Sony Replaces Hunt: Showdown 1896 with Low-Rated Game for PS Plus in Japan

In October, Japanese PS Plus subscribers will receive Hello Neighbor instead of Hunt: Showdown 1896, a game with an average Metacritic score below 40 out of 100.

Sony’s October lineup has already drawn criticism from some players, and Japanese subscribers received an even less appealing version by getting Hello Neighbor in place of Hunt: Showdown 1896.

Sony’s standard lineup includes F1 25, Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2, and Hunt: Showdown 1896. For Japan, the first two games were kept, but Crytek’s project was replaced with Hello Neighbor.

On paper, the swap is questionable. Hunt: Showdown 1896 received mixed reviews, but the game has its own audience. Critics met Hello Neighbor much more coldly, with its average Metacritic score failing to reach 40 points out of 100.

Sony has previously changed PS Plus lineups for specific regions. Reasons can include game availability, distribution agreements, or licenses, although the company did not specify the exact reason for replacing Hunt: Showdown 1896 this time.