2064: Read Only Memories possesses a great tale, and some weird and wonderful characters, but it is let down on the gameplay front. It has all the adventure, yet suffers in the point and click side of things, so take that into account before you consider picking it up.

Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe+ on Xbox One is as wholesome and serviceable a platformer as they come. If you have already exhausted the many stronger alternatives available on Xbox One, then this woodsy adventure might be worth a look, and it won’t set you back too much either.

Destruction Derby has not been this good in video games for years. It’s just such a shame the publisher is charging for an update that affects Xbox Series S players in such a way. If you’re playing on an Xbox Series X, then Wreckfest is a fast, aggressive and chaotically fun racing game. I would definitely recommend it. Otherwise, wait for an update on the Series S side, for the time being.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran of Siege or looking for your first foray into a tactical shooter such as these, Rainbow Six Extraction will not disappoint.

If all you want is a fast-paced shoot ’em up and its scarcity of content doesn’t deter you, then Pawarumi will provide a good few hours of hectic action.

The visual problems are the talk of this wilderness and without them Way of the Hunter could well have had enough about it to challenge the most prolific of marksmen.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue Remastered is a good game, there is a lot to do, and it comes with a decent price tag, but it feels like a ghost of the past compared to the excellent newer games and whilst that leaves it as a must try for Assassin’s Creed completionists, those brought up on Unity, Syndicate and Origins may disagree.

Maneater on Xbox One is bloody brilliant. It’s a massive game with a lot to do and a huge amount of content to discover - the locations or beauty spots are usually wittily scripted, and have quite a few nods to popular culture as well, making them entertaining asides. What's more, there is a good story of revenge to follow.

I think Demetrios – The BIG Cynical Adventure stands out from the crowd for its crudeness and toilet humour, but mainly the fact that it’s just a big silly adventure not to be taken too seriously.

Hack and slash fans will like what they find, as will endless-runner fans and those hardcore enthusiasts out there, but at the end of the day Ninjin: Clash of Carrots is a game that struggles with its own identity too much to be fully enjoyed.

The Survivalists on Xbox One is a very enjoyable experience. Its gameplay feels a bit like Don’t Starve, and its monkey system a bit like Factorio. But above all else, its charm and general aesthetic is all its own.

Main narrative-wise, Button City is first rate. It’s a charming throwback to cartoons of the ‘90s that kids and big kids will enjoy in equal measure. Both Gobabots and rEvolution Racer are also decent minigames in their own right as well, but there is an over-reliance on fetch quests in order to progress the story. It’s after the linear first hour of Button City where the game opens up, with a lot to explore and fully engross yourself in.

RiffTrax: The Game is one to bring out in the holiday season with the family, or after a night out drinking with friends - something which will make the whole experience even more hilarious.

If you don’t have many other kart games on the Xbox, and your kids love the charms of Gigantosaurus, then don’t hesitate: this is a no-brainer. If that doesn’t describe you, however, then you might want to be more wary. Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart is a fine racer, but not a great one.

Worms Rumble is not a badly made game by any means, but it feels like a strange release and may well be a case of being something that nobody has really called for. If you keep an open mind there is plenty of fun to be had here, but whether or not this is able to gather up a player base with enough folk getting ready to rumble is up for debate.

The accessibility provided and the customisable experience found in NHL 23 make it perfect for fans of the sport, and even those who have never tried an EA hockey game before.

At its heart, Fishing Sim World is a worthy successor to Euro Fishing. It builds on what its predecessor did right, and expands the range of opportunities in a sympathetic way. It’s not perfect, and immersion breaking glitches are disappointing, but all in all, we have a new champion fishing game.

There are plenty of enjoyable elements to be had but with repetition proving heavy throughout, you have to be prepared for the grind to really get the most out of this Warhammer-RPG.

Glass Masquerade 2: Illusions on Xbox One does what it says on the tin. It looks great and delivers a series of enjoyable jigsaw puzzles but can get more than a little frustrating throughout. But then hey, I guess that’s what the puzzling scene has been providing for centuries past.

Despite a lacklustre story, a couple of negligible problems and a disappointing climax, Demon’s Tier+ on Xbox One is still an addictively fun twin-stick, rogue-like experience. The unlockable characters, improved weaponry and a rewarding sense of achievement just ensures you want to dive in again and again.

