Sony has officially revealed the PlayStation Plus Essential lineup for July 2026, giving subscribers three new games to claim throughout the month. Headlining the selection is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, arriving just months before the launch of Modern Warfare 4, making it a timely addition for players looking to revisit the series or jump in for the first time.
The July lineup also includes the cooperative roguelike For the King 2 and the critically acclaimed action RPG CrossCode, offering a varied selection of genres for PS Plus members.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Leads July’s PS Plus Lineup
The biggest addition this month is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Cross-Gen Bundle) for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
The package includes the full single-player campaign, multiplayer, and the game’s expanded Zombies experience. Multiplayer features all 16 remastered launch maps from 2009’s Modern Warfare 2, rebuilt with updated visuals and gameplay improvements. Meanwhile, Zombies takes the series in a different direction with a large open-world PvE experience that encourages exploration alongside traditional undead survival.
Its inclusion comes at an interesting time, as Activision prepares for the release of Modern Warfare 4 later this year.
For the King 2 Brings Strategic Co-op Adventure
Also joining PS Plus Essential is For the King 2, the sequel to the popular tabletop-inspired roguelike RPG.
Players return to the kingdom of Fahrul, where Queen Rosomon has become a tyrant following the events of the original game. The sequel expands on its predecessor with deeper strategy, improved progression systems, and support for up to four-player cooperative play, while remaining fully playable solo.
Each adventure features procedurally generated encounters, encouraging replayability with every new campaign.
CrossCode Completes the July Selection
Rounding out the lineup is CrossCode, a retro-inspired 2D action RPG that has built a strong reputation among fans of classic RPGs.
Featuring detailed 16-bit-inspired visuals, the game combines fast-paced combat with physics-based abilities, challenging puzzle-filled dungeons, and a science-fiction story centered around an MMORPG-like virtual world.
Its blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle solving has made it a standout indie RPG in recent years.
June PS Plus Games Are Still Available
Subscribers who haven’t claimed June’s games still have a limited opportunity to do so before they leave the service.
June’s lineup includes:
- Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
- Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (PlayStation 5)
Once claimed, the games remain playable for as long as an active PlayStation Plus Essential subscription is maintained.
PlayStation Continues Its Digital-First Direction
The July lineup also arrives during a period of significant change for the PlayStation ecosystem.
Sony has already confirmed plans to end physical disc production in early 2028 while also preparing to close the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita digital storefronts within the coming year. Together, these moves continue the company’s long-term transition toward an increasingly digital gaming ecosystem.
For now, PlayStation Plus remains one of the primary ways subscribers can continue expanding their digital game libraries each month.
