Full Breakdown
PlayStation Plus Essential April 2026 Lineup Features Lords of the Fallen
3/26/2026, 1:43:27 PM
Core Event: Lords of the Fallen Joins PS Plus Essential
The primary addition to the PlayStation Plus Essential lineup for April 2026 has been leaked, revealing that the action-RPG *Lords of the Fallen* (2023) will be available for subscribers. According to reliable sources, including leaker billbil-kun from Dealabs, the game will be accessible from April 7 to May 5, 2026, across all PS Plus tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium.
Background & Context: The Evolution of Lords of the Fallen
*Lords of the Fallen* is a reboot of the original 2014 title of the same name, developed by Hexworks and published by CI Games. Released in October 2023, the game is set over 1,000 years after the original and follows a character known as a Dark Crusader on a quest to defeat a demon god named Adyr. The game received mixed reviews, with scores of 70 for PS5, 75 for PC, and 77 for Xbox Series X/S on Metacritic, and it achieved over one million sales within ten days of its launch.
Key Figures & Groups: Developers and Publishers
- Hexworks: Developer of *Lords of the Fallen*.
- CI Games: Publisher responsible for the game's release and its upcoming sequel, *Lords of the Fallen 2*, which is anticipated later in 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Sony is expected to make an official announcement regarding the April PS Plus lineup shortly, with the leak providing insight into the major title for the month. The addition of *Lords of the Fallen* comes after a significant update (Update 2.5) was released in December 2025, which aimed to address various technical issues noted in earlier reviews.
Criticism & Opposition: Reception of Lords of the Fallen
While *Lords of the Fallen* has garnered attention for its innovative gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to switch between two versions of the game world, it has also faced criticism. Eurogamer's review noted that the game suffers from "Soulslike clichés and performance woes," leading to a two-star rating. Conversely, IGN praised the game for its unique concepts and engaging exploration, awarding it an 8/10 despite acknowledging technical shortcomings.
What's Next: Anticipated Announcements
As the April 2026 PS Plus lineup approaches, players can expect further details from Sony, including additional titles that will join *Lords of the Fallen*. Current PS Plus subscribers can still claim March's offerings, which include *Monster Hunter Rise*, *PGA Tour 2K25*, *Slime Rancher 2*, and *The Elder Scrolls Online*, until April 7.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Lords of the Fallen is a great Soulslike, and its killer new idea of swapping between two versions of the world to solve puzzles and slay enemies is an excellent twist to set it apart from the pack,” — IGN Review
- “Missing the elegance of FromSoftware, Lords of the Fallen is let down by Soulslike clichés and performance woes,” — Eurogamer Review
This upcoming addition to the PlayStation Plus lineup highlights the ongoing evolution of gaming experiences and the competitive landscape of subscription services.
