I had a great time playing Stasis, as it reminds of how good a point-and-click adventure can be, dragging up memories of old '90s games and films in the process.

You’ll be left impressed by Antro. There’s some great story set-up, and the gameplay is fast, fun and easy to get your head around. It does frustrate on occasion, especially in the free-running sections, but the music and visuals provide great sights and sounds to keep you interested.

MANIAC will roll back the years, whisking you away to those early experiences with Grand Theft Auto. It has a very arcade-like feel to it, with quick gameplay loops and exciting action.

It’s a nice comforting game to re-engage with, as ISLANDERS: New Shores adds in just enough improvements to justify being a sequel. The boon system is a great addition, as are the new buildings and islands on offer.

Another short completion in the world of Banban, Missing Banban offers up something fresh for the franchise. Perhaps a side-scrolling platformer wasn’t first choice on the list for series enthusiasts, but it plays surprisingly well.

I never found myself truly invested in Vessels of Decay. It’s a unique and beautiful world, but that on its own isn’t enough to justify the frustration of playing.

Cyber Tank Nano is only appropriate for those willing to endure a perpetual state of confusion from the rage inducing solutions, made all the more disappointing due to the few things this title does do right, and in turn, what it could have been.

Against the Storm won’t be a game for everyone, but for those who love the early gameplay of city builders, it’ll be an incredibly satisfying game that can easily provide dozens of hours of fun.

With only a slight downside, and a bargain price to boot, recommending God of Weapons is a piece of cake - if you like Vampire survivors, then try this one.

I like what Atari has been doing with all their recharging of those old classic arcade games, and Missile Command Delta is no different. It's a full-on reimagining, and the addition of a proper story is appreciated. The gameplay itself will sit well with a lot of people, especially those who are into turn-based card strategy games, but others may well find it starts to frustrate as the difficulty rises.

Will you have a good time with Music Drive: Chase the Beat? Probably, is the answer, what with its short gameplay loops and old-school polygon graphics.

Fireball 2 is a fun game that has an affordable price tag and can easily take up several hours of your day if you let it. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to scratch that arcade survival itch.

Excitement you may not necessarily find, but should you be ready to immerse yourself in a two-wheeled world full of brutality and athletic desires, Tour de France 2025 should finally be considered.

The annoyances with Dustwind: Resistance outweigh the good points. There is no doubt that it is a solid enough game, with a few good ideas, but they are buried beneath a layer of obtuseness that makes playing Dustwind: Resistance a chore.

Death Kid provides exciting gameplay with some especially lovely attention to detail when it comes to enemy design and variety. The animations are always stellar, but I left wishing the story was a bit less surface level.

With a ton of content included, and a huge ‘one more go’ feel to the stages available, should you be looking to usher up memories of the good old days, get Rally Arcade Classics installed immediately.

Better late than never, but Final Fantasy XVI’s arrival on Xbox is a very welcome one. If you can stomach the unnecessary entry fee for a two-year-old game – or wait for a sale – then a thrilling action-RPG awaits.

You’ll love the story, soundtrack, and visuals of Vasilisa and Baba Yaga as it looks to transport you to a different culture and fantasy world that feels different, yet familiar. However, the gameplay doesn’t click in quite the same way; stealth sections become too annoying, the combat too repetitive, and the jumping mechanics and some of the QTE sections are a bit stale.

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.

The heroes in a half shell have achieved an entertaining and exciting experience with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate.

Mystic Pathways is a game I recommend to those who want to pick up a quick and easy game to enjoy - especially when wanting to relax to a new magical level.

Aureole - Wings of Hope sees you jump, ring blitz, and speed your way through the lush Forest Glade, all the way to the pearly gates of Heaven Kingdom, providing all the nostalgic enjoyment arcade titles did for many in the past.

Zombie Cure Lab is a refreshing antidote to the usual headshots-and-shotguns zombie formula, blending upbeat strategy and base building with a surprising dose of humour. Sadly, on Xbox Series X, it is also riddled with technical woes, awkward menus, and control hiccups that make curing the undead more frustrating than fun.

Dive in to Still Wakes the Deep: Siren's Rest and you’ll be totally hooked by the few hours it takes to run. There are a few tiny bugs, and you can find yourself lost a lot, but overall the story is tight, exciting, and a great extension of the Still Wakes the Deep universe.

