Defragmented is a fun and engrossing game (hours will fly by as though you’re in a cryo-sleep). It has a mostly wicked score, a cool world and explosive action sequences which make you feel like you’re inside of a movie on a bad trip. It’s not the best shooter ever made or the best RPG ever made, but the hybrid set in the cyber-punk universe is intense and captivating.

If you are looking for a unique twist to the very established stealth genre, or a way to pass the time before sinking your teeth into more complex and in-depth games, then Level 22 definitely fits the bill.

In a nutshell then, Earth Defense Force 4.1 may not look like a game that you bought a PS4 for, but it makes up for it by providing outrageously mindless fun that simply no other game can offer.

Bounce Rescue! ends up feeling rather uninspired and a little boring.

Overall then, MXGP2 is a good game, but it’s not going to blow you away.

Overall, Capcom were just too ambitious with Resident Evil 6, and unfortunately this port doesn’t really do anything to address any of its glaring issues.

Going into it, I didn’t expect much from Letter Quest: Grimm’s Journey Remastered, but I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoy a good word game now and then, and the unique twist that Letter Quest offers with brawler and RPG elements makes this a truly engaging and addictive title.

Republique has some great ideas, but it’s just a shame they aren’t developed fully enough to offer the tight experience that the game could have been.

In the game biz, addiction is but one of the many pathways to success. There’s no easy road to fame, glory and a boatload of bills, just as there’s no one algorithm that will make gamers shut the blinds and keep their behind glued to edge of their seat. But Leap of Fate does appear to have found the recipe for addiction, if not success. Pick it up if you’d like a taste.

The story is told through comic strip cut scenes which feel out of place for this world, and very half-assed.

There’s no doubt about it, DiRT Rally is the finest rally game currently available on Xbox One.

From bad grammar within the game, to having an unoriginal title, developers Spider Key attempted something unique, but unfortunately missed the mark and as such, the game appears to have been neglected a little. Many of the mistakes could have been easily avoided, so hopefully they will take better precautions in the future and create another game with more allure.

Sure, the game isn’t perfect and has a few flaws – the ending is disappointing and the minigames feel quite pointless – but they are forgiveable simply because the game is fun, with a storyline and gameplay that are thoroughly enjoyable.

Monumental isn’t a bad game. It’s just a badly made game. I think that somewhere in here was a really genuine idea at heart, and looking at its page on the Steam store, that is so obvious. The world design is actually pretty nice but the game itself is plagued by buggy mediocrity and dull audio design. I wouldn’t recommend Monumental, but I think something amazing could have come from it. Clear away the bugs, dust off the boredom and you might have had something worth playing here.

This game makes me wish my friends lived more locally so I could have them round every week to play a few matches of Living Dungeon with beer or two.

At the moment, with its fantastic gameplay but a serious lack of content, Street Fighter 5 is a solid 7/10; a good game that is a great for fans of the genre but can’t be recommended to all. Hopefully though, in a year’s time when the promised features have been added and the roster of fighters has been increased in number, it’ll be worthy of a 9/10. Until then however, those looking for single player fighting thrills should look elsewhere to get their kicks, whilst those wanting to just play online will definitely enjoy Street Fighter 5, but may find its repetition of stages and fighters slightly irksome.

Trails of Cold Steel looks very nice indeed thanks to its colourful and well-designed character and enemy models as well as a consistently smooth framerate, although you can’t say that it makes the most of the handhelds power.

Despite the questionable graphics and frustrating lack of save points, there’s very little you can buy for just over two quid that’ll give you as much enjoyment as this.

A wild ride from right from the moment you reach the start screen; with so much going on, it’s almost impossible to get bored or feel like there’s any repetition in the game. While the story is a tad lacklustre and doesn’t serve the most thought-provoking narrative, it is easy to let this slide with all the positive qualities that the actual gameplay has to offer.

Factotum 90 is certainly not a game that will appeal to everyone, especially if you one of these people who likes to turn off their brain when they play, but for those who like a challenge and want to make the old grey matter work a bit harder, then this might just be the game you are looking for.

It’s a shame that Gone Home is a bit of a non-starter. It has a lot of potential; the game is genuinely captivating whilst you’re playing it – it’s just unfortunate that it leaves you so disappointed once you’ve reached its conclusion. The human story it tries to tell is relatable, but it’s a story that’s so ordinary it’s barely even worth telling. By all means, play Gone Home for the exploration; for the 90’s nostalgia and for its down-to-Earth quirks, but don’t go into it expecting anything mindblowing. Expect a grounded story about a typical family and you won’t be disappointed, but anything else will leave you feeling rather underwhelmed.

