The Month in Games – May 2023

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©Nintendo/Daedalic Entertainment/Dramatic Labs/Triumph Studios/Visual Concepts/Arkane Austin

May’s gaming releases will take players to universes new and familiar, with new chapters in long-running tales, the fight to reclaim the streets of a vampire-infested town, a chance to boldly go on a mysterious adventure, explore a long untold story, test your skills in Bricklandia and the long-awaited return to the world of Hyrule.


Age of Wonders 4

Build your empire and expand in the latest from Age of Wonders. In Age of Wonders 4, powerful wizard kings have come to the realms to reign as gods. Players will be able to build their own faction that will expand and grow throughout the realm, with a little help from the Tomes of Magic. By gathering and studying these tomes, players will be able to learn new skills and tactics as they take turns making their moves in the realm – whether it be exploration, farming or conquest.

Players who pre-order will receive an Aric Rex Ruler, Lion Plate armour set, an Athlan Crown and Imperial Cape. The Premium Edition includes a copy of the game along with the pre-order content, the Expansion Pass – which includes the Eldritch Realms and Empires & Ashes expansions along with the Archmage Attire and the Dragon Dawn and Primal Fury content packs.

Age of Wonders 4 will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from May 2*


Redfall

Bite back in this action-packed FPS from Arkane Austin. In Redfall, players are put in the middle of the titular town, which has been overrun with vampires. Playing as one of four protagonists – Layla Ellison, Jacob Boyer, Remi de la Rosa and Devinder Crousley – players can either go it alone or play in up to four-player co-op to take back the town from the creatures of the night. However, that will not be the only threat they face in Redfall, as a devout group of cultists serving the vampires are helping them turn the town into their own personal playground.

Players who pre-order or play via Game Pass will receive the Vampire Hunter weapon pack. The Bite Back Edition includes a copy of the game, the Hero Pass (which will unlock two future heroes post-launch), the Laser Beam multi-weapon skin, the Tactical Knife Stake weapon attachment and the Throwback Outfit pack, which features an additional outfit each for Layla, Jacob, Remi and Devinder.

Redfall will be available on Xbox Series X/S and PC from May 2*


The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Explore Hyrule like never before in this latest from The Legend of Zelda. Following on from Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom once again sees Link heading out on an epic adventure. Exploring the darkest dungeons and travelling across the skies between airborne islands, players will take Link on a new journey across Hyrule. With this new chapter comes a new threat in the Upheaval, which is starting to upset the balance of Hyrule, bringing forth some possible old foes from Link and Zelda’s past.

Players who pre-order via select retailers will receive a limited-edition bonus coin. The Collectors Edition includes a copy of the game, a special SteelBook case, an artbook, an Iconarti steel poster and a four-pin set. A special Tears of the Kingdom edition OLED model Switch is also available to purchase with Joy-Cons and the Tears of the Kingdom Pro Controller will be available to purchase separately from May 12. Also available on May 12 will be a new Link Tears of the Kingdom Amiibo figure, which will unlock weapons, materials and special fabric for Link’s paraglider.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be available on Nintendo Switch from May 12*


Lego 2K Drive

Get behind the wheel in this fast-paced Lego racer. In Lego 2K Drive, players will travel to Bricklandia, home to all manner of racing contests and challenges. Using transforming vehicles, players will have the freedom to race across racetracks into off-road terrain and even open waters. Whether taking on the story mode, testing your skills in singles racing or facing the best of the best in Cup Series tournaments there is something for everyone. There’s even a host of off-the-wall minigames full of that indomitable Lego charm as a break from the grid.

Players who pre-order will receive the Aquadirt Racer pack, which includes an additional street car, off-road car and boat, with a physical McLaren Solus GT minikit available via select retailers. The Awesome Edition includes a copy of the game, the Aquadirt Racer pack, the Year One Drive Pass bundle – which includes a drive pass for four seasons, the Awesome Pizza vehicle and 550 coins – and the Awesome Bonus pack, featuring a vehicle flair, Machio Beast vehicle and a Wheelie Stunt Driver minifigure.

The Awesome Rivals Edition includes a copy of the game, all the content in the Awesome Edition along with the Awesome Rivals bonus pack – which includes a Royal People Rover street car, a Royal sailor and Outtaliner, a Reckless Scorpion Stunt Driver minifigure, vehicle flair and the Hamburghini Royale.

