Sony has officially rolled out the PlayStation Plus Essential games for August 2025, and the list is a mixed bag of hardcore action, persistent survival, and anime brawling. Starting August 5, subscribers can download Lies of P (PS4/PS5), DayZ (PS4), and My Hero One’s Justice 2 (PS4). It’s a lineup that combines challenge, chaos, and fandom in equal measure – and it’s already sparking debate across the PlayStation community.
Lies of P is the clear headliner this month. The dark souls-like based on the Pinocchio mythos, became a surprise hit when it first launched, and this marks its debut as a free PS Plus title. It runs beautifully on PS5 and brings weighty combat, grim storytelling, and atmospheric world-building to the table.
The other two additions serve a more niche crowd. DayZ remains a cult survival title with a dedicated following, while My Hero One’s Justice 2 leans heavily into its anime roots with stylised arena fighting and flashy abilities. For some, they’re fun throw-ins. For others, they’re clutter.
Still, free is free – and for many subscribers, Lies of P alone is worth the monthly cost.
PlayStation Plus: Lies of P Headlines a Brutal, Stylish Drop for August
Let’s be honest – Lies of P, which is set to get a sequel, is the reason most people are paying attention this month. It’s a game that wears its influences proudly, drawing from Bloodborne and Sekiro while adding its own twisted fairy tale spin. The combat is punishing, the environments are dripping with style, and the enemy design is flat-out disturbing in the best way.
For PS5 players especially, this version takes full advantage of fast load times, crisp visuals, and haptic feedback. Boss fights hit harder, movement feels responsive, and exploration is rewarded with deep lore and powerful weapons. If you missed it when it launched, now’s your chance to get wrecked in style.
DayZ and My Hero Offer Something Different – But Not for Everyone
Then there’s DayZ. Some love it. Others loathe it. But there’s no denying its place in the survival sandbox genre. The PS4 version still has its quirks – iffy inventory, weird AI, clunky menus – but it also creates moments no other game can. Getting ambushed by strangers in the woods. Getting sick from bad water. Getting shot because you waved instead of crouching. It’s chaos with a learning curve.
My Hero One’s Justice 2, meanwhile, is pure fan service. If you’re into anime, it’s a flashy and competent arena fighter with solid character variety. If you’re not, it’s probably not going to win you over. Still, it pads out the offering and gives younger players or anime fans something to dig into.
PS Plus Strategy: One Star, Two Fillers?
Sony’s approach here follows a familiar pattern: one critically respected title backed by two smaller offerings. It’s a safe play, and it tends to keep both hardcore and casual players moderately happy. That said, with Xbox continuing to drop day-one titles through Game Pass, there’s mounting pressure on PlayStation to up its game, especially for players who care more about freshness than back catalogue.
This month, Lies of P delivers on that quality promise. It’s recent enough, tough enough, and stylish enough to feel like a real win. Whether the other two games justify their space on the carousel is a harder call.
Not Perfect, But Not a Miss
No one’s going to call this a perfect lineup – but it’s also hard to call it a bad one. Lies of P does the heavy lifting, and if you’re into survival tension or anime fighters, you’ll get even more out of the mix. Sony is clearly sticking to its formula, for better or worse, and this month it happens to land on the right side of the fence.
At the very least, PS Plus Essential users are walking away with one brutal gem that’s worth a download. And in the monthly sub game, that’s often all you really need.
