The tedium of the second half of the game, and the increasing frustration brought on by its level design, checkpoint system and challenging platforming somewhat sour the experience though.

This is the best Monster Energy Supercross release yet. But for many there simply won’t be enough genuinely new here to impress. Casual fans that have already purchased least year’s release might just want to make do with that for another year. Ardent supercross fans, on the other hand, will no doubt appreciate the latest riders, bikes and tracks, as well as the other few new features an upgrades that are on offer here, but won’t be able to shake the overall feeling of familiarity.

We wish there was a little more direction in The Repair House at times: we’d much prefer a clear path to follow to achieve repair shop success. But there’s still a lot to like, and bringing old items back to life is rewarding enough in itself. With a little more structure and polish, The Repair House could be a stand-out title in the simulation genre. As it is, it’s a pleasant enough way to spend a few hours if the idea of tinkering with curios sounds relaxing to you.

The goalpost may not have been particularly high, but Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is the best police sim game we’ve played. It’s far from perfect, but if you like the idea of dealing with petty crimes and road traffic accidents, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this. The detail-oriented approach will appeal to those who like to do things by the book, though others may find it laborious. But that’s the case with just about any simulation game, is it not?

If you’re drawn in by the art style, chances are you’ll have some fun with Wildcat Gun Machine. Fans of the twin-stick shooter genre might want to check it out, too. It makes a refreshing change for this type of game to not be a roguelike in the current market, and while it won’t be featuring on anyone’s GOTY lists, there’s still hours of entertainment to be had with it.

Despite its questionable likeness to Hidden Folks, there’s no denying that Hidden Through Time makes a nice addition to the genre. Its whimsical and colourful art style is a delight, and the level editor is a nice touch that adds some much-needed longevity.

Had the additional DLC package been included with the game as standard, we’d probably suggest Klonoa Phantasy Reveries Series as a must-have for fans hungry to spend time with its cool cat protagonist again. It would be easier to recommend to newcomers, too. But as it is, while some will get plenty of enjoyment out of it at full price, most might want to wait until it goes on sale. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is an enjoyable blast from the past, but it’s by no means essential playing.

Moon Hunters is a short, engaging game, innovative in its approach to replay value, with each subsequent playthrough increasing in depth and pleasure.

Victoria 3 does a brilliant job of bringing this era of global politics alive. Its brilliant law systems create a truly enigmatic power struggle that will keep us playing for many hours to come. While there is a lack of flavour for some of the smaller nations and a handful of other problems that stop Victoria 3 being as good as it could be, there’s a vast myriad of strategies available to players, and many ways to plot out a successful campaign. And ultimately, that’s all that we want from a strategy game: the freedom to make credible choices.

Crazy Pixel Streaker offers a fair amount of variety and content for a simple, but surprisingly difficult co-operative brawling experience. There’s depth, but it’s shallow, and replayability suffers due to the deliberate difficulty; but ultimately, in short bursts there’s great fun to be had.

With its charming papercraft-like visuals and enjoyable 70s themed soundtrack, Serial Cleaner can be a lot of fun if you have the patience for it.

It isn’t perfect, and frustration will rear its ugly head from time to time, but for all its quirks, The Escapists 2’s blend of excitement and tension will keep you hooked. Lock yourself away with The Escapists 2 and you won’t regret it.

It’s not perfect, it may be frustrating at times, but Stories of Bethem manages to capture the essence of games of the 90s: when having fun was the only thing that mattered.

Considering its budget price, there’s a lot to like about Labyrinth Legend. Its combat is a little simple, and inventory management can be a bit of a pain at times, but crawling its dungeons in search of powerful loot is engrossing nonetheless. The bite-sized nature of its action works in its favour, too, allowing you to delve in and out of it before it wears thin. So, if the idea of a cute-looking dungeon crawler that doesn’t over-complicate itself appeals to you, Labyrinth Legend is well worth checking out.

While it initially took me a while to get into, and the random nature of the encounters can sometimes be annoying, there’s a lot to enjoy with Here Be Dragons.

