There are still several issues that need to be ironed out but GRIP: Combat Racing isn’t a terrible game. In fact, with a few necessary fixes, it could definitely become something rather special thanks to filling the gap left in the genre and providing something a bit different to most other racers. At present though, it’s going to take a bit more variety and polish for this to be a racer we’ll be remembering fondly.

I had high hopes for Danger Zone 2 following the first one, but as it is in its current state, I cannot recommend it at all over the initial offering. It has features such as real-world locations and Run-Up Objectives, but these cannot disguise the many bugs and overall haphazard state of the game. Patches have been promised, but it will take quite a few to get this game up to speed.

I enjoy the Darksiders series for being Darksiders; a colourful fantasy world with a satisfying hack and slash combat, a cast of bizarre characters, and a galore of environmental puzzles. Darksiders 3 tries too much to be something else: to be dark and tough. As a result, it loses a lot of its own identity – its own unique charm. It’s by no means a bad game and certainly has its moments, but being disappointed myself, I just can’t wholeheartedly recommend it to existing fans of the franchise.

Despite borrowing heavily from Overcooked!, Cannibal Cuisine strikes more of a party game tone, with mixed results. The gameplay lacks finesse, and despite providing a few laughs with friends, you’ll find it difficult not to revert back to the inspirational rival.

You could almost call DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing plain. But it’s also not mired in monetisation, nor is it overly fiddly, demanding understanding of pit crew or upgrades. It slots in nicely, then: more challenging and deep than PAW Patrol Grand Prix, but without the unnecessary bells and whistles of the free-to-play kart games. Plus you can’t go wrong with a character roster that includes Shrek and Donkey.

Momonga was a true joy to play and a real hidden gem in the ID@Xbox program. For a game that can be completed within an hour, it has so much variation and puts some 30-hour open world games to shame. Couple this with the cliff-hanger ending and the game will keep you guessing at what’s next.

Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame may not be quite as fulfilling as it was expected to be, but it is still a capable racer that has enough in the tank to provide at least a couple of hours enjoyment at a time.

Felix the Reaper on Xbox One is a very unique and original game. It has bundles of charm and a great central premise that involves a warm central character who has more dance moves than a young John Travolta. The puzzle side of things does get a trifle hard later on, but it’s a great brain teaser that utilises a range of different perspectives and object management.

This could have been Life is Strange: London and we wouldn’t have bat an eyelid. And that’s where the greatest disappointment derives from: Virginia was so proudly and ebulliently unconventional, yet Last Stop hues so closely to convention. It’s an episode of The Twilight Zone; a more committee-created Quantic Dream game. There’s no doubt that it’s enjoyable and has wonderful, memorable moments, but its biggest crime is that it doesn’t emerge with a voice of its own.

Anyone who has a hole in their life where a new Spyro, Banjo or Jak should have been will find plenty to love here with Kao the Kangaroo.

Hellpoint on Xbox One has a lot of good points; certainly enough to recommend it. It’s dark, creepy and brutal - all the things you want from a Souls-type game. On the other hand, a seeming lack of polish does spoil the party somewhat, with camera issues killing me more often than the creatures, and a strange kind of weightlessness to the attacks present.

You’ll need to get through a slightly confused opening, but then Ruffy and the Riverside fast becomes a quirky, unique, challenging game that is ripe for manipulation.

The story brings a satisfying conclusion, and there are plenty of Nazis to kill once more, which in turn makes for another enjoyable Wolfenstein experience.

Torchlight III on Xbox One is by no means a bad game. It functions fine and gives the same satisfaction that your traditional ARPG will. That being said, it feels just a bit lazy. The gameplay, story, visuals and mechanics are fine but that’s about it. It is rather fun with friends and doesn’t have any major issues, but it fails to live up to the light set before it.

As a retro-throwback, Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl does its job extremely well. Heck, in some ways it does it too well. If you were the type who grew up on these games, I can say with all due respect that you will probably have a good time with this if you want to connect with your inner child.

If you want an Artifex Mundi game, I’d point you in the direction of any other one of the market. They took a risk with Dark Arcana: The Carnival, and it didn’t pay off.

We suspect that Ravenlok will see a fair amount of criticism for its lack of depth and length. Its dimensions are a little limited. But we drink a bottle that says ‘bite me’: Ravenlok is a waltz through Wonderland that you won’t regret. Embrace the lightweight combat and puzzles and follow the path and see where it leads you. The journey is well worth it.

