Overall and the Great Lakes DLC for Railway Empire is another engaging piece of content. In fact, should you be able to pick up the base game, and all the content included, then the whole package would make an excellent GOTY edition.

If you enjoy solving intricate mysteries and appreciate unconventional game design, The Case of the Golden Idol is worth investigating.

Bright Paw: Definitive Edition is not Stray. It’s a single-player board game where a lack of freedom of movement is the point: where you are at the whims of the cards in your hand. The ponderous gameplay and the very, very gradual difficulty curve might lose it some admirers, but if you show it some patience and love, then this cat is inordinately charming and rewarding.

The Invincible is going to split opinion; not everyone is going to love this game, although many others will. It's a story-driven adventure where narrative is the driving force so should you be looking for a thoughtful adventure in a brave new world and don't mind the slow pace brought on by the game mechanics, then The Invincible will deliver you to the stars.

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…

Mortal Shell on Xbox One has delivered a hugely enjoyable and frustratingly, pad bitingly, hard experience. I love the gameplay, the lore and the general ambience, though the difficulty could be a little toned down if I'm honest. But then it is that which acts as a spur to keep you pushing on.

Whilst the story does go a little dark at times, there is a warmth oozing through Eastward that will wrap you up tightly. A culmination of well-written characters, a father/daughter relationship and the incredible visuals mean Eastward will leave you thinking about it long after you complete it.

You should find a good deal of fun in Rooftop Renegade. It isn’t going to set the gaming world alight, but it is fast and challenging whilst the multiplayer mode brings a little bit of creativity into the game.

Sure, it’s attention-grabbing to do something new, and innovation does get reviewers hot around the collar. But, most of the time, we just want a good thing done well, and Kaze and the Wild Masks does its 2D platforming extremely well. While Kaze and the Wild Masks on Xbox wears the masks of various platformers, like Donkey Kong Country and Rayman, they’re all polished to a mighty sheen.

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS is a well worked game, with a lot of content to go at. You’ll find hours of fighting just by following the main storyline, yet while it is possible to do this, the real joy of the game comes from wandering around, talking to people and taking on additional missions. The storyline is strong too, and so if Dynasty Warriors is your bag, Origins will be seen as an easy sell. Even if you are new to proceedings, this is a good place to start.

The world it lives in is beautiful, the stunning soundtrack is great and even though I think the price could be a tad cheaper, I’m splitting hairs here because if you’re a fan of this genre and love a challenge then Spectrum is the game for you.

Transformers: Battlegrounds on Xbox One offers a nice, simple set of virtual toys that you can play with, with a campaign of decent length and some interesting choices to make about customization and which characters to use. It lacks, of course, the deep customization of something like XCOM or XCOM 2, and there is something to be said that without permadeath the model doesn’t quite have the same tension.

Guns N’ Runs - at heart a simple concept, but one that is executed well and is still very challenging.

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.

Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution is a rather charming and fun action-RPG that delivers on the narrative more than anything else. The overall tone, the excellent cast of characters, and the mass reference to gaming culture are the main draw.

Knights & Guns probably feels more suited to a handheld console over Xbox, to be honest, but on the whole you’ll find it to be a blast (sorry) to play.

CrossCode is, for better or for worse, an overachiever, and quite successful at it for the most part.

If you’re searching for an entertaining, immersive and good mind-boggler, Neon Noodles is certainly that game; worthy of your time, providing refreshing endless possibilities, in spite of its few minor issues.

Ignore the simplistic art, forget that Intrepid Izzy was originally developed for the SEGA Dreamcast, and you’ll be treated to the best Shantae game without Shantae in the title.

PowerSlave Exhumed is one of those game remakes done right. It preserves everything that was great about the original, adds some graphical bells and whistles, and lets the kids of today see what games were like for us old folk growing up.

Aside from the odd problem and a lack of really new tracks, GRID Legends proves that once again Codemasters know exactly how to make a racer.

Bunny Battle Nemesis is a pretty accomplished side scrolling beat ‘em up. If you have mates to play with, this is an easy sell, as absolute carnage takes place. However, it’s decent as a solo player too, as the game mixes things up enough to keep you guessing.

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

Grab your phone, call your friends and promise them some free beers as The Jackbox Party Pack 4 is a brilliant combination of mini-games that any budding host will need to add to their arsenal. It may just save Christmas and New Year.

Sally Face is an excellent piece of creative work, especially in terms of story and visuals. It is truly original and takes you on an amazing journey over its five chapters.

The surprise success has spawned a fitting sequel in Hand of Fate 2, with deeper RPG elements, interesting lore and some really great challenges which all feel different.

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.

Chenso Club is, despite the retro stylings, very enjoyable. The heroines are all very different, the challenge is real, and you can play couch co-op to see just who is the greatest alien squasher in your house. If you are looking for a retro styled platformer, then Chenso Club is the one that you should give a chance to.

