The 16 most outstanding video games of a very busy April

As they say, “in April, a thousand video games”. This month arrives with an especially intense schedule that combines highly anticipated triple-A games with independent projects that stand out for their creativity. We review, in chronological order, the most outstanding releases.

The first title of the month offers a platform and puzzle adventure with a strong narrative component and 2.5D graphics. The game is inspired by modern classics like Limbo or Little nightmares, but in this case the player controls the octopus Darwin. The plot mixes humor and reflection, and follows the octopus as he solves enigmas, constantly adapts, and tries to escape a hostile environment thanks to his intelligence. Darwin’s paradox is the debut of the Parisian studio ZDT Studio, and it is published by Konami.

If the latest Pokémon approach sidelined combat within the saga, the new Pokémon Champions puts it at the center of everything. The new title in the pocket monster saga focuses exclusively on strategic combat and enhances the multiplayer and tournament scene. Champions appeals to established fans of the saga who seek depth and replayability exclusively through creature matchups. The game is free-to-play and is released on Nintendo's two current consoles, although it will also arrive on mobile platforms during 2026.

The most anticipated indie of the month is a 2.5D action-platformer with a cyberpunk setting and spectacular pixel art aesthetic. Replaced is set in a dystopian post-nuclear America during the eighties and challenges the player to uncover the secrets of a megacorporation by controlling an artificial intelligence trapped in a human body. The thriller opts for a dark narrative, cinematic exploration, and a lot of freedom in combat. The game is coming to Microsoft platforms and will be available on Game Pass from day one.

A first-person horror and investigation game that brings H.P. Lovecraft's universe to the near future. The player's mission is to uncover the details about the disappearance of a group of miners at an underwater station at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, in an experience that combines tension and mystery. The atmosphere and adult tone make it a standout offering within the genre. It is the next game from the French studio Big Bad Wolf after Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong, and it is published by the equally French Nacon.

One of the other standout indies of the month is a first-person shooter, but with an aesthetic inspired by black and white cartoons reminiscent of early Disney characters. The game combines traditional animation with three-dimensional environments, all under a layer of noir aesthetic. The gameplay mixes elements of investigation and combat. The quiet moments where detective Jack Pepper has to find clues and solve puzzles contrast with the frenetic and outlandish combat of the proposal. The game is coming to all current platforms and, additionally, editions for the previous generation of consoles are planned.

A new installment of Nintendo's peculiar social simulator, which saw the light more than ten years ago on the Nintendo 3DS. The player manages a community of Mii characters (the famous avatars of the brand), while they interact unpredictably and generate often very absurd situations. The title maintains the spirit of the original, but adds many more possible interactions and includes new options to unleash users' imagination and creativity. Some of them have already shown their most eccentric designs on social media, thanks to the demo already available.

Capcom's new universe, and one of the month's big names, is a science fiction action-adventure game. Set on a lunar research station, the game tells the story of astronaut Hugh and android Diana as they work together to stop the hostile AI controlling the station with the goal of returning to Earth. Combat is unique through a puzzle mechanic in the middle of battle, where Diana hacks enemies to penetrate their defenses so Hugh can take them down. The game also features an emotional storyline and the usual graphical spectacle of a Capcom that takes risks with a fresh proposal. It is one of the most anticipated games of the month because, in addition to having a demo, it arrives on all current platforms on the market.

An outline of the already classic Vampire Survivors, the indie that inspired a whole genre. In this case, the new game embraces the dungeon crawler genre (exploring dungeons, fighting monsters, and obtaining loot) with turn-based combat based on deck-building. The game, which maintains the aesthetic of the original game, opts for a first-person camera and is designed to offer quick and replayable matches. Its low price, availability on all platforms, and inclusion in Game Pass will make many new players fall prey again to the playable loop of Poncle's new game.

The most outstanding proposal of the month within the local scene comes from veteran Carlos Coronado (CarlosGameDev). The developer publishes a cooperative adventure for two players set on the Moon, full of asymmetric puzzles, chaotic moments, and a good dose of humor. The game is dubbed in Catalan by actress Patricia Arcos and features a localization –also in Catalan– thanks to the invaluable work of Projecte Ce Trencada. Together: Moon escape lands now only on PC, but already has cross-game implemented and plans to reach all other platforms in the future.

