On one hand, this couple of hours journey through the memories of a bored, broken, female office worker intrigues and delights me in equal measure. I love the way the narrative is told in an experimental and different way from the usual method. I also appreciate the puzzle sections and wide collection of playing styles. But some of the other gameplay choices are terribly broken and dull.

I don’t think Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is designed to be a throwback to simpler times, but that is how this feels. It’s just a shame really that there isn’t more of everything.

The world, concept, and exploration elements are fantastic, beautiful and enticing. But in reality, the game itself, and the gameplay as a whole, are a completely different matter. Hard to use inventory systems, and uninteresting battles with what seems like hundreds of robots appearing out of nowhere, do nothing to entice you in further.

FAR: Lone Sails is a trip that once you play, you won’t forget anytime soon. It’s beautiful and emotional in a raw way that very few games manage; with no words, it strikes straight to the heart. It’s a wonderful experience from start to finish, and I wholeheartedly suggest anyone to play it who has the slightest of interest.

Miles & Kilo is an extremely enjoyable, if tough, experience and is well worth the relatively cheap price tag. The controls are simple and the gameplay is varied but extremely fast. There is never a dull moment during your adventure.

The story is actually not bad at all, inspiring anyone to follow it all the way to the end, and should you do so, will find a good game struggling to get out. The battles are good, with powerful magical attacks to unlock and use, and the battle system itself is very well thought out. The game does suffer a bit for being so similar to the rest of KEMCO’s recent output, but it isn’t a bad experience per se.

The cute style is appealing, the story is suitably bonkers, and the difficulty is set right for the younger gamer. It’s short, yes, and it isn’t overly challenging, but it is fun and worth a try. It’s not going to trouble the Final Fantasy experiences of this world, but for a quick diversion, you could do a lot worse.

From the very first moments the sense of importance of the whole adventure is made clear and whilst it may not be the biggest indie release of the year, I’m willing to bet it’ll be one of the best. This is a definite must-buy.

Even though it is not as polished and original as some of its rivals, Windscape has a certain charm that is impossible to ignore. That said, it’s a bit of a slow burner, which may put some off, but should you get through those opening stages will find a a solid adventure game in its own right.

Anti Gravity Games Studios have included four unique zones, tons of levelling options, a hardcore mode and an actual incentive to perfect levels. Unfortunately the design of most of the game’s systems make that content unenjoyable. Between performance issues, difficulty spikes and a large amount of unfair deaths, it’s tough to enjoy your time here, and much of what fun can be had ends up being more at the expense of Hell Warders rather than because of it.

I’m sure there are probably some out there who will pick this up and have an enjoyable time with it, but my time with Alien Cruise has been frustrating, maddening, and in the end, not an enjoyable experience. It’s a shame, because the enemy design is superb and the visuals are bright and colourful, but unfortunately, that just isn’t enough.

If you’re after a racer, then maybe head towards one of last year’s many releases, you know, like the incredible Forza Horizon 4. As for Xenon Racer, it doesn’t match up with modern racers and is sadly one that will probably be forgotten pretty sharpish.

With simplistic controls ensuring gameplay is easy to pick up for players of all ages, a smoothly spoken narrative pushing the story along at the perfect pace and plenty of interesting puzzles found throughout, this is one cooperative puzzler that offers a memorable and enjoyable experience.

The Division 2 is very much like the first game of the franchise. The gameplay feels familiar, but there are noticeable tweaks and additions to all the modes on offer, all of which are for the best. I’ve had a blast playing through it all in co-op with a friend, but it’s certainly different playing on your own; far from terrible but you’ll need lots of willpower.

Operencia: The Stolen Sun is wildly ambitious for Zen Studios and for their first RPG it is incredibly impressive. It’s filled with passion and the team clearly love the genre. It does not get everything right, but if this is evidence of more to come, I can’t wait to see what the studio can do next.

When you’ve got triceratopses, raptors, zombies, archers, elemental beings and more in the same world, you know there’s decent variety. The Campaign could be great, but it suffers at the hands of an unforgiving difficulty and a wide-range of bugs that can ruin the experience entirely. Unless it receives a major patch, I’m afraid that Warparty on Xbox One is a party you don’t want an invite to.

If you’re fond of the genre, and are prepared for a challenging (even frustrating) experience, Mars: Chaos Menace might be just what you’re looking for. However, the average player will almost certainly be alienated (pun!) by the staggering amount of retries it takes to make progress.

I really love The Occupation and what the team behind it have managed to create. The great story, in an amazing universe, has been brilliantly written and performed. The downside though is that the actual gameplay – you know, the important bit – isn’t quite right, even after the patches have dropped. It is this which has caused huge frustration, particularly in the latter parts of the game, interrupting the otherwise involving concept.

If you’re a fan of FPS adventures and are looking for something different, RICO may not be the best way to go. Whilst the initial concept is one that has plenty of potential, a lack of interesting and meaningful content, bland design and poor gunplay make this an experience that is easily forgettable.

Void Vikings on Xbox One has some questionable design choices that really hamper the overall experience of the game. There are many 2D space shooters out there – some that have been around even longer than I have – and I would still recommend them over this jumbled up experience.

The tale of Prison Island is a very interesting one, the new characters complement the old, and the cut-scenes are exhilarating. As far as gameplay goes, the combat is fun and the variety of enemies is decent, without both aspects ever reaching greatness. What’s disappointing though is how long it takes for the game to get going, the crafting is far too basic and the movement lacks finesse.

Brilliantly addictive, fantastic world building that comes with a superb combat system and great looking lands. Because, you see, it doesn’t just do them well – it does them great.

Black Desert could be an incredible MMO experience, but the lacklustre story, uninspiring quests, overly bland characters and the low difficulty of combat drag it down quite a bit. Should these drawbacks not deter you, then visiting its expansive and colourful world might be worth it.

The levels are well-designed, whilst the questing, building freedom and gathering of tools helps it to standout from many of the other LEGO titles. Throw in the massive amount of items and characters, plus the exciting relics, and there’s a lot to like. Unfortunately, it’s lacking in the storytelling department, has far less longevity than one would expect for the price and often repeats objectives for the side quests. Oh, and it’s frustrating to have so many technical problems.

DOA6 is fast, fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously – the perfect way to wind down after a hard day at work. If you are looking for a new fighting game to embrace and spend time getting to know, you can do a lot worse than Dead or Alive 6, although I’m going to have to be slightly harsh with the scoring due to the online gremlins that are in place.

There are enough levels to keep you entertained, and it is this which more than justifies the price, meaning even the hardiest dog lovers should embrace the other furry friends and give I and Me a go.

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.

It gives me no pleasure at all to say that I didn’t enjoy Crimson Keep. At all, if I’m being honest. It drove me mad, and not in that tough, but satisfying, Dark Souls way. It just drove me mad to a point where I didn’t want to play it again. It’s a tedious, nightmarishly dull experience that I have no intention of going back to.

The overall goal for this game is to make you laugh and it is this which is apparent through every interaction and every character. It’s good at it too, as Beat Cop is genuinely funny. I don’t remember a recent game that has made me laugh as much as this has.

All in all, and if you can find it in yourself to take the fight to Blood Waves, then you’ll find a game that lacks sheen and finish in so many ways. Despite very briefly being a bit of fun, it is ultimately missing depth and individuality, which in turn will see it sink into obscurity after a short amount of time.

As an exercise in nostalgia it hits the mark, but I can’t help but feel ToeJam and Earl will struggle to pick up new fans, no matter how groovy they are.

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.

Devil May Cry 5 gracefully inherits the very best narrative aspects from Devil May Cry 3 and even surpasses it in some regards. It features some of the best music and characters in the whole series, along with a multitude of new weapons and abilities, and it sets a new bar of quality and content for upcoming entries, which, I hope, will act as a template for what we can expect from the series in the future.

