15 Must-Play Games in May 2025: Ranked Across All Platforms

Games in May 2025 are shaping up to be some of the most exciting releases we’ve seen in years. The month is absolutely packed with heavyweight titles alongside fresh offerings from smaller studios.

We’ve analyzed all the upcoming game releases and can confidently say May 2025 is delivering an impressive lineup of diverse gaming experiences. From the highly anticipated Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15) to Elden Ring Nightreign (May 30), there’s something for every type of player. Notably, May brings us Monster Train 2, the sequel to the influential roguelike deckbuilder releasing on May 21, as well as the first-ever turn-based TMNT game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown, launching on May 22.

Whether you’re interested in sci-fi action games emphasizing speed and parkour like Metal Eden, or classic fighting games with Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (May 16), this month has you covered. In addition, with the Nintendo Switch 2 set to release shortly after on June 5, many of these May titles could be the perfect games to enjoy before transitioning to the new console.

Doom: The Dark Ages

Slated as the most ambitious id Software project to date, Doom: The Dark Ages stands as the prequel to Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, taking players into a medieval war against Hell. This third installment in the modern Doom series delivers a drastically different combat experience while maintaining the franchise’s signature intensity.

Doom: The Dark Ages gameplay

Unlike previous entries that focused on acrobatic combat, The Dark Ages shifts toward a heavier, more grounded experience. Players step into the blood-stained boots of the Doom Slayer, now portrayed as an “iron tank” with enhanced melee capabilities. The combat emphasizes strategic engagements rather than constant movement, with a new slow-motion glory kill feature for improved control. Furthermore, the game introduces an enhanced parry system where attacks flashing green can be deflected, while red attacks must be blocked until your shield depletes.

Doom: The Dark Ages platforms and release date

Doom: The Dark Ages launches on May 15, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. The game will be available day-one with PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate. Additionally, buyers of GeForce RTX 5070 and above graphics cards will receive a free copy until May 21, 2025.

Doom: The Dark Ages unique features

The game’s standout innovation is the Shield Saw, allowing for blocking, parrying, and attacking with a single intuitive input. Players can also pilot vehicles during certain sections, including a cybernetic dragon and a massive 30-story Atlan mech. Meanwhile, the narrative places greater emphasis on storytelling than previous entries, with more cutscenes exploring the Doom Slayer’s origins. The game also features id’s largest levels to date, encouraging exploration with numerous secrets and collectibles.

Doom: The Dark Ages pricing

The Standard Edition is priced at $69.99, while the Premium Edition costs $99.99. The Premium Edition includes up to two days early access (starting May 13), campaign DLC, a digital artbook and soundtrack, plus the Divinity Skin Pack. For collectors, a special Collector’s Bundle is available featuring a 12-inch Doom Slayer statue with detachable weapons and a faux fur cape.

Elden Ring: Nightreign

FromSoftware’s Elden Ring: Nightreign emerges as one of the most anticipated games in May 2025, offering a standalone cooperative experience in the Elden Ring universe. This innovative spin-off brings a fresh approach to the acclaimed franchise with its session-based gameplay.

Elden Ring: Nightreign gameplay

Nightreign introduces a roguelike structure where players face procedurally generated encounters across three day-night cycles. Each run lasts approximately 35-45 minutes, with players starting at level one and building their strength through exploration and combat. I found the game’s core design focuses on collecting weapons with stackable passive effects, defeating enemies for runes, and preparing to face increasingly difficult bosses. Specifically, players must overcome a relentless environmental threat called Night’s Tide that shrinks the map between sessions.

Elden Ring: Nightreign platforms and release date

The game launches on May 30, 2025, across PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC [13]. Cross-generational play is supported within console families—PS4/PS5 users can play together, as can Xbox One/Series X|S owners. However, cross-platform play between different console ecosystems will not be available.

Elden Ring: Nightreign co-op mechanics

Nightreign is built around three-player cooperative gameplay. Each player selects from eight unique “Nightfarers,” characters with distinct abilities and ultimates that create powerful synergies when combined. Consequently, the combat system includes innovative features like team revives (accomplished by attacking downed teammates), shared rune collection, and coordinated ultimate ability usage. The game emphasizes tactical collaboration, with features like map pinging to coordinate strategies.

