If you want a shorter experience, maybe a less challenging one complete with a ton of thrills and spills, then Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a good option to have.

Bugs and control quirks make this a patchy experience. Cute as Bunhouse is, its faults might be sizable enough that you default back to Stardew Valley.

Slave Zero X will certainly put a smile on the face of those who played the original in the late '90s, and oozes a distinct biopunk style. However, a short and shallow structure prevents it from being a must play, even though the gory hacking and slashing is a lot of fun.

I am a big fan of storytelling in games and that is why The Mildew Children appeals. Others may be put off by the sheer amount of reading, or lack of actual gameplay. But exploring this world, as well as taking in the interesting and intriguing set-up allows it to excite.

If you are a hardcore Turtles fan, get Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants added to your collection; it isn’t the worst TMNT game made. But for those with a passing interest, I would divert your wallet towards Shredder’s Revenge or The Cowabunga Collection to get a full fill of Mutant Turtle based action.

Whether you are looking for a game that packs in more Grand Theft Auto references than even a GTA game, or just some mindless fun, TRAIL OUT is that game. It has plenty of issues, the majority of which are minor, but all is forgiven once you are out on the track and the fun shines through.

You should certainly enjoy your time with Terra Memoria. The combat is satisfying, but if I did have a complaint, it is that it is a little bit easy.

Freedom Planet 2 evokes so much of what makes a great platformer, but feels a little bloated in parts. Still, that doesn’t stop it being a thoroughly enjoyable thrill ride which is sure to delight fans of the genre.

Rebel Transmute is a competent Metroidvania type game that is let down by some bad design decisions. The sheer amount of backtracking is really annoying, the death penalty sucks, and the map is largely useless - but apart from that, Rebel Transmute is okay.

Krimson is a punishingly hard, rhythm based platform game that is extremely interesting to play. Expect deaths, many of them, but somehow the wish to get better and keep going remains strong. It won’t be for everyone, and I don’t want to measure my blood pressure after playing it, but as a twist on the Super Meat Boy formula, Krimson works very well.

I like the story and strange dream world of Withering Rooms, as well as the Souls-like RPG elements and location. It's a bold move, but it works, pulled off well.

There are some great puzzles on offer in Lunar Axe. It also has a good story whilst the opportunity to explore a new city in Brazil, as well as its folklore, is appreciated. Don't expect a huge story with big characterisations, because this is all about solving puzzles and finding objects; whether or not that gets a bit weary will be to personal tests.

Dreamland Solitaire slightly overplays its hand in terms of number of levels, but generally it did everything we wanted from it and more. This fine-tuned, arcadey take on solitaire hit the spot.

If you didn’t get on with the first House Flipper, failing to understand the beauty of cleaning up a place, rebuilding it into a palace, then House Flipper 2 is not going to be for you. But if you did like things first time around, then this is an improvement, thanks to a fun campaign and various environments, areas and items.

Bakery Simulator is the bread bun of the baking world - bland and uninteresting, but some people might still like it. Throw in the horrendous driving section, as well as the bugs, and it’s difficult to look past the negatives.

The Adventures of Panzer: Legacy Collection is a little scrappy on the gameplay front, which isn’t too dissimilar to the NES games that it’s emulating. But it’s also a hoot, slathered in juvenile jokes that had us spraying Doctor Pepper out of our nose.

There’s no doubt you’ll have a good time with Battle Stations Blockade. With multiple difficulty levels to go at, it is easy to ensure the game is challenging enough, whilst the wide range of weapons makes taking on each level a decent test.

TopSpin 2K25 is a welcome return for the franchise and a solid reboot. The gameplay is strong, fast and fluid and exactly what you would expect from a tennis game. It is easy to pick-up and play but just about deep enough for those wanting to experiment. It is let down by some slightly off character models and is currently just a bit too light in terms of content, needing perhaps a few mini-games or even a doubles career mode to help flesh it out.

