Even though I loved my time with Arctic Awakening, it did frustrate me in equal measure. The pacing is sometimes off, and there are moments when the story wanders off track. But the overall premise is great, and the visuals and soundtrack are lovely.

Goat Simulator 3 - Multiverse of Nonsense isn’t massively long, and while it will take a decent amount of time to get all the new cosmetic items that are available, I do have concerns about the overall longevity. Aside from that though, you shouldn’t turn down the opportunity to embark on more nonsense with Goat Simulator 3.

If you want to take a little trip down memory lane and are ready to get your platforming skills working again then Wenjia just about gets the job done.

Despite its cute visuals and some great moments of exploring the game’s world, Monster Sanctuary on Xbox feels relatively hollow. There is plenty of content to keep the most dedicated of min-maxing enthusiasts busy, especially if one ventures into online battles against others, but the game owes too much of its identity to the past. If it leaned more into the unique metroidvania ideas, had a more interesting story, and felt less like homework, Monster Sanctuary would have been something truly special.

I've enjoyed my time with this combination of ideas, but because of how harsh it can be, Convoy: A Tactical Roguelike on Xbox One is going to be a game that will either appeal massively or frustrate hugely. In fact, whether you get on with this weird mismatch of genres will come down to one thing - whether or not you like your gaming to be luck-based.

Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengeance of the Slayer is one of those games in which the creative choices should be applauded; at times, it feels genius. But the gameplay does get a bit tiresome after a while and the lack of direction is frustrating.

Outer Wilds provides an incredible and imaginative solar system to explore, one that is filled with genuine mystery and wonder, immersive music and an imaginative sci-fi lore. Still, the issues in control, gameplay, and level design hamper the intended blissful exploration which it tries to build its premise around.

Whilst Megaman Legacy Collection 2 will be a welcome arrival for any fan of the Megaman series, I can’t help but feel it would have been nicer to see a few more evolved features make an appearance, and maybe even a full graphical upgrade too

Cookie’s Trails may be a fluffy, feel-good hour, but it verges on mindless and leaves no permanent mark on the memory.

In the end, Red Bow on Xbox One is a game worth supporting. It’s a carefully crafted throwback with excellent writing and plenty of achievements to earn.

It should become rather boring, rather quickly. But it really doesn’t. Because what Music Racer lacks in substance, it more than makes up for with style. This is a beautiful game. Period.

Those looking for an original story-based, fully realised, world with loads of vampires should get playing Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong.

The thing with Mekorama is that it’s partially missing that killer puzzle game feature. It has ideas, but not enough of them versus the amount of levels that are on offer. As a result some stages can feel repetitive, meaning when you hit a difficult one you’ll most likely give up quicker than you otherwise would have done.

For the most part the game does a great job at being a strategic and thought-provoking turn-based strategy game. And the humour provides an excellent layer of polish and enthusiasm which makes playing Attack of the Earthlings much more enjoyable.

Difficulty spikes and harsh save systems aside, there is a cracking, compact little Metroidvania to explore in Witchcrafty. If you’re partial to the thrills of getting further than you did before, racing to a save point before the last health pip gets removed from you, then Witchcrafty has skills in that department.

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

My Hidden Things on Xbox is a decent little hidden object game that’s minimalistic in style and gritty in regards to the storytelling within. It’s a cheap way to spend a couple of hours as you search through more than 25 well designed scenes and hunt for cleverly concealed items.

It’s safe to say Oneiros is an interesting first-person puzzler that creates a world you want to explore and discover every little detail about. The majority of solvable problems are cleverly thought up and the inclusion of a bit of platforming breaks up the constant searching for clues. There are moments where things are a little unclear though, and I don’t just mean the narrative.

While it’s general gameplay may be far from great, the world is unique and best experienced rather than explained.

You’ll have an absolute blast with Nightmare Reaper - at least for the first couple of hours. The retro style is fun but original and there’s some serious addiction found in the whole 'what weapon will I get to play with this time' feel.

It’s hard to be critical of Brotherhood United on Xbox One and its many bruised edges. Sure, it looks like a knock-off, and the platforming stinks, but it sets such a low bar that it clears it. It wants to give you three hours of no-nonsense action, switching out difficulty for a sense of momentum, and it does it all for a budget price. It’s more Seagal than Stallone, then, but some days are Under Siege days.

