April 2025 is set to deliver another thrilling month for Xbox gamers, showcasing a rich tapestry of experiences. From deeply immersive narratives to strategic challenges and whimsical adventures, April’s best Xbox and Game Pass releases offer something for every player.
Dive into the heart of new worlds and embark on unforgettable journeys with these standout Xbox titles.
South of Midnight – A Haunting Journey Through Southern Folklore
Venture into the mystical heart of the American South in South of Midnight.
This action-adventure weaves a narrative around Hazel, a young woman drawn into a world of Southern folklore and monstrous creatures.
You’ll get to explore a visually stunning world, brimming with atmospheric environments and compelling characters, as Hazel unravels a dark mystery that threatens to consume her home.
With its unique blend of action, exploration, and storytelling, South of Midnight promises an unforgettable and chilling experience.
And it’s helped by the fact that it lands on Game Pass, Day One.
Commandos: Origins – Return to Tactical Espionage
Ah, it’s time to relive the iconic tactical gameplay of the Commandos series, this time with Commandos: Origins.
This prequel takes players back to the roots of the legendary squad, offering a fresh perspective on their early missions. Plan and execute intricate operations, utilising the unique skills of each commando to infiltrate enemy strongholds and complete daring objectives.
Expect Origins to deliver strategic depth and challenging scenarios, alongside a nostalgic yet modernised experience for fans of the genre.
Promise Mascot Agency – Manage a Colourful World
Step into the vibrant world of Promise Mascot Agency and manage a team of eccentric mascots.
This simulation game blends management and narrative elements, tasking players with building a successful agency while navigating the unique personalities of their mascots.
From crafting engaging performances to handling unexpected events, Promise Mascot Agency should well offer a charming and lighthearted experience.
It’s bound to be nuts, but our full review will be able to bring everything about Promise Mascot Agency together. Keep an eye out for it.
Blue Prince – A Stylised Puzzle-Adventure with a Dark Twist
Immerse yourself in the visually striking world of Blue Prince, a stylised puzzle-adventure with a dark and compelling narrative. And best of all? You’ll get to do so through Game Pass.
Play as a mysterious protagonist, navigating a world filled with intrigue and danger. Master fluid combat and explore atmospheric environments as you uncover the secrets that lie beneath the surface.
With its unique art style and engaging gameplay, Blue Prince looks to deliver a memorable and immersive experience. Find out in our review.
Lushfoil Photography Sim – Capture the Beauty of the World
Weirdly, out of all the games to release on Xbox and Game Pass this month, Lushfoil Photography Sim from Annapurna (recently behind Wanderstop) is one of THE most hotly anticipated. We’re blaming our love of Annapurna games for the excitement, but there certainly seems to be much about this one that makes it a bit of a must-player.
Dive in and you’ll get to embark on a serene journey of exploration and photography in Lushfoil Photography Sim.
This unique experience allows players to capture the beauty of diverse landscapes, from tranquil forests to breathtaking vistas. Experiment with various camera settings and techniques to create stunning photographs, immersing yourself in the world’s natural wonders.
Finding Frankie – Survive the Twisted Parkour Nightmare
Forget heartwarming adventures – Finding Frankie throws you into a terrifyingly twisted parkour game show where survival is the only prize. Imagine receiving a secret invitation hidden inside a box of Frankie’s cereal, promising a delightful parkour competition.
What starts as a whimsical challenge quickly descends into a deadly nightmare. Frankie, Henry Hotline, and their cartoon cohorts shed their friendly facades, revealing sinister, lifelike forms.
You’ll fight for your life against two other contestants, navigating treacherous parkour courses and obstacle challenges while evading terrifying enemies. Master bar swinging, wall jumping, rail grinding, trampoline hopping, and more to stay alive.
Finding Frankie is extremely likely to push out a truly chilling parkour experience; one where every jump could be your last.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – One Year Left, One Final Mission
“Year by year, She erases us.” This chilling prophecy sets the stage for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a revolutionary turn-based RPG where time is running out.
