Shape of the World won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re into exploration/walking sims then this is a must purchase.

Should you be in the market for a puzzling platformer then you’ll struggle to find one any more delightful than Planet Alpha. The odd mechanical issue aside, it comes across as a stunning journey that will draw you in from the start and very rarely ever lets go, especially once you really get to grips with how the brilliant solar cycle mechanics work.

The overall goal for this game is to make you laugh and it is this which is apparent through every interaction and every character. It’s good at it too, as Beat Cop is genuinely funny. I don’t remember a recent game that has made me laugh as much as this has.

The Ancient Gods: Part One on Xbox One changes nothing fundamental from DOOM Eternal, but instead dials up the demon slaying up to eleven. It’s worth battling through as there’s still fun to be had, but you’ll have to work a lot harder for it.

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.

Despite the presence of so many other games, Aggelos still succeeds at providing a surprisingly polished and organically designed 2D platformer RPG with great play mechanics. Yes, it won’t attract a non-expert audience as it is clearly targeted towards Wonder Boy/World loyalists, but diehard fans who have played the existing catalogue extensively will get the fix they need from Aggelos.

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos has a lot of good ideas and some well worked execution - it is just that lack of a lock-on that is a glaring omission. If you are looking for a different experience though, then Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is certainly that.

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble is a pretty good stab at crafting a game from a great film franchise. The action and the baddies are there, it is just a shame that the inspiration that clearly hits in the mini games section doesn't stick around for the actual fighting levels, for they start to feel far too familiar quite quickly.

Tannenberg is an interesting creation. It aims to provide a somewhat realistic depiction of WW1 with authentic equipment and well-thought out maps, but this is hindered by the sheer scope of it. It can be genuinely rather impressive at times but is held back by the indie nature of it all. Its ambition is both admirable and detrimental to the central experience.

In their attempt to create a game that evokes the spirit of the classic originals, Dlala Studios has made a stupendous hit for the Xbox One library. Not only does Battletoads pay homage to the series entries that came before, it surpasses them.

Evil Dead: The Game feels like a missed opportunity from Saber Interactive, which is disappointing after the excellent World War Z.

The first episode of The Walking Dead: The Final Season has set the scene very well for Clementine to really shine from here on out, especially with the way that events unfold as it could see her taking on more responsibilities than ever before.

Mars Horizon on Xbox is an excellent and approachable but deep game that will scratch the space exploration itch for a lot of players. Whilst it’s not an adrenaline rush, it’s got a lot of heart and its excellent UI and design will mean you spend many hours crafting and preparing your missions and then tensely watching them launch.

SYNTHETIK: Ultimate on Xbox is a great rogue-lite for gamers looking for a solo challenge. There are plenty of quirks to overcome and if you’re not a fan, or are new to the genre, SYNTHETIK: Ultimate probably won’t be the right fit for you. But if you’re patient, enjoy unforgiving gameplay, and love having tons of weapon and ability variety, then this is the game for you.

Reverie Knights Tactics is a distillation - and slight simplification - of everything that makes turn-based strategy games great. It doesn’t push the boundaries of the genre like your average X-COM, but sometimes a comfy bit of armchair warfare is exactly the cup of tea you need. As a bonus, you get a likeable fantasy romp as a side-biscuit.

One of the best games of 2023 so far, Star Trek: Resurgence deserves to be spoken about as discussions surround the best Star Trek storyline of all time. Yes it is that good.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is a blast from the past, and mostly in a good way. The dialogue is entertaining, the visuals splendid, the music catchy and the gameplay rock solid. However, some not insignificant technical issues and a fear of deviating from the source material hold it back from reaching its full potential.

SD Gundam Battle Alliance is heavily reliant on nostalgia and throws a ton of shiny Mobile Suits your way in the hope you won’t notice the rather dull narrative.

Minecraft Legends is a proper strategy game, despite the friendly look. Scratching the surface will show a surprising amount of depth and whilst hardcore RTS players may sneer, it brings a ton of fun to the table.

Episode one of Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two is worth grabbing, especially if you enjoyed the first season. It’s more of the same, but with improvements.

2064: Read Only Memories possesses a great tale, and some weird and wonderful characters, but it is let down on the gameplay front. It has all the adventure, yet suffers in the point and click side of things, so take that into account before you consider picking it up.

Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe+ on Xbox One is as wholesome and serviceable a platformer as they come. If you have already exhausted the many stronger alternatives available on Xbox One, then this woodsy adventure might be worth a look, and it won’t set you back too much either.

Destruction Derby has not been this good in video games for years. It’s just such a shame the publisher is charging for an update that affects Xbox Series S players in such a way. If you’re playing on an Xbox Series X, then Wreckfest is a fast, aggressive and chaotically fun racing game. I would definitely recommend it. Otherwise, wait for an update on the Series S side, for the time being.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran of Siege or looking for your first foray into a tactical shooter such as these, Rainbow Six Extraction will not disappoint.

If all you want is a fast-paced shoot ’em up and its scarcity of content doesn’t deter you, then Pawarumi will provide a good few hours of hectic action.

The visual problems are the talk of this wilderness and without them Way of the Hunter could well have had enough about it to challenge the most prolific of marksmen.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue Remastered is a good game, there is a lot to do, and it comes with a decent price tag, but it feels like a ghost of the past compared to the excellent newer games and whilst that leaves it as a must try for Assassin’s Creed completionists, those brought up on Unity, Syndicate and Origins may disagree.

Maneater on Xbox One is bloody brilliant. It’s a massive game with a lot to do and a huge amount of content to discover - the locations or beauty spots are usually wittily scripted, and have quite a few nods to popular culture as well, making them entertaining asides. What's more, there is a good story of revenge to follow.