Few visual novels can lift you to the belly-laughing highs, and then plunge you into the tearful lows of Animal Lover. Squirrel away the cynicism and give it a go: you may start looking at pets in a completely (and innocent) new light.

While there isn’t much in The Excrawlers difficulty or story to really get your teeth into, there’s plenty on the bone elsewhere. It took us aback, if we’re being honest: we didn’t expect this little roguelike to be so tasty.

Nubarron: The adventure of an unlucky gnome on Xbox is a great little indie platformer; one that is perfect for lockdown life. It will transport you to a magical, whimsical world full of colour, delight, and strange angry clouds. Even though it's a short experience, that is truly reflected in the price tag; it will easily provide some entertainment for those long winter days.

ChainStaff is an interesting proposition. The gameplay is hard, brutal even, and trial and error is encouraged to see what you can do to use the ChainStaff to defeat foes. With multiple difficulty levels to go at, and a series of increasingly hard levels, mastering the traversal mechanic and the ChainStaff is vital. But also very good fun.

If you're seeking a heartwarming and family-friendly game, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is an excellent choice.

A wonderful new mode that extends the fun beyond the main stories makes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – Dimension Shellshock a must buy for those who enjoyed the 2022 turtle based delight. While a couple more characters on the roster and a handful of new story stages wouldn’t have hurt, this is definitely one to pick up if you’re a fan of the heroes in a half shell.

Assuming that the steep price and lack of extras or variety doesn’t phase you, GUNBIRD is a rollicking beauty.

It advertises itself as an unconventional Olympics game, but even that is an understatement because Crash ‘n’ the Boys: Street Challenge throws the rule book out the window to make sports feel fun again.

If you want to have a smile put back on your face then you’ll want to venture out on a journey to find Little Orpheus.

If you are a fan of the multitude of 'work' type games that have arrived on console in recent years, then Hardspace: Shipbreaker will cover your needs.

Whilst Strange Brigade may pose a striking resemblance to Rebellion’s Sniper Elite series in certain areas, this is certainly a game that holds its own. With enjoyable combat, luscious locations, fantastically designed puzzles and some brilliant storytelling, this is certainly a game that leaves a lasting impression.

Despite the host of new features and ideas, Yakuza: Like a Dragon on Xbox is still quintessentially a Yakuza title. The humour is still here, as are the plot twists on plot twists, and of course the karaoke, which all add up to make it one of the stronger ‘launch’ titles on the Xbox Series X|S. There is a noticeable graphical improvement over previous titles on the Xbox One too; Ijincho is a gorgeous addition to the city roster and returning cities have never looked better.

Crashlands by Butterscotch Shenanigans is one of those rare games where a whole stack of ideas has been thrown into the mix, yet the result is a beautiful blend rather than a stodgy mess. The story isn't the strongest, but the wish to see what Flux can build next, the need to gear up to beat a boss, the exploring, and the taming of creatures all just works.

SYNTHETIK: Ultimate on Xbox is a great rogue-lite for gamers looking for a solo challenge. There are plenty of quirks to overcome and if you’re not a fan, or are new to the genre, SYNTHETIK: Ultimate probably won’t be the right fit for you. But if you’re patient, enjoy unforgiving gameplay, and love having tons of weapon and ability variety, then this is the game for you.

Overall, Star Wars Pinball: Rogue One does a terrific job of actually transferring all that’s great about the Rogue One, by incorporating plenty of characters and ensuring the soundtrack delivers in creating the atmosphere. This is a pinball table though, and despite adding two extra flippers into play, some of the lanes are too tricky to hit the ball down, thus having a knock on effect for gamers who want to complete the mini-games which incorporate these actions in order to succeed. It’s very limiting to those lacking the necessary skills, or luck.

Pinball FX - Williams Pinball Volume 8 further expands the roster with three tables aimed at fans of the game. However, with the added bells and whistles there is enough here to keep the majority from flipping out.

you’re a fan of story, tone and original gaming then I would plead for you to enter the world of Pinstripe. You won’t regret it.

