Metroidvania fans will be in their element with several games this month, ranging from a biological journey inside of a faithful pooch to an African odyssey to restore order to a world where the dead deserve to rest in piece. Then there's Children of the Sun, a slick puzzle game where you have to figure out how to use a single bullet to strategically ventilate cultist heads. The late Akira Toriyama's Sand Land is also being revived from a decades-long slumber as a fun-looking adventure game, and we'll see you in court for a few rounds of tennis in TopSpin 2K25.
Lastly, PlayStation owners can look forward to two more games from Microsoft, as Obsidian's Grounded and Rare's Sea of Thieves will arrive on PS5 in April. As for May, next month has quite a few high-profile releases on the horizon, including the PC port of Ghost of Tsushima, Homeworld 3, and Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2.
Minishoot Adventures (PC) -- April 2
There are a lot of bullets in Minishoot Adventures, and you'll be responsible for firing most of them! A top-down shooter with a cute aeshetic, you'll take control of a swift spaceship and blast your way through intense boss battles. Set in a handcrafted world, the game features several difficulty options so you'll be able to have a chill time or sweat bullets depending on which mode you choose. There's a demo out now on Steam so you can give it a try before buying.
Biomorph (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - April 5
Metroidvania fans looking for a new entry in the genre and a plunge into squishy biological territory, your highly specific requests are being met this month. The first game embracing this direction is BioMorph, an adventure where you'll become what you kill. Solve puzzles, conquer challenging platforming sections, and use the skills of vanquished creatures to gain strength in this dark world. But beware, because those same monsters you defeated can come back from the dead to menace you once more, armed with even more dangerous abilities for their rematch.
Spirit City: Lofi Sessions (PC) -- April 8
LoFi Girl the game? Spirit City: Lofi Sessions definitely draws plenty of inspiration from that beloved YouTube stream, but the game offers more than just chill vibes. You'll be able to sit back, relax, and begin a journey of productivity, all while listening to a soothing lofi soundtrack.
Children of the Sun (PC) - April 9
Just how much damage can a single sniper round do? If you're waging a one-woman war on cultists who murdered your parents and you're able to magically ricochet that bullet through enemy grey matter, the answer is a lot. A tactical third-person puzzle-shooter, Children of the Sun challenges you to take down The Cult with style, precision, and speed as you unravel the dark truth about this mysterious order and make them pay for the horror they've inflicted on the world.
Slave Zero X (Switch) -- April 11
A slick throwback to yesteryear, Slave Zero X slashes its way onto Switch this month. Imagine the smooth animation of classic Guilty Gear titles, deep fighting game mechanics in a biopunk world, and challenging gauntlets of enemies to test your skills against, and you'll have a good idea of what to expect from this slick action experience.
BioGun (PC) - April 16
While Biomorph focuses on biological upgrades, BioGun takes a different approach in the metroidvania space. Join Bek on his journey to save the entire canine species from a virus leading to an extinction and explore a hand-drawn world of germs, cells, and winding passages from inside your faithful pooch. With an impressive arsenal of weapons, modifiable DNA to help you survive, and bosses inspired by real diseases, BioGun looks like a fascinating journey to save humanity's best friends.
Grounded (PS5, PS4, Switch) - April 16
April is a big month for PlayStation gamers, as more of Microsoft's award-winning games head to that platform. First up this month is Obsidian's Grounded, where you'll venture forth across a vast and beautiful world. Also, you're the size of an ant, so you'll need to find a way to thrive and survive against hordes of giant insects in your backyard.
Planet of Lana (PS5, PS4, Switch) - April 16
A world untouched by technology quickly becomes a battlefield when mechanical monstrosities invade in Planet of Lana. This isn't a game about war, but rather a story about people, nature, and the harmony between them as you search for a way to keep it that way. Unique companion-based gameplay, clever puzzles, and stealth sections combine to create an awe-inspiring story that stretches across galaxies and centuries in this scenic odyssey.
