Sony has revealed the PlayStation Plus monthly game lineup for May, and it’s packed with genre-defining experiences that blend survival, strategy, and high-octane action. This month’s featured titles Ark: Survival Ascended, Balatro, and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun each bring something unique to the table, making May a must-play month for subscribers of PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers.
Let’s dive deep into the technical and gameplay aspects of these titles and why they deserve your attention.
1. Ark: Survival Ascended (PS5)
Overview:
Ark: Survival Ascended is the Unreal Engine 5-powered remaster of the iconic survival game Ark: Survival Evolved. Developed by Studio Wildcard, this title delivers a completely overhauled visual and gameplay experience, leveraging next-gen technologies to enhance realism, performance, and immersion.
Gameplay Mechanics:
The core gameplay remains consistent with the original players awaken on a mysterious island filled with dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures. To survive, you must gather resources, craft tools, build shelter, tame beasts, and fend off hostile players and environments.
However, Survival Ascended introduces:
- Improved AI for dinosaur behavior
- Enhanced physics systems
- Overhauled inventory management UI
- Cross-platform modding support
Technical Enhancements:
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5 with Nanite and Lumen support
- Resolution: 4K Ultra HD support at 60 FPS (target)
- Ray Tracing: Global Illumination and dynamic shadows enhance lighting realism
- Cross-Platform: PC and PS5 users share modded experiences via CurseForge
- Physics: Fully dynamic foliage, fluid simulations, and destructible environments
These upgrades ensure a seamless open-world experience with fewer loading screens, higher environmental fidelity, and smooth multiplayer interactions for up to 70 players per server.
Why It’s a Must-Play in May:
Ark: Survival Ascended gives players a deep survival RPG with AAA-level presentation. Whether you’re returning to the island or exploring it for the first time, the performance gains and technical depth make it a compelling showcase for PS5’s hardware capabilities.
2. Balatro (PS4, PS5)
Overview:
Balatro is a roguelike deck-builder that combines poker mechanics with strategic progression. Developed by LocalThunk, this indie gem took the genre by surprise with its unique gameplay loop and heavy replayability. It’s deceptively simple at first glance but offers complex synergies and challenges beneath the surface.
Gameplay Mechanics:
The goal in Balatro is to reach increasingly difficult score thresholds by constructing poker hands with upgraded cards, jokers, and deck modifiers. Every round challenges your ability to adapt, optimize your hand, and strategically invest in upgrades.
Key features include:
- Traditional poker hand scoring with unique twists
- 100+ Joker cards with game-changing abilities
- Unlockable decks and difficulty modifiers
- Procedurally generated runs
Technical Design:
- Platform Optimization: Smooth 60 FPS on both PS4 and PS5, with instant load times on PS5
- Minimalist UI: Designed for clarity and fast decision-making on consoles
- Save States: Auto-save at key checkpoints during runs
- Audio Design: Lo-fi synth and reactive soundtrack that adapts to game state
Replayability and Difficulty Scaling:
Balatro shines through its difficulty curves. As you unlock new decks and modifiers, the game encourages experimentation. Permadeath and randomness ensure that no two runs are alike, fostering a compelling “just one more round” mentality.
Why It’s a Must-Play in May:
If you enjoy roguelikes, card games, or mathematical optimization puzzles, Balatro will hook you quickly. It’s light on storage and heavy on value, perfect for gaming sessions on the go or late-night marathons.
3. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (PS4, PS5)
Overview:
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a retro-styled boomer shooter developed by Auroch Digital and published by Focus Entertainment. Set in the dark and violent future of the 41st millennium, players take control of a Sternguard Veteran Space Marine as they cleanse the heretic, mutant, and daemon in gloriously pixelated gore.
Gameplay Mechanics:
This is a fast-paced first-person shooter with mechanics reminiscent of Doom (1993) and Quake, updated with modern movement and gunplay systems. The boltgun is your mainstay weapon, but a variety of 40K-specific guns and abilities are available.
Gameplay features:
- Fast, fluid movement with circle-strafing, bunny hopping, and rocket jumping
- Arsenal includes chainswords, plasma guns, and frag grenades
- Stylized pixel art violence with chunky gore effects
- Hardcore difficulty levels and speedrun modes
Technical Specs:
- Frame Rate: 60 FPS locked on PS5 and optimized 30-60 FPS on PS4
- Visuals: Retro-style voxel and pixel graphics with dynamic lighting
- Audio: Authentic Warhammer voiceovers and industrial metal soundtrack
- Performance: Low latency input and no stuttering across both platforms
- DualSense Features (PS5): Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhance immersion, especially when firing heavy weapons
Warhammer Lore Integration:
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is more than just a retro-inspired shooter it’s a faithful adaptation of the Warhammer 40K universe, steeped in lore and fan service. Set in the grimdark future of the 41st millennium, the game puts players in the power armor of a Sternguard Veteran Space Marine, tasked with purging heretics, Chaos cultists, and daemons. From the moment you start, the game immerses you in the rich lore of the Imperium, with authentic voice lines, environmental storytelling, and weaponry straight from Warhammer canon. Iconic elements such as bolt rifles, chainswords, and Chaos-warped architecture reflect decades of tabletop and novel history. Even enemy types from Nurglings to Chaos Terminators are lovingly recreated with pixel-art precision. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the franchise, Boltgun serves as both a thrilling FPS and a deep dive into one of science fiction’s most detailed and enduring universes.
