The first few months of 2026 were a little slow for new game releases, but looking at the schedule for the new PC games of May 2026, I find myself with a bit of indecision anxiety. While I'm not much of a Forza or Hitman player myself, those are the two big releases that have my colleagues really talking.
There are still plenty of new titles catching my eye, like the weird musical adventures in Dead as Disco and the next proper Sims 4 competitor, Paralives. I'm also quite excited for Shift at Midnight, which will finally allow me to live out my lifelong dream of operating a gas station from hell with two close friends.
The most anticipated new PC games of May 2026
It is a month of nonstop early access releases, and while these spring up every month, this May seems to have an extraordinary abundance of them. If none of the big hitters work for you, you can always return to old haunts like Phasmophobia or Path of $of Exile 2, as both have big updates planned for the month.
May 5: Dead as Disco (Early Access)
Dead as Disco is one of two early access games we're highlighting this month, but this funky, rhythmic beat 'em up has me absolutely jazzed. As Charlie Disco, you'll lay the smackdown on other musical legends through combat that syncs directly with the soundtrack. Sounds groovy.
May 14: Outbound
Outbound missed its April release date, so this adorable camping-life adventure found its way back onto our watch list. I've had my eye on this mobile base building game for almost two years now, so waiting a few extra weeks for May 14 won't kill me.
May 19: Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 races through Tokyo later this month. While I may not be a "Forza girlie," I understand the appeal; I once sat in the driver's seat of a friend's fancy racing setup for a test drive in Horizon 4 and didn't want to get up. If I ever get a setup like that for myself, y'all will never hear from me again.
May 25: Paralives (Early Access)
Paralives is the other early access game on our radar, and one I've been watching for what feels like a million years. After bouncing off Inzoi last year, I've got high hopes for it as a proper Sims 4 competitor. The sandbox life sim easily claims the title for "most distinct art style" of the three.
May 27: 007 First Light
007 First Light goes back in time for baby Bond's first big adventure, and who better to helm that project than the Hitman devs? IO Interactive's next stealth game follows James Bond during his early MI6 career. That's cool, but someone call me when they get to the Daniel Craig or Sean Connery era.
May 28: Shift at Midnight
Shift at Midnight is a co-op horror gas station sim where you must suss out monsters hiding among your customers. I first played the demo with friends last year and couldn't stop repeating rounds. Running a convenience store with hellish patrons was the perfect recipe for nervous fits of laughter and screaming—lots of screaming.
Early access and 1.0 launches
If you are looking for more new PC games of May 2026 to add to your library, keep an eye on this early access arrival:
- May 5: In The Black (Early Access) – Nitty-gritty, immersive sim space exploration and dogfights.
May gaming events and sales
Beyond the game releases, there are several events and sales happening throughout the month:
- May 4: Valve's Steam Controller goes on sale for $99 at 10 am PT.
- May 4 - 11: Steam Deckbuilders Fest.
- May 10: The Playism Game Show shares a sneak peek at 11 upcoming Playism games.
- May 18 - 25: Steam Ocean Fest.
- May 22: BitSummit returns to Kyoto for a 2-day celebration of the Japanese indie scene.
