Following recent price increases for the service, PlayStation Plus subscribers are reportedly unimpressed with the rumored free games for April. Leaks suggest that Sony may need to significantly improve future offerings to maintain the value of the subscription service.

Leaked April Lineup Features Unwanted RPG

As the Easter long weekend approaches, reliable leaker billbi-kun has teased the upcoming PlayStation Plus Essential library for April. The leak indicates that a second major title joining the free offerings is Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream.

Details on the Leaked Title

Developed by Dimps Corporation, Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is set within the popular anime universe and marks the second installment celebrating the franchise's 10th anniversary. This multiplayer RPG features 21 characters from the series, alongside new additions, inviting players to "join the battle beyond" memory either solo or cooperatively.

Subscriber Disappointment and Concerns

The reaction to this rumored addition has been largely negative across the community. A primary concern is the game's age, as Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream originally launched in 2024, making it feel outdated for a major monthly free title.

Furthermore, critical reception appears lukewarm. The game holds a 'Mixed' rating on its Steam page, and Metacritic scores it slightly above average at 7.0. This mixed reception, combined with its niche appeal to non-fans of the Sword Art Online franchise, contributes to the lack of excitement.

Community Feedback Highlights Longevity Issues

Discussions on platforms like r/PlayStationPlus revealed strong user sentiment against the leak. One user pointed out significant concerns regarding the game's online dependency:

  • "If I'm not mistaken, SAO: Fractured Daydream is almost entirely online only," one commenter noted.
  • This reliance on servers means that crucial features, such as weapon modification, upgrading, or disassembly, will eventually be lost when servers are shut down.

Other subscribers expressed general disinterest, though they offered polite well-wishes to those who might enjoy the game. Some users even hoped the rumored lineup was an elaborate April Fool's joke from Sony.

Overall, the community consensus suggests that Sony will need to significantly enhance the remainder of the April library to satisfy subscribers following this disappointing reveal.