The Samurai Collection (QUByte Classics) probably didn’t need putting together, combining two fairly bad games and not an awful lot of fun.

The Legend of Tianding is a very competent entry into the side-scrolling fighting genre. And the tale is a breath of fresh air as well. It may be one of the first Taiwan based games you’ll play, but hopefully it won’t be the last.

Crossovers by POWGI is another example of what the POWGI games do best; take existing puzzle types and mash them together for something fun and unique. And with 200 of them on offer this time, you get a very good amount.

Firefighting Simulator - The Squad manages to capture something of the dangerous (and dare we say) exciting profession. However, there’s not enough here to prevent it from ending up as a flash in the pan.

Vampire Survivors: Legacy of the Moonspell feels amazing value for money, especially when you include the low asking price of the base game

There’s a killer idea at the core of Swordship, and so much presentational care has been put into supporting it. What would happen if you ‘pulled a Mirror’s Edge’ and made a shooter completely pacifist? The result would be Swordship, a dodge ’em up that’s overloaded with potential. In execution, though, it slowly capsizes.

Them's Fightin' Herds isn’t a Street Fighter killer, but there is enough here to ensure that it is worth a try.

Headbangers in Holiday Hell isn’t metal. It is barely even tinfoil.

There is a pleasantly fun puzzle platformer found in Dobo’s Heroes - if you can see it through to the end, it will put a smile on your face.

It’s easy to imagine a version of Run Sausage Run! with all the trimmings, with a much greater depth of flavour. But this is just a plain chipolata, no bun, and we wish a little bit more care was taken in preparing it.

Chained Echoes is a very accomplished JRPG that is well worth playing, mostly thanks to a great story and some classic retro feels.

River City Girls 2 is both good and not-quite-so-good. There is a lot of charm and personality oozing out of the screen as you play, and the way that the dialogue is written and performed is great. The difficulty is real, the slightly jerky animation makes things tricky, and the block is rubbish, but despite this there is a good deal of fun to be had.

GRIME: Colors of Rot is a pleasure to play. If you want a challenge, this is the game for you, particularly as the world is extremely well realised and will happily draw you in.

Krampus Kills is an atmospheric Christmas horror game that is badly hamstrung by the actual game part of that description. It plays badly, it controls poorly and even the puzzle elements are an exercise in frustration, mostly as controller optimisation is very poor.

EDENGATE: The Edge of Life is an interactive experience providing two hours worth of unfulfilled potential.

Perfectly priced, Rooten may well entice those looking for an atmospheric narrative, enjoying the interesting, dark story that then plays out.

Children of Silentown is yet another immaculately sculpted point-and-click adventure from Daedalic Entertainment. Compared to Deponia, The Dark Eye and their other adventures, Children of Silentown is somewhat small-scale in scope, but its intense focus allows it to explore themes of childhood and imagination with a deftness that they haven’t achieved before. Treat yourself to a creepy little page-turner.

Sift through the scraps of ideas and mechanics in God Damn the Garden and you might find the odd tiny nugget of gold.

Over these laid-back winter days, Dad’s Monster House might be exactly what you need. A well-constructed, taut little graphic adventure that sticks around for a few hours.

With more polished combat, a better world and story threads, a few more original ideas, and fewer sloppy inconsistencies, The Bounty Huntress could at least be a passable little game. As it is, though, it barely feels finished.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was already one of the best games of all-time, but now the Complete Edition has cemented that legacy and will ensure that it is a game which is talked about for many more years to come.

Getting Keel the Barbarian to the end of Roar of Revenge is as dynamic and exciting as pushing a boulder up a hill. Unless you have a deep, craving love for old-school hack-and-slash platformers, you are best leaving this anachronism in its box.

Foolish Mortals Games delivers with Kaiju Wars, creating a simple but improbably deep turn-based RPG that captures the thrill of a Godzilla attack. If you’re allergic to randomness, you might want to temper your enthusiasm, but everyone else will find they are in strong, scaly hands.

Watch Over Christmas is a lovely, engaging, point-and-click adventure that’s full to the brim with all things Christmassy and more.

Panda Punch is fine, we suppose. If you have a fiver in your pocket, and a love of (red) pandas in your heart, then it will tickle you for the hour it takes to gain its Gamerscore, or the three hours it takes to fully complete. But it’s one of Ratalaika’s more mediocre offerings, as it eats, shoots and leaves you feeling unsatisfied.

