Spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner. If you need a break from studying for finals or need something to do indoors to escape your allergies, thankfully there are plenty of new and interesting video games coming out this month. Between promising indies, triple-A titles, and plenty of ports of celebrated games, there’s something for every gamer.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
- Release Date: May 4
- Developer: Retro Studios
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Platformer
Further indicating that every great game released on the Wii U will eventually come to the Switch, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is getting a port for the portable console. In this platformer, Donkey Kong and his friends must defend their homes from the Snowmads who seek to turn Donkey Kong Island into a frozen wasteland.
Considering how longstanding the franchise is, chances are you know if you’re a fan of the Donkey Kong games or not. If you are – and are one of the many people who didn’t buy a Wii U – this port offers a great opportunity to play the latest entry in this classic series. If you want to check out the Donkey Kong Country series for the first time, this game promises to be as fun as a barrel of monkeys that also blasts the monkey across the screen to new platforms and hidden collectibles.
Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 and 2
- Release Date: May 22
- Developer: Capcom
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Action, Fighting, Platformer
The blue bomber is back! More specifically, he’s back in the Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 and 2 for the Nintendo Switch. This collection features games one through 10 of the original Mega Man series and is also available on every other major gaming platform.
The collection’s presence on other consoles shouldn’t diminish its debut on the Switch, though. Mega Man helped the original Nintendo Entertainment System rise to glory and it’s great to see the series return to Nintendo’s latest system. If you want to experience a classic franchise or revel in pure nostalgia, this collection of classic Mega Man games is worth every penny.
Dark Souls Remastered
- Release Date: May 25
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s): Action role-playing
Praise the sun! Dark Souls Remastered is coming to the latest iteration of gaming hardware. Famous, or perhaps infamous, for its difficulty, the original Dark Souls is very deserving of remastering and is sure to sell phenomenally well.
While most conversations about this title center on its difficulty, there’s a lot to like in this game outside of its challenging nature. The game presents a dark world destined for ruin regardless of the player’s actions. Macabre creatures wander this world and will attempt to stop any efforts to prolong the Age of Fire. While Dark Souls is certainly difficult and used as a point of reference far too often, the franchise is one of the biggest in gaming today. This remaster offers a great chance to play the game that started it all.
Detroit: Become Human
- Release Date: May 25
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Platform(s): PS4
- Genre(s): Action-adventure
Perhaps the most ambitious title on this list, Detroit: Become Human is set to offer greater insight into the human condition, the nature of artificial intelligence, and the meaning of justice. Occurring in a world where android servants start gaining sentience and independence, this game will follow three androids who struggle with their roles in this society.
However, there are as many reasons to be cautious of this game, as there are to be excited. The scope of this game is massive compared to most others in the industry. It’s also a bit difficult to imagine a reportedly 2,000-page script translating into a consistently good game that doesn’t overstay its welcome. The studio behind the game, Quantic Dreams, received criticism recently for allegedly hosting a work environment that fostered sexism, toxicity, and harassment. A lot is riding on this game for Quantic Dreams, and many are eager to see if it lives up to the hype.
The Spiral Scouts
- Release Date: May 31
- Developer: HuniePot
- Platform(s): PC
- Genre(s): Puzzle
From the creators of what is undeniably the best adult game ever made, comes The Spiral Scouts, a game that ditches the pornographic elements while retaining its shock value. The puzzle game is filled with a charming paper-cut-out aesthetic that contrasts heavily with its crass characters and humor. By exploring the world and solving its mysteries, players earn badges for the main character and advance through the game.
This game may not be for everyone, much like Koons’ previous games HuniePop and HunieCam Studio. However, no one can deny that HuniePop is an exceptionally well-made game that’s at the forefront of its genre, so Koons and his team have earned the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully, Spiral Scouts turns out to be an offbeat gem that encourages other game makers to branch outside of the genres that they are most known for and create unique titles in all across the gaming medium.