In their attempt to create a game that evokes the spirit of the classic originals, Dlala Studios has made a stupendous hit for the Xbox One library. Not only does Battletoads pay homage to the series entries that came before, it surpasses them.

Spiritfarer, in my book, is a strong contender for game of the year. I love the feel of the game, the graphics are gorgeous, and the narrative is incredibly engaging. The topic of death is sensitive, but it’s one many of us can connect with and Spiritfarer manages to strike the chords it needs to make that connection.

Stylish, slick and set in Small Heath, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind on Xbox One is a strong first outing for the family. It may be a little on the short side, but it’s a refreshingly different way to test your gray matter.

I'm not a fan of Nicole, either the game or the heroine. The gameplay is dull, the hook of trying to get these boys to like you is boring at best and annoying at worst, the characters don't ever come alive, and it’s generally not as much fun as other visual novels I've played, even others from the Ratalaika stable.

Family is a big deal in the East and it is portrayed very well in Road to Guangdong on the Xbox One. Sadly though, the family included here isn’t worth the drive to get there.

Brunch Club on Xbox One is a fun, short game to play with friends or, if you’re particularly determined or masochistic, to play alone and try to overcome the increasingly unforgiving difficulty levels.

Creamative has put a lot of work into Clan N on Xbox One, and it shows. Not only does the game both look and play great, there is a solid amount of content available. Not everything is a home run though. The obscure nature of what some stats do, and when you level up, can make things tedious at times. But between the seven levels, two campaigns, and mini-games that are found throughout, there is enough here to warrant the asking price.

The only real reason to pick up RogueCube on Xbox One in lieu of another roguelike is for the easy Gamerscore. It’s just hard to recommend a game when it has odd mechanics and might crash whenever a specific item gets added to your inventory.

Wizards: Wand of Epicosity is a tower defense game that will surely create laughter with its humorous storytelling, as well as bring excitement through the usage of cool spells. The problems come in the form of the overall shortness, the repetitive feel after merely a few levels, and the inaccuracies while casting spells. Furthermore, it comes across as a mobile game in terms of visuals, the UI and the way it encourages in-game purchases.

WarriOrb on Xbox One is hard. It is unfair. You will have to swallow that unfairness until you can find a workaround. There are undoubtedly better hardcore platformers out there. BUT, if that doesn’t dissuade you, and you’ve beaten Dead Cells, Hollow Knight, Salt & Sanctuary and the rest, then - hats off to you - there’s some charm and joy to be had in this little sphere’s adventures.

If you’ve ever tapped along to the drum beat of heavier music, Double Kick Heroes on the Xbox One is perfect for you. At harder difficulties your controller will take an absolute beating, but the sheer diversity of metal music on offer here ensures that there is a track or three for all fans of the genre.

Linn: Path of Orchards on Xbox One feels very unique, is scarily stunning to look at and is a cracking little title to just pick up and play. I don't like having to repeat levels to unlock new stages, I worry that the difficulty spike is quite steep, and the hectic gameplay might put some off. But the highlights outweigh the cons, especially if you decide to take the low asking price into account too.

For a seasoned hidden object player – particularly those who feel oversaturated with the horror and fantasy themes of the Xbox One library – I can give a Kevlar-guarded recommendation. And if you haven’t played a hidden object game before? It’s hard to make a case, as there are better examples from the same publisher.

Whilst there are some issues with platforming, some annoying jokes and inconsistent level design, Helheim Hassle on Xbox One is a great example of how far Perfectly Paranormal have come as a team. It could realistically be seen as extra content with the formula Samuel set beforehand, but instead it adapts from it and grows. Helheim is just as wacky and strange as Manuel Samuel yet offers so much more to keep you playing.

If you want a calming game that’s just a treat from start to finish, then I wholeheartedly recommend picking up The Alto Collection on Xbox One.

Max and the Book of Chaos on Xbox One is a frantic battle for survival which manages to provide a fun challenge without sending the player into a spiral of anger and frustration. It’s hard not to recommend giving this one a look, especially if reflex-testing run and gun shooters are your bag.

I have a hard time finding great local multiplayer games. Not only are they not being made all the time, but a lot of them seem to miss the mark when it comes to engaging gameplay that does not get stale. Boomerang Fu on Xbox One rises above this crowd by providing plenty of options, being easy to pick up, and hard to put down. Add the game’s adorable visuals, and you have a recipe for a local multiplayer game with a lot of staying power.

It must be said that I didn’t really hate my time playing Prehistoric Dude, but I just didn’t really enjoy it either. There's some challenge to overcome and I always like getting 100 percent achievement completion, but there isn’t anything that sets Prehistoric Dude apart from any other platformer. It’s not a bad game, just exceedingly average.

