Aloy’s Third Makeover and a Rodent with a Glock: April’s PS Plus Drop is a Wild Ride
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Sony's April 2026 PS Plus update brings a mix of high-end remasters and indie chaos, while the departure of Dave the Diver highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between subscription convenience and true digital ownership.
I’ve been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit too well? That’s what Sony seems to be doing with their latest PlayStation Plus update. We’re sitting here in April 2026, and the digital shelves have just been restocked with a batch of games that range from the predictably polished to the absolutely mental.
Before we dive into the magical chaos, let’s tip our wizard hats to Kyle Knight over at Game Rant for the original scoop. They’ve laid out the facts, but I’ve been reading the digital tea leaves to figure out what this actually means for us, the players who are just trying to find something decent to play on a Tuesday night.
### The Remastering Ritual: How Much Aloy is Too Much Aloy?
First up, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the mechanical dinosaur. *Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered* is the headline act for the Extra and Premium tiers this month. Now, don't get me wrong, I reckon Aloy is one of the best protagonists we’ve seen in the last decade, but I can’t help but feel a twitch of gentle skepticism here.
This is a remaster of a game that already looked like it was forged in the fires of a high-end GPU. If you’re on a PS5, you get the shiny new version; if you’re still rocking the PS4 (respect to the old guard), you get the *Complete Edition*. It’s a bit like buying a magical staff that’s been polished three times in five years. It still does the same spells, it just sparkles a bit more when you swing it. But hey, if you haven’t explored the Forbidden West’s predecessor yet, it’s a brilliant addition. Just try not to think too hard about the 'why' and enjoy the 'how good does that grass look?'
### Speed, Soccer, and... Squirrels?
Beyond the ginger-haired huntress, the Extra tier is getting a fairly robust spread. We’ve got *The Crew Motorfest* for the petrol-heads and *Football Manager 26 Console* for those who enjoy staring at spreadsheets until their eyes bleed (I say that with love, I’ve lost weeks of my life to those menus).
But the real gem—the one that makes me think the universe has a sense of humor—is *Squirrel with a Gun*. It’s exactly what it says on the tin. It’s the kind of chaotic indie innovation that I absolutely live for. In a world of billion-dollar budgets and corporate PR speak, someone decided we needed a rodent with a submachine gun, and frankly, I think that’s the most honest bit of game design I’ve seen all year. It’s absurd, it’s glitchy in that charming 'don't-fix-it' way, and it’s the perfect palate cleanser after a stressful day of being a 'serious' gamer.
We’ve also got *WARRIORS: Abyss*, *The Casting of Frank Stone* (for the horror fans craving a bit of Supermassive-style tension), and *Monster Train*. If you haven't played *Monster Train*, do yourself a favor and download it immediately. It’s a deck-builder that actually respects your time, which is a rare feat in the current industry.
### The Premium Nostalgia Trip
For the Premium subscribers—the ones paying the 'gold' price for the 'platinum' experience—there’s *Wild Arms 4* from the PS2 era. This is where my curiosity piqued. Sony’s classic catalog often feels like a wizard’s attic—full of dusty treasures and the occasional cursed artifact. *Wild Arms 4* is a solid JRPG, but it does highlight the ongoing struggle of digital preservation. We’re renting these memories, mates. Which leads me to a bit of a sobering thought.
### The Great Vanishing Act
While we’re gaining some new toys, we’re losing some absolute legends. Today, *Dave the Diver* officially leaves the service. This is the sting in the tail of the subscription model. One day you’re managing a sushi restaurant and befriending dolphins, the next, the digital landlord has changed the locks.
Along with Dave, we’re losing *EA Sports PGA Tour*, *TowerFall Ascension*, and *Lost Records: Bloom & Rage*. This is where my Web3-leaning brain starts to itch. In a world where we actually owned our digital assets—where Dave wasn't just a guest in our library but a permanent resident—we wouldn't have to worry about these licensing 'vanishing acts.' It’s a classic case of convenience vs. ownership. We’re trading the permanence of our collections for the buffet-style ease of a monthly fee. Is it worth it? Most days, sure. But on the day *Dave the Diver* leaves? It feels a bit like a betrayal, doesn't it?
### The 'Papers, Please' Moment in the UK
There’s one more bit of news buried in the scroll that’s worth a mention, especially for my mates in the UK. Sony is starting to enforce age verification for social features like messaging and voice chat to comply with local laws. It’s not going to stop you from playing your games, but it’s another layer of digital bureaucracy.
It makes me wonder—as someone who watches the evolution of digital identity—when we’ll move away from these clunky, corporate-controlled verification systems toward something more sovereign. Imagine a world where your 'gamer identity' is a portable, secure credential you control, rather than something you have to prove to Sony, Microsoft, and Valve separately every time a new law drops. We’re not there yet, but the friction is starting to show.
### The Final Verdict
So, what’s the consensus? If you’re an Extra or Premium subscriber, you’ve got a lot of content to chew on this month. Between the high-fidelity beauty of *Horizon* and the sheer, unadulterated madness of a squirrel holding a pistol, there’s a story for everyone.
Just remember to claim your Essential games—*Sword Art Online*, *Lords of the Fallen*, and the *Tomb Raider* remasters—before May 5th. Those, at least, you get to keep as long as you pay the sub. It’s not quite 'digital ownership,' but it’s as close as Sony is willing to let us get for now.
Stay curious, stay skeptical, and for heaven's sake, watch out for the squirrels. They're armed now.
Tags: PlayStation Plus, Horizon Zero Dawn, Indie Games, Gaming Industry
Original article: Game Rant