Monster Hunter: World captures that feel of hunting, and despite its technical quirks and poor design decisions, if you've got a group of friends to play with it comes highly recommended. If you're running solo, you might be better waiting for a sale.

Infinite Minigolf is a complete game. Across 12 developer-created tournaments and local or online multiplayer for up to eight people, it would already run out of room on the back of its box (if it weren't a digital game). Combine that with the fun custom characters and even better course creator and the sum is an awesome game that is fun alone and even better with friends. Most aspects of the game come with caveats, but none of them go to lengths that unforgivably diminish its entertainment value. Fans of local or online multiplayer games, especially those that can be as casual or competitive as you want them to be, owe it to themselves to check out Infinite Minigolf.

Candleman is a great platformer with beautifully rendered graphics and wonderful attention to detail.

The game is a fun, pretty experience with only occasional frustration resulting from finding oneself running around in circles. Seasons after Fall is a rare treat that shouldn't be missed.

Overall, The Gunk feels like a weighty, enjoyable adventure that goes to some surprising places with its story. I had a great time clearing up the gunk and living my best adventurer life, and the length of the game seemed just right, ensuring that the gunk didn’t overstay its welcome. To make things even better, The Gunk launches straight into Xbox Game Pass today — so you can’t not give it a go.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is yet another great example of Capcom's ability to breathe new life into a dated game. While it doesn't add any significant new additions to the original content like we've seen the company do with Resident Evil, the visual and quality-of-life improvements make this a fantastic game for Dead Rising veterans and a must-play for new players. If you're yet to experience the thrill of literally mowing down zombies with a lawn mower while suited and booted with a horse mask on your noggin, now is the time to dive in.

If you're into resource gathering, crafting and exploring, then Subnautica is simply a title that you have to play. The wonderfully colorful and diverse environments invite exploration. Using all of the technology available and being able to create your own habitats and vehicles just encourage you to voyage further.

NBA Playgrounds follows in the footsteps of games like NFL Blitz, FIFA Street, and (of course) NBA Jam. It takes a simple premise — over-the-top arcade sports — and nearly perfects it. It misses an easy layup by excluding invitation options online, but hopefully the promised patch arrives to bring this game closer to an all-time great.

With only a small range of licenses and a lacklustre editor, those that value authenticity, an entirely reasonable demand considering that the aim of these games is to recreate the sport to its fullest, may want to wait a few weeks to see how the new FIFA fares before making a purchase.

Furi is a frantic boss-rush of punishing difficulty and it certainly lives up to its name. I was left trembling with anger and adrenaline on more than one occasion. None of your defeats feel unfair, however, ensuring that you are tempted to come back and try again.

The Council is what many genre fans have been wanting. It builds on the choose-your-own-adventure style with smart new RPG mechanics, adding depth to every encounter unseen in other games like this, and makes the entire experience feel like a chess tournament where anyone and everyone is your opponent.

Controversially written and unflinchingly scary, Outlast 2 is a remarkable game that solidifies itself and its franchise as one of the greats in the genre. Although it gets slowed down by infrequent issues with AI and sequences that will feel familiar to series veterans, the end result is an atmospheric, dread-inducing, and contentiously biting narrative horror. Even more, above all of those attributes it needed to be terrifying, and holy hell is it terrifying.

If games like Payday, Earthfall, and Overkill's The Walking Dead have left you wanting, World War Z should fill the Left 4 Dead-sized hole in your heart in most ways. It doesn't have the memorable characters and borrows all of its special zombies from other games, but it makes up for those problems with great visuals, stunning setpieces, and an addictive progression loop. It's one of 2019's biggest and best surprises.

For the most part, As Dusk Falls excels as an 'interactive drama.' With wonderfully crafted and relatable characters, superb voice acting, and unique art direction and animation style that lends itself to the story. The first few chapters alone are excellent, and they’ll have you gripping onto your controller when things are tense and utterly deflated when you’re forced into making a tough decision. The game is only let down by a weaker second act and a rushed final chapter, but overall, it’s still a great narrative adventure filled with dramatic moments, tension, and tough choices.

A game that provides fun and challenge at a frantic pace, players should take a look at Race The Sun, particularly those who are fans of the endless runner genre. While the short individual runs may not lend themselves well to extended lengths of play, the game works well in short bursts.