There is a nagging sense that The Sealed Ampoule should be offering more in return - more story, moments or character upgrades to leaven the repetition - but, by golly, once you pop a dungeon, you really can’t stop.

GUNBIRD 2 is a shoot-’em up that manages to be accessible while offering plenty to master.

ASTRO AQUA KITTY is a delight. It's a well-thought out space-themed Metroidvania that will appeal to a range of players; especially those who revel in the micro-management of weapons, items and the percentage points they bring. If you liked what the kitties brought with AQUA KITTY UDX, this is going to please you on an altogether grander scale.

Boxville may be a world of soggy cardboard boxes and rusty cans, but we found ourselves climbing right in. It’s an absorbing place to be, and point-and-clicking our way through its many situations was a joy.

Sheepo is undoubtedly a metroidvania. But a pacifist metroidvania platformer that feels brilliant to control. Sheepo moves around brilliantly, and chaining moves together feels brilliant. The world and story are cleverly brought together and at no point has it felt like the game needed any form of combat. At just three hours long it may sound short, but it is perfectly timed.

CLeM is an adventure that you should love, pretty much from beginning to end. However, you should be warned that some of the puzzles can be quite hard to fathom out.

Cuisine Royale is a solid, enjoyable game with a wacky persona. It doesn’t do anything new or particularly different to stand out above its rivals on Xbox, but it’s still worth checking out nonetheless.

Operencia: The Stolen Sun is wildly ambitious for Zen Studios and for their first RPG it is incredibly impressive. It’s filled with passion and the team clearly love the genre. It does not get everything right, but if this is evidence of more to come, I can’t wait to see what the studio can do next.

Dread Nautical on Xbox One, with its oddly dark tone, tactical gameplay, and polygonal art style tries to make waves, yet manages to makes an ocean. Whilst it is let down by a lack of variation and complexity later on, Dread Nautical is a whale of a time that I would comfortably recommend to fans of RPGs or the likes of XCOM.

My Big Sister is about telling a profoundly memorable story, and doing so via a puzzle-adventure vehicle which is just as enjoyable. There is a nice meld of story development and puzzle solving which helps My Big Sister feel like more of a video game than most narrative-focused adventure games.

The Jackbox Party Pack 7 on Xbox One is a solid entry in the long-running series. Two games need an in-person or private chat to be enjoyed to their fullest abilities, but the other three titles not only fit well into streaming, but they are also delightfully fun to play.

Darwin Project on Xbox One is a delightfully charming Battle Royale genre mashup with a distinct Canadian flavor (or should I say flavour). The director adds a level of engagement not found in any other game in the genre, and the tone is whimsically sadistic.

If you are looking for a challenging strategy type game and are prepared to put up with an annoying camera system, you’ve found it in Commandos 3 - HD Remaster. It provides a decent challenge, but if you like that and have the patience of a saint, this could be right up your strasse.

I Am Dead may falter and become tiresome in places, but it has a huge heart. It’s impossible not to be affected by its stories. It’s the people of Shelmerston who stick with you, far longer than the dissecting and zooming, and there’s a heartening message at its core: when you pass, the world will be immeasurably changed.

McPixel 3 is a pleasant surprise; one that ends up being far better than anticipated. Expect to find a few hours worth of over-the-top, fast-paced action and so much silly humour that you’ll be laughing to yourself, without shame.

If you are in the market for a very hard but rewarding shooter, GROOD on Xbox One could well scratch that itch. The action is non-stop, the sectors that you fight through are all very different, and with both the time of day and weather dynamically changing, it’s unusual to play the same looking stage twice.

Fallen Legion Revenants makes a pretty decent fist of following up to Fallen Legion: Rise to Glory. The new additions to the battle system work well, as does the way the story is split between the two main characters. It isn’t hard to care about the narrative in place here, and this will keep you playing through to the climax just to find out what happens.

