This month’s gaming releases will see players travel to new worlds in the hope of a new home, return to old worlds to fight for freedom, live a new version of an old tale and swing for the fences to be the best in the diamond.
Outriders
Humanity’s future is in the balance in this action RPG. In Outriders, players are part of a mission to set up a human colony on the planet Enoch. Their efforts are suddenly hampered by the arrival of a massive storm known as the Anomaly. With interference from the Anomaly scrambling the vital mysterious signal the human Outriders are searching for, it soon becomes apparent that the storm is having a more lasting impact on the people of Enoch. As they make their way through the First City and beyond, players can decide to go it alone or team up in squads of three as they fight for their future.
Players who pre-order through select retailers will receive an exclusive pin set. The Day One Edition includes the game and the Hell’s Rangers pack. This pack includes new gear for both male and female characters, Hell’s Rangers truck mods and decals and the Hell’s Rangers Arsenal which includes a selection of 11 unique guns. Players with Xbox Game Pass will be able to download and play from day one as part of their subscription.
Outriders will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC and Stadia from April 1*
Oddworld: Soulstorm
Abe is back in this new adventure. Picking up directly after the events of Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, the players once again find themselves in Oddworld on the continent Modus. With the Glukkons in power, it’s up to Abe to free the Mudokan slaves from the meat grinders and factories so they can reclaim the power in their homeland. Abe will also have to help those he frees beat their addition to the Soulstorm Brew – an addictive and highly flammable drink the Glukkons have been using to keep the Mudokans compliant and docile in order to strengthen the Glukkon stronghold on Mudos.
Players who pre-order will receive a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack and a 50-page digital artbook. The Day One Oddition includes a copy of the game and a limited edition Steelbook case. The Collector’s Oddition includes a copy of the game, Steelbook case, 160-page artbook, a Mining Company keychain, art prints, Ancient Mudokon Tribal stickers, Abe’s hand tattoo and a 22cm figurine of Abe all in a limited-edition collector’s box.
Oddworld: Soulstorm will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from April 6*
MLB: The Show 21
Step up to the plate – perhaps for the first time – with this year’s Major League Baseball title. Featuring the players and teams in Major League Baseball, MLB The Show 21 looks to cater to seasoned players of the franchise as well as welcoming new ones to the squad, which it will do on Xbox consoles for the first time. MLB The Show 21 will allow players to create their own ball player in the story mode Road To The Show and, for the first time, use that player in other game modes and try out the new mechanics, gameplay levels and franchise tools to be the biggest star in baseball.
Players who pre-order on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will receive 10 The Show packs, while those who pre-order on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 will receive the packs and 5,000 Stubs. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes four days Early Access, a Jackie Robinson bat skin, two Diamond Choice packs, five Gold Choice packs, a Ballplayer Equipment pack, 10 The Show packs, 5,000 Stubs and double daily login rewards. The Jackie Robinson Edition – which is cross-generation – includes the game, a limited-edition Steelbook case, Early Access, Diamond Choice pack, two Gold Choice packs, 10 The Show packs, Ballplayer Equipment pack, 10,000 Stubs, double daily rewards and the Jackie Robinson bat skin at launch. The Jackie Robinson Deluxe Edition features all the content from the Jackie Robinson Edition plus an additional 15,000 Stubs and MLB The Show x New Era 9FIFTY cap to wear in-game. Plus, for every Collector’s Edition sold in the Unites States, PlayStation will donate $1 to the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
MLB: The Show 21 will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 from April 20*
Nier Replicant
The world of Nier gets a little bigger with this updated release. Nier Replicant – or to give it its full title Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139… – is based on the original Japanese version of Nier with a younger protagonist and a slightly altered storyline. Set in 2049, the story follows the player’s character as they try to prevent the death of Yonah, a member of their family who is suffering from a terminal disease known as the Black Scrawl. After coming into possession of Grimoire Weiss – a talking book – the player soon finds themselves in a battle with a Shadowlord, a Shade who has their sights set on taking Yonah for themselves.
Players who pre-order on all platforms will receive a mini soundtrack. Players on PC will also unlock a set of wallpapers while players on PlayStation will receive a Dynamic theme and Avatar set. A Grimoire Weiss Strap will also be available through pre-orders at select retailers.
Nier Replicant will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from April 23*
Returnal
An ever-changing world awaits in this PlayStation 5 exclusive. In Returnal, players take on the role of Selene. After her ship crash lands on an uncharted planet, Selene soon discovers the ruins of a long-gone civilisation have been reclaimed by a barren landscape. Surrounded by hostiles inhabitants, players will face a constant battle for survival. A battle made that much harder by the fact that the planet itself changes around Selene every time she dies. With each “loop” bringing new challenges, new locations and new enemies to fight, players will have to think fast and fight clever in order to find out what happened to those before and maybe find a way back home.
The Standard Edition includes a copy of the game along with two additional suits for Selene. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, two suits for Selene, a copy of the soundtrack, Adrenaline Booster bonus, two additional weapons, a Reflex Stimulant consumable, and Pulsating Mass artifact.
Returnal will be available on PlayStation 5 from April 30*
Free to play
Those with an active Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription on Xbox will have four games to download and play for free this month. On Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, Viking: Wolves of Midgard will be available from April 1-30*, with Truck Racing Championship available from April 16-May 15*. On Xbox 360 – and Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S through Backwards Compatibility – Dark Void will be available from April 1-15*, followed by Hard Corps: Uprising from April 16-30*
Over on PlayStation, those with an active Plus subscription will have three games available for free this month across consoles. From April 6* Days Gone and Zombie Army 4: Dead War will be available on PlayStation 4 and Oddworld: Soulstorm will be available on PlayStation 5
Full information on this month’s Prime Gaming games and bonuses – which includes items and bonuses for Fall Guys, GTA Online, Roblox and more – and how to claim them can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
April 1* – Monster Truck Championship (Xbox Series X/S), Bladed Fury (Switch)
April 6* – Star Wars Republic Commando (PS4, Switch), Lost Words: Beyond The Page (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch)
April 7* – Retro Machina (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch)
April 8* – Before Your Eyes (PC), Cozy Grove (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), WRC 9 (Switch),
April 9* – Say No More (iOS, Android), Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition – Deluxe Set (PS5, Xbox Series X/S), Crypt of the Necrodancer (PS4, Switch), Bladed Fury (PS4)
April 14* – Forgotten Fields (PC)
April 15* – Ashwalkers (PC), Godstrike (Switch, PC), Shadow Man: Remastered (PC), SaGa Frontier Remastered (Android, iOS, PS4, Switch, PC)
April 16* – Doom 3 VR (PSVR)
April 20* – Maskmaker (PC VR, PSVR)
April 22* – MotoGP 21 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack (PS4, PC, Switch), Taxi Chaos (PS4, Switch)
April 23* – Judgement (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Stadia), Pure Pool (Switch), Chess Ultra (Switch), Zombieland Double Tap: Roadtrip (Switch), Urban Flow (Switch), Battle Axe (PS4, Switch), Nightmare Boy (PS4, Switch), Do Not Feed The Monkeys (Switch)
April 29* – Insurmountable (PC)
April 30* – New Pokémon Snap (Switch), Brigandine (PS4, Switch), Vampire The Masquerade Coteries of New York + Shadows of New York (PS4, Switch), Terminator: Resistance Enhanced (PS5)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. Information correct at the time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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