We lay down on Doctor Cat’s couch and found ourselves dozing off. We didn’t plan to: we were rubbing our paws together at the prospect of a cat/therapy/jigsaw puzzle hybrid. But this is possibly the least interesting version of that combo that anyone could possibly imagine.

Lords of Exile is a competent action platformer that does what it does with a certain style. The action on offer is fun to play through, and the challenge is quite stiff, which helps keep you pushing on.

You'll really enjoy what Turbo Golf Racing offers, and it is perfect for shorter gaming sessions. However, I’m not fully convinced it will carve itself out a place as a permanent fixture in everyone’s game library. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, however long that may be.

Loretta is a small indie game from a small team of developers, but they have managed to create a tremendous piece of storytelling

Flightpath: Adventures in Venaris is one of the better shoot ‘em ups available on Xbox. The strong narrative, the experimentation with loadouts, the all out blasting action - they’ll all allow you to have a lot of fun.

Some issues with a controller are to be expected, but with a massive new expansion and a graphical overhaul on the way, now is a great time to get into Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn.

Scott Whiskers in: the Search for Mr. Fumbleclaw very much puts the heart back into point and click. It's a lovely funny story that takes you on an unexpected journey; one full of cats and relatable characters.

Bio Inc. Redemption actually allows you to experience both the preservation of life and the threat of death very well. Sure, it’s morbid, but once you get over that, the concept is smart and completing scenarios provides a sense of achievement.

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.

We just have that wistful wish that it did more. There’s a Hall of Fame when it comes to deckbuilding roguelikes, and For the Warp visits the hall rather than cements its place. Without card upgrades, without deck-specific cards, and without ‘Ascension’-like reasons to replay, For the Warp begins to fade away.

While it’s a smaller variety of plant, Botany Manor is inordinately pretty and comforting. There’s so few barriers to getting your hands on it too: being on Game Pass, you’re only a few steps away from playing it. We relished every moment within Botany Manor’s walls, and if there’s no DLC coming then we’re going to riot. Very gently.

Let's! Revolution! feels like a breath of fresh air. It has a lovely, rather simple premise that builds on the Minesweeper influences well. The visuals are delightful and whilst it may not have extremely long-term appeal, Let's! Revolution! has more than enough about it to be able to provide an excellent gameplay experience for a good few hours.

The World According to Girl has an interesting premise, but rather fittingly fails to execute the grand plan and falls short of being the great game it could be.

If you fancy a retro styled action platform game, you’re not short of choice, and Demons of Asteborg should be another to add to the list.

I would suspect that if you look up “middle of the road” in the dictionary, you’ll stumble upon a picture of Orion Haste. It looks okay, it plays okay, and the controls are okay, if a little stupid sometimes. And that means, we’re left with nothing but an ‘okay’ game.

Xatrom Command is a decent twin stick shooter that will provide a hit of short term fun, as well as some 1000 Gamerscore without being overly taxing.

As a proposition in this day and age, Top Racer Collection is not a Forza or GT7 beater, but it isn’t meant to be. For gamers of a certain era, this is an easy sale, as the nostalgia is strong. For everyone else? The gameplay may be a little too simple. However, with four distinct games to go at, there is a lot of content

Master Maker 3D Ultimate is the ultimate example of how not to make a game. It is boring, controls poorly and has almost no redeeming features. This is one to avoid.

Learning the levels, understanding what you can and cannot do, and experimenting to see what happens is surprisingly engrossing. As a nice relaxing experience, Knowledge Keeper delivers.

Devoid of the cult humour that it has made its own over the years, SOUTH PARK: SNOW DAY! feels like a generic multiplayer game with the thinnest South Park skin layered over it.

Match Village has an interesting match-3 concept, but doesn’t quite build upon that sufficiently. The lack of a tutorial gets things off to a bad start but as fresh tiles enter the fray and new mechanics come into play, the fun factor increases.

