Hey friends! This week Tim, Brett, and Sid are back with exciting PlayStation Plus Game Catalog news for August, some early Battlefield 6 thoughts, and ideas for gaming-themed tattoos.
Stuff We Talked About
Next week’s release highlights:
Sword of the Sea | PS5 (PlayStation Plus Game Catalog)
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution | PS5, PS4
Discounty | PS5
Herdling | PS5
Midnight Murder Club new update — Bring up five friends to play the new PvE mode Graveyard Shift and keep gameplay fresh with wildcards that shuffle the rules
PlayStation Plus Game Catalog August
Extra and Premium
Mortal Kombat 1 | PS5
Marvel’s Spider-Man | PS5, PS4
Sword of the Sea | PS5
Earth Defense Force 6 | PS5, PS4
Unicorn Overlord | PS5, PS4
Atelier Ryza 3 Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key | PS5, PS4
Indika | PS5
Harold Halibut | PS5
Coral Island | PS5
Premium
Resident Evil 2 | PS5, PS4
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis | PS5, PS4
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, System Shock 2, Resident Evil 1 Director’s Cut, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Gaming tattoos – the team shares gaming tattoos they have or would like to get, and ask listeners to write in with pics of their gaming tattoos
The Cast
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Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE
Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, SIE
Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.
[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]
Last week, we asked you to hop into your favorite game’s Photo Mode and pick a filter using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights using a stylized filter:
Dunaaa5shares a red-tinted sideeye from Cyberpunk 2077.
CarrotsCaptures shares Jin raising his katana in Ghost of Tsushima with a whited out background.
fwto_shares the red filtered atmosphere of a BT watcher from Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
secondcaptureshares a movie poster style shot of Julianna from Deathproof.
KeenEyeVPshares a red-filtered shot of Naoe sneaking around a corner in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
sedninshares a black and white polaroid style portrait of Eve from Stellar Blade.
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 20, 2025
Next week, overcome darkness in Senua’s Sage: Hellblade II. Share moments from Senua’s brutal journey for survival using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
After five months of Early Access updates and playtesting, it is my pleasure to present the full release of Midnight Murder Club.
I’m Eric Feurstein, Game Director on Midnight Murder Club from Velan Studios. First thing’s first, I want to thank everyone who participated in all the open betas, playtests and the Early Access phase of Midnight Murder Club. Without you all hunting each other in the pitch-black halls of the Wormwood Manor, we couldn’t have gotten the game to where it needed to be. And for anyone joining us for the first time. Let me be the first to welcome you to the Midnight Murder Club. Slip on your mask, turn on your flashlight, grab your gun, and invite your friends… The shadows are waiting.
You’re cordially invited…
Midnight Murder Club is a game of hide, seek, and shoot in a pitch-black mansion. We wanted to make a first-person shooter that felt just as much like a party game, where it’s tense and spooky one moment, then chaotic and hilarious the next.
When you’re alone in the dark, sound becomes everything. With our dynamic proximity chat, every whisper, scream, and footstep gives away your enemy’s position as well as your own. And while your flashlight gives you information, it also paints a target on your back to anyone nearby. Half the fun is that risk-reward calculation: do you flip on your light, hoping to catch someone by surprise, or do you stay in the dark, hoping someone else gives away their position first? Either way, when the gun smoke clears and the bodies hit the floor, laughter fills the room as the tension’s released and players respawn in the darkness, planning their revenge.
Co-op PVE mode: Graveyard Shift
With today’s release, we are proud to introduce a brand-new game mode: Graveyard Shift. Graveyard Shift can be played single player or with a friend. In Graveyard Shift, you must search the shadows for cursed Golden Relics hidden all throughout the mansion. Once found, you must quickly bring them back to the waiting Vault and throw it in where it will be cleansed of the curse and you will be rewarded with a Blessing. All the while, demons from the very depths of hell will be hunting you, trying to prevent you from cleansing the curse.
Fend off demons like Flaming Skulls that fly through the air and explode into giant fireballs, or Shadow Men who are completely invisible except for their shadow, hiding behind doors to stab at you from the darkness, or Hunters who have night vision, a knife, and a thirst for your blood.
Cleanse the cursed relics and receive rewards that push back the shadows, take too long and the mansion will become more and more cursed making your job even harder. Search the shadows, defeat the demons, and cleanse the cursed artifacts from the mansion.
Shuffle the rules with wildcards
Wildcards is a game mode designed specifically for Midnight Murder Club that allows you to bend and break the rules of the game based on a set of cards selected before a round. With dozens of cards categorized into fun Game Modes, weird Toys, helpful Blessings, and punishing Curses, there are literally millions of wild combinations waiting to be experienced.
For instance, playing the Bear Trap Trouble Wildcard fills the mansion with Bear Traps that lock you in place and make you a sitting duck. The Falling Chandelier Wildcard gives you the ability to attach a chandelier to the ceiling that falls on anyone who walks under it. With the Fire Trap Wildcard activated, every kill explodes the victim in a giant fireball catching anyone in the immediate vicinity on fire leading to unpredictable chain reaction kills. The Shrink Shot Wildcard gives you a second chance at life because when you get shot, you shrink to half size, complete with a squeaky voice to match.
