Animal Well is one of those works that seem to have been scooped out of a single skull: a chilly clump of sweet dreams and obsessions, pleasures and manias.

A first-person parkour horror with woolly controls and frustrating chase sequences, Finding Frankie is a fairly torrid two hours. Do yourself a favour and chuck on your favourite horror film instead.

A cult Saturn game comes alive, in a well presented blast of mech action.

Monument Valley 3 is a very pleasant and enjoyable perspective-shifting puzzler, that despite being a bit short and simplistic, is nonetheless a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

The Toaplan Arcade Collection is an absolute must for arcade gaming buffs and action game purists alike, and it offers a great opportunity for newcomers to check out some two-player classics. However, it is a bit disappointing that the collection comes with no supplementary materials. Plus, there's no getting around the fact that some of these arcade games just aren't very good!

Earthion is a dream of future past, a late-career gem from Yuzo Koshiro, and a sharp-edged shooter that keeps you coming back.

Boasting chaotic and fun survivor-like auto shooter action with added mining, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is one of the finest examples the genre has to offer. If survivor games like Vampire Survivor and its ilk are your poison, then I'd recommend drinking this one up.

Hypnotic, rewarding, and oddly relaxing despite its various demands, Little Rocket Lab is a fantastic cosy life sim that will unapologetically hoover up your time. And it looks utterly lovely.

Monster Hunter Stories' tale of Riders and a terrible blight running rampant across its world proves to be gratifying, but it's the nicely realised, straightforward RPG mechanics that makes this a real joy, and more than welcome on Xbox.

Seventeen levels of cruel and unusual punishment, Biped 2 might look all cute and welcoming, but it's a deliberately nasty and unforgiving twin-stick platformer that, when played solo will drive you insane, but in co-op, will also make your friends hate you.

Another nice batch of games to revel in with family and friends, The Jackbox Party Pack 11 is an essential survival kit for awkward gatherings. Laughter and merriment shall inevitably ensue.

A rarity, Thank Goodness You’re Here! lovingly mocks the North of England, and it has several good laughs, but it does underwhelm in its play.

While dyed-in-the-wool fans of the original might long for the pixellated sprites of old, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined succeeds in being a stellar, loving remake of one of the series' best, with a uniquely appealing 3D doll-and-diorama style. It's all rather lovely.

Scott Pilgrim EX is further proof that developer Tribute Games is unbelievably adept at creating sublime retro side-scrolling brawlers,with sumptuous pixel art, fun and varied gameplay, and a brilliantly energetic chiptune soundtrack.

While Train Sim World 6 makes sense as a complex and detailed simulation, Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor is a game aimed at a different audience. That it makes too few compromises for that audience and fails to give you something as simple as a skip button for dialogue is inexcusable. Wonders of Sodor? Wonders of sod all, more like.

A welcome return for the cult classic SNES beat 'em up series, Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers harks back to its past, while offering a few new ideas of its own. Fans can revel in the callbacks and story, while everyone else can enjoy a solid, more than serviceable brawler experience.

If you're none too keen on roguelites, then Absolum is unlikely to change your mind. But, if you like the idea of a stunning beat 'em up beefed up with the various trappings that come with a roguelite experience, then this will prove to be an unmitigated delight. Turn on the assists, and players of all skill levels can enjoy this.