Habroxia 2 takes my love for old school arcade shooters and gives it a fresh, modern spin. It can be difficult early on, but I always felt I was making some progress thanks to the upgrade systems. Having a full 360 degree of attack movement is a breath of fresh air, as it being able to equip a couple of special attacks to help out. The 16-bit visuals are great (as is the soundtrack), the gameplay feel is spot on, and it doesn’t over stay its welcome at all.

If I’ve discovered one thing playing Balancealot it’s that physic’s based titles like this are not for me. The controls can be highly frustrating, with the triggers used for movement and the analogue stick used to keep our balance. Having enemies to avoid adds some variety though, and the helpful checkpoints do alleviate some of the frustration, but certainly not all. One for those with patience then.

Gods Will Fall doesn’t hold your hand. It can seem difficult when first playing, but it’s one of those games where you get better as you learn the mechanics and which bosses to tackle first, as well as their weaknesses. Eventually you’ll be breezing through most levels, picking up weapons and chucking them at enemies, parrying them and launching them off cliffs to their deaths left and right. You’ll feel like maybe you’re the god, and if something does happen to you, you have seven more chances. If you like hack and slash games but want more than an average challenge then this is the game to try. Clever Beans has done a great job designing a harsh and atmospheric world while also providing an excellent set of tools and mechanics to conquer it.

Olija oozes originality, from its cinematic storytelling to its uniquely retro graphics and the genre-bending award-worthy soundtrack that ties it all together. And don’t forget about its fluid combat and exploration-focused gameplay that slowly introduces new mechanics that keep the game engaging and fun but at the same never letting it get too complex. For a while I put off engaging in what I believed to be the final encounter because I truly enjoyed my time in the game world and wanted it to continue. While watching the final cut scene I was not so secretly hoping my character would get dragged back into the land of Terraphage. I felt like there were still mysteries to discover; maybe there was another island hidden somewhere. I’ll definitely be playing through the game again at some point. The bottom line is Devolver Digital has another winner on its hands in Olija.

Disjunction boils down core elements of stealth games past in a brilliantly effective way. There are a few niggles, sure, but overall the gameplay is satisfying, easy to read and overall just a lot of fun.

For its asking price Loot Hero DX to me is a game you can play if you don’t have anything to play and you’re just bored. Even so, I got bored playing after an hour after finishing almost everything. It’s a mindless game to play but for someone like me, it can’t keep my attention for long.

The Medium is one of the best horror games I have played in a long time. Between the 2 worlds that have been created and the outstand sound score, Bloober Studios have absolutely smashed this out of the park. The fact that this game will be in Game Pass on day of launch is incredible and should make it a must download for anyone with a subscription.

As inspired as it is irredeemably middling, Empire of Sin has the style and the moxie to put on a gangster-like epic, but the overblown micromanagement aspects, repetitive and unrewarding strategy mechanics and its half-baked presentation do much to sully the game’s promise and dim the lights on its bright spots. You may summon some enjoyment from Empire of Sin if you fancy taking on the role of a gangster kingpin and managing all the busywork that comes with it – it’s just a shame that this mobster gets too bogged down with its own systems to truly make an impact.

All in all Super Sports Blast is a good little sports game for all ages. The sheer simplicity of all the sports as well as a graphic style, that while not breath-taking is certainly not horrible, make this a perfect game for people to relax and play or even to introduce younger games to the sports genre.

The Child’s Sight tries to bring a more relatable horror – that of a young child in a dark room at night – to the table, but the brief glimpses we get of its creepy world are vastly outnumbered by staring at a black screen, occasionally interrupted by the exact same jump scare after thunder drowned out the cupboard door opening yet again. It’s only a few quid on the store, so you might find an hour or so of enjoyment to make it worth checking out, but I soon grew tired of it.

Teratopia is a mostly competent 3D action platformer. The combat is simple, the minion system is pretty cool, the enemies are varied (especially the bosses) but the platforming blows. Story and visual-wise there isn’t anything to wow you and I’m not sure who this is best aimed at. Monsters are more of a young kid thing but the flawed platforming and controls seem to target someone a bit more skilled. Even the humour is a bit above kids as one of the bosses flashes certain parts of their monstrous body which is covered up by a black censor bar. Regardless there is still some fun to be had here for fans of this genre if they can overlook the jumping issues.