I love games that are clever, beautifully designed, tell an amazing story and make you feel for something or someone. Black the Fall ticks all my boxes.

There’s an enjoyable, well presented adventure on offer with I Am Fish which undeniably has charm. However, the experience is inconsistent thanks to some questionable controls.

Mato Anomalies is a game that shouldn’t work, but does work very well indeed. It isn’t massively long, and some of the side missions do feel a bit like padding to extend the run time, but the strength of the story running through it, and the fact that the characters you control are interesting in their own right, makes this a game that comes highly recommended.

HOTEL BARCELONA is enjoyable from start to finish, even if that finish comes about too swiftly. It's also definitely over the top and not something to take too seriously. HOTEL BARCELONA is really just a fun game, no matter how you look at it.

Remothered: Tormented Fathers is a game that is almost ready to fill the classic horror experience gap, but the issues present are certainly hard to ignore. Should you be able to look past the misguiding sounds and horrendous movement mechanics, then you’ll still be able to find the essence of a quality horror story nestled deep within.

I would recommend giving Haimrik a go if you’re a fan and partaker of games that like to be a bit different or a bit off-beat, as it comes with a highly entertaining visual tone, funny humour in the writing and some gameplay that is inventive and unique.

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.

Unlike the tasty looking food you are making, Cuisineer on Xbox is a very bland game. It’s definitely a looker, with some really pretty visuals and a very cute aesthetic throughout. But the gameplay itself is basic with little substance to it.

Destroy All Humans! is an easy game to recommend for fans of the original. It feels faithful almost to a fault as it carries the story, jokes, and somewhat antiquated game design with it. While there are some nice additions and decent visuals, it probably won’t do much to convince those who didn’t play it back in 2005 to give it a go.

Slitterhead is a refreshingly different experience with its unique blend of B-movie horror, inventive mechanics, and world-building.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered on Xbox One remains as fun and nostalgic as it did in 2009. With punchy combat, creepy exploration and a hilarious script that’s beautifully voice acted, it’s hard not to recommend this Halloween treat.

The Way of the Passive Fist is a very enjoyable game, with the seamless fusion of fighting and rhythm executed brilliantly. As a concept, it shouldn’t work, but it just does, being a lot of fun and a real challenge.

With a well populated online world, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition has more than enough to keep you out of mischief.

Missing legend aside, NBA2K24 is a worthwhile upgrade for fans of 2K23. 2K’s yearly package is full to the brim with options and modes.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance delivers a huge, complex world with a host of things to get involved in. The story is well written, brilliantly acted and expertly executed. I am worried that the buggy nature of the game will put many off and whilst the vast majority of the problems shouldn’t worry anyone too much, it can get a tad annoying.

Experiences like The Ascent don’t come along often. Game Pass may well turn out to be The Ascent’s redemption. This is an experience that’s best had in co-op, and a day one launch on Xbox’s service means that almost all obstacles are removed. So, find three friends and take your time with The Ascent, refuse to play in long sessions, and you and your partners will find worlds and gunplay that blow your augments clear off.

Kill the Bad Guy is a delightful game, which provides hours of entertainment as you plot to cause “accidents” to wipe out the bad guys. Making sure they are in the wrong place at the right time is great entertainment, and it’s a great game to load up when you tire of other titles. It’s just at the right level of engagement that you can relax while playing it, but you also have to use your loaf a bit.

I must applaud the developers at Y/CJ/Y for an amazing design to a game that is so small in its package, but achieves so much in its ambition.

With no clear indication as to the audience it is ideally designed for, with the difficulty clearly too high for children and design points proving too childish for adults, monotonous gameplay throughout, and overly basic mechanics making up its key aspects, Switch – Or Die Trying is likely to be a title many will quickly forget.

If you’re a fan of NASCAR then there is no reason not to check out the latest entry in the series, but if you’re after a fully licensed experienced you may be a little disappointed.

The team at Fallen Tree Games have created a brilliant playground for us to explore, destroy and burgle. It is a great love letter to the humble origins of the open-world game that we know and love now, but that does mean it comes with the restrictions associated with that; mainly, the overly long mission arcs that unfortunately become a bit of a grind, especially in the opening hours where the map is more restricted.

If you’re after a fascinating story and exciting boss fights, you will probably want to look elsewhere, but for the most part Exception is a more than capable platformer that brings plenty of variation through transforming levels, offers a ton of content and has some highly addictive gameplay elements to be enjoyed.

