Shines Over: The Damned falls short of its potential. The visuals, soundtrack, and world-building are commendable, but the gameplay elements, particularly the platforming and combat, are frustrating and detract from the experience. The short playtime also leaves you wanting more.

Block & Shot is fine. A fine puzzler, a fine giver of easy Gamerscore and a fine way of spending a sole evening of gaming. But it could have been more than fine. It could - and should - have been something more testing, delivering on the explosive premise, building on the simple puzzling mechanics.

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake does a brilliant job of keeping as close to the original without diverting too much. It is a remake, but not perhaps in the way you would expect, with so many other recent remakes changing so much.

Free, or not, UFL is full of the kind of poor gameplay mechanics that have been weeded out of other football games over the last ten years. It’s a blast from the past, just not in a good way, and so it’s probably not worth your time right now.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has successfully landed and recovered. While the initial server issues were frustrating, the game now delivers on its promises, offering a vast and immersive aviation experience.

As always with these games, the more players you can round up, the more enjoyment you will have and competing with friends and family brings G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra together.

Cultist Simulator will deliver a rewarding experience that will appeal to those who enjoy depth to their gaming, as well as a bit of storytelling and a touch of the occult.

Ravenswatch may well convert you into a roguelike enthusiast. The combination of engaging combat, diverse characters with unique abilities, and rewarding progression systems creates a gameplay loop full of interest.

SANYA is an endearing, small-scale adventure which connects players with memories, thoughts and feelings of their childhood.

Sky Roll! is a very, very basic game with absolutely no original ideas of its own. Yet it is still half decent and for the sake of 79p, I dare say you’ll have a bit of fun with it.

Grim Idle is free and so there’s value in the sense that you can earn a huge chunk of Gamerscore and have a little fun experimenting with the skill tree, without exerting much brain power. Beyond that, it doesn’t offer enough enticement to carry on and venture across the rest of the galaxy.

It’s a shame that the online world is dead, but if you crave an old-school fighting game with old-school difficulty, Rage of the Dragons NEO delivers.

Goat Simulator: Remastered retains the original's chaotic charm while enhancing the visuals and bundling all the DLC

Doors: Paradox has the potential to be a great puzzle game. It is warm, vibrant, varied and full of just the right amount of puzzling. But there are quite a few issues that prevent it from scoring as high as it could.

You may enjoy the meticulous management of complex systems, and if you do, should find Pets Hotel to be a rewarding experience. But otherwise it's a hard sell…

[REDACTED] is a great roguelike with plenty for fans of the genre to get stuck into.

VED is an unconventional game that defies easy categorisation. While it might not immediately grab your attention, it gradually becomes more engaging as you delve deeper into its story and world. See it as a slow burn that rewards patience and exploration…

Vampire: The Masquerade - Reckoning of New York is a decent visual novel that will likely satisfy fans of the series. However, for newcomers, it can be challenging to jump in at the deep end, without prior knowledge of the world and characters.

While some might find the interiors and character design somewhat dated, and there are occasional glitches, Nephise: Ascension is a worthwhile look, especially for those who enjoy atmospheric exploration.

You may well be shocked by how good Super Rolling Heroes Deluxe is. Or at least how addictive it is for a couple of hours. With two distinct ways of playing, plenty of levels, speedrunning if you want it and some fun cosmetics to collect, this is one of the better games in the JanduSoft catalogue.

While some puzzles could well require a bit of head-scratching or online assistance, you should gather your family and share in the joy of uncovering the tales of Tell Me Your Story together.

Run Tekila Run! surprised me, mostly as it’s a departure from Tonguç Bodur's usual style. This action-oriented isometric game, set in a fantasy world overrun by zombies, offers a unique premise and enjoyable gameplay. However, whilst it plays with a fun concept, a mad story, and some good gameplay, it does grow monotonous after a short while and is occasionally hard to navigate.

If you are looking for a truly unique game, with an off-the-walls story, Death Stranding Director’s Cut will be seen as a treat.

Vampire Hunters successfully adapts the core elements of Vampire Survivors to a first-person perspective, creating an engaging and unique experience.

Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is an excellent rhythm game for solo or multiplayer enjoyment. With a wide variety of songs, four difficulty levels, a training mode, and engaging multiplayer options, there's something for everyone.

Tinkertown is a game with heart, and is a nice place to be. However, there are improvements that need to be made before it can reach its true potential and keep you coming back for more.

There’s no doubt that this is one of the most immersive, grittiest, most brutal of games, for multiple reasons. However, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl goes and shoots itself in the foot on a few too many occasions. Bugs and glitches are to be expected for an open world game that attempts so much, but only with some polish and refinement will S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 shine as a masterpiece of open-world survival horror.

If you enjoyed previous Farming Simulator games, you'll undoubtedly find many hours of enjoyment here with Farming Simulator 25, losing yourself in the intricacies of agricultural management and the satisfaction of a thriving farm.

If you have a fondness for Paperboy from back in the day, you should probably give Death Noodle Delivery a once over - it's certainly good enough to evoke memories of a golden age of gaming.

If you have previously found love with Sonic or Mario, Donkey Kong, Crash or Rayman, you'll find yourself having a fabulous time with Nikoderiko: The Magical World. Beautifully bright, full of secrets, collectibles galore and some superb platforming moments will see this one appeal to pretty much all.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Rise of the Golden Idol. The core gameplay loop of solving intricate mysteries remains addictive, whilst the enhanced visuals, new puzzle types, and expanded narrative create a rewarding detective experience.

Planet Coaster 2 is a worthy follow-up and another fab continuation of the wider ‘Planet’ franchise. The water parks don’t intrude too much, ensuring that this remains a theme park creator at its heart, and most of the new inclusions add to that simulation side of things successfully.

If you are looking for more Riftbreaker action, Heart of the Swamp will scratch that itch. Just don’t expect too much more.

Shieldwall is an interesting game. While it functions well and offers an enjoyable campaign, the gameplay loop can become repetitive. The most significant drawback however is the lack of online multiplayer on Xbox.

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.

If you enjoy school management simulations, meticulously organising timetables, optimising teacher performance, and taking on the challenge of rescuing a failing institution, Let's School might be for you. But it’s hard to enjoy after the initial building phase, as Let’s School starts to feel more like work, than it does play.

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

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is a testament to Poncle's dedication and creativity. The sheer amount of content packed into this DLC is remarkable, and the addictive gameplay loop will keep you hooked for hours.

Would I recommend Super Destronaut Landed X Loaded? Well, there’s no doubt that it is a good arcade shooter, full of quick gameplay and enough action to keep you going for half an hour. But after that? It’s all for debate as to whether you’ll continue to play.

This fifth entry in the series, despite being called Garten of Banban 6, is the best by far. But it is not a good starting point. Unfortunately, to get the most out of it, you will need to sit through some bad games to fully appreciate this one. Garten of Banban 6 is not exactly great, but it is a whole lot better than what has come before.

Despite a couple of flaws, the Great God Grove has a ton of personality and sets out to do what it wants. It may not be a game for everyone, but if you like point and click style games and are looking for something you can complete in a weekend, then it’s well worth checking out.

Wildermyth: Console Edition is a testament to the power of storytelling and imagination. This game managed to draw me in with its unique blend of strategic depth and narrative engagement. The gameplay is accessible yet challenging, and the character progression and world-building create a truly immersive experience.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an excellent game. It's a massive and immersive experience, with a compelling story, stunning visuals, and satisfying combat. While a few graphical glitches are present, they don't detract significantly from the overall experience.

Metal Slug Tactics may take a couple of hours before things start to click, but once it does it offers a fresh perspective on a tactical RPG. It plays like a Metal Slug game, it absolutely looks like a Metal Slug game, but it manages to do all that in a tactical fashion, with some fresh ideas that keep things fun and fast paced.

O.W.L. Projekt is a game that will challenge your mind, all while keeping you relaxed and engaged. If you're seeking a narrative-driven experience, look elsewhere, as O.W.L. Projekt focuses solely on the journey and the satisfaction of overcoming its puzzles.

If you've fallen in love with previous 2D scrolling strategy games, this is certainly going to appeal. And if you haven't, Monarchy is as good a place to start as any. At least in the short term…

Skater’s Solstice presents a promising puzzle concept that hits a slippery slope too swiftly. While it contains a respectable number of stages, the ideas run out fast and there’s a lack of fresh elements to keep your interest.