If you’ve got a few gamers in the house then I highly recommend picking Unspottable up. It’ll provide a good few laughs (and arguments) and is quite different to most of what is out there already. Hiding in plain sight while trying to suss out those around you is a lot of fun. Just bear in mind that this is a strictly local multiplayer title.

Jet Kave Adventure is a neat platformer that should keep younger players especially entertained, though I also had a blast playing. It’s not overly complicated but still manages to squeeze in a few interesting mechanics to give us something to be mindful of.

SYNTHETIK: Ultimate is a decent rogue-lite game but it has made a lot of choices that could compromise the experience based on the player. They have tried to combat this with difficulty modifiers and game customisations, but it’s not normal to have to tweak the game this much before you can play a game without being frustrated. Once you have got past that, the game is a decent challenge and there is some variety on offer. The weak storyline, the unclear level progression and inventory organisation might, unfortunately, might put many off.

The Pillar: Puzzle Escape is a wonderful puzzle game that keeps things brief, yet always interesting. Aside from some iffy difficulty progression – and those controls – I had a fantastic time with this game. It’s just challenging enough for the most part while offering up an almost constant change in what it’s asking you to do next. It won’t last all that long, but what is here is well worth checking out.

Override 2: Super Mech League changes the formula for the story mode from its predecessor in a way that isn’t my favorite. That doesn’t take away from the stunning visuals this 3D brawler gives us. Unfortunately it seems Override 2: Super Mech League was banking on online play and I had a tough time finding opponents. Luckily bot matches can supplement our need to finish sponsor tasks but ultimately the game could use a bit more life.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is an absolute must have if beat ’em ups are your type of game. The action packed co-op mixed with Anamanaguchi’s soundtrack sets the mood perfectly. Although it takes some time to learn and nail down some combos once you get the hang of things you’re sure to have a smashing time.

Skycadia is a fun arcade-style dogfighting game. It has a lovely visual style, smooth and responsive controls and a fast and fun gameplay loop. There’s not much to it beyond chasing your own high score an unlocking new characters or weapons, but it is just simple fun, and something worth checking out.

Fans of visual novels might get an hour or so of enjoyment out of Autumn’s Journey but I’d like to have seen more choices factored in to give the tale some variety. I found myself getting bored pretty quickly with the story on offer. As it is, an easy 1000g is most likely the best reason to get this.

All in all, Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom is an enjoyable and very charming title that soon turned into a repetitive chore to me. With everything that it has to offer, it motivates me to play more just to access those other classes and faiths and to see even more powerful enemies. While it’s not entirely my style of playing an RPG, for others they might feel right at home. If you’re up for the grinding or systematic playstyle then this RPG is definitely for you.

Iris.Fall delivers an enchanting and mysterious dream-like world for you to explore. The variety of puzzles keep the game interesting, but the lack of any explanation can make some of them confusing. The shadow mechanic the game employs isn’t new but it gives the puzzles more variety. The puzzles never get too difficult and the overall experience is on the short end timewise, but if you want to experience a beautiful and sometimes eerie puzzle adventure that draws on the work of M.C. Escher for artistic inspiration Iris.Fall could be just the game for you.

There’s certainly a charm to Georifters, from it’s sickly sweet visuals and audio to the at times clever use of its mechanics across the campaign. Said campaign is far too long though, made all the more elongated by some stodgy controls that make the action feel far more unresponsive that it actually is. Fun for a few hours and when we can have mates over again, but we were stuffed long before clearing our plate.

Tiny Hands Adventure is a simple action platformer than feels pretty drab to play, looks bland and is too unexact and muddy to be engaging for anyone, let alone to younger audience to which it is catered for.

Despite having some neat ideas across the board, the final execution of Colossus Down just feels a little too awkward and uninspiring. Clunky, repetitive combat and a teenage angst-filled story do little to inspire continued play. There are far better examples of the genre out there, on which your time is better spent.

Drunken Fist hides wonky physics, hard to use controls and a toilet humour behind the set-up of being drunk, and while it’s passably funny for a short while, it’s also not something that will be on the playlist for more than the hour or so it’ll take to beat the seven levels.

Unto the End doesn’t mess about, and that will likely divide opinion on it. I don’t think I’ll eve see the end as it’s just too much of a challenge for me, but I absolutely can see the care and work that has gone into making it, and how well put together it is. If you’re into that other game then this 2D side scroller should be on your radar. Just be prepared to have a proper run of things.