Why It’s a Must-Play in May:
Boltgun is a love letter to retro FPS games, wrapped in one of the most iconic sci-fi universes. Whether you’re a Warhammer veteran or an old-school shooter fan, it offers brutal fun in digestible sessions.
PlayStation Plus Integration and Cloud Gaming
Cloud Saves and Cross-Platform Access:
One of the standout benefits of a PlayStation Plus subscription is the seamless cloud save functionality and cross-platform access across PS4 and PS5 consoles. With cloud saves, your game progress is automatically backed up to your PlayStation Network account, allowing you to resume gameplay from any compatible device. Whether you’re upgrading from PS4 to PS5 or switching between consoles, you won’t lose any progress in titles like Ark: Survival Ascended, Balatro, or Warhammer 40K: Boltgun. This feature is particularly useful for players who travel or share consoles, as it ensures a consistent gaming experience without manual data transfers. Additionally, games that support cross-generation play such as Balatro and Boltgunlet you enjoy the same game across both platforms without purchasing it again. Combined, these features deliver flexibility, convenience, and security, making it easier than ever to enjoy your favorite PlayStation Plus games anywhere, anytime.
Game Help Integration (PS5):
The Game Help feature on PS5 is a valuable tool for PlayStation Plus members, offering in-game guidance without disrupting gameplay. Accessible via the Control Center, Game Help provides context-specific tips, walkthrough videos, and step-by-step instructions directly related to your current objective. For supported titles like Ark: Survival Ascended and Warhammer 40K: Boltgun, this feature can assist with complex survival mechanics, boss fights, or level progression without needing to exit the game or search online. Game Help is especially useful for newcomers tackling challenging missions or hidden objectives. All content is spoiler-free and curated to match your in-game status, helping you stay immersed while getting the assistance you need. Available exclusively to PS Plus subscribers on PS5, this feature exemplifies how Sony is enhancing gameplay through integrated support systems, making it easier to learn mechanics, find collectibles, and progress faster without interrupting the flow of your gaming experience.
Subscription Tiers and Access:
PlayStation Plus offers three subscription tiers Essential, Extra, and Premium each providing varying levels of benefits and access to games. For May, Ark: Survival Ascended, Balatro, and Warhammer 40K: Boltgun are available to all PlayStation Plus Essential members at no additional cost. Once claimed during the monthly window (May 7 to June 3), these titles remain in your library as long as your subscription is active. The Extra and Premium tiers build on Essential by including access to the Game Catalog, Ubisoft+ Classics, and for Premium users, cloud streaming and a library of classic titles. Regardless of tier, all subscribers benefit from features like online multiplayer, cloud saves, and exclusive discounts. The tiered system allows players to choose a plan that fits their gaming habits, whether they want just the monthly games or a full library experience. Claim your games on time to ensure uninterrupted access.
Storage Requirements and Install Sizes
- Ark: Survival Ascended (PS5): ~70 GB
- Balatro (PS4/PS5): ~1.5 GB
- Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (PS4/PS5): ~5.5 GB
Be sure to clear up some SSD or HDD space, especially for Ark, which is resource-heavy due to high-res textures and real-time lighting.
Performance Tips and Suggestions
For Ark: Survival Ascended:
- Adjust resolution scaling for stable FPS in large tribe servers.
- Use wired internet or a strong 5GHz Wi-Fi for smoother multiplayer.
- Update to the latest patch for mod compatibility.
For Balatro:
- Keep save backups to revisit successful deck strategies.
- Experiment with different Jokers early to understand synergy.
For Boltgun:
- Enable motion blur for a smoother retro look or disable for crisper visuals.
- Use the DualSense trigger feedback for a more tactile shooter experience.
Final Thoughts: May’s Lineup Delivers Diversity and Depth
Sony’s PlayStation Plus offering for May 2025 hits all the right notes next-gen survival, indie strategy, and nostalgic FPS combat. It reflects the platform’s ongoing commitment to providing players with technically impressive and creatively distinct experiences.
Whether you’re looking to build a dinosaur empire, gamble on the next high-stakes poker combo, or purge the galaxy of Chaos, Ark: Survival Ascended, Balatro, and Warhammer 40K: Boltgun deliver compelling gameplay and rock-solid technical execution.
Don’t miss outclaim your games, fire up your DualSense, and dive into May’s best adventures on PlayStation.