I have really enjoyed fighting my way through the Tower, uncovering each twist and turn of the story along the way. The two distinct phases work very well, and exploring is its own reward, granting new items to the team. Combat, bar one little grumble, is superb and all in all I can easily recommend Tower of Time to anyone looking for an RPG with a little twist.

Strayed Lights’ pacifist, parry-led combat felt out of reach at first, but then we found the rhythms of it. We were switching colours on cue, like a mobile rave. We weren’t sold on some visual telegraphing, and the exploration could do with some spit and polish, but everything else here is immaculate. So, treat your fingertips and let Strayed Lights brighten up your evenings.

It’s hard to criticise Beyond Blue too much, for it comes to market with the express intention of highlighting the ocean’s magic, hammering home a different type of message to most other gaming experiences. As a game it could do better, but as a journey into what is the unknown for many, then it most certainly works.

Fans of the original will find PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC is like slipping on a comfy pair of slippers, and new fans will enjoy finding all the secrets and collectibles. There is a lot to enjoy in what is the greatest Pac-Man game of all time.

I’ve really enjoyed my time with this very unique game. Yes there are pacing issues and it does outlive its welcome once we get about two thirds in, but for the price, there is a lot of game on display here.

Newbie’s Adventure is oddly addictive. Even just roaming around the vast worlds as a cardboard box, taking out groups of Wild Cards with the slam ability and in general just chilling out is hugely enjoyable.

I wanted a bit more variation in the gameplay, but overall there is no denying that The King’s Bird is a solid platformer in a beautiful world.

WARSAW on Xbox One is a welcome release even though there are no shortage of games set in World War II. From its strategic turn-based RPG combat, to the focus on characters within the backdrop of a war-torn Warsaw, this is a unique take on historical warfare, one that will leave you appreciating the worth of each individual life as they try to change the course of history.

Transformers: Battlegrounds on Xbox One offers a nice, simple set of virtual toys that you can play with, with a campaign of decent length and some interesting choices to make about customization and which characters to use. It lacks, of course, the deep customization of something like XCOM or XCOM 2, and there is something to be said that without permadeath the model doesn’t quite have the same tension.

Unspottable on Xbox does bring some new ideas to the table which work in short blasts, or in longer blasts that are fuelled by social lubricant. But it does get quite old, quite fast. It's not that it is a bad game; it's just that the secondary objectives tend to go out of the window once the sleeves are rolled up, and every match fast turns into a slug-fest.

If you love Chernobylite and can’t get enough of it, or are interested in giving it a go for the first time, the Xbox Series X|S version is a worthwhile purchase.

This is not a bad game by any means – although it can be as frustrating as hell – but the amazing world design feels second fiddle to the lacklustre gameplay and it would have been a lot better to focus on the exploration, or even make it an out and out stealth experience.

Silt is a stunner. It’s not quite able to deliver the same type of immersion that was honed by the Playdead team and their adventure telling, but it really isn’t too far off. This is an underwater playground that is full of mystery and aside from a few little technical issues, is one that fans of visual-led stories should lap up.

If you’ve never played a Devil May Cry game, then you really have no excuse with its availability on the last three console generations. If you already have this collection, then there is nothing new in this version – it’s got the same great gameplay, just now with a squeaky clean 1080p and 60fps.

There’s no doubt Episode Four, “Below the Bedrock”, is a very good offering with very little downtime which helps stave off the potential for boredom. Sure, it could use a bit more humour, but the writing and voice acting is mostly good enough to convey the emotions that are running through the characters’ minds.

The Medium on Xbox is the game fans have been waiting for. A dark, mature, scary, visually appetizing next-gen delight with a gripping story, it is one to not miss if you are a fan of psychological horror. Above all, this feels like an experience that really shows the chops of the Series X, and will likely serve as a benchmark title going forward, especially if the few remaining technical issues are patched.

Overall, and the world and story that the developers have shown with The Invisible Hours is a strong one that is superbly acted throughout. The actual concept of the gameplay is an original one that is worth taking in because it is an experience rather than a game.