The top-down visuals give TRON: Catalyst an old-fashioned feel, which seems appropriate for the Tron Universe. I found the storytelling in this game to be intriguing and full of interesting plots and character dynamics.

If you like your horror games fast-paced with jump scares and fighting monsters with a crowbar, then you will be a bit disappointed by Prison Alone. But if you prefer your scares to be more slow-burning, tense affairs, with a narrative slowly unravelling before your eyes, then Prison Alone will be able to deliver.

Cipher Monk is a good puzzler and different in its approach, but it certainly needs some early explanation to get you started. And then, once in the groove, you’ll probably want more content in order to be fully satisfied.

If you are a fan of The Sims and titles like House Flipper, then you will have a blast with Architect Life: A House Design Simulator. The prospect of getting into the fundamentals of designing a home from the ground up without having to do any of the manual work is an appealing one.

The advantage that Football Mini Stars has over its rivals is its very cheap price, which ensures that it feels good value for the amount of content included. But that doesn't mean it's not a very basic take on football.

There's a Gun in the Office is an unconventional and effective game that, if nothing else, might just prepare you in case the worst should ever happen.

Star Overdrive is a game that delivers a lovely sci-fi retro adventure, and for that, it deserves your attention.

CyberCorp is just not interesting or particularly fun to play, and in a games market as crowded as the one on Xbox, a game has to have something stand out about it to push through.

Volcano Princess is a very interesting proposition. It is nice to take in a game that is about as stress-free as you can get, instead leaving the player to go shaping a (virtual) life; something that can be strangely rewarding.

Don’t come into this one as a time-poor player, as FBC: Firebreak just doesn’t do enough to reward the casual ones out there.

Pinball FX - Tomb Raider Pinball continues the consistent streak of excellence for the pinball game which, thanks to the franchise that has been added, will likely feel that little bit more special for many than other tables.

You’ll need to get through a slightly confused opening, but then Ruffy and the Riverside fast becomes a quirky, unique, challenging game that is ripe for manipulation.

Nightdive Studios have done a brilliant job of dusting off a true videogame classic in System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, and it very much deserves another glory lap.

As a complete package, FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a wonderful game - and suddenly the world has another cracking life sim to sink all manner of time into.

Wizard Of Legend 2 starts strong but fails to deliver a compelling reason to continue playing once stagnation sets in. Unfortunately, that sets in sooner rather than later and mires the whole experience.

Not only is Rematch a wonderful game built for football fans, it’s a one of a kind multiplayer experience that everyone should try, regardless of their football enthusiasm.

With a well populated online world, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition has more than enough to keep you out of mischief.

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.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is an incredibly fun game that’ll have you exploring every nook and cranny. Not because an achievement or completionist rating that tells you to do so, but because you will want to.

It’s safe to say, if you enjoy Disney, platformers or gaming for that matter, Disney Illusion Island Starring Mickey & Friends is worth having a go. For some, it will be an enjoyable addition to the backlog of oversaturated 2D platformers, shining through with a bit more love, enjoyment and creativity than most in the genre.

I never thought I would be playing a parkour game in 2025, but Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game is worth checking out. It does feel a bit old-school in terms of the open world and the need to create your own entertainment, rather than being constantly guided. It works nicely though, and the mechanics are cleverly crafted.

You won’t be disappointed by The Alters. It’s a game that is very much unlike any other, full of space dramas, micro-management, and the need to keep a host of clones happy. It's complex, nuanced and full of surprises.

Pinocchio's return to the Xbox with Lies of P: Overture is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s great to get extra content for the brilliant base game, and the look, feel and fighting of the DLC is all top notch. However, camera issues and a steep difficulty may put players off.

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is a sleek, smart and simply brilliant roguelite which hits upon the coveted formula to keep you coming back for more.

Super Engine GT Turbo SPEC is a short game with easy achievements and precisely zero replayability. It is not awful, but it is a long way off pole position of the racing genre.

to a T is a wonderfully weird adventure whose unique visual style, inventive mechanics and wacky characters set it apart from anything else out there. It’s a game that embraces difference, both in its story and its design. If you want true escapism, then a trip with Teen and their fluffy canine companion around its charming seaside town is highly recommended.