I had a great time with the Pinball FX - The Princess Bride Pinball table pack. I feel Pinball FX has succeeded at bringing the world of Rob Reiner's classic movie to the Pinball FX series in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, and the table itself is a blast to play on.

So, is it worth investing your money and time in either the Snowbound or Elite Class DLC packs for Mantis Burn Racing? Well, if you’ve found yourself maxing out everything that the standard career brings, then it’s a bit of a no-brainer and you’ll want to get yourself involved asap. The cheap price and free-ness of Snowbound warrant that at the very least.

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

I think the most important thing to keep in mind when playing Windbound on Xbox One is that there is a bit of an adjustment period to picking up the game. I didn’t boot it up and immediately fall in love with it; the visuals and premise drew me in, while the mechanics took some adjustment. But after a while everything begins to feel pretty good.

Football Manager 2021 Xbox Edition is a very good management sim and a viable option for anyone who spends more time on an Xbox than a PC. Performance-wise it runs well on the Series X and the whole layout is brilliantly designed from a visual standpoint. Unfortunately, it’s a pain to navigate the menus and even after sinking a ton of hours in, it still feels odd. The inclusion of microtransactions leaves a bitter taste too, because they’re just unnecessary.

Strange, unusual and a lot of fun, Home Safety Hotline is like David Lynch meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

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.

Research and Destroy feels like a refreshing change of pace thanks to its blend of turn based strategy and real time action. However, you’ll need to play with others to get the best from it.

The Sexy Brutale is definitely one of the more original ID@Xbox games that we’ve seen recently. On one side there is an incredibly dark and sinister side to the game solving, sometimes described in great gory-detail, murders. But then ultimately it is a game of hope as Lafcadio tries to prevent his friends re-living their nightmares day after day.

Promesa is a game that many may not 'get' or be interested in, mostly due to the lack of gameplay and action. For others though it’s a brilliant way of being able to take in something unique. For the entry price of an art gallery, Promesa allows you the chance to take in an exhibition from the luxury of your own home; a beautiful, thoughtful experience that takes you through the memories of someone's past and present.

If you like a challenge, the difficulty found in Shinorubi is real, moving all the way up to “Super Hard”. For many, that should just be left to the gaming ninjas as anyone who can beat this must have some octopus DNA in their system.

If you want an old skool experience that will take you to the edge, then may I suggest you take Bot Gaiden for a spin. You’ll gather up some seriously easy Xbox achievements as you do so.

The sheer amount of content, and the low price that it comes with, should see anyone with even a hint of passion for the brick smashing genre give Doughlings: Arcade a shot.

Clone Drone in the Danger Zone does what it sets out to do, all by not taking itself too seriously, and by keeping bouts short and sweet. Dobrog Games have made a game that is great for short blasts and so if you like robots, fighting or robots fighting, it’s certainly worth a look.

It might not bring any scares, but Williams Pinball: Universal Monsters Pack on Xbox One is sure to deliver an engaging and entertaining pinball experience.

I loved exploring this world, taking in Selfloss' original take on Slavic legends and myths. And there’s no doubt that the main character is a brilliant choice, as is the use of the staff of light as a major gameplay mechanic. It’s a shame then that the combat sections are more annoying than enjoyable.

Overall and whilst Crawl may not be what every dungeon crawling fan is used to, it certainly offers something new for local multiplayer fans. With surprisingly capable bots on hand to fill the empty spaces should you be flying solo, you’ll find a perfectly enjoyable game for a quiet afternoon session in this cracking title.

It has been good to go back to Mafia II after a decade. The visual upgrades that have been implemented to the cityscape are great, and it has been hugely entertaining to be reminded of the story again, one that tells a great tale with enough twists and turns to keep any Mafia crime fan happy.

The double offering of Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Ghoul Patrol makes a lot of sense if you are looking for a retro-styled challenge. It’s able to deliver all the difficulty of old-skool gaming, and all the challenge that entails, but in a modern setting that even allows saves to be made; the best of both worlds.

Holdfast: Nations at War is much more tongue-in-cheek than other games of this type. It’s fun and stupid - and it’s that which will be enjoyed.

Considering Monster Slayers lacks a proper story, doesn’t look anything special and has a fair few issues in terms of navigating the menus and such, you’d think I’d be putting you off it. Far from it though, because the card and class variety, decent range of enemies and easy to pick up gameplay are spot on; they are integral parts to an incredibly addictive experience.

Overall I had a good time with The Coma: Recut. The running and hiding from the creature does get a bit tiresome, but the originality of the story, gameplay and visuals make up for the tiring survival element I had to endure.

