Whilst the days can get a little repetitive and boring if you have to catch up on sleep and not much else, the game challenges you, your morals and your survival instincts against the backdrop of the serious subject of war.

Shift Happens is a rewarding and challenging puzzler that is especially enjoyable in co-op. The gradual introduction of new and increasingly complex mechanics is done right and you'll feel on top of the world as you grow more adept at utilizing them.

Explosive, dynamic, and gorgeous… Battlefield is back! Battlefield 6 hits all the right notes with multiplayer, setting the franchise up for a promising future after its previous blunder. While the single-player is a short experience following a similar story we’ve seen many times before, it introduces us to the brutal war bubbling between NATO and Pax Armata. Newcomers and veterans will find a lot to love about this latest shooter.

It's hard to call this an absolutely definitive collection of these classic gaming curios when aspects aren't perhaps quite as authentic as they could be, but when there's so little in it for the most part (and when the aspects that have changed more notably are still great despite feeling different), Banana Mania stands as a feature-packed reminder that 'simple' and 'easy' are not nearly as interchangeable as a lot of people might think.

Creative Assembly has taken the groundwork set out by Ensemble’s Halo Wars and improved on some of the areas that were lacking in the original, all while still keeping the game accessible and easily playable using a controller. It feels as if the campaign has been released in an unfinished state, but it still offers a decent amount of action and a compelling story. The relatively low number of missions, the unsatisfying conclusion and the fact that 343 Industries and Creative Assembly have already announced that campaign DLC will be coming in the near future can't help but leave a bitter taste in the mouth. The new Blitz mode adds a different approach to the RTS combat to which we have become accustomed, and the shorter, more action-oriented, matches give newcomers and veterans alike something into which to sink their teeth.

Planet of the Apes: Last Frontier creates an engaging narrative that makes both the humans’ and apes’ predicaments and actions understandable, even when violence is involved. I truly cared about characters on both sides of the conflict, which made for some tough decisions when the two sides would clash. The occasional choppiness and short ending scenes are more minor issues, and they don't hamper the overall experience in any significant way. The game may lack what many would consider to be real gameplay, but the immersive storytelling and a few first-rate performances more than make up for such criticisms in a game such as this.

Not a Hero is a lot of fun with its cheesy humor and simple game mechanic, but players can expect to die A LOT in their bid to help BunnyLord gain global domination. The game quickly becomes quite difficult, especially for people new to shooters.

NBA 2K19 continues the series' decade-long trajectory of becoming the very best sports sim in the world. That's certainly still true on the court thanks to improved gameplay mechanics that fix trouble spots, a genuinely interesting and well-written story mode, and quality of life additions across the board. Sadly, the series still feels like something less than it should be thanks to predatory and invasive pay-to-win tactics that make their shameful return. Hopefully the day will come when this player base revolts and gets the game at least down to cosmetics-only buying options.

Episode 5 - Above and Beyond is an appropriate end to another good Telltale season. The episode does a brilliant job of bringing everything together and tying up a number of loose ends across the season. The episode is scattered with important choices and either choice at the end offers closure for the gamer. Aside from the episode feeling a little short, there's not a lot wrong here. It may not be non-stop action, or blow you completely away, but it is a solid end to an enjoyable season.

The Fall Part 2: Unbound manages to improve on the first game in most ways. Intertwining ARID's story with others is a smart move for the sequel, and each host serves as their own character with their own story to tell. A lot of the improvements come with ARID herself, with extra combat and movement abilities making for much smoother gameplay. The puzzles are genuinely tricky, maybe a little too tricky towards the end, and the lack of hand-holding may mean a few head-scratcher moments. Aside from these small issues, Unbound is an excellent continuation of The Fall and sets up for an exciting trilogy finale.

It's just a shame that the control system is clunky and can add to the frustration, as well as the presence of a couple of minor bugs. Beyond this, players will find a satisfying story that suitably whets the appetite for the game's sequel later this year.

World To The West is a 'Sunday stroll' type of game. It's pleasant and enjoyable without being too taxing or stressful for the player. It's all well presented with a fun soundtrack playing in the background and the puzzle elements are challenging without becoming overly complex. In short, this is a well presented and a well crafted little puzzle-adventure if you can accept the necessary back-tracking as part of the overall puzzle. It may well be a little too straightforward for hardcore fans of the genre, but for most it will be an entertaining little diversion.

