PS Plus Essential July 2026 Games Announced – Here’s the Full List

Sony has announced the three games coming to PlayStation Plus Essential members in July 2026.

The three titles joining the monthly roster are:

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Cross-Gen Bundle (PS5, PS4)

• For the King II (PS5, PS4)

• CrossCode (PS5, PS4)

Image: PS Plus July 2026 games (via Sony)

All three will be available to add to your library from July 7 until August 3. After that, a new selection takes over as usual.

It is also worth flagging that June's lineup, which includes Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, remains claimable until July 7. So if you have not grabbed those yet, now is the time.

A Closer Look at the Games

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is the headliner here. Developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision, it launched in November 2023 across all major platforms. The game picks up the story of Task Force 141 in their continued fight against Makarov and comes loaded with a campaign, an open-world Zombies mode, and a multiplayer suite built around classic map remakes, fast movement mechanics, and deep weapon customization through Gunsmith. Reception at launch was mixed, with critics landing the game in the low-to-mid 60s on Metacritic. The campaign in particular drew criticism for feeling short and underdeveloped, though the multiplayer and Zombies modes fared considerably better in player reception.

For the King II is the more niche but genuinely rewarding pick of the bunch. Developed by IronOak Games, this is a turn-based roguelite RPG that mixes tabletop sensibilities with procedurally generated adventure. You build a party, venture into a world full of chance-based encounters, manage tactical combat with permadeath hanging over your head, and work through story chapters across a shifting map. It is best experienced in co-op, where its depth really comes alive. As per player reception on Steam, it holds a mostly positive rating of around 70%, and Metacritic scores put it at around 76. Critics praised its improvements over the original For the King and its accessibility for newcomers, though some noted difficulty spikes and mechanics that can feel opaque early on. For fans of the genre, it is a strong sequel worth checking out.

Then there is CrossCode, easily the most critically acclaimed game in this month's lineup. Developed by Radical Fish Games, this is a top-down 2D action RPG set inside a fictional in-game MMORPG world. You play as a character piecing together her identity through a mystery tied to a virtual game world, all while navigating real-time combat with elemental tools, precise timing, and some genuinely clever puzzle design. It originally launched on PC back in 2018 before making its way to consoles in 2020, with the A New Home expansion following in 2021. CrossCode sits in the high 80s on Metacritic and carries an overwhelmingly positive reputation (92%) among Steam players.

What Happens to Games After the Claim Period Ends?

Once you add any of these games to your library before August 3, they are yours to keep playing for as long as you remain an active PlayStation Plus subscriber. That applies to any tier of the service, Essential and above. The games do not disappear from your library after the claim window closes; you simply lose the ability to add them for free after that point.

Overall, July's PlayStation Plus lineup is a well-rounded trio. Call of Duty brings the blockbuster name recognition, For the King II brings the tactical depth, and CrossCode brings the critical pedigree. There is something here for most types of players.