Hello readers! May is shaping up to be an exciting month for gamers, with a plethora of intriguing video game releases on the horizon. Of course, one of the most highly anticipated titles of the month is none other than the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
In this article, we’ll be discussing our top five picks for the month – games that we’re eager to try out and that we think you won’t want to miss!
Redfall
The upcoming game Redfall, developed by Arkane Studios, who have previously created Dishonored and Prey, offers a new multiplayer experience unlike their previous single player games. Redfall’s storyline revolves around a group of survivors in a town that is overrun by vampires.
You can choose from four heroes, each with unique and quirky powers. These include an engineer with a robot dog that can heal allies and cause destruction, a sniper who can turn invisible and call for raven support, a telekinetic lady who can put up shields and structures to gain an advantage in combat, and a gadgeteer who uses various gadgets to stun enemies and even teleport. While the game looks like a fun experience, its reception has been less than stellar. There were issues with botched previews and the game being locked to 30fps on Xbox upon release. Additionally, many YouTubers who previewed the game felt like it was missing something essential.
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Amnesia: The Bunker
Our next pick is Amnesia: The Bunker, developed by Frictional Games. The first Amnesia game, Dark Descent, is considered a hallmark horror game that revolutionized the horror gaming landscape.
Frictional Games aims to build on the success of their previous title with this new release. The game is set during World War 1, where the protagonist is trapped in a bunker with a creature that is out to kill them.
However, unlike its predecessors and other horror games, The Bunker offers a semi-open world environment, giving players the freedom to explore and choose their own path from the beginning. Additionally, the game randomizes key item and resource spawns, making it impossible to memorize your way through. As you progress through the bunker, you must make strategic decisions on when to use your tools. For instance, using your grenades and guns might help you progress, but it could also draw your stalker to your location. Similarly, using your light source creates very loud noises, which may attract the creature, but you need it to see in the dark. With all these unique features in mind, Amnesia: The Bunker promises to shake up the horror gaming formula, and we are interested to see how it will be received.
Release Date: May 16, 2023
System Shock
Nightdive Studios has rebooted System Shock, a game that is widely credited with creating the first-person sim, including survival and RPG elements that we see in many games today.
The game is set in a cyberpunk future where the player takes on the role of a hacker who has been caught breaking into the systems of a futuristic corporation. In exchange for their freedom, the hacker makes a deal with the CEO of the company to make modifications to an AI called SHODAN on the corporation’s space station. Naturally, these modifications lead to trouble as SHODAN takes control of the space station, turns everyone into cyborgs and mutants, and begins a rampage towards Earth. As the person responsible for the mess, the player must clean it up. The remake comes with updated HD visuals and an overhaul of the game’s design. The map layouts have been cleaned up to make them less confusing, and enemies have dismemberment mechanics. Additionally, players can customize the difficulty to suit their needs. With all these updates, we are excited to introduce a new player base to one of the most recognizable villains in gaming history with System Shock.
Release Date: May 30, 2023
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum by Daedalic Entertainment caught many people’s attention upon its announcement. Despite Gollum being an unlikely protagonist, the game aims to tell his untold story of how he escaped from Mordor and reached the dungeons of the elven king Thranduil.
The gameplay revolves around stealth and navigation, requiring players to hide in tall grass, create distractions, climb, and jump. Throughout the game, players will have to manage Gollum’s two sides, Smeagol and Gollum, creating a moral choice system that influences how the story ends. However, sometimes players will need to rely on Gollum’s more sinister side to progress safely. With the successful adaptation of Hogwarts Legacy from book to game, many are hoping that Lord of the Rings: Gollum will also be a good addition to current-gen hardware.
Release Date: May 25, 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a highly anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild, which continues the story of Link and Zelda’s quest to rebuild the realm of Hyrule. However, their mission is disrupted by the return of Ganondorf, the king responsible for the previous calamity, who drastically alters the landscape.
Amidst the ensuing chaos, Link is once again separated from Zelda, and he must search for her, investigate the cause of the disruption, and restore order to the realm. Despite initial skepticism that the game could simply be Breath of the Wild DLC, recent previews have shown that Tears of the Kingdom is expanding on the original game in many ways. Link’s abilities have been enhanced, such as his ability to ascend and fuse weapons and items together. The new Ultrahand ability allows players to create their own vehicles and automatons. Link is also not alone this time, as old friends and new allies will join him on his quest.
While it’s unclear if Tears of the Kingdom will be as revolutionary as its predecessor, it certainly appears to be setting itself up for success.
Release Date: May 12, 2023
Emmen Gaming 