With multiple different Kaiju to master, Gigapocalypse will keep you playing for a while. It is in no way an essential play, but you’ll no doubt find yourself firing it up for a sneaky ten minute bash.

Completing the puzzles in A Little to the Left does provide some enjoyment, and we have always wanted to return to the game each time to tackle more. However, it does not offer the relaxing ‘switch off your brain’ kind of experience that you might expect in a self-titled cozy game.

Dojoran is a minimalist but hardcore platformer. While it has stripped out a lot, it’s retained the right bits: patient, precise platforming and a frog that will shake its head disapprovingly whenever it dies. The charm can’t quite carry it over the full runtime, but there’s a raw challenge on offer here that we suspect a lot of players will gobble up.

Delivery of Us is one of the better sliding puzzle games we’ve played, but it’s also one of the shortest. It’s very much a small parcel rather than a large letter. You might need to ration yourself a few levels a day to spread the experience out a wee bit.

Infinite Adventures does enough to distinguish itself from other RPGs on the Xbox One, as it isn’t quite like anything I’ve played before on this platform. While the graphics are largely static, and the voice acting quite often veers over to the cheesy side, there is personality in the character portraits, and the sight of a team of largely dead people does soon start to make you care about your team’s fate.

As long as you’re willing to put up with samey battles, Taurian Defense is an ambitious compendium of dogfighting games, and we’re all in for celebrating that ambition.

If you enjoyed the subversive type of psychological horror from Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, then Moving Houses on Xbox will be right up your street.

We wanted more edge and interest from Teacup, and certainly a longer game for the price. But we’re confident that it does what it sets out to do: to relax and consign the world to a drawer, if only for an hour or two. And we suspect that’s plenty of people’s cup of tea.

There is a high chance that the initial few missions, as players get to grips with the touchy controls, depth of the mechanics and difficulty of the war, will turn many casual gamers away. And that would be a shame because once you get past the opening segments, and really get to grips with what Bomber Crew is all about, will find a rather fun management style affair that brings much joy.

If you’re in the market for a Telltale-like episode of narrative goodness, then take a bow, SOPA - Tale of the Stolen Potato. This is not long, difficult or ambitious, but it never fails to be charming.

Oaken just can’t capitalise on that good work. It’s too convoluted as a turn-based strategy game, it takes too much time to assess any given situation, and restarting a run takes far too long. The ivy crawls around Oaken and drags it down, when it should be shooting up into the sky.

Gravity Heroes on Xbox manages to bring a few good ideas to the table, and does just enough to allow it to be something to recommend - no matter whether you are alone or if you have a few friends around.

If you’re a deckbuilder convert who is looking for a fun distraction, a throwaway riff on your favourites, then you could do much worse. Rise of the Slime has some quirks in the side-scrolling and character movement, and just enough newness in the pet system. Just don’t be fooled by the presentation: it may look like this slime has its own personality, but most of it has been absorbed from other games.

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance doesn't ever feel like it is doing anything particularly new and the whole setting, concept, and world just seems a bit tired at times. But that said you’ll have some decent fun here, particularly with the story, the hack and slash gameplay, and solid mechanics. If you find yourself playing alone, it might get a bit stale, but with friends behind you, you’ll have a great time.

Once Upon a Puppet provides an enjoyable journey through a theatrical world, working nicely in terms of character integration and overall gameplay experience. However, there is no wow factor and it’s all too easy to get lost with what you are doing, unaware of any purpose.

With a bit more care, a bit more testing, this could have been a real contender for one of the best shooters of the year, but the annoyances, while not game breaking, do add a slightly bitter taste to proceedings. Rigid Force Redux is a good game, that so easily could have been great.

Somber Echoes fits well into its Metroidvania category. It has an explorable map with secrets to find, fast platforming, and hard combat. It also has some great mechanics in terms of the way you can traverse the levels with the ball of light, and how that ability evolves.

Death Relives is a well-put-together and intriguing game with some original ideas in terms of its story and setup.