Episode four has set us up for an exciting conclusion to Minecraft: Story Mode - Season Two. We have another exciting boss fight, some more genuinely tough decisions and some serious topics that make you really feel for the characters. There are bits within the episode that can be skipped, which make them a little pointless, and the sudden ending feels like there has been something cut out; it could have benefitted from a little more set up for the last episode. Overall, though, it's another solid entry into the season and will have you excited for what is to come next.

Sundered is a game that is able to constantly give players that “one more time” feeling by providing multiple ways to overcome its many hurdles. When you die, you know that you’ll almost always be coming back stronger to tackle the obstacles that are put before you, whether it be a seemingly undefeatable boss or an unforgiving location full of hard-hitting enemies. Some deaths can be chalked up to procedural generation forcing you to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when the gong sounds, but those moments become less and less bothersome as Eshe is continuously upgraded through the satisfying and fulfilling gameplay loop.

This is Milestone's best MXGP title to date, improving the graphics, improving the physics, the handling, and the realism, all whilst keeping the title accessible to players of all levels.

8-Bit Adventure Anthology (Volume One) is a port of three renowned MacVenture point and click titles that manages to stay true to form on the latest generation of consoles, even if there are some slight technical issues in one of the games. This will please traditional adventure game fans who will relish the challenging puzzles and gameplay. On the other hand, the title will be a bit of a culture shock to those who are used to modern adventure titles of a more casual nature, where guidance is commonplace. These games won't hold your hand, won't let you take your time and will even try to kill you along the way. If this sounds like fun then you can't go wrong with this blast from the past.

The survival system here, complete with all of the afflictions that are actively working against you, is the high point of the game, and is something that continually presents the player with a real challenge throughout their journey. It’s a constant battle of intense survival where planning for the present and future is always a necessity.

I played this game during a heatwave, and it was wonderful to find a distraction from the heat in the investigative shenanigans of these well-spoken animals. Lord Winklebottom was full of unexpected surprises, and kept me laughing throughout. If you’re a fan of point-and-click games, detective stories, or are looking for something that’ll get a few chuckles out of you, you might want to consider stepping into the shoes of Lord Winklebottom. I spent around nine hours in the game, and aside from a few frustrations, I really enjoyed my time with it. Here’s hoping for more Lord Winklebottom cases in the future!

A Plague Tale: Requiem is a fantastic stealth game with an intriguing story (once it finally gets going) that Xbox Game Pass subscribers and fans of the original really shouldn't miss. Requiem's gorgeous, yet bleak and harrowing world is a joy to explore, and thanks to expanded combat and additional options that allow you to approach stealth sections in whatever way you see fit, the gameplay really is a step up over Innocence. A few performance issues, some slightly underbaked characters, and a constantly whispering Amicia do detract from the experience, but overall, Asobo has created a fantastic sequel here that demands a playthrough.

How a remake should be. While the fundamental gameplay has been kept the same as players will remember, some of the game's old control issues have been fixed to make it better than ever and new features have been added to bring the game into the modern age.

Episode 2 - Giant Consequences is a dramatic continuation for Mincraft: Story Mode - Season Two. The story feels like it's getting a little darker, which is an interesting direction for what is usually Telltale's most family-friendly series. Although the episode feels shorter than most, there's a lot of action and adventure packed into it, with mini-bosses and mini-games alike. Overall, Giant Consequences is a worthwhile new chapter, and helps build a strong foundation for the rest of the season,

The Occupation brilliantly blends elaborate levels, breadcrumb-chasing, gotcha journalism, and a politically-charged drama to become one of 2019's most interesting games. It deftly adapts to the many successes and failures you can have and always leaves the clues in the open for those with a keen eye, rarely holding your hand. It's ironic that a game that so smartly builds urgency through strict time limits would've done better with some extra time of its own in the studio, but the bugs I saw can't prevent The Occupation from being the game I won't stop talking about this year.

WRC 7 is racing for the sake of racing. In its purest form, it is full to the brim with exciting tracks across a huge variety of locations. The handling model fits as a simcade and it’s extremely fun, feeling rewarding while still offering up plenty of challenge even for veterans of the series. It does suffer from a completely forgettable career mode, but at the end of the day the game was never trying to be a rally career manager. It was trying to be a rally racing game and, in that, it has succeeded with flying colors. If you’re just looking to play in the dirt, WRC 7 is an excellent experience you’ll be glad to have played.

