PlayStation Plus August 2025 Lineup Brings Mortal Kombat 1, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Resident Evil Classics & More

Credit: PlayStation Blog

Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup for August 2025, available to Extra and Premium tier subscribers.

The new additions will be available starting August 19.

This month’s headliners are NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel’s Spider-Man, which swings back into the catalog after being removed in April 2023.

Alongside the heavy hitters, PlayStation Plus is adding a variety of niche and indie gems. Sword of the Sea, from the creator of Journey and ABZÛ, makes its debut as a day-one release for subscribers, blending meditative exploration with high-speed “Hoversword” surfing.

Players can also explore the quirky narrative world of Harold Halibut, the emotional farming life in Coral Island, or the atmospheric storytelling of Indika. Other notable additions include Earth Defense Force 6, Unicorn Overlord, and Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key.

Premium tier subscribers get a little extra nostalgia this month with the arrival of two PlayStation 1 classics — Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis — both enhanced with modern features like up-rendering, rewind, and quick save.

There’s also something new for those curious about the latest releases. Premium members can try Death Stranding 2: On the Beach through a five-hour Game Trial. As per Sony’s announcement, any progress made in the trial will carry over if players choose to buy the full game.

Here’s the full list for PS PLUS August 2025:

Extra & 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 Classics

• Resident Evil 2 (PS5, PS4)

• Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PS5, PS4)

About Games:

Mortal Kombat 1 (PS5)

Mortal Kombat 1 is a 2023 fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games, serving as the twelfth main installment in the Mortal Kombat series and a reboot following the events of Mortal Kombat 11. Set in a new timeline created by Liu Kang, the story follows a Mortal Kombat tournament in Outworld while facing threats from Titan Shang Tsung and later Titan Havik in the Khaos Reigns expansion. The game features a roster of 22 playable characters, plus downloadable content including guest fighters, and introduces Kameo Fighters for assist moves. It emphasizes single-player modes like Story and Invasions, alongside online multiplayer with rollback netcode. Praised for its visuals, mechanics, and roster, it received positive reviews but criticism for microtransactions and the Switch version's performance. It recently reached 6.2 million sales.

Marvel’s Spider-Man (PS5, PS4)

Marvel’s Spider-Man is a 2018 action-adventure game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, focusing on an experienced Peter Parker balancing his life as Spider-Man against a plot by Mister Negative to unleash a deadly virus in New York City. Gameplay involves third-person traversal, combat, and stealth in an open-world Manhattan, with side activities like collectibles and puzzles. The game received acclaim for its story, visuals, and mechanics, selling over 33 million units and spawning sequels. A remastered version for PS5 enhances graphics and includes DLC expansions. 

Sword of the Sea (PS5)

Sword of the Sea is an upcoming adventure game developed by Giant Squid, set to release on August 19, 2025, for PS5 and Windows. Players control the Wraith, exploring a desolate, wave-like world to restore an ancient ocean using a Hoversword for surfing-inspired movement combining snowboard, skateboard, and hoverboard mechanics. The game emphasizes fluid traversal, tricks, and battles against leviathans, with a narrative told through visuals and music. Created by the team behind Abzû and The Pathless, it features atmospheric exploration in surreal terrains of sand, lava, and ice.

Earth Defense Force 6 (PS5, PS4)

Earth Defense Force 6 is a 2022 third-person shooter developed by Sandlot and published by D3 Publisher, released in the West in 2024. Set three years after Earth Defense Force 5 in 2027, it follows survivors using time travel to prevent humanity's defeat by alien invaders called Primers, creating a time loop. Gameplay involves battling massive insect hordes and aliens with four classes — Ranger, Wing Diver, Air Raider, and Fencer — across nearly 150 missions, supporting up to four-player co-op. It features improved mechanics, a vast arsenal, and destructible environments. The game is lauded for its chaotic fun and scale but criticized for repetition and technical issues. 

Unicorn Overlord (PS5, PS4)

Unicorn Overlord is a 2024 tactical role-playing game developed by Vanillaware and published by Atlus, blending strategy with overworld exploration in a fantasy setting. Players control exiled prince Alain leading the Liberation Army to reclaim Fevrith from the Zenoiran Empire, building an army of over 60 characters. Gameplay involves real-time battles with unit customization, rapport systems, and branching narratives. Inspired by 1990s tactics games, it features hand-drawn art and orchestral music. Acclaimed for its deep mechanics, visuals, and character development, it sold over one million copies and is considered a modern classic in the genre. 

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (PS5, PS4)

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is a 2023 role-playing game developed by Gust and published by Koei Tecmo, concluding the Ryza trilogy. Ryza and friends investigate mysterious islands threatening their home, uncovering alchemy's roots and facing the Code of the Universe. Gameplay emphasizes open-world exploration, synthesis for items, and real-time combat with 11 party members. It features a vast field, key system for enhancements, and seasonal events. Praised for its crafting depth, story, and improvements over predecessors, it sold over 300,000 units and is seen as the series' pinnacle.

Indika (PS5)

Indika is a 2024 third-person adventure game developed by Odd Meter and published by 11 bit studios, set in an alternate 19th-century Russia. Players control nun Indika on a self-discovery journey with the Devil as her companion, blending puzzles, exploration, and narrative on faith and morality. It features surreal visuals, pixel art minigames, and philosophical themes. Created by a team relocated from Russia, it's noted for its bold storytelling, atmospheric sound, and humor. Reviews highlight its uniqueness and thought-provoking content, though some note repetitive mechanics.

Harold Halibut (PS5)

Harold Halibut is a 2024 narrative adventure game developed by Slow Bros., featuring handmade stop-motion aesthetics. Players control Harold, a lab assistant on a submerged spaceship, exploring friendship and purpose in a retro-futuristic world. Gameplay involves errands, mini-games, and character interactions with no traditional puzzles. Created over ten years using physical models scanned into Unity, it's praised for its art, voice acting, and heartfelt story but critiqued for slow pacing and limited interactivity.

Coral Island (PS5)

Coral Island is a 2023 farming simulation game developed by Stairway Games and published by Humble Games, reimagining the genre on a tropical island. Players restore a farm, grow crops, raise animals, dive to clean reefs, and build relationships with over 70 characters, including 25 romance options. It features diverse representation, seasonal events, and underwater exploration. Inspired by Stardew Valley, it's lauded for its vibrant world, inclusivity, and relaxing gameplay, selling over one million copies despite some early bugs. 

Resident Evil 2 (PS5, PS4)

Resident Evil 2 is a 1998 survival horror game developed and published by Capcom for PlayStation, later ported to other platforms. It follows rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield escaping Raccoon City amid a zombie outbreak caused by the T-virus. Gameplay involves exploration, puzzles, and combat with branching scenarios. Known for its atmosphere, digitized graphics, and gore, it sold millions and influenced the genre, leading to the ESRB rating system. The PS5/PS4 version is the original emulated for the classics catalog.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PS5, PS4)

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is a 1999 survival horror game, set before and after Resident Evil 2. Players control Jill Valentine escaping Raccoon City while pursued by the Nemesis Tyrant. It features branching choices, action-oriented gameplay, and a Mercenaries minigame. Praised for tension and innovations like dodging, it sold 3.5 million copies. The PS5/PS4 version is the original PS1 classic emulated.

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Which game are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments!