The Catch: Carp & Coarse is the new fishing champion. The visuals are great, the fighting mechanic is intuitive and the variety of venues ensures that you’ll need to spend time learning a number of different fishing methods. Simply put, this is as good as fishing gets on the Xbox.

Warborn on Xbox One is stylish, easy to get to grips with and provides plenty of gameplay hours. However, this is a game aimed for all ages, and for that reason it may lack depth and challenge for the strategy nuts out there.

When all is said and done though, if the base game of Control didn’t strike your fancy then The Foundation DLC on Xbox One isn’t going to add much else that you’d be interested in. But if you enjoyed Control, I definitely recommend picking up The Foundation. And for those who can’t get enough of the plot, it might be worth just going straight for the Season Pass.

All in all, this is another Ratalaika Game, with all the baggage that name carries. The achievements are too easy, but the price is low, and if you are an achievement hunter then picking Radio Squid up is a no-brainer. For the rest of us, it’s better news than usual, as even when the achievements have been rinsed, the charm and personality of the characters on display here does make a good argument for continuing to play.

It’s fast, fun and challenging, and the old school style of one credit and then being left to git gud is a welcome change from the easier games that seem to limp onto the market these days.

Mafia III: Definitive Edition on Xbox One has distinct charm in its narrative, world-building and conceptualised understanding of socio-politics and the military-industrial complex but, ironically enough, it fails in its combat and general movement. Whilst it is clear a great deal of care has gone into its writing, I wish I could say the same for its gameplay.

Namco Museum Archives Vol. 2 on Xbox One may not have anything as interesting as a demake of Pac-Man Championship Edition like that seen in Vol. 1, but this is still a strong collection of some of the company’s best Famicom classics, with most titles still as enjoyable now as they were decades ago. It may not have actual archive features, but this is still a fun trip through gaming history.

Namco Museum Archives Vol. 1 on Xbox One is a lacking but still decent compilation of some of the company’s best classics; one that is topped off with an all-new retro demake of Pac-Man Championship Edition.

While it’s disappointing to see Greymoor tread very old ground after three previously exceptional and creative expansions, it’s still worth a play for veteran players and may even still excite those new to the scene. It’s undeniably a slight step down, but with the bar set where it is, it’s still a pretty good addition.

If you love a deep strategy game that is full of intrigue, decision making, and provides a whole load of stats to play with then Realpolitiks New Power on Xbox One is the perfect game for you.

Yes, Your Grace on Xbox One is funny, endearing, occasionally heartbreaking and, most importantly, incredibly memorable.

The Bard's Tale ARPG: Remastered and Resnarkled on Xbox One is a rather delightful experience. The dialogue is hysterical, the characters memorable, the RPG mechanics solid as a rock and the combat decent. There are definite performance issues, and it is not as Remastered as it could have been, but when the core game has held up this well, does that really matter?

I have really enjoyed fighting my way through the Tower, uncovering each twist and turn of the story along the way. The two distinct phases work very well, and exploring is its own reward, granting new items to the team. Combat, bar one little grumble, is superb and all in all I can easily recommend Tower of Time to anyone looking for an RPG with a little twist.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is a blast from the past, and mostly in a good way. The dialogue is entertaining, the visuals splendid, the music catchy and the gameplay rock solid. However, some not insignificant technical issues and a fear of deviating from the source material hold it back from reaching its full potential.

For the potential that Super Soccer Blast on Xbox One brings, it consistently fails to deliver, with bugs, glitches and an overriding rushed feeling provided throughout. Even though the in-game mechanics aren’t the best, it could well have still been an arcade football game worth playing. But it comes with a severe lack of game options, zero online capabilities and enough bugs and glitches bubbling around, ready to explode, to ensure that this is one to avoid.

Tcheco in the Castle of Lucio on Xbox One is unapologetically a retro, 2D platformer that looks and plays as if it’s been plucked straight out of yesteryear. Not only should it be commended for this, but also for the addition of a mode that caters better for the modern gamers.

