Most years, the summer tends to be one of the slower seasons for marquee game releases, but the same can’t be said about 2025. This week alone has seen the launch of several new games, many of which are cross-platform releases either debuting on thePS5or making their way to Sony’s hardware for the first time. Ahead of what’s set to be a busy August, PS5 owners are flush with options for great games to play, and there’s arguably no better time to dive into a new title for the first time than on the weekend.
Our picks for the games to play onPS5this weekend focus both on new titles dropping this week, as well as some older games to help prep players for some of August’s most exciting new releases. There are 2D action-platformers, Metroidvanias, first-person psychological horror games, and more, and these 5 titles are just a very small sample of what’s on offer for PS5 this weekend ahead of the arrival of some of 2025’s more anticipated games.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Blasphemousdeveloper The Game Kitchen’sNinja Gaiden: Rageboundarrives today, and it’s already making a splash as one of July’s biggest and most critically-acclaimed releases.Rageboundis the first new 2D game in theNinja Gaidenseries in 34 years and exhibits many of the same characteristics as bothBlasphemousgames— stunning pixel art and animations, fantastic combat, and a steep yet rewarding challenge. It’s a fantastic continuation of theNinja Gaidenseries' 2D legacy and a worthwhile title to pick up for anyone who enjoys fast and frenetic games with plenty of action.
9 Years of Shadows
Underrated Metroidvania9 Years of Shadowshas been out on other platforms for well over a year, but the title finally made its way to the PS5 this week. Despite some middling review scores,9 Years of Shadowshas a stronger 79% “Mostly Positive” player reception on Steam, where most of the reviews praise the title for its eye-catching pixel art and fun, yet simplistic, take on the Metroidvania genre. If players happen to have already beatenShadow LabyrinthorPrimal Planetand are looking for anew Metroidvania gamefor their PS5 library, they should look no further than9 Years of Shadows.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
One of August’s biggest releases is the much-hypedMetal Gear Solid 3remake,Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, making now a perfect time to replay the entire trilogy before it drops on August 28. The current best way to play the first several chapters in theMetal Gearsaga is theMetal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which contains the MSX versions ofMetal GearandMetal Gear 2: Solid Snake, as well as the first three games in theMetal Gear Solidseries. Over the weekend, you could breeze through the originalMetal Gear Solidand then keep that stealth-action train rolling throughout the month beforeDeltareleases.
Dying Light
Another franchise that’s making its triumphant return in August isDying Light, with original protagonist Kyle Crane returning as the star of the upcomingDying Light: The Beast. BeforeThe Beastlaunches on September 19, it’ll be worth getting a refresher on the start of Crane’s story with the originalDying Light, which still holds up as one of the best open-world zombie games out there. Best of all,Dying Light’sDefinitive Editionis currently available on PSN for a sizable discount, sweetening what’s already a pretty great deal for the original game and all its DLC.
Luto
Last week’s release calendar was pretty much dominated by the launch ofWuchang: Fallen Feathers, which meant thatLutowent under a lot of players' radars.Lutois a first-person psychological horror game with some truly mind-bending puzzles and genuinely unnerving moments that any fan of the genre should definitely check out. Considering we’ll never get anofficial release ofP.T., it’s nice to see a game likeLutorelease that scratches a similar itch.
WHERE TO PLAY
Luto is a psychological horror experience where you take on the role of someone unable to leave their home. Every attempt to escape will lead you deeper into the unknown, where nothing is as it seems and everything will test your senses.
