The first few months of 2023 have been absolutely terrible for anyone looking to avoid spending cash on quality digital entertainment, as each month has offered an absurd number of exciting games to play on console and PC. April is no different, as the month ahead continues the cadence set by the first quarter of the year with highly anticipated blockbusters, tempting indies, and a remake of a beloved cult-classic game.
Easily the biggest game of April is Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which continues the adventures of Cal Kestis in a galaxy that's very hostile to anyone who dares to wield a lightsaber. Respawn's first game in the series, Fallen Order, was a smash hit, and expectations are high for the sequel. Early footage has looked promising so far, and with numerous quality-of-life updates, this new entry in the series looks like a showcase for Force feedback action.
For Xbox gamers, April will see the arrival of Ghostwire: Tokyo. Originally a PS5 console exclusive, this game from developer Tango Gameworks is a thrilling tour across a haunted slice of Japan. It's not as scary as the studio's Evil Within games, but it still packs a punch with some great thrills and spell-weaving combat that'll make you feel like a sorcerer supreme. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Minecraft universe is expanding with the release of Minecraft Legends on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC.
For Nintendo Switch owners, the big release is Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp. Delayed for more than a year, the remakes of the first two games in the beloved turn-based tactics series are sure to feel right at home on Switch.
On the mystery side of the April gaming itinerary, there's Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened to look forward to. Frogwares has developed this game while dealing with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the end result looks like a spooky dive into supernatural territory that'll test the rational mind of Sherlock Holmes and push him to his limit. You can read all of the highlights below of what to look out for in April, as the rest of the month also includes narrative adventures, Disney's need for speed, and a League of Legends spin-off that mixes retro style with modern action.
Meet Your Maker - April 4
In the mood for some savage feng-shui? With Meet Your Maker, you'll be able to design the deathtrap of your dreams and see just how lethal your interior decorating skills are when fellow players take a run through it. Of course, you're also able to venture outside of your outpost and see what other players have crafted before you're reduced to giblets by flamethrowers, spikes, and homicidal robots. PS Plus subscribers will be able to try out the "building-and raiding" game this month as it'll be offered as one of the free games on that service.
Curse of the Sea Rats - April 6
Billed as a ratoidvania--no, seriously--Curse of the Sea Rats combines exploration of a non-linear world with the action-platforming mechanics that you'd expect from the genre and detailed hand-animated visuals. As one of four prisoners of the British empire who happen to have been transformed into rats by the notorious pirate witch, Flora Burn, it'll be up to you to explore the Irish coast in a quest to get your human body back, while dealing with dangerous bosses and other hazards set loose by your nemesis.
Everspace 2 - April 6
After two years of early access, Everspace 2 is ready to hit maximum warp as it heads towards a full release on PC. While Xbox Series X|S and PS5 players still have a while to wait before they can get their hands on the space shooter with roguelike elements, PC players new to the sequel will be able to explore a gorgeous galaxy teeming with danger, puzzles, and new worlds as they slowly transform their spaceship into a force to be reckoned with.
EA Sports PGA Tour - April 7
Summer might still be a few months away, but this month you'll be able to tee off from the comfort of your own home as EA Sports makes its grand return to the PGA Tour. EA Sports PGA Tour is an exciting game for dedicated golf fans, as it features all four Major championships: the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open. You'll create your own golfer, develop your skillset with new shot types, and learn the right strategies for taking on the 30 real-life courses that have been authentically recreated.
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened - April 11
Developer Frogwares hasn't had an easy time developing this reimagining of a cult-classic Sherlock Holmes game, as Russia invaded its home of Ukraine, but the studio has managed to reach the finish line for this game. While most Sherlock Holmes have a grounded feel to them, The Awakened ventures into Lovecraftian territory as Holmes deals with eldritch gods, monsters, and cults, and starts to question his own sanity. The Awakened explores how Sherlock's mind was broken and transformed him into the haunted genius that he was destined to be, while trusty companion Watson gets his own chance to shine in this remake.
