The game is tightly designed and the boss battles and combat are up there with Team Ninja's very best; what relatively few minor gripes I have with the game are somewhat alleviated by the precison with which the game has been designed and the developer's willingness to experiment with the formula and create their own unique spin on the soulslike genre.

Outer Worlds Spacer’s Choice Edition is a good chance for all the people who missed the game when it first came out to experience this sci-fi game.

Ten Dates is a charming exploration of human connection that is both strengthened and held back by mostly being an interactive movie.

Whilst the joy of cleaning an item in PowerWash Simulator may not translate quite so well to real life (perhaps the sense of satisfaction once the job is done… but enjoying the process is easier in a virtual world), this is definitely a great game to just put on and relax to. It’s at a decent price too, so it’s a great title to add to your collection when you are stressed out with the fast paced, violent (mess making) games… fire up PowerWash Simulator and wash your cares away.

Ultimately though… the game is a lot of fun and that’s really what it’s all about. It’s nothing serious, it’s not ground breaking (well ok… there is one mini game that is almost exactly that… but whatever). If you are after a huge challenge… you might find some in the extra challenges for the mini games… but the main storyline will likely leave you wanting. If however you just want a game to be able to pick up and enjoy and maybe get the odd grin out of for sheer cuteness or silly fun, then this is a great choice! Grab a copy and suck it up.

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from Wild Hearts is that I didn’t once find myself lamenting for Monster Hunter. Wild Hearts was perhaps a risky endeavour, but it’s one that’s paid off with impressive results. While genre newcomers can treat the land of Azuma as a gateway to monster hunting, long-standing genre fans will find plenty here to keep them happy until the next Monster Hunter adventure arrives.

Like a Dragon: Ishin is an excellent remake of an older unappreciated RPG with an impeccable historical story to tell. While the remake isn't in the best condition it could've been, especially on PS5, it is still a game that will provide players, especially Yakuza fans, lots to enjoy.

Deliver us Mars is a highly ambitious game but simply does not provide a payoff. I would only recommend playing it if you feel sentimental towards its predecessor, and even then I think currently only frustration will be waiting for you. You might say having read this that I should not have given the game the score I did, however I can see what they wanted to do with it, but also I can see what they failed to.

Returnal is a great experience for those who love bullet hell games or sci-fi roguelikes. Though the difficulty spikes and unbalanced weapons sometimes make it hard not to rage quit, sticking with Selene in her mysterious and symbolic journey is truly rewarding.

Although some levels are too long and the hidden secret ending that is actually the only reason for going through New Game+ is even more disappointing than the original ending, that cannot stop even the most hard-to-please gamers from loving Tango Gameworks’ latest marvel.

A brilliantly written story and outstanding voice acting. Perfect for a casual weekend play on the XBOX One.

The Legend of Tianding is a short game, but it provides such a memorable experience that makes it difficult to wait for the next title from the team behind it.

Chained Echoes is a loving tribute to 90s JRPGs but also a thorough reinvigoration of the genres stalest aspects. Not just a great tribute, a great game.

Pushing the J.K. Rowling controversy to the side, Hogwarts Legacy is a true celebration of the magical universe that she created which perfectly transitioned to film. Her universe has equally been adapted well into this game courtesy of Avalanche Studios with its gameplay and story. Whether the story will become canon is yet to be seen but again this is as close as you can get to the core of what the extended universe of Harry Potter can be that not only plays well on the PS5 but looks fantastic.

While Forspoken has its fair share of glaring issues, I have to admit that I still enjoyed my time with its warts and all, as it managed to entertain and engage me with its combat system alone.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is what you would imagine a warm Krabby Patty to be like – delicious comfort food that never fails to satisfy.

Despite the fact that this is a remake I think there are enough new things in it to justify the purchase, and if you have never played Dead Space then boy oh boy you are in for a treat! I cannot wait to see if they remake the others in the series, though it might be argued that there really is no need, they did look magnificent when they came out and to be honest I was really impressed playing them as recently as I have.

High on Life is an enjoyable yet silly first person shooter that works on most levels. While the humour sometimes misses he target, for the most part it is quite a witty and humouress story with interesting protagonists and antagonists to be found along the way as you explore this immersive alien shooter. Definitely a game for those looking for something unique yet different in the first person shooter genre.

