Asdivine Saga does exactly what it says on the tin. The story is good, delivered without too much padding, and the characters are engaging. Fighting is as fun as ever for a KEMCO title, especially when you consider taking in some grinding and the opportunity to head into the extra arenas. In fact, it’s hard to find too much in the way of bad points.

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.

Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 does enough to make it worth a punt. The story is silly and funny, and the action on display, the so called “matchroidvania”, does enough to make it addictive and playable.

Does Little Nightmares III push the series onto another level? Well, in terms of the addition of co-op play and the ability to use combat, it certainly does. However, the journey through these new worlds, while visually distinct, does cover some similar thematic beats, and at times, it can feel like a well-trodden path.

Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice keeps you playing, trying new things. It is this challenge that pushes you along and as a tactics game should never be a pushover, it most definitely fulfils the brief.

Autonauts is an interesting experience. The novelty of building robots rarely wears off, whilst the ability to get them to do almost anything results in some very intriguing experiments.

Overall there is a lot of fun to have with Flinthook. If you like fast paced action games with a retro twist, then this is going to be one of those five star games that you’ll love. If you hate these type of games, and you know who you are, I would say give it a go and persevere, because it does reward the effort. There is a lot of game here for an indie title and even though I’ve put in many hours, I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. This doesn’t matter though, because I know I’m going to keep coming back, just to put on my space hook, get me some space pirate booty and complete a Raid or two.

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is funny from the first step. From its nods to Soulsborne games like notes on the floor giving you hints, to its joypad smashingly difficult boss battles, The Last Hero is a really solid and incredibly wholesome feeling title.

If you have ever wanted to smash police cars/racers off the road then Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered on Xbox is the game for you, and that goes double if you've never played it before. It’s fast, furious and will have you on the edge of your seat as you hurtle round corners, inches from disaster, winning a race by the skin of your teeth. If you played the original then there’s not a lot new here, but it looks and plays great - that in itself means it’s got to be worth a punt.

You should enjoy your time with Tri Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey. The levels are varied, there are a host of things to do, and the boss fights add another dimension. The story is daft - and slightly annoying - but once it is turned off, things flow much better.

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 DioField Chronicle is a great looking game, with some good storytelling and some average RPG mechanics. But it all adds up to a fine first entry that leaves us eager for more.

Dark Deity 2 is an accomplished SRPG with a nice retro vibe to it. The story keeps you plugging away, the variety of the characters and upgrades you can choose helps with longevity, and to get all the achievements you are going to have to play it multiple times.

If you’re in the market for a new horror title, and just so happen to love a puzzle or two, I’d highly recommend you spend some time with DARQ: Complete Edition on Xbox. The main game with added DLC brings together a decent chunk of gameplay for the price, and whilst it’s not a huge game the Complete Edition seems to deliver exactly what is required.

If you’re a fan of H.P. Lovecraft’s work then I feel this is one of the best experiences out there, simply because it loves its source material.

Whilst Episode Five of the Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two is a bit of a slow burner, filled with momentum killing moments, it really comes into its own once it actually gets going. The vast amount of well-voiced characters supporting Jesse on this immense task and bouncing off one another, the puzzle design and the top notch battle with the Admin, all ensure that a mediocre finale transforms into a great one.

Moving Out – Movers In Paradise on Xbox is a meaty, fun-packed adventure and one of the best pieces of downloadable content I’ve seen within a game.

Wild Dogs may not look like much, and the screenshots make it look like a generic shooter with nostalgia goggles on, but it’s ace. In the bosses and the freewheeling levels, it finds a way to elevate the competent shooting into full-on recommendation. Every Mega Man (and their dog) should give it a whirl.

Even after investing many multiples of hours into Civilization VII, you’ll continue to be dragged back in. Much like most of the franchise, it's a real time-eater, and once you start it's hard to stop. There may be a bit of a dumbing down in systems, but as someone who has come back to the series after time away, I appreciate the change, even though it continues to feel familiar.

Skautfold: Usurper is a game that will do a lot to endear itself to your gaming heart. It looks great, it plays very well and the challenge is all too real, but the rewards are there if you can learn how to risk it all on the Guard bar.

Gravitar: Recharged built the foundations on how to improve these old-school experiences and Yars: Recharged continues the trend. It is better in just about every department than the original four: graphically, musically and more.

Ultra Hat Dimension is a fun, wholesome, and classic puzzler that jumps out of the Game Boy Color and into your Xbox One.

If you like a shoot ‘em up, then Sophstar is an easy sell. It is challenging and manages to pack a good amount of content into a small package. Even if you don’t usually like shooters, the sheer variety of ways to play and tackle the levels will mean that you are likely to find a combo that works.

