1. Forza Horizon 6 finally takes us to Japan
Xbox had a big week thanks to Forza Horizon 6 launching on May 19, and honestly, Japan still feels like the dream setting for this series.
The new Horizon map leans into Tokyo streets, mountain roads, temples, cherry blossoms, snowy routes, and over 550 cars. Xbox also published a nice behind-the-scenes look at how Playground Games recreated Japanese landmarks, including how the team handled cultural detail and tourist-style exploration through the new Journal system.
My opinion: this is exactly where Forza Horizon should be right now. The series is at its best when the map feels like a vacation you can drift through, and Japan gives it the perfect excuse to be beautiful, fast, and a little bit dramatic.
2. Game Pass is having a stacked second half of May
Alongside Forza, Xbox confirmed the next Game Pass wave, and there is a lot in here Remnant II, Luna Abyss, Escape Simulator, Echo Generation 2, Final Fantasy VI, Jurassic World Evolution 3, and more are either landing now or very soon.
The best bit is the variety. You can race around Japan, jump into co-op shooting, solve escape rooms, revisit a classic Final Fantasy, or build dinosaur parks. That is the kind of subscription month that makes Game Pass feel like a proper buffet instead of just a backlog trap.
Luna Abyss is the one I’d keep an eye on. First-person action, platforming, bullet-hell combat, and cosmic horror sounds like a very specific mix, but when that kind of thing works, it really works.
3. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is here, and it looks delightful
The game sends Yoshi into the pages of a magical book, with quirky creatures, colorful worlds, and that softer Nintendo energy that makes a game easy to recommend to basically anyone. It may not be the loudest release of the month, but sometimes that is exactly what makes a game stand out.
My take: I like when Nintendo lets Yoshi be strange and gentle. Not every platformer needs to be a huge mechanical flex. Sometimes you just want a pretty little adventure that makes you smile and gives you a reason to explore every corner.
4. LEGO Batman returns with co-op, suits, Batmobiles, and deep-cut fan service
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight launches May 22, with Deluxe Edition early access already live. LEGO’s press release says the game includes 100 outfits, a packed Batcave, local two-player co-op, multiple difficulty options, and a September DLC update with Joker and Harley Quinn content.
That sounds like a very confident LEGO game. The older LEGO Batman games already had a lot of personality, but this one seems to be leaning harder into the full history of Batman, from suits to vehicles to references.
I’m always happy when LEGO games remember that they work best as playful tribute acts. Give fans the jokes, give them the unlockables, give them a couch co-op option, and let the chaos happen.
5. 007 First Light is almost ready for mission start
IO Interactive’s Bond game is nearly here. The official PlayStation page list 007 First Light for release on May 27, 2026, with pre-order bonuses and 24-hour early access for the Deluxe Edition.
This one still has my attention because IO Interactive is such a good match for Bond. Hitman already proved the studio knows stealth, disguises, gadgets, elegant locations, and player choice. If 007 First Light can mix that with blockbuster action without losing the cleverness, this could be the most interesting Bond game in a very long time.
Also, the cast list is surprisingly fun, with Patrick Gibson as Bond, Gemma Chan, Lennie James, and Lenny Kravitz all involved. That is not a bad way to make the project feel bigger than just “Hitman but spy.”
6. PlayStation is bringing back State of Play in June
Sony confirmed that State of Play returns on June 2, and this one sounds bigger than the usual quick update show. It is planned for over an hour and will include a closer look at Marvel’s Wolverine.
That alone makes it worth watching. Wolverine has been one of those games people have been waiting to properly see for a long time, and Insomniac usually knows how to make superhero games feel fast, readable, and stylish.
Even better, Sony is doing some theater watch parties in the US through Alamo Drafthouse. That is a fun touch. More game showcases should feel like events instead of just another stream you half-watch with one eye on chat.
7. PlayStation Plus May is a strong catalog month
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium got a nice May lineup, with Star Wars Outlaws, Red Dead Redemption 2, Bramble: The Mountain King, The Thaumaturge, Time Crisis, and more available from May 19.
This is a strong “try something you missed” month. Star Wars Outlaws is the obvious headline if you skipped it at launch, while Red Dead Redemption 2 returning is always a win because, well, it is Red Dead Redemption 2. Bramble and The Thaumaturge also make the list feel less predictable, which I appreciate.
If you have Extra or Premium and somehow still have not played Red Dead Redemption 2, now is probably the time. Clear some space in your life first though. That game does not do “quick weekend project.”
8. Warhammer Skulls brought new reveals and demos
Warhammer fans had their own showcase this week, with the 10th anniversary Warhammer Skulls festival going live on May 21. The event brought sales, updates, demos, and new game announcements.
The big reveals included Warhammer 40K: Chaos Gate - Deathwatch and Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Deathmaster, plus demos for Warhammer Survivors and Warhammer 40K: Boltgun 2.
I like that Warhammer games are not all trying to be the same thing. Tactical RPGs, action platformers, retro shooters, survivor-likes, strategy games - the universe is big enough to support all of it, and Skulls is a good reminder that the franchise is in a healthy place.
Final thoughts
This was one of those weeks where the industry felt busy in a good way. We got major releases, cozy exclusives, subscription wins, showcase dates, and some nice fan-service-heavy announcements.
The biggest story is probably Forza Horizon 6, just because a new Forza Horizon set in Japan is the kind of thing people have wanted for years. But personally, I like the overall spread this week. There is something for racing fans, Nintendo fans, PlayStation fans, LEGO fans, Warhammer fans, and anyone who just wants a good excuse to play something different.
That is a pretty good week.
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