Lego 2K Drive will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from May 19*


Star Trek: Resurgence

Face this unknown in this narrative adventure from Dramatic Labs. Set in the years after the events of The Next Generation, Star Trek: Resurgence put players into the shoes of one of two officers aboard the USS Resolute. Playing as either First Officer Jara Rydek or Engineer Carter Diaz, players will be working to investigate a sinister mystery involving two alien civilisations who are on the brink of war. Working alongside new and returning characters – including Ambassador Spock – players will have to make each choice count as they navigate this potentially destructive situation.

Players wishing to expand on the story and characters in Star Trek: Resurgence ahead of launch will be able to do so thanks to a special comic prequel series, which is available to purchase now.

Star Trek: Resurgence will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC from May 23*


The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

A new adventure awaits in the world of The Lord of the Rings. Set alongside the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum follows the titular character as he sets out to reclaim the lost Precious – the One Ring. By putting his unique skills to the test, players will travel through Middle Earth on this new adventure. From his escape from Mordor, evading the Mouth of Sauron and the bloodthirsty Shelob all the way to the halls of Mirkwood and King Thranduil, Gollum’s unique skill set will come into play as he tries to evade capture and infiltrate iconic locations. That won’t be the only struggle going on, as the split personality of Gollum and Smeagol jostle for control as the player’s difficult moral choices guide them through this tale.

Players who pre-order via select retailers on Xbox or PlayStation will unlock a pack of six exclusive The Lord of the Rings: Gollum emotes. The Precious Edition includes a copy of the game, the Sindarin VO pack, the Lore Compendium DLC, an Art Exhibition application and a copy of the game’s original soundtrack.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from May 25*


Free to Play

Players with a Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription on Xbox will have two new titles to download and keep for free this month. Star Wars Episode I Racer will be available from May 1-31* with Hoa available from May 16 – June 15.

On PlayStation, those with any tier of PlayStation Plus subscription will be able to claim three games to keep for free this month. From May 2* GRID Legends and Chivalry 2 will be available on PS4 and PS5 with Descenders available on PS4.

Over on Prime Gaming, there will be 14 games available to download and keep for free during this month, with games being made available at different points. Those games are:

  • May 4* – Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D, Super Sidekicks and Samurai Showdown IV
  • May 11* – Planescape: Torment – Enhanced Edition, Lake, Robo Army and Last Resort
  • May 18* – Kardboard Kings, The Almost Gone, 3 Count Bout and Alpha Mission 2
  • May 25* – Lila’s Sky Ark, Agatha Knife, King of the Monsters 2 and Kizuna Encounter

Details on how to claim these titles, along with items for games including Genshin Impact and Overwatch 2, can be found on the Prime Gaming website.

Also Released This Month

May 2* – Showgunners (PC)

May 3* – Super Dungeon Maker (Switch, PC)

May 4* – Ravenlok (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

May 5* – Hogwarts Legacy (Xbox One, PS4), Death or Treat (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Trek To Yomi: Deluxe Edition (PS4, PS5, Switch), Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (PS4)

May 8* – Cook Serve Forever (PC – Steam Early Access), Darkest Dungeon II (PC)

May 9* – Peridot (iOS, Android), Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (PS5), The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle Earth (iOS, Android)

May 11* – TT: Isle of Man- Ride on the Edge 3 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch)

May 16* – Tin Hearts (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Humanity (PS4, PS5, PS VR, PS VR2, PC), Trinity Trigger (PS5, Switch), Bus Simulator 21 – Next Stop: Gold Edition (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5)

May 18* – The Outlast Trials (PC), I am Future (PC – Steam Early Access), Firmament (PC, Mac)

May 19* – Shadow Warrior 3 – Definitive Edition (PS4, PS5), Toy Soldiers (Switch), Garden Simulator (PS4, PS5, Switch)

May 20* – Farworld Pioneers (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)

May 22 – Inkbound (PC – Steam Early Access)

May 23* – Miasma Chronicles (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), After Us (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Bread & Fred (PC), Amnesia: The Bunker (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Farming Simulator 23 (iOS, Android, Switch), The Knight Witch – Deluxe Edition (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! (Switch)

May 25* – Dynopunk (PC), Do Not Feed The Monkeys 2099 (PC, Switch), Above Snakes (PC), Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue (PS VR, PS VR2)

May 26* – Truck & Logistics Simulator (PS4, PS5), War Mongrels: Renegade Edition (PS5), Goodbye World (PS4, PS5, Switch)

May 30* – System Shock (PC), Poly Bridge 3 (PC), Company of Heroes 3 (Xbox One, PS5)

May 31* – Candle Knight (PC)

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

Words by Megan Roxburgh


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