Best games of May 2026: From Forza Horizon 6 to 007 First Light

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May 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months of the year for gamers. In just a few weeks, an impressive lineup of highly anticipated releases arrives all at once — from high-speed racing and deep-sea survival to spy action and heartfelt indie adventures.

Below is our ranking of the standout games launching in May 2026, organized from highest tier to lowest.

S tier — Must-play games

Mina the Hollower

Created by Yacht Club Games — the studio behind Shovel Knight — Mina the Hollower is easily one of the most anticipated indie games of the year. Inspired by classic Game Boy Color action-adventure titles, the game modernizes that formula with improved gameplay systems and enhanced visuals. For fans of retro-inspired action-adventure experiences, this is the first game to put on the list.

Mina the Hollower (Image source: Steam)
Mina the Hollower (Image source: Steam)

007 First Light

Launching on May 27, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, 007 First Light comes from IO Interactive — the studio behind the modern Hitman games. The story follows James Bond before officially earning the 007 designation, with gameplay centered around stealth, gadgets, and missions that rarely stay quiet for long. Combining the DNA of Hitman with the Bond franchise could make this one of the year's strongest action releases.

007 First Light (Image source: Steam)
007 First Light (Image source: Steam)

Forza Horizon 6

Launching on May 19, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, Forza Horizon 6 brings its racing festival to Japan — arguably the perfect setting for the franchise. Mountain passes, neon-lit city streets, and legendary Japanese car culture all make an appearance. Playground Games has built a reputation for delivering consistently strong Horizon games, and there are no signs of that changing here.

Forza Horizon 6 (Image source: Steam)
Forza Horizon 6 (Image source: Steam)

A tier — Highly recommended

Mixtape

From the creators of The Artful Escape, Mixtape tells the story of three friends spending one final night together before going their separate ways. Wrapped in a nostalgic soundtrack and coming-of-age storytelling, this feels like the kind of game players remember long after the credits roll.

Mixtape (Image source: Steam)
Mixtape (Image source: Steam)

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Launching on May 22, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox, LEGO Batman returns with an adventure inspired by both the movies and Rocksteady's Arkham series. It is humorous, accessible, packed with familiar characters, and designed for easy drop-in fun with friends and family.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (Image source: Steam)
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (Image source: Steam)

Subnautica 2 (Early Access)

Launching in Early Access on May 14, 2026, for PC and Xbox Series X|S, with day-one availability on Game Pass, Subnautica 2 introduces an entirely new alien ocean powered by Unreal Engine 5. The biggest addition this time is four-player co-op, meaning players no longer need to face the darkness below alone. Despite being in Early Access, early impressions suggest the current build is already unusually polished.

Subnautica 2 (Image source: Steam)
Subnautica 2 (Image source: Steam)

B tier — Indies worth watching

Dead As Disco (Early Access)

This rhythm-based beat-'em-up puts players in the shoes of Charlie Disco — a fallen pop star fighting to reclaim fame by taking down former bandmates one by one. Combat synced to the soundtrack creates satisfying moments whenever every hit lands perfectly on beat.

Dead As Disco (Image source: Steam)
Dead As Disco (Image source: Steam)

Wax Heads

A cozy-punk narrative simulation about keeping a struggling record store alive, Wax Heads is aimed squarely at players who grew up loving films like Empire Records or High Fidelity. The game also features dozens of original tracks created specifically for the experience.

Alabaster Dawn

The next project from Radical Fish Games, creators of CrossCode, follows Juno — The Outcast Chosen — on a journey to restore a shattered world. Anyone who enjoyed CrossCode should keep a close eye on this one.

C tier — Depends on your taste

Outbound

A cozy co-op open-world game focused on road trips and van life, Outbound removes deadlines and pressure entirely. The goal is simple: hit the road, explore nature, and enjoy the journey. It is niche, but it clearly knows its audience.

Bubsy 4D

Featuring creative platforming mechanics and eye-catching art direction, Bubsy 4D attempts to revive a franchise closely tied to many players' childhood memories. Whether it succeeds this time remains to be seen.

Final thoughts

May 2026 is one of those rare months where both AAA blockbusters and indie games are releasing standout titles at the same time. If you can only pick one, Mina the Hollower, 007 First Light, and Forza Horizon 6 are probably the safest bets. For players looking for something different, however, Mixtape and Subnautica 2 are equally compelling choices.