PlayStation Plus Essential members get three free games this month, claimable from July 7 through August 3. All three are playable on both PS5 and PS4, and once you add them they're yours to keep for as long as your membership stays active.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) is the headline. Captain Price and Task Force 141 return to hunt ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov across a campaign built around larger, more freeform "Open Combat Missions," backed by the full competitive multiplayer suite and co-op Zombies. For a flagship shooter to land on Essential is a genuinely strong month-one pick.
For the King 2 is the change of pace — a roguelike tactics adventure across the cursed land of Fahrul. You command a party through turn-based battles and branching, board-game-style journeys where every decision carries risk. It's punishing, deep, and best played in online co-op with up to three friends.
CrossCode rounds things out and might be the sleeper hit. This action-RPG wraps a clever sci-fi "MMO within a game" story around gorgeous 16-bit visuals, pairing fast, skill-based combat with puzzle design sharp enough to stand beside a classic Zelda dungeon. It's a beloved indie that regularly earns "hidden gem" status.
A blockbuster shooter, a co-op strategy epic and a cult-favorite RPG — it's a varied, high-value trio. Add all three before August 3 so they're locked into your library.
Which one are you downloading first?