Sony's new PlayStation Plus collection arrives on May 7th, delivering three drastically different gaming experiences to subscribers. The May titles include Ark: Survival Ascended (PS5), Balatro (PS4/PS5), and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (PS4/PS5) – all claimable through June 2nd.
Tame Dinosaurs, Master Cards, and Blast Enemies
This month's lineup has something for all types of gamers. Want to settle in and get control of prehistoric monsters? Ark's your ticket. Enjoy new card mechanics with roguelike trappings? Balatro's your ticket. Craving action-packed retro-throwback chaos? Boltgun's your ticket.
Ark: Survival Ascended – Prehistoric Adventure Reimagined
Studio Wildcard's survival epic is returning, rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. You'll be riding dinosaurs, foraging for materials, and constructing bases while staying alive in a harsh prehistoric world. The game supports online multiplayer with up to 70 players, private for 8, and even local split-screen for 2.
The PS5 version has enhanced graphics, enhanced physics, and a host of quality-of-life updates. All the major expansions are included: Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, and both Genesis packs. Trophy hunters will enjoy a decently challenging platinum that clocks in at 50-100 hours.
Balatro – Poker Reimagined
This indie smash hit has sold over 5 million copies and has a number of Game Awards nominations under its belt. It blends poker play with roguelike progression perfectly, creating something utterly addictive.
Players compare traditional poker hands to special Joker cards to create powerful synergies and constructions. As you progress, you'll face increasingly challenging "blinds" that put your deck-building strategy to the test. The game includes over 150 unique Jokers, a variety of card types, and hidden bonus hands that offer dozens of hours of varied play. Budget 40-60 hours for trophy collectors.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun – Old-School Shooter With Grimdark Flair
Auroch Digital's retro-style FPS deposits you into action as a Space Marine with your trusty Boltgun. From the developer's description, it offers "a perfect blend of Warhammer 40,000, classic FPS gameplay, and stylish visuals of 90's shooters."
The game captures all that was so great about classic shooters – quick movement, keycard hunting, and a weapons arsenal full of instruments for causing mayhem. Pixelation mingles with modern light features to create a distinctive look that honors gaming past yet feels fresh. Platinum trophy collectors will find a relatively easy platinum 12-20 hours long.
Get More From Your Subscription
These three titles provide fantastic variety and more than 100 hours of gameplay. Keep in mind, once they are added to your library, they are playable as long as your PlayStation Plus subscription remains active. Don't forget that the April lineup – RoboCop: Rogue City, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker's Memory – is still available until May 5th.
Whether you're looking to fight through ancient danger, strategize with cards, or shoot past foes in a retro first-person shooter, May's PlayStation Plus lineup has something for everyone.
PlayStation Plus May 2025 Games: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What games are available on PlayStation Plus in May 2025?: PlayStation Plus subscribers can claim three diverse titles in May 2025: Ark: Survival Ascended (PS5), Balatro (PS4/PS5), and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (PS4/PS5). These games offer prehistoric survival adventures, poker-based roguelike gameplay, and retro first-person shooter action respectively.
Q: When will the May 2025 PlayStation Plus games be available to download?: The May 2025 PlayStation Plus games will be available to download starting May 7th and can be claimed through June 2nd. This gives subscribers nearly a month to add these titles to their digital library.
Q: What is Ark: Survival Ascended and what improvements does it offer on PS5?: Ark: Survival Ascended is a rebuilt version of Studio Wildcard's dinosaur survival game using Unreal Engine 5. The PS5 version features enhanced graphics, improved physics, and numerous quality-of-life updates. Players can tame dinosaurs, forage for materials, and build bases while surviving in a prehistoric world. The game includes all major expansions: Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, and both Genesis packs.
Q: How many players does Ark: Survival Ascended support?: Ark: Survival Ascended supports various multiplayer options including online multiplayer for up to 70 players, private sessions for 8 players, and local split-screen gameplay for 2 players, making it ideal for cooperative prehistoric survival adventures.
Q: What makes Balatro unique as a card game?: Balatro is an innovative indie hit that blends traditional poker gameplay with roguelike progression elements. Players use poker hands in combination with special Joker cards to create powerful synergies while facing increasingly challenging "blinds." The game features over 150 unique Jokers, various card types, and hidden bonus hands, offering a fresh take on poker mechanics.
Q: How successful has Balatro been in the gaming market?: Balatro has been extremely successful, selling over 5 million copies and receiving numerous Game Awards nominations. Its unique combination of poker and roguelike elements has made it an addictive and popular indie title among card game enthusiasts.
Q: What style of gameplay does Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun offer?: Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a retro-style first-person shooter that combines classic 90s FPS gameplay with the Warhammer 40K universe. Players take on the role of a Space Marine armed with a Boltgun, featuring fast-paced movement, keycard hunting, and an arsenal of weapons for battling through grimdark environments with stylized pixelated visuals enhanced by modern lighting effects.
Q: How long does it take to earn the platinum trophy in each May PlayStation Plus game?: Trophy hunters can expect different completion times for each game: Ark: Survival Ascended offers a challenging platinum that takes approximately 50-100 hours, Balatro requires about 40-60 hours for trophy completion, and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun provides a relatively easier platinum that takes around 12-20 hours.
Q: How long can I play these PlayStation Plus games?: Once you've added the PlayStation Plus games to your library, you can play them for as long as your PlayStation Plus subscription remains active. This applies to Ark: Survival Ascended, Balatro, and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun.
Q: When do the April 2025 PlayStation Plus games expire?: The April 2025 PlayStation Plus lineup—featuring RoboCop: Rogue City, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker's Memory—remains available until May 5th, just before the May games arrive on May 7th.
Q: How much gameplay value do the May PlayStation Plus games offer?: The May PlayStation Plus lineup offers exceptional value with over 100 hours of varied gameplay across the three titles, from dinosaur taming in Ark: Survival Ascended to strategic card play in Balatro and fast-paced shooting in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun.