If you really want the real players and ballparks, just know that while there are some fun moments, R.B.I. Baseball 19 will likely leave you frustrated and wondering when a good licensed baseball game will finally arrive on the Xbox One.

Overload is an enjoyable game. It won’t be for everyone, with the winding passages feeling too claustrophobic for some, but if you enjoyed the space shooter of the ‘90s and are feeling nostalgic, this is definitely a game that brings a unique experience to Xbox One.

Daggerhood has one terrific thing going for it (two if you count easy Gamerscore): the dagger teleportation mechanic is brilliant and does make for some interesting level designs. It is unfortunately then bogged down by everything else, feeling like every other 2D platformer on the market.

Trials Rising isn’t just another Trials instalment. It creates even more incredible fun with exciting and action packed tracks that never cease to both amaze and also infuriate in equal measures.

RemiLore: Lost Girl in the Lands of Lore on Xbox One may well surprise you. What I expected to be a shallow experience turned out to be a rather deep one, and between the actually gripping story and characters, to the intense fun of the combat, there is a lot to come back to here.

Fimbul is a tricky one to really sum up because on one hand we have a brilliant atmosphere, a strong narrative and some lovely visuals tones. But on the other, the biggest problem is that it doesn’t quite feel properly finished, with glitches and sections that don’t feel fully explored or developed.

Treasure Stack is fun, and despite similarities to other puzzlers feels new and fresh enough to be worthy of your time. This said, it doesn’t quite have that magic formula and feels very light in terms of content, which won’t keep you entertained for long.

Old Man’s Journey is a wonderful little addition to the Xbox One family. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, however if you’re a fan of story, puzzles, and innovation, and are happy to take it all in at a gentle pace, then it’s well worth you giving this a try.

Playing this game is a joy, it’s one of the best Final Fantasy’s, one of the best JRPGs, and one of the best games ever. A few bugs and general porting issues aren’t enough to completely dampen my spirits when playing through it again, and thankfully they don’t take away too much from the game.

All in all though and Anthem is a great deal of fun. The in-depth story, believable characters and masses of content promise to keep you busy for a good long time.

Queen’s Quest 2 is one of the better options out there if you’re after a puzzling adventure.

DiRT Rally 2.0 is a game you’ll love. It has everything we adored in the original and only expands on that further with incredibly enjoyable racing, a steep learning curve and plenty of great sounding rally machines to take to the track in.

I wanted a bit more variation in the gameplay, but overall there is no denying that The King’s Bird is a solid platformer in a beautiful world.

If you love Far Cry then there is no reason for you not to want to involve yourself with Far Cry New Dawn, as it does everything you would expect and a little bit more.

Creepy Road is a game filled to the brim with promise. It presents a cool, stylish world with a really vibrant art style, but is ultimately let down by glitchy game mechanics.

Metro Exodus may not be perfect; certain graphical inconsistencies, bugs and a flawed AI make sure of that. But a bleak post-apocalyptic world, along with a cast of memorable characters who populate it, lead to a definitive Metro experience.

Wargroove is a perfect homage to the Advance Wars and Fire Emblem games, and yet also manages to carve out its own identity. The characters are varied enough, and their special abilities also somehow manage to fit with their personalities. But don’t let the pixel art style lead you astray, this can still cause a headache in later missions.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles has provided an experience that I haven’t found in gaming for a long time. Each and every time I have booted it up, I have been filled with a sense of glee, excited to get back into this beautiful world. While not all of the systems work as well as the developers may have hoped, I have found myself loving almost every minute of my time spent in Gemea and the world of Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles.

Awesome Pea has bags charm and is lots of fun to play. PigeonDev haven’t re-invented the wheel, but what they have done is make a faithful and heartfelt tribute to an iconic era of gaming with quite possibly the cutest mascot around. For a fiver, you can’t really go wrong here.

