition by offering a mix of genres and gameplay experiences.

PS4 Free Games: Soma and Onrush

The PlayStation 4 portion of the December 2018 lineup included two distinct titles: Soma, a sci-fi horror game, and Onrush, an online team racing game.

Soma

Soma is a sci-fi survival horror game developed by Frictional Games, the creators of the Amnesia series. The game is set in a remote underwater research facility where machines begin developing their own personalities. Unlike many horror games that rely primarily on jump scares, Soma focuses on atmospheric tension and thought-provoking storytelling. Players explore the seemingly deserted facility to discover what happened to the human and AI occupants.

In a review, Soma was described as "an intelligent game that forced me to think and contemplate ideas as only the best sci-fi is capable of doing," earning a 9/10 score. The game offers a more cerebral horror experience, focusing on psychological tension rather than combat or traditional horror elements.

Onrush

Onrush represents a different gaming experience entirely, offering adrenaline-fueled off-road arcade racing. Developed by Codemasters and released just six months prior in June 2018, the game focuses on speed, takedowns, and teamwork rather than traditional racing mechanics. Players use off-road vehicles such as buggies and motorcycles to take down opponents and achieve objectives.

The game incorporates influences from various titles, including Burnout's takedown mechanics and Overwatch's hero abilities. A reviewer described Onrush as "such a bold, refreshing twist on the genre," awarding it a 9/10 score. Notably, Onrush was previously offered as a free Games With Gold title on Xbox One before coming to PlayStation Plus.

PS3 Free Games: Steredenn and SteinsGate

PlayStation 3 subscribers received two games with different gameplay styles: the space shooter Steredenn and the visual novel SteinsGate.

Steredenn: Classic

Steredenn is described as a "frenetic and chaotic space shooter" with "big beautiful pixels" and "insane boss battles." Players pilot their ship in combat against space pirates in a never-ending fight for survival. The game features procedurally generated levels and retro-arcade action, creating an intense and challenging experience.

The Classic version of Steredenn was specifically offered to PS3 subscribers, providing a pixelated, arcade-style experience that differs from modern space shooters.

SteinsGate

SteinsGate is an anime-style visual novel about teenage scientists who discover a way to send messages to the past, which begins to affect the future. As a visual novel, the game focuses on narrative and player choices rather than action gameplay. Players explore different story paths based on the decisions they make throughout the game.

Among the December 2018 lineup, SteinsGate is noted as having a Platinum trophy that is relatively easy to obtain, requiring only about 5 hours to complete with the help of a guide and text-skipping functionality. This makes it an accessible title for trophy hunters looking to expand their collection.

PS Vita Free Games: Papers, Please and Iconoclasts

The PlayStation Vita portion of the December 2018 lineup included two games: the puzzle simulation Papers, Please and the side-scrolling adventure Iconoclasts.

Papers, Please

Papers, Please is a unique puzzle simulation game where players take on the role of an immigration inspector controlling the flow of people entering the fictional dystopian country of Arstotzka from Kolechia. Among the immigrants and visitors looking for work are hidden smugglers, spies, and terrorists that players must identify.

The game challenges players to make difficult decisions based on limited information and conflicting requirements, creating a tense and morally complex experience. Papers, Please has received critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay and thought-provoking scenarios.

Iconoclasts

Iconoclasts is a 2D action platformer with gameplay similar to the classic Metroid series. Players control Robin, a character who battles enemies and solves environmental puzzles while fighting against tyranny. The game features exploration-based gameplay with upgrades and abilities that unlock new areas.

Iconoclasts was notable in the December lineup as a Cross-Buy title, meaning it was available for both PS4 and PS Vita at no additional cost. This allows players who own both systems to download and play the game on either platform. The Vita version offers the same experience as the PS4 version, optimized for handheld play.

Cross-Buy and Multiplatform Availability

The December 2018 lineup featured one Cross-Buy title: Iconoclasts. Cross-Buy is a PlayStation program that allows players to purchase a game once and play it on multiple PlayStation platforms. In this case, Iconoclasts was available for both PS4 and PS Vita without requiring separate purchases.

This benefit extends to the entire PlayStation Plus library, as subscribers who download Cross-Buy games on one platform can typically access them on others without additional cost. The Iconoclasts Cross-Buy availability in December 2018 provided added value for subscribers who owned both a PS4 and PS Vita.

Trophy Information

Among the games offered in December 2018, only two featured Platinum trophies: Onrush and SteinsGate. This information was particularly relevant to trophy hunters looking to expand their PlayStation trophy collections.

SteinsGate was noted as being relatively easy to platinum, requiring approximately 5 hours of gameplay with the assistance of a guide and text-skipping functionality. This made it an accessible platinum for players who might otherwise be intimidated by the time commitment typically required for Platinum trophies in more complex games.

Availability and Timeline

The December 2018 PlayStation Plus games became available for download starting Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Subscribers had until Tuesday, January 1, 2019, to add these games to their libraries. After this date, the games were no longer available for free through PlayStation Plus and would need to be purchased to be added to a collection.

This timeline is consistent with PlayStation Plus's typical schedule of offering games on the first Tuesday of each month and replacing them with a new selection at the beginning of the following month. The December games represented the final free offerings of the year before the January 2019 lineup was introduced.

Conclusion

The December 2018 PlayStation Plus free games lineup offered subscribers a diverse selection of titles across multiple platforms and genres. From the atmospheric horror of Soma to the high-energy racing of Onrush, the strategic gameplay of Papers, Please to the narrative depth of SteinsGate, the lineup provided something for different types of gamers. The inclusion of a Cross-Buy title in Iconoclasts added extra value for subscribers with multiple PlayStation systems. With games available until January 1, 2019, subscribers had ample time to download and enjoy these titles before the new year brought a fresh selection of free games.

Sources

1. Sony Mixes Racing and Horror for December 2018's PlayStation Plus Free Games Selection
2. December 2018's PS Plus Games Announced By Sony
3. Last Chance For December's Free PS Plus Games (PS4, PS3, Vita)
4. The PlayStation Plus December 2018 games are now available to download
5. PlayStation Plus Free Games December 2018
6. Sony has announced the lineup of free PS Plus games for December 2018