Trenga Unlimited is a worthwhile puzzle game for anyone who enjoys the likes of Tetris. It’s a surprisingly pleasant way to pass some time, and while you’ll probably be done with its campaign in a few hours, survival mode will likely keep you going back. Just get ready to hear ‘Ultimate Trenga!’ over and over – and over – again until the words are etched in your brain forever.

Absolutely heaving with personality, it's clear a lot of heart and soul has gone into making Date Everything. Its characters are beautifully brought to life, but trying to meet everyone (which you'll want to do) can feel a bit of a slog.

Should you buy Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord? If you’ve got the slightest taste for big battles or an interest in medieval conquest, absolutely. Don’t expect the depth of, say, Crusader Kings III, but for fans of medieval warfare this is a real winner.

It has some issues that can frustrate, mechanically it can take some getting used to, and it could do with a patch or two to clear up some unfortunate bugs, but Penny’s Big Breakaway has a lot of charm which sees it pull through the other side. If you’re a fan of 3D platformers, especially those with unique quirks and gimmicks, chances are you’ll absolutely love what Penny’s Big Breakaway has to offer. It’s certainly a solid debut from Evening Star, and we can’t wait to see what the studio does next.

Just Cause 4 certainly isn’t a bad game, but it feels a bit like a wasted opportunity. The fun you can have outside of the game’s campaign shows that the world and the tools you’re given work in harmony with each other, but you’re never given the freedom to really make use of them during missions.

This video game adaptation of Edens Zero doesn't make the best first impression, but if you stick with it for a few hours, it gets a lot better. It's rough around the edges and has multiple issues that persist throughout, such as a certain clunkiness to its combat, but its entertaining story full of outrageous characters and ample number of unique playable characters will keep you coming back for more.

There’s no doubt about it – Redeemer: Enhanced Edition is indeed an improvement over the original game. It is still ultimately a victim to repetition though. As good as the new levelling and perk system is, it’s not transformative; it just keeps the tedium at bay for an extra handful of levels.

If you’re in the market for a new dungeon crawler on Switch and don’t mind rubbing semi-naked anime girls on your screen, chances are you’ll love Moero Crystal H. It ticks all the right boxes for fans of the genre, then adds a bit of naughtiness that will either make you like it even more, or turn your head away in disgust.

Exile’s End is a good action-platformer that checks all the boxes of a good Metroidvania, but does so without much pizazz.

Its asking price of £18/$20 may be a little steep considering the game’s lack of replayability, but if you’re a fan of platforming and adventuring, Elli definitely has enough to offer that’ll keep you engaged for several hours.

Even despite its downfalls – its repetitive gameplay loop, its dense narrative and its lack of worthwhile adventuring – there’s something that makes Kingdom Hearts 3 difficult to resist.

If you’ve ever been fond of strategically dropping bombs to flummox your opponents, it’s a winner.

It's quite short and rather rough around the edges, but The Last Case of John Morley has an interesting case for you to crack. Just don't expect anything too ambitious or impressive.

Monster Energy Supercross does a lot of things to impress then, but its lacklustre career mode takes a lot of shine out of the proceedings. If you're a fan of the sport you'll find a lot here to like, what with its worthy selection of real world tracks and bikes. And mechanically, it plays rather well too. I'm just not sure how much you'll get out of the title before it no longer excites, despite the presence of a track editor and countless customisation items to unlock. It's undoubtedly the best Supercross game I've ever played, but it still falls short of real greatness.

Soulstice is enjoyable for the most part, even though it has its annoyances. Being available on next-gen consoles and PC only, it looks fantastic at times and has a great sense of scale. Its boss fights are exhilarating too, and there are some other hair-raising scenes that try to provide a little variety. Factor in multiple difficulty levels and many secret challenges to be found, and you have an action adventure game that you can really sink your teeth into.

An adorable Survivors-like that casts you as a capybara, Extremely Powerful Capybaras is fast-paced, frantic and downright fun. A few performance issues hold it back a little, but this is still a moreish roguelike you'll find yourself being drawn back to time and time again.

This penultimate episode doesn’t reach the dizzying heights of the season’s opening salvo, but it’s a solid, satisfying outing. Minecraft Story Mode Season 2: Episode 4 – Below the Bedrock neatly balances action and dialogue, advancing the plot just enough to whet your appetite for what promises to be a killer finale.

