As April comes to a close and May finally begins, players can start getting hyped for some of the month’s most exciting new releases, including the jaw-droppingly mesmerizingDOOM: The Dark Ages. The start of a new month marks the endless cycle that is adding to one’s backlog, piling on top more and more games, because the gaming industry keeps releasing masterpiece after masterpiece. While not every game in the month will appeal to everyone, you’re bound to find at least one title that you like.
Of course, many may still be playingApril’s best games, including the likes ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33, which launched at the tail end of the month. Unfortunately,May features several timesinks, including a sprawling survival MMO, the latest entry into the never-ending soulslike genre, and a handful of indies that are too charming not to play. All of these and more await eager players in May, so strap in for yet another extremely busy month as your backlog buckles under the pressure of playing absolutely everything that comes out.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Is A Big Win For May
It’s One Of The Most Anticipated Games Of The Year
Of course, the big game of May and one of2025’s most anticipated Xbox gamesisDOOM: The Dark Ages.This latest entry into theDOOMreboot series marks a dramatic shift in tone, although players will still get to revel in all the blood-curdling gore and testosterone. It serves as a prequel to bothDOOMandDOOM Eternal, putting players once again into the shoes of the Slayer, although this time he’s being controlled by a mysterious cosmic entity that wants to use him to crush the forces of hell on the world of Argent D’Nur.
It issurprisingly more story-heavythan one may expect, withthe game’s marketing doubling down on all the lore and story details that are being explored through this new entry. Of course, in typicalDOOMfashion, none of that is going to get in the way of having a rip-roaring good time, crushing enemy skulls, blasting demons with an oversized gun, and utilizing that fancy new chainsaw shield that looks like far too much fun.DOOM: The Dark Agesvery much looks like a continuation of everything that made its predecessors so amazing.
Fortunately, it is one of the manygames coming to Game Passin May and is even dropping onto the service on day one. It’s all a continued effort by Xbox to release its first-party titles on the subscription service and as a premium product on launch day. This will likely serve as the primary way it is played by fans, although those on PS5 and PC will also be able to play it the day it releases worldwide.No one will be left out when, after a long wait,DOOM: The Dark Agesfinally launcheson June 05, 2025.
Soulslike & Survival Fans Are Winning In May
Elden Ring: Nightreign And Dune: Awakening Are Finally Releasing
Of course, there are so many more games releasing in May than justDOOM: The Dark Ages. In fact,some of2025’s most anticipated RPGsare coming out in May, includingElden Ring: Nightreign, the follow-up to one of the greatest games of all time. The co-operative title features roguelike elements and sees players - either in teams of three or alone - prepare for a final boss that they’ll need to face after three in-game days. At the end of each day, they’ll need to defeat a minor boss, and, in doing so, will unlock crucial items that’ll help them win.
It sounds like a very unique and fun experiment within the soulslike framework, one that will undoubtedly be a critically acclaimed masterpiece and a potential GOTY contender, considering the pedigree of the studio developing it, FromSoftware. Of course, there are some key differences between it and its predecessors, namely the lack of player-driven builds and a focus on pre-made characters called Nightfarers.Elden Ring: Nightreign’sNightfarersmay take some getting used to, but will likely introduce a whole new audience to the genre.
Elden Ring: Nightreignhas a little competition in May, however, asthe month also marks the Beta weekend of the highly anticipated MMO survival game,Dune: Awakening. Of course, the full game isn’t scheduled to launch until June, but players will get to access a huge Beta weekend in May. ByaccessingDune Awakening’sBeta, players can test out 20 hours of gameplay, allowing them to explore the enormous world of Arrakis, try out different character builds, and get to grips with everything the game has to offer.
Dune Awakening’sBeta will run from May 9 to May 12, which is a few weeks beforeElden Ring: Nightreignofficially launcheson May 30. Fortunately, there will still be plenty to do while players wait patiently in between, as May is host to several other exciting releases, including a myriad of smaller indie titles that nevertheless look just as enthralling, and a few AA games to get stuck into. May is certainly set to be a very busy month for anyone even remotely interested in video games.
The Full Schedule Of May Video Game Releases
From AAA To Indie Titles
Beyond the big three games releasing in May, there are a handful of other excellent titles that are definitely worth trying out.Farming sim fans should check outPixelshire, a game that feels like it’s banking on the boundless nostalgia people have for the likes ofLord of the RingsandStardew Valley, but frankly, in the best way possible. It’s a huge sprawling pixel-art adventure game that could end up being one of2025’s best indie games, so long as the unbelievably quirkyTo a Tdoesn’t dethrone it thanks to the sheer ridiculousness of its plot.
Fans of the wonderfully satirical and hilariousJourney to the Savage Planetare bound to have a great May as its sequel,Return to the Savage Planet, is finally launching, promising an even bigger, bolder, and more entertaining experience.The Midnight Walk, one of thefew 2025 PS5 exclusives, is also set to release in May, offering players a unique and absolutely terrifying Tim Burton-esque nightmare world to explore. If they aren’t enough, here is every game releasing in May 2025:
PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
May 30
Of course, a few other noteworthy mentions for the month areFantasy Life i: the Girl Who Steals Time, the long-awaited sequel to the 3DS classic from legendary developer Level-5,Blades of Fire, the latest game from Mercury Stream, the developers ofMetroid Dread, andMonster Train 2, the follow-up to one of thebest roguelike deckbuildersever made. All of these games and more will make May a month to remember, even if everyone exclusively plays the phenomenal-lookingDOOM: The Dark Ages.
