Is Marvel‘s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Free with a PS Plus Membership?
The short answer is no, Marvel‘s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is not currently available for free to PS Plus subscribers. While the premium PlayStation service does provide members with monthly free games and extensive catalogs of titles, this particular Spider-Man game is not part of the lineup. Miles Morales must be purchased separately even if you have an active PS Plus membership.
But what exactly does a PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) membership entail? And is it still worth it for fans eager to play as Miles Morales? As a gaming content creator and long-time PlayStation gamer myself, let‘s analyze whether the membership offers good value, and why this Spidey title is a worthy addition to your game library even at full retail price.
PlayStation Plus Tiers and Benefits
PlayStation Plus has evolved over the years into a tiered membership program:
PlayStation Plus Essential (starts at $9.99/month)
- Online multiplayer access
- 2-4 monthly downloadable games
- Exclusive discounts
- Cloud storage
PlayStation Plus Extra ($14.99/month)
- All Essential tier benefits
- Game catalog of 400+ PS4 and PS5 titles
PlayStation Plus Premium ($17.99/month)
- All Extra tier benefits
- 340+ more games including PS1, PS2, and PSP titles
- Game trials – timed demos to preview select games
As you can see, the higher tiers introduce game catalogs spanning various PlayStation console generations. Unfortunately Marvel‘s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is not in any of those catalogs presently.
Competing services like Xbox Game Pass frequently add major first-party games the same day they release. Could something similar happen with Miles Morales in the future? Let‘s speculate.
Analyzing Possibility of Miles Morales Joining PS Plus Game Catalogs
While not probable in the short term, there is certainly potential for Sony to add Miles Morales to the PlayStation Plus Collection or game catalogs down the road.
Studios like Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio, Insomniac Games, and more are now incorporating PlayStation Plus perks and early access for their major releases. Recent examples include Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection and God of War Ragnarök.
My prediction: We will see Miles Morales on PS Plus in 2024 or beyond. After sales momentum slows from the 2018 Marvel‘s Spider-Man, subsequent "Game of the Year" editions, and PC version in 2024, offering Miles to subscribers could reinvigorate interest.
But why isn‘t Miles Morales free yet if competing services like Xbox Game Pass already offer new exclusives day one? Let‘s explore some numbers.
Comparing Free Games and Users For Leading Subscription Services
| Service | Subscribers | Free Games | Avg. Game Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation Plus | **102 million*** | 500-840+ | **75%*** |
| Xbox Game Pass | 25 million^ | 100-350 | 72%^ |
Sources: *Confirmed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, November 2022
^Estimated by Microsoft, January 2023
The tables demonstrates PlayStation Plus having over 4x as many paying subscribers but a similar game catalog size to Xbox Game Pass. With a loyal and vast customer base, Sony does not yet need to compete by offering brand new releases like Miles Morales for free.
Extensive first-party game sales like 2018‘s Marvel‘s Spider-Man (20+ million copies) and strong review scores further cement PlayStation‘s market leader status. Maintaining full-price value helps fund the enviable exclusive games their studios produce.
But the availability of Miles Morales as a PS Plus perk could still happen long-term. Let‘s analyze specific pricing and sales trends for the game itself – and whether it‘s worth purchasing currently regardless.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Pricing and Sales Analysis
Retailing normally for $49.99 USD, Marvel‘s Spider-Man Miles Morales has seen steep discounts and bundle offers since its November 2020 launch accompanying the PlayStation 5:
- Lowest sale price – $29.99 (-40%)
- Bundled with 2018 Marvel‘s Spider-Man remaster – $69.99
- Over 6.5 million units sold globally
Based on this, my projections for potential PS Plus debut:
- Earliest: November 2023 (3 year anniversary, joins monthly games for 75% off)
- Latest: November 2025 (hits PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium retro catalog)
So while not free yet, deals can be had for Miles Morales. And PlayStation has set precedents for offering first-party games to subscribers… eventually.
Let‘s analyze why Miles Morales remains a worthwhile purchase even at full price today.
Why Miles Morales is Still Worth Buying Now
While waiting for Marvel‘s Spider-Man Miles Morales to potentially join PS Plus in 2024 or beyond, plenty of reasons exist to buy it immediately:
Compelling Story and Characters
- All-new adventure complementing 2018 Marvel‘s Spider-Man
- Fan-favorite characters like Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, Tinkerer, and Venom
- Excellent voice acting and witty writing
- Satisfying emotional impact
Innovative Gameplay
- Signature web-slinging through New York at 60 FPS
- Optional 4K dynamic resolution with ray tracing reflections
- Expanded venom abilities and powers
- Intense action set pieces
- Pulse-pounding soundtrack
Technical Showcase
- Made exclusively for next-gen PlayStation 5
- Practically zero load times with SSD and activity cards
- 3D audio places you at the center of the action
- DualSense controller adds immersive touch
Releasing at a lower $49.99 price point, Miles Morales offers 6-8 hours of captivating content improving on its predecessor in every way possible. It stands on its own whether you‘ve played Marvel‘s Spider-Man or not.
Verdict – Worth Purchasing Now, Likely Joining PS Plus Much Later
In summary – Marvel‘s Spider-Man Miles Morales is not free via PlayStation Plus presently, but provides incredible value even at $49.99 MSRP. As a passionate gamer and Marvel fan myself, it‘s an easy recommendation for all PS5 owners.
My projections based on historical data anticipate it possibly joining the PS Plus Collection or game catalogs by 2024. But with strong sales momentum and glowing critical reception, Sony has little incentive to give away this Spider-Man game for free anytime soon.
Yet even if made available to PlayStation Plus members down the road, I‘d argue Miles Morales warrants a spot in your permanent collection regardless. It represents the very best PlayStation games have to offer – stellar exclusives showcasing technical innovation and masterful creative storytelling you simply won‘t experience anywhere else.
For the 23+ million PS5 owners and over 100 million PlayStation Plus subscribers eager for their next web-slinging adventure… Miles Morales delivers in spades. Don‘t wait to play this blockbuster hit as soon as you‘re able.
What iconic PlayStation exclusives would you like to see offered as a PlayStation Plus perk? Sound off in the comments! And be sure to follow for the latest on Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2 expected in 2024…