Hitman HD Enhanced Collection thankfully isn’t a lazy port, but I can’t help but feel that a mistake has been made with regards to its pricing.

Despite the introduction of multiple difficulty levels, then, some might find themselves becoming frustrated with Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana. But fans of the series and those who don’t mind a challenge will still get lots of fun out of it. It’s a meaningful update of a classic, and while it might not hit the same notes as one of the most recent entries in the series, spending more time with the red-haired Adol remains a treat.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate is indeed the definitive version of a cult classic beat 'em up, featuring enhanced visuals, smoother gameplay, crossplay, and an optional remixed soundtrack. Some issues still remain, such as movement feeling a little clunky, but there's a lot of fun to be had whether playing alone or with others.

When you take everything into account, UnEpic on the PS Vita is quite a nice little port. Sure, the framerate sometimes struggles, and you don’t quite have as much information available to you in an instant, but the game feels right at home on the handheld, and the refined visual presentation is a boon.

The Lion’s Song is certainly a unique story from start to finish. Those that enjoy a relaxing point-and-click are sure find this one to their liking. It requires a bit of patience in those cumbersome moments in the middle, but it’s well worth it for the beautiful art style, harrowing soundtrack, and truly creative take on the point-and-click genre.

A cosy roguelike game about managing your resources as you explore the wilderness, Into the Emberlands is wholesome and moreish. It's not the most exciting game, and it is a little repetitive — but given its budget price, it's a bargain, and well worth your time.

However, even with an ending that takes way too much to achieve with very little pay off, Asemblance still manages to be a very intriguing and atmospheric sci-fi story.

The excitement it provides is still some way away from that of the Burnout series’ crash junctions, but in their absence it goes some distance to fill the void. With more content, a slew of gameplay enhancements and noticeably improved visuals, Xbox One owners may have had to wait for Danger Zone, but it’s definitely been worth it.

Space Hulk Ascension is a love letter to the source material. Not a single pixel does not show the passion and respect that the makers must have for the original board game.

Mother Russia Bleeds doesn’t come anywhere near to toppling Streets of Rage 2 as the best scrolling beat’em up, but it has a decent stab at it, making it a recommended purchase for fans of the genre.

Exploring Luna Nova Academy can sometimes be frustrating until you're able to fast travel throughout it, and trying to complete events can often feel like an uphill struggle against the clock. But as you begin to wrap your head around the game's intricacies and balance dungeon crawling with your academic endeavours, things fall into place.

Though it has its shortcomings, Jitsu Squad is a good entry into the ever-growing side-scrolling beat ’em up genre that is bound to find a legion of fans should they give it a chance. The combat is entertainingly maniacal, and there’s plenty of scope for skilful play beyond button bashing. Add in the sharp, colourful visuals, and you have an attractive game that’s fun for all.

Despite its cruel difficulty, Spacejacked is a really fun and entertaining game that will probably have me crawling back to it in shame again and again. Its hilarious dialogue had me in stitches on more than one occasion, and the gravity suit mechanic really adds a creative element that I’ve never seen before in the tower defence games that I’ve played.

If you’re a fan of 3D platformers, then Mail Mole is definitely worth your time. It’s no Super Mario Odyssey or Super Lucky’s Tale, but it hits plenty of the same notes, offering a fun and inoffensive adventure that’ll provide several hours of entertainment. Plus, considering its budget price ($15/£12.50), most of its missteps can be forgiven. And who doesn’t love a mole in a fancy hat?

From time to time Table Top Racing: World Tour can feel a bit mundane; like it’s missing a certain je ne sais quoi. It’s a game I keep coming back to though, playing the odd hour here and there between other titles, and with this approach I greatly appreciate its charm.

While it may be quite a departure from a standard Atelier game, Nelke & The Legendary Alchemists is a valiant attempt to diversify the series. It may not appeal quite so much to fans of traditional JRPGs, but there’s certainly enough here to enrapture Atelier fans along with newcomers who enjoy the townbuilding genre. As long as you can get past the frustrating first hour, Nelke & The Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World opens itself up to be a rewarding and engaging experience that’s surprisingly hard to put down.

