Nearly a quarter into 2025, and many players have already devoted countless hours to this year’s titles, yet April refuses to let the pace slow down. The coming weeks highlight promising launches from emerging studios alongside genre icons making a grand return. Whether you’re holding off invaders on the brink of humanity’s collapse or tracking down a mysterious hidden room in a twisted manor, this month’s variety might surprise you. Take a look at ten games that stand out among April’s offerings.
Table of Contents
- The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
- LUNAR Remastered Collection
- Rusty Rabbit
- Post Trauma
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
- Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate
- Blue Prince
- All in Abyss: Judge the Fake
- Promise Mascot Agency
10. The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi reunite for The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, a project melding mind-bending tension with tactical, turn-based action. Takumi Sumino’s life turns upside down when otherworldly monsters invade his seemingly ordinary hometown. Accepting a cryptic pact grants him supernatural abilities, but these powers come at a steep cost: he must endure a brutal school environment for 100 days as monstrous creatures close in.
Fifteen students form the core of this defense unit, each bringing specialized skill sets to ever-escalating SRPG battles. Command them carefully, considering strengths, weaknesses, and forging crucial bonds along the way. Dangers lurk outside the combat arena too, since forging alliances, scavenging resources, and keeping morale intact are key to survival. This collaboration may push creative boundaries further than either creator’s previous works, making it one to watch.
9. LUNAR Remastered Collection
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 18, 2025
JRPG aficionados likely recall LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete as classics, and the LUNAR Remastered Collection merges both into a single release. Originally shaping the genre back in the 90s, these two adventures still boast timeless narratives, distinctive characters, and heartfelt themes. Control Alex’s journey to claim the mantle of Dragonmaster or follow Hiro’s pursuit to save the Goddess Althena in the sequel.
New improvements modernize these beloved titles, featuring adjustable battle speeds, integrated inventory systems, and an upgraded Auto Battle mechanic. Players can choose between a widescreen Remastered Mode that refines visuals and audio or switch to Classic Mode for a nostalgic 4:3 layout. The fully voiced anime cutscenes remain a staple, accompanied by expanded language options for a broader audience. This compilation reminds fans why the LUNAR saga is still revered.
8. Rusty Rabbit
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 17, 2025
Humanity has long since abandoned Earth, leaving an icy wasteland behind, and rabbits have inherited the ruins. Rusty Rabbit showcases a post-human society where these clever critters rummage through Smokestack Mountain’s rubble in search of leftover technology. Stamp, a grouchy veteran “rust digger,” stumbles upon a clue that may lead him to his missing daughter, pushing him deeper into the derelict industrial remains.
NITRO PLUS steers this madcap endeavor, weaving comedic moments and tense battles with an undercurrent of emotional weight. Expect classic dungeon exploration, mech-enhanced platforming, and a cast of quirky characters who challenge the notion that bunnies are always cuddly. With bizarre lore and diverse environments to navigate, Rusty Rabbit hints at an adventure that’s offbeat, charming, and ripe for discovery.
7. Post Trauma
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Post Trauma merges old-school survival horror sensibilities with modern production values. Roman, a beleaguered train conductor, awakens from a severe panic attack to find himself in an eerie realm of shifting corridors and grotesque foes. Retro-inspired fixed camera angles evoke tension reminiscent of the genre’s roots, although the Unreal Engine 5 press station amplifies every uncanny detail.
Armed with limited resources, Roman must collect clues, solve puzzles, and occasionally engage in perilous combat. Each moment demands vigilance, because the environment often twists without warning, unveiling new horrors or cryptic messages. The voice work, led by Togo Igawa, ensures the protagonist’s struggles feel authentic, while a foreboding soundtrack by Nicolas Gasparini (Myuu) deepens the atmosphere. Fans of Silent Hill or Resident Evil should take note.
6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 thrusts players into a Belle Époque-inspired kingdom tormented by a painter of doom: the Paintress. Her ritual condemns everyone at a specific age to vanish, and this year’s mark is 33. Form a daring party bent on halting that prophecy, journeying across surreal landscapes dotted with menacing creatures. Storytelling and combat unite in a turn-based format enriched by real-time inputs such as timed parries and precision aiming.