It's always tricky to write about a game like Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match because if you hate puzzles or brain-teasers, then there won’t be anything for you here. But if you like the little puzzle games that have been appearing on Xbox over the last couple of years - ones that are cheap and an enjoyable diversion - then this game could be for you.

Ord. on Xbox One is a game that I hugely enjoyed spending some time with. The concept and execution are highly original with a great take on the ‘choose your own adventure’ theme. You won’t mind dying here either, because you’ll always be left with a smile on your face. With five different story arcs to play through, all very different in their themes and scope, there’s plenty to get involved in and these make up for the simple visuals.

When S.P.E.A.R. gets even remotely difficult, it can feel like you’re not just fighting giant, flying eye bosses: you’re fighting the engine, too.

If you know nothing about Motocross but would like to start getting into the sport, this might be the perfect time to give MXGP 2021 a go. If you’re a grizzled veteran, go crack open a can of Boomer Juice, whack on some Powerman 5000 and rev that engine!

If you’re in the mood for some twin-sticking and have cash burning a hole in your camo trousers, then HellGunners will do a dumb job.

Space Filler could be a great introduction to gaming for a non-gamer. With no complicated mechanics or gaming terminology as roadblocks, it’ll be like completing a beautifully stylised space-crossword, with a cozy backing track to fit.

You will probably be fairly impressed with Dead Station. It is short, don’t get me wrong, but for only £4.19, it is a reasonable price for a reasonable game. The atmosphere is good, as is the gameplay; it’ll certainly keep you playing until the bitter end. That said, you’ll need to put up with some annoying platforming and jumping - especially the pixel perfection that is required with the latter.

It starts off great, but really fizzles out despite adding new features early on to try and move things along. Still, OK K.O. Let’s Play Heroes will do a decent enough job at keeping the kids entertained for a few hours.

Fall Asleep may be a fleeting fantasy, but as platformers go it’s an enjoyable way to kill an hour or so, even if there’s nothing here you won’t have seen many times before.

Artifex Mundi hidden object games can be comfort-food, and there’s nothing new or knotty about Endless Fables: Shadow Within. Its story makes no sense, its universe is all over the place, and we’ve seen every puzzle and minigame countless times before - in Endless Fables games, no less. But it also ticks the requisite boxes with the keyword being ‘familiarity’. If you treat these games as a blanket to snuggle into, then this one is fluffier than most.

I have loved the idea of Dance of Death: Du Lac & Fey; the storytelling and writing are surprising, engaging, and well-executed. However, I think the gameplay mechanics could do with some more work and it never feels as fluid or streamlined as other games in the genre.

Collie Call: The Future is Calling fits with many of the other games produced by Afil Games - simple graphics and a single core puzzle mechanic that is designed to appeal to younger gamers.

Overall and whilst Decay probably won’t give you the biggest scare, it is certainly an interesting tale. It has enough to keep the player going on, tells an original story and focuses more on the classic horror elements; it’s not afraid of delivering brain-teasing puzzles that would leave you guessing for hours.

The team who have made S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored have managed to create a fascinating bit of original sci-fi, even though it takes us to an area and place in time that we've seen many times before. The story is solid throughout with some nice surprises and shocks galore.

Things in Pathologic 2 on Xbox One come together to create a game that deserves to be tried - but only really because it's unlike anything you will have ever played before.

It all leaves Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged to be seen as a decent alternative to its predecessor. If you want to blast around with your favourite Hot Wheels vehicles, this is as good as you're going to get. But if it's a massive racing overhaul you were expecting, you'll be left disappointed. More of the same will have to do you.

Train Sim World: Founders Edition is actually quite addictive and it’s fascinating to be given a glimpse into the life of a train driver. I would have liked to have seen more scenarios and tracks, perhaps taking in the whole of the UK, but downloadable content is a thing so maybe that is coming further down the line.

You’re certainly not going to be finding any game changing moments with the addition of the Hot Wheels expansion in Beach Buggy Racing 2, but honestly, the game doesn’t need that. What is here though is well-integrated and gives further reason to spend time racing through the adventures at hand – all with some iconic cars and tracks in tow. In fact, the inclusion of this add-on just seems to fit the overall vibe of the game really well.

