The Best New Games of May 2025 | Monthly Recap

Last month had something for every type of gamer. Whether you’re into slaying demons, time traveling, farming with yokai, or fishing for boss monsters, May had it all. Here are the best new games of May 2025 you need to play right now!

DOOM: The Dark Ages

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the DOOM guy traveled back in time to a hellish medieval battlefield? DOOM: The Dark Ages provides the answer. This prequel to DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal throws you into a dark fantasy war against Hell. It swaps sci-fi labs for gothic castles and blood-drenched battlegrounds. And it works. The combat is still as metal as ever. The new melee and shield mechanics give the game a heavy, grounded feel that’s addictive once you find your rhythm.

Weapons like the Shield Saw and the Pulverizer are brutally satisfying, and even without Mick Gordon, the soundtrack absolutely slaps. This isn’t Eternal 2 — and that’s a good thing. The Dark Ages invites you to slow down at first, master its combat flow, and then ramp up the speed for some seriously stylish demon slaying. If you love the DOOM series, this might just become your favorite. It’s easily one of the best releases of May 2025.

💡 Tip: Take a trip down memory lane with our blog about the history of DOOM!

ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN

If you’ve ever wished that ELDEN RING had more co-op, faster pacing, and a bigger focus on raw action, NIGHTREIGN is your dream come true. This standalone spin-off reimagines the brutal beauty of the Lands Between as a chaotic, boss-rush adventure where you and two friends face shifting dangers and a final Nightlord boss before dawn. You’ll command heroes with distinct abilities, and the real magic happens when your team’s synergies click.

Tight 40–50 minute runs require constant decision-making, from optimizing builds to pulling off last-second ults mid-fight. Every session presents a fresh challenge, with randomized maps, enemies, and loot. Sure, NIGHTREIGN isn’t for everyone. It’s not really a Soulslike anymore, and if you’ve never played ELDEN RING, expect a steep learning curve. However, if you’ve fought a Bell Bearing Hunter before, then you know exactly why you should probably leave him for Day 2. The game isn’t flawless, but its identity is strong, and the fun is undeniable.

The Precinct

Step into the grimy world of 1983’s Averno City in The Precinct, where gang violence runs rampant and the unsolved murder of your father still haunts you. You play as rookie cop Nick Cordell Jr., fresh out of the academy and thrown into the chaos. It’s up to you to patrol the streets, chase down criminals, and clean up a city teetering on the brink of collapse. Think classic cop movie meets early GTA, but with a badge instead of a baseball bat.

We love how The Precinct combines the freedom of a sandbox game with the procedural nature of police work. One moment you’re in a high-speed car chase, and the next you’re issuing a parking ticket or arresting gang members. Sure, the gameplay loop may become repetitive over time, but if you enjoy methodical gameplay with a nostalgic aesthetic and appreciate the rhythm of police work, this game is worth checking out. It’s not chaos for chaos’s sake. It’s controlled, focused, and surprisingly relaxed.

FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time

If you’ve been craving a game that lets you fish, fight, cook, and reshape an island all in the same session, FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time might just become your next obsession. You start as an adventurer who is lured to a mysterious island by the glow of a dragon’s fossil. There, you travel between the present day and the same island 1,000 years in the past to uncover what went wrong and how to fix it. It’s part life sim, part RPG, and part time-travel mystery.

The sheer freedom it offers is incredible. There are 14 “Lives” (jobs) that you can switch between at any time. You can go from cooking delicious meals to slaying monsters to crafting furniture for your dream island home. Want to decorate your place, build a village, or terraform the landscape? All of that is possible. If you’re into games like RuneScape, Animal Crossing, or anything that scratches that skilling and creativity itch, Fantasy Life i is an easy recommendation. Just beware—it really will steal your time.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a dark, immersive RPG that isn’t just another Skyrim clone. Fresh out of Early Access this May, it’s a gritty reimagining of Arthurian legends set in a world cursed with eternal autumn, and it absolutely delivers. You’ll explore a hauntingly beautiful open world where legends are crumbling and your choices actually matter.

