May 2026 brought unexpected surprises to the gaming world, from Khaby Lame's cameo in 007 First Light to the abrupt end of Destiny 2's development. Indie titles like Dead As Disco and Mina the Hollower achieved surprising success, while Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced disappointed by straying from its original roots. The month also saw its share of controversies and shocking incidents.
Uncover the lesser-known treasures of Xbox Game Pass this May with our curated list of 10 hidden gems, from the narrative depth of Lost Records: Bloom And Rage to the frantic action of Ball X Pit. Each game offers a unique experience waiting to be discovered.
Paralives, the life sim in early access, is plagued by a bizarre glitch introducing "Charlie Default," a naked, nonbinary character, into players' save files, replacing adopted children. This unexpected invader has sparked surprise and amusement among players, including the author, who's chosen to embrace Charlie. As the community awaits an official explanation, Charlie's presence raises questions about the game's debugging processes.
Cube World, the voxel exploration game that once rivaled Minecraft's hype, marks 15 years of development with a surprise update announcement, sparking mixed reactions from its dwindling community. Despite a "mostly negative" Steam review score and mere 19 concurrent players, developer Picroma persists. The game's latest update, Cube World Omega, built on Unreal Engine 5, promises craft stations and shops, rekindling skepticism and faint hope among fans.
Dreamcore, a first-person explorable liminal spaces game, shines amidst Steam's flooded market with its diverse maps, including the newly added 'Dead Mall'. With its PS1-era aesthetic and lightly engaging puzzles, it's an excellent starting point for curious players. As Shaun Prescott notes, these games feel like "melancholy 21st century folk art".
Fraymakers, the indie take on Smash Bros. style gameplay, welcomes Guy Spelunky from the acclaimed roguelike platformer Spelunky. This addition further solidifies Fraymakers' PC gaming-centric roster, which already includes Octodad, the Impostor from Among Us, and Hat Kid from A Hat in Time. With a moveset packed with Spelunky references, Guy Spelunky brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities to the platform fighter.
Steam has dropped a surprise bundle of 8 new free games that players can download and keep forever, offering a diverse mix of genres. From action-adventure to puzzle games, there's something for everyone in this unexpected giveaway. Players can claim these titles now on the Steam platform.
ENDIX, the fully free digital gaming expo, is live until May 24, offering gamers worldwide a chance to play over 50 games, including AAA titles like Gothic 1 Remake and indie gems. The expo features immersive booths, exclusive trailers, and panels led by industry professionals. Attendees can explore Theatrum Obscurum, a dedicated horror section, and engage with developers and creators through built-in voice chat and meetups.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers are in for a treat with the day-one inclusion of "Echoes of Eternity", a story-driven masterpiece garnering "Very Positive" reviews on Steam. This highly anticipated title promises an immersive narrative experience, making it a must-play for fans of character-driven games. With its launch, Xbox Game Pass reinforces its commitment to delivering high-quality, new releases.
Splitgate's studio has inadvertently revealed a Titanfall spiritual successor on Steam before any official announcement. The game's Steam page, though sparse, hints at a significant project. Fans of Titanfall are eagerly anticipating more news on this unannounced title.