An incredible get for Game Pass and a superb game in its own right (issues aside), Outriders is comfortably one of the best games of the year so far, and it's only going to get better as the post-launch polish puts paid to the technical problems that currently hold it back from true greatness.

Mr. Shifty is a comic book-style adventure that uses the simple mechanic of teleporting in short bursts to great effect. Fast-paced and fun, the game is amazingly easy to pick up and play but will require a lot of skill to complete. The game's core simplicity is its greatest strength but can also be a hindrance at times given the few number of ways to advance through the game. The one layer to the simple design, slo-mo, which should aid in those truly dangerous moments, doesn't work well enough to be much help. All in all, however, Mr. Shifty is a real blast to play, and anyone who enjoys arcade action should consider giving it a try.

It's not the most original of games, with its basis being literally one of the oldest in the book and its gameplay coming straight out of the Breath of the Wild playbook, but there's a degree of creativity displayed in the storytelling and the activities themselves that really does let Immortals stand apart from its inspirations.

There are a few minor graphical issues, the experience is short and replayability is rather limited, but Four Sided Fantasy is a truly unique experience that’s easy to pick up and just as easy to enjoy. It might not be a title players can return to again and again, but it is a short and sweet puzzle platformer that shows that there is still plenty of life left in the genre.

We all wondered how much Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora would prove to be a colorful Far Cry reskin — while there are a lot of recognisable elements here, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora does more than enough to stand on its own Na’vi feet as its own very enjoyable game.

You no longer have to wait for new episodes and you may not stress over your decisions if you now know what lies ahead, but for anyone who's managed to miss the series til now, and for its biggest fans, The Definitive Series is unquestionably the best version of the seven-year The Walking Dead saga.

On the whole, though, the value for money here is ludicrous and every mode provides a different slice of footballing simulation goodness. Beyond all that, though: FIFA 22 is just a fun time! The game will change with patches eventually, but right now it is the best launch FIFA has ever been. It leaves you with a smile at every small touch and with a satisfied feeling and you ping a cross-field ball. FIFA has finally brought it home!

Life Is Strange: Before The Storm may well take place before the literal storm but that doesn't mean that events run smoothly. Chloe is struggling to come to terms with the events of the last couple of years, but her burgeoning relationship with Rachel Amber looks set to change all that. When it comes to moral decisions, the options may not always make sense with Chloe and some awkwardness can ensue, but this is a minor issue in an otherwise solid episode, especially when the new BackTalk mechanic is very fitting and adds some realism to conversations. Depending on how much you like surprises, familiarity and prior knowledge from Life Is Strange can be either a blessing or a boon, but regardless of this, Chloe's new (old?) adventure looks to be a fascinating storyline to follow into the remaining two episodes.

Moment-to-moment gameplay in Halo Infinite feels fantastic, so it's just a bit of a shame that there isn't more to do with those tight mechanics right now. Multiplayer is superb but you likely already know that, and with that element being free-to-play anyway, there's a massive question mark hanging over whether that should even be considered part of the core experience. The open world setting both giveth and taketh away, but I think it works for the most part, and fair play to the team for trying something new. Right now, it's a damn good game... but when it eventually catches up to its ambitions, it could wind up being something much more impressive.

Screamer doesn't just harken back to a specific, lost era of arcade racing games — it marks a beautiful evolution of the arcade racer. It's not just faster and more engaging than other racers, but it's also more innovative, with ingenious systems assembled by designers with evident passion for the genre. A sequel might tighten up shortcomings in its presentation, but as it stands, it's already pretty much the ideal arcade racing package. If you're a racing game fan, do not miss it.

With its emotional gut-punching story, memorable and wonderfully crafted characters, and a beautifully designed setting that immerses you deeply into its world, Life is Strange: True Colors is a superb entry into the Life is Strange series. While the game's conclusion does come just slightly too quickly, and some technical issues spoil the show, you won't regret experiencing Alex Chen's story. Simply put, Life is Strange: True Colors is a must-play.

Thimbleweed Park is a strange ride. It's compelling throughout, with a strange story full of eccentric characters coupled with some very competent and rewarding puzzle construction; arguably the best of its kind, even including the LucasArts classics. It takes a while to get going and stumbles on a few points along the way, particularly with its incessant fourth-wall breaking and a lack of meaningful engagement between the playable characters. As a lovingly-crafted piece of fan service, there are few games out there that can match the level of passion and community spirit on display here.

