With Spring in full bloom, the garden of gaming delights has a host of new titles to enjoy. From legendary pirates to divinely blessed warriors, Burned ones, Doom Slayers, a new collection of great fighters, and even a long-awaited adventure in the world of Elden Ring await players this month.
Captain Blood
Set sail in the Golden Age of Piracy in this swashbuckling adventure. Based on the novels by Rafael Sabatini, Captain Blood follows the titular character as he sails in the Spanish Main seeking gold and glory. From the deck of your ship to the depths of the seas, players will be able to explore the world of piracy at its most magnificent and brutal. Gather your crew, arm yourself with a combo of guns and blades to protect yourself against the enemy hordes as you hack and slash and sail your way through the high seas to become the most feared buccaneer to hoist the colours.
With a unique art style inspired by graphic novels, dynamic combat systems complete with unique combinations and executions, this long-awaited adventure finally arrives after a prolonged development process.
Captain Blood will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from May 6*
The Midnight Walk
Embark on this dark adventure from the team behind Lost in Random. Combining real, handcrafted clay creations and stop-motion-inspired animation, The Midnight Walk is a twisted adventure set in a darkened world. Rising from the ashes is the Burnt One, whom players will follow through the interweaving tales of this land as they try to uncover the secrets behind the sudden disappearance of the Sun. Their only companion is a lantern named Potboy, whose flickering flame is the only light to guide you along, making it imperative that Potboy is kept safe from any and all who lurk in the shadows.
Those with a PlayStation VR2 system will be able to experience the story in a whole new way. Using either the DualSense controller or the Sense controllers to make your way through the endless night. The VR headset also allows for eye tracking, where players can close their eyes while playing and focus their senses on the sounds around them.
The Midnight Walk will be available on PlayStation 5 and PC from May 8*
Doom: The Dark Ages
Be the kingdom’s last hope of survival in this epic chapter in the Doom series. Serving as a prequel to 2016’s Doom, Doom: The Dark Ages will follow the rise of the Doom Slayer as they face the forces of Hell in a twisted Medieval world. As the last hope for their kingdom, players will guide the Doom Slayer as they carve their way through the hordes of beasts and monsters who would look to claim the Slayer’s head as their prize. Unlock your power as the weapon of gods and kings, wielding a whole host of weapons in the heat of battle and – for the first time – taking control of vehicles and even dragons to get that crucial advantage.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Void skin for their Doom Slayer. The Premium Edition includes the base game, up to two days of Early Access, access to future campaign DLC, digital artbook, digital soundtrack and the Divinity skin pack. Features in the Premium Edition are also available as a Premium Upgrade for those with the Standard Edition, which will be available on Game Pass from day one. The Collector’s Bundle includes the base game, all the content in the Premium Edition, a Steelbook case, a Metal Red Keycard replica and a 12” Doom Slayer PVC statue.
Doom: The Dark Ages will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from May 15*
Capcom Fighting Collection 2
Explore more of Capcom’s storied history of fighting games with this second collection. Bringing together eight more titles from Capcom’s extensive back catalogue, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 lets players duke it out, rekindle old rivalries and even forge some new ones as they go through the titles. From the colourful characters of the Capcom vs SNK series, the intensive story of Project Justice, the intense action of Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein or making the world your own weapon in the Power Stone series, there will be something for players new and old to enjoy and explore in single player, co-op or even online with players across the globe.
Those who pre-order will unlock bonus songs from CAP-JAMS, the official band of the Capcom Sound Team, to use in Gallery mode. Those who pre-order a physical edition on PlayStation or Nintendo Switch will receive an exclusive comic book with their game. Players will also be able to purchase Capcom Fighting Collection 2 in a bundle with the first Capcom Fighting Collection, bringing the total number of classic fighting games up to 18.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC from May 16*
Blades of Fire
Wield the ancient power bestowed upon you to save your people in this action-adventure. In the world of Blades of Fire, the creators of mankind – an ancient race known as the Forgers – passed down their knowledge of steelwork and weapon forging. However, the rise of Queen Nerea brought an imbalance to the world after she cast a curse on her enemies, turning their once steel weapons to stone, rendering them useless against her forces. In this new world order, players will take on the role of Aran de Lira, a warrior gifted a sacred hammer that allows him to forge his own steel as he seeks a way to end the Queen’s schemes and free the people.
