I’ve been pretty much bowled over by Life is Strange: True Colors - the story, characters, and themes have really managed to strike a chord. Others might find the tone and writing not to their taste and that's fine, but I don't think anyone can deny that the team behind it have progressed their art form and game-making skills in a positive direction with this latest addition to the franchise. Long may it continue.

If you love the Assassin’s Creed games then this is one of the best, even though it’s not a million miles away from the stunning Origins.

As a tactical strategy game, this is very close to the old Fire Emblem games, and praise doesn’t come any higher than that.

I don’t care about the lack of fancy camera tracking on my Xbox. What I do care about is having an uplifting and emotionally twisted story that makes me consider the lives of all those found in-game. I also care about game mechanics that surprise, allowing the player to do things they may not have necessarily done before in their gaming sessions...Goodnight Universe does all of this and much more.

There are experiences here that I’m not sure I’ve encountered before - at least not in a video game. If that’s not fodder for full marks, then I don’t know what is. Welcome to Elk on Xbox One is a game that’s going to stick long in the memory. For a story that deals in the power of memory, that feels like a suitable conclusion.

Evan’s Remains on Xbox One is a unique platformer with great puzzle design, and an adventure experience driven by a substantial narrative which successfully delivers on its lofty ambitions. With beautiful sprites, simple but charming artwork, emotional music, and a cast of memorable and well-written characters, this is the kind of video game experience that stays with the player years after the credits have rolled.

From its charismatic characters and stupendous story to its meaningful gameplay and incredible soundtrack, Undertale on Xbox is a titanic accomplishment that not only ignores the ideas of what makes a video game, but redefines them.

Some people might be critical of the length of the game, but for me it’s like watching a brilliant movie, with outstanding writing, great acting and a superbly inventive design.

I simply cannot think of anything that would make the Dead Cells game experience better. Its hard but not unfair, runs like a dream and plays like a lump of Teflon draped in silk. You need to play this game, and the retro graphics, while they may not be to everyone’s taste, really suit it, ensuring that it is just a pleasure to play.

Once Monster Hunter Wilds has its teeth into you, you won’t want it to let go. With all the endgame, post-release and inevitable expansion content coming in the near and distant future, Monster Hunter Wilds is another sublime time sink.

Neva is a brilliant game. It strikes a perfect balance in terms of length, and the visuals and soundtrack are exceptional. The story, told without words or lengthy cutscenes, is full of heartbreak, hope, and beauty. The gameplay is fun, challenging, and engaging and that all means Neva should be seen as a contender for a game of the year slot.

Balatro is unique in that when you aren’t playing it, you’re thinking about it. And when you are playing Balatro, you’re really thinking about it.

Persona 5 Royal is as close to the perfect RPG as I have played in a long time. Not since the heady days of Final Fantasy VII will a game grip you so fiercely, refusing to let go. It is deep, it is beautiful and it demands to be played.

Mr. Driller DrillLand on Xbox is an enormous release, one which revamps a true classic that is worth playing even today. The core Mr. Driller gameplay is at its very best here, and is situated in an experience which offers a ton of gameplay variety and extra content. To top it off, the presentation alone will win you over with its charm and fabulous soundtrack.

Frostpunk is another incredible title from 11 Bit Studios, and an utter triumph for the genre. It’s an incredibly unique and engaging deep dive into the bowels of the icy tundra, a textbook example of emotional storytelling through gameplay. If you can stomach it and face the cold, Frostpunk is an experience you will likely never forget.

If you are still to play Layers of Fear then you are in for a treat with Layers of Fear (2023). And even if you have played it before, you should head back in and be terrified once more.

Resident Evil Requiem is a pitch perfect love letter to fans of the series. Capcom has absolutely nailed the dual protagonist mechanic which sits at the core of a truly incredible piece of storytelling. The result is a must-play title for those both familiar and new to the series. Put simply, it’s an absolute tour de force.

The gameplay is simple, yet challenging and rewarding, and the narrative is told with accomplishment and beauty. But most of all it is the themes that I got the most out of The Last Campfire on Xbox One – in these times of uncertainty it is a game that promotes hope, friendship and kindness. It’s a game that I’m more than happy to give my time to.

