It’s already 4 days in May and there’s already a few new games that is out. The days before E3 is counting upon us, but there are still new games worth checking out this month.
This is not an exhaustive list, mind, but what we at Gamer Matters think that are worth checking out.
Battlezone: Gold Edition (PS4, PC, Xbox One) May 1st
Battlezone was a tank game that appeared in the nascent days of 3D gaming, where vector graphics was king. So it was fitting that new IP owners Rebellion brought the game back to usher in the new age of VR.
Two years of being a PS VR exclusive, Battlezone: Gold Edition removes the VR exclusivity, and PS4 exclusivity and adds in all DLC plus a new Classic Mode. You can play the full campaign with up to 4 players.
It is out now on all platforms (except Switch, which is still coming this summer). Owners of the original Battlezone will get the non-VR features as well as a free update.
Total War Saga:Thrones Of Britannia (PC) May 2nd
This may not be a full Total War spin-off, hence the Saga moniker, but it is still a Total War game. The experience is still similar- you have a turn-base grand strategy map that leads to real-time battles of hundreds and thousands of units- it’s just the scale of conflict is smaller. Rather than a span of an era or a timeline, Total War Saga focuses on short, but still pivotal wars.
Which makes the period of 878 AD when viking rose to the shores of Britannia a perfect scenario for this. Play as 10 different factions, from the Kings of Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland to the Viking tribes, all with different dilemmas and events to face and see based on real historical events.
If you are a fan of Total War, this sounds like a good fill until Total War: Three Kingdoms arrive. And since the campaign is not as lengthy, it’s cheaper too.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch) May 4th
A very good WiiU platformer, now on the Switch! This is a Donkey Kong Country game alright- 2D platforming, minecart sections, collectibles to collect. All refined and polished.
The Switch version adds the “All-New Funky Mode” where you play as Funky Kong, allowing you to breeze through the levels easier.
Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire (PC) May 8th
The first-ever sequel that Obsidian has ever made, Pillars II is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed CRPG. The new game allows you to explore the island archipelago of Deadfire and gives you command of a ship that doubles as your home base. Recruit party members, traverse the seas and engage in a deep RPG where choices matter.
Pillars II will also feature voice-overs from the Critical Role crew, a table-top RPG Youtube channel featuring established voice actors, including Matt Mercer as the Dungeon Master. You can create the characters appeared in the Critical Role games in the game, with the expected voice acting, withing the game as well.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar (Switch) May 15th
Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a turn-based JRPG from the creator of Darksiders, who also created the Battle Chasers comic. The developers, Airship Syndicate, were previously part of Vigil Games.
The game is out on the PC, PS4 and Xbox One but will finally debut on the Switch. The turn-based combat and overworld exploration should appeal to JRPG fans out there and certainly worth a look.
Dauntless Open Beta (PC) May 24th
The PC Monster Hunter-esque game has been in closed beta for quite some time, but it is now ready to head into open beta. The free-to-play action RPG is itching the right scratch for those who wanted to play a Monster Hunter game on PC (until Monster Hunter World releases on PC later this year, that is).
Given that it’s free, it’s totally risk-free to check it out. Bring in friends as well.
Dark Souls Remastered (PS4, PC, Xbox One ) May 25th
Visit Blighttown again, hopeful with better framerate, in Dark Souls Remastered. The game that ushered back difficult but fair games into the limelight of mainstream gaming is getting its current generation remaster.
PC players who owned the original release gets to enjoy 50% off. PS4 and Xbox One players can also try out the Network Test next week ahead of its release.
Detroit: Become Human (PS4) May 25th
Sharing the same date as Dark Souls Remastered is the latest narrative-heavy adventure game by David Cage’s Quantic Dream studio. Players take control of three different androids in the futuristic city of Detroit where androids start to contemplate their existence- are they mere slaves or should they receive equal human rights?
This might strike as odd, given that most of the GM crew are not really interested in the game- but there are folks out there that enjoy story-heavy games, so enjoy the spectacle.
There’s also a flowchart so you can review your choices to see which one matters, and you can redo them to move the story in different directions. The demo is still available to try out.
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (PS4, PC, Xbox One, Switch) May 29th
Round 1, fight!
If you are nostalgic of the past Street Fighter games, Capcom got your back. The Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection includes all the mainline Street Fighter games prior to IV- including the three versions of Alpha and III. Alpha 3 and III Third Stirke also features online play.
All the games are based on the arcade versions and also includes an extended gallery of 30 years worth of artwork.