Submarine Survivor is fine. It tries to mix things up beyond just adding superfluous visual elements, and in some cases, it succeeds. In others, it adds a brand of tedium that mires the whole experience in such a way that you won’t want to come back to it.

CarX Street does a lot of things right. The drifting is a little weird, but you learn to adapt to the particular style of things. The most important bit, the racing, is good fun, with the kamikaze NPC cars offering a stiff challenge, quite apart from the other racers.

The frustrating gameplay and unintuitive design made this one a real slog to finish, hence I wouldn’t really recommend Wings of Endless unless you feel either the comedy will land for you, or the visuals can hard carry the experience.

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…

No matter how you look at Through the Nightmares, everything works well, from the great size-shifting mechanics to the haunting visuals and dramatic soundtrack that keep you going. The problem is, many may find it frustrating.

Date Everything! is a very different take on the dating sim genre, but it is bursting with character and the characters to match. It’s hard not to be impressed with the creativity on show, and be sucked into the bizarre but brilliant world the team at Sassy Chaps Games have created.

Covenant of Solitude is a decent game, with interesting team mechanics, that is ultimately hamstrung by the control system.

Mostroscopy brings something different to the table in regards to its presentation, but then the wheels fall off. The fighting action is so simplistic that there is rarely a challenge, and unless you have a regular buddy who can come round to challenge you to some sofa-based battling, it’s not much fun once you’ve clocked it.

Agent Fall is a bite sized game with a bite sized price point to go along with it. It’s not going to redefine any genres, but it's a fun, albeit short, experience that mixes things up

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon does enough to get a recommendation. This is an extremely immersive game that sucks you into its world. Wandering about and exploring is good fun, but add in a plethora of quests and a massive amount of adjustment in the way you play, and this is almost a classic. If only it wasn’t for that numb combat…

Sometimes Captain Blood falls into the “it’s so bad it’s good category”; sometimes it’s just pretty bad but there always remains a clear charm behind every action.

There is something about Kvark that will put a smile on your face, all as you remember those gaming experiences of yesteryear. The combat is good, the map designs are tight and the story unfolds well. Kvark is a fun, hard shooter. Perhaps it’s just about good enough to make the FPS world great once more.

Knock on the Coffin Lid: Complete Edition is a pretty unique proposition in a crowded games market, and this makes it refreshing. The story is only revealed in dribs and drabs, and so you’ll need to keep plugging away to get to the bottom of the mystery, but be warned, this is a hard game, and if the cards run against you, there’s nothing you can do.

Very cheap on the wallet, Death Park: 4k Remaster will provide some fun for survival horror fans. Yes, it's very predictable and it lands in a genre that feels a bit oversaturated, but the atmosphere, the updated visuals and good creepy soundtrack means it’s a decent way to spend an hour or two.

Monster Train 2 takes its winning deck-building formula and enhances it with a cavalcade of fresh ideas to keep you coming back for more.

Starlight Legacy is a proper old skool game - from the look and feel, to the difficulty. But it makes no apology for being so either, so if you want a challenge, there is certainly one of those here. I do fear that it may just be too hard for some though.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing adventure to immerse yourself into, or simply want to revitalise those dormant feelings of mystery and curiosity from your childhood, Pilo and the Holobook exceeds in both and so much more, providing a refreshing experience through its unique gameplay cycle.

Garten of Banban 0 doesn’t overstay its welcome, and the puzzles actually require you to think. There are still elements of jank that lets you down, especially in the platforming sections and precise timing mechanics. But, if you like your mascot horror devoid of all horror, then this might be for you.

Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy is a worthy entry in the RPG genre. It is so silly and overblown that you can almost hear the voices of the wrestlers coming out of the TV. Knowing what Kaiju Big Battel is all about will increase your appreciation for the in-jokes, but even without that, the game is capable of standing on its own two feet.

There are many secrets and mysteries to uncover in Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, and Galla don’t hold back when questioning the player about these. Boss fights, puzzles, or even existential questions are posed to both Kulebra and the player throughout

If you’re a sim fan, there is a lot to love about City Bus Manager. The ability to make this as local as you like is a great feature, and the way it works with the bus routes is genius. The challenges are good too, but I would have liked to see more, to help aid longevity.

You will have a very pleasant time with FOMOGRAPHY - especially if you love taking photos and think of yourself as a bit of an amateur photographer.

