April kicks off the second quarter of the gaming year, and things are heating up fast! From brand-new IPs to much-anticipated remasters, this month is packed with exciting launches across every major platform. Whether you’re exploring post-apocalyptic landscapes or solving ancient mysteries with Indiana Jones, there’s something for everyone.

But before we dive into the full lineup, don’t miss the biggest event of the month — the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2. Expect sneak peeks, pricing details, and maybe even a launch date for Nintendo’s next-gen console.

Now, let’s look at what’s coming to PC, PS5, Xbox, and Switch this April:

 

April 2 

Steel Hunters (PC) 

War gaming steps into the mech arena with a high-octane fusion of battle royale, extraction shooter, and hero shooter mechanics. Think Transformers meets tactical survival — can it stand out in the crowded live-service space?

 

April 3 

Sand (PC) 

Travel a steampunk-inspired post-apocalyptic world in your giant spider-like Trampler mech. PvPvE chaos awaits as you scavenge, fight rivals, and try to survive in this wild universe.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered (PC) 

Following the return of the TV series, the haunting sequel comes to PC. Enhanced visuals, new gameplay modes (like roguelike “No Return”), and behind-the-scenes content make this a must-play.

 

April 4 

The Renovator: Origins (PS5, Xbox Series X|S) 

Step into a creepy museum haunted by secrets and memories in this psychological horror game. Explore cursed exhibits and uncover the truth behind your father’s tragic death.

 

April 8 

South of Midnight (PC, Xbox Series X|S) 

From the creators of We Happy Few comes a magical Southern Gothic journey. Play as Hazel, a spellcaster navigating a folklore-rich world in search of her mother. Expect stunning art and compelling storytelling.

 

April 9 

Commandos: Origins (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) 

The tactical WWII stealth classic returns with a prequel twist. Assemble the squad, master each member’s skills, and take on the Axis in both solo and two-player co-op mode.

Driveloop: Survivors (PC) 

What if Vampire Survivors had cars? Drift, crash, and upgrade through chaotic roguelike combat as you mow down waves of enemies from behind the wheel.

 

April 10 

The Talos Principle: Reawakened (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) 

Ten years later, this philosophical puzzler gets a visual upgrade, new content, and even a level editor. It’s the perfect time to revisit one of gaming’s most thought-provoking titles.

Promise Mascot Agency (All platforms) 

You’re a disgraced Yakuza now running… a mascot agency? Yes, really. Recruit bizarre living mascots and dive into absurd mysteries in this offbeat open-world game.

 

April 14 

Warside (PC) 

Fans of Advance Wars, rejoice! This turn-based tactics game delivers charming visuals, 30+ unit types, and unique commander abilities across a robust campaign.

 

April 15 

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 2 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) 

Continue the emotional rollercoaster of summer ’95 as secrets unravel. Every choice matters in this story-driven gem.

 

April 17 

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (PS5) 

Indy finally arrives on PS5! Packed with puzzle-solving, whip-cracking, and Nazi-punching action, this game delivers the full archeologist-adventure fantasy.

 

April 18 

Lunar Remastered Collection (All platforms) 

Two beloved JRPGs return — Lunar: Silver Star Story and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue — now with updated visuals, better localization, and gameplay tweaks for modern fans.

 

April 24 

Tempest Rising (PC) 

The spiritual successor to Command & Conquer is here! Real-time strategy with three factions, classic base-building, and a retro flavor that old-school RTS fans will love.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S) 

SNK revives this classic fighter with 17 base characters, flashy combos, and a solo RPG-style mode called Episodes of South Town.

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy (PC, Switch) 

From the minds behind Danganronpa and Zero Escape, this anime-inspired tactical RPG has you defending your school from monsters — and making brutal decisions.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) 

An artful RPG blending turn-based and real-time combat. Lead a team through Belle Époque-inspired environments to stop the mysterious Paintress.

 

April 25 

Days Gone Remastered (PC, PS5) 

The zombie biker game returns with updated visuals, VRR support, and new modes like permadeath and Horde Assault. If you already own the PS4 version, the upgrade is just $10 (excluding PS Plus downloads).

 

April 29 

Forza Horizon 5 (PS5) 

The open-world racing sensation finally drifts onto PS5! Race through vibrant Mexican landscapes in one of the genre’s finest experiences.

 

April 30 

Skin Deep (PC) 

You’re barefoot, alone on a spaceship, and it’s overrun by space pirates. With talking cats. This quirky, stealth-action title brings a comedic twist to space survival.

