The PlayStation Plus free games for April 2026 have officially been announced by Sony. This month’s Essential lineup features Lords of the Fallen, Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream, and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered — available to claim from April 7, 2026, until May 4, 2026. All three titles are free for PS Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium subscribers. PS4 owners should note that only Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is available on their platform this month, reflecting Sony’s continued shift toward PS5-first releases.
Here’s everything you need to know — including what to claim, when to claim it, and what’s leaving the service this month.
PS Plus Essential Free Games 2026 — Confirmed List
Sony has officially confirmed the three PS Plus Essential free games for April 2026: Lords of the Fallen (PS5), Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream (PS5), and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered (PS5, PS4). All three games go live on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and remain claimable until May 4, 2026.
These titles are available across all three PS Plus tiers — Essential, Extra, and Premium — at no additional cost beyond your subscription.
1. Lords of the Fallen (PS5)
Lords of the Fallen is a dark fantasy RPG that puts players in the role of a Dark Crusader tasked with stopping the resurrection of a demon god. The game features a massive interconnected world, intense boss fights, and fast, challenging combat. With multiple character classes and a wide range of weapons, players can build their own playstyle as they progress.
This is widely considered the headliner of the April lineup. Developer CI Games has continued to update Lords of the Fallen extensively since its 2023 launch, making it worth revisiting even for those who tried it at release. If you enjoy Elden Ring or Dark Souls, this is an easy claim.
Genre: Dark Fantasy Soulslike RPG Platform: PS5 only Original Release: 2023
2. Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream (PS5)
Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is a massive crossover of characters from across the Sword Art Online series, created when timelines collide. At its core, it’s an anime-inspired action RPG with a focus on large-scale cooperative multiplayer, where players can take on raids and missions with up to 20 players simultaneously.
Whether you’re a longtime SAO fan or new to the franchise, the multiplayer hooks make this a strong pick for players who enjoy online co-op action.
Genre: Anime Action RPG / Online Multiplayer Platform: PS5 only Players: Up to 20 in co-op
3. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered (PS5, PS4)
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered brings back the first three Tomb Raider games with updated visuals while still letting players switch to the original look. For anyone who grew up with Lara Croft’s earliest adventures, this is a genuine nostalgia trip. For younger players, it’s a chance to experience the games that defined a generation.
This is the only title available for PS4 owners in April 2026. Sony’s ongoing shift toward PS5-first releases means PS4 support in the Essential lineup is becoming increasingly intermittent.
Genre: Action-Adventure / Classic Remaster Platform: PS5 and PS4 Contains: Tomb Raider 1, 2, and 3
When to Claim — April 2026 Claim Deadline
All April 2026 PS Plus Essential games will be available to claim from April 7 through midnight on May 4, 2026. After that date, they will be replaced by May’s lineup and can no longer be added to your library for free.
As a reminder, you don’t need to download the games immediately. Simply add them to your PlayStation library before the deadline and you can download and play them anytime your subscription remains active.
Key dates at a glance:
- March games last available: April 6, 2026
- April games go live: April 7, 2026
- April games expire: May 4, 2026
- Extra/Premium April catalog revealed: April 15, 2026
- Extra/Premium April catalog live: April 21, 2026
PS Plus Extra & Premium — April 2026 Catalog Updates
For Extra and Premium subscribers, Sony reveals the monthly Game Catalog additions separately. The April 2026 Extra and Premium game catalog additions are set to be revealed on April 15, 2026, with those titles becoming available from April 21, 2026.
While the full list hasn’t been announced yet, the Extra and Premium catalogs already include hundreds of titles, including Spider-Man 2, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, Madden NFL 26, Persona 5 Royal, and many more blockbusters added in recent months.
PS Plus Premium subscribers also get access to the Classics Catalog, featuring games from PlayStation 1, 2, 3, and PSP. An upcoming Classics Catalog addition confirmed for May is Time Crisis, which will use the DualSense’s gyro controls to replicate the original light gun experience.
