PS Plus April 2026 Monthly Games Confirmed: Lords of the Fallen Leads the Lineup

PlayStation has officially confirmed the three free games coming to PS Plus Essential members in April 2026.

The titles will be available to download starting April 7, 2026, and players have until May 4 to add them to their library.

The headliner for this month is Lords of the Fallen (PS5), joined by Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream (PS5) and Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered (PS5, PS4).

Lords of the Fallen

Lords of the Fallen is a soulslike action-RPG developed by Hexworks and published by CI Games. It launched in October 2023 and was built on Unreal Engine 5, which shows in its impressive visual presentation.

The game is set in the dark fantasy world of Mournstead, where players take on the role of a Lamp Bearer tasked with cleansing five corrupted beacons before the demon god Adyr makes his return. The story offers three distinct endings, giving players a reason to replay.

What sets it apart from other soulslikes is its dual-world mechanic. Players can shift between the living realm, Axiom, and the spectral dead realm, Umbral, using the Umbral Lamp. This system is used for puzzle solving, uncovering hidden paths, and altering combat encounters.

Here is a quick breakdown of what the game offers:

• Nine starting classes with deep build customization

• Melee, magic, and hybrid playstyles

• Co-op multiplayer campaign and PvP modes

• Three possible endings based on player choices

• Major post-launch improvements via the version 2.0 patch in 2025

The game received mixed-to-positive reviews at launch, sitting at around 75/100 on Metacritic for PC. Critics praised the combat feel and atmosphere but pointed out launch performance issues. However, post-launch patches have addressed most of those concerns, and the game has since found a much more positive reception. It has gained over 5.5 million players by July 2025.

The timing of this PS Plus addition also makes a lot of sense. The sequel, Lords of the Fallen 2, is expected to arrive later this year for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Epic Games. So jumping in now is a great way to get familiar with the world before the follow-up drops.

Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream

Developed by Dimps Corporation and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, SAO Fractured Daydream launched in October 2024 across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The story is an original standalone narrative set in a glitched-out version of ALfheim Online, where characters from across all SAO timelines get pulled into one chaotic crossover. It is light on deep lore but delivers on the fan-service front with over 20 playable characters from across the franchise.

Key highlights include:

• Online lobbies supporting over 20 players across five parties

• Fast-paced anime-style combat with character-specific skills and ultimates

• Switch Chain mechanics for coordinated team attacks

• A short offline story mode for unlocks before jumping online

• Post-launch DLC expanding the roster and content

The reception was mixed overall. Steam user reviews sit at around 63% positive, and critics noted that the raid structure can feel repetitive. That said, if you are an SAO fan or just enjoy co-op raid-style gameplay, there is fun to be had here, especially with a group.

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, developed and published by Aspyr, was released in February 2024. It brought together the first three classic Tomb Raider games, including all expansions and secret levels.

The three games covered are:

• Tomb Raider (1996): Lara hunts the Scion artifact across Peruvian ruins, Greek islands, and Egyptian tombs

• Tomb Raider II (1997): Centers on the Dagger of Xian through China, Venice, and underwater environments

• Tomb Raider III (1998): A globe-trotting adventure across India, London, the Pacific, and Antarctica

The remaster added upgraded AI-upscaled textures, new lighting, and modernized 3D models, while letting players toggle back to the original visuals at any time. A new Challenge mode also lets players "replay levels with customized modifiers and complete achievements to unlock 10 New Outfits that enhance Lara's abilities." 

Modern control options inspired by later Crystal Dynamics entries are available too, though the classic tank controls remain for purists.

It scored around 75/100 on Metacritic and was praised for its value and faithfulness. The main criticism is that the gameplay still feels dated even with modern controls, which is fair.

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Overall, April 2026 is a well-rounded month for PS Plus Essential subscribers. There is something for soulslike fans, anime enthusiasts, and retro gamers alike. All three titles are available from April 7 through May 4, 2026.