The weather's starting to heat up, and so is this month of video games. From the long-awaited Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 to a remake of a beloved Paper Mario classic, there's much?? to look forward to in the May 2024 games lineup?.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 (Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Developer: Ninja Theory
Price: $49.99
Release Date: May 21
Trailer

Creeping in with some psychological horror this month is Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Xbox promises a "brutal journey of survival" as we experience the myths of Viking Iceland. Ninja Theory has showcased some gorgeous visuals, striking performances, and phenomenal sound in early trailers. The original impressed, so hopefully the sequel lives up to its pedigree. Launching on May 21, it will be ava?ilable on day one on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch)

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Price: $59.99
Release Date: May 23
Trailer

From a dark subdued atmosphere to a bright papercraft world, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door packs a dazzling amount of charm. While the game unfortunately runs at 30 frames per second (as opposed to ?the original's 60), the visuals reportedly pop on s?creen and suit a modern system.

Many will be reliving fond memories as they bounce on foes in time, find legendary treasure, and explore beautiful Mario environments. You should also expect funny dialogue from Bowser and others you know and love from the Mushroom Kingdom. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door's sto??????????????????????????ry unfolds on the Nintendo Switch on May 23.

MultiVersus (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: WB Games
Developer: Player First Games
Price: Free to play
Release Date: May 28
Trailer

Warner Bros-themed platform fighter MultiVersus is finally returning on May 28. Its open beta was popular, but was taken offline for quite some time. Similar to Super Smash Bros., the aim of the game is to knock your opponent out of the ring. Characters like Batman, Bugs Bunny, and Finn from Adventure Time battle it out for dominance in the arena.

The game, however, has a unique focus on team-based gameplay, with some heroes like Wonder Woman having team-support abilities. The Amazonian can use her lasso to save?? her ally, for example. Hopefully, the game succeeds with a new server system and a transition to Unreal Engine 5.

Wuthering Waves (PC, iOS, Android)

Publisher: Kuro Game Studio
Developer: Kuro Game Studio
Price: Free to play
Release Date: May 22
Trailer

Those wanting an alternate take on the Genshin Impact formula may want to check out Wuthering Waves on May 22. Available for free for PC, Android, and iOS, this anime-inspired game features pretty visuals, well-designed characters to meet (and unlock through gacha mechanics), and fast-paced action gameplay. The combat system features counters and QTE elements, making it somewhat different to MiHoYo's Genshin Impact.

We'll see if this game can stand out in a competitive space with Zenless Zone Zero and other titles on the horizon.

The Rogue Prince of Persia (PC Early Access)

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Evil Empire
Price: Unknown currently
Release Date: May 14
Trailer

Lastly, there's The Rogue: Prince of Persia, a new roguelike developed by Dead Cells studio Evil Empire. Launching under Early Access on May 14, this platformer sparks with color as the Prince acrobatically moves across each level and strikes his opponents. There are all sorts of weapons to colle??ct, and a selection of secondaries, such as bows, shields, and grappling hooks. Ubisoft says on the Steam page that we'll have to "Switch [our] loadout mid-run to adapt to new challenges."

Despite having an excellent Prince of Persia game already in 2024, a?? second might be a great dessert o?r perhaps even the main course.

Honorable Mentions

There are plenty other May 2024 games to choose from, including indie darlings like Braid Anniversary Edition and the fast-paced shooter XDefiant.

• Endless Ocean Luminous (Switch) - May 2
• Surmount (Switch, PC) - May 2
• V Rising (PC) - May 8
• Little Kitty, Big City (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch) - May 9
• Crow Country (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) - May 9
• Homeworld 3 (PC) - May 13
• Braid Anniversary Edition (PS4, PS5, PC, Netflix, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) - May 15 (16 for Xbox systems)
• Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut (PC) - May 16
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Switch, PC) - May 16
• Paper Trail (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
• XDefiant (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) - May 21
• RKGK (PC) - May 22
• Pine Hearts (Switch, PC) - May 23
• Rocket Rumble (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - May 23
• World of Goo 2 (Switch) - May 23
• Songs of Silence (PC) - May 23
• Umbraclaw (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
• F1 24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - May 31
• Hypercharge: Unboxed (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) - May 31
• Mutant Football League 2 (PC) - May 31

The post Here are the most anticipated May 2024 games appeared first on Destructoid.

During the Xbox Developer Direct Livestream 2024, developer Ninja Theory revealed some more details about the upcoming Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 including confirmation of its release ??date. The action-adventure sequel will release on May 21, 2024 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and as a Day One on Game Pass title.

That will put the sequel release just short of seven years after the release of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. Players will once again jump into the role of Senua as she attempts to overcome the barbaric and brutal raids of Vikings in a tyrannical Iceland. Like the original, Hellblade 2 will explore Senua's story in a cinematic way as she struggles to deal with psych??osis which actually helps her trave??rse the brutal Icelandic landscape.