Spellcaster University is a bit overwhelming to begin with, and the tutorial is too short and simple, but if you fancy combining building, card decks, and management, you should find it all pretty addictive.

Clash: Robot Detective - Complete Edition has a unique story, one that is funny and engaging at times, with some good multiple endings on offer. The visuals fit well with the tone of the game, but as with pretty much all visual novels, you’ll need to be able to get on with a lot of reading.

The story of American Arcadia is fantastic, sharply written and with some nice twists. The puzzles aren't too hard, and the gameplay is fun, never afraid to throw different mechanics into the pot.

Out of Sight is a fairly short experience, running at just a couple of hours in length, but you’ll enjoy the playthrough, even if you may not know what exactly is going on until the end.

If you can find a lobby, there is a bit of short term fun to be had with FragPunk. However, the aggressive pushing of the store, the annoying voice overs and the crazy achievement list means there are much better shooter options out there.

King Arthur: Legion IX is an accomplished tactical turn based game that is hamstrung in the early days by keeping things secret. Get to grips with what is on offer though, and you’ll find a great narrative, some well worked action and an absolute host of content.

Yes, Trident’s Tale looks fine when static, and yes the narrative is okay (if cliched), but from there, this one is a huge struggle.

If you are looking for a visual novel that echoes Doki Doki Literature Club, then Cooking Companions should be on your radar. It doesn’t quite hit the heights of the aforementioned VN, but is still able to forge its own identity.

Shovel Knight Dig may be a more streamlined and straightforward experience than its predecessor, but it hits upon a winning formula. No matter how many times you get caught out, no matter how unfair it feels, you’ll always want to give things another go and reach the bottom of the well.

Whether you’re shoving an exorcised soul towards the police, saving injured souls with the S0S network, or simply taking in the immaculate world building, characters and story told, 1f y0u’re a gh0st ca11 me here! may well become your favourite KEMCO game

Recycle Bin Battle might draw you in with its crazy concept and important message, but you’ll soon realise that it’s actually a bit rubbish. There’s no point having a homage to Breakout or a match-3 section if neither are executed to a decent standard.

Copycat works in giving the player the feel of being a cat, with fun found in knocking things over and hiding away, all delivered in a way that will pull on those heartstrings.

If you have a reliable squad to run Elden Ring Nightreign with, then this is as easy a sell as the original Elden Ring, but I’m at a loss to understand why crossplay is not in place.

Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death’s eggs have been put in the comedy basket, and there isn’t really much to keep anyone engaged beyond that. There are much better (and funnier) games out there to spend your money on.

There is a lot of game to go at in Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny, as well as a host of bosses to beat, each one providing a stellar challenge. If you like samurai affairs, or the Onimusha games in general, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is an easy sell, as it is very much more of the same.

Blades of Fire is a game that you have to adapt to, rather than the other way around. Embrace its systems and it will reward you, but there is practically no scope for playing how you want to play.

The Precinct is pretty much all you would want from a game of this ilk, full of variation in crimes, with gameplay that is both clever and multifarious.

Sunseed Island knows what it is, in fact, it relishes in the knowledge it’s a farming sim and never oversteps the mark into being pretentious or overbearing.

Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping serves up another lovable, cozy mystery fronted by rising star, Eugene McQuacklin. It may be a short story, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

Forgotten Fields is a game with heart, but this alone is not enough to carry it. Just like Sid’s fantasy novel, it feels like a rough first draft - full of great ideas but lacking the execution to truly bring them to life.

With addictive mechanics, great music and visuals and a compelling story from start to finish, IXION should be celebrated as a resounding success; an exemplary RTS game. Just be prepared for a seriously tricky and often overwhelming experience.

Into the Restless Ruins manages to make building dungeon layouts addictively strategic and a whole lot of fun.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a well balanced compilation of games with broad appeal, skilfully and faithfully enhanced for the modern player.

Revenge of the Savage Planet is a worthy successor to the previous game, especially if you have a buddy to take along for the ride.

You should enjoy the chance to get behind the bar of Bartender Hustle, especially if drink mixing is your bag. What keeps it interesting is the variety of cocktails, the different locations, and the variety of modes on offer from the beginning.

Once Peglin gets a grip, it's very hard to escape that grasp. You may fire it up for a quick five minute blast, but don't be surprised to discover runs that go hours’ deep and sleep patterns that are fast ruined.