If it’s a value for money puzzler you’re after then Minesweeper Genius on Xbox One ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. There are tons of levels that’ll see you racking your brain in the best possible way, it’s easy to grasp the concept, and greatly rewarding to solve all of the problems in your path. I think even those who don’t usually enjoy minesweeper may find this to be fun, thanks mainly to the Sudoku elements.

Yes there are the occasional good bits, and it’s reasonably decent fun to be able to take a solo career team on a journey to success, but at the end of the day you’ll have to be a huge fan and follower of all things volleyball in order to really find enjoyment. And even then, it’s not a patch on what we find down at the beach, even more so when you take into account the horrendous price being asked.

Fans of strategy and sim genres will get a huge amount of fun from Stellaris: Console Edition, burning a ton of man-hours as they take their people on an epic journey across the universe. It’s a game that is all about self-narrative and the creation of stories, and I guess that is what has got me utterly hooked.

For now, Crackdown 3 has a great action-oriented gameplay foundation, but not the polish and/or memorable experience to back it up. If you’re a Crackdown fan, then you should definitely play it. If not, then you probably shouldn’t.

There’s a clear sense of progression and evolution here with Evoland Legendary Edition, and it’s easy to see how the second game was borne out of the success of the first. It’s this satisfying progression and Shiro Games’ obvious love for their industry that makes Evoland such a wonderful, if at times inconsistent, experience that should be undertaken by Xbox owners.

Access Denied is a short, simple and straight up puzzler. It’s a pretty dry game aimed directly at its target audience, something which may instantly turn some players off. However, for all that, there is enjoyment to be had for the die hard puzzle enthusiasts out there.

Kingdom Hearts III is a fitting conclusion to this Dark Seeker saga; and by fitting, I mean a hodge-podge of ideas and sub-plots that don’t always seem to work but still manage to muster something pretty decent.

Almost There provides a breath of fresh air, especially should you enjoy hardcore platformers. Sadly though, the awkward jumping is something that takes away from the engagement.

The game is challenging, almost blisteringly so, but that seems to be the thing that drags you back in; you just know that if you could be a bit more careful, you’d have got past that tricky bit and all could be well.

Glass Masquerade does deliver on its aims to a certain extent. It looks good, sounds okay and is a pitched at around the right level of challenge. If you like completing jigsaw puzzles it’s well worth a play, however, if you find them frustrating then my advice is to stay away – this game might just increase stress rather than relieve it.

Astroneer is a dream for those who love a sandbox to play around in. It comes with a great design, and a good number of relaxing worlds to explore, mine and create in, with the emphasis constantly being on survival. The controls can be tricky to start with, and there are some weird camera glitches that drop in every now and then, but Astroneer is certainly a game to lose some hours in.

Apex Legends is without a doubt a fantastic game. It may be lacking a solo or duo option, and it may have a few very niggling issues, but all-in-all it’s a fantastic addition to the Battle Royale genre.

Petroglyph Games have managed to pack a ton of content into what could be considered by some to be nothing less than an expansion pack, however there have had to be some concessions made in making this console RTS experience, as well as attempting to make it accessible to beginners; not all make for a better experience.

Given that Jump Force is supposed to be a celebration for Weekly Shonen Jump, I’d just cancel the party. The biggest names in manga have come together for a fast-paced, enjoyable fighting experience and instead it’s dragged down by a lacklustre narrative, repetitive missions and too many visual effects for its own good.

Should you like games that are – forgive the overused expression – easy to play but hard to master, then you’ll find Pumped BMX Pro is a game worth giving a crack.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season Episode 3 on Xbox One does a fairly decent job of creating enough moments to be remembered, from the gruesome and utterly shocking to the rare opportunity for beauty to thrive in adversity. What stops it from being a great episode is the monotonous section in the middle that’s pointless filler and the action scenes that require some input.

Unruly Heroes is a really good 2D platformer with gorgeous animations, backgrounds, and a hand-drawn art style which is nothing but stunning. The enemies and bosses stand-out, and the combat feels good. The story however is seemingly nowhere to be found, and that is despite some cleverly written and humorous dialogue, while the gameplay can become repetitive and a bit stale over time.

