The April PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue update has been revealed, and it is a surprisingly eclectic mix. Whether you want to drive through a Hawaiian sunset, manage a Premier League powerhouse, or terrorise a neighbourhood as a squirrel with a firearm, there is a lot to digest.
The full selection arrives on Tuesday, 21 April, for Extra and Deluxe members. Let’s break down the highlights of what you’ll be downloading first.
From Island Vibes to Robotic Dystopias
First up is The Crew Motorfest. If you missed this at launch, now is the time to jump in. It’s essentially a massive car culture festival set against the backdrop of O’ahu. It’s bright, it’s loud, and the transition from Honolulu city streets to volcanic slopes is seamless. It’s the perfect “podcast game”, something you can play while switching off your brain and just enjoying the scenery.
On the complete opposite end of the tonal spectrum, we have Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Now, I know what some of you are thinking: “Didn’t this look great already?” It did. But the remaster brings the visuals closer to the fidelity of Forbidden West, making Aloy’s trek through a machine-infested post-apocalypse feel more immersive than ever. For PS4 players, the Complete Edition remains the standard, but PS5 owners are in for a visual treat that truly showcases what the hardware can do.
The Tactical and the… Tiny?
For the tacticians, Football Manager 26 Console is the heavy hitter here. This version finally brings the fully-licensed Premier League into the fold, which is a massive win for realism. The Match Day experience has seen a significant facelift, so your tactical genius (or lack thereof) will look better than ever from the touchline.
Then, we have the undisputed “wild card” of the month: Squirrel with a Gun. It is exactly what the title suggests. You play as an obnoxious rodent escaping a secret facility. It is a sandbox of mayhem that reminds us that video games don’t always need to be serious. Sometimes, they just need to let you be a fuzzy fiend with a pistol.
Darker Depths and Tactical Deck-Building
If you prefer your gaming with a side of dread, The Casting of Frank Stone is a must-play. Developed by Supermassive Games (the masters of the “butterfly effect” horror genre), it is set in the Dead by Daylight universe. It’s heavy on atmosphere and those heart-wrenching decisions where a single button press determines who lives or dies.
For those who enjoy a bit of “just one more turn” gameplay, Monster Train and Warriors: Abyss provide the perfect loop. Monster Train adds a clever verticality to the deck-building genre, while Warriors: Abyss offers Koei Tecmo’s signature “one-versus-thousands” action with a roguelite twist.
A Nod to the Classics
Finally, for the PlayStation Plus Deluxe crowd, the “Classics” library adds Wild Arms 4. This PS2-era JRPG has been updated with modern conveniences like up-rendering and the life-saving “rewind” feature. It’s a bit of a cult classic, and its unique hex-based combat system still feels fresh today.