Toy Soldiers HD is a tough one to recommend. The game hasn’t really changed for better or worse, making it both fun to revisit while being a bit ugly to look at. Most of the time the game is fun enough to ignore any of the graphical shortcomings or the frame rate issues, but sometimes the difficulty spikes can be a bit discouraging. Overall, this is a barebones HD remake that could’ve used some more fine tuning especially in the graphics department. Here’s to hoping this unique franchise can be revitalized in the future but, as for Toy Soldiers HD, this battlefield has seen better days.

One Piece Odyssey could've been one of the best anime game adaptations to date, but it failed painfully in providing a competent narrative separate from the original story. Thankfully the game offers well-crafted gameplay elements that make it worthy of being recommended to at least One Piece fans.

The Last Oricru is a cynical attempt at a Dark Souls successor. So many aspects of the game fall short to capture the same thrills within the series and its other imitators. With unsatisfying gameplay, a cliche-ridden story, and poor graphics, The Last Oricru is a difficult game to recommend.

If you played the original Crisis Core and are looking for an excuse to revisit the game, the remaster is definitely the ideal way to play it as everything has been updated to current generation standards. This remaster also doesn’t change much from the original story, so you don’t have to worry about the canon of the series either.

Solid platforming and brilliant boss encounters more than make up for this Metroidvania's minor irritations.

The creepiest hand of cards you'll ever play, and one of the best pieces of interactive fiction I've seen in years.

IXION is a game packed with good ideas and great execution which is a rare combo these days. The gameplay is rather innovative for a city-building title and the story is no short of a well-made Sci-Fi movie. IXION is a must-play for city-building lovers!

Gris is a unique and colourful platforming experience on the PS5 that is quite a mindfulness experience.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt provides a next-gen facelift for this immersive role-playing game with its all DLC's and some of the best player mods!

Gloriously gory visuals let down by an unoriginal and scarce story, by-the-books gameplay and minimal replayability.

In the end, Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch missed that first jump and hopefully the developers will release future patches to resolve the control mechanics. As a result, it was a difficult grind for my daughter and I that revolved around the inconsistencies with controls and graphics which hampered our overall enjoyment.

I think as long as you know what to expect going in… this could well be a fantastic game. If you like fiddling over the minutia of your empire then you will probably love this game. If like me you’d prefer a bit less worrying about the small stuff to your rule… perhaps give it a miss.

I think it’s a fun little game and am happy to recommend it… it might be a little pricey for what’s there (I completed the main game in a bit over 6 hours), there are the extra challenges and each play through can provide different experiences… but perhaps wait for a sale to get the best value.

If you want to have a lot of fun, some giggles and get some incidental exercise then Just Dance 2023 is a great option… I still can’t dance but I can have fun flailing about and given I can do that in the privacy of my own home, all the better! Happy to recommend!

Pokémon Scarlet is just a ton of fun. The gameplay is engaging, the battling is satisfying, and catching the ‘Mons scattered throughout a vast open world is addicting. It’s a shame the presentation doesn’t hold up it’s end of the bargain, BUT, if you can get past that like I did, I think Scarlet is a real gem.

This game is jam packed filled with content and is a terrific sim if you're keen on those types of games. It's also a great learning tool for those who are looking to get into PC building or those who just love PC building already.

Moonscars is a good debut by Black Mermaid with some unique ideas and missed potential. The gameplay is fun and engaging but some mechanics feel a little unbalanced and in some cases can even forget about them and still finish the game. The story is well written, especially the dialogues but the lore and character building lacks enough depth to feel close to them. Overall the story and art style of the game is forgettable and this made the sound editing and music of the game lose their power and therefore feel shallow.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns has some really great tactical combat that is dragged down by an insistence that you want to care about the heroes beside you.

While I found The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me much more engaging than the previous installment and with a better premise than most, it didn't do much else to distinguish itself from other installments narratively.

If you love Asterix and Obelix, then Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hibernia is definitely a game for you … or if you’re after a family friendly title, then The Ram From Hibernia will definitely keep everyone invested. All in all, an enjoyable title on the Xbox Series X that is also quite short that will keep the attention of younger gamers.