Delving into the lives of each Expeditioner reveals motives, secrets, and synergy within their ranks. Gear, stat distribution, and co-operative attacks create a varied combat system, all rendered through Unreal Engine 5’s dynamic visuals. The distinctive Belle Époque aesthetic underscores how unconventional this fantasy realm is, forging a memorable spectacle. As Sandfall Interactive’s debut, it aims to break new ground and keep players on their toes.
5. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 25, 2025
The Fatal Fury saga evolves with City of the Wolves, reviving SNK’s iconic 2D fighter for a new generation. It’s the first mainline entry since 1999’s Garou: Mark of the Wolves, and SNK takes the opportunity to implement revised mechanics like the REV system, which pushes offense to the forefront until you overheat the meter. Arcade Style inputs suit veterans, while Smart Style offers simplified command options for those newer to the genre.
Initial rosters boast 17 fighters, with five more planned via DLC. Classic favorites and newcomers alike fill a vivid, animated stage that captures the energy of arcade-era brawlers. Hardcore players can look forward to honing combos, while single-player fans may explore the Episodes of South Town mode, leveling their fighter and uncovering side stories. It’s a nod to fighting game history that aims to mesh tradition with fresh elements.
4. Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 17, 2025
After multiple delays, Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate launches with a renewed approach to the side-scrolling beat ‘em up formula. Developer MAGES. rebuilt this chaotic brawler in Unreal Engine 5, promising stable performance, fluid combos, and improved online features. Fans of the original can still expect high-energy visuals, frantic stage progression, and a vibrant cast.
Battle Grounds Ultimate increases the roster to 38 characters, ranging from the core heroes to lesser-known adversaries. Unlockable skills and a robust leveling system keep players hooked throughout story mode, which sees the team scrambling to stop Phantom from dismantling the boundaries between dimensions. Online co-op and versus modes accommodate large lobbies, ensuring brawls can escalate into frenetic, cross-platform showdowns. Nostalgia meets refined mechanics here, offering something for both newcomers and long-time enthusiasts.
3. Blue Prince
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Blue Prince unfolds in the bizarre Mt. Holly estate, notorious for its ever-shifting rooms. You’re the heir tasked with navigating this architectural oddity, seeking the legendary Room 46 that may shed light on the manor’s past. Designing how each door connects to the next allows for roguelite puzzle-solving, so even if the layout resets, your knowledge and any lasting improvements can reshape the outcome.
Beneath the labyrinth lies a narrative riddled with political intrigue and references to a children’s author who mysteriously vanished. Discover hidden passages, gather tools for new strategies, and gradually transform the estate to reflect your progress. Each run tests your wits and patience, making incremental victories feel satisfying. The unusual premise aims to blend exploration and puzzle-solving into a compelling tapestry.
2. All in Abyss: Judge the Fake
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 9, 2025
All in Abyss: Judge the Fake merges poker-based showdowns with dramatic flair, dropping you into a neon underworld teeming with dishonest dealers known as Witches. As Asuha Senahara, you must unmask and outplay these cunning foes by using a deck of well-timed skills. Peek at hidden cards, manipulate your rival’s moves, or go all in when the moment is right.
Between matches, you’ll roam a sprawling city filled with side hustles and opportunities to enhance your repertoire. Track down leads that uncover each Witch’s secrets, then leverage that intel to tip the odds in your favor. The result is part anime thriller, part gambling simulator, powered by a cast that thrives on rivalries. It’s a high-risk, high-reward formula with a distinct rebellious streak.
1. Promise Mascot Agency
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Paradise Killer creators return with Promise Mascot Agency, an open-world narrative oddity where outlandish mascots walk among us. Michi, the beleaguered manager, oversees a motley crew of living brand icons, each with extreme quirks that might spark chaos. Surveillance and damage control become daily duties, especially once local conspiracies and supernatural elements complicate your tasks.
Upgrades to your trusty Kei Truck help you zip around Kaso-Machi, discovering vital items and forging alliances with quirky heroes. These allies can step in if one of your wild-eyed mascots loses control. Meanwhile, you’ll uncover criminal undertones, including suspicion around Michi’s past and ominous sightings of nightmarish apparitions. Juggling brand events, vehicular mayhem, and unraveling mysteries, Promise Mascot Agency is set to be an experience that’s strange, comedic, and surprisingly dark.
How do you feel about these releases? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to Noisy Pixel for more coverage on everything gaming, anime, and nerd culture.
