August is shaping up to be one of the busiest months of the year for PlayStation gamers. Whether you’re into blockbuster action games, survival experiences or free-to-play adventures, there’s something arriving on PS5 to keep your backlog growing. Here’s everything worth keeping an eye on this month.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls (August 6)
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls kicks off the month with an explosive tag-team fighting game from Arc System Works, the studio behind Guilty Gear, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and BlazBlue.
Launching with 20 playable Marvel heroes and villains, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Deadpool, Carnage, and more, every match starts with a two-character team before expanding into full four-character battles as the fight progresses. Players can unlock teammates through match mechanics like wall breaks, opening new combat opportunities.
Beyond online ranked and casual multiplayer with full cross-play between PS5 and PC, the game also features Arcade Mode and a complete story campaign packed with Marvel references and fan service.
Beast of Reincarnation (August 4)
Game Freak, best known for Pokémon, takes a completely different direction with Beast of Reincarnation.
Set 2,000 years in the future, players control Emma as she explores a ruined Japan consumed by a mysterious blight that transforms creatures into terrifying monsters. Combat blends Soulslike parrying with Final Fantasy VII Remake-style tactical slowdown, allowing players to command their loyal canine companion during battle.
With influences from Sekiro, NieR: Automata, and classic action RPGs, Beast of Reincarnation could become one of August’s biggest surprises.
Big Walk (August 4)
Launching on PlayStation Plus Essential at no extra cost, Big Walk is a cooperative puzzle adventure from the creators of Untitled Goose Game.
Players explore massive environments where teamwork is essential. Communication becomes part of the gameplay thanks to proximity voice chat, forcing teammates to stay close or rely on walkie-talkies, smoke signals, and handmade signs.
Supporting anywhere from two to twelve players, most puzzles are designed around four-person teams, making this one of the month’s best games to enjoy with friends.
Duskfade (August 13)
If you’re craving a colorful platforming adventure, Duskfade arrives on August 13.
This stylish action-platformer combines fast-paced traversal, vibrant worlds, and challenging combat while launching at an attractive budget price point, making it an appealing option for fans of classic platformers.
Hell Let Vietnam (August 13)
Military shooter fans have another title to watch with Hell Let Vietnam.
Building on the tactical gameplay that helped the series compete with Battlefield and Call of Duty, this standalone experience promises large-scale firefights focused on teamwork and realism.
Mafia: The Old Country – Man of Honor DLC (August 14)
Players returning to Mafia: The Old Country can continue the story with the Man of Honor expansion.
The DLC introduces two brand-new story chapters, expanding the game’s narrative while offering more organized crime action for returning players.
The Sinking City 2 (August 18)
Lovecraftian horror returns with The Sinking City 2.
The survival horror sequel promises terrifying monsters, unsettling environments, and psychological horror as players uncover supernatural mysteries inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s universe.
Mortal Shell 2 (August 20)
Cold Symmetry returns with Mortal Shell 2, bringing major gameplay improvements to its Soulslike formula.
The biggest change is the complete removal of the stamina bar, allowing players to stay aggressive during combat instead of constantly retreating to recover. Ranged weapons, including a satisfying shotgun, play a much bigger role this time around, while new navigation tools like an in-game map help make exploration less frustrating.
The result is a faster, more accessible Soulslike that still delivers punishing difficulty.
Once Human (August 25)
After attracting over 30 million players on PC, Once Human finally launches on PS5.
This free-to-play multiplayer survival shooter blends open-world exploration, base building, looter-shooter progression, and supernatural horror. Players gather resources, build settlements, craft equipment, and battle bizarre creatures across multiple interconnected worlds.
With hundreds of hours of content available at launch, Once Human could become one of the biggest free-to-play releases of the year.
Star Wars: Zero Company (August 27)
Instead of another action game, Star Wars: Zero Company takes inspiration from XCOM with tactical turn-based gameplay.
Set during the Clone Wars, players command a customizable squad through cinematic missions where permanent death means losing characters forever. Alongside familiar faces like Anakin Skywalker, the game also introduces entirely new alien species and original characters.
For strategy fans, this could be one of the year’s standout Star Wars releases.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 (August 27)
Konami continues bringing the Metal Gear franchise to modern platforms with Master Collection Vol. 2.
The collection’s biggest highlight is Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, finally escaping its PlayStation 3 exclusivity after nearly two decades. Also included are Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel, visual enhancements, audio improvements, digital soundtracks, and bonus materials for longtime fans.
While the games still retain their classic design, this collection offers an excellent opportunity to revisit some of the series’ most iconic entries.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy (August 27)
The Plague Tale universe returns with Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.
Unlike previous entries focused on stealth and survival, players now control Sophia, a far more combat-capable protagonist. The game introduces dual timelines between the Middle Ages and the ancient Minoan civilization, where actions taken in one era directly affect the other.
With puzzle-solving inspired by Uncharted and more action-oriented combat, Resonance looks set to take the franchise in an exciting new direction.
Final Thoughts
For PS5 owners, August is shaping up to be an exciting month for gamers, with blockbuster franchises and plenty of free experiences all arriving within just a few weeks.