The branching narrative is seriously impressive. You’ll witness quests collide, consequences ripple, and entire storylines evolve based on your actions. With top-tier voice acting, you’re in for a narrative experience that rivals the best in the genre. The combat is deep and customizable. With plenty of builds to explore, the game rewards your play style and creativity. It’s as if someone combined Morrowind, Gothic 2, and Elden Ring but removed the punishing difficulty. The art may not be photorealistic, but it’s uniquely atmospheric.

Tales of Seikyu

Tales of Seikyu is a cozy game filled with heart, magic, and a sprinkle of romance. Imagine a blend of Harvest Moon and Palia with a touch of Yokai magic. Set on a secret island hidden from the human world, you play as a Yokai returning home to reconnect with your roots, cultivate your farm, and build relationships with the vibrant islanders.

We enjoyed the rich atmosphere and stunning seasonal scenery, just two of the many appealing aspects of this farming life sim. Its transformation powers, cozy festivals, mysterious ruins, and warm storyline about friendship and family make for a great experience. Even though it’s in early access, the game already feels packed with charm. Sure, there are a few bugs and missing features, but if you slow down and truly immerse yourself in the world, you’ll find plenty to love, from crafting and cooking to exploring hidden ruins.

Nice Day for Fishing

This pixel-perfect RPG combines laid-back charm with surprisingly deep mechanics, easily making it one of the standout releases of May 2025. You step into the boots of Baelin, a humble fisherman from Honeywood. If you’re a fan of VLDL’s Epic NPC Man, you’ll instantly recognize the iconic, rod-wielding NPC. Here’s the twist: Baelin is no longer stuck in his usual fishing routine. With the heroes of Azerim vanished and evil creeping in, it’s up to you to help him become a legendary adventurer.

While the soundtrack and art style deliver cozy vibes, this game isn’t just about relaxing by the water. You’ll engage in real-time fishing battles that require precise timing, strategic bait selection, and powerful spell combinations. Rebuild your town, level up, and prepare to face boss fish that are scarier than they sound. Whether you’re in it for heartfelt nostalgia, clever game design, or just some magical fishing chaos, Nice Day for Fishing is a quirky, charming gem you shouldn’t miss.

9 Kings

If you enjoy strategy games that let you completely break the rules and get away with it, 9 Kings should definitely be on your radar. This fast-paced roguelike kingdom builder combines addictive base-building with card game mechanics. It encourages you to unleash wild combos, perks, and builds that spiral into glorious chaos. You start with a small village and gradually expand your empire through clever planning and a touch of madness.

Every decision counts. Buildings, unit placement, spells, and buffs combine to create insane synergies that transform your kingdom into an unstoppable force. Each king plays differently, so experimenting with their unique strengths ensures that no two runs feel the same. Think Loop Hero meets kingdom management. There’s a solid learning curve, and it’s highly replayable. It’s the kind of game that keeps you thinking, “Just one more run.”

Drop Duchy

Drop Duchy is a brilliant fusion of roguelite, deck-building, puzzle, strategy, and kingdom management. You build your own medieval realm one piece at a time. Each block you place becomes part of your duchy, generating resources, unlocking troops, and shaping your path to victory. However, don’t get too comfortable. There’s a war coming, and you’ll need to strategically place military buildings to counter enemies using a rock-paper-scissors system.

What makes Drop Duchy so good is that it constantly rewards smart plays. You’ll evaluate each piece, balance adjacency bonuses, manage resources, and unlock new mechanics with every run. Thanks to multiple playable kingdoms with unique features, the game has exceptionally high replay value. If you’re into roguelikes or puzzles, or if you just want a game that challenges you, Drop Duchy is a must-play.

Blacksmith Master

Have you ever dreamed of running your own medieval smithy? Blacksmith Master finally lets you live out that fantasy without the heat and hammering. This management simulation game from the creators of Tavern Master puts you in control of your own blacksmithing empire. While you don’t forge the items yourself, you oversee everything else, from mining ore and hiring skilled staff to designing your shop and fulfilling orders from across the kingdom.

The progression is incredibly satisfying. You start in a modest workshop, but as your reputation grows, so does your operation. You’ll unlock new crafting options, decorate your space, and optimize workflows like a true medieval tycoon. There’s no pressure from opponents or failure states, making it perfect for relaxing sessions with a strategic edge. With constant updates from a dedicated dev team and a sandbox mode for creative freedom, Blacksmith Master is undoubtedly one of the best hidden gems of May.