Hyper Jam may feel like it has been ripped straight from Blade Runner or Tron with its neon lights and synthwave sounds, but it also feels like they only ripped the bare minimum for the game. It functions well enough as a local and online multiplayer arena brawler but after only a couple of hours there was nothing left for me or my friends to do.

Conarium is a fun game, especially if you’re a fan of H.P. Lovecraft. The developers are clearly huge fans and you can tell by how much they’ve crammed into this 4/5 hour game. They’ve taken solid base material and made it their own, which is fantastic to see. Sadly, the game feels like a bit of a slog, even though it isn’t that long, as there is just so much reading and very little action.

The recommendation for Bombfest depends on who is going to be playing it. As a single player proposition, it’s not the best. It’s too hard to win, it appears that luck plays far too big a role in the game and it’s most definitely too confusing. With a gang of friends, or even as a family game, then it all begins to make a lot more sense.

World Enduro Rally on Xbox One is a pretty bad game, but even a bad game can hold certain merits if it’s designed well. Alas, it isn’t. With bland visuals, awful sound design, poor camera work, often unresponsive controls and numerous bugs, this game doesn’t really offer anything of value.

Pipe Push Paradise on Xbox One does an acceptable job at setting the scene and providing a relaxing environment, but where it succeeds the most is in the designs of the pipe-based puzzles that really take plumbing problems to a whole new level.

I have no hesitation in giving The Walking Vegetables: Radical Edition on Xbox One a thumbs up. An old skool challenge, a cool neon vibe and the chance to shoot fruit and veg in the face, is always appreciated.

Despite lacking in originality, and being very much on the short side, JackQuest: The Tale of the Sword is fun to play… at least whilst it lasts.

DreamWorks Dragons Dawn of New Riders does just enough to lift itself out of the cash-in territory. Having the familiar faces from the franchise appear every now and then (even if Astrid is reduced to a potion peddler) will help fans of the series engage with the story, and while Scribbles is a bit of a personality vacuum, Patch is endearing and will worm his way into even the hardest heart.

If you’re a fan of off-road racing, love bikes and can’t take your eyes off the excitement of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championships when it lights up the TV, then this is a game you’ll find plenty of enjoyment in. With Monster also providing branding usage rights to the MXGP series, it is however hard to see much of a difference from the two set of games.

Salt and Sanctuary on Xbox One isn’t for everyone; its high difficulty can easily put off many players. Failing on the same spot, again and again, might become disheartening. But learning the patterns and approaching each scenario with patience reinvigorates your stride. Those who manage to overcome these obstacles will likely discover a rewarding 2D souls-like experience with an immense amount of various customization options, including weapons, armour, accessories, and Creeds to accommodate your preferred play style.

Overall, Away: Journey to the Unexpected is a bit of a mess, and what’s even more disappointing is that the trailers of the game have made it really seem like the feel-good FPS game that the developers have aimed for. But the poorly thought out combat mixed, with a lacklustre gameplay loop make the hours spent, frustrating to say the least. While there are some aspects of the game that are well executed like the art and music, Away is a tough game to recommend.

It may not manage to bring a ton of new elements to the mining landscape, and the initial scene setting components see early progress a slow one, but once it opens up and the skills and abilities come into play, you’ll find a wonderful Metroidvania themed experience that is well worth taking in.

You can’t deny the intelligence of Life is Strange 2 – or any part of the entire Life is Strange franchise for that matter – but I feel that sometimes this at the expense of entertainment. It would be great to play at least a small portion of the game as Daniel, so you get to experience using his power – this would add a welcome new dimension to the gameplay.

If you like The Grand Tour, then this is an easy sell. It puts you pretty much in the show, doing what the presenters have just done and allows the chance to drive the very expensive cars in a stupid way. If you hate the show, or aren’t a fan of Clarkson et al, then this isn’t strong enough to make sense as a standalone purchase.