Outbuddies DX draws from some very special places in its design. From its Metroid style to its Lovecraftian world, there is a lot it compares to. And while not perfect in its execution, it does a solid job at grabbing these ideas and adapting them in new ways.

Restrictive nuances in both single player and multiplayer prevent players from having as much fun as they could – and at points even make Disintegration feel shallow – but the FPS/RTS fusion on genres works to a point; neither feels more predominant than the other, but then neither feel fully formed either.

Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Anniversary Edition on Xbox One is a big old game, but if you wish to get your teeth into a world of eccentricity and the bizarre it should just suffice.

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.

Swamps of Corsus on Xbox One is a DLC that offers tons of replayability, in a game that had it to spare already. Previously a surprise hit, this update has propelled Remnant: From the Ashes into one of the best games available on Xbox Game Pass.

Castle Pals works well as a game that you play when you need to kill a little time when out and about, but sitting down and playing it in one go just isn’t what it was designed for.

Spacejacked on Xbox One manages to deliver a great blend of a tower defence-style game with platforming elements and some resource management twists.

Pity Pit looks bad, even by the standards of 8-bit looking retro titles, it plays poorly, with no real idea what you are meant to be doing and because you have to put up with dodgy hit detection, it just isn't fun.

Depth of Extinction on Xbox One is a straight up, old-school turn-based RPG that is squarely aimed at fans of the genre. There's nothing else to be tempted by here, but what is on offer is a solid dose of strategy action for those with enough patience to stick it out.

Warface: Breakout is very much just some shooter, and there are much better games out there that will be more rewarding to play. If you liked Warface, then by all means give it a whirl, but it doesn’t compare to the other current darlings of the FPS genre.

Skelattack is a great game that is just missing that last little bit of polish to make it an essential play. If you like games with heart, if you'll pardon the phrase, you're not going to go far wrong with Skelattack.

Project Warlock on Xbox One is a run of the mill clone of classic shooters, but it doesn’t incorporate the ingenious and thoughtful level design that made its forebearers such timeless classics.

Although there are certainly some issues with Awesome Pea 2 on Xbox One and it doesn’t really do anything that isn’t offered elsewhere, it’s a reasonably fun way to kill an hour or so. And it has to be said, there are certainly worse ways to earn 1000 Gamerscore.

Desperados III on Xbox One does something very brave. It takes the pre-existing structure set almost 20 years before it and throws it out the window. Whilst it does feel like its predecessors, it is not afraid to strike out on its own and it does so wonderfully. Its music and atmosphere is phenomenal, its narrative is great, and its gameplay is just so rewarding and addictive. It really does stand out in its own right. Whether or not you’ve played the original is irrelevant: Desperados III is absolutely worth your time.

Despite the handful of drawbacks, if you like love themed visual novels and appreciate delicious CGs of food, then Strawberry Vinegar on Xbox One is good enough to satiate your taste buds.

It’s hard to criticise Beyond Blue too much, for it comes to market with the express intention of highlighting the ocean’s magic, hammering home a different type of message to most other gaming experiences. As a game it could do better, but as a journey into what is the unknown for many, then it most certainly works.

Honestly, it took me a little while to really get my head around Isle of Spirits on Xbox One. The permadeath was initially annoying and the look and design was just too simple for my tastes. But after a while, I began to enjoy the casual island life, beginning to understand the ways of survival on these randomly generated islands.

It has been a while since the last expansion for Age of Wonders: Planetfall – Revelations – however the wait has been worth it as this is easily the most content-rich and impactful addition to the game thus far.

Evan’s Remains on Xbox One is a unique platformer with great puzzle design, and an adventure experience driven by a substantial narrative which successfully delivers on its lofty ambitions. With beautiful sprites, simple but charming artwork, emotional music, and a cast of memorable and well-written characters, this is the kind of video game experience that stays with the player years after the credits have rolled.

