Noodlebound may love its noodles, but its 2D platforming felt less substantial and flavoursome than its favourite meal. It’s more like a broth, perhaps.

Golem Lights can’t maintain the momentum of its opening moments, and the puzzles end up becoming rote, but we have to give credit where it’s due. Golem Lights burns bright with potential, but isn’t quite there yet.

The Coin Game is TOO big. There’s too much here, held together by poor console controls, bugs, slow performance and rickety survival systems. Players who love shonky survival games and the rage genre will find plenty to grapple with here, but I bounced off it like a coin in a pachinko machine.

Call of the Elder Gods is a special game that serves as the perfect sequel to Call of the Sea. It instils a wonderful sense of adventure that reminds of classic Indiana Jones films, just without the constant action and combat.

Froggy Hates Snow misses the mark on the combat and challenge aspects. But the atmosphere and vibes cultivated are immaculate.

While it may not steal your coins, you will find the hours disappearing as you delve further into Dungeon Clawler. Whether it's your first run with a character, trying new builds, or challenging the higher difficulties, there are plenty of reasons to dive back in for another run. And that's great because you'll be looking for any reason to jump back in and start picking up objects again.

While it won’t be for everyone, for the right player, I can’t recommend Hydroneer enough. It's an addicting game that can provide countless hours of fun.

Constance is certainly a compelling game, through its light vs dark narrative, fantastic implementation of Metroidvania design, and blending of old mechanics and new ideas alike.

Come to Adorable Adventures for the tale of a little boar attempting to reunite his family. There is no doubt you’ll stay for the secrets, the collectibles, the vibes, and the sheer depth of gameplay.

We would go as far as critically (Peter) panning this take on the little green guy, but J.M. Barrie’s creation deserves more care than what’s on offer here. Peter Pan: Hidden Objects comes across as an unfinished hidden object game.

Sudden Strike 5 is about as rough around the edges as you are likely to get. And the controls don’t make things any easier. Yes, the maps are decent, and there is plenty of content to get involved in, but if you want to play a WWII real time strategy game, I’d stick with Sudden Strike 4…

I have been a big fan of The Dark Pictures Anthology from the very beginning, sticking with them through the highs and the slightly rougher lows. Directive 8020 feels like a definitive step up from the rest, introducing new mechanics like the turning point system. There is also room for the pass-the-controller multiplayer mode if you want to share the scares with friends. The story is surprising, interesting enough to keep you hooked to the various endings, but the stealth sections and QTEs do get a bit tiresome. There is no doubt though, Directive 8020 is a great playthrough.

It probably won’t be a game for everyone, but if you grew up playing classic brawler platformers, then there will be an immediate familiarity with Decline’s Drops.

Unfortunately, while there seems to be a good base and some heart at the core of Go! Go! Mister Chickums, the repetitive gameplay which is fueled by tedious level design and movement hampering game mechanics, prevent it from being very fun for any prolonged amount of time.

Whilst its clunky combat and repetitive exploration rewards often betrays the overall excellence, immersion and presentation are maintained throughout its runtime, leaving Dread Delusion not just an RPG, but a vivid fever dream that fans of the genre shouldn’t dare miss.

Will Until Then be for everyone? I don’t think so. Even though it is a brilliant entry in the visual novel department, I suspect the slow pacing might become an issue for some. You spend a lot of time reading and watching, rather than actively playing. However, the way Until Then presents itself is entirely unique in terms of visual design, sound, and editing. It also boasts some fabulous mini-games that offer a nice distraction from the main events.

To call Mixtape a ride is a little one-dimensional, as there are so many feelings to be had on the way. A ‘joyride’ fits Mixtape slightly better. A joyride with a tailor-made Greatest Hits tape playing along.

My advice when you start Motorslice is to be prepared to get annoyed. You will die a lot and repeat sections again and again, but there is a lot of good in this game, even when the mechanics don’t work quite as smoothly as they should.

TerraTech Legion comes with a simple concept, but there is just so much depth lurking under the surface. That gaming X-Factor is present here, pulling you in like there is no tomorrow. For simplicity and hook, TerraTech Legion nails it.

If you’d asked me what the ideal hidden object game would contain, it would sound a lot like Find My Frogs. I want enjoyable art where you can see little stories happening. I want no minigame distractions, plenty of easter eggs, a cracking sense of humour, and a hint system that I can turn to if I want it. Find My Frogs delivers all those things with aplomb.

There are many idle games to click on the Xbox, almost all of them free (with microtransactions). That’s a challenge for DPS IDLE 2 to overcome: how to entice players to play, and do so for a lengthy period of time. DPS IDLE 2 opts for better presentation and usability - turning one of the ugliest idle games into one of the prettiest - but that’s all it really has to offer. It’s ‘number goes up’ but with a surprising lack of player-choice.

Whether alone or with friends, and regardless of existing knowledge of the IP, Scott Pilgrim EX’s expertly crafted gameplay and graphics deliver a great time.

Whether looking at the barebones gameplay, level design that repeats itself, or the lack of polish present, Magic Sheep contains all the qualities you'd associate with disappointment.

I honestly have no idea who will buy Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor. And if those people do buy it, I have no idea whether they are the ones who will enjoy it. But I can say, from an aging Thomas fan’s perspective, at least I was happy. This is a slightly distilled Train Sim World, redone for the world of Sodor, and - some usability issues aside - it reaches its destination with a degree of style.

If you’re okay with hefty dollops of reading and a lack of handholding, but also love mysteries and puzzles then - wowser - do I have the game for you in Strange Antiquities.

It's not going to be for everyone, and it will require patience, especially early on. But if you are willing to overcome those roadblocks, then Drill Core is a unique roguelike that is worth adding to your game library.

Fan of games like Portal and The Talos Principle? You’ll become at one with Causal Loop. Its story is a good one, featuring likeable characters and a narrative that reveals its mysteries in small segments.

Hunt the Night is easy to recommend. It seems to hark back to a time when you either got gud or failed miserably: there is really no middle ground.