For as slow-moving El Hijo - A Wild West Tale on Xbox is, once it gets up to speed and starts throwing clever ideas at you, it can become an enjoyable puzzling playthrough. It’s a shame then that the poor AI, basic visuals and a lack of proper puzzling ideas then creep in.

Should you drop in on the tower of Spellspire, then you’ll no doubt enjoy what 10tons have created. It’s good fun, it’s hugely addictive and it comes with enough content to have you still playing some months down the line.

For those with patience and time for plenty of tongue-in-cheek humour, Chaos on Deponia will prove a more than satisfactory point and click adventure. If you want something a little more serious however then it’s fair to say this isn’t the game for you.

A few rough edges do not stop Sable from being a one-of-a-kind adventure about finding yourself while alone in the big wide world. I hope Sable can fix its technical issues soon, because what’s underneath is a game full of discovery, tiny nuggets of wisdom and a plethora of ways to customise your insanely cool hover bike.

If you’re done with the whole killing thing, and are just looking for the most stunning of adventures that will leave you considering life as a whole, then AER – Memories of Old is the game for you.

I’ve enjoyed my time with Rocket Arena on Xbox One, especially in terms of the short, sharp games that suit the game composition. My immediate concern though is just how busy the servers will be in a few months and whether or not those who are already dominating the scene will put off any newcomers.

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.

Anima: Gate of Memories – The Nameless Chronicles is very much a game of two halves. A vibrant world, massive back story and compelling narrative are counterpointed by a bad camera, unsatisfying combat and too little guidance as to what to do next.

The Chant has some really interesting new game mechanics, and a structure and story which are both very original. However, there is a sense that the narrative is rushed through and the horror feels low budget rather than something stranger.

What is in place with Etherborn is very good, and if you are after a taxing puzzler which will push and pull the grey matter in ways other games can’t, then you should certainly consider a purchase. Just be aware that you may well be left wanting more as the end credits roll.

All in and Fox n Forests has a great nostalgic look, whilst the sound quality is equally as retro. It has some really well thought out levels and the seasons gimmick is sometimes used to great effect. However this is all let down by the slightly sluggish controls and frustrating design choices that ultimately hold you back.

A deep and involving combat system makes the game a delight to play, and the number of ways an objective can be achieved ensures that no two missions are ever alike. With the whole back story to be explored, the package on offer here makes me very happy indeed; it’s just a shame the online is pretty much dead.

This is a brilliantly designed game that delves into the human psyche in an emotional and beautiful manner. I love the way The Inner Friend on Xbox One is presented with huge, strange distorted worlds and mazes of corridors, and when monsters appear it delivers genuinely frightening moments. It is a short playthrough though, but for some that length of time is perfect, however that needs to be taken into account along with the price asked.

Overall I had a good time with The Coma: Recut. The running and hiding from the creature does get a bit tiresome, but the originality of the story, gameplay and visuals make up for the tiring survival element I had to endure.

Overall and there is a decent little game found within Fearful Symmetry & the Cursed Prince. It has a brilliant concept, a nice retro design and some decent puzzling gameplay.

My Hero One’s Justice on Xbox One is a darn good fighting game that never ceases to deliver excitement due to the fast-paced nature and the wonderfully creative moves that are in keeping with the My Hero Academia franchise.

Chronos is simply a good, not great, hardcore action-RPG – one that is a little too light on features.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn has a lot of heart, and is more than capable of providing an enjoyable playthrough. There is a challenge there, and a good story, but it could have done with that final bit of polish to make it a classic must play game.

It’s clear from the beginning that a lot of effort has gone into Nine Parchments’ aesthetics, skill trees and overall progression, but this comes at a price to what you will spend most time in the game doing: killing wave after wave of enemies, with that becoming less and less fun each time.

Colossus Down on Xbox is an interesting proposition, with game-changing choices to be made and an upgrade tree that can well reward multiple playthroughs. The violence is over the top, but awesome, the characters and enemies are well-drawn and designed, and the whole game is fun in short blasts. And therein lies the rub; this is not a game that I can sit down with for an extended period, as mashing X and pressing RB every now and again becomes tiresome.

The AI bots are dumb, but it’s really in the local play and online where the game shines. It’s fast, fun and furious, with a pace that makes the older gamer wince, but when it all comes together, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is more than capable of delivering a decent old time.

