We’re in the second half of the month, so that means that new free games are available for Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. A trio of freebies are up for grabs as part of May’s Games with Gold lineup: Yoku’s Island Express, Viva Pinata: Party Animals, and The Inner World: The Last Wind Monk.
If you’re a fan of metroidvanias and pinball (who isn’t?), Yoku’s Island Express will be a treat. Released in 2018, Yoku’s Island Express beautifully marries pinball mechanics with the side-scrolling adventuring of metroidvanias. You play as a dung beetle who arrives to a relaxing tropical island to become the new courier. Unfortunately for Yoku, things don’t go quite as planned and he has to save the day. The cleverly designed world is filled with platforming tests as well pinball boards that Yoku uses to bounce around and make progress. It’s a charming adventure with colorful visuals and a pleasant atmosphere. It earned a 9/10 in our Yoku’s Island Express review is available to claim all throughout May.
