It may be a shooter, a platformer and a puzzler, but more importantly Squirrel with a Gun is absolutely nuts. Its shortcomings are more than made up for by the sheer amount of fun you’ll have playing as a squirrel, with a gun.

Fear the Spotlight is relatively short to play through, taking around 3 to 4 hours to complete, but it makes the most of that time.

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

MetroLand is a surprisingly accomplished endless runner. Try and push the non-action side of the game to one side, refusing to let the addiction really take hold, and you'll enjoy the mindless score chasing that has been provided here. Just let it be known that a daily grind will always be around the corner.

SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream isn’t the best co-op action game, but there are moments that suggest it’s good enough to consider purchasing, especially if you’re an SAO fan.

Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3 is a longer and more rounded game, but that is achieved with some unnecessary padding. However, what is here shows that the Poppy Playtime franchise is a must play for horror fans.

Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition is for fans old and new. Older fans will appreciate a re-release of the series high point, along with some other cool bits, and the newer fans can get a taste of a multiplayer classic.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is undeniably a great 3D fighter that’s geared up to pander to fans in the best way. The impressive visuals, the nostalgia-fuelled Episodes, the humongous roster of characters, and the exciting action are praiseworthy. The only major sticking point is the steep learning curve and the potentially off-putting difficulty spikes that hit you from the outset.

Aaero 2 - there’s no doubt that this is a game that is right at the very top of its genre; a ribbon racer that excels in nearly every aspect. Aside from the slight lack of enthusiasm for XP gathering, daily and weekly challenges and player levels, this is a game that constantly wows - from the visuals, the mechanics, the premise and the sounds.

Skautfold: Into the Fray has potential, yet the poor controls on Xbox hold it back, with the aiming feeling much better suited for a keyboard and mouse setup.

A perfectly serviceable DLC for Starfield, Shattered Space never pushes the envelope in any way, shape or form. It is par for the course for a Bethesda DLC but, even coming from someone who enjoyed the base game of Starfield a lot, it isn’t what the spacefaring RPG needs right now.

Throne and Liberty feels different, thanks to its impressive visuals and wealth of content. The PVP focus and reliance on a large player base might not appeal to everyone, but it's a strong start, and it’ll be interesting to see how the game evolves going forward.

The more you invest in Shadows of Doubt, the more rewarding it will be. You could spend countless hours in this city with its procedurally generated inhabitants, however, should you prefer more structured gameplay and clear objectives, you might find things frustrating.

Cattie is a game which bears all the classic Eastasiasoft hallmarks, and there’s nothing here you won’t have seen many times before.

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.

Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit is a great addition to the series. The gameplay is engaging and terrifying, and the multiple endings encourage replayability. The game offers a sense of discovery as you find secrets, save your friends and family, and make choices that affect your survival.

Last Time I Saw You is a beautiful looking adventure full of interesting sub-plots that complement the main narrative arc. Sure, the gameplay mechanics are hit and miss, but the shortcomings are easily overlooked.

There are positives, mainly the new weapons and abilities you acquire. Customising your MAG to suit your playstyle is enjoyable, and the story is compelling, keeping you invested and wanting to see what happens next. There’s also a wealth of lore to uncover. Ultimately, though, MindSeize is just another Metroidvania, and you may well be left wanting more.

I greatly appreciate a strong narrative in games, and Dagon: Complete Edition delivers a compelling interactive storytelling experience. However, the game's niche appeal and lack of traditional gameplay might not be for everyone.

Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire is a game with a lot of charm, challenge, and heart. There are issues, particularly with the graphics, but if you can overlook those (and they are mainly noticeable in wide-open spaces), there’s a lot to enjoy. The story and challenging gameplay will keep you engaged so if you’re looking for a unique RPG experience, you could do a lot worse than giving Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire a try.

There are some tiny oddities here, but this is an otherwise cracking modern-day platforming experience. Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines is one of those games that you will have some superb fun with, constantly in awe of the new mechanics that are introduced, marvelling at the sheer variety of stages and ideas found within.

Monopoly is Monopoly - but it’s probably the best version of virtual Monopoly to date; the version you will want to play going forward. Full of customisation and personalisation. And with the inclusion of both local and online play, you won’t need to huddle around a board to do so.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is one of the seminal JRPGs. It’s just that it has, unfortunately, been outclassed by its own peers.

