Bombshell Announcement: PlayStation Plus August Delivers a GOD-TIER Lineup with Lies of P
For PlayStation gamers, it's a monthly ritual filled with anticipation, speculation, and a whole lot of refreshing the PlayStation Blog page. The announcement of the monthly PlayStation Plus games can make or break a month. Some months are okay, some are good, but every once in a while, Sony drops a lineup that feels less like a monthly offering and more like a system-selling event.
August 2025 is one of those months.
If you’ve been on the fence about your subscription or feeling underwhelmed by recent offerings, get ready to be blown away. Sony has just unveiled a certified god-tier lineup for PlayStation Plus Essential members, and it’s headlined by one of the best games of the last year.
Get ready to clear your hard drive space, because coming to PlayStation Plus this August are three incredible, diverse, and highly acclaimed titles:
Lies of P (PS5, PS4)
DayZ (PS5, PS4)
My Hero One’s Justice 2 (PS4)
This isn't just a good lineup; it's a statement. From a critically lauded, top-tier Soulslike RPG to the legendary survival sandbox that defined a genre, to a fan-favorite anime fighter, this month offers staggering value and hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Let's break down each of these incredible games and explore why August is shaping up to be one of the best months in PlayStation Plus history.
The Headliner: Lies of P - The Pinocchio Soulslike You Never Knew You Needed
Let's start with the crown jewel, the game that has the entire community buzzing. When Lies of P was first announced, many dismissed it as just another Bloodborne clone. A dark, gothic fairytale about Pinocchio? It sounded strange, ambitious, and maybe a little derivative. Then it was released, and the gaming world was stunned. Lies of P isn't just a clone; it's a masterpiece that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the very games that inspired it.
What is it?
Lies of P is a dark, challenging, and stunningly beautiful action RPG in the "Soulslike" genre. You play as P, a sophisticated puppet created by Geppetto, who awakens in the blood-soaked, plague-ridden city of Krat. The city, once a marvel of the Belle Époque era powered by sentient puppets, has collapsed into chaos. The puppets have gone rogue, slaughtering their human masters, and a mysterious disease is turning citizens into monsters. Your mission, given by a mysterious voice on the phone, is to find Geppetto and uncover the truth behind the city's downfall.
Why is it a HUGE Deal?
Getting a game of this caliber and recency on PlayStation Plus is a massive win.
A True Soulslike Contender: It perfectly captures the tense, methodical combat, intricate level design, and towering, terrifying boss battles that fans of FromSoftware games (like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring) adore.
Unique Weapon Crafting: Its standout feature is the weapon assembly system. You can mix and match different weapon blades and handles to create completely unique armaments. Want the long reach of a spear handle but the heavy-hitting power of a greatsword blade? You can build that. This system encourages endless experimentation.
The "Lying" System: As Pinocchio, you are faced with choices where you can either tell the truth or lie. Your decisions have real consequences, changing NPC interactions, unlocking different rewards, and ultimately guiding you towards one of multiple endings as you slowly gain more "humanity."
Stunning Presentation: The game is gorgeous. The city of Krat is a breathtakingly realized world of gothic architecture and steampunk technology, and the enemy design is both creative and deeply unsettling.
Who is it for?
If you have ever enjoyed a FromSoftware title, you owe it to yourself to play Lies of P. It's a must-play for fans of challenging combat, deep RPG mechanics, and rich, atmospheric world-building.
Tips for New Puppets:
1.Master the Perfect Guard: While dodging is viable, learning to "Perfect Guard" (parrying an attack at the last second) is crucial. It damages the enemy's weapon and opens them up for fatal attacks.
2.Experiment with Weapons: Don't get stuck on one weapon combination. The ability to swap blades and handles on the fly is your greatest asset.
3. Don't Fear the Grind: Like any Soulslike, if you hit a wall (especially a boss), don't be afraid to go back, level up, upgrade your weapon, and come back stronger.
The Ultimate Survival Test: DayZ - Where Trust is a Resource
From the tightly designed corridors of Krat, we move to the sprawling, unforgiving wasteland of Chernarus. DayZ isn't just a game; it's a social experiment and the undisputed granddaddy of the modern survival genre. It’s a game that has created countless legendary stories of betrayal, friendship, and pure, heart-pounding tension.
What is it?
DayZ drops you into the post-soviet country of Chernarus, a 230-square-kilometer open world ravaged by a zombie-like infection. You start with nothing but the clothes on your back. Your goals are simple but brutally difficult: survive against hunger, thirst, disease, the elements, the infected "Zeds," and—most dangerously of all—other players. There are no quests, no tutorials, and no rules. Every decision is yours, and every mistake can be your last.
