All in all and The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III does enough to claim its place in the pantheon of ARPG games. It’s not as polished as Diablo 3, or even as Path of Exile, but the charm of the environment and the wish to see the next level are both strong. It’s not perfect, but this third entry in the series is the best to date.

There’s no doubt Digimon Survive is a great visual novel full of content that will warrant multiple playthroughs, however the tactical aspect feels like an afterthought. It’ll all depend on what you want from the experience as to whether you should pick it up, or not.

This is an astonishingly immersive and good-natured fable, and we relished returning to it whenever we were away. It may not be long, it may not do anything groundbreaking, but The Gunk radiated good feelings whenever we picked up the pad.

Below can be a satisfying roguelike experience for anyone who is willing to persevere through its steep learning curve and difficulty. For others, the journey might come to a close after only a few failed attempts.

In Rays of the Light won’t take you long to complete - just under 2 hours in fact - but if you’re anything like me you’ll love what it provides. For the cheap price, it's well worth taking a punt on, especially if you want something different, or are just after an amazing story that doesn't give you all the narrative beats on a plate.

Fans of the original Dead Space may find The Callisto Protocol lacking in comparison. The story is inferior, combat isn’t quite on the money and the enemy variation is lacking. That said, there is still a good sci-fi survival horror game hiding within.

Playing Fe makes it clear that Zoink has not only created a game, but also a piece of art that is a definite reflection on humans’ relationship with nature and the need for understanding that every creature has an important place in this world.

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

There’s no doubt it can be a bit slow going, especially getting to know the people of this world, but if you can deal with that, then Vampyr is a very good all round experience that’s to be appreciated.

On the whole though and Pix the Cat is nothing short of adorable, arriving with some of the best features, ideas and supremely high production levels that can be found in an indie title. You may well initially think that both the Laboratory and Nostalgia modes are just tacked on extras to ensure more game time is thrown in, but in fact you would be massively wrong, with both modes more than capable of holding their own in the vast wilderness of the independent games scene.

While the physics work well, the music is decent, and the bright colourful nature it emits is absolutely fine, without anyone to play Tricky Towers with, you're left with a game that is very much left wanting.

Whilst at first, the additions to Madden NFL 23 would appear to be more subtle over previous versions, they all add up to make one of the better instalments of recent years.

Despite some of its shortcomings, mainly pertaining to rudimentary combat, Anodyne is an enjoyable and – more importantly – memorable experience.

Onirike is a unique action platforming adventure with a great premise and a weirdly wonderful narrative. The platforming is not always the best and having to plant flowers in order to find progress is initially tricky to get to grips with, but the puzzles are inventive and the design of the world is superb.

As it stands, it’s threadbare, slightly charmless and reversing a lot of the previous games’ good work. There may be a positive future for Let’s Sing, but that future might seem a long way off while playing Let’s Sing 2024.

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.

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.

There is a lot to like in Bright Memory: Infinite. It is a graphically impressive marvel that is a marked improvement over its predecessor. The story is hard to follow but the gameplay more than makes up for its shortcomings. From the solid gunplay to the fun genre mashups, Bright Memory: Infinite is undeniably a fun time.

Planetbase has all the requirements of a top simulation experience, but the overbearing difficulty and need for perfection throughout makes this title feel more like a chore than anything else.

The Raven is back, but their legacy neither enhances or tarnishes this return. Maybe check it out in the sale if you enjoy a good Poirot-esque story.

As an exercise in nostalgia it hits the mark, but I can’t help but feel ToeJam and Earl will struggle to pick up new fans, no matter how groovy they are.

For a solo player, Antigraviator on Xbox One is more than worth a play. Yep, it’s not Wipeout, but then rarely does anything get near that brilliance. There are multiplayer issues, but if you find yourself troubled by the lack of properly fast, properly hectic anti-grav racers that are available, then aside from a few little oddities this should be one to consider.

Raji: An Ancient Epic on Xbox One is a game I wanted to love from the off. From the moment I picked it up, right through to the telling end, I have to say I haven’t been left disappointed. It is a beautiful, epic journey with some fabulous storytelling and amazing visuals. Yes, occasionally the combat drags a bit, the waves of enemies grow dull as you progress to the latter stages, and the price is a tad high for the six-hour or so experience, but I think it's worth it for the quality on show here.