Mixing and matching Wildcards lets you discover fun new ways to play with your friends.
Play with your friends, on the house
We designed Midnight Murder Club to be played with friends, and we know how hard it is to convince your friend group to buy a new game. That’s why we wanted to try something new with the Guest Pass.
With the Guest Pass, only one person needs to own the game to have everyone else join the fun at no additional cost.
Players can download the Guest Pass Edition of Midnight Murder Club on PlayStation 5 or Steam at no cost and join full purchasers via an invite or Lobby Code*. Play together for as long as you want in any mode.
Welcome to the club
Midnight Murder Club started out as a weird idea I had almost exactly 10 years ago to this day. Back in 2015, I hacked together a small prototype in my bedroom and emailed it to my friends to play together. I never really knew what would become of it and a decade later I finally decided to pitch it to Velan and it was amazing how more people saw the potential of this strange idea of a shooter in the dark.
In some ways the game is very similar to that small prototype, but also extremely different thanks to all the feedback we received over Early Access and the various playtests with everyone. Very few people get to enjoy this feeling of pitching a game idea, seeing it grow, and then playing the game with the public like we have with Midnight Murder Club.
We built this game for you, I hope you enjoy it. See you in the shadows!
As we’ve entered the 15th year of PlayStation Plus, we’ve got even more great content for members to look forward to.
This month, unleash brutal finishers in the reimagined Mortal Kombat 1, swing through Marvel’s New York skyline as the iconic web-slinger in Marvel’s Spider-Man, or gear up to repel swarming alien forces in Earth Defense Force 6. All these titles and more are available in August’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup. That includes Sword of the Sea, which releases day one into Game Catalog. Meanwhile, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 bring retro survival horror to PlayStation Plus Deluxe. All titles will be available to play on August 19*.
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On the same day, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will also be available as a Game Trials for PlayStation Plus Deluxe members. Enjoy up to 5 hours of gameplay with this time-limited trial, and if you decide to purchase the full game, your progress and trophies will carry over.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe | Game Catalog
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Mortal Kombat 1 | PS5
Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series’ most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favourite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalised fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
*Mortal Kombat 1 is releasing in Singapore August 13 and on August 19 in other Southeast Asia markets.
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Marvel’s Spider-Man | PS5, PS4
Sony Interactive Entertainment, Insomniac Games, and Marvel have teamed up to create an authentic Spider-Man adventure. This isn’t the Spider-Man you’ve met or ever seen before. This is an experienced Peter Parker who’s more masterful at fighting big crime in Marvel’s New York. At the same time, he’s struggling to balance his chaotic personal life and career while the fate of millions of New Yorkers rests upon his shoulders.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered will be available to PS5 players, and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Game of the Year Edition available to PS4 players.
*Marvel’s Spider-Man is releasing worldwide August 19.
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Sword of the Sea | PS5
Surf across magnificent waves of sand and glistening waters on an epic quest to restore a lost ocean in Sword of the Sea. From the visionary artist behind ABZÛ, The Pathless, and Journey – Sword of the Sea is an atmospheric surfing adventure with high-speed Hoversword movement inspired by skateboarding and snowboarding. Carve your way forward on the ancient and powerful Hoversword, which moves like a snowboard, skateboard, and surfboard all in one. Build momentum to reach top speed and catch big air off the crests of giant waves. Pull off radical flips, spins, and grab tricks with ease as you shred halfpipes, ramps, and wall rides. It’s the perfect balance of exhilarating action and fluid, meditative movement.
*Sword of the Sea is releasing worldwide August 19.
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Earth Defense Force 6 | PS5, PS4
Set three years after the events of the previous entry, Earth Defense Force 6 unfolds in a decimated world on the brink of collapse, where humanity’s population has been nearly wiped out. Take on the role of an Earth Defense Force soldier in this explosive third-person shooter and battle towering alien threats, alone or in co-op. Stand your ground with courage and wisdom.
*Earth Defense Force 6 is releasing in Singapore August 26 and on August 19 in other Southeast Asia markets.
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Unicorn Overlord | PS5, PS4
From the masterminds that brought 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Odin Sphere, and Dragon’s Crown, ATLUS x Vanillaware presents the rebirth of tactical fantasy RPG. Fight against fate and embark on a royal adventure to regain your reign alongside trustworthy allies. Unicorn Overlord combines the timeless tactical RPG genre with overworld exploration and innovative battle system for a unique epic fantasy experience in the iconic Vanillaware style.
*Unicorn Overlord is releasing worldwide August 19.
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Atelier Ryza 3 Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key | PS5, PS4
The final summer, the final secret… Ryza’s final adventure is about to begin! The story begins when a group of islands called Kark Isles appear near Ryza’s—the protagonist’s—hometown. Seeing this as a threat to their home, Ryza and her friends investigate the isles and discover ruins with a huge gate. Just as Ryza approaches the gate, a strange voice echoes in her head, telling her to reach the Code of the Universe. What is it that lies beyond the gate, and what does the “Code of the Universe” mean? In hopes of finding a way to save their home, Ryza and her friends set off on a great adventure that revolves around a Key and the roots of alchemy.
*Atelier Ryza 3 Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is releasing in Singapore September 9 and on August 19 in other Southeast Asia markets.
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Indika | PS5
Indika is a third-person, story-driven game set in a strange world where religious visions clash with harsh reality. It tells the story of a young nun who sets off on a journey of self-discovery with the most unusual, horn-headed companion by her side. On the outside, Indika seems to be a typical nun attempting to adjust to a difficult and monotonous monastery life. Humble and innocent in her appearance, do not be deceived as this young girl has also made a highly unlikely acquaintance—as she speaks with the devil himself. Indika’s unusual connection with the Evil One leads her on an errand beyond the safe walls of the monastery. The world she discovers can only be described as a wild combination of comedy and tragedy straight out of the novels by Dostoyevski and Bulhakov.
*Indika is releasing in Singapore September 9 and on August 19 in other Southeast Asia markets.
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Harold Halibut | PS5
Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. It’s been 250 years since your home – an ark-like spaceship – fled an Earth on the verge of cold war to find a habitable planet to preserve the human race. You are Harold, a young lab assistant for the ship’s lead scientist, Jeanne Mareaux. While most of the ship’s inhabitants have reconciled themselves to a life lived aboard the sunken ship, Mareaux still works tirelessly to find a way for the ship to leave the planet and find a new, dryer home.
*Harold Halibut is releasing in Singapore September 9 and on August 19 in other Southeast Asia markets.
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Coral Island | PS5
It’s time to leave big-city life in Pokyo behind and start a new chapter of your life on Coral Island! Be who you want and create the idyllic farm of your dreams, where you’ll tend crops, nurture animals, and build a bond with the natural world around you. Help revitalize the nearby town and its surrounding coral reefs, and forge relationships with a vibrant community of more than 70 fellow people who call Coral Island home. Farm. Decorate. Craft. Explore. Relax. Your future—and the future of Coral Island—is what you make of it.
*Coral Island is releasing in Singapore August 26 and on August 19 in other Southeast Asia markets.
PlayStation Plus Deluxe
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Resident Evil 2 | PS5, PS4 (PS)
Two months after the terrifying Mansion Incident, two people made their way to Raccoon City. Leon S. Kennedy, a newly-assigned officer in the Raccoon Police Department, and Claire Redfield, who has been trying to track down her missing brother. Little do they know of what nightmares Raccoon City has in store for them… Experience Resident Evil 2, first released on the original PlayStation, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters.
*Resident Evil 2 is releasing worldwide August 19.
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Resident Evil 3 | PS5, PS4 (PS)
A little over a month and a half after the Mansion Incident, another nightmare unfolds at almost the same time as Resident Evil 2 as Raccoon City faces destruction due to the threat of the ‘T-virus’. You take on the role of former S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine as she attempts to escape the devastated city while investigating the mystery behind the Umbrella Corporation. Witness the climax of the Raccoon City story with your own eyes. Experience Resident Evil 3 Nemesis, first released on the original PlayStation, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters.
*Resident Evil 3 is releasing worldwide August 19.
*PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Deluxe lineups and individual title release dates may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.
As we’ve entered the 15th year of PlayStation Plus, we’ve got even more great content for members to look forward to.
This month, unleash brutal finishers in the reimagined Mortal Kombat 1, swing through Marvel’s New York skyline as the iconic web-slinger in Marvel’s Spider-Man, or gear up to repel swarming alien forces in Earth Defense Force 6. All these titles and more are available in August’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup. That includes Sword of the Sea, which releases day one into Game Catalog. Meanwhile, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis bring retro survival horror to PlayStation Plus Premium. All titles will be available to play on August 19*.
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On the same day, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will also be available as a Game Trial for PlayStation Plus Premium members. Enjoy up to 5 hours of gameplay with this time-limited trial, and if you decide to purchase the full game, your progress and trophies will carry over.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog
Download the image
Mortal Kombat 1 | PS5
Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series’ most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
Download the image
Marvel’s Spider-Man | PS5, PS4
Sony Interactive Entertainment, Insomniac Games, and Marvel have teamed up to create an authentic Spider-Man adventure. This isn’t the Spider-Man you’ve met or ever seen before. This is an experienced Peter Parker who’s more masterful at fighting big crime in Marvel’s New York. At the same time, he’s struggling to balance his chaotic personal life and career while the fate of millions of New Yorkers rests upon his shoulders.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered will be available to PS5 players, and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Game of the Year Edition available to PS4 players to download. In relevant markets, PS4 players can stream Marvel’s Spider-Man (base game).
Download the image
Sword of the Sea | PS5
Surf across magnificent waves of sand and glistening waters on an epic quest to restore a lost ocean in Sword of the Sea. From the visionary artist behind ABZÛ, The Pathless, and Journey – Sword of the Sea is an atmospheric surfing adventure with high-speed Hoversword movement inspired by skateboarding and snowboarding. Carve your way forward on the ancient and powerful Hoversword, which moves like a snowboard, skateboard, and surfboard all in one. Build momentum to reach top speed and catch big air off the crests of giant waves. Pull off radical flips, spins, and grab tricks with ease as you shred halfpipes, ramps, and wall rides. It’s the perfect balance of exhilarating action and fluid, meditative movement.
