TopSpin 2K25 is a welcome return for the franchise and a solid reboot. The gameplay is strong, fast and fluid and exactly what you would expect from a tennis game. It is easy to pick-up and play but just about deep enough for those wanting to experiment. It is let down by some slightly off character models and is currently just a bit too light in terms of content, needing perhaps a few mini-games or even a doubles career mode to help flesh it out.

Lemnis Gate is a very pleasant surprise. A unique, strategic mind-bending FPS, it is mechanically strong and content-rich. There are still some technical issues that need to be resolved and the progression system is very stingy, but what is here is a hidden gem.

It’s got an unhelpful streak, and the graphical scrappiness stops it short from being the next Hollow Knight or Ori. But you know what? That’s a ridiculously high bar to set, and Sydney Hunter and the Curse of the Mayan confidently walks underneath it with its head held high. As a retro-leaning, budget Metroidvania, you can’t do much better than this.

If you’ve ever enjoyed an otome visual novel, we couldn’t recommend A YEAR OF SPRINGS more. On the surface, this is a gentle, heartwarming tale of three friends moving in different directions. Below that surface, it has a mission: to expose what it is to be a transgender person in the conform-culture of modern day Japan.

KAKU - Ancient Seal comes with some big ARPG ambitions. Yes, there are times in which rough moments pop up, and for me, the platforming elements are too floaty. But nevertheless, this is a great game with a wonderful world to explore, pulled along by some decent combat and Zelda-like puzzles.

If you were born to lead at breakneck speed, you should give Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame 5 a try.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Heart of the Forest revels in storytelling and character-building, presenting you with choices to make, adding consequences to those choices, and then growing your character based on those consequences. It could have done with a bit more bite and certainly more Garou-bloodletting, but the tale it tells will leave you over the (full) moon.

Far Cry 6 is a slow burner, but once it gets going it really sinks those hooks. Fans of the series will have a blast, whether alone or through the cooperative options. Granted, the menus can sometimes over complicate things, and the cutscene stutters are annoying, but the main point to take away is that if you love open world games, especially those which provide fun, excitement and the freedom of choice, then come to Yara. It's not a huge revolution, but it's a fun one.

There’s no doubt - Painkiller is a shot in the arm for the FPS genre, with DOOM rivalling speed and masses of enemies to shoot. Chuck in multiple characters to master, each of which plays differently, and a wide selection of weapons to get used to, there is a lot of content here. The online world is well populated too, with no difficulty finding others to play with. And it is here in which Painkiller really shines.

If I had to play a racing game that wasn’t Forza, it would be RENNSPORT. That’s about all the praise you need to hear.

Worbital on Xbox One does enough to differentiate itself from the rest of the gaming field. I’ve certainly not played a game like this on Xbox One, and as such it’s an easy recommendation.

What was once perhaps an unnecessary genre on consoles has been dragged back to the ’80s with the excellent Top Run on Xbox One. There is enough of a levelling and upgrade system to make you feel like you’re making progress, and the pixel art and soundtrack are both gorgeous in their own right.

Should you possess a logical mind and have plenty of patience, Polimines Deluxe is a very good puzzler; one that is more than capable of giving your brain cells a good workout.

The visual tone, soundtrack, and narration of Candle: The Power of Flame, as well as the inclusion of great puzzle elements see it coming across as something with brilliant invention. The downsides are that some of the game mechanics feel a bit off, and a tad annoying, but it isn’t enough to dampen the spirits or ruin the enjoyment of this stunning candle adventure.

Just Dance 2026 Edition offers more of the same party fun that we have come to expect of the franchise.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat on Xbox is one offering that will satisfy your appetite, thanks to the wealth of content on offer. It’s a hugely entertaining bundle of games that, despite the occasional niggles, will see you coming back for seconds, and thirds, and fourths…

Disjunction on Xbox is a game that I hadn't heard anything of prior to playing it, and I've been pleasantly surprised by how polished and assured it is. The story is a cracker, getting to know the three main characters and their abilities has been interesting, and all in all it’s provided an extremely enjoyable time. This is helped by an appealing hook and gameplay elements that are strong enough to ensure you keep on playing.

DARQ: Complete Edition on Xbox is a surreal, curious adventure that has the look and feel of a big budget title. Despite its short length Lloyd’s world impresses and terrifies in equal measure, and now it looks better than ever thanks to Xbox Series X|S.

Playing this game is a joy, it’s one of the best Final Fantasy’s, one of the best JRPGs, and one of the best games ever. A few bugs and general porting issues aren’t enough to completely dampen my spirits when playing through it again, and thankfully they don’t take away too much from the game.

CarX Drift Racing Online is a very capable drift simulator. The physics work, the joy of sliding and skidding is real, and if you have the slightest interest in the noble Japanese art of drift, you need to play this game.

WILD HEARTS is one for both fresh faces and hardened veterans, and should be seen as the first legitimate threat to Monster Hunter’s unopposed reign at the top.

If you are invested into Virtua Fighter, you’ll find lots to love about Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage. And even if you’re not, this is easily good enough to drag you in. The action on display is smooth, the gameplay is fast, and as long as you avoid the sharks online, you’ll have an enjoyable time with this one.

Putting some annoyances with the hit detection to one side, Story of a Gladiator is a game that will keep you playing until you beat it, before seeing you coming back for more to chase those stars.

The work that has gone into the Weird West world and the characters that frequent it is impressive. Yes the grind is real, but it is a rewarding experience when it all comes together.

Big Helmet Heroes is a lot of fun, either in co-op or single player. There is a great thread of humour running through the game, and the combat action builds the enjoyment. It isn’t perfect, but if you want a laugh and a ton of action, it can be found here.

Cosmic Top Secret is a unique and novel way to use video games to create an experience that no book or documentary format could even come close to achieve. There’s a great deal to learn and discover in this adventure, and above all it presents a very raw and honest look into the very human lives of those who worked tirelessly and confidentially during a very unique period in history.

If you’re looking for one of those pick up and play games that can be enjoyed for either a few minutes or a couple of hours at a time, then LOST ORBIT: Terminal Velocity on Xbox One is the game for you.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is an absolutely spot-on remake of an old, fairly simple game. The new things that are added in make a big difference, and the inclusion of multiplayer modes are a lot of fun.