Why is it a HUGE Deal?
DayZ's inclusion opens the door for a massive new wave of players to experience a genre-defining title.
The Original Hardcore Survival: Before Rust, PUBG, or Fortnite, there was DayZ. It started as a mod for the military simulator ARMA 2 and became such a phenomenon that it launched an entire genre. Its focus on realistic survival mechanics is deep and rewarding.
Unscripted Player Interaction: This is the core of the DayZ experience. Will the other survivor you see in the distance help you, rob you, or simply kill you for your can of beans? You have no way of knowing. These unscripted, high-stakes encounters create emergent narratives that are more compelling than any written story.
A Deep, Rewarding Loop: The loop of scavenging for supplies, managing your health, finding better gear, and carefully navigating the world is incredibly addictive. The feeling of finding a rare rifle or a working vehicle after hours of struggling is unmatched.
Who is it for?
This is not a casual game. DayZ is for players who crave high stakes, deep realism, and emergent gameplay. If you enjoy the tension of battle royales but want a slower, more meaningful survival experience where every life matters, this is your game.
Tips for Fresh Spawns:
1.Food and Water First: Your immediate priority is to find a water pump (usually in towns) and any source of food. Check houses, greenhouses, and orchards.
2.Sound is Everything: Your ears are your best tool. The sound of footsteps, a distant gunshot, or a zombie's groan can tell you everything you need to know about your immediate surroundings. Move quietly.
3.Trust No One (At First): While friendly encounters can happen, it's safer to assume everyone is a threat until they prove otherwise. Avoid major cities and military bases when you are just starting out, as they are high-traffic, high-danger zones.
Unleash Your Inner Hero: My Hero One’s Justice 2 - A "Plus Ultra" Treat for Anime Fans
Rounding out this stellar month is a completely different, yet equally welcome, addition. My Hero One’s Justice 2 brings the explosive, over-the-top action of one of the world's most popular anime series directly to your console.
What is it?
Based on the hit anime and manga My Hero Academia, this is a 3D arena fighting game. You choose from a massive roster of iconic heroes and villains—from Deku and Bakugo to All Might and Shigaraki—and duke it out in large, destructible environments. It's a faithful, fan-pleasing adaptation that captures the "Quirk"-powered action of the source material perfectly.
Why is it a HUGE Deal?
It adds incredible variety to the month's lineup and caters to a huge, dedicated fanbase.
A Massive Roster: The game is packed with characters, each with their unique Quirks and playstyles faithfully recreated from the anime. Finding your main and mastering their moves is a blast.
Spectacular, Destructible Arenas: Fights are not confined to the ground. You can run up walls, slam opponents through buildings, and unleash spectacular "Plus Ultra" special moves that fill the screen with explosive energy.
Tons of Content: Beyond standard versus battles, the game includes a robust Story Mode that lets you play through key arcs of the anime from both the hero and villain perspectives, an Arcade mode, and a Mission mode.
Who is it for?
This is a must-download for any fan of My Hero Academia. It's also a great pickup for fans of other anime fighters like the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm or Dragon Ball Z games, or anyone looking for a fun, accessible, and visually spectacular fighting game to play with friends.
Tips for Aspiring Heroes:
1. Master Your Sidekicks: You enter battle with two chosen sidekicks. Using them effectively for combo extensions or defensive assists is key to victory.
2. Story Mode is a Great Start: Playing through the Story Mode is the best way to learn the basic mechanics and try out a wide variety of characters to see who fits your style.
3. Know When to Go "Plus Ultra": Save your super moves for the right moment. They can turn the tide of a battle, but whiffing one can leave you wide open.
The Verdict: An All-Time Great Month for PlayStation Plus
A premium, critically acclaimed Soulslike. A genre-defining hardcore survival game. A beloved and action-packed anime fighter. The sheer quality and variety on offer in August 2025 is breathtaking. This is the kind of month that makes a PlayStation Plus subscription feel like an absolute steal.
No matter what kind of gamer you are, there is something here for you. Whether you're preparing to die repeatedly in the beautiful, horrifying city of Krat, struggling to survive another day in the desolate wilderness of Chernarus, or screaming "Plus Ultra!" as you unleash a final smash, August is set to be an unforgettable month of gaming.
Don't forget: these games will be available to claim for all PlayStation Plus members starting the first Tuesday of August.
What do you think of this lineup? Which game are you diving into first? Let us know in the comments below
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