Download the image
Earth Defense Force 6 | PS5, PS4
Set three years after the events of the previous entry, Earth Defense Force 6 unfolds in a decimated world on the brink of collapse, where humanity’s population has been nearly wiped out. Take on the role of an Earth Defense Force soldier in this explosive third-person shooter and battle towering alien threats, alone or in co-op. Stand your ground with courage and wisdom.
Download the image
Unicorn Overlord | PS5, PS4
From the masterminds that brought 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Odin Sphere, and Dragon’s Crown, ATLUS x Vanillaware presents the rebirth of tactical fantasy RPG. Fight against fate and embark on a royal adventure to regain your reign alongside trustworthy allies. Unicorn Overlord combines the timeless tactical RPG genre with overworld exploration and innovative battle system for a unique epic fantasy experience in the iconic Vanillaware style.
Download the image
Atelier Ryza 3 Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key | PS5, PS4
The final summer, the final secret… Ryza’s final adventure is about to begin! The story begins when a group of islands called Kark Isles appear near Ryza’s—the protagonist’s—hometown. Seeing this as a threat to their home, Ryza and her friends investigate the isles and discover ruins with a huge gate. Just as Ryza approaches the gate, a strange voice echoes in her head, telling her to reach the Code of the Universe. What is it that lies beyond the gate, and what does the “Code of the Universe” mean? In hopes of finding a way to save their home, Ryza and her friends set off on a great adventure that revolves around a Key and the roots of alchemy.
Download the image
Indika | PS5
Indika is a third-person, story-driven game set in a strange world where religious visions clash with harsh reality. It tells the story of a young nun who sets off on a journey of self-discovery with the most unusual, horn-headed companion by her side. On the outside, Indika seems to be a typical nun attempting to adjust to a difficult and monotonous monastery life. Humble and innocent in her appearance, do not be deceived as this young girl has also made a highly unlikely acquaintance—as she speaks with the devil himself. Indika’s unusual connection with the Evil One leads her on an errand beyond the safe walls of the monastery. The world she discovers can only be described as a wild combination of comedy and tragedy straight out of the novels by Dostoyevski and Bulhakov.
Download the image
Harold Halibut | PS5
Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. It’s been 250 years since your home – an ark-like spaceship – fled an Earth on the verge of cold war to find a habitable planet to preserve the human race. You are Harold, a young lab assistant for the ship’s lead scientist, Jeanne Mareaux. While most of the ship’s inhabitants have reconciled themselves to a life lived aboard the sunken ship, Mareaux still works tirelessly to find a way for the ship to leave the planet and find a new, dryer home.
Download the image
Coral Island | PS5
It’s time to leave big-city life in Pokyo behind and start a new chapter of your life on Coral Island! Be who you want and create the idyllic farm of your dreams, where you’ll tend crops, nurture animals, and build a bond with the natural world around you. Help revitalize the nearby town and its surrounding coral reefs, and forge relationships with a vibrant community of more than 70 fellow people who call Coral Island home. Farm. Decorate. Craft. Explore. Relax. Your future—and the future of Coral Island—is what you make of it.
PlayStation Plus Premium
Download the image
Resident Evil 2 | PS5, PS4 (PS)
Two months after the terrifying Mansion Incident, two people made their way to Raccoon City. Leon S. Kennedy, a newly-assigned officer in the Raccoon Police Department, and Claire Redfield, who has been trying to track down her missing brother. Little do they know of what nightmares Raccoon City has in store for them… Experience Resident Evil 2, first released on the original PlayStation, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters.
Download the image
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis | PS5, PS4 (PS)
A little over a month and a half after the Mansion Incident, another nightmare unfolds at almost the same time as Resident Evil 2 as Raccoon City faces destruction due to the threat of the ‘T-virus’. You take on the role of former S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine as she attempts to escape the devastated city while investigating the mystery behind the Umbrella Corporation. Witness the climax of the Raccoon City story with your own eyes. Experience Resident Evil 3 Nemesis, first released on the original PlayStation, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters.
*PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups and individual title release dates may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.
For the past 15 years, PlayStation Plus has served as a welcoming home for indie games, connecting players with some of the most innovative, heartfelt, and personal experiences the world of video games has to offer. The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog (included with PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium memberships) puts a huge library of indie games right at your fingertips—but with so many games available, it’s possible for even some of the best to escape your notice.
As we’ve entered the 15th anniversary of PlayStation Plus, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best indies from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. These are games that you might have missed, but you absolutely shouldn’t.
A Space for the Unbound
A Space for the Unbound delves into the lives of teenagers living in Indonesia in the 1990s, at first telling an endearing slice-of-life story about friendship and first loves. Then things start to get weird. As supernatural elements weave their way into the point-and-click adventure of high schoolers Atma and Raya, A Space for the Unbound quickly becomes a powerful, impactful, and highly relatable experience.
Publisher: Chorus Worldwide Games | Developer: Mojiken Studio | PS5, PS4
Abiotic Factor
The incident that turned Gordon Freeman into an HEV suit-wearing hero was just another day at the office for everyone else at Black Mesa. Abiotic Factor takes inspiration from the random lab employees stuck at work on the day an errant experiment rips a hole in another dimension, but imagines the experience as a survival game instead of a first-person shooter. Trapped in the facility with up to five friends, you’ll need to seek out resources like food and water, and craft weapons out of office supplies—all while avoiding the otherworldly creatures that are your new neighbors.
