This is a solid and really engaging hardcore retro throwback, and so if you’re looking for a blast to the past, you’ll feel like a kid again playing Oniken.

The Metroidvania hooks of exploration and new abilities, leading to further exploration, are all present and correct, and most importantly it’s great fun to play. It’s full of nice touches and humour, moving along at a cracking pace, and minor annoyances aside is a game I can recommend.

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.

Ultimately, Wandersong on Xbox One is worth trying at least. The way it constantly switches up its gameplay and tone can be exciting and refreshing, and I wholly appreciate that Wandersong isn't trying to replicate the ideas or style of any other game.

Sports games have set such a high bar for themselves over the years and we have come to expect so much of them. This means that when a game comes along and doesn’t reach our expectations we are disappointed. This is exactly the case for AO Tennis 2.

The final showdown found in Life is Strange 2 is what we have all been waiting for, and it does not disappoint.

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.

Zen Studios have once again proven why they are the pinball wizards in recreating real world tables. They frequently go above and beyond just creating a digital version, putting their own stamp on the table without removing anything that has made them so classic in the first place. And Pinball FX3 – Williams Pinball: Volume 5 on the Xbox One is no exception.

So, what does the fox say? This fox says that FoxyLand on Xbox One is an enjoyable enough little adventure with enough platforming goodness to see you to the end, but lacks any sort of imagination to truly distinguish itself from a rapid growing market of retro platformers.

If you are a fan of the RTS world, then you’ll get a lot out of this epic adventure, with hundreds of hours of gameplay more than possible.

If you just want a nice simple game with some easy achievements, then Aery might just be a nice distraction to have.

Worbital on Xbox One does enough to differentiate itself from the rest of the gaming field. I’ve certainly not played a game like this on Xbox One, and as such it’s an easy recommendation.

While other games have reinvented the wheel, this feels like the same old wheel just with a new lick of paint.

In some ways, Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition on Xbox One is Beamdog’s finest translation to consoles, yet in other ways it is one of their worst. However the strengths of both the original game and the excellent new control scheme make this adventure one that is more than worth taking in.

Untitled Goose Game on Xbox One provides an experience unlike any other; filling your heart with joy. Despite showing it’s hand from the very start, and then doing very little else, it’s a ridiculous, hilarious and utterly charming little game.

It’s tough to be too critical of Spider Solitaire F on Xbox One, considering it delivers exactly what it says on the tin; it is a prime candidate to pick up for short gaming sessions every so often.

Fishing: Barents Sea Complete Edition on Xbox One is an ambitious game that does provide some fun should you wish to go about harvesting the sea. But ultimately it is crippled by a dreadful travel mechanic.

Tools Up! made me feel like I do about building in real life – rubbish, clueless and disappointed.

Dead End Job on Xbox One is colourful, wacky and a huge amount of fun.

Stranded Sails – Explorers of the Cursed Islands on Xbox One is probably the best pirate-themed exploration game which has some farming and crafting in it. But then again, it doesn’t exactly have much competition.

I imagine Mad Games Tycoon on Xbox One to be a rather polarising game. The issues are numerous and will likely put some people off. Still, these don’t spoil the game entirely. And after getting to grips with Mad Games Tycoon I can say it’s actually a rather fun and addictive game.

If Revelations on Xbox One is a sign of what is to come then this game will be in safe hands. Understanding what needed to be revised in the original, this expansion helps flesh out the lore and gameplay of Age of Wonders: Planetfall.

Narrative is always strong in KEMCO games, and this is no different, except it is unfortunately accompanied with more than the usual amount of control issues. And because of that, even though there is some worth here, Seek Hearts isn’t the strongest experience on offer.

The interesting mechanics of Iro Hero on Xbox One are enough for me to recommend it to any fans of the shoot-em-up genre.

From my first moments with Weakless on Xbox One, I really wanted to love the experience. The world, characters and unique gameplay see this come across as the type of game that I adore, and it cries out to be just that. However, whilst the gameplay is good, the running time is very short and it doesn’t do quite enough to live up to its full potential; at times it feels like a beta playthrough for a much bigger game or idea.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey on Xbox One is a game that I really admire; in fact it’s got me hooked. The gameplay itself doesn't hold your hand and is for the gamer who likes a challenge. Whilst that does at times mean things feel like a grind, leaving you to repeat the same thing quite a few times, in reality life is hard and the game reflects the brutal nature of this.

All in all, TwinCop on Xbox One does live up to the billing as the most cooperative game ever, as it really does need you and your partner to work in concert. As a co-op game it’s a riot, but although there is a single player mode the game only really comes alive with a buddy.

