Although May has the feel of a break in terms of big-name releases, the hits as they say don’t stop coming. If you’re a fan of indie games and genre jams then there’s plenty to look forward to. Whether that’s turn-based strategy, cinematic side-scrolling action, strategy, horror, co-op puzzle solving, or even taking on the role of Bruce Campbell. Yeah, this month sees the long-awaited debut of Evil Dead: The Game which looks to capture the cartoonish spirit of the iconic film series.

Without further ado, let’s get to it. Here’s the breakdown of the new games coming in May 2022.

Wildcat Gun Machine

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Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Release Date: May 4

A bullet-hell dungeon crawler, this one has the look of Hades crossed with Ikaruga - with a dash of Adult Swim absurdity. There’s a lot going on here, but it’s all about guns, giant boss battles, mech suits, and cats. Interestingly this one isn’t a “rogue-lite”, the dungeons aren’t randomised, so it’s a classic bullet-hell in the sense that you’ll need to learn what’s what. And have the reflexes of a, well, cat.

Citizen Sleeper

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Platform: PC,Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Release Date: May 5

Stylish space-station roleplaying in the classical TTRPG style, build a character, roll dice for all decisions, make friends, explore, define and build towards a future. A narrative RPG with a striking visual look and feel, this one’s also coming to Xbox Game Pass. So well worth checking out if the trailer above tickles your high-tech dice.

Trek to Yomi

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: May 5

Lovers of samurai flicks of old and the hack and slash genre rejoice, as this game was made just for you. Everyone else, just strap yourself in for a stylish homage to those things mentioned above from a studio that knows a thing or two about action and wearing its heart on its sleeves. Trek to Yomi is a tight side-scrolling hack and slash with some of the best visuals in the biz and follows the exploits of samurai Hiroki, whose pledge to save his village sees him walking a path fraught with danger and mystery.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters

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Platform: PC
Release Date: May 5

Warhammer games come in many flavours, and often arrive at a steady clip to boot. Even though Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters is a bit of a mouthful in the title stakes, this is definitely something XCOM and Warhammer fans should be aware of. Tactical turn-based combat with some great cinematic meets tabletop presentation. In fact this looks a cut above most Warhammer 40K strategy releases we’ve seen in recent years, and could become something of a sleeper hit.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Release Date: May 10

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a prequel to Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes -- a big JRPG slated for release in 2023 that proved a successful Kickstarter campaign. And although Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a prequel, the action-RPG is nothing to sneeze at, having been designed as a true lead-in to the events of Hundred Heroes. It has elements of dungeon crawling and town-building as well as more traditional action-RPG mechanics. It will be released on all platforms and is also available on Game Pass on its launch day.

Salt and Sacrifice

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
Release Date: May 10

The follow-up to Salt and Sanctuary continues in the first game’s “Soulslike” footsteps with challenging combat in a dark fantasy world. As a side-scroller with some fantastic art direction there’s a precision that comes from the blend of RPG mechanics and strategic combat. The Dark Souls inspiration also touches the multiplayer side of the experience with invasions and co-op.

We Were Here Forever

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: May 10

A co-op puzzle adventure (a style of game we definitely don’t see enough of) and the latest in the We Were Here series, We Were Here Forever pits you and a friend in a sinister castle looking to escape. Solve puzzles, discover mysteries, and work together - the latter will be the key to success. So yeah, definitely one for co-op fans that thrive on clear communication and collective puzzle solving.

Source of Madness

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Release Date: May 11

Not only does Source of Madness fill the modern release stat sheet in terms of adjective drops with “Lovecraftian” and “Roguelite” making up one part of its description (a Lovecraftian Roguelite), it also delivers on these with a visual style and presentation that is truly unique, making Source of Madness one of the standout titles for the month of May. In addition to those descriptors, the game also features AI machine learning as part of its procedural world generation, which means it learns to deliver challenges to the player, based on how you play. Which sounds pretty neat, to be honest.

Evil Dead: The Game

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Release Date: May 13

With Bruce Campbell on board and visuals that genuinely sell the IP, Evil Dead: The Game already looks like a winner for fans of Ash and his chainsaw-handedness. Pitched as a bit of a Left 4 Dead-like, this co-op third-person shooter (and slasher) features plenty of skirmishes with the many monsters of the series in a sandbox world that looks lifted straight out of the movies. You can drive vehicles, collect items and even need to be wary of traps that bite, which can cause you to unleash on your teammates, which is all in keeping with the themes of the source material and further lends the game to being one made first and foremost, for fans. It will also feature cross-play and supports single-player if you’re like Ash, and pretty much have no friends. It’s also out on Friday the 13th… so there’s that.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Release Date: May 19

Based on the role-playing series, Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong is described as a narrative RPG. In it you’ll play as three vampires and every choice you make will determine the outcome of the tale and the fate of the Boston Camarilla. Even though it has the look of a Telltale-style cinematic adventure game, the RPG side of the franchise will come through thanks to the inclusion of RPG character sheets and using that to drive every choice.

Dolmen

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: May

Sci-fi horror mixed with action-RPG mechanics, this is a new third-person effort from Koch Media’s Prime Matter label. With a focus on challenging melee and ranged-based combat you can be sure that some of the inspiration here comes from the world of Dark Souls, but the mix of ranged and energy based abilities definitely creates a feel all its own.

Hardspace: Shipbreaker

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Platform: PC
Release Date: May 24

Having enjoyed the fruits of Steam’s Early Access program for some time now, Hardspace: Shipbreaker finally breaks from its EA orbit to join the Intergalactic Full Retail Release Community, offering up its ship-salvaging Zero-g sandbox wares to a broader group of players, and we’ll all be better for it. This is a unique title that offers a little something different from the norm, and has an addictive gameplay loop that utilises all of the player’s toolset with a rewarding economy. And it’s all naturally tied to a requisite mystery and narrative. It’ll also launch on Xbox Game Pass for PC, giving you all the more reason to grab it.

Sniper Elite 5

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: May 26

The latest entry in Rebellion’s Sniper Elite series continues the trend of ranged combat mixed with over-the-top x-ray takedowns. As the latest entry the visuals have been pushed farther than ever before with photogrammetry used to recreate its stunning WWII locales. Plus traversal and exploration has improved with new ways to vault, climp, slide, and generally move around.

Kao the Kangaroo

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Release Date: May 27

A 3D platformer featuring an Australian marsupial as the lead. Yeah, this ‘90s throwback has definite Crash vibes, and that’s not a bad thing. The genre that came to be during the N64 and original PlayStation era is not something we see a lot of these days, so if you’re a fan of bright and colourful 3D platformers then Kao the Kangaroo is definitely worth a look.

Pac-Man Museum+

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Release Date: May 27

As per the title this is a collection of classic Pac-Man games in one neat little package, including some never before re-released titles like PAC Motos and PAC’N ROLL REMIX. There’s a single arcade-inspired hub to access each title and a whole suite of collectible goodies to unlock.

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