It's looking to be a great year for cinematic and story-driven games. Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will add to that when it r??eleases on May 21, 2024.

The post Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 locks in release date of May 21, 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

Microsoft is ready to?? get 2024 rolling. The company has announced that it will host an Xbox Developer Direct on January 18.

Xbox teased several of the projects that we'll be seeing during the January 18 Developer Direct. Amongst them are Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed, MachineGames' Indiana Jones title, and Ninja Theory's Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.

The Xbox Wire shed a few more details on what to expect from the event, including our first real look at Indiana Jones. The Developer Direct will spend about 10 minutes on the project, which includes t??he first gameplay trailer and details on the title's setting and story.

There weren't really any details given for Hellblade 2's segment. Instead, the Xbox Wire says to expect a behind-the-scenes look at the game courtesy of Ninja Theory. We last saw the title at The Game Awards within an impressive new trailer and a release window confirmed for this year.

Avowed is getting a "deep dive into the gameplay experience" from Obsidian Entertainment. The st?udio will detail the game's Living Lands and the action RPG's "deep themes, dynamic gameplay, and thoughtful reactivity."

Also at the Developer Direct will be Oxide Games' Ara: History Untold. We'll get a new look at gameplay and features from the history strategy game crafted by veteran developers of the Civilization series.

Xbox also notes that there will be a standalone presentation from Zenimax Online Studios following the Developer Direct. Here you can expect details on The Elder Scrolls Online's 20?24 roadmap, including a new zone, storyline, and gameplay features.

The Xbox Developer Direct will stream?? on Xbox channels on Thursday??, January 18 at 12:00 p.m. PST, 3:00 p.m. EST.

The post Xbox Develop??er Direct set f?or January 18, includes Indiana Jones and Avowed appeared first on Destructoid.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 made an appearance at The Game Awards with a brand new trailer that confirms th??e game is coming in 2024.

The latest Hellblade 2 trailer comes after an amazing musical appearance from Heilung performing an original song from the upcoming sequel. Ninja Theory was acquired by Microsoft in 2018, so it's no surprise that the studio's upcoming game will? only be available on PC and Xbox Series X/S.

The latest trailer doesn't offer new story information, but it do?es show us what a visual feast the sequel will be. It also gives us a glimpse of some of the combat which appears to be much more impactful and bloodier than its predecessor.

The game continues the tale of Senua, a warrior who travels through Helhein to recover the soul of her lover. Her journey is far from straightforward, as she must deal with the Furies in her head tha??t can both help and harm her. The game was lauded for its unique gameplay elements and its well-researched depiction of Psychosis.

If you're inte??rested in jumping into Ninja Theory's latest offering, you'll be able to pick it up day one on Gam??e Pass.

The post Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 receives stunning new trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

Whispers everywhere

After a long wait since it was originally unveil?ed, we're finally getting more footage of Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. During the Xbox Games Showcase, ??we saw an exten?ded trailer that I'm sure fans of the original will eagerly unpack. But even if this is your first rodeo, it's a wild time if you have a headset on.

In fact, the official YouTube description reads "best viewed wearing headphones." Enjoy the binaural experience.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRqLDCBxW04

Though the new Hellblade 2 trailer provides a release window, it simply confirms the game will launch ??in 2024. In other words, we'll have to wait to find out when exactly this one will appear. At least we're slowly getting closer to the official debut of Ninja Theory's latest title.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will launch on Xbox Series X|S consoles and PC.

The post Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 has a wild trailer for headphone users appeared first on Destructoid.

Almost Unreal

As part of this week's Game Developer Conference (GDC) publisher Epic Games and developer Team Ninja has shone the light on the stunning facial animation tech that will be used to bring life and personality to the characters of long-in-development sequel Senua's Saga: Hellblade II.

The demonstration video shows off Unreal Engine's "Metahuman" technology, and features the face of actor Melina Juergens, who portrays the troubled Senua in the Hellblade series. The video begins with an extreme close-up of Senua's eyes, slowing pulling back as she delivers a dramatic monologue, before finally being lost in flickering flame. While the blending of reality and digital effects will almost always contain some elem?ent of the infamous "Uncanny Valley", it can't be denied that the technology is mightily impressive.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1qG8pREfkA&?;embeds_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.polygon.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=NinjaTheory

"This cloud-hosted tool allows you to create photorealistic digital humans for your game or experience, with the simplicity of an RPG character creator, yet with a level of realism and customization that you’ve never seen before??," says Epic Games' chief technology officer Kim Librerim.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II was first announced back in 2019, with only scant updates and previews offered on the grim-looking sequel. Given Hellblade II's core approach to psychological horror and deep, emotive characters, the Metahuman tech will allow the developers to best c?apture Juergens as she delivers what is expected to be another stellar lead performance. Should it be a success, we can likely expect to see other character-focused adventures experiment with the next-gen tech.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is currentl??y in ?development for PC and Xbox Series X.

The post Ninja Theory shows off Hellblade II’s stunning facial animation tech appeared first on Destructoid.