Newcomers and experienced players alike can find value in Chess Ultra’s variety of challenges, but it doesn’t exactly break the mold in terms of innovation. Playing against the computer can feel impersonal, though you’ll encounter difficulties otherwise inaccessible to some, and the online multiplayer is a barren wasteland. It is competent at both teaching the game and providing an outlet for players to experiment and learn themselves. If you don’t have anyone to play with, Chess Ultra is great for its convenience, but I recommend playing it in real life if possible. You can easily go out and pick up a cheap chess set for the price of this game.

A great competitive MOBA which will draw you in. It features great graphics and the upgrade systems are definitely unique and expansive. Unfortunately it feels like all the good content is hidden by a massive paywall and I wish Xbox One owners—who waited for this game for many months when it was out on other platforms—would at least get something for their troubles.

Endless Space 2 really pushed the boat out with great animations and pretty decent graphical elements, but the constant performance issues do detract from the overall experience. I would recommend you check out a few gameplay videos before jumping in unless you’re a 4X fan. The game takes a lot from titles like Stellaris when it comes to politics, but stops short of being a great overall strategy game. If Amplitude pushed the envelope a bit further with a more nuanced political spectrum and ditched the turn-based aspect, I could have seen myself loving this game. But at the moment, it's just adequate.

Overall, Death Squared is a successful, fun puzzle game for all ages. Entice your non-gaming friends with it before throwing them to the wolves of competitive first-person shooters. Just be sure to play it with someone.

I can see endless potential for a game centered on civilians rather than one centered on the all-too-common soldier stories, but this game just isn’t that one.

The game is HARD. For a team of five people though, I am really impressed.

Blackwood Crossing is a great game and if you can look past the clunky controls and odd frame pacing issues, it’s a blast to play. However, the majority of gamers will be aggravated by the problems with the controls. The developers need to address these issues soon because it’s a treat to play on PC but not on Xbox One.

To sum up, Ironcast is an interesting puzzle game that combines puzzle gameplay with RPG elements. It can definitely be enjoyed by some players, especially those that don't get put off by having all their progress turned to dust once they die and need to start everything from scratch, over and over again.

The puzzle solving isn't the best I've seen, but it offers a decent enough experience.

Those feeling truly nostalgic for Wasteland or Fallout 1 or 2 might enjoy themselves here, and those heavily invested in RPGs will assuredly find some features redeeming, but for the general population of gamers Wasteland 2 is an old game with old mechanics attempting to disguise itself as something new. It’s just as bland as the desert future that it foretells.

The Escapists 2 is a game that largely expands on the original, offering new modes and bright humour along with exceptionally well-designed labyrinth-like prisons. But it is by no means a perfect sequel. There are repetition issues, as well as some poor design choices. The game is a frustrating but largely rewarding management sim which is worth a look for sure.

Wings of Freedom replicates the feeling of Attack on Titan with fantastic movement and combat, however, with a limited amount of maps and loads of content that feels near identical, A.O.T.: Wings of Freedom does start to feel repetitive, although it does take a long while to get there.

Despite my first impressions leading directly to disappointment, there's a certain replay value offered thanks to the different classes and the solid co-op experience, especially when playing with friends.

Dreamfall Chapters for me was a wake-up call to a series I had previously missed. As an introduction to the series, it’s exciting as a standalone title, while long-time fans are sure to find a satisfying conclusion to this twenty-year saga within a package of interesting story and competent gameplay.

Overall, if you’ve got a thirst for some puzzle platformer fun, Embers of Mirrim is a well-made title which may lose you when it comes down to its story and visual appeal. It’s certainly worth your time and money.

It’s a wasted opportunity and that’s what disappoints me the most. Luckily, the story redeems the overall experience.

If you’re looking for a title that relies heavily on problem solving with some action mixed in, then definitely give this one a go.

ATS will surely appeal to trucking veterans who are desperate to explore a fresh location, but for newcomers to the franchise, I implore you, go back and experience Euro Truck Simulator 2 first.

While this addition includes vehicles and crafting elements, Worms W.M.D is near identical to the same twenty-one-year-old formula that Team 17 have been chugging out since the 90s. I was expecting more changes but they’re on the right track.

Unfortunately, it has limited appeal and with Resident Evil 4 coming soon, it’s hard to justifying purchasing this one again.