Jitsu Squad is an absolute riot to play, alone or with friends. There is more action than you can shake a katana at, there are more special attacks and pyrotechnics outside of a Dragon Ball anime, and the only thing wrong with it is the difficulty in making out what is going on when playing multiplayer.

Megalan 11 just isn’t fun. There is no sense of jeopardy, no sense of danger, no sense of impending doom if you don’t escape in the 11 days that the game gives you - there is just the unending grind of trying to get enough scrap to mend a door before a Space Cow melts its way through again.

Alphadia Neo is a pretty good fishing game with some light dungeon exploring tacked on. The story is pretty standard KEMCO fare, the fighting is what we’ve seen before, right down to different coloured enemies being treated as new species, and all in all this is a pleasant way of killing some time.

Blacktail is not an easy game, with some tricky combat situations and big boss battles, but it’s a game that allows Focus Entertainment to end their great year on a high.

Until the Last Plane takes a concept that should be fun and challenging, but turns it into a recipe for boredom. And that is pretty unforgivable.

There’s a charming, tactile little tower-defence game here somewhere. But you have to play pass-the-parcel to get there, tearing off layer after layer of poor controls, shoddy UI and innumerable game modes to get there. On PC and mobile, we suspect that Broken Universe - Tower Defense is bordering on a must-buy. On Xbox, we’d suggest it’s one to bypass.

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.

You may struggle to get into As Far As The Eye as much as you want. The controls do not mesh well with playing on a controller and that’s a shame because the gameplay cycle is capable of creating a unique approach to the roguelike genre. It’s helped that the aesthetic of the game is phenomenal.

High on Life is crass, vulgar, excessive, padded and features a comedy style that is incredibly subjective. However, it also has a ton of heart, strong gunplay, surprisingly good level design, a unique tone and, above all else, it's just plain fun.

While Crime Secrets: Crimson Lily gets points for its absence of sticking points, and its determination to improve the deduction sequences, it keeps missing out thanks to its creaky storytelling and pervasive blandness that felt like we were being force-fed dry toast.

reky (no capital R) isn’t the relaxing puzzler that it threatens to be; there’s just a bit too much frustration which comes to the fore for that to be the case. But it is a beautifully created, super minimalist test of the mind, one that, when at its best, will have you feeling the vibe.

Flying high up into the air and surveying Aery - Path of Corruption, particularly against the other EpiXR Games, we can say with confidence that it’s one of their best; the most lavish and graphically detailed of all the Aerys, and it even takes a couple of risks that work.

Afterglitch is an experimental piece of gaming with strange mechanics, an obscure narrative, and trippy visual design.

HEROish delivers a MOBA castle-defense type adventure that’s a lot of fun to play on your own. The deck-building and gameplay is super easy to understand, with a great range of cool cards on hand to choose from. It’s just a shame HEROish suffers a tad technically and the multiplayer can’t recreate the enjoyment of the campaigns.

Hidden object games can be so sensible. And with a shopping list of items to find, they can be on the boring side, too. Thank the heavens for It’s Kooky, which doesn’t tell you what to look for, and instead insists that you rid scenes of the weird and wacky.

Don’t be put off by the gimmicky and quirky naming: Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance is a heartfelt visual novel, beautifully executed and with a soundtrack that could have tumbled out of Chloe Price’s record collection.

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.

Signalis punches above its weight in almost every aspect. Don’t miss out on this riveting, polished journey into a brutalist, nightmarish world.

If you want an old skool experience that will take you to the edge, then may I suggest you take Bot Gaiden for a spin. You’ll gather up some seriously easy Xbox achievements as you do so.

Despite being a slight improvement on its rather average predecessor, How to Fool a Liar King Remastered shouldn’t be seen as an instant recommendation for visual novel enthusiasts. It’s alright, but there are better options out there.

The Rumble Fish 2 is a competent fighting game that is enjoyable in the single player or local Vs modes, yet crippled by a very poor netcode that makes online matches a bit of a lucky dip.

Whilst the story does go a little dark at times, there is a warmth oozing through Eastward that will wrap you up tightly. A culmination of well-written characters, a father/daughter relationship and the incredible visuals mean Eastward will leave you thinking about it long after you complete it.

