April has arrived, and with it a new lineup of games to keep you and your wallet busy. We hope that you have some spare time ready because you’re going to need it. Have a look to our fanatical list of April releases!
Persona 5
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Release Date: April 4
For the Fanatics and a lot of gamers out there Persona 5 is probably the most anticipated title launching this month. Considered by many as the return of one of the most splendid JRPG sagas ever created, this game has everything in place to keep you hooked. Literally, for dozens and dozens of hours.
Do not let unfamiliarity with the franchise turn you down. Persona 5 drops players in the Shujin Academy with an eclectic party of students who have awoken to their Persona powers, manifestations of their psyche. Turn-based combat, dungeon crawling, and social simulation scenarios make Persona 5 an ideal candidate to all of you who like well-knit stories. If you have finished with Zelda by then, that is.
Yooka-Laylee
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: April 11
Any Banjo-Kazooie enthusiasts in the house? Keep your heads up for Yooka-Laylee then. Developed by industry veterans, this spiritual successor features a male chameleon, Yooka, and a female bat, Laylee, and promises to bring us back to the 3D platforming game genre of the late 1990s. Players control both Yooka and Laylee and advance through open environments collecting items and battling bosses. On top of that, there are also local multiplayer modes and arcade minigames.
Yooka-Laylee has always had unrivaled fan support. The game’s campaign on Kickstarter began in May 2015 and managed to reach its initial goal of £1,000,000 in 21 hours. It holds the record for the most funded Kickstarter game in the UK of all time. Not a bad feat at all!
Stardew Valley: Collector’s Edition
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: April 11
Stardew Valley is not necessarily new as it debuted in February 2016, however, it deserves its place on this list. If you have never jumped into this soothing and addictive farming universe, now is your chance. This Collector’s Edition comes with a disc version of the game, its soundtrack, and two extras: a “condensed mini version” of Kari Fry’s Stardew Valley Guidebook and a map of Pelican Town.
Heavily inspired by the Harvest Moon series, Stardew Valley may be an indie proposition but its gameplay reach and possibilities are quite huge. It has a satisfaction rating of 10/10 on Steam and its only designer, Eric Barone, has confirmed that there are plans for an expansion.
The Sexy Brutale
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: April 12
A Marquis’s mansion celebrating a masked ball, plenty of guests and a very long night ahead: what could possibly go wrong? The Sexy Brutale is a story of murder and the steps taken by priest Lafcadio Boone to prevent it and discover the perpetrators. The narrative unfolds in an endlessly-looping day. Reliving this day is key to help Lafcadio progress through riddles and puzzles. Getting to know the masked characters and playing around with time can be the difference between live and death.
If you are into original stories and small doses of British humor, The Sexy Brutale is the kind of party you do not want to miss.
Syberia 3
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: April 25
Somehow “hidden” amidst the hype of other games, Syberia 3 is definitely an adventure title to keep track of. If you haven’t heard of this one, it may be because of the long dormant period – Syberia 2 arrived in 2004. The good news is that Syberia 3 represents a new arc to the series. You won’t have to worry about narrative legacies or confusing “who’s who” questions.
Loyal to the spirit of previous games, Syberia 3 follows the journey of American lawyer Kate Walker as she travels across Europe and Russia. The mix between art nouveau, steampunk and mystery elements won’t leave you indifferent and you’ll certainly enjoy the smart dialogue.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: April 25
If you are into modern-day FPS games, then you should definitely keep Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 on your radar. The third installment in the series distances itself from its predecessors by offering a less linear gaming experience. The new open-world is complete with extra activities and side missions. Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 gives players more options than ever. There are different ways to complete missions, including stealth skirmishes and melee attacks.
Story wise, players take the role of an American captain and travel to a conflicted Georgia. The target of your mission? Not a mere trifle: prevent another Cold War.
Outlast 2
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: April 25
Outlast 2 arrives by the end of the month, ready to make you cringe, and it’s no joke. If the sequel can manage the horror strings as well as the original Outlast (2013) we may be in front of another exemplification of what scary really means in a videogame.
Players take on the role of journalist Blake Langermann. What starts as the investigation into the murder of a pregnant woman ends with Blake searching for his wife in a dilapidated town near the Sonoran Desert. Much like the first game, this protagonist cannot fight and players rely on their hiding and getaway skills, plus a nifty camcorder, to stay alive.
Dragon Quest Heroes II
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC
Release Date: April 25
Dragon Quest Heroes II is another title for those of you who love JRPGs with a hack-and-slash touch. In this sequel, a dark prophecy is falling over the peaceful land of seven kingdoms and a troupe of unique heroes appear on scene to save the day. Each of them has unique skills and weapons, although you can play around with classes and different play styles. Dragon Quest Heroes II also features a multiplayer mode for four players.
The game released in May 2016 in Japan where it got its fare share of good reviews due to the heavier presence of RPG elements.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: April 28
Are there any Nintendo Switch titles after Breath of the Wild? Yes, of course! One of them is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, an enhanced port of the Wii U hit. It features the original game and DLC along with even more content.
Battle Mode comes back in its original shape, with eight new arenas and several gameplay modes. The option of carrying two items at once has returned as well. There are also five new characters on the roster: Bowser Jr, Dry Bones, King Boo, and two Inkling cameos from Splatoon. We know that Mario Kart never gets old and we just got another much needed shot to keep on racing.
What about you, Fanatics? What games are you playing this month? Are you still catching up with previous titles or are you trying any of this list? Let us know in the comment section!
