Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is an ambitious game. It’s beautiful, deep, and compelling but suffers from a lack of clear direction on how to navigate and appreciate everything that it contains. There hasn’t been a game quite like it before, which unfortunately doesn’t work in Ancestors favor because more time is spent figuring out it’s mechanics than actually enjoying it.

Tools Up! is off to a decent start here with simple, fun gameplay. Lack of online multiplayer really puts a limit on how much fun can be had however. But grab some mates and a you’re in for a fun – though rowdy – evening of construction together.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts has a few fresh ideas, but it takes several steps sideways steps as it looks to make a claim in the sniper game sub-genre. An experience that is often good, but never great.

With mixing ingredients, laying down machines and belts and money management Big Pharma certainly keeps you busy. However, when you get to a point where you are short some cash, you will be left to wait until you earn more money – and this means a lot of waiting. This isn’t helped by already slow gameplay and the meticulous amount of attention to detail needed, leading to easily made but hard to rectify mistakes. In the end, the time invested rarely feels worth the reward.

Qubit’s Quest is a charming take on the light gun shooter that has some neat ideas to help it stand out. The simple platforming adds an extra dynamic that doesn’t overwhelm, whilst the more forