This 6-to-8-hour game is a perfect indie title, especially when you take into account the low price compared to the amount of production that has gone into every molecule of it. The story is fantastic and works beautifully from beginning to end, and the concept and AI interface gameplay ensure that Observation on Xbox One is the most unique thing I’ve played for a long while.

Banana Mania is the ultimate Super Monkey Ball collection: the best levels, the best minigames and the best fun. But don’t let the cute graphics lull you into a false sense of security, even with the questionable quality of life improvements, it remains as tricky and as addictive as ever.

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is unlike anything else you would have ever played, but it has been created so well by the team at Steel Crate Games that it really is one of the most innovative party titles out there. Printing out the extensive manual may seem like a bit of a faff initially – and I’d be more than happy if the morse code puzzles were removed altogether – but the way the two different gameplay elements have been worked together as one is pure genius.

I could have done without some of the stealth mechanics in Sleep Awake, but I absolutely loved the other parts of the journey. The visuals and sound design are easily some of the best you might find on this current generation of Xbox.

Avowed is a gripping, utterly absorbing adventure that strikes a pleasing balance in the genre. Once picked up, it’s hard to put down.

Dungeons 3 – Complete Collection on Xbox One is without a doubt one of the best RTS games you can play on the Xbox One right now. It has a fantastic mixture of several sub-genres wrapped in a hilarious and charming package that is chock-full of content.

SWORN is just co-op Hades, but who doesn’t want co-op Hades?

If you are after a retro JRPG, this is the game for you. It is challenging, beautiful, has a compelling story and memorable boss fights. What more could you need?

Should the idea of a 4-6 hour adventure full of puzzles be what you’re after, look no further than Eventide 3: Legacy of Legends. It’s bloody great.

Silent Hill f is absolutely brilliant, 90% of the time. The tension, as well as the atmosphere that the graphics and sound create is amazing, really drawing you in; play this game in the dark with headphones on and you’ll understand what I mean.

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

Morbid: The Seven Acolytes on Xbox is an excellent Souls-like experience and one that any fan of the genre should play. It’s constantly rewarding and delivers a frantic challenge on the whole. There are some hiccups along the way but it’s not enough to bring down this trip into steampunk nightmares.

Grandia HD Collection may not appeal to everyone, but those drawn to it will find this to be a great package.

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

In their attempt to create a game that evokes the spirit of the classic originals, Dlala Studios has made a stupendous hit for the Xbox One library. Not only does Battletoads pay homage to the series entries that came before, it surpasses them.

Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch does quite a lot of things different to the norm, but it all comes together in a delightful way. The roguelite elements add a note of jeopardy to every fight, and the sheer variety of gameplay makes it almost endlessly fascinating. With a difficulty level just short of brutal, this is one that will keep challenging you for a good long time.

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.

This is one of the more accessible sim city games out there and so if you have never played one before and fancy seeing what all the fuss is about, then maybe make Anno 117: Pax Romana your first port of call.

Promenade is a lovingly crafted platformer that may catch you off guard. I went in with no real expectations, and as a result ended up being pleasantly surprised every step of the way.

Xuan Yuan Sword 7 on Xbox is a uniquely special action role playing game which sweeps players into a fascinating setting; one that fuses ancient Chinese history with folklore. The game world is presented in stunning detail, and the world building feels organic and captivating. It also helps that this is an entertaining game to pick up and play, with rich environments to explore and a great deal of enjoyable variety in the gameplay.

We felt a film of grime developing on us as we played. NORCO’s world is decaying and warping, but we couldn’t help but sift through it, looking for the next hideous artefact in the sludge. This is a hypnotising point-and-click adventure, full of unforgettable characters, moments and puzzles

While Schildmaid MX has no valkyries, hydras or griffins, it gets a pass for being awesome. The shield-tech that underpins everything is sublime, and the more traditional SHMUP stuff is very good too. So good, in fact, that the lack of enemy variety doesn’t hurt as much as it really should.

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.

Flynn: Son of Crimson is a deluxe hot chocolate. I just want to snuggle into an armchair and reward myself with a solid, unbroken couple of hours with my hands wrapped around it. It feels like a video game in the purest terms, a frothy adventure with little in the way of friction or annoyances. And it rewards your attention by being deep and rich.

Rogue Legacy 2 is a fun game that incentivises variety. The different character traits can come together and make truly unique runs that don’t feel repetitive.

Planet Zoo: Console Edition is Frontier Developments at their finest, creating the best zoo simulation game of all-time, and one of the best simulation games in general.

We want to play a double-bill of DREDGE and Moonglow Bay. Because while Moonglow Bay is the positive, life-affirming and wistful side of fishing, DREDGE is the opposite. It is monstrously gorgeous, hideously compelling, and has our fingernails down to bloody ends. We’re going to need to update that best fishing games list.