Wild Bastards is a brilliant example of an experience which is more than the sum of its parts. This roguelike FPS hits the mark, and its irresistible charm will leave a lasting impression.

Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2 on Xbox takes the strong foundations of the first game and ratchets everything up. It is substantially longer, and like the monsters themselves, it is all killer and no filler.

You’ll enjoy Spot The Differences! Party, at least in short bursts. It’s addictive to see how far you can progress, as you look to improve your score in solo mode, whilst Party mode is a fun way to spend a couple of hours with friends.

Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles is a game that has been made with care. The world, art design, and music all come together for an extremely enjoyable experience. The gameplay mechanics work well, and the RNG of using dice in a deckbuilder is handled in a way that doesn’t feel unfair.

Hidden Cats in Berlin is another stellar addition to the series, continuing on from where Rome left off.

You'll more than enjoy your time with Necro Story. It doesn't take itself too seriously, the characters are personable, and you do begin to care about their fates.

A decent effort at a lane-based battler, but ultimately the chance to control an insect army in Insectum: Epic Battles of Bugs is pretty unforgettable and far from epic.

As a free download, if you’re a bit snooker loopy, then consider a download of Snooker Blitz. Just be aware of the microtransactions.

Despite its flaws, this is a game that achieves what it wants to in a fun and accessible format. If you’re looking for a cute platformer, then The Plucky Squire is worth playing through at least once.

pureya is a wonderfully simple concept that’s incredibly addictive. You’ll find yourself wanting to improve at each game, even within the short time limit and it’s the unpredictable nature of the game that is a big part of its charm

EA Sports FC 25 delivers a more considered and tactical approach to gameplay, which creates an excellent and unpredictable offering. From the new Rush ideas and FC IQ, to the women’s career modes and little upgrades to other areas, it’s another step in the right direction

Ctrl Alt Ego is highly original, full of potential for those who love to experiment and find multiple solutions.

Horror fans will love Lunacy: Saint Rhodes. If you’re curious, this house is worth a visit.

Whilst Night Slashers: Remake is not the greatest beat 'em up in history, it does have a good shot at being one of the only horror-themed side-scrolling fighters on the market. If you fancy punching a vampire in the face, this is the game for you.

Iron Meat can be mentioned in the same breath as those classics of the run-and-gun genre that we are all familiar with. The challenge is real, learning boss patterns is vital, and moreover, it is just good, old-fashioned fun. Give it a blast; you won't be disappointed.

It's the puzzles that truly make The House of Da Vinci 3 engaging, with their variety and challenge.

Shalnor Legends 2: Trials of Thunder is a testament to the hard work of the dev, coming together as a pretty great game with a few minor niggles.

As a proposition for adults then, Matchbox Driving Adventures crashes out fairly early. The kids it is aimed at may well find it a lot more appealing though - it is certainly colourful, bright and speedy enough to hold the attention.

Wargroove 2 strongly reminds of Advance Wars, and that is as good a recommendation as you can get.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is a deeply entertaining adventure that will please those who are happy to sink some serious time into exploring the dangerous but delightful Dwarrowdelf.

Octopath Traveller II is challenging yet rewarding, full of narrative that you’ll want to immerse yourself in. It may initially feel a slog, but there are hours of play here, all of which play out across some great world design.

The story and setup of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster are still bonkers and fun, and there are great ideas and narratives all over the game.

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

Dovetail Games are the masters of this genre, and even though some will question whether we need a new game quite so often, I feel they do continue to improve the franchise with every step. This time around with Train Sim World 5 that comes in the form of Conductor Mode and the route hopping.

Unholy is a mixed bag, but there’s certainly an interesting game in there, kicking around underneath the problems.

Pneumata should be applauded as a piece of work from a solo developer intent on creating a vivid and disturbing world of horror and mystery.

Predecessor is worth every penny of the free asking price, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get a bit samey and a bit familiar, all a bit too quickly.

Akimbot is an enjoyable romp in a robot world that should well appeal to many.

Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is a pretty long game, but there’s a lot of story to take in as you play through a childhood journey. Amazing at times, quite dark in places, I love the way it mixes real family drama with supernatural elements.

I loved exploring this world, taking in Selfloss' original take on Slavic legends and myths. And there’s no doubt that the main character is a brilliant choice, as is the use of the staff of light as a major gameplay mechanic. It’s a shame then that the combat sections are more annoying than enjoyable.