It is because of the greatness of many parts – the animal morphing, the stunning visuals, brilliant audio and availability of many hidden collectables and secrets – that Lost Ember on Xbox One is able to provide a pretty unique experience that many gamers will love.

After spending years in Early Access on Steam, Space Engineers is loaded with ideas. The idea of a creative crafting game in space with a degree of complexity to it is instantly intriguing – a game you could get lost in as you figure out new ways to effectively build ideas. Space Engineers is a game I wanted to love. Unfortunately, when those who you love disappoint, it hurts even more.

Empire of Sin has a lot going for it: a jazzy soundtrack, a lovely idea and a nice map. But at present, it is far less than the sum of its ambitious parts and falls short in a highly frustrating fashion.

The sheer act of solving puzzles with a laptop and notebook on the table, sifting through the detritus of the internet, just feels so unusual and enjoyably deductive. My Googling skills came on leaps and bounds, as I mastered the art of Google Image Search, and my understanding of ancient civilisations has received a boost too. These aren’t common things to say about games, and Chinatown Detective Agency is such an unusual, refreshing experience that – some minor frustrations aside – we cannot hesitate to recommend.

When you take into account the price tag, Broken Mind fits perfectly. It is completely compelling to play and will hook you in from beginning to the very end of the four or five hour running time.

What an embarrassment of riches Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway has turned out to be. Previously something of an also-ran in the race to be the best karting experience, it can proudly take its place at the top of the podium on the Xbox - second only to Mario Kart on all platforms.

There are certainly things to love about GreedFall: The Dying World, but after many hours in its world, I left feeling a little deflated.

I enjoyed Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, particularly the striking visuals and high production values. The detective elements introduce some impressive new mechanics that make for a highly thoughtful gameplay experience. That being said, it does get too confusing at times, and I felt I spent far too much time wandering around trying to figure out my next move.

If you are ready for an epic, third person action adventure, then look no further than Atlas Fallen.

With a name like Golf With Your Friends, you know exactly what you are getting - taking on opponents across 18-hole courses, lowest score wins. It’s a very simple concept, but where this could be a simple golf-based game done many times before, Golf With Your Friends presents a new experience, letting us enjoy multiplayer golfing by bringing in simultaneous play and a ton of customisation options to make sure the fun doesn’t dwindle after only a few hours.

For fans of the series, Killing Floor 3 is worth playing, especially with a dedicated squad. For newcomers, it offers a taste of frantic co-op mayhem, even if the flavour fades faster than it should. But for a game that arrives years after its predecessor, Killing Floor 3 lacks some much needed innovation.

Unfortunately at this moment TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge is a game that is failing its players in the areas that it should really look to excel, and there are some desperate changes needed to bring this game up to the standard it deserves to reach.

I wasn’t expecting much from Stubbs the Zombie, but Rebel Without a Pulse has proved to be enjoyable, with an entertaining narrative, writing and zaniness. If you're after some old-school action and can forgive the dated visuals, then Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse on Xbox might well be worth your time.

There is a lot to love about I Hate This Place, especially in terms of the story, visuals, and audio. However, I do think the gameplay loop, the combat and stealth, isn’t as fun as it should be.

Yars Rising takes the fundamentals of Yars’ Revenge and applies a lengthy metroidvania experience on top of it, creating a surprisingly fun game. The gameplay is varied enough to cover around ten hours without too much repetition. And there is plenty more fun in the menus after that, if you want to keep replaying the Yars minigame levels. Just maybe skip through the voice acting where possible.

Once Biomutant gets going, you really get to feel it. The combat is the outstanding element, the chance to dictate your own route through the world is another, and even though visually things occasionally come across as hit or miss, on the whole the Biomutant adventure is one that is utterly engrossing. Give it time and this is one post-apocalyptic kung-fu RPG you won’t be able to tear yourself away from.

For those who like the franchise, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is an absolute gem, delivering for gamers of any skill even if it does feel a tad easy to play. It’s highly recommended for those looking for an well-worked platforming adventure, or younger gamers. I for one would welcome a sequel with even more of the same, ideally with an absolutely huge Bikini Bottom to explore and even more characters to play as.

iO proves that you don’t need a great story, you don’t need stunning visuals, you don’t need complex controls and you don’t need a banging soundtrack. You will however need to be a certain type of gamer to enjoy all the stages that iO delivers, but should you be a puzzle fiend and in the market for a clever, albeit slightly frustrating, abstract brain taxer, then you could do worse than check it out.

