For PS4, there’s Far Cry 4, LEGO The Hobbit, and LEGO The Incredibles. Titles available for both platforms include Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6, Monster Hunter Rise and Police Simulator: Patrol Officers. PlayStation VR2 owners can also play Kayak: VR Mirage for free.

As for the Classics Catalog, Ghosthunter from the PS2 era is being added, alongside Daxter (a spin-off from the Jak and Daxter series) and LEGO Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy from the PlayStation Portable era. All three titles will be playable on PS4 and PS5. Stay tuned for titles that will leave the Game Catalog in the coming weeks, and check out the latest monthly titles available for all tiers here.

The task is easier said than done as Gaia explores districts full of waste, arid wastelands, and deteriorating skyscrapers. Thankfully, she possesses various abilities, from air dashing and double-jumping to bursts of life that can clear out hazardous oil. It will all be necessary to traverse the world, especially when the Devourers notice her.

For more details on After Us, check out our official review here, where we awarded it an eight out of ten. The platforming, controls and aesthetic are compelling, though there are some performance hiccups, middle-of-the-road combat and missed opportunities with the lore.

However, After Us isn’t about chiding humanity for its mistakes, but holding a magnifying glass to their most extreme outcomes. It’s about nature, specifically Gaia, the Spirit of Life, as she ventures to the ravaged wasteland to free the Spirits of the last animals. There isn’t as much to say as there is to witness, but the imagery is as raw as it is stunning.

"The environments are imaginative and more than a little overwhelming. Technically, they’re gorgeous, with stunning atmospherics and particle effects."

When first starting, Gaia witnesses the end of all the animals on Earth. Mother tells her of the Devourers and how she used the last of her energy to save each animal’s soul. However, they’re trapped in the animals’ desiccated bodies. It’s up to Gaia to find and free them. Along the way, there are minor Spirits to save, each adding to the mystical glade all the more as life flourishes anew (on the spiritual plane, at least).

Gaia ventures forth, taking in the sights and sounds of a post-Devourer landscape. And these environments are truly stunning to behold. Extensive highways have been torn apart and float as small land masses. Massive skyscrapers dot the landscape with hordes of Devourers either waiting in line or stumbling about. Tangled messes of power lines and extensive networks of TVs, advertising more things to consume, dwarf you.

The environments are imaginative and more than a little overwhelming. Technically, they’re gorgeous, with stunning atmospherics and particle effects. Perhaps most impressive is that such a dreary future could still offer such vivid colors. Even a grey cityscape looks beautiful amidst a sea of neon screens and signs.

As abstract as the imagery may come across, it resonates more than a little with the current state of the world. Perhaps the only flaw to all this is when the frame rate dips in Performance Mode in certain sections where it rains. Otherwise, you’ll get a near-constant 60 FPS throughout (Quality Mode is also available for 4K).

"Exploration can initially feel a bit too linear (trying to jump somewhere very much landable results in instant death), but quickly expands as you venture to new locations."

As such, there is minimal dialogue outside of the conversations with Mother. The environmental story-telling is strong, and seeing Gaia’s reactions to the state of the world (spoiler: none of it is happy) adds more emotional weight to her tasks.

The main Spirits you must rescue also have their fates tied to certain areas. The Crow is at the top of a stock exchange, sealed in a cage that requires climbing higher and higher. The Honeybee is amid a range of power plants and TVs, their hive mimicked by the snaking networks of power cables. As contrasting as they may seem, there are more similarities between humanity and nature than we think, and seeing what happens when that balance fails is fascinatingly morbid.

As Spirits populate the grove, you’ll see them roaming about unburdened and can even pet them. It would have been nice if the location could have served as more than a simple fast-travel hub.

Exploration can initially feel a bit too linear (trying to jump somewhere very much landable results in instant death), but quickly expands as you venture to new locations. At its core, After Us is a 3D platformer. Gaia starts with a simple jump before learning to sprint, hover, double jump, air dash, wall run and more. She can also release a burst of life to clear away some (but not all) oil spills or create vines on electric cables to grind on.

"The Devourers are well done and interesting conceptually – they’re as pitiful as they are disturbing, whether it’s seeing them attracted to shiny screens or mulling about aimlessly."

The overall controls are solid – Gaia is incredibly responsive, if a bit floaty, and transitioning between jumps, rail grinds, and dashes feels natural. The differences between jumps can be a little odd at times – a sprinting double jump won’t give as much height as a regular double jump, which can lead to falling in certain situations. These moments aren’t overtly punishing, as you respawn close to the same spot. While there is a bit of jank in some points, like when repositioning during wall-running, it’s nothing to ruin the experience.

