Microsoft announced the Xbox Game Pass games for May 2023, and FIFA leads the charge, with some indie gems close behind. As always, the May game launches will happen at a staggered rate, with some out now and some releasing near the end of the month. A handful of games will also leave the service at the end of May, though not as many as usual this time.
These are in addition to the other, smaller round of games that landed on the service earlier in the month, including Redfall.
Two more games join the console and PC lineup on May 18, 2023, both with a fresh twist on classic genres.
First up is Eastern Exorcist from Wildfire Games and Bilibili, available on console and PC. Eastern Exorcist is side-scrolling action RPG with hand-drawn animations and tactical combat. You’ll face off against fearsome demons and spirits and find yourself gradually drawn into their tangled web of power and deceit in the process.
Ghostlore is another action RPG, but one that draws on the likes of Diablo – and Malay folklore – for inspiration. Ghostlore features multiple classes to master, procedurally generated maps, and a deep combat system with plenty of combos and modifiers to tweak as you see fit. It’s only available on PC, though.
The indie puzzle adventure Planet of Lana joins Game Pass for console and PC on its launch day. You play as Lana who, with her companion Mui, must navigate the mysteries of their beautiful world and find a way to restore harmony between humans and nature before it’s too late.
May 25, 2023, sees several more games coming to Xbox’s subscription service, including a Pokemon-like indie game that was a surprise hit.
Cassette Beasts from Bytten Studio sets you loose in a retro-inspired world to collect and battle monsters, but with a catch. You record monsters on a cassette tape, play them back in battle, and can fuse and remix monsters to come up with creations all your own. Cassette Beasts is only available on console Game Pass.
Massive Chalice comes from Psychonauts maker Double Fine, but unlike its flagship platformer series, it’s a tactical strategy game. You command armies in a 300-year war and endeavor to strengthen your bloodline to leave a lasting legacy. Massive Chalice will be available for console and PC.
Railway Empire 2 launches on Game Pass on day one. You play as an ambitious railroad magnate who’s determined to grow their empire across the continent, one track at a time. Railway Empire 2 will be available for console and PC.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale follows an aspiring artist on their journey to bring their mentor and idol back from the brinks of despair – and spread a little color along the way. It’s a charming, top-down adventure with plenty of heart, some Zelda-style exploration, and a few good, timeless truths as well. Chicory will be available for console and PC.
These games are leaving the service on May 31, 2023.
- Europa Universalis (PC)
- Evil Genius 2: World Domination (cloud, console, and PC)
- FIFA 21 (Console and PC) EA Play
- Floppy Knights (cloud, console, and PC)
- Lawn Mowing Simulator (cloud, console, and PC)
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF