For the grand price of £1.99, Battle Cars adds three new cars, two weapons, three new modes and a brand new season to play through. It is a decent amount of content for such a cheap price, but unfortunately it just doesn't add that much to the actual gameplay. The weapons, though limited by overheating and unlocking after a certain time, tend to cause more chaos than anything else and take away from the actual racing. The game didn't really need weapons adding to it, leaving the DLC basically a moot point, but no doubt it will bring a little bit of fun amongst the frustration.

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.

The singular lasting impression of Don't Knock Twice is one of bewilderment that it somehow exists at all. A movie tie-in game for a limited release and poorly reviewed film that wrapped its quiet and brief theater tour over half a year ago is not the mark of something promising. Ultimately, the game is exactly what it appears to be: bare bones, forgettable, and not worth your time. Horror fans have too many better choices these days, and fans of first-person exploration games have a growing list of their own. Put Don't Knock Twice at the bottom of each of those lists and only get around to it when you've exhausted all other options.

Echoes of the Fey: The Fox's Trail succeeds in a couple of areas but largely fails in others. The story is genuinely interesting when you manage to get your head around it, and presumably the successive episodes in the series will expand on the game's lore in ways that will clarify things better. The various quests and side quests help you paint a brighter world and the clues are fed to you through this . However, the game does not look like a 2017 release, with poor graphics and minimal locations. Couple this with unlikeable characters and overall the game is largely disappointing. If you adore visual novels, you'll probably find something to enjoy from The Fox's Trail, but otherwise probably give it a miss.

Amazing things are possible in the ARK — the gun-wielding soldier set high atop the most badass predator of all time comes to mind — but the experience is clouded by the best ones being locked behind excessive grinding, boring farming and the need for a large group. System commands and customizable settings can ease some of the pain, but the base concept remains a chore. A messy UI and the lack of a tutorial leave you alone in the dark, forced to spend hours researching on your own in order to figure out what's what. But there's no denying that if you're willing to put in the time, you will be rewarded with some incredible gameplay moments, especially if your friends join you on the ARK.

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.

Building on last year's already successful iteration, F1 2017 has been tweaked, polished and refined. On top of all that, a whole load of new content has been added making it feel that there are almost two games in one. There's more to motorsport than just driving speedily around tracks and this year's installment has done its best to capture this. The massively expanded research and development tree and the new engine management system bring an extra level of detail that might frustrate the more casual player but that no doubt delights true Formula 1 fans. The racing remains as good as ever for all levels of drivers and with all of the new championships and invitationals, short track variants and classic cars, there is plenty of racing to be done. In short, this is possibly the most complete F1 title for a long time, and arguably the best in the franchise.

For returning players, and those especially focused on Connected Franchise, there isn't enough here to welcome you back. Updated rosters and small on-field tweaks are the things we get every year but what really makes or breaks an installment of Madden are the big changes, which are up and down and ultimately make Madden 18 a solid starter but no Pro Bowler.

Episode 3: More Than A Feeling isn't Telltale's best work. The pacing is poor and the dialogue is a repeat of emotions you've already seen in prior episodes. At least we get an interesting look into Gamora and Nebula's past with Thanos, their now-deceased father. There's also an impactful decision requiring your attention at the end of the episode. Once the whole series is released, Episode 3 won't be memorably bad, but when you've been waiting months to progress Guardians' story, it's a short and disappointing installment at best.

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.

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 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.

Demetrios - The BIG Cynical Adventure is a low budget point and click title that relishes in being unconventional. Its characters try their hardest to be cynical and toilet humour is everywhere, even if it pushes the boundaries a bit too far at times. Despite this, the title's storyline and its gameplay are extremely conventional and functional. The puzzles vary in difficulty but there's always the clever cookie hint system to help things along if you get stuck. Even if the mini-games are hit and miss, players of all abilities will be able to make it to the end as long as you can stomach it. If you take offence easily and you're just after another easy completion, avoid this one like the plague. If you appreciate risque jokes and silly humour, this point and click will be the equivalent of a breath of fresh air for you.

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.