Successfully combining exploration with horror elements, Kholat is an extremely mysterious and unsettling experience that can at times be utterly frustrating yet is always strangely compelling.

Battle for Azeroth makes some great improvements in the levelling experience, but faults in its class design and the less rewarding Azerite system mean that overall, it takes too many steps back from Legion.

GNOG is an artistic fever dream that oozes imagination; it is equal parts delightful and bizarre.

Trago is very effective, if a little short. I found myself playing and replaying it for 70 minutes straight before I even began to consider giving it a break, which shows that it’s just as addictive as the excessive drinking it portrays.

For the most part, Henchman Story is a funny, fulfilling ride though the frequently silly, occasionally grim world of supervillains and the poor, overlooked souls who serve them.

If the idea of a game that lets you poke around and learn everything on your own, you’ll have some fun with Save Koch‘s wacky, hectic world. There’s a lot to like if you have the patience to figure it out. But if you prefer your sim games with clear instructions, then you’d better pass on this one.

The first game to released as part of the Horror Tales Saga, Horror Tales: The Wine isn’t likely to wow anyone. It is a solid effort though, and one that horror fans should definitely consider checking out if they want a short and sweet experience to occupy an evening. While its presentation leaves a little to be desired and its puzzles eventually become a tad samey, it tells a chilling story and backs it up with some genuinely hair-raising scenarios.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition requires a bit of legwork to get the best out of it. It’s worth it though, especially when you also take into consideration the game’s wonderful animation and kick-ass soundtrack. The additional characters and modes brought into the fold make it excellent value for money, too. So, whether you’re a devout Scott Pilgrim fan, or seeking out yet another side-scrolling beat ’em up to add to your collection, you’d be wise to give it a go.

If Capcom wanted to use this re-release as a way to drum-up interest in a new Devil May Cry game then I feel they've gone about it the wrong way, as there's nothing here that's going to expand the series' player base. But, for those who simply want to play the games and rekindle memories of times gone by, the Devil May Cry HD Collection may just suffice.

Sniper Elite V2 Remastered is far from being the best Sniper Elite game you can play right now, but it’s still worth your time if you want to see bullets travel through bodies in gory detail.

In an age where every genre and cult-classic is getting the revision-treatment, Lastfight offers up a unique and nostalgic take on a formula that has been sorely missing this past decade.

If V-Rally 4 had a more structured career, I really feel like it would have been a great game. As it is, however, it’s fun until you feel like you’re completing the same events over and over again.

It's short, and rather basic in terms of features, but Aerial_Knight's DropShot gameplay loop of shooting enemies with a finger gun as you fall out of a plane is fun while it lasts.

It might not offer up anything particularly new or exciting, but Ariana and the Elder Codex is a solid metroidvania adventure game with an enjoyable narrative. Multiple difficulty levels make this readily accessible too, so this combat-heavy romp never needs to feel too challenging.

The dungeons are well designed, but it’s the cartoon sprites with real character that really make the game come to life.

Manticore: Galaxy on Fire is a solid but unspectacular space shooter. As the first (to my knowledge) of its kind on Nintendo Switch though, it's a worthy starting place. It'll provide a long-lasting experience for those who approach it like the mobile-focused title that it is, while those expecting a deeper console experience may unfortunately find it a bit lacking. Either way, no-one can deny that it performs well and looks pretty.

The real saving grace, however, is the developer commentary and the new maps, which despite some inconsistent design bring some rather well designed levels in to the mix, and the new lick of paint doesn’t hurt either. It reminds me of the recent new maps by John Romero and how old veterans coming back to their work is a good thing. Despite some minor issues, and some rather low blows by Gearbox, I’d say this is a fine new outing for old man Duke.

If you like your roguelikes to be super speedy and action-packed, then Go Mecha Ball is absolutely worth your time. It's a little too over-the-top at times, and it's a shame there's not more variety from one run to another, but there's no denying how fun it is when you're in the thick of it.