It Lurks Below is a game I really wanted to like and the foundation that it has is great. But it needs to be optimized for Xbox One better. The gameplay is fun when there aren’t bugs to deal with and, who knows, maybe I’m just unlucky? I just know it could be done better and I hope to see future updates that remedy some of these issues, because I really do think It Lurks Below has a lot of potential to be something amazing.

From my time with Bite the Bullet on Xbox One, its charm and uniqueness was made clear, but the more traditional sides of its game design and combat ultimately let me down. The RPG systems are rather shallow and progression feels hollow throughout most of the game. The general level design, whilst pretty decent, does not reward exploration, and some of its systems don’t really matter that much to the overall experience.

A lot of other CCGs deliver this genre just as well, for free, but Faeria just edges them out by providing so much solo content and infusing a board into play. If you’re likely to spend most of your time offline, then this will be worth the money.

The price is perfect - in fact, perhaps it is a little cheap for the number of hours you will put into it - and in terms of the story Relicta on Xbox One is all very intriguing; the ideas behind it are fantastic. The script doesn't quite work all the time and the physics might annoy some, but if you’re looking for a test of the mind, this is certainly worth looking at.

Fantasy General II: Invasion on Xbox One is a tough one to really nail down. If you are an RTS fan then I would easily say that this is a must purchase; it is going to be more than delightful for those who live and breathe the genre. I do however feel that this won't entice anyone new to the genre and might just be too tricky for those who don’t have the time to invest.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 on Xbox One is an excellent addition to Xbox Game Pass, and another solid entry to the series. It is a culmination of the series so far that has arrived on Xbox in 2020, until Like a Dragon releases later in the year. Hopefully, the remaining titles of 3-6 can release on Xbox, because Kiryu and Haruka’s journey is only just beginning. But if this is the last ‘Kiryu’ Yakuza game, then it’s been a wild ride.

Darkestville Castle on Xbox One is a great game for fans of the genre and new arrivals. The art style is clean and fun, the story is wacky, and there is plenty of content to justify picking it up. If nonsensical puzzles and point and click games are your thing, you can’t go wrong with a copy of Darkestville Castle.

Ultimately, Skater XL on Xbox One offers a vision of something that could be excellent in the future. It has a great but lonely atmosphere and downright revolutionary controls, but this is brought down by the sheer lack of content and mediocre performance. It is too messy to be able to call it technically good, but it is definitely a game that is worth keeping an eye on. As a full experience, you might be let down, yet as a demo of what it could become, it is very promising.

Starlit Adventures is free to pick up so there’s no harm in giving it a go to see how you get on with it. But it’ll take hours of honest grinding before you can unlock suits, and perhaps multiple playthroughs before you have them all, which I can’t really imagine doing. It’s a fun adventure but not one that will leave you wanting more. And with its financial model, the latter is exactly what Rockhead are hoping for.

With dreadful controls, no map of where to go, nor any in-game speedo to see how fast you are going, Fast & Furious Crossroads on Xbox One is a massive let down. Online is messy at best, and while the storyline is a corker, the way that every mission seems to play out the same, just in a different place, makes me sad.

Much of the enjoyment is spoilt by the camera sensitivity, enemy spawns and save points, and all that combined just means it is too frustrating to play for any length of time. I can well imagine this game working perfectly in VR, but for the humble Xbox console it still needs some work.

Even though HardCube on Xbox One is a relatively cheap purchase, I can’t in all honesty recommend anyone purchase it, unless all they are bothered about is grabbing some super easy achievements and Gamerscore. It’s a poor addition to the puzzle platformer, and can’t hold any form of light to those ball rolling games from decades past.

Railway Empire - Complete Collection on Xbox One is a fun game, it has beautiful visuals, in-depth systems, and allows a ton of freedom. It won’t be for everyone; the sheer amount of content can be overwhelming and learning some of the more complex elements of the game will seem like a daunting task. Get over the learning curve though and you’ll be rewarded with countless hours of fun, and there is always the option of going the easy route.

CUBERS: Arena on Xbox One is a game that, while not setting the world on fire with innovative ideas, does just enough to make it onto the "recommend" side of my personal gaming scales. If you have a friend to play with then you are sorted as it is best played in company, but the single player campaign can be fun too, if a trifle repetitive.

Swimsanity is a good, fun underwater shooter when played with friends, and an absolutely brutal beast when taken on alone. If you’re able to gather up a party of like-minded fellows and fancy taking on a new shooting adventure, whilst occasionally kicking back with the laughs of some competitive play, then Swimsanity on Xbox One is certainly a game to consider.

