May 2025 is shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse of gaming for Xbox players, promising to deliver a relentless barrage of exciting new releases for Xbox and Game Pass.
From revisiting classic genres to experiencing innovative new adventures, there’s a wealth of gaming goodness on the horizon.
Join us as we dive into the 15 most anticipated Xbox releases arriving this May. There’s a ton to get excited by…
Revenge of the Savage Planet – Return to a Hilarious and Hostile World
Get ready to journey back to the vibrant and treacherous world of Revenge of the Savage Planet.
The sequel to the amazing Journey to the Savage Planet promises to expand upon the original’s unique blend of exploration, combat, and dark humour.
Players will once again step into the boots of a Kindred Aerospace employee, tasked with charting and investigating an alien planet teeming with bizarre creatures and unexpected discoveries. Expect more witty commentary, outlandish weaponry, and a captivating mystery to unravel.
despelote – Kick, Dash, and Explore in a Vibrant Urban Landscape
We’ve been keeping an eye on this one for a while.
despelote offers a unique and kinetic experience centered around the simple joy of kicking a ball. Players will navigate a sprawling urban environment, using the ball to solve puzzles, traverse obstacles, and interact with the world around them.
With its stylish visuals, despelote should well deliver a refreshing take on exploration and narrative.
Our despelote 5/5 scored review is ready for perusal…
Captain Blood: A Pirate Adventure 15 Years in the Making
Finally, after a tumultuous 15-year journey, Captain Blood is ready to set sail on Xbox.
Originally planned for a 2010 release on the Xbox 360, the game faced cancellation due to the original publisher’s bankruptcy and subsequent legal challenges that prevented the developers from releasing it. Now, SNEG has revived the project, tweaking it for modern audiences while preserving its retro charm.
Players will step into the role of Captain Blood himself, a swashbuckling hero tasked with rescuing the kidnapped daughter of a local magistrate. Expect action-packed gameplay with cannon fire, pistol shooting, sword fights, and plenty of pirate shenanigans.
Key features include epic pirate shenanigans, retro gaming vibes, intense hand-to-hand combat, ship deck brawls, and an arsenal of awesome weapons and pirate tricks.
DOOM: The Dark Ages – Witness the Origins of the DOOM Slayer
Brace yourselves, DOOM fans!
DOOM: The Dark Ages will take players on a brutal and visceral journey into the origins of the DOOM Slayer.
Set in a dark and medieval-inspired world, this prequel will explore the Slayer’s early battles against the forces of Hell. Expect the series’ signature fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping combat, devastating weaponry, and hordes of grotesque demons to conquer.
DOOM: The Dark Ages promises to be an epic and blood-soaked addition to the DOOM saga. If you loved the rebooted DOOM, and then DOOM Eternal, this is one that shouldn’t be missed. A Day One Game Pass drops demands it.
Our review of DOOM: The Dark Ages is up and live…
RoadCraft – Build, Explore, and Conquer the Open Road
RoadCraft offers a unique blend of open-world exploration, vehicle customisation, and strategic challenges.
Players will build and customise their own vehicles, from rugged off-roaders to sleek speedsters, and embark on journeys across diverse landscapes.
The game features a dynamic world with emergent events, resource management, and the opportunity to establish trade routes or face off against rival factions, all in hope of catering to players who enjoy both creative freedom and strategic depth. Just be sure to beep for help!
F1 25 – The Pinnacle of Formula One Racing
It’s back – and yes, LEWIS IS IN RED!
Experience the thrill of Formula One racing with F1 25, the latest installment in the acclaimed racing simulation series from Codemasters and EA.
Expect enhanced realism, refined handling, updated tracks and teams, and immersive race weekend experiences. Oh, and Braking Point is back too.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of F1, F1 25 aims to deliver the most authentic and exhilarating racing experience yet. At least, that’s the hope.
Empyreal – Explore a Lost Civilization in this Challenging Action RPG
Empyreal plunges players into a far-flung corner of the galaxy, where an expedition discovers a colossal Monolith built by a lost civilisation. As an elite mercenary, players must venture into this dangerous structure, confronting automatons and uncovering secrets that could redefine humanity.
The game blends RPG systems with skill-based combat, offering three weapon archetypes and a focus on timed attacks, deflects, and parries. It’s here where you’ll get to customise characters with extensive options, find and modify equipment, and utilise a wide array of abilities.
Empyreal features unique Cartograms, ancient artifacts that procedurally generate aspects of each level, influencing enemies, loot, and challenges. The game also includes NPC questlines with branching outcomes, asynchronous multiplayer features like item sharing, and challenging boss battles.
Developed by Silent Games and published by Secret Mode, Empyreal should be on your radar.
