Kingdom Rush Origins is a little more expensive than its predecessors, but it’s still terrific value for money and you’ll quickly become addicted to its strategic gameplay.

Cult of the Lamb has made a follower out of me. Recruiting followers, building a base, and running through a gratifying loop of fighting, looting, and dying all merge into an incredibly satisfying game.

Olija on Xbox is a game to be savoured. Everything about it is rich and expertly crafted, from the slick combat to the world of Terraphage, scattered with secrets. It’s over far too soon, so relish the experience while it’s there, as Olija is an astonishing adventure game that you can lose yourself in utterly.

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.

Journey to the Savage Planet on Xbox One is an amazing game – there are no two ways about it. It plays fast and fluidly, the enemies are challenging to kill (especially the bosses) and with a beautifully scripted, humorous thread of story running through it’s been a joy to play. In fact, if the netcode had worked properly at all times it would be a slam dunk for this Savage Planet, but even then you still owe it to yourself to play this game. It really is that good.

DON’T NOD continues to surprise with Lost Records and Tape 1 - Bloom, pushing the narrative adventure genre in new directions. This first tape wraps up some story threads while leaving many tantalisingly unresolved, ending on a cliffhanger that sets the stage for the next installment, Tape 2 - Rage.

Skul keeps you coming back for just one more go, and before you know it the clock has struck midnight and the whole evening has disappeared. The hook to keep playing is very strong, and it’s rewarding to see enemies you initially struggled with start to become easier as you get stronger and learn more about them.

Diablo IV is a blinder. The story, the visuals and the sheer freedom to go and do whatever you want, whenever you fancy it, all add up to make a game that is an essential play.

It may not be for everyone, but Voyage is worthy of being thought of in the same way as It Takes Two, as a great co-op experience.

Airborne Kingdom on Xbox is a unique experience for the platform, and one that executes its gameplay ideas comfortably on console. It’s got a great vibe and setting, and the gameplay itself is engaging as you relish in the satisfaction of seeing your sky kingdom come alive. It also helps that the hands-on gameplay has plenty of depth to it, complemented by a fascinating lore.

This is a stupidly addictive, stupidly fun twist on the old Crossy Road formula, ensuring this is a brand and franchise that is capable of continuing to stay relevant. A grind in the best possible way, if you had love for the blocky endless runner the first time around, Crossy Road Castle should be seen as a near must-play now.

Two Point Hospital: JUMBO Edition on Xbox plays very similarly to the main campaign, with just the right amount of tweaking to keep the offering fresh. It’s an essential purchase for fans of the original, and highly recommended for everyone else.

I highly recommend playing Blackwood Crossing. Look, you will know whether this is the kind of game you might like by looking at the trailer or screenshots, but it’s game about character, story and atmosphere, rather then high action. Even through it’s a tad short and the price is north of the £10 mark, it’s a beautiful, life affirming gaming experience that I won’t forget for a long time.

The Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels expansion is another stunning addition to the Horizon experience. If you are done with everything that has come before it, and need some new races to get involved in, or just want some fun for you and your mates, then the price asked is a good one.

Slime-san Superslime Edition is an absolute no brainer, with addictive fast paced gameplay, a great sound design, bright stylish graphics and an absolutely insane amount of content that will give you countless hours of utter joy. It is easily the most complete package I have seen in a long time and that all adds up to a game that is worth every single penny of the asking price.

Infinite Guitars is a blast to play, fusing rhythm action moments and RPG elements into something enjoyable. It is not perfect - there are issues with running around, as the perspectives are a little off, and there are a couple of little glitches, but overall this is well worth a play.

Hindsight is a brilliant examination of grief, and the moving on in life thereafter.

I can safely say that Sifu on Xbox has been well worth the wait. The martial arts action is absolutely great, with some seriously brutal action to enjoy. The combat is hard, extremely so, and the bosses are on a whole new level, but the feeling you get when you master the fighting is nothing short of amazing.

Monster Train 2 takes its winning deck-building formula and enhances it with a cavalcade of fresh ideas to keep you coming back for more.

You will be grabbed by Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream, as it drags you along from beginning to end. I loved the characters and the emotional ride they go on, as well as the new world-building the game offers.

There is a genuine case to be made that Pinball FX - Goat Simulator Pinball is the G.O.A.T. of Zen Studios' original tables.

Looks aside though and Beyond Galaxyland is a triumph. It is a perfectly paced game with plenty to see and do, none of which feels bloated or elongated. The story itself isn’t breaking any new ground, but the way it is told, with a major shift halfway through, feels really fresh. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but isn’t afraid to be serious when it needs to be and so if you are a fan of ‘90s turn-based RPGs, Beyond Good & Evil’s photography mode or just a fan of games in general, there is a lot of fun to be had with Beyond Galaxyland.

With the lovely visuals, stunning soundtrack and ‘just one more go’ attitude it comes with, GRIDD: Retroenhanced is well worth a hit.

It’s thrilling to play, a Metroidvania where you can feel confident giving yourself over to the development team as they present surprise after surprise. It’s bruising, but that’s an expectation of the genre, and the rewards are bountiful. It’s a game where you may feel contradictions – sometimes despair, often delight – but everything is suffused with the glow of immersion.

The Big Con offers something for everyone. It’s a tale that is both remarkably sentimental and utterly bizarre, and it’s one backed by a rich cast of characters and a world infused with nineties nostalgia. You’re not going to be conned out of your money with this one. The Big Con is well worth your time.

Horizon Chase 2 is capable of delivering many adrenaline fuelled moments. It's about as fast as you'll likely be able to handle, it looks the bomb and delivers on pretty much all the necessary arcade racing fronts. With a host of tracks, challenges and more all contributing to something that is highly replayable, if you're a bit of an arcade petrolhead, this is one to get behind the wheel of pronto.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe doesn’t disappoint and you will enjoy all the new content included! It is buckets of fun.

Formula Retro Racing: World Tour is an extremely enjoyable racer. The action is fast and furious, and while the AI feels a bit cheap as the levels rise, it is a solid enough racing game to keep you coming back for more.