Top 12 Best Games Releasing In April (2026)

I thought it couldn’t get bigger this year, but then rolled in April with twelve games on our list. Though before we talk about this extra-large month, let’s recap what happened in March. Last month continued to bring in some heavy hitters, even with many games getting delayed due to one of them. We experienced intense multiplayer games like John Carpenter’s Toxic Commandos and Marathon. Explored a grand open world in Crimson Desert and reunited with Max and Chloe for their final rendezvous in Life is Strange: Reunion. 

Now we move to April, where we have twelve amazing games for you to add to your libraries. April presents us with unique experiences from the AAA market to the Indie scene. We have a few highly anticipated games with gorgeous art styles. One being a port to one of last year’s game of the year nominees. There’s plenty to choose from this list, and it’ll be a miracle if none of them gets delayed. 

Due to the influx of many big game releases over the last few months, you might need to catch up on what came out. If so, then check out last month’s list, Top 10 Best Games Releasing in March (2026). Have you got any other games you’ve been eyeing during April that are missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below!

1. Darwin’s Paradox

Between humour, emotion, and suspense, Darwin takes you on a memorable odyssey.

Starting our packed month is an upcoming new platform game where you play as an octopus on the run. In Darwin’s Paradox, you play as an octopus named Darwin who is torn from the ocean and trapped in a vast and mysterious industrial complex. To return to the ocean, Darwin will have to outsmart, evolve, and unravel a conspiracy that goes beyond anything one could imagine. Using his extraordinary intelligence and incredible abilities, help Darwin overcome formidable traps and dangers in this captivating platformer, adventure, and puzzle game.

With rich artistic direction and a vibrant world, Darwin’s Paradox immerses you in a visual and emotional epic where every detail reveals more of its incredible story. Discover sprawling levels with a unique and polished artistic direction, filled with puzzles, dangers, and surprising creatures and characters. Darwin’s Paradox will also feature a Metal Gear Solid tribute featuring stealth mechanics from the game, Snake-inspired skins, and easter eggs. 

2. Samson

Tyndalston shapes how you fight, climb, corner, and vanish.

If you’re looking for something to tide you over until GTA VI‘s release, then Samson might be for you. In Samson, return to the city of Tyndalston, where every fight is close, and every escape is earned. He owes dangerous people more than he can pay, and they’re using his sister to force his hand. The clock is ticking, and the only way out is through anyone who stands in his way. Your debt grows by the hour; each morning, you’re hit with a daily quota, miss it, and the interest spikes, making tomorrow worse. Samson uses an action point system where you spend limited points on missions that matter. 

Samson doesn’t have a standard weapon loadout. Instead, you’ll use items in the environment that can be picked and used for fights. Use the skill tree to shape Samson into the fighter this city demands, with over 25+ upgrades. Cars aren’t set dressing in Samson. They’re blunt instruments you use to ram, drift, smash, or outthink whoever chases you through the outskirts and industrial wastelands. You can drive any car in the game, with each one having its own handling style for different playstyles. Move through open-world districts, facing different factions as you rise and fall. 

3. The Occultist

Face supernatural entities, and uncover long-buried occult rituals.

For fans of the supernatural, a new first-person narrative thriller is releasing in April called The Occultist. In this new spooky adventure, you play as Alan Rebels (that’s a name), a paranormal investigator who travels to an abandoned British island after his father’s disappearance. In the 1950s, the mysterious island of Godstone was inhabited by an infamous cult that performed disturbing experiments and cruel rituals. No one has ever set foot on the island until today. The Occultist has all the distinctive elements of the survival horror genre, with tense exploration and atmosphere, as well as an up-close and personal narrative.

Using his paranormal talents courtesy of his mystical pendulum, an object of unknown origin, Alan can interact with the ominous souls that seem to remain on the island. Alan always avoids direct combat. Using stealth mechanics, he must advance through the story without being caught off guard. Use your paranormal detective knowledge to solve puzzles that go from straightforward to those that require insight into the occult arts. The Occultist features an original soundtrack by renowned composer Pepe Herrero.

4. Hades II

Battle beyond the Underworld in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like

After some time in early access and only available for PC & Switch, Hades 2 is finally coming to other platforms. Play as the immortal Princess of the Underworld in a tale of god-like revenge. Explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment. Meet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds. 