Players who pre-order will unlock two bonus attires for Aran – Iron Paladin and Lord of Steel – a hammer head for the Hyssop Weapon and additional forging materials to help you begin your adventure.
Blades of Fire will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from May 22*
Elden Ring Nightreign
Rise up and fight in this standalone tale from the world of Elden Ring. Taking place in a procedurally generated version of Limgrave – now known as Limveld – Elden Ring: Nightreign will have players deal with an ever-changing and harsh environment as they prepare to face a final foe. Over the course of three in-game days, players can either go it alone or team up with two others to take on minor bosses and hone their skills as they try and find the best combination to not only survive in this altered world (which will slowly shrink until a specific foe is defeated each ‘day’) but to be triumphant in the face of all challengers that come their way.
Players who pre-order any edition will unlock a bonus gesture emote. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, a mini soundtrack, a digital Art Book, and post-launch DLC. The Seekers Edition includes the base game, post-launch DLC, a Steelbook case, a digital Artbook, and a digital Soundtrack. The Collector’s Edition includes the base game, post-launch DLC, Steelbook case, digital Soundtrack, hardcover 40-page Artbook, eight Nightfarers cards and a 25cm Statue of Wylder.
Elden Ring Nightreign will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from May 30*
Free to Play
Players with any tier of PlayStation Plus subscription will have three new titles to add to their catalogues this month. From May 6* Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun and Balatro will be available for both PS4 and PS5, with Ark: Survival Ascended available on PS5. Details on how to claim these titles can be found on the PlayStation Store.
Full details on this month’s Prime Gaming titles – both available to download and keep for free or to stream as part of the Amazon Luna Cloud service – can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
May 1* – Shotgun Cop Man (PC), Void Sails (PC), What The Clash? (Apple Arcade), Despelote (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Dig VR (PC VR, PSVR), Freeride (PC), Peglin (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5), Seedsow Lullaby (Switch, iOS, Android)
May 2* – Vellum (PC), Beyond Memories – Tales of the Heart (PC), Maze Mice (PC), Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
May 5* – Drop Duchy (PC), SpreadCheat (PC)
May 6* – Metal Eden (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Unblock (PC), High on Life (Switch), Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition (PS5), Among Us 3D (PC)
May 7* – Touhou Spell Carnival (PC)
May 8* – Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree (PC), Vambrace: Dungeon Monarch (PC), Cash Cleaner Simulator (PC), Empyreal (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Pixelshire (PC), Revenge of the Savage Planet (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall (PC)
May 9* – Spiritfall (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Little Kitty, Big City (PS4, PS5
May 12* – Project Mist (PC)
May 13* – Palia (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Labyrinth of the Demon King (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Death and re;Quest: Code Z (PS4, PS5), The Precinct (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC)
May 14* – Omega Crafter (PC)
May 15* – Nubs: Arena (PC), Tennis Manager 25 (PC), Into the Restless Ruins (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Tunnels (Meta Quest), American Arcadia (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
May 19* – Nitro Express (PC)
May 20* – Roadcraft (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Neko Neko Travel Agency: Peachy Town Revitalization Project (Switch, PC)
May 21* – Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), JDM: Japanese Drive Master (PC), Monster Train 2 (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC)
May 22* – Lynked: Banner of the Spark (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Out of Sight (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown (PC), Worshippers of Cthulhu (PC), Bloodshed (PC), City Tales: Medieval Era (PC), Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Battle Destiny Remastered (Switch, PC), Zombie Army VR (PC VR, PSVR, Meta Quest), Deliver At All Costs (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC, Linux, Mac), Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (PS5), The Town of Nie: Iromusubi (Switch, PC)
May 23* – Onimusa 2: Samurai’s Destiny (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC)
May 27* – Cosmi: Forbidden Forests (PS5, Switch, PC), Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC – Full release), Roboquest (PS4, PS5)
May 28* – To a T (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC), Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 (PC), Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
May 29* – Bitcraft Online (PC), Scar-Lead Salvation (PS5, PC), Sonic Wings Reunion (PS4, PS5, PC, Switch)
May 30* – Disney Illusion Island (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (Switch, PC), My Father Lied (PC)
*Dates refer to UK release date only. International dates may vary. Information correct at time of writing
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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