Anime Last Stand ALS Unit Tier List (October 2025) [UPD 73]
Are you struggling to decide which units deserve your precious gems and evolution materials in Anime Last Stand? I’ve spent…
What will you be playing this week? Remember to check out more cross platform gaming options if you want to expand beyond PlayStation’s ecosystem, but honestly, with this week’s exceptional PS Plus line up, you’ll have more than enough quality content to keep you busy well into September.
What PlayStation Plus games should you prioritize this week? With the August 19 catalog update introducing significant titles such as Marvel’s Spider Man and Mortal Kombat 1 to PS Plus Extra, along with Essential’s standout offering Lies of P, this week presents remarkable gaming options across all subscription levels. As a PlayStation Plus member since its inception, I’ve selected the five essential titles that provide the greatest value and entertainment during this important refresh period.
Having optimized my PlayStation Plus subscription for more than ten years, I’ve discovered that the week following catalog updates represents prime gaming time. Community involvement reaches its peak, multiplayer matches become readily available, and you experience the ideal opportunity to enjoy games at their most active. This week is particularly noteworthy with Giant Squid’s eagerly awaited Sword of the Sea debuting day one on PS Plus Extra, establishing it as an essential experience for any gaming enthusiast following comprehensive PlayStation Plus strategies.
| Game Title | PS Plus Tier | Availability | My Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lies of P | Essential | Available Now | Play First |
| Sword of the Sea | Extra/Premium | August 19 | Day One Must |
| Marvel’s Spider Man | Extra/Premium | August 19 | Classic Experience |
| Mortal Kombat 1 | Extra/Premium | August 19 | Fighting Fans |
| The Witcher 3 | Extra/Premium | Leaving Aug 19 | Last Chance |
I’ve invested over 40 hours with Lies of P since its arrival on PS Plus Essential, and I can assert with confidence that it stands as the finest Soulslike title we’ve received through the service. This dark reinterpretation of Pinocchio delivers everything FromSoftware enthusiasts desire: challenging combat, intricate level design, and that distinctive Victorian gothic atmosphere that immediately evoked memories of Bloodborne’s Yharnam.
What distinguishes Lies of P is its innovative weapon transformation system. Unlike conventional Soulslikes where you’re restricted to specific movesets, here you can merge different blade types with various handles, crafting unique weapons that perfectly accommodate your playstyle. My preferred combination? The greatsword blade paired with the dagger handle it delivers devastating charge attacks while preserving quick dodge recovery that has saved me numerous times.
The game’s narrative approach also merits recognition. While most Soulslikes conceal their story within item descriptions, Lies of P integrates its dark fairy tale more directly into gameplay. The decisions you make regarding lying or telling the truth genuinely influence both the story and gameplay mechanics, introducing a layer of moral complexity I didn’t anticipate from a Soulslike experience.
For Essential subscribers, this should be your absolute priority this week. The game performs beautifully on PS5 at 60fps with virtually no loading times, and the haptic feedback during combat feels exceptionally satisfying. Pro tip from my extensive gameplay: Don’t neglect the P Organ upgrade system investing in the right nodes early can completely transform your experience from frustrating to phenomenal.
Debuting day one on PS Plus Extra on August 19, Sword of the Sea comes from Giant Squid, the studio established by Journey’s art director Matt Nava. Having tracked this game’s development for years and experienced preview versions, I’m delighted it’s arriving directly on PS Plus, making it accessible to millions of subscribers without the $30 price point.
From my hands on experience during preview events, Sword of the Sea captures that same meditative, exploratory magic that made Journey and Abzu so extraordinary. You’re essentially gliding across an expansive desert on a hovers word, uncovering the mysteries of a vanished civilization. The movement feels absolutely sublime there’s a rhythm to maintaining momentum across the dunes that becomes almost hypnotic once you master the flow.
Austin Wintory returns as composer, and if his previous work is any indication, we’re in for another remarkable soundtrack that perfectly complements the visual spectacle. The visual design utilizes the PS5’s capabilities beautifully, with sand particles that respond dynamically to your movement and lighting effects that shift dramatically as you explore different regions throughout this artistic journey.
This represents precisely the type of indie treasure that makes PS Plus Extra worth the upgrade investment. It’s a shorter experience (likely 4-6 hours), but one that benefits from being played in a single session. Set aside an evening on August 19 to fully immerse yourself in this artistic adventure, particularly if you appreciate games featured in our feel good gaming experiences collection.
Yes, Marvel’s Spider Man originally released in 2018, but its addition to PS Plus Extra on August 19 offers newcomers and returning players the perfect opportunity to experience Insomniac’s masterpiece. I’ve completed this game three times across PS4 and PS5, and the Remastered version on PS5 continues to be the definitive way to enjoy this superhero classic.
What makes Spider Man exceptional isn’t just the web swinging (though that remains gaming’s most satisfying traversal system). It’s how Insomniac crafted a Spider Man story that feels both familiar and innovative. Peter Parker is already eight years into his superhero career, bypassing the origin story we’ve seen countless times. The relationship dynamics, especially with Aunt May and MJ, feel mature and nuanced in ways that enhance the entire experience.
The PS5 version adds ray traced reflections, nearly instantaneous loading, and 60fps performance that makes combat and traversal incredibly fluid. The DualSense implementation is subtle but effective you can feel the tension in the triggers when web swinging, and the haptics provide different feedback for various surfaces when wall crawling through Manhattan.
For those starting fresh, here’s my hard earned advice: Don’t rush the main story. The side content, particularly the Black Cat stakeouts and Taskmaster challenges, offer some of the game’s finest moments. Also, experiment with different suit powers they significantly alter combat encounters and maintain the experience’s freshness across multiple playthroughs.
