Despite some annoyances with the repetitive courses, Supermarket Shriek is a joy to play with a friend. Goofy stages, an absurd concept and just a general sense of fun are more than enough to make Supermarket Shriek a solid co-op party game.

For a yearly release based on one of the biggest racing franchises, NASCAR Heat 4 on Xbox One doesn’t quite do it justice and even though those wanting a functional racer will find enough to be going on with, there aren’t many reasons to pick this over any other racer on the market.

Tanuki Sunset is a fun arcade jaunt that nails the aesthetic of the 1980s. However, it’s difficult to fully recommend, and that's due to some graphical issues and a short run time.

If you’re after a multiplayer game where every match is a fresh gamble, where victory hinges on both brains and firepower, and where the thrill of space piracy pulses in every moment, Wildgate is worth your time.

For players who are looking for a game that is simple to pick up and play, with easy combat then we would certainly recommend Creatures of Ava. However, if you prefer your action adventure games to be heavier on the action with a larger area to explore then you may want to look for another planet to play on.

Minecraft Dungeons on Xbox One is a fun but flawed dungeon crawler. Mojang has done a pretty good job adapting the franchise to the dungeon-crawler style. However, in their attempt to streamline the more niche genre to reach the broader Minecraft fandom, they have somewhat lost sight of some of what makes those titles so endearing.

A remaster of any already existing game may not have been the first choice, but Sonic Colors: Ultimate on Xbox is still a solid entry. Fans that played the original on the Nintendo Wii may not find anything to warrant another purchase here, as the work gone into the remaster comes across as a little rushed in places. Gameplay wise however, Sonic Colors: Ultimate is up there with the best 3D Sonic entries.

Moo Lander has a unique theme and a certain charm about it, but the thinly stretched ideas mean it doesn’t take too long for this one to turn a little sour.

It’s worth waiting for a sale before buying Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny. It has a lustre that will only last for a few days, even in co-op. For a full-price game, that’s a lot to ask of a Nicktoons fan, but for a few (sponge)bob less? Yeah, we can see that happening.

Outriders on Xbox is a great game, almost despite itself. The decision to include cooperative opportunities instead of working with a nailed on PvP mode is a great choice. The story is engaging, gameplay works very well and the Expeditions are just about challenging enough. In fact, People Can Fly have ensured that shooting, looting and running away from powerful monsters has never been so much fun.

The immersion in, and attachment to, Subterrain comes from the fear it causes – not so much from the threat of what’s coming but what’s not. I wasn’t half as worried about mutant attacks as I was about not finding oxygen, heat, food or water. And I think that’s where a lot of Subterrain’s charm comes from. It really takes survival horror back to its roots. Under all the monsters, jump scares and violence, these games are about people. With all its bad graphics and scarce monsters, this indie gem makes a good point: it’s not so much about killing, just surviving.

Calling the main character’s company ‘Fizzle’ is appropriate. Going Under on Xbox One burns brightly at first, witty and wonderful in its design, and with a lot of joy in its dungeon crawling. But then the fizzle comes, with the lack of depth and vacuum of progression soon burning your interest out.

Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express is the best Poirot game of recent times and really brings out your inner detective. The investigating of scenes and piecing together timelines is very engaging, while the frequent puzzles are great to test those little grey cells.

The hive are a bit spikier and the buildings are covered in Fallen graffiti, and it has to be said that the Moon is more decrepit and crumbling and new areas have been added, but when it comes down to it things are not so much new as buffed up and rolled in a bit of glitter.

Battle Kid looks, sounds and plays like something straight out of the 1980s, and I’d encourage anyone to check it out. The Fortress of Peril is waiting...

Is a fairly by-the-numbers twin-stick roguelike enough to get you parting with your cash? If the familiarity sounds like it might be comforting rather than galling, then there’s every chance that you will find a rewarding and deep dungeon-crawler in Mystic Gate.

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

I'm a massive fan of Assassin’s Creed and have found myself loving the latest games more than any which went before them. That is equally true of Valhalla yet, whilst the Wrath of the Druids is a strong addition to the library, it does at times feel more like a side quest rather than something capable of pushing forward the overall Valhalla narrative.