Games Leaving PS Plus in April 2026 — Act Fast
Every month, titles rotate out of the Extra and Premium Game Catalog to make room for new additions. In April 2026, the most notable departure is a beloved indie hit.
The biggest game leaving PS Plus Extra in April 2026 is Dave the Diver, a critically acclaimed pixel art game where players dive for fish by day and run a sushi restaurant by night. It is leaving the Extra catalog on April 21, 2026.
If you haven’t played Dave the Diver yet and have an Extra or Premium subscription, make time for it before it disappears. It’s genuinely one of the best indie games of recent years.
How to Claim Your PS Plus Free Games
Claiming your monthly PS Plus games is quick and straightforward. Follow these steps on PS5:
- Open the PlayStation Store from the home screen
- Navigate to PS Plus in the left menu
- Select Monthly Games
- Click Add to Library on each game you want to claim
- The game is now saved to your account — download it anytime
On the PlayStation app (mobile):
- Open the PS App and tap Game Library
- Tap PS Plus, then Monthly Games
- Tap the game and select Add to Library
You do not need to download immediately — claiming adds the game to your account, and you can download it later as long as your subscription stays active.
Is PS Plus Worth It in 2026?
With three solid games added every month across all tiers, PS Plus Essential continues to offer strong value for PS5 owners. The primary draw of PS Plus remains online multiplayer, but the monthly free games add real value to the subscription — particularly for players who enjoy variety across genres.
At $79.99/year for Essential (roughly $6.67/month), three new games per month means you’re consistently getting more game time than the subscription costs. Higher tiers (Extra at ~$134.99/year, Premium at ~$159.99/year) add access to hundreds of catalog titles, making them an even better value for regular players.
Quick Tier Comparison:
| Tier | Monthly Games | Game Catalog | Classics Catalog | Game Trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | ✅ 3 games/month | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Extra | ✅ 3 games/month | ✅ 400+ games | ❌ | ❌ |
| Premium | ✅ 3 games/month | ✅ 400+ games | ✅ PS1–PS3 | ✅ |
Frequently Asked Questions (PS Plus Free Games 2026)
What are the PS Plus free games for April 2026?
The PS Plus Essential free games for April 2026 are Lords of the Fallen (PS5), Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream (PS5), and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered (PS5 and PS4). They are available to claim from April 7 to May 4, 2026.
Are the April 2026 PS Plus games available on PS4?
Only Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is available on PS4 this month. Lords of the Fallen and Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream are PS5-exclusive releases on PS Plus. Sony has been gradually reducing PS4 games in the Essential lineup since January 2026.
How long do I have to claim the April 2026 PS Plus games?
You have until May 4, 2026, to add the April games to your library. After that date, they will no longer be available as free monthly games. Claim them now, even if you don’t plan to play immediately.
Do I keep PS Plus games forever?
PS Plus Essential monthly games are yours to keep and play for as long as your subscription is active. If your subscription lapses, the games become unplayable until you resubscribe — but they will return to your library automatically once your subscription is renewed.
What is leaving PS Plus Extra in April 2026?
The most notable title leaving PS Plus Extra in April 2026 is Dave the Diver, which exits the catalog on April 21, 2026. If you have Extra or Premium, play it before it’s gone.
When are the PS Plus Extra and Premium April games announced?
Sony will reveal the PS Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog additions for April on April 15, 2026, with those titles becoming playable from April 21, 2026.
Final Thoughts
April 2026 is a solid month for PS Plus subscribers, anchored by the excellent soulslike Lords of the Fallen and rounded out by the cooperative Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream and the nostalgic Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. PS4 owners have a thinner selection this month, but the Tomb Raider collection alone is worth claiming.
Key takeaways:
- Claim all three games before May 4, 2026
- PS4 owners: only Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is available for you
- Extra/Premium subscribers: watch out for Dave the Diver leaving April 21
- Extra/Premium catalog additions will be revealed on April 15