A cosmic rock voyage of self-discovery that doesn't folk about, The Artful Escape is a truly unique experience and a feast for the senses. Those looking for a challenge or who are deathly allergic to guitars will probably want to look elsewhere for their next game. But given what an unusual and aesthetically captivating experience it is — and the fact that it's right there on Game Pass — it couldn't be easier for me to recommend. It'll likely prove a little too strange for some people's tastes, but if you don't enjoy it, it's still a quick (and hopefully at least interesting) 1,000G boost in five hours or so from a game you likely won't remember playing this time next year. But if you do end up enjoying it, and I think a lot of folks will, there's a very real chance it could end up being five hours you'll never forget.

Axiom Verge is a brilliant homage to the 'metroidvania' origins back in the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Whilst the choice to be so uncompromising in its retro style might not suit everyone, the gameplay in the title remains compelling and manages to maintain that fine balance in the level of difficulty for being challenging for all players without becoming frustrating.

It feels like a love letter to a time of games gone by in the best way possible, and it's hard not to be drawn to the way the game looks. A few issues with the camera and some of the controls stop the game being perfect, but it isn't far off.

Adventure fans shouldn't pass up the chance of another easy completion even if it involves two playthroughs instead of one. For those who don't normally play this type of game, Grim Legends, or any Artifex Mundi game for that matter, continues to be a great starting point for their entry into the genre.

Whilst Dirt Rally is aimed at the drivers, WRC 6 is definitely for the fans. The game wants to bring the thrill, the sensation and the enjoyment of rallying to all of the fans of the sport regardless of their driving ability. It wants all players to be able to compete in this season's events and to feel a part of the motorsport, and WRC 6 has achieved this surprisingly well.

Frustrating mechanics can and probably will deter some people. However, those who persist and train themselves to learn the fundamentals will find a gem underneath the initial muck that is the first couple of hours. Being a budget title, there is a slight lack of polish and a few technical issues will arise, but Warhorse has clearly mustered all its effort in creating an immersive world and engaging story.

Whilst War Stories does not bring any changes to the combat or battle mechanics of the game, it introduces a single player element that has been much requested by the community. Each story is short enough to be played in a single sitting and provides a platform for beginners to learn the basics of the game and for veterans to try out new tank builds and tactics. Players can additionally use the scenarios to farm a few more credits and experience points without the necessity of joining online games. It may not be a wealth of content, but there's a good few hours of gameplay, new achievements and the comic-book introductions are a novel new approach for the game. With the combat essentially untouched, it remains as engaging as ever, not forgetting that this is a free update for a free-to-play title without paywalls or loot-crates, so it's a good time to jump in if you already haven't started.

Although the main mechanic of the gameplay loop can become a little frustrating and repetitive nearer the end of the game, and the story can begin to feel a little muddled, Twelve Minutes unravels its mysteries so well as to leave you pondering long after you finish the game — I’m still trying to wrap my head around the ending, and I know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time to come.

This is a team game, and it's hard to recommend if you'll be only playing alone as even things like magazine size caters to its team-centric gameplay. Even the innovative ping system can't change that. But as a team battle royale, Apex Legends is excellent.

Overall, the Thieves Guild have been updated nicely, and will be enjoyable for anyone who has had fun among the sleuths in past Elder Scrolls games.

This an experience that makes no demands, and expects nothing from you except peaceful, meditative creativity. It's total lack of meaningful progression won't be for everyone, but if you've been hammering at some stressful shooter all night, we recommend that you boot up a quick session of Tracks before bed to settle your nerves.

The Shapeshifting Detective truly does make the player feel as though they’re controlling the main character in a murder mystery TV show. Quality of life improvements such as skipping repeated scenes on later playthroughs and hiding useless menu options would be appreciated, but on the other hand, the game’s narrative is so engaging that I was tempted to take notes in order to keep all of the characters’ stories straight. Finding flaws in alibis, spotting discrepancies in statements, and slowly getting to learn about each character’s backstory were the main highlights of the game, and they manage to overshadow the less appealing aspects of this sleuthing experience.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Beacon Pines. Its eye-catching storybook art style catches your attention which is then held by the game's fast-moving and suspenseful plot. There were times when this story felt too convoluted in some areas whilst a little lacking in explanation in others, but it's still an easy recommendation. Just don't trust its cutesy appearance too much — Beacon Pines might start out at the beginning of Summer, but that eerie undertone makes it a great contender to play in the run-up to Halloween.