The sequel offers the best aspects of the original rogue-like experience, delving into Greek myth but now with its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. Infuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. Reveal the mysteries of the Altar of Ashes, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities. Rich, atmospheric presentation and storytelling fused with responsive action is the hallmark of Supergiant’s titles. Experience vivid new hand-painted environments, even smoother real-time 3D characters, and an electrifying original score make this mythic world burst with life.

5. REPLACED

Fight through a haven for corruption where outlaws thrive

After a few delays, our next game is a dark, cyberpunk thriller that has been on many gamers’ radars. REPLACED is a 2.5D cinematic action platformer that’s soaked in hand-crafted pixel art enhanced by modern visual effects. Set in an alternate 1980s America reshaped by nuclear catastrophe. You play as R.E.A.C.H., an AI trapped in a human body created by the diabolical Phoenix Corporation. Uncover their sinister secrets and expose the corporation’s hidden agenda, alongside uncovering the purpose behind your creation. As R.E.A.C.H. grapples with unfamiliar human instincts and the weight of emotion, the city’s hidden power structures gradually come to light. Themes of humanity, identity, and control unfold through morally complex characters and the slow reveal of a world pushed to its limits. Every corner you explore tells a story, and every secret you expose carries a cost.

Run, climb, and fight through crumbling districts, industrial wastelands, and neon-lit alleys with fluid movement and fast, responsive combat. Chain precise melee strikes with satisfying ranged attacks to take down enemies in high-intensity encounters while keeping the flow of exploration. The retro-futuristic world is brought to life with hand-crafted pixel art enhanced by modern visual effects, while a moody, synth-driven soundtrack sets the tone. REPLACED delivers a single-player journey that blends cinematic platforming, fast-paced action, and a tense cyberpunk thriller narrative. Immerse yourself in a world where every secret and every life has a price.

6. Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss

Test your wits and sanity in this Lovecraftian thriller

Now it’s time for another spooky tale with our favourite Lovecraftian cosmic entity. In Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, you play as Noah investigating the mysterious disappearance of miners in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Face nightmares and cosmic abominations that will push your sanity to its limits. Journey through a futuristic reinterpretation of Lovecraft’s mythos and uncover the legendary sunken city of R’lyeh. But beware, the deeper you descend, the more your mind succumbs to Cthulhu’s relentless influence. Immerse yourself in a first-person investigative horror adventure with a rich, branching narrative, where your choices and understanding will shape Noah’s fate in this nightmarish world.

Dive into the darkness with Key, your AI companion. Follow leads, gather scattered clues, and sharpen your detective skills to solve immersive and complex puzzles. Uncover hidden truths and look beyond appearances to choose your path to resolving the case. Every mystery offers branching routes and secret passages waiting to be discovered. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss features mind-bending environments that defy the laws of physics, pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling to new heights.

DLC/Update Spotlight: Starfield – Free Lanes Update & Terran Armada Expansion

Experience Starfield on PS5 with brand new content

This month’s DLC/Update spotlight is for Starfield’s upcoming expansions. Alongside its port to PS5 (about time), we’re getting two pieces of new content that will be available to all platforms. The first is the Free Lanes update, which touches almost every major element of the game. This includes expanding space travel options, allowing free flight between planets within a star system. New space encounters have been added alongside an increased encounter frequency. A new resource is added to give players even more control over gear and ship customisation. There are even new options for upgrading your starborn abilities and bringing your favourite gear with you to New Game+, and so much more.

The second expansion brings a brand new story involving the arrival of the Terran Armada, an army of highly advanced robots. Their motivations are unclear, but the fate of the war against the Terran Armada will have consequences that ripple throughout the galaxy. Not all Terrans have it out for the Settled System. Along the way, you’ll meet your new companion, Delta, a reprogrammed Terran Armada robot who isn’t totally evil. The Terran Armada DLC also adds the new Incursion system. These can occur almost anywhere in the Settled Systems and are both a key part of the DLC storyline as well as repeatable content with great loot to collect. You’ll uncover powerful new tech, Pre-built outposts, new decorations, and earn rewards that will definitely be worth the risks.