Mitsurugi Kamui Hikae has the potential to be an enjoyable title if you learn to master its combat system, making use of all the moves on offer.

Siralim wears its many inspirations on its sleeve but unfortunately brings too few new ideas to an already populated genre to stand on its own two feet. Some may be tempted by its obvious Pokemon-inspired roots, and some enjoyment may be found in its creature-collecting and castle building, but most will likely find themselves disappointed with the blandness of it all.

Insurgency was made by someone who’d experienced warfare for people who wanted to get as close to experiencing it as they dared.

Miko Mole offers a poor first impression with bad presentation, graphics and annoying menus. The most important feature of a game however is its gameplay – its mechanics – which, if you can get past the hitbox and movement, Miko Mole offers a pretty solid package with enough content and freshness that may just keep some around for a little under 10 hours.

A clear love letter to J-Horror games of decades past, incorporating common horror tropes while also presenting its own fresh ideas.

I’d highly recommend Armello to fans of Hearthstone, World of Warcraft, Starcraft, D&D, or anyone wanting to branch out from traditional board games. The graphics, though not the most exceptional in terms of quality, are beautiful; the combination of 3D effects with almost anime-esque cu scenes gives the game a unique and striking look. It’s interesting, the music has a calming effect, and it gives so much for a relatively unknown game, for not much money.

It expands the boundaries of what peoples’ idea of video games are; they’re not just sadistic shoot ‘em ups or mind-numbing ridiculousness. Sometimes they’re real life; they’re heartbreaking and devastating. If for no other reason than that, That Dragon, Cancer deserves your attention.

Succeeds in replicating what’s already been done, which is fine, but it fails to be a classic in its own right.

The simplistic nature of the combat system means that fights, though enjoyable, can become quite repetitive.

Despite its flaws, Moonlight is still an entertaining and delightful platformer. Its pleasing graphics and wonderful, calming soundtrack won me over right away but its brief playing time, frustrating jumping mechanics and underwhelming ending let the overall experience down in my opinion. At around four hours playing time, Moonlight offers a silly, quick platformer game, but those looking for anything with more depth or longevity are best looking elsewhere.

Remember when you mindlessly ran over throngs of pedestrians on GTA ‘just because’? Now you can do that with zombies.

An incredibly broken and unresponsive game, where any moment that brings promise or elements of engaging gameplay, is completely overshadowed by its shortcomings and failures.

Overall, Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure has a lot to offer. It’s incredibly fun thanks to its addictive gameplay and wholesome humour, and shouldn’t be missed.

Despite all of its problems, there is still a fun experience to be had with Doors.

Tales from the Borderlands can easily compete against the hottest contenders on TV, not just on account of its writing, but also its cinematic beauty.

For a 2D platform game, this level of storytelling is very rare and makes a refreshing change.

Superhot isn’t ground-breaking. It’s a fun game with a unique concept and I was fully immersed during my playthrough, but I like to look at the replay value of anything I review, especially when it comes to FPS games. Some people might find it addictive and they might get huge amounts of enjoyment out of playing through the challenges and endless mode, but for me, after playing through some of the after-game content I’m fairly confident that I won’t pick it up again, at least not for a while. Not because it’s a sub-par product but because there’s nothing else for me to gain in playing it.

I urge you, please, to play The Town of Light and uncover Renee’s story, and a greater understanding of the cause for it, for yourself.

You’ll get the most that Layers of Fear can offer you when you’re brave enough to delve into all of its nooks and crannies.

For fans of the previous games, Megadimension Neptunia VII pretty much offers more of the same but a little quicker and prettier. For those still not acquainted with the series however, whilst this is as good a time as any to jump in, the twee storyline full of fan service will probably present a barrier to completely enjoying it.

Pixel Piracy is difficult to get into: there is a lot to be learned and lots to remember; namely getting to grips with the vast inventory system and mastering how to keep the crew in check.

Whether it be from lack of supplies or enemies after your sweet juicy flesh; there is always something guaranteed to go badly each game.

Far Cry Primal‘s map is absolutely huge, and is literally teeming with objective markers and missions. I challenge even the most ardently focused of players to travel to their intended location without getting sidetracked on the way.

There are clear throwbacks to some classic side-scrollers (Turtles in Time, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage)…. but they seem to have missed the point that games have moved on since then.

Dreadbit should have excluded any roguelite features to make for a more compelling and engaging experience.

