PS Plus August 2026 Essential Lineup: Dying Light 2, Big Walk, and Signalis

Critical reception: At launch, the game received a Metacritic score of 76 on PS5 and 77-79 on PC/Xbox, described as a "solid zombie open world game" . While the parkour, combat, and scale were widely praised, the story was considered weaker than its predecessor . Post-launch patches and the Reloaded Edition have improved the experience significantly, with many later reviews noting the game is in a much better state .

2. Big Walk (PS5)

From House House, the studio behind Untitled Goose Game, Big Walk is a first-person co-op puzzle adventure . Players explore a mysterious island with 2 to 12 friends online (there is no local co-op) . It uses a proximity chat system that is central to the gameplay; you must communicate and work together to solve environmental puzzles, find secrets, and even play basketball . It is a rare "day-one" release for the PS Plus Essential tier .

Critical reception: Big Walk is the most critically acclaimed game of the three. It holds a Metacritic score of 86 on PS5 and 93 on PC, making it one of the highest-rated new releases of 2026 . Critics praised it as a "co-op multiplayer masterpiece" and one of the best co-op games of the year, highlighting its inventive, communication-based design and charming atmosphere .

3. Signalis (PS4)

A classic-style survival horror game from German studio rose-engine . You play as Elster, a technician Replika (an android), who awakens on a desolate, crashed spacecraft. The game features a limited inventory, challenging puzzles, scarce resources, and a tense, cosmic-horror atmosphere inspired by the Silent Hill and Resident Evil series .

Critical reception: Signalis is highly acclaimed. It has a Metacritic score of 80 on PS4 (82 on OpenCritic) and a very strong 8.7 user score . On Steam, it holds a 97% positive rating from over 33,600 reviews . It won several awards, including Best Narrative at the Fear Fest: Horror Games Awards 2023 . It is widely regarded as an instant survival horror classic .

Additional Free Bonus Content (Starting August 6)

On August 6, 2026, all PS Plus members can also claim a MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls PlayStation Plus Pack . This is a free cosmetic content pack for the free-to-play fighting game MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls.

Important: Claim July's Games Before They're Gone

You must claim the July 2026 Essential games before they are removed on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 . The July lineup includes Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (PS5/PS4), CrossCode (PS5/PS4), and For the King II (PS4) . Once August's games go live, July's titles are no longer available to add to your library.