You’ll emerge from John Wick Hex on the Xbox bruised and a little scarred, but ultimately satisfied. It ambushes you with more randomness than you might like and then kicks you while you’re down, but you’ll dust yourself off and get into a flow that makes you feel like a badass. It may not be the game you expected from the John Wick universe, but it’s got enough peaks to make it worth a shot.

Flowing Lights is a game that demands planning in advance; these aren’t simply run and gun levels, they are puzzles that need to be solved. And it is having to adapt this mentality that makes Flowing Lights such a unique and fun experience.

Rustler is a lot of fun, but the big decision you need to consider is whether or not that fun is for you and whether or not you can buy into the comedy references and mature humour offered. But away from that, Rustler makes a great attempt at taking influence from older games and using that to create something original.

Struggling is bonkers, disgusting but also different. It’s enjoyable in parts but the frankly exasperating controls take the shine off some innovative gameplay ideas.

You'll find the sheer number of weapons and stages welcome, but Remote Life just does not find a way to thrive in the darkness of space.

If you like an RTS, there is fun to be had in The Valiant, but there are elements missing that would make it better – such as the ability to slow time and plan before springing your trap.

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.

Star Overdrive is a game that delivers a lovely sci-fi retro adventure, and for that, it deserves your attention.

NHL 26 is one of those games that will easily last you the year, working as a welcome return to the franchise. Whether you are a hockey fan or not, you’ll get thrills from the on-ice action, taking you back to the glory days of decades gone by.

It’s a good challenge, with a great story and lots of variety in its levels. Sometimes the presentation feels a bit flat, but it’s never anything that is able to take away from the enjoyment.

Whilst initial moments are slow to take hold – and your first few runs will end in confusion and disaster – should you be prepared to throw everything you have at it, and are ready to take a good few hits in the process, then you will easily be rewarded by a mammoth game that delivers ship building elements, gunplay options and exploration in spades.

There are slight issues with combat in the early stages, but the exploration and puzzles on offer in The Last Case of Benedict Fox are very good indeed; they will keep you playing as you attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery. A challenging and involving game, the aesthetics of the whole world just add to the charm.

There is a lot of football to be had in Madden NFL 21 on the Xbox One, and when you are on the field, the football is good. EA have created a game that if you have 15 minutes or a couple of hours, they want you tossing their digital pigskin. From modes like The Yard and MUT that offer quicker challenges to a full simulation in either Franchise mode, you will be spoilt for choice. Sadly though, they’re not all good choices. MUT is the big money earner, so receives the most TLC, but this comes at a cost to all other modes.

I felt like I have grown along with the game, however, the constant graphical issues and glitches do pull it down to a point of annoyance that couldn’t be ignored.

Breathedge on Xbox is a hard game; one that requires patience before rewarding with a deep, funny, and intriguing space survival adventure.

Despite legitimate questions around longevity, Arcadegeddon is an absolute blast that takes place across a lush, digital battleground. With the right support, the future should be bright for this one.

MLB The Show is still the undisputed king of baseball games. Super Mega Baseball 4 is there for the casual or younger players, but it’ll be hard to keep eyes on this for very long. It feels quite soulless and devoid of personality.

YesterMorrow on Xbox One is a charming retro-styled platformer, or platform/puzzler if you prefer. There is a real sense of progression as you get stronger and learn to wield the Everlight, the bosses that you encounter are memorable and have patterns to learn should you wish to beat them, and the time travel mechanic works well to deliver the icing on the cake. Minor control quibbles aside, YesterMorrow is a great little playthrough and one you would do well to consider.

I didn't have very high expectations for the experience found in Daymare 1994: Sandcastle. But the game is more than capable of pleasantly surprising, especially with its more linear, tight exploration and improved visuals. There are problems with the dialogue, which feels a bit dated, and the combat system gets a bit bland after the umpteenth fight. But you’ll mostly have a good time with Daymare 1994: Sandcastle

Bud Spencer & Terence Hill - Slaps and Beans 2 feels like there is an in-joke going on, and I have no idea what it is. The story is absolutely ridiculous, but it feels like this is a deliberate choice. From there, it’s a mixed bag - the action on offer in the main part of the game is dull and repetitive, the mini games are a lot better, and the rest is pretty forgettable, to be honest.