Cars 3: Driven to Win is a competent kart racer that is accessible to players of all skill levels. There’s plenty of content on offer and the pleasant art style, cast of characters and location will keep fans of the films entertained for quite a few hours. It doesn’t do anything new to reinvent the genre and is lacking in a number of areas, but what is there is decent and that’s more than can be said for a lot of movie tie-ins. As a full priced title Cars 3: Driven to Win is hard to recommend to anyone except the biggest fans of the franchise, but for anyone else looking for a new kart racer to sink their teeth into, it might be worthy of your time once it hits a more realistic price point.

Telltale is the master of the season debut. They've been building fantastic first episodes for years now. From there, their games have gone in all sorts of directions. Sometimes they've stayed superb, while other times they've fizzled out. The first episode of Batman: The Enemy Within is yet another great debut that does most of the things you'd want it to do. Fans of the last season or the hero in general will no doubt enjoy this first of five episodes. Some part of us can't help but worry that this one will follow too closely in the footsteps of its predecessor, which would mean it won't end as impressively as it has begun. Still, we're choosing to remain optimistic.

Dead by Daylight has the potential to become a cult classic among asymmetric games. Everything is finely balanced and the way that all of the random elements can alter a match adds an intriguing level of depth to the title. The chase, from the standpoint of both Killer and Survivor, is an intense, adrenaline filled, and nail-biting affair. This could be an ideal title to drop in and out of while grinding through the achievements and leveling up characters, but that concept of drop-in game reveals the achilles heel of the title: the waiting time to play. As a survivor, it seems to take numerous attempts to find a server and you have to be patient. With a few more tweaks, there is a good multiplayer survival horror title here for horror fans.

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.

Young gamers are the target audience of Prospect Games' Unbox: Newbie's Adventure. There's nothing wrong with that, but there isn't much here to appeal to the older and more experienced gamer, something at which other kids' titles have succeeded. The developer holds your hand throughout the adventure, which is annoying unless by chance this is the first video game you've ever played, and Unbox's one-trick combat and easy tasks won't captivate an adult's attention for long. Unless you plan to collect all 800 Golden Tapes, it's also a brief experience, clocking in at roughly 5-7 hours. The graphics are lackluster with a noticeable difference between advertisements of the game and how it actually looks. Provided the developer fixes the broken achievement, the list of 15 achievements is straightforward and simple with not much to it, much like the game itself.

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.

Black The Fall is an exaggeration of an Orwellian communist lifestyle but it's one that successfully drives a point home. This dystopia is bleak, it's miserable and like the anonymous protagonist, you don't want to spend any longer in it than you need. Bearing this in mind, the game's 2-3 hour length seems perfect. The platforming is responsive and the puzzles just challenging enough to make you think while not outstaying their welcome. There may only be one way of solving each puzzle, but then this fits in well with the restrictive regime that the game is depicting. It's a game that is worth experiencing once, even if it's a world to which you never want to return.

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.

Little Nightmares is a pick for Game of the Year right now and its first DLC chapter, The Depths, enjoyably builds on the intoxicating and mysterious mythos of The Maw. It doesn't resolve the long loading times seen in the full game and it's admittedly a brief stay, clocking in at just an hour of play time. Still, because of its world-building and new unsettling villain bolstering the gallery of the grotesque, The Depths returns to the surface all the reasons to love Little Nightmares.

The exceptional story and inventive gameplay design makes Giant Sparrow's title a memorable trailblazer for walking sims. It sets a new bar for what the genre is capable of in its interactivity, and all narrative adventure games that arrive after Edith Finch may now have to consider challenging players with more than diary reading and tape playing. It's said that, in their infancy, each new medium copies the one it's following. In some ways, games are the successor to movies and we've seen plenty of cinematic games that crib the format of feature films. To take nothing away from such games, What Remains of Edith Finch is a shining example of what video games do uniquely well.

Serial Cleaner is a fun stealth game that doesn't hold one's attention for long. Despite the changing environments and balanced approach to ramping up the game's difficulty, the title can become quite frustrating with no checkpoints or ways to save on harder levels when you're sent back to the very beginning, no matter how much work you've accomplished along the way. The 20 challenge modes are more like on/off switches for making the game more challenging in different ways, not really different modes of play. It has a retro 70's vibe with good music and a fun pixelated art style and does a great job of being easy to pick up and play, but it doesn't add enough variety to keep you coming back for more. Bob Leaner is a seemingly cool cat who ends up being a rather boring dude in the end.