I would have liked more side missions and a greater opportunity to explore the beautiful world of Mafia: The Old Country, but the stunning visuals, exciting set pieces and immersive journey are more than enough to tempt you into a Mafia game again.

Simply put, Typoman is a superb indie title that I had a brilliant time with. The main campaign may be over in around four hours, but there are a couple of mini games that test your creating skills to the max. The world, the story and gameplay it creates are stunning, with real deep moments of sadness quickly switching to those of hope.

The SEGA Mega Drive Classics Collection is an excellent compendium of games where the vast majority still play incredibly well. Old hands and newcomers alike will find plenty of games to keep them busy here.

It may not feature the crown jewels of what is the most saturated genre in video games, but the experience is distinct enough to warrant interest from genre fans. Purists aside, the four-player local coop mode is a great way to spend an afternoon with gamers of all types.

There’s no doubt that this is one of the most immersive, grittiest, most brutal of games, for multiple reasons. However, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl goes and shoots itself in the foot on a few too many occasions. Bugs and glitches are to be expected for an open world game that attempts so much, but only with some polish and refinement will S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 shine as a masterpiece of open-world survival horror.

With its slight issues, Steel Rain X does indeed turn out to be a bit of a strange one. A full on slow burner, you may well be initially left wondering at the best way to attack it. If truth be told, once you get past the opening few shooting stages, and begin to embrace the RPG side for what it is, it turns out to be a pretty damn decent shoot em up, containing enough depth to suit those looking for a game to get their teeth fully into. Oh, and it also becomes very, very, addictive especially when you team up with a second player and let them control your ever helpful drone.

No matter what you may think, sometimes going back is good. Especially when it evokes such great memories of gaming from decades gone by. Hyper Sentinel does that brilliantly.

Queen’s Quest 2 is one of the better options out there if you’re after a puzzling adventure.

With its handcrafted aesthetic and unique combat offering a new spin on traditional tabletop battles, Wartile on Xbox One offers up something quite refreshing. Despite the maps not being the biggest there is a lot crammed into them and exploring offers plenty of rewards.

Deep Sky Derelicts on Xbox One offers a tough but rewarding RPG with interesting mechanics, but this is sometimes let down by a small level cap and occasionally tedious dungeon crawling.

In a way, the soundtrack for Katamari Damacy REROLL on Xbox is a pretty good interpretation of the game itself. It’s eclectic, fun, weird and charming but perhaps a little antiquated when looking at it now. With better technology, this could lead us to a great sequel, but for now it’s just a short, pleasant experience.

If you have previously enjoyed games like Thomas was Alone, then Journey of the Broken Circle on Xbox is going to be for you. The developers have created a beautiful and magical world with strange, unreal characters, but have managed to place real-world issues into it; the mix works brilliantly.

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER delivers an intriguing sci-fi adventure that’s relentless from the get-go. MidBoss have crafted an interesting world full of fascinating characters and ensures their personalities are showcased via great voice acting.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is a solid but limited experience. The core of the game is a joy to mess around with even if it fails to fully capitalise on the systems given to you.

Aside from the odd problem and a lack of really new tracks, GRID Legends proves that once again Codemasters know exactly how to make a racer.

Did we really need the LEGO Harry Potter Collection? No. Is it worth giving it a look and taking a trip down memory lane? Sure, why not… but the cheaper option of buying the originals is also a viable option.

For many, it will be the ambition of taking a character from nothing before throwing them into a huge adventure, one full of heart and soul, which will be the key to Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

When The Past Was Around on Xbox is an alluring point-and-click adventure featuring a wonderfully told tale exploring the highs and lows of love. You’ll no doubt feel for Eda while attempting to understand her suffering as well as the moments she’ll never forget. Yes, it’s sad at times, but also heartwarming and charming. Thanks to the puzzles, it’s very engaging too, with a real sense of achievement garnered from solving them.

In my review of the previous episode my main gripe was that things didn’t move quick enough and it was obviously a bit of a ‘filler’ episode before things got moving. Well, my hopes were quashed as I starting playing this episode – it got even slower.