NetherRealm’s latest fighter joins PS Plus Extra on August 19, bringing the franchise’s most ambitious reboot to date. After spending considerable time with MK1 since launch and competing in online tournaments, I can confirm this is the most accessible entry point for newcomers while offering remarkable depth for veterans like myself.
The Kameo system is genuinely revolutionary for the fighting game genre. Instead of merely selecting one fighter, you choose a main character and an assist partner who can extend combos, provide defensive options, or set up devastating mix ups. My preferred combination has been Sub Zero with Sareena Kameo her projectiles cover Sub Zero’s approach perfectly, and her knife toss extends his ice ball setups beautifully for maximum damage.
The story mode, which NetherRealm has refined over multiple games, delivers another cinematic experience that effectively teaches you multiple characters. It’s essentially a 6-hour tutorial disguised as a blockbuster campaign, and the multiverse narrative allows for some genuinely surprising character moments that kept me engaged throughout.
Online play has been significantly improved with better netcode implementation, and the PS5 version maintains a locked 60fps even during the most chaotic Kameo assisted combos. If you’re interested in competitive fighting games or simply want to explore the premier multiplayer PS5 experiences, MK1 on PS Plus provides your perfect entry point into the fighting game community.
While DayZ might appear like an unusual Essential addition alongside Lies of P, this survival simulator has discovered new life on PlayStation, and its inclusion in PS Plus brings fresh participants to its persistent servers. I’ll be straightforward DayZ isn’t for everyone. It’s punishing, complex, and can be genuinely frustrating. But for those who connect with its unique gameplay loop, there’s nothing else quite like it in gaming.
My most memorable DayZ moment occurred just last week: After hours of scavenging, I finally had decent gear and supplies. I encountered another player near Chernogorsk, and instead of the typical shoot on sight encounter, we ended up forming an alliance through proximity chat. We survived together for three real world days before a sniper concluded our journey. That’s DayZ brutal, unscripted stories that no other game can replicate.
The PS5 version performs considerably better than its PS4 counterpart, maintaining stable framerates even in populated areas with multiple players. The DualSense features are minimal but effective you’ll feel your heartbeat through haptics when injured or stressed, adding to the already intense survival tension.
New players should understand: You will die. Frequently. Your first ten lives might last minutes each. But once you learn the fundamentals where to find food, how to treat injuries, which buildings have the best loot DayZ transforms into one of gaming’s most intense experiences. For those interested in similar challenging multiplayer survival experiences, this serves as the perfect introduction to hardcore gaming.
While we’re celebrating new arrivals, don’t forget that several excellent titles are departing PS Plus on August 19. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt represents the most significant departure if you haven’t experienced Geralt’s swan song, you have only hours to begin this 100+ hour epic. Wild Hearts, EA’s Monster Hunter competitor, also leaves, taking with it one of the more innovative hunting games in recent years.
My recommendation based on years of PS Plus management? If you’re deeply engaged with any of these games, prioritize completing them before they depart. The Witcher 3 frequently goes on sale for under $10, so you can always purchase it later, but losing mid playthrough progress is frustrating and completely kills momentum.
After years of PlayStation Plus subscription optimization, here’s my strategic approach for weeks like this:
First, download everything that interests you on August 19, even if you won’t play immediately. As long as you “claim” games while they’re available, they remain in your library for the duration of your subscription. This is especially crucial for day one releases like Sword of the Sea these opportunities don’t occur frequently.
Second, consider your tier carefully based on this week’s offerings. This week demonstrates why Extra tier provides the best value proposition you receive all Essential games plus the substantial catalog additions. Premium adds classic games and trials, but unless you’re specifically interested in retro PlayStation titles, Extra offers the optimal balance for most players seeking modern gaming experiences.
Finally, engage with the community during launch week. Whether it’s comparing Lies of P builds on Reddit, sharing Sword of the Sea screenshots, or learning Mortal Kombat 1 combos, the first week after games arrive on PS Plus sees peak community activity. This is when you’ll find the most helpful guides, active Discord servers, and engaged player communities.
Based on my extensive PlayStation Plus experience, here’s how I recommend prioritizing your gaming time this week:
Immediate Priority (Day 1): Download all new games on August 19, then begin with Sword of the Sea for that fresh day one experience. It’s brief enough to complete in one session while the community excitement is at its peak.
Week Long Focus: Immerse yourself in Lies of P if you’re an Essential subscriber, or alternate between Spider Man story missions and Mortal Kombat 1 training mode if you have Extra/Premium access.
Long Term Investment: DayZ requires the most substantial time commitment and learning curve, so start with brief sessions to learn the basics while enjoying the other games. The cross platform gaming opportunities it offers make the investment worthwhile.
This week represents PlayStation Plus at its absolute finest. Essential subscribers receive a genuine Game of the Year contender in Lies of P, while Extra and Premium members gain an overwhelming selection of quality titles across every genre imaginable. Whether you’re seeking challenging Soulslike combat, artistic indie experiences, superhero adventures, competitive fighting, or survival horror, August 18-24 delivers something exceptional for every type of gamer.
My personal priority? I’m diving into Sword of the Sea the moment it launches on August 19. Day one PS Plus releases from established indie studios don’t occur often, and Giant Squid’s track record suggests we’re in for something truly special. After that, I’ll be revisiting Spider Man to prepare for the upcoming Marvel’s Spider Man 2, and fitting in some Mortal Kombat 1 sessions between gameplay to stay sharp for upcoming tournaments.
What will you be playing this week? Remember to explore more cross platform gaming options if you want to expand beyond PlayStation’s ecosystem, but honestly, with this week’s exceptional PS Plus line up, you’ll have more than enough quality content to keep you occupied well into September.