Despite its name, Grim Legends 2 has no story links with Grim Legends, meaning that both Artifex Mundi veterans and newcomers alike can enjoy the game. The Brothers Grimm fairy tale upon which the game is based makes the story feel stronger and the characters more believable, even if there aren't many surprises. The standard point and click gameplay returns along with Artifex Mundi's customary hidden object games and this works relatively well with just a couple of very minor hiccups. There's a lack of alternative to the hidden object gameplay but there's a bonus chapter to make up for it. While it might not be the best title that Artifex Mundi has released, it's a fitting and competent middle installment to the Grim Legends trilogy.

Valkyria Revolution comes from a line of highly-acclaimed titles, but this one undoubtedly misses the mark. Gameplay takes a backseat thanks to the primary focus on long, drawn-out cutscenes that take up a solid 70% of your playtime. Even when it is at the forefront, that gameplay is outrageously easy and complimented by braindead AI that will rarely do what you want. Worst of all are the constant loading screens, sometimes in the middle of combat. Still, the game really feels like a war and the combat is still fun if you're looking for something simple. The payoff of the story is ultimately worth it, and the party members are fleshed out and have their own personalities, which helps to get through the cutscenes. The bottom line is that there are much better JRPGs out there if you have access to a PS4. If you've played them all or if Xbox is all you have, this is a game that can be worth your time.

If you are an avid cycling fan, Tour de France 2017 does hold a lot of appeal. There are a fair number of races in which to compete, and the proper riders and teams makes the game feel that bit more real. Accompanied by some great graphics, this makes the game perfect for a Tour de France lover. For everyone else, it feels tough and a little lacking. The long stages coupled with a non-existent soundtrack means the game can be boring, and the higher difficulty level can be disheartening even on amateur. Get on your bike and pick this up if you're glued to the Tour de France right now, but otherwise cycle on.

Perception is the latest in a recent run of walking sim horrors to try and deliver a satisfying game in each genre. It's also the latest game to lend evidence to the theory that these two genres simply don't mesh well. Perception tells an intriguing story and if that's enough for you, it's worth playing. Its audio-visual experience is also unlike anything else and if you're looking for a fresh idea, The Deep End Games' debut is worth supporting. It's important to keep in mind, however, if you expect the game to also scare you, there's nothing to see here.

At its heart, AereA is a game about pulling levers, opening doors and being really lost, which is the opposite of what anyone wants out of their musical action RPG. You’ll most likely lose interest quickly and quit out without any desire to return to the world of AereA. The presentation is beautiful thanks to the colorful visuals and a delightful soundtrack, but it falls under the shadow of mundane and repetitive gameplay, a complete lack of challenge and a confusing navigation system that forces you to waste most of your time backtracking. It's an action RPG with no action and it’s just not fun.

Micro Machines once meant something to many people. In fact, today it still does carry a nostalgic allure for many who have been playing this series since it first hit consoles way back in 1991. This title carries the name of the famed toy and video game property, but it offers surprisingly little of what makes that name memorable. It abandons its legacy in crucial ways as part of a gamble to stake its claim as a worthwhile competitive multiplayer experience, but it misses that mark so greatly that there's nowhere left for players to seek consolation. If you're interested in preserving the shiny aura that surrounds the brand name, don't play Micro Machines World Series.

The Town of Light has a story to tell, one that isn't afraid to shy away from its uncomfortable subject matter and creates a sense of unease that follows players throughout the game. The story is well-paced and encourages players to keep going, even if it leads to more horrifying discoveries. The developer has succeeded in accurately portraying both their subject matter and location, but this accuracy comes at the price of uninteresting exploration and technical difficulties that mar the game's walking simulator experience. You'll remember the story long after the game has finished, but you'll likely forget how you got there.

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.

This would be a perfect fit as an indie title, but when it sits on store shelves at full price, you should expect more. You should demand more. As a yearly title, MotoGP 17 seems to have settled for being just alright in every aspect. It should have been better.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident is one of the most fascinating real life horror stories of the last century. It's a topic built to be adapted to different forms of media, arguably video games more than any other. Somehow Kholat is given this head start and trips all over itself. The story fails to take off while the gameplay only serves to annoy. It's never scary, save for a theme song that even then is played so often that it loses its effect. Horror and walking sims are my two favorite genres in the medium, but Kholat serves as another unfortunate reminder that they don't belong together.

