April Games Preview: NieR Replicant ver 1.22, Returnal, New Pokémon Snap, And More!

For those who enjoy platforming and nostalgia, Oddworld Soulstorm returns with our intrepid protagonist, Abe, trying to save his colleagues Mudokons from slavery. The game features a new weapon creation and customization system. Abe's going commando. At first, the game's stages seem to be linear, but as the adventure advances, new areas will be accessible beside the main missions.

The PS5 version of Soulstorm will be available for free to PlayStation Plus subscribers. Star Wars: Republic Commando https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHfRlV8ZecE Release Date: April 6 - PS4, Nintendo Switch

After 16 years since its release, Star Wars: Republic Commando earned a remake. You play as the leader of Delta Squadron, Boss, alongside three squad members, Fixer, Scorch, and Sev. Delta Squadron is a Stormtroopers squad that operates in guerrilla battles across the universe. The only difference is these Stormtrooper need to actually hit the targets.

Accomplish mission with your squad members, giving them orders to complete missions efficiently. The remake version promises to improve the game's controls and quality of life. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zONnddcODwc Release Date: April 9 - Nintendo Switch

The ninth game in the Trails of series launched in Japan in September 2018 and worldwide in October 2020. But the western version wasn't released for the Nintendo console. That is, until now. The game that wraps up the epic story of the series shows Class VII and New Class VII on a journey to resolve the conflicts of Zemuria after the events of the predecessor game.

The combat gameplay style remains similar to previous installments. The Switch version arrives earlier this month. Poison Control https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tu01xZ39Yc Release Date: April 13 - PS4, Nintendo Switch

Poison Control is a cartoonish shooter with RPG elements. NIS promises a lot of dark humor in the game, an everyday thing for the developer as we can observe in series like Disgaea.

In the game we control Poisonette, who has the peculiarity of having two souls in the same body, the second being an amnesiac soul. You must purify spirits trapped into poisonous manifestations of their despair and escape Hell. All while facing antagonists with their agenda who will probably try to hinder your progress. SaGa Frontier Remastered https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYnCp7_fh7M Release Date: April 15 - PS4, Switch, PC, Android, iOS

SaGa Frontier Remastered is the remastered version of the classic PlayStation RPG with new graphics and a lot of additional content.

Originally released in 1998, SaGa Frontier follows the narrative of 7 different characters, each with its narrative and different goals. In the remaster, the player will also be able to control Fuse as the eighth protagonist, formerly a supporting character in the original game.

SaGa Frontier Remastered will also feature extra events and functions in the remastered edition, such as double-speed mode and update UI with navigation guidance. Ashwalkers: A Survival Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w-C1DUm7b0 Release Date: April 15 - PC

The game, previously titled Cendres, tells a non-linear story following the apocalyptic eruption of a volcano. The game's narrative will be driven based on player choices and there will be 34 different endings to your adventure, so expect a lot of replayability.

The gameplay will be based on exploring the devastated landscape of Earth 200 years after the eruption of the aforementioned volcano. The player will have to face adversity to keep their party of four alive through deadly conditions that include ash storm, acid rain, and the grey blizzard. You will need to manage your party resources, craft supplies, and mend their physical and mental health during the journey. MLB The Show 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC2qa5mfRJ8 Release Date: April 20 - PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

The new edition of Sony San Diego's traditional baseball series brings big news: it is not exclusive to Sony consoles. For the first time in its history, MLB The Show won't release only for PlayStation as the release for Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X is confirmed.

The game features Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres on the cover and highlights a special edition commemorating the legendary Jackie Robinson, a player who broke the league's racial barrier in the 1940s. Judgment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkJbADyzUGI Release Date: April 23 - PS5, Xbox Series X/S

Judgment, a spinoff of Yakuza, will get its remaster version for the new generation. The game will run at 60 Fps, have graphical improvements, and the remarkable fast loading of the new consoles. This version has all the DLC included. However, unlike some games, this version won't include a free upgrade from the old generation or save transfer.

In the game, we play Takayuki Yagami, a lawyer who became a private detective in order to solve the mysteries behind a series of murders in Tokyo and after resigning in disgrace for acquitting an accused murderer who subsequently killed his girlfriend. As his investigation continues, the protagonist discovers that this case may be related to the events that ruined his career as a lawyer. NieR Replicant ver. 122 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NnS3PMXIis Release Date: April 23 - PS4, Xbox One, PC

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 is a hella big title thankfully abbreviated to ver. 122. it's the remaster of NieR Replicant released in Japan. Westerns got the NieR Gestalt, which had some differences like the protagonist's appearance and his relationship with Yonah. Daughter in Gestalt, but sister in Replicant.

NieR Replicant 1.22 tells the story of Nier, a young man who goes on a journey to save his sister, Yonah, from a mysterious disease known as "Black Scrawl," meeting new figures and discovering the terrible secrets of his world as he follows this path.

The game is set in the same universe as Drakengard, after the events of the draconic games and before NieR: Automata. The remaster promises graphical improvements, control improvements, dubbing in all voices, and a new soundtrack. New Pokémon Snap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXDrkSzfNc8 Release Date: April 30 - Nintendo Switch

For those of you who have grown tired of capturing innocent little monsters and training them to fight just for your glory, now is the time to relax!

The new adventure puts the player in the role of a photographer who has to explore the different islands of the Lental region to help Professor Mirror's research by photographing wild Pokémon in their natural environment.

Take pictures of pocket monsters as they live a harmonious, quiet life outside of human interference. With each different habitat, distinctive Pokémon appear, and some need a certain incentive like special fruits or music to show up or change their behavior. Take lots of pictures to complete your Photodex and be the very best photographermon. Returnal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqIG8o1tgE8 Release Date: April 30 - PS5

One of the most ambitious roguelikes is about to be released. While traditional roguelikes change the layout of the map, enemy placement, and items location, in Returnal the entire planet will change with every death. And believe when I say, you will die. (Unless you are one of those insane speedrunners No Damage, No Hit, Yes Miracles.)

We play Selene who is trapped in a time loop on the alien planet Atropos. To break the cycle she will need to unravel the mystery of a civilization that lived on this planet. A third-person shooter, with each time loop, you can expect to find different weapons, modifications, and parasites that give you extra abilities with some collateral effects. R-Type Final 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tLW5RulL9s Release Date: April 30 - PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Switch, PC

The new game from the iconic shoot 'em up franchise, R-Type Final 2 is a direct sequel to the 2003 game for PlayStation 2 and promises to bring even more combinations of weapons, ships, and special enemies.

The game also promises a difficulty that adjusts automatically, making life easier or harder for the player depending on their performance during the stage.

It is worth noting that the game also relied on public funding, having raised more than $1 million for its production. Black Witchcraft https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqYCOhtMBuc Release Date: April - PC

Black Witchcraft is a gothic side-scroller action RPG. Play as Ligeia alongside a suitcase of demonic power, Dullahan, and face Roderick Usher to thwart his attempt to resurrect Lenore, a powerful and evil witch. If my RPG instinct doesn't fail me, I believe you will fail to prevent her release and fight Lenore as the final boss.

The gameplay features strong customization. At each level up, you choose which attribute to increase. Trait points are used to learn new spells and during your gloomy-mood journey, you will collect Stigmas, combining them to obtain enhanced skills and improve your combat style.

Although the April release date has been confirmed, developer QuattroGear has not specified an exact day.