After a March with numerous big title launches, Spring is fully in season for the gaming world. As last month is the end of the fiscal year for many companies, we’ve technically entered a new year in a business sense. Though for many of us in the United States, tax season is also here.
To take your mind off the impending responsibilities if you are a taxpayer, here are some games that will help put you at ease. Though they might make your wallet a bit lighter:
Biomorph
Biomorph is a dark take on the metroidvania genre where players will use their enemies powers against them as if they were Megaman. This will bring about new strategies in combat as well as is necessary to master in order to solve some of the challenging puzzles scattered across the world.
This mechanic goes beyond just being able to play as the many monsters you’ll encounter, but doing so will also expand the enemy AI to develop new skills, making backtracking more fresh as players face off against old foes with new tricks.
Biomorph releases on April 5 for PC (via Steam).
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Many RPGs give you parties that range from a few to a dozen, but Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes takes that to a new level by providing players with over 100 playable characters across the diverse world.
The story may not sound unique with evil empires and unlikely heroes, but with solid combat with dozens of options to choose from. There will be a ton of replayability for longtime fans of the genre.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes launches April 23rd for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store).
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a metroidvania that tells a story based upon the myths of Bantu culture. Players will play as Zau as he goes on a journey to become a Nganga or spiritual healer, that is based on actor Abubakar Salim’s own personal story of loss and grief.
Throughout the game, players will find themselves traversing dangerous lands that will require skill as well as thought. As they explore and fight against foes inspired by said Bantu myths.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau will release on April 23rd for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam).
SaGa: Emerald Beyond
SaGa: Emerald Beyond brings back the multiple storylines the franchise made famous decades ago and brings it to a modern era beyond simply a remake. With 6 characters and 17 worlds to explore, it will bring about an experience for players unlike anything before.
The turned-based combat has been updated for longtime fans while adding in features which will be appreciated by newcomers to the series with the glimmer system and formations to add in a deep depth of strategy.
SaGa: Emerald Beyond is set to launch on April 25th for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Android,
Manor Lords
Manor Lords is a unique take on the city-builder genre by taking a more organic approach to the medieval villages/towns that players can create. The world was not yet build with neat clean grids during this time and the way players can zone out buildings leads to natural towns that look different across multiple playthroughs.
Beyond building and managing your region, players will also have to develop weapons and armies in order to defend themselves and ultimately expand their reach across a massive map as a medieval lord.
Manor Lords launches for PC (via Steam and GOG) on April 26th.
Sand Land
Two decades since the launch of the manga written by the late Akira Toriyama, Sand Land is getting its own game after all these years following the anime series release last year. Players will explore a desert land aiming to find water in order to save everyone as they assume the role of Beelzebub, a demon.
While there may be endless sand, the world is brimming with details from the original manga’s story alongside new content to expand upon the lore. This was the done in collaboration with Toriyama before his passing and will be sadly one of final works in the near future.
Sand Land is set to launch on April 26th for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam).
Stellar Blade
Last, but certainly not least, is Stellar Blade. Originally announced as Project Eve as a last-gen multiplatform title, the game was more recently reannounced as a PS5 exclusive. The upgrade to a more powerful console seems to have aided in helping to creating a beautiful looking title with an equally beautiful female lead.
Players will fight against alien invaders that have all but destroyed humanity. The protagonist Eve is mankind’s last hope as she slashes her way through the alien threat with stylish moves and gory kills in order to save Earth.
Stellar Blade will release as a PlayStation 5 exclusive on April 26th.