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Each month, the PlayStation Plus subscription service gives us access to some incredible releases at no extra cost to its members.
Although some months are better than others, the service still gives us the ability to play some amazing titles we may not have originally had the chance to.
That is why for this Pride Month, I have compiled a list of some LGBTQIA+ games and stories that are free to PS Plus subscribers. However, if you are subscribed to the Xbox Game Pass instead, I have you covered there too.
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Life is Strange
First up is the award-winning narrative adventure series Life is Strange. Consisting of three major entries including a spin-off, all titles are now available on PS Plus.
This includes: Life is Strange, Life is Strange 2, Life is Strange: Before the Storm and Life is Strange: True Colours.
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The stories, split into episodes, follow teenagers as they try to navigate life after developing supernatural abilities. The choice-based narrative allows you to create your own story as you go, including the ability to choose who you romance regardless of gender. Overall, the series features gay, lesbian, bisexual and pansexual representation.
Lake
The 2021 graphic adventure Lake sees you take on the role of Meredith Weiss, a software developer who returns to her sleepy lake-side hometown in Oregon and takes on the role of the resident mail carrier.
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During her job, Meredith will get to meet all the residents of Providence Oaks and that includes two possible love interests: Angie, the owner of the VHS rental shop or Robert, a lumberjack and environmental activist.
Although it is not confirmed, players assume that for that reason Meredith is bisexual or pansexual.
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Paradise Killer
In this open-world adventure set in a world outside reality known as Paradise Island, there has been a murder. Luckily, “investigation freak” Lady Love Dies is on the case and by gathering evidence and interrogating suspects, she can get to the bottom of the crime.
Paradise Killer allows Lady Love Dies to flirt with both men and women as well as pursue a romantic relationship with both a male and female character.
Although this game is by no means focused on romance, still allowing the main character to have a fluid sexuality is a step in the right direction.
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Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
The Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is currently available for EA Play subscribers through the PlayStation app. The collection includes base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 and these military sci-fi titles allow the main character to romance other characters regardless of gender, sexuality or even species.
There are multiple same-sex relationships and romances in the Mass Effect series which is impressive considering the first title was released way back in 2007. Although representation is a lot more nuanced today, it was still ahead of its time and should be celebrated.
Horizon Forbidden West
The sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn sees Aloy return to explore distant lands, fight bigger and better machines and encounter astonishing new tribes in a post-apocalyptic future.
Although it was not mentioned in the first game, Horizon Forbidden West’s Burning Shores DLC featured a kiss between Aloy and Seyka which, despite not being confirmed by developers, could mean that Aloy is a lesbian.
Either way, she is definitely a sapphic character and considering she is the leading character in the RPG series, this is a great representation which we hope gets explored more in the future.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey & Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Although the Assassin’s Creed series has spanned almost 30-years, its most recent entries have leant more into exploring relationships and romances between its main assassin character and NPCs of various genders.
Available via PS Plus, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla are two examples of this with its main characters Kassandra/Alexios and Eivor able to romance various characters of the same-sex.
As a result, players can choose to put their own headcanon onto the assassins, depicting them as gay/lesbian or bisexual.
The Sims 4
An obvious addition but no less a good one.
The Sims 4 base game is free for all players and gives access to the award-winning social simulation game. Since it launched with The Sims back in 2000, players have been able to live the daily lives of their Sims who are free to romance, marry and woohoo whoever they want.
In more recent years, The Sims team has added the option to create transgender Sims as well as the addition of pronouns, top surgery scars and both male and female pregnancy. With such an inclusive team, there is no doubt that The Sims franchise will continue to lead the way in the genre.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
This sci-fi mystery epic spanning thirteen intertwining stories combines a 2D sidescrolling adventure with fast-paced, top-down combat.
Not only that but 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim features plenty of queer representation including a queer relationship, a bisexual character who despite being in a same-sex relationship is still proudly bisexual and even one male character who frequently dresses in feminine clothing.
When asked about it, he says: “Let’s just say some binaries work for me, and others don’t.”
Disco Elysium
A game that deserves its own genre and category. Disco Elysium is a 2019 RPG that sees you take on the role of an amnesiac detective, Harry Du Bois.
Together with his work partner, Kim Kitsuragi, the pair must solve a murder mystery in a seaside district of a fictional town.
The RPG, which has been hailed as one of the greatest video games ever made, regularly alludes to the fact that Harry is bisexual and Kim is gay. So much so that players can help Harry with his repressed bisexuality throughout the course of the game.
The Last of Us Part 2
Last but certainly not least is The Last of Us Part 2. The sequel to The Last of Us and greatly considered as having one of the best narratives of all time, the 2020 Naughty Dog title explores Ellie’s lesbian identity through a relationship with Dina.
Although The Last of Us Part 2 is only currently available as a 2-hour trial on PS Plus, this is still plenty of time to see the pair enjoy the magic of young love.
If you are looking for some other game trials featuring LGBTQIA+ characters and storylines, you can also check out Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3.
Topics: PlayStation, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Sony, Features