By ditching much of the hardcore sim superstructure, what is left is is a fun, accessible racing game that can easily be mentioned in the same breath as Forza Motorsport. It’s fast, good-looking and, with the exception of some dim-witted AI, super fun to play. If you are in the market for a racing game, you can do a lot worse than Project CARS 3.

All in all though Battle Princess Madelyn has been a wonderful waltz down memory lane. I love the way the game plays, I can clearly see the affection that the inspiration is held in, and it is just the right side of too hard. The visuals are bang on, the music fits perfectly and the gameplay has been polished to within an inch of its life.

Tracks – The Train Set Game on Xbox One is a game for the creators and the builders of worlds. It’s a game where you could happily lose a hundred hours making a multi-piece railway line that twists and turns around a kitchen table like an award-winning piece of architecture.

It’s rough around the edges for sure, and it’s not going to be for everyone, but if you’re willing to suspend yourself into its limitations and challenges then you might discover something rewarding with Bus Simulator 2.

Trepang2 may well surprise. Brilliant gameplay mechanics come to the fore, allowing the overall experience to be a lot of fun. The B-movie storyline is generic but it is still done with plenty of commitment and pace that you can forgive its melodrama. Away from that and the action is relentless, whilst slo-mo has never felt so good.

Shadow’s Awakening is very solid indeed. Fans of the genre will have a lot of fun here and should well enjoy the depth of gameplay that is on offer. The switching between worlds in a great trick and the developers use it superbly well, whilst the fully voiced cast offer an extra dimension.

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix on Xbox One is not just an incremental improvement on the original: this is a gold-mushroom boost into the distance. While it doesn’t quite get on the karting podium - the identikit weapons and flat courses scupper that - it’s a solid kart game which rewards you for persisting with it. If the jump in quality is as large with Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3, we’re going to have a hell of a race for the best kart game.

Cloudpunk on Xbox One is something I have loved spending time with, mostly thanks to the beautifully designed future city. It's a big old journey for an indie game, however if you’re not particularly a fan of narrative and story, needing more action in your games, then I don't think this is going to be for you. Even if you are happy to take in a ton of lore, there are still times when it needs some pace injections, and I could have done with more to involve myself after the main focus finishes. But if you want to get lost in a cyber world then you can't go wrong by delivering some packages with Cloudpunk.

All this adds up to an enjoyable sim builder title. But that is all Surviving the Aftermath is, as it doesn’t provide anything new to the genre, nor to the post-apocalyptic setting it chooses to adopt. There is this constant feeling that something new is just around the corner as its progression and upgrade system speed is spot on, but unfortunately nothing new comes and you are left with a sense of familiarity throughout.

Floppy Knights has the same nagging demand to play that Advance Wars has: to satisfy a sub-objective, to progress the campaign, to unlock a particular unit. Even as we write now, we have the urge to get floppy with Floppy Knights. If you’ve got a turn-based bone in your body, we’d encourage you to do the same.

Dust & Neon is a twin-stick shooter that has something about it. Pretty unique with how it goes about things, the tease of a new upgrade, another notch on a skill tree, or a weapon to best all others, will see you tempted back to this one over and over again.

I love this game. I may not have completed it, chances are I’m going to struggle with a few of the stages for days, weeks and months on end, and I’ve more or less given up even trying to pick up half moon, full moon and full sun rewards, but the overall sense of achievement that The Sun and Moon gives in just the bog standard completion of a stage, is enough of a reason for me to keep playing.

Scars Above is a challenging game that has a lot to offer, with a price that fits its ambition. The story is original and there’s some good space drama going on.

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.

Disco Dodgeball – REMIX is without a doubt one of 2018’s indie dark horses. With enjoyable gameplay, a ton of game modes, and plenty of fun to be had, there is no doubt that those who decide to jump in will head back time and time again to get in on some dodgeball action

Episode 5 is an experience of two very different halves; a slow, slightly boring part talking about feelings and mending the broken team with ease, followed swiftly by an action-packed, fun-filled final half.

The stories and characters are brilliant – although there are pacing problems throughout – but when it’s at its best and the jazz tunes are flowing, This is the Police 2 ensures that you will smell of cigarettes and cheap whiskey as you go about your investigative work into the wee small hours of the night.

