Did you need another Souls game in your life? Well maybe not, but there is something about Bleak Faith: Forsaken that will ensure you will want to keep playing. Yes, it feels like it treads very familiar ground in terms of combat, progression and sheer death. But there is something about this world that will demand your attention and game time.

You’ll find that there are many different elements to Dinosaur Fossil Hunter and I was gobsmacked at the sheer number of mechanics that were introduced. But this is intricate work at times and your enjoyment of that detail will dictate how well you get on with Dinosaur Fossil Hunter.

Conscript is grim to play, but ever-so important. It's a brilliant homage to the war and the soldiers who fought there, as the horror of the situation and the relentless fear of the battle are clear and constant.

I’m not sure there’s another game on the market quite like Hairdresser Simulator. That should mean budding hairdressers will have a lot of fun with it.

Skelethrone: The Chronicles of Ericona is a game that packs a real challenge; a game that will test your patience as well as your reflexes. The basic premise is engaging and it tells a good tale, but the extreme difficulty and numb combat will make you question your life choices.

Crypt Custodian is a great metroidvania. It has fun exploration, enjoyable combat, cracking collectibles, and an incredibly chill soundtrack that makes for a mellow adventure that will keep you coming back.

The art of the game – both in terms of visuals and sound – is where it fully excels, and for that reason, Unleaving is to be loved.

Cat’s Request should be one for all the point-and-click adventure nuts out there. It has a very traditional feel to its gameplay, complemented by the extra character of Root, but its story and setting make it very unique.

Some of the mechanics in Farewell North struggle, especially those surrounding the platforming side of things, but that matters little when the game is capable of taking you on such an amazing journey; one person and their dog, visiting a magical place

The Mortuary Assistant is far removed from the usual horror fare - and that should be applauded. The sim elements mixed with horror scares and a great story help, but you may find the controls and menus annoying

There's huge joy to be found in Just Crow Things. Much like the game that came before it, should you be looking for uniqueness, fun, or a game that is just oh-so clever, you should swoop in on Crowy’s adventures immediately.

Asphalt Legends Unite is a poor racer that attempts to make you buy your way up the leaderboards.

Mists of Noyah is an interesting proposition, hamstrung by the lack of any kind of handholding.

There's hardly any action to get stuck into in Cilla, the story is poorly presented, running a twist that can be seen a mile away and it doesn’t look great.

Plastomorphosis should be seen as a worthy successor to the games of the past, and with the atmosphere that it creates as well, it is one to recommend should you have a hankering for the old days.

The big issue is that Foxyrush just isn’t any fun to play. It looks dull, the actual gameplay is dull, and there is no hook, no sense of needing to see the next level, to found anywhere.

CYGNI: All Guns Blazing is a cracking game, complete with outstanding graphics and a proper challenge. This is one of the best shoot ‘em ups you’ll have played in recent years.

Love is All Around is a pleasantly surprising romance-fuelled FMV that is likely to win your heart. Despite the translation errors and lack of English voiceovers, the characters still manage to come across very well.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles delivers a bit of mindless fun with its action and exciting special moves, but not much else. For all the characters featured and arcs covered, the narrative struggles to recreate the joy of the anime and ultimately lacks charm.

MultiVersus will provide a great time! The deep gameplay systems, fun characters and overflow of game modes to play with makes it much more than just a platform fighter, although some issues with monetization hold it back from reaching its heights.

Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse is a madcap mystery brimming with creativity, showing there is life in the old dog (and rabbit) yet.

How much you enjoy Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery depends on how much you like hidden object games so it’s difficult to be objective in this regard. The developers promote the game as being cosy and relaxing and it certainly will be for many. However, we often felt a little bored and occasionally frustrated.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter finally blasts on to Xbox with a little polish, but no fundamental changes since 2002. There are better Star Wars games out there, but fans of the franchise will enjoy the ride.

No Umbrellas Allowed is a promising shop sim that ultimately comes undone by a raft of issues. There’s a very good concept here, with genuinely rewarding gameplay in regards to the successful appraising of all sorts of items. It matters little though when the functionality is compromised and your progress is regularly hindered.

HoneyLand is a budget game that leaves a bitter taste due to a series of illogical puzzles. While the initial concept is easy to grasp, every attempt to make matters more complex ultimately introduces flaws.

Phantom Spark is most definitely a racing game, but it isn’t necessarily one for the purists out there. No speedometer, hardly any engine noises and no real opponents may put traditional petrolheads off. But for those looking for a chillout, zen-like racing game, look no further than Phantom Spark.

Dustborn has a lot going for it. There’s a great story that goes down many different pathways, all while meeting a ton of interesting and diverse characters along the way.

Whilst there are better Metroidvanias out there, MARS 2120 certainly makes a decent fist of things.