Tron: Identity - April 11
It's a great month for fans of narrative games, as not one but two of these titles set in iconic IPs are coming out in April. Head back to the Grid this month in Tron: Identity as you follow Query, a detective program tasked with investigating a break-in at The Repository. This visual novel will ask you to make some tough decisions as you question suspects and explore your surroundings to piece together a truth that could have dire consequences for the world of Tron.
Ghostwire: Tokyo - April 12
Ever fancied a trip to Japan without having to leave the comfort of your home? Ghostwire: Tokyo will scratch that itch, and if you don't mind dealing with homicidal specters, you'll find that this slice of Tokyo's iconic Shibuya district is a gorgeous and spooky tour of a Japanese metropolis. Originally released on PS5 and PC last year, Ghostwire: Tokyo finally makes the leap over to Xbox Series X|S this month, bringing with it plenty of paranormal peril, fun, and a few phantom mysteries to solve.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection - April 14
Capcom fans have long been asking for the Mega Man Battle Network to get a port, and this month, all 10 of those classics are headed to PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC. Originally available on the Game Boy Advance, the titles featured in the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection are being enhanced with new online features, an optional high-resolution filter, and an art gallery that contains more than 1,000 art pieces to look through. Card collectors also get 499 "Patch Cards," which were special cards that were exclusive to Japan.
Disney Speedstorm - April 18
Not content with conquering the cozy life simulation market in Disney Dreamlight Valley, the house of mouse is now eyeing the world of combative motorsports with Disney Speedstorm. Featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Mulan, Hercules, and several other characters in its early access release, Disney Speedstorm features high-speed circuits and unique skills for each driver as they go head to head on these circuits.
Minecraft Legends - April 18
This isn't the Minecraft that you're used to! Instead, Minecraft Legends reimagines Mojang's blocky world as an action-strategy game in which you explore various biomes that are inhabited by other players. Teamwork makes the dream work as you and your allies deal with Piglins, but you'll have plenty of resources, weapons, and allies to help you deal with the menacing critters when they arrive to lay siege to your world.
The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story - April 18
League of Legends isn't an easy game to break into, but The Mageseeker might just be the best entry into that universe for newcomers. A spin-off that mixes classic brawling with lush pixel-art, The Mageseeker tells the tale of Sylas as he uses chains and magic-stealing abilities to earn his freedom and exact his revenge on the oppressive Mageseekers. In development for over four years by Moonlighter studio Digital Sun, The Mageseeker will be available on Switch, PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Puzzle Quest 3 - April 18
While it has been out since March on PC, Puzzle Quest 3's delightful match-three gameplay is finally headed to PlayStation and Xbox this month. This new journey in the land of Etheria has all the hallmarks of the fantasy genre, from epic loot to mythical dungeons, all of which you'll experience in battles where you can unleash powerful attacks by rearranging gems. It's more strategic than you'd think, and planning ahead is the key to victory in Puzzle Quest 3.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores - April 19
More than a year after Horizon Forbidden West continued Aloy's story, Burning Shores adds another chapter to the saga. This time, Aloy is pursuing a sinister new threat to the planet, venturing south of the Tenakth Clan Lands into a futuristic version of Los Angeles that has been transformed by millennia of volcanic eruptions and violent seismic activity into a treacherous archipelago. For PS4 fans of Horizon, bad news: Burning Shores will be a PS5-exclusive expansion, so you'll need to get your hands on the newer Sony console if you want to continue Aloy's journey.
Coffee Talk: Episode 2 - April 20
If you're looking for a more lo-fi gaming experience in April, then warm up your coffee machine, pull up a chair, and get ready to lend an ear to customers in need of a heart-to-heart chat over a hot cup of caffeine. Episode 2 of Coffee Talk adds a few new characters to the mix, and as you listen to their tales, you'll be able to level up your barista skills with latte-art masterpieces and new secret recipes while serving up a mug of joe that has the potential to change lives.
