Though it has been given some fierce competition in recent months by the likes of PlayStation, Xbox Game Pass is still one of the best deals in gaming. For just $14.99 a month, Xbox Game Pass subscribers get access to the service's Ultimate tier, granting them access to well over 100 titles across both Xbox consoles and PC. But Xbox Game Pass' premise isn't enough to retain subscribers alone, it all comes down to what new games are offered on the service every month. Thankfully, May 2023 is already shaping up to be quite a big one for Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox Game Pass currently has six day-one games confirmed for May 2023, and there are some pretty heavy-hitters in there. Kicking off the month with a bang is Redfall, the long-awaited four-player co-op vampire shooter from Arkane, which despite framerate controversies is still set for a big launch. Then toward the end of the month, Game Pass subscribers can look forward to an innovative new entry in a long-running horror franchise with Amnesia: The Bunker. But while these games are sure to occupy subscribers for a good few hours, there's always room for more.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for May 2023: Hogwarts Legacy
Despite controversies surrounding Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling and some story ideas, Hogwarts Legacy released a few months ago to overwhelming critical and commercial success. But this release was limited to next-gen consoles and PC only, meaning that those still playing on past-gen consoles haven't been able to jump into the Wizarding World for themselves. Thankfully, that's about to change, as Hogwarts Legacy heads to Xbox One on May 5. To celebrate its release on the platform, it would be incredible to see it appear on Xbox Game Pass. This is extremely unlikely to happen, as Hogwarts Legacy has already been a monumental sales success and Warner Bros. Will likely want to try to recapture that with last-gen releases, but offering it for free to Game Pass subscribers would be a very nice gesture.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for May 2023: LEGO 2K Drive
A newly announced open-world racing game, LEGO 2K Drive brings the best elements of the classic LEGO Racers series into the modern day. While LEGO 2K Drive looks as though it'll have plenty of content, with several open-world hubs, side quests, races, and customization options galore, the standard retail price is a little steep at $59.99 for PC and past-gen systems, and $69.99 for current-gen. It's yet to be seen how this price will affect sales, but it seems unlikely that too many fans will want to shell out full price for the game, which makes it the perfect candidate for an Xbox Game Pass free game in May 2023.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for May 2023: Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
While a lower-profile release on the whole, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a delightfully gory 90s throwback FPS taking the grim-dark world of Warhammer 40K, giving it a classic Doom makeover. Boltgun is set to be a fairly small game, and as such is only retailing for around $20, but it would still make for a great addition to Xbox Game Pass this May to diversify the line-up even more.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for May 2023: Cult of the Lamb
One of the biggest Indie hits of last year, Cult of the Lamb is another wonderfully dark game that sees the player control a little lamb who's been possessed by a demon, tasked with raising a village of cutesy animal cultists in order to rid the world of blasphemers and heretics. Cult of the Lamb marries roguelike and life-sim gameplay excellently, and it deserves a spot on Xbox Game Pass. It would be perfect timing too, as Cult of the Lamb's free Relics of the Old Faith DLC launches on April 24.