Tropico 6 on Xbox One is a tasteful satire on the inner workings of politics. But it’s also a satisfying simulator of building and organising your very own nation. It’s a fun and challenging process of gradually erecting a complex infrastructure and then seeing everything function like clockwork. And of course, it’s also all about the contents of that Swiss bank account.

Rift Keeper on Xbox One is entertaining for a short period of time, however due to dodgy controls and simple visuals it provides little incentive to carry on playing.

Everreach: Project Eden on Xbox One just doesn’t feel finished. It needs more work on the shooting mechanics, the AI systems and the bike sections. The concept, mission structure and ideas are all good but the game as a whole fails to feel as polished as it should be.

Whether the developers were aiming too high with their comparisons with Pilotwings I can’t say, but the game stands as an example of what happens when you take a good idea and don’t give it enough care and attention. With three mates it is fun, but as a single player experience its ultimately disappointing.

Immortal Planet on Xbox One has style and decent gameplay to offer. However, it’s extremely difficult and requires patience to get the most from it, which can leave the player with an aftertaste of repetition and occasional frustration.

Draw a Stickman: Epic 2 might be fairly cheap on Xbox One, which almost balances out the shortness of the adventure and the abundance of rather simple problems to solve, but it can’t excuse the poor drawing mechanics. If the developers can’t provide us with accurate enough tools to make a decent looking stickman at least, then you have to wonder what the point is.

The bottom line is that if you like retro platformers and are looking for your next game, you’ve found it. If you don’t like retro platformers, then I respectfully suggest you try Alwa’s Awakening on Xbox One, as I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it made you change your mind.

My Friend Pedro on Xbox One is a gloriously violent, silly and, ultimately, fun game. Because the experience is so short it doesn’t give itself time to become irrelevant or boring, and so we are gifted this little gem of fun that can just be enjoyed.

Freediving Hunter: Spearfishing the World on Xbox One has a lot going for it, but stumbles with a few issues. There is no game like it, and something unique is always to be celebrated. I can see that with a bit more polish and attention paid to the performance of the graphics engine it would be a lot better.

If you are after a party game for the holiday season and beyond, or just like singing in your spare time to amuse yourself, then Let’s Sing 2020 on Xbox One is a great choice.

Final Fantasy VIII remains as divisive as ever, but now fans have a way to decide for themselves without sourcing an older copy.

Romancing SaGa 3 on Xbox One is an outlier on the modern gaming landscape, in the most positive sense of this description.

Well priced, full of content and even delivering a local multiplayer option, you won’t be wowed by what this brings to the motorsport scene, but it’s worth a look if you’ve exhausted all other racing options.

This is a game that you can pour hundreds of hours into, and still find rewarding gameplay and new strategies. Not to mention, it’s dangerously addictive. Clear your schedule for this one. Multi-hour gaming sessions have never gone by so fast.

With Cardpocalypse you’ll laugh to yourself, it’ll bring back memories of the good old days and by the time it’s over, you’ll be wanting to do it all again. So save up your pocket money and grab it swiftly.

It’s unfortunate then that their license has been relinquished to such a bland and uninspired creation in Asterix & Obelix XXL 3: The Crystal Menhir on Xbox One, especially when previous entries have been quirky, imaginative titles.

There is a very interesting and intriguing premise to Headliner: NoviNews; one that is a comment of the power the media have over world events. It’s also well implemented in how the media make editorial decisions that can help or hinder governments in power.

Big Pharma provides you with this unique simulation, and while it may sound strange to act as a large pharmaceutical company at first, once you get past the lengthy and complicated learning curve that is discovered via playing through the tutorials, there is a great management simulator to play here.

All in all and Niffelheim on Xbox One is the very definition of a game of two halves. The mining, the crafting and the constructing all work very well, and I’ve not been happier in this game than when down in the depths of my mine. Sadly, as good as this side of the game is, the combat is equally poor on the other side of the scale.

Arise: A Simple Story on Xbox One is a brilliantly devised game and it’s been a huge pleasure to play. It’s a splendid wordless story with a perfect amount of gameplay hours for the price, and it’s right up there with the very best games I’ve played this year.

I was expecting something a bit different for Just Dance 2020 on Xbox One, considering this is Ubisoft’s opportunity to really celebrate the 10 year milestone but, as usual, it is more of the same. What is in place though is decent enough and will cater for all those who have previously loved the franchise over the preceding years.

At the end of the day Deep Space Rush on Xbox One is a fun little side-scroller to waste a couple of hours on before the magic wears off and other games start to tempt you back in.

