HoYoVerse will conduct a closed beta test for its upcoming game, Petit Planet, starting on April 21. Players will assume the role of a world creator and engage in activities such as farming, fishing, cooking, relaxing, making friends, and forming galaxies. The beta test, called the Stardrift Test, will introduce new Neighbors and enhance experiences at the Galactic Bazaar. Interested players can sign up at planet.hoyoverse.com, with a selection gaining access and unlocking exclusive rewards upon the game's launch. The game is in its final stages of development, but a confirmed release date has not been announced.
In April 2026, the pace of new game releases has slowed compared to March. Notable releases include:
- Samson (April 8) - An open-world crime game with a focused narrative.
- Mouse: P.I. For Hire (April 16) - A quirky boomer shooter with a 1930s cartoon aesthetic.
- Pragmata (April 16) - A Capcom title set in a dystopian future featuring an AI doomsday scenario.
- Vampire Crawlers (April 21) - A card game similar to Slay the Spire 2.
- Outbound (April 23) - A mobile base-building game focused on exploration and cooperative gameplay.
Upcoming events include:
- The Triple-I Initiative indie showcase on April 9.
- The London Games Festival starting April 13.
- The BAFTA Game Awards on April 17.
- The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival on April 24.
Steam sales in April are:
- March 30 – April 6: House & Home Fest
- April 9 – April 13: Hidden Object Fest
- April 20 – April 27: Medieval Fest
Early access and full releases include:
- Temtem: Swarm (April 2) - Transitions to 1.0 with new features.
- Road to Vostok (April 7) - A survival FPS entering early access.
- Spark in the Dark (April 7) - A hardcore dungeon crawler in early access.
- Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (April 30) - Launching in early access.
Major updates include:
- Starfield (April 7) - Free Lanes update and new story DLC.
- The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (April 22) - First closed beta test.
- Final Fantasy 14 (April 28) - Patch 7.5 launching.
- Marathon - Updates expected throughout the month.
Additional game releases:
- April 1: Breath of Fire 4 (Steam)
- April 1: Resident Evil (1996) (Steam)
- April 2: Darwin's Paradox (Steam)
- April 15: Cleaning Up! (Steam)
- April 28: He-Man: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Steam)
- Monster Hunter Outlanders completed its first round of closed beta testing in 2025 and is one of the most anticipated new mobile games of 2026.
- Genshin Impact remains at the top of the free-to-play mobile scene with continuous updates to the story and events.
- Honkai: Star Rail is a turn-based RPG with high-end action game polish and style, now available on Android phones and PC.
- Destiny: Rising adapts the excellent shooting skills and MMO-style growth system of the console version to the mobile platform.
- Goose Goose Duck, a mobile game released in 2026, attracted 5 million players in its first month and offers unique gameplay with a large number of characters.
- Among Us is a global sensation in social deduction gaming where players must uncover the impostor among them.
- Spaceteam is a local multiplayer game designed for 2 to 8 players to play together by shouting out technical terms to keep the spaceship running.
- Chrono Trigger and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are classic RPGs now available on Android devices.
- Gwent: The Witcher Card Game and Hearthstone are deeply strategic card games with rich deck-building options.
- Marvel Snap is a fast-paced competition game with Marvel heroes and a three-minute gameplay duration.
- Nizhan Future is a sci-fi shooting game developed specifically for mobile platforms with a season-based design and data interoperability between PC and mobile platforms.
Owlcat Games has announced a new RPG titled The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, inspired by a television series and book series. The game features traditional CRPG elements and a dynamic environment with frequent shootouts. It is set to be released in spring 2027, with a closed beta starting April 22 for purchasers of the physical Collector’s Edition and the digital "Miller’s Pack" edition. A unique feature includes an identical twin character influenced by the player's character creation choices.
- Players can access the beta of Arena Breakout by registering through the official link shared by the company and downloading the game via platform-specific links.
- The rollout is being conducted in batches, so not all registrants will receive immediate entry.
Gaijin Entertainment, in collaboration with Targem Games, is launching a free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game called Star Wrath on PC via Steam in 2026. A closed beta test is currently underway, with invitations being distributed. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic universe where players design ships, engage in battles, gather resources, and explore the solar system. Key features include custom ship building, advanced destruction mechanics, dynamic nebula warfare, unique pilot skills, and realistic spaceflight physics.
Star Wrath is a multiplayer, extraction-action space game that allows players to craft their own spacecraft. The gameplay involves recruiting a pilot, constructing a ship, and engaging in dogfights. The game features a modular damage system and emphasizes gear management. A closed beta is available for players to experience ship-building and combat before the official launch.
Kakao Games is launching the mobile game SMiniz globally on Feb. 25 for iOS and Android devices. The match-3 puzzle game features chibi versions of artists from SM Entertainment, including NCT, RIIZE, and aespa.
Gaijin Entertainment and Targem Games are developing a free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game titled Space Wrath, set to launch on PC via Steam in 2026. Currently, a closed beta test is ongoing, with invites being distributed in waves. The game is set in a universe where Earth has been destroyed, and players, known as Wanderers, navigate a lawless space environment. They can design their own spacecraft, engage in battles against other players, and collect resources through various encounters. Key features include customizable ship building, advanced destruction mechanics, dynamic nebula warfare, unique pilot skills, and realistic spaceflight physics.