Strange, unusual and a lot of fun, Home Safety Hotline is like David Lynch meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Busway Islands - Puzzle is a minimalistic puzzler that delivers the minimum amount of enjoyment for its nominal price tag. The circuit style puzzles are fun for a little while as new mechanics are thrown your way, but you’ll have seen everything by the halfway point

Bunny Battle Nemesis is a pretty accomplished side scrolling beat ‘em up. If you have mates to play with, this is an easy sell, as absolute carnage takes place. However, it’s decent as a solo player too, as the game mixes things up enough to keep you guessing.

Bloodhound claims to bring “a fresh look and old fun” to the gaming scene, and this about sums it up perfectly. Forget overblown stories, forget angst and self doubt - blow seven shades out of a range of demonic foes with powerful weaponry and I guarantee that you will be left with a smile on your face.

It’s in terms of the visuals where Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed excels, especially in the remastering, fidelity and colour. Disney fans will have a blast, yet even though it’s enjoyable, the gameplay does feel a bit old-fashioned.

Perennial Order does enough to distinguish itself from the rest of the field. The mechanics certainly require you to adjust your usual Soulslike playstyle, but the way that the game unfolds and explains more of what is happening the further you get spurs you on.

If it wasn’t for the weird camera angle and the oddly shaped hit box, Whacking Hell! would be getting dangerously close to Vampire Survivors territory. But as it is, it just falls short.

The Madden NFL 25 on-field action is solid. But once again, it is let down in a lot of other departments, and that is despite some noticeable improvements.

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble is a pretty good stab at crafting a game from a great film franchise. The action and the baddies are there, it is just a shame that the inspiration that clearly hits in the mini games section doesn't stick around for the actual fighting levels, for they start to feel far too familiar quite quickly.

Funko Fusion ends up being a pop culture-fest that’s overly difficult and a bit of a mess. The technical issues are worrisome, but the fact that the gameplay is geared up for a co-op setup not yet available is a real head-scratcher. Nevertheless, when it works, the puzzles are smartly implemented and the worlds are very well-created. There’s a generous amount of replayability too, which is enticing for completionists.

Deep Beyond is a great little gaming experience. It may be over in a couple of hours, running a very linear, guided experience, but for the price it feels like a good deal.

Despite the almost imperceptible attempts to make Volgarr the Viking II a bit easier to live with, it hasn’t really worked - the game is as hard as nails. It is hard for hard’s sake, as far as I can see, and that means the enjoyment levels drop a little.

Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a remaster done the right way. It takes what was a great game, tweaks the way that it looks and drags it kicking and screaming into the modern era, refusing to ever allow the resulting game to be a pushover like so many do.

The story of The Casting of Frank Stone is engaging, if a little half-baked during a first playthrough, but with the ability to replay certain sections you can fill in those gaps. Just don’t bother to turn off the lights with this one - scares are lacking.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is a lot of fun, with a really good amount of thought put into each playing position to ensure they all feel worthwhile. And the small changes to the rules make the game more exhilarating. It’s just missing something to keep things fresh.

A Night on the Farm stands out from many other low-budget horror games, and that’s because it nails its story and atmosphere. Powered by a superb sci-fi narrative that is surprising and unusual, the writing is very good whilst lo-fi visuals and the soundtrack help aid the atmosphere.

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.

The Jackbox Naughty Pack is a noble attempt at depravity, but it would have been easier to fully recommend had it come with better games.

The Creepy Tales series seems to just get better and better, and that’s the case for Some Other Place. A main criticism is that the puzzles are a bit obtuse and the minigames do outstay their welcome. But the atmosphere and story are great, as is the opportunity to explore an unusual, creepy place.

The Castlevania Dominus Collection is a very good collection of great games from years gone by, and for the reasonably low price, it feels like storming value as well.

Ship Graveyard Simulator 2 does a better job than its predecessor in almost every way. However, at the core remains a simple and repetitive experience that won’t cater to all audiences.

This is undoubtedly a Mana game, albeit for the present day. Visions of Mana may not break the mold, but it proves just how magical the series can be.

SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection is an interesting collection, if only so we can see how far the gaming industry has come. Just be warned, the games themselves are punishingly difficult and extremely unfriendly.