No Straight Roads is a love letter to the old school. From its rock versus electronic story to its gameplay and characters, this could fit in with any of the classics from the PS2 era and it's all the better for it. It doesn’t just appease this longing for the old, it entirely satiates it.

The Golf Club 2 has been created for the golfer found in all of us. It is with that in which you’ll find a game that may initially seem as hard as nails, but with practice, and as your golfing skills improve, will allow you to see the full fruits of your labour.

The Long Reach does a good job of what it sets out to do. It has some strong horror elements that provide great scares and doesn’t shy away from showing the reality of the situation. There are issues and none more so than the plot, but if you don’t care for story then you will find a few really good scares here but not much more.

It does cooperative play well and with a creepy X-Files vibe to things, the tone is certainly there for a jump scare or two.

There are times when Deliver Us Mars feels a bit rough around the edges, and the platforming and climbing mechanics don’t work as well as they should. But ultimately this is about the story it tells, dazzling with splendid characters and a wonderful sense of place and space. The exploration and puzzle elements of the game bring much to love too.

Sports games have set such a high bar for themselves over the years and we have come to expect so much of them. This means that when a game comes along and doesn’t reach our expectations we are disappointed. This is exactly the case for AO Tennis 2.

Man of Medan is one of those near must play titles, and I can’t wait for the next instalment in The Dark Pictures Anthology.

It’s fast, fun, can be enjoyed by yourself or with friends online, and has enough customisation and track variation to keep me entertained for hours to come. It could have been improved by real bikes and a greater variation in music, but this is a minor chink in the armour of this wonderful game.

Overall, Lock’s Quest is an exceptional example of how to do not only a phenomenal remastering, but how to tell a story that is supported by the gameplay. If it weren’t for the difficulty one could face because of the isometric view and the awkward conversation timings, this game would be the perfect little title. Throw in the fact that it has really improved on the DS version, and you have a game that nails the Active Tower Defense genre, right to its cold, cold heart. It is definitely one for both Casual and Expert gamers, though it might be substantially harder for the most casual ones out there, even on the normal difficulty setting.

DeadCore most definitely has the marmite effect. You will either love or hate speedrunning games and that will probably decide whether you like this or not.

It’s going to sound weird but Oh… Sir! is a quite a charming game given the context. It has an art style that certainly will not be winning any awards but is weirdly amusing to look at, much like the rest of the game.

With plenty of extra levels that can be unlocked, and an enjoyable and easy to follow story, Caveman Warriors is an impressive title. It would have been nicer to have seen some more sensibly placed checkpoints and respawn locations, but the overall game experience is generally enjoyable and is definitely something you should be looking to get involved in.

If you love shooters, then maybe dive into Earth Atlantis when it’s in the sale, but otherwise, keep yourself dry.

KARMA: The Dark World is the kind of game that will stick with you long after you complete it. Far from perfect, with a disappointing third act and some major performance issues, thankfully the pros outweigh the cons.

At its core, Sea of Thieves is a fun, innocent experience that rewards spontaneity and imagination, but becomes rather dull and repetitive if you want a linear experience. As part of Xbox Game Pass, Rare’s Sea of Thieves is more than worth the time you will put into it.

The Spectrum Retreat comes across as a great success from a special talent – one who has provided a fun, rewarding puzzling narrative game that sticks with you.

Aftercharge on Xbox One is a fun game. The matches are relatively short, there aren’t a lot of confusing upgrade tiers to worry about, no grinding needed to unlock weapons and gear, and plenty of opportunities to try new strategies to win the match.

I am a huge Assassin’s Creed fan and loved the Valhalla base game. Yet the first Wrath of the Druids expansion failed to blow me away. It’s a similar case here with The Siege of Paris. It’s good, but really nowhere near what we have come to expect from the franchise as a whole.

BLEACH Rebirth of Souls is a great entry into the BLEACH universe. The story is well done and while the online side of things is a bit of a mess (not all the game’s fault, as online players will always adopt anything that lets them win) you’ll find plenty of fun within.