I didn't think I needed another Amanda the Adventurer game in my life, but I am so glad Amanda the Adventurer 2 came along, as it successfully takes the core experience from the first game and progresses it further in meaningful ways.

The Thaumaturge is quite refreshing, fairly unique as it blends detective work, RPG elements, and supernatural themes in a richly realised historical setting.

The choices in Afterlove EP are plentiful, but it does feel at times they are a bit too superficial, and don’t have much bearing on the way the overall story is progressing. But that story is still an interesting and engaging one, and that’s what makes Afterlove EP a great narrative.

There is a lot to like about Lords of the Fallen. The scope and scale of the two worlds is impressive, whilst the combat is fast and frantic. Even the exploration side of things, while tricky, is rewarding when you manage it.

As complete novice dancers we always enjoy playing the Just Dance games, and Just Dance 2024 Edition is no exception. It doesn’t come with a whole load in terms of new features, but why change a formula that has worked so well in the past?

Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is most definitely an original experience. The story is strong, the lead characters are to be loved, and the adventure which plays out delivers something new.

Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping serves up another lovable, cozy mystery fronted by rising star, Eugene McQuacklin. It may be a short story, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

A small indie developer has gathered together a pulsating playlist of forty-five JPop hits and then mapped them to an innovative take on rhythm action. Beat Souls is part endless runner, part Hatsune Miku, and it’s totally slapping.

Predator: Hunting Grounds is thrilling and enjoyable, especially when played with friends. The fast-paced action, tense stealth, and satisfying Predator gameplay create an engaging and immersive experience.

The mission to bring Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition from PC to Xbox is a successful one. Age of Empires IV may not make history buffs out of the uninitiated, but it is a compelling enough entry for those who are interested in the genre or the subject matter.

Despite the depressing themes at times, it’s not all doom and gloom in Gloom and Doom. Give it a chance, for it may surprise you with a heartwarming tale full of wit, charm and totally badass characters.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a solid game, with a lot of fun on offer. The combat is nicely paced, adding depth as you get better equipped, and while the battling remains a little too numb, you do get used to the quirks of the way it feels. With a decent story to follow, and a lot of ground to cover, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree should well last you a good while.

Extremely Powerful Capybaras is not only a fun thing to say, but a fantastically fun thing to play too; a combat, and corresponding upgrade system, full to the brim with possibilities, merge with the sheer love poured into the title to create an experience, not without its flaws, yet so satisfyingly enjoyable.

MultiVersus will provide a great time! The deep gameplay systems, fun characters and overflow of game modes to play with makes it much more than just a platform fighter, although some issues with monetization hold it back from reaching its heights.

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

Killing Time: Resurrected is a competent remake of a classic game. Even without prior knowledge of the original, the story is engaging and the gameplay offers a decent amount of exploration and puzzle-solving. The FMV enemies are unintentionally amusing, and the gunplay lacks a certain punch, but the overall experience is enjoyable.

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.

There is something about the story and tone of The Lamplighters League that has pulled me in - and it will do you too. Get used to the gameplay, the possibilities and the strategies at play and this is a game that becomes highly addictive.

BAFTA take note, because South of the Circle ****- in a few categories - comes preciously close to being best-in-class.

Saturnalia is a truly original survival horror game. It's almost an arthouse game in which the narrative and characters are brilliant, even with the claustrophobic location.

Total Chaos is a disorientating tale of mystery, horror and survival which despite some frustrating niggles, details a desperate struggle against insanity itself.

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

Stick with it and Gloomhaven is a very rewarding experience. If you’ve ever had a passing interest in the board game, or indeed are a Gloomhaven expert, there is something here for you. With two full length campaigns spanning over a hundred hours, there is no shortage of things on offer. A bit of polish on character models and movements would have been welcome, but hey, at least these ones move, right?

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is not a bad game by any means, but once discovering the stunning vistas wears thin, you won’t find much substantial meat to chew on in those forests.

There is something about the snappy satisfying combat that allows the game to be elevated above the niggling issues that it does have, and will have you wanting to keep going back for more.

Grass Cutter – Mutated Lawns is a fun and inviting arcade puzzle game with an appealing gameplay design. The graphics are pragmatically simple to keep the gameplay responsiveness engaging, and the soundtrack is filled with fun and uplifting tracks which explore a variety of genres with very joyful and catchy rhythms.

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.

An existentially vague boxing duck facing a criminal conspiracy sounds pretty crazy on paper, but Pato Box brings together a range of unlikely elements to create a memorable and challenging boxing adventure.