Torment is a game for anyone who's a fan of a good book, an epic tale, or that simply wants a fresh take on RPGs that consoles have never seen. It may not be a great novel, but it's certainly a very good one.

Victor Vran is a title that initially feels like it's going to be more indie fodder but is much more than that. Despite the voice actors that were used, underneath a relatively bland story lies extremely addictive and highly enjoyable gameplay. Utilising all the weapons and accessories at your disposal regularly yields fantastic results, and unleashing your fury on the hordes of enemies that swarm the screen never gets old. Facing off against the bosses scattered throughout the dungeon also adds an extra layer of challenge. The addition of online play and two expansions provides even more content for the game, so there's an abundance of stuff to enjoy. While the game does suffer from the odd technical problem, it's still worth a look for dungeon crawler and RPG fans alike.

2064: Read Only Memories is a well told futuristic story that does so many things right. The retro cyberpunk setting and soundtrack is a joy, and it feels like everything you do in the game has an impact. Characters actually have their own personalities, and the puzzles often have different outcomes that require some thinking on your part. Sadly, the game is let down by a few issues that can't be forgiven. Even for a narrative driven game, there is an awful amount of reading to pick through. Worse than that, though, the controls will cause you issues on numerous occasions where the d-pad and analogue stick are both involved. Overall, though, the game can be deemed a success, and your journey with Turing is one well worth experiencing.

Episode 1 - Hero in Residence feels like a promising start for Minecraft: Story Mode - Season Two. We have both new and old friends combined, as well as a couple of new threats to the world, all of which immediately make you eager to play more. The world feels nicer and more interesting to explore, and references to the first game in terms of characters and items are a nice addition. There are a few minor problems that we now seem to expect from these kind of games, but overall this episode feels like it is a good jumping off point for what should be a great season for Minecraft: Story Mode - Season Two.

Prospective drivers will have to work hard for it but, ultimately, for those prepared to work and put in the effort, there is a massively rewarding driving experience here.

It excels in many ways from fast and challenging combat to well-designed boss fights and good level design. The only problem is that it feels like the "lite" version of all of its inspirations, offering a taste of a masterpiece instead of a new take on those archetypes. You'll get Dark Souls without the measured combat, Bayonetta without the intricate weaving of combos, Castlevania with far fewer utility abilities to learn, and Zelda with puzzles that are far too easy for most. Still, what's taken from each of those games is mostly good, which makes Darksiders III a successful comeback story.

Razed is fun and flashy. It’s a platformer focused on speed and precision and it’s backed up with fair level design and good mechanics. In its dash towards the finish line, it hits every step almost perfectly. Unfortunately, the couple misses hold it back from top marks. It’s got an uneven difficulty curve that will undoubtedly turn away some casual players. It’s also got an almost required backtracking element to find hidden upgrades and that’s not fun when all you want to do is break records and keep moving through the levels. Razed is nevertheless a joy to play on many occasions and that’s often enough to make it worth playing.

Lacking in both content and features in comparison to its PC counterpart, this version of Cities: Skylines is probably not for those who already own and enjoy the game there. However, thanks to a personal touch, it's a game that is very satisfying to progress through and a worthy city builder for genre fans on Xbox One. Just consider having a guide at hand, and perhaps something to keep you entertained in between projects.

While it looks like a low budget throwaway, the game's best features mostly come in how it sounds. The memorable music and legitimately unsettling EVP recordings go far to prove its legitimacy as a tool for scaring. If you've never played a horror game, don't start here as the game requires a few too many concessions from the player. If you're a genre veteran looking for something atmospheric, retro-inspired, and adding its own unique gameplay mechanics, Sylvio is worth the trip. It's a candlelit ghost story that leaves you not breathless or horrified, but disquieted, which is perhaps the most effective horror of all.