Bug Fables is a wonderful, child-friendly RPG with a solid story, great music, and lovely visuals. If you’re looking for something to bring you back to your childhood, this is a must-play.

The action is fast and bloody, and there is now a strong case to be made for Mortal Kombat to take its place at the top table of fighting games. Mortal Kombat 11 has grown up with the Aftermath Kollection on Xbox One, and I for one think that’s bloody marvellous.

Jump King on the Xbox One isn’t for the faint-hearted: vertigo sufferers and hot-headed people are better off leaving this “smoking hot babe” for the real heroes. It is however a simple 2D vertical platformer that works on two levels; instantly accessible whilst being painfully difficult.

Cyber Protocol on Xbox One is a kind of PAC-MAN/TRON hybrid; one that takes the shiny neon visuals of the 1980s, mixes in a collect-the-dots, maze-based mechanic and runs with it. The story is completely redundant - it makes literally no difference to the game that you are playing - and while the challenge is good, the input lag and repetition aren't.

Many Faces is an interesting experience, with an intriguing random element and some cool hat-based gameplay. It could have had real legs, it could have kept me coming back for more - if only it didn't give all its achievements away so easily.

Despite a lacklustre story, a couple of negligible problems and a disappointing climax, Demon’s Tier+ on Xbox One is still an addictively fun twin-stick, rogue-like experience. The unlockable characters, improved weaponry and a rewarding sense of achievement just ensures you want to dive in again and again.

As a game, Shaolin vs Wutang is not great, but then, as an experience to take you back to the golden age of martial arts films, it’s a triumph. It all depends on which camp you fall into.

Indiecalypse on Xbox One tries many things, but for the most part it fails. Throughout my time with it it has regularly required restarts to fix its minigames, its humour is grating and fails to show any depth, and it only really takes a couple of hours or so to finish.

Despite zero explanation of how to play, and a feeling that little is gained on each playthrough, there is more than enough twin-stick shooting action in Genetic Disaster to keep you satisfied.

At the end of the day I just can’t see any reason why any gamer – or bike fan for that matter – would want to fork out on a game that is pretty much a carbon copy of the game that came before it, and of the one before that. For that reason, recommending a purchase of Tour de France 2020 on Xbox One is a seriously hard push.

Whether or not you should purchase The Last Scape on Xbox One boils down to what you want from your games. If you’re happy to take a punt on an experimental title that is massively short on gameplay and ideas, then the low price kind of allows it. But on the other hand, many will consider this another one of those throwaway experiences that don’t really belong on Xbox One.

We Were Here Together on Xbox One provides a good puzzling affair that fans of the series should consider taking in. It’s not as enthralling, engaging or even as immersive as the first title in the franchise, and the issues brought about by character switching and trial and error puzzles are a shame, but should you be able to look past those and the hefty price increase, you’ll find a decent cooperative affair that is unlike any other.

Those Who Remain on Xbox One is a decent exploration horror that will take you around seven hours to complete. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and what the game was trying to achieve through the narrative. The gameplay - with its focus on light and the alternate reality - has a unique selling point that is intriguing enough to delve into. But the stealth sections and the overriding motion sickness let the whole thing down.

Sadly, Monstrum on the Xbox One is a poor attempt at an interesting concept. The abandoned ship isn’t the most unique setting for a horror game but being pursued by a bloodthirsty monster should provide at least some tension. Instead it is a laborious plod through samey corridors where sometimes being caught by the monster is preferable than having to perform the same objectives over and over again just to escape.

Shantae and the Seven Sirens on the Xbox One is the best in the series yet. Despite some truly obscure pacing issues and some irritating map design, the base adventure remains extremely enjoyable, with rewarding exploration and a constant sense of progression. While the formula may need more quality of life improvements to really stand out in the genre, Shantae and the Seven Sirens is a step in the right direction and places the series on the right track for success.