Publisher: Playstack | Developer: Deep Field Games | PS5
Another Crab’s Treasure
If Dark Souls took place in Sponge Bob’s underwater town of Bikini Bottom, it might look something like Another Crab’s Treasure. As a hermit crab named Kril, you set out to reclaim your shell after it’s repossessed, and soon find yourself scavenging trash to use as armor and weapons to fight off tough creatures. Another Crab’s Treasure tells a lighthearted tale set in an unsanitary sea, but don’t let the colorful palette and funny characters fool you: It also packs some serious boss battles to put Souls-like fans through their paces.
Blue Prince starts with a death. The baron of Mount Holly Manor has passed away, leaving the 45-room estate to you—but only if you can manage to find and enter its 46th room. That’s a challenge, as each door you open leads to your choice of room, forcing you to plot a new course through its halls, bedrooms, and kitchens with each new day. Blue Prince, a Day One addition to the PlayStation Plus Catalog, is delightfully dense with puzzles, secrets, and mysteries that combine to become much more than they first appear.
Publisher: Raw Fury | Developer: Dogubomb | PS5
Celeste
Madeline has something to prove to herself, and that’s why she’s going to climb a mountain. It’s not an easy feat, however—though the controls of side-scrolling platformer Celeste are relatively simple to pick up, it takes mastery of precise jumps and dashes to ascend through level after level. Celeste uses its excellent platforming to tell a surprisingly deep and emotional story, as Madeline struggles to fight back her inner demons all the way to the summit.
Publisher: Maddy Makes Games | Developer: Maddy Makes Games | PS4
Citizen Sleeper
Sci-fi RPG Citizen Sleeper charges you with finding a way to escape your corporate indentured servitude as a sleeper—a digitized human mind inhabiting a robot body. What follows is a haunting and human story played out through a series of small events, where table top RPG-style dice rolls, coupled with your choices, determine what happens. It’s easy to get lost trying to eke out a living in Citizen Sleeper’s imaginative sci-fi future, one that’s bleak at times, and hopeful at others.
Publisher: Fellow Traveler Games | Developer: Jump Over the Age | PS5, PS4
Cult of the Lamb
Touched by a dark god, an incredibly cute lamb is sent into the world to bring its Word to other cuddly critters. Grow your flock and gather resources to build and manage an ever-growing compound where your followers live, work, and occasionally volunteer to be sacrificed to their fell deity. When you’re not building up a home for your followers, you’ll venture out into the world to vanquish other powerful cult leaders, giving Cult of the Lamb a devilishly delightful mix of colony building and rogue-like gameplay.
Publisher: Devolver Digital | Developer: Massive Monster | PS5, PS4
Dead Cells
Hacking and slashing has perhaps never been so refined—or so expansive—as it is in Dead Cells. The side-scrolling “roguevania” sends you out into various shifting locales to fight through hordes of creatures, and provides you with a host of inventive weapons to do so. Knives and swords are cool, but how about an automated crossbow turret? How about a crossbow turret that sets people on fire? How about a fiery crossbow turret that sprays poison? With a huge number of weapons to unlock and upgrades to earn, Dead Cells will constantly keep you returning to its speedy, intense combat for just one more run.
The gentle rolling seas are calling, and with your fishing boat, you can venture out to haul in a catch and make a decent living. Just don’t worry too much about those twisted abominations that sometimes fill your nets, or the strange shapes that creep in the dark fog. Dredge is sometimes a relaxing fishing game, sometimes a strange tale of supernatural mystery, and sometimes a single boat’s journey into the eldritch unknown; it turns out that fishing and horror work extremely well together.
Publisher: Team17 | Developer: Black Salt Games | PS5, PS4
Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition
Inspired by side-scrolling classics like Metroid and Mega Man X, Hollow Knight sends you deep into a fallen insect kingdom known as the Hallownest to put a stop to an infection that has cursed its people. Exploring the tunnels and cities of Hallownest takes you on a sprawling adventure to fight colossal creatures, meet and battle other bugs, and uncover the mystery of what destroyed a once-great civilization.
Publisher: Team Cherry | Developer: Team Cherry | PS4
Paradise Killer
This dazzlingly bizarre and stylish murder mystery throws you into a surreal world of gods, syndicates, and cosmic corruption. As Lady Love Dies, you’re tasked with solving a murder on a tropical island outside of space and time. The game’s open-ended investigation, vaporwave aesthetic, and synth-laced soundtrack create an intoxicating atmosphere where every clue matters and every accusation is yours to make. Paradise Killer is a bold, genre-defying detective experience and a must-play for ’80s-inspired synthwave fans.
Publisher: Fellow Traveller | Developer: Kaizen Game Works | PS5, PS4
Tetris Effect: Connected
Few games create a more all-encompassing zenlike experience than Tetris Effect: Connected. The classic puzzle game is elevated by captivating visuals and a phenomenal soundtrack that sync perfectly with your play, pulling you into a block-dropping flow state that’s only elevated by the ability to play with up to four other people. Tetris Effect: Connected is the next stage in evolution of one of the best games of all time.
