Astalon: Tears of the Earth is one of those rare cases where several influences and moving parts come together to create an experience which feels unique as a whole. Every nook and cranny of the gameplay and level design feels thought-out and deliberate, and as a whole the journey is both memorable and challenging, with a gameplay hook that makes it hard to put it down.

It’s a hugely immersive game that ticks a whole ton of boxes for those looking to gain new off-roading kicks, and the sheer amount of variety in terms of the vehicles, the trailers and the customisation and amendments that can be made to these is nothing short of stunning. Throw in a whole ton of content in the form of main missions, tasks and challenges, and if you’re up for getting down and dirty, then there is possibly no better place to get started than with SnowRunner.

I urge any and all Batman fans to purchase the entire Batman: The Enemy Within series to binge on immediately. I won’t forget that maniacal laugh of the Joker, nor one of the best stories of the entire Telltale catalogue.

If you had previously picked up Mantis Burn Racing and enjoyed the deep career and brilliant multiplayer offerings that it delivered, then you really should head back in for a bit of fun and games with guns and mines.

Lucy Dreaming is a throwback, laugh-a-minute, point and click adventure that’s going to really test your logical and out-of-the-box thinking.

In an age where games are getting more and more ambitious, games like Minishoot’ Adventures are fantastic reminders that less can be more. It is a joy to explore, and the satisfying pop of defeating an enemy is a sound that never gets boring.

Universe for Sale will immediately draw you in, what with its unique premise, striking visuals, and intriguing characters.

Two Point Museum is arguably the best in the series yet, and keeps the hot streak going for the consistently brilliant sim series.

NINJA GAIDEN 4 is an absolute no-brainer for any fan of a hack and slash game. It is fast, bloody and quite often breathtaking, and it looks brilliant to boot. If you can work around the camera issue then this will be very close to perfect.

WWE 2K22 hits different. It hits way better than the last outing and only the game modes really hold it back from being considered a main event masterpiece. If you love wrestling, you should contemplate stepping into the squared circle with WWE 2K22.

All in all, it should well mean you’ll enjoy Godsvivors. The short nature of the game means that it never outstays its welcome, and with the many and varied combination of gods, weapons and power ups to choose from, no two runs will ever be the same.

With very few issues, technical or otherwise, you’re certainly in for a good time if you pick up Ghostrunner: Complete Edition.

Williams Pinball: Star Trek: The Next Generation for Pinball FX is pretty darn enjoyable and provides fun even for those unfamiliar with the source material.

Fall Guys is unlike anything you will play. It is highly addictive, the beans are cute, but the game is incredibly intense – particularly if you manage to make it to a final round.

The core gameplay, the huge number of unlockables and the variety in weapons, traits and skills combined with the fast action ensure Brotato is up there with the genre leaders.

If you have the slightest interest in Mortal Kombat, you need to get yourself involved with Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection.

Overall, Lock’s Quest is an exceptional example of how to do not only a phenomenal remastering, but how to tell a story that is supported by the gameplay. If it weren’t for the difficulty one could face because of the isometric view and the awkward conversation timings, this game would be the perfect little title. Throw in the fact that it has really improved on the DS version, and you have a game that nails the Active Tower Defense genre, right to its cold, cold heart. It is definitely one for both Casual and Expert gamers, though it might be substantially harder for the most casual ones out there, even on the normal difficulty setting.

Although it’s a bit of an ugly potato, CounterAttack is also an essential shmup that lovers of the genre will fall madly, deeply in love with. If you’ve ever wondered what a shoot ’em up might look like with RPG trimmings and reasons to replay, then look no further than CounterAttack.

Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition is a worthy addition to the Alien canon of games. It isn’t all out action like Aliens: Fireteam Elite, but requires you to use your brain as well as your trigger finger. I just wish the save system was better.

If you haven’t played Splitgate but are looking for a new shooter to try out then it is most definitely recommended. 1047 Games have done a great job with server support and connection times have continued to improve since first launch.

That new addiction? It's found in Soulstone Survivors. If you're familiar with the genre, dive right in, enjoy the depth it allows; embrace the grind for an eternity. And if you're new, green to this new found world, good luck - you're about to lose a whole chunk of your life.

Wreckfest is a game you need to be playing. It’s hectic, it’s engaging and it’s complete carnage.

The Lonesome Guild has a few flaws, the most blatant being the underutilised combat system. However, this can’t detract from the passion, interweaving gameplay systems, and introspective story about friendship, that combines to perhaps take this to the top of many best indie games lists.

Arcade Paradise is a love letter to the days of those summer afternoons, spending pocket money in these delightfully dingy places. It could also be the final nail in the arcade coffin, because no real-life arcade can offer this many good titles under one roof.

