With so many games released on so many platforms, it can be difficult to sort through them all. This month's gaming menu has something for almost everyone: challenging strategy, intense action, horror and family games appear on PC, consoles and portable systems.
If you want something that will last hundreds of hours or just an afternoon, this list has those too. This list even includes three games that fans have been waiting for over a decade. Here's what you can expect this month as you look for something new to play.
Animal well
Release date: May 9
Platforms: PC (Steam), PS5, Nintendo Switch
This is the first game published by YouTuber Jason “Dunkey” Gastrow's studio Bigmode Games, and the buzz has been steady since the first previews. Animal Well features visuals inspired by old school games and platform action that promise to match games like Celeste and Super Meat Boy. Animal Well is full of puzzles, secrets and challenging platforming.
Homeworld 3
Release date: May 13
Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic Games Store)
Dragon's Dogma 2 Fans thought they'd been waiting a long time for the 2012 game to finally get a sequel earlier this year, but they have nothing on fans of this upcoming real-time strategy game. Homeworld 2 was released in September 2003, a little over two decades ago. Like its predecessor, Homeworld 3 is a real-time strategy game set in space that allows players to manage their fleet in three dimensions as they battle the Anomaly, a new threat from the far reaches of space .
The Saga of Senua: Hellblade II
Release date: May 21
Platforms: PC (Steam, Windows Store, Game Pass), Xbox Series X|S
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice from action studio Ninja Theory received praise both for its action and for its approach to the mental illness of its main character Senua, which played an important role in its story and the player experience . Senua's Saga: Hellblade II was one of the very first games announced for Xbox Series consoles and is a graphical centerpiece for the systems. This new chapter takes Senua to Viking Iceland in the 10th century, where Senua will fight both the Vikings and her own spirit to save “those who fell victim to tyranny.”
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
Release date: May 23
Platforms: PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch
While some games on this list can take dozens and dozens of hours to complete, sometimes you just want a fun game to last an afternoon or two. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami promises about 2-3 hours of silly and adorable mystery as you interrogate suspects and piece together clues to solve the case. Duck Detective has bright, bold art and is fully voiced, promising an entertaining few hours when it releases later this month.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Release date: May 23
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Sometimes the best games are the ones we know and love. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door was released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2004, and even today it remains a beloved entry in both the Paper Mario series and the larger collection of Mario games. This remastered edition promises to bring the original to the Nintendo Switch, updating the visuals and music. Gameplay reportedly runs at 30 frames per second, compared to 60 for the original, but we hope the change won't affect classic gameplay too much.
World of Goo 2
Release date: May 23
Platforms: PC and Mac (Epic Games Store), Nintendo Switch, Linux
World of Goo is still a fan favorite over 15 years later, thanks to its zany, oily art style and gripping physics puzzles. The original world of Goo used little googly-eyed balls of dough to create lovingly crafted structures that probably aren't up to par with anyone's version of the code. This new entry promises updated visuals and many more puzzles.
Honorable mentions
There are too many games on digital shelves this month to cover them all. If none of these games appeal to you, you might want to take a look at religious horror game Indika, survival horror game Crow Country, vampire-themed action RPG full public release V Rising, to the aquatic exploration game Endless Ocean Luminous, or the variety of other re-releases, including the upcoming console version of the System Shock remake, Braid Anniversary Edition, and the PC version of Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut.
Edited by Andrew Hayward
Editor’s note: These are all “Web2” or traditional video games without the expected crypto or blockchain elements.