Cyberpunk 2077 for me is the whole package of what I want from a game like this. Great looking, great controls, great storyline and plenty of choices, content and replay value. This was marked as many players game of the year before it came out. Regardless of the outside noise, I didn’t suffer any game-breaking issues and only a couple of graphical glitches. I am not saying its perfect, but I am saying its wonderfully immersive and addictive. There is a lot here to be impressed with and when the Series X version is released and all the bugs are worked out I am sure more will agree how great this game actually is.

Call of the Sea is a enjoyable first person puzzler that lays on said puzzles thick and fast. That it also looks stunning didn’t hurt my time with it. Having access to the journal is a great touch, and the story kept me hooked and keen to see what was next throughout.

Paw Paw Paw tries its best to be an entertaining game that holds up to the standards set by the classic beat ’em ups and the innovative newer titles, but ultimately it falls a little short mostly due to its difficulty. Beat ’em ups are known for their difficulty, but they almost universally feature lives and continue systems that make them accessible to a wide audience. Even on easy some parts of the game can be very tough. This game is designed so you can grind by replaying levels and then level yourself to get stronger. There’s some variety in a few levels but not enough to make me want to go back and grind through them. If you’re a fan of the genre it’s definitely worth a look, and in comparison to some games by the same publisher it’s relatively good. Hopefully Ratalaika will step out of their achievement filled comfort zone and expand their catalogue even more.

Freddy Spaghetti combines the ever popular mad-cap physics gameplay with an equally outlandish story and level set up to great effect. Some of the levels feel too much like padding, and the nature of the gameplay can lead to a few instances of annoyance, but overall this is a fun title for those looking for something simple, but different.

60 Parsecs! overall is a pretty decent game. Its cartoonish graphics and rather dark humor at times are appealing along with its variety of choices you can make with during your playthrough. For a game that’s based on a lot of text talking I figured the music would keep you awake but it just repeats the same notes over and over kind of putting you to sleep. Regarding the situations you can encounter I feel that they are lacking and often are repetitive. I find these kinds of simplistic games interesting nonetheless but I can’t say it’s for those who seek action and more depth with their games. I will say, If you’re an achievement hunter have at this game – the full 1000G could be yours, just be prepared to encounter the same situations repeatedly.

As I say, When the Past was Around isn’t the longest game, but it also doesn’t need to be. I enjoyed almost every moment of my time with it, and found the story to be genuinely touching, yet bizarre in its presentation. The visuals and music are excellent, and other than a few slight challenges in terms of drawn out puzzles, it’s just a breeze to play. There’s little replay value outside of achievement hunting, but plop yourself down for an evening and play this through and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it.

Morkredd brings some great solo or co-op physics puzzling to Gamepass, and it’s a title that is not to be missed. The dark moody atmosphere contrasts brilliantly next to the shining light we’re focused on, and the difficulty and length feels just perfect, not dragging on too long or whizzing by too fast. The story is easily missed, but at the same time I didn’t come away from my time having had any less fun for it.

Monster Sanctuary blends the two genres of Turn-Based RPG and Metroidvania into a beautiful 2D pixel art game. Although turn-based battling with monsters that you raise and care for is the heart of the game, the Metroidvania exploration ain’t bad either.

Immortals Fenyx Rising is an enjoyable family-friendly alternative to Assassin’s Creed. The story is enjoyable and if you know a bit about Greek mythology it’s pleasant to see they took the flaws and cruel sides of the Gods rather than glorifying them. The narrative between Zeus and Prometheus is amusing and is a great accompaniment as you progress through the story. There are plenty of different puzzles outside of the main story to keep you busy and makes traversing the open land more enjoyable. The game could have done with more variety in enemies and puzzles to keep the feeling of monotony at bay though.

I tried so hard to enjoy I,AI. I don’t mind a good challenge, but the key to getting me into retrying over and over is to have that challenge be fun. Unfortunately I,AI’s slow pace, weak ship and drawn out upgrades mean that the fun ran out long before it should have.

Twin Mirror is unfortunately bit of a mixed bag. With some great ideas and potential for a captivating story it’s a shame that the adventure was cut so short. It feels like the game was intended to be longer and this is evident in the relative potential. Sam’s mind place is a highlight and does provide a lift to the game in areas that are at times lacking substance. The foundation was set but fell short of the great detective story that Sam’s return to Basswood could have been.