Without the multiplayer element, I’d be happy to say that Door Kickers: Action Squad is more than worthy of the fairly low asking price. But with it, the entire experience moves up another good notch or two, providing some of the best cooperative styled gameplay I’ve managed to take in over recent years.

Created as a collaboration piece with the man himself, AVICII Invector is of such a high quality that it will not just appeal to fans of the late superstar, but will certainly come of interest to all manner of gamers from around the world.

Drawing inspiration from Slavic folklore, Yaga on Xbox One certainly delivers in terms of its narrative and lore. But in terms of combat and environments, it feels underwhelming. Levels get repetitive quickly and the combat system leaves a lot of room for improvement.

SlabWell presents a rather simple concept that’s been transformed, on the whole, into a good tile-based puzzler thanks to a variety of ideas regarding the tile mechanics. Unfortunately though, the inclusion of the fast-paced Kaktun element is stupendously detrimental and turns a fairly decent game sour with its unfairness.

A proper storyline from the perspectives of both the DEA and Narcos could’ve elevated the base game into something far more sumptuously involving too, but what’s here is serviceable and will readily satisfy anyone who wants to sink their teeth into a quick-fix strategy game.

While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Sparklite on Xbox One is a strong contender in the genre and a reminder to push ourselves to be the best we can possibly be.

SIMULACRA on Xbox One is a delightfully original game that tells a gripping tale; one that references modern living with a spine-chilling twist.

If you haven’t fired up Bridge Constructor Portal in a while then the Portal Proficiency DLC on Xbox One is an ideal excuse to do so again.

Trover’s one of a kind humour, acting, writing and overall personality are more than enough to justify a trip down this surreal space adventure.

Driven Out on Xbox One presents an interesting swordplay fighting system within an open 2D adventure design. While it deserves some credit for producing a variety of locations and enemy types, the core character and combat system remains basic and unchanged throughout the adventure.

Stellatum on Xbox One certainly catches the eye at first, and the upgrade system adds a basic element of strategy. However, despite being playable, it runs out of ideas quickly and starts to feel like a grind, which makes it hard to recommend.

Fun, energetic and original, Super Dodgeball Beats on Xbox One delivers exactly what it says on the tin; and it does so well. You may blast through it in a few short hours, but at just £11.99 it’s well worth it.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order on the Xbox One is proof that single-player is not dead; it is alive and kicking and here is one of the best examples of it in 2019.

Mable and the Wood on Xbox One provides a solid game that will especially appeal to fans of Metroidvania type fun and havoc. It needs you to be skilful and inventive in your decision making, but should you be able to work with that then you will find a lot of game to be had for your buck.

Putting some annoyances with the hit detection to one side, Story of a Gladiator is a game that will keep you playing until you beat it, before seeing you coming back for more to chase those stars.

It is a little rough around the edges, and there are annoyances, but the core gameplay and the way the sniping is handled makes it a game that I can recommend if you are looking to scratch that sniping itch.

Everything about AeternoBlade II feels like a recipe concocted with all the wrong ingredients. Every corner of its world is a slog, the combat becomes increasingly more boring and the story is inaccessible. While playable on a basic level, it is a fantasy world with a lack of magic, and I never want to visit it again.

There are things to like about Just Ignore Them on Xbox One. Its first act is brilliant. The puzzles are challenging, but not to the point of frustration. The achievements are easy. But ultimately, there are just too many issues for me to recommend it.

There is a brilliant game to be hard here, one all about stories. It’s original, and I can guarantee you will have never played anything like this in your gaming life. But in turn that comes with some negatives and it’s certainly pointing to a niche market that isn’t helped by the slow, plodding gameplay.

Wizards of Brandel on Xbox One is entertaining enough, and if you haven't played a KEMCO game before then this is as good as any to start with. It’s actually possibly a bit better than most for the KEMCO novice; quite easy on normal difficulty and never too stressful.

NHL 20 on Xbox One is a great hockey game with advanced physics, new exciting and engaging game modes, better transitions and replays and finally some new commentators; it really is EA’s best hockey game yet.

Terminator: Resistance on Xbox One does nothing to create an identity for itself. Much like the machines in the game, the whole campaign feels manufactured using resources from other games that did it better – five years ago.

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

Pig Eat Ball on Xbox One is a game unlike any other in many ways, and there’s plenty on offer for your money here. Despite lacking challenge and taking a while to reveal its depth, it’s still a lot of fun to play.

