There may well be a massive push on the digital gaming front, with physical media fast becoming a bit of a rarity, but whilst that is all well and good for the smaller titles, the bigger more established names still feel that a retail release, alongside their digital launch, is the way to go.
With a busy few months behind us, we now start to enter the slowdown of game releases prior to things kicking on again later in the year. But what Xbox One games will be dropping on to store shelves throughout May 2018? How do this lot sound?
Conan Exiles
Conan the Barbarian has been sat in Game Preview/Early Access for many a month already (14 to be exact), but now it’s time to break free and release as a fully fledged Xbox One game, as Conan Exiles delivers us an epic journey through the world of Conan.
The promise of a savage world that is now more than double the original size of the Early Access release, this open world survival title tasks us with getting to grips with the world, building our kingdom and dominating enemies in the most brutal combat.
Burning deserts and frozen highlands await as you go from nothing to become the Barbarian king, taking in the action in both solo form and with friends alongside you in the persistent online multiplayer.
If you have ever wanted to wage war using swords, bows, siege weapons and more, then Conan Exiles will deliver.
AO International Tennis
You may remember the name AO Tennis as it released to coincide with the Australian Open earlier this year, with a limited launch that saw little in the way of excitement.
Now though AO Tennis is back, just this time it comes with the International tag, a whole ton of new features and the promise of a hyper-realistic tennis experience. That means we’ll see the face of Rafael Nadal fronting all advertising campaigns, and a feature set that ensures that AO International Tennis is the the most comprehensive tennis title ever made.
If you wish to head to the court and take on a full career of ace hitting action, whether you do that in singles, doubles or mixed doubles form, AO International Tennis is the tennis game we have been waiting for. Isn’t it?
Tennis World Tour
Well, you wait years for a tennis game and then two come along at once, as launching in May and going completely head-to-head with AO International Tennis is Tennis World Tour.
And it’s not just the game that is going shot-for-shot with AO, as Tennis World Tour sees Roger Federer fronting the action, and along with 30 other real-world tennis players, a deep career mode and the usual online options, it will aim to get one up on the competition to bring the very best tennis title yet.
The big question being asked though is this… Which will be the best tennis game? Tennis World Tour or AO International Tennis? Let us know which you’ll be grabbing in the comments below.
Hitman Definitive Edition
After the initial episodic release of Hitman, the chance to pull on the most famous suit in the business has continued to wow gamers with new content dropping at fairly regular intervals.
Now though we finally get access to the Definitive Edition of Hitman and not only will you be getting full unrestricted access to everything found in the first season of Hitman, the goodies that were added with the Game of the Year Edition, the inclusion of the Summer Bonus Episode and the Blood Money Requiem Pack, but it also brings you three new outfits inspired by Freedom Fighters, Kane & Lynch and Mini Ninjas.
If you haven’t yet taken in 47’s latest adventure, then the Hitman Definitive Edition should be the only version to worry about.
State of Decay 2
The confirmation that State of Decay 2 will launch as an Xbox Game Pass title may well affect the initial sales, but should you not have a Pass to hand, or just prefer to embrace the physical over the digital, then a full retail purchase of State of Decay 2 is most definitely something to seriously consider.
4 player co-op, a ton of RPG progression opportunities and choices that really do matter all hold State of Decay 2 together, as you head to a post apocalyptic world in which every decision holds a consequence. In fact, every single decision you make could be the difference between surviving or being taken down by the undead as you attempt to build a base, raise your character’s abilities and manage every last resource.
How will you survive?
Dark Souls Remastered
What is there that can be said about Dark Souls that hasn’t already been drilled in to our heads already? Not a lot is the answer but with the Remastered brush having now hit Dark Souls, there isn’t a better time to go back to the world of Lordran than now.
Dark Souls Remastered will let you experience that world in 4K, with 60FPS pushing things along nicely, as you build your characters, adapt to numerous foes and explore the most haunting of locations.
A huge collection of weapons, armour and magic spells await any gamer who wishes to test their gaming skills by heading in to Dark Souls Remastered. Should you need a little hand in succeeding, then DS Remastered brings nine online covenants to uncover that will motivate your online interactions.
Whether you collaborate or confront though is totally up to you!
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
Has it really been 30 years since Street Fighter burst into our lives? Well, apparently so and that means it is as good a time as any to celebrate the anniversary with a new collection of titles.
A whole bunch of Street Fighter titles will be included in the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection as it brings together the likes of Street Fighter I, Street Fighter II, Street Fighter III and the Street Fighter Alpha series in a celebration of the past.
The perfect arcade fighter makes its way to Xbox One as we get given the chance to head online and relive the arcade experience through the online Arcade Mode or with friends in the online lobby within four of the most definitive Street Fighter titles in the collection.
But the fighting action doesn’t stop there as the celebration continues in the ‘Museum’, allowing us to follow the timeline of how Street Fighter has evolved over 30 years, taking in all the details about the Street Fighter cast, given the chance to view key animation sprites and take a behind-the-scenes look at the design documents that helped see the franchise reach the highest of highs.
SEGA Mega Drive Classics
If you need more retro than Street Fighter, and wish to have instant access to more than 50 games, then the SEGA Mega Drive Classics collection is a bundle you should have in your library.
Delivering a selection of the very best Mega Drive and Genesis classics to the modern day gamer, you’ll find the likes of Sonic, Streets of Rage, Phantasy Star and more all present.
Online multiplayer will allow those bragging rights to be taken, whilst the introduction of Xbox Achievements ensure that a modern day convenience will be taking some classic titles to the next level with the largest collection of retro titles in one great Xbox One package.
So, May 2018 is with us and there are a number of Xbox One games to look forward to. Will you be heading in with Dark Souls Remastered, checking out the retro classics or hitting the courts with one of two tennis titles? Let us know which you’ll be picking up by posting in the comments below.
