May 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting month for co-op and multiplayer enthusiasts. From sci-fi survival horror to rogue-lite mining and breathtaking co-op racing, there's something here for every type of player. We've rounded up nine standout releases arriving this month, each bringing engaging multiplayer experiences to the table. Let's take a closer look at the highlights.

Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core (May 20, Early Access)

Fans of Deep Rock Galactic will be thrilled to dive into its rogue-lite spinoff, Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core. Launching into Early Access on May 20 for PC, Rogue Core keeps the core elements players love—randomly generated, fully destructible caves and four-player online co-op—but adds a twist with its rogue-lite mechanics.

In this iteration, you and your “Reclaimers” start each run with basic equipment, scavenging upgrades and abilities as you dig deeper into increasingly challenging caves. Meta-progression ensures some upgrades persist between runs, allowing you to tweak loadouts with unique weapons and active abilities specific to each class. The four classes—each fulfilling distinct team roles like tank or scout—bring replayability and strategic variety, with perks such as the Spotter’s guaranteed critical hits making coordination essential.

For fans of fast-paced, high-stakes co-op gameplay and procedurally generated chaos, Rogue Core is a must-play this month.

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Forza Horizon 6 (May 2026)

Forza Horizon returns with its sixth installment, and this time, the franchise is taking players to the stunning backdrop of Japan. Combining dense city streets reminiscent of Tokyo, serene forests, and narrow coastal roads, the setting alone makes this game stand out. Whether you're a racing game diehard or someone inspired by the vibes of "Tokyo Drift," Forza Horizon 6 delivers.

This release introduces several standout features, including a fully co-op campaign supporting up to 12 players and seamless open-world exploration without interruptions for mode switching. The LINK Skills system lets you sync stunts, drifts, and other actions with friends for shared bonuses, while proper race series provide competitive balance.

If creating is your passion, you'll enjoy the new creation mode, allowing teams to build custom tracks and events directly in the open world. With crossplay between PC and consoles and a focus on social, creative experiences, Forza Horizon 6 promises a satisfying multiplayer experience.

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Directive 8020 (May 12)

For those who enjoy multiplayer horror with friends, Directive 8020—the latest from Supermassive Games—delivers sci-fi chills. Launching May 12 for PC and consoles, the game builds on the developer’s Dark Pictures series, placing players on a doomed spaceship, complete with a sinister alien organism that mimics humans. Think survival horror meets The Thing with a heavy dose of decision-based storytelling.

The couch co-op “Movie Night” mode lets up to five players pass the controller around while controlling different characters. Decisions shape the branching narrative, with multiple endings possible. A new rewind mechanic allows you to replay key moments without redoing the entire adventure, reducing tedium. Full online co-op will be added post-launch, providing even more options for sharing scares.

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Romestead

Romestead invites players to rebuild post-apocalyptic Rome as the leader of its last hope for survival. This charming pixel-art RPG pairs city-building and base defense mechanics, balancing daytime construction with nighttime undead sieges. Supporting up to eight players in co-op, the game scales activities like dungeon runs, resource collection, and survivor rescues seamlessly for groups.

The procedurally generated world ensures exploration feels fresh, while small touches like directly placing resources and offering to Roman gods for group-wide bonuses create a tactile, immersive experience. Drop-in/drop-out multiplayer makes it perfect for busy schedules, and the mix of strategy, action, and crafting is bound to appeal to fans of small-team co-op adventures.

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Thick as Thieves

Thick as Thieves has embraced a new collaborative approach. Initially a PvPvE game where players competed while completing heists, it now focuses solely on PvE. With two-player online co-op or solo play, this stealth-action title rewards planning but leaves room for improvisation when things go sideways.

Set in an alternate 1910s Scotland featuring both industrial tech and magic, missions offer varied approaches, from sneaking past guards to brute-forcing your way through locks. Procedurally generated layouts ensure no two heists unfold the same way, and the reworked gameplay aligns with a more cooperative experience for those who favor intimate multiplayer.

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SpaceCraft

For those drawn to expansive sandboxes, SpaceCraft launches into Early Access with its galaxy-sized persistent online world on PC. Combining elements of games like Satisfactory and No Man's Sky, players can mine resources, construct bases, and design custom spaceships—all while working alongside others in a shared universe.

Corporations, the game’s equivalent of guilds, encourage cooperative ventures, while a dynamic player-driven economy adds layers of strategic depth. PvP exists but takes a back seat to exploration, building, and trade. Developer feedback will guide the addition of post-launch features, reflecting the game’s community-first approach.

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LumenTale: Memories of Trey

For fans of creature-collecting and turn-based RPGs, LumenTale: Memories of Trey blends solo play with multiplayer interaction. As an android boy exploring a world filled with 140 tamable creatures known as Animon, you’ll battle, explore dungeons, and customize your secret base. While the main story is single-player, multiplayer features like 1v1 duels, trading, and leaderboard rankings bring social connectivity to the experience.

This is perfect for players who want asynchronous multiplayer or occasional interactions without committing to consistent co-op sessions.

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Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean

Celebrating the legacy of 1999’s Corsairs: Conquest at Sea, this modern reboot features tactical naval combat in real-time. While the campaign is single-player, PvP skirmishes—local or online—let up to four players join in fast-paced naval battles. Strategy fans will appreciate the nuanced systems involving wind, ammunition, and ship types, while those nostalgic for old-school privateering will find plenty to enjoy.

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Farever (May 6, Early Access)

Finally, Farever is a co-op-first online action RPG with MMO-lite elements. Built for up to four players, this game features a persistent world with drop-in/drop-out play, dynamic difficulty scaling, and roles spanning tank, support, and DPS. Activities range from dungeon raids to crafting, with world events for exploration fans.

Launching May 6 in Early Access, Farever channels vibes from games like Zelda and Guild Wars 2 with its mix of platforming, puzzles, and community-oriented features.

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Whether you’re into rogue-lite mining, co-op racing, or atmospheric adventure, May 2026 has something for everyone. With innovative features like persistent worlds, seamless multiplayer modes, and handcrafted narratives, the month’s lineup highlights how co-op gaming continues to innovate in meaningful ways. Which one will you play first?