SpeedRunners is simple but fun, and is definitely made more fun with the addition of three friends. The chaos of the fast gameplay, the power-ups, and the welcome stress of keeping pace makes a great combination. Whether it's online with friends or offline with the bots, the game mostly works well mechanically, outside of some camera concerns. It does feel a little overwhelming at first and the story mode feels short, but thanks to the multiple modes on offer, SpeedRunners is a race worth chasing.

Inevitably, comparisons will be drawn with Dirt Rally, which is something I've deliberately avoided to this point. When stacking one against the other, it feels like Dirt Rally is the elder, more scholastic, and slightly serious sibling. Dirt 4 on the other hand, is the younger, outgoing sibling who, whilst not exactly bouncing off the walls, still knows how to have a little fun. It allows for an awesome and technical approach if you find yourself among those who crave the purest racing simulation worthy of Codemasters' reputation, but Dirt 4 now invites others less experienced to the table with alternate driving modes. They have listened to the critiques of their previous games and created a rally game that truly is for everyone.

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.

Thea does almost everything decently, but its flaws hold each of its parts back from being great. The one undeniable success in the game is the top tier story and worldbuilding that makes the game worth your time if you can get past the flaws.

We're off and running with Episode 2 of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series. What we're running toward isn't quite certain yet, but Telltale seems to want to take us on a ride to get to know each of the members of the team better. The dialogue in Under Pressure is much better than Tangled Up In Blue, but other aspects of the game are struggling, such as the unfitting implementation of the Telltale formula. All in all it's a solid episode that feels decidedly rushed in the end — Rocket Raccoon's story is compelling, but it seems like the developer forgot they need to carry the main plot forward too, and left us on a massive cliffhanger to make up for it.

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.

Unit 4 is a fun old-school style platformer that requires various skills accessed by scrolling through four different characters. Its infectious humor and varied platforming challenges makes for a good time, but the fun is tempered by the challenge of making it through areas of increasing difficulty with only one life available; some sections will require numerous repeats from checkpoints. The game's difficulty level also ramps up early on, guaranteeing some trying gameplay for much of the game. The game's achievements are nice mix of easy and difficult, providing a nice selection of challenges, but with the 100% and no-dying-allowed boss fight requirements, it will not be a fast or easy completion except for those with amazing platforming instincts. For those who enjoy a good old-fashioned platformer, Unit 4 is one to keep in mind next time you're looking to buy.

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.

In the future, we may view Friday The 13th as one of the year's great games. Its mix of laugh out loud moments and tense chase sequences is unique, refreshing, and a draw even if you're not usually a multiplayer fan. As it stands currently, however, the game is weighed down by far too many issues that hurt the overall experience. A lot of the game requires wits and patience, but it'll be hard to retain those qualities when the game is regularly throwing technical flaws at you. The bright side of this is its issues rarely relate to design. Bugs can be patched, like some already have been. If Illfonic can rein in the many issues seen in Friday The 13th it will go down as a classic multiplayer game. Until then, it's simply wishful thinking.

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.

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.

Although there is a good variety in terms of puzzles in the game, there's very little else to shout about here. The story feels overly confusing from start to finish, and the variety in puzzles is let down by the sheer difficulty of some of them. A peculiar soundtrack accompanies a surprisingly short adventure that finishes way too soon and leaves you with more questions than when you started. Mr. Pumpkin Adventure could have been a really interesting point and click game, but only lands in the average category instead.

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.

The challenging gameplay is balanced out by the nice variety of puzzles to solve, none of which are very difficult. The graphics are beautifully done and the wordless story is intriguing. Add in the relative ease of the achievement list, and you have a game that many will enjoy despite the frustration levels for those of us less than adept with a dual-stick system. Some may find the $19.99 price tag a bit steep for a title that can be finished quickly, in which case waiting for a sale might be in order.

Spellspire takes a simple word game and spices it up with some interesting RPG elements, adding some tactical thinking to the usual “spell big words to win” formula. Upgrades actually feel useful rather than being tacked on and don't end as an afterthought. Unfortunately there is very little variation in the actual gameplay and the move from mobile to console does come with some drawbacks, mainly when it comes to inputting words quickly and precisely. It is, however, a fun game to play in short bursts; with an entire tower to climb, there is plenty for people to sink there teeth into here.

