Samurai Warriors 5 is no doubt the best iteration of the mainline series, be it Dynasty Warriors or Samurai Warriors (or even the Warriors Orochi spin-off). As it stands right now, this is as good as it gets for the Warriors series. It has a lot of ideas and systems which integrate in an interesting way, and the core gameplay is as fun as ever. The only caveat here is that the core gameplay loop present feels no different to that which we’ve experienced for the last two decades, and inevitably it will run thin.

The accessibility provided and the customisable experience found in NHL 23 make it perfect for fans of the sport, and even those who have never tried an EA hockey game before.

If you were ever put through the wringer by Inside or Limbo, and fancy climbing through again, then White Shadows will duly oblige. It’s a magnificent lightshow.

With a beautiful art style accompanying the game from the menus to the final boss, gameplay that’s smoother than dancing on ice and able to provide plenty of opportunity for replayability with its increasingly challenging difficulties and numerous game modes, this is a game that shouldn’t be missed if bullet-hell shooters are your type of thing.

Nuclear Blaze is a short and sweet game that can take up a chunk of your day if you feel like trying something new. The collectibles and challenge mode difficulty will extend your playtime if you choose to go that route. On the other hand, even people who aren’t good at platformers will find Nuclear Blaze accessible, what with its range of difficulty modifiers.

Swamps of Corsus on Xbox One is a DLC that offers tons of replayability, in a game that had it to spare already. Previously a surprise hit, this update has propelled Remnant: From the Ashes into one of the best games available on Xbox Game Pass.

Where Paradise Marsh excels is in offering a world that breaks so many of gaming’s golden rules: walk in any direction; do what you want to do; follow the objectives if you feel like it. Paradise Marsh warps and shifts to accommodate whatever you do, and the substance of its genius is that you barely notice.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters will keep you interested. The story arc is very enjoyable and keeps you pressing forward to see what is going to happen, whilst the managing of your ship is a lot like trying to keep a load of plates spinning. It’s all helped by the fact that the combat is suitably brutal and visceral.

Wanted: Dead doesn’t give a damn what you think. It throws ideas at you left, right and centre, with reckless abandon. Luckily, most of them stick to form this weird and wonderful video game.

Should you be a fan of the base game of A Little to the Left, then it feels like an obvious choice to get involved in Seeing Stars. There are some good ideas included in here, with multiple solutions available for nearly all new levels. Whether you have the inclination to work through all those different completions though may be nothing short of an extremely personal decision.

Hidden Cats in London is a must-purchase for cat fans and anyone who has enjoyed the previous games in the series. Others should perk their ears up too. It’s a highly recommended game for anyone who likes hidden object games or laid back experiences

MANIAC will roll back the years, whisking you away to those early experiences with Grand Theft Auto. It has a very arcade-like feel to it, with quick gameplay loops and exciting action.

For those who like the franchise, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is an absolute gem, delivering for gamers of any skill even if it does feel a tad easy to play. It’s highly recommended for those looking for an well-worked platforming adventure, or younger gamers. I for one would welcome a sequel with even more of the same, ideally with an absolutely huge Bikini Bottom to explore and even more characters to play as.

Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster is a win for Nightdive. The developers' ever growing reputation for preserving and accentuating classic games is put on full display here. The remaster is faithful, one that keeps the spirit of the original game alive whilst smoothing some of the edges that time has inflicted upon it.

Nullstar: Solus is a strong addition to the ever-expanding repertoire of precision-platformers, although it’s unlikely to be held amongst the genre’s greats.

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER delivers an intriguing sci-fi adventure that’s relentless from the get-go. MidBoss have crafted an interesting world full of fascinating characters and ensures their personalities are showcased via great voice acting.

If you’ve not yet been tempted to jump in with anything Sudden Strike 4, then there is very little here that is going to change your mind. However, those who have enjoyed everything that’s already on offer will see Africa – Desert War as a no-brainer.

BEFORE I GO is an enjoyable metroidvania, where gameplay is king. The story could use some additional flushing out and the dialogue comes across as awkward at times, but the game stands strong despite its flaws. It’s certainly worth checking out if you want to get sucked into a world for a few hours.

The Taller I Grow is a game that everyone should have a go at. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this neat, well-designed platform puzzler, and if you’ve got a mind that is capable of handling puzzlers then you should find yourself blasting through this in a couple of hours.

You’ll be left impressed by Antro. There’s some great story set-up, and the gameplay is fast, fun and easy to get your head around. It does frustrate on occasion, especially in the free-running sections, but the music and visuals provide great sights and sounds to keep you interested.

What Iris and the Giant lacks with its minimalistic style, it more than makes up with addictive card-play. The emotional narrative is subtle yet works greatly due to the little nuances from Iris’ life incorporated into the gameplay. And the gameplay is where it thrives.

The Metroidvania hooks of exploration and new abilities, leading to further exploration, are all present and correct, and most importantly it’s great fun to play. It’s full of nice touches and humour, moving along at a cracking pace, and minor annoyances aside is a game I can recommend.

There is something so calming about taking in a beautiful landscape without anything chasing you or needing your mind to focus on questing. It’s that with which Lushfoil Photography Sim excels.

Deep Rock Galactic on Xbox One is a game with obvious appeal. It is punchy, funny and a blast with friends. The environments and mission structures do become a bit repetitive but the moment to moment gameplay is fantastic. If you are looking for a “blow off steam” game to play with friends, Deep Rock Galactic has you covered.

Ghost Files: Memory of a Crime on Xbox One conjures up a very enjoyable narrative and gets the creepy serial killer character spot on. A lot of the puzzles you have to overcome tie-in really well with the background of the protagonist and the memory loss aspect.

I had a great time playing Stasis, as it reminds of how good a point-and-click adventure can be, dragging up memories of old '90s games and films in the process.

Weapon of Choice DX is an interesting proposition. It isn’t massively long, but with multiple difficulties really ramping the challenge up, and many operatives to master, there is enough to keep you coming back.

Think of Wonderland Nights: White Rabbit’s Diary less as a visual novel, although it is one, and more of a deduction game. Playing this way leads to joy after joy, as you pair up individuals using an astute timetable mechanic with the aim of unlocking one of a multitude of endings. Like an episode of Columbo, you know how things turn out, but it’s how you get there that’s the mystery.