Skip to main content

3 new PS Plus games you should play this weekend (August 16-18)

Image of Travis Touchdown scowling in No More Heroes 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

More games will be added to the PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra game catalog in less than a week, so now is the best time to catch up on some July additions you might have missed. Last month was a surprisingly strong one for the service, as it got plenty of compelling additions across all fronts. While additions like Remnant II and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion garnered the most attention as the highest-profile releases, several games that are more underrated than those slipped into PS Plus’ game catalog at the same time. As such, I’m recommending three of those games to people looking for something to play on PS Plus this weekend.

No More Heroes 3

Travis Touchdown slashing an alien with his beam katana in No More Heroes 3.
XSEED Games

No More Heroes 3 is a ridiculous game from eccentric game developer Suda51 and his development studio Grasshopper Manufacture. It’s an entertaining action game with hilarious writing and an enjoyable story about Travis Touchdown working his way up the Galactic Superhero Rankings to take on an alien prince named FU. What really gives the No More Heroes games their distinct flair is the fact that they aren’t afraid to get meta. No More Heroes 3 will constantly call out the player directly and will sometimes even change up its gameplay, so it’s better that I don’t spoil that much and just recommend that you go and check this one out for yourself. No More Heroes 3 is available on PS4 and PS5 through the PS Plus Premium and Extra Game Catalog. It’s also on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

Recommended Videos

The Jackbox Party Pack 9

A player draws an annoyed bird in Jackbox Party Pack 9 minigame Nonsensory.
Jackbox Games

The Jackbox Party Pack games are some of the most approachable multiplayer games out there, so it’s always a good thing when you can get access to one for three. The Jackbox Party Pack 9 features five different social multiplayer games, with the headliner being the latest version of Fibbage. Outside of that, you can try out the reality-show-themed Roomerang, the sales-pitch and haggling-focused Junktopia, the prompt-based drawing game Nonsensory, and the block and word sorting game Quixort. Fibbage 4 and Nonsensory were the standouts to me. The PS4 and PS5 versions of The Jackbox Party Pack 9 are now in PS Plus Extra’s game catalog. It’s also available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and iOS.

Deadcraft

Gameplay from Deadcraft.
XSEED

Deadcraft is a zombie survival game from Marvelous and XSEED that flew under the radar when it was released in 2022. Players control a character named Reid, who’s actually half-zombie. This gives Reid special powers in combat and even allows players to create zombie works to help them out. Players use these skills to help them on their revenge quest as they progress through the main story, build up their home base, and consume enough to satiate Reid’s hunger and thirst. It’s a little rough around the edges, but a hidden gem within the diverse catalog of a subscription service like PS Plus. You can try Deadcraft on PS4 or PS5 if you’re subscribed to PS Plus Extra or Premium, and it’s also available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

Tomas Franzese
A former Gaming Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Tomas Franzese now reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…
3 new PS Plus games that you should play this weekend (December 20-22)
Frey in Square Enix's Forspoken.

The latest batch of new PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium game catalog additions was released this week. As a result, PS Plus subscribers have a ton of new options when it comes to what to play as we approach what is many people's holiday break. Games from this most recent batch are what I'm recommending people check out this weekend. One of the titles is technically a Christmas game, so it's fitting to play this time of year, while my other recommendations are good options if you're looking for something to play with others.
Forspoken
Forspoken - Official Launch Trailer

Square Enix's Forspoken is a high-profile action RPG console exclusive that was released on PlayStation 5 in 2023. While its quip-heavy dialogue definitely isn't for everyone, the way it incorporates the player's magical abilities into combat and traversal is truly exhilarating. Dashing through large fields, surfing on top of water, and launching bullet-like streams of rocks at enemies is immensely satisfying. Forspoken's Isekai adventure technically begins with the main character, Frey, being whisked away from New York City around Christmas. That technically makes this a Christmas game, giving you all the more reason to check it out this weekend.

Read more
3 you PS Plus games that you need to check out this weekend (December 13-15)
Key art for Sly 2: Band of Thieves.

As we wait for the last big batch of PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra titles of 2024, there are still plenty of solid games that you can check out. An RPG available as part of the month's PS Plus Essential lineup is worth checking out for fans of Pokémon, while two PS2 classics are worth the time of Premium subscribers. If you're wondering what you should play this weekend, any of these games are good options to play.
Sly 2: Band of Thieves

Earlier in December, Sony added some classic PS2 games to the PS Plus Premium game catalog to celebrate PlayStation's 30th anniversary. One of those games was Sly 2: Band of Thieves from Sucker Punch Productions. While the first and third games in this series are also now available with PS Plus Premium, Sly 2 is my favorite game in the series. It's this game where Sucker Punch's stealth platformer series came into its own with memorable, well-designed characters, a story that's engaging, and 3D platforming gameplay that's among the best of its console generation. If you've never played any Sly Cooper games before, the franchise is worth checking out now that it's on PS5.

Read more
Underrated PS5 exclusive Forspoken is coming to PlayStation Plus this month
Key art for Forspoken.

PlayStation Plus is ending 2024 with a bang, adding a meaty batch of compelling PS4 and PS5 games to its PS Plus Premium and Extra catalogs just before the holiday break. Of all the new games added, the most significant title included in the batch is Forspoken, a PS5-exclusive action RPG with roots going back to the first PlayStation Showcase for the PS5.

Forspoken Deep Dive | Exploring Athia

Read more