Dealabs insider billbil-kun has done it again. Before Sony could make the official call, the notoriously accurate leaker posted April's headline PlayStation Plus Essential game: Lords of the Fallen, the 2023 dark fantasy action-RPG from developer Hexworks and publisher CI Games.
Billbil-kun has a long track record of getting these right, so treat this one as confirmed in all but name.
What Lords of the Fallen actually is
Lords of the Fallen (2023) is not a sequel. It's a full reboot of the 2014 game that shares its name, set over 1,000 years after the original's events. Players take on the role of a Dark Crusader tasked with overthrowing Adyr, a demon God, across a world that exists in two overlapping realms simultaneously. That dual-world mechanic, where you shift between the living world and the Umbral realm, is the game's defining feature and the thing that sets it apart from the Soulslike crowd.
The game launched in October 2023 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. CI Games reported 1 million copies sold within 10 days of release, which is a solid debut for a mid-budget action-RPG competing in a genre dominated by FromSoftware.
From March's lineup to April's headliner
Here's the thing: March's PS Plus Essential tier set a reasonable bar. Subscribers are currently able to claim Monster Hunter Rise, PGA Tour 2K25, Slime Rancher 2, and The Elder Scrolls Online until the morning of April 7. That's a varied batch, and the March lineup was itself leaked ahead of Sony's announcement, following the same billbil-kun pattern.
Lords of the Fallen as the April headliner is a step up in terms of production scale. It's a current-gen exclusive title (no PS4 version exists) with a full open-world design and a combat system that rewards patience, positioning, and knowing when to run.
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Only the 'major' game has been leaked so far. Sony typically bundles two to three titles in the Essential monthly lineup, and the remaining April games have not been revealed yet.
Claim window and what to do before April 7
April's PS Plus Essential games go live on April 7 and remain claimable through May 5. Note that April 7 is also April Fool's Day, so expect some confusion around the official announcement timing if Sony drops it close to that date.
If you haven't claimed March's games yet, the clock is ticking. Monster Hunter Rise alone is worth grabbing before it rotates out, especially with Wilds keeping the series front of mind.
As always, any game you claim stays in your library as long as your PS Plus subscription stays active, regardless of when it leaves the monthly rotation. Sony's official April announcement is expected shortly. Keep an eye on the latest gaming news for the full lineup confirmation once it drops. to buy