And our Empyreal review is now live…
Into The Restless Ruins – Build and Conquer Your Own Dungeon
Into The Restless Ruins offers a unique blend of strategic deckbuilding and dungeon crawling. Players craft their own dungeon using a deck of cards, then navigate its challenges in auto-battles. From there, each card played dynamically shapes the dungeon’s layout, adds beneficial buffs or perilous curses, and ultimately influences the outcome of each run.
The full game expands on this innovative foundation with 116 cards across 7 categories, 6 distinct ruins to explore, and 62 creatures to face, including 6 bosses inspired by Scottish folklore. Players will also discover 40 passive charms to shape their strategy, 38 Cantrips to modify gameplay and increase rewards, and 12 weapons to unlock and master.
There’s some big numbers being shouted about here, and we’ll see how they come together in review.
Monster Train 2 – The Hellishly Addictive Deckbuilder Returns
Sequel time – Prepare to descend into the depths of Hell once more with Monster Train 2, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed deck-building roguelike.
Players will build powerful decks of monsters, strategically combining their abilities to defend the Pyre from invading forces.
Expect new factions, challenges, and endless replayability as you embark on a different run each time. Monster Train 2 aims to deliver an even more refined and addictive deck-building experience.
Deliver At All Costs – High-Octane Delivery Mayhem
We’re adding this one in, just because it could well be a bit of a sleeper hit.
Deliver At All Costs puts a chaotic and hilarious spin on the delivery genre as you take on the role of couriers, tasked with delivering packages across increasingly dangerous and unpredictable environments.
Expect physics-based mayhem, a variety of vehicles, and the option to team up with friends for cooperative delivery chaos.
Deliver At All Costs promises a fun and frantic experience for those who enjoy a good laugh. We’ll be sure to let you know how it goes in full review.
Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure – Spark Your Ingenuity
Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure blends automation and exploration in a unique and engaging way.
Are you ready to explore a whimsical world, solving puzzles and automating tasks by creating intricate networks of contraptions? It’s that which Oddsparks will work on, encouraging creativity and experimentation, allowing players to design their own solutions to complex challenges.
A charming and rewarding experience for players who enjoy tinkering and problem-solving. That’s Oddsparks. There’s a demo on Xbox to take in too.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo – Yoyo Your Way Through an Urban Adventure
We’ve been hands-on with this one already, so check out our preview thoughts. We think this Yoyovania could well be genius…
Get ready for a narrative-driven, 2D top-down platforming adventure in Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo!
Players step into the role of a budding yoyo master, using their prized yoyo to battle enemies and explore a vast urban landscape. The story throws Pippit, the protagonist, into a shocking tale involving their auntie’s business empire, a soul-stealing mega-laser, and four dastardly crime bosses.
Yoyo tricks and techniques are key to both combat and navigation, drastically changing how players interact with the cityscape and the battlefield. And for us, that makes this super intriguing.
to a T – A Physics-Based Comedy Adventure
Ah yes – it’s time for a hilarious and physics-based adventure in to a T.
In the latest from Annapurna (and honestly, that’s a team who rarely miss the mark), players will control a character with an unusual condition: they are stuck in a T-pose. Navigate the world using the limitations and comedic possibilities of this constraint, solving puzzles and interacting with quirky characters.
to a T offers a unique and laughter-filled experience that embraces the absurd. And sometimes, absurd is all we want in life.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time – A Cozy Adventure Awaits
Embark on a charming and relaxing adventure in Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time.
You’ll get to create your own character and choose from a variety of Lives (occupations), each with its own unique gameplay and storyline.
From there, explore a vibrant world, craft items, build relationships, and unravel a heartwarming narrative, all whilst working at a slower pace and a focus on character interaction.
Spirit of the North 2 – A Breathtaking Journey Through Nordic Landscapes
Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Nordic landscapes in Spirit of the North 2, a visually captivating adventure.
In Spirit of the North 2 you’ll control a fox and explore breathtaking environments, solve environmental puzzles, and uncover the mysteries of an ancient world.
Following on from the original Spirit of the North, this sequel emphasises atmosphere, exploration, and emotional storytelling, delivering a serene and unforgettable experience as it goes.
May 2025 is poised to be an extraordinarily busy month for Xbox gaming. Prepare yourself as you get ready to embark on unforgettable journeys and immerse yourself in the best that Xbox and Game Pass has to offer.
Looking Ahead to June 2025
And the excitement doesn’t stop in May! Xbox gamers can also look forward to a promising June, with titles like the intriguing MindsEye, the time-bending adventure of The Alters (coming to Game Pass), the quirky dating sim Date Everything!, the stylish action of TRON: Catalyst, and many more on the horizon.
As always, let us know what you’ll be playing on Xbox and through Game Pass. The comments are below.