Two Point Museum: Fantasy Finds is a great addition to an already brilliant game, even though it sticks closely to the original script. Well, they do say if it ain’t broke…

With instantly gratifying multiplayer game types and also a substantial single player mode to top it off, Ponpu combines entertaining gameplay with an excellent stylistic presentation like very few games can.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 does a great job of seeing out the trilogy with another fascinating narrative and an exciting tactical battle system to complement it. There aren’t wholesale changes from Fuga 2, but the combo meter and assist elements certainly enhance the experience.

Wheel World is a triumphant celebration of the bike; a game that understands the culture of cycling.

Ship of Fools is plucky, punchy and downright addictive. It’s one of the best roguelites available; once it has its hooks in you, it’s hard to let go.

Spintires: MudRunner is a fantastic game and one well worthy of the praise it received previously. It comes with some fine physics, textures, graphics and realism – more so than we’ve ever seen in any off-road title – and that ensures it is one you should be playing at the earliest opportunity.

On the whole though and Pix the Cat is nothing short of adorable, arriving with some of the best features, ideas and supremely high production levels that can be found in an indie title. You may well initially think that both the Laboratory and Nostalgia modes are just tacked on extras to ensure more game time is thrown in, but in fact you would be massively wrong, with both modes more than capable of holding their own in the vast wilderness of the independent games scene.

Accessible, deep, addictive and full of variety: Slay the Spire is the definitive card game on consoles.

GRID, I can happily say, is a triumph. It can be forgiven for a career mode that on some fronts lacks variety, due to how well realised the gameplay is, as it's deep, authentic and above all else, a huge amount of fun. You’ll struggle to find a racer that plays better than this.

SCHiM is an inventive, highly creative puzzle platformer. There’s a genius idea that comes to the fore, and going from shadow to shadow is highly entertaining. But the developers have also managed to create a world and a story that many will want to spend much time in...In a perfect world, there could be some more hints and pointers, but SCHiM is a game that will ensure you’ll never want to lose track of your shadow.

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.

If you are looking for a well-made platformer with a fun story and plenty of obstacles to overcome, then Planet Cube: Edge is a great find.

Things are certainly progressing in the right direction for Antstream Arcade, and it is off to a flyer on Xbox consoles, officially this time. It presents a huge and varied range of games from across all decades of the video game scene - some you will have heard of, but many you will have not.

Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a great game that deserves to be played. The story is brilliant, the action is compelling and running around battling and exploring never tires. If only capturing demons was a bit easier…

If you need to stop an asteroid, you call Superman, but if you need pure joy in your life, pick up DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos.

If you are ready for an epic, third person action adventure, then look no further than Atlas Fallen.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden may well surprise you - in a good way. It includes way more than you may expect, the story and the world are fascinating, and it plays extremely well indeed. It isn’t perfect, but it’s obvious that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden has been made with a passion that will be appreciated.

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

Age of Wonders: Planetfall on Xbox One is easily one of the best in the genre, putting so many elements together into one fantastic package. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone who loves the genre, and will be able to sustain strategy fans for weeks and even months on end.

The Gap is a lovely, thoughtful game that has a fascinating story. Travelling through various memories and timelines is brilliant and never feels dull.

It’s taken a couple of years for this acclaimed talking-simulator to arrive on the Xbox, but time has not worn it down. Initially pitched as a farming game, Mutazione is far more interesting as a mutant soap opera. This is one of the warmest, most likable cast of characters you will come across in a video game, and you’ll want to relish every moment with them. Key into its languid pace, ignore the lack of traditional gameplay, and you will find a chilled vibe that is hard to beat.

The Jackbox Party Pack 9 brings new ideas without losing that winning formula, which makes this not only another brilliant entry in the long running series, but a contender for the best compilation yet.

If you like a roguelike, this is an easy sell, but as Nuclear Throne eases you in gently, it’s also a damn good entry point if you want to try your luck with the genre for the first time. The graphical style won’t appeal to everyone, but the gameplay is the star here, and even if it is punishingly hard in the latter moments you’ll be having too much fun to care.

Stories Untold on Xbox One should be applauded. It's a masterclass in storytelling and an experimental success when it comes to how you find yourself engaging with gameplay and game styles all in one package. It will turn your head inside out, but it will also leave you thinking about what has happened long after you finish.

Sagebrush is a remarkable piece of storytelling and game design, employing a retro technique to tell something truly original. It’s intriguing and beguiling throughout and that leaves you with a satisfied smile at the end.

NBA 2K21 on Xbox One is a brash, flashy and powerful game that has a huge array of toys to play with, as well as a powerful toy-kit to make it more your own too. Whilst there are micro-transactions within, the patient player can just grind their way to the top.

Is MLB The Show 22 for everybody? No. Is MLB The Show 22 going to please fans of baseball? Absolutely.

