Things are picking back up. This May is actually a solid release month for video games. In fact, two of the most anticipated titles of the entire year drop this month, and on the same day at that!
So read on to educate yourself on May’s biggest gaming releases. Most of these you won’t want to miss.
Mortal Kombat Vita
Platform: PS Vita / Release Date: 5.1.2012
What It Is: This is the entire console experience from last year – the one we raved about – put onto a handheld. Not only that, but NetherRealm Studios managed to stuff even more content into the game, including an all-new, secondary Challenge Tower, touch-based controls and additional character costumes. MK Vita also comes with all the DLC released for the console version, standard.
CraveOnline’s Call: If you’re a Vita owner, this one is a no-brainer. The console release of Mortal Kombat was one of the very best games of 2011. You get that same experience, plus more, for on-the-go gaming sessions. This game marks a big check in the win column for Sony and the PS Vita.
Starhawk
Platform: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 5.8.2012
What It Is: Sony Santa Monica and LightBox Interactive team up to bring you, essentially, Battlefield in space. OK, there’s more to Starhawk then aping DICE’s expansive war franchise, obviously, but that description easily conveys the concept. You’ll be battling on foot, in vehicles and in gigantic transforming mechs called Starhawks as you compete over territory. The game comes with a single-player story mode and a robust multiplayer component.
CraveOnline’s Call: Judging solely from what we’ve seen/played at conventions, Starhawk is shaping up to be quite the first-party exclusive experience for PS3 owners. The game looks gorgeous, and plays smoothly. If you’re a PS3 owner in need of a new multiplayer experience, you’d be wise to keep an eye on Starhawk.
Minecraft (XBLA)
Platform: Xbox 360 / Release Date: 5.9.2012
What It Is: This block breaking and placing wonder is finally getting its console debut. Minecraft takes players and drops them in the center of a randomly generated world. They have a day to gather supplies, build a small shelter and survive. From there? It’s time to grow, explore and build. Think 3D LEGO with survival.
CraveOnline’s Call: Yep, get it. Listen up…this game sucked our soul away for months on end. We loved every mining second of it. Buy it and you will get your money’s worth and then some. The multiplayer coupled with the endless creativity makes it an experience unlike anything you’ve ever played.
Diablo III
Platform: PC, Mac / Release Date: 5.15.2012
What It Is: Come on, Diablo? This is one of Blizzard’s most beloved and classic series. You’ll pick a hero and carry him or her through four brutal acts as you find loot, slay monsters and explore randomly generated dungeons. There are epic boss fights, sweet spells and awesome skill trees.
CraveOnline’s Call: Yet another reason this month has literally been scaring money out of our bank accounts. Diablo II was a massive part of our gaming staff’s adolescence. We played the ever-loving crap out of that game. After the open beta weekend for D3, we know it’s going to be more of the same.
Max Payne 3
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 5.15.2012
What It Is: Rockstar’s turn with Max, that’s what. The pill poppin’, booze chugging, gun totin’ looney is back and more addicted to substance than ever before. This is the first game in the series that Remedy is not developing; so expect Rockstar to put their own spin on one of gaming’s best franchises.
CraveOnline’s Call: We’re cautiously optimistic. Rockstar’s capable of delivering an incredible story, we know that. But we’re also a bit afraid of what linearity will do to their creative capabilities. Rockstar is ace at open-world games. Max Payne 3 is a tight, scripted experience. Can they do it? You bet. We’re just a bit shaky on things for now.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 5.15.2012
What It Is: Sega’s giving their second take on the rebirth of side-scrolling Sonic. This time, players will enjoy a brand new physics engine (they hated the last one, for good reason) and a spin with Tails.
CraveOnline’s Call: Wait for a review or two before you dive in. Sonic has been a cruel mistress for the last, like, billion years. The game looks like it’ll be really, really good. But we’ve been burned before, friends. Read some reviews, play the demo and then decide if this bad boy is right for you.
Mario Tennis Open
Platform: Nintendo 3DS / Release Date: 5.20.2012
What It Is: One of Nintendo’s banner titles for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012. Mario sports games are great for their simplistic controls, deceiving depth and ease of play. Buying one will almost guarantee that you get your money’s worth. Really, it’s almost never a mistake.
CraveOnline’s Call: We don’t think the 3D portion of this package will matter at all. Beyond that? We’re expecting more Nintendo magic crammed into a tennis package. We’ve always enjoyed the Mario Tennis titles…even the Virtual Boy variety. We don’t expect that to change any time soon.
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360 / Release Date: 5.22.2012
What It Is: It’s been a long time coming, but we’ll finally see the release of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier this month. After being announced in 2009, Future Soldier had kind of fallen off the map until recent months. Now the game is looking better than ever, and is gearing up for release at the end of the month. Expect plenty of tactical, cover-based combat and futuristic gadgets and weaponry, as well as Ubisoft’s toted “Gun Smith” application, allowing you to completely customize your arsenal from top to bottom.
CraveOnline’s Call: Using the past as our guide to the future, we have reason to believe Future Soldier will be pretty solid. We haven’t touched the game yet, mind you, but if you’re a fan of realistic, tactical, squad-based shooters, the realism and authenticity achieved by the Ghost Recon series comes second to none. Plus, you get to play with futuristic toys, and that’s always welcomed.
Dragon’s Dogma
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360 / Release Date: 5.22.2012
What It Is: Developed by Capcom, Dragon’s Dogma is a mish-mash of gaming genres; there’s a splash of open-world gameplay, a pinch of survival horror, a dash of hack ‘n’ slash and a touch of role playing thrown in for good measure. But this is to be expected when you have a game created by folks who have worked on the Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and Breath of Fire franchises.
Yet, at its core, Dragon’s Dogma is a robust role-playing game with heavy emphasis on leveling up and customizing your character as you attempt to get revenge on the Dragon that ate your heart. Yup.
CraveOnline’s Call: Honestly, we don’t know what to expect when it comes to Dragon’s Dogma. Initially, we weren’t that interested (Fun fact: Joey D. here didn’t even know it was a thing until he started pitching in on this feature). The game is, however, getting a lot of attention and buzz lately, and that has us flocking to it like the mindless sheep we are. We also don’t mind games with references to Dragon Heart, however inadvertent they may be. With that in mind, Dragon’s Dogma is on our “we’ll see” list.
Resistance: Burning Skies
Platform: PS Vita / Release Date: 5.29.2012
What It Is: The Resistance franchise makes its debut on Sony’s latest portable. Resistance: Burning Skies is being developed by Nihilistic Software and focuses on a firefighter named Tom Riley, who gets swept up in the Chimera invasion and is trying to reunite with his family. Resistance: Burning Skies features a single player campaign and a multiplayer component, with 8-player matches spread across six maps and three game modes – Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Survival.
CraveOnline’s Call: The release of Burning Skies is kind of a big deal: it’s the first portable FPS to take advantage of dual analog controls, one of the Vita’s major selling points. If the gunplay of Burning Skies turns out to as smooth as its console brethren, then we’ll have a winner. Jury is still out on the caliber of story to be found here, but we’re staying optimistic.
For the full list of games releasing in May, check out VG Releases.
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