It has been good to go back to Mafia II after a decade. The visual upgrades that have been implemented to the cityscape are great, and it has been hugely entertaining to be reminded of the story again, one that tells a great tale with enough twists and turns to keep any Mafia crime fan happy.

There are much better fishing games than Ultimate Fishing Simulator, and my strong advice is that if you want to go fishing on Xbox One you look elsewhere first.

You could do worse than Reed 2 on Xbox One if you’re looking to kill an hour or two. However, it’s most likely the price that will have it jump out at you, as whether it’s in the first game or somewhere else, frankly it’s a case of “been there, done that”.

Ghost Files: Memory of a Crime on Xbox One conjures up a very enjoyable narrative and gets the creepy serial killer character spot on. A lot of the puzzles you have to overcome tie-in really well with the background of the protagonist and the memory loss aspect.

Atomicrops delivers a brutal bullet-hell rogue-like with every design choice intentionally included as part of the overall package. While there are some issues, Atomicrops’ utter uniqueness has won me over.

Minecraft Dungeons on Xbox One is a fun but flawed dungeon crawler. Mojang has done a pretty good job adapting the franchise to the dungeon-crawler style. However, in their attempt to streamline the more niche genre to reach the broader Minecraft fandom, they have somewhat lost sight of some of what makes those titles so endearing.

Deep Rock Galactic on Xbox One is a game with obvious appeal. It is punchy, funny and a blast with friends. The environments and mission structures do become a bit repetitive but the moment to moment gameplay is fantastic. If you are looking for a “blow off steam” game to play with friends, Deep Rock Galactic has you covered.

The Taller I Grow is a game that everyone should have a go at. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this neat, well-designed platform puzzler, and if you’ve got a mind that is capable of handling puzzlers then you should find yourself blasting through this in a couple of hours.

It’s fun while it lasts, but apart from some interesting achievements to find and unlock, once you’ve done so the urge to play again evaporates like the morning dew in a blast furnace. It’s a fun diversion, but sadly it doesn’t last long enough.

The lack of multiplayer is felt here even with an interesting eliminator mode, and so Formula Retro Racing is only one to check out if you aren’t able to play Virtua Racing and are starved of options.

A Fold Apart on the Xbox One is a wonderful love story wrapped up in a very well-designed puzzle game. It’s an incredibly relatable game for anyone that has ever spent any time away from a loved one, or someone who has to deal with internal demons on a regular basis. And for those that haven’t, you could well learn a thing or two here about mental health in general.

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for in life, and with Bullet Beat on Xbox One costing very little it is just a tiny amount of gaming satisfaction that you will discover in return. There is nothing wrong with it per se, except for the fact that things are over fairly swiftly; there is absolutely no reason to go back in for a second, third or twentieth attempt.

Huntdown on Xbox One is a game with immense personality and presentation, featuring a 2D action campaign that is built around memorable boss encounters, and plenty of them too. With so many games out at the moment it’s easy to let things slip by, but don’t let Huntdown go under your radar, lest there’s a bounty on your head for doing so.

It plays well, looks all cute and cuddly, teaches kids about money and it’s free to download. And all this is helped by Island Saver providing a nice and relaxing place to spend some time. Sometimes that is all we need in life. No matter what our age.

Emma: Lost in Memories on Xbox One is a solid platformer, but it is certainly aimed at the more hardcore gamer; those who like to find, and enjoy, a proper challenge. Some of the controls can be less accurate than I would like, especially in regards to the climbing mechanic, but there is definitely a couple of hours of decent gameplay here for those with the staying power and skills.

SokoBunny’s drawbacks counteract the positive aspects so I can’t in good faith recommend a purchase, unless you’re planning on playing it in co-op. Even then though, it’s still a stretch to suggest buying it.

Maneater on Xbox One is bloody brilliant. It’s a massive game with a lot to do and a huge amount of content to discover - the locations or beauty spots are usually wittily scripted, and have quite a few nods to popular culture as well, making them entertaining asides. What's more, there is a good story of revenge to follow.

