Did you know that despite being nowhere near the end of its lifespan, the PS5 has already outsold big consoles like the Xbox, the GameCube, and the Atari 2600? It’s true; some of that may well be down to gaming being a much more accessible and widespread art form now, but the fact is that the PS5’s sales have been extremely encouraging for Sony, who will no doubt use them to iterate on the machine for the inevitable PS6. In the meantime, though, the PS5 has plenty of great games headed your way, so here are the best PS5 games for May 2023.
Age of Wonders 4 (May 2nd)
This fourth instalment in the ongoing Age of Wonders series brings yet more tactical battling and 4X strategy, only this time, you’ll be able to play it on your PS5 as well. The game allows you to literally build your own followers from various different traits and forms, so you can assemble whatever kind of weird fantasy force you like to help you conquer the world. As you play, you’ll get to decide whether you want to approach situations with diplomacy, cunning, or outright force.
Amnesia: The Bunker (May 16th)
The jury appears to be out on whether or not Amnesia: The Bunker is actually coming to PS5. However, one thing’s for sure: when it arrives on PS4, you’ll almost certainly be able to play it on your PS5, so we’re including it here. The latest adventure from Frictional Games takes a different approach to the usual Amnesia fare by placing you in a semi-open world environment and asking you to find creative solutions to puzzles. It sounds like a fun evolution of the classic Amnesia formula.
Endless Dungeon (May 18th)
Amplitude and Sega describe Endless Dungeon as a “unique blend of roguelite, tactical action, and tower defence”. It’s set in the same universe as games like Endless Legend and Endless Space, so if you’ve enjoyed Amplitude’s previous excursions in this world, you’ll likely be looking forward to this one as well. Plan and place turrets, gear up alongside your friends, and get ready to defend yourselves against the monsters that infest the ruin you’re exploring.
Lego 2K Drive (May 19th)
Remember the PS3’s ModNation Racers? Lego 2K Drive looks like a sort of spiritual successor to that game, as well as taking influence from titles like Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. You’ll build your very own car and race it around a massive Lego open-world environment, taking part in challenges and customising your vehicle as you see fit. The game is being developed by WWE studio Visual Concepts, and it’s sure to bring the satisfying fun of Lego collectathon gameplay to the racing genre.
Miasma Chronicles (May 23rd)
Created by the folks behind the underrated Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, Miasma Chronicles is a tactical strategy RPG that takes place in a post-apocalyptic USA ravaged by a mysterious force known only as the Miasma. As the young Elvis (no, not that one, unfortunately), you must set out on a journey to discover the truth behind a glove that can control the Miasma. Much like Mutant Year Zero, Miasma Chronicles will blend real-time exploration with turn-based combat and RPG elements.
After Us (May 23rd)
Another game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, After Us is decidedly more grounded than Miasma Chronicles. The game offers a particularly stark portrayal of an Earth ravaged by monsters known as Devourers, who are covered in oil (it’s stark, but it’s not particularly subtle). It’s up to you to revive the animals currently suspended in stasis so that you can restart the world and give hope to a planet blighted by disaster. This might be one to avoid if you find the news particularly distressing.
Hello Neighbor: Search & Rescue (May 25th)
This is technically a PlayStation VR2 exclusive, but given that you can’t play PSVR 2 without a PS5, we’re including it on this list anyway. Hello Neighbor: Search & Rescue is a VR puzzle adventure in which you must use the abilities of a diverse cast of characters to outsmart and outwit the Neighbor, whose AI is just as intelligent and capable of learning as it is in the main Hello Neighbor series. If you like the frenetic, tense thrill of those games, you’ll love this one too, no doubt.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (May 25th)
Also launching on May 25th is this excursion into J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings legendarium. As the titular Gollum, you will journey across Middle-earth in search of “the Precious”, meeting various iconic Tolkien characters as you go. This is a stealth adventure, so you won’t be swashbuckling with Aragorn or launching arrows from the battlements with Legolas; rather, you’ll be sneaking through the undergrowth and trying not to get spotted as you inch closer to your goal.
Shame Legacy (May 30th)
If you like survival horror games like Outlast, The Medium, or Resident Evil Village, then you’ll likely get a kick out of Shame Legacy. It’s a first-person survival horror experience set in a village overrun by cultists, and you must explore the village, solving puzzles and uncovering your hidden connection to the place as you do. You’ll have a cane to defend yourself, but other than that, you’ll have to rely on your stealth, your wits, and your adrenaline to see you through threatening situations.