Ario is undeniably slapdash - an action platformer that has the structural integrity of a five-year old’s papier-mâché. But the designers are so eager to show you the next gameplay section, the next area, that you can’t help but be led by them. We’d hesitate to call Ario good, but it’s capable of being fun.

While Mystic Academy: Escape Room may sound like a Harry Potter escape room, it’s not got anywhere near the charm of the Wizarding World to pull it off. But lower the expectations and there’s a compendium of rather well designed puzzles that would truly stump a Dumbledore.

Despite nothing in particular wowing in The Mobius Machine, that won't stop you from playing until the very end. All the Metroidvania hallmarks are present and correct, and that means this is one that will be hard to put down.

Violet Wisteria ends up being one of those games that shoots for the stars but doesn’t get close to leaving the atmosphere.

Graveyard Girls is an elegant, mature visual novel that sifts through the grief of two different women. It doesn’t have anything revolutionary to say, but there’s comfort to be had here, as well as the pleasure of some fine company.

Tram Simulator: Urban Transit is one the better travel sims out there, with some pretty hefty modes added in, giving purpose.

Cartel Tycoon is a good management sim with a different take. It's an interesting and unique look at the drug market, even if it does get a bit similar and pretty hectic the more you play. But it works, pushed along nicely by the story.

If you’re creative or are happy to dip into design, you should find Hotel Renovator to be enjoyable. The story is light and a bit madcap, but it works well, however the control systems aren’t particularly easy to get to grips with.

It’s in the jetpack use where the highlights will be found, but if you are on the lookout for a new adventure on a different planet then you’ll not go too wrong with Outcast: A New Beginning.

Come to Open Roads as a ‘Sunday game’, with a big cup of tea and a ginger biscuit on hand, and you’ll leave extremely impressed.

Planet Zoo: Console Edition is Frontier Developments at their finest, creating the best zoo simulation game of all-time, and one of the best simulation games in general.

If your gaming horizons only encompassed Argonauts Agency and other 8floor games, then Argonauts Agency 5: Captive of Circe would be something of a masterpiece. For the series, this is smooth as Perseus’s shield, and it’s actually innovating. Two mechanics makes for one of the biggest leaps forward of any of their titles.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky should be seen as an expansion rather than a full prequel, but it is one that fans will enjoy nonetheless.

Die After Sunset is a roguelike shooter with a bit of a twist. The whole light/dark thing does make a difference to the gameplay, and the way that the events are randomly assigned to the levels means that there is a bit of longevity built in. However, it doesn’t take long for things to become a little bit tedious.

Whilst One More Dungeon 2 isn’t the most demanding game, and can feel a bit repetitive as time goes on, the bosses ensure things are mixed up a bit. It means that this is a competent game, but it lacks the spark needed to make it truly great.

Visual novel fans can be reassured that Sunny Café is one of the good ones. It’s a coffee paradox: the writing is light and frothy like a dalgona (thanks Sunny Café for teaching us what that is), but short and rich like an espresso. It’s a blend of visual novel and minigames, and the combination is on the nutty side.

Treat DARKGEMS as two hours of laid-back, ASMR mining, and there’s gold in the seams. It’s possible to switch off and fill your ore bag with achievements. But expect any more from it – in terms of playtime, challenge or a sense of reward – and you will come away empty handed.

Tiny Tales: Heart of the Forest shows promise as a new series that will undoubtedly get five or six entries in the future. The pint-sized adventuring is too strong an idea to neglect. But in all other aspects this is formulaic, a tale that we’ve heard many, many times before.

Re:Touring is like sitting down with a good puzzle book, with no worries about time constraints, nor rushed to come up with the right answers. It can become challenging, but feels very reasonable in terms of the price; that in itself means Re:Touring may just be worth taking a punt, especially if you like games such as Portal and The Turing Test.

The two games featured in the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection were big deals when first released. Playing them again now, it is clear to see why. Whilst relics of the past, they still hold up quite well today. Sure, there are several issues including poor servers, frequent crashes and more, but the gameplay is still a lot of fun and goes someway to trumping the issues.