When you emulate some of the greatest games ever made it can be hard to stack up. Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is a decent game, its gruesome theme and vast lore that really bring the world to life. There’s a large variety of enemies but the combat is somewhat shallow. Exploring new environments is enjoyable, but trying to traverse them quickly can get tiresome due to the slow walking speed. If you enjoy the Soulsborne games, are a Lovecraft fan, or take pleasure in beating up on strange grotesque pixel art monsters, then Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is worth a look.

If you take one thing away from this review, be it this; playing Haven is utterly mesmerising, a wonderfully written and performed tale of two lovers taking a chance on each other even at the cost of their very way of life. Yu and Kay have become two of my favourite characters this year, and even now I can’t help wonder where they will go next. Exploring Source is an exercise if joy, even when we have to repeat sections a few times, and there always feels like there is something else to find or see. It could have been a tad shorter, but when what’s here is this enjoyable I’ll allow it!

What can I say about this title from Ratalaika Games… it’s surprisingly addictive and we all know Ratalaika knows their audience. So for a group of hardcore people this is a must game for them. Control mechanics are nicely implemented and the puzzles are well thought out – there are doorways which switch you to the other side of the room. The downside to some of the puzzles is if you misplace a barrel next to another one with no gap you can’t move them. So you will need to press that handy Y button to kill yourself.

If you’re into reading about a fun adventure in the wizarding world with colorful animated art, then this game might be for you. I personally didn’t like how abrupt the end of the story was and that also contributed to the rushed feeling I experienced while playing this game. I also feel like the text scenes were very long and the game didn’t provide enough choices and following consequences other than moments where Thomas can die like Alice’s past students. If you played the game once then you have experienced everything except for a couple Forest scenes late in the game that are optional. The further I played, the more I felt the game was coming to a conclusion faster and faster. The end game events really fly by quickly compared to the first half of the game exploring Alice’s home and making potions. However, I’m looking forward to the sequel if there is one in production by Graven Visual Novels as this was a fun story to read.

The experience of playing Football Manager on my living room TV really makes a difference – the whole thing feels more premium. I will always be a full-fat version of the game kinda guy, but that doesn’t take away from the fact the Sports Interactive have done a great job at making a Football Manager sim accessible to people who don’t want to search the Ecuadorean 3rd division to find the next wonder kid. One of the features that has really impressed me with the Xbox version is the quick resume feature, no waiting on loading screens just to grab a couple of games before dinner or heading off to work means that it really can be a pick up and play experience.

Part of the joy of these remakes is when an old game is taken and made to feel fresh again, keeping the essence of the old but making it more palatable for a new audience. While Panzer Dragoon gets some nice visual upgrades, I would have liked to see more put into updating the gameplay to suit. As it is, it strictly sticks to the formula laid out 25 years ago, even ignoring improvements made within its own sequels. It’s not exactly a bad game, but unless you have some serious nostalgia for the Saturn original then this might not stick around for more than a single run through.

Landflix Odyssey holds its own in a sea of competitors by combining many ideas, yet never overwhelms the player. If you’ve ever been watching your favorite TV shows and wished you could play a video game version, Landflix Odyssey has granted your wish – in a comedic pixel platformer that will challenge your platforming skills one minute and have you smiling at its parodies the next.

I could not put Chronos: Before the Ashes down and fully enjoyed every minute of it. I could only wish it was longer with me clocking in 20 hours on Heroic difficulty. All in all a phenomenal experience, albeit shorter than I would like, though due to its VR roots I expect this had some factor in that. The story of a valiant hero slaying the dragon isn’t ground breaking but sets the tone perfectly for what is a very fun experience. The audio and visuals are both fantastic complimenting each other perfectly. I cannot wait to see what Gunfire Games have in store for the future of the Ashes franchise.

PHOGS! was a unique experience that I recommend to any gamer. From its one-of-kind control scheme to the brightly colored and whimsical world that is the phoggyverse, the puzzles will challenge you just enough to feel satisfying but not elementary. Single player and co-op modes are a plus as well, I challenge any duo to step up to the task of playing with one controller!

Despite deciding not to review anymore visual novels after the poor Strawberry Vinegar, I’m glad I changed my mind for Vera Blanc: Full Moon. It has a great comicbook visual style (even for a decade old mobile phone port) and the extra interaction from the mini-games helps stave off the feeling of just reading a book, letting us actually play something here and there.

Guntastic is a fun battle game with an affinity with speed so things don’t get old too quickly. The rounds are fast, the action is faster and if you find friends to play with I am sure it will be highly competitive. Some may not enjoy the fact it largely favours luck over skill but I think that brings a little bit of balance to the non-hardcore gamers to give them a fighting chance. But battle games do usually suffer from a short lifespan, so unless it can keep its online play thriving, which may prove difficult, it may not last long in gamers minds.