If you’re looking for something to get your teeth into, something with a nice progression system and loads of content that will keep you busy, then Crossout is the game for you.

The Suicide of Rachel Foster on Xbox One is a bit of an odd one because the story is decent enough and certainly very intriguing. But I’ve never really been sure what the team behind it have been trying to accomplish or whether it quite hits the points it needs to make. The themes feel a bit rushed at times too, and it needs a bit more work after the main twist.

There isn’t much in Arkanoid Eternal Battle to entice new players; nor battle royale aficionados looking for something different as those new mechanics are very basic.

It’s worth remembering that Marvel Heroes Omega is free and if you love Marvel then I have to say you should give it a try. Once you buy into the grind and ignore the issues, it’s pretty fun to have a little go on here and there.

It is fair to say that there is a lot to love about Daymare: 1998 on Xbox One. Its gameplay is decent, the puzzles are solid and the writing is, for the most part, strong. There is a lot for people to delve into, especially in terms of the lore which makes replaying it a second time interesting. Unfortunately, the overall experience is brought down by glitches, odd design choices and overall jankiness.

For RTS enthusiasts this is most probably a must-purchase, sending them to heaven. Even for the newcomer - one who is after a challenge - Othercide is well worth a look.

TOHU is a charming little point-and-click adventure on Xbox with its own identity due to the lovely detail in the art and the fitting soundtrack that captures the atmosphere of each planet pretty well. The balance between the standard inventory puzzles and mini-games is ideal for delivering the fun factor, but there’s no fun in game-breaking moments and they really let it down.

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.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has successfully landed and recovered. While the initial server issues were frustrating, the game now delivers on its promises, offering a vast and immersive aviation experience.

Four Sided Fantasy is a brilliantly complex puzzle game. Now this might not be the game for everyone and a few will give up after the first hurdle, but that would be a shame because it has so much more to offer. The design, sound and concept are original and unique, whilst the price is perfect and makes it well worth a punt.

It’s not a game that is going to be talked about as a Game of the Year contender, but it does have enough in it to provide a few hours of fun for those that fancy a new scrolling shoot ’em up. Yes it would have been nice to have had a little more challenge and variation in the gameplay, but it is a more than capable addition to the genre.

Hyper Jam may feel like it has been ripped straight from Blade Runner or Tron with its neon lights and synthwave sounds, but it also feels like they only ripped the bare minimum for the game. It functions well enough as a local and online multiplayer arena brawler but after only a couple of hours there was nothing left for me or my friends to do.

The Complex on Xbox One is a good sci-fi experience that delivers a decent tale about pharma-terrorism with many complex and interesting themes running throughout. The production values, acting and the script are all very good and it's a very enjoyable yarn, with all this helped by the fact that there are several different - and hugely interesting - outcomes in place. But the actual choice-driven gameplay has not been able to make me feel connected to the story enough.

Generally, it’s a case of more of the same with World War Z - GOTY Edition on Xbox One. There’s nothing here that will win over new fans, but it is a decent offering to keep existing ones entertained, even if they might be left wanting more.

The second season of the Atari Recharged series is off to a flyer with Gravitar: Recharged. Whilst it wouldn’t have been top of the reboot list for many, due to it not being as popular as others, it certainly has the ability to win over new fans.

The lack of features brought by the Xbox Series X|S upgrade does not detract from the fun available in Star Trek Online, but you’ll need to look past the 2007 graphical style.

Parkitect: Deluxe Edition’s no frills approach to building a theme park will undoubtedly appeal to those looking for a modern Theme Park World or Roller Coaster Tycoon game. But you’ll have to put up with a few big issues too.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is perfect for kids, who it is so clearly aimed at. They will have a blast in a world which allows them to explore and cause mischief, especially if they are fans of the show. For the rest, there’s a limited amount of fun on offer, which is entertaining for a short while.

There’s no doubt that Spray Paint Simulator is a great little addition to the burgeoning ‘cosy jobs’ genre that PowerWash Simulator kicked off in style. It’s not quite as addictive to paint than clean, but this is an extremely familiar setup that will draw in many.

