Unmissable PS5, PS4 & PS Plus Releases – August 18 to 24, 2025
As the summer heats up, so does the PlayStation release calendar. From chilling horror to charming strategy, this week offers a treasure trove of titles to add to your must-play list. We bring you the most comprehensive, SEO-optimised guide to the standout PS5, PS4, and PS Plus games launching from August 18 to August 24, 2025—packed with details to help you stay ahead.
Table of Contents
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What’s Dropping This Week: Quick Overview
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Featured PS5 & PS4 Releases – In-Depth
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PS Plus Breakouts – Free-to-Play Highlights
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Genre Spotlight: From Horror to Cozy Sims
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Release Flow Diagram (Mermaid)
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Closing Thoughts: Must-Play Picks
1. What’s Dropping This Week: Quick Overview
| Release Date | Title | Platform(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 18 | BrokenLore: Don’t Watch | PS5, PS4 | A first-person psychological horror dive. ( |
| Aug 18 | Hide the Corpse (PSVR2) | PSVR2 | Sneaky and surreal — hide your crime in the most absurd places. |
| Aug 19 | Delta Force | PS5 | Free-to-play tactical team shooter, revamped for modern warfare. |
| Aug 19 | Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution | PS5, PS4 | A long-lost sequel to the beloved Shantae platformer saga. |
| Aug 19 | Sword of the Sea | PS5 | Surf and explore an epic ocean-restoration quest. Also PS Plus Extra. |
| Aug 21 | Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary | PS5 | Retro cave-exploration nostalgia meets modern polish. |
| Aug 21 | Discounty | PS5, PS4 | Cozy supermarket management RPG filled with community secrets. |
| Aug 21 | Grit & Valor: 1949 | PS5 | Alternate history, mech-steeled Europe, resistance meets war. |
| Aug 21 | Herdling | PS5 | Creators of FAR deliver a serene yet emotive adventure. |
| Aug 21 | Machick 2 | PS5, PS4 | Spell-crazy roguelike with wand crafting and divine relics. |
| Aug 21 | Sengoku Dynasty | PS5 | Open-world feudal life: build, craft, survive—and thrive. |
2. Featured PS5 & PS4 Releases – In-Depth
BrokenLore: Don’t Watch
Experience psychological horror like never before with first-person storytelling set in the twisted world of the BrokenLore series. Expect tension, atmosphere, and layers of narrative disquiet.
Hide the Corpse (PSVR2)
Not your average horror game—Hide the Corpse combines VR immersion with absurdist problem-solving. From under the bed to, bizarrely, in a time machine, the challenge is to outsmart the law—in spectacular style.
Delta Force
The iconic shooter franchise returns as a free-to-play, team-focused tactical FPS. With multiple modes and modern features, it brings a fresh pulse to competitive shooting on PS5.
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
A nostalgic sequel long anticipated by fans. Dive into platforming perfection with vibrant visuals, tight controls, and classic Shantae charm, now arriving on both PS5 and PS4.
Sword of the Sea
A standout exclusive and PS Plus Extra bonus, this game marries serene exploration with mythic quest—restore a lost ocean and surf through mesmerizing terrains.
Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary
A celebration of retro gaming—join Rockford in diamond-hunting cave escapades, now faithfully reimagined with modern quality-of-life enhancements.
Discounty
This cozy RPG merges management sim mechanics with a small-town mystery—run a supermarket, forge community ties, and unlock hidden secrets in the charming world of Blomkest.
Grit & Valor: 1949
Alternate history meets mech warfare. Europe is in turmoil, and only your resistance fighters can reclaim freedom. Expect strategy, combat, and cinematic pacing.
Herdling
From the creators of FAR and published by Panic, Herdling offers a peaceful yet emotionally resonant journey—perfect for reflective players who love immersive storytelling.
Machick 2
If you’re into roguelike chaos, this magical, wand-crafting, spell-binding title is for you. Evolve spells on-the-fly, wield relics, and take down frog-hordes in unpredictable runs.
Sengoku Dynasty
Live the samurai saga—build your dynasty in post-famine feudal Japan, manage resources, craft, hunt, and even automate production. Solo or with friends, the land is yours to flourish.
3. PS Plus Breakouts – Free-to-Play Highlights
Accessible via PS Plus Extra (and Premium for some) starting August 19, these titles include:
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Mortal Kombat 1
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Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered & Marvel’s Spider-Man
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Sword of the Sea (also confirmed release)
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Earth Defense Force 6
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Unicorn Overlord
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Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key
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Indika
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Harold Halibut
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Coral Island
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Resident Evil 2 & Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (Premium tier)
4. Genre Spotlight: From Horror to Cozy Sims
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Horror / VR: BrokenLore Freaks out traditional horror fans; Hide the Corpse throws you into absurd VR antics.
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Shooter / Tactical: Delta Force brings modern online warfare—team up, tiptoe, or tactically dominate.
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Platforming Nostalgia: Shantae Advance brings retro enchantment with polished platform fun.
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Adventure / Exploration: Sword of the Sea delivers mythic calm and surfing thrills.
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Retro Revival: Boulder Dash 40th offers pixel-perfect heritage with quality updates.
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Cozy RPG-Sims: Discounty and Herdling serve warm vibes with management and emotional exploration.
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Strategy & Mechs: Grit & Valor blends alternate history and resistance warfare with robots.
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Roguelike Spellcraft: Machick 2 is for wand fans and chaos lovers alike.
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Open-World Crafting / Dynasty: Sengoku Dynasty mixes Japanese feudal lore with resource strategy and peace-time village-building.
5. Closing Thoughts: Must-Play Picks
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For narrative intensity: BrokenLore and Hide the Corpse deliver unforgettable horror experiences—especially in VR.
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For competitive gamers: Delta Force brings tactical thrills—completely free-to-play.
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For platformer purists: Shantae Advance is a nostalgic hit.
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For beachside wanderers: Sword of the Sea and Herdling offer exploration and emotional depth.
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For cozy sim lovers: Discounty is perfect for peaceful mystery and management.
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For fans of strategy and lore: Grit & Valor and Sengoku Dynasty serve grand-scale storytelling.
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For roguelike thrillseekers: Machick 2 delivers wand-crazy action and endless replay.
This week delivers an exciting variety—whether you crave action, emotion, mystery, or nostalgia, there’s a perfect title waiting.