Devil May Cry 5 gracefully inherits the very best narrative aspects from Devil May Cry 3 and even surpasses it in some regards. It features some of the best music and characters in the whole series, along with a multitude of new weapons and abilities, and it sets a new bar of quality and content for upcoming entries, which, I hope, will act as a template for what we can expect from the series in the future.

Like in 2016, you need to know just one thing about SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE - SUPERHOT really is super hot.

Beyond Words is the Scrabble-like Balatro-inspired word-puzzler you should be playing. It’s a near-infinitely replayable playground of letters and logic that comes together in a way that ensures it is right up there as one of the very best of the genre.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps on Xbox One is an amazing work of art that happens to double as a truly fantastic game. Moon Studios have outdone themselves here with an emotional, engaging, difficult but above all enjoyable game that should delight gamers everywhere.

This is the perfect entry point into the series for newcomers. And for everyone else, it is one of the best JRPGs of all time.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an utterly faithful, masterfully immersive adventure which impresses in so many ways. It captures everything special about the films but stands tall as an outstanding achievement in its own right.

Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition on Xbox One is a one-off game. In fact, I doubt we will see a game like this for years to come. Lovers of action, frantic gameplay and lack of narratives won’t find much in here I’m afraid, however those who love stories and how narratives shape our lives will utterly adore this game.

Make no mistake, Monster Hunter World is one of the best games on the Xbox One and, with the promise of free updates, will remain one of the most played games of 2018.

So yes, it seems that we have finally got it - the one true to life Formula One racing experience we have been begging for in recent years.

Platypus Reclayed really is impressive on every front. Far from being style over substance, it’s an immensely satisfying, yet challenging, shoot 'em up experience.

Enter The Gungeon is nigh-on perfect. The hits are fine, the gunplay is wonderful, the animation and designs are fantastic, and it really needs to be picked up and played by anybody who isn’t looking for something really casual.

Alan Wake 2 is the magnum opus of horror games, but not simply because it delivers some scares. Oozing with creative flair, it confidently flaunts unconventional and even experimental methods of storytelling, which makes it very special indeed.

All in all, Persona 4 Golden is an absolute triumph; very much golden. It isn’t quite as good as Persona 5 Royal, but the difference is like a hair's breadth. There’s a great story, tons of content to get involved in and some superb combat and exploration opportunities.

If you’re a fan of Assassin's Creed, hooked from the very first game, you’ll find a lot of love for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It feels very familiar, but still manages to do a great job of adding extra relish in terms of combat, visuals, and storytelling. There's no doubt that the double protagonist pivot, with different playstyles, is a winning formula.

Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mask – Missions and Monsters on Xbox One is most certainly an expansion pack done right. It isn’t just a bolt-on high level dungeon either… the whole game has been reworked to allow you to integrate the new features into a playthrough.

Playing Streets of Rage 4 is an absolute no-brainer and it is without doubt one of the best games of the year.

What a special game Röki is. We’ll scatter about the usual caveats that this is a narrative-heavy game so won’t be for everyone, but really it should be. The crown upon it all is Röki’s world, which manages to simultaneously be dying but also teeming with life. It’s just so full of personality, and we wanted to lift more of its rocks to see which creatures jumped to life.

Arise: A Simple Story on Xbox One is a brilliantly devised game and it’s been a huge pleasure to play. It’s a splendid wordless story with a perfect amount of gameplay hours for the price, and it’s right up there with the very best games I’ve played this year.

Sea of Stars manages to modernise a dated formula by raising the bar for all future 2D RPGs. It’s a whopping slice of nostalgia pie with a beautiful art style and engaging gameplay.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a must buy for all gamers, especially those who love character, story and adventure. The performance, design, and journey are all amazing and the gameplay is hugely enjoyable as well, with a little bit of a challenge thrown in for good measure.

Just like actual Japanese food, inbento goes down an absolute treat. With its beautiful aesthetic, touching story and deviously challenging puzzles, there’s something for everyone to appreciate. The game is perfect in both bite-sized chunks and extended sessions, and the gameplay is designed to be challenging but not overwhelming.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the JRPG of the year, and you’d be remiss to pass on it.

Without a doubt fans of platformers should check Symphonia out, and any other gamers who wish to test their abilities should feel free to tag along too.

You will adore Beacon Pines from start to finish, mostly as you get hooked by the impressive and unusual narrative. Ultimately it's a game about the power of story and the decisions you make when choosing different narrative paths, but it’s helped along by the warmth of the characters, ensuring you’ll want to invest time and emotion into the hunt for the perfect ending.