Stories of Bethem: Full Moon has the looks of a classic Zelda game, but unfortunately, it falls quite short of being just as fun. The entire game feels rather uninspired.

Giant Consequences delivers an unexpected plot twist, but overall it falters where it should shine. The combat, while an admirable attempt to make it more interactive, makes for slow action sequences and clunky gameplay. The mystery behind the gauntlet and Admin is interesting enough to keep my attention, but I’d honestly like to see more conflict between the characters like what Jesse and Petra are going through. It's still early in the season, so there's time for Telltale to correct course by the next episode.

Renegade isn’t an innovative title. Not only does it keep itself very traditional to the past works of Vector Unit, but it also remains very traditional to the conventions of arcade racers. If you’re looking for a fun, solid racer for a couple of hours then Renegade is a decent choice. If you want something more then you’re out of luck.

It’s fun and pushes you to think in creative ways.

Still a mediocre platformer disguised in a shell of awesome art. The difficulty and enemy encounters need to be reworked.

Rainbow Six Siege is a fantastic game at its core. The controls are tight, the action is a perfect mix of exciting and thoughtful, and there’s lots of interesting new ideas that should be praised. But the lack of content and shameless business practices hold it back from greatness.

Overall, Valentino Rossi: The Game is a good experience which is let down by its technical aspects.

Guardians of the Galaxy is another Telltale game. The wit and style of the series’ characters are definitely a highlight of this installment in Telltale’s formula but it’s still a very by-the-numbers title. While the plot is intriguing enough for fans of the films, those who don’t enjoy other games by the company won’t find much to love here. Here's hoping it gets better as the series goes on.

The Surge is a fantastic starting point for those who may be intimidated by the likes of Dark Souls or Nioh. It may not be as polished or well designed as the games it’s trying to emulate, but it is more accessible for the mainstream audience. With satisfying combat and a unique dystopian setting for this genre, The Surge is still a good game regardless of its shortcomings.

There are a lot of life lessons in The Flame in the Flood, and I wish that some of those weren't due to sheer luck with strategy being removed by the procedurally-generated gameplay.

Once again, do not buy Stories: The Path of Destinies unless the developers fix the many issues that shouldn’t have appeared in the first place.

Pure Chess: Grandmaster Edition is a great game which teaches you how to play chess and gradually builds up the difficulty in its single-player modes. It’s a lot of fun on your own and it’s even better with a friend. I just wish the creators had incorporated some new ideas rather than giving the same generic chess game we’ve come to expect from others. The gorgeous visuals and technical perfection make up for this because mobile titles lack such finesse. However, I still desperately want that human element in there and maybe some of my suggestions might make it into their next chess-related project.

Mystery Castle is a fun, inventive, and charming puzzle game. There is not much to the story, even though the writing is cute and clever. I fully recommend this game to anyone looking to scratch a puzzle solving itch. But, be aware of the game’s short length, repetitive tasks, and puzzling interface.

While Anode is striving to take on the giant that is Tetris, I think it fails to be a game of that caliber. There is magic in the simplicity that is Tetris, and Anode just comes off too brash and in-your-face. While the game is not bad, it just doesn’t do anything special. I find it to have only a small amount of enjoyment that putters out quickly.

Although I found that far too much time was spent endlessly grinding or waiting for fights to end, Punch Club has a certain charm that is hard to shake.

Although single-player options are available, Hyperdrive Massacre comes to life when two to four players cram close together in front of a large television screen. The solid, bright visuals, tongue-in-cheek feel, and retro sound all demand that the television get switched on and the extra pads be brought out during small parties. It's a blast to experience with others, not so much on your own.

Ashes of Ariandel is probably not the best content From Software’s ever made, but its unique environment and ultra-challenging combat will provide an adequate fix to deprived fans, although the multiplayer elements are more of an experiment than a feature at this point.

Players of the original Xenoverse will be annoyed at the simple rinse and repeat of Xenoverse 2’s already repetitive gameplay. Fans of the Dragon Ball series who haven’t played the original will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of content on offer but constant grinding, repetition, and simplistic gameplay may turn players away from Bandai Namco’s second attempt.

An average experience. I tried to care about it considering it’s the last chapter in a good game but it disappoints. It feels like a major step back from The Taken King.

Get Even is the very definition of a mixed bag. While its gameplay might be varied and thoughtful, its narrative sees a staggeringly sharp decline as you enter the final third. The sound design might be truly phenomenal, but the level design loses its stride about halfway through. If you’re a fan of the walking sim genre but you crave something more interactive, Get Even is certainly a game to consider, but not one that is in any way essential.