Dead Island 2 - April 21
More than a decade after the original game introduced audiences to a Club Dead resort experience, Dead Island 2 is finally ready to rise from its grave in April. Taking a more linear approach, mixing in procedurally generated flesh systems, and stranding you in a gore-drenched version of Los Angeles, you'll be able to slice, smash, and burn your way through environments crawling with zombie hordes in this long-in-development sequel.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp - April 21
Originally scheduled to launch in 2022, Nintendo delayed the release of its return to the Advance Wars series when Russia invaded Ukraine. A year later, that war is still ongoing, but Nintendo has opted to roll out the remakes of Advance Wars and its sequel, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising. If you missed them when they first came out on Game Boy Advance, these cult-classic turn-based strategy games task you with commanding your own army, defending your homeland, and pushing back against enemy forces. The game is being handled by developer WayForward, a studio that has modernized series with games like Contra 4, Double Dragon Neon and Ducktales: Remastered.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox - April 27
A twisted world of secret organizations, forbidden rituals, and cold-blooded murders might sound like a bad time for your run-of-the-mill gumshoe, but for detective Benedict Fox, it's just another Tuesday solving a seemingly impossible mystery. Alongside the demon he's bound to, Fox can explore the minds of the recently deceased as he searches for clues in a world with Lovecraftian influences. With a grisly murder to solve and forces working to stop him, expect The Last Case of Benedict Fox to be a haunting dive into dark mystery territory.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - April 28
Back and sporting the grittiest of beards, Cal Kestis is ready to take the fight to the Empire in the first sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Survivor doesn't look like it'll stray too far from the action-adventure template that it set back in 2019, but with more lightsaber combat options, several quality-of-life updates, and no shortage of battle droids to cut down, Respawn's sequel is shaping up to deliver a great adventure that's not too far (far!) away.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak - April 28
While Monster Hunter fans on PC and Switch have been enjoying the Sunbreak expansion for a while now, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One players will finally have the chance to explore the Elgado territory this month. New monsters and old enemies await you in this deadly land, but with the return of the trusty wirebug and new abilities for all 14 weapon types, expect this hunt to be a memorable one.
April 2023 video game release schedule
- Road 96: Mile 0 (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 4
- Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator (PC) - April 4
- Meet Your Maker (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - April 4
- Moviehouse – The Film Studio Tycoon (PC) - April 5
- Everspace 2 (PC) - April 6
- Curse of the Sea Rats (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 6
- Ravenswatch (PC via Steam early access) - April 6
- The Library Of Babel (PC) - April 6
- Miniland Adventure (PC) - April 10
- Tron: Identity (PC, Switch) - April 11
- Sherlock Holmes The Awakened (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 11
- Ghostwire: Tokyo (Xbox Series X|S) - April 12
- Lightracer Spark (PC) - April 12
- Boundary (PC via Steam early access) - April 13
- Screaming Chicken: Ultimate Showdown (PC) - April 13
- Voodolls (PC) - April 13
- Shardpunk: Verminfall (PC) - April 13
- Hunt the Night (PC) - April 13
- Beyond the Long Night (PC) - April 13
- Trinity Fusion (PC via Steam early access) - April 13
- Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection (PC, PS4, Switch) - April 14
- Suffer The Night (PC) - April 17
- The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 18
- Puzzle Quest 3 (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - April 18
- God of Rock (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 18
- Minecraft Legends (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 18
- Moons of Darsalon (PC) - April 19
- Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores DLC (PS5) - April 19
- Stray Blade (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) - April 20
- Arcana of Paradise -The Tower- (PC, Switch) - April 20
- Eresys (PC) - April 20
- Tin Hearts (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 20
- Outer Terror (PC) - April 20
- Dead Island 2 (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - April 21
- Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (Switch) - April 21
- Shadows of Doubt (PC via Steam early access) - April 24
- Stranded: Alien Dawn (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - April 25
- Strayed Lights (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 25
- Roots of Pacha (PC) - April 25
- Afterimage (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 25
- Cassette Beasts (PC) - April 26
- The Last Case of Benedict Fox (PC, Xbox Series X|S) - April 27
- Protodroid Delta (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) - April 27
- Ash of Gods: The Way (PC) - April 27
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) - April 28
- Minabo - A Walk Through Life (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch) - April 28
- Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - April 28
- Welcome to Goodland (PC) - April 28
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