Gaming subscriptions are like Netflix for gamers. But do these services offer good games for a reasonable price? We’re introducing the 9 best services to you.
In recent years, gaming subscription services have come and gone (RIP Google Stadia). Their popularity has increased significantly because they offer gamers a chance to access various games for a fixed monthly price. No matter how many games you play on a subscription, the price won’t change. In addition to being able to play old and new games, gamers also receive additional benefits from most gaming subscriptions.
But are they really that good? Or are gamers lured in to find older and unpopular titles they aren’t interested in? This article looks at 9 gaming subscription services available in 2023. It answers questions about which platforms each service covers, how much it costs, which benefits gamers can expect, and what type of games you can find.
Also Read: The 5 Best and Worst Ports From PlayStation to PC
Gaming Subscriptions to Consider in 2023
1. Ubisoft+: Is Ubisoft’s Subscription Service Worth It?
Website: Ubisoft+
Platforms: PC, Xbox, Cloud Gaming via Amazon Luna.
Cost: $14.99 (PC access only) or $17.99 monthly (Multi access).
Free Trial: No, they offer special offers regularly for new subscribers.
Great if you like games like: Prince of Persia, Assassin’s Creed, Rayman, The Settlers, Anno 1800, and Far Cry 6.
Benefits: Ubisoft+ subscribers earn points for things they do and can level up their user rank. The higher a user’s level, the more in-game rewards they can claim at the beginning of each month. These rewards are limited to certain Ubisoft titles. In addition, users can collect Ubisoft coins to earn discounts for items in the Ubisoft shop.
Verdict: Ubisoft+ offers access to great games, including hot, new releases. Some new releases can be played on Day 1, but not all. Considering that Ubisoft games can be pricey, a subscription is a great way to play these games for less money. Subscribe for a month, play the game you want, and then unsubscribe unless you need more time to finish the game.
2. Humble Choice: Gaming Subscriptions with a Philanthropic Twist
Website: Humble Bundle
Platforms: PC via third parties like Steam, GOG, and others.
Cost: $11.99 per month or $129 per year.
Free Trial: No.
Great if you like games like: Games with a wide variety as you get access to different titles each month. Examples include titles like Ghostwire Tokyo, Remnant: From the Ashes – Complete Edition, Honey, I Joined a Cult, and Curse of the Dead Gods.
Benefits: The games from the monthly bundle are yours to keep forever; You also gain access to the Humble Vault as long as you’re a paying member. The vault includes a selection of games. If you stay subscribed longer, you unlock additional savings for games in the store.
Verdict: Humble Bundle’s Humble Choice differs from other gaming subscriptions because it’s always a surprise which games you get each month. Of course, gamers can wait until the month’s titles are revealed and only subscribe for the months with interesting games. Humble Choice is a great service, as parts from every purchase and subscription go towards helping various charities.
3. Xbox Game Pass: Microsoft’s Gaming Subscription Powerhouse
Website: Xbox Game Pass
Platforms: PC, Xbox, cloud gaming.
Cost: From $9.99 per month.
Free Trial: Yes.
Great if you like games like: FIFA 22, Sea of Thieves, Minecraft, Forza Horizon, Halo, Mortal Kombat 11, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Grounded, and Starfield.
Benefits: This subscription includes access to EA Play, so you get two gaming subscriptions for the price of one. Different membership tiers come with access to various perks like extra in-game content and discounts.
Verdict: Xbox Game Pass is one of the best gaming subscriptions in 2023, but gamers need to beware that PC users often report issues with getting the app to run, and Microsoft doesn’t seem to care. If it runs, it’s awesome and gives gamers access to great games, perks, and EA Play. It’s great value for money, especially with Starfield coming to Game Pass on day 1.
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4. PlayStation.Plus: Sony’s Answer to Gaming Subscriptions
Website: PlayStation®Plus
Platforms: PS4, PS5.
Cost: From $59.99 for a year, $24.99 for 3 months, or $9.99 for one month.
Free Trial: Yes, for 14 days.
Great if you like games like: Far Cry 6, Assassin’s Creed, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Quarry, Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales, Uncharted, and DOOM Eternal.
Benefits: The essential plan only includes some monthly games, while the more expensive Extra and Premium subscriptions give gamers access to a huge catalogue of games, including Ubisoft+ Classics. Each membership tier includes free cloud space for saving files, online multiplayer support, and exclusive content.
Verdict: The more expensive subscriptions are a must for serious gamers as they give access to some excellent titles. Considering how much money PlayStation games cost, this subscription service is a no-brainer for PlayStation 4 and 5 owners as you’ll save plenty of money. You’re also more likely to try other games you may not be sure about, as you can test them as part of your subscription.
5. EA Play: EA’s Gaming Subscription Service
Website: EA Play
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC.
Cost: From $4.99 per month.
Free Trial: No.
Great if you like games like: The Sims 4, NFS Unbound, FIFA 22, Crysis Remastered, Command & Conquer Remastered, Plants vs Zombies, Anthem, and Unravel.
