Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially unveiled the PlayStation Plus Essential lineup for April 2026, featuring a compelling mix of dark fantasy, nostalgic adventures, and cooperative action. Starting Tuesday, April 7, subscribers can download Lords of the Fallen, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, and Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream.
Headlining the month is the 2023 reimagining of Lords of the Fallen. Distinct from the 2014 title of the same name, this soulslike epic from Hexworks casts players as a Dark Crusader on a grim quest to overthrow the demon god Adyr. The journey requires navigating the treacherous parallel worlds of the living and the dead. While the game has been noted for its demanding difficulty and occasionally restrictive mechanics, it is celebrated for its atmospheric depth and meticulous world-building. This title will be available exclusively for PlayStation 5.
Nostalgia takes center stage with Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, a definitive collection that revitalizes Lara Croft’s foundational exploits. Developed by Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics, this package preserves the classic level designs that defined the genre while introducing enhanced textures, improved lighting, and the option for modernized controls. Whether you are a veteran explorer or a newcomer, this collection offers the peak version of these iconic adventures on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Rounding out the selection is Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream, a multiplayer-centric action-RPG published by Bandai Namco. This entry features an expansive ensemble of 21 playable characters drawn from various arcs of the franchise. Players can unite in large-scale online co-op sessions to take down colossal bosses in high-octane combat. This title will be accessible to PlayStation 5 users.
Subscribers have until May 4 to add these three titles to their permanent libraries. In the meantime, there is a final opportunity to claim March’s games—including PGA Tour 2K25, Monster Hunter Rise, Slime Rancher 2, and The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road—before they rotate out on April 6.
PlayStation Plus Essential remains the foundational tier of Sony’s subscription service, providing members with online multiplayer access, cloud storage for save data, and exclusive store discounts. The service is currently priced at $79.99 for an annual commitment, $24.99 for three months, or $9.99 on a month-to-month basis.
Source: Polygon