Team Sonic Racing is Sumo's third race around the track with SEGA's flagship characters. It's not their best effort of the trio but because of the intriguing teamplay focus, it stands up as a worthy game for fans of the genre and families alike. The roster leaves a lot to be desired and the game needs a few changes under the hood to really play how it should, but it makes for a fun co-op or competitive game best played locally with loved ones.

This feels more of an incremental installment which builds on the previous outing, retaining all of the key features whilst adding more content and that's not a particularly bad thing. Outside of the US, NASCAR is still seen as a niche sport, but Monster Games has managed to make a game that will appeal not only to those dedicated fans but one that should satisfy those players looking for a good sim-cade racing title. Even with some new toys that feel incremental at best, it makes for a strong foundation for the years ahead for the series.

Mortal Kombat 11 has some design issues, but overall I enjoyed my time and I can sincerely say I'm looking forward to the inevitable sequel.

It's a brilliant simulation, but it comes at the price of even being called a game.

The game is straightforward and fun except for the frustrating lack of instructions on how things work.

As much as I enjoy the moment-to-moment gameplay of Rainbow Six Extraction and have had a blast with it both solo and in co-op, it's impossible to overlook the glaring balance issues and lack of any kind of appealing endgame it has at the moment. Ubisoft does have a great track record for turning decent games into great ones in the long run — just look at Siege or The Division — so I'm hoping we'll see a similarly impressive evolution here eventually. For now, though, Extraction is undeniably entertaining in the short term, but it's the long game that worries me, and I'd love to be proven wrong. When everything comes together here, Extraction somehow manages to capture everything that is great about the Rainbow Six series while also taking by far the most liberties with its premise and structure. That's got to count for something.

It may not reach the heights of the original game, but "Inheritance" is still a commendable return to this creepy house.

Grid Legends is one of the cheesiest games I've ever played, thanks to its Drive to Glory story mode. Putting that to one side, there is a good racing game here with an excellent AI system (that can go a bit awry), some beautiful and well-designed tracks, and cars that feel great to drive. However, Grid Legends is dragged down a bit by the easily-forgettable story mode, and the game is just far too easy even on the highest difficulty. Still, there is a competent racer here that offers plenty of thrilling moments and enough cars and modes to keep fans of the genre happy.

Rise and Shine is a game that fans of the genre and those looking for a quick experience will enjoy.

With a group of friends, Ghost Recon Wildlands will offer countless hours of fun within the vast and beautifully created version of Bolivia. If you’re going it alone, however, the repetitive gameplay and the lack of any character development and story depth offers a far less attractive package. Wildlands is a solid open-world game that is let down by an overly long and repetitive story, along with too many small bugs and niggles for it to be great.

Saturday Morning RPG's welcome nostalgia trip to the eighties provides five fun episodes and two bonus modes for its players to sink their teeth into. Although its combat eventually grows tiresome and its quests verge on lackluster, the well-written dialogue, outstanding music, constant infusions of humor, and nonstop pop culture nods keep it from feeling like it overstays its welcome.

Whilst still being a very similar game to the first two instalments, our visit to Russia is definitely the most interesting of the three.

Oh My Godheads is a fun game if you are looking at it from the multiplayer side of things, but it manages to have something for the single player gamer too. Although the choice of modes is limited, there's plenty of fun to be had, especially with the different Godheads thrown into the mix. A little more introduction to the game and its controls would have been helpful at the start, and online multiplayer is always a sad thing to miss out, but ultimately there's easy gamerscore and some frantic fun to be had here.

Agents of Mayhem offers fast-paced and mindless fun filled with Volition’s signature crude humour, but elements of it make it feel like a missed opportunity. The open world setting seems lifeless compared to games of its kind, the missions are extremely repetitive and there are a few bugs that will need addressing. Still, the impressive array of weapons and abilities, as well as the diversity of the different Agents on offer adds a level of depth that will help to keep you playing to the end. It's far from perfect, but if you can stand the repetition, there's enough left over to blow up and make you laugh.

Mugsters is a game that contains a good amount of entertainment, and the short length allows for some quick, explosion-based enjoyment. Nonetheless, every so often, the good times can be diminished by small irritants and annoyances that begin to add up. Most of the game will see you repeating the same tasks over and over again with a few tweaks and changes.

