Sony’s PlayStation Plus is a subscription-based service that allows members to get weekly and monthly access to discounted games on the PlayStation Network, as well as the occasional free game. Sony has calculated that the $50/year service has granted thousands of dollars in savings.

Everyone loves free games, but nobody likes a free game that’s a piece of HDD-hogging garbage. “In PlayStation Plus We Trust” is a weekly feature outlining the new free addition(s) to the Instant Game Collection to help you decide whether that newest freebie in the Store is worth your time.

This week, enjoy the criminally underperforming Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. 

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (PS3)

Man, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning got a bad rap. By all accounts, this is not a bad game at all; in fact, it’s quite good, and showcases a good deal of clever game design in the way you can fuse different classes. In addition, the sprawling fantasy world conceive in part by acclaimed fantasy novelist R.A. Salvatore is impressively dense. Sadly, KoA sold very poorly and put its developer into bankruptcy.

It’s too bad, because the game is worth playing. The action-based RPG feels fantastic and plays great, sporting a very fast-paced vibe that keeps things moving at a great clip. It’s also densely packed with items and quests, and it’ll be difficult to really run out of things to do. It’s one of those tragic mysteries why Kingdoms did so poorly, but there’s a hidden gem here that’s definitely worth playing.

Verdict: Worth Downloading

Deals

Flashback HD (PS3)
$7.99

While Flashback is a fairly well-loved game, the remake is relatively reviled. While developer VectorCell seemed to have done its homework in terms of putting together a well-intentioned remake, many a gamer took issue with poor controls and bugs. If you’re a fan of the original, this might scratch your itch, but make sure you do your homework first and make sure it’s up to your standards.

Other Deals

Not a ton of standouts this week, but you’d do well to check out the fantastic Darksiders II, which features plenty of fast-paced combat, exploration, and, best of all, loot! This was one of the year’s best games and certainly worth the price.

Let us know what you’re getting in the comments, and we’ll see you next week!