7. Mouse: PI For Hire

Arm yourself with an array of classic, creatively twisted and experimental firearms

This is one I’ve been waiting for quite a while, and any fan of rubber-hose animation should be excited about it as well. In MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, you play as private investigator Jack Pepper on a guns-blazing, jazz-fueled adventure. Uncover the truth when a simple missing persons case quickly escalates into a complex web of intrigue, with corruption, kidnapping and murder all on the docket. Investigate the seedy underbelly of Mouseburg, battle heavily armed gangs and crooked cops, and discover clues to reveal the conspiracy buried underneath the surface. With a myriad of cases to solve and collectables to find, Mouseburg is truly a detective’s delight.

As I stated, MOUSE draws inspiration from the classic cartoons of the 1930s, with its black and white rubber hose visuals drawn by hand, frame by frame, delivering a striking vintage aesthetic. From crackling machine guns to explosive firepower, each weapon in Pepper’s arsenal is designed to deploy non-stop cartoon chaos. Lethal encounters and manic boss battles await in this boomer shooter-inspired, retro-vibed adventure – and the denizens of Mouseburg never go down without a fight. Explore a diverse city playground, from dark streets to classic film studios, opulent opera buildings, poisonous swamps and underground sewers. 

Experience Hugh and Diana’s story in Capcom’s newest Sci-Fi Tale

Feel the presence of other players and what decisions they chose

For anyone looking for a unique experience that has players working together as a community, then Tides of Tomorrow is for you. Set in a flooded world that’s struggling to survive, you’ll embark on a single-player mission, though you’ll never be truly alone. Tides of Tomorrow uses an Online Story Link feature, allowing you to feel the impact of previous players’ choices while leaving your own mark for future players. As a Tidewalker, a deadly disease called Plastemia threatens to kill all living things; you must steel yourself to face the numerous challenges of a world on the brink of collapse. 

Meet a wide range of characters and opposing factions like ruthless Marauders who control medicine and trade, everyday survivors known as Reclaimers, and the Mystics, a mysterious group who worship the past. Sail through uncertain waters, gathering resources to improve your chances of survival. Explore diverse floating isles set amongst unique landscapes. Levels, NPCs and narrative choices can be totally different depending on the actions of other Tidewalkers. What will your journey reveal about yourself and other fellow Tidewalkers?

10. Aphelion

Aphelion blends exploration, traversal, and tense stealth gameplay

Fans of Sci-Fi stories will want to look into DON’T NOD’s next game. Aphelion takes place on the planet Persephone, located at the edge of the solar system. It’s humanity’s best hope, which is why the European Space Agency dispatched the Hope-01 scientific mission, consisting of two of their accomplished astronauts, Ariane and Thomas. Their mission: to survey the planet and determine whether humanity can prosper anew here. However, your adventure begins in chaos, as the crash landing of their ship scatters them across the planet, launching them on a desperate quest to find one another. 

Aphelion is a cinematic third-person action-adventure set on a dangerous frozen world. Stranded and isolated, you must survive the truly unknown, find each other, and complete the mission. Traverse stunning alien landscapes, avoid lurking threats, and discover the haunting secrets buried beneath the ice. Armed only with your explorational tools: pathfinder, oxygen tank, grappling hook, and more, you must face the unknown, traverse treacherous terrain, and gather clues about the strange, reality-bending phenomenon threatening your existence. 

11. Invincible VS

Play as 18 characters from the Invincible universe in brutal fights to the death

12. Saros

After every run, you’ll face a changed world with new dangers to encounter

Finally, we have the next game from the creators of Returnal. In Saros, play as Arjun Devraj, a Soltari enforcer who will stop at nothing to pursue answers on the shape-shifting world of Carcosa, a planet filled with dark secrets and hostile inhabitants. Unleash a high-tech arsenal of weaponry as you dodge, shield and parry enemy attacks in a fluid, flow-state-inducing dance. Combine abilities and learn the attack patterns of your enemies to gain the upper hand, even when the odds seem stacked against you. With the ‘Second Chance’ feature, you’ll be revived instantly on your first death, helping you get straight back into the action. 

Return to the Passage between runs to track your permanent progression and meet an ensemble cast of characters. As your crew from Echelon IV begins to succumb to the madness brought on by the Eclipse, you’ll start to question who can still be trusted among the people you once relied on. Rich details of Carcosa and its inhabitants come to life with atmospheric, sci-fi-inspired 3D audio soundscapes, punctuated by a dark electronic musical score from two-time Grammy Award-winning composer Sam Slater.