It’s not perfect, but Blade Strangers is a solid fighting game that is wonderfully accessible.

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.

Challenging you to make your way up a mountain, Baby Steps is likely to be one of the most divisive games of the year. With its hands-off approach, you're left to find your own fun as you ascend, and struggle with the simple act of walking. Ultimately, it just feels a little too aimless and punishing for its own good.

To me, it speaks volumes that despite pretty much completing Yooka-Laylee on Xbox One, I've felt compelled to play the game on Switch whenever I've had a spare moment. It's had me running around each world, exploring every last nook and cranny for any Pagies that I've missed, and very rarely has it frustrated me like the Xbox One version did. To put it simply, the Switch version of Yooka-Laylee is brilliant, and if you've got room in your life for another 3D platformer alongside Super Mario Odyssey, it's well worth splashing the cash.

This port of Wild Hearts for the Nintendo Switch 2 is about what you'd expect. The visuals have been downgraded a little and performance isn't particularly stable. It remains one of the best alternatives to Monster Hunter around, though, and you can now team up with more players than ever before. Seriously consider picking this up if you want some monster-slaying fun.

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.

Given the number of indie titles available these days, Organic Panic! does enough to deserve a place near the top of the pile as it’s more than just another platformer; it’s inventive, amusing and a joy to play.

If you absolutely loved the original Drawful in the first Jackbox Party Pack, then Drawful 2 makes sense: more prompts for all-new gameplay and the option to create your own games is a worthy upgrade. However, if you’re new to Drawful and the world of Jackbox altogether, then I’d hasten you instead buy the Party Pack for more variety.

It may be lacking any real horror, but Resident Evil 5 boasts solid gameplay, a huge amount of quality content and commendable production values, making it one of the better releases in the long-running series. In a nutshell then, whether you’ve previously played the game or not, Resident Evil 5 on the Xbox One is a bargain that shouldn’t be ignored.

It is a shame that every level is so well done and all required so much work, in terms of visual and audio presentation, that it means there are so few levels overall.

Achieves what it sets out to do fantastically – scare the absolute bejesus out of you.

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.

Nongünz is really something special; a shooter with brains that’s not only haunting, challenging and utterly compelling but, thanks to its procedural nature, is hugely replayable.

Bulb Boy is a wonderful addition to the Switch, especially if you’re looking for something a little more unusual.

Whether you’re a fan of MotoGP or motorbikes in general, MotoGP 19 should be at the top of your list when picking up a new racing game. It may not have the variety of bikes offered by the RIDE series, or offer the tension of TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge, but none of those compare when it comes to the actual act of racing.

Despite the repetitive nature that comes with playing a game multiple times however, Headliner: NoviNews is still as enjoyable, intriguing and powerful a year after my first experience with it.

Sheepo is a charming game, although its lack of variety in environments means it might outstay its welcome as the end draws near. Its gameplay is enjoyable and easy to pick up, however, and the fact there’s no combat makes this a great starting point for anyone new to the Medtroidvania genre. If you’re looking for a quirky adventure, Sheepo is worth picking up, but just don’t expect too much substance.

There seems to have been a number of brilliant Rogue-likes released in the last few months, and ScourgeBringer is among the best of them. Its retro-styled visuals may not be to everyone’s tastes, but everything moves at such a quick pace that you hardly have time to fixate on them. Besides, I think they have character. The game’s soundtrack certainly does, moving between airy, atmospheric melodies when you’re exploring, to full-on metal that will make you want to bang your head as you obliterate any enemies that stand in your way. This is a must-play for fans of the genre.

Despite its age and its retro style that may not be to everyone’s taste, Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate has a charm that’s hard to deny. Its simple gameplay loop is endlessly rewarding, luring players back again and again, even after multiple deaths. The constant promise of loot helps, as does the speed in which Shiren levels up. Success is always just around the corner; you just need to survive long enough to get there.

The Sinking City was already an intriguing and worthwhile detective-thriller. But its PS5 enhancements have taken it to the next level. It’s a gorgeous-looking game, and roaming the ruined streets of Oakmont at 60FPS has never felt better. The combat is still a let-down, and more repercussions for your choices would be nice to see, but the freedom the game gives you to follow your own leads is second to none. Frogwares should be proud of everything it has achieved here, and it’s got me excited to see what its next game has in store for us.

A simulation game with a twist, Evil Genius 2: World Domination is a must-play for fans of the genre. Forget building hospitals, theme parks or zoos; creating the world’s most evil lair is where it’s at. There’s plenty to sink your teeth into here, and an awful lot to learn, but once you get the hang of being evil, you’ll discover that being bad sure is good fun.

It may be based on a particular brand of die-cast toy cars aimed at kids, but Hot Wheels Unleashed is a fun arcade-style racer suitable for all ages and, for the most part, skill levels. Bursting with content, it’ll be a while before you’ve grown tired of its many tracks and unlocked all of the 60-plus cars that it offers. Throw in online and offline multiplayer, a track builder, and gameplay that’s easy to pick up but has some additional depth for more skilled players, and you have a package that’s easy to recommend.

Dimension Tripper Neptune: TOP NEP‘s ace up its sleeve is the fact that it costs just £3.99/$4.99. And for that price you just can’t go wrong. Whether you’re a fan of Neptune or rail shooters, it’s highly recommended that you add this to your Steam library. It may be short, but it’s also very sweet.

Thanks to its moreish gameplay and wonderful visuals that combine solid black landmasses with pastel-coloured backdrops, Gravitar: Recharged is a must-have for those who enjoy arcade games with a lasting challenge. Revitalising a classic with gusto, the new Missions mode and co-op just bolster what’s already a very worthy addition to your game library.

It’s safe to say that we’re very impressed with Aliens: Dark Descent. Developer Tindalos Interactive is clearly a fan of the franchise, and it’s plain to see that much love has been poured into this title. Aside from its engaging gameplay, the story had us gripped right from the get-go, helped along by excellent voice acting. The only disappointment for some might be that there are no multiplayer offerings, but it is priced accordingly. If you’re an Alien fan after some single-player thrills, this is well worth picking up – even if you don’t usually get on with real-time strategy games.

Ride 5 is the biggest and most feature-rich Ride game to date, but it’s a shame that many rough edges and issues hold it back from greatness, especially for newcomers. Perhaps with a patch or two, Ride 5 will turn into something really special, but until then, it’s hard to recommend it over Ride 4.

It may look basic, but don’t be fooled: Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate is packing one hell of an enjoyable strategy game underneath its old-school aesthetic. If you’re not a chess fan you’re going to struggle – but if you are, the only struggle is going to be tearing yourself away from jumping in for just one more game. Playing chess has never felt so bad-ass.

The two different game modes of Oaken are very much appreciated, but whichever you opt for, you’re in for a challenging ride. If you’re new to turn-based strategy games, Oaken might not be the best place to start – even if it’s charming art style is initially disarming. But for those who enjoy the genre, there’s a lot to like here.