Xbox Game Pass April 2026 (Wave 1): Hades II, Kiln, Vampire Crawlers, and More

Short Story: Sarah checked her Xbox Game Pass app while waiting for her coffee to brew. "Hades II?!" she nearly dropped her phone. After months of watching speedruns and hearing her Discord friends rave about it, the roguelike masterpiece was finally coming to Game Pass. She immediately texted her gaming group: "April 14th. Clear your calendars."

Microsoft has revealed the first wave of Xbox Game Pass additions for April 2026, and it's a mix of big names, cozy surprises, and day-one indies. The standout for many players is Hades II, but there's also a steady stream of new arrivals across Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC.

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Quick list: key dates (April 2026)

Available now / early April

• Apr 7: Final Fantasy IV (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
• Apr 8: DayZ (PC)
• Apr 8: Endless Legend 2 (Game Preview) (PC)
• Apr 8: FBC: Firebreak (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
• Apr 9: Planet Coaster 2 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
• Apr 10: Tiny Bookshop (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC)

Mid-April highlights

• Apr 13: Football Manager 26 (PC)
• Apr 13: Football Manager 26 Console (Cloud, Console, PC)
• Apr 14: Hades II (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC)
• Apr 16: NHL 26 joins EA Play
• Apr 17: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Cloud, Console, PC)

Late April

• Apr 21: Little Rocket Lab (Cloud, Console, PC)
• Apr 21: Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC)
• Apr 21: Vampire Crawlers (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC)
• Apr 23: Kiln (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC)

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The big one: Hades II lands on Game Pass

If you missed Hades II the first time around, Game Pass is the perfect excuse to jump in. The core appeal is still the same: fast, reactive combat and that "one more run" loop. But the sequel's structure and progression give it a different rhythm—more experimentation, more build variety, and more reasons to keep pushing even after you've seen the early story beats.

Who should try it first:

• Players who like roguelites (obviously)
• Anyone who loves tight action controls
• People who want a game that's satisfying in 15-minute sessions

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Day-one weird (in a good way): Kiln

Kiln is one of the most unusual "day-one" additions this month: a multiplayer-focused idea built around creating pottery… then smashing it. It sounds like a joke until you realize how well it fits quick competitive sessions and party-game energy.

Why it matters for Game Pass:

• Game Pass is at its best when it makes you try something you would never buy blindly
• "Fresh concept" games often get their biggest player base from subscription services

Recommendation: If your friends are on Game Pass, put Kiln on the group calendar for launch week.

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Vampire Crawlers: survivors-style, but turn-based

The pitch behind Vampire Crawlers is pretty clear: take the chaotic satisfaction of survivors-style progression and remix it into a more tactical loop with turn-based decisions and deck-building energy.

Who it's for:

• Players who like "broken builds" and combo hunting
• Folks who enjoy roguelike structure but want more thinking time

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Cozy corner picks: Tiny Bookshop + Little Rocket Lab + Sopa

Not every Game Pass month needs to be all explosions.

• Tiny Bookshop looks like comfort-gaming: managing a small bookshop, setting up in scenic locations, and meeting locals.
• Little Rocket Lab blends cozy crafting/engineering with RPG flavor.
• Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato leans into narrative charm and a more emotional tone.

If your backlog is already full of shooters, these are the kinds of picks that actually help you reset.

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Also worth noting

• Football Manager 26 (PC + Console edition) arrives April 13.
• NHL 26 joins EA Play April 16 (with a limited-time bundle for Ultimate subscribers).
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare arrives April 17, which is a big deal for anyone who wants a campaign + multiplayer staple always ready to install.

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What to play first (simple guide)

• Want the "can't miss" pick? → Hades II
• Want a multiplayer night with friends? → Kiln
• Want chill + vibes? → Tiny Bookshop
• Want long-form strategy? → Endless Legend 2 (Game Preview)

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