No Rest for the Wicked (PC early access) -- April 18
Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps developer Moon Studios makes its return this month with a new action-RPG experience. As Cerim, a member of a group of mystical holy warriors sworn to fight the scourge of the Pestilence, you'll need to master your powers in a deadly conflict. But with political skullduggery behind the scenes, things are more complex than they seem. Like its Ori games, No Rest for the Wicked combines a striking painterly world with precision-based combat. Moon Studios has already mapped out what early access players can expect in the upcoming months, including multiplayer, a new area to explore, and more updates along the way.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - April 23
A massive crowdfunded success on Kickstarter in 2020, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is finally ready to roll out this month. Heavily inspired by JRPG classic Suikoden--the game is directed by Suikoden's original writer and designer Yoshitaka Murayama--Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes tells the story of three heroes raising an army to help them save a wartorn world. While the turn-based combat doesn't stray too far from the RPG template, a terrain mechanic adds an interesting twist to the formula and simplified large-scale army battles add some variety to the experience.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) - April 23
Sure, we've got two metroidvanias listed above, but April is going for the hat trick with Tales of Kenzera: Zau, the debut game from Surgent Studios. Tales of Kenzera checks the boxes for what looks like a fun metroidvania set in a mystical African world full of folklore, rhythmic combat, and fascinating environments to explore, but the game is also tackling heavy themes of grief and loss as you embark on a journey alongside Kalunga, the god of death.
Sand Land (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S) - April 26
A post-apocalyptic action-RPG from the mind of late Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, Sand Land revives the classic manga for a new generation on PC and console. Imagine Dune meets Mad Max with Toriyama-style art direction, and you've got a pretty good idea of what to expect from this colorful tale of survival in a harsh desert world. If you're interested in a taste of what the game has to offer, a Sand Land demo is currently available.
Stellar Blade (PS5) - April 26
Is Stellar Blade Sony's Bayonetta? This new game from developer Shift Up certainly looks the part, as players will take control of Eve as she unleashes a stylish barrage of attacks on monsters that have turned Earth into an inhospitable wasteland. Out exclusively on PS5, Stellar Blade mixes over-the-top action inside of a highly detailed post-apocalyptic world.
TopSpin 2K25 (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - April 26
After what feels like an eternity, 2K's professional tennis series is back and with a new name. Now called TopSpin 2K25 and developed by 2K's Hangar 13 studio, you can expect a serving of single-player and multiplayer modes, 24 professional tennis players, and 15 real-life venues. The game also has all four Grand Slam tournaments--the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open--and a MyPlayer element where you create your own tennis player and guide them from rookie sensation to living legend.
Braid: Anniversary Edition (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 30
Beloved indie platformer Braid is back, and to celebrate its 15th anniversary, this version of the game is a handsome glow-up. While the core story and time-bending gameplay has been retained, Braid's anniversary edition includes a number of substantial upgrades like improved sound effects, newly recorded soundtrack mixes, and smoother animation.Visually, the game's graphics have been updated and repainted by hand by original game artist David Hellman, and for anyone feeling nostalgic, you'll be able to instantly switch between the classic visuals and the updated version of the game. For a look behind the curtain, there'll also be over 15 hours of commentary from members of the original development team.
Sea of Thieves (PS5) - April 30
The final big game from Microsoft launching on PS5 this month is Sea of Thieves, Rare's swashbuckling adventure. With years of tweaks, updates, and new content under its belt, PS5 owners will even be able to sail on stranger cross-play tides when the game launches as a digital-only title. One other unique advantage to Sea of Thieves on a Sony console? Full DualSense controller support, allowing for more nuanced haptic feedback in the game.
April 2024 games schedule
- Frogmonster -- April 2
- Minishoot Adventures (PC) -- April 2
- Deceit 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S) -- April 3
- Freedom Planet 2 (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) -- April 4
- Turbo Golf Racing (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) -- April 4
- Biomorph (PC) -- April 5
- Spirit City: Lofi Sessions (PC) -- April 8
- Botany Manor (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC) -- April 9
- Children of the Sun (PC) -- April 9
- Gigantic: Rampage Edition (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) -- April 9
- House Flipper 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S) -- April 10
- Inkbound (PC) -- April 10
- Turbo Kid (PC) -- April 10
- Slave Zero X (Switch)
- Let's! Revolution! (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) -- April 11
- Europa (PC) -- April 16
- BioGun (PC) -- April 16
- Kingsgrave (PC) -- April 16
- Grounded (PS5, PS4, Switch) -- April 16
- Planet of Lana (PS5, PS4, Switch) -- April 16
- No Rest For The Wicked (PC early access) -- April 18
- Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) -- April 23
- Lunar Lander: Beyond (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC) -- April 23
- Tales of Kenzera: Zau (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC) -- April 23
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC) -- April 23
- Another Crab's Treasure (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC) -- April 25
- SaGa Emerald Beyond (PS5, PS4, Switch, PC, iOS, Android) -- April 25
- Demon Slayer - Kimestsu no Yaiba - Sweep the Board! (Switch) -- April 26
- Sand Land (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PC) -- April 26
- Stellar Blade (PS5) -- April 26
- TopSpin 2K25 (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) -- April 26
- Braid: Anniversary Edition (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS, Android) -- April 30
- Sea of Thieves (PS5) -- April 30
