We’re nearly five months into 2021, and it’s already been a solid year for new video game releases. There have been multiple critically-acclaimed titles released so far, ranging from new entries in established franchises likeMonster Hunter Riseto inventive new IP likeHazelight Studios’It Takes Two. 2021 has been solid for video gaming so far, but the next month is set to be the biggest of the year so far.
May 2021 is stacked when it comes to new video game releases. Some of the biggest new video game releases of the entire year are set to drop in May, and there’s a little something for gamers of all tastes. Out of all the video games releasing in May 2021, though, there are eight that stand out as particularly noteworthy, and serve to make May the biggest month of 2021 so far for new game launches.
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Here are the eight games that make May 2021 the biggest month to date for 2021.
Resident Evil Village (May 7)
Arguably the biggest new game release of May 2021 is Capcom’sResident Evil Village, set to launch on Friday, May 7 for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The latest main series entry in the long-running survival-horror franchise,Resident Evil VillageseesRE7protagonist Ethan Winterssearching a rural European village and the neighboring castle in search of his missing daughter Rose. Along the way, he will come face to face with the menacing Lady Dimitrescu, and will have to figure out how exactly Chris Redfield is involved in the whole situation.
Taking inspiration from bothResident Evil 4andResident Evil 7, there’s a great deal of hype behindResident Evil Village. Besides the story mode,Resident Evil Villagealso has Mercenaries Mode and theResident Evil Re:Versemultiplayer experience, and so the game is giving players plenty of bang for their buck. WithResident Evil 7proving to be one of the most successful games in the series to date, it will be interesting to see ifResident Evil Villageis able to live up to that game’s legacy.
Hood: Outlaws & Legends (May 10)
A few days afterResident Evil Villagelaunches, multiplayer gaming enthusiasts can look forward to trying outHood: Outlaws & Legends. Developed by Sumo Newcastle,Hood: Outlaws & Legendsis an online multiplayer twist on the classic Robin Hood legend, with players competing with each other to complete heist. A class-based stealth multiplayer game,Hood: Outlaws & Legendshas drawn some comparisons to themultiplayer components in theAssassin’s Creedvideo games, but it seems to be much more ambitious in scale. It remains to be seen if it will live up to the hype, but fans don’t have to wait much longer to find out as the game is launching May 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (May 14)
While there are plenty of brand new video game releases coming in May 2021, the month also has major re-releases and remasters to look forward to as well. One of the games that fits that description isMass Effect: Legendary Edition, a remastered collection of the first threeMass Effectgames that’s coming to PC, PS4, and Xbox One on May 14.Mass Effect: Legendary Editionis making major quality of life improvements, especially in regards to the firstMass Effectgame, and should breathe new life into the classic titles. If nothing else,Mass Effect: Legendary Editionwill give fans of the sci-fi RPG franchise something to play while they wait for more information on the newMass Effectgame that’s currently in active development at BioWare.
Days Gone (May 18)
Days Gonereleased on the PlayStation 4 in 2019 and earned mixed reviews at the time of its launch, but the game is enjoying a second lease on life. Interest inDays Goneseems to have increased since reports came to light indicating that apitch forDays Gone 2was rejected by Sony. Soon more gamers will have the chance to playDays Goneand may be encouraged to sign the petition asking for a sequel, asDays Goneis coming to PC on May 18. Following in the footsteps ofHorizon Zero Dawn,Days Goneis yet another PlayStation exclusive making the jump to PC, and it’s doing so with all kinds of bells and whistles that will be exclusive to the PC version of the game. Perhaps this will giveDays Gonethe second chance at a first impression that it needs.
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Knockout City (May 21)
Velan Studios and Electronic Arts are teaming up to release a new online multiplayer game that plays like an over-the-top version of Dodgeball. The gist of the game is that players knock each other out by hitting them with balls, with a variety of different balls at players' disposal. Players can participate in a variety of different game modes and battle it out on five maps whenKnockout Citylaunches on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on May 21.
Reactions to theKnockout Citybetahave been mostly positive so far, though its status as a live-service game does have some players approaching it with caution. Fans will find out ifKnockout Cityis going to be the next big thing for online multiplayer games or if it will end up with a similar fate as other EA live service games of recent years, likeRocket Arena.
Rust (May 21)
Rusthas remained a popular online multiplayer game ever since its early access release on PC in 2013. A console version ofRusthas been anticipated for years, and it seems as though the long wait is finally coming to a close.Rust’s console versionis set to launch for PS4 and Xbox One on May 21, which should go a long way in expanding the popular online multiplayer game’s audience even further. Whether or not it manages to be quite as popular as the PC version remains to be seen, however.
Biomutant (May 25)
Speaking of games that fans have been waiting a long time for, the wait forBiomutanthas been quite the long one as well. An open world action-RPG where players customize their anthropomorphic rodent-like creature,Biomutanthas a bizarre premise to say the least. However, there have long been positive reactions toBiomutantgameplay that’s been shown over the years, and many have been highly anticipating the game’s release.Biomutanthas been comparedThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which is quite the comparison to say the least, and while it may or may not match up to that classic game, it should still be a solid open world action-RPG regardless.Biomutantwill be available starting May 25 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, so users of those platforms will be able to find out for themselves soon enough.
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster (May 25)
One of the most belovedShin Megami Tenseigames is getting an HD remaster at the end of May.Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remasteris set to launch on May 25 for PC, PS4, and Switch, with some major improvements when compared to the original version of the game. It will include a new Merciful difficulty setting for those who have trouble playing on the default difficulty, plus some other tweaks and quality of life changes that should be well-received by the community. Dante fromDevil May Crywill also be included, so it has crossover appeal as well.