The main character may need time to grow on you, but the complex narrative and the questions that arise in your mind will guarantee that you’re hooked in for a thrilling ride. Sure, it can occasionally be slow-paced, but nevertheless the puzzling sections keep things ticking over nicely.

The shooting mechanic, general combat and the look of Heidelberg 1693 are all pretty good, ensuring that it is all somewhat enjoyable. However, the lack of a dodge move and the weird jumping makes things a lot harder than they should be.

Stela is an epic poem of a game that plucks at the heart and makes you yearn for a world that you never knew existed. It’s what this wonderful medium of gaming should strive towards, and for me it’s very nearly the perfect experience.

Mulaka is a great Zelda type game that is certainly decent value for money. The gameplay is good fun with an excellent mixture of puzzle, exploration, and combat. You should be aware of the bugs, and the fights sometimes do go on a bit too long, but overall it’s a great game.

Human: Fall Flat is certainly one of the better puzzlers to arrive on console and though it’s a real shame to see a lack of attention being shown to the co-op offering, that mode in itself may just be some of the best local multiplayer fun available on Xbox One.

Anyone looking to get involved in the MotoGP experience would be wise to pick up this year’s entry. Whilst things still seem quite similar to previous entries, there are some subtle changes that certainly improve upon things and with a decent experience all round, there’s little to fault.

Adios Amigos is an interesting game. The blend of cartoon action and physics is good fun, and the fact that it is different each time you play makes it more appealing. It’s not the lengthiest game in the world, but the action that is here, especially running across local co-op and being suitable for kids, makes it worth a whirl.

I am still hooked into what this game has to offer and the twists and turns in this particular episode are absolutely brilliant. The concept and the world it has created is indeed both clever and epic in their scope and ingenuity; there has been a great mix of real-world history, religious texts, and a truly imagined world all blended in a very clever way.

Astroneer is a dream for those who love a sandbox to play around in. It comes with a great design, and a good number of relaxing worlds to explore, mine and create in, with the emphasis constantly being on survival. The controls can be tricky to start with, and there are some weird camera glitches that drop in every now and then, but Astroneer is certainly a game to lose some hours in.

Sniper Elite V2 Remastered on Xbox One does a fantastic job of reiterating what has made the series so popular. It’s one we should be applauding once more.

Under this cartoony hood is actually a competent kart racer. Team Sonic Racing feels good to take for a spin, and there is enough packed in for a longer drive as well. The tracks are all varied enough, the cars feel really good to drive and Team Adventure is a decent Sonic story, if presented a little poorly.

If you're after something very different, very in-depth and very unique then We. The Revolution is well worth taking in.

While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Sparklite on Xbox One is a strong contender in the genre and a reminder to push ourselves to be the best we can possibly be.

Whilst there are some issues with platforming, some annoying jokes and inconsistent level design, Helheim Hassle on Xbox One is a great example of how far Perfectly Paranormal have come as a team. It could realistically be seen as extra content with the formula Samuel set beforehand, but instead it adapts from it and grows. Helheim is just as wacky and strange as Manuel Samuel yet offers so much more to keep you playing.

Despite the handful of drawbacks, Landflix Odyssey is still a pretty fun journey into the realm of streaming services and it’s worth a punt if you’re interested in any of the shows parodied.

Research and Destroy feels like a refreshing change of pace thanks to its blend of turn based strategy and real time action. However, you’ll need to play with others to get the best from it.

By choosing to be a battle royale, we can’t help but think that Headbangers Rhythm Royale attached some blinkers. It could have been a Jackbox rival with an audio flavour. Waggling our pigeon was undoubtedly fun (and juvenile), but like the rest of the game, the laughs were short-lived.

The games included in Gex Trilogy are undeniably fun, and stem from a time when gameplay was the most important thing. That ethos shines through in everything found in this reissue.

Atomfall is an intriguing concept done just about well enough. It won’t be the clunky first-person combat or the fetch quest-esque approach that will be what it’s remembered for, but the surrounding mystery and how you as the player choose to uncover it.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot on Xbox One is a thoroughly enjoyable game, but those familiar with the series will get more out of it. Despite some relatively minor flaws, regardless of who you are there’s lots of fun to be had here.

