Not to exaggerate but Split Fiction is a very special game. It’s one thing to aspire to offer variety and bring so many ideas together. It’s entirely another to manage it so successfully, creating a game which just gets better and better and better, as well as managing to stick the landing when it comes to the final act.

Day of the Tentacle on Xbox One is the product of a studio on a roll. There was no popular franchise, no Star Wars or Indiana Jones to work with here, which meant - to hell with it - ideas could be its foundation. One mansion, three time-zones, and an inventory full of items to switch between them. Sure, the remaster is a missed opportunity, but the game is anything but: simultaneously timeless and sublime in how it uses time. We can wipe the sweat from our brow now, and be happy that Day of the Tentacle is as good as it ever was.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is another FromSoftware triumph that is hard to fault.

Everything considered, N++ is an absolute gem. Anyone who wants a platformer should buy this game.

After multiple tens of hours playing, you may still find yourself unable to put Dragon’s Dogma 2 down - one more quest, one more fight, and then an hour or two has passed. If you liked the first game, or if you are looking for an action RPG with epic fights, then Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a must-have.

In conclusion, play Forza Horizon 5. There has never been a better looking game, and it plays like an absolute dream. It’s full of cars, full of challenge, full of glorious visuals and played out across a world like no other.

Red Dead Redemption 2 delivers the goods in a way that very little else has done before it, or quite possibly will do again.

The First Berserker: Khazan is a stupendous game. The combat is fast, flowing and very smooth, and while it is undeniably hard, it never feels unfair. Even the camera, which is traditionally a weak point with these affairs, is rock solid and helpful.

What has been created in Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course is beautiful to behold, the right side (just) of frustratingly hard, and will keep you playing for a while, all as you spend time with Ms. Chalice and work with the new weapons.

MotoGP 22 is a brilliant entry in the series that does everything you would expect it to and a bit more.

I’ve been pretty much bowled over by Life is Strange: True Colors - the story, characters, and themes have really managed to strike a chord. Others might find the tone and writing not to their taste and that's fine, but I don't think anyone can deny that the team behind it have progressed their art form and game-making skills in a positive direction with this latest addition to the franchise. Long may it continue.

If you love the Assassin’s Creed games then this is one of the best, even though it’s not a million miles away from the stunning Origins.

As a tactical strategy game, this is very close to the old Fire Emblem games, and praise doesn’t come any higher than that.

I don’t care about the lack of fancy camera tracking on my Xbox. What I do care about is having an uplifting and emotionally twisted story that makes me consider the lives of all those found in-game. I also care about game mechanics that surprise, allowing the player to do things they may not have necessarily done before in their gaming sessions...Goodnight Universe does all of this and much more.

There are experiences here that I’m not sure I’ve encountered before - at least not in a video game. If that’s not fodder for full marks, then I don’t know what is. Welcome to Elk on Xbox One is a game that’s going to stick long in the memory. For a story that deals in the power of memory, that feels like a suitable conclusion.

Evan’s Remains on Xbox One is a unique platformer with great puzzle design, and an adventure experience driven by a substantial narrative which successfully delivers on its lofty ambitions. With beautiful sprites, simple but charming artwork, emotional music, and a cast of memorable and well-written characters, this is the kind of video game experience that stays with the player years after the credits have rolled.

From its charismatic characters and stupendous story to its meaningful gameplay and incredible soundtrack, Undertale on Xbox is a titanic accomplishment that not only ignores the ideas of what makes a video game, but redefines them.

Some people might be critical of the length of the game, but for me it’s like watching a brilliant movie, with outstanding writing, great acting and a superbly inventive design.

I simply cannot think of anything that would make the Dead Cells game experience better. Its hard but not unfair, runs like a dream and plays like a lump of Teflon draped in silk. You need to play this game, and the retro graphics, while they may not be to everyone’s taste, really suit it, ensuring that it is just a pleasure to play.

Once Monster Hunter Wilds has its teeth into you, you won’t want it to let go. With all the endgame, post-release and inevitable expansion content coming in the near and distant future, Monster Hunter Wilds is another sublime time sink.

Neva is a brilliant game. It strikes a perfect balance in terms of length, and the visuals and soundtrack are exceptional. The story, told without words or lengthy cutscenes, is full of heartbreak, hope, and beauty. The gameplay is fun, challenging, and engaging and that all means Neva should be seen as a contender for a game of the year slot.

Balatro is unique in that when you aren’t playing it, you’re thinking about it. And when you are playing Balatro, you’re really thinking about it.

Persona 5 Royal is as close to the perfect RPG as I have played in a long time. Not since the heady days of Final Fantasy VII will a game grip you so fiercely, refusing to let go. It is deep, it is beautiful and it demands to be played.

Mr. Driller DrillLand on Xbox is an enormous release, one which revamps a true classic that is worth playing even today. The core Mr. Driller gameplay is at its very best here, and is situated in an experience which offers a ton of gameplay variety and extra content. To top it off, the presentation alone will win you over with its charm and fabulous soundtrack.

Frostpunk is another incredible title from 11 Bit Studios, and an utter triumph for the genre. It’s an incredibly unique and engaging deep dive into the bowels of the icy tundra, a textbook example of emotional storytelling through gameplay. If you can stomach it and face the cold, Frostpunk is an experience you will likely never forget.

If you are still to play Layers of Fear then you are in for a treat with Layers of Fear (2023). And even if you have played it before, you should head back in and be terrified once more.

Resident Evil Requiem is a pitch perfect love letter to fans of the series. Capcom has absolutely nailed the dual protagonist mechanic which sits at the core of a truly incredible piece of storytelling. The result is a must-play title for those both familiar and new to the series. Put simply, it’s an absolute tour de force.

The gameplay is simple, yet challenging and rewarding, and the narrative is told with accomplishment and beauty. But most of all it is the themes that I got the most out of The Last Campfire on Xbox One – in these times of uncertainty it is a game that promotes hope, friendship and kindness. It’s a game that I’m more than happy to give my time to.