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.

REZ PLZ on Xbox One is one of those games that comes alive with a friend. It’s good as a single player game, but multiplayer just lifts it to another level. If you have a spare friend lying about the place, I can heartily recommend this game to anyone. It’s tougher solo, there’s no doubt, but it’s a good challenge, and if you like inventive ways to kill cute characters then look no further.

Do I recommend Lunch A Palooza on Xbox One? Eh … not really. It doesn’t do enough to warrant the relatively steep price tag. it’s too rough around the edges, with annoying glitches, overly-unpredictable physics and dropped inputs aplenty. You and a couple of friends will probably wring a few hours of fun out of it before things get too repetitive (or frustrating) to be enjoyable.

With everything on offer here Steam Tactics is a good package at its asking price, and in return players are treated to a gaming experience that is easy to get into and tough to master.

It’s safe to say that UnderMine on Xbox One will keep you coming back time and time again as it definitely has a ‘one more go’ vibe. No matter how full your sack is or what upgrades are available, you always feel like you’re making some kind of progress and the rewards are plentiful.

The Touryst is a great little vacation simulator with clean cube graphics, a fun little plotline, and plenty of minigames to check out. It’s a “byte” sized game that is good “bit” of fun.

Déjà Vu on Xbox One offers a charming, if brief, experience that is fun and utterly relaxing to play. Anyone with some cash or credit going spare should give this a look, even if it may initially seem a little pricey.

Rainswept on Xbox One is a game that I have enjoyed tremendously, from the very start right up to the very finish. It tells a great, mysterious detective story while keeping its heart, humour, and heat.

Skully on Xbox One is a fun game with creative elements, and if you love platformers and want to try something new, then Skully is worth checking out.

The first few minutes of Heroes of Hammerwatch give a surprisingly accurate representation of the entire experience. As you look through the multitude of classes, multiple customization options and somewhat overwhelming overworld, it instils both a sense of dread and intrigue. Heroes of Hammerwatch - Ultimate Edition can be a little daunting, but there is just so much to love here.

I finished Escape From Tethys on Xbox One in three hours. While it definitely has issues that have a negative impact on the overall experience, I can’t help but look back on my time with the game positively, and if you are interested it definitely won’t let you down – if you can push through the tedium.

What Amanita Design have done with Creaks pretty much nails everything you could ever wish for in a puzzler. Surreal, interesting, weird, intriguing, gorgeous and sounding superb. Creaks is a masterpiece. And rarely does it ever exasperate.

Never in a million years did I think I would be uttering these words, but I kind of liked playing Mr. Massagy: Mayo Edition on Xbox One. It made me laugh a lot - especially when it got strange - and the colourful characters are a lot of fun to spend an hour or so with.

If you love the series, there is still worth with Rock of Ages 3, offering up more levels of the same great gameplay. But in all other senses, the rock has been dropped here.

Merchant of the Skies does what it does pretty well, however it doesn’t quite do enough for the experience to be classed as a great game. Acquiring resources on the cheap and selling them for a profit is a simple, yet addictive, gameplay mechanic that will draw you in. Sure it gets a tad more complex - and difficult - as you grow, with additional management elements coming into play, but there’s not much else in its locker.

Carrion on Xbox One is a very well-designed and crafted game. Whilst it can be frustrating to backtrack and redo levels when you’ve got a new power, the backtracking is part of the design rather than a flaw in the design. The combat is nicely weighted and the stealth elements are light and don’t require too much patience. Whilst it’s a short, punchy game, it doesn’t outstay its welcome or become repetitive.

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.

Maid of Sker on Xbox One is a very good horror experience; one that manages to create an extremely creepy atmosphere and delivers a good story throughout. The whole sound department needs a round of applause, especially the renditions of the hymns, but it is the entire save system that dampens the enjoyment of the game.

Nowhere Prophet on Xbox One is a quality experience for what it intends to do, even if it is a bit of an acquired taste. It is soundly designed as a single player card game and will certainly appeal to its intended audience.

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.

Tannenberg is an interesting creation. It aims to provide a somewhat realistic depiction of WW1 with authentic equipment and well-thought out maps, but this is hindered by the sheer scope of it. It can be genuinely rather impressive at times but is held back by the indie nature of it all. Its ambition is both admirable and detrimental to the central experience.

I’ve enjoyed my time with Rocket Arena on Xbox One, especially in terms of the short, sharp games that suit the game composition. My immediate concern though is just how busy the servers will be in a few months and whether or not those who are already dominating the scene will put off any newcomers.

