Microsoft announced that the gold games in May 2022 are Yoku’s Island Express, The Inner World – The Last Wind Monk, Hydro Thunder Hurricane and Viva Piñata: Party Animals.
As revealed in Xbox Wire, the four gold games will be available to anyone with Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, with Yoku’s Island Express and Hydro Thunder Hurricane available from May 1.
Yoku’s Island Express is an open world pinball game with Metroidvania and platforming elements. Players take on the role of Yoko, a pint-sized postman who becomes a hero as he passes and works to save Mokumana Island.
We named it one of our top ten Metroidvania games (other than Metroid or Castlevania) and in our 8/10 review we said, “Yoku’s Island Express is a new Metroidvania-pinball hybrid that stands out as something completely unique and incredibly fun.”
Also available on May 1, but only until May 15, is the Hydro Thunder Hurricane. This rocket-powered motor racing game from 2010 did not benefit much from IGN.
“Between the uninspired references to the original game and its reliance on outdated arcade racing elements,” we said in our 5/10 review, “Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a boring, monotonous experience that shows its hand early and fails to fulfill its pedigree. “
Available later in the month of May 16 is The Inner World – The Last Wind Monk, a sequel to the adventure point and click game from 2013. Players take on three characters – Robert, Laura and Peck the Dove – as they embark on an adventure to save your friends in a completely crazy world.
Last but not least, Viva Piñata: Party Animals is available on the same day, but only for two weeks until May 31. This is not a traditional Viva Piñata, but a party game that includes a number of mini-games in which players participate using the franchise’s favorite characters.
IGN also didn’t like this one, as we said in another 5/10 review: “The inherent problem that really makes it difficult for Viva Pinata’s aesthetic successor to work is that mini-games just don’t come from a fun circuit design.”
Don’t forget to cash in the Xbox Games of April 2022 with gold before leaving the service, which includes Another Sight, Hue, Outpost Kaloki X and MX against ATV Alive.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer who sometimes remembers tweeting @thelastdinsdale. He will talk about The Witcher all day.
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