Your mileage will vary with The Divine Force depending on your expectations. Those looking for another AAA JRPG experience may be left confounded. Character models look too lifeless, the lip syncing is laughable and the world almost feels like it needed a few more months of work to feel alive. Existing fans of Star Ocean are going to be very pleasantly surprised at the robust combat system, the engaging characters and the well told story. It is a like a very good straight to DVD movie, there’s a lot to like but you can see where it lags behind the blockbusters. It is a step in the right direction for the Star Ocean franchise and definitely worth checking out for fans of the genre.

With a critical view of modern spiritual cults and quite a few good jump scares, The Chant’s story-driven adventure is a remnant from the old days when AA survival horror games such as Alone in the Dark and Fatal Frame were not forgotten. The game definitely has its flaws, but it has the potential to turn into a modern AA horror franchise.

With an original story, charming characters, and some killer music, there’s just so much to love about Once Upon a Jester. With so much passion put into this game by such a small group of incredibly talented people, Bonte Avond has given us a unique, enjoyable, and memorable adventure that I couldn’t recommend enough. If you love music, humor, and just simply having fun, then please do yourself a favor and play this game.

Final view… maybe wait for a special as the price tag is pretty high… but if you love the idea of web slinging your way around a large cityscape and thwarting crime definitely grab a copy… it’s a lot of fun!!!

Harvestella is a mixed bag of a JRPG with many flaws but also many great, engaging elements. As a result, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone except those who especially love farming simulators and classic JRPGs.

While Sonic Frontiers has its fair share of issues, I can honestly and confidently say that it is the best Sonic game I've played and one that provides a ton of fun throughout.

Overall it’s a fun game with a few quirks… but for the sake of spending some karting time with Nickelodeon cartoon characters both old and new I think it’s worth grabbing.

Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx is a game that targets children, however it lacks the polish of other games and as a result becomes quite repetitive and frustrating which mirrored the opinion of my kids. In the end, this game based on the popular TV series could have been a far more superior experience. Just because a game targets children doesn’t mean it needs to be mediocre.

Over all, quirks and all, I really like Police Simulator: Patrol Officers… it does play like the lawful side of Grand Theft Auto and that’s a refreshing change! Grab it so you can shout “I am the law!”

Goat Simulator 3 is a truly amusing an enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Somerville is a true “short and sweet” gaming experience that really throws a spanner into traditional storytelling and gaming.

In the end, Pentiment is one of the best games of 2022 that anyone could play. The story is rich and wonderfully written, and it is not afraid to point out the hardest struggles of our past and today’s lives. The characters, same as the story itself are authentic and created thoughtfully. The gameplay of Pentiment is simple compared to other Obsidian games, and it might be too simple, but it is not something that would decrease the pleasure of enjoying this piece of art. I have lost count of many times I’ve admired the details and aesthetic of the game which becomes a full package of 16th-century culture when the music reaches your ears.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II 2022 is a fan’s nerdgasm, all your favourites with a couple of new talented cast members duking it out against the titular villains of the original franchise trio once again. The game delivers where it counts and I can only find minimal things to fault it on. One additional gripe I had was with the force feedback itself, I’ll have to look into if the sensitivity for it can be toggled or customised, because often it felt too strong. Like it required more of a pull of the trigger than it felt would be necessary, that might be trying to simulate the real thing but at times it felt imbalanced. Another minor gripe to be sure.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a perfect game through and through. The level design is amazing, the story is charming, and the score is fantastic. I know I mentioned this before in the intro, but even though this is a rerelease, I'd say this is my game of the year so far. Genuinely perfect in every way.

Overall Warhammer 40K Shootas, Blood and Teef is a very enjoyable romp, if you want a good solid game to get someone into the series I don’t think you can go wrong with suggesting this title.

In theory, using the Dragon Ball universe as a setting for an asymmetric multiplayer game is an innovative idea, but The Breakers executes poorly on this idea, with a tedious gameplay loop and technical issues.

I’ve missed having a good golf sim and PGA Tour 2K23 is indeed a good golf sim, part of me would have like a skip button as well/instead of the speed up button so that you could get straight to your next shot rather than having to watch your shot from start to finish… but that’s nit picking and not essential. Once you get over the initial hurdle of getting used to the controls it starts to become a more relaxing experience… but not so calm that you won’t find yourself occasionally shanking your shot into the water or slicing into a bunker. Ultimately though it’s a fun way to spend some time in virtual nature.