Elden Ring: Nightreign pricing

The Standard Edition costs $39.99, making it more affordable than most AAA releases. For $54.99, the Deluxe Edition includes the base game plus additional DLC (featuring extra playable characters and bosses), digital artbook, and mini soundtrack. In contrast, the Collector’s Edition at $199.99 offers a 25cm Wylder statue, Nightfarer cards, hardcover artbook, SteelBook case, and digital extras.

Monster Train 2

Five years after its predecessor captivated roguelike fans, Monster Train 2 pulls into the station with enhanced mechanics and deeper strategic layers. This sequel expands on the vertical card battling concept that made the original stand out in the crowded deck-building genre.

Monster Train 2 gameplay

At its core, Monster Train 2 maintains the distinctive three-tiered vertical gameplay where players must defend their Pyre against waves of enemies. Each battle requires thoughtful unit placement across multiple floors as enemies enter at the bottom level and progress upward if not defeated. The strategic depth comes from selecting two of the five brand new clans at the start of each run, creating unique card synergies and playstyles. Battles feel more intense than the original, with both player units and enemies demonstrating higher power levels. Between fights, players navigate branching paths to purchase new units, upgrade existing cards, and acquire artifacts that provide run-modifying buffs.

Monster Train 2 platforms and release date

Monster Train 2 launches on May 21, 2025, simultaneously across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. This multi-platform approach broadens the game’s accessibility beyond its predecessor. Indeed, a demo is already available on Steam for those eager to experience the new mechanics firsthand. Although not officially confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2, the game should be playable on the upcoming console through backward compatibility.

Monster Train 2 new features

The sequel introduces several game-changing additions to the formula. First, Room Cards provide powerful effects to entire floors of the train, whereas Equipment Cards can be attached to individual units for various bonuses. Furthermore, these equipment pieces can be merged at a special merchant to combine their effects. The new Covenant Outpost serves as a hub between runs, facilitating story progression and providing access to core features. Additionally, the game offers customizable Pyre Hearts that fundamentally alter gameplay mechanics, alongside an Endless Mode for infinite challenges. Finally, Daily Challenges present modified runs with unique mutators and global leaderboards for competitive players.

Metal Eden

Reikon Games’ Metal Eden brings cyberpunk warfare to life with its unique blend of high-speed parkour and strategic “core-ripping” combat. This adrenaline-fueled sci-fi first-person shooter stands out among the games in May with its distinctive mechanics and setting.

Metal Eden gameplay

At the heart of Metal Eden lies the innovative “Core-Ripping” combat system. As ASKA, an advanced battle android powered by a PHANTOM CORE, I can extract energy cores from defeated enemies using a Gravity Beam. These cores serve dual purposes—either thrown as explosive projectiles against other foes or consumed to enhance my abilities, including melee attacks and mobility.

The game emphasizes constant movement through a sophisticated parkour system. Players can:

• Dash, grapple, and wall-run through environments
• Transform into an ARMORED RAMBALL to charge into action
• Control the air using gravity hooks and jetpack capabilities

Besides the core-ripping and parkour elements, Metal Eden features eight unique missions set in the vast monolithic city MOEBIUS and the mysterious world below called VULCAN. The narrative follows ASKA’s mission to rescue citizens’ COREs from MOEBIUS, once a hopeful home for humanity now turned deadly trap.

Metal Eden platforms and release date

Metal Eden launches on May 6, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. The release date was officially announced during Sony’s State of Play event in February 2025. Essentially, this positions Metal Eden to release just nine days before Doom: The Dark Ages, giving it a strategic window in the month’s gaming lineup.

Metal Eden developer background

Reikon Games, the studio behind Metal Eden, consists of former developers from CD Projekt Red and Techland. This marks their first game release since 2017, when they launched the twin-stick shooter Ruiner, which received a four-star review and was described as “an adrenaline surge akin to a cyberpunk Hotline Miami”.

The team has cited games like DOOM 2016 and Titanfall as major influences, alongside the anime Ghost in the Shell. According to executive producer Adrian Kornecki, the development team focused on making traversal engaging: “For us, traversal is always boring in other games because you can only walk and that’s why we started to think how we can improve that”.

