Varney Lake is a charming addition to an interesting game franchise. Seeing returning characters come back with a fresh new story to tell, working an X-Files and Stranger Things vibe, isn’t a bad thing at all.

Citizen Sleeper is a rather niche game. The gameplay itself is minimal, but there is a massive amount of storytelling to be taken in.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is a real blast as it injects the madcap abilities and personas of the One Piece universe into the Musou style of gameplay that the Warriors games are known for. Sure, the objectives themselves are quite bland, but the action itself is a hell of a lot of fun thanks to the varied roster possessing devastating moves.

Unsouled is a bit more than a 2D Elden Ring. The combat is a highlight, the story is pretty compelling, and while the visual look means it won’t be for everyone, move beyond the graphics and there is a more than competent game lurking below the surface.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 2 continues the emotional and nostalgic journey started in Tape 1 with a strong narrative that builds on the bonds formed between the group of girls.

If you’re looking for something to get your teeth into, something with a nice progression system and loads of content that will keep you busy, then Crossout is the game for you.

It’s not going to be a game that is for everyone and the style and pacing might put some off, but if you like a narrative or an adventure that delivers an intelligent dose of darkness then a purchase of DISTRAINT 2 might be a very good choice to make.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is a deep, serious game that needs a lot of time investment, but if you can find that time it is unlikely that you will feel short changed, what with the sheer amount of content on display.

Crown Trick on Xbox is one that encapsulates the true depth and intricacies of the random chaos in roguelike RPGs. The gameplay systems and mechanics are both rich and daunting, and they lend themselves to an organic turn-based experience which is deceptively simple on the surface, yet imbued with strategy.

Time spent with Diablo II: Resurrected is certainly an enjoyable one. It isn’t as polished as Diablo III, but then this is a remaster of a 21 year old game and I fear the devs were pretty much painted into a corner: if they changed the systems, the original fans would be up in arms, but keeping the original feel does mean it slightly alienates players who are used to the newer game.

If you’re a fan of RPGs then grab some coffee, be ready to lose a lot of man-hours, and ring in sick to work, for Greedfall is going to take up a lot of your time.

If you have enjoyed the overall experience found in Strange Brigade then it’s probably safe to say that you’ll enjoy the Isle of the Dead DLC too. Whilst it may be more of the same, that isn’t necessarily bad and it certainly maintains the high levels of quality found in the base game.

With its gorgeous pixel-art visuals, the charming cast of characters, the enchanting soundtrack, and the smooth platforming, Owlboy certainly delivers an engaging experience from beginning to end. If you’re looking to scratch that nostalgic itch or even if it’s your first time jumping into a pixel art style game like this, Owlboy is a game you will not regret playing.

On the whole Gearshifters is a brilliant little surprise. A side scrolling combat racer like this shouldn't really have as much going on as Gearshifters does, but the inclusion of those roguelite elements means this is one you'll be going back to time and time again - if only as the temptation of a new upgrade is always just around the corner.

It is by no means perfect, and the camera is a serious issue that can cause problems, but other than that it’s been a pleasure. It’s brutally hard, but the sections it is split into are just the right length for a quick blast, and seeing a boss go down is just as thrilling here as it is in Dark Souls.

Microtransactions and frustrating matchmaking issues aside, Rogue Company on Xbox Series X|S is thoroughly enjoyable. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s so snappy, action-packed, and easy to get into that I regularly convince myself to play just one more game over and over.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is undeniably a great 3D fighter that’s geared up to pander to fans in the best way. The impressive visuals, the nostalgia-fuelled Episodes, the humongous roster of characters, and the exciting action are praiseworthy. The only major sticking point is the steep learning curve and the potentially off-putting difficulty spikes that hit you from the outset.

Dawn of Man on Xbox One is a strong entry into the RTS console market. Like all great games of this type, there are hours and hours of gameplay to be found within, not to mention the extra challenges on offer and specific hardcore option for the lunatics.

A Fantasia of jazz and line-art, Genesis Noir on Xbox is a voyeuristic tour through the beginning, middles and end of the universe. The laid-back, blissful pace won’t be for everyone, and a reliance on toys rather than actual objectives will irritate some. But side-step the bugs and a couple of gameplay hiccups, and you have a ride that has a groove that, once tuned into, will take you somewhere deliriously unique.

You will enjoy your time with Momodora: Moonlit Farewell. If you are in the mood for a retro platformer, or are a fan of the earlier games, then this is an easy sell. But even if not, there’s no doubt that this is a well crafted game that is ripe for exploration.

Flowing Lights is a game that demands planning in advance; these aren’t simply run and gun levels, they are puzzles that need to be solved. And it is having to adapt this mentality that makes Flowing Lights such a unique and fun experience.

Hazel Sky is quite short, just some four hours or so in length, but you shouldn’t feel short-changed. It does feel like this is the starter to a bigger narrative to come and whilst the controls feel odd and sometimes a bit frustrating, the original concept, visuals, and variety of gameplay make Hazel Sky an experience worth having.

Harmony’s Odyssey is a delightfully whimsical adventure full of puzzling and charming dioramas. It’ll keep you busy for a good few hours with 3D jigsaws, hidden object style mini-games, and more. Even though the story often appears nonsensical, the silliness of the goings on is still fun to watch and the different biomes to traverse are beaming with vibrancy.

With the rewind feature, Avenging Spirit can still be completed in under an hour, but it is a highly original title when compared to what else was out around that time. And even in the year 2022 it is still a fun 2D jaunt, with the Ratalaika Games promise of easy achievements to boot.

Stranded Deep represents a survival videogame in one of the purest forms: desert island life. It is certainly not a difficult concept to conceive, but Stranded Deep is an excellent example of a notion done countless times in other media.

If you are a fan of Skylines, then I would highly recommend the Mass Transit DLC, especially if you are are after another challenge and want to try to create that perfect city.

It isn't a perfect game, but it is an enjoyable one. I loved the world and the story, even when it lost me slightly. The combat is fun, and the puzzles are excellent. If you have an itch for a single-player action-adventure, Crisol: Theater of Idols will definitely scratch it.

Subnautica: Below Zero is an excellently designed survival experience. It’s a place where the most creative can utilise the tools that they find, going out, exploring and creating a whole world under the sea. It’s helped by a cracking story that sits perfectly alongside this adventure of a lifetime. Admittedly, initial moments are confusing, but once you get into the rhythm of things and understand the resource hunting, it all becomes second nature.