If you love your puzzlers and adore what the likes of Portal can deliver to the gaming world, then you are going to love The Entropy Centre.

The gameplay on offer in Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game is fast paced and frantic. It never gets old hanging someone on a generator, and finding a group of people willing to team up, cooperate and play the game the way it should be played means this is a lot of fun.

Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition is a worthy addition to the Alien canon of games. It isn’t all out action like Aliens: Fireteam Elite, but requires you to use your brain as well as your trigger finger. I just wish the save system was better.

RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business does a great job of carrying on from the first game in the series.

I've got more than a feeling that this is just a minor blip for the series.

oOo: Ascension is a superb little puzzle game with a really interesting, yet quite unusual, visual design that innovates and frustrates in equal measure.

Mayhem Brawler on Xbox doesn’t do anything remarkable that can’t already be experienced in far better games elsewhere, especially since there is no shortage of beat ‘em up titles on the Xbox platform as is. This is a title worth checking out if you have already exhausted all the other alternatives and need another beat ‘em up fix.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is as flawed as its characters, but there wasn’t a moment we weren’t revelling in its company.

Just Cause 4 feels every bit the game that Just Cause 3 did, yet it pales in comparison due to its lacklustre presentation, stilted design and derivative story. While Rico’s adventure is all about liberation, it fails to inspire and comes back down to earth with a bang.

Ion Fury on Xbox One is more than just a retro-styled homage to a bygone era of the FPS genre, it in fact belongs in the gaming landscape of 2020 just as much as the next Halo or Call of Duty. Hardly a mere throwback, it is a reminder and wake-up call for the genre, especially when it comes to authentic and engaging level design. Ion Fury isn’t just what a FPS used to be, it’s what a FPS still ought to be.

Conarium is a fun game, especially if you’re a fan of H.P. Lovecraft. The developers are clearly huge fans and you can tell by how much they’ve crammed into this 4/5 hour game. They’ve taken solid base material and made it their own, which is fantastic to see. Sadly, the game feels like a bit of a slog, even though it isn’t that long, as there is just so much reading and very little action.

Tin & Kuna on the Xbox One is cute enough that the little ones will love the colours on screen, but devilish enough that you probably shouldn’t play it when they are within earshot. It is also deceptive in its length; there is plenty to still go for after completing the levels the first time. And whilst it might be lacking a bit of polish in some areas, it won’t take away from your overall enjoyment for more than a couple of seconds.

Original and intriguing while at the same time being strange and beguiling, No One Lives Under the Lighthouse works some old-school visuals in the best of ways.

Endzone - A World Apart: Survivor Edition is a fantastic addition to the Xbox lineup. It could use a little more optimization and there are a couple small bugs that need to be squashed, but it is an easy game to sink tons of hours into.

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.

I could spend a few hours telling you about the heroic conquests and heartbreaking losses of my merry band of soldiers. Instead, I’ll tell you that if you’re a fan of roguelikes, satisfying combat, and unique game design, then Gods Will Fall on Xbox is one of the best games that you can play. With its beautiful combination of random generation and concrete level design, it sets the bar high for any roguelikes that come after.

For the price, Demon’s Crystals is a fine playthrough. Okay, so it may not have the depth of other twin stickers and it’s seriously missing an online component which would no doubt have been hugely well received, but for the price of a beer, BadLand Games have delivered a massively fun experience.

Though it isn’t a perfect game by any means and can be incredibly frustrating at times, Bendy and the Ink Machine is a fun game that mixes horror elements with a cartoon environment that gives players some enjoyable yet scary moments along the way.

I’ve had a great story experience with The Assembly. It’s got a wonderful central premise that it explores beautifully, with a world that is full of integrity and intrigue. The sections revolving around Dr Stone are the more successful of the two, with brilliant puzzles and superb conundrums. The game finishes way too early, just as it feels like it’s really starting to find its feet, but maybe that’s okay when you take in the price.

Both experienced players and newcomers to the genre will still get some fun and enjoyment out of Grim Legends 2, but be aware that this isn’t the greatest Artifex Mundi title on offer.

