3 new turn-based games for April
Unlucky 33, clonizing, and not-yet-XCOM 3
I’m planning to add one monthly (maybe bimonthly) feature of the games I play complete with video. I don’t want it to be a straight up review or impressions type of write up though so it might take me a bit of time to figure out how to do this creatively.
Hello JOMT Reader!
Spring is on its way in my part of the world, as I can finally see what we forgot to clean up in the yard last fall (although we just got a fresh coat of snow this morning). Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched last week to positive reviews on Steam. I don’t follow the series so I have no idea how it stacks up to the rest of the series — if any of you are making your way through the game, please let me know your thoughts! For those of you looking for something else, take a look at the following games releasing in April!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
🔗 Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1903340/Clair_Obscur_Expedition_33/
📅 Release date: April 24, 2025
🖥️ Developer: Sandfall Interactive
📢 Publisher: Kepler Interactive
🎮 Platform: PC (Steam/Epic), Xbox, Playstation
The game
Take control of a group of rebels, standing up to a being that can erase people by painting their age on a canvas. This turn-based RPG also boasts a hybrid real-time system, where you can dodge, parry, counter attack, and combine attacks to best your enemies in combat.
Who it’s for
You enjoy story-rich RPGs like Final Fantasy VII
You enjoy stunning visuals and epic music (composed by French composer Lorien Testard)
You are relatively new to the world of turn-based games
What I’m excited about
I’m excited to check out the hybrid combat system that breathes some action into the turn-based formula. And of course, the epic story!
Clonizer
🔗 Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2449450/Clonizer/
📅 Release date: April 14, 2025
🖥️ Developer: Juicy Plume
📢 Publisher: Rogue Duck Interactive
🎮 Platform: Steam (PC/Mac)
The game
As an employee of CLONPO, your job is clonize (spelling intentional) the universe, one Clonee at a time, collecting and playing cards as you complete missions on the hex-based grid. There’s a rogue-like progression system too, which will make subsquent clonizations just a little bit easier.
Who it’s for
You’re a fan of deckbuilding games but are tired of Slay the Spire-like games
You enjoy amazingly cute visuals
You want tons of replayability on procedurally generated maps
What I’m excited about
I played this game as a demo last year and loved it. The full release includes 10 planets, new missions, unique boss fights, over 65 cards, and 55 goodies to start. It seems like the devs are already planning for more content including space ships, more cards and goodies, and new mechanics — meaning you’ll be able to clonize the universe for a long time to come.
Chains of Freedom
🔗 Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2994010/Chains_of_Freedom/
📅 Release date: April 15, 2025
🖥️ Developer: Nordcurrent
📢 Publisher: Nordcurrent Labs
🎮 Platform: Steam (PC)
The game
Dive into a dystopian Eastern European state, where you’ll lead a squad in turn-based tactics combat. You’ll face off against rogue scientists and their armies of horribly mutated humans. There’s a wide array of weapons and gear to collect and equip to make sure that your team survives their encounters.
Who it’s for
If you’ve been eagerly waiting for XCOM 3 and are getting antsy
If you like the real time stealth mechanics of games like Mutant Year Zero and Miasma Chronicles
If you like survival mechanics in your tactics games — collecting resources and crafting seem to be a big part of how you navigate the game
What I’m excited about
It’s hard to tell just from the demo but I’m hoping for some big time replayability (really hoping for character customization and freedom of choice). The survival elements put a unique twist to the genre, which I hope will open up even more creative ways to navigate this world.
If you liked what you read, please consider giving this post a like! What games are you most looking forward to? Let me know below!