May’s gaming offerings bring with it a much-anticipated next chapter in an ancient saga, the chance to build your own legacy on the racetrack, a combative crossover caper and the ability to set off on a mission to save the universe and discover the secrets of the past. If that doesn’t interest you, then there’s also a thrilling tale of hacker vs AI or the opportunity to build and grow your very own prison empire.
Prison Architect 2
Build your own personal penitentiary in this 3D sandbox. In Prison Architect 2, players will be able to build their very own prisons from the ground up and help (or hinder) the prospects of those held within. Manage everything from daily schedules, work assignments, policies and more as you build the infrastructure bit by bit. But be warned, just as you have plans for the prison, so do the inmates. Keep a watchful eye on them as they interact with each other and form their own plans while navigating the daily trials and experiences you build around them – for better or for worse.
Players who pre-order will unlock a bonus set of K9 skins. The Warden’s Edition includes a copy of the game, the K9 skins, and Warden skins and a desk for their build.
Prison Architect 2 will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from May 7*
Homeworld 3
A new adventure awaits in the stars with the next instalment of the Homeworld franchise. In Homeworld 3, the galaxy’s future is in turmoil after the disappearance of Karan S’Jet, leader of the Hiigarans and protagonist of Homeworld 2. As Karan was preparing to open the hyperspace gate network to bring wider trading and development, she disappeared and an entity known as the ‘Anomaly’ appeared, putting all life at risk. A century later, it is up to Karan’s successor Imogen S’Jet to lead the charge in defeating the Anomaly and understanding what truly happened all those years ago.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Kushan Carrier wargames skin. The Deluxe Edition includes the game and the Year One pass. The Fleet Command Edition includes the game with 72 hours of Early Access, a Year One pass, a digital soundtrack, and a Customization set for multiplayer. The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game, 72 hours of Early Access, all the content in the Fleet Command Edition, a WW2-inspired Spotter deck, logo keychain and three physical ship replicas – 1.8in Hiigaran Torpedo Frigate, 3in Hiigaran Destroyer and 14in Mothership, Khar-Kushan.
Homeworld 3 will be available on PC from May 13*
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Every fight tells a story in this highly anticipated sequel. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II see the titular character set out on a new journey. While her last journey was focused on saving one lost soul – her lover Dillion – this time it is about saving her homeland from invaders. Travelling to Iceland, Senua faces more than one battle as she tries to save those who have fallen to tyranny. Away from the battlefield, there is still the battle in her mind, as while she has accepted the voices of the ‘Furies’ to no longer be a curse, she is still haunted by nightmarish visions that plague even her waking moments that bring a whole new fight to the surface.
Players with an Xbox Game Pass subscription will be able to play the game at launch as part of their subscription on console, PC and via Cloud Gaming.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II will be available on Xbox Series X/S and PC from May 21*
System Shock
An alternate future awaits as the cyber action-adventure remake comes to consoles. Set in 2072, System Shock follows the story of a nameless hacker on board the Citadel Station. After trying to break into the computer system, they are apprehended by TriOptimum Corporation – the station’s owners – and given a choice: if they don’t want to face charges, then they’ll need to hack into the station’s AI SHODAN. What follows is a tale of deception, corruption, and greed set against a backdrop of horror and a race against time to save Earth from annihilation.
Following the remake’s success on PC, System Shock’s console release will come in both digital and physical formats (PS5 and Series X/S only) for players to enjoy.
System Shock will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 from May 21*
MultiVersus
Let battle commence in this free-to-play full release. After a successful open beta and early access, MultiVersus will be coming in strong at launch. With over 20 playable characters from a wide range of franchises – including Adventure Time, Gremlins, Steven Universe and DC Comics – players will battle it out, either alone or with friends, to win the day and oust their enemies from the battlefield. Those looking to hone their skills can try their hand at 1v1 battles, while those looking for a more frenetic pace can step into the free-for-all mode and aim for victory.
For players who took part in the open beta, all content earned or purchased before June 25, 2023, will carry over into the full game, but some progression-based elements may be adjusted. This includes the Battle Pass, tokens, character tickets, in-game cosmetics and Gleamium. Progress and content that was earned after this date will not carry over into the full game at launch. Those who downloaded the game prior to April 4, 2023, will also be able to redownload their game onto their platform to be ready at launch.
