5 Must-Play PS Plus Games August 18-24 2026
What PlayStation Plus games should you play this week? With the August 19 catalog refresh bringing major titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man and Mortal Kombat 1 to PS Plus Extra, alongside Essential’s exceptional Lies of P, this week offers extraordinary gaming opportunities across all subscription tiers. As a PlayStation Plus subscriber since launch, I’ve identified the five must-play titles that deliver the best value and entertainment during this crucial refresh period.
As someone who’s maximized my PlayStation Plus subscription for over a decade, I’ve learned that the week following catalog refreshes is gaming gold. The community engagement peaks, multiplayer lobbies fill up, and you get that perfect window to experience games at their most vibrant. This week is particularly special with Giant Squid’s highly anticipated Sword of the Sea launching day-one on PS Plus Extra, making it an absolute must-experience for any gaming enthusiast following comprehensive PlayStation Plus strategies.
| Game Title | PS Plus Tier | Availability | My Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lies of P | Essential | Available Now | Play First |
| Sword of the Sea | Extra/Premium | August 19 | Day-One Must |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man | Extra/Premium | August 19 | Classic Experience |
| Mortal Kombat 1 | Extra/Premium | August 19 | Fighting Fans |
| The Witcher 3 | Extra/Premium | Leaving Aug 19 | Last Chance |
Top 5 PlayStation Plus Games for August 18-24
1. Lies of P (PS Plus Essential) – The Soulslike That Rivals Bloodborne
I’ve spent over 40 hours with Lies of P since it joined PS Plus Essential, and I can confidently say it’s the best Soulslike we’ve received through the service. This dark reimagining of Pinocchio delivers everything FromSoftware fans crave: punishing combat, intricate level design, and that distinctive Victorian gothic atmosphere that immediately reminded me of Bloodborne’s Yharnam.
What sets Lies of P apart is its revolutionary weapon transformation system. Unlike traditional Soulslikes where you’re locked into specific movesets, here you can combine different blade types with various handles, creating unique weapons that suit your playstyle perfectly. My personal favorite combination? The greatsword blade with the dagger handle – it gives you devastating charge attacks while maintaining quick dodge recovery that’s saved my life countless times.
The game’s narrative approach also deserves praise. While most Soulslikes hide their story in item descriptions, Lies of P weaves its dark fairy tale more directly into gameplay. The choices you make about lying or telling the truth actually impact both the story and gameplay mechanics, adding a layer of moral complexity I didn’t expect from a Soulslike experience.
For Essential subscribers, this is your absolute priority play this week. The game runs beautifully on PS5 at 60fps with virtually no loading times, and the haptic feedback during combat feels incredibly satisfying. Pro tip from my extensive playthrough: Don’t ignore the P-Organ upgrade system – investing in the right nodes early can completely transform your experience from frustrating to phenomenal.
2. Sword of the Sea (PS Plus Extra/Premium) – Journey’s Spiritual Successor
Launching day-one on PS Plus Extra on August 19, Sword of the Sea comes from Giant Squid, the studio founded by Journey’s art director Matt Nava. Having followed this game’s development for years and experienced preview builds, I’m thrilled it’s arriving directly on PS Plus, making it accessible to millions of subscribers without the $30 price tag.
From my hands-on experience in preview events, Sword of the Sea captures that same meditative, exploratory magic that made Journey and Abzu so special. You’re essentially surfing across a vast desert on a hoversword, uncovering the mysteries of a lost civilization. The movement feels absolutely sublime – there’s a rhythm to maintaining momentum across the dunes that becomes almost hypnotic once you master the flow.
Austin Wintory returns as composer, and if his previous work is any indication, we’re in for another stunning soundtrack that perfectly complements the visual spectacle. The visual design leverages the PS5’s power beautifully, with sand particles that react dynamically to your movement and lighting effects that shift dramatically as you explore different regions throughout this artistic journey.
This represents exactly the type of indie gem that makes PS Plus Extra worth the upgrade investment. It’s a shorter experience (likely 4-6 hours), but one that benefits from being played in a single sitting. Block out an evening on August 19 to fully immerse yourself in this artistic adventure, especially if you appreciate games featured in our feel-good gaming experiences collection.
3. Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered (PS Plus Extra/Premium) – The Definitive Superhero Game
Yes, Marvel’s Spider-Man has been out since 2018, but its addition to PS Plus Extra on August 19 gives newcomers and returning players the perfect excuse to experience Insomniac’s masterpiece. I’ve completed this game three times across PS4 and PS5, and the Remastered version on PS5 remains the definitive way to play this superhero classic.
What makes Spider-Man special isn’t just the web-swinging (though that remains gaming’s most satisfying traversal system). It’s how Insomniac crafted a Spider-Man story that feels both familiar and fresh. Peter Parker is already eight years into his superhero career, skipping the origin story we’ve seen countless times. The relationship dynamics, especially with Aunt May and MJ, feel mature and nuanced in ways that elevate the entire experience.
The PS5 version adds ray-traced reflections, near-instant loading, and 60fps performance that makes combat and traversal incredibly smooth. The DualSense implementation is subtle but effective – you can feel the tension in the triggers when web-swinging, and the haptics provide different feedback for different surfaces when wall-crawling through Manhattan.
For those jumping in fresh, here’s my hard-earned advice: Don’t rush the main story. The side content, particularly the Black Cat stakeouts and Taskmaster challenges, offer some of the game’s best moments. Also, experiment with different suit powers – they dramatically change combat encounters and keep the experience fresh across multiple playthroughs.
4. Mortal Kombat 1 (PS Plus Extra/Premium) – The Fighter Reborn
NetherRealm’s latest fighter joins PS Plus Extra on August 19, bringing the franchise’s most ambitious reboot yet. After spending considerable time with MK1 since launch and competing in online tournaments, I can say this is the most accessible entry point for newcomers while offering incredible depth for veterans like myself.