Frostpunk can be overhelming and would benefit from a longer tutorial, so it’s understandable if those new to the genre find it too tricky. But a well-conceived narrative and premise makes it worth picking up whether you’re new to the genre, or have years of city-building experience behind you.

One of my personal favorite games of all time, Kingdom Come: Deliverance's upgrade for Xbox Series X|S and PS5 fixes pretty much every performance-related issue I had. With load times effectively erased, and the game's visuals looking clean and crisp in 60 FPS, I've got all I could ever want from a KCD upgrade. The sequel might outshine it in every regard, but if you haven't played this RPG yet, there's never been a better time.

Cubot - The Complexity of Simplicity does indeed offer complex puzzles set in an extremely simplistic environment. Featuring an easy-to-use control system, minimalistic design and clever game mechanics, players get a competent puzzler that has made the jump from mobile to console with few issues.

For Honor's learning curve can be punishing at first, but if you're willing to stay the course and invest some time into understanding the nuances of its deep combat system, you will begin to appreciate how exciting and truly addictive the "Art of Battle" can be.

Overall, despite the bugs, it's an enjoyable experience that requires the player to stay on his or her toes while keeping the crystal's light alive.

OlliOlli 2 takes everything that was found in its predecessor and builds on it to create a smoother and more addictive experience.

Prey is a game that makes you question what you're seeing with your own eyes. The shooter caters to almost every playstyle by allowing players to extensively customise their character, choose the best course of action and make their own moral judgements. There are surprises hidden in almost every corner and the most rewards are given to players who take the time to explore the large environment that is Talos-1, both through physical rewards and the extra lore that is tucked away through optional interactions. If you prefer games that allow you to run and gun through a linear story then this isn't for you, but if you like to experience a game at your own pace and in your own way, you can't go wrong with Prey.

Gunplay, graphics and sound are all superb — everything you’d expect from a Call of Duty game. Each level is unique, and there are welcome changes of pace throughout. In recent COD releases, the campaign is often overlooked in favour of the multiplayer. But if you’re after an emotional, action-packed thrill ride, you shouldn’t skip out on this one.

While it doesn't stack up to PES on the pitch, everything else away from it makes FIFA 17 a worthwhile purchase for fans of the beautiful game.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a sequel that does a lot well, although its biggest detriment is how safely the developers seemed to play it.

Chivalry 2 is a game that thrusts you into the brutality of medieval warfare without remorse and allows you to fully experience the reality that soldiers faced in those bloody times. The rewards come from extended gameplay and mastering your class and weapon choices, ultimately learning how to effectively defend yourself and go on the offensive. This is a must-have for anyone that enjoys melee combat within video games and wants to put their skills to the test. Aside from a few minor issues, the game feels polished throughout, and I look forward to playing it for many, many more hours.

The developers have done a great job in creating a tense adventure and if you're simply curious in seeing what it's like to play a live-action game, or if you're up for a little atmosphere in your next title, then The Bunker is certainly worth the trip.

Sparkle 2 is a puzzle game that provides a nice surprise thanks to its user-friendly approach.

Lightsaber combat is fluid, providing just enough challenge to entertain while letting players feel like a Jedi. Perfect music composition and top-tier sound design bring the whole thing together in a way that makes us excited for a sequel. There's some significant problems, for sure – especially in level design and signposting – but we're confident that the developers could easily evolve beyond these hiccups in the future. The Star Wars gaming universe is in pretty safe hands with Respawn – provided EA keep giving the studio enough opportunities.

Jurassic World Evolution 2 certainly has a fitting title, because it's exactly that — a true evolution. The campaign might be a little on the short side, performance problems are unfortunate, and only having a handful of the movie actors reprise their roles can feel a little jarring (the Chris Pratt soundalike is kinda terrible). But rustling beyond the foliage of these superficial issues is a simulation game with the kind of depth and nuance that the original game promised but never really delivered. There's plenty to try out across its smattering of modes, with everything you unlock during regular play feeding back into the Sandbox mode, giving you even more options to mess around with there without limits. Certainly one of the better games of its ilk, especially on console, and while it can still get a little intense by genre standards, it probably wouldn't be a very good Jurassic Park game if it didn't.

With publishers regularly being satisfied with only the most basic of upgrades in remasters, it's not too surprising that the developers have scrimped on some of the potential that this version of Dark Souls could truly accomplish. Despite this, it's still a fantastic game and it is well worth reliving once again or experiencing for the first time.