Exit The Gungeon is a a game that I can’t say would keep me coming back for more. I absolutely love how creative the guns and bosses in the game can be, but I can’t see myself coming back to play it over and over again. It’s not a dungeon crawler anymore, your just fighting enemies in an elevator shaft. While the fun is immediate in the beginning, after a couple of runs it is sure to die down.

With Katamari Damacy getting a remake we can only hope other titles such as We Love Katamari also get a chance at being revived as well. For now, it’s nice to see that the series hasn’t been forgotten and for those who haven’t been able to try this gem finally get a chance to.

For such an unlikely pairing, Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead manages to combine the zombie apocalypse and structural engineering well. An in-game hint system wouldn’t have gone amiss, and it can be a bit fiddly to place things at times, but overall if you’re after a challenging puzzle game – and enjoy the TV show – then this is a great pick up.

Shoot 1UP DX is a short and sweet game that is good for a quick pick up and play session. I did enjoy trying to max out getting 30 ships at once but I actually found the mode where you only control one ship more fun.

Overall I enjoyed Micetopia more than most pixel platformers published by Rataliaka. Personally I like feeling like I got something of value for my money and don’t like spending $5 on a game that takes less than an hour to complete. If you don’t follow a guide Micetopia will take roughly 2-3 hours as long as you have some platforming experience – there’s not really any replay value but one playthrough leaves you fairly satisfied. A somewhat decent game and a quick completion aren’t bad for a fiver. I look forward to seeing what the developers do for their next project.

Although quirky, Visage is a thrill to play as the random events can change your experience with the game each playthrough, but playing it more than once will remove most of the thrill by knowing the jump scares and harder puzzles. I hope SadSquare studio continues to add to this title, as it can benefit from it, and it deserves to be played by the horror genre fans. I managed to solve all puzzles and earn all 27 achievements for 1,000 gamerscore in Visage in roughly 12-15 hours.

Wunderling is a charming, funny, and fun auto-running platformer that makes up for it’s simpler interactions with smartly designed levels, loads of hidden bits to find and gaming references around every corner. A few more checkpoints wouldn’t have gone amiss, but overall Wunderling manages to find that sweet spot between challenge and reward.

As far as the racing game genre goes Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is one of the coolest and freshest around. Of course, the brilliance of Hot Pursuit stems from its original release in 2010 and the remaster doesn’t bestow a bountiful bouquet of bonuses, but replaying it ten years down the line hasn’t changed the recipe one iota – and that can only be a great thing, although the changes are minimal beyond aesthetics. If you haven’t played Hot Pursuit and want an exhilarating racer this is a must own and while you’re at it bump up the score below by 1.0, but as a remaster it only does enough to make it competent and does little to stand out from the litany of remasters out there.

This next gen, upgraded version of Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer brings the fun of a Diablo-like experience to our shiny new machines. There’s a lot to play and experiment with, with a good range of characters and abilities. Fighting mechanics feel good, though easily switching weapons with the right stick in combat can feel a little too tricky at times. After a fairly standard feeling initial load, the Series’ SSD really shines in game, letting us move about in game super fast!

I am more than a little surprised at just how much I enjoyed Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Having skipped the series for a few years due to being a bit burnt out on it all, Cold War manages to feel fresh and exciting while familiar at the same time. The solo campaign is over too soon, but what’s there is excellent and offers more than a simple rollercoaster of action. Multiplayer is as solid as ever, with a great variety of modes to dip in to. The combat feel is still among the best out there, making even the worst defeats still enjoyable. Zombies has great potential if you’ve a crew to play with, and brings some welcome levity to proceedings. An excellent all round package then, and well worth a look.

There’s hours upon hours of entertainment here bolstered by satisfying combat and a story that will engage throughout, although the addictive nature of playing Valhalla often overwhelms the enjoyability – there are so many distractions and enhancements that make it a fully bolstered adventure that you’ll find yourself lost and entrenched in time and again. Valhalla swings for the fences and lands a satisfying and devastating blow that will certainly be felt by most players who experience it, just don’t go looking for a game-changer.

Those of you who already have an interest in Space faring expeditions will likely get the most out of Mars Horizon, as otherwise the fairly bland gameplay and presentation may well put you off digging into the experience. There’s a good amount of educational merit to it though, so hopefully it’ll inspire more people to learn! But if I’m completely honest, the most fun I had from Mars Horizon came from the controller vibrating in my lap during rocket launches. And yes, Bigger is Better. Lol.

