It’s a very slow paced game overall, so whether Valkyria Chronicles 4 is for you depends on how patient you are and whether the deep story can cover over the gameplay drawbacks.

An absolutely fine RTS game which has things to like about it, but that is all that 8-Bit Hordes is. It does not venture beyond this mediocre territory because of its limiting gameplay, uninteresting factions, poor interface and difficulty spikes. I wish I liked it more than I do, but I don’t.

The looks and soundtrack are really interesting and the mind testing puzzles are a delight to attempt. The humour of the English Inventor tackling space travel, but still needing the perfect cup of tea in the process, amused me a great deal, and whilst I do think you will have a ball with a friend in local co-op, the single player is still fun.

Steamroll is a cleverly designed puzzler which isn’t short on ideas. To say this is Antico’s first independently developed game, they’ve done a great job. The gameplay is tight, easy to grasp and layered effectively with complexity, and despite a few rough edges, Steamroll is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and worthy of a place in everyone’s game library.

It’s bigger, it’s better and it’s a joy to play and there is no reason why you wouldn’t want to jump in with one last hoorah with the Strange Brigade.

It may not appeal to everyone, but if you’re a plane enthusiast looking for a game to truly bring excitement to the skies, not only is this the game you’ve been waiting for, but it’s the game the series’ 20+ year history has been building towards, pulling no punches in bringing the ultimate experience.

Farm Together really is a huge and extensive game, happily providing many hours of varied gameplay.

While the RTS elements feel a bit redundant at times, and the soundtrack has little variation, Hive Jump’s gameplay is what will keep you coming back. It may not be a ‘Master of All’, but it is a great homage to many series that warrants the $9.99 it asks for.

If you’re after a new local multiplayer game for the family to enjoy then Agents vs Villain on Xbox One certainly isn’t a bad choice. It won’t leave you stuffed with new content, but should you just wish to get on with the fun that’s available then there is no reason not to return to this one from time to time.

The story and narrative is strong, dark and very well told, while the world is fascinating. Making your way through it can be a bit unwieldy at times, but for those who are looking for a well crafted RPG that tries something different then look no further than Smoke and Sacrifice.

With the help of a walkthrough you could easily get 1000 Gamerscore in under an hour from Energy Cycle Edge on Xbox One, and that’s probably the main reason I’d suggest an impulse purchase. Otherwise, it’ll just be an unnecessary frustration-filled experience.

While managing to deliver a decent melee combat racing experience, Road Redemption is bogged down by its stilted progression and under par presentation. The campaign can be a pain to complete and the time taken to upgrade your rider and bike, with little payoff, seems pointless.

If you are in the market for more of The Surge, I can recommend The Good, the Bad and the Augmented to you, and it should help tide you over until The Surge 2 is released.

Planet Rix-13 is a strange, trippy diversion onto a surreal world that’s ultimately worth taking. It doesn’t cost much and it won’t last long, but there’s worse options out there if you want to distract yourself for a couple of hours.

Even though the gameplay isn’t massively varied across any of the missions, the same can be said of any shooter really, and there’s enough variety here to keep you playing for a good amount of time.

As a first outing in this mix of genres for SkyGoblin, Hellfront: Honeymoon is a unique experience. Unfortunately though, your fun can be marred by some ridiculous difficulty spikes when going through the single player campaign.

Should you like challenging platformers then GODS Remastered is one you’ll want to give a go. It doesn’t bring any of the modern style platforming mechanics we’ve come to take for granted and the movement is quite honestly horrible, but if you can get past that then what you’ve got is a capable and rewarding experience.

As far as point-and-click adventures go, Kingmaker: Rise to the Throne only really excels on Xbox One in the hidden object area, so don’t rush to get it immediately. It’s good, but not great.

The gameplay may be responsive but it is extremely irritating in an attempt to lure you through that ‘one-more-time’ mentality, except most of the time when you die it feels unfair and unjustified. The rhythm-based aspect funks things up, but as for the game as a whole, there isn’t much to be found here except a 2D side-scroller with no story, unfair gameplay challenges, and a repetitive drum and bass soundtrack which doesn’t stand out in the slightest.

Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition does what a JRPG promises to do. It tells a lighthearted story with a colourful world to explore and a plethora of optional content. The visual overhaul also provides it with a fresh look, fitting for modern platforms. It doesn’t quite compare to the best of the best, but because it represents a genre seldom found on the Xbox, it’s a great option to get on with.

Big Crown: Showdown has an overall idea that could provide a really enjoyable, exciting game to entertain the masses. With plenty of courses at hand, tons of hazards to evade, and a level of accessibility that allows gamers of all abilities to get involved, there’s certainly potential here. Sadly, the courses grow tiresome after only a couple of plays, given their short length, and so you’ll struggle to convince people to come back to it. Throw in the lack of other modes present, the dead online component and the other issues outlined, and it’s difficult to recommend even at just under a tenner in price.

It’s not realistic, it’s not a world beater in terms of gameplay or likenesses of your favourite players, and it’s not going to challenge FIFA on any level, but as a bit of short-term fun, Legendary Eleven has put a smile on my face.

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

Rarely do you find anything in StickType that goes beyond the basics, and with a story that doesn’t explain itself too well, and an overbearing difficulty on occasions, the less patient gamers may not want to stick around. However, should you be after a game that will push your capabilities, whilst providing all the essential qualities of a decent platforming experience, then StickType is a game that you need to play. The super cheap price point helps too.

If you’re looking to jump in as a fan of the brawler scene, there are many other options out there that already do the job much better. Unfortunately, with little to keep players interested and overly simplistic options dominating the more complex potential of the game, Override: Mech City Brawl is one fight we’ve already forgotten about.

Donut County is a bizarre experience, but it is one that is well worth having, so much so that there is no other game out there right now with this level of personality. The balance between charming characters, environments and a story that manages to be goofy yet impactful makes it truly special.

Axis Football 2018 tries to be a complete sports simulation title but aside from the multitude of animation, sound and graphical issues, there are also too many bugs and glitches that contradict the fundamental rules of the sport itself. John Madden can sleep soundly for another night knowing his royalty cheques are safe for the time being.

It’s fair to say that if you enjoy games such as XCOM, or other turn-based tactical combat games, then Jagged Alliance: Rage is going to appeal to you. It doesn’t quite match the quality of its gameplay in terms of the visuals, and the sound design certainly isn’t going to win any awards, but if you’re after a game you can really sink your teeth into for hours on end – and still come out with a real sense of accomplishment at the end – then this is a game you should be adding to your collection.

You’ll probably find that Asdivine Hearts II is okay. I don’t mean to damn with faint praise, but the story is a bit of a mish mash, with missions that only seem to be there to pad the game out and make it last that bit longer.

Should you be a fan of the original game and were hoping for more of the same, then chances are you’ll be disappointed with what is on offer in Hello Neighbor: Hide and Seek. Sure, there are some story moments to take note of, but with very little definition to what the developers are trying to achieve, and with each stage marred with confusion as you try to figure out what’s going on, this prequel raises more questions than answers.

£15.99 is a reasonable price to expect to pay if you fancy a trip down memory lane or aspire to own every Atari title ever made. There’s enough here to please those who enjoy a bit of retro gaming, but if you don’t, move along as there’s nothing to see here.

On the whole, Flipping Death delivers a creative idea that will satisfy for a little while as you have fun possessing weird people, working out which one’s the key to progression and, of course, literally becoming Death himself. You’ll either giggle a lot at the humour or find it a bit too inane, but I personally enjoyed the daftness.

For fans of XCOM and turn-based gaming in general then Mutant Year Zero: Road to Edenis definitely worth a look, especially if you are an Xbox Game Pass owner. The combat is satisfying and even though it isn’t you pulling the trigger directly, you can feel the impact each one makes.

The Railway Empire – Great Britain and Ireland content is, on the whole, another good bit of DLC for the ever interesting base game. It’s a bit more expensive this time around but in return there are more cities, trains, and features. If you liked what came before it, then hop aboard and head to the UK – for once more there is an empire to build.

Below can be a satisfying roguelike experience for anyone who is willing to persevere through its steep learning curve and difficulty. For others, the journey might come to a close after only a few failed attempts.

All in all though Battle Princess Madelyn has been a wonderful waltz down memory lane. I love the way the game plays, I can clearly see the affection that the inspiration is held in, and it is just the right side of too hard. The visuals are bang on, the music fits perfectly and the gameplay has been polished to within an inch of its life.