Even though the formula is nothing new and has taken maybe too much inspiration from the Diablo series, it’s a great journey and finally Warhammer fans have been given a game they deserve.

Atomic Heart may not feel wholly original, but you can’t deny the craftsmanship that has gone into building an immersive, vibrant world. It may be a familiar tale of tech gone wrong, but there’s enough creative flair here to justify treading the path once again.

By their very nature puzzle games are meant to be mysterious and that is no more true than with The Sojourn. It looks beautiful, it plays out super smoothly and the audio kick hammers home the immersion that ensures you will keep getting dragged in.

Unto The End on Xbox is a game that you're going to either utterly love or will find just too difficult to play. Fans of old school titles like Another World and Prince of Persia will like the tricky elements and challenges that have you trying again and again. But it's a brutal world that brings all this together; one full of traps, death, and mystery, and I would personally have liked to be able to explore a little more without the constant threat of death and danger.

With a little more polish Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader could have been a strong contender as a genre leader, but as it is, we have to pull back on that a bit. Yet still, if you like Warhammer or CRPGs, this is an easy sell.

The visuals may be nice but with such little content to speak of, and such a repetitive nature to the gameplay, there isn’t enough to really warrant you drop everything to get hands on.

With just enough replayability to suit all, a delightful visual representation, a soundtrack which delivers the goods and some very clever, funny, ideas in place, Frima have nearly brought the house down with Talent Not Included.

There is a unique charm to King’s Bounty II. It may be long, at times laborious and a bit rough around the edges, but it’s reminiscent of early 3D RPGs. And for that, it’s an enjoyable throwback.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is an absolutely spot-on remake of an old, fairly simple game. The new things that are added in make a big difference, and the inclusion of multiplayer modes are a lot of fun.

If you like story driven first person adventure games, then you can’t go wrong with this. It’s inventive, brilliantly told and designed, with great voice over work.

Nothing could come close to the climax of episode three, but episode four manages to offer a better all-round experience.

Pure Farming 2018 is the best farming sim title that I’ve played on this generation of console. If you’ve always been curious about trying one of these games then this will be a great place to start, and the seasoned professional will adore the content and challenges – with the added bonus of taking in farming ideas from other countries. It’s a bit of a shame about the lack of multiplayer though.

Phantom Dust is the very definition of a game of two halves. The underground hub sections are dull, with little in the way of signposting or hand-holding to make the time spent there as small as possible. The overground mission sections are fast paced, tactical and, above all else, fun to play with a myriad of ways to approach the missions.

Project Nightmares Case 36: Henrietta Kedward is a horror experience that should be very pleased with itself. The story and setup are unique and intriguing, the scares come thick and fast and there are some nicely designed puzzles and gameplay mechanics.

Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame 6 is a more than competent racer, with its own unique challenges that make it a real test.

Towerborne is an easy sell. The combat is fast, the multiplayer is a lot of fun, and even solo there is something about the game that keeps you coming back for one more go. With the constant quest for better gear to challenge the later levels, you’ll be fighting, grinding, upgrading and doing it all again willingly.

Yooka-Laylee has done what everyone, developers and players, had hoped it to do and brought the 3D platformer kicking and screaming into gaming mainstream again, spearheading the revival. But it’s also so much more than expected.

Though it will not win any awards for its gameplay, this game is a real treat. It encapsulates the heart and spirit of what wonderful things can be done with an indie game. Its rougher edges and rustier bits can be frustrating, but if you want to play one of the most unique titles of the year, then you could do a whole lot worse than Bartlow’s Dread Machine on Xbox One.

Blades of Fire is a game that you have to adapt to, rather than the other way around. Embrace its systems and it will reward you, but there is practically no scope for playing how you want to play.

Does the ending of ‘Above the Law’ entice me in for the next instalment? Truthfully? No. But that’s fine, because the rest of the episode is bloody great, mixing walker slaughtering with heartfelt conversation to create the ideal balance. I’ll be there for episode four of what has so far been an impressive season

All in all, if you have a group of friends to play with, Can't Drive This on Xbox is worth a shot. It’s a giggle for sure, and deliberately driving your partner round the bend (literally!) is as fun as it gets, especially as you get further, the pace increases and things get pretty tense. But if you’re a solo player, this hits party games' cliche number 1: it’s just not as much fun on your own.