In Labyrinthine patience is largely rewarded with a gripping, bone chilling horror experience which can be “enjoyed” alone or with friends. Just remember to keep an ear to the ground.

The first episode of The Walking Dead: The Final Season has set the scene very well for Clementine to really shine from here on out, especially with the way that events unfold as it could see her taking on more responsibilities than ever before.

Love is All Around is a pleasantly surprising romance-fuelled FMV that is likely to win your heart. Despite the translation errors and lack of English voiceovers, the characters still manage to come across very well.

Come to Adorable Adventures for the tale of a little boar attempting to reunite his family. There is no doubt you’ll stay for the secrets, the collectibles, the vibes, and the sheer depth of gameplay.

It may not be for everyone with the mix of death and a cartoony world possibly proving to be a hard mix. Maybe the price is a bit high too, but you’ll mostly find an amazing adventure to be had should you take in The Oregon Trail.

There are moments when you’ll be stumped, and I personally could have done with some hints, but overall it’s a great experience and the closest thing you will get to living out your James Bond fantasy.

Your enjoyment of Grow: Song of the Evertree will depend on whether you find that its brand of Stardew Valley-style nurturing to be a chore or a compulsion. Find its wavelength, dallying with its systems for short bursts each day, and we’re confident that you will find a tug to return.

Unrailed! on Xbox is fresh, clever and loads of fun to play. You’ll only realise its full potential when playing with friends locally, which is unfortunately very difficult at the moment. However, online play does the job despite being temperamental at times, yet the support of an ever-growing community should keep this one on the right tracks.

The Longest Road on Earth is thoroughly enjoyable; an experience that is capable of sincerely touching the player. The music is wonderful and the whole journey a delight.

If you like cats, enjoy hidden object games, and want to hand some cash to charity, then consider A Castle Full of Cats to be a hearty recommendation.

We don’t have the experience of the original Pocky & Rocky, so we’re saying this as first-timers: Pocky & Rocky Reshrined is a gorgeous bastard. It was unabashedly mean to us, and required a complete rewiring of our twin-stick shooter sensibilities, but once we managed to ride this bucking bronco, we enjoyed the hell out of it.

Omensight is a strange one, and honestly not what I expected at all. While the combat works well, it can feel a bit repetitive after a while. What doesn’t is the mythical world, the branching, twisting storyline, and the whole Groundhog Day mechanic which is a fantastic twist on an already intriguing story. You should definitely pick this up if you have an afternoon or evening to kill. It’ll be well worth your time.

Asdivine Menace is a must if you played Asdivine Dios, as it brings the story to a very satisfying end. Even if you didn’t, this game stands as one of the better KEMCO offerings.

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.

SteamWorld Heist II comes together to bring a lot of fun. You’ll enjoy getting to know all the characters and locations that have been added into the game, whilst the actual combat is tough, but well balanced.

Terminator 2D: NO FATE is a good game, with lots of nods to the lore, all of which will go down well with fans of the franchise. Equally, it’s welcoming enough for those who aren’t invested in the universe.

If you are a fan of the RTS world, then you’ll get a lot out of this epic adventure, with hundreds of hours of gameplay more than possible.

While it doesn't completely innovate or elevate the genre, Dragonkin: the Banished tries enough new things, while executing the basics at a high enough level, to stand amongst the best of the genre.

You can slice, shoot and smash your way through enemies to your heart’s content in Broforce Forever, in an over the top romp that does just about enough to avoid weariness setting in.

Moving Out 2 is a cracking game. Single player is tougher, no doubt about it, but the game really comes alive in multiplayer. With a host of levels, and a lot of objectives within those levels, Moving Out 2 is a game that you'll have a lot of fun playing.

The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation delivers a chilling and superb bit of horror storytelling, complete with some fun jump scares.

MLB The Show 21 has done a good job of making not just the game, but baseball as a whole, a bit more approachable, but there is still a punishingly high difficulty curve.

Within the category of ‘budget platformer’, NeonPowerUp! is almost unsurpassed. It’s big, it’s hard, and it’s clever. The triple-lock. 9Ratones should be immensely proud of what they’ve done here with the most limited of tools. £4.99 has never been easier to spend.

If you're not a fan of puzzlers and hate the idea of using your brain instead of any brawn, then there isn't going to be much for you here, but those who like to see their grey matter challenged will find that Faraday Protocol is worth a look.