I spent a very long time trying to come up with a reason to mark Unravel down as a game but I just… can’t! Really, I can’t think of one negative thing to say about it. From the visuals to the audio, the smooth and responsive gameplay (and lack of glitches) to the touching story/message; there is nothing wrong with this game. Honestly, if you even slightly enjoy puzzle or platformer games, even slightly, buy Unravel. Do it.

There may have been a shortage of actual new modes added to Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 but it doesn’t really matter; the gameplay is so balanced and engaging that you won’t really care.

Not content with just the one story mode, Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel has two, but unfortunately both are pretty unremarkable.

At the end of my time with MagNets: Fully Charged, I never felt the thrill I get from the very best video games, or even pushed through the rough to find a diamond. I found a game with limited appeal, repetitive gameplay, basic mechanics, and a pointless attempt at a story. It’s never a bad game, but it’s never a good game either. I remain indifferent and somehow, that is both the best and worst thing I can say about any game.

Much of the ‘action’ in the game… hints at excitement but never pushes the boundaries to make for really thrilling gameplay.

A game like Dark Souls 3 is best gone into blind so as to heighten the sense of wonder and accomplishment you feel when you discover things for yourself, and I don’t want to rob you of that. All you need to know is that without any shadow of a doubt, I believe Dark Souls 3 is the finest game in the Souls series to date. It looks amazing, sounds amazing, plays amazing; the only things that let it down are the minor technical issues and perhaps the sometimes inconsistent difficulty level.

I’m already itching to get back into the Gungeon. Even if it’s occasionally frustrating, it’s still an addictive, rewarding experience. Polished gameplay and accessibility make way for fun, frantic and stylish firefights, whilst the classes add variety and cater to different playstyles. It’s a game that feels great to play alone, and is probably even better with a friend through local co-op. Simplistic, yet full of depth, Enter the Gungeon deserves to be in your collection.

The original premise and certain parts of Acorn Assault: Rodent Revolution‘s story start out fun, but unfortunately it doesn’t sustain for the full hour or two that it took me to complete the game. I enjoyed the first few fights exploring the mechanics and the opening lines of dialogue, but the game quickly became repetitive and irritating. Acorn Assault: Rodent Revolution is a game that promised to be a charming indie title but fell tremendously short.

Players who love Michonne, or who love any action game with the right amount of drama and zombie killing, can pick up the season pass in order to get access to the first two episodes and the third upon its release.

If you get a big kick of out having pages of stats to micro-manage, or finding a lot of loot, then you may gleam some enjoyment out of of playing Sadame, but for me, I appreciate its art and its classes, and that’s unfortunately all I can commend.

It’s simple, but simplicity can be handled in a classy way and I think that Soul Axiom does a great job with something pretty barebones.

Whilst Action Henk certainly won’t float everyone’s boat with its iffy visuals and reliance on score chasing to provide any long-lasting attraction, it is still an interesting and addictive combination of racing and platforming.

[Californium] did get challenging at times, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t rage quit once or twice, but in the end the reward for finishing was worth it.

Whale Rock games have done a great job of making an engaging, challenging and rewarding game (if not the deepest in story-terms) but the difficulty makes it pretty prohibitive for most gamers.

Though pretty to look at, there is no depth to MOP: Operation Cleanup and that makes it feel like a hollow shell of a game.

From its ridiculous lack of content to boring and repetitive gameplay, there isn’t much in the way of redeeming features for Blast ‘Em Bunnies. Frankly, it’s unreal that it’s available on PS4, Xbox One, 3DS and PC. It’s just an unfinished, poorly thrown-together game.

The pixelation, the darkness, the lack of story, and the sounds all come together in this synthesis that hammers home a single point deftly: die endlessly in an arena of death, and die better every time.

The brilliance of this game lies in the fact that these are all viable strategies, and that all are possible if you plan enough moves ahead.

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.

Fans of the comic books will surely love this addition to Michonne’s story, as it gives a glimpse into what went on during her disappearance in the comics. Others will enjoy it for its easy to learn gameplay, terrifying post-apocalyptic world, and its cast of unique characters.

It’s an incredibly mediocre offering that tries but ultimately fails to revitalise the struggling genre.

Ultimately it seems that the creators came up with a brilliant idea but rushed the product: although for some the core game will be enough, for those looking for real longevity and replay-ability Gurgamoth will be sacrificed prematurely on the altar of one-night-only party games.

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.

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

The retro graphics are primitive but they have a certain charm… and the 80’s style synth soundtrack which provides an eerie, moody, and darkly relaxing tone.

The obviously Hitman ‘inspired’ gameplay does start to get to you after a while, in an annoying fly-on-your-shoulder kind of way.