Even with all the problems of this episode, I think the series is excellent and has a chance to be on par with Season 1. I really hope the writers have a big payoff in the works, because a second drab episode in a row will sour this series beyond repair. I have full faith in Telltale to turn this story around, but we may have seen our first real misstep for the team at Telltale Games. Hopefully my next review will be a positive one.

While Artifex Mundi has fixed some of the most glaring issues of previously released titles, Eventide still misses the one key element that can take it to the next level: characters and stories. Eventide is fun, but mostly forgettable, with little to no replayability. I really hope that the next release is more substantial, filled with extra exciting puzzles and a narrative worth my time.

A barebones and lifeless open world experience that suffers from a lack of innovation, repetitive gameplay, and poor mission design. Its characters are interesting on their surface level and its laughs are cheap, if they make you laugh at all, but Agents of Mayhem is certainly Volition’s most disappointing entry in the Saint’s Row-Red Faction universe.

As a long-time fan of the original Mirror’s Edge, I was happy to hear about a new game in the series, but I should have been prepared for the worst. To be fair, I may be exaggerating. Catalyst may not be a terrible game to most people. In fact, it’s a totally playable, completely okay, thoroughly mediocre title.

Inheritance is a great piece of DLC for Layers of Fear. While it still does suffer from performance and the studio’s reliance on jump scares, this five-dollar expansion provides a satisfying hour-and-a-half to two-hour experience with the most interesting content that Layers of Fear has to offer.

If you’re looking for a simple, affordable game to remind you of the days of '90s hyper-violence, Butcher has you covered. Offering you hardcore, gut-blasting fun throughout over twenty levels is a good deal for its price tag. While it doesn’t get old, it does distract from the feeling of variety that the games it takes inspiration from had in excess.

Narcosis could easily be one of the best survival horror games on Xbox One if the Xbox One had VR. But without VR, Narcosis becomes clunky and nauseating after long periods of play. The game comes in at just under 5 hours, which I had to break into multiple sittings in order to avoid throwing up. The story, environment, and level design make the game worth it if you can get past the shadow that VR has left on the game.

Anima: Gate of Memories had so much potential, but a series of missteps produced a merely average game.

I’m still not sold on this series overall, and will give some more thorough analysis of why in the chapter five review. But episode to episode, I’m having more fun than I was at first.

Tumblestone is a fun match-three title on Xbox One and holds up quite well against its competition.

Factotum 90 is probably the simplest and easiest puzzle game that I've ever played. You don't have any kind of time limit needed to beat each level so that frustration is completely put aside. To be honest, it took me about 6 hours to fully complete all the 30 levels.

Pharaonic is a game that holds great potential given its Egyptian setting, but with it taking itself too seriously it forces the player to make the choice between taking a loss or pushing through way too early in the game.

Battleborn has the potential to be delightful, but right now numerous small problems all added up make for a less enjoyable overall experience.

Overall, This Is the Police has some nice aesthetics and good voice acting along with a few good ideas in terms of a strategy simulator, but not much else worthwhile. The writing could use more polish and so could the storyline. Had the developers focused on meaningful missions, it would’ve elevated the game considerably. Unfortunately, we’re stuck with a reminder of what could’ve been.

Clockwork Tales: Of Glass and Ink offers an enjoyable but short game in the hidden object and puzzle genre. The price might be a little ambitious for developers Artifax Mundi, but they have put together a well-made title. Sadly it offers little over other point and click puzzlers available today.

The Final Station succeeds in producing a unique and fun survival game. Even though the short length severely hurts the story and the train sections steal from the fun, I feel there is enough in the zombie infested portions to redeem the final product. The beautiful art direction, captivating music, and gripping tone create a world that I would not mind visiting again in order to search for any story points I may have missed while running from the horde.

World Tour is definitely worth it to people who haven’t played Duke 3D before and the new graphics and episode are probably worth a buy for old fans of the series but what Duke definitely needs is a new game, not a new remaster.

Like so many before it, Pix the Cat has tried to tap into the nostalgia of old arcade games at the expense of innovation. Those old games had solid gameplay and the replayability that defined the genre. Pix the Cat is a competent arcade game, but overall it lacks anything to make it special or memorable. I really was hoping for a bit more out of this title, but I was left out in the cold.