The tight mechanics and gameplay cannot be overlooked and EA certainly has made good on that ground. Is it as enjoyable as the previous titles? No. It lacks the depth which its predecessors possessed and as a result, you’re left with little will to return. Regardless, this is the first half-decent golfing game on the current gen consoles, and aside from the gimmicky Night Club Challenges and inclusion of Star Wars Battlefront-themed courses, Rory McIlroy PGA Tour offers a level of realism that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else right now.

While it's occasionally frustrating and the arrest system is hit and miss, I can't deny that it's a lot of fun to play.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is another solid entry into this bizarre but lovable drumming rhythm game. The 70 songs included within the game offer plenty of variety, but it’s a shame some of the best tracks are locked behind the Taiko Music Pass subscription. The multiplayer modes on offer are a welcome touch, but if you’re expecting more minigames like Drum ‘n’ Fun, you may be disappointed. This is more about the music, and we can’t really fault that.

While The Warriors maintains a great atmosphere through a reconstructed moody New York, it is ultimately very dated. The combat remains fun and accessible, yet never as intuitive as other fighting mechanics that came after it.

As long as you can stomach the slow opening stretch and that the game doesn’t quite live up to its title, you’ll enjoy this gruesome spin on the farming genre.

Marfusha isn’t the most visually interesting game, and for some it might quickly become overly repetitive. There’s something about its simple gameplay that makes it strangely captivating though, tempting you to return to protect its border gates time and time again. With such a wide range of cards available, and multiple characters in Challenge Mode, no two runs are quite exactly the same, either. If you’re fan of shooters that you can dip in and out of, it’s well worth adding to your library.

Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers isn't as rewarding to play as, say, Streets of Rage 4, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. Inconsistent visuals and a poorly localised story will be the biggest gripes with the game for some.

Heal isn’t a long game; it’ll likely take you only a couple of hours to reach its conclusion, with a pause to shout at that one frustrating puzzle. But you’ll still be engrossed by this OAP’s otherworldly outing.

Without convoluted gameplay systems and a myriad of menus to get your head around, Impact Winter's streamlined approach to the genre is faultlessly welcoming and instantly engaging.

There really is so much to love. It’s just a shame it ends up outstaying its welcome by having you repeat yourself time and time again.

A Plague Tale: Requiem outdoes its predecessor in many ways. Its story, for example, manages to be even more engaging and touching, while numerous gameplay enhancements make it a deeper, more varied affair. It's just a shame that its first quarter isn't better paced, relying too much on you manipulating rats with light, and that its combat sections just aren't fun at all. Add in a myriad of performance issues and bugs, and you have a game that somewhat squanders its phenomenal potential, but is still very much worth playing.

Destroy All Humans! isn’t going to wow you. It will make you chuckle, however, and frequently put a smile on your face. It’s not overly polished, nor is it complex, but it is fun. Crypto is back, and we hope he’s here to stay. This alien’s got an attitude, but he’s lovable all the same. If anything, this remake primarily proves that he deserves more time in the limelight, and we’d love to see a fully-fledged new entry into the series at some point.

Ultimately, if you’re a fan of Slay the Spire, you’ll undoubtedly get a kick out of Pirates Outlaws. It’s a solid entry into the roguelike card-based battler genre, but we just can’t shake the feeling it’s a little too much like its inspirations to really stand out. Still, it’s safe to say that if you’re looking for more Slay the Spire-type action, it’ll do a decent job of scratching that itch.

With a few more song options and maybe a way to slow down the dances so you can learn them at a slower pace, Zumba Burn It Up! is a worthwhile addition to your library if you’re looking for a fun way to work out.

Perhaps both the best and worst LEGO game available on Xbox One.

Thymesia is quite a good Soulslike. Aside from some attacks homing in on you a little too well, only things like a lack of voice acting and uneven boss difficulty truly let it down. It’s not as polished or as epic as any of FromSoftware’s releases, but that’s to be expected given the budget price and the fact that this is the first title from developer Over Border Studio. So, keep your expectations in check, and you’re bound to have a good time.

Doughlings: Arcade, at first glance, may seem like an outdated game from the early 2000s, but spend a bit of time with it and you'll soon see it's a fun, modern twist on a classic.