If you’re looking for a casual racer, the experience may be just what you’re looking for, but those hardcore racers out there may be left disappointed.

Episode Three, “Jailhouse Block”, ensures that the Admin is as fearsome as ever and that the heroes are going to have a tough time if they are to ever end his reign of terror. The action provides plenty of fun and the new characters have interesting personalities to get to know.

You’re not going to be playing Let Them Come weeks and months down the line. In fact, you may not bother heading back for alien bashing even a couple of days after your purchase, but should you be looking for a game that brings a hugely addictive hit for a single evening, then Let Them Come is well worth checking out. Especially at the price.

Trailblazers is a hugely interesting concept clearly borrowed from Splatoon, but its execution here is lagging far behind. Weirdly though, I feel the developers have done their absolute best with the concept, but it just hasn’t worked well at all, especially in the solo mode. This then has a knock-on effect for the online lobbies – because no one is willing to try it because of the disappointing single player.

If you’re looking for an engaging 2D adventure game, then give Chasm a chance. You’re unlikely to be disappointed.

If you’re a massive fan of the snooker scene, wish for nothing more than potting balls, working out angles and thinking ahead, then Snooker 19 is for you.

Should you be into Motocross, want to keep your game up to date with the latest riders and teams and don’t mind a more basic arcade feel to that which has gone before it, then MXGP 2019 is likely a game you’re going to enjoy. If you found MXGP Pro to be the change the series needed however, then you will be disappointed.

It is great having Super Monkey Ball back on consoles, and like any good friendship you can jump straight back into it and feel like you’ve never been apart.

We Were Here Together on Xbox One provides a good puzzling affair that fans of the series should consider taking in. It’s not as enthralling, engaging or even as immersive as the first title in the franchise, and the issues brought about by character switching and trial and error puzzles are a shame, but should you be able to look past those and the hefty price increase, you’ll find a decent cooperative affair that is unlike any other.

I had high hopes going into the first DLC for Immortals Fenyx Rising. A New God on Xbox though feels like a safe entry, and even for a piece of DLC it overstays its welcome with a large number of trials and not much else.

Overall and the combat and sailing mechanics of King of Seas are what work, and whilst things feel a little slow at times, that’s never too much bother. But the story and missions are sorely lacking and there never feels like there is much point in your actions; beyond the grinding.

Almost every change in Madden NFL 22 this year is of a positive nature, and it is easily one of the best entries in recent years. Franchise mode is in great shape, and set to get better as the year progresses, and it almost feels like EA Sports are reminding themselves that not everyone wants to just play Ultimate Team. Some modes such as The Yard and Superstar KO still feel tacked on but at least offer a bite-size gameplay experience if time is limited.

Togges is one of the most original and stupendously generous games you will find, this year or any year. It’s Super Mario Galaxy on a roomba, with some of Nokia’s Snake thrown in for good measure. Now, if that’s not enough to tease you in, nothing ever will.

The tracks are cleverly made and it runs well, but Smurfs Kart needed far more than that to register a scoring position.

Grandia HD Collection may not appeal to everyone, but those drawn to it will find this to be a great package.

If you enjoyed previous Farming Simulator games, you'll undoubtedly find many hours of enjoyment here with Farming Simulator 25, losing yourself in the intricacies of agricultural management and the satisfaction of a thriving farm.

There’s a chance that the repetitive gameplay loop might not appeal to everyone, but Parcel Corps is worth checking out for its unique blend of action, fun, and visual flair.

Out of Sight is a fairly short experience, running at just a couple of hours in length, but you’ll enjoy the playthrough, even if you may not know what exactly is going on until the end.

I have been a big fan of The Dark Pictures Anthology from the very beginning, sticking with them through the highs and the slightly rougher lows. Directive 8020 feels like a definitive step up from the rest, introducing new mechanics like the turning point system. There is also room for the pass-the-controller multiplayer mode if you want to share the scares with friends. The story is surprising, interesting enough to keep you hooked to the various endings, but the stealth sections and QTEs do get a bit tiresome. There is no doubt though, Directive 8020 is a great playthrough.

Destiny 2: Lightfall is a let down. The blessing is that the gunplay and action are as good as ever, but stupid difficulty spikes and poor writing make Lightfall a chore to play.