Gloomy Eyes is one of those games that you really must play. Aside from a slight camera issue, it introduces the player to a wicked world, dark, foreboding, but full of charm. This is an adventure you’ll want to join, as you aid two distinct children on a journey into the unknown. If you’re looking for puzzles, it’s got it, and if you need brilliant visuals, it nails matters. But further to that comes a narrator that brings this world together in the very best possible way.

Lorn’s Lure is an odd game. The graphics are rudimentary, and the gameplay is simple, yet it has some incredible difficulty spikes. It's not a game that will speak to everyone, and there are plenty it will actively push away. But for players that ‘get it’, it really connects.

At the end of the day, if you like top-down adventures, it goes without saying that God’s Trigger is one you should be checking out. Not only does it tick all the boxes both visually and in terms of the gameplay, but it also has a pretty affordable price tag too.

There’s a very good chance you’ll enjoy your time with Space Raiders in Space. The sense of humour is on point, helped along by the Easter Eggs that have been sneaked in, but it can also play a very mean game of Tower Defence; that obviously helps. With a supercritical head on, it could be said that the story isn’t awfully long, but there are a number of different endings to try for, and so this helps a bit.

Enticing Richard Garfield to the Slay the Spire deckbuilder was Roguebook’s first act of brilliance, but many others follow. In the hex-based exploration it’s taken the genre’s dullest moments and made them the most engaging. In the deck-optimisation, it has fully handed the keys to the player and said ‘let’s see what you can make’. The possibilities, as the adage goes, are endless, and it gives Roguebook a truly infinite feel.

If you’re after some classic multiplayer action that ignores the need for an online connection and welcomes the incredible fun that used to be at the centre of every multiplayer game, then Jump Gunners is a game you need to add to your collection.

A Night on the Farm stands out from many other low-budget horror games, and that’s because it nails its story and atmosphere. Powered by a superb sci-fi narrative that is surprising and unusual, the writing is very good whilst lo-fi visuals and the soundtrack help aid the atmosphere.

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

Metal Wolf Chaos XD is quite simply a once in a lifetime video game. This is a game we should have got back in 2005, but now in 2019 it reaches a worldwide audience in its most authentic form. It is worth it just for the satire and writing alone, but thankfully underneath the supercharged politics there also lies a supercharged mech action game which gives you so many guns to play with, in so many different ways that you can’t help but feel like a kid in a candy store.

Inked: A Tale of Love is hugely enjoyable - and whilst you’ll probably realise this from the first few moments, it never disappoints from there on out. The controls aren’t perfect, but the experience as a whole is great; one that is helped by a very good price point.

Minami Lane is a great distraction that is sure to deliver on those immaculate vibes and judgment free gaming.

With a need for strategic thinking a must and enjoyment to found throughout, the Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Shadows over Bögenhafen add-on is the perfect example of how DLC should be made – even if it is just two missions long.

Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a remaster done the right way. It takes what was a great game, tweaks the way that it looks and drags it kicking and screaming into the modern era, refusing to ever allow the resulting game to be a pushover like so many do.

I Am Bread is a brilliantly funny, unique game which will make you laugh out loud. There are moments when the camera will glitch, there are times when you’ll be frustrated and scream “That’s not fair!”, but most of all you will look upon any bread with a newfound sense of respect...No other game has had such a poignant and important message: Nothing is as ordinary as it seems.

Q.U.B.E. 10th Anniversary is a game you’ll find hard to put down - even if you played the original a decade ago. This one is worth picking up for the extra content, improved visuals, and audio.

Heretic + Hexen has a good long run time, and with the DLC added in, there is a lot of content that will keep you playing for a while

Despite some familiar elements on the surface, Evergate on Xbox brings plenty of original ideas to the table. It’s clever, charming and a real joy to play. Stick with it, because there’s a deceptively large adventure on offer here.

If you’re looking for a new top down shooter in which you can play your own way, then you need to call the JYDGE.

At times Curious Expedition 2 feels like a storytelling generator, an algorithm for creating wacky combinations of moments. That’s absolutely the recommendation that it sounds like.

Strap on some cans, turn the volume up to 11, and you’ll quickly find out how much satisfaction can be found with the visual and audio masterpiece that Aaero is.

I would highly recommend giving Seasons After Fall a play, no matter whether you like platforming, puzzling or just foxes.

With a price point that is so low, a story that will keep you playing for a good few hours, and then the draw of the Challenge mode to keep you going back for more, you’ll struggle to find any other game that allows the same joy to both shooting fans and puzzle fiends alike.

In respect to the murder mystery theme and The Shapeshifting Detective is a shining light in immersive story-telling. It may lack in gameplay variety but the shapeshifting mechanic and how it is integrated into the story really sets it apart.

If you are a Marvel fan, a fighting game fan or just a fan of great games in general, you need to add MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics to your library yesterday.