Publisher: Enhance Games | Developer: Monstars, Resonair | PS5, PS4
Moonlighter
Ever wonder what the shopkeepers of an RPG town get up to when you’re not around? In Moonlighter, you play a merchant who goes dungeon-crawling by night to find new wares to sell by day. Your skills in capitalism help to fuel your nightly adventures as you delve deeper into the dungeons, taking on hulking bosses in hopes of finally leaving the shopkeep life behind and making it as a full-time hero.
Publisher: 11 bit Studios | Developer: Digital Sun | PS4
Undertale
Funny, heartfelt, and unexpected, Undertale might be one of the most beloved indie games ever made. It tells the story of a human who falls into the subterranean world of monsters, but flips RPG genre conventions on their heads with a battle system that gives you the option to talk your way out of fights and spare the many creatures who attack you. Emotional, often-hilarious writing and strange, well-realized characters have made Undertale memorable, but it’s the choices you make that will define your journey.
Publisher: 8-4 Ltd. | Developer: Toby Fox | PS4
Untitled Goose Game
A town full of people is just trying to live in peace—unfortunately for them but luckily for you, a goose is loose. Untitled Goose Game finds hilarity in the simple chaos of a goose stealing stuff, honking at people, and generally ruining everyone’s day. Racing around a series of sandbox areas, it’s your goal to get into as much trouble as you can, with a variety of goals to fulfill, puzzles to solve, and angry townspeople to evade and bewilder.
Publisher: Panic Inc. | Developer: House House | PS4
These are just some of the great games that are worth your attention—there are a whole lot more in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Head to playstation.com to see the full library to find a heap of excellent indies worth exploring.
First revealed in State of Play, and recently playable at Evo Las Vegas 2025, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, brings a fundamental shift to the tag-fighting genre. Arc System Works, Marvel Games, and PlayStation Studios have assembled to create a vibrant, stylized world, and after an intense 30-minute play session this past weekend, I’m counting down the days until I’m a Tōkon fighter again.
Building a 4v4 team
“The reason we went with 4v4 is actually because it’s something that’s never been done before in fighting games where players can switch characters,” says Kazuto Sekine, Game Director and Lead Battle Designer, Arc System Works. “We wanted to challenge ourselves to create a new tag fighter.”
During my session, I had access to a set of all-star Heroes to create my team of four:
● Doctor Doom is slow but hits hard with magical and tricky range attacks.
● Ms. Marvel is quick with high-risk, high-reward attacks.
● Storm is an aerial threat with deadly crossovers.,
● Iron Man keeps enemies at bay with anti-air and other punishing moves.
● Star-Lord was the most technical with his ability to switch between firearms and insane juggles.
● Captain America is a versatile all-rounder and a great entry point for new players.
After some experimentation, I prioritized playing Storm and Star-Lord. I loved how their combos, personality, and flair were true to their characters (at one point, Storm sternly refers to Star-Lord as “Quill” when he’s goofing off, which I adored). Storm’s light and medium attacks are beginner-friendly and combo well into her Quick Skill, which is a character’s unique attack you activate by pressing R2. I also found success rushing in with Star-Lord, using quick blaster and melee combos right into his Ultimate, activated simply by pressing R1.
The control scheme is pretty straightforward. Square, Triangle, and Circle are your light, medium, and heavy attacks, respectively, while X is the assemble button. All of your special attacks and skills are reserved for the triggers. L1 enables a quick dash, L2 is a quick Assemble ability, and R1 and R2 provide your unique attack and quick skills.
How swapping between characters works
Traditionally, in a tag fighter, you have to rotate through your entire team before the match is over, but in Tōkon your team shares one health bar. This means you don’t have to master the whole roster to be effective, and in that sense, can approach the game like a more traditional fighter if you choose to. At the start of the match, you can only control your lead character. As the skirmish progresses, you gain the ability to switch into your assist characters when you lose a round, performing a throw, or knocking your opponent into another section of the stage. It creates an interesting dance of being careful not to give your opponents more options to use against you while making sure you access your extended roster first, and who you would want as your first backup option.
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“Previously for all [tag fighters] in order to play them, you had to be able to control multiple characters,” says Sekine, “However, for our game, it was important for us to design it so that you would only actually need to be able to take control of one character. You only need to learn to play as one character in order to enjoy the game, and you can still see your other teammates coming in and out of the battlefield.”
Where you would traditionally have a dedicated button to swap between your party, here you do it during assists. Once you successfully call in an assist you have a brief window to swap to them. This exchange creates a natural swap out in the chaos of battle and some stylish moments between characters. Tōkon cares about what is happening on screen at all times, so switching between characters in the middle of a combo, standing still, or even in the air creates unique animations, such as characters giving each other daps or quipping about needing to step in.
Accommodating different players’ fighting styles
As I was studying my opponent’s moves, they took a different approach, focusing on supers and trying to bring out their team for full-screen spectacles. Where each character performs a quick combo, sending your opponent airborne while smashing them to the ground, ending in what I can only describe as a superhero pose-a-thon. The methodical vs manic approach created a fun back-and-forth between us, but the game was accommodating of both approaches and provided its own sense of satisfaction.