A roguelike first-person shooter with a brinepunk aesthetic, Abyssus provides a lot of frantic fun, especially if played in co-op. Its progression could do with a little work, though, with you needing to grind Soul Fragments to unlock basic upgrades that feel necessary for your survival, alongside some pesky difficulty spikes.

Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a bold sequel that adds RPG elements into the mix and has more of an action focus. Awkward fixed camera angles add unwanted frustration to combat, though, and the new weapon switching mechanic is troublesome to use in the heat of battle.

With lovably odd characters, a fantastic art design, and a really engaging style of gameplay, Deponia shows what a modern point and click game should be. Despite a steep incline in difficulty that may catch a few players off guard, Deponia’s highlight is its character design and writing, and you can expect to be entertained throughout.

Instruments of Destruction lets you take on one bite-sized mission after another, where typically your goal is to simply destroy things. With over 130 vehicles available, it's mostly a lot of fun, too, though some missions can be dull and/or a little frustrating.

Letting you practice battles until you're confident you can win, Forestrike often feels like a puzzle game. That can also lead to frustration, however; just one mistake can make it pretty much impossible to win some fights. Throw in the fact that sometimes you can't practice, and that there's little in the way of permanent upgrades, and Forestrike doesn't always feel fair. Still, there's a fun roguelite here for those who can hack it.

Not For Broadcast: Live & Spooky is still a blast and if you’ve been craving more of the main game’s humour and charm, you’ll find it here. Patrick Bannon is someone you’ll love to hate and Live & Spooky couldn’t happen to a nicer person.

Above and Beyond isn't the best Minecraft Story Mode has to offer, but it's nevertheless an appropriately action-packed conclusion to a strong season. It's a shame that certain elements have been overlooked in this last episode, but as a whole, the second season of Minecraft Story Mode has been a worthwhile outing, especially for fans of the block-building franchise.

Despite those flaws however, Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders still provides a great and thoroughly engrossing crime story that any fan of the point and click genre will surely gleam some enjoyment out of.

The Duck Detective is back, and his down-and-out personality is as wonderful as ever. Unfortunately, the mystery on offer here isn't quite as good as last time, but there are still plenty of pleasing puzzles and investigations to get your beak stuck into.

While Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator’s longevity feels somewhat artificially expanded, as you’ll need to repeatedly wait for seeds to spawn randomly, we can’t lie: we’ve had a lovely time tending to our flowers and seeing our garden take shape. The story mode has a good sense of progression, and reaching the next goal or meeting a new character is always a cause for celebration. We wish there wasn’t a limit on how many plants we can have, though.

River City Girls‘ semi-open world does it no favours, and neither does the abundance of pointless items you can buy or its recruitment system. Even its RPG elements are unnecessary. If it was a simple side-scrolling beat ’em up with stages, I think I’d enjoy it a hell of a lot more. Regardless, there is a lot here to like despite some frustrations, so if you fancy walking some streets while pummelling goons, it’s certainly worth a look. Especially if you have someone at hand to play it with you.

Hollow Realization is the strongest iteration of Sword Art Online to date, and an easy recommendation for fans of the anime and previous games.

Whether you’re into challenging Soulslikes or sprawling Metroidvanias, there’s a lot to like about Moonscars. Its atmosphere is thick thanks to its moody visuals and soundtrack, while its moment-to-moment gameplay is utterly engrossing once it has its hooks in you. If you’re up to the task and can accept that the experience won’t always feel fair, this is a game well worth sinking some time into.

Jump into Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception expecting a traditional Japanese visual novel experience, and you’ll no doubt be a little disappointed… but look past its intermittent battle sections and there’s a fulfilling character-driven tale just waiting to be uncovered.

Sporting wonderful pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack, Eldest Souls is sure to go down a storm with Soulslike fans who would simply like to get to the nitty-gritty. Of course, the loss of the smaller battles in between means that there’s no opportunity to level your character up if you’re struggling, but the short and sharp nature of the fights on offer, and the ease of which you can respec to try a different approach, makes up for that somewhat. It’s a just a shame that Eldest Souls sometimes feels unfair, with victory being the result of your foes not making use of certain powerful skills.