All in all, the story and the characters are what will keep dragging you back to Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition; you’ll want to see what happens to the team. Thankfully the gameplay is as solid as ever, but improved traversal makes things easier, and that makes this the best of those available in the Shadowrun Trilogy.

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.

Sniper Elite V2 Remastered on Xbox One does a fantastic job of reiterating what has made the series so popular. It’s one we should be applauding once more.

From the get-go, Neon Abyss might not wow you with its uniqueness but it does do some nice things to change up the usual formula. Grab a little Binding of Isaac, a little Rogue Legacy, and a pinch of Cyberpunk and you have Neon Abyss. If this sounds up your alley, you're in for a nice treat.

If you are looking for a JRPG with a twist, with a brilliant story mixed in, then Meg’s Monster is the one for you.

A fine balance between fisticuffs, chit chat and intense situations.

We worried that we’d never get to play another Actraiser: a game that was foolish enough to twist platforming around RTS bits. But what we have is so much more. Smelter is leagues ahead of its ageing relative and deserves all the success that it (hopefully) gets. Smelter is a belter.

The Inner World deserves your time, and for the price, it really shouldn’t be missed. Take yourself to this world of zany characters and have a chuckle for a good while, all whilst testing your problem solving skills.

SOMA is a great game that brings a perfect blend of survival horror, an intriguing story, believable characters, and the constant dread of failure – things that are all too rare these days.

Get over the tricky first few hours of Graveyard Keeper: Last Journey Edition and it becomes something special. The base game is a few years old now and lacking an Xbox Series X|S update, but that really shouldn’t matter. The gameplay is addictive and you will quickly find yourself getting further and further away from what you initially set out to do, never worried, knowing it will all be worthwhile

Whilst you may well be drawn in to MOUSE: P.I. For Hire by the visuals and soundtrack, once in, you’ll discover a game that is so much more than just that - an investigative, story-focused, secret-hunting, first person shooting platformer that is an absolute joy to play.

Whatever your management style, Football Manager 2022 Xbox Edition has your back. It’s one of the most adaptive and slickly designed simulations out there, full stop. Kick around in its shallows or dive down deep, and they both feel as satisfying as the other.

Apart from the odd minor issue, Archvale has been a pleasure. There’s some real joy in exploring, in meeting and shooting new and strange creatures, and in enjoying the cute and cuddly visual style - even as the same boss stomps you multiple times. If you like bullet hell games, Archvale should certainly be on your radar.

I could spend a few hours telling you about the heroic conquests and heartbreaking losses of my merry band of soldiers. Instead, I’ll tell you that if you’re a fan of roguelikes, satisfying combat, and unique game design, then Gods Will Fall on Xbox is one of the best games that you can play. With its beautiful combination of random generation and concrete level design, it sets the bar high for any roguelikes that come after.

There is a lot of personality in Have a Nice Death. The animation is fluid and the character and sound design are phenomenal. It is a challenging game that doesn’t forgive mistakes, so it won’t be fun for those looking for a casual game. But if you like a roguelike that will push you to the edge, Have a Nice Death is a welcome addition to your game library.

Original, clever and innovative, Laser League is a gameplay experience worth your time and shows that we don’t have to settle for the same old, annually cloned dross again and again.

If you want to travel to the future, hack into a suspect’s mind and have nightmares for a week, then this is the game for you. Trust me it’s well worth it.

With an in-depth Career mode, incredibly life-like visuals, plenty of content and a faithful simulation experience of everyone’s favourite racing discipline recreated to the finest detail, there aren't many better places to experience the thrill of race day besides heading down to the track in person.

So, Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox. This is a game I had been looking forward to for what seems like a lifetime, and it was never going to live up to the high expectations that CD Projekt Red, I or the world as a whole has been putting on it. It's a great RPG, but at the same time it doesn't do anything grounding breaking in terms of style and gameplay. Yes it has bugs, there is an annoying UI and I can’t ignore the mission stutters, but similarly it's a game that I constantly think back to when I’m not gaming, looking forward to my next deep session with it.

Hunt the Night is easy to recommend. It seems to hark back to a time when you either got gud or failed miserably: there is really no middle ground.

Aside from the new tractor beams, the VOID Riders DLC for OlliOlli World doesn’t really change much. But when the foundations are so much fun, nothing really needs to be changed.

Moonlighter is a game of two halves that when combined makes for a truly enjoyable experience and one that’s hard to put down.

If you like a shooter but need it to come with wit and action, you’ll find it in Shadow Warrior 3: Definitive Edition.

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

It is charming, fun and surprisingly deep, with complex mechanics to master and planning very much a necessity. The graphics are cute, the heroes are full of personality and the story is engaging. What’s not to like?

