The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
SMALL MERCIES Grounded
EASTER’S BEEN AND GONE BUT A NEW CROP OF RELEASES MEANS THERE’S LOTS FOR GAMERS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS MONTH
SPRING has well and truly arrived, bringing with it longer nights and the nature stirring from her winter slumber.
Easter may already be behind us, but there’s a smattering of new games due to give us something else to look forward to this April.
Final Fantasy XVI gets its second DLC this month, when The Rising Tide is released, there’s a new outing for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the 2022 hit Grounded finally arrives on Playstation and Switch.
This survival game was in early access for more than two years before it was released to great success in 2022.
Now Playstation and Switch owners can find out what they’ve been missing as it finally debuts on those consoles.
Set in 1990, it will surprise no one to learn Grounded is heavily influenced by films like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and A Bug’s Life.
The setting is utterly stunning, and a synthwave, retro soundtrack gives off a Stranger Things vibe.
Lots of scavenging is needed, and collected supplies can be used to craft bigger and better items to help you on your quest for normality.
The garden setting feels like a living, breathing ecosystem, with bees buzzing through the air, ants wandering around on the hunt for smaller creatures, and huge spiders.
Challenges feel rewarding, the script is dripping with humour and there’s a childlike joy to exploring a world that is both familiar and utterly alien.
Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide
(PEGI 18) PS5
Release: April 18
It’s nearly a year since Final Fantasy XVI – the first numbered entry in the series for six years – was released.
In that time we’ve already had the first slice of DLC, Echoes of the Fallen, to keep players hooked.
Now the second expansion, The Rising Tide, is set to further expand on the base game’s story.
Set before the ending of the main game, this is said to be a much more substantial and story-heavy add-on than Echoes.
The game will see you travel to a new part of the game map on the hunt for the lost Leviathan.
To be fair, it needs to be a substantial offering as the price for this expansion will be around £16.99, although you can buy the expansion pass – which also includes Echoes – for £19.99.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants
(PEGI 12) PS4, PS5, Xbox One,
Xbox X/S, Switch, PC
Release: April 23
The heroes in a half shell are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, so expect to see them everywhere.
Wrath of the Mutants is a classic beat ’em up that uses the version of the characters from the 2012 Nickelodeon show. This was first released in 2017, but has been scrubbed up with some additional content, including six new bosses.
Playable with up to three others, you’ll have to defeat wave after wave of enemies over six stages to finally reach Shredder in his lair.
Happyfunland
(PEGI 18) PS5, PC Release: April 26
This VR adventure takes place inside an abandoned theme park, Mort Grisly’s Happyfunland.
You play as an urban explorer who sets out to take a look inside the long lost park that was home to its mascot, Randy Rodent.
But you quickly discover Happyfunland hides some grisly secrets, and dark things may still be lurking in the shadows.
Described as ‘darkly comedic’, the game’s artwork has already won praise from critics who have given it a spin.
Braid Anniversary Edition
(PEGI 12) PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Switch, PC
Release: April 30
This gorgeous indie gem was first released in 2008 on the Xbox 360.
One of the most unique titles I’ve ever played, this puzzle-platformer has you solving problems by manipulating the flow of time.
Complete one section of a task, and then rewind to help unravel the next part.
Objects react to your time tinkering differently, and to add another layer of complication there’s parallel realities and time dilation to get your head around.
Billed as a 15th Anniversary release (yes, I know they’re a year late), the game’s graphics and audio have been remastered for next generation consoles and a director’s commentary added.