It may take a while to get going at first for new players, but get over that first hour of pretty much just cutscenes and the game completely opens up into one of the finest examples of storytelling in gaming. This, along with the sheer abundance of side activities and people asking for a punch, makes Yakuza 0 an exquisite game, and a perfect benchmark for newcomers to dive straight into.

Burnhouse Lane will capture you from start to finish, immersing you through its ten-hour running time. It reminds of the best British horror films from the 1970s, mixing different planes of existence in clever and rewarding ways.

With a low asking price, poncle have done it again. There is a lot of content included in Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns and it is all extremely lovely.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on Xbox is possibly my favourite entry in the series - stunningly glorious, fluid as you like, and full of mammoth amounts of content. If I had to be negative, then at times it can feel a little bit buggy, but I don't think I've played an open-world game that hasn't had this problem and at no point has it affected my enjoyment of the game.

I’m left here taking with me memories of a game that has shone throughout and risen enough to really put itself up there with the highest quality indie titles currently available. I’m utterly thankful that I stuck with the adventures of Rise & Shine, jumping, double jumping and pounding that trigger button right until the very end. Because you see, it delivers moments of magic throughout.

Yes, there could have been a big revamp of GoldenEye 007’s mechanics. Yes, the graphics could have been remade and, yes online could have been included. But does any of this take away from the fact we now have one of the most iconic shooters of all time playable on Xbox Series X|S? Not one jot. GoldenEye 007 is perfect.

Inscryption diminishes the more you know about it, so arrive completely blind if you can. Just know that we haven’t been this thrilled by a game for a long time, and we want to quicken the heart of as many people as possible by recommending it. Buy Inscryption, then pass it on. Keep the bloody chain going. Pay it forward.

It’s pretty much a nailed on cert that any past, present or future Forza Horizon 3 player will want to take to Blizzard Mountain as a matter of priority. That’s because the sheer thrill of racing wheel-to-wheel with some of the world’s best drivers, in the dark, with a full-on blizzard hitting you in the face, is just too much to ever turn down.

Nothing pleases more than being in the worlds of Remnant II. There is no greater satisfaction than hitting a weak spot with a critical hit and seeing a big red number rise up from an enemy corpse.

While it may not steal your coins, you will find the hours disappearing as you delve further into Dungeon Clawler. Whether it's your first run with a character, trying new builds, or challenging the higher difficulties, there are plenty of reasons to dive back in for another run. And that's great because you'll be looking for any reason to jump back in and start picking up objects again.

TerraTech Legion comes with a simple concept, but there is just so much depth lurking under the surface. That gaming X-Factor is present here, pulling you in like there is no tomorrow. For simplicity and hook, TerraTech Legion nails it.

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.

Vampire Survivors: Emergency Meeting continues the high quality, low cost business model that poncle have made their own - it is hard to think of any other game that gives so much bang per buck. While a single new stage may not sound like much, it is so big and involved that you will not feel short changed. Throw in the need to learn how to use the new weapons to your advantage and you can be sure that the Vampire Survivors addiction will kick in again with Emergency Meeting.

Go and play Persona 3 Reload; a truly stunning game. The gameplay and story are still as good as ever, and the way that it is presented now means that it is no longer all mouth and no trousers. If you have the slightest interest in PRGs, you need to play Persona 3 Reload.

Work has gone in to the Anniversary Edition to ensure it fits within Skyrim and the lore surrounding it as a whole; so much so, that if this is your first-time playing Skyrim, you won’t recognise what is base game and what is from the Creation Club content.

If you haven’t played Mass Effect before, the Legendary Edition provides the perfect opportunity. If you are a veteran, you owe it to yourself to play through them at least one more time in this collection.

If you are a fan of the sport, are looking for a new online racer, wish to involve yourself in a lengthy career or just prefer to smash out a quick time trial or two, Codemasters’ F1 2019 delivers on all fronts.

REANIMAL is a big step up from the Little Nightmares games in terms of story and world-building. This feels more mature, more epic, and, at times, much more terrifying.

Vampire Survivors feels amazing value. It is ridiculously cheap and has a gameplay hook that refuses to let go. I worry that many may take a look at the simple visuals and the Xbox Store description before fast turning away, but I urge you to please try this game. Vampire Survivors is without doubt up there as one of the finest indie games of the year.

All in all and The Outer Worlds on Xbox One is so much more than Fallout in space, and I honestly think you owe it to yourself to play this game. This is one of the most entertaining gaming experiences I’ve played this year, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone and everyone.

Apart from the summoning issue that is found when attempting to play with others, Elden Ring is a triumph. It looks great, it plays like a dream and it provides a world in which you can spend hours, just wandering about, picking fights.

Monolith has something for everyone here, and just like Gollum with his ‘precious’, you’ll be hooked after a little taste of the power you can possess in Shadow of War.

Ghosts n’ Goblins Resurrection is a triumph, and I have no hesitation in awarding it the highest score I can. There are not many games that will immediately beckon you forth to try and beat them once success has been found, but Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is one of those games. If you are a fan of the franchise, you’ll love how true to the source material it is, and if you are new, well, you are in for a treat.

It is really a fresh take on an overdone genre, and is certainly a masterpiece in what can be achieved if you are prepared to think outside the box.

Through all the live services and toxic multiplayer experiences, we can lose sight of some simple joys of gaming. It can be an escape, and a means of expression. It can be a comfort and a feeling of progression. Chicory: A Colorful Tale reminds us that games can do them all with one flourish of its paintbrush.

It's the narrative that makes Omori something special. Subtlety is an important part of good storytelling because it makes you think and it makes you want to talk about it.

It has a fun, finely-crafted story told through splendid animation and outstanding narration, a gorgeous, adventure-filled world with plenty to explore, and one of the greatest 2D combat systems I’ve ever experienced. Tails of Iron is not only one of the best things I’ve played all year, but it’s a sign of great things to come from an incredibly talented studio.

There really isn’t much to dislike about the wonderful world of Aven Prime, so if you are in need of a new city sim, then there will quite possibly be nothing better than heading to Aven Colony for a brand new space travelling adventure.