Featured Image Credit: Sony, IOI, Supermassive Games
Topics: PlayStation, PlayStation 5, List
May is arguably shaping up to be the year’s busiest month yet in terms of new game releases on PlayStation 5 consoles.
While there are no first-party releases in the pipeline, May is set to deliver some highly anticipated AAA heavy hitters.
In fact, it could be a month of several GOTY contenders. Without further ado, here’s everything you can look forward to.
Constance
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In this charming 2D hand-drawn action-adventure title from Blue Backpack, players will step into the shoes of artist Constance who must escape a “decaying inner-world created by her declining mental health”. Boasting gorgeous aesthetics, tricky platforming, and challenging boss fights, it’s most definitely one for fans of Hollow Knight.
Wax Heads
Cosy gamers aren’t going to want to miss this “cosy-punk” narrative sim from indie team Patattie Games, where you’ll assume ownership of a struggling record store. “Chat to quirky customers with unique tastes, explore a handcrafted record collection, fall in love with bands, or just slack off with your colleagues - whatever gets everyone’s groove back,” the synopsis teases. The visuals on this one are very impressive, and it could be one of the year’s standout indie releases.
Mixtape
If you’re a fan of Life is Strange, Mixtape is a game that deserves to be on your wishlist. Created by Beethoven and Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive of Stray fame, Mixtape is a narrative-driven adventure. You’ll follow three friends who embark on one final journey together before they go their separate ways in a classic coming-of-age tale. It’s from the creators of The Artful Escape and features The Cure, Joy Division, Iggy Pop, and more on its soundtrack. What more could you ask for?
Directive 8020
Supermassive Games returns with Directive 8020, a soft reboot of The Dark Pictures Anthology that shifts away from the branding we’re used to. In this standalone adventure starring Lashana Lynch, players are situated on the colony ship Cassiopeia, which has crash-landed 12 light-years from home. A threat takes hold of the ship and it’s one that makes it difficult to determine friend from foe. “[The] crew soon realise they are far from being alone. In space, death takes many forms,” devs tease. As with all Supermassive projects, this is a decision-driven adventure with some light combat and puzzle-solving elements.
Call of the Elder Gods
Created by Out of the Blue Games, Call of the Elder Gods is a sequel to 2020’s Call of the Sea, which means there’s plenty more puzzle-solving on the way. For the uninitiated, you should expect a lovecradftian narrative puzzle adventure. “Professor Harry Everhart tries to ignore the shadows flitting at the corners of his vision, while student Evangeline Drayton is haunted with impossible dreams of an artefact uncovered a decade ago,” the synopsis states. Players will uncover ancient mysteries in what’s shaping up to be another well-presented, quirky little adventure.
Nitro Gen Omega
Perfect for anime lovers, Nitro Gen Omega is “a sandbox tactical RPG of steel, fire, friendship, and shonen anime”. It’s developed by DESTINYbit. Players will engage in turn-based battles amid a world ruled by rogue AI as they assemble a crew, customise their mech, and level up. Having been in early access for quite some time, Nitro Gen Omega has had plenty of opportunity to iron out any kinks, so hopefully, a smooth release is in store.
Outbound
Outbound is an upcoming cosy adventure that most cosy gamers will likely already have their eyes on. This highly anticipated title from indie team Square Glade Games can be enjoyed alone or with up to four players. The premise is simple. You’ll kit out a home on wheels and take to exploring a sunny, sprawling world. You can harness energy from the elements, set up crafting stations along your journey, grow crops, and customise your vehicle further in this sustainable explorative outing.
The Caribou Trail
The Caribou Trail is perfect for those looking for an enthralling and gripping new narrative-driven experience. Set within WWI, this action-adventure game comes from the indie team, Unreliable Narrators. Inspired by real events, the game tasks players with surviving more so than coldly enacting any violence. It’s a “visceral, first-person narrative experience about a band of friends sent on some of the most unlikely missions of the Great War”. Introducing some psychological horror elements, The Caribou Trail won’t be an easy play, but it does look like a moving one.
