Dead Island 2
- Release date: April 21
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX/S, Stadia
Dead Island 2 has been in development for nearly ten years and is finally coming out. The game is set in a stunningly recreated Los Angeles, which the developers have nicknamed “Hell-A.” The streets are littered with movie sets, mansions, and luxury cars, but the zombie apocalypse has destroyed this once affluent and vibrant location.
One of the things that made the original Dead Island game unique was its “vacation-gone-awry” premise, pitting the living dead against palm trees and sandy beaches in contrast to the usual dreary zombie games with dark color palettes and tough characters. Dead Island 2 is continuing in the footsteps of its predecessor by presenting a once-beautiful tourist destination now covered in blood and guts.
From what could be gleaned from game previews, Dead Island 2 promises to be thrilling, gruesome, and visually stunning. In particular, the FLESH system stands out as one of the best parts of the game, but without actually playing the game, we won’t know the depths of its implementation. On the other hand, the game needs to demonstrate that it can take its core concepts and turn them into something that feels new and captivating compared to other zombie hack n slash games.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Release date: April 28
- Platforms: PC, PS5, XSX/S
Cal Cestus’ previous Jedi adventure was a resounding success, indicating that there’s a bright future for single-player Star Wars games. As his next game, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, is set to launch on April 28, EA and Respawn had given fans a treat by when they announced a sequel of the previous hit game.
The initial teaser trailer for Jedi: Survivor didn’t reveal too much, but Cal and BD-1 remained front and center. Additionally, there was a brief glimpse of Cal’s ship, the Mantis, crashing on a desert planet, a scene of Cal engaging in a lightsaber duel with a hooded Sith, and an unknown figure enclosed in an abandoned Bacta tank.
According to EA, the sequel to the Star Wars Jedi game takes place five years after the first game’s events, situating it between the prequels and the original trilogy, approximately nine years before the Battle of Yavin. This places it around the same time period as the recent Obi-Wan show. EA also revealed that Cal would be accompanied by his faithful droid BD-1 and will encounter a diverse group of fascinating characters who will join him on his journey.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
- Release date: April 28
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX/S
Since its emergence, the Monster Hunter series has become one of Capcom’s most celebrated franchises, and with the imminent launch of Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, the company is eager to replicate this success. A major expansion for the game, Capcom is confident that this new installment will keep fans of the series enthralled.
Last June, Sunbreak came onto the scene, gracing PC and Switch gamers alike with a wealth of new content in Rise; now it’s the console player’s turn. This brought with it the daunting Master Rank, the Switch Skills Swap, granting players the ability to assign two attack loadouts per quest, and a brand-new area, the Citadel. The sprawling realm teams with a vibrant tapestry of verdant forests, icy mountaintops, dank swamps, and an enormous ruined castle acting as its crowning glory. Alongside this lies the bustling port town of Elgado Outpost, now acting as a hub for all players.
Monster Hunter Rise players on consoles can look forward to tons of new content, challenges, and hours that they’ll pour into Capacom’s most profitable franchise.
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
- Release date: April 11
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX/S, Switch
Frogwares have unveiled a new trailer for their revamped Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened – taking the Cthulhu cult-laden, Lovecraft-imbued original from 2007 and transforming it into a sequel to 2021’s Chapter One, where Watson plays a more integral role. Next month, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC gamers can dive into this mythic, mysterious world.
As Sherlock embarks on an exciting, revised journey through the uncharted realms of cosmic horror – traveling from the murky fog of Victorian London to the swamps of New Orleans – Frogwares’ remake sheds light on his renewed connection with Watson.
For Watson, the remake offers a fresh storyline and even the possibility of playing him in certain sections. Plus, the ending is significantly influenced by both Sherlock and Watson – as seen in the most recent trailer for The Awakened!
Crash Team Rumble
- Release date: April 24
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX/S, Switch
The mission in Crash Team Rumble is simple: be the first team to collect 2,000 of Crash’s beloved wumpa fruits. Outmaneuver your opponents, smack crates and tap into power-ups to gather as much fruit as you can before getting outwitted by another player! Platforming expertise and a competitive spirit are all you need to take your team to the top in this 4v4 brawler.
The game will allow players different strategic approaches to beating out the opposing team. Play it slow and steady by depositing wumpa fruits into your team’s bank until you have enough points, or you can dramatically increase your ability to collect wumpas by grabbing the Boost Zones. If your intention is to give your opponents a hard time, hang out at their bank and eliminate them continuously to prevent them from accumulating. Each game is about deciding the correct strategies and interacting with your squad to get the victory.
While the initially announced five characters sound like a very small number, we believe that the developers will keep increasing the number of playable characters as the game grows in popularity. Hopefully, they will add other Sony faithfuls to create a truly amazing brawler.
Other notable mentions
We’ve listed the five games in April that have had the most hype, however, that list is not exhaustive. Here are some notable mentions worth considering if you have the time:
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection (PC, PS4, Switch); Hunt the Night (PC); Minecraft Legends (PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX/S, Switch); Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores DLC (PS5); Stray Blade (PC, PS5, XSX/S); Ash of Gods: The Way (PC); Star Trek: Resurgence (PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX/S).
Conclusion
Following the jam-packed month of March, April is similarly promising to be full of amazing game titles that will vie for your time and money. Dead Island 2 and the new Jedi Survivor sound like the most fun ones to try, so if you decide to get anything from the list, keep an eye on these two. Enjoy!