The Paintress, a mysterious entity, paints her cursed number upon a monolith each year, condemning those of that age to oblivion. With “33” looming on the horizon, Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners embark on a desperate, final mission: destroy the Paintress and break the cycle of death.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 reimagines turn-based combat with thrilling real-time mechanics. Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners, master attack rhythms to chain devastating combos, and utilise a free-aim system to exploit enemy weaknesses. Dodge, parry, and counter in real-time, elevating the intensity of every battle.
This debut title from Sandfall Interactive, powered by Unreal Engine 5, delivers stunning visuals and a heart-wrenching soundtrack, immersing you in a world where every moment counts. “Tomorrow Comes,” and with it, the ultimate fight for survival.
It makes utter sense to be playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Game Pass Day One.
My Little Universe – Shape a World From Scratch
Become a cosmic creator in My Little Universe, a sandbox simulation that allows you to shape a world from the ground up.
Gather resources, craft tools, and build settlements as you transform a barren planet into a thriving civilisation.
Previously on mobile, it comes with intuitive gameplay and endless possibilities, as My Little Universe offers a charming and engaging experience for those looking for a bit of a relaxing time.
Finally, we get to play Sociable Soccer on Xbox. At least, we hope, for this is a game we’ve been expecting for years. We first revealed Sociable Soccer was coming to Xbox way back in 2015, with another promise of a ’24 edition that was meant to drop last year. Yes, it’s THAT long we’ve been holding out…
Should Sociable Soccer 25 actually rock up onto Xbox this month, then you’ll get to experience the thrill of arcade football; fast-paced and action-packed as it smacks out a nostalgic experience with modern sensibilities, featuring intuitive controls and vibrant visuals.
Compete against friends or AI opponents in exhilarating matches, showcasing your skills and celebrating the beautiful game.
But will this one have enough to go up against EA FC and eFootball? We’ll finally find out.
Monaco 2 – Heist Action Returns with a Stylish Twist
Return to the world of high-stakes heists with Monaco 2.
This stylish action-strategy game builds upon the original’s formula, offering new challenges and gameplay mechanics.
Plan and execute daring robberies, utilising the unique abilities of your crew to outsmart security systems and escape with the loot. We’re super excited for Monaco 2…
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Rage – The Climactic Second Tape
Unravel a coming-of-age mystery in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Rage, the highly anticipated second tape in this evocative narrative adventure series.
Picking up where Bloom left off, Rage plunges players back into a 90’s summer, continuing the journey of a group of friends grappling with secrets and self-discovery. This concluding chapter promises to deliver impactful choices and emotional depth, building upon the foundations laid in Tape 1, which received a 4.5/5 score from us.
Prepare for a poignant and powerful finale that explores the complexities of friendship and memory.
Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy – A Classic Adventure Reimagined
Another that has been on our radar for a while.
Relive the classic adventure with Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy, a reimagining of the beloved title. Embark on a journey to a mysterious island, uncovering its secrets and solving intricate puzzles.
Updated visuals and a super engaging narrative combine to ensure that Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience for adventure game fans.
What’s Coming to Xbox and Game Pass in May 2025?
March was good, April looks better, but from there, we get to May 2025 and the hits keep on coming – at least we hope.
We’ve already got sights set on Revenge of the Savage Planet, despelote, Captain Blood, DOOM: The Dark Ages, RoadCraft and the latest racer in the form of F1 25. There’s also the small matter of Elden Ring Nightreign arriving on the scene!
We cannot wait, but for now April 2025 is shaping up to be a month filled with some of the most diverse Xbox experiences. From narrative-driven adventures to strategic challenges and full-on simulations, these new games should be able to offer something for every player.
Let us know what you decide to play first in the comments below. But whatever it is, you should prepare to embark on unforgettable journeys and immerse yourself in some of the best of Xbox and Game Pass gaming.