NetherRealm has completely knocked it out of the park with Injustice 2 once again.

If you're looking for a game like Borderlands to play with friends on a modern console, you'll find that Shadow Warrior 2 is an excellent game that is more than worthy of your time.

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.

Having the right expectations with Skylar & Plux is the key to enjoying it. Although its desire to replicate and resurrect the 3D platformer is handled well with reliable mechanics and familiar design, it seems to have forgotten to age the difficulty level in stride with its nostalgic but now adult demographic. In that fault also lies its greatest attribute, paradoxically. Because the game is well produced but just too easy, it ultimately serves as a great family game to experience with the next generation of 3D platforming fans. The puerile jokes, the hand-holding level design, and the forgiving difficulty won't keep a veteran video game enthusiast busy for long, but it may be the eye-opening, family-friendly experience a child in your life will remember for years to come.

The AI poses no challenge when compared to human players and there is only one difficulty for bots, so multiplayer is the place to go to get the most enjoyment. Unfortunately, with only two game modes and six similar maps, even with the ability to play online there just isn't a lot here to keep players captivated any longer than short-term.

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.

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.

Despite being the third part of a series, Dreamfall Chapters will draw in many new players with its striking environments and fleshed-out characters. The story is intricately woven and it's an intriguing one. Much of the game consists of cut scenes and dialogue, all of which are well-written and impressively delivered. In a rare delight, the player gets to make decisions that actually hold importance, forever changing the outcome of their story. Unfortunately, Chapters suffers during the moments it's required to be a video game as opposed to an interactive movie. Certain features aren't up to snuff, such as environment navigation, and the puzzle solutions are obscure instead of challenging. Fortunately, the story is engaging enough that Chapters is able to weather the storm brought on by the lackluster gameplay elements to become a title that both new and old fans of the series should enjoy.

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.

Narcosis is neither a great nor terrible horror title — it's simply fine. The premise is so strong but the full experience only partially achieves that potential. Its place as a quick completion will attract many of this community, but if you need more than narrative from your games, look elsewhere. It delivers a brief but interesting story with a greatly memorable ending, but in several other ways, most notably atmosphere, Narcosis is dead in the water.

Human Fall Flat is a physics-based puzzler with a pleasant sense of humor, a cute main character, nice puzzles, and clean, inviting environs, but all of these positives bite the dust when the basic mechanic of the game makes you gnash your teeth with frustration. Controlling Bob is like trying to get ooze to stand at attention. He flips and flops around until you'll jump off a ledge just to end the pain. The items he handles flip and flop around in the much the same way. Once you get the hang of the basic controls then you can get the job done, but it isn't fun and isn't that the whole point? It isn't Bob that falls flat here so much as the game itself.

After a great run of titles, Lost Grimoires: Stolen Kingdom doesn't quite match up to the standard of those that have gone before it.

Enter the Gungeon's excellent concept gets bogged down by serious performance issues. There is a lot to like here: the armory of unique and fun weapons and items, a variety of objectives to work toward, and convenient features like teleportation, automatic money collection, and the ability to reload while dive rolling. Every run can be worthwhile, which is a good feeling in a genre that is often so punishing. Unfortunately, the poor performance hinders the core gameplay too much for the Xbox One edition to be anything more than the worst version of an otherwise great game.

Use Your Words is the latest in Xbox One party games, but it is by no means the best. Its lack of variety makes the experience repetitive and boring after only a few games. Furthermore, while Use Your Words is priced cheaper than other party games on Xbox Live, its competitors have greater variety, depth, and replay value. Unless you're aching for a new party game and have already milked every last drop of fun out of all of the others available, Use Your Words is worth a pass.

There's a definite sense of curiousity felt when playing 'n Verlore Verstand, but ultimately it just doesn't hit the mark. The game just has too many negatives that outweigh the positives, like a dodgy camera, lack of direction or a collectible tracker, and frustrating elements throughout the enigmatic title. It does redeem itself slightly with a thoroughly listenable soundtrack and some lovely environments, but sadly these are not enough to make this game any better than just okay.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 is misguided by the unending trend of games going open-world. The idea may have been born with good intentions, but blatantly copying all of another series' structure is a bad look, undone much further by the fact that it does all of those same things very poorly. It's unclear for whom this game was made as it feels more like a middling title we rarely see anymore, possessing neither the polish of AAA nor the admirable quirks of an indie. It's a narrative bore, a technical dilemma, and a structural collapse. If fun was ever in the crosshairs, the subsequent shot is way off target.