Despite the fact that it’s very short, rather bare and occasionally doesn’t respond naturally to your decisions, We should talk on Xbox One is an interesting experience that’s easy to recommend.

Swim Out on the Xbox One can offer a decent challenge and is fairly priced. Additional challenges can come inadvertently from the frustrating mobile device format and lack of differentiation between swimmers, and these stop it from being a great puzzle game. As it is though, it’s fine, and could be an easy 1000G for those able to think two or three moves ahead.

The Soroboreans is a fine addition to the game and a must-have for any fan. If you just want a bit more Outward, give it a try.

Liquid Sunshine on Xbox One is a very enjoyable game; one that delivers some decent head-scratching puzzles that should last you a good few hours. The adult-themed story is good but finishes a bit abruptly for me, and the gameplay is truly well-designed. But personally I want more – more save points and more variation in the backdrops, whilst seeing fewer glitches.

Forager on Xbox One is a great investment. The amount of content in the game is phenomenal and it can only get better. If foraging, building, and adventuring are up your alley then I heartily recommend Forager.

All in all, Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris on Xbox One is hindered tremendously by far too many problems and it’d be a tad foolish to consider a purchase until it’s had a much-needed patch, or two. Only then will the exciting combat and the infinitely more enjoyable multiplayer aspect be appreciated.

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

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

It’s not a horrible game by any means. In fact, it has a lot going for it: refreshing level design, a solid art direction, a set of easy achievements and a time trial mode. But the controls let it down completely.

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

It’s not going to be a game that is for everyone and the style and pacing might put some off, but if you like a narrative or an adventure that delivers an intelligent dose of darkness then a purchase of DISTRAINT 2 might be a very good choice to make.

Timberman VS on the Xbox One is a game that requires very little skill to jump in with, so makes a great party game for an evening or two with friends. When playing in single player, it’s best enjoyed in short bursts like most casual games. But also like most casual games, it has that "one more go” feel to it, and a short burst can quickly become a longer session.

It’s a bit of a tough one this. I can't penalise the game for being a recreation of what is. But I do think that NASCAR as a whole will appeal to some, but not others. What I can penalise it for is not making very good sense in the race screens, for its lack of proper tuning to try and make my car faster, for the way nothing is explained very well, and for generally not being above average in terms of being a racer.

Lanternium on Xbox One does what it sets out to do pretty well, providing value for money and keeping younger gamers entertained for a good few hours. For the rest of you out there, its gradual pace, cutesy appeal and shallow gameplay may struggle to hold your interest for the long haul.

There is such a lot of content here, and such a huge array of replayability, that if you like Warhammer 40,000 it’s a no-brainer. If you don't, or aren't aware of it, this is a very good game almost in its own right. Real tactical thinking is needed to stop those dastardly Necrons, but you'll enjoy the journey.

It’ll probably appeal to sim fans who love the working grind and aren’t bothered by dodgy visuals, terrible sound effects and a strangely empty world. But that said, you can drive a bulldozer straight through a casino while rocking out. And honestly, do you need next-gen visuals for that?

This is as average as shmups get, and the whole set-up and premise is far too silly to the point where it blurs the line of being a parody of itself.

Neversong is complex, unusual, and unique - with its own style and composition bringing the whole experience together.

From the get-go, Neon Abyss might not wow you with its uniqueness but it does do some nice things to change up the usual formula. Grab a little Binding of Isaac, a little Rogue Legacy, and a pinch of Cyberpunk and you have Neon Abyss. If this sounds up your alley, you're in for a nice treat.

Alphadia Genesis on Xbox One is a game of two halves, and I don’t just mean the 2D/3D interface. One the one hand, the story is good, and does have certain echoes in the events that are playing out in the world today – you will want to see it to its conclusion. On the other hand, the grind is very real, and while the first time you use a skill that you’ve earned brings about some novelty, the rest of the time it’s very much just “some RPG”.

Whether or not Aircraft Evolution is worth a purchase comes down to how much you like a challenge and if you’d enjoy bombing a map to oblivion. If both of those things sound good, then Aircraft Evolution’s affordable cost should be all the persuasion you need to pick it up.

#Funtime on Xbox One is right up there with the very best twin-stick shooters on the market. It provides plenty of playing options, it has just enough challenge to make sure you find yourself going back time and time again, and it’s got a brilliantly responsive and smooth control system which is an utter must for a game of this ilk.

Dungeons 3 – Complete Collection on Xbox One is without a doubt one of the best RTS games you can play on the Xbox One right now. It has a fantastic mixture of several sub-genres wrapped in a hilarious and charming package that is chock-full of content.