Ashen manages to take a hardcore genre of games and make it accessible and approachable to those who are not fully experienced.

Rival Megagun manages to bring something new to the table; a rare thing in this day and age. Adding PvP to a shmup is a bold move, but it’s one that works very well and beating a real person gives a buzz that is quite addictive.

This is without doubt the best retro ‘90s style racing game available on the Xbox One right now, and it is highly recommended… no matter whether you are old enough to remember the glory days or not.

The story does deliver – at least for me – but the whole thing feels a bit rushed, failing to end the full game on a high. But saying that, it does tie up all the loose ends nicely, closing the epic world of intrigue and fantasy it was always destined to be.

Whilst Knights of Pen and Paper 2 Deluxiest Edition on Xbox One is an improvement over the first game, it is tough to recommend it as a good game when the improvements only serve to make it a more fixed and well-rounded experience. Too much is simply identical to before, and the biggest problem remains that this is a game that’s only fun in small doses.

My Hero One’s Justice on Xbox One is a darn good fighting game that never ceases to deliver excitement due to the fast-paced nature and the wonderfully creative moves that are in keeping with the My Hero Academia franchise.

Keep dancing. Keep feeling. Keep grooving, and let the universe guide you to Floor Kids. Though perhaps when it’s on sale.

If you’re looking for an strange little alternative to No Man’s Sky then look no further than The Long Journey Home.

If you are after a game that will prove to be a great distraction between the big open world triple-A games, then NeuroBloxs is for you. It has that fun old-school arcade playability that is so easy to dive into, letting you waste ten or so minutes at a time.

Just Cause 4 feels every bit the game that Just Cause 3 did, yet it pales in comparison due to its lacklustre presentation, stilted design and derivative story. While Rico’s adventure is all about liberation, it fails to inspire and comes back down to earth with a bang.

Barring some technical issues causing the odd crash or hard lock, for the most part, the core of the game works well. There is definitely enjoyment to be had however, as all artistic aspects of Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom are beautiful, and the combat and platforming mechanics are solid.

It’s rare for a game to provide such an amazing and deeply rewarding sense of discovery, yet Subnautica does it successfully. It’s a joy to look at its lush and colourful visuals, explore its cryptic environ and utilize the extensive range of tools to do so.

World of Final Fantasy MAXIMA on Xbox One strikes a perfect balance for seasoned veterans and new players with a mix of old gameplay tropes and new. The graphics and genuinely laugh out loud moments will appeal to younger audiences, but older fans will also appreciate seeing deformed versions of classic Final Fantasy characters and monsters.

Some may find the puzzles a little simple and as an overall experience it could well last a little longer but please, if you want to take in a new concept which is just lovely, buy The Gardens Between. Now.

An engaging universe, decent back story, and being able to shoot Nazis in the face makes this a joy to play. With only 11 levels it isn’t the longest experience in the world, but if you are looking for an easy gateway into the strategy game world, this could well be the one you need.

The First Tree represents what storytelling can be in the industry today, provided that real care and thought has been put into it. This is an indie title that tells a beautiful, emotionally affecting story while painting a vivid, colourful world for you to explore, all in under two hours. It’s an impressive achievement.

It has a very unique tale to tell, a brilliant concept for a platformer and some very interesting game mechanics that both innovate and surprise. The combat is a bit clunky and there is some frustration found in the occasional jumping section, but it doesn’t ruin the overall experience one bit. Drop in the cheap price point and it ensures that World of One is well worth taking a punt on – particularly if you love strange new worlds.

If you’ve not yet been tempted to jump in with anything Sudden Strike 4, then there is very little here that is going to change your mind. However, those who have enjoyed everything that’s already on offer will see Africa – Desert War as a no-brainer.

If you are in the market for a super detailed, super hard strategy game, look no further. With a gripping cold war storyline up there with classic spy novels, Phantom Doctrine is a worthy game. If you’re not quite that hardcore, then possibly one of the faster paced games may be more to your liking.

Though it isn’t a perfect game by any means and can be incredibly frustrating at times, Bendy and the Ink Machine is a fun game that mixes horror elements with a cartoon environment that gives players some enjoyable yet scary moments along the way.

Williams Pinball: Volume 2 for Pinball FX3 is more suited to the better players and a fair few aspects of the tables haven’t managed to stand the test of time. But you’ll certainly be able to appreciate the ability to get your hands on some absolute classics and in all, it provides a good addition to your table library.

If you’re a fan of NASCAR then there is no reason not to check out the latest entry in the series, but if you’re after a fully licensed experienced you may be a little disappointed.

No matter what you may think of the whole toys to life idea that Ubisoft are pushing, the truth of the matter is that Starlink: Battle for Atlas is a very good game that should be embraced by all – with or without the physical additions. It brings together a great story, some utterly stunning visuals, and superb sound. These mix well with a variety of quests, missions, objectives and codex fulfilments that wouldn’t look out of place in the likes of Assassin’s Creed.

Did we really need the LEGO Harry Potter Collection? No. Is it worth giving it a look and taking a trip down memory lane? Sure, why not… but the cheaper option of buying the originals is also a viable option.

I enjoy the Darksiders series for being Darksiders; a colourful fantasy world with a satisfying hack and slash combat, a cast of bizarre characters, and a galore of environmental puzzles. Darksiders 3 tries too much to be something else: to be dark and tough. As a result, it loses a lot of its own identity – its own unique charm. It’s by no means a bad game and certainly has its moments, but being disappointed myself, I just can’t wholeheartedly recommend it to existing fans of the franchise.

It’s not a game that is going to be talked about as a Game of the Year contender, but it does have enough in it to provide a few hours of fun for those that fancy a new scrolling shoot ’em up. Yes it would have been nice to have had a little more challenge and variation in the gameplay, but it is a more than capable addition to the genre.

If you’re a fan of Battlefield then there is every reason to jump in with this year’s title, but if you want to experience the game as the developers have obviously intended, I suggest you hold off, enjoy the other amazing games released this year and come back to Battlefield V in about six months’ time when it’s no longer in its current state of being a glorified beta with a triple-A price tag.

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a beautifully realised remaster of the original titles which, thanks to today’s technology, fully matches the potential and ambition the games had in the 1990s.

I don’t think I’ve ever played a game like Defenders of Ekron before; loving it one moment, hating it the next and then loving it again. Its ambition and storytelling is great and it does some really interesting things with the gameplay which, at times, really impresses – especially that found in the challenge rooms. But there are many more times where it becomes very familiar, failing to allow the previously impressive stuff to take hold.

Overall and if you’ve enjoyed the first piece of DLC for Strange Brigade or just want more than the base game, then there is nothing here that would dissuade you from a purchase.

At its core, YouTubers Life is an addictive and fun, yet condensed, insight into how the most influential content creators came to be. The cartoonish outlook to a YouTuber’s rise to fame, and the care and attention you must pay to all facets of your career, is slightly tarnished by the confusing deck-building mechanics, boring social events and slightly repetitive nature.

If you have always wanted to prove your parenting skills once and for all, then, to a certain extent, Think of the Children lets you do just that. Just be aware that it only really works in cooperative form so single parents will need to call on the help of friends and family. Just like in real life.

If you like bikes, enjoy racing and have a passion for speed, thrills and all things beautiful then RIDE 3 is definitely a game you need to be getting involved in. It may not have much originality in its game modes, but it does provide a quality racing experience throughout and with hundreds of stunningly recreated bikes, some wonderful tracks and hours of fun to be had messing around with customisations, there is certainly plenty to shout about with the latest entry to the best bike racing series around.

For newcomers, it’s a hard one to recommend, because the whole thing can take its toll at times, but if you are already accustomed to farm life, then this is as good as it gets.

It’s not perfect, but look beyond the bugs and there is a deeply rewarding game to be found in Fallout 76.

The levels are great, the characters are quirky but sadly there isn’t enough content to compete against the big guns of the genre.

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

I Am the Hero isn’t the best example in the genre, but it isn’t among the worst, either. The story is forgettable, but it compensates with appealing, well-animated visuals and a varied musical score. Combat offers a galore of options, but the overall difficulty is just too low to incentivize their usage.

The whole Heavy Fire: Red Shadow experience feels like it should be on VR, and that may well be the best way to get anything out of this turret shooter. The price is too high as well – at least for anyone to take a punt on – and even though it does nothing wrong and all appears to work fine, it does become very repetitive quite quickly.