For the most part, The Adventure Pals is an absolute joy to play. The graphics make it instantly appealing and have a nostalgic feel that doesn't let you down. The gameplay is simple and cute but never feels too easy or too hard, making it enjoyable to play through, despite a few issues here and there. As far as platformers go, it is a gleeful and well executed adventure and well worth jumping into.

Other than a few minor bumps and quirks aside, there remains little to complain about in the latest installment in the Ride franchise. Milestone has used its vast knowledge of motorcycling titles to build one of its best titles yet. The racing is as accessible as ever and remains welcoming to players of all levels. The growing confidence in the Unreal Engine brings improved presentation, graphics and physics, and when you throw into the mix that you now have more bikes, manufacturers, locations, and the new livery editor, it really feels like the most complete two-wheeled racing game we've seen in years.

Night in the Woods is a refreshing take on the adventure genre. With unique visuals and an all too realistic setting, the game will appeal to anyone who enjoys storytelling on a level more human than the usual fare seen in the medium. The town of Possum Springs will be a depressingly familiar one for any who grew up in small American towns where complacency with hardship is in the water, and it's a credit to the game's writers that every single resident of the troubled town feels real. Even if you didn't live in such a setting, the game's subversion of coming of age tropes make for a special story. It does sell itself out a bit at the end to drive home its central theme, but the rest of it is visually, audibly, and narratively memorable.

Those who already enjoy anime in both its art and its typical sensibilities will likely adore the game. Others who may have avoided anime to date but enjoy a story-driven adventure game should not overlook it either. Its premise is strange, but always charming and engrossing too. Issues with controls and platforming hinder the experience, but not enough to sour all the good that is present, like subtly branching storylines and a host of memorable characters. Anime fan or not, you won't easily forget it.

With a game design that encourages players to invest in its numerous complex, rewarding, and addictive systems, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection proves itself to be one of the finest JRPGs around. Small quibbles about its writing and combat aside, you'll find few games out there can match its quality. Just don't try to rush it. Enjoy it over a few months' worth of shorter gaming sessions — you'll soon find it comfortably becoming one of your favorites.

The roots of the Shift franchise may well lie in flash games but Shift Quantum brings the franchise to consoles in style. The game's Shift mechanic is easy to understand, but when different gameplay mechanics are introduced as the game goes on, it becomes a challenge to master. Players can do so at their own pace without the pressure of a timer, and the reset button makes it easy to start over if mistakes are made.

The solid and gratifying combat system is perhaps not fully explored, but any mistake in Trek to Yomi is whisked away by its brisk pace complemented by a great artistic vision. Trek to Yomi is a katana-sharp experience that impresses with its flashy skills — use the joyous time it gives you well.

Ultimately, this collection is for people who either loved the original seasons and want to replay them, people who have never played any of The Walking Dead games before now, and/or people who want an extra 4000 gamerscore without too much effort. With such good storytelling on offer here, it's easy to play and enjoy them whether you've done it before or not. The graphical improvements are decent but that doesn't disguise the problems that are ever present in Telltale games. Unless you are absolutely desperate to join Clementine again, it's probably best to wait for a sale on this one, but whenever you play it, the story will stay with you for a long time.

Heart&Slash is a highly fun game that presents a real challenge and requires a lot of determination in order to progress. Unfortunately, the sporadic camera spoils what would have been a great game.

Despite issues in several areas, Just Cause is ultimately about the scale of its action moments over which players have complete control, and the freeform sandbox in which players run amok, and to these ends Just Cause 4 is the best in the series.

A New Frontier could have been the beginning of the end for Telltale's The Walking Dead. Risks were taken but they paid off brilliantly. Players will still be chasing the summit reached by the first season's teary final moments, but this episode closes a season-long arc that is Telltale's most thematically satisfying and emotionally resonant to date. It's a tale of family, responsibility, atonement, and inevitably, loss. It captures what this whole season stood for and breathes new life into the series.

"Guardian of Gotham" is some of Telltale's best writing to date. It masterfully paces several dangling story threads into one tightly delivered penultimate episode while also seeming to build the greater Bat-verse for future seasons. It's exciting and uniquely theirs at this point. It's just a shame this episode also comes with the worst performance issues the season has seen so far.

REUS presents the world as if the almighty was an accountant. It is as much a game about crunching numbers as it is about creating a paradise for humanity, but its beautiful setting helps to mask how logic-driven it really is. It's both confusing and addictive in equal measure and manages to find a great balance between continuously providing a challenge and not overwhelming players.

Players are challenged to use their strategic muscles both in building their plane and crew and when taking them into action, with build choices having a significant impact on gameplay. Challenge Mode provides an alternative to the campaign and a chance to experiment with different builds while completing wave objectives. Altogether, it's well worth the plane ticket.

All-Star Fruit Racing is as sweet as its name implies. With an irresistibly cheerful aesthetic, plenty of game modes, great track variation, and good customization options all built on top of a fun kart racing foundation, there's no reason to expect genre fans won't adore this game. Audio problems get in the way of making it exceptionally great, but in every other way, it's exactly what you would want from a kart racer and then some.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018's gameplay offers an exceptional and authentic experience. It’s not a massive jump forward, but this year’s new additions and gameplay tweaks do a good job of refining what made last year’s game so good. Sadly, all the good work on the pitch is let down by tired and dated looking menus, game modes that are desperately in need of some innovation, shockingly bad commentary and the continued lack of licenses. It's a solid jumping-on point if you're new to the series, but seasoned veterans may find too few improvements to justify the price.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown brings the franchise hurtling onto Xbox One with all guns blazing. For genre fans, it's a great time thanks to intuitive and compelling combat, an interesting variety of missions, a wealth of content, planes, weaponry and technology, all backed up with stunning graphics and a thumping soundtrack. Other than issues with difficulty spikes in missions and a substandard multiplayer offering, there is little to complain about with the title. It's a high-octane, jet-fuelled blast.

Overall, Tails of Iron ties together a beautiful medieval world with RPG mechanics and a brutal combat system for a challenging adventure RPG you’ll be thinking about long after you put the controller down. Combat is brutally difficult, but although you’ll often be left howling at a defeat, Tails of Iron’s charming world and in-depth combat customisation will have you back before long, ready to try again. Oh, and just one more time for good measure: Damn you, Clubba!

MXGP3 is another step forward for the franchise and Milestone is to be commended in how well they have managed to capture the essence of the sport. The title looks better than ever and plays better than ever, a few niggles aside. The use of the Unreal engine makes the bikes and the riders look far more detailed than the proprietary engine ever did. The tracks themselves look increasingly realistic but it is the racing that shines through the game. At its simplest, it becomes a fun arcade racing title; at its most complex, it becomes an unnatural challenge of both manual and mental dexterity. However, Motocross remains a niche sport, and this title remains a game that will only attract those fans, which is a shame because there is a really good racing game tucked away here.

While the story is nothing to write home about, the core gameplay of Mirror's Edge Catalyst is its biggest strength.

Videoball is a wholly different experience with friends -- extremely fun, ultra competitive, and endlessly rewarding. Rivalries will form and bonds will be tested, but in the end, Videoball does more good than harm and exists as something unlike anything else that you've played.

Omno is a wonderful addition to the platform, puzzle, and adventure genres, even if it doesn’t go so far as to completely reinvent them. If you’ve been feeling a little cooped up over the last few years, you might find that Omno offers some much-needed escapism. It’s easy to get lost in Omno, and what you’ll find is a wonderful adventure into a mysterious world — made even better by the fact that it’s on Xbox Game Pass.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is as gorgeous as it is brutal, terrifyingly unpredictable, and offers intense moments of dread as you attempt to escape the blood-stained clutches of the Slaughter Family. It's an exciting game to play on either side, and the love for the IP is apparent everywhere you look. While there are a few technical issues that can sully the experience, this is a game that any horror fan should play.

The puzzles challenge players without being overcomplicated and the game manages to mix humour and decent gameplay that will appeal to most players, even if some of the British humour will be lost on players from other regions.

The game is fun, especially for fans of matching games, despite its awkward controls. Successfully completing levels opens up new challenges and new abilities, keeping the game fun while encouraging the improvement of skills. The main campaign can be done in under fifteen hours, giving gamers plenty of time solving puzzles without turning into a major grind.

The game is quick and easy to jump into, pretty to look at whilst you fly through the air and knock out enemies, and offers a lot of replayability, even with the limited number of levels that are on offer.

