The monthly ritual of the “backlog expansion” is upon us once more. Sony has detailed the additions to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue for May, and it is a surprisingly cohesive collection of titles. While the service often feels like a digital grab-bag, this month leans heavily into atmospheric world-building and high-stakes narrative. Whether you are looking to navigate the treacherous underworld of the Outer Rim or relive the frantic energy of a 1990s arcade, the update arriving on 19 May offers a significant amount of value.
The Rise of the Scoundrel
The primary draw this month is Star Wars Outlaws. For those who have grown slightly weary of the traditional Jedi power fantasy, Outlaws offers a grounded, grittier perspective of the galaxy. Playing as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel, the focus shifts from lightsabers to survival, stealth, and social engineering. It is the first truly open-world Star Wars title, and the ability to travel between iconic planets while managing your reputation with various crime syndicates adds a layer of consequence often missing from licensed games. It is a bold direction for the franchise that prioritises the “lived-in” feel of the Star Wars universe.
High Stakes and Historical Magic
If your tastes lean more toward the historical than the interstellar, the inclusion of Red Dead Redemption 2 provides another chance to experience what remains one of the most detailed open worlds ever crafted. The tragedy of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang is a slow-burn epic that demands patience, but the payoff is a narrative depth that few games have managed to replicate since its original release.
For something entirely different, The Thaumaturge is a fascinating addition. Set in the culturally diverse streets of 1905 Warsaw, it follows Wiktor Szulski, a man who can perceive and control mystical entities known as Salutors. It is a blend of isometric investigation and turn-based combat, wrapped in a story about pride, secrets, and the social tensions of early 20th-century Poland. It is the kind of niche, high-concept title that makes a subscription service worthwhile, allowing players to take a chance on something they might otherwise overlook.
Souls-lites and Sunshine
The “Soulslike” genre continues to evolve, and May brings two distinct flavours. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn mixes traditional melee combat with gunpowder and magic, pitting humanity against vengeful gods. Meanwhile, Enotria: The Last Song offers a “Summer Soulslike” experience. Inspired by Italian folklore, it swaps the usual dark, crumbling castles for vibrant, sun-drenched landscapes. It is a visually refreshing take on a genre that often takes itself very seriously, though the difficulty remains as punishing as you would expect.
Arcade Nostalgia Returns
Finally, the Deluxe tier receives a genuine icon: Time Crisis. Originally a staple of the 1997 PlayStation era and countless seaside arcades, this version has been updated for modern consoles. While the plastic light guns of our youth might be gone, the inclusion of gyro aiming for the PlayStation 5 controller is a clever way to keep that “point-and-shoot” feel alive. It is a brief, frantic experience that serves as a perfect palate cleanser between the hundred-hour epics found elsewhere in the catalogue.
