The Month in Games – May 2021

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Mysterious villages, forging a new life, finding comfort for an old life, taking your place in legend, and saving the galaxy from extinction are just some of the delights that await gamers with May’s releases.


Resident Evil Village

A chance encounter brings new horrors in the latest Resident Evil release. Set a few years after the events of Resident Evil VII: Biohazard, Resident Evil Village once again puts players into the life of Ethan Winters. While living a quiet life with his wife Mia and their daughter Rosemary, Ethan soon finds his world turned upside down when an encounter with Chris Redfield puts Ethan in the middle of a mysterious village in Europe. Ruled over by four lords – Karl Heisenberg, Salvatore Moreau, Donna Beneviento and Alcina Dimitrescu – Ethan is in a race against time to find his daughter, learn the truth about the mysterious Mother Miranda, and escape the village.

Players who pre-order will receive a Mr Racoon Weapon Charm and Survival Resources pack. All editions of Resident Evil Village will also include a copy of Resident Evil Re:Verse on either PlayStation 4 or Xbox One with all PlayStation Digital Orders also featuring a copy of the game’s soundtrack. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game and the Trauma Pack DLC featuring new items and other bonuses. The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game, SteelBook case, 64-page Artbook, a reversible cloth map, and Chris Redfield figure in a limited-edition collector’s box. Players will also have the option of purchasing the Complete Bundle, which includes Resident Evil Village and the Trauma Pack DLC together with the Gold Edition of Resident Evil VII: Biohazard.

Resident Evil Village will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from May 7*


Hood: Outlaws & Legends

Become a hero of legend in this action-packed release. Taking on the mantle of an outlaw, players in Hood: Outlaws & Legends must bring together their own band of outlaws to gather riches and build their own reputations. With stealth being a key to success, players will not only be working against the guards at their various targets but also against other players who will be in search of their own cut of the heists. By combining the heroes and villains of Sherwood legend with a multiplayer story, players will be able to write their own chapters in the legendary tale.

Players who pre-order will receive the Forest Lords outfit and skin pack along with three days Early Access from May 7*. The Year One Edition includes a copy of the game, the Forest Lords pack, Early Access, and the Year One Battle Pass – which will include bonus content for the first three seasons of the game.

Hood: Outlaws & Legends will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC from May 10*


Mass Effect Legendary Edition

The Citadel awaits in this updated collection. Comprising of the first three titles of the Mass Effect series, the Legendary Edition tells the story of Commander Shepard. This player-created character soon finds themselves at the start of a fight against extinction which will bring the whole universe together. What begins as a simple recon mission reveals the existence of the Reapers: an alien race with the ability to indoctrinate and annihilate at will. It will be up to Shepard to assemble a crew of the best the galaxy has to offer to fight the Reapers and stop them from wiping out life as we know it. Across the course of three games, players will immerse themselves in the saga of Shepard as they fight for the future.

Along with the base content from the trilogy, Mass Effect Legendary Edition also includes all DLC packs from the trilogy. Featuring over 40 packs, the DLC will bring new locations, squad mates, weapons, armour and more to the trilogy. This will allow players to experience the full universe of Mass Effect and unlock hours of story content to play through for the first time…or the seventh. With updated graphics, character designs, audio, and gameplay this collection brings new life to one of the most iconic gaming trilogies – where every decision will shape who you are as Shepard and how the story will unfold around you.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from May 14*


Just Die Already

Grow old disgracefully in this chaotic sandbox. Designed by the team behind Goat Simulator, Just Die Already puts players into the comfortable shoes of a care home resident. Forced out of their previous home, players will be on the hunt for a ticket to a new one. The one thing standing in their way: the world around them. In a world full of obstacles and challenges, players must use any and all means around them to try and stay in one piece long enough to live out what’s left of their life in peace…or not.

Players who pre-purchase the game on PC via Steam or the Epic Games Store will receive a discount on the game. Just Die Already will also launch fully crossplay compatible across all platforms for groups of players to play together and cause chaos with no limits on platform or generations.

Just Die Already will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC and Nintendo Switch from May 20*


Rust Console Edition

The smash-hit PC survival title is making its debut on console. In Rust, players are dropped onto a randomly generated map with one goal in mind – survive. In this harsh open world, players will face challenges from animals, the environment and from other players. Starting out with just a rock and torch to help, players need to scavenge resources so they can build the much-needed tools to survive. Players can also work together to keep themselves alive that little bit longer in the face of mounting dangers.