Despite some awkward controls and less-than-exciting missions, the game gives a loving nod to the Star Trek universe. Its fine eye for detail in the Star Trek mythos and its excellent customization options add an extra dimension of depth to what would otherwise have been a hum-drum game.

Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion is a great introduction to turn-based combat for those who need such a thing. Its systems work well and the repainting of typical RPG elements with Adventure Time hues is a joy for fans. Unfortunately, the combat is so easy that for many fans, especially adults, it can all feel like it's mind-numbingly simple. Still, if you're a big enough fan of the franchise and just want another game set in the world of Ooo, this is the best Adventure Time game to date.

Twin-stick shooters can either lose their charm quickly or provide some addictive gameplay, so it's fortunate that Tesla vs Lovecraft fits into the latter thanks to its fast-paced and gratifying design. The story is an odd one, but it doesn't detract from the monster killing, whether you're on your own or with a friend.

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game introduces a decent number of new features to keep the tried and tested LEGO formula up to date. Combat has received another overhaul, adding in an extra layer of depth with upgrades and extravagant attack moves, so it looks much slicker than previous entries. These moves can be put to the test in the enjoyable distraction of the Battle Arenas, which are best experienced with friends. The change in level design may feel unusual at first, but it is refreshing nonetheless even if it does also mean that the game is a short one. Technical issues, most notably loading screens, do also hinder the experience somewhat, but it shouldn't put too much of a dampener on your playthrough as a whole. LEGO fans will no doubt find another fun adventure within, even if it may be over in a flash.

Overall, Keeper is a pretty uneven experience. The first act doesn't offer much in terms of excitement beyond the initial wow factor of its gorgeous environments that are teeming with life and interesting vistas. Things pick up in the second and third acts, but Keeper takes a little too long to get to the good stuff. Outside of the basic puzzles and a short platforming section, the first few hours could have done with a little more to keep the player interested. That said, for those who do manage to stick with Keeper, you will be rewarded.

When entering the world of Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden, players would be forgiven for thinking they'd stumbled into a different game. Despite its similarities to the world of Rapture, the city of Eden provides an extremely fitting and menacing backdrop to the story told by Artifex Mundi, although there is some recycled character assets. The standard hidden object and logic puzzle gameplay performs as it should and will provide a handful of hours of entertainment for those who enjoy a casual evening of gaming. Meanwhile, the domino games provide a great alternative to those who are tiring of hidden object games, even if the lack of reset button makes them unnecessarily challenging. The overall result is another solid effort that will keep new and returning players entertained yet again, even if some know exactly what to expect by now.

A Hat In Time is a game that is proud to wear its influences on its sleeve and largely does them justice. The 3D platformer features a quirky story, diverse and memorable levels, interesting well-voiced characters, and collectibles that actually have a point. The platforming is responsive and the difficulty scales appropriately on the whole, but the game is let down by camera issues — clipping through objects, zooming in at inappropriate times, and shaking all contribute to unfair deaths for the player, often at the worst possible moment. There's something here for players of all abilities and most will be able to look past its faults for another enjoyable completion.

Away: Journey to the Unexpected tries to do a lot at once, which is a tall task for a game mostly built by just a pair of people. Ultimately, its strange direction lends to the charm of it all, but it's also clear the game is lacking in a few key areas — namely, shoddy combat and inconsistent level randomization. Still, it was billed as a "feel-good" indie and I'd have to agree. Despite its faults, I'm happy to have played this weird game.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands expands on Borderlands 2's Assault on Dragon Keep DLC in some interesting and meaningful ways, but feels like it struggles to stretch out what was a fantastic gimmick for a shorter expansion to fill a full-length campaign without falling back on repeating its material.

The vigilante track is unique to Telltale and thus feels more compelling for players, but not everyone gets to go down that route. In either case, the climactic fight scene delivers, Joker is finally here in mind and body (and finally portrayed well by his actor), and there's a lot of fallout from the events that teases what comes next time, which will inevitably be revealed over the coming months. If you enjoyed the season up to this point, The Enemy Within's finale is an unexceptional but solid conclusion.

The Incredibles makes its debut in LEGO form with this one, and that alone should entice anyone who is enthused for either brand. The bugs are annoying and the voice acting is just about as bad sometimes, but the open world crimefighting, Pixar cameos, and perfect pairing of these two brands makes LEGO The Incredibles a fun family game, even if it's not quite super.