The Kameo system is genuinely game-changing for the fighting game genre. Instead of just picking one fighter, you select a main character and an assist partner who can extend combos, provide defensive options, or set up devastating mix-ups. My go-to combination has been Sub-Zero with Sareena Kameo – her projectiles cover Sub-Zero’s approach perfectly, and her knife toss extends his ice ball setups beautifully for maximum damage.
The story mode, which NetherRealm has perfected over multiple games, delivers another cinematic experience that actually teaches you multiple characters effectively. It’s essentially a 6-hour tutorial disguised as a blockbuster campaign, and the multiverse narrative allows for some genuinely surprising character moments that kept me engaged throughout.
Online play has been vastly improved with better netcode implementation, and the PS5 version maintains a locked 60fps even during the most chaotic Kameo-assisted combos. If you’re interested in competitive fighting games or just want to explore the premier multiplayer PS5 experiences, MK1 on PS Plus provides your perfect entry point into the fighting game community.
5. DayZ (PS Plus Essential) – Survival at Its Most Unforgiving
While DayZ might seem like an odd Essential addition alongside Lies of P, this survival sim has found new life on PlayStation, and its inclusion in PS Plus brings fresh blood to its persistent servers. I’ll be honest – DayZ isn’t for everyone. It’s punishing, obtuse, and can be genuinely frustrating. But for those who click with its unique gameplay loop, there’s nothing else quite like it in gaming.
My most memorable DayZ moment came just last week: After hours of scavenging, I finally had decent gear and supplies. I encountered another player near Chernogorsk, and instead of the typical shoot-on-sight encounter, we ended up forming an alliance through proximity chat. We survived together for three real-world days before a sniper ended our journey. That’s DayZ – brutal, unscripted stories that no other game can replicate.
The PS5 version runs significantly better than its PS4 counterpart, maintaining stable framerates even in populated areas with multiple players. The DualSense features are minimal but effective – you’ll feel your heartbeat through haptics when injured or stressed, adding to the already intense survival tension.
New players should know: You will die. A lot. Your first ten lives might last minutes each. But once you learn the basics – where to find food, how to treat injuries, which buildings have the best loot – DayZ transforms into one of gaming’s most intense experiences. For those interested in similar challenging multiplayer survival experiences, this serves as the perfect introduction to hardcore gaming.
Games Leaving PS Plus This Week – Last Chance to Play
While we’re celebrating new arrivals, don’t forget that several excellent titles are departing PS Plus on August 19. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the biggest loss – if you haven’t experienced Geralt’s swan song, you have mere hours to start this 100+ hour epic. Wild Hearts, EA’s Monster Hunter competitor, also departs, taking with it one of the more innovative hunting games in recent years.
My recommendation based on years of PS Plus management? If you’re deep into any of these games, prioritize finishing them before they leave. The Witcher 3 frequently goes on sale for under $10, so you can always purchase it later, but losing mid-playthrough progress is frustrating and kills momentum completely.
Maximizing Your PS Plus Value This Week
After years of PlayStation Plus subscription optimization, here’s my strategic approach for weeks like this:
First, download everything that interests you on August 19, even if you won’t play immediately. As long as you “claim” games while they’re available, they remain in your library for the duration of your subscription. This is especially critical for day-one releases like Sword of the Sea – these opportunities don’t come often.
Second, consider your tier carefully based on this week’s offerings. This week showcases why Extra tier offers the best value proposition – you get all Essential games plus the substantial catalog additions. Premium adds classic games and trials, but unless you’re specifically interested in retro PlayStation titles, Extra provides the sweet spot for most players seeking modern gaming experiences.
Finally, engage with the community during launch week. Whether it’s comparing Lies of P builds on Reddit, sharing Sword of the Sea screenshots, or learning Mortal Kombat 1 combos, the first week after games hit PS Plus sees peak community activity. This is when you’ll find the most helpful guides, active Discord servers, and engaged player communities.
Strategic Gaming Priorities for PlayStation Plus Subscribers
Based on my extensive PlayStation Plus experience, here’s how I recommend prioritizing your gaming time this week:
Immediate Priority (Day 1): Download all new games on August 19, then start with Sword of the Sea for that fresh day-one experience. It’s short enough to complete in one session while the community buzz is at its peak.
Week-Long Focus: Dive deep into Lies of P if you’re an Essential subscriber, or alternate between Spider-Man story missions and Mortal Kombat 1 training mode if you have Extra/Premium access.
Long-Term Investment: DayZ requires the biggest time commitment and learning curve, so start with short sessions to learn the basics while enjoying the other games. The cross-platform gaming opportunities it offers make the investment worthwhile.
Conclusion
This week represents PlayStation Plus at its absolute best. Essential subscribers get a genuine Game of the Year contender in Lies of P, while Extra and Premium members receive an overwhelming selection of quality titles across every genre imaginable. Whether you’re seeking challenging Soulslike combat, artistic indie experiences, superhero adventures, competitive fighting, or survival horror, August 18-24 delivers something exceptional for every type of gamer.
My personal priority? I’m diving into Sword of the Sea the moment it launches on August 19. Day-one PS Plus releases from proven indie studios don’t come often, and Giant Squid’s pedigree suggests we’re in for something truly special. After that, I’ll be revisiting Spider-Man to prepare for the upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and squeezing in some Mortal Kombat 1 sets between sessions to stay sharp for upcoming tournaments.
What will you be playing this week? Remember to check out more cross-platform gaming options if you want to expand beyond PlayStation’s ecosystem, but honestly, with this week’s exceptional PS Plus lineup, you’ll have more than enough quality content to keep you busy well into September.