The Midnight Walk

First and foremost, The Midnight Walk stands out among games in May 2025 for its extraordinary handcrafted esthetic, creating a dark fantasy adventure where everything is meticulously sculpted in real clay before being digitally scanned into the game.

The Midnight Walk gameplay

Players embody “The Burnt One,” a mysterious figure who befriends Potboy, an adorable lantern creature with a flame that lights your path through a world of eternal night. The gameplay centers around:

• Using matches and Potboy’s flame to illuminate your surroundings, solve puzzles, and distract monsters
• Closing your eyes to focus on sounds (finding hidden objects) or making obstacles disappear
• Hiding from nightmarish “Crawlers” and “Grinners” that hunt you throughout the journey

This “cozy horror” experience emphasizes outsmarting enemies rather than combat, with puzzles that cleverly incorporate light and darkness mechanics. The entire eight-hour journey takes players through five distinct tales of fire and darkness, each featuring unique environments from rain-soaked bridges to frozen wastelands.

The Midnight Walk visual style

The visual presentation is nothing short of extraordinary. Every character, environment, and object was first hand-sculpted in clay, then 3D scanned and animated in a stop-motion style reminiscent of Tim Burton’s works. Characters feature exaggerated facial features with a distinctively “ugly-cute” esthetic, while environments showcase painstaking details visible up close in VR mode. Moreover, the game’s haunting soundtrack complements this unique look, often using clarinet or saxophone to underscore emotional moments.

The Midnight Walk platforms and release date

The game launches on May 8, 2025, releasing at midnight local time on PlayStation 5, PSVR2, Steam, and SteamVR. Without reservation, it’s worth noting the game is Steam Deck compatible and offers both standard and VR gameplay options on all platforms. For PlayStation Plus subscribers, there’s a 10% discount off the standard price of £32.99/$39.99.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2

Arriving as a treasure trove for fighting game enthusiasts, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 packages eight classic titles into one comprehensive bundle. This third entry in Capcom’s Fighting Collection lineup stands as a significant archive of the company’s fighting game history across both 2D and 3D eras.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 included games

The collection features an impressive lineup split between classic 2D fighters and early 3D brawlers:

2D Fighters:

• Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro
• Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001
• Capcom Fighting Evolution
• Street Fighter Alpha 3 UPPER

3D Fighters:

• Power Stone
• Power Stone 2
• Project Justice
• Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein

Of particular note, this marks the first re-release of the Capcom vs. SNK series since their original launches.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 online features

At its core, the collection supports robust online play across all eight games, featuring rollback netcode for stable connections. Players can participate in casual matches against similarly skilled opponents, ranked battles to earn League Points and climb leaderboards, or create custom lobbies for up to 9 other players. Spectating is available while waiting your turn in lobbies. Beyond traditional matches, a High Score Challenge mode lets players compete for global leaderboard positions.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 platforms and release date

The collection launches on May 16, 2025 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Physical editions will be available for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, bundled with an exclusive 48-page Capcom vs. SNK comic book for pre-orders while supplies last. Additionally, digital pre-orders before May 15 receive two bonus CAP-JAMS arranged tracks for the music player. Though primarily releasing on current-gen consoles, the games will be playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S through backward compatibility.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

LEVEL-5’s Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time emerges as a standout title among games in May, offering a unique “social slow-life RPG” experience where players can shape their own adventure across time periods on a mysterious island.

Fantasy Life i gameplay

At its core, Fantasy Life i revolves around a versatile job system featuring 14 unique “Lives” that players can freely switch between at any time. These Lives fall into three categories:

• Gathering Lives: Collect materials throughout the world
• Crafting Lives: Create weapons, dishes, and items
• Combat Lives: Battle monsters across the landscape

The gameplay extends beyond traditional RPG elements by allowing players to completely transform their environment. Obviously, this island-shaping feature lets me place houses and objects, plus alter the landscape by drawing rivers and roads to create a truly personalized world. Even more impressive is the expansive exploration system where I can climb ledges, swim across water bodies, or ride mounts to navigate what LEVEL-5 calls “the largest continent in the series”.