Tanky Tanks on Xbox One is a bit of a mess really. It feels way out of its depth on the Xbox, and instead would be much more at home as a £0.99 mobile app or, at a stretch, seeking out a new life on the Nintendo Switch, preferably only after some major improvements. As it stands, this is one battle worth avoiding.

Inferno 2+ on Xbox One is a solid, thumping tribute to the twin-stick shooter genre. Its RPG elements provide some differentiation from the crowd and there’s loads to keep you busy.

If you like the original game then you’re in for a treat with the amount of detail in regards to governing and how to guide your subjects to eternal bliss.

I’ve really enjoyed this latest and last piece of DLC for We Happy Few. It’s been an excellent season of extra gaming goodness, and if you decide to play through the base game plus all of the additional extras you’ll discover a very tasty package indeed.

If you’ve got children, then Woven is a very viable option to satisfy their sense of wonderment, if not then there are better puzzling adventures available for your money.

What we end up with Gift of Parthax on Xbox One is a solid game that exists in this weird ground; never really fun enough to play and focus on specifically, but not frustrating or bad enough to cause irritation.

Hunt: Showdown on Xbox One provides a very solid multiplayer experience, one that fans of this genre will love.

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.

Citadel: Forged with Fire on the Xbox One doesn’t get off to the best of starts, throwing you in at the deep end with nothing to cling onto. The tutorial does a terrible job of explaining anything, even causing you to re-assign many of the buttons on the controller. But it’s worth sticking with. Figure out what you’re supposed to do and the game becomes a delightful sandbox for you to become the mage you were born to be.

Fractured Minds on Xbox One is a brave and admirable attempt at using video games in an effort to reach out to people who have to struggle silently with mental health.

Eastshade is a first-person, open-world exploration game. It’s atmospheric, immersive, relaxing and just the right side of challenging.

If poorly conceived rush jobs are your bread and butter then Police Chase on Xbox One has you covered, but everyone else should steer well clear of this defective and shoddy trash fire.

The Trine: Ultimate Collection is great if you’re after a co-op puzzler – or four – with a ton of challenging, but fun, gameplay to be had. Without a doubt I’d highly recommend Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince because it’s almost faultless and the stunning world it transports you to is one that mustn’t be missed. In fairness, the only drawbacks found in the rest of the series are age-related and an ill-fated switch to 3D for Trine 3.

Need for Speed Heat is fast, furious, fun, and the best Need for Speed game of recent years.

Tokyo Warfare Turbo on Xbox One feels like an unfinished and incomplete game, and while the core tank action can be quite enjoyable, it is unfortunately situated in a package that offers very little in the way of gameplay variety and modes.

Bee Simulator on Xbox One works well as a good educational family experience. It will provide small kids with some great characters and a nice story, but should also give them some challenging but rewarding gameplay that is relaxing and fun. For the adults, it might fall a bit short of what is to be expected for a ‘simulator’ – the tasks can be a bit too simplistic, and at times it all feels a bit rough around the edges.

Zombieland: Double Tap – Roadtrip on Xbox One is a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Shooting zombies and completing the roadtrip is fun, but the annoyances and niggles do spoil things somewhat.

With an exceptional heavy metal presentation thanks to a brilliant soundtrack and uniquely detailed visuals, Valfaris is as metal as gaming gets.

Tracks – The Train Set Game on Xbox One is a game for the creators and the builders of worlds. It’s a game where you could happily lose a hundred hours making a multi-piece railway line that twists and turns around a kitchen table like an award-winning piece of architecture.

Taking things for what they are, the whole Caretaker experience on Xbox One isn’t a terrible one, but it isn’t an awfully fun one either. Instead, it's a solid walking and hiding horror game at its most basic level.

Beamdog has taken what seems like an impossible task and actually managed to do it with Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale: Enhanced Editions on Xbox One. It’s no small feat to get two gaming classics and be able to translate them to the home console, but they have done so with very little sacrifice.

After spending more than a few hours getting my arse kicked all over the S.S. Montana, I can safely say that Rex Rocket on Xbox One is three things: it’s brilliant, it’s beautiful and it’s brutal.

Xeno Crisis works brilliantly as a single player experience, keeping you coming back to just try and get that little bit further. As a cooperative experience however it is completely sublime, with twice the firepower and twice the fun.

All in all though and Asdivine Kamura on Xbox One does everything you’d expect of an Asdivine game from KEMCO, and as such is a worthy bearer of the name.

It’s clear that the Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King collection on Xbox One has been made with love. Despite their punishing difficulty, these are two games that have the power to warp us into our favourite Disney worlds and relive classic moments.