5 PlayStation Plus Games to Play This Week (August 18-24)

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As someone who frequently switches between different video games, I’m deeply immersed in the realm of subscription-based gaming services. Services like PlayStation Plus aren’t without their flaws, but they offer a wonderful opportunity to delve into new games with minimal financial risk. I’ve experienced countless titles through PS Plus and Game Pass that I likely wouldn’t have bought otherwise.

Over time, PlayStation Plus has significantly enhanced its offerings, now posing a genuine challenge to Game Pass, which was once thought unlikely. In fact, this month alone, PS Plus Essential boasts standout titles like “Lies of P,” “DayZ,” and “My Hero One’s Justice 2.” The upcoming August lineup for PS Plus Extra is equally enticing. Beyond these recent additions, there are several other excellent PlayStation Plus games worth exploring in the near future.

Demon’s Souls

Available on PS Plus Extra

Although some players might consider it a bit nostalgic considering the popularity of Elden Ring, Demon’s Souls remains authentic and stands strong alongside FromSoftware’s newer titles. The PS5 remake of Demon’s Souls offers a significant visual upgrade, yet preserves its original mechanics, making it an appealing choice for contemporary gamers who might be hesitant about the early-PS3 aesthetics of the original version. Moreover, Demon’s Souls provides an insightful look into how FromSoftware transitioned into the Miyazaki era that led to their current acclaim.

  • How long to Beat Demon’s Souls: 24–33 hours, though completionist playthroughs can run north of 60 hours.

Hollow Knight

Available on PS Plus Extra

In the first half of the 2010s, games-on-demand services weren’t as popular yet. Consequently, several games released during that period entered the market without the common budget option they now have. This has led to some older games being less recognized, often overshadowed by newly launched titles. One such game is “Hollow Knight,” a game highly acclaimed by many, including me, and considered among the best Metroidvanias ever created. Even if you’re not fond of the genre, “Hollow Knight” is worth a try due to its exceptional quality.

  • How long to beat Hollow Knight: 27–65 hours.

Lonely Mountains: Downhill

Available on PS Plus Extra

Despite its seemingly basic gameplay mechanics, Lonely Mountains: Downhill turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly engaging games I’ve encountered. The game puts players in control of a mountain biker racing down different mountain tracks filled with sharp curves, steep drops, and rugged landscapes within an intricate, lively physics engine. At first glance, the concept seems straightforward, but as you delve deeper into each level, you uncover a wealth of hidden challenges and secrets that transform this simple premise into a richly expressive interactive playground.

  • How long to beat Lonely Mountains: Downhill: 6–12 hours for the main campaign, with completionist playthroughs lasting over 30 hours.

Lake

Available on PS Plus Extra

In simpler terms, the game named Lake focuses on Meredith Weiss, a career-driven woman who decides to take a break from work and deliver packages in her small-town hometown instead. This heartwarming plot is reminiscent of a Hallmark movie and provides a relaxing alternative to the action-packed games filled with violence and high-stakes situations that dominate the gaming world today. The gameplay primarily involves planning and managing tasks, interspersed with everyday dialogue sections, resulting in a calm and enjoyable gaming experience overall.

  • How long to Beat Lake: 6–8 hours.

Returnal

Available on PS Plus Extra

Moving from categories like “strand-types” and back to “shoot-types”, the game Returnal is one of the most overlooked titles currently available. Being one of the first authentic “next-gen” offerings in this generation, it challenges players with a grueling roguelike obstacle course, requiring them to master swift maneuvers and sharp wit to stay alive. It borrows from the bullet hell genre, but sets these elements within a haunting sci-fi backdrop concealing Earth’s momentous secrets. While discussions about its roguelike qualities can be debated, its prowess as a third-person action game is indisputable.

  • How long to Beat Returnal: 20–65 hours.

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2025-08-17 21:35