Fantasy Life i time travel mechanics

The narrative centers around a mysterious deserted island with a thousand-year history. Initially, I discover an uncharted island guided by light from a dragon fossil. Subsequently, I can travel between the island’s prosperous past from 1,000 years ago and its ruined present-day state. Throughout this temporal journey, I uncover secrets about the civilization’s downfall while potentially changing history. This time-bending adventure involves a bone dragon and a girl’s message pleading to save the world.

Fantasy Life i platforms and release date

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time launches May 21, 2025 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Correspondingly, the game supports cross-play and cross-save functionality across all platforms. The Standard Edition costs $59.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition is priced at $69.99. Digital Deluxe pre-orders gain early access starting May 18. Particularly worth noting, a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has been announced, though its release date remains unconfirmed. This version will feature higher resolution and frame rate compared to the standard Switch version.

Revenge of the Savage Planet

Among the quirky titles hitting stores in Revenge of the Savage Planet delivers a satirical spin on space exploration gone wrong. This action-adventure sequel flips the perspective to third-person, offering a humorous take on corporate greed and survival in alien territories.

Revenge of the Savage Planet gameplay

Abandoned on the far edge of space after being made redundant, your mission is clear—explore vibrant alien worlds and find your way back to Earth while getting revenge on your former employer. The game offers a dynamic set of movement abilities including running, jumping, shooting, grinding, stomping, dodging, sliding, whipping, and grappling. As you progress, you’ll scan alien flora and fauna, capture strange creatures, and experiment with three different types of gameplay goo. Ultimately, the game encourages thorough exploration of its four colorful planets, each containing unique environments filled with secrets and upgrades.

Revenge of the Savage Planet co-op features

Undoubtedly, co-op stands as a centerpiece of this adventure. The game supports dynamic two-player action with both online and couch co-op options. Players can enjoy cross-platform functionality, allowing friends to join regardless of which system they own. Plus, the split-screen mode offers a nostalgic touch where players can select which side of the screen they prefer and even mix input devices on PC (keyboard/mouse with controller). The co-op system includes thoughtful mechanics such as shared resource collection and a 30-second revive window when one player falls. Generally, both players must remain on the same planet but can explore separately within that area.

Revenge of the Savage Planet platforms and release date

Revenge of the Savage Planet launches on May 8, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Buyers of the Cosmic Hoarder Edition gain three days of early access starting May 5. This special edition includes the HR Enforcer Suit, an artbook and soundtrack, alongside bonus quests and rewards. The standard edition is priced at $39.99 with release times set for 11 AM PDT (2 PM EDT/6 PM GMT) on launch day.

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny

The classic Capcom action-adventure Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny returns as a premium remaster, bringing feudal Japan’s demon-slaying epic to modern platforms. After all, May 2025’s lineup wouldn’t be complete without revisiting one of gaming’s most beloved samurai sagas.

Onimusha 2 remaster features

This remastered version enhances the 2002 original with 4K resolution support and 60 FPS gameplay, preserving the core experience while modernizing the visuals. The remaster introduces:

• Completely reworked character models with detailed textures
• Enhanced lighting effects that maintain the atmospheric feudal setting
• Remastered soundtrack with optional original audio
• Modernized control scheme alongside classic controls

In fact, the remaster adds an all-new Photo Mode for capturing dramatic moments in your journey through demon-infested Japan. For newcomers, optional gameplay assists make the challenging combat more accessible without diminishing what made the original special.

Onimusha 2 gameplay

Stepping into the sandals of samurai warrior Jubei Yagyu, players embark on a revenge quest five years after the events of the first game. The gameplay revolves around the signature Onimusha Combat System where defeating demons allows you to absorb their souls. These souls serve dual purposes—powering up magical weapons and restoring health.

Much like the original, strategic element-based combat remains central to the experience. The remaster retains the beloved “ally system” where your relationship with supporting characters evolves based on gifts and interactions, ultimately affecting the story’s outcome.

Onimusha 2 platforms and release date

The remastered Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny arrives on May 23, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Digital pre-orders begin May 9th, with physical editions available at select retailers. The standard edition costs $29.99, hence making it one of the more affordable games in May’s lineup. A Collector’s Edition featuring a Jubei figurine, art book, and replica soul orb will be available for $79.99, exclusively through Capcom’s online store.