“When it comes to the game’s design, it was very important for us to make this something that’s easy to get into, but has depth beyond that initial entry,” says Sekine. “One thing that we were very careful about when designing the game was to ensure that there is not any kind of mechanic or attack that someone who’s just getting started would not be able to perform. It would impede on the experience of new players.”
“When you press the Assemble button, depending on the situation and what’s going on in the match, the Assist will come out and perform a different action that’s suitable for that particular moment,” says Sekine. “By designing it in that way that we’re able to clearly communicate to the player when they should be calling in their assists, and make it easier for them to play.”
Anime-inspired Heroes in action
“At Marvel games, it’s really important for us to allow developers to put their own unique stamp on the Marvel Universe,” says Michael Francisco, Sr. Product Development Manager, Marvel Games. “In the case of Arc, it’s that fusion of Marvel and American comics with Japanese anime and manga, and you can see that reflected in the art style and the character designs.”
All the characters ooze charm, but the backgrounds also pack a lot of exciting details. Eagle-eyed fans should keep an eye out for interesting signage referencing heroes and events, pedestrians reacting to on-screen action, and easter eggs scattered throughout. It’s obvious a lot of care was put into building this world.
“It was very important for us to be able to create the visual excitement that should be entailed with [tag fighters],” says Takeshi Yamanaka, Producer, Arc System Works. “Since this is a 4v4 game, that means that we can have up to eight characters out on the screen at one time altogether, so we were careful when creating the visual composition of the screen to ensure that we convey that excitement.”
The 4v4 fights begin next year
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is set to release in 2026, and while I’m excited to see all the heroes, combinations, and worlds the game will take us to,o I asked the team how they felt about creating something new that has never been done before in the fighting genre.
“It’s both scary and exciting, exhilarating and terrifying, at the same time,” says Francisco. “From the beginning, we all want to honor and respect the rich history and legacy of Marvel, while also forging our own path forward to create something new and innovative. So, we just hope fans are excited to see what we’ve come up with as a collaboration between all three parties.”
Hey, everybody! Kristen, Tim, Brett, and Sid are back this week to discuss Heretic + Hexen remastered by Nightdive Studios, the multiplayer reveal for Battlefield 6, and much more.
Stuff We Talked About
Next week’s releases:
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II | PS5
Madden NFL 26 | PS5
Midnight Murder Club | PS5
Echoes of the End | PS5
Battlefield 6 — Multiplayer gameplay reveal, deep diving into multiplayer and the various character classes, modes, and other new features.
Heretic + Hexen — Hack-and-cast action returns with this enhanced re-release for PS5 and PS4. Learn more about the return of the cult classic fantasy FPS games.
NBA 2K26 — A detailed explanation of everything new this year including greater visual fidelity for players, crowd reactions, and realistic plays and shooting.
Terminator 2D: No Fate — The developers share details on tuning the difficulty levels for this retro-inspired side-scrolling action game.
The Cast
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Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE
Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, SIE
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Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE
Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.
[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]
This past week players took a vacation through their favorite games using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
dodgykebaabshares Astro taking a relaxing moment in the sun in Astro Bot.
BBSnakeCorngoes jetskiing in Grand Theft Auto Online.
mandylorian__shares their space adventurer exploring a colorful planet in No Man’s Sky.
snakemanuele shares Sam riding a coffin board through the desert in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
xenobitz shares a hunter with a giant beach ball in Monster Hunter Wilds.
JacoBee___shares a historical site in ancient Egypt from Assassin’s Creed Origins.
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Filter SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 13, 2025
Next week, pick a filter! Share moments from the game of your choice that have been stylized with a Photo Mode filter using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
It’s not quite the designated Spooky Season yet, but there’s something about hot summer nights that makes the thought of body-chilling horror hit much harder. Fortunately for fans of the creepy, bloody, and frightening, there are noteworthy PS5 horror games on their way that’ll stick around in your nightmares.
Still, true terror is a year-round experience. So, we’ll be looking at releases further forward as well—into the 2025 Halloween season, and even further beyond into the harsh, unforgiving winter months of 2026. Steel yourselves, players, because between atmospheric indies, classic reimaginings, and blockbuster sequels, the next several months will offer a harvest of the finest frights.
Sometimes, all you can do in the face of massive, encroaching horror is fight back with the biggest, baddest weapons and the bravest companions that you can. Gather a group of up to four friends (or play solo, if you’re brave) and take the role of one of six different types of specialists to lay waste to the hordes of monstrous Zeds. The enhanced M.E.A.T. (Massive Evisceration and Trauma) system makes every shot, slice, and stab interact with enemies and the environment in realistic, satisfying detail.
Cronos: The New Dawn
Release Date: September 5, 2025 Developer: Bloober Team Publisher: Bloober Team
Time comes for us all eventually, but in the future of Cronos, it looks like humanity’s time is almost up. Surviving the attacks of the hideous, once-human terrors of this bleak future and ensuring their remains are incinerated before they merge into bigger threats is already a challenge, but the only glimmer of hope seems even more impossible: extracting the souls of those involved in The Change from decades ago into the future. As these souls aid and augment you, they also haunt you. Will you be able to endure an ordeal that transcends time?