Baldur’s Gate 3 really is a triumph of game design, and a masterclass in how to give control to the player, without making it feel like they are heading down a predetermined path regardless of their choices. It’s one of those rare times where you should really believe the hype, because it's flipping awesome.

Spiritfarer, in my book, is a strong contender for game of the year. I love the feel of the game, the graphics are gorgeous, and the narrative is incredibly engaging. The topic of death is sensitive, but it’s one many of us can connect with and Spiritfarer manages to strike the chords it needs to make that connection.

Much like Monster Train’s The Last Divinity, Monster Train 2’s Destiny of the Railforged is a large, emphatic step for an already very good game. It does exactly what you would hope it would do: it introduces a meta-disrupting new clan, and tosses a whole new endgame your way. It’s brutal and expects the world from you.

Spelunky 2 is not a game for everyone. If you don’t like precision platformers or incredibly challenging games, then this isn’t going to be for you. But if you enjoy roguelikes or are after a game that challenges you, feeling incredibly rewarding when you pull off some crazy maneuvers, then I can’t recommend Spelunky 2 enough.

It’s rare to see a game that can set the tone right or make the experience feel complete or unique. Impact Winter is however a game that ticks all the right boxes and with gameplay that engages the player from the very first moments to the very last, this is one adventure that deserves plenty of praise.

The OlliOlli games had already created a firm foundation for whatever came next in the series but OlliOlli World has helped elevate the series to must-play levels. Under this cartoonish look is one of the best skateboarding games of all time.

Tinykin, although short, deserves a huge amount of attention. A well-loved Disney movie run through Futurama via Pikmin is what you get here and there is no other way to describe it other than being a joy to play

Circa Infinity is what more platformers should strive to be like. It’s not just a redundant push through the same kind of puzzles. Each puzzle is well thought out, the difficulty doesn’t fluctuate randomly, and there is a real feeling of satisfaction each time you overcome an obstacle. If you want a platformer that’s going to force you to think and act quickly, then Circa Infinity is a must have.

Kingdom Rush Origins is a little more expensive than its predecessors, but it’s still terrific value for money and you’ll quickly become addicted to its strategic gameplay.

Cult of the Lamb has made a follower out of me. Recruiting followers, building a base, and running through a gratifying loop of fighting, looting, and dying all merge into an incredibly satisfying game.

Olija on Xbox is a game to be savoured. Everything about it is rich and expertly crafted, from the slick combat to the world of Terraphage, scattered with secrets. It’s over far too soon, so relish the experience while it’s there, as Olija is an astonishing adventure game that you can lose yourself in utterly.

One of the best games of 2023 so far, Star Trek: Resurgence deserves to be spoken about as discussions surround the best Star Trek storyline of all time. Yes it is that good.

Journey to the Savage Planet on Xbox One is an amazing game – there are no two ways about it. It plays fast and fluidly, the enemies are challenging to kill (especially the bosses) and with a beautifully scripted, humorous thread of story running through it’s been a joy to play. In fact, if the netcode had worked properly at all times it would be a slam dunk for this Savage Planet, but even then you still owe it to yourself to play this game. It really is that good.

DON’T NOD continues to surprise with Lost Records and Tape 1 - Bloom, pushing the narrative adventure genre in new directions. This first tape wraps up some story threads while leaving many tantalisingly unresolved, ending on a cliffhanger that sets the stage for the next installment, Tape 2 - Rage.

Skul keeps you coming back for just one more go, and before you know it the clock has struck midnight and the whole evening has disappeared. The hook to keep playing is very strong, and it’s rewarding to see enemies you initially struggled with start to become easier as you get stronger and learn more about them.

Diablo IV is a blinder. The story, the visuals and the sheer freedom to go and do whatever you want, whenever you fancy it, all add up to make a game that is an essential play.

It may not be for everyone, but Voyage is worthy of being thought of in the same way as It Takes Two, as a great co-op experience.

Airborne Kingdom on Xbox is a unique experience for the platform, and one that executes its gameplay ideas comfortably on console. It’s got a great vibe and setting, and the gameplay itself is engaging as you relish in the satisfaction of seeing your sky kingdom come alive. It also helps that the hands-on gameplay has plenty of depth to it, complemented by a fascinating lore.