Trigger Witch is a love letter to the games of the ‘90s. It’s cute, colourful and surprisingly violent, and with drop in/drop out co-op that works brilliantly, you’ll be able to bring a friend or family member along for the ride. The only slight complaint is that the story feels artificially extended, but luckily the narrative is strong enough to keep dragging you on, twisting as it progresses.

While it’s a smaller variety of plant, Botany Manor is inordinately pretty and comforting. There’s so few barriers to getting your hands on it too: being on Game Pass, you’re only a few steps away from playing it. We relished every moment within Botany Manor’s walls, and if there’s no DLC coming then we’re going to riot. Very gently.

If you have a team of friends who are always online, I can almost call Cake Bash an essential purchase, as it is truly bonkers, and different each time. It’s just a shame that for single players, whilst there is fun to be had, it’s reduced down a smidge.

It’s clear that WWE 2K23 is faster, stronger, and goes harder than it has before, rounding off a great comeback story. The Showcase twist will see you forget John Cena’s five moves of doom, thus making sure there are five quality modes here to consume. The roster is packed with stars past and present, and the list of match types is stacked. Fortunately, it’s not held back by the paltry online offering or the few issues remaining in MyGM and Universe.

Splasher is generally a great game that comes with fantastic visuals, smooth and fluid controls, addictive gameplay and plenty of variety. It is certainly one of the better platformers to arrive on Xbox One this year and if you’re a fan of the genre, this is one you should be looking to add to your collection.

I have hugely enjoyed my time playing Little Nightmares II on Xbox. The mature themes and tense moments that made the first game so fun are present in full force, and like the first game there are plenty of secrets to be found and stories to uncover. If you want a good horror platformer, then Little Nightmares II doesn’t disappoint.

Rogue Flight is a game with a lot of heart - and a real feel for how things used to be. The graphics are great, the story is both well presented and interesting, and the shooting action is nothing short of challenging.

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

If you’re after a new RPG adventure, there are few titles besides a Dark Souls adventure that will keep you engaged quite like Remnant: From the Ashes.

What surprises most is, while it’s an extremely solid fighter, Young Souls might be better as a dungeon crawler. By layering on multiple ways of progressing your two characters, and giving you a map that begs to be explored, it silently attaches a chain to you and reveals that - ta-dah - it has you now.

Portal Knights is a great game that is definitely worth the price tag. If it came delivered as a full price title, I would still have highly recommended it.

Whether you are a newcomer or a series fanatic these are games that deserve to be played, and with a fantastic price to boot there isn’t really an excuse not to. Play Shenmue. Now.

The Evil Within 2 is highly recommended to anyone who loves a horror game, and you don’t have to play the first one to get an understanding of what is going on.

Batman: The Enemy Within is flying high at the moment, with a cast of intriguing characters bearing their own identities which feel unique to the series, despite many of them having multiple incarnations in other forms of media.

Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions restore two of the greatest role-playing video games to ever come out of the Dungeons & Dragons universe, all wrapped up in The Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition Pack on Xbox One. The enhancements and optimisations help these juggernaut adventures to once again reaffirm the same dominance they had two decades earlier.

Figuratively and literally, Starfield is the next evolution for a Bethesda game; taking that framework and that sandbox before applying it 1000 times over. There are memorable characters, quests and locations, but these help you tell your own journey too as you forge your own path and create your own plots within this unfathomably large sandbox.

Whilst the audio is sparse, it keeps with what is needed in Q.U.B.E. 2 brilliantly, and when teamed with a cracking graphic design that has clearly had a huge amount of love thrust into it, a story that is told and narrated at a perfect pace, and not so much as a single glitch, hiccup or drop of lag at any time, anyone who is in need of a new thought-provoking puzzler will find that this is a game that delivers in huge quantities.

The Way of the Passive Fist is a very enjoyable game, with the seamless fusion of fighting and rhythm executed brilliantly. As a concept, it shouldn’t work, but it just does, being a lot of fun and a real challenge.

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

If you are after a breathless ride through a lovingly crafted world, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound may well be the game for you.

EA Sports FC 25 delivers a more considered and tactical approach to gameplay, which creates an excellent and unpredictable offering. From the new Rush ideas and FC IQ, to the women’s career modes and little upgrades to other areas, it’s another step in the right direction

Bleeding Edge on Xbox One is just pure fun. It’s a tight, fast thrill-ride that keeps me playing which, as someone who predominantly plays single-player, is not easy to do. While it certainly isn’t what some fans of Ninja Theory may be expecting, it is still a great first collaboration from what will likely be one of Xbox Game Studios’ finest teams.

A near masterpiece that should be played by anyone and everyone. If you’re after a narrative, it nails it. If you’re looking for a serene game to kick back with for an evening or two, equally so. And if you just want to go up, there’s not a better game to do it with than with Jusant.