Sony’s July PlayStation Plus Essential lineup includes Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, CrossCode, and For the King 2 for PS4 and PS5 subscribers from July 7 through August 3. While the Call of Duty addition stands out, many users reacted underwhelmed, calling the overall game selection weak-especially following last year’s price hike for the service.
The lineup’s standout is CrossCode, a 2018 indie action RPG from Radical Fish Games that earned 92% positive reviews on Steam and established a cult following. Despite its pedigree, the game’s inclusion in 2026 feels more like digging through the archives than spotlighting fresh content. For the King 2 rounds out the trio, a turn-based RPG with roguelike elements developed by IronOak Games, holding a moderate 71% Steam rating.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – PS4 and PS5
- CrossCode – PS4 and PS5
- For the King 2 – PS4 and PS5
The online feedback was far from glowing. On the official PlayStation blog, some users described the July selection as ”more of a joke” amid other recent Sony ecosystem developments. Until July 6, subscribers still have time to claim June’s PS Plus games-Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Grounded, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2.
The backlash echoes lingering frustration from Sony’s 2023 price increase of roughly 30% on the PlayStation Plus Essential tier in certain regions. Compared to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass-which lures subscribers with day-one releases and a wide catalog-Sony’s basic PS Plus offering tends to feature older or second-cycle titles. This ongoing contrast has become a sore point for the community seeking more value.
Internationally, this reflects broader challenges Sony faces competing with subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium tiers, which offer a more diverse or recent game selection. While Xbox leans heavily on freshly released blockbuster titles as subscriber draws, Sony’s Essential tier seems resigned to mining the back catalog, risking alienation of budget-conscious players, especially after price hikes.
Next month will be a key moment for Sony. August’s PS Plus lineup will reveal whether July’s lukewarm reception was a one-off or a sign of growing dissatisfaction with Sony’s approach to basic-tier offerings. With subscription fatigue rising among gamers globally, Sony’s ability to balance cost, content quality, and timeliness will be critical to maintaining its large install base and competing in the evolving subscription wars.