Feeling like a bit of a grind and hugely frustrating, we’ll instead applaud the sheer number and variety of races included in Super Woden GP. Occasionally a tense race can be had too, but for the most part this is a little indie racer you’ll be best off leaving on the starting grid.

PAW Patrol: Grand Prix - Race in Barkingburg is the most threadbare of DLC, yet it's supplementing one of Outright Games’ best titles. The mismatch hurts, and we can’t help but feel that Mayor Humdinger and the Catastrophe Crew have run away with the rest of the package.

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.

The shooting mechanic, general combat and the look of Heidelberg 1693 are all pretty good, ensuring that it is all somewhat enjoyable. However, the lack of a dodge move and the weird jumping makes things a lot harder than they should be.

Petite Adventure is like a driving instructor, tutting and stamping on the brakes whenever you want to get going. It’s impossible to find the fun with all that going on.

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.

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.

Ship of Fools is plucky, punchy and downright addictive. It’s one of the best roguelites available; once it has its hooks in you, it’s hard to let go.

Escape String is missing some quality-of-life features that would make it a more satisfying coding game. What remains behind is too thorny, too drab and too short to really justify purchasing.

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).

Although it’s a bit of an ugly potato, CounterAttack is also an essential shmup that lovers of the genre will fall madly, deeply in love with. If you’ve ever wondered what a shoot ’em up might look like with RPG trimmings and reasons to replay, then look no further than CounterAttack.

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.

We felt a film of grime developing on us as we played. NORCO’s world is decaying and warping, but we couldn’t help but sift through it, looking for the next hideous artefact in the sludge. This is a hypnotising point-and-click adventure, full of unforgettable characters, moments and puzzles

Bravery & Greed is an example of a fusion of genres done well. The graphics may put some people off, but I urge those folk to give the gameplay a try - the loop of fighting and exploring is pretty compelling.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns manages to thrill with exciting card-based antics while also ensuring strategic minds prevail.

Primal Light is a retro-styled platformer that should only really be considered by serious masochists. You may like a challenge, but this can often feel like a step too far.

Sure, Warp Drive hits the barrier a few times, mainly in the way it executes on its ambitious ideas, but we can’t help imagining a sequel that overtakes everything here. Warp Drive is a strong first entry on the highscore table. We hope it sells enough so that its developers have a shot at a sequel to beat it.

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.

Yuppie Psycho is well made, nicely themed, and creates a neat and twisted interpretation of office life. Despite that, the core of the story feels somewhat shallow, and the shocks are unsettling rather than thought-provoking.

‘Super’ Rebellion, in hindsight, feels like an exaggeration. Mediocre Rebellion’s more appropriate, but that probably wouldn’t sell as many units.

Hindsight is a brilliant examination of grief, and the moving on in life thereafter.

Ignore the simplistic art, forget that Intrepid Izzy was originally developed for the SEGA Dreamcast, and you’ll be treated to the best Shantae game without Shantae in the title.

Fans of Lemmings and its sadistic pleasures will get a lot from Flying Soldiers, albeit nothing approaching a challenge. Acknowledge that it will all be over in a few hours, though, and you can be reassured that you’re in safe hands.

Mechapunk doesn’t feel like a game so much as a performance art piece – one that proves that capitalism is as two-dimensional as the things we aspire to enjoy, maybe? There’s plenty of space to conjure up a metaphor that excuses this mess – “what room!” indeed.

Just Dance 2023 is another colourful slice of dance wrapped up in stunning visuals and catchy tunes - perfect for warming yourself up on a cold night, chilling out with friends or heating up the party. For us, it’s got the best playlist for a good few years too.

If you’re a fan of Mozart, don’t sully your opinion of him by playing the mess of a game that is Mozart Requiem.

If you're a fan of point-and-click adventures then Saint Kotar might well fulfil your needs. A dark tale full of horror and religious mythology, it’s very much a grown-up game, one that might be too much for some.

There is not a dull moment to be found in Evil West’s ten to twelve hour playtime. The storyline has the potential to ensure this could well turn into a massive franchise, and there’s just hope that any sequel may place more focus on cooperative play.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Galactic Edition offers a fairly pricey way to boost your character roster. Some will love it, but it may well be lost on others. Still, the base game is brilliant.