To a T

Created by Katamari Damacy mastermind Keita Takahashi, To a T joins the games in May lineup with its whimsical premise of a teenager literally shaped like the letter T navigating everyday life in a coastal town.

To a T gameplay concept

This narrative adventure follows “Teen,” a 13-year-old character whose body is permanently fixed in a T-pose. Nonetheless, despite their unique posture, Teen attempts to live normally with help from their loyal dog companion and loving mother. The story unfolds episodically over multiple days as Teen faces everyday challenges, contends with bullies, and unexpectedly discovers a mysterious object “enveloped in light that falls from the sky”.

The gameplay revolves around adapting to Teen’s distinctive shape through creative solutions. Players must maneuver Teen’s arm to interact with objects, open their mouth to eat or drink, and perform daily activities from petting dogs to eating breakfast. Evidently, what might seem mundane becomes a charming challenge, with minigames depicting the accommodations Teen must make for everyday tasks.

To a T visual style

The game presents a modest seaside setting explorable by foot, train, or even Teen’s unicycle. Character designs range from Teen’s dog companion to a giraffe that “makes the most scrumptious sandwiches”. In truth, the game embraces its quirky esthetic with the recurring theme “Never forget, you’re the perfect shape”.

Players can customize Teen’s appearance by purchasing clothing from shops throughout town. These options include T-shirts, overalls, and even Japanese school uniforms that suit any gender expression.

To a T platforms and release date

To a T launches on May 28, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Aside from these platforms, the game will be available day one on Game Pass. The title’s release marks another notable addition from publisher Annapurna Interactive, known for supporting distinctive indie experiences with strong artistic direction.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown

Strange Scaffold’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown breaks new ground as the first-ever turn-based game in the franchise’s history. This innovative approach reimagines the classic beat-’em-up formula through strategic turn-based combat, offering a fresh experience for longtime fans.

TMNT Tactical Takedown gameplay

At its core, Tactical Takedown offers an innovative blend of turn-based strategy with beat-’em-up sensibilities. Each turtle receives multiple action points per turn, allowing players to defeat enemies and strategically position themselves for upcoming turns. The game features 20 action-packed levels that constantly mutate—growing, shrinking, and adding new threats with each turn. This dynamic environment forces players to maintain forward momentum as they progress through stages.

Currently, each turtle boasts distinct playstyles reflecting their personalities:

• Michelangelo uses skateboard-based attacks to jump over enemies
• Donatello wields his bo staff for extended range and deploys technical gadgets
• Raphael’s brawler abilities allow extra moves and can pull enemies to new positions
• Leonardo gains power after defeating enemies, showcasing his leadership

For the purpose of customization, players can use in-game currency to purchase new moves and adjust each turtle’s loadout to suit their preferences.

TMNT Tactical Takedown story

The narrative takes place in a darker timeline where both Master Splinter and the Shredder have died. Given that major change, the turtles find themselves approaching adulthood while growing increasingly apart. This emotional tale follows their struggles as they face a powerful new leader who has taken control of the Foot Clan.

Above all, the story presents each turtle individually through separate campaigns, allowing for deeper character exploration as they navigate both personal challenges and external threats.

TMNT Tactical Takedown platforms and release date

Tactical Takedown launches on May 22, 2025, exclusively for PC via Steam. Preorders are already open, alongside a demo that was available during Steam Next Fest in late February. The game features gorgeous graphic novel-inspired visuals with paint splatter effects, figurines, and diorama setpieces.

The soundtrack comes from award-winning composer RJ Lake, known for titles like Unbeatable and El Paso, Elsewhere. Not only does the game feature striking visuals, but all battles take just a few minutes to complete, making them even faster than the streamlined fights found in games like the Mario + Rabbids series.

Shotgun Cop Man

With an absurdist premise and innovative mechanics, Shotgun Cop Man joins May’s lineup as a distinctive precision platformer where your weapon doubles as your movement tool. Created by DeadToast Entertainment (the makers of My Friend Pedro), this kinetic adventure gives me a single mission: go to hell and arrest Satan.