If you’ve ever had fantasies of being John Wick, but can’t be bothered to step out of the armchair, then we would fully encourage you to have some Fights in Tight Spaces.

If you’re okay with hefty dollops of reading and a lack of handholding, but also love mysteries and puzzles then - wowser - do I have the game for you in Strange Antiquities.

A Plague Tale: Innocence delivers a brilliant story, innovative mechanics and truly immersive gameplay. Yes, the whole dying and repeating exercise occasionally borders on the the fine line of annoyance. But when you consider the visuals, the audio and the experience as a whole, I would highly recommend this journey into the past.

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

Glitchangels might not dazzle with its looks or soundtrack. It might occasionally feel like you’re trying to navigate a fireworks display. But for a penny less than a tenner, you are getting an extremely effective twin-stick shooter and two thumbs up. It’s a joy to control, incredibly more-ish, and it keeps tempting you with more ways to progress. If you’re hungry to play a new Geometry Wars, but are willing to take a hit on the presentation, then Glitchangels is manna from heaven.

Audio repetition aside, Orcs Must Die! 3 is a little gem. The campaign modes are deep and varied, the weekly challenges are full of variety and both the Endless and Scramble options mix up the gameplay just enough to warrant some time with each. Throw in the simple to set up online multiplayer and you've got an extremely accomplished action tower defense brawler that the vast majority of gamers will thoroughly enjoy.

Wintermoor Tactics Club on Xbox One may not be your ‘new game+’, one-shot death brand of turn-based strategy; instead, it dares to be welcoming, and that’s something to be celebrated.

Road to Ballhalla teases you from the get go, and is able to bring about a strange sense of joy found from the simple rolling of a single ball through multiple stages – it is an almost celestial ball roller that delivers a puzzle experience straight out of heaven itself.

Despite the bulk of the storytelling being over within six hours, the opportunity to remain in Walden Pond is one that many will accept as they uncover everything this world has to offer. Sure, the survival aspects are a bit of distraction, however they aren’t massively detrimental to the adventure.

If you should be in the market for a stylish platformer, you’ve found it in the shape of Cookie Cutter. It’s one of the best indie games of recent times.

The Division 2: Warlords of New York expansion on Xbox One is a mid-sized expansion that delivers fun engaging gameplay and more of the brilliance of The Division, especially when you team up with others. When you take into account the price you’ll be found paying, it’s pretty fair considering just how much gameplay there is available.

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is without doubt a superb attempt at merging genres; its take on the roguelite formula is particularly effective, on par with titles like Hades due to its gripping gameplay, diverse range of gods and abilities, and fun replay value. Despite this, a lack of intentional map design, leaves a barren feeling to stages, begging to be filled with more.

It's great to see the Prince of Persia franchise back in the public eye once more, especially with The Lost Crown paying homage to the original 1989 game. A twenty-hour running time does feel a tad long, but everything else - from the combat to the world exploration - is a delight.

Ghost Song is a game worthy of your attention. An experience that is as sad as it is lonely, as its world peels back its layers, exposing its truth to you.

Unicorn Overlord isn’t so much about why you are journeying, but more about who is joining you, who stands in your way and how good you look whilst progressing.

If you’ve had an increasing feeling that gaming is in a bit of a rut, that the same old ideas are percolating downwards, then play What Lies in the Multiverse.

Despite some minor issues, Code Vein II is excellent. Look past the graphical issues and there is an excellent game found within, one with loads to do, and multiple timelines to visit and fix.

Hypnospace Outlaw on Xbox One is so wonderfully put together, it’s hard to imagine anyone it wouldn’t make an impact on. If you have any interest in the early days of the internet, meta humour or just unique games, I strongly urge you to give this a go.

WWE 2K25 is impressive all-round with its exciting and enthralling gameplay that’s enhanced by a great selection of game modes. While The Island doesn’t reach its potential, the likes of MyFACTION, MyRISE and Showcase are thriving. And then there’s the massive roster to take into account, which is crucial to longevity.

Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express is the best Poirot game of recent times and really brings out your inner detective. The investigating of scenes and piecing together timelines is very engaging, while the frequent puzzles are great to test those little grey cells.

For a few hours, Lacuna - A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure let us walk in the shoes of a Deckard or Bogart, looking mournful as we smoked a cigarette in the rain, and we’d gladly take the opportunity again.

Raji: An Ancient Epic on Xbox One is a game I wanted to love from the off. From the moment I picked it up, right through to the telling end, I have to say I haven’t been left disappointed. It is a beautiful, epic journey with some fabulous storytelling and amazing visuals. Yes, occasionally the combat drags a bit, the waves of enemies grow dull as you progress to the latter stages, and the price is a tad high for the six-hour or so experience, but I think it's worth it for the quality on show here.