Saints Row The Third Remastered on Xbox One is big, brash and bloody brutal. And it’s just as much fun as it was upon the original release. But it’s also a bit clunky, provides unsatisfying combat opportunities, and the new visual style, whilst appreciated, doesn’t really bring it up to modern day standards. If you’re a Saints fan then you’ll have no trouble playing through this again, but those who have previously steered clear of the franchise probably won’t find much need for this remaster – no matter how much content it brings.

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

Despite the problems prevalent in its control schemes and design choices, The Persistence on Xbox One feels so utterly unique in its genre. Its roots in the VR design have felt like both a blessing and a curse for the overall package, but the good most certainly outweighs the bad in this rogue-lite adventure.

Potata: fairy flower on Xbox One has some major issues, and most of these just come down to its design. It has interesting ideas but practically none of them are very original. Its art style is a let-down in contrast to the promotional material and very little thought has been put into the overall consistency of the world. Yes it functions reasonably well as a platformer, but doesn’t offer anything you can’t find better elsewhere.

Task Force Kampas on Xbox One can be a fun and unique experience for those who have never stepped into the fascinating world of Japanese doujin shooters. All things considered it’s a pretty basic arcade shooter, and the gameplay variety is fairly limited, but the challenge and level design can be compelling as you slowly improve and get a higher score.

Mega Party: A Tootuff Adventure on Xbox One is very much just okay...at best. It doesn't do anything particularly well, it looks ropy and the controls are poor, but weighing against that is the inclusion of a lot of content to unlock, and the possibility of four player battles in a series of childish mini games.

From my time with Freakout: Calamity TV Show on Xbox One, there has been a multitude of issues that required restarting levels, but the general gameplay structure is interesting enough to account for it. The gameplay itself is solid, and this could be a fantastic title if it had just a little bit more care put into it.

If you’re after a baseball experience that comes with real-world visuals, the licensed players and teams that you love and all the bells and whistles of an in-depth sim, then you might be disappointed here. But if you’re just looking for a game that gives you thrills, spills, and a lot of fun, then Super Mega Baseball 3 might just be for you.

Unfortunately, everything about Infinite - Beyond the Mind on Xbox One screams average. It’s lacking ambition and gets repetitive quickly. Even at a modest £7.99 it’s hard to recommend, as beyond the lovely retro skin it’s not got a lot else going for it.

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

Book of Demons is a strange beast. It has some audio and gameplay issues that make it downright frustrating at points, but its concept is so novel that it’s still worth looking into regardless.

For good, clean, old-fashioned fun you could do a lot worse than take Project Starship for a blast.

Retro platformers might not be to everyone’s taste, but the gameplay on display in Thy Sword is strong enough to warrant giving it a go, especially with three difficulty levels to have a go at. Don’t just think of this as an excuse to grab easy achievements… it is much more than that.

Ion Fury on Xbox One is more than just a retro-styled homage to a bygone era of the FPS genre, it in fact belongs in the gaming landscape of 2020 just as much as the next Halo or Call of Duty. Hardly a mere throwback, it is a reminder and wake-up call for the genre, especially when it comes to authentic and engaging level design. Ion Fury isn’t just what a FPS used to be, it’s what a FPS still ought to be.

Working an old-school pixelated visual look, a sound scheme that would have been thought of as poor back in 1982, and a career which is over in minutes, there isn’t a thing about Ultimate Ski Jumping 2020 on Xbox One that will have you appreciating the purchase you have taken in. It may well be the best ski jumping game available on Xbox One, but in a group of one, it’s also the worst.

Robot Squad Simulator X on Xbox One is not a game I can recommend to anyone. It seems a shame that a potentially good idea, with genuinely tense gameplay to be recreated, has been squandered like this. The driving of the robots is awful, the arm mechanics really suck, and the rest of the game is simply shoddy and badly designed.