If you’re into not killing many zombies, and solving simple puzzles with a been-there-done-that story, I would suggest you get Deadlight. I for one don’t seem to know why they actually remastered this game since it’s better left on the Xbox 360, where it’s more relevant.

I can only hope that Nightmares from the Deep 2 is not a sign of what is to come, and only lasts as a single misstep from a developer that I quite like.

Without rather some serious improvements or a sale that brings it down to a more reasonable price, Lock’s Quest is probably not worth your time or money. The developers needed to do more when bringing it over to Xbox One.

For such a cheap price, there’s no real reason to not recommend at least trying Oh, Sir. It’s simple, it’s underwhelming but it does have short bursts of fun. Alright on your lonesome, fun with friends, incredibly amusing with a couch full of drunk mates; Oh, Sir is an amusing and eccentric party game that is definitely on that list of games to boot up when you’re boozed.

If you compare Resident Evil Zero to a game like Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, you realize how inadequate it is. Some might find this comparison unfair but it really isn’t.

Shift Happens is a fun, easygoing puzzle game and feature great visuals even though the premise isn’t that original. The game is slightly derivative at times but offers tremendous co-op appeal.

WRC 6 is a subpar rally simulator with an identity crisis, lack of content and borderline stressful gameplay.

Xenoraid is a game that some people will love, and others will hate. The problem is that this dichotomy depends on if a person is good at the game or not.

If you are a hardcore Star Trek fan and can look past the clunky controls and bland visuals, there is a lot of great customization options available to the player. Casual fans of Star Trek might be turned off by the games repetition, complexity and awkward controls.

It will mostly appeal to fans of the original. I can’t say this remaster will help introduce the younger generation of gamers to one of gaming’s classics. Had it been a proper remake with modern graphics, it would’ve been more popular. I absolutely loved it but recognize that there are issues with the overall game.

We’ve seen a lot of horrendous Kickstarters recently which I’m sure has put people off the idea of funding games this way. I assure you though, games like Shiness should give us all hope that it’s worth it still. It might not at all be perfect but with a fantastic world and unique combat system, Shiness at least offers a well-built and brand new experience to enjoy. At $30 (£25) or your regional equivalent, Shiness is worth considering picking up even if it does lack in some areas.

Hard Reset: Redux offers a fun time. After the initial hour of uninspired boredom, Hard Reset starts to feel like a good old school FPS with the fantastic lighting, vistas and effect work that start to appear the further you get into the game.

Monocroma tries to capitalize on the success of games like Limbo, but unlike those games, it fails to achieve anything of substance. The story is open to interpretation and leaves you wondering why the developers chose these set of events to try and convey that.

Hyper Void is a solid entry into an ageing genre; with top of the line visuals and sound only made frustrating at times due to lack of difficulty options. Veterans of the genre will look at the game as a welcome addition but the more casual gamer might find Hyper Void at the tougher end of their spectrum.

This game is worthy of a purchase for both fans of the series and newcomers to it like myself. If you find Dark Souls your bread and butter, and you've been looking for a top-down experience similar to that, give this game a go. If you find yourself easily enraged by games where the difficulty is wildly unbalanced, give this one a skip.

The game offers branching paths much like Quantum Break, but the ending doesn’t change much. It’s quite disappointing given what I would say is an overall great story.

There are minor issues that make the game feel as if it is trying to check too many boxes instead of showcasing what it does best. The overall plot and the character abilities are definite high points, the platforming mechanics are tight and control well, and the puzzles are good even though they lack variety. The action piece does not fit and hurts the full potential of this generally solid game.

Flatout 4 isn’t a bad game, it’s just a massive disappointment for what could’ve been a fantastic return to the series. With some of its physics problems removed and more track content, Flatout 4 has the potential to be a good arcade racer with a lot of charm. For now, however, Flatout 4: Total Insanity will be laid back to rest.

Rise and Shine is a fun experience, but its difficulty and short run time detract from the overall package.

NBA Playgrounds doesn’t look impressive, it’s quite repetitive, and there isn’t much content on offer. With the right setup and good enough reflexes, Playgrounds is a cheap and effective substitute for the still-missing NBA Jam series.