It’s the more-ishness where Grind Survivors stumbles. While it gives you plenty of ways to build your avatar, it doesn’t give you enough to do in terms of levels, objectives or enemies. And the meagre unlocks are spread too thinly over what little is there. That ‘Grind’ in the title begins to feel less a selling point, and more a warning.

Lords of Exile is a competent action platformer that does what it does with a certain style. The action on offer is fun to play through, and the challenge is quite stiff, which helps keep you pushing on.

Cricket 22 is far from perfect, and patches for some of the bugs are on their way, but it is a fun recreation of the sport itself. And primarily, that should be the only thing that matters. I don’t think there’s much here to entice non-cricket fans, but for those who love the game, no matter what their preferred format, there is a lot of fun to be had with Cricket 22.

Whilst Intruders: Hide and Seek is not a game that's going to blow the industry away, it's one that you will have a good time with, as you go hiding in the shadows and cowering in cabinets.

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

I was pleasantly surprised by Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking-beard. It’s far from throwaway, as it offers a meaty number of levels that all attempt to delight the player in different ways. They’re so good, in fact, that they overcome a salvo of issues. A lack of co-op, poor character-switching, a wandering camera and some nightmare bosses all would have sunk a weaker vessel, but Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking-beard floats on.

The levels are large and challenging, and the various missions to be completed add a welcome layer of complexity. Painting 100% of a level is a real big ask, as there is always an out of reach corner or a tree that you’ll miss. It isn’t the most varied game in the world, but even despite the control issues, there’s enough fun here to keep you playing.

Playing PULMO is like stumbling across a strange interactive art show in a gallery; you pay a small entry fee on a whim and are treated to a lovely surprise.

It’s competitive, it’s fun, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and so if you’re a fan of local multiplayer titles, enjoy sports games, or simply want something to play with family and friends, then Super Volley Blast is a title you should consider grabbing with both hands.

Wayward Strand has you on the outside, looking in, and we found our attention wavering as we were shaking the bars that held us back.

Lake on Xbox is a charming and refreshingly slow narrative adventure. Although your time in Providence Oaks is over before you know it, it offers what is perhaps a rare and much needed downtime in gaming. While there are some graphical and technical issues present, the experience as a whole succeeds in delivering its humble and largely inconsequential narrative, yet one where choices made actually have real consequence.

If you have kids, or are a fan of the series, then there is enough here in Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed to get you behind the wheel, in turn delivering some fun racing.

Super Hydorah is sold on the premise that it is a challenging opponent. I have no issues with that – but you need to be sure this is a game for you before you drop that all-important cash.

Stay Cool, Kobayashi-San! A River City Ransom Story on Xbox One is an obscure and campy beat ‘em up adventure that is off-kilter even by the standards set by the River City franchise. It’s definitely an acquired taste, even for fans of the series and genre, but it’s still great to have such uniquely Japanese titles receive a worldwide release.

If you can get over the numerous yet humorous glitches and expect them to be patched out later, then this is a decent cricket simulator with plenty to do long after the current Ashes series finishes down under.

Eternum EX on Xbox One is a pretty good entry into the increasingly crowded retro market. It’s hard, challenging and, once you get used to the timing of the inputs, it’s good fun.

Episode two of The Expanse: A Telltale Series is a remarkable improvement on the opener. The zero-g section is exciting and tests your stealthy skills, while the storytelling is slightly better thanks to the voiceover quality and a worthwhile conversation.

Don’t expect to be blown away, but should you fancy spending some time with a reflective puzzler, then Samsara will get you thinking.

Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All! 2 is very much a continuation of the first game; much more evolution than revolution. Yet while it isn’t a bad game, it does seem to run out of ideas quite quickly.

If you enjoy a puzzler as you look to take a break from the massive AAA games out there with their 70-hour playthroughs, then I think you will enjoy Cubic Figures.

If you’re looking for a challenge of any form, then Under Leaves is not for you. It’s also not particularly long or deep, so don’t expect anything that will last you for more than an evening. But if you want the gaming equivalent of a foot spa, or a hidden object game that a family could play together (or independently) without much issue, then Under Leaves will charm the socks off you. It’s a children’s book come alive, and we don’t get many of those on Xbox shelves.