Benefits: You can play some new game releases for up to 10 hours as part of the basic subscription. Subscribers of the Pro Plan pay more but often get access to new titles a few days before they are released. In addition, subscribers also receive in-game rewards for certain games.
Verdict: EA Play is included in the Xbox Game Pass, so there’s no reason to sign up for EA Play unless there are no games on Game Pass that interest you. Signing up for EA Play is a good option if you’re only after playing some EA titles. If you want more games, then get the Game Pass.
6. Utomik: The Subscription with the Biggest Collection of Games
Website: Utomik
Platforms: PC, cloud gaming via TV, and mobile.
Cost: From $4.99 per month.
Free Trial: Yes, for 14 days.
Great if you like games like: PONG Quest™, Tin Hearts, Farming World, Zombie Shooter, Leisure Suit Larry – Wet Dreams Don’t Dry, and Calico.
Benefits: This gaming subscription has a ton of games. Even if you played one a day, it would take you almost four years to try every game Utomik offers. If you’re into testing games, apply for the Ninja Squad to earn extra benefits and play games before others on the site get access to them.
Verdict: If you don’t care about whether the games you play are AAA titles and hugely popular, then Utomik is a great option. For a small fee, you get access to over 1,400 games. It’s likely you’ll find many games to have fun with in that vast collection. Sure, you won’t find titles like Mortal Kombat 11 or Anno 1800 on Utomik, but you’ll find some hidden gems that offer many hours of fun gameplay.
7. Amazon Prime Gaming: A Nice Bonus for Amazon Prime Members
Website: Prime Gaming
Platforms: PC.
Cost: Included with Amazon Prime, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
Free Trial: Yes, if you’ve never been with Amazon Prime.
Great if you like games like: Indie games, older classics, and games that offer in-game content via Amazon Prime, like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail.
Benefits: The games you get via Amazon Prime Gaming are yours to keep forever. As a member, you can also access a changing selection of in-game goodies for various games, ranging from World of Warcraft and Elder Scrolls Online to Forspoken and Overwatch 2.
Verdict: Prime Gaming is a nice bonus if you’re a Prime member anyway, but another question is whether it’s worth signing up for Prime to get access to Amazon Prime Gaming. Is a free in-game pack for Honkai Star Rail or Overwatch 2 worth almost $15? Probably not. It’s recommended only to use Prime Gaming if you’re already a Prime member or if there are multiple games in the line-up you’d like to download. They’re yours to keep forever.
Also Read: Honkai Star Rail: 5 Best Ways to Earn Currencies
8. Amazon Luna: Amazon’s Entry into the Gaming Subscription Market
Website: Amazon Luna
Platforms: Cloud Gaming via Windows PC, Mac, Fire TV, Fire tablets, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, Android phones, and select Samsung Smart TVs.
Cost: $9.99 per month.
Free Trial: Yes, for 7 days.
Great if you like games like: Devil May Cry 5, Control, Garfield Kart – Furious Racing, Assassin’s Creed, Yakuza, Monster Harvest, and Fortnite.
Benefits: The benefit of Amazon Luna is that you can play on various devices without worrying about losing progress. The downside is that Luna doesn’t support consoles.
Verdict: Amazon Luna is still in its early days compared to the more established gaming subscription services. Considering that the monthly price is comparable to that of better services, Amazon Luna is only worth it if you’re into cloud gaming and enjoy the selection of games. Otherwise, you’re better off going for a different provider.
9. Nintendo Switch Online (Nintendo)
Website: Nintendo Switch Online
Platforms: Nintendo Switch.
Cost: From $19.99 per year.
Free Trial: Yes, for 7 days.
Great if you like games like: Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Benefits: As a member, you can access some cool, retro SEGA Genesis classics, 100+ classic NES™ and Super NES™ games. The membership also offers online matches in the Tetris 99 game and online play for some Nintendo games.
Verdict: This subscription does not offer access to new games, but it’s great for Nintendo Switch players who enjoy classic games and want to take advantage of the subscription’s other features like competitive or cooperative online play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Free Trials or Discounts Available for Gaming Subscriptions?
Most gaming subscription services have a free trial for 7-14 days. Others offer a big discount on the first month. Remember to cancel your trial before it runs out, unless you want to keep using the service.
What Happens if I Unsubscribe From a Gaming Service? Can I Still Access the Games I Previously Played?
In most cases, no. Think of gaming subscriptions as a service like Netflix: You can access content while you pay for it. Amazon Prime Gaming and Humble Choice are known exceptions.
Should I Sign Up for More Than One Gaming Subscription?
It depends on what you want to get out of these services. Usually, it’s best to use only one service at a time, as each service offers enough games to keep you busy.
Author Profile
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Name: Kim Anisi
Intro: Gaming has been my passion since childhood. The journey started when I received hand-me-down games on Atari and Amiga systems from my brother and I now mainly play games on PC. Among the vast genres in the gaming world that I have tried, my personal favourites are RPGs, MMORPGs, (Action) adventures, horror games, and settlement/city builders. Overcoming the challenges and helping others in games provide a great satisfaction to me.