Duck Run is weirdly addictive, slightly compelling, but far from decent. Come for the achievements if you must, but don’t say we didn’t warn you about the frustrations of the gameplay.

Albatroz is a relaxing game with a compelling story, beautiful visuals, and a vast world to explore. The soundtrack is excellent, creating a soothing atmosphere. While the game occasionally suffers from framerate issues, and the survival mechanics can feel more tedious than engaging, the overall experience is enjoyable.

Slitterhead is a refreshingly different experience with its unique blend of B-movie horror, inventive mechanics, and world-building.

Tetris Forever is a beautifully crafted, utterly fascinating and surprisingly educational love letter to one of the most significant video games ever created, warts and all.

You may think that The Smurfs have had their day, but you won’t want to sleep on The Smurfs - Dreams. You will be surprised by just how accomplished this platformer is. And if that is anything to go by, the future is bright, the future is blue.

Together We Live is a slow burner that develops into an intriguing visual novel that’s equally depressing as it is heartwarming.

Empire of the Ants will probably exceed your expectations - you will be pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a story campaign, RTS gameplay, and multiplayer options. The ambition of the game is commendable, and the RTS mechanics are well-implemented.

Despite its unconventional controls, lack of initial context, and occasional rough edges, Hannah offers a decent experience. The dreamlike horror atmosphere, intriguing puzzles, and unique visual design create a memorable adventure.

Despite the audio inconsistencies and the story's melancholic tone, Bottle: Pilgrim Redux is a worthwhile addition to the "walking simulator" genre and one of the stronger entries in Tonguç Bodur's growing portfolio.

Paper Plane Arena - The Haunted House is a relaxing, easy-to-play, and addictive game. If you have played any of the games from EpiXR Games previously, then you’ll know what to expect - a straightforward experience with an easy 1000 Gamerscore at the end.

Stick with SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS long enough, and you may find enjoyment there. Somewhere, deep, deep down.

Self-Delusion creates a compelling atmosphere and offers an intriguing gameplay loop. While the survival horror mechanics weren't to my taste, I can see its appeal for fans of the genre.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a better game than the other more recent Call of Duty games, but if you hark back to the classics like MW2 and the original Black Ops games, then you won't find it reaching those same heights.

Despite its complexity and challenging learning curve, MechWarrior 5: Clans is a rewarding and engaging experience.

Kiki - A Vibrant 3D Platformer is a game low on ideas, which even then are poorly implemented. As platformers go, it’s a stinker.

Mining Mechs works very well, especially if you’re looking for a game you can pretty much play on autopilot. The pixel art is pretty enough, the soundtrack doesn’t grate and gameplay-wise it requires very little thinking.

Speedollama is far from a bad game, and the action can certainly be fun and frantic, but it isn’t necessarily a game that will grab you and refuse to let go.

New World: Aeternum successfully makes the jump to Xbox, doing a great job of bringing the MMO experience to your living room. It offers a slew of content in a brilliantly realised world that has enough tricks up its sleeve to keep you hooked, even if it has an air of the familiar to it.

Legend of Mana is an enjoyable throwback to the '90s, but its unconventional structure might not appeal to everyone. I personally prefer RPGs with a more linear and cohesive narrative, rather than a disjointed collection of missions. However, it's still a fun game with a wealth of content to explore.

You’ll have a blast playing Starship Troopers: Extermination. The online community seems refreshingly devoid of the toxicity often found in games like Call of Duty and the gameplay is genuinely thrilling. While not perfect (occasional lag spikes and enemy teleporting can be frustrating), there’s a lot to enjoy.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem is surprisingly fun. For children within the target age range, this is a no-brainer, but even older players will find some enjoyment here.

Trials of Mana is a delightful experience. The engaging story, enjoyable combat, and charming presentation make it a must-play for RPG fans, with the monster pop-in issue just a minor blemish on an otherwise polished game.

While The Coma 2B: Catacomb doesn't drastically deviate from its predecessors, it delivers another enjoyable, yet chilling, adventure.

