Compared to final 12 months, April 2024 isn’t fairly as jam-packed with releases. However, there are some fairly massive names to stay up for, whether or not you’re searching for a brand new PS5 unique, a shooter or reside service title. Listed here are 15 massive titles to stay up for in April.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Among the many many franchises that Konami has ignored by means of the years is Suikoden, and although it’s remastering the primary two video games, the potential subsequent chapter is coming from a very totally different studio. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a religious successor, produced and directed by Yoshitaka Murayama, the driving drive behind the primary three video games (who lately handed away).
It options three core protagonists – Marisa, Seign and Nowa – within the fantasy world of Allraan, the place rune-lenses have turn into a preferred commodity. With the Galdean Empire utilizing them to command and conquer, it’s as much as the trio to assemble allies from throughout the land to combat again. Cue over 100 totally different allies with distinctive tales and talents, from the magical woman Mellore and her crew to CJ, Isha and Garoo from Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising.
Fight is turn-based, however battles play out in another way based mostly on the atmosphere. If there are cliffs or different elevated positions, they will show advantageous for long-range celebration members. This additionally impacts the presentation of battles, giving them a cinematic aptitude. Gamers can even unleash Hero Combos to staff up and deal devastating injury. On prime of that is Conflict Mode, which presents real-time fight over a bigger scale, and the Alliance Headquarters, with mini-games and totally different actions accessible.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes launches on April twenty third for Xbox Sequence X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Swap.
Phantom Fury
You’re forgiven for not remembering Bombshell, an isometric character motion sport with a whopping 43 Metascore. Phantom Fury is the follow-up, releasing on April twenty third for Xbox Sequence X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Swap, however presents first-person shooter gameplay as a substitute. It sees Shelly Harrison on a bombastic journey by means of the US, battling mutants, cyborgs and enemy troopers to safe an artifact. Whereas the usual handguns and shotguns can be found, Phantom Fury has some distinctive choices – like Bowling Balls and electrical foam.
Weapons will be upgraded and modified, whereas Shelly can ultimately unlock new skills like a defend or punching enemy teams right into a effective crimson mist. It could have some boomer shooter vibes, however with intensive interactivity (together with playable arcade machines) and fast-paced fight, it could be a worthy FPS diversion.
Underspace
For a lot of, Freelancer is the head of sandbox area fight titles, which only a few have managed to compete with, a lot much less surpass. Whereas it’s too early to name Underspace a competitor, the prospect of a home made universe with cosmic horrors and Eldritch creatures to navigate (appropriately named Croft) is simply too attractive to disregard. Like Freelancer, you possibly can pursue the primary quest or be no matter you need, exploring the universe and fixing puzzles, battling large area serpents, interacting with greater than 40 factions and venturing into the deepest reaches of area. And sure, you possibly can have interaction in commerce, transport and piracy with co-op help.
There’s a catch, although – Underspace launches on April tenth for PC in early entry. The developer has clarified that intensive ship customization, a number of interiors and questlines, and even cockpit textures gained’t be accessible. Multiplayer can also be launching in a “very early state” with out many key options. Early entry will nonetheless provide loads of marketing campaign content material, bosses, enemies, factors of curiosity and extra to discover, however additional polish remains to be required. Even with all that in thoughts, we’re eager to attempt Underspace and embrace the void.
Sea of Thieves
Uncommon’s extremely profitable reside service pirate title involves PS5 as a part of Microsoft’s new multi-platform method. Since launching in March 2018 to a blended reception, Sea of Thieves has undergone an distinctive transformation through the years, with new content material, mechanics, cosmetics and even narrative-focused questlines with Tall Tales (which crossover with the likes of Monkey Island and Pirates of the Caribbean).
Don’t let its cartoony visuals idiot you, as Sea of Thieves presents some life like crusing to go together with its fight and exploration. Whereas it nonetheless doesn’t have a correct character creator, the brand new Safer Seas choice permits gamers who don’t wish to have interaction in PvP and discover the seas with their crew at their leisure, with some limitations. It’s out on April thirtieth for PS5, with Digital Deluxe homeowners receiving 5 days early entry.
Remaining Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide
Remaining Fantasy 16 had a powerful begin when it launched final 12 months and although its first DLC, Echoes of the Fallen, was fairly quick, The Rising Tide appears to be like to redeem it. Gamers discover a brand new area, Mysidia, with new places, aspect quests and recent enemies, together with Tonberries. The main target of this DLC is on Leviathan, the forgotten Eikon, and together with a boss battle in opposition to it, Clive additionally beneficial properties new skills, together with one which has an Lively Reload mechanic. An elevated stage cap is inbound, which needs to be useful within the new end-game exercise, Kairos’ Gate.
It’s a wave-based survival mode with more and more harder enemies and managers, with new gadgets and weapons as rewards. Beat all the phases and a brand new secret boss turns into accessible. As a send-off to Remaining Fantasy 16, The Rising Tide is price trying ahead to when it launches on April 18th for PS5. Even for individuals who aren’t selecting it up, a free replace will go reside, permitting you to create units of Eikonic Expertise, amongst different quality-of-life enhancements.
Stellar Blade
Shift Up calls trendy motion video games an inspiration for Stellar Blade which is fairly clear based mostly on gameplay and the current demo. Although sci-fi, the Earth is in ruins, and gamers discover linear ranges and semi-open world segments alike, taking over requests whereas accompanied by a useful drone.