Newcomers and vets of the series will probably find the Serious Sam Collection to be of good value and a reasonable HD port. The added frame rate and graphic options are a nice touch for this classic series.

It’ll be over in an evening, but despite a poor first impression I enjoyed the challenge Kid Tripp brings to the table. The responsive controls, smooth gameplay and muscle memory flow meant it was easy to get hooked; even after my hundredth death the one-more-go feeling was still there. Well worth a look if you’re after something short and snappy to get in to.

Out of Space is a fun game to play and on your own, it’s about careful planning and high pressure. Playing with others it is about great communication and cooperation whilst still maintaining that high focus. I worry that the singular objective will harm the replay value of the game. As a party game once you have conquered the biggest ship I am not sure it would be something to play repeatedly. But then that is easier said than done I’m sure.

Beat Me! is a cheap, indie version of a Smash Bros-style game. Some other titles have tried to provide a decent alternative but I haven’t really come across a successful one yet. This is no exception to that rule unfortunately, as although the puppet characters are quite interestingly designed the game just isn’t that fun. The combat is too melee strong and with no attack variants, it gets old very quickly. Online play is a nice touch but I don’t know how often you will find opponents.

Depsite these niggles I enjoyed my time with The Observer; it looks great, has atmosphere for days and if you cankeep track of what is going on then there is a lot of additional lore to find and piece together. The mind hack sections were the most engaging parts, with some genuinely clever presentation and execution among some truly bizarre imagery and themes. It might not be Bloobers best work, but it’s worth a look if you’re a fan of the team’s games.

A game that was completely developed during the lockdown – and is about it – is worth the current price it is currently listed at. With a total of 762 scenes and several hours of FMV footage to be seen in the game, there are many hours here for the player to experience with various dialogue options leading to different responses and outcomes. I wouldn’t pass this game up if you’re a fan of the Visual Novel genre, as this game is not complicated and provides many laughs in a romantic comedy fashion while raising the bar for expectations for this genre.

Liftoff: Drone Racing is bringing simulation drone racing to consoles without missing a beat. While Liftoff: Drone Racing has been tough for me to wrap my head around control-wise I still had fun. With more time I know the first place finishes would start rolling in but even as noob to both virtual and real life drone flying, I had a good time and I’d imagine enthusiasts and general sim racing fans would as well.

Just Dance 2021 is, as ever, a great party game experience that is simple to get into and encourages people of all skill levels to join in. Being able to use the Sweat mode to aid in your fitness journey is a great touch, while when using Kinect the video clips that are recorded never fail to get a laugh out of the room. Played without a camera it loses a little of its accuracy and charm, but it still manages to be a fun experience –provided you trust the players not to launch your phone across the room!

Double Pug Switch is a challenging side scrolling platformer that requires good hand eye coordination for some quick responses. Although, very similar to The Impossible Game, the game does have a unique twist of adding the dimensional switching power as well as power ups and timed distance jumping. It also added its very own unique story, however comical it may be. I believe this game is a fun side scroller and shouldn’t be missed if you’re a fan of the genre. The current control mapping does make it harder, but can be worked around using console Accessory settings to remap controls for Xbox to however you may prefer. This game is appropriately priced for what it is and the amount of time of enjoyment you will get out of the game. The design is meant to be a cute, yet challenging game, to pick up and put down as you please and I know I will make my way back to finish Otis’ adventure.

Carto is a great and cute puzzle game with charming characters and a slightly disturbing storyline, but it’s still a fun adventure none the less. The gameplay is great fun with the map manipulation to solve the puzzles and it is a nice change of pace if you need to relax with a game. I was definitely enjoying my journey with the game until I hit the game stopping bug. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the game into the desert section, but I will have to wait until the game is patched.

While it lasts though Dead Dungeon is a fun, challenging platforming title that will have you pulling your hair out as you press the retry button for the hundredth time. It’s not up to Super Meat Boy’s superlative design, but it’s a decent alternative and well worth a look.

I had a blast playing Fuser and I can’t wait to keep playing it. The game does a good job at letting you feel like you’ve made some really good tunes, even for the rhythmically challenged like myself. I only wish there were more songs to pick from without resulting to DLC but the offering available is certainly solid. All in all I’m glad a rhythm game without peripherals is here and I’m excited to see where Fuser goes.

