Right, Another PS Plus Leak! But What Do Two RPGs and a Leaving Spree Really Mean for April 2026, Mate?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Looks like April 2026's PS Plus Essential lineup is shaping up to be a double dose of RPG goodness with *Lords of the Fallen* and *Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream*, thanks to another spot-on leak. Just remember to bid farewell to a few Extra/Premium games as the great digital churn continues, mate.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because it seems the digital tea leaves are once again swirling, and what they’re brewing for PlayStation Plus in April 2026 is a bit of a mixed potion – though definitely leaning towards the action-packed. You know that feeling when you're trying to carefully cast a revelation spell, but the runes just decide to scream the news from the rooftops instead, accidentally blowing a hole through the internet to reveal all? Yeah, that’s pretty much how Sony’s monthly PS Plus reveal usually goes, thanks to our favourite digital oracle, Billbil-kun, who has a habit of spoiling the surprise with uncanny precision.
This time, our trusty insider – who, let's be fair, has a track record cleaner than my wizard's hat after a fresh dry-cleaning spell that also removed all existential dread – has popped the lid off another of April’s supposed freebies. We already had a whisper, more of a booming pronouncement really, about *Lords of the Fallen* strutting its Soulslike stuff onto the service. Now, Billbil-kun, fresh from Dealabs, is claiming *Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream* is joining the party. Two RPGs for the Essential tier, both very different beasts, mind you? Well, that’s an interesting duo, isn't it? Sony’s casting some curious spells, it seems, and I’m genuinely eager to see the results.
First up, *Lords of the Fallen*. Now, if you're into your dark fantasy, grim-reaper-adjacent combat, and the delightful agony of a Soulslike, this one probably got your attention back when it first launched. It's a proper third-person action RPG, all moody atmosphere, brutal enemy design, and challenging encounters that demand patience, pattern recognition, and an iron will. For those who thrive on mastering intricate combat systems, exploring labyrinthine worlds, and getting absolutely bodied by a boss until you learn its patterns like the back of your hand (or rather, the back of your exquisitely crafted shield), this is pure catnip. It's the kind of game that either creates lifelong fans or has players rage-quitting faster than you can say 'git gud.' Putting a Soulslike in the free tier is always a bit of a gamble, isn't it? It’ll undoubtedly hook some new converts, but it might also serve as a quick 'nope' for others who prefer their gaming sessions without the added therapy requirement. Still, a bold move, and I'm cautiously optimistic it might introduce more folks to the punishing joys of the genre.
Then we've got *Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream*. Now, this is a bit of a different beast entirely, even if it does technically fall under the 'action RPG' umbrella. We're talking hack-and-slash multiplayer mayhem here, steeped in the popular anime universe. Released fairly recently, October 2024 if my memory serves me right, it throws you into battles with up to 20 other players – that's a fair dinkum digital brawl! With over 20 characters from the anime and different modes like single-player story, co-op quests, and those massive boss raids, it sounds like a proper anime spectacle. My gentle skepticism kicks in here a bit, though, like a faint magical resistance spell. Licensed games can be a mixed bag, can't they? While SAO has a massive, passionate following, translating that into a consistently engaging, deep multiplayer RPG experience is no small feat. Is this a genuine innovation for the series, offering truly compelling multiplayer antics and character depth, or more of a flashy, fan-service romp designed to look good in trailers? Only time, and many hours of frantic button-mashing alongside 19 other virtual heroes, will truly tell, I reckon. But for fans of the anime and those who just want to wail on digital baddies with friends, it could be an absolute blast.
So, two RPGs then. *Lords of the Fallen* for the masochists (bless 'em, they keep the challenge alive) and *Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream* for the anime faithful who like their combat a bit more chaotic, communal, and perhaps less likely to induce controller-snapping frustration. It's an interesting strategy from Sony, wouldn't you say? Offering two games that, while both RPGs, sit on rather opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of challenge, pacing, and target audience. Perhaps they're casting a wider net, trying to snag both the hardcore challenge seekers and the more casual, community-focused players. Or maybe they're just clearing out some inventory before a big Q2 push, who knows? It’s a bit like a wizard trying to decide between a potent, volatile spell and a flashy, crowd-pleasing illusion. Both have their merits, but you rarely see them paired together in the same grimoire.
Of course, the whispers also suggest there'll likely be a third Essential game lurking in the shadows, waiting for its big reveal. What could it be? Another indie darling doing something genuinely innovative? A surprise sports title to round out the selection? Perhaps a quirky puzzle game to balance out all that hackin' and slashin' and dying repeatedly, acting as a mental palate cleanser? The anticipation is half the fun, isn't it? It’s like waiting for that final, crucial ingredient to complete a complex spell – you just know it's going to change the whole flavour profile of the month. Personally, I'm hoping for something totally out of left field, a little gem that makes us all go 'what the bloody hell is this, and why do I love it?'
But here’s where the magic potion gets a bit… less magical, if you catch my drift. While the Essential tier games are yours to keep (as long as you’re subscribed, naturally – the ultimate 'terms and conditions apply' spell), the Extra and Premium tiers have their own revolving door situation. And April 2026, like every other month, means saying farewell to some titles. Sony’s already confirmed that *EA Sports PGA Tour* and *Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Tape 1 and 2)* are packing their bags. And apparently, that’s just the start. More titles are expected to vanish from the catalogue like a rogue spellcaster in a puff of smoke, leaving us wondering where they went and if we'll ever see them again.
It's a familiar dance, isn't it? The grand subscription shuffle. New games arrive, old games depart. While it keeps the library fresh and encourages players to try a wider variety of titles, it also means that pressure to 'play it now or miss out' feeling can be pretty intense. It’s a classic digital wizard dilemma: do you commit to one grand adventure that might vanish, or flit between a dozen smaller quests before they disappear into the digital ether? For us gamers, it means constantly checking those 'leaving soon' lists. Because let's be honest, nothing stings quite like finally having the time to dive into a game you’ve been meaning to play, only to find it's already poofed off the service and into the 'games I almost played' graveyard. It's a reminder that these services are more about access than ownership, a rental agreement for our gaming pleasure.
Still, the good news is that new additions *will* replace the departing ones in the Extra and Premium tiers around April 21st, though Sony's keeping those tantalisingly under wraps for now. March, for example, saw a decent haul with *Astroneer*, *Blasphemous 2*, *Madden NFL 26*, *Persona 5 Royal*, *The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria*, and *Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2* amongst others – a genuinely solid month for variety and some real heavy-hitters. But remember, those are transient joys, like a particularly potent but short-lived buff in your favourite MMO. Play 'em while you can, folks, because they won't stick around forever.
Ultimately, leaks like these are a curious thing. They rip back the curtain a little early, letting us peek at what the digital overlords have planned for our gaming pleasure. While it might remove some of the 'surprise and delight' factor, it also gives us time to ponder, debate, and prepare our hard drives for the incoming data. For April 2026, if Billbil-kun’s crystal ball holds true, we’re getting a double dose of RPG action, albeit very different flavours. It's not a bad haul, assuming the third game fills a nice gap, and as long as we keep an eye on that Extra/Premium departure lounge. Because in the chaotic, ever-shifting world of subscription gaming, you've always got to balance the exciting new arrivals with the wistful goodbyes. What do you reckon, mate? Are these leaks getting your gaming juices flowing, or are you waiting for that official announcement to cast its definitive spell?
Tags: PlayStation Plus, Game Leaks, RPG, Lords of the Fallen, Sword Art Online
Original article: Game Rant