It is hard to argue against the fighting action being and looking superb in Tekken 8. A decent amount of new features will try and get newcomers interested, but they don’t feel too intrusive that veterans will feel like they need to re-learn new characters either. Both the Story and Arcade Quest mode could have been handled better, which for two of the headline features is disappointing. But the actual fighting is the best it’s been in Tekken; the cinematic moments are a real plus point as you get a brief second to appreciate how good this game looks.

If you can’t get enough of retro throwback platformers, love violent dark fantasy, or think that Holy Diver had the coolest album cover ever (you’re right) you owe it to yourself to buy a copy of Infernax.

If you like bikes, enjoy racing and have a passion for speed, thrills and all things beautiful then RIDE 3 is definitely a game you need to be getting involved in. It may not have much originality in its game modes, but it does provide a quality racing experience throughout and with hundreds of stunningly recreated bikes, some wonderful tracks and hours of fun to be had messing around with customisations, there is certainly plenty to shout about with the latest entry to the best bike racing series around.

Entropy Survivors offers up a lot of fun, and the power ups, while being random in the levels, add to that. Having a build that deals a lot of damage, or one that concentrates on healing is enjoyable to experiment with, whilst various mech classes help even more.

I love a good puzzler and Hourglass is very good for the five or six hours that it will last. The price is a bit heavy, but on the whole this is a quality thinking person's game and one that you won’t want to miss.

With a deep career that will enable you the chance to plough in many an hour, a fun little open-world challenge arena and plenty of chances to indulge yourself in quick races, the solo bike fan looking for replication of the real-world event will be utterly enthralled. It’s a shame that the multiplayer side of things doesn’t complement that, but if you can look past this and are ready for a hardcore biking experience then Ride on the Edge 2 will be for you.

Episode 2 hits you with a frenetic finish and you’re left to wonder how the rest of the season will play out, if it gets the chance. Here’s hoping that Skybound swooping in to try and save the day means it’s plain sailing for the narrative from here on out because the hard-hitting storytelling is strong in this second episode, adding extra dimensions to a few characters and leaving you wanting more.

Slight graphical issues aside, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is a great offering, and a brilliant glimpse into the past.

Mondealy comes in at a perfect price point, especially when you consider the six hour or so adventure you’ll have. And it tells a wonderful story; one that is full of life and great characters.

Not original, but a deep, challenging romp through loot filled dungeons awaits. What more could you ask for?

Mecha BREAK does enough to keep you playing, attempting to get better in the process; a clear sign of a good game. It isn’t perfect, as the controls for the weapons are a bit tricky, but the actual combat, whether across the multiplayer or single player modes is enjoyable.

We can look past the issues because C.A.R.L. is so charming, and it knows our buttons: fiendish but imaginative platforming mixed with collectibles and RPG-style unlocks. Honestly, it’s our catnip, and if you share similar feelings then C.A.R.L. is a must-buy. It really is F.A.B (Fun And Brilliant).

If you’re into mountain biking, enjoy games that are a bit different, or simply want a bit of a challenge then Descenders is a game you need to be paying attention to.

It doesn’t execute all of its ideas perfectly, but RAD is endlessly charismatic, visually fascinating and just incredibly creative… and I’d expect nothing less.

Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space remains a charming, funny and downright weird adventure, many years after the original release. Despite a few niggles, the new polish means there’s never been a better time to dust off your magnifying glass and attempt to crack the case.

Vampire Therapist is not a visual novel to unwind to. You don’t just play as a therapist, you feel accountable for the characters. Every intervention, every cognitive distortion is carefully chosen. I felt tenser playing Vampire Therapist than when I played some recent soulslikes.

Better late than never, but Final Fantasy XVI’s arrival on Xbox is a very welcome one. If you can stomach the unnecessary entry fee for a two-year-old game – or wait for a sale – then a thrilling action-RPG awaits.

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.