Overall, there’s a healthy mix of platforming abilities, and After Us presents some intriguing scenarios to use them. For instance, Gaia’s burst can trigger temporary openings at the tops of cages in a certain section. You then have to open them from the side, the bottom and so on, traversing this precarious climb in various ways. Another example is while grinding rails in the power district, as you’ll need to jump over from one to the other or even transfer to some overhead.

Of course, the other major part of After Us is the Devourers. If it weren’t obvious enough, they’re humans, or what once passed as the same, now part of a new ecosystem of waste and decay. Some are stationary as husks, seemingly frozen in time and/or dead inside. Others are covered in oil, which has also grown sentient and threatens to drag Gaia into the abyss if she gets too close. The Devourers are well done and interesting conceptually – they’re as pitiful as they are disturbing, whether it’s seeing them attracted to shiny screens or mulling about aimlessly.

"As you purify Devourers, you unlock Memories – still images that tell the story of a specific area."

There are plenty of occasions where you’ll “fight” the Devourers – which is to say, Gaia can fire a light that passes through them (also used to collect the minor Spirits), dodge their attacks and move out of the way. She can also use her burst to stun them. Some Devourers are tankier than others, while others require attacking from behind.

Overall, very straightforward and nothing too special. I’d argue that combat could have been further streamlined, with attacks one-shotting the weaker Devourers. Since Gaia’s light purifies, this would have felt better, even if the Devourers are supposed to be this all-encompassing, part-ruinous, mostly pitiable force.

As you purify Devourers, you unlock Memories – still images that tell the story of a specific area. What could have made for interesting additional lore, like unique stories for different Devourers, makes for some of the weaker narrative aspects.

For instance, a man meets a woman. They get married, move to their home and have a child. The man does some gardening, and then some years later, his daughter has grown up and seemingly moved out. Cut to the man looking grumpy as he cleans up the area around what used to be his house, which turned into a commercial district. If that didn’t sound dull enough, it’s even tamer in-game.

"After Us doesn’t reinvent the wheel in platforming and exploration, but it offers very compelling gameplay in both areas."

Given the potential of these Memories to tell more personalized stories, it would have been nice for each to be a mini-sequence of animated images instead of a slideshow where you need to collect the slides. It’s also annoying when you get them out of order, missing the context of certain sequences. Sure, they’re optional collectibles, but they could have been way more.

After Us doesn’t reinvent the wheel in platforming and exploration, but it offers very compelling gameplay in both areas. The abstract art style is vivid and raw – all over the place, at times, but in a good way, while the environmental story-telling (outside of the Memories) is solid. Mild performance hiccups can be annoying, and the combat is mostly fine without being extraordinary. However, if you can face your future failures, it’s a somber yet endearing journey down the rabbit hole.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

There’s much more to indulge in, so don’t worry. Let’s look at the big games launching next month.

Redfall

After Dishonored’s fantasy steampunk and Deathloop’s retro time-looping, Arkane Studios is exploring uncharted territory with Redfall. It’s a four-player co-op first-person looter shooter with a large – though not massive – open world to explore. Also, vampires, as a botched experiment by Aveum Laboratories turns its billionaire elites into undead blood-suckers.

As one of four survivors, you’re fighting against the rich and powerful, who have encased the titular town in darkness, preventing anyone from leaving. There are cults of humans to deal with, a massive tanky vampire called The Rook that can randomly appear, and optional dungeons called Psychic Nests to tackle. Each character is unique from Devinder’s vampire-killing inventions to Layla’s telekinesis and can acquire items like Grave Locks to augment their abilities.

There’s also lore to discover in houses, random guns to outfit characters with, and no 60 FPS mode at launch on consoles. Nevertheless, Redfall launched on May 2nd for Xbox Series X/S and PC, not to mention Game Pass.

Hogwarts Legacy (Xbox One, PS4)

Even after all the controversy, Hogwarts Legacy was a massive success for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Set 100 years before the first Harry Potter book, the action RPG focuses on the player traveling to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a fifth-year student. They also have a connection to some ancient magic, because, of course, they do and run afoul of Viktor Rookwood and his dark wizards and the Goblin rebellion led by Ranrok.

Hogwarts Legacy has a massive world to explore, from the Hogwarts campus and Hogsmeade to the surrounding highlands. There are dozens of side quests, several memorable NPCs to interact with, some great magical combat, and even your own Room of Requirement with a Vivarium to raise fantastic beasts.

The problem is how it will perform on Xbox One and PS4. Portkey Games and Avalanche Software have yet to reveal the resolution and frame rate, and even then, the actual day-one performance is another matter entirely. Still, it’s out on May 5th – if you don’t have a current-gen console, it may be worth picking up on the previous-gen.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched in 2017 alongside the Nintendo Switch and remains one of the greatest, if not the greatest, games ever. To say that the wait for Tears of the Kingdom, announced under the moniker “Breath of the Wild sequel” at E3 2019, has been agonizing would be an understatement. Nevertheless, it’s almost here. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is out on May 12th.