If you’re after a new game to play with some mates, and couldn’t care less why you are doing it, you could do much worse than check out this cooperative space adventure.

While I cant claim to be the intended audience, at the price of $5.99/£4.99, it’s still a tricky one to recommend, mainly due to the largest issues that stem from the underdeveloped story and short overall length.

Eternal is a proper tactical card game experience, borrowing elements of Magic and Hearthstone, before adding its own little quirks into play to create an exciting pick up and play type affair that’s free.

I’d argue that wrestling aficionados will still find WWE 2K19 to be joyous in short spells and it’s definitely an improvement, so it’s worth a look. Maybe, just maybe, wait for a sale if you’re not entirely convinced.

If you’re a fan of the original Overcooked, have a copy of Overcooked 2 to hand, and need some new content to let you really show off your cooking skills, then the Overcooked 2 Surf ‘n’ Turf DLC is something you really do need to have in your life. Not only will it float your boat – quite literally – but it’s cheap too!

If you’re looking for an engaging 2D adventure game, then give Chasm a chance. You’re unlikely to be disappointed.

It is an enjoyable romp, with its frenetic pace and solid competitive play, but it is brief. How long you end up enjoying it for may depend on how many friends you have, especially considering the rather steep £35 price tag.

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

If you love the professional American bull riding league then you might just manage to get something out of 8 to Glory, but if you aren’t a veteran follower of the sport, then it’s a bit pricey to take a gamble on. It’s different though, and that should be wholeheartedly applauded, however I’m afraid the gameplay just becomes too repetitive for any long term bull riding fun.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition is a truly superb RPG experience that delivers a complex but intriguing narrative, some of the most exciting and intelligent turn-based combat I’ve ever encountered, and a shed load of quests to ensure there’s always something to do.

If you have been a fan of previous Just Dance titles, then once more this will be one that will appeal, especially if you have a subscription to Just Dance Unlimited.

Unless you’re dying for a scary fix which highlights how much one person can do in terms of development, I would probably steer clear of Whisperwood mental institution and the frustrations found within. You see, you might just end up submitting yourself as a patient.

Steep X Games feels like a real bare-bones DLC cash grab. The training missions feel deliberately lengthened to increase playtime, the three X Games events are good but nowhere near enough, and the freestyle events that follow are no different from what exists in the base game already.

11-11: Memories Retold is a fantastic way to mark the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day.

The sandbox elements, the amazing level design, and variety of gameplay options on offer are all superbly crafted and highly addictive, but I do think that fans of the previous game may well look at this more like a Version 1.5 of the previous title.

FullBlast is an average scrolling shooter that will provide enjoyment for an hour or two. The main problem is that it is far too easy, and its ideas are consistently being stretched too thin. It doesn’t do anything new or different, and what it does do doesn’t quite add up to the full package.

The concept and originality is something that shows signs of promise, but with a lack of interesting content, simplistic and repetitive play, and no real reason to be doing any of it, there isn’t too much of Socketeer that you’ll be thinking back on fondly.

Hack and slash fans will like what they find, as will endless-runner fans and those hardcore enthusiasts out there, but at the end of the day Ninjin: Clash of Carrots is a game that struggles with its own identity too much to be fully enjoyed.

Noir Chronicles: City of Crime gets the vibe spot on to create the ideal environment for the criminal activities that are occurring, while the story is interesting enough to draw in the player. The variety in the hidden object scenes is very welcome too, however the mini-games are hugely disappointing apart from a handful of mathematical based ones that provide a glimmer of joy here and there to drag you through the rest.

MechaNika is only a couple of hours long, but at the low price point of £4.99, it is very much worth it.

The gameplay itself is fun and it’s a great throwback to NBA Jam, allowing you to have some fun for a few hours either with friends or online to dominate the playgrounds and become number 1. However, the grind needed to get any good players just isn’t worth the work.

Dimension Drive is fluid at all times, fast when it needs to be, and clever enough to be able to integrate in the unique dimension hopping feature to ensure that it is something many fans of the genre will want to get hands on with.

Doodle God: Crime City is a solid, enjoyable experience if played in short, regular bursts. However, it does lack the crucial “one more go” factor whilst doing little to develop things as you play through the game. This might be one best left to the puzzle enthusiasts.