CASSETTE BOY has warts, but press LB and RB enough and they might just look like chiselled cheekbones. We forgave its issues because it’s just so gung-ho in its inventiveness.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a solid and enjoyable blast-a-thon with a good story to go along with the gory action

Eternal is a proper tactical card game experience, borrowing elements of Magic and Hearthstone, before adding its own little quirks into play to create an exciting pick up and play type affair that’s free.

Overall and if you’ve enjoyed the first piece of DLC for Strange Brigade or just want more than the base game, then there is nothing here that would dissuade you from a purchase.

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

Wavetale won't be everyone's cup of tea and some might find the tone too whimsical or childlike, but for others it’ll feel original, entertaining, and absorbing. That's what every game should aim for.

Project Wingman is a fine addition to the air combat genre - so much so that it is frankly a no-brainer for fans. It plays somewhat on the safe side with predictable weapons and aircraft, however the tight and satisfying gameplay, epic music, and engaging story, really make it stand out.

If you are looking for something that will show you what it was like when games were games, and players were nervous, then this is the anthology for you.

As I walked the streets of Europe with my partner, decimating the oncoming zombie invasion, I was reminded of how simple games can be so much fun. Zombie Army 4: Dead War isn’t a genre defying resurrection on the zombie formula, but it is a satisfying mutation of the franchise, and I can’t wait to dive back in and tear some guts apart.

Dracamar is a 3D platforming treat. Kids in particular will love how sprawling, vibrant and occasionally bonkers it is, all in the context of a game that doesn’t punish the player.

If you want to be scared out of your wits, but love the adrenaline rush that terror games bring, then Infliction will be right up your Nightmare on Elm Street.

With many, many sharks to unlock, a variety of different cosmetic items to unlock and buy, and four large worlds to explore, there’s a lot to go at here. It has an appealing graphical style, with each shark having a distinct look and personality, and the enemies being a varied bunch. If I'm being brutally honest, Hungry Shark World on Xbox One isn't the deepest game you'll ever play, but there is a great deal of fun to be had and eating anything that moves never gets old.

Under this cartoony hood is actually a competent kart racer. Team Sonic Racing feels good to take for a spin, and there is enough packed in for a longer drive as well. The tracks are all varied enough, the cars feel really good to drive and Team Adventure is a decent Sonic story, if presented a little poorly.

Even though the formula is nothing new and has taken maybe too much inspiration from the Diablo series, it’s a great journey and finally Warhammer fans have been given a game they deserve.

If you are a solo player, Ready or Not is hard to recommend. Yes, there is fun to be had, but it’s in the multiplayer world where it comes alive; where the real action is.

If you complain that the puzzles in the back of the Sunday Times are too easy, and sado-masochistically lust for something that will beat you into submission with its demand for logic, then Puzzle by Nikoli W Nurikabe is timeless.

The artwork, soundtrack, and experience it delivers are outstanding, but one of the very best things is the price. If you want to take a chance with something a bit different, you can’t go wrong in taking a gamble with The Mooseman.

With all aspects weighed up, including the reasonable price point, you should certainly give Torchlight II a go and let it light up your life with what is an addictive dungeon crawling experience.

It can get a bit samey (the gameplay loop is basically the same, season to season), but Super Farming Boy has such charm that you won’t mind the grind too much.

I enjoyed my time revisiting Providence Oaks in Lake: Season's Greetings. The loveable characters, heartwarming story and classic Christmas tone make this well worth a pick-up over the Holiday season, even if some technical qualms hold it back from tree-topping star status.

Insane Robots delivers almost everything that’s needed for a great single player game and so that’s the main reason to venture into this hacked world. Playniac have refined and simplified the card battling genre, without losing the strategic depth or enjoyment factor. It’s just a shame about the multiplayer offering.

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.

Smashing blocks is great, and if only the randomness could be toned down a bit then Boom Ball 3 would be a must-buy Kinect title.

A great start is made with Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot on Xbox One for the Borderlands 3 campaign add-on roadmap. It’s not perfect by any means, but is great fun and well worth your time and money if you’ve finished up with Borderlands 3 and need a reason to return to this addicting loop.

