Sony has revealed the PlayStation Plus Essential games for April 2025, and it’s already causing a frenzy — both online and in users’ wallets. If you’ve held off on picking up RoboCop: Rogue City, congratulations: your patience just paid off. And for everyone else who snagged it during that $8.99 flash sale a few weeks ago… you may now take your rightful place as the community’s sacrificial lamb.
The new lineup, available from April 1 to May 5, includes RoboCop: Rogue City, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory — a mix that’s unexpectedly fantastic, weirdly nostalgic, and surprisingly full of blood.
RoboCop: Rogue City
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory
RoboCop: Rogue City (PS5) – A Violent, Nostalgic Love Letter
Let’s talk about the heavy hitter: RoboCop: Rogue City. This gritty, methodical first-person shooter is more than just fan service — it’s a passion project made by fans for fans. It’s got Peter Weller reprising his role, ultraviolent takedowns (yes, there’s a trophy for shooting people in the crotch), and a world that nails the sleazy, dystopian tone of the original films.
People online are loving it — not just because it’s good, but because so many narrowly avoided buying it right before this announcement. One commenter called it a “well-needed trip down nostalgia lane,” while another joked they “manifested RoboCop by putting it in their cart and not buying it.” It’s also one of the easiest Platinum trophies out there, and fans recommend performance mode to avoid occasional choppiness.
Pro tip from the subreddit: watch the first two RoboCop films before diving in — it’ll make the story ten times more enjoyable.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (PS4/PS5) – Bloody, Brutal, and Better With Friends
If you’re into asymmetric horror games like Dead by Daylight or Friday the 13th, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre will feel familiar. You play as either one of the infamous Slaughter family or a terrified victim trying to escape. It’s gory, intense, and surprisingly faithful to the source material.
Is the online community still active? That’s… complicated. Some say the game is basically dead, while others are still getting quick queue times — especially when playing as The Family. With this PS Plus drop, though, expect a major resurgence. If you’ve ever wanted to roleplay Leatherface revving a chainsaw while chasing people through basements, now’s your time.
Just be warned: it had a reputation for glitches, lag, and cheaters on other platforms. Whether this relaunch on PS Plus can bring it back from the brink remains to be seen.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory (PS4) – The Turn-Based Gem
The third game in the lineup is a bit of a curveball — and a cult classic. Hacker’s Memory is a turn-based RPG set in a futuristic Tokyo where you collect, train, and battle with over 300 Digimon. While it’s technically a companion piece to the original Cyber Sleuth, you don’t need to play that one first. In fact, it’s been delisted from the PlayStation Store, making Hacker’s Memory the only way to play this series on PS4 digitally right now.
Long-time fans describe it as an “emotional ride” with a surprisingly deep story, great music, and satisfying progression. One player said the ending had them in tears. Another noted it’s a great warm-up for the next Digimon game reportedly coming later this year.
Also, yes — you can still hatch eggs and train them like in the old-school Digimon World days.
From $8.99 Deals to “I Knew It Was Coming”
If there’s one theme this month, it’s buyers’ remorse — and lots of it. A good chunk of the PlayStation subreddit had just picked up RoboCop or Digimon on sale and are now shaking their fists in solidarity. But despite the pain, many are thrilled that more people will get to experience these underrated titles.
And honestly? That’s the magic of PS Plus when it hits right. It’s not just about getting free games (you are paying, after all), but about spotlighting titles that deserve a second look. This is arguably one of the best PS Plus Essential months in a long time — a mix of cult classics, under-the-radar hits, and ultra-violent nostalgia.
Whether you’re looking to serve the public trust, survive a slaughterhouse, or dive into digital monsters, April’s lineup has you covered.