When the simple gameplay mechanics of timing, precision and memory merge together, it creates an absolutely thrilling and tense experience.

I enjoyed this game hugely myself, but I couldn’t get my nine year old son to put it down! It really is a title that will appeal to all ages. I can’t help but recommend Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops to everyone, especially fans of the old Cannon Fodder games. The game is tremendous fun and will keep you playing for a long time to come. It’s easily some of the best fun I have had with my Xbox One.

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.

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.

It’s the collaborative effort between you and perfect strangers half a world away and on a totally different platform that really sets Dreii apart.

Cel Damage HD is a good game for the local multiplayer aficionados out there, but it’s hard to outright recommend.

Reagan Gorbachev undeniably has character, and really runs with its absurd premise, delivering a decent arcadey Hotline Miami-like. But while it delivers thrilling moments, it disappoints in a few key areas, presenting a game with a bland aesthetic and relatively shallow gameplay. It offers some enjoyment in the form of its tongue-in-cheek story, but if you’re looking for more depth than score chasing, you may not find it here.

Overall, Hitman shows a lot of promise for the future, but unless the prospect of saving £3.98 right now seems thrilling to you, buying The Full Experience is a bit silly at this point.

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

It’s plain to see that Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a deep and instantly inviting adventure.

If you’re after something that’s a mix of challenge, speed and downright addictiveness, then Dub Dash is your game. If you’re into electronic music, give it a try and look up the soundtrack online. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Final Fantasy Explorers is okay. It’s neither a worthy heir to Phantasy Star Online‘s crown nor is it a successful Final Fantasy title in its own right. I mean, did I even mention the story? Yeah, that wasn’t an accident. If you’re desperate for more hunting then you could do worse, but it’s an easy pass for everyone else.

Day of the Tentacle masterfully displays myriad forms of humour in every single scene so there’s something there that’ll appeal to everyone.

Has a way of masterfully mixing together silly and scary in that way that makes you feel like you should be giggling, but instead you’re crying in the corner.

A deceptively simple game, The Westport Independent is enjoyable, interesting, unique, and utterly immersive. I was thoroughly captivated playing it and I look forward to playing it again.

A creative take on the top-down shooter genre and, had it had more opportunities for me to run into a room guns blazing, it may have been my new favourite. The hand drawn art style is unlike anything I’ve seen before and I can’t wait to see if the developers create something new with the same idea in mind. If you’re looking for a game that will have you crying with rage one second and laughing in triumph the next, 12 is Better Than 6 is definitely worth a playthrough or two.

101 Ways To Die is great fun; each level is superbly crafted and the whole experience is enjoyable. Loading times are almost non-existent and the install size is only notable by the fact that it’s a mere 289mb. How they packed it all in to that, I’ll never understand.

The lack of a story, other than the farmer being sick, really had me wondering what the point was.

A great action-RPG with only a few issues that bring it down a peg or two.

Those familiar with BlazBlue lore will likely relish the lengthy episodic cutscenes, filled to the brim with snaking character subplots, but the rest of us humble gamers will be left itching for some actual gameplay.

It’s not to be taken seriously, and that’s obvious right from booting the game up; from its blocky and over-simplistic graphic style to the plethora of cat-themed puns that you’re ambushed with right from the get-go (the “Paws” menu, for instance). If you have a sense of humour and a bit of time to kill, Catlateral Damage has plenty to offer; it’s just a delight to play. If cats aren’t your thing though, you’ll probably wonder why on Earth you’re spending your precious time just knocking things to the floor.

I had the most fun when I was forced to think tactically, manoeuvre for effect, take an enemy down quick, and reposition myself and my team to deal with the next threat.

If it’s boobs you’re after, Senran Kagura: Estival Versus will provide more than your fair share, but if you’re wanting actual gameplay, it doesn’t deliver anything you won’t find better done elsewhere.

Blood Alloy Reborn is akin to placing a Literature student in a University Calculus exam, hoping that their brief five-minute class with a nutty professor will net them a good grade.

I have been seriously charmed by Stardew Valley; there certainly isn’t much about it that I dislike. I like its subtle tactical elements and time management that thread through all of the activities you can do. It’s without a doubt currently my favourite game this year, and I feel it might take something pretty incredible to knock it off.

The game’s graphic design is again something to be admired. Its simple and stripped back approach fits perfectly with the Stone Age era using the aesthetic style of cave drawings that though lack vibrant colour, give the game much more character. It’s hard to imagine any other graphic style doing justice to Stone Tales, and anything else would otherwise feel very out of place with what the developers set out to achieve.