So what can you expect? Despite being set in the same Hyrule as Breath of the Wild, the world has changed dramatically, with familiar locations transformed, new Sky Islands to explore in unique ways, and fresh characters to interact with. New abilities like Fuse, which combines multiple items to create novel weapons, shields and arrows; Ultrahand to combine larger objects to create vehicles; and Ascend, to pass through ceilings, have looked simply stunning. That’s not counting other things like a new Hookshot-like ability or Rewind, which sends objects back along their previous path.

Nintendo has been somewhat coy on the story, aside from Ganondorf returning and Zelda being in trouble, but the sheer amount of stuff teased in trailers has been incredible. Skydiving through laser webs, minecart fights, new enemies, ghost ships sailing through the sky, defending villagers from monster attacks – there’s just so much. Needless to say, Zelda fans will be busy for a good long while after its release.

Amnesia: The Bunker

For how fresh and downright terrifying Amnesia: The Dark Descent was, its follow-ups – A Machine for Pigs and Rebirth – haven’t exactly recreated that same magic. Frictional Games’ Amnesia: The Bunker may finally break that curse, embracing random chance and claustrophobic surroundings to amplify the terror.

Set during World War 1, players control Henri Clement, a soldier trapped in an abandoned bunker. Even worse, there’s a ravenous monster hunting him. Having nothing but a wind-up flashlight, a gun with one bullet and their wits, the player must navigate the bunker and somehow escape without dying to the monster, various hazards, and so on.

Unlike previous games, Amnesia: The Bunker is an open-world sandbox. You can freely pursue objectives, scavenge for resources and solve puzzles. The world is completely randomized, so every playthrough feels different, and the monster will react to your tactics. If that weren’t enough, you have limited time to escape. If all that sounds like sunshine and a good time, Amnesia: The Bunker may be for you when it launches on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4 and PC on May 23rd.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

The Lord of the Rings franchise has been explored from many angles, the most well-known being Monolith Productions’ Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War. However, Daedalic Entertainment’s upcoming stealth action-adventure sees players embodying a unique perspective when it launches on May 25th – that of the deceitful yet sympathetic Gollum.

Venturing through various Middle-earth locations, Gollum will encounter familiar figures and seek the One Ring. Set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the emphasis is on sneaking, platforming and exploring the world. You’re not running through armies of Orcs and Uruk Hai, but you will have to make decisions that either cater to the more sadistic nature of Gollum or the merciful Smeagol, with long-reaching consequences.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is launching for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Despite numerous delays, it’s looking like an intriguing experience for Tolkien fans.

System Shock Remake

From a Kickstarter campaign and engine shits to delays and restarting development, it’s been a long journey for Nightdive Studios’ remake of the classic System Shock. Nevertheless, it seems like it will finally be released on May 30th. If you’ve never played the original, the experience mixes first-person shooting, role-playing game mechanics and non-linear story-telling that influenced many future titles.

You venture through Citadel Station in a cyberpunk future and must deal with the various terrifying creations its malevolent AI, SHODAN, throws at you. In terms of changes, the remake offers fully HD visuals, new music and sound effects, a brand-new UI and revamped controls. Various aspects like Cyberspace are also redone, but don’t worry – SHODAN’s voice actor returns to ensure the same level of terror as before.

System Shock Remake launches in May for PC first, with console versions releasing later.

Darkest Dungeon 2

Going beyond the dark, dank dungeons that defined the first game, Darkest Dungeon 2 is a rogue-like adventure where four heroes traverse the ruined world via stagecoach. Embark on an expedition through five regions, with different encounters, enemies and rewards, as your heroes bond and become stronger.

As you complete an expedition, new classes become available, some from the first game and others brand-new (like The Runaway). Artifacts help bolster your skills, while the new combat system relies on Tokens for more direct control in combat. If that weren’t enough, each hero has their own origin story, delving deeper into their pasts, and the aesthetic has been overhauled for gorgeous 3D models and environments.

Darkest Dungeon 2 may seem like a scary new endeavor for fans, but it offers the same nightmarish combat, heavy cosmic horror and sanity-testing quandaries as the first game. It leaves early access for PC on May 8th.

The Outlast Trials

Remember the sheer terror and insanity that was Outlast? Red Barrel Games has been slowly plugging away at the next entry in the series and invites you to experience the horror with friends. The Outlast Trials is out on May 19th for PC via Steam Early Access and sees players partaking in human trials for the Murkoff Corporation during the Cold War.

Playing either solo or co-op with up to three others, you’ll customize a character and lead it through various gut-wrenching experiments. But don’t be fooled – you’ll still need to sneak around and flee from enemies, using tools to improve your abilities. Throughout these experiences, you can find various documents to use against Murkoff.