If Fortnite and Monster Hunter had a baby, it would be a lot like Dauntless.

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

With more of the same gameplay, expanded in subtle ways like the early expansions, to game changers like naval warfare in The Pacific War, Sudden Strike 4: Complete Collection on Xbox One remains the premier Real Time Strategy game available for this platform.

I would absolutely recommend you pick up Episode Ignis. Its connection with the main story makes it the best piece of DLC for the game by far, and the spelldaggers that Ignis wields may well be my favourite battle mechanics of the entire game

MORDHAU is not a game you can master in a matter of moments. You need to learn the mechanics and systems to have a chance of staying alive; and this will take time. The good news is that there is enough here to keep you playing, but the bad news is that MORDHAU is so brutally unforgiving you may find yourself questioning your sanity as your quest continues.

With a nice short, sharp and enticing story, a truly colourful and beautifully realised setting and an achievement list you’ll have mopped up within a few hours, there are many reasons you’ll want to add this fine story adventure to your must play list.

If you’re a fan of the series and want a new challenge or have a real interest in Japan, then you’ll find the natural challenges of the new map a fun brain-teaser along with four different campaigns. If you’re new to the series, then you may wish to start with the vanilla Railway Empire, unless your Japanese geography is pretty good.

The Buccaneers DLC doesn’t alter the base game of Port Royale 4 too much, so if you’re not a fan of this rather complex game, you will likely not find enough here to make this worth picking up now. But for veteran fans looking for a new challenge, this is a low-priced DLC that is well worth a look.

Minion Masters might only have a solitary trick up its sleeve, but it’s a real curtain raiser and the action throughout the rather similar game modes is still more than worthy of your attention. Especially as it’s free.

Need For Speed Unbound is an attempt to recapture the glory days of the Need for Speed franchise, and to a large degree, it succeeds. There are annoyances, such as the cheap AI, ridiculous driving effects and music, and the ability to steer your car in the middle of a jump, but against that is set a strong upgrade mechanic, fun races and great set pieces, not to mention some intense police chases.

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

Mamorukun ReCurse! is a solid shooter with plenty of charm appeal thanks to its Japanese heritage. Although it’s not the best example of the genre, it is very appealing to have the opportunity to play this cult arcade hit.

DARQ is a decent puzzle game that has an incredibly well-built atmosphere. The few shortcomings don’t overrule the positives, and if you are looking for a short and creepy game to play, then DARQ: Ultimate Edition is a great fit.

Hidden Cats in Christmas gets another two-paws-up from us. It’s comfortably the most polished, enjoyable and high-value cat-finding game on the Xbox, which sounds like a minor achievement but isn’t. There are oodles of these games out there, and the Hidden Cats series looms above them all.

Towerborne is an easy sell. The combat is fast, the multiplayer is a lot of fun, and even solo there is something about the game that keeps you coming back for one more go. With the constant quest for better gear to challenge the later levels, you’ll be fighting, grinding, upgrading and doing it all again willingly.

Today I love Race The Sun. Tomorrow though? Well that may well be a different story. But at least I’ll only have to wait 24 hours before loving it again.

CarX Street does a lot of things right. The drifting is a little weird, but you learn to adapt to the particular style of things. The most important bit, the racing, is good fun, with the kamikaze NPC cars offering a stiff challenge, quite apart from the other racers.

The graphics won’t be to the taste of all, but they do enhance rather than detract from the overall vibe and so if you have an interest in storytelling that leaves more to your imagination and suggestion, rather than depicting the horror on the screen, The Last Door – Complete Edition is the game for you.

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

The world of The Knight Witch is vibrant and well-crafted - if you’re open to a challenge, then it’s worth looking past the few shortcomings.

Happy’s Humble Burger Farm is the cooking simulator that has just as much fun torturing you as the player, as you do actually playing it.

Your time isn’t just respected in Lovish: it’s thoroughly rewarded. After a level, you’re just as likely to raise a chuckle or coo at a new upgrade. It meant that we ended up loving Lovish. No need for the -ish.