Contra: Operation Galuga is a more than solid run and gun shooter that you should take for a spin. It comes with some great shooting action, an interesting weapon system and the chance to play with friends. Just be aware of the difficulty.

Unicorn Overlord isn’t so much about why you are journeying, but more about who is joining you, who stands in your way and how good you look whilst progressing.

10 Seconds to Win! is as formulaic as they come, but remains an enjoyable little platformer, despite the fact it’s all over in a flash.

For fans of the Metro and Fallout series, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl is very much in the same vein. But it also isn’t for the faint of heart; a high difficulty and a sense of desolation throughout puts this into a much more military shooter vein than the Zone would initially suggest.

After multiple tens of hours playing, you may still find yourself unable to put Dragon’s Dogma 2 down - one more quest, one more fight, and then an hour or two has passed. If you liked the first game, or if you are looking for an action RPG with epic fights, then Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a must-have.

Cybertrash STATYX is very much an okay game. The action is pretty good fun, but then you get to a jumping section and feel like throwing your pad out of the window.

The bones of Stolen Realm are basically sound, and while one mission in the campaign is an issue, the rest of the gameplay is pretty good. The Dungeons and Dragons underpinnings ensure things are fun to play, and the tactical action can be challenging

Not helped by glitches and frame stutters, Alone in the Dark is a decent relaunch of the franchise, one that is let down by the combat mechanics.

Froggie - A Retro Platformer is certainly worth consideration. Go in with expectations low, and you should be pleasantly surprised by how well this retro platformer holds up.

Should you be looking for a KEMCO game that is different to the rest, Eldgear should well be considered. It comes with a great story and is proper challenging. If only there was a more in-depth tutorial…

The big question you’ll want answering is whether or not Plumbers Don't Wear Ties: Definitive Edition is worth trying out. Honestly, I’m still unsure. Yes, it’s nice to be able to experience a slice of 90's gaming history and it's important to examine the bad games as well as the most acclaimed from times past. But on the flipside, there are certain themes and mechanics we want to forget for good reason…

If you are after a tricky little driving game which can provide an enjoyable challenge, then Stunt Paradise is it. Just be aware, you may run out of desire to keep playing once the achievements and Gamerscore have been ticked off.

You may miss the straightforward single-player experience of previous Outlast games, but in The Outlast Trials the cooperative multiplayer experience feels original and well thought out. Fun to play with friends, it can be as scary as hell.

I love a good narrative adventure, especially one that tackles horror. REVEIL doesn’t disappoint, with neat plot twists and an outstanding revelation. There are some great puzzles to enjoy, very unique, whilst the set pieces feel stunning at times; oh so clever.

Highwater could easily become one of those end-of-times comfort games; very relaxing with an interesting world to explore. Sometimes it might feel a bit empty and the combat does get slightly repetitive, but overall I had a great time playing and exploring this land.

Don’t get me wrong, Welcome to ParadiZe is fun. But fun without rewriting the manual. A generic zombie survival romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator offers a unique experience, giving players the chance to go driving around the streets of Barcelona. However, it is more frustrating than fun. A lack of any meaningful progression is one thing, but when you are hit with fine after fine, all thanks to dodgy AI, then it quickly becomes tiresome.

While The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology is earnest, and Redwall fans will lap up the additions to the lore, it’s also ragged. Stealth, platforming and puzzles are all attempted, and not one feels anything less than patchy. It ends up as full of holes as Swiss cheese.

WWE 2K24 delivers a huge wrestling playground for you to not only finish the story, but create your own stories too. The vast amount of game modes in place and the massive roster of Superstars helps forge a ton of possibilities. The improvements are clear to see, but there are areas that need a little bit of attention, with the online side especially lacking.

