PlayStation Plus Games and Trophies for August 2018

by Dylan Blight

Sony has released the upcoming list of games coming to PlayStation Plus for August 2018. Leading the titles this month are Mafia III and Dead by Daylight, available August 7.

There are two extra titles this month alongside the usual PS4, PS3 and PS Vita offerings. You can grab Here They Lie for PS VR (available until October 2nd) and Knowledge Is Power (PlayLink) until November 6th.

This month you’ll be able to earn a total of 6 Platinum, 16 Gold, 60 Silver and 220 Bronze trophies. If you have the 6+ tablets or devices needed, Knowledge Is Power is the easiest Platinum of the month. Mafia III is the second easiest—time-consuming and likely to need two playthroughs, but nothing too troubling.

Mafia III (PS4)

“It’s 1968 and after years of combat in Vietnam, Lincoln Clay knows this truth: family isn’t who you’re born with, it’s who you die for.”

Mafia III has a lot going for it—setting, story and characters. Some of the moment-to-moment gameplay can become repetitive, but I’m a fan of the game. I picked up the Platinum shortly after release (it’s straightforward enough) and have been looking for an excuse to do the DLC—this might be it.

Dead by Daylight (PS4)

“Dead by Daylight is a multiplayer (4vs1) horror game where one player takes on the role of the savage Killer, and the other four players play as Survivors, trying to escape the Killer and avoid being caught and killed.”

We’ve played a lot of Friday the 13th here at the Explosion Network but haven’t dabbled in Dead by Daylight—this month might be a great time. It’s 4vs1 with a bunch of horror icons (including Freddy Krueger) and looks like a slashing good time.

Trophy tip: it’s an online grind with a bit of luck; expect 100+ hours for the Platinum.

Knowledge Is Power (PS4, PlayLink)

“Claim your fame in a sparkling PS4 exclusive game show quiz from the growing PlayLink range. Don’t worry about your DUALSHOCK 4—simply grab your smart device, choose from one of eight characters and snap a selfie, then enter the Pyramid of Knowledge where you and up to five friends answer themed questions in a madcap race to its summit.”

Sony’s push to get more people playing PlayLink continues, so if you didn’t grab Knowledge Is Power during one of its many sales, here’s another chance at a fun family trivia game.

Trophy tip: you can snag an easy Platinum if you’ve got a bunch of phones or tablets handy.

Here They Lie (PS VR + PS4)

“Here They Lie transports you to a terrifying world from which you cannot escape. Explore a nightmarish city inhabited by strange, malevolent creatures in this ground-breaking first-person horror.”

One of the PS VR launch-window titles, Here They Lie later received a PS4 patch making it playable in non-VR. So yes, it’s a PS VR title this month, but non-VR players can still jump in for a horror fix.

Trophies: no Platinum, but you can 100% it in 3–5 hours with a collectible guide.

Bound by Flame (PS3)

“Bound by Flame features real-time combat that is tactically deep, dynamic and spectacular. Every monster has its own behavior, strengths and weaknesses you’ll have to exploit…”

A tactical RPG that will require several playthroughs and 60+ hours for the Platinum. If you’re looking for a deep PS3 time sink, this is it.

Serious Sam 3: BFE (PS3)

“Serious Sam 3: BFE is a glorious throwback to the golden age of first-person shooters where men were men, cover was for amateurs and pulling the trigger made things go boom.”

Serious Sam games are an acquired taste. The BFE edition includes DLC from the PC version and is essentially a “director’s cut.”

Trophies: not recommended if you’re chasing an easy list. Some trophies require online co-op, but most can’t be earned in co-op; there are difficulty-related trophies and multiple playthroughs are likely.

Draw Slasher (PS Vita)

“Meet Hanzo. He’s a ninja. While he was training ‘out there’ the Pirate Monkey Zombies™—stupid, ugly, smelly, rotten and disgusting creatures—kidnapped his family. Take control of his awesome blade and aid him in the quest to free them.”

A PS Vita game played entirely with the touch screen—you literally draw to slash and control Hanzo.

Trophies: no Platinum here, and the list isn’t especially easy even though story mode is short. You’ll need patience for the challenge modes to reach 100%.

Space Hulk (PS Vita)

“The legendary Space Hulk returns in this epic turn-based strategy game. Set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, an intriguing story of legendary battles and heroic actions unfolds.”

A turn-based strategy pick for Vita owners. Space Hulk sits in the Warhammer 40,000 universe and could hit the spot for fans of the tabletop or other adaptations.

Trophies: expect 40+ hours and a couple of playthroughs for the Platinum.

Note: the original version of this article said Knowledge Is Power had been on PS Plus previously and has since been corrected.

Check out our PlayStation podcast, Platinum Explosion.