Survival Is the Theme of this Month’s Upcoming Game Releases
There’s a reason why survival gameplay modes are so popular on the Xbox and PlayStation platforms. Video games with a survival plotline build a unique tension for gamers. One that keeps them hooked until they can escape the danger that surrounds their characters. No surprise, that many survival-horror games of the early 2000s, like Capcom’s Resident Evil, get a remastered version and a remake as well for the new generation systems, like the PS4 and PS5, and also for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
It’s shaping up to be a really exciting month in terms of new releases, so it was no easy task to select the best ones. But here it is, a list of the top 4 games to check out this May! You can look forward to many cross-platform AAA survival video games for all your favorite gaming systems - PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X, Nintendo Switch, and of course, PC. Games, like Subnautica: Below Zero, Maneater, Rust, and a personal favorite, Resident Evil Village. Oh, and there's one bonus recommendation at the end, just for you!
Subnautica: Below Zero
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/Series X, PC
Release date: May 14, 2021
The first sci-fi Subnautica video game was a great success, thanks to its mystery-driven aquatic exploration and inventive crafting system. Its sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero is available for PC and all consoles. The game’s storyline is set in a brand new world, one year after its predecessor in a cold research station on Planet 4546B. The exciting gameplay still revolves around looting materials, crafting tools, and finding the well-hidden clues about the sci-fi story of the game. But, as the title suggests, the setting has changed from tropical to arctic. At least, if the things get heated, the chilling water can help you ease the pain!
Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Genre: Action, adventure, sandbox, survival, mystery, single-player
Hype Meter: 4/5
Maneater
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (already available for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X, PC)
Release date: May 25, 2021
There’s a common impression that Nintendo games are the most family-friendly, and for the younger gamers. Well, Maneater dares to deny this. Sharks are generally known by players and viewers as fearsome animals that are always lurking around to slaughter innocent beach-goers. Maneater, available on the Nintendo Switch, takes a spin on the genre and gives the player a chance to play as the shark itself. The gameplay, which boils down to swimming around and eating everything in your wake, feels really unique. In this open-world action RPG, you start as a small fish and you have to eat your way up to be the no.1 predator.
Developer: Tripwire Interactive, Blindside Interactive
Genre: Action-adventure, RPG, single-player
Hype Meter: 2/5
Rust
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One (already available on PC)
Release date: May 21, 2021
Rust has been a best-seller on Steam for a couple of months now and has been creating waves in the open-world online, co-op multiplayer community. Now, after gaining its PC popularity, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One players can also experience the brutal, intense world of Rust. In the upcoming console release of this action-adventure game, you have to fight with hunger, the harsh environment, and neighboring players who are out to kill you. What gives this video game its unique gameplay, is the fact that you start out bare-naked, armed only with a stick, and have the chance to evolve your way up to be the leader of a modern military base. Gather your friends, form a clan, co-op with your allies, and dominate your server to come out on top!
Developer: Facepunch Studios
Genre: Action-adventure, survival, open world, online multiplayer
Hype Meter: 3/5
Resident Evil Village (RE8)
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Stadia, Xbox One/Series X, PC
Release date: May 7, 2021
We’ve arrived at this month’s most anticipated action-adventure game. Capcom’s newest release from their best-selling franchise, Resident Evil. Resident Evil 7 was one of the best experiences I have personally had with a game in a long time. I got lost in the game's unique, creepy atmosphere. In Resident Evil Village, we continue Ethan Winters’ story, the main protagonist of the previous game who is searching for his daughter. New gameplay modes have been introduced, like more crafting and environmental options to give more tactical freedom to the players. This time the game is set in a village around a medieval, Eastern-European-looking castle, where you’ll have to fight vampires, werewolves, and whatever else Capcom has come up with to frighten you. Are you brave enough to try?
Developer: Capcom
Genre: FPS, horror, survival, single-player
Hype Meter: 5/5
Honorable Mention: Horizon: Zero Dawn (and it’s free!)
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Available until May 14, 2021
We have one bonus recommendation for May, which is an award-winning, futuristic open-world RPG game from 2017. Yes, while it is not a new release, we have to mention that PlayStation 4 holders have an amazing opportunity to get this classic, for free! Don’t wait for the remastered version, go to PlayStation’s “Play at Home” campaign, and download Horizon: Zero Dawn completely free of charge until the 14th of May, 2021.
Developer: Guerilla Games
Genre: Open world, action, adventure, RPG, single-player
Hype Meter: 5/5
You certainly won’t get bored this month because these new Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo games will bring plenty of entertainment your way! Dive into survival mode, save yourself, a virtual world or two and let the games begin!
Other Games to Look Out for in May
- Hood: Outlaws & Legends [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC] | May 10, 2021
- Miitopia [Switch] | May 21, 2021
- Biomutant [PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC] | May 25, 2021