To say Thicker Than Water is the season's worst episode is both true and deeply misleading. It does take a step back from the extreme highs of the first three episodes, but this is still a story well worth seeing through to the end. Hopefully enough of the Garcia clan survive this season because they're worth another of their own. Some gripes with dialogue aside, the thematic elements remain strong, the characters are some of the best the studio has born, and this episode contributes to the still very high expectations for the season finale.

That bright, cartoony art style works perfectly for The Big Con’s nostalgic portrayal of the Nineties, and, combines with a touching story and witty dialogue to make The Big Con a very enjoyable adventure to play through. It can be a little easy at times, and I played through it more quickly than I expected, but I had a blast.

11-11 Memories Retold is a touching and tearful World War I game that puts the human element on the front lines. Never about being a war hero and always more to do with the real people in uniform and the reasons that brought them there, it's a story that you won't soon forget and even one you can help shape with several tense decisions left to players. Stiff animations and some plot holes hinder the project, but overall 11-11 is among the best World War I stories ever told in video games.

Bloons TD 5 is a game that simply makes you happy to play it. Its quirky monkeys and cartoony setting deliver a tone that’s fun and it makes everything you do in the game similarly enjoyable. The tone is backed up with a huge variety of towers, plenty of which are viable additions to any arsenal, and a set of tracks that are visually interesting and have creative paths which force you to adapt strategies that may have worked fine on previous tracks. While a poor difficulty curve and some lingering quality of life issues related to the game’s previous life as a free to play title keep it from a perfect score, the end result is a game that’s a joy to play and worth time from any fan of the genre or anyone looking for a little happiness in their life.

Battletoads was a pleasant surprise for me, and it’s great to see it really lean into the variety angle with so many different kinds of gameplay crammed into such a relatively small package. Presentation is fantastically stylish, with chunky characters and lavish animations, especially for some of the toads’ signature attacks. Combat is fast-paced and responsive, bombastic enough to make the simple act of mashing buttons entertaining yet still just deep enough to keep it interesting in the longer term. Sadly, though, some cool co-op features will be lost on anyone unable to get a same-room gaming session on the go, and it’s that lack of online functionality that ends up hurting the game the most. If, as Battletoads loves to tease, we do indeed see a sequel, a simple improvement there could be all it takes to bump it up to being a truly outstanding game rather than a really good one with several glaring and frustrating issues.

In terms of gameplay, there's little to be had in the way of new ideas within Little Nightmares but it seems the main appeal was always intended to be the art and atmosphere; in those respects the game is a massive success.

Telltale's final season was presumed dead a few months ago, but just like the titular zombies, The Walking Dead: The Final Season has risen from the grave to live again. It's a good thing too, because Broken Toys is the best episode of the season by far. In its heyday, The Walking Dead deftly juggled strong character moments, difficult choices, and a somber tone to win Game of the Year awards. In 2019, the landscape is different, and justifiably fewer are as impressed by the Telltale formula these days, but it's heartening to see Clementine may leave this world with a bang, not a whimper.

BPM is an amazing concept, realised wonderfully. It's not the easiest of recommendations due to the game's brutal difficulty level and heavy metal skew, but if you're on board with those things, willing to learn something new (and get your ass handed to you repeatedly in the process), and prepared to overcome the whims of some random elements to bring down Nidhogg, you're in for one hell of a time. Honestly, well executed passages are next-level satisfying, from triple-tap kill combos to the beat to the simple act of reloading some of the fiddlier weapons. Completionists beware, though — the list is a bit silly.

If you're looking for a game like Dark Souls, you should absolutely buy this immediately. It may not convert those who didn't already love that style of gameplay, but it's giving more of that style of content with its own unique twists that make it a worthy entry in the genre.

While there are a few minor nitpicks here and there, Hue is an easy game to recommend. There's nothing world-changing on offer here, but the warm and vibrant colours in combination with an intriguing narrative and satisfying puzzles make it a pleasant experience to play. Throw in the easy completion and it's the perfect game to play through on a lazy day or across a weekend.

Black Ops 4 is one of the most packed Call of Duty experiences to release in years. Multiplayer could still use some balance and spawn tweaking, Specialist HQ's implementation flopped, and there are still bugs to be addressed. Nonetheless, there is something here that feels like the biggest step in the right direction the Call of Duty series has taken in a long time.

