Here’s our guide to this month’s key releases you should watch
Here’s a recap of the key RPG and strategy game releases for May 2025, covering everything under the turn-based umbrella. April was a powerhouse month in terms of quality, with titles like Clair Obscur, The Hundred Line, and more hitting the scene—but May looks just as strong, and as usual, I’m here to break it all down.
This month brings a healthy mix of indie games along with a few bigger titles. Kicking things off, we have the PlayStation and Xbox release of King Arthur: Legion IX—a spin-off of the King Arthur RPG series. This entry puts players in the boots of fallen Roman legionaries fighting to reclaim their lost glory in Avalon, featuring a tactical combat system and deep lore, now accessible to those without a gaming PC.
This month also brings a welcome full release from Early Access for a deep tactical RPG, Together in Battle. In this SRPG, you’ll recruit and manage a team of gladiators while uncovering a royal conspiracy and surviving the relentless pursuit of an imperial praetor. The game features deep, deterministic turn-based combat packed with terrain manipulation, weather effects, and highly interactive battlefields. Beyond combat, your characters form friendships, suffer losses, grow relationships, and contribute unique skills to your camp. Not to miss. Then, on May 6, a long-awaited indie strategy game—after about three years in Early Access—is finally making its full release.
The Monster Breeder, a monster simulation game where you’ll raise, train, and battle fantastical creatures in arena combat. I haven’t had the chance to try it yet, but it looks to offer surprising depth. Speaking of depth—dark and terrifying ones at that—that’s exactly where Deck of Haunts takes us. This Strategy deckbuilder puts you in control of haunted houses, letting you toy with unlucky guests by setting traps, unleashing malevolent entities, and more. It’s a title that clearly leans into originality, with a distinctive art style that really stands out.
Staying within the strategy genre’s darker and more unsettling corners, Anoxia Station launches on May 9. This management sim tasks you with leading an expedition deep underground, forging diplomatic relations with various specialists necessary for survival, as life on the surface has become impossible. But be warned—the creatures and secrets lurking below aren’t exactly welcoming to intruders…
On May 22, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown finally makes its debut. After the demo made waves, excitement has been high—and rightfully so. The beloved Ninja Turtles, childhood heroes for many of us, are back, this time battling it out on isometric, grid-based maps with some really intriguing gameplay promises.
Speaking of intriguing premises, Bonaparte: A Mechanized Revolution also drops this month. This strategy game reimagines the French Revolution, casting you as a male or female version of an alternate-history Bonaparte navigating dirty political waters (is there any other kind?) while also unleashing giant mechs in combat. It’s certainly one of the more unique takes we’re seeing this month.
May also marks the return of one of the most beloved roguelites in recent memory: Monster Train 2. While it might not completely dethrone Slay the Spire, it’s been a major fan favorite, and it’s back with new game modes, fresh clan options, and much more—definitely a must-watch release for roguelite enthusiasts.
Time for an indie tactical RPG launching on May 22. Spellpowder: Uprising is set in a richly detailed magical steampunk world, and you must create a custom character, gather trusted companions, and lead the fight against the sinister forces behind the Uprising. Tactical, grid-based battles with diverse weapons, class skills, and party synergies, all managed from your own upgradable airship hub. Not bad, in particular the upgradable airship part.
This month also marks the release of Twilight Wars, a title I’ve been following for a while—drawn in first by its art style, then even more by its mechanics. Alongside exploration phases with combat reminiscent of Darkest Dungeon, it also features a base management and development layer that brings to mind the modern XCOM games. Its release is also scheduled for the 22nd, turning that day into a true turn-based showcase.
No JRPGs this month? Not at all. One very interesting title stands out: Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. I even covered it in a preview last month. It’s a musically-themed RPG where battles are based on rhythm mechanics, different instruments, and a charming pixel art style. Definitely a gem you won’t want to miss.
Staying on the JRPG front, we also have the release of Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3, the highly anticipated third chapter of this beloved series. This epic conclusion to the emotional RPG saga sees the children once again teaming up with the powerful Taranis tank to rescue their missing friend Malt. The game introduces an overhauled turn-based battle system featuring Weakness Combos and Assist Attacks, as well as an expanded intermission phase where players can evolve the Taranis and unlock devastating new abilities.
The developers have emphasized that playing the previous entries isn’t required to enjoy this installment—but honestly, having that background will definitely deepen the emotional impact of the story. Either way, it’s a title no JRPG fans should miss.
Finally, there’s a very stylish and intriguing tactical roguelite originally slated for last month, but now set to (hopefully) see the light of day by the end of May. Definitely one to keep on your radar.
I’m talking about As We Descend, a hybrid of tactical combat and strategic city management. In this post-apocalyptic adventure, you’ll recruit and upgrade squads—each with unique card sets—to stand against monstrous threats while navigating the treacherous political landscape of humanity’s last city. Combat demands a careful balance of strategic deckbuilding and tactical maneuvering, where positioning units between Guard and Support Zones is critical for survival.
As you plunge deeper through three dangerous biomes toward the city’s core, every defeat reveals new secrets, tools, and paths for future descents, making each run a gripping experience where every decision—and every card—could determine humanity’s fate. What stands out most is the game’s striking visual style, making it a title that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially with a demo already available to try.
These are the standout titles for May 2025. Hopefully, I didn’t miss anything major, but if I did, feel free to let me know through our social pages. In the meantime, below is a quick release calendar with all the key dates , while at this link you can find the cornerstone article with all the 2025 releases so far:
- King Arthur: Legion IX | PlayStation and Xbox | May 6
- The Monster Breeder | Out of Early Access | May 6
- Together in Battle | May 6
- Deck of Haunts | May 7
- Anoxia Station | May 9
- Bonaparte – A Mechanized Revolution – May 21
- Monster Train 2 – May 21
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown – May 22
- Twilight Wars – May 22
- Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson – May 22
- Spellpowder: Uprising – May 22
- As We Descend – May 28
- Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 – May 29