This 6-to-8-hour game is a perfect indie title, especially when you take into account the low price compared to the amount of production that has gone into every molecule of it. The story is fantastic and works beautifully from beginning to end, and the concept and AI interface gameplay ensure that Observation on Xbox One is the most unique thing I’ve played for a long while.

Superliminal on the Xbox One offers the tools to fully enjoy this concept for what it is. Playing with perspectives is a novel idea and you can have a lot of fun with it. Repeat playthroughs are encouraged with plenty of secrets to uncover, but there is a bit too much repetition within individual sections of Superliminal.

Like in 2016, you need to know just one thing about SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE - SUPERHOT really is super hot.

CrossCode is, for better or for worse, an overachiever, and quite successful at it for the most part.

If you can hack it, Horde of Plenty on Xbox One packs a challenging punch which will scratch an itch for some. However, it’s a simple experience that doesn’t really manage to deliver enough bang for your buck.

The Otterman Empire on Xbox One does not offer a particularly good experience. It draws inspiration from Splatoon, a shooter that could do with an Xbox equivalent, and ruins most of the good faith you might afford it. The general gameplay is clunky, unresponsive, glitchy, and just downright infuriating.

F1 2020 is the absolute pinnacle of the F1 video game. What Codemasters have done in recent years with this series is nothing short of remarkable, yet they’ve still managed to continue to push things forward with every yearly iteration. If you’re a fan of F1, purchasing this is an absolute no-brainer, and it is also pretty much a must-buy to anyone who has any inkling of an interest in any motorsport scene. F1 2020 is as good as it gets - until Codemasters create another masterpiece next year.

People who want to experience the nostalgia of games and cartoons from the ‘80s will most likely enjoy Clash Force on Xbox One, and for the price point, there isn’t much harm in trying it out yourself. It doesn’t really do anything wrong, it just doesn’t do much right either.

Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mask – Missions and Monsters on Xbox One is most certainly an expansion pack done right. It isn’t just a bolt-on high level dungeon either… the whole game has been reworked to allow you to integrate the new features into a playthrough.

If you love the idea of spontaneously chatting with fascinating strangers, then Night Call will most certainly give you a long list of memorable characters.

Colt Canyon on Xbox One is a great little randomly generated roguelike. Taking inspiration from the likes of Enter The Gungeon and Hotline Miami, the gameplay is smooth, fun and brutal. As well as this, the addition of a co-op mode adds a great deal to the overall experience.

Assetto Corsa Competizione on Xbox One is a hard game, make no mistake. Learn to play by its rules, learn the tracks, learn just how much you can lean on a car, and it will suddenly click. This is not a game for casual players though and if you want to make the most of the content here, you need to commit the time and get good. The rewards are there – it’s just down to you to unlock them.

Syd’s journey to find her brother honestly feels more like a journey to find herself. And with the help of her two friends Max and Quei-Li, A Summer with the Shiba Inu was a journey I found myself wanting to go through multiple times.

Hunting Simulator 2 is a bare bones version of its predecessor, and not even man’s best friend can save this from being an inferior sequel.

There really aren’t many negatives to The Messenger but it certainly won’t be for everyone. It is challenging and will take time to get through depending on skill level, especially for completionists. But the base game can be completed in around 8 hours.

Endless Fables: Dark Moor on Xbox One does itself no favours by claiming horror and scares as a feature because, ultimately, it loses steam in that department after a single scary moment. Fortunately the mini-games are of a good standard and the hidden object scenes are enjoyable to scour.

The Great Perhaps will take you roughly three hours or so to finish, and it’s certainly possible to conclude it in one sitting. The puzzles can get tricky and you will need to experiment with the clues you find in both worlds in order to find success. But when you do find the solutions the feeling is hugely rewarding, and this in turn ensures that the journey is never frustrating.

Appropriately priced, Hard West: Ultimate Edition on Xbox One offers hours of enjoyment throughout the eight unique campaign scenarios, for those craving an XCOM-like tactical action game - just without humanoid aliens and mass genocide, of course.

1971 Project Helios on Xbox One has a lot of good ideas, but the execution of those ideas is not quite as good as it could have been. The story is very immersive indeed, and the tension between group members is a high point. Sadly, the lack of basic things like a map to check where you've been, the chance to enjoy any tactical possibilities save all out attack, and generally poor controls and visibility make it more frustrating than it needs to be.

Whilst PONG Quest on the Xbox One sounds like a brilliant idea on paper, fusing PONG gameplay with RPG mechanics, the shallowness of PONG itself unfortunately quickly makes this a dull grind.