If you love 2D platformers that offer challenging gameplay, then SkyKeepers is perfect for you. Priced at $15, it offers great value and an enjoyable experience. With colorful environments, a good soundtrack, and an interesting story, SkyKeepers is a great addition to any gamer’s library. I just wish it stood out more by offering us gameplay elements we haven't experienced before.

Ride 2 is a huge improvement over the original and is now comparable even to the genre’s titans. It excels in feeling great to drive on and offers enough variety to keep you entertained for hours on end. Sadly slow loading times, outdated graphics and overly simplistic AI really make this game feel archaic by the standard’s we’ve come to expect.

While Pirate Pop Plus is not the deepest experience, it does bring new life to an old classic format which is not only a joy to play in quick, short bursts, but can also easily keep you entertained for long periods of time.

In order to improve the experience, 2Dark needs a complete rewrite and significant work on its mechanics. There are way too many distractions in the game for it to stand out. Currently it’s poorly designed, narratively shallow, and relies upon cheap shocks instead of crafting a truly compelling game. It’s a shame that a game with so much potential is let down by gimmicks.

Having a poor UI, lack of objectives, slow pacing, and self-limitations, there's not much room left for strategy or fun.

The story has its moments but the puzzles, horror elements and glitches are so severe that it prevented me from enjoying the game.

Kitty Powers' Matchmaker is a fun little mobile game centered around finding love for desperate hipsters that has managed to find itself on consoles. Like a child in an adult conversation, it feels out of place. The game is well designed and colorful, but it can't be given to kids due to the overarching innuendos splashed across the world. With that in mind, the game seems to be a strange entry on Xbox One, with this reviewer finding it hard to place and to justify it being on the console in the first place. As a mobile game I would recommend it instantly because playing it in small doses on the go is fun, but I think console gamers demand deeper experiences.

Overall, Necropolis is a fun combat-focused game which will keep you engaged for dozens of hours. It’s brutally difficult and even I had trouble despite being an expert at Dark Souls 3. Keep that in mind when purchasing the title. The pastel-looking visuals give it a unique aesthetic and in general it’s quite polished. I just wish the combat was less clunky.

I would recommend picking up Lovely Planet if you genuinely prefer games that require repetition and tremendous skill to master. There is a market for experiences like this out there. The title is addicting and will keep you hooked for dozens of hours. Maybe hundreds if you want to go for total completion. Unfortunately, this game will appeal to only a niche audience because the average gamer doesn't crave these experiences.

So many games that try to retrace the footsteps of old games fail to capture any of the soul that made those games great. Ginger: Beyond the Crystal is a game that does capture the essence of old games while improving the game’s controls and graphics. I do think Ginger would have been better with a stronger story and a reduction of random variance.

In conclusion, Sparkle 2 is a well-made marble game even if you have never played any of its past iterations. It is the most played puzzle game on my console by far because of its casual nature.

HoPiKo provides endless epic challenges that may feel overwhelming at times. It fully requires a flawless reaction capacity from the player, making the "trial and error tactic" your best ally in order to achieve perfect timing in every move. Despite its difficulty and some downsides like the lack of leaderboards, the cool aesthetics, catchy soundtrack and short load times makes it easy to pick and play at any given moment.

Overall, this game should absolutely be your introduction to the genre or a new addition to your cycling game collection; just wait until it’s a wee bit cheaper or until it’s on sale.

While I would’ve liked to see a more meaningful narrative as well as more variety in the shooting mechanics, I still think Spheroids is a game I can recommend for someone looking for an intense yet casual adventure.

Merely just two steps above the abundance of other Slender-likes on Steam. It’s still terrifying though.

Its focus on stealth actually causes you to pause and take in a lot of the rest of the game's features, especially its art and beautiful environment.

If Angry Birds is your cup of tea, then King Oddball will be there to fill your cup. It’s very addictive.

Dogos is a fun top-down shooter with customizable difficulty levels and some interesting mechanics. The ability to move your ship and the camera added another layer not typically found in a retro-style game like this. The levels and music are repetitive but if you can look past that, there is a fun old-school game here that brings me back to the days of playing gems such as R-Type or the more recent Geometry Wars.

8DAYS isn’t accessible and that might be its biggest problem.

Serial Cleaner is a neat idea that isn’t as fleshed out as it could be. A killer art style and soundtrack help the game leap just a step above what would be an otherwise dull, albeit unique game of hide-and-seek. Outside of a few bonus missions, Serial Cleaner lacks replayability and a deep hook to keep you playing.