There is something special about The Sexy Brutale, something you don't come across often.

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.

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.

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.

LEGO City Undercover offers an enjoyable experience for both adults and children thanks to its well-balanced script and the goofy cast of characters. There are some bugs along the way and the open-world setting feels shallow and bland when compared to other games, but there’s more than enough fun to be found around the city to keep you playing long after the main story is over. If you’ve enjoyed other LEGO games, LEGO CITY Undercover should definitely be on your radar, but for those who don’t, there is nothing revolutionary from the previous formula that will make you change your mind.

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.

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.

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.

Crawl is a fun co-op dungeon crawler that sets the hero against his ghostly former friends as they race to make it out of the dungeon alive. Its innovative game mechanic keeps heroes and monsters at much the same level throughout, so the hero has to stay on his toes as he and the ghosts fight it out for control of the one remaining body in the dungeon. With the procedurally-generated nature of the title, players needn't fear getting bored with the same old dungeons and enemies each time, and fighting one's way through epic co-op battles will be a good time with friends. The game suffers in single-player, however, by giving an obvious edge to the AI and being overwhelming for those just starting the game. The achievements will offer a challenge to even hardcore gamers in both the range of different types of achievements as well as the difficulty of several of them. Fans will find plenty to keep them busy.

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.

Anoxemia has a wonderful sense of tension and a dark atmosphere with an interesting enough plot highlighting Dr Bailey's isolation and possible decent into madness, but it begins to lose its charm as you progress. The lack of checkpoints can make repeating the areas very tedious if you die from any of the hazards or from your supplies running out, but the short levels do make up for this. There is some incentive to exploration and it does provide you with some helpful upgrades, but your main objectives rarely differ from collecting a number of items or reaching a specific location. There is enough to keep players entertained for a few hours, but the repetition and lack of variety in objectives holds back what could have been a far more exciting game.

Doubt is understandable given the history of the full motion video game genre, but despite some glaring missteps, Late Shift is a step in the right direction for this presentation style. With a story that changes drastically on the way to many different endings, issues like stuttering after decisions and a hint of less than stellar production value can be somewhat forgiven. Before playing, Late Shift's prospects were met with skepticism, but several playthroughs later we need to see more FMV games that continue to build on the progress this one exemplifies.

A satisfactory launchpad for the rest of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series. So far the game has a distinct identity chock-full of cheesy dialogue, catchy tunes and badass superheroes, although moments of seriousness and sadness that seem to come out of nowhere don't fit in. There is no prerequisite that you have prior knowledge of the franchise, so feel free to just dive right in regardless of whether you're a newcomer or a die-hard fan. However, it's a Telltale game so be ready for all of the usual culprits of their aging engine, like awkward walking animations and some hiccuping and freezing.

Aaero offers a music game in the same spirit as Rez did over 15 years ago. Featuring a wide array of modern electronica tunes, it's a game that can appeal to all fans of the genre and anyone who simply wants to relax and enjoy a game focused on music. The gameplay is fun, coming in two different forms. While each of these two gameplay types has its issues, they're ultimately both fun and it's easy to look past the issues. The environments you'll play through add to the variety of the experience and keep things fresh. There is a crippling performance issue that can be frustrating, but it's rare enough that it doesn't entirely ruin the game. Aaero is a fun game that will be worth the time of anyone intrigued by the concept or fans of electronica. At US$14.99 at launch, the price is about right for eight solid hours of gameplay if you're going for the completion, and leaderboards should ensure there's more to do even past that.

Snake Pass is a real gem in the ID@Xbox program and you can almost sense this as soon as you start up the game. The bright colours and upbeat jungle soundtrack jump right out at you and Noodle feels like such a likeable character, without him ever saying a word. The levels are short but substantial — they feel really well designed, with a good amount of obstacles and collectibles that don't feel overwhelming. Your time with Noodle and Doodle might be a bit short, and some of the camera angles will really have you struggling, but overall it's a fun and exciting experience that you shouldn't misssssssss.

