Xbox Games With Gold For May Revealed, Deals With Gold Announced

It’s that time again for Xbox Live Gold to to eagerly rip off the wrapping and find out what free games with gold await them. As part of the Games with Gold program, Xbox One owners will be able to get their hands on “CastleStorm: Definitive Edition” and “Pool Nation FX.” Xbox 360 owners have a more exciting choice of titles, as “Mafia II” and “F1 2013.”

News of the freebies comes via Major Nelson’s blog, which notes that both Xbox One titles will be available for the month of may. The Xbox 360 titles however, are only available during a two week window, with “Mafia II” available through the May 15, and “F1 2013” up for grabs through May 31.

For action adventure fans, the pick of the litter is likely to be the 2K Czech developed “Mafia II,” which takes place in a late-1940’s rendition of the fictional Empire City. Released in late 2010, “Mafia II” features gorgeous graphics and violent, high-octane third person combat. Players can explore a detailed open world, stealing cars and going on story-driven missions. GameSpot gave “Mafia II” an 8.5 out of 10 in its review, praising the set-pieces, satisfying hand-to-hand combat and gunplay, and interesting, well-acted characters. Meanwhile, “Pool Nation FX” is a photo-realistic, physically accurate pool game made by CherryPop Games.

For Xbox One owners, the big Games with Gold draw is likely to be 2.5D tower defence game, “CastleStorm: Definitive Edition,” made by Zen Studios. “CastleStorm” focuses on fun, physics-based action and strategic gameplay, and runs at 50fps and 1080p, with a beautiful low-poly art style. “F12013” makes up the second Xbox 360 title. Developed by Codemasters, the title includes all 11 teams and all 22 drivers who competed in the official F1 2013 season.

Those looking for a greater breadth of variety should probably check out this week’s latest Deals with Gold and Spotlight Sale, also hosted on Major Nelson’s blog. Xbox One owners can take advantage on significant savings on titles like “Madden 15,” “Star Wars Pinball,” “Strider” and “Resident Evil.” Xbox 360 owners have an even larger variety of games to choose from, with titles the “Force Unleashed” series available, as well as games like “Dead Rising 2,” “Remember Me,” “Lost Planet 3” and much more.