April 2023 is shaping up to be another bumper month for video game releases. All three of the major console players currently on the market are getting some pretty heavy-hitting titles in April, and whether you’re into single-player story-driven adventures or you’re a more multiplayer-focused gamer, you’ll find plenty to love.
The last-gen consoles still have some life in them, but we’re seeing more and more major titles start to make the shift to current-gen only, so if you haven’t already picked up a PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or Switch, now might be the time to do so. Here are the best games arriving in April 2023.
GrimGrimoire OnceMore (PlayStation, Switch – April 4th)
Vanillaware’s classic PS2 strategy game is making the jump to PlayStation and Switch in early April. In GrimGrimoire, you play as Lillet Blan, a witch who is stuck in a time loop and who must save her magic school from a wizard bent on finding the Philosopher’s Stone (sound familiar?). The game’s curious mixture of real-time strategy and JRPG-style combat must be seen to be believed, so make sure you check this one out if you’re a fan of old-school RPGs or Vanillaware’s other work.
Meet Your Maker (PlayStation, Xbox, PC – April 4th)
Dead by Daylight developer Behaviour Interactive is branching out into other endeavours, and Meet Your Maker is one of them. Many have compared the game to Super Mario Maker, and indeed, the core loop isn’t dissimilar; you can either make bases for other players to get through or try and take on bases others have created yourself. Either way, expect a huge degree of creativity on display from this game’s community, as well as a good harvest of unplayable and auto-playing stages, for twas ever thus in creator-driven titles.
Moviehouse – The Film Studio Tycoon (PC, April 5th)
Did you play and love Lionhead’s The Movies? If so, you’re one of a fairly small minority of people, because that game didn’t get the love it deserved. Luckily, developer Odyssey Studios and publisher Assemble Entertainment are here to try and redress the balance with Moviehouse, a loving tribute to Lionhead’s title that puts you in charge of a movie studio. Unlike The Movies, you’ll start in the 1980s, but you’ll still be managing your operations, hiring and firing staff, and, of course, making movies.
EA Sports PGA Tour 2023 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC – April 7th)
EA last graced the golf sim world with its 2015 game Rory McIlroy PGA Tour, but now, the sports giant is returning to golf once again thanks to EA Sports PGA Tour. As you’d imagine given the gravitas of EA’s name in the sporting video game world, PGA Tour will have plenty of licensed courses and players to check out, as well as new realistic golf mechanics that put you closer than ever before to the action. It’s a shame we’re not getting a last-gen release of this one, though.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection (PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC – April 14th)
The Mega Man Battle Network games are perennially underrated Game Boy Advance RPGs, so it’s nice to see Capcom acknowledging its history and giving them a much-deserved re-release. If you’re used to the faster pace of the usual Mega Man fare, then these games might be too much of a change of pace for you, but fans of slower and more tactical gameplay (albeit still fairly fast-paced for RPGs) will enjoy assembling their loadout and taking on ten Battle Network adventures.
Minecraft Legends (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC – April 18th)
Mojang and Microsoft’s take on the real-time strategy genre is, as you might expect, much more accessible than the average RTS game usually is. However, you’ll still need to have your wits about you if you want to fend off the dastardly piglins as they overrun the Overworld. Together with your friends (or battling against them if you’re the competitive sort), you’ll engage in action-strategy gameplay that will demand much of your skills and your brain.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (Nintendo Switch – April 21st)
This collection of the first two Advance Wars games, remade and remastered for Nintendo Switch, was originally due to arrive last year, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine (allegedly) delayed the game’s release. Now, it’s almost time for these tactical turn-based strategy games to land on the Switch, and we’re very excited indeed, because the Advance Wars series has long been the more sober and down-to-earth cousin to Fire Emblem’s melodramatic (but still excellent) shenanigans.
Dead Island 2 (PlayStation, Xbox, PC – April 21st)
We can scarcely believe that Dead Island 2 is actually almost here. The game’s delays and developer changes had become the stuff of legend, but now, thanks to publisher Deep Silver and eventual developer Dambuster Studios, Dead Island 2 is almost ready to see the light of day. Set in a version of LA overrun by a zombie apocalypse, Dead Island 2 will feature over-the-top melee combat against a variety of different zombie types, complete with lots of crazy weaponry to craft and customise.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC – April 28th)
The journey of the Jedi Cal Kestis continues in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, a direct followup to 2019’s surprisingly excellent Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Expect the same mixture of platforming, Souls-esque combat, and exploration, although this new instalment will add new lightsaber fighting styles and Force powers to the mix. Star Wars stories have been improving in quality in recent years thanks to Fallen Order, The Mandalorian, Andor, and a number of other great spinoffs, so hopefully, this game continues that trend.