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is, perhaps rather obviously, a remaster of the original Darksiders that first appeared amid the PlayStation 3 generation. The remaster surfaced on the PlayStation 4 in 2016 and it’s now finally being ported natively to PlayStation 5 consoles. This hack-and-slash action-adventure from Vigil Games and Kaiko sees players control War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In this new port, there’s native 4K rendering, 60fps gameplay, a photo mode, and DualSense support.
Coffee Talk Tokyo
Coffee Talk Tokyo is the latest spin-off of the acclaimed Coffee Talk indie series from Toge Productions. This is a charming visual novel set within a café in Tokyo, albeit somewhat of a fantasy version. Late at night, players will brew drinks, befriend their human and yōkai customers, and “experience heartfelt stories in a cosy, story-rich world”. If it’s as good as the former two Coffee Talk entries, we’re in for a memorable, top-tier experience.
Bubsy 4D
Bubsy returns in the first new 3D entry in 30 years. Developed by Fabraz, this cult classic bobcat is back in an all-new platforming adventure set across three planets comprising 15 levels. You’ll run, jump, glide, and swim your way to safety, with Bubsy facing off against the Woolies and evil BaaBots. There’s a brand new ‘hairball’ move where Bubsy can roll through a level, plus there are BaaBot boss fights and time trials to enjoy. It’s one for Crash Bandicoot, Astro Bot, and Mario fans.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
It’s one of the month’s most anticipated heavy hitters. Developed By Traveller’s Tales, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is basically the follow-up to the Batman: Arkham Trilogy that we’ve all been waiting for, albeit with a LEGO overlay. Its map is even larger than those preceding games, with LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight paying homage to the very best Batman comics, films, television series, and games. It’s a treasure trove of Easter eggs, featuring both a main campaign and tons of side activities including Riddler puzzles. This one is going to keep us busy for a good long while.
The Relic: First Guardian
The Relic: First Guardian may not be on your radar, but there’s a lot to look forward to in this action RPG from Project Cloud Games. It’s set within an apocalyptic landscape haunted by faint whispers, known as relics. The player must collect these relics and honour their wishes as they attempt to lead the world back to prosperity. Equipping a relic will define the type of guardian you are, with The Relic: First Guardian boasting a comprehensive melee combat system. There are five weapon types as well as 12 skill trees. With over 70 bosses to defeat, this isn’t for the impatient.
Yerba Buena
Developed by Mad About Pandas and published by Focus Entertainment, Yerba Buena is set in a surreal version of the 1970s. In this single-player action-adventure, players will save San Francisco from a “sinister threat”. Step into the shoes of Barb who has to use an oscillator to solve environmental puzzles in a quirky new game which somewhat of a Portal feel to it. There’s a “copy and paste” mechanic where you can manipulate the traits of the game world’s various objects.
007 First Light
James Bond returns in one of the year’s most anticipated games. 007 First Light is a star-studded affair with Patrick Gibson as Bond, Lennie James as John Greenway, Gemma Chan as Selina Tan, and Lenny Kravitz as Bawma. This is an original narrative which’ll see Bond achieve his 00 status as the 26-year-old is put to the test for the first time in his career. From IO Interactive, the creators of Hitman, 007 First Light blends espionage action with stealth gameplay. It looks fantastic and 27 May cannot come soon enough.
Wandering Sword
Several years after it landed on PC, The Swordman Studio’s Wandering Sword is set to arrive on PlayStation 5. This is a Chinese martial arts RPG where players will assume the role of a swordsman. After narrowly escaping death, you’ll pursue the path of martial arts in an attempt to become a great hero. With HD-2D visuals, popularised by Square Enix, Wandering Sword boasts more of a classic RPG feel with turn-based combat encounters. Fans of Octopath Traveller should feel right at home.
Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next!
Upset that Mario Tennis Fever isn’t available on PlayStation 5? Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! is precisely what it sounds like, with all of your favourite Nickelodeon characters gathering on the tennis court for some sporting fun. SpongeBob, Aang, and Garfield are among those included in the 15 character roster. You can choose from 500 outfit styles before hopping into one of the game’s various modes. There’s 1v1 couch co-op, a tournament mode, and classic mini games on offer.