Felix the Reaper on Xbox One is a very unique and original game. It has bundles of charm and a great central premise that involves a warm central character who has more dance moves than a young John Travolta. The puzzle side of things does get a trifle hard later on, but it’s a great brain teaser that utilises a range of different perspectives and object management.

Whilst it would have been wonderful to have seen some fresh content included in the War Stories, the changes made and the new additions included are valuable ones to have, with some fantastic new maps, more of the same attention to historical accuracy and some exciting new challenges.

Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is a pretty long game, but there’s a lot of story to take in as you play through a childhood journey. Amazing at times, quite dark in places, I love the way it mixes real family drama with supernatural elements.

The Hotline Miami Collection on Xbox One features fast-paced action, an unbeatable soundtrack, retro presentation and an intriguing plot. Lots of replay value, optional ways to play and a tough-as-nails difficulty will keep any gamers invested for a long time. If you’re willing to move past some annoying gameplay sections to get to see Hotline’s coolest ideas, than the Collection is a no-brainer.

The Witch’s House MV will lure you in with the promise of horror, but the excellent puzzles are the reason you’ll stay.

In spite of that, though, the foundations of Hell is Us are rock solid. A follow-up game would allow for the combat systems to be refined, and for the story and world to be built out more. And whilst it’s not a perfect first game, many series really hit their stride in a sequel and I would love to see what developer Rogue Factor could do with this world further down the line.

Mato Anomalies is a game that shouldn’t work, but does work very well indeed. It isn’t massively long, and some of the side missions do feel a bit like padding to extend the run time, but the strength of the story running through it, and the fact that the characters you control are interesting in their own right, makes this a game that comes highly recommended.

Circuits is not like any other puzzle game that I have ever played, but it is still one that is easy to recommended to anyone and everyone who is after something new.

While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Fury Unleashed on Xbox One is a love letter to old school platformers, 80’s action heroes and the truly expressive features of comic books. Adding onto this is the ability to bring a friend along in co-op with a glorious frenzy of bullets. It’s a game that promotes the vision of ‘one more go’ and constantly asks you to push yourself further.

Well designed, beautifully drawn and with a real challenge, if you have an interest in this genre, then The Stone of Madness will be right up your alley.

Echoes of the End is a beautiful debut from Myrkur Games. It doesn’t just ask to be admired, it asks to be explored. With smoother mechanics and technical refinement, it could truly become unforgettable.

INK may sound very basic – and for the most part it is – but the gameplay is exceptionally enjoyable.

DE:EXIT – Eternal Matters is a very pleasant surprise. The world on offer is brilliant, rich for exploration and complemented with relaxing gameplay. The story is good too, especially in terms of the writing and brilliant characters.

Moons of Darsalon may not be a looker, but it’s huge fun, extremely clever and full of ideas that add to the appeal. A madcap rollercoaster ride it may be, but you can be sure that once you’ve strapped yourself in, the highs more than outweigh the few lows.

We could complain about the flimsy gameplay, but we’d rather focus on what Minute of Islands does so well. It’s in those moments where you stumble on a whale graveyard, or colossal moray eels swaying in the currents. It’s how the climactic moments hit you like a tidal wave. It’s in the delicately constructed backdrops, which often look like a Where’s Wally re-sketched by David Cronenberg.

Alien Hominid Invasion is animated, anarchic and full of attitude. Sure it’s tough, but more importantly it’s an absolute blast.

ISLANDERS: Console Edition is something that is able to deliver a relaxing city experience without the stress of deep management, finances, and dealing with unhappy residents. It’s a game that is great to pick up for a quick bash, finding the minutes turning into hours. It’s well priced too and the low outlay works as a brilliant incentive to those looking to take a gamble.

If Escape Academy: Escape from Anti-Escape Island is anything to go by, then we’re in for a treat with further DLC drops. It’s very much more of the same, but that same has been twisted into fiendish shapes and the stabilisers have been kicked off. You should see the state of the notebook that we used for the puzzles. It’s like the Zodiac Killer sent us some light reading.

We want to spread the word: absorb more people into Zapling Bygone’s body. This is a gruesome Metroidvania that will make you gag, and we loved every flipping minute of it. Join the hive-mind. We dare you.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection lovingly brings the spin-off adventures of Miles Edgeworth to Xbox. It consists of another two entries in an impressively consistent franchise which largely sticks to what it does best, and that is no bad thing.

If you are a fan of roguelites, deck builders, Arthurian mythology or just love the kind of games and films that leave you feeling a little bit soiled when you’re done, you could do far worse than checking Tainted Grail: Conquest out.

R-Type Final 2 is a very good shooting game in its own right, and having the history and background of the R-Type legacy makes it even better. There’s a lot to get involved in besides just shooting stuff, and the ability to unlock new ships that may suit your playstyle better is a big draw.

Think of Grotto as a comment on how worlds and civilisations are controlled and you’ll look at the night sky with an altogether different set of eyes.