This is a stupidly addictive, stupidly fun twist on the old Crossy Road formula, ensuring this is a brand and franchise that is capable of continuing to stay relevant. A grind in the best possible way, if you had love for the blocky endless runner the first time around, Crossy Road Castle should be seen as a near must-play now.

Two Point Hospital: JUMBO Edition on Xbox plays very similarly to the main campaign, with just the right amount of tweaking to keep the offering fresh. It’s an essential purchase for fans of the original, and highly recommended for everyone else.

I highly recommend playing Blackwood Crossing. Look, you will know whether this is the kind of game you might like by looking at the trailer or screenshots, but it’s game about character, story and atmosphere, rather then high action. Even through it’s a tad short and the price is north of the £10 mark, it’s a beautiful, life affirming gaming experience that I won’t forget for a long time.

The Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels expansion is another stunning addition to the Horizon experience. If you are done with everything that has come before it, and need some new races to get involved in, or just want some fun for you and your mates, then the price asked is a good one.

Slime-san Superslime Edition is an absolute no brainer, with addictive fast paced gameplay, a great sound design, bright stylish graphics and an absolutely insane amount of content that will give you countless hours of utter joy. It is easily the most complete package I have seen in a long time and that all adds up to a game that is worth every single penny of the asking price.

Infinite Guitars is a blast to play, fusing rhythm action moments and RPG elements into something enjoyable. It is not perfect - there are issues with running around, as the perspectives are a little off, and there are a couple of little glitches, but overall this is well worth a play.

Hindsight is a brilliant examination of grief, and the moving on in life thereafter.

I can safely say that Sifu on Xbox has been well worth the wait. The martial arts action is absolutely great, with some seriously brutal action to enjoy. The combat is hard, extremely so, and the bosses are on a whole new level, but the feeling you get when you master the fighting is nothing short of amazing.

Monster Train 2 takes its winning deck-building formula and enhances it with a cavalcade of fresh ideas to keep you coming back for more.

You will be grabbed by Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream, as it drags you along from beginning to end. I loved the characters and the emotional ride they go on, as well as the new world-building the game offers.

There is a genuine case to be made that Pinball FX - Goat Simulator Pinball is the G.O.A.T. of Zen Studios' original tables.

Looks aside though and Beyond Galaxyland is a triumph. It is a perfectly paced game with plenty to see and do, none of which feels bloated or elongated. The story itself isn’t breaking any new ground, but the way it is told, with a major shift halfway through, feels really fresh. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but isn’t afraid to be serious when it needs to be and so if you are a fan of ‘90s turn-based RPGs, Beyond Good & Evil’s photography mode or just a fan of games in general, there is a lot of fun to be had with Beyond Galaxyland.

With the lovely visuals, stunning soundtrack and ‘just one more go’ attitude it comes with, GRIDD: Retroenhanced is well worth a hit.

It’s thrilling to play, a Metroidvania where you can feel confident giving yourself over to the development team as they present surprise after surprise. It’s bruising, but that’s an expectation of the genre, and the rewards are bountiful. It’s a game where you may feel contradictions – sometimes despair, often delight – but everything is suffused with the glow of immersion.

The Big Con offers something for everyone. It’s a tale that is both remarkably sentimental and utterly bizarre, and it’s one backed by a rich cast of characters and a world infused with nineties nostalgia. You’re not going to be conned out of your money with this one. The Big Con is well worth your time.

Horizon Chase 2 is capable of delivering many adrenaline fuelled moments. It's about as fast as you'll likely be able to handle, it looks the bomb and delivers on pretty much all the necessary arcade racing fronts. With a host of tracks, challenges and more all contributing to something that is highly replayable, if you're a bit of an arcade petrolhead, this is one to get behind the wheel of pronto.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe doesn’t disappoint and you will enjoy all the new content included! It is buckets of fun.

Formula Retro Racing: World Tour is an extremely enjoyable racer. The action is fast and furious, and while the AI feels a bit cheap as the levels rise, it is a solid enough racing game to keep you coming back for more.