The Standard Edition includes a copy of the game and the Future Weapons and Tools skin pack. The Deluxe Edition includes the game, Future Weapons and Tools pack, a Welcome Pack, Early Access, and Staging Branch Access. The Ultimate Edition includes the Standard Edition, an Ultimate Welcome Pack, Early Access, Staging Branch Access, Elite Combat skin pack and 1100 Rust coins.

Rust Console Edition will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from May 21*


Biomutant

Write your own life story in this action RPG. In Biomutant, players are living in a world where natural disasters have begun to poison the planet with a deadly plague. With the powerful Tree of Life at risk, players must find a way to save the Tree from destruction. However, there are six tribes who also have their own designs on the Tree. While some wish to heal and save the Tree, others do not. It will be up to players to decide which path they want to take on their own story, with the story being shaped by the choices of the player and their impact on the Karma system.

Players who pre-order will unlock the Mercenary class which will be playable at launch. The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game, the official soundtrack, A1 fabric artwork and a figurine in a limited-edition collector’s box. The Atomic Edition includes a copy of the game, the official soundtrack, A1 fabric artwork, mousepad, SteelBook case, t-shirt and 23”x12” diorama in a premium collector’s box.

Biomutant will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from May 25*


Free to Play

Players with an active Xbox Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will receive four games for free this month. On Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S Armello will be available from May 1-31* with Dungeons 3 available from May 16 – June 15*. On Xbox 360 – and Xbox One/Series X/Series S via Backwards Compatibility – Lego Batman will be available from May 1-15* followed by Tropico 4 from May 16-31*

Over on PlayStation, those with an active Plus subscription will have three new titles to download and keep for free this month. From May 4* WreckFest: Drive Hard, Die Last will be available on PlayStation 5 with Battlefield V and Stranded Deep available on PlayStation 4. All three titles will be available until May 31*

Players with connected Amazon Prime and Twitch accounts will be able to claim five free games via the Prime Gaming platform. Yoku’s Island Express, Beholder, The Blind Prophet, A Blind Legend and The Healer’s Quest will be available from May 1*. Full details on how to claim these games – along with bonus drops for Valorant, FIFA 21 and League of Legends – can be found on the Prime Gaming website.

Also Released This Month

May 4* – The Colonists (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)

May 5* – Evergate (Switch)

May 6* – Highrisers (PC), Skate City (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Piczle Puzzle Adventures + Picto Quest Puzzle Bundle (Switch)

May 10* – Mad Devils (PC)

May 12* – Retro Machina (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch)

May 13* – GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon (PC – Steam Early Access), Monster Harvest (Switch, PC)

May 14* – Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir/ Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind (Switch), Subnautica (Switch), Subnautica: Below Zero (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Brigandine (PS4, Switch), Beholder Collector’s Edition (Switch)

May 18* – Days Gone (PC), Snowrunner (Switch), Leisure Suit Larry – Wet Dreams Dry Twice (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), SnowRunner (Switch)

May 19* – Elite Dangerous: Odyssey (PC)

May 20* – Of Bird and Cage (PC), Open Country (PC), The Wild At Heart (Xbox One, PC), Super Street Racer (PS4)

May 21* – Miitopia (Switch), Kowloon High School Chronicle (Switch), Knockout City (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)

May 25* – Erica (PC), King of Seas (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne HD Remaster (PS4, PC, Switch), Maneater (Switch), Weaving Tides (PC, Switch), An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs (Xbox Series X/S, PC), Kaze and the Wild Masks (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)

May 27* – Earth Defence Force: World Brothers (PS4, PC, Switch), Warhammer Ages of Sigmar: Storm Ground (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Oddworld: Collection (Switch), Asterix and Obelix: XXL Collection (PS4, Switch)

May 28* – World’s End Club (Switch), Roots of Pacha (PC), Geminose: Animal Popstars (Switch), Instant Sport Tennis (Switch), Theme Park Simulator (Switch), Nightmare Boy (PS4, Switch), Do Not Feed The Monkeys (Switch), Port Royale 4 (Switch)

May 31* – Fallen Knight (PC), Castaway Paradise (Switch)

*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.

Words by Megan Roxburgh


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