Xbox Game Pass is dropping two big titles this May—no Ultimate subscription, no groans from your wallet. “DOOM: The Dark Ages” slices onto Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S on May 15, giving fans medieval demon-slaying mayhem, while “Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo” rolls out May 16 with quirky papercraft visuals and a puzzling skeleton-snake adventure. Players can hop in day one, try cloud gaming, and—who knows—find their new favorite surprise if they stick around.
How does one keep up with Xbox Game Pass these days, when new titles seem to drop faster than a speedrunner’s record? Blink, and suddenly there’s a medieval demon-slaying odyssey or a papercraft afterlife adventure waiting in your queue—no Ultimate subscription required. May 2025 is no exception, as two distinct experiences arrive for Game Pass subscribers without demanding that top-tier fee.
First up, “DOOM: The Dark Ages” launches May 15, delivering a first-person shooter twist on medieval carnage. It’s available for Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S, optimized to make every demon-slaying moment look sharp and smooth. Sure, there’s a Premium Upgrade for the die-hards—offering early access and campaign DLC—but the core game lands for all standard Game Pass members. It’s hard to imagine a more direct ticket to adrenaline than mowing through hellspawn, shield in one hand, shotgun in the other, all while keeping your wallet mostly untouched.
Then, just a day later, “Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo” emerges from the indie shadows. With its papercraft visuals and narrative-driven gameplay, it’s practically a palate cleanser after DOOM’s intensity. Players follow a snake skeleton on a quirky journey through limbo, interacting with souls and solving puzzles. It’s available day one across Cloud, Console, and PC, a rare treat for fans of offbeat, story-rich adventures. Plus, it’s the kind of game you can show your non-gaming friends without getting side-eyed for pixelated gore. Despite the growing focus on premium battle passes and in-app purchases across the mobile gaming market, these indie titles maintain refreshing monetization approaches.
Both games support Xbox Cloud Gaming, so jumping between devices is easy, whether you’re on the couch or sneaking in a level during lunch break. Five games are set to leave Xbox Game Pass in early May 2025, which makes these new arrivals even more welcome for players looking to refresh their libraries. No need to shell out for Ultimate just to try out these releases—standard and PC subscribers are covered. In addition to the new releases, Dredge is available today, offering a single-player fishing adventure with a sinister twist for Game Pass subscribers to dive into right now.
Between these two, Game Pass in May proves it can be both loud and thoughtful. And for players trying to keep up, at least these standout titles don’t require an Ultimate-level commitment—just some free space and a little time. Blink again, and who knows what’s next?