Failing to ever deliver a properly good platforming experience, and coming complete with far too much clunkiness to allow for decent tactics and strategy, Ghost Sweeper on Xbox One falls far short of what is expected of a game in this time period. Yes it comes with some cutesy visuals, and delightfully delivers what could be expected from a game inspired by those of decades past, but there just isn’t enough of a modern twist to see this become a relevant purchase.

Gun Crazy on Xbox One is very predictable and many of the events feel scripted to happen in a certain way each time, so after a few playthroughs there won’t be any surprises. However, for people who like to challenge themselves and can’t rest until they beat their previous score, this is a good little game. But fair warning - after a couple of playthroughs, the main emotion behind replaying the game may be spite.

If you're after some nicely paced retro adventuring and want to laugh when doing so, then you can't go wrong with some Guard Duty.

If you're looking for something retro and breezy to play through in an evening, you’ll have a great time with Gato Roboto on Xbox One. This is a funny and charming experience from beginning to end, and it's clear the developers deeply understand, and are fans of, the genre they were working with.

Levelhead on Xbox One offers a surprisingly deep platformer experience wrapped up in a comedic package. Its jokes don’t always land but its tone and style are solid throughout. For those without a Nintendo Switch, it offers a very tempting similarity to Super Mario Maker, but is still interesting enough to stand out without the comparison.

It’s not a big game, or particularly clever, but what it does have is that gaming X-Factor; that hook that keeps you playing every time you accidentally blow a survivor up or get pogo'd by a punk zombie. With only three levels to go at, it’s not going to be hugely long-lasting, but you will have fun while it lasts.

Playing Streets of Rage 4 is an absolute no-brainer and it is without doubt one of the best games of the year.

By fusing strategy elements, 2D side-scrolling and tower defence mechanics, Kingdom Two Crowns on Xbox One forges a game unlike any other. It has a widely unique approach to its gameplay loop. While it’s definitely not the first game to have players build during the day and survive the night (Minecraft, anyone?), Kingdom does it in a way that no one else has.

Pushy and Pully in Blockland on the Xbox One is simply one of those games that should be avoided at all costs. Repetitive, fiddly and not sure what sort of game it is, the only thing enjoyable about it is the art style. But even then, all it did was make me long to play those older games again rather than have to sit through any more of this. It’s not really a puzzle game, it’s not really a platformer, it’s just an unfortunately bad game.

Whilst I have really wanted to love SuperMash, it has instead ended up as a tedious, frustrating and downright boring affair. There are some great ideas but the good faith these earn are ruined within minutes.

Sin Slayers: Enhanced Edition on Xbox One is very much a game of two halves. Exploring and fighting are fun, and the Sin mechanic – while being a gimmick – is a nice one to have. Other than that though, the menus are confusing, the presentation is distinctly average, and it just feels like a bit of a beta rather than a finished product. There is fun to be had here, and once you figure out the menus it’s really not too bad, but flailing around trying to understand what is what is hugely off-putting.

Cryogear on Xbox One is a stylish throwback which packs enough content to keep players entertained for hours. Despite not being the most challenging of its ilk, it’s a solid action-RPG platformer that more than deserves a look.

I cannot remember a time that I played a game that made me angry just by looking at it. There may be some potential behind the idea - War Theatre definitely has a place that it wanted to go. Sadly, we will never know what that was since the game is marred by a tiresome excuse for gameplay and hideous visuals.

If you’re in the market for a super cheap, super quick runthrough in which you can gather up pretty much a full 1000 Gamerscore in less than 30 minutes, then this is the game for you. However, if you’re looking for something half decent, or a new adventure to get your teeth into, don’t even consider Chop is Dish.

Taimumari: Complete Edition on Xbox One is very much a game of two halves. Taimumari itself is an enjoyable retro platform romp from the era where gameplay outweighed graphics, and it is still a great deal of fun to play to this day. The Legend of Himari, on the other hand, tries to do something different and sadly fails, creating a game that isn't fun, instead causing frustration.