Last year, in May 2023, we saw the release of one of the best games I’ve ever played: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Unfortunately, this year’s lineup doesn’t seem to include anything of that stature, but there are still a few major releases worth noting, such as Animal Well, Homeworld 3, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. This month, we’ll get the PC releases of V Rising and PlayStation’s Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, while last year’s System Shock remake makes its way to consoles. MultiVersus also returns after an unexpected hiatus following its shutdown last year.
Here’s our picks for the top games to play in May 2024, in order of release date.
Endless Ocean: Luminous
Endless Ocean returns with Endless Ocean: Luminous, taking players into the Veiled Sea to explore a region where discoveries change with each dive. The game features over 500 species of marine life, and players can explore together in shared expeditions, with online groups of up to 30 participants.
Endless Ocean: Luminous releases on May 2 for Switch.
Indika
This third-person adventure game combines an imaginative story with a dark sense of humor, inviting players to join a young nun named Indika on her journey of self-discovery. She is accompanied by an unlikely travel companion—the devil himself—as they traverse the surreal landscapes of Russia.
Indika releases on May 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
V Rising
After nearly two years in Early Access, V Rising is set to have its official 1.0 release in May. This vampire-centric action RPG, featuring crafting and survival mechanics, already delivers an excellent experience, and we can’t wait to explore all it has to offer at its launch. Key features include the Ruins of Mortium, where players can engage in skirmishes against Dracula’s Legion of Noctum and conquer rifts to gain exclusive resources. However, our most anticipated addition is the ability to relocate the castle at the push of a button.
V Rising exits Early Access on May 8 for PC.
Animal Well
Animal Well is the first title published under YouTuber videogamedunkey’s publishing company, Bigmode, and it looks like an interesting one. The game is described as a “dense atmospheric puzzle box world with tons of secrets” offering nonlinear progression that allows players to explore and collect items in any order they choose. Fans of 2D platforming Metroidvania games will definitely want to explore Animal Well when it releases in May.
Animal Well releases on May 9 for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC.
Little Kitty, Big City
Who would have thought that the release of Stray would inspire an entire genre dedicated to playing as a cat? Little Kitty, Big City could be the next significant entry in this niche, featuring a charming aesthetic and a friendly premise. Players explore an open-world city as a cat, conversing with a cast of chatty animals who offer various requests. Best of all, and perhaps most importantly, players can customize their cat with an assortment of adorable hats.
Little Kitty, Big City releases on May 9 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
Homeworld 3
After numerous delays, Homeworld 3 is set to release in May, hopefully. The delays have me a bit worried that the game won’t live up to expectations, especially considering how much I enjoyed the Homeworld Remastered Collection and Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak. I’m hoping Homeworld 3 can continue the franchise’s success, as we really need more good sci-fi RTS games. We’re also eager to try out the three-player co-op mode called War Games.
Homeworld 3 releases on May 13 for PC.
The Rogue Prince of Persia
These days, it seems that many games are adopting roguelite or roguelike elements into their gameplay. Prince of Persia is another franchise joining this trend with The Rogue Prince of Persia, a roguelite installment in the series. The game aims to blend the classic platforming charm of Prince of Persia with roguelite mechanics, allowing players to get more powerful with every death.
The Rogue Prince of Persia enters Early Access on May 14 for PC.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Ghost of Tsushima, originally released in 2020 on PlayStation consoles, is now making its way to PC. The Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut offers unlocked framerates, support for Ultrawide, Super Ultrawide, and 48:9 triple monitor setups, along with technologies like NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 3, Intel XeSS, and more. For those unfamiliar, Ghost of Tsushima is set in the late 13th century and follows the story of samurai warrior Jin Sakai. It is an excellent game, known for its engaging combat, stunning environments, and compelling story.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut releases on May 16 for PC.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
The wait is nearly over, with Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II set to release soon. In this long-awaited sequel to the award-winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua embarks on a journey of survival through the mythic and tormented landscapes of Viking Iceland. Focusing on cinematic immersion, the original Hellblade offered a unique and visceral experience, and I am really looking forward to Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II releases on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
System Shock
The System Shock remake, released on PC last year, is now going to be available on consoles. Based on the original 1994 game, the remake features all-new HD visuals, sound, and music, updated controls, and an overhauled interface. Despite these changes, the team retained the original voice actor for SHODAN, the psychotic AI controlling Citadel Station. For those who missed the original, System Shock is worth exploring to see its influence on many contemporary games.
System Shock releases on May 21 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the game I am most looking forward to playing in May. It has been so long since I played the original that it will likely feel like an entirely new adventure to me. Like Super Mario RPG last year, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is more of a remake than a remaster, making it feel more like a modern game than something originally released on the GameCube nearly 20 years ago. Plus, it features my favorite version of Yoshi.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door releases on May 23 for Switch.
MultiVersus
Last year, the story of MultiVersus took an unexpected turn when the open beta shut down seemingly out of nowhere. At that time, many wondered if the game would resurface and, if so, how it would change. The answer, it turns out, is quite significant—the game has transitioned to Unreal Engine 5 and its netcode has been overhauled. This free-to-play platform fighter, featuring beloved Warner Bros. and DC characters, will return in late May, and it will be interesting to see how fans react this time around.
MultiVersus releases on May 28 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Nine Sols
From RedCandleGames, the developers of the atmospheric horror game Detention, comes Nine Sols. It is a hand-drawn 2D action platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired combat that focuses on deflections. In Nine Sols, players embark on a journey through an eastern fantasy landscape, exploring lands once inhabited by an ancient alien race. The game chronicles a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, rulers of the forsaken realm.
Nine Sols releases on May 29 for PC.
Nightmare Kart
Nightmare Kart is a (not) Bloodborne-inspired fan game that will be available for free on Steam and itch.io in late May. The game features 20 racers, 16 maps, a full campaign mode with boss fights, and a versus battle mode. More importantly, it is now legally distinct after the game’s developer, Lilith Walther, received a letter from Sony. Considering it’s a free game, (not) Bloodborne fans should definitely give it a look.
Nightmare Kart releases on May 31 for PC.
F1 24
EA SPORTS F1 24, the official video game of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship, introduces the first major update to its Driver Career Mode since 2016. The updated career mode offers gameplay deeply rooted in the sport, and players can also team up with a friend in a two-player career mode. The game also introduces the all-new EA SPORTS Dynamic Handling System, which allows virtual racers greater control over how their personal driving style affects the car’s performance and race strategy.
F1 24 releases on May 31 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
