From vampires to Ganondorf
The May 2023 video games lineup is heating up as we dive (literally) straight back into the land of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and stake vampires in Redfall.
The games keep on rolling in May after an impressive April with Minecraft Legends, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Dead Island 2. Now, we prepare for stealth ramps, open-world titles, and an adventure into Metropolis. Here’s what to expect in May.
Darkest Dungeon II (PC)
Publisher: Red Hook Studios
Developer: Red Hook Studios
Price: $19.99
Release Date: May 8
Trailer
The highly anticipated indie roguelike follow-up Darkest Dungeon II will finally release out of Early Access on May 8. The sequel seems to be a step up in every way possible from the original. The art style has been improved with upgraded visuals and special FX. The new token system gives your character special perks and abilities, and your characters can get to know each other at the inn while reducing their stress.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $69.99
Release Date: May 12
Trailer
Breath of the Wild amazed us when it was first released on Switch (and the Wii U). The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom seems to be even grander as Link explores the skies above and reverses time to solve puzzles. One of the common complaints is how the weapons degrade quickly; thankfully, you can now fuse items together creating all new swords, hammers, and tools. It looks expansive, and Tears of the Kingdom even lets you create your own vehicles that soar in the air and drive around the open world. This mysterious but exciting experience will be released on May 12.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: Daedelic Entertainment and Nacon
Developer: Daedelic Entertainment
Price: $59.99
Release Date: May 25
Trailer
The most precious game in the May 2023 video games lineup is The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. You’ll be playing the unlikely titular protagonist as he tries to find his wonderful Ring of Power. Just like the character in the movie, he has a split personality between the violent Gollum and shy Smeagol. You’ll be making decisions along the way that will determine the former hobbit’s identity throughout the story; but the game will be mostly stealth-driven as you kill your way or pass through Middle-Earth’s deadly creatures. You’ll be looking for Gollum’s precious on May 25. The Switch is getting the game later in 2023.
Redfall (Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: Xbox
Developer: Arkane Austin
Price: $69.99
Release Date: May 2
Trailer
After I realized that Redfall is a Far Cry-like experience with horror elements, I was in. With three other players, you’ll be exploring Redfall, Massachusetts, a town that’s waging war against droves of vampires. Many haven’t survived but it’s up to you to protect the remaining citizens. Xbox says the game has “a deep story campaign as you unravel the mystery behind the vampires’ appearance.” Developed by Dishonored‘s Arkane Austin, this game features stealth, all manner of different hero load outs, and cool weaponry to find in the wild. In addition, Xbox promises there will be “unique upgrades and abilities to suit your playstyle.” The action begins on May 2.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: WB Games
Developer: Rocksteady
Price: $69.99
Release Date: May 26
Trailer
As of the time of writing, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is still launching on May 26. As the title suggests, you’re playing as the ragtag group of characters such as Harley Quinn and Captain Boomerang against the Justice League’s Superman, Batman, and The Flash. It sounds ridiculous, but somehow Batman Arkham Asylum developer Rocksteady has a somewhat promising story on its hands if the trailers are to be believed so far.
To the chagrin of many of Rocksteady’s fans, however, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a seemingly dull third-person shooter with a live service angle to it rather than the solid single-player experience of the Batman Arkham series. Hopefully, it can blow our expectations out of the water…or not.
[Update: Suicide Squad was been delayed until 2024 mere days after this article was published. What timing!]
Honorable Mentions
The May 2023 video games lineup is also host to a bunch of promising indies and other triple-A titles including:
- Amnesia: The Bunker (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PC) – May 16
- Dokopon Kingdom: Connect (Switch) – May 9
- Hello Neighbor: Search & Rescue (PSVR 2) – May 25
- Miasma Chronicles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – May 23
- Lego 2K Drive (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – May 19
- Soul Delivery (PC) – May 21
- Super Dungeon Maker (PC, Switch) – May 3
- System Shock (PC) – May 30
- Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – May 23