Windjammers 2 is more proof that simple ideas can take off when done effectively. What is essentially Pong sprinkled with a bit of table hockey and a dash of Street Fighter works because it is so simple to play.

You’ll have to be a fan of the puzzler genre, need to be used to the slow rhythm of a point and clicker, and be prepared for the strange and the unusual, but if you’re up for that, or are a fan of games like Mr Pumpkin Adventure, then you will love Bulb Boy.

Venice 2098 has surprised in many ways. I initially thought it might be too depressing, pushing a tricky subject matter concerned with climate change. But the game is full of hope and humour, as well as concern surrounding the human spirit. You will have to get used to the camera though.

If you love Chernobylite and can’t get enough of it, or are interested in giving it a go for the first time, the Xbox Series X|S version is a worthwhile purchase.

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.

Solasta: Crown of the Magister brings enough new touches to the table to make it a recommendation, especially as it comes with the promise of online co-op and a Dungeon Creation tool. There is more than enough here to keep you rolling your dice for the foreseeable future.

If you’re after a unique adventure that borrows ideas from a load of games, but beats its own drum loudly, then Masters of Anima might just be worth adding to your collection.

Destroy All Humans! is an easy game to recommend for fans of the original. It feels faithful almost to a fault as it carries the story, jokes, and somewhat antiquated game design with it. While there are some nice additions and decent visuals, it probably won’t do much to convince those who didn’t play it back in 2005 to give it a go.

This is a truly original piece of gaming; an experience full of creative invention, brilliant premise, and the most terrifying piece of world-destroying machinery ever - The Eternal Cylinder.

Shredders does everything in its power to make you feel cool, it pays homage to the glorious sport of snowboarding and does wonders to try and welcome newcomers as well.

If you're a fan of an RTS, then you're going to love Company of Heroes 3 on Xbox Series X|S. The campaigns are fantastic, as is the use of the UI as it moves from PC to console.

Whereas Darksiders III missed the mark by straying too far from the path, Darksiders Genesis on Xbox One proves that the formula from the first two games was successful enough for their franchise. It’s true that this is a more linear experience this time around, but none of what made Darksiders a cult hit in the first place has been sacrificed in translation.

Dandy & Randy DX is like Grandma’s cooking. You’ve tasted it time and time again over the years, and it doesn’t feel like it’s changed, but it tastes so good.

SiNKR on Xbox One is a thoroughly satisfying experience, and one definitely worth the play. It may frustrate at times, but the satisfaction that comes from completing a difficult level is rather euphoric. Also, given the easy 1000 Gamerscore on offer, and the low asking price, it's not hard to recommend you spend time with the game. If sinking pucks sounds up your alley, or you just love puzzle games, SiNKR is definitely for you.

Whilst at first, the additions to Madden NFL 23 would appear to be more subtle over previous versions, they all add up to make one of the better instalments of recent years.

Minoria on Xbox One is a worthy entry in the broader Momodora canon. While Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is arguably the more memorable experience, Minoria is still a welcome and unique take on the developer’s own Metroidvania formula; one that manages to do things with its own style both in presentation and gameplay.

The gameplay and visuals of 1979 Revolution: Black Friday are not bad, but at the same time they are not as fantastic and inventive as I had hoped. The story, writing and characters though are great with some brilliant hidden facts, photos and films. The voice work is excellent and it really does allow this great idea to shine, all as it tackles a massive piece of history through the medium of gaming.

Once you get accustomed to the controls, which at times feel a bit cumbersome, and as long as you are able to ignore some weird physics, Cash Cleaner Simulator is a game that you can easily spend dozens of hours in. The mechanics that can be frustrating are also what ensure the game is unique and fun.

The Witch Queen expansion for Destiny 2 on Xbox Series X is one of the better ones that Bungie has produced.

Andro Dunos 2 certainly doesn’t take any prisoners, and as a reminder of simpler times, when games were tough and gamers were nervous, it does enough to merit a play.

If you're a fan of Monty Python and the type of animation and humour that has come from it, you are going to love The Procession to Calvary. It's a game which is great fun with a bonkers mad story, weird multiple endings, and some brilliant use of art and animation.

System Shock very much deserves its second coming, and so many groundbreaking elements of the original game still impress today. However, beyond the cosmetic upgrade the same foundations remain, warts and all.

If you’re looking for something slightly different in tone, with a great story, some slow paced thoughtful gameplay and visuals that look like a piece of art then take a trip to Trüberbrook.

Short but powerful, taking place over a couple of hours of running time, Lucid Cycle is extremely enjoyable. The idea of placing you in many different dreams has the feel of a short story anthology about it; this is helped by the fact that each and every one of them feels different in terms of style, location, and moments of gameplay. Fans of narrative adventures and walking sims will have a lovely time here, as it takes the genre into different areas of greatness.