It’s fair to say that April has been a fantastic month for game releases, as Yakuza 6 and God of War launched with rave reviews and great commercial success. Unfortunately, on the other end of the spectrum, there was Extinction, and the less we talk about that shitshow, the better.
But the gaming industry is so fast paced that the conversation always turns to what the next big release is. Whilst May might not be quite as stacked as April, there’s still plenty to sink your teeth into, if you can drag yourself away from Kratos shouting “BOY” every ten seconds. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the nine biggest new game releases of May 2018.
Conan Exiles
Release Date: May 8th
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Let’s kick things off with a game that’s already available right now through Early Access, but will be getting a full release early next month. Conan Exiles, as you might imagine, is a game set in the Conan universe where you’re exiled. Don’t you just love names that get right to the chase? Playing as a custom character who gets rescued by Conan The Barbarian, you wander the lands fighting humans, animals, monsters and you also get to change your dick size. What more do you need to know?
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
Release Date: May 8th
Platform(s): PC
Made by legendary RPG developers Obsidian Entertainment, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is the sequel to one of 2015’s most popular RPG’s. Like its predecessor, Deadfire was crowdfunded, but reached its minimum funding goal of $1.1 million in less than a day, going on to raise $4.4 million. Clearly, the people wanted more Pillars of Eternity.
In terms of gameplay, Deadfire will use the same isometric perspective, but will feature new locations and characters. Your choices from the first game will carry over though, which should give you the excuse to finish the first game if you haven’t already.
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time
Release Date: May 15th
Platform(s): PC, PS4
One for all you anime fans, Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time is the video game spin-off of the anime of the same name. You control the anime’s protagonist, the trainee witch Akko, as you explore the Luna Nova academy and try to find out why time has started ballsing up. Between roaming around the school and talking to classmates, the game plays out like a side scrolling beat ‘em up, as you enter various dungeons in an attempt to fix the school. Whilst it’s clearly aimed at fans of the series, Chamber of Time could convert more people into liking Little Witch Academia.
State of Decay 2
Release Date: May 22nd
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One
The sequel to 2013’s hardcore zombie survival game, State of Decay 2 looks to do more of what the previous game did, but with 4 player co-op included. You’re tasked with managing a group of survivors, finding resources, avoiding special infected, making sure relationships and communications don’t fracture and more. What made State of Decay so tense but memorable was its use of permadeath. Every decision you made carried significant weight as death could have been around every corner, and more often than not it was.
Tennis World Tour
Release Date: May 22nd
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Yeah, shut up. I like tennis games. SEGA, new Virtua Tennis when? Get around to it when you’re finished with Virtua Fighter 6, and localising Fist of the North Star.
Developed by Breakpoint Studios, whose roster includes alumni from the Top Spin series, Tennis World Tour is seen as somewhat of a spiritual successor. Breakpoint want to use Tennis World Tour to capture what it means to be a pro player, and the career mode encapsulates that. Unlike other career modes in sports games, you’re encouraged to skip tournaments, otherwise you’ll incur physical penalties due to having no stamina left. Like a real pro player, you’re supposed to focus on your strengths. If you play better on clay, enter clay tournaments. It’s an interesting philosophy, and so long as the gameplay is on point, it’s one that should pay off.
Dark Souls Remastered
Release Date: May 25th
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One (Switch version coming later)
Prepare to die all over again. Dark Souls Remastered will give players a chance to return to the world of Lordran, taking on all the bosses and challenges with updated graphics and improved framerates. Hey, maybe Blighttown won’t be an unmitigated clusterfuck this time around. Maybe. Dark Souls Remastered will also include the Artorias of the Abyss DLC, but unfortunately the Nintendo Switch release has been delayed, along with the Solaire Amiibo. You’ll have to wait for that wondrous body.
Detroit: Become Human
Release Date: May 25th
Platform(s): PS4
The latest game from noted madman David Cage’s development studio, Quantic Dream, Detroit: Become Human has had its fair share on controversy already, both in and out of the game. A near future tale of android civil rights, you control 3 separate characters as they try to navigate a world intent of treating androids like trash. There’s a demo available now if you want to see what the game is all about, but we’re just hoping it doesn’t descend into the typical David Cage nonsense that plagued games like Fahrenheit. If this game even so much as mentions Mayan Civilisations or The Orange and Purple Clans, we’re out.
Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Classics
Release Date: May 29th
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
See how we’re covering our bases here depending on where you are when you read this? We’re clever, us. Anyway, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Classics (delete as appropriate) includes some of the greatest hits of one of the best consoles ever made. Some of, anyway. For some reason, Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles aren’t included. Yeah, we’re confused by that as well, but the collection includes Alien Soldier, Columns, Ristar, Vectorman and Streets of Rage 1, 2 and 3. That’s enough for us.
Street Fighter: 30th Anniversary Collection
Release Date: May 29th
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Another collection of retro games, Street Fighter: 30th Anniversary Collection compiles some of Street Fighter’s greatest hits, and the original Street Fighter. Get it? Because the original Street Fighter was shite. The collection includes 12 arcade perfect recreations, including five versions of Street Fighter 2, all three Alpha games and all three versions of Street Fighter 3. Plus, you’ll be able to play online with Street Fighter 2: Hyper Fighting, Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo, Alpha 3 and Third Strike. Can’t wait to get my head caved in trying to play Third Strike again.
What are your most anticipated games of May 2018? Sound off in the comments below.
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