The Best Games of May 2024 That Everyone Forgot About

Compared to the months before and after it, May can be considered a chill month in terms of releases and layoffs. However, the month still had big moments, especially with Microsoft Gaming closing Arkane Austine and Alpha Dog Games. Atari also acquired Intellivision and its gaming catalog. When turning to the month’s releases this was a weaker month.

Most of the games released this month were full releases of games available in early access and a few remakes sprinkled in. A lot of the games were also released to mixed reviews from critics but that didn’t stop us. After some digging, we found the best of the best and maybe even a few gems you might have glossed over. Here are the best games of May 2024 that everyone forgot about.

Hades 2

• Released On: May 6, 2024
• Available On: PC
• Metacritic Score: N/A
• Metacritic User Score: N/A
• All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: 102,386
• Average Steam Player Count: 3,091

Hades 2 is a standout sequel to one of the best roguelike games of all time, known for its beautiful artwork and presentation as well as its challenging gameplay.

Similar to the phenomenal Hades, this title is a roguelike dungeon crawler that follows up the story told in the first game. Players play as Zagreus’ sister Melinoe, Princess of the Underworld. Your goal is to defeat Chronos, the titan of time.

While it is still in early access, fans and critics have expressed love of the title. It truly is addicting and with the return of the God Mode mechanic from the first game it’s accessible to everyone willing to give it a chance. Hades 2 is one of the best releases of the year and when it exits early access it might just be one of the best games of modern gaming.

V Rising

• Released On: May 8, 2024
• Available On: Windows and PS5
• Metacritic Score: 83(Generally Favorable)
• Metacritic User Score: 6.9
• All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: 150,645
• Average Steam Player Count: 3,854

V Rising is an action role-playing game that finally left early access this year with the release of the PlayStation 5 version. In this title, you play as a recently awakened vampire trying to survive while avoiding hazards specific to vampires.

While playing you will gather materials, craft and upgrade equipment, as well as build a manor that will act as your home. One of the major hazards to avoid is your thirst for blood. You can feed on NPCs you come across after you weaken them first. You have five biomes to explore and set up shop in. However, once you claim an area for your manor you must constantly maintain it.

Critics believe the game’s survival and crafting mechanics were a bit time-consuming, however, the whole point of survival crafting games is to put countless hours into them. Fans didn’t seem to mind because the game sold over a million copies once it left early access.

Senua Saga: Hellblade 2

• Released On: May 21, 2024
• Available On: Windows and Xbox Series X|S
• Metacritic Score: 81 (Generally Favorable)
• Metacritic User Score: 7.4
• All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: 47
• Average Steam Player Count: 3,892

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is the sequel to 2017’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. The game takes place in 9th-century Iceland and pulls from Norse mythology and culture.

You play the titular character Senua as she allows herself to be captured by slavers to free her enslaved people. The gameplay is similar to the first game with expanded and revamped systems to provide a fresh feel and to fix some issues present in the first game. The game also incorporates some psychological horror elements and players have to grapple with Senua’s schizophrenia.

Critics consider this title a big improvement over the first title. The game is one of the best action titles of the year. Also, you can beat the game in under 7 hours. With games getting longer and longer a tight, short experience is a breath of fresh air. If you want a game to complete over a weekend or so, look no further than Senua’s Saga.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

• Released On: May 23, 2024
• Available On: Nintendo Switch
• Metacritic Score: 87 (Generally Favorable)
• Metacritic User Score: 8.8
• All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: N/A
• Average Steam Player Count: N/A

The original Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was a classic for the Nintendo Gamecube. The Switch remake is just as perfect for nostalgic gamers and newcomers alike.

This title is the second game in the Paper Mario series. It follows the story of Mario and Princess Peach getting involved in the search for a mystic treasure. The gameplay is similar to the original with the player controlling Mario and engaging in a turn-based battle system. The original game is considered one of the best games of all time and the remake keeps all greatness intact.

One major criticism that the Switch remake received was targeted at its lower frame rate and lack of new content. However, the point of this remake was to capture the greatness of the original while ironing out a few problems here and there. This is the best way to experience this Nintendo classic.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

• Released On: May 16, 2024
• Available On: Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5
• Metacritic Score: 88(Generally Favorable)
• Metacritic User Score: 7.9
• All-Time Peak Steam Player Count: 559
• Average Steam Player Count: 95

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a puzzle game developed by Simogo. It’s a weird title that can be kind of compared to the original Resident Evil.

You play as a woman who’s been invited to participate in a project set in an old mansion. Players will unravel the story as they explore the mansion and solve over 150 puzzles. The game is played in third-person and you run into many strange characters along the way.

Fans and critics consider Lorelei and the Laser Eyes a straight-up sleeper hit. The puzzles are well-designed, the characters are wacky in a very interesting way, and the players are completely free to explore the puzzles in whatever order they choose. It is a puzzle game for those who love number and word-based puzzles. The atmosphere is perfect too so that way if you’re struggling to progress, you can find joy in just exploring the mansion.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©CheatCC/Jazz Stewart.