Probably the most used word in this review is ‘fun’, but that’s really what playing HYPERCHARGE Unboxed is. It’s the kind of game you play with a big smile on your face the entire time. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it is a joy to play whether on your own in the campaign, jumping online for a few rounds or teaming up with friends.

While the RTS elements feel a bit redundant at times, and the soundtrack has little variation, Hive Jump’s gameplay is what will keep you coming back. It may not be a ‘Master of All’, but it is a great homage to many series that warrants the $9.99 it asks for.

While it won’t be for everyone, for the right player, I can’t recommend Hydroneer enough. It's an addicting game that can provide countless hours of fun.

Lost Grimoires 2 could’ve been a cut above the rest, but it lets itself down in familiar ways. It’s a real credit to the puzzling then that it’s still a very good game to chill out and get stuck in to.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is well worth a look. I mean, what have you got to lose? Except possibly your life?

Archaica: The Path of Light on Xbox One is by no means an original puzzle game – light bending is up there in terms of repeat usage with the pipe construction mechanic for minigames – but what it brings is a challenging example of light manipulation that differentiates from others. The hint system helps massively and means that Archaica doesn’t gatekeep for players that would perhaps struggle.

Super Animal Royale is a great free-to-play title. If you’re familiar with battle royales to any degree, everything here will feel simultaneously familiar and new. Wacky characters with loads of customization, fun weapons, and unique ideas will hold your attention, but the frustrating lack of accessibility options, fairly repetitive combat, and oodles of in-game currencies could be a deal breaker for some.

Deathbound does enough to make for an interesting playthrough, and this is largely down to the new features and the introduction of the Essences, which adds a whole new dimension to the familiar gameplay.

What we have here is a lovingly crafted puzzle game with real pick up and play mechanics, but with the hook to try and get past the next level to see what's around the corner. The constantly evolving bunny threat, your expanding arsenal and variety of level sizes - from large and scrolling to basically fighting in a phone box - keeps the game feeling fresh and never less than challenging.

Demon Turf is a stylistic and experimental 3D platformer which dares to try new things, and for the most part it succeeds in its ambitious ideas, especially in its quirky yet satisfying play mechanics. Implementing 2D platformer conventions within a 3D world was never going to be easy, but Demon Turf manages to pull it off with plenty of style and endearing level design.

If you love adventure, shadow puppets, and unique gameplay then Projection: First Light on Xbox One will enchant.

If you know nothing but Resident Evil 7, then you may well find this as a step back, but if you’re looking for a solid Resident Evil game or simply a horror title in general, then Resident Evil Revelations isn’t a bad way to go – just maybe ignore things when Jessica starts her Chris Redfield daydreaming.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection feels just like a turn-based Monster Hunter game. For the first time in the Stories series, they’ve nailed the feeling of every fight feeling like a boss battle.

If you’d asked me what the ideal hidden object game would contain, it would sound a lot like Find My Frogs. I want enjoyable art where you can see little stories happening. I want no minigame distractions, plenty of easter eggs, a cracking sense of humour, and a hint system that I can turn to if I want it. Find My Frogs delivers all those things with aplomb.

Whilst Isekai Rondo is very much a KEMCO JRPG, there are enough little additions to keep you engaged; like Passives and a likeable cast of characters. It isn’t too hard (in fact it is a bit easy) but this allows the story to move along at a good pace, ensuring that you get to appreciate the time spent.

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft has to be thought of as a game of its time, not a modern release. When you take into account that context you can truly appreciate just how brilliant these three adventures still are.

Jisei: The First Case HD on Xbox One is a lot of fun to play. With a gripping story and a variety of endings to find and unlock, there's enough content to keep you playing for a little while. You could probably rush through and complete this game fully in under an hour, but to be honest that would be doing the crafting of this story a disservice.

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

Steamroll is a cleverly designed puzzler which isn’t short on ideas. To say this is Antico’s first independently developed game, they’ve done a great job. The gameplay is tight, easy to grasp and layered effectively with complexity, and despite a few rough edges, Steamroll is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and worthy of a place in everyone’s game library.

Sea of Solitude on Xbox One is too short, some of the gameplay doesn’t ever push hard enough in terms of what could be done, and the last act isn’t as interesting as it could have been. But the way the story and the journey are crafted and told through its characters, themes, visuals, and audio is superb.

The puzzles are a bit too simple for my liking and at times frustrating, but other than that, it’s a great point-and-click adventure that will entertain you across its four short episodes.

Despite falling into some of the same traps as its predecessor, Halo Infinite is a huge step in the right direction and something of a correction course. Overall 343 Industries have delivered on their promise to return Halo to its roots, whilst breaking new ground, and it’s much better off for it.

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