The developer wanted to make a game for fans and newcomers alike and they made many changes to the typical Final Fantasy formula. The result is a game that is not like what you would expect, but for those who want to find something to love here, there's something to find.

The music is the star of the show and what's there is decent, but nothing is memorable enough to really get stuck in your head. The complete package is a worthwhile one despite its flaws and should definitely be on the radar of anyone who's got any interest in the game.

If you’re looking for a standard Japanese shmup, Defenders of Ekron is going to disappoint, but this Chilean gem offers a nuanced level design that allows it to excel, becoming far better than most of its contemporaries through a revolving door of fun, challenging encounters and enough content to leave you more than content. Sure, it’s full of awful anime tropes that make you resent every story section, and it’s got some game design systems that actively hinder your enjoyment, but those negatives aren’t nearly enough to weigh down the game.

With unique and tricky puzzles, 39 Days to Mars will feel right at home in any puzzle fan's game collection. The simplistic art style allows the puzzles to remain the focus of the experience. The choice of solo or co-op mode is ideal but the controls are slightly awkward, making things a little off-putting in both modes. While not perfect, 39 Days to Mars is a great time filler when you and a friend want to put your brains to the test for a few hours.

The gameplay is what you’re familiar with, which is fun but not without its problems. You’ll still have floaty controls, you’ll still fumble with depth perception and you’ll still use the minimal number of gameplay mechanics to move about. But the levels are smartly designed and they’re fun despite the game’s shortcomings. That’s gotta count for something.

Minecraft Legends is a fun and compelling action-strategy game that is well worth checking out. While it does have issues with finicky building controls, wonky mob AI, and a lack of depth for the big strategy heads out there, more casual players will enjoy this one. The campaign doesn’t overstay its welcome, and PvP is a riot with other players, provided you’re in a party chat. If you have kids who are interested in Minecraft, Minecraft Legends is a no-brainer and a great way to introduce them to a new genre.

Onimusha: Warlords wasn’t revolutionary when it launched in 2001, but it was certainly good and time has been kind to it. This remaster offers a fresh overhaul of the game’s visuals and gameplay that make it feel accessible and enjoyable for a modern audience. The gameplay itself holds up quite well despite lacking the depth some other action titles have, with a variety of enemies and weapons to fight and wield. The story is horrendous and the camera can be difficult, but exploring the world has a nice flow to it that alleviates some of that. Onimusha isn’t a 2019 classic, but it has earned its place as a 2001 classic that’s still more than worth playing today if you’re in the market for good games from bygone eras.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 lives up to the precedent set by the original Space Marine for the most part, offering a storyline and co-op experience filled with gore and action brought to life with excellent visuals. It's held back by irritating AI companions and a campaign optimized for co-op, leaving an un-balanced experience for solo players. However, if you're looking for a game to live out a Space Marine fantasy, and want some co-op fun, you'll be in for a real treat.

Far Cry New Dawn continues the series' year-long descent into self-parody with this uninspired sequel. The spinoffs for Far Cry are usually very exciting, previously taking us to an alternate future or the ancient past. In New Dawn we return to Hope County, now with 300% more pink. Neither the premise nor the execution of the setting and story ever justify the project, but for fans who haven't tired of the series' formula yet, you can't really go wrong with more of the same when it's well done. It's mechanically tight and often engaging while it lasts. Let's just hope New Dawn is actually the setting sun for this version of Far Cry. The series could really use a makeover soon.

Overall, Lake is a lovely addition to the narrative adventure genre — even if it doesn’t go so far as to push the boundaries of that genre — and offers a relaxed adventure which could serve as a welcome counterpoint to some of the chaos going on in today’s world. You can almost feel the stresses of Meredith’s city life melting away, although Lake does a good job of not pushing you towards one decision or another. It’s entirely up to you, after exploring Providence Oaks and working your way back into the lives of its people, to decide what Meredith should do next. I had fun in my time as Providence Oaks' mail carrier, and even though that job can feel a little stale at times, Lake's charming inhabitants and its gentle story make it more than worth a visit.

