PlayStation has announced the next set of free games for PS Plus subscribers next month and it probably won't impress you at first glance.
In terms of star power, the PS Plus Essential April 2023 lineup is lacking names that jump off the page. The biggest one has to be Sackboy: A Big Adventure, which came out in late 2020 alongside the PlayStation 5. The Little Big Planet spin-off puts the spotlight on the fan-favorite character, Sackboy, in a 3D platformer reminiscent of Super Mario 3D World.
It didn't sell too well at launch, nor when it arrived on the PC, but it's a fun game that you can enjoy with your family and kids with four-player couch co-op support.
But, while Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the most recognizable name of the trio, the other two are hidden ges that are a lot better than they're given credit (or will be given credit for once they're out).
Tails of Iron is a side-scrolling RPG by Odd Bug Studio with hand-drawn graphics that make you feel every bit of the hard work the developers put in towards making it by punishing you with Soulslike difficulty as you play as a rat fighting off an invasive wave of bullish evil amphibians.
Finally, the last one is Meet Your Maker. This upcoming online multiplayer game will be available to play on the PS Plus on the same day it launches on other platforms on April 4.
It's made by Behaviour Interactive, the ones behind Dead by Daylight, so they should know what they're doing. The same studio is currently working on Silent Hill: Ascension as well.
The last month was huge for PS Plus subscribers.
The Essential-tier lineup was headlined by Battlefield 2042, although the other two additions, Minecraft Dungeons, and Code Vein, could have easily been the highlight in any other month. It might be a while before we see Sony pull up with that kind of offering, so best not to expect it.
But, who knows? If Sony holds a PlayStation Showcase in June, there's no way it won't punctuate this big event with a similarly star-studded PS Plus lineup.
In any case, be sure to keep an eye out for The Burning Shores, the first and presumably only DLC for last year's GOTY nominee, Horizon Forbidden West, which comes out on the PS5 on April 19.