The Winters' Expansion DLC brings some welcome new content to RE Village, albeit with a narrative expansion that will divide fans.

The worlds of Portal and Tenet combine to bring a puzzling game about turning back time.

One of the best games of the year and in Switch history, Bayonetta is a gameplay experience not to be missed.

Saturnalia is one of the best and most unique horror games of 2022 that not a single horror fan should miss.

If you are on the fence with this game, trust me, this is a title that you will regret missing out on if you wait for the price to go down. It is so heavily story dependent that there is no way you will be able to go on social media without inadvertently finding out things that should be a pleasant surprise discovered within the game itself! I employ you to make sure you grab your copy at launch so as not to miss a single special moment by yourself and not through the experience of others. God of War: Ragnarok is just that; an experience to be treasured.

Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is a complete love letter to gaming and film media of old. It's charm honestly can't be contained.

A rush of humor, tactical brilliance, and unbridled joy make Sparks of Hope one of the best of the year.

With so much good to build on, NHL 23 sadly remains mainly in place. Upgraded rosters, a few visual/audio tweaks and women's national teams are the only notable changes from last year.

Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris is too filled with issues to be anything worthy of being recommended to those who aren't hardcore fans of the series, and the Switch port, unfortunately, still has a lot of the existing issues seen in other platforms.

Gotham Knights is a beautiful game that tells an amazing story. Fans of Batman and Arkham Knights will definitely like what they see. Still, the game’s over-reliance on grapple and grind can wear thin, even with a terrific nightly progression system that advances main and side missions wonderfully. Final judgment should be reserved for robust multiplayer inclusion, however.

Ultimately Snow Scout is a low pressure skiing simulator with job simulator like aspects and if that sounds like something you’d enjoy then it’s definitely worth grabbing a copy… with the added bonus that you could well get a bit of a work out after all the skiing you will get up to.

Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection allows a new generation of gamers to experience one of the 2010's best adventure games. Just don't expect the labelled 'remaster' to provide much of an added sheen.

A Plague Tale Requiem is one of the must play games of 2022 on the Xbox Series X and if you enjoyed the original or looking for something different yet totally enjoyable, this next-gen experience from Asobo Studio will keep you invested from start to finish. Highly Recommended!

The Nier Automata: The End of YoRHa Edition is an excellent port of a fantastic game. If you're a Switch owner who was previously unable to play this gem of the game, now is your time to check it out.

All things said and done, this was never a game even when it did come out that was perfect, and today many years later it does struggle against the titles that currently flood our marketplace.

Two games for the price of one is normally a decent deal… when the games are as engaging and polished as the ones in Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection it’s a fantastic deal. If you’ve loved the Uncharted series in the past then grab a copy. If you’ve always loved The Goonies or Indiana Jones (Naughty Dog doing an Indiana Jones game would be amazing!)… this is as close as you will get to playing that genre! Grab a copy!

If you were a fan of the original game/s then absolutely grab a copy… it’s a nostalgic joy and will warm your heart better than a bottle of Rum.

Sunday Gold is a pretty decent turned-based action RPG with an acceptable story that carries the player until the end but there is so much lost potential in it as well. The art of Sunday Gold on the other hand fits its world perfectly and we can see the first legacy of Disco Elysium art style in this game. The gameplay of Sunday Gold is pretty straightforward and fun, something we don’t see much these days. I wished they made or used better music for the game, but it wouldn’t be right to not point out the fantastic job the sound editor of this game did.

Overall, if you are a metalhead like me then this is absolutely the fps you need to try. It’s free on Xbox Gamepass currently, so no excuse not to try it! The game’s negatives are quite minor, and I could not stop headbanging to the beat all the way through the campaign. There is nothing quite like getting into the zone and chaining together a string of shoot, jump, dash, reload on the beat in Metal Hellsinger. Here’s hoping for some DLC or a fully fledged sequel so we can do it all over again.

Valkyrie Elysium's strong combat can't fully overshadow an otherwise lifeless and mundane experience.

An interesting real time take on the strategy JRPG genre. Unfortunately bogged down by a generic story and a lack of purpose between missions.