There’s no doubt - Painkiller is a shot in the arm for the FPS genre, with DOOM rivalling speed and masses of enemies to shoot. Chuck in multiple characters to master, each of which plays differently, and a wide selection of weapons to get used to, there is a lot of content here. The online world is well populated too, with no difficulty finding others to play with. And it is here in which Painkiller really shines.

It's possible to have some fun with Styx: Blades of Greed. But playing for any prolonged session starts to show just how repetitive the game really is.

There are a vast number of improvements needed before the game could be considered worth playing on a regular basis, but with the right creative direction and some key changes to some major aspects of the game could indeed see it become a great title – eventually.

Yes it’s okay for a couple of hours of game time, but unfortunately this is one Space Invaders wannabe which will ultimately be left forgotten.

All in all, Gravel, despite its best efforts, isn’t a bad game. It’s rough, annoying, hard on the eyes, and unpolished. But it is still fun to play and for a quick and dirty arcade session, there is a lot worse out there.

Somerville is an important addition to our gaming diet. It’s not worried about pushing boundaries in terms of narrative structure or story, and never wants to guide the player too much, letting them find their own journey through a brilliant linear adventure.

Overall, and whilst Baja: Edge of Control HD isn’t anywhere near close to the “Forza-for-off-road fans” experience that many gamers have been clamouring for, there are still plenty of improvements to be found with a title that was overly disappointing on its initial release back in 2008.

If you can look past the repetitive edge, there is no reason not to pull friends and family together to sit down with this cutesy adventure.

It is a little rough around the edges, and there are annoyances, but the core gameplay and the way the sniping is handled makes it a game that I can recommend if you are looking to scratch that sniping itch.

Townsmen – A Kingdom Rebuilt on the Xbox One looks like a simple city builder with its cutesy and warming art style. But there can be a lot of depth also, especially if you go looking for it.

Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars on Xbox One is perfect for the strategy nuts out there, and may just win over a few others too. It still needs a bit of patching up in places, but underneath it all there's an enjoyable experience on offer that provides longevity thanks to its well constructed gameplay.

It may be a departure from the usual formula of the Warriors franchise, but it all works very well in WARRIORS: Abyss. The gameplay loop, unlocking of new heroes and weapons, and grind for resources is absorbing

Echoes of the End is a beautiful debut from Myrkur Games. It doesn’t just ask to be admired, it asks to be explored. With smoother mechanics and technical refinement, it could truly become unforgettable.

There’s no doubt about it, WWE 2K18 is a flawed game. The positives of the Road to Glory mode, the MyPlayer play styles and the always reliable Universe mode, are counter-acted by a boring MyCareer that’s still lacking in so many areas and an online side bereft of any purpose.

If you are in the market for a super detailed, super hard strategy game, look no further. With a gripping cold war storyline up there with classic spy novels, Phantom Doctrine is a worthy game. If you’re not quite that hardcore, then possibly one of the faster paced games may be more to your liking.

Solo: Islands of the Heart on Xbox One is something of an enigma. The deep delve into the player’s love life is a risky one as many won’t even want to contemplate such thoughts when gaming and so the ‘story’ could be a non-event for some folk. On the plus side though, the visuals, the sounds and the puzzling goes hand in hand to create an experience that’s a challenge.

Soccer Story is one of those rare soccer games where almost everything apart from the action on the pitch is pretty good. It manages to conjure up a lovely world filled with a host of creative tasks and activities to keep you busy, whilst telling a fun little story along the way. That’s why it’s a shame to see a myriad of technical problems chipping away at the overall enjoyment.

Winter Burrow is a curious game; it was designed to be an easy-going entry into the usually challenging survival genre. Winter Burrow is about the journey, it is meant to be a cozy experience, one which demands little of the player. In that regard Pine Creek Games is entirely successful

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.

At the end of the day, if you were one of those who loved gaming back in the day, then you’ll enjoy what Rad Rodgers brings. It’s not the best platformer out there, but it’s still fun and will let you kick back with a huge smile on your face. Unfortunately you may begin to find that grin slowly turning to a grimace as the confusion and lack of direction in the latter levels takes hold.

Consider the fact that there are many free-to-play alternatives out there, and LEGO Brawls is one for only the most ardent of LEGO fans.

Dakar Desert Rally can feel great, until you start trying to drive anywhere, and then it is quite a let down. There is the opportunity to learn to drive around these issues (and just accept that AI drivers will hit you, avoiding them as best you can), but Dakar Desert Rally fails to ever really flow.