Live by the Sword: Tactics skirts too close to doing that bare minimum. It spends its resources in all the wrong places, focusing on game modes rather than developing the board pieces, abilities and game mechanics that would have made it sing.

Sword of the Vagrant is a passably interesting ARPG, with a good aesthetic appeal, and some noisy action set pieces. There is a surprising amount of depth in the skills and weapons area, and the combat is pretty good as well.

Astronite is a solid Metroidvania that, whilst having some shortcomings, still manages to play out as a fun game.

We expected to have our heartstrings tugged like we were playing a John Lewis advert. By the end of Animal Shelter Simulator, we were yawning in the destitute cats and dogs’ faces.

Twin-stick shooters and roguelike hybrids aren’t new, and they have been done better elsewhere. But that’s not to say you should ignore Doomed to Hell. It may be simple and concise, but it’s a syringe of adrenaline to the heart, and it managed to perk us up for an evening.

If you enjoyed the base game of Inertial Drift, then more content is always welcome. And if you never played it the first time around, the addition of the Twilight Rivals content means it is a good time to jump in, if only as it is capable of providing a fun diversion to the norm.

If you fancy being evil, you could do a lot worse than apply for a role in Legend of Keepers: Career of a Dungeon Manager. It’s pretty good for a short while, but just might become repetitive.

My Fantastic Ranch is a sturdy, basic management sim that acts as a gateway to the genre. It also manages to satisfy a fantasy that a lot of younger players might have: to own and ride twenty-odd dragons and unicorns.

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr Ultimate Edition is a lot of fun, and the new content certainly adds to the base game. The story is compelling, and the action in the levels is pretty non stop, forcing you to play tactically if you want to survive; taking cover and blowing up items in the environment will see you right.

Goat Simulator 3 isn’t perfect, feeling rough and ready as you play. But this is what Goat Simulator has always been. With my cynical head on, it does feel a bit artificial this time, like the team of developers have tried to introduce bugs and glitches.

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

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.

Super Chicken Jumper is a distinctly average option for fans of the genre; a game that doesn’t do much wrong, but also isn’t about to impress. There’s a binary choice here as to whether this is a game you need in your library.

Syberia: The World Before may provide a bit of a surprise. It’s a particularly good game if you like puzzles or point-and-click adventures, whilst the story is well written and devised with some great locations and characters to meet along the way.

Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator is capable of delivering a better experience than you may imagine. It's certainly a niche game, but what it does do, it does with aplomb.

It's good that there is another train sim game on the market, giving players options away from Train Sim World. It’s also nice that the development team here have tried something different with Train Life: A Railway Simulator. This forgoes the realism to instead provide a decent job of mixing simpler train movement with a great management system; the addictive career mode gives this train sim its heart.

It’s Guybrush, LeChuck, Elaine and all the others, cracking wise as they have always done, with a luminous cast of characters, some fantastically abstract item combinations, and the odd three-headed monkey. If Return to Monkey Island is the rebirth of the series, we’ll put in an order for seven or eight.

There’s no debate that Tonguç Bodur knows how to create a game, yet whilst Finding the Soul Orb has some good bones to it in terms of the linear narrative journey and artistic visuals, it isn't one of his best games.

Geometric Feel the Beats draws you in with promise. The pulsing soundtrack, the Tron-like visuals, the quirky colour-matching gimmickry. But it’s an anglerfish, reeling you in with pretty lights and then eating you up. Because it’s a trap: Geometric Feel the Beats is one of the dullest of dull shooters that we’ve ever encountered.

We can appreciate the craft in Robolifter. But even as we were playing its gentle Sokoban block-pushing, we knew that any memory of it would tumble out of an airlock as soon as we stopped playing. It’s too familiar, too challenge-less to create any lasting memories.

A game that is going to be more enjoyable for Cobra Kai fans than unfamiliar players, the licence is used very well here, but it’s still not one that can be fully recommended to everyone. All that said, if you love some Karate Kid action, there is no better game than Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising.

Pentiment is a superb game that marks an important step forward for its genre. Quiet, contemplative and intelligent, it is a shining example of what happens when a team is allowed to expand their horizons and take risks.