Just like that, our backlog of games has grown exponentially. At this rate, I would have to take the second half of 2023 off just to finish all the games that were released in the last five months. However, if you have made better progress than I have, May will be another busy month for you.
Other than the games we have listed below, May will also see the release of LEGO 2K Drive on the 19th and WrestleQuest, which is expected to release this month but does not have an official release date yet.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Hyrule looks just as beautiful as before. I am also hoping it is beautifully optimised. | Nintendo
Release Date: May 12
Platform: Nintendo Switch
This is easily one of the biggest and most-anticipated releases of the year, if you are a fan of this Nintendo exclusive then you would probably already know what it is all about and might have already pre-ordered the game. This sequel to 2017’s highly-acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) looks like it will push the Switch to its limit with its plethora of new features.
Similar to BotW, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) will let you decide your own path through the sprawling landscape of Hyrule which you should be very familiar with if you played the previous game. Although with that said, this time around there are mysterious islands floating in the skies above for you to explore.
As if there is not enough to do in Hyrule. Now, we have to build stuff. | Nintendo
Link has also gained new powers that complement your wits and resourcefulness required to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. One of these new powers is called Ultrahand which allows you to pick up, move, rotate and attach objects together to create bridges, vehicles and more. The other neat power is called Fuse which basically lets you create a seemingly neverending arsenal of weapons, shields and arrows to increase their durability, and damage and give them new effects.
So if you are like me and have yet to complete BoTW, you might want to embark on a speedrun just to get up to speed with the story before the release of TotK.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Not going to lie, Gollum is looking mighty fine here. | Nacon
Release Date: May 13
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Usually, when you think of a game based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, you would probably imagine playing as a heroic human ranger, nimble elf archer, sturdy dwarf warrior or even brutal Uruk-Hai. However, if you ever imagined what it would be like to play as Sméagol a.k.a. Gollum, your dreams have just come true.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a story-driven action adventure that sees you going on a perilous journey across Middle-Earth to chase down what is most precious to one of the most compelling characters in the books and movies. Just as he is portrayed in both mediums, Gollum is extremely agile and you will have to climb, leap and sneak your way past dangers or into advantageous spots.
Not the best time to have one of your split personality arguments here li’l buddy. | Nacon
Another interesting aspect incorporated into the game is none other than Gollum’s split personality. Not only will you see how they play off each other throughout the game but it is also up to you to decide whether the darker side of Gollum takes over or if there is a spark of reason left in what once was Sméagol. Will you run and hide from the Orcs or will you drown them in molten iron?
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
Release Date: May 23
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
The Warhammer 40,000 universe is finally making its way to the boomer shooter genre and it looks glorious. After making its mark in almost every video game genre possible, gamers will now get to experience a hardcore, fast-paced and gore-filled first-person shooter that would put a smile on the face of even the most jaded boomer.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun swaps out B.J. Blazkowicz, Duke Nukem and the Doom Slayer for the ultimate war machine: a Space Marine. In this homage to ‘90s retro shooters, you will load up your Boltgun and head out on a mission to cleanse the galaxy of the Chaos Space Marines and daemons of Chaos.
I like it when my Chain Sword makes that vroom vroom splat sound. | Auroch Digital
You can expect to bathe in pixellated blood and viscera as you run, jump and charge across huge levels to shoot, shred and slice the foul heretics with not just your Boltgun but also Chain Sword, Grav-Cannon and more.
System Shock
Not sure what happened here but it does not look like fun. | Nightdive Studios
Release Date: May 30
Platform: PC
Often dubbed as the granddaddy of modern sci-fi shooters and one of the best games ever made, System Shock has been given a remake so that it meets modern gaming standards for a new generation to experience what the fuss was all about.
The remake combines the gameplay of the original and gives it all-new HD visuals, updated controls, an overhauled interface and all-new sounds and music. That is not all as Nightdive Studios have also added new enemies, quality-of-life gameplay tweaks, a revamped hacking system and visceral new combat options that feature brutal dismemberment.
It might be a good idea to see your GP before playing System Shock. | Nightdive Studios
However, much of the story remains the same as you find yourself in an abandoned space station where the malevolent AI, SHODAN (Sentient Hyper-Optimised Data Access Network), is hellbent on humanity’s destruction and she is not going to make your life any easier. Other than enemies, SHODAN has set up traps, puzzles and secrets to deter you from saving Earth. So you will need to use a combination of stealth, cunning and futuristic weapons to defeat her.
System Shock is available to pre-order via Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store – and includes a free copy of the upcoming System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition for all early buyers.