Dying Light: The Beast
Release Date: September 19, 2025 Developer: Techland Publisher: Techland
Kyle Crane, the protagonist of the original Dying Light, has a grudge—he’s still dealing with the aftereffects of years of unethical experimentation on his body. He’s left as something not quite human, but not quite undead, and he wants revenge on the Baron who did this to him. The monstrous hordes infesting the once-scenic Castor Woods aren’t going to make this easy for him, either—especially once the sun sets and they get really vicious. It’s up to you to use all of Kyle’s abilities to survive solo or in up to four-player co-op play.
Silent Hill f
Release Date: September 25, 2025 Developer: NeoBards Entertainment Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
The all-time great horror series re-invents itself with a new setting, but keeps all of the psychological horror you know and love. Travel back to the ’60s in fog-filled Ebisugaoka, Japan, where young Hinako Shimizu’s ordinary schoolgirl life has been taking some very disturbing turns. Famed visual novel writer Ryukishi07 has developed a setting and narrative that combines the classic atmosphere and madness of the Silent Hill series with the best of Japanese horror traditions. Longtime series fans and newcomers alike won’t want to miss this one.
Little Nightmares 3
Release Date: October 10, 2025 Developer: SuperMassive Games Publisher: Bandai Namco Games
The cult classic horror adventure game returns with a new duo of adventurers and a new realm of terror. Two youths, Low and Alone, find themselves in the Nowhere—a world that exists beyond human sleep and is filled with the abominations of our unconscious. Using Low’s bow and Alone’s wrench, you’ll need to figure out how to navigate this wasteland and conquer its threats. You won’t have to face these nightmares alone, however, as Little Nightmares 3 offers co-op play in a series first.
Crisol: Theater of Idols
Release Date: 2025 Developer: Vermila Studios Publisher: Blumhouse Games
In the alternate-universe Spain of Crisol, faith and folklore have melded to create a realm of twisted devotion and idolatry. As the warrior Gabriel, you have been sent to the accursed island of Tormentosa, where wicked cults hold demonic ceremonies and beautiful yet horrifying graven images move in a mockery of life. Your blood acts as both your life force and your weapon ammunition, adding a terrifying twist to already intense combat. In the end, how will your blood be shed?
Resident Evil Requiem
Release Date: February 27, 2026 Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom
Ahh, Raccoon City, how we’ve missed you. The ninth entry in the trailblazing survival horror series goes back to where it all began, bringing back some classic storyline threads along with it. FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft takes the starring role this time around. Her mother was murdered while looking for information on the mysterious Wrenwood Hotel, leading Grace into a life of her own investigation. When Grace revisits the Raccoon City incidents, what will she discover? Resident Evil Requiem is due out in February 2026, and we can’t think of a better anniversary celebration.
Familial bonds are put to the test in Reanimal. Two young orphans are put through a living hell on a dark, isolated island, facing both mutated monstrosities and representations of their own trauma. Local and online co-op allows you and a companion to fight your way through this oppressive world together, and a dynamic camera designed to constantly ratchet up the fear and tension will keep you on your toes throughout.
End of Abyss
Release Date: 2026 Developer: Section 9 Publisher: Epic Games
Deep underground lies a seemingly abandoned complex—but a strange message has emerged from its forgotten depths. The technician Cel goes down to investigate the source of the signal, only to encounter a dim, claustrophobic world of tunnels, eerie glows, and aggressive creatures that appear to be both organic and mechanical. The top-down perspective of End of Abyss allows for players to feel the weight of the atmosphere and the tension of exploration, as the mystery beckons them ever deeper.
Directive 8020
Release Date: 2026 Developer: SuperMassive Games Publisher: SuperMassive Games
Tau ceti f looked like a potential new home for humanity. Then the ship Cassiopeia crashed there, and our assumptions were proven extremely wrong. The latest in the Dark Pictures horror game anthology series, Directive 8020 puts five heroes with few defenses on an unfamiliar planet, where they’re pursued by a shapeshifting organism. The Turning Points feature allows players to rewind back to pivotal scenes and make different choices to see new outcomes, but will you have it in you to make the hardest choices of all?
ILL
Release Date: To be announced Developer: Team Clout/Mundfish Publisher: Team Clout
A mysterious fort in a desolate world acts as the setting for the highly-anticipated horror-action game ILL. The narrative will draw you in, but the encounters will leave you shaking. As you explore the fort’s halls, you’ll come face-to-face with some truly unsettling creatures that look and move as though they were torn directly from your nightmares. You’ll need to use your limited resources wisely, wielding and crafting weapons before tearing the freaks apart in physics-driven, ultra-gory combat.
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival
Release Date: To be announced Developer: Saber Interactive Publisher: Saber Interactive
Hellraiser: Revival is a single-player, first-person action survival horror experience that will put you into the dark world of Clive Barker’s twisted imagination. Play as Aidan, the protagonist in the story who must fight with various melee and ranged weapons, and use the mystical powers of the Genesis Configuration to take down unholy enemies. Finding a way to survive your bargain with the infamous Pinhead and help your girlfriend Sunny escape is never as simple as it seems in a world filled with Cenobites, cultists, deviants, and the realm of torture and pain that is the Labyrinth.
*Release dates shown are correct at time of publish but subject to change.