Sherlock Holmes The Awakened does a brilliant job of placing you in the shoes of the world renowned detective; something which should be the primary objective of any Sherlock game. There is a great sense of exploration allowed here, along with a good story.

Somehow, Paleo Pines has managed to make dinosaurs dull. They’ve achieved it through a cozy sim that makes every one of its many systems as inconvenient to use as possible. We just wanted to catch ’em all, but Paleo Pines hands you too many chores and makework before you can even get close.

My Time in Portia is a hugely in-depth and immersive life sim. Like all of the most delicious of treats, it is both satisfying and addictive; with so much to do and new things to uncover it is certainly an experience that will keep you coming back for more, long after other games have gone sour.

West of Dead on Xbox One is a major accomplishment. It feels like it has it all: an appealing visual style, exciting gameplay, tight design, and smart writing. As a roguelike, it has been built to last.

Sudden Strike 4 is generally a rather enjoyable game that is only let down by the occasional command issue that sees units failing to move. Fix that issue though and Sudden Strike 4 is easily one of the best RTS titles we’ve seen in some time.

We want to spread the word: absorb more people into Zapling Bygone’s body. This is a gruesome Metroidvania that will make you gag, and we loved every flipping minute of it. Join the hive-mind. We dare you.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon does enough to get a recommendation. This is an extremely immersive game that sucks you into its world. Wandering about and exploring is good fun, but add in a plethora of quests and a massive amount of adjustment in the way you play, and this is almost a classic. If only it wasn’t for that numb combat…

Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening has a lot of things going for it. The setting is rich, the action is fluid, and the controls, by and large, work well. There are certain difficulties that require work arounds, but they shouldn’t put you off too much.

World War Z is lots of fun and easy to pick up and play, despite being a little on the expensive side. It may not have loads of new ideas, but it delivers a solid online PvP experience that doesn’t disappoint, especially on the zombie front. If you’re looking for your first foray into the online shooter genre, this is as good a place as any to start.

Like how the Saints Row franchise started off slowly – eventually turning into a juggernaut filled with fun – the Agents of Mayhem are starting their career off in the same manner. Slowly, solidly and repetitively.

If you’ve yet to play Red Faction Guerrilla then by all means jump in, but if you’ve enjoyed it once already, there’s no need to head back for a second helping.

For all the wonderment it brings though, A Pixel Story is a bit stop-start, without either the story or platforming side ever really being let off the leash. When the controls allow it, the traversing sections work well and the story is utterly brilliantly, but just occasionally they get in the way of each other.

Overall, Thicker Than Water didn’t just hit a speed bump, it went for a Sunday drive in quicksand. Almost everything is done without urgency, or intensity, and the writers picked wildly inappropriate times for characters to discuss things which are the least of anyone’s worries when there’s a hunt going on. What could’ve been a bad episode, received a lifeline in the form of an enthralling and engaging final chapter of episode four.

A true boss-hell experience.

It looks great, it plays great and it comes with that one ingredient that always makes for a decent experience – an addictively teasing quality.

Train Sim World: Founders Edition is actually quite addictive and it’s fascinating to be given a glimpse into the life of a train driver. I would have liked to have seen more scenarios and tracks, perhaps taking in the whole of the UK, but downloadable content is a thing so maybe that is coming further down the line.

Glass Masquerade does deliver on its aims to a certain extent. It looks good, sounds okay and is a pitched at around the right level of challenge. If you like completing jigsaw puzzles it’s well worth a play, however, if you find them frustrating then my advice is to stay away – this game might just increase stress rather than relieve it.

Even though Hero Express on Xbox One won’t provide the ultimate test of your gaming skills, sometimes all that is needed in the gaming world is a title that oozes fun. And this is where Fantastico have succeeded, by creating a hugely addictive little title that keeps dragging you back for more.

Bigben Interactive have done a fantastic job of bringing the sport to the console experience. The competitive feel is certainly there, and the unique handling seems to have been particularly well crafted.

Dead End Job on Xbox One is colourful, wacky and a huge amount of fun.