DigixArt, the developer of Road 96, is releasing a new adventure game with a very clear challenge: survive the unstable ocean planet of Elynd. The proposal introduces an innovative gameplay system where the player will have to choose their own adventure but based on the decisions of previous players (also with the option to choose among friends or preferred streamers). In this asynchronous multiplayer, decisions are important and binding, and not just for you, but because they will affect the survival of those who come after you.

One of the most cozy proposals of the month. Outbound invites the player to an inspiring adventure with the goal of exploring the world, building a home on wheels, and living sustainably. Resource management and van customization offer a lot of depth but in a relaxed way, a playstyle that finds more and more followers every day. The title from Dutch developers Square Glade Games offers cooperative options and is an experience designed to disconnect and enjoy at your own pace.

Perhaps the most innovative proposal of the month, and look at the competition. Kiln is a multiplayer combat game with a very marked humorous tone in which players control ceramic pieces created by themselves. The game emphasizes building something beautiful, but also the pleasure of breaking it. This idea comes from the minds of Double Fine, the studio of veteran creative Tim Schafer (The Secret of Monkey Island, Psychonauts). The company publishes this original proposal, born from an internal game jam, under the umbrella of Xbox Game Studios, and it will arrive from day one on Game Pass.

This month concentrates diverse science fiction proposals, but we could not overlook the new project from Don’t Nod, creators of the Life is strange saga, among others. Aphelion is a narrative adventure set at the edge of our Solar System, in which the two protagonist astronauts will have to explore an unknown planet. Ariane and Thomas will soon discover that they are not alone on this celestial body, as an alien threat will put them to the test. The game features gameplay focused on decision-making and the relationship between characters, and tells a story about love, resilience, and the hope we have left when all seems lost. The title also premieres on Game Pass.

An intimate experience centered around the management of a convenience store in the most traditional rural Japan. In this slow-paced proposal with a strong human component, the player is in charge of running the grocery store day by day while discovering the customers' stories. The Japanese company Nagai Industries looks to its own past, to the 90s, to design this narrative simulator subtitled “One store, many stories”.

Fans of the more traditional fighting game genre will also enjoy a very relevant release. It is a proposal associated with the popular adult animated series Invincible, one of the great successes of recent years, based on the eponymous comics. The game features team-based battles of three characters and allows for local and online multiplayer. Invincible VS also includes a story mode that will allow players to get to know the 18 playable heroes better. With its adult tone and based on a well-known franchise, it aims to become a modern benchmark in the genre.

To close the month with magnificence, comes one of the most important releases of the year from PlayStation Studios. Housemarque's new action game is considered a spiritual successor to Returnal, one of the great first party titles that kicked off the PlayStation 5 era. The shooter with roguelite elements also features a very mystical and macabre science-fiction setting, and the studio expands its gameplay and narrative formula, resulting in a more refined overall experience. Among the new improvements, the title offers shorter and more accessible sessions, as well as new mechanics that put gameplay and entertainment at the center. With great confidence in the studio's trajectory, Saros promises to be one of the biggest releases of the year.

Extra level!

We cannot forget about the local scene and the most relevant 'ports' and updates.

‘Temtem: Swarm'

April 2nd

The Andalusian Crema Studio expand their universe with a spin-off that radically changes genre, but without losing the essence of their creatures.

‘Starfield’

April 7

Bethesda's universe lands on PlayStation 5, along with a free update for all users, packed with improvements and new stories.

‘The occultist'

April 8

A first-person narrative thriller that has generated global anticipation and has been developed by Daloar, a studio from Valladolid.

‘Hades II'

April 14

One of last year's best games arrives on PS5 and Xbox Series. Without a doubt, one of the month's best titles for those who haven't been able to play it yet.

‘Ereban: Shadow legacy'

April 16

The best game ofIndieDevDay and of the SAGA of 2024, by the Barcelonans Baby Robot Games, is making its way onto PlayStation and Xbox.

‘Diablo IV: Lord of hatred’

April 28

Blizzard's action RPG continues with a second expansion: new region, two more playable classes, and an extensive campaign that continues the story.

‘Amnesia: Rebirth'

April 30th

The independent studio Abylight, based in Barcelona, publishes the port to Switch 2 of one of the most important horror games of the decade.