MultiVersus will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from May 28*
F1 24
Join the grid and get ready to race in this year’s F1 release. Featuring all the races and drivers in the 2024 FIA Formula World One Championship, F1 24 aims to be the most immersive driving experience in the franchise, thanks to a host of upgrades and rebuilds. Among those upgrades is the Career Mode, which has had its most significant upgrade in nearly a decade. This single-player story can be experienced in several ways – including stepping into the shoes of one of this year’s 20 championship drivers or even bringing one of racing’s legendary figures back to the track. There’s also the opportunity to forge your own legacy as a custom character, starting out as a rookie in F2 before making your way to the F1 Championship paddocks.
Players who already own F1 2021, F1 22 or F1 23 are eligible for a 15% discount on F1 24. The Standard Edition includes the game, F1 World starter pack and 5,000 PitCoin. The Champions Edition includes a copy of the game, 3 days of Early Access, two new MyTeam icons, an F1 World bumper pack, 18,000 PitCoin and the VIP Podium Pass – allowing players to earn VIP rewards and PitCoin.
F1 24 will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from May 31*
Free to Play
On PlayStation, there are four titles available to download and keep via PlayStation Plus this month. Available from May 7* – available to those with an active Plus subscription of any tier – will be EA Sports FC 24 Standard Edition (PS4 & PS5), Ghostrunner 2 (PS5), Tunic (PS4 & PS5) and Destiny 2: Lightfall (PS4 & PS5: requires Destiny 2 to play). There will also be an EA Sports FC 24 Ultimate Team Starter Pack available as well to PS Plus subscribers.
Full details on this month’s selection of titles available to keep via Prime Gaming – or to stream via Amazon Luna – can be found along with drops for games including Apex Legends, Lost Ark and Madden NFL 24, can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
May 2* – Endless Ocean Luminous (Switch), Indika (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), MotoGP 24 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Surmount (Switch, PC), Homeworld: Vast Reaches (Quest), Smalland: Survive The Wilds VR (Quest)
May 4* – Spy Guy Hidden Objects Deluxe Edition (Switch, PC)
May 6* – Plushie From The Sky (PC)
May 7* – Seed of Life (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Nancy Drew: Mystery of the Seven Keys (PC)
May 8* – V Rising (PC)
May 9* – Animal Well (PC), Autopsy Simulator (PC), Little Kitty, Big City (Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC), Crow Country (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication (PC), Gift (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Rainbow Cotton (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
May 14* – Biomutant (Switch), Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution (PS4, PS5, Switch), Braid: Anniversary Edition (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC, Netflix). The Rogue Prince of Persia (PC – Early Access)
May 15* – Braid: Anniversary Edition (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S), Men of War 2 (PC), Mullet MadJack (PC), Touhou Genso Wanderer – Foresight (PC)
May 16* – Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (PC), Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Switch, PC), Read Only Memories: Neurodiver (Xbox One, PS5, Switch, PC), Arcadia: Colony (Switch, PC)
May 17* – My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch)
May 20* – Songs of Conquest (PC), World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Classic (PC, Mac)
May 21* – Paper Trail (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Gestalt: Steam & Cinder (PC), Playing Kafka (PC, iOS, Android), Neptunia: Sisters v Sisters (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
May 22* – Wuthering Waves (PC, iOS, Android)
May 23* – World of Goo 2 (Switch), Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch), Bread & Fred (Switch), Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (Switch, PC), Hauntii (PC), Songs of Silence (PC – Early Access), C.A.R.D.S RPG: The Misty Battlefield (PS5, PC, Switch), Earth Defence Force: World Brothers 2 (PS4, PS5, Switch), Morbid: The Lords of Ire (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, Switch), Until Then (PS5, PC)
May 24* – SunnySide (PC), Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), 33 Immortals (Xbox Series X/S, PC)
May 28* – Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling (Switch), Old World (PC), Reus 2 (PC)
May 29* – Nine Sols (PC), The Legend of Heros: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War (iOS, Android)
May 30* – Skald: Against the Black Priory (PC), Tokyo Psychodemic (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Umbraclaw (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
May 31* – Nightmare Kart (PC)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary. Dates subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.