Struggling is a game that I was sure I was going to dislike but had me changing my mind with pure joy from the earliest stages. Struggle by name, struggle by nature, this is one title that will challenge your mind and your patience, but reward you with great comedic moments, a varied soundtrack, and more “what the hell?” moments than you can shake a stick at.

Planet of the Eyes makes for a brief but compelling sci-fi puzzle-platformer. Although it's bogged down quite drastically by puzzles that feel too familiar and often too easy, all other aspects of it do well to keep the game worthwhile. Sure it takes only an hour, but in that time it delivers a story well told with great voice acting, spacey music, and an assortment of colors that pop off the screen. It'll be a short stay in space with the unnamed robot hero, but it's an adventure worth experiencing.

DC Universe Online isn't going to be an MMO that will be remembered for years to come, but it is still entertaining for those who are fans of the genre and for someone who wants to get stuck into a world of superheroes and villains.

Eventide 2 takes the standard Artifex Mundi point & click gameplay and tries to innovate a little. The improved item combining mechanic fits the casual nature of the title perfectly. Meanwhile, a new morality system attempts to let players add some personality to the story, but with little effect on the overall picture, its attempts to add replayability only succeed if you're after the relevant achievement. Outside of these changes, the standard hidden object and logic puzzle gameplay returns and mostly works well, with just a small issue causing some frustration. The result is another solid effort that will keep new and returning players entertained for a handful of hours.

Baseball Riot contains a lot of content for a low price point, but it will only really be enjoyed in short bursts. The gameplay is easy to learn but difficult to master.

The Medium is an interesting and enjoyable game, but one let down by some awkward animations that constantly threaten to break the immersion created by an otherwise captivating game world, and those weak stealth sections that Bloober Team can't seem to leave behind. It's very much a one-and-done game — you can easily see everything it has to offer inside of ten hours, so the pricing might be a little questionable for both the quality and quantity of what you get here. Still, price won't be an issue for Game Pass subscribers, for whom The Medium is a unique yet flawed gem that we'd absolutely recommend checking out as part of the service.

The title's cheesy dialogue is light and fun and matches the game's simple graphic style very nicely. While the whole experience is fun, especially in Versus mode, the game could have used more content seeing as all six chapters of Story mode can be finished in an hour or two.

The multiplayer can be fantastic at times and battles play out beautifully and smoothly in all modes. The game looks sleek and listening to those iconic blasters adds to the thrill of play. However, with lackluster battle and survival missions replacing a proper campaign, it stops the title from being as amazing as it could have been.

A fun game with its quirky humor and innovative concept. The game is easy to learn and enjoyable to play as one helps Sam through his day, but it can begin to pall from simple repetitiveness as one replays chapters and hears the same jokes a few too many times. With its mostly easy achievement list and fast playing time, it will be a fun addition to most achievement seekers' collections.

Underwhelming RPG elements and character customisation, poor loading times and a map screen that now seems to have a mind of its own do hold back the game from being something great. Those with a penchant for a tightly woven narrative and tactical thinking will enjoy the experience, but it is difficult to overlook some of the more glaringly obvious problems.

The world of The Great Ursee is dramatic and looks gorgeous with its pleasing sunset vistas that really pop thanks to the game’s brilliant use of HDR. However, The Falconeer does fly too close to the sun in some areas. A largely forgettable and at times confusing story will be a disappointment to some, while inconsistent collision detection and a lack of mission checkpoints create frequent disappointing turbulence. Faults aside, for a game that’s been created by one person, and is one of the cheaper Xbox Series X|S launch day titles, you should definitely consider picking up The Falconeer along with your new console.

If you play CoD for the campaign, Black Ops III is a low point featuring a confusing and uninteresting story, poor pacing, cheesy dialogue and over-the-top voice acting that results in a story that resembles what the outcome would be if you dropped the cast of Team America: World Police on the set of Inception or Source Code.

Get Even uses some light brushstrokes of cliches but ultimately paints a picture much more unconventional than it may at first seem. In both story and gameplay, your expectations will be subverted several times over. Not all of its risks pay off, but when they do they ensure the game is a refreshing addition to the medium. Part shooter, part exploration and investigation while always compelling, Get Even is the strange mashup of Saw and Eternal Sunshine we never knew we wanted. If you play games for story and can forgive some forgettable shootouts and visuals, Get Even may someday be a fond memory of yours.