It's fun for most audiences, but if you have kids of a certain age, My Memory of Us is a fantastic game to play together as it offers good puzzles for younger players and important themes worth your family time. Teaching kids about the worst parts of humanity is a delicate subject but also necessary so that they may grow up more loving and intelligent than some people in our history books. My Memory of Us is at its best as a teaching tool that reminds players of the power of love over hate.

Planetbase is a nice change of pace from the usual building simulators as the space environment brings up new challenges. Trying to make sure your colonists have enough of everything to keep them alive, and balancing this with fending off potential hazards and trying to earn yourself some money at the same time, is a genuinely fun challenge.

Riptide GP: Renegade is a masterclass in how to take a good concept and execute it well. While nothing the game does is exceptional in any way, its faults are few and minimal.

The episode itself is still very short, and isn't something that you should expect to take up an entire afternoon, but what you do play will be enjoyable.

Anodyne is indeed reminiscent of 2D Zelda titles, but it manages to not be bound by comparisons as it offers a fresh and welcome take on this style of game. Though some brute force combat hinders the experience, it uses certain ingredients from the games that influenced it while also injecting its own brand of humour, presentation, and gameplay into the mix to create an experience that fans of the genre should not miss.

Back 4 Blood is the co-op survival shooter that we’ve been waiting for since Left 4 Dead took the world by storm. The introduction of Corruption Cards really helps the game stand out, while offering players varied gameplay that doesn’t feel stale at any point. The current issues surrounding solo play are certainly a turn-off, but not enough for me to not recommend playing it, especially if you have a group of friends ready to go. With a little TLC, Back 4 Blood has every ingredient necessary to flourish, and perhaps even dethrone its predecessors… maybe.

LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 is a testament of how far TT Games has come in perfecting the LEGO formula. From tiny hubs focusing on story completion, we now have a gigantic and diverse open world to explore as we see fit. Chronopolis is great fun and uncovering all of its secrets is a hugely entertaining and rewarding experience. The wide range of characters and story levels help to keep that exploration fresh, but unfortunately a few problems with glitches and controls hold it back. Nonetheless, comic-book fan or LEGO fan, this is a title that will no doubt satiate your appetite for some superhero goodness.

L.A. Noire is a great game. The six years since its original launch haven't changed that. The imagining of 1940s Los Angeles is massive and detailed, and every aspect of the game feels meticulous and polished. The well-woven story edges out any gameplay complaints or issues that arose in the original game. All the DLC and additional challenges are here — albeit some of it has been inserted less than tactfully — making the Xbox One version a nice compilation for players who missed this gem from last gen, but the value drops significantly for returning players, partially due to L.A. Noire's engaging and memorable mystery. The appeal is snuffed out when you already know how every twist and turn in this detective tale goes, and Rockstar hasn't brought out enough meaningful changes to make L.A. Noire worth another visit from players who already donned their detective badges on the Xbox 360.

Outcast was plucked straight out of 1999 and dropped into 2017, but in many ways it's better than what we have today. Sure, the combat is horrific and there are other details that clearly show the game is dated, but it doesn't matter. If you're looking for a modern masterpiece, this isn't it; instead, Outcast trips back to a time when games were all about exploration and being absorbed in the world. The alien Talan feel like real people who you'll want to help and they live in a world that feels alive in a way even games like Skyrim do not. Cutter Slade is an outrageous protagonist but he's lovable in his own way — the Nathan Drake of the 90's. These elements come together to create a package that's a pure joy to play through. This game simply exudes charm in a way that few others do. Outcast was the adventure game of the year in 1999, and it's my adventure game of the year in 2017. Outcast is a special piece of gaming history that surprisingly and against any reasonable expectation withstood the test of time. It absolutely should not be missed.

Though the score accompanying this review is lower than the score I gave the premiere, in some ways "Children of Arkham" is the superior episode. This game exists first and foremost because it wants to tell a story. While the first episode set the table and promised a lot to be excited about, this follow-up begins to deliver on those promises in ways that are fresh, riveting, and challenging to Bruce, Batman, and the player alike.

If you’re looking for deep combat and puzzles in a Zelda style, you’ll have to look elsewhere, but for anyone else, Okami offers a rich world that will undoubtedly leave you happy to have been in.