Younger players can be reassured that this is made for them, with nary a niggle or frustration that would have them calling for help. PJ Masks Power Heroes: Mighty Alliance doesn’t patronise them with repetitive levels and a lack of jeopardy, and it’s an Owlette-sized leap from the first game. Yep, this brave band of superheroes will make your kids’ day.

UNABLES just feels like something that we should have enjoyed. The presentation is meticulous, reminiscent of the PS3 and 360 classic, Pain, in the way it drags thrills out of ragdoll physics. Care has been lavished on UNABLES, yet we can’t reciprocate with care of our own. We just didn’t like it much at all, and we can’t fathom how things got to that point.

Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story is an unmatched trip into one of gaming’s most unique minds, and you’ll be all the luckier for having gone in on it.

Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions may well take you by surprise. The story of Damien has a lot of heart, capable of telling a wonderful tale of two different realities beautifully.

Couch co-op games such as this are ten-a-penny these days, however if you don’t mind an easy ride Manic Mechanics is an enjoyable repair ‘em up, at least whilst it lasts.

Whilst Dead End City is just about capable of providing a short term SHMUP fix, if you're looking for anything longer term than that, we'd expect the boredom to push you away long before any real excitement hits.

If you have any interest in motorsport and are looking for a new speed fix, you’d do well to get behind the wheel of New Star GP at the earliest opportunity. Lack of online multiplayer aside, New Star GP is probably the best arcade racer currently available on the market.

Inkulinati is great fun to play; a very good, hugely accessible tactical turn-based RPG. It's not too tricky to learn and master, but it really excels in the visuals and presentation - a piece of art in its own right.

ABRISS is a simple puzzle game where the task is very clear and can be explained in two minutes. But it is the complexity in the designs, and of how you approach the game, that gives it legs and mileage.

We get an uneven Tad the Lost Explorer. It’s onto a good thing in its opening hour or two, but then ditches it for some low quality stealth that would make Sam Fisher throw up into his gas mask. Sure, it might follow the plot of last year’s movie, but we couldn’t help wondering whether a sprinkling of creative liberties would have improved matters.

Damning Ufouria: The Saga 2 with faint praise, but this is a sturdy, enjoyable and accessible platformer. It’s almost impossible to dislike thanks to its gorgeous feltworks world, and it’s equally impossible to fall foul of its difficulty levels.

Lorenzo Redaelli hits a very high bar with Mediterranea Inferno, especially in terms of what can be achieved with a visual novel.

While some momentum-killing levels and technical issues hold Penny's Big Breakaway back from perfection, the killer aesthetics and buttery smooth gameplay loop make the game an undeniable breakout hit.

As it stands, there is something missing from Expeditions: A MudRunner Game. Whether that be the online co-op (due out later), a lack of meaningful activity in Free Roam or just something to spice up the lifeless main campaign; it feels a bit empty right now.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a lovingly remade version of a much praised game. It may be short, at around four hours of playtime, but every second spent in this world is taken up marvelling at the well-designed puzzles, taking in the stunning vistas and enjoying the interaction between the two siblings.

Other than some small issues, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is very good indeed. If you like King Arthur, this story gives a whole new perspective on the history and tales.

In Classified: France ‘44 you’ll find the atmosphere is authentic, the gameplay is deep and enjoyable - especially with the effect of the morale system - and there are a variety of ways to approach each mission. It all feels fresh, as you go levelling your team, recruiting new members and managing factions.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore works well. The art style is a bit like Marmite in that you’ll either love it or not, but the bones of the game are strong whilst the action on offer is very good.

Toadomination mostly left us bemused. It’s a perfectly fine twin-stick shooter and roguelike that feels like it’s been sabotaged. Nothing feels right, from the movement to the guns to the bosses. There are umpteen games like this on the market, and we’re willing to bet that most of them have Toadomination licked.

In a way, Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator feels like a small flower that’s been given the best soil, the biggest pot and plenty of love, but it’s too tiny and too dainty to make use of that space. It’s a bedding plant that needs more around it to really flourish. As it stands, it feels lonely.