Video Game Releases This May 2016

If you don’t really feel like going out in the scorching heat of the season, staying indoors is just as relaxing. Summer is the perfect time to let the gamer in you run wild, so to satisfy those urges, here are some of the best video game releases this month.

1.Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Just like any last installment in a timelessly beloved franchise, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End brings a bittersweet ending to the nine years of emotions that we have all invested in this mind-blowing game. Set three years after Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception and released on May 10th, this Naughty Dog masterpiece puts Nathan Drake in another unbelievable adventure with the title’s signature parkour, innovative and intuitive combat, and outrageous action. The guaranteed blockbuster almost feels like a coming-of-age tale, with Nate getting over his reckless thrill of finding glory and fortune and instead focusing on growing up. The unparalleled graphics are only made even better by the stellar performances (as always) of the whole cast. The voice cast truly brings the highest standards of quality to the cinematic flair that the Uncharted series is so well-known for. Of course, the immortal Nolan North reprises his role as flawed but fab hero Nathan Drake, and voiceover legend Troy Baker plays Nate’s brother Samuel Drake. The return of Elena Fisher and Victor Sullivan is also a welcome treat for fans, with the roles played by series veterans Emily Rose and Richard McGonagle respectively.

Nothing compares to the video game experience that Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End brings, and as usual, the game pretty much feels like you are in an actual action blockbuster. The best thing about the series is that unlike other hard-hitting video games out there, you don’t need a whole lot of DLCs to be able to enjoy Uncharted games in its entirety. It’s a darn shame that this fourth installment to the franchise is already the last, but as painful it is to say goodbye to the ragtag group of characters we’ve all grown to love so much, all things—even good ones—must come to an end. The least you can do is to give them a proper send-off, and with Uncharted 4, you’re giving them one that’s definitely worthy of the title.

2. Doom

Yes, it’s true—the new Doom game was released on Friday, May 13th for the PS4, Xbox One, and the PC. For those who have grown up loving the original series, this title is a reboot to bring back the first person shooter with more style than before. The vibrant colors combined with the typical gloom and doom of the original franchise make the single player campaign an absolute joy to experience—not to mention that there’s a certain nostalgia to it that makes you giddy about the whole thing. The multiplayer mode is quite promising, too, so round up your homies and get ready for some trash talk!

3. Shadow of the Beast

To be released on the Playstation 4 this Tuesday May 17th, the 1989 classic is now back with a  reboot—and one with a vengeance at that. The Commodore Amiga game is now a PlayStation 4 exclusive, with users playing as Aabron—the kidnapped child who was corrupted and enchanted into a warrior-servant—on a mission to dethrone Maletoth, the evil lord. The violent and deliciously brutal gameplay only makes the side-scrolling action even more enjoyable, so if you’re itching for a taste of the good old days but with an updated and richer environment, get your hands on Shadow of the Beast as soon as it comes out! Here’s a look at the alien world you will be immersed in:

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan

We’ve always been fans of these too-cool turtles since the old days, but now that they’re making a cowabunga comeback, they’ve finally got a shell-shocking game worthy of the title. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan features unique fighting styles for each of the four ninja turtles and when the game is released on Tuesday May 24th, players from all consoles (PS3/PS4/Xbox 360/Xbox One/PC) will be able to enjoy the pizza-loving heroes the way they were meant to be enjoyed.

Developed by hack-and-slash master PlatinumGames (who is responsible for such faves as Bayonetta 2, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and Nier: Automata with Square-Enix), the cel-shaded action of the game is only made more entertaining by the clash between the turtles and the Foot Clan. Of course, you can’t have a TMNT game without Bebop and Rocksteady—the two iconic villains who will make their big screen debut just in time on June 3rd when Out of the Shadows comes out. Each of the turtles has his own fighting style, which is revealed in the character trailers for the game. Here’s the character trailer for beloved leader Leo:

5. Overwatch

The team-based shooter by Blizzard Entertainment features bright art and vibrant styles that complement the intense gameplay extremely well. Set for full release on Tuesday, May 24th, the upcoming multiplayer FPS held its Open Beta run this week and a whopping 9.7 million players had a rousing good time. The wide range of characters that players can choose from adds to the already immense entertainment factor of the game, and since Overwatch focuses on some heavy teamwork, you and your best buds will have a blast for sure. Before you get into the game, though, be prepared to make the most excruciatingly important decision ever—and that is which character to choose. There is a highly satisfying mix of character skill builds that you can create, so check out some comprehensive character guides online before you take your pick. As a fan of Blizzard’s creativity, I’m sure this game will be worth investing hours and hours of our free time into!

Which summer video game release are you most looking forward to? Have you already pre-ordered some of them? Let us know in the comments section below!

*This article was first seen on the Philippine Online Chronicles HERE.