So 2Dark is really a story with two sides; it’s either excelling from its attention to detail, or failing because of its heavy-handedness. I’d love to say that this is a nuanced story that explores the depths and complexities of its subject matter. But really it’s a calloused story surrounded by nuanced and sophisticated gameplay. All in all, 2Dark is a rewarding experience, so long as your leave your sensitivities behind.

If you’re a fan of off-road racing, have an appreciation for bikes, or simply want something a little different from a racer, then MX vs ATV All Out Anniversary Edition is certainly no bad way to go. If you’re after a polished experience then you may find slight disappointment with a few areas that are in need of some extra work, but that doesn’t mean this is one that you should be avoiding, especially when you take into account the amount of content on offer.

The story and narrative that My Child Lebensborn tells is a sad, astonishing one, but it is one that needs to be told.

With an upgrade system in place that allows you to power up your weapons and armour by using items that are not in use, and many side quests to find and complete, there is a lot to keep you busy in Knights of Grayfang.

Altogether, we like Gelly Break Deluxe. We do. It comes alive in co-op, it’s colourful, it plays smoothly, and it has a smattering of good ideas. But the adjectives just never get sexy enough: it’s fine, nice, occasionally inventive. With a larger box of ideas to play around with, greater difficulty and more content, it might have unlocked some fancier descriptors. For now, it’s less ‘Deluxe’ and more ‘Decent’.

Despite a few misses, Wildkeepers Rising tries enough new things to satisfy veterans, while remaining accessible enough for newcomers to enjoy for the long haul.

We were on a run of some rather naff visual novels, so praise be for DoraKone. It’s short but sugary sweet, and its writers and designers have taken great care to make sure the hour-or-so of gameplay is endearing and polished. Plus, it’s a lesbian dating sim that uses Pokémon GO for inspiration. How could any visual novel enthusiast say no?

There’s a battle at the centre of Bugsnax. In the red corner is a sweet, satisfying puzzle game, where figuring out how to catch a given bugsnax is the challenge. But in the blue corner is the physics-based sandbox where you have to actually capture them, and that game can’t find the fun.

It probably won’t be a game for everyone, but if you grew up playing classic brawler platformers, then there will be an immediate familiarity with Decline’s Drops.

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.

As wonderfully ridiculous as Just Die Already is, after a few hours you may struggle to find enough to keep your attention. This isn't down to a lack of direction, but instead the shallow gameplay depth. It's a wild ride while it lasts though.

Tools Up! Ultimate Edition is the best place for first time players, there’s no doubt about it. Although it’s not too complex and suitable for all ages, it’s still good fun to play for a while, at least before its repetitive nature starts to creep in.

For its ingenuity alone, you should consider Molecats on Xbox One and weigh up whether you’ll be able to handle the toughness it delivers.

Ultimately, Hexagroove: Tactical DJ on Xbox One doesn’t feel fully contained in what it is. It tries to offer engaging gameplay and adaptive songs, but never really delivers either. When given the choice between the big bang ending or fade out, Hexagroove quietly fizzles away on the sidelines.

Should you be in the mood for some old school puzzling with a slime based creature who can stick to walls and defy gravity, then Hoggy2 is the game for you.

Epic Chef has the ingredients for a show stopping experience, but it requires a little more finesse. The repetitive, uneven nature of gameplay takes some of the shine off what is otherwise a charming little adventure.

Shadow of Loot Box never outstays its welcome, and the different themed levels add enough variety that you don’t get bored. Costing just a few bucks, you’ll find a short but rather fun experience that is worth spending an afternoon playing.

Whether you will enjoy your time with Wife Quest boils down to two things - whether or not you like retro styled platformers, and if you’re up for a tough challenge. If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then you could do a lot worse than to take Wife Quest out for a spin.

Ryan’s Rescue Squad is a remarkably solid, well-made and confident little platformer, and you can feel reassurance that there are no bugs, no infuriations, that will upend the experience for a younger player.

Heal: Console Edition on the Xbox works best when it commits to being a series of escape rooms. You’ll be manhandling some tactile little puzzle boxes that are surprisingly original, and feeling the glow of solving them. It’s the bits between the boxes that are flimsy: stodgy controls, limp scares and a lack of an emotional thread can’t quite coalesce into a strong structure.