The early access build will have all the main features, though more trials, perks, enemies and so on are coming in the future. The Outlast Trials may not make for the sanest experience, but for those seeking a compelling horror game, it could be worth a look.

LEGO 2K Drive

If you ever enjoyed the LEGO Speed Champions DLC in Forza Horizon 4 and wanted an entire game for the same, LEGO 2K Drive may just be the ticket. Developed by Visual Concepts and set in BrickLandia, players can freely explore and partake in races, creating vehicles with 1,000 different pieces. In addition to everything being destructible, your vehicle can also transform based on the terrain in a race.

Along with quick races, Cup Series tournaments and mini-games, there is a story to pursue, albeit a classic LEGO tale full of humor as players compete to earn the Sky Trophy while dealing with various rivals (like the dastardly Shadow-X). Online co-op and local split-screen are supported, and the actual racing leans into boosting and power-ups for a more fun, arcade-like experience.

Releasing on May 19th, LEGO 2K Drive will be available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

WrestleQuest

While the WWE 2K series has delivered some fun realistic experiences over the past two instalments (we don’t talk about before that), what about those who want epic RPG storylines? A fantastical adventure that combines over-the-top mayhem with professional wrestling? Skybound Games’ WrestleQuest aims to cater to the same.

Releasing in May for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch, the pixel-based title sees you starting as a newcomer to the art of wrestling. Train yourself up, learn new moves and different styles, explore locations based on legends like Andre the Giant and Jake the Snake Roberts, and eventually become champion. You’ll also lay the smackdown on enemies in turn-based combat.

Though its release date is still unsure, WrestleQuest is one of the more bombastic titles to look forward to next month.

After Us

So the world has ended (yes, again) in Piccolo’s After Us. However, this isn’t a tale of despair and doom but of new beginnings. As Gaia, you explore the ruined world, collecting the souls of different animals. You’ll learn how each one met their end, which should provide some relatable morals about environmental preservation as Gaia goes about rejuvenating everything she touches.

Even the enemies, known as Devourers, are covered in oil, which Gaia can clear with her abilities. After Us provides some beautiful environments and a gorgeous atmosphere befitting its aesthetic. Whether there are enough challenges to keep the journey fresh is a different thing altogether, but it’s got our attention. It releases on May 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Miasma Chronicles

If a post-apocalyptic wasteland epic with an environmentally conscious message isn’t for you, then something a bit more tactical may suffice. Miasma Chronicles is, a squad-based tactical strategy game with some fun gameplay. It’s set in the future, where the Miasma has laid waste to the United States.

Players control Elvis, an orphan who can somehow manipulate the Miasma using a mysterious glove. What could this mean for the future of humanity? Maybe some hope in the long term. In the short term, it’s road trip time, as Elvis and his brothers travel the world, learning more about the Miasma while gaining new weapons and abilities and encountering strange characters.

It launches on May 23rd for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Set in a far-flung future version of Earth where all life has been wiped out, you play as the Spirit Gaia and are tasked with salvaging and reviving the souls of extinct animals, restoring life to the planet in the process. The game will take players through a variety of ethereal locations while also offering a number of platforming and combat challenges, plenty of which is showcased in the new trailer. Check it out below.

After Us is due out later this month, on May 23, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

After Us will launch on May 23, and it will take players to a surreal version of Earth set in a far-flung future where all life has been wiped out, with players playing as a small nymph brought into the world for the first time. In a PlayStation Blog post, Piccolo Studio’s general manager Alexis Corominas describes the game’s setting as “a strange, oneiric, but ultimately captivating world where everyday objects float around, some small, others massive, and where a coat of hazardous oil taints the land”.

On the gameplay front, After Us will employ a mix of combat, platforming, puzzles, and traversal challenges, all of which will be mixed up across the ten biomes that will form the game’s world. The game promises abstract art design, high-speed platforming and movement, a dynamic camera system, environmental storytelling, and more. Check out the gameplay trailer below for more details.

When it launches, After Us will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

The trailer seems to feature quite a bit of gameplay footage, but more than anything, it reveals exactly the kind of vibe that After Us will feature. The game seems to be a 3D platforming adventure game with elements of combat as well as puzzle solving.

According to the Steam page for the game, it will feature a “vast, surrealistic” world for players to explore. The protagonist, Gaia, has to explore a world where the last animals have died, and help rescue the souls of these animals.

A core theme for After Us seems to be the impact humans have on the world around them. The game’s mysterious apocalypse seems to have been caused by human impact, players will uncover just what lead to all animals in the world dying out throughout the course of the game.

After Us is set to be the second game developed by Piccolo Studio, after Arise: A Simple Story.