Shotgun Cop Man gameplay

In the first place, Shotgun Cop Man takes the precision platformer formula and completely reimagines it by removing the jump button entirely. Instead, I navigate through 162 meticulously designed stages across 9 different levels, with each level culminating in a challenging boss encounter. Most stages are bite-sized challenges, with suggested completion times typically under a minute and a half.

For every completed level, I can tackle three optional objectives:

• No Damage runs
• Kill Everything challenges
• Speedrun time trials

Completing all three objectives on a single level proves I’ve mastered it. On balance, the difficulty scales nicely with generous checkpoints throughout stages.

Shotgun Cop Man movement mechanics

The game’s standout innovation is its firepower propulsion system. For this reason, I must aim my shotgun in the opposite direction I want to travel, using the weapon’s kickback to navigate platforms. My shotgun holds three shells that reload automatically whenever I touch the ground.

In other words, movement requires constant juggling between:

• Using the shotgun’s recoil for major traversal
• Employing the secondary pistol (with 8 slower-reloading bullets) for precision air control
• Finding balance between combat and platforming needs

For instance, if spikes lurk above, I must carefully consider my shots to avoid propelling myself into danger.

Shotgun Cop Man pricing

Shotgun Cop Man releases on May 1, 2025, exclusively for PC via Steam, priced at $9.99. In case players want additional content, there’s a Soundtrack Edition bundle available at a 10% discount for $12.58. Alternatively, fans can purchase the Shotgun Cop Man x My Friend Pedro bundle for $26.54, also featuring a 10% discount.

Considering the game’s 162 levels, it offers significant value at approximately 6 cents per level. I can expect between 4-6 hours for a standard playthrough, with additional time for mastering all challenge objectives.

Deck of Haunts

Taking a fresh approach to the haunted house concept, Deck of Haunts flips the script by casting players as the malevolent mansion itself. This sinister roguelike deckbuilder from Mantis Games offers a twisted fantasy of supernatural revenge against unwary human visitors.

Deck of Haunts gameplay

At its foundation, Deck of Haunts divides gameplay between two distinct phases. Throughout the day, players strategically design their mansion’s layout, creating labyrinthine death traps that humans cannot escape. As night falls, unwitting explorers enter your domain, whereupon you deploy cards to summon spirits, shift hallways, and unleash bone-chilling horrors.

Your primary objective spans 28 nights of survival, protecting your Heart room—the core of your supernatural power—from intruders. Each run requires careful planning as you:

• Play haunt cards to drain humans’ sanity or damage their health
• Utilize three action points per turn to terrorize victims
• Build tension that enhances insanity effects
• Extract essence from defeated humans to grow stronger

Human visitors arrive with unique traits like Pathfinder (faster movement) or Bleeder (more damage taken), forcing you to adapt your haunting strategy accordingly.

Deck of Haunts genre blend

In view of its mechanics, Deck of Haunts seamlessly merges roguelike progression with strategic depth and deckbuilding elements. Set in 1970s America, you embody a forsaken 1920s art deco mansion whose decades of abandonment have manifested as a pulsating stone heart filled with hatred.

The game’s tile-based building system offers 10 room types, encompassing basic spaces (guest, living, kitchen) and special areas with unique powers like the Phobia Room that drains sanity. As such, the horror theme extends beyond esthetics into gameplay itself, enabling players to create increasingly devious haunted houses.

Deck of Haunts platforms and release date

Deck of Haunts launches on PC via Steam on May 7, 2025, priced at $19.99. Afterward, the game arrives on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch later in 2025. Published by DANGEN Entertainment and developed by Mantis Games, this full release offers solid gameplay even with occasional balance issues.

Survival Machine

Survival Machine stands apart in the May 2025 lineup with its innovative approach to the survival genre, challenging players to build and defend a moving fortress while exploring vibrant landscapes filled with resources and dangers.

Survival Machine gameplay

Primarily designed as a 4-player co-op adventure, Survival Machine puts me in a third-person survival experience where I navigate colorful lands aboard a colossal vehicle. The day-night cycle creates a compelling rhythm—daytime for gathering resources and exploring, nighttime for defending against relentless zombie hordes. During exploration, I can use personal transport options like gliders and ziplines to reach challenging terrains. Combat offers variety through ranged weapons (bows, slingshots, firearms) and melee options (swords, shields), all while collecting blueprints to enhance my machine.

