April is shaping up to be an exciting month for Xbox players, with several major releases scheduled for Xbox Game Pass and the Xbox Store. From intense action games to unique puzzle adventures and remastered classics, there’s something for every type of gamer.
South of Midnight and Commandos Origins Launch on Game Pass
The highly anticipated South of Midnight is finally set to launch on April 8. The game recently revealed new gameplay footage showcasing its world, characters, and surprisingly intense combat. With a strong blend of action and narrative, it promises to be a standout release. South of Midnight will be available as a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Commandos Origins follows on April 9. After facing delays, this revival of the classic Commandos franchise brings modern visuals and gameplay enhancements. Players lead a team of elite soldiers through tactical missions, requiring careful planning and use of each character’s unique abilities. It will also be available on Game Pass at launch.
Descenders Next and Steel Seed Join the Lineup
Extreme sports fans can look forward to Descenders Next, also arriving on April 9. The sequel introduces snowboarding and mountain boarding, with support for up to 12 players and procedurally generated environments like snowy peaks and dense forests. The game will launch on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC through Game Pass.
Launching on April 10, Steel Seed offers a futuristic stealth-action experience, drawing comparisons to Prince of Persia with wall-running, sliding, and stealth takedowns. Players control Zoe, a soldier on a mission to save a collapsing world, while navigating deep customization through three skill trees and over 40 upgrades. This title hits Xbox consoles this April.
Puzzle Game Highlights: Blueprints and Talos Principle Reawakened
Also coming on April 10, Blueprints delivers a mind-bending puzzle challenge. Players explore a shifting manor in search of the elusive “Room 46,” with room layouts that change based on player choices. It’s an ideal pick for those who enjoy strategic thinking.
The Talos Principle: Reawakened launches the same day. This remaster of the original game and its expansion, Road to Gehenna, features Unreal Engine 5 visuals, a new story chapter, a puzzle editor, and improved quality-of-life features.
More April Highlights on Xbox Game Pass
Coming April 15, Finding Frankie blends spooky horror elements with parkour gameplay. Inspired by games like Five Nights at Freddy’s and Stumble Guys, players navigate obstacle courses while evading eerie cartoon monsters.
Chains of Freedom, also arriving April 15, is a tactical turn-based strategy game. Set in a dystopian Eastern Europe, players lead a specialized squad against monstrous threats. A demo is currently available on Steam.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, landing on April 17, features brutal Soulslike combat in a 2.5D action RPG format. With a deep skill tree and a 40-hour campaign, it caters to fans of dark fantasy and challenging gameplay.
Xbox Game Pass Boosts In-Game Perks
Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC subscribers will receive new in-game perks for popular titles such as Naraka Bladepoint, The Finals, and SM2. Additional games including Call of Duty: Warzone and Enlisted will also see new cosmetic rewards, characters, and in-game currency added throughout April.
Once Upon a Puppet, FBC Firebreak, and More
April 23 sees the launch of Once Upon a Puppet, a spooky puzzle-platformer where players control both a puppet and a puppeteer. The game features haunting visuals and mechanics reminiscent of Little Nightmares.
Also on April 23, FBC Firebreak enters the Game Pass lineup. Set in the Control universe, this multiplayer shooter focuses on cooperative gameplay, tasking players with defending the Bureau from waves of monsters.
The next day, April 24, brings Expedition 33, a tactical RPG with stylish turn-based combat. Each character has unique motivations, and players can customize appearances and abilities. It joins Xbox Game Pass as a day-one release.