Bulletstorm is still as good as it ever was. It's fast, fluid, highly vulgar, and incredibly addictive. In a world of hyper-serious shooters, Bulletstorm stands out as an oasis of non-serious fun and is head-and-shoulders above its competition... Duke included. Fans of shooters who missed out in 2011 are highly encouraged to pick up this remaster as it is going to be the best way to play through the exploits of Grayson, Ishi, and Trishka. That being said, if you've already played the original and aren't aching to be knee deep in viscera and vulgarity, there's not a lot here to encourage a second go, especially at the current price point. We wanted more and the post-credits stinger does a nice job of setting up a potential sequel. Here's to hoping that we get another round of nom juice and some more taints to shoot.

With a short completion, excellent main characters, and good production values, the highs reach far higher than the lows. It’s an altogether lovely experience, especially if you have siblings to relate to, and it stands clearly among the better adventure games available on Xbox One. The only issue is its cost. This is a game that would firmly benefit from a sale, so I suggest you keep your eyes out because you won’t want to miss this memorable experience.

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.

Has-Been Heroes is an initially appealing title that quickly becomes bogged down by a lack of good instructions, too much luck-based randomness, and permadeath that never quits. The clunky controls are very non-intuitive, making it hard to get comfortable with gameplay. The game does have a huge number of unlockables that fans will enjoy discovering, but for anyone struggling with the game's difficulty, it's doubtful that most of these goodies will ever be seen. For those who enjoy rogue-type games and don't mind a stiff challenge, this title could be a gem. For those of us defeated by that boss just one too many times, however, Heroes is an exercise in frustration.

SkyKeepers is going on the short list of Xbox games that are easy gamerscore but just aren't very good.

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.

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.

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.

As a shooter, it succeeds greatly. As an RPG it suffers several missteps that are salvaged by what can at least be called inconsistency, meaning for all the bad it does, Andromeda does equal parts good. It feels like Andromeda is worth exploring just once. In many important ways it's a small step for BioWare, but with regard to characters especially, it's hard to ignore the giant leap backwards.

There are a few anti-fun mechanics and sometimes the collision can seem almost random, but it's not enough to totally kill off the fun factor. Like most physics entries, your enjoyment of the game — as well as how much content you're able to squeeze out of it — is heavily dependent on your like or dislike of this style of game, so be sure to know your own preferences before proceeding any further with this one.

With its beautiful graphics, gritty realism, and engaging story, it won't take long for gamers to find themselves hooked on stalking through the shadows. The improved skill trees make customization possible and enhanced skills add to the enjoyment of the adventure. With a nice mix of easy and challenging, the achievements add even more to the fun. All in all, Styx: Shards of Darkness is a game you won't want to miss.

A New Frontier seemed like a gamble, but less so after a great premiere. Now this third episode has even managed to overcome Telltale's usual middle episode slump and provide some of the best, most affecting character moments the series has produced across three seasons. It now becomes a bit nerve-racking to see whether they can close out the season so highly, because if they do, this may become Telltale's crowning achievement.

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.

Each location is a memorable one and the progress made past each enemy, boss and area will spur you on to keep going to the end. Those who make it to the end will want to piece together all the lore that has unfolded, as well as revel in the awe-inspiring bosses, but first and foremost you will be happy that Dark Souls III and the Souls series remains untarnished as it comes to an epic close.

A stale experience that can't be recommended to anyone. The game's tutorial is abysmal, leaving new players wandering helplessly until they consult third party resources from outside the game. The core gameplay loop is simple and devolves into the same strategy in every game, severely inhibiting the replay value and even the first play value. Combat is dull and very poorly balanced thanks to blatantly overpowered ranged units.

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.

Death Squared is a decent co-op puzzle game that works best when playing with friends in real life. It manages the perfect mix of simple and intuitive controls with complex and challenging level progression, and it really stands out as a game with which non-gaming friends and family could easily get involved. The presentation is competent but ultimately a little uninspired, and tedium may settle in when playing alone as a result. As an excuse to get into more living room arguments it succeeds, and while the puzzling might eventually wear thin, it’s engaging enough while it lasts.