Survival Machine base-building mechanics

The heart of gameplay revolves around the Machine—a versatile vehicle I can upgrade and customize. Base-building includes:

• Fortifying the top deck with defensive structures like cannons and ballistae
• Placing traps strategically to repel zombie attacks
• Creating specialized modules that expand base capabilities
• Managing fuel resources to keep the Machine rolling forward

Equally important, the Machine serves multiple functions—fortress, homestead, and transport. I can transform it according to my preferences, ultimately creating a mobile home capable of surviving increasingly difficult challenges.

Survival Machine platforms and release date

Survival Machine launches into Early Access on May 7, 2025, exclusively for PC via Steam. The developers project the Early Access phase will last approximately one year before full release. Currently priced at standard early access rates, the game already offers substantial content despite being in development. A demo version is available for those wanting to try before purchase. Certainly worth noting for co-op enthusiasts—the game is specifically designed for multiplayer, with certain quests requiring all players to complete objectives before progression.

Spirit of the North 2

Indie developer Infuse Studio’s Spirit of the North 2 marks a significant evolution in May’s upcoming game releases, transforming the contemplative fox adventure into a semi-open world experience filled with ancient mysteries and Nordic folklore.

Spirit of the North 2 gameplay

Playing as a solitary red fox accompanied by a wise raven companion, I navigate through diverse biomes from dense forests to snow-capped peaks. The gameplay revolves around collecting wisps—red orbs flying around the map—needed to cleanse Ancient Trees and enter key areas. Throughout my journey, I discover powerful runes that grant various abilities, from damage protection to improved traversal skills like faster running and double jumping.

One standout feature is the extensive customization system absent in the first game. I can tailor my fox’s appearance and abilities to suit my playstyle, creating a unique experience. Fox Dens serve as safe havens where I can rest, recuperate health, store excess wisps and crystals, and access fast travel portals.

Spirit of the North 2 story and setting

Set in an ancient ruined world, the narrative follows an isolated fox far from home. With my raven ally, I seek out legendary guardians like the sorrowful Stag and brooding Raven to release them from the grasp of Grimnir, the dark shaman. The game delivers its wordless story through hand-drawn and in-engine cutscenes, with additional lore revealed through scrolls and wall paintings scattered throughout the world.

Spirit of the North 2 platforms and release date

Spirit of the North 2 launched on May 8, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox One. The game is priced at the standard rate for indie titles, with some critics noting it needed additional polish despite its ambitious scope. At first, players praised the atmospheric world in pre-release demos, prompting the developers to address optimization issues by tweaking weather systems, UI, and performance before the final release.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

May 2025 undoubtedly stands as one of the most exciting months for gamers in recent memory. This impressive lineup delivers something for everyone, whether you prefer the medieval brutality of Doom: The Dark Ages or the whimsical charm of To a T. Hardcore players can test their skills in Elden Ring: Nightreign’s roguelike challenges, while strategy enthusiasts might find their perfect match in TMNT: Tactical Takedown’s turn-based combat.

The sheer variety on display deserves special recognition. Games like The Midnight Walk showcase extraordinary artistic vision with its clay-sculpted visuals, while Metal Eden reinvents movement mechanics through its core-ripping combat system. Monster Train 2 and Deck of Haunts both build upon established roguelike foundations yet take their genres in fresh directions.

Budget-conscious gamers can rejoice too. Many titles fall below the standard $70 price point, with Shotgun Cop Man offering 162 meticulously crafted levels for just $9.99 and Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny delivering a premium remaster experience at $29.99. Above all, the multi-platform availability of most releases ensures players can enjoy these titles regardless of their preferred gaming system.

The gaming landscape has therefore never looked more promising than it does right now. From innovative indies to ambitious AAA experiences, May 2025 accordingly represents one of the strongest release months I’ve seen in years. Without a doubt, the hardest decision won’t be finding something worth playing – it’ll be choosing which amazing game to start with first.