Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup for May 2025, offering a diverse and exciting trio of titles for subscribers. Beginning May 6 through June 2, members can download and enjoy Ark: Survival Ascended, Balatro, and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun — a mix of survival simulation, strategic deck-building, and retro-style FPS action.
Ark: Survival Ascended | PS5
Taking survival gaming to the next level, Ark: Survival Ascended returns as a remastered experience built using Unreal Engine 5. Players are dropped into a hostile, prehistoric world where survival depends on taming dinosaurs, forming tribes, and mastering the environment.
This upgraded version includes enhanced graphics, new physics systems, and a variety of quality-of-life improvements. It also grants access to all of Ark’s expansions: Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, Genesis Part 1, Genesis Part 2, and more.
Multiplayer options include public servers for up to 70 players, private sessions for up to 8, and even local split-screen for 2 players — making this a robust offering for both solo survivors and co-op explorers.
Balatro | PS5, PS4
Balatro brings a unique twist to the card game genre by fusing roguelike mechanics with poker-inspired strategy. Players combine traditional poker hands with a wild array of Joker cards, each adding unique effects and abilities. The goal? Build powerful synergies and beat increasingly challenging blinds as you advance toward the final ante.
The game’s deck-building system allows for deep strategic customization, and its minimalist style hides a surprisingly complex and addictive core loop. Having earned accolades across platforms, Balatro is poised to be a breakout hit for PS Plus subscribers.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun | PS5, PS4
If you're craving a hit of nostalgia with modern polish, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun delivers a fast-paced "boomer shooter" experience set in the gritty universe of Warhammer 40K. Players step into the armored boots of a Space Marine, battling Chaos Space Marines and daemons across a galaxy-spanning campaign.
Inspired by 90s-era FPS games, Boltgun features pixelated sprites, over-the-top weapons, and gloriously gory combat. It’s a tribute to both classic shooters and the expansive Warhammer franchise — and it's loaded with style, speed, and explosive action.
Last Chance to Grab April’s Titles
Before May’s titles drop, PlayStation Plus members still have until May 5 to claim April’s games: RoboCop: Rogue City, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory.
Community Reactions: A Mixed Bag
As always, the new lineup has sparked a range of opinions. Some players are thrilled by the diversity of the titles — particularly Balatro, which has quickly become a cult favorite. Others voiced disappointment, either due to already owning the games or preferring bigger AAA titles in exchange for their rising subscription fees.
A number of commenters on the official PlayStation Blog suggested features like community voting for monthly titles or a separate, cheaper online-only tier to improve the value of the service.
Still, the inclusion of fresh experiences like Balatro and cult hits like Boltgun has been praised by many as a welcome deviation from the usual roster.
May’s PlayStation Plus offerings reflect a bold mix of genres and experiences. Whether you're herding dinosaurs, building the perfect poker deck, or laying waste to heretics across the stars, there's something this month to spark curiosity in every kind of gamer.
Subscribers can download all three games starting May 6 via the PlayStation Store. As always, once claimed, these games remain in your library as long as your subscription is active.
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