As an experience it’s completely original; a taxing and emotional rollercoaster that questions the whole process of demonstrations from both sides of the line. As a game, and well, it all comes across as a bit of a mess while playing, and it’s really hard to control or work out what is going on at any one time.

Collecting all the characters, finding all the weapons, and exploring the depths of the character screen alone will keep you busy for many hours, and with an extra chapter to unlock after you have defeating the Archfiend, there’s plenty of content to get involved with. Apart from the dreadful walking controls, this is a game that I can recommend to fans of the genre.

Should you be after a very cheap afternoon of something bright, cheery and filled with tons of easy achievements, you can’t go wrong by strapping on your best adventuring hat and entering the world of Heroes Trials.

Resident Evil 2 remake is a pure masterclass in game design. With ingenious puzzles, enjoyable gunplay and a captivating story to get stuck into, Resident Evil 2 shows just what has been missing from the survival horror genre in recent years and with the graphical prowess creating some truly frightening environments, this is one game that will live long in the memories of both newcomers and veteran horror enthusiasts.

This isn’t a game that reinvents the wheel in any way, and many of you will have likely seen something like this before, most notably in the Trials series. But the undeniably unique brand of strangeness found in Animal Super Squad, and the inclusion of the online community options ultimately makes it a risk worth taking.

I would say that if you have a subscription to Xbox Game Pass then it’s an instant download, if not then it may well be best to hold off for the price to go down a little. Whatever though, if you fancy something different and are a fan of hand to hand combat then get into the world of Absolver for a good old punch up.

Whilst initial moments are slow to take hold – and your first few runs will end in confusion and disaster – should you be prepared to throw everything you have at it, and are ready to take a good few hits in the process, then you will easily be rewarded by a mammoth game that delivers ship building elements, gunplay options and exploration in spades.

My Little Riding Champion on Xbox One is a pretty terrible offering all-round. Its main draw of being a horse riding champ is over in the blink of an eye, whilst the additional missions are uneventful and boring. The large open-world is so drab and empty that it comes across as merely a cheap way to make missions seem longer by having the ability to send you far away. Even the horse jumping mechanics aren’t up to scratch, with any failing occurring at no fault of your own. Add in the bugs, the awful acting and the shoddy visuals, and there’s not much good to be found here.

Sundered: Eldritch Edition is addictive and fun. Together, that makes this game really great. It doesn’t execute things as brilliantly as Symphony of the Night (but what game does?), but it will absolutely be in the conversation of recently released excellent Metroidvania’s for years to come.

The Hitman HD Enhanced Collection costs £50, and whilst this may be for two games that are now in HD, they have not had the type of overhaul that would usually warrant such a price tag. If you enjoyed the original titles you’ll love these, but this release won’t do anything to convert critics of the series.

The vast majority of Super Pixel Racers proves that there is still plenty of life left in the old arcade racing dog yet. It’s a shame that the online scene is totally dead and buried, but if you are looking for a new racer that delivers a huge career mode, or occasionally have some mates round for the odd gaming session, then I’m not sure you’ll find any retro racing that is much better than what is found in Super Pixel Racers.

Aftercharge on Xbox One is a fun game. The matches are relatively short, there aren’t a lot of confusing upgrade tiers to worry about, no grinding needed to unlock weapons and gear, and plenty of opportunities to try new strategies to win the match.

Onimusha: Warlords reminds me of simpler times; when games focused on the aspect of fun, instead of pure realism. Hence, the Inabayama Castle is a welcome destination for anyone who longs for the good old times.

If you enjoy taking charge of a sphere and wish to spend a little time with a simple but fun side scrolling platformer, then you’ll probably like what you find with On A Roll 3D… especially when you consider the low price tag that is attached.

Learning tactics, grabbing special abilities while fighting and luring your enemies to their destruction will always take a while to get stale. What is more problematic is the lack of game modes and variety of things to do; this is certainly a game that will need a strong community to allow it to work online.