Killing Time: Resurrected is a competent remake of a classic game. Even without prior knowledge of the original, the story is engaging and the gameplay offers a decent amount of exploration and puzzle-solving. The FMV enemies are unintentionally amusing, and the gunplay lacks a certain punch, but the overall experience is enjoyable.

Predator: Hunting Grounds is thrilling and enjoyable, especially when played with friends. The fast-paced action, tense stealth, and satisfying Predator gameplay create an engaging and immersive experience.

The Hidden Cats franchise will get its claws into you again with Hidden Cats in Spooky Town.

It would have been appreciated if there were a couple more survey-based games included to build out that fun, but if you like what Jackbox have provided over the years, then The Jackbox Survey Scramble deserves some playtime.

For the flaws in TRANSFORMERS: Galactic Trials, it’s still capable of delivering a fun and nostalgic experience for fans of the Transformers franchise.

If you appreciate mature-themed shooters, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered might be right up your alley, but it's definitely not for younger gamers.

Whether you’re there for the chart-toppers, the workouts or the nostalgia, Just Dance 2025 Edition keeps the fun alive and well on the dance floor.

EA Sports College Football 25 offers a variation of American Football that may be more appealing to those who take issue with the stop/start nature of the game itself.

If you're seeking a tense and atmospheric horror experience, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is an excellent choice.

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.

Remnant II: The Dark Horizon represents a somewhat disappointing end to the game’s post-release content. It feels substantially shorter than the others, and the new glider doesn’t really bring anything new to the table.

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

While there are elements to like in Unknown 9: Awakening, it doesn't feel particularly innovative, except for the enemy possession mechanic.

If you're looking for a spooky and relaxing experience, turn off the soundtrack and enjoy a creepy flight through the world of Aery - Midnight Hour.

You’ll be impressed by the concept and execution of Amanda the Adventurer. It's dark, disturbing, funny, and entertaining. However, I wish the gameplay offered more hints, particularly regarding the multiple endings.

Puppet House doesn't revolutionise the horror genre, but it executes its familiar elements effectively. The pacing is excellent, the gameplay is enjoyable, and the puzzles offer a satisfying challenge without being overly complex.

You will enjoy your journey through Kong: Survivor Instinct, perhaps more than you may have anticipated. It's refreshing to play a Metroidvania with a focus on exploration, and you'll want to uncover every secret the world holds.

There is a genuine case to be made that Pinball FX - Goat Simulator Pinball is the G.O.A.T. of Zen Studios' original tables.

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication, just as I did its predecessor. The university setting provides a perfect backdrop for the ghostly narrative, which is both frightening and entertaining. While the stealth and chase sequences can be frustrating at times, they don’t overshadow the game’s strengths.

Is Purpose 1951 Tonguç Bodur's finest work? In my opinion, it falls somewhere in the middle of his portfolio. The story is engaging without being exceptional, and the visuals are generally pleasing, with a particularly striking depiction of a depressing interior in the final section.

While While We Wait Here isn't always smooth, but its storytelling is exemplary. The narrative is strange, eerie, and full of surprises and I admire the developers' willingness to experiment with different gameplay mechanics and their effective use of old-school visuals.

Alan Wake 2: The Lake House is an intriguing change of scenery that leans fully into the survival horror experience. It may not reach the heady heights of the source material, but passes the baton on for what promises to be an exciting future for the Remedy Connected Universe.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is perfect for kids, who it is so clearly aimed at. They will have a blast in a world which allows them to explore and cause mischief, especially if they are fans of the show. For the rest, there’s a limited amount of fun on offer, which is entertaining for a short while.

It may be a shooter, a platformer and a puzzler, but more importantly Squirrel with a Gun is absolutely nuts. Its shortcomings are more than made up for by the sheer amount of fun you’ll have playing as a squirrel, with a gun.

Fear the Spotlight is relatively short to play through, taking around 3 to 4 hours to complete, but it makes the most of that time.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the JRPG of the year, and you’d be remiss to pass on it.

MetroLand is a surprisingly accomplished endless runner. Try and push the non-action side of the game to one side, refusing to let the addiction really take hold, and you'll enjoy the mindless score chasing that has been provided here. Just let it be known that a daily grind will always be around the corner.