The return of the Wang in a deeper adventure. Fast, furious, bullet spitting, katana swinging fun.

If you’re smarting from the demise of Telltale Games, then One-Eyed Lee and the Dinner Party feels like a reunion party. While it might not quite match the humour or dark underbelly of Tales of the Borderlands, say, it scratches a similar itch. A wacky premise, some lovely dialogue, and some colourful comic book stylings means that this is a pilot episode for something that could develop into something special indeed.

Whether you’re looking for a learning experience or are simply a petrol head with a love for cars - or maybe a bit of both - Car Mechanic Simulator is a great game.

GORSD on the Xbox One is an essential purchase for those looking for some local multiplayer fun. Rounds are short, sharp and sweet and having a full roster of four players brings just the right amount of carnage on screen. And then when they have gone home, the surprisingly entertaining single player Adventure allows you to hone your skills on tricky AI opponents, and the game doesn’t lose any of the same appeal.

Breakers Collection is one of the better QUByte Interactive remasters and so if you have a hankering for the past, and games with an almost psychic AI, this is for you.

Sudden Strike 4 is generally a rather enjoyable game that is only let down by the occasional command issue that sees units failing to move. Fix that issue though and Sudden Strike 4 is easily one of the best RTS titles we’ve seen in some time.

Are you ready for an addiction? DECEIVE INC. may well provide it. How long that feeling will last is debatable but there’s no doubt that this one will grab you at some point. Perhaps the real test will be with the online community though as whilst the servers keep busy, there is a great future for DECEIVE INC.

The Holy Gosh Darn is a well-written and entertaining point-and-click adventure elevated by its unique time-manipulation mechanic.

Mulaka is a great Zelda type game that is certainly decent value for money. The gameplay is good fun with an excellent mixture of puzzle, exploration, and combat. You should be aware of the bugs, and the fights sometimes do go on a bit too long, but overall it’s a great game.

Rising Hell is a fun, challenging roguelite that is perfect for those with a full schedule. It’s not as expansive as some of the other roguelites available, but it’s still a great bit of fun and well worth a buy if you are looking for something new to try.

Get Packed: Fully Loaded is lots of fun. Despite not being the most original concept, there’s plenty on offer here for a very reasonable price which should do more than raise a smile.

Before PlateUp! released, I never would’ve thought that running a restaurant would make for a fun roguelite game, but I am glad it has proved me wrong. While it is a fun game to play by yourself, it really shines when you add a couple of friends to the mix. There are a few hiccups, but otherwise PlateUp! is a great game that is well worth playing.

Section 13 is a very good example of the twin stick genre, full of solid shooting action from start to finish. It is fun solo, but the multiplayer kicks things up to another level.

For a Ratalaika port, Even the Ocean on the Xbox One is a true hidden gem. Part platforming and part deep, engrossing story, it's a real surprise. Aliph is thrown into the deep end in her new job and surrounding her is a supporting cast that is extremely well-written.

Bravo, Puzzle by Nikoli W, you’ve done it again with Masyu. We don’t know what bargain you’ve struck with a puzzling demon, but you’ve delivered yet another fresh-feeling, devious puzzle onto the Xbox.

Ghostwire: Tokyo can be a mixed bag. Occasionally brilliant, it follows that up with lacklustre sections and clunky mechanics.

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.

Once again, train sim fans and those who love the railways will absolutely adore this, and so if you fancy having a go at being a train driver there isn't a better place to achieve your dream than with Train Sim World 2.

With totally wacky minigames, a stock photo overdose and a suitably surreal story, Salamander County Public Television may not be for everyone. But if irreverence and things way outside the box are your thing, this is a fantastic indie game you will be playing long after you have solved the mystery of the missing residents.

The Rewinder may well transport you into a different world and culture. I doesn’t explain too much, but does provide a great piece of storytelling with some excellent world-building.

It’s clear that the Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King collection on Xbox One has been made with love. Despite their punishing difficulty, these are two games that have the power to warp us into our favourite Disney worlds and relive classic moments.

Dovetail Games are the masters of this genre, and even though some will question whether we need a new game quite so often, I feel they do continue to improve the franchise with every step. This time around with Train Sim World 5 that comes in the form of Conductor Mode and the route hopping.

Darkest Dungeon II is a hardcore game that offers a unique roguelike experience. It’s important that fans of the first temper their expectations going into the second, because it is vastly different, and expecting more of the same will only set those individuals up for disappointment.

Floppy Knights has the same nagging demand to play that Advance Wars has: to satisfy a sub-objective, to progress the campaign, to unlock a particular unit.

Cryogear on Xbox One is a stylish throwback which packs enough content to keep players entertained for hours. Despite not being the most challenging of its ilk, it’s a solid action-RPG platformer that more than deserves a look.