MotoGP 25 (All platforms) 

For the speed demons, this year’s MotoGP returns with all-new disciplines, updated rosters, and intense multiplayer races.

 

Wrapping Up 

April 2025 is one of the busiest months in gaming so far this year, offering a bit of everything — horror, racing, deep narrative, and good old-fashioned action. Whether you’re picking up a controller or keyboard, there’s no shortage of adventure ahead.

The Best Game Development Frameworks in 2024: Students’ Guide

Game development is a growing field, with more opportunities than ever for students to dive into the world of creating engaging, immersive experiences. Whether you’re looking to create mobile games, console games, or indie projects, having the right game development framework is crucial. In 2024, developers have a wealth of options at their fingertips, each suited to different types of projects and skill levels. This guide will introduce you to the best frameworks available, helping you make informed decisions as you start your journey in game development.

1. Unity: The All-Rounder

For students who are serious about game development, Unity remains a top choice in 2024. This widely-used engine is known for its versatility, allowing developers to create 2D, 3D, and VR/AR games. Whether you’re making a simple mobile game or a AAA-level project, Unity has the tools you need. Unity supports cross-platform development, meaning your game can run on almost any platform, including iOS, Android, PC, and even consoles.

Why Unity is great for students:

  • Extensive online tutorials and documentation.
  • Strong community support.
  • A wide range of asset libraries.
  • Visual scripting tools (like Bolt) for those without coding experience.

Unity also offers a free tier for beginners, making it a great entry point for students working on their first projects.

2. Unreal Engine: For High-Quality 3D Games

Unreal Engine, developed by Epic Games, is another powerhouse in the game development world. Known for its stunning graphics and high-level performance, Unreal is the go-to choice for developers looking to create highly realistic 3D games. It features a robust visual scripting system called Blueprints, which allows beginners to create complex game mechanics without deep programming knowledge.

Why Unreal Engine is great for students:

  • Industry-standard for high-fidelity 3D games.
  • Large collection of assets in the Unreal Marketplace.
  • Access to cutting-edge technology like ray tracing and Lumen (for realistic lighting and environments).
  • Free to use unless your game generates over $1 million in revenue.

Unreal Engine is perfect for students who want to work on visually impressive projects or aim for a career in large game studios.

Also Read: Indian Gaming Industry to Boost Employment Growth

3. Godot: The Open-Source Rising Star

Godot is an open-source game development framework that has been gaining significant traction in recent years. It’s lightweight, highly flexible, and best of all, completely free. In 2024, Godot stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, especially for indie developers and students. It supports both 2D and 3D game development, with a dedicated 2D engine that’s ideal for pixel-perfect projects.

Why Godot is great for students:

  • Open-source and free to use.
  • Lightweight and easy to learn.
  • Great for both 2D and 3D games.
  • A supportive and growing community of indie developers.

Godot’s focus on simplicity, combined with its powerful features, makes it an excellent choice for students looking to create unique, creative games without steep learning curves.

4. Cocos2d-x: For Mobile and Lightweight Games

Cocos2d-x is a popular framework for mobile game development, especially 2D games. This open-source framework is known for its efficiency and lightweight nature, making it perfect for students focused on creating mobile-friendly games. Although Cocos2d-x is written in C++, it also supports Lua and JavaScript, providing flexibility in terms of programming languages.

Why Cocos2d-x is great for students:

  • Optimized for mobile platforms.
  • Low memory usage and high performance.
  • Cross-platform support for Android, iOS, and web games.
  • Open-source and free to use.

Cocos2d-x is ideal for students looking to break into mobile game development and wanting a framework that’s efficient and easy to manage.

Also Read:Will AI Replace Game Developers?

5. Phaser: For 2D Browser-Based Games

Phaser is a 2D game framework that is perfect for developing browser-based games. It uses JavaScript, making it accessible for students with basic web development skills. Phaser is highly efficient for simple games, especially when targeting HTML5 platforms.

Why Phaser is great for students:

  • Easy integration with web technologies.
  • Fast development cycle for 2D games.
  • Great for creating browser-based games without needing to install apps.

For students interested in making quick prototypes or interactive web-based games, Phaser offers an easy-to-learn solution.

Conclusion

Choosing the right game development framework depends on the type of game you want to create and your skill level. For students, Unity and Unreal Engine provide powerful all-in-one solutions, while Godot and Cocos2d-x offer free, lightweight alternatives. Phaser is perfect for web-based projects. Explore these frameworks to find which one suits your needs and start building your next great game today!