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 like Monster Hunter Rise to inventive new IP like Hazelight 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.
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's Resident 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 Village sees RE7 protagonist Ethan Winters searching 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 both Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7, there's a great deal of hype behind Resident Evil Village. Besides the story mode, Resident Evil Village also has Mercenaries Mode and the Resident Evil Re:Verse multiplayer experience, and so the game is giving players plenty of bang for their buck. With Resident Evil 7 proving to be one of the most successful games in the series to date, it will be interesting to see if Resident Evil Village is able to live up to that game's legacy.
Hood: Outlaws & Legends (May 10)
A few days after Resident Evil Village launches, multiplayer gaming enthusiasts can look forward to trying out Hood: Outlaws & Legends. Developed by Sumo Newcastle, Hood: Outlaws & Legends is 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 & Legends has drawn some comparisons to the multiplayer components in the Assassin's Creed video 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 is Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, a remastered collection of the first three Mass Effect games that's coming to PC, PS4, and Xbox One on May 14. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is making major quality of life improvements, especially in regards to the first Mass Effect game, and should breathe new life into the classic titles. If nothing else, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition will give fans of the sci-fi RPG franchise something to play while they wait for more information on the new Mass Effect game that's currently in active development at BioWare.
Days Gone (May 18)
Days Gone released 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 in Days Gone seems to have increased since reports came to light indicating that a pitch for Days Gone 2 was rejected by Sony. Soon more gamers will have the chance to play Days Gone and may be encouraged to sign the petition asking for a sequel, as Days Gone is coming to PC on May 18. Following in the footsteps of Horizon Zero Dawn, Days Gone is 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 give Days Gone the second chance at a first impression that it needs.
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 when Knockout City launches on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on May 21.
Reactions to the Knockout City beta have 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 if Knockout City is 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, like Rocket Arena.
Rust (May 21)
Rust has remained a popular online multiplayer game ever since its early access release on PC in 2013. A console version of Rust has been anticipated for years, and it seems as though the long wait is finally coming to a close. Rust's console version is 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 for Biomutant has been quite the long one as well. An open world action-RPG where players customize their anthropomorphic rodent-like creature, Biomutant has a bizarre premise to say the least. However, there have long been positive reactions to Biomutant gameplay that's been shown over the years, and many have been highly anticipating the game's release. Biomutant has been compared The 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. Biomutant will 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 beloved Shin Megami Tensei games is getting an HD remaster at the end of May. Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster is 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 from Devil May Cry will also be included, so it has crossover appeal as well.