For all its similarities, nonetheless, Stellar Blade presents high-fidelity visuals and element with a crisp body charge, and distinctive fight mechanics that blend Sekiro-like parrying with particular assaults, good dodges and combos. The primary marketing campaign guarantees to final about 25 hours, with loads of collectibles and unlockables to find. Time will inform if Stellar Blade can rise additional past its inspiration when it launches on April twenty sixth for PS5, however up to now, it’s trying good.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
From smaller titles from comparatively lesser-known builders to triple-A stage video games like Immortals of Aveum and Wild Hearts, the EA Originals label has seemingly come full circle with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. The story entails a boy studying a story by his late father about Zau, who explores the land of Kenzera.
As a 2.5D Metroid-style sport, there are some gorgeous visuals with superbly realized environments to go together with fast-paced fight. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU guarantees to be an ideal encapsulation of what grief is when it launches on April twenty third for Xbox Sequence X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Swap.
Lifeless Island 2: SoLA Enlargement
2023’s glorious Lifeless Island 2 acquired an growth again in November of final 12 months. Now it’s all set to launched one other one within the type of SoLA. Releasing on April 17, this growth will takes gamers to a music pageant within the coronary heart of LA. Apparently, this pageant is popping everybody into zombies. The SoLA growth guarantees an attention-grabbing setup, so we’re intrigued to see the way it pans after we go arms on with it later this month.
TopSpin 2K25
It’s been over 13 years for the reason that final entry within the acclaimed Prime Spin franchise, however the wait is almost over as TopSpin 2K25 nears launch. Legends like Roger Federer and Serena Williams headline the 24-player roster with true-to-life venues like La Caja Mágica, Pala Alpitour and Foro Italico, and on-line multiplayer with cross-platform help. Solo gamers can enterprise into MyCareer and combat to turn into Grand Slam Champion, with MyPlayer providing an intensive vary of choices to customise your look, gear and extra. TopSpin 2K25 launches on April twenty sixth for Xbox Sequence X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.
Gigantic: Rampage Version
Launched in 2017, Motiga’s Gigantic is making an surprising comeback with Gigantic: Rampage Version. Developed by abstraction and printed by Gearbox for $19.99, it options the identical MOBA-style gameplay loop, with groups of 5 gamers working collectively to take out the opposing Guardian. Nonetheless, all microtransactions at the moment are eliminated, with cosmetics acquired by means of gameplay.
It additionally provides two new heroes and maps, a brand new sport mode known as Rush and cross-platform play. Ranked Mode and extra hero skins are coming in post-launch updates. Gigantic: Rampage Version launches on April ninth for Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and no matter its long-term success, it’s good to see it return.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants
Enjoying just like the Konami classics of outdated, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants options Turtle Energy that builds upon defeating enemies and may unleash highly effective screen-clearing assaults. Native co-op is supported for 4 gamers, on prime of the unique phases and boss fights, although Wrath of the Mutants provides three extra phases and 6 new bosses. Launching on April twenty third, it might provide some enjoyable for individuals who need extra TMNT brawling motion.
Freedom Planet 2
Following intensive acclaim with its PC model, Freedom Planet 2 is out now on Nintendo Swap, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Sequence X/S on April 4th. The motion platformer presents a brand new menace with Merga, the water dragon, and 4 characters – Lilac, Carol and Milla from the primary sport, and the now-playable Neera. Journey Mode presents a mixture of story cutscenes and a world map to discover, whereas Traditional Mode focuses on the phases alone.
Boss fights are much more over-the-top than the primary sport – with the brand new Battlesphere Area providing an intensive vary of non-obligatory challenges. Fortunately, new Potions, Amulets and Charms can present some buffs for one’s character, whereas a revival system presents a dangerous second likelihood. In the event you take pleasure in 2D Sonic the Hedgehog titles or desire a enjoyable motion platformer, Freedom Planet 2 is properly definitely worth the time.
Inkbound
Roguelike turn-based fight in a universe the place books act as worlds to be explored by the creators of Monster Practice? That’s Inkbound in a nutshell, however there’s extra. The fight permits free motion from gamers, however throughout on-line play, you possibly can coordinate and act concurrently with as much as three different gamers. There are additionally a number of character lessons, skills and upgrades, a whole lot of things and extra to make every run really feel recent. Inkbound is at present in early entry, however model 1.0 is out on April tenth for PC, including new cutscenes, cosmetics and different content material.
Sand Land
As set in a desert world, gamers management Beelzebub in SAND LAND, who ventures with Thief and Sheriff Rao to find the Legendary Spring.
Although it’s an motion RPG, the main target is on car design, as gamers cobble collectively tanks, bikes and jump-bots from varied components relying on the necessity. The sense of journey and aesthetic, alongside the fight, set it aside from the gang, and we’re curious to witness the Sand Land’s world when the sport launches on April twenty sixth for PS4, PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S and PC.
Braid Anniversary Version
The traditional side-scrolling indie platformer from Thekla Inc. returns with up to date visuals and lovely new backgrounds (with the outdated artwork type accessible to modify to at any time). Nonetheless, there’s extra to Braid Anniversary Version than revamped sound results, revised tracks, or the +15-hour developer commentary and interviews which debate the design. It additionally options 35 new ranges with new puzzles, although different additions stay to be revealed.
Hilariously, solely 4 or 5 new ranges had been to be added earlier than issues obtained out of hand. Both approach, Braid Anniversary Version ought to fulfill long-time followers and attract new ones when it launches on April thirtieth for Xbox Sequence X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Swap, Xbox One and PC.
