By Darryn Bonthuys on
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A new batch of games are headed to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog this month, and if you’re looking to revisit a city filled with infected zombies from the PS1 era, protect the realms with fisticuffs, or experience something delightfully odd, then there’s a lot to look forward to. These games will all be available through the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog starting August 19.
PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers can also grab a game trial of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the latest title from Hideo Kojima and his studio, Kojima Productions. You’ll be able to experience up to five hours of gameplay with this time-limited trial, and progress will carry over if you decide to purchase the full game.
Several games will also be leaving the PS Plus Game Catalog in August, as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and 12 other titles will be removed from the service when it’s refreshed with new games. As a reminder, all PS Plus subscribers can also claim new games in August, as Lies of P, DayZ, and My Hero: One’s Justice 2 are all available until September 1.
Mortal Kombat 1 (PS5)
The latest entry in the Mortal Kombat franchise–which won’t be getting any new major content updates–Mortal Kombat 1 is essentially a remix of the ultraviolent fighting game series. While it’s not quite as good as its predecessor, Mortal Kombat 11, it’s still a rock-solid brawler that puts an interesting spin on Mortal Kombat’s lore.
Marvel’s Spider-Man (PS5, PS4)
The first Spider-Man adventure from developer Insomniac was a reinvigorating breath of fresh air following years of mediocre games featuring the famed web-slinger. Featuring an original story, stellar performances, and satisfying combat, Marvel’s Spider-Man was a big hit with fans. This is the Remastered version of the game that’ll be available to PS5 players–with all of its various extras and fine-tuning–while PS4 subscribers will get Marvel’s Spider-Man: Game of the Year Edition.
Sword of the Sea (PS5)
A day-one release for PS Plus, Sword of the Sea is the next game from Journey art director Matt Nava. The game is billed as an atmospheric surfing adventure, as you’ll carve your way across a vast land while mastering the high-speed Hoversword. Imagine if Journey meets Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from this game.
Earth Defense Force 6 (PS5, PS4)
Sure, it might look like a janky PS3-era game with terrible voice-acting, but that’s just what makes Earth Defense Force 6 such a firm favorite with fans of the franchise. Released last year, it’s a rough but charming third-person shooter that’s all about pushing back against overwhelming odds. It’s fun to play solo, and even better when you have some friends to join you for a co-op session or two.
Unicorn Overlord (PS5, PS4)
Featuring talent from cult-classic games like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Odin Sphere, and Dragon’s Crown, Unicorn Overlord is the type of fantasy tactical-RPG that demands you pay attention to its multi-layered gameplay systems. There’s an elegance behind its complexity, but if it grabs you, expect to spend dozens of hours in a sprawling world of magic as you recruit new allies and take on treacherous foes.
Atelier Ryza 3 Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (PS5, PS4)
Sometimes, the best fantasy game is an old-school one, and the Atelier Ryza series embodies that retro-inspired charm with colorful visuals and adorable characters. A throwback to the past, Atelier Ryza 3 Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is the final game to feature Ryza as the protagonist, and it sees the young adventurer investigate a new threat to her home and a mystery with cosmic-level secrets at its core.
Indika (PS5)
The less said about Indika, the better, because this is a delightfully strange game. While the main story of a young nun setting off on a journey of self-discovery–with a demonic traveling companion–makes it sound like a film that you’d find in the A24 catalogue, Indika quickly hits you with wild and weird plot twists along the way. It’s an arthouse game with plenty of tragedy and comedy, and there’s a good chance that you’ve played nothing like it before.
Harold Halibut (PS5)
For more old-school charm, check out Harold Halibut this month. A handmade narrative game set inside a city-sized spaceship that found itself submerged in an alien ocean centuries ago, the game has a beautiful artisanal design that you just don’t find in many modern titles these days.
Coral Island (PS5)
Are you ready to leave the city behind and embrace island living? That’s just what you’ll do Coral Island, a cozy tropical game about tending crops, nurturing animals, and reconnecting with nature. You’ll also be called upon to help revitalize a nearby town, but when you’re not forging relationships with the locals, you’re free to farm, craft, and decorate your homestead.
Resident Evil 2 (PS5, PS4)
- For PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers only via the Classics library
The first Resident Evil trapped you in a mansion where biological research had gone awry, but for the sequel, all of Raccoon City fell victim to the machinations of the Umbrella Corporation. Still an effectively frightening game, this PS1 classic has been enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PS5, PS4)
- For PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers only via the Classics library
While it’s a shorter game than Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is arguably more terrifying thanks to it introducing an almost unkillable bioweapon that stalks you across the campaign. The titular Nemesis is still one of gaming greatest monsters, and as former STARS operative Jill Valentine, you’ll need to dodge this bipedal beast and the rest of Raccoon City’s infected population if you ever want to live to see another day. Like Resident Evil 2, this PS1 version of the game also features several quality-of-life improvements.