As someone wholly unfamiliar with Handball it’s perhaps expected that I might not quite get it, but despite a good few modes and teams to play with I can’t shake the feeling that even fans of the sport might come away underwhelmed with Handball 21 thanks to it’s stuttery, simplistic gameplay and lack of visual sheen.

As one of the few exclusively next-gen games for the Series consoles, Bright Memory is a bit of mixed bag. It runs excellently, with super smooth frame rates and crisp, 4K visuals and some lovely looking (if slightly over-done) effect’s work. The combat is fast and satisfying, and the extra powers can make the whole presentation look like Doom X Crysis on some kind of strong drugs. That it is so short, the character models look decidedly 00’s arcade era, and some bug and glitches rear their heads means it’s not the must play new title it could have been though. Here’s hoping the full fat Bright Memory: Infinite can use this test bed to launch a truly kick ass, next-gen shooter.

Chicken Police is a must pick up title if you are heavily invested into the crime/suspense genre as much as I am. Even though the game has a unique set of characters and settings doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give it a shot. Well worth it in my opinion.

All in all, Watch Dogs: Legion is a brilliant third instalment to the franchise. I am loving the fact you can play as pretty much anyone, but I have yet to find my favourite character that I 100% want to always play. But with so many to choose from I think I will be constantly changing. The story is interesting and the hacking is smooth and rewarding. For me, this is a must-play.

Ghostrunner is certainly worth a look and will definitely click with those endeared by its speed and momentum, but potentially alienates those who just want a kick-ass action game to delve into. In this sense, Ghostrunner is as much a success as it is a failure.

DIRT 5 is superb and will quench the thirst of anybody who believes racing games have become too sim-heavy and boring. Some will lament the lack of true rallying and the ostentatious Americanised presentation but why complain when you can fully embrace the arcade richness on display here. Simply put, DIRT 5 is excellent and will leave you craving for more – now go out and there and drink it up.

Area 86 has some neat ideas and puzzle layouts, and its escape room premise is a good one. The awkward camera placement and sometimes finicky nature of the physics though mean that what should be a simple solution can end up frustratingly failing through no fault of our own. It’s worth a look, but don’t expect it to last you more than an evening’s play.

Ord might not last you long, with each scenario ranging from a few minutes to a dozen or so to see most of, but while it lasts it’s a bizarrely enjoyable time, and proof that we don’t always need the best of the best in presentation to effectively convey an entertaining adventure.

All in all, YesterMorrow is a fine platformer with a decent story. The progression of the main character feels timely and challenges satisfying. Although the mapping system could use a redesign, I would recommend YesterMorrow to any 2D platforming fan.

I came in with high expectations for this second outing in The Dark Pictures series, but came away ever so slightly underwhelmed. It looks and sounds great, and the atmosphere and tension building is excellent. Sadly the all-important characters just didn’t quite resonate with me thanks to some sudden shifts in tone between sentences, and an overall feeling of disjointedness between scenes. Little Hope may not quite live up to Man of Medan then, but it’s still a passable bit of teen horror to fill up an evening or two.

HyperBrawl Tournament is a good little arcade game. It excels when playing with friends as solo it can get lonely, but you can still have some fun with it against the AI. The gameplay is refreshingly fast-paced, fun and enjoyable. It’s a shame then that it may fly under the radar of the crowd it needs to populate the online aspect.

Pangeon had some elements to reel in those that enjoyed retro-style dungeon crawlers. But one gentle tap on the outer coating reveals a very empty centre filled with a couple of bugs. I know bugs can be patched but the other 80% of the game’s content needs to be here as it feels like it got pushed out the doorway before it was ready. It’s a shame as the retro feel is achieved well but with such little content, it is just a shell of a game.

Stories Untold is an experience more so than a game, and one that should be experienced by many. Through simplistic mechanics a fantastic story is presented. Perfect for when you are in a spooky mood and still want to avoid things like jump scares. While a short experience that should be enjoyed in as few sittings as you can, it’s a wonderful one.

Raji: An Ancient Epic is a unique game that reminds me of the great Prince of Persia, her journey following a similar arc of learning God-given powers to help her people. Platforming can be a bit off a times, the forced perspective camera not helping here, though across the board Raji is more forgiving than most, letting us pick back up where we left off quickly. It’s a shame that we can’t level select to mop up collectibles/achievements as otherwise replaying can be a bit of a drag. Some great audio visual work eases this pain, but as it is I’d suggest that waiting for a sale down the line might make the journey feel more worth your while.