Tiny Pixels Vol. 1 - Ninpo Blast does what it sets out to do - to be a retro styled shoot ‘em up with a reasonably strong hook. It isn’t anything new, but as the first in a promised string of Tiny Pixels games, it sets a decent benchmark.

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.

Shogun Showdown is a very cool and addictive turn-based combat game that will test your tactical prowess. The variety of weapons, skills and enemies lends itself well to creating awesome moments in the heat of battle.

SokoPenguin is a cute puzzler that suffers due to an emphasis on quantity over quality. There are a whopping amount of Sokoban-style levels available for a pretty low price, but it runs out of steam too often and doesn’t maximise the potential with the mechanics it does introduce.

Sokolab manages to conjure up puzzles that are of a high quality, something rarely seen in the realm of Sokoban-style offerings. This is mainly due to an influx of new mechanics at perfectly placed intervals to ensure the experience stays fresh.

Yars Rising takes the fundamentals of Yars’ Revenge and applies a lengthy metroidvania experience on top of it, creating a surprisingly fun game. The gameplay is varied enough to cover around ten hours without too much repetition. And there is plenty more fun in the menus after that, if you want to keep replaying the Yars minigame levels. Just maybe skip through the voice acting where possible.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a solid and enjoyable blast-a-thon with a good story to go along with the gory action

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown launches with problems. But if you can look past the glitches, the bugs, the low-quality cutscenes, slow lifestyle elements and the numerous server issues, you'll find a wonderful driving experience. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown lets you explore a brilliant Hong Kong Island, partaking in some great racing as you go. Only time will tell if further additions to this MMOR are able to build things out some more.

Even though the gameplay of Tiebreak feels predictable after a while, any fan of the sport should find a great time taking to this court, relishing what is on offer. There are plenty of modes to enjoy and the career is fine to play, even if some of the venues feel a bit flat.

You should well love Star Trucker and the opportunities it brings as you spend hours touring the galaxy. Yes, the gameplay may start to feel a bit samey after a while, the pressure of keeping your rig in shape can occasionally annoy, and the control system is initially tricky. But visually Star Trucker is stunning and there is just something amazing about the whole journey.

As far as taking charge of the emergency services goes, 112 Operator is surely the best way of stepping into the role. It may not be the most stimulating game for the senses, but there’s something undeniably enjoyable about crisis management.

It’s been more than 25 years since one of the first Rugrats games released in the form of Rugrats: Search for Reptar. Unfortunately, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland feels like a massive step backwards from that game.

Billy’s Game Show may be short but it is full of frustrations and lacking any real scares.

TENSEI is a game that you can dip in and out of at will, perhaps for just five minutes at a time, climbing higher with every effort. If you’re looking for a story or goal, then this is not the gaming experience for you, but for some calming action at a super cheap price, it’s well worth a punt.

No matter whether you have played an Aery game before or not, you’ll find some enjoyment in Aery - Ancient Empires. Extremely similar to everything previous, you’ll still discover a very calming experience, and the chance to bag an easy 1000 Gamerscore.

It may be cheap, and you may be tempted to drop the cash on the back of some publisher acclaim and previous Hidden Cats addiction, but you’ll be best off skipping Purrfect Rescue and hoping that the other series continues to lead the genre.

3XTINCTION comes together really well. The blasting action on offer is simple but effective, and while a sense of deja vu will set in, play with friends and you’ll discover a lot of fun can be had.

Thief Simulator 2 may take you by surprise. The gameplay premise and thieving mechanic are good and a lot of fun. Should you like stealthy experiences then you should have a blast with this, enjoying the wacky world it employs.

If you are after a little sim-styled campaign that will happily take you through various locations and stories, Espresso Tycoon is probably just about worth a shot. It’s up for debate as to how long that barista life will appeal though.

If you like hardcore retro puzzlers and you want something you can enjoy for a couple of hours, fill your boots with Mangavania 2, earning yourself a cool 1000G in achievements as you go.

The single player side of things is fantastic, at least short term, and if only there was online multiplayer play included, House of Golf 2 could well have been found pushing Golf With Your Friends for a place on game session rotation.

The DOOM + DOOM II collection is a must have. It helps to have a solid foundation - the fact that the original games are timeless. Then factor in the extra games, additional content and mod capabilities, and you have a bumper compilation. This really is the Ultimate DOOM.