Not for Broadcast is an amazing FMV achievement. Fans of the genre should most definitely check this one out as it delivers ambitious humour. Funny, charming, and brilliantly performed, Not for Broadcast sets a high bar and I can't wait to see what follows it.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is the turn-based RPG that you didn’t know you needed, but most definitely do. Being able to chop and change your team of hearty children makes the action exciting, the harsh difficulty keeps things interesting as you plot a course towards bringing down the Berman Empire, while the ingenious Soul Cannon serves its purpose brilliantly as a last resort.

There is a lot of content and a whole host of action on offer in Guilty Gear -Strive-. While the character roster is completely mental, I haven’t been able to find a huge amount wrong with the game. The complexity is off putting at first, with so many options available both on the offense and defense, but stick with it and while it never becomes easy, especially online, it does start to make sense.

Odd collisions and the need for a bit of a grind aside, there is little to not like about this game, with the speedrunning elements, the visuals, the well-worked challenges, and the open feeling of carving your own route all coming together to create something rather wonderful.

Crusader Kings III is a must-have, and whilst newcomers may initially be overwhelmed, it’s most certainly one to try. Maybe, just maybe, this will pave the way for a console version of Age of Empires.

Puzzle games need ‘eureka!’ moments and Bridge Constructor Portal has those in abundance, counteracting the progressively difficult levels. So come and join the testing team at the Aperture Science Enrichment Center, where you can destroy stuff, have fun and feel pretty darn smart in the process. Oh, and we have cake!

Thanks to creative and inventive storytelling, Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins offers the best video game experience that the franchise has to offer.

Harold Halibut is a wonderfully creative endeavour that will suck you in. It’s such a nice change to play a game where the most evil of things is an overconfident air con salesman. A game with a lot of heart, the story is great with a satisfying creative arc and conclusion. In fact, it’s a game that is pretty mind-blowing, especially in terms of the visuals. The tech, design, and execution are perfect and whilst there is a slight problem with backtracking and pacing in the middle section, for the most part, Harold Halibut is a game you need to play.

If you are looking to play some baseball, MLB The Show 23 is 100% the first option to pick. It has game modes galore with control schemes to suit any kind of player. The presentation is absolutely fantastic and the in-game help can turn most players into proficient bat swinging monsters.

I am hugely excited about the promise of The Council and can’t wait for the next four episodes. I hope it continues to surprise and intrigue me as much as The Mad Ones has, and the hints delivered so far begin to ramp up to a great conclusion.

If you are a big fan of horror games and enjoyed the first Layers of Fear then you are in for a bit of a bonus with Layers of Fear 2. The developers have enhanced their storytelling skill, their puzzles and their fright-night tone in the making of this new game, and I’ve loved the writing, the visuals, and the amazing sound design.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is very good indeed. There are issues, but the presentation is bang on, the action is unrelenting, and with missions taking 25 minutes and upwards to complete, the campaign is a good one. Throw in five classes to go at and this should well keep you busy. That’s not to mention the horde mode that unlocks when you complete the campaign.

The Fall of Elena Temple has got a killer idea and no qualms about exploring every facet. A bad game wouldn’t have been worth the effort, and a bad game this is not. The Fall of Elena Temple is worth every drop of your blood, sweat and tears.

The presentation, gameplay, and sheer number options on offer make NBA 2K25 an amazing package; a brilliant sports game.

If you're seeking a tense and atmospheric horror experience, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is an excellent choice.

Overall and whilst Death Squared may not be the most adventurous of games, it does show that simplicity can still make for a brilliant game. With some fantastic dialogue found throughout and some ingeniously designed levels, it may just be the best puzzler available on Xbox One, and with a decent selection of game modes and plenty of well thought out content, will be one you’ll be remembering well into the year.

Drake Hollow on Xbox One is one of the hardest games to put down this year. It has a brilliant set of systems that keep you engrossed in the action and invested in your personal world. There are plenty of Drakes to meet, unique items and buildings to craft, and battles to be won.

For Honor is a game that I am not even close to finishing with. Its campaign is big enough to not feel tacked on, but the draw of the multiplayer action keeps dragging me away from finishing it. I can feel my skills improving after every round because it’s a new way to play against other players and that deserves highlighting in a highly saturated section of the market.

EA Sports UFC 5 is probably the best iteration EA have made. It embodies the essence of the sport, which makes it easy to recommend for both seasoned fans and newcomers alike.

Smile For Me manages to deliver a totally weird, but very interesting point-and-click adventure that’s unlike anything else.