I really love The Occupation and what the team behind it have managed to create. The great story, in an amazing universe, has been brilliantly written and performed. The downside though is that the actual gameplay – you know, the important bit – isn’t quite right, even after the patches have dropped. It is this which has caused huge frustration, particularly in the latter parts of the game, interrupting the otherwise involving concept.

You’ll have a great time with REKT!... for about an hour or so. After that, it quickly becomes obvious that you would have seen everything the game has to offer. It’s clear that this is a brilliant casual experience, with its strong fundamentals, easy-to-pick-up gameplay and truckload of customisation. It’s simply that with nothing added on top of it, REKT! ends up rather stale.

In all, The Crew 2 is a big step forward for the series and does its best to right the wrongs of the original. Take the time to learn the ins and outs here and you will have a game that gives you hours and hours of enjoyment.

The gameplay may be responsive but it is extremely irritating in an attempt to lure you through that ‘one-more-time’ mentality, except most of the time when you die it feels unfair and unjustified. The rhythm-based aspect funks things up, but as for the game as a whole, there isn’t much to be found here except a 2D side-scroller with no story, unfair gameplay challenges, and a repetitive drum and bass soundtrack which doesn’t stand out in the slightest.

Approach Cinders on Xbox One with caution. If you like a bit of melodrama in your life, and the prospect of a well-crafted, alternate take on Cinderella sounds appealing, this glass slipper may well fit.

Iron Crypticle is a decent game that is well worth a shot, especially when you take into account the price asked of it, and the amount of replayability that is included.

All in all and Crunching Koalas have pulled one out of the bag with Lichtspeer: Double Speer Edition. It’s super addictive, has stunning visuals, a soundtrack to die for and delivers one hell of a fun gameplay experience that just ramps up even more when played in local co-op.

It’s a bit of a tough one this. I can't penalise the game for being a recreation of what is. But I do think that NASCAR as a whole will appeal to some, but not others. What I can penalise it for is not making very good sense in the race screens, for its lack of proper tuning to try and make my car faster, for the way nothing is explained very well, and for generally not being above average in terms of being a racer.

Sure it may have the odd moment of surprise and bring something to get stuck into, but with too much of the same thing going on for long periods, this is only one for those who have plenty of time, patience and a fair amount of skill.

On the whole the AWE on Xbox One just seems lackluster and doesn’t wrap up Control as nicely as I was hoping it would.

GONNER2 on Xbox One is absolutely rock hard and requires the reflexes of a ninja hopped up on Red Bull to get anywhere, and so this is not a game that you would play for a nice, relaxing blast before work. However, if you enjoy a challenge, it is certainly worth playing. Even with fingers made of butter, progress can be made by concentrating fiercely, and it is then when GONNER2 starts to become rewarding.

Phantom Breaker: Omnia is a technically deep, good looking fighting game, but it is ultimately hamstrung by a lack of polish.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite - Pathogen is pretty good and in fact the only real issue I have with this expansion is the price. There’s no easy way to say it, but £11.99 for about an hour or so of gameplay in the new campaign seems too high.

Achilles: Legends Untold may well deliver more than you think - especially in terms of enjoyment. The combat and exploration are fun, the loading times are world class, and there is a lot to do. If you like Ancient Greek mythology, or want a new Diablo-styled game, this is one you should be giving a whirl.

Wreckreation feels a bit like a budget Burnout. There are interesting ideas with the Live Mix stuff to completely make your world feel unique, but when an open-world racer feels this empty, should it really fall on us to populate it?

LEGO Worlds may not be built on the mighty foundation of survival and building, but the content in place is certainly a welcome addition. Whilst the quests could certainly do with a little more inspiration, it will be the infinite Master Builder possibilities, with the many thousands of LEGO bricks available, that you’ll be remembering this classic for.

Eternal Hope is a nicely played-out visual story with some great ideas and a lovely gaming technique which lets you swap instantly between two different realities. There are some problems with checkpointing and the accuracy in terms of platforming isn’t as tight as it possibly should be, but that rarely takes away from such a clever little game.

Syberia - Remastered is not a perfect game, and there are many moments when it really does feel like it’s 2002 again, but you’ll mostly be glad to experience this iconic story from the very beginning.

Shift Happens isn’t exactly a bad co-op game, but it does suffer from some rather noticeable irritations and when joining a genre of successfully established titles, there really needs to be more on offer than that included.