Chaos;Head NoAH / Chaos;Child Double Pack is a mixed bag of a bundle. While both games offer a fantastic story and endearing characters, the Nintendo Switch versions are unfortunately ridden with odd issues and executions.

The simple question: for owners of FIFA 22 on next-gen consoles, is it worth purchasing FIFA 23? The answer is a definitive ‘yes.’ While not a perfect upgrade, it’s a noticeable one that takes many big steps in the right direction. Plus, if you’re even a mild fan of women’s football and/or Ted Lasso, this decision is a whole lot easier, in tandem.

Soulstice is very much a mixed bag of a hack-and-slash RPG. While it sports excellent properties like nice visuals and designs, an interesting premise, and excellent voice acting, it still lacks gameplay optimization.

Ultimately, it’s a great chill out game, it’s very low stress and you could even get some idea for how to design a garden (to some extent) with the range of items available to you. Just remember… don’t water the cat… pat it, unless you want to get notes from your neighbours about animal abuse. Definitely grab it for some easy going virtual green thumb enjoyment!

Overall it’s like many simulation games in that if you get in to it… you can find yourself somewhat zoning out to it and it can be a lot of fun. But it can also cause a lot of stress if you just can’t find your rhythm. Ultimately, not without fault… but a decent bit of fun can be had and for a reasonable price too.

LEGO Brawls is simple fun that is best played together locally. Kids will enjoy the LEGO themed characters and environments (Ninjago, Monkie Kid, Jurassic World, Pirate, Western, Vidiyo, Hidden Side, Space, Castle, Alien Conquest) as they battle each other to victory via brick brawling! Fun times!

Isonzo on the Xbox is like a reminder that you should never put tomato in a fruit salad. Play it on a PC if you play it at all.

Potion Permit may not be the best life simulation or harvesting game you would play, but experiencing it shouldn’t be empty of pleasure.

Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness sadly provides a more frustrating experience than enjoyable. Despite making a good effort to adapt the series' best attributes, its gameplay, short story, and poor performance greatly hinder the overall experience.

NBA 2K23 is a massive step forward for the series in nearly every fashion. Gameplay, presentation and experience upgrades make this the best 2K in years.

A challenging 3D first-person platformer that will put both your skills and sanity to the test. Are you ready to come back.... Again.

Over all… I’d probably recommend HOMM or Kings Bounty before The Dragoness Command Of The Flame… but if you have gone through all the other options… this can still provide some enjoyment, but probably in small doses as that character reset mechanic can be quite draining.

Cult of the Lamb is a real indie title. It has a unique visual style; it combines popular elements from successful games into a new title while adding dark humor to it. It also has a message worth thinking about. All this makes it a title to love and remember.

A Tale of Paper: Refolded, is a beautifully illustrated game with a unique storyline. Although it is a little on the short side (game time wise), it is still really engaging, quirky, and not too difficult to solve. If you enjoy games like Limbo and Little Nightmares, then this game is definitely one for you to check out!

The premise of the game sounds great! However, the lack of attention to detail, the repetitiveness, and not having any big reward, lets it down. Hopefully this is a game that can evolve in the future because it is an interesting concept, but it isn’t fully there just yet.

Overall Destroy all Humans 2 - Reprobed is a very beautiful game and the gameplay whilst repetitive is enjoyable. The 2006 humour does get grating and some of the jokes that as a teenager may have got chuckle does not hit the same way for someone who is now in their late 20’s. What really spoilt this game for me was the bugs and crashes that really stopped me from being able to fully engage and enjoy this title.

The Last of Us Part 1 is an outstanding remake on the PlayStation 5 that is not only beautiful to play but filled with emotion.

A nostalgia grab that's meant for kids at best, even as a budget title it's hard to recommend this clearly outdated platformer.

Saints Row consist of both good and bad parts, but the bad parts leave more of an impression on the player. It's a shame that while there is some genuine fun to be had with the game, it still doesn't live up to even the worst of what the original series had to offer.

A minimal improvement from years prior, Madden 23 adds an homage and some new wrinkles...but none significantly advance the series.

While it has a few gameplay issues and isn't too long to beat at about 8 hours, the game still provides a great experience beat 'em up fans will especially enjoy.

While the gameplay relies on being grindy and some of the narrative elements fall short, Rollerdrome still offers a highly enjoyable experience, especially for fans of action games.