With The Pact, Batman: The Enemy Within is hitting all the familiar notes for Telltale frequenters. For Batman fans, however, it's using those notes to play a really special tune so far. Some reservations are still in order as this trajectory mirrors last season's which fell quickly after the early parts of the season. For now, at least, The Enemy Within is giving longtime fans of the Dark Knight an exciting mix of new and old plotlines while carefully balancing the widest range of villains the series has dealt with so far. We'll know if The Enemy Within is a truly memorable Telltale product if they can avoid their middle episode valley, but for now, it remains worth getting into costume.

Call of Duty: WWII is a game that was much requested by fans and ultimately hits most of its targets. The story mode's focus on in-the-trenches brotherhood falls short of its mark due to introducing a dozen or so characters and only getting a few of them to stand out. However, if you're coming back to the series annually you're probably in it for its other two modes, multiplayer and zombies. In both instances, they innovate in fun ways. At times, it does feel like the whole package benefits from the simple timeline swap. If you gave up on the franchise's small maps and repetitive story structure, WWII doesn't do enough to make you want to come back. It remains true to itself, for better or worse. For anyone who still plays the games with glee every November, Call of Duty: WWII is a better-late-than-never return to the series' roots.

Mantis Burn Racing is trying to be nothing more than a fun, top down arcade racer and it easily succeeds in this.

88 Heroes is a game that tells the same old saving the earth story but in a unique way. With 88 heroes on offer here, each time you play the game you'll get something different, be it good or bad. The 88 levels themselves are quite short but are more than challenging enough, especially as you get nearer the end. Unfortunately, some of the heroes are literally useless and make it almost impossible to get through the level without them facing an untimely death. Aside from that, and a few control issues, the game is 88 kinds of fun and offers plenty of replayability if you want to earn all of the achievements.

The Pillars of the Earth isn't your typical video game; it's an interactive novel that weaves a rich and intriguing story. Developer Daedalic Entertainment has cast aside annoying gameplay tropes often found in point-and-clicks to create an experience that allows the player to focus solely on the narrative. Aside from occasional pathing problems, there isn't much to complain about here. They've gone to great lengths to give Pillars the beautiful presentation it deserves, creating a rich world and atmosphere. Each background is painstakingly hand-drawn and every line has been given life through voice acting. Only the first of three episodes has been released, and if the other two carry on in the same tune, there are more good things on the horizon for both diehard Pillars of the Earth fans and newcomers looking for a well-told tale.

Another solid adventure game from Artifex Mundi. Despite bringing the gameplay back to basics with hidden object scenes and point & click problem solving, players must use their own initiative to progress through the game, while the new Evidence Wall means that players will truly become immersed in the story rather than watching the events play out. Unfortunately, the amount of backtracking and sometimes cluttered hidden object scenes can lead to some frustration, and the variable quality of the voice acting can be grating. Despite this, adventure fans shouldn't pass up the chance of another easy completion.

If you're a fan of simulations, Prison Architect is one of the best there is.

Unepic probably won't be for everyone with its Metroidvania style and death prone areas, but once you get stuck in, it is an enjoyable experience.

Martha is Dead is a game that looks to throw you off balance at every turn, to seduce you with picturesque scenes before forcing you to witness Hell on earth. Aside from its 4K/30fps performance, Martha is Dead is a well-polished and appealing ride from start to finish, offering those looking for a dark thriller game filled with rich details an entertaining ride. Horror fans looking for an adrenaline rush, though, won't find anything here to sate their appetites, unfortunately, but some fairly gruesome scenes certainly lean into the psychological horror tropes, and never cheap out on the gory details.

While Tekken 7 has a few problems, the positives certainly outweigh the negatives. It's a series known not for its highly engaging story, but rather its vibrant and colourful, yet complex gameplay. With the addition of Rage Arts, fights look even better and feel fluid in the process. Witnessing this in all modes, especially the online tournaments, is a treat and hitting the Gallery for some nostalgic downtime stops the gameplay from becoming too stale. We may be missing a few of the series' beloved characters and load times may hinder it slightly, but one thing is certain — Tekken is still an addictive fighting franchise that definitely deserves its place in 2017.

All in all, Aven Colony is a blast. Planning out the best places to put your facilities in order to keep most people happy is both fun and absorbing. Surprisingly simple to learn, the game makes it easy to quickly get in the groove of building and splashes of humor keep you smiling. There are times of frustration when overproduction keeps your storage facilities at capacity, but this is a very small dark cloud in the otherwise blue expanse of Aven Prime's skies. If you're into building games, you'll definitely want to give this one a try.