The game is challenging, almost blisteringly so, but that seems to be the thing that drags you back in; you just know that if you could be a bit more careful, you’d have got past that tricky bit and all could be well.

Crowns and Pawns: Kingdom of Deceit will bring a smile to your face. If you had a checklist of all the best bits of a point-and-click game, this is one that is capable of ticking nearly all of it off.

Before I played The Adventure Pals, I expected a cheap imitation of the popular Cartoon Network show, when in fact it’s a damn good platforming adventure.

Whilst it attempts to channel the classic 3D platformers, Trifox feels much more like its own competent video game. The twin-stick and mix-and-match abilities can afford the player lots of freedom to play around with. But don’t let the cute platforming visuals suggest this is an easy ride; Trifox is challenging without ever being unfair.

Forsaken Remastered is a genuinely faithful recreation of the original, with just a little touch of smoothing over the visuals and the excellent addition of all previous content.

PING REDUX on Xbox One is a radical blast from the past with great visuals, music and levels. The value is superb and the gameplay is truly addicting.

If you want something to scratch the retro platformer itch, Bat Boy could well fit the bill. Just don’t go into it expecting it to be a pushover!

The wonderful world and ever-increasing challenge ensures that Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles is a unique experience that is well worth taking in.

It’s a nice comforting game to re-engage with, as ISLANDERS: New Shores adds in just enough improvements to justify being a sequel. The boon system is a great addition, as are the new buildings and islands on offer.

Despite not realising its full potential, Jack Move is good at what it does and should definitely be considered if you’re after a condensed JRPG.

It’s a testament to the development team that despite the flawed and repetitive concept they have still managed to craft an enjoyable, charming experience.

You'll really enjoy what Turbo Golf Racing offers, and it is perfect for shorter gaming sessions. However, I’m not fully convinced it will carve itself out a place as a permanent fixture in everyone’s game library. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, however long that may be.

GRIME: Colors of Rot is a pleasure to play. If you want a challenge, this is the game for you, particularly as the world is extremely well realised and will happily draw you in.

You will have a very pleasant time with FOMOGRAPHY - especially if you love taking photos and think of yourself as a bit of an amateur photographer.

All in all then and the Ultimate Edition of Dovetail Games’ Euro Fishing is good, despite the occasionally dodgy visuals.

River City Girls 2 is both good and not-quite-so-good. There is a lot of charm and personality oozing out of the screen as you play, and the way that the dialogue is written and performed is great. The difficulty is real, the slightly jerky animation makes things tricky, and the block is rubbish, but despite this there is a good deal of fun to be had.

NHL 26 is one of those games that will easily last you the year, working as a welcome return to the franchise. Whether you are a hockey fan or not, you’ll get thrills from the on-ice action, taking you back to the glory days of decades gone by.

Five Dates on Xbox One is a well-written, funny and endearing FMV game that manages to turn dating into a game without making it crass. Once you get over the awkwardness of choosing options based on what dates want to hear, you’ll be in the thralls of some fantastic actresses with engaging stories to tell. Swipe right on this one.

It’s not easy to put Beholder 2 on Xbox One in a box though, as it’s a truly unique blend of gameplay elements – a narrative-driven world that is filled with engaging characters, strange places, and mysteries waiting to be solved. Simply put, it’s one of the most artistic and well-written interactive experiences I’ve seen in a while and, while it’s not perfect, it is completely unforgettable.

I love games that try new things and make bold choices. Centum does that, taking the notion of a point-and-clicker, mixing in some escape room vibes and turning it all on its head.

This selection of games will keep you going for hours and hours, so if the challenging nature doesn’t put you off and you don’t mind a load of dialogue, there’s plenty of value in Deponia Collection.

Chained Echoes is a very accomplished JRPG that is well worth playing, mostly thanks to a great story and some classic retro feels.

If you like a base builder that hearkens back to the age of Evil Genius and Dungeon Keeper, and can look past some performance issues and the occasionally stupid AI, then this is definitely one you should look at getting. It’s funny, it looks nice, and it will definitely fill that need to plunder and pillage.

Rhythm Sprout is a playlist of eclectic bangers, tied to a simple rhythm action system that slaps you round the face with challenge. But master it - or take advantage of the Beginner Mode - and you will experience what will undoubtedly be one of the most charming games of 2023.

Lilith-M on the most part is a wonderfully crafted indie puzzle game that produces a challenging, yet rewarding experience for its players.

Despite camera and control woes, Crosak is still worthy of your attention. There aren’t many spiritual successors to ‘90s 3D platformers, and Crosak knows what made them great.

A Fold Apart on the Xbox One is a wonderful love story wrapped up in a very well-designed puzzle game. It’s an incredibly relatable game for anyone that has ever spent any time away from a loved one, or someone who has to deal with internal demons on a regular basis. And for those that haven’t, you could well learn a thing or two here about mental health in general.

There’s no doubt that KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT as a whole is pretty fun, and while it doesn’t do anything surprisingly new (ignoring a cat headed bodybuilder, obviously) what it does do, it does well.