Galacide must be commended on its attempt to mix up the Shmup formula; by adding in the Match 4 elements it provides more challenge than simply (ha, simply) dodging bullets and shooting down ships. Unfortunately this innovation comes at the cost of being able to easily read the screen, and accurately utilise the mechanics to progress. A worthy curio then, but not one to rush out and play.

CrossKrush is a fun puzzle game which gets your brain working and is good to play for a couple of hours, with or without a friend. It has cute graphics and catchy music. With it being a quick completion I can imagine a lot of trophy/achievement hunters will love this game. Though, with no incentive for extensive play this game would benefit greatly with some much needed additions and online play. I had great fun with this game with a full completion and really hope you do too.

Little Big Workshop is a decent workshop simulation game and fans of this genre would enjoy it. However, I feel it could have done with a lot more hand-holding through the game for beginners. There are a lot of tools and tweaks that could be implemented to increase the efficiency of your workshop but with such a brief tutorial a lot of these will be missed and it will cause you to struggle.

I am going to flat out say this, this is the worst game I have ever played in my life. But then again, this isn’t even a game, it’s press one button and sit back to watch the text flash up on the screen. The worst thing is that it can be easily churned out and it will unfortunately make money as a lot of people out there love easy achievements.

Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues is a unique surreal arcade scrolling beat-em-up. For me, it has mixed success as it does have cool characters with unique skills and some cool ideas. But as the gameplay is not robust this game will struggle to pull players in outside of fans of the film and series. I fell that some some features, like powerups, could have been cut if it meant the combat ended up more refined. It is fun to play with a friend and I’m sure fans of the series will enjoy the tie in, but it just leaves me with the feeling that this was rushed out before it was done.

Supraland has come out of nowhere and absolutely blown me away. Taking inspiration from some of the best games ever, it manages to somehow blend them all together into a cohesive whole, constantly surprising and delighting us in equal measure. Combat is a bit weak, and the solutions can at time be a bit too obtuse, but these are small blemishes on what is otherwise an incredibly fun adventure that is funny, rewarding and something that’ll keep us coming back for sometime yet. That it also launched on Gamepass means that it’ll hopefully gain the love and success it clearly deserves.

Roguelite lovers will enjoy ScourgeBringer I feel. If you have played Dead Cells you can look forward to some similar action and beats, while also offering just as much of a challenge. It’s a good example of the genre and well worth a look, especially as it’s included in Gamepass!

For a title that has as interesting a premise as This is the Zodiac Speaking, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Tough to read stealth mechanics, a wooden cast delivering a bland story, dull visuals and audio, and some baffling UI and technical issues mean that I cannot recommend this to even the most ardent of thriller fans.

I am pleasantly surprised coming out of G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout after playing through the 17 story missions multiple times. Once you gather the controls it’s a simple game with decent visuals and audio that can entertain you for hours. I wish the game offered more than local co-op only but those with friends should be able to enjoy it together cooperatively and competitively.

Despite being a hell of a challenge, the speed of the action combined with some awesome heavy metal music made Grood a hard title to put down. I’ll likely never see the end of it, and yet I can see myself coming back for a quick session in between other titles simply due to how fun and frantic it is.

The Jackbox games have always been a great accompaniment to a party with friends. It is an icebreaker and way for all your friends to get involved and have a laugh. However, some of the games really do only work with people of a specific personality, and its rare everyone is that similar at the party. While I’m not overly keen on Talking Points and The Devils and The Details, I think Quiplash, Champ’d up and Blathers are going to be the main winners here to encourage fans to buy the new pack, making the price of entry worth it – especially if you’ve got a gathering (virtual or otherwise) coming up soon.

Writing off Cloudpunk as nothing but a visual attraction will be doing it a great disservice. Sure the splendour of the cyberpunk voxels and the glitz of all that billboard electricity is magnetic, but there’s also a great undercurrent of mystique that you will be spending time peeling away at that Cloudpunk becomes much more than eye candy. The unchallenging basicness may be off-putting, and coupled with stymieing technical issues Cloudpunk can be a bit of a mess that you may fail to forgive. Stick with it though and there is a tasty and indulgent piece of cyberpunk intrigue in here that will please those thirsty for something futuristic and adorned with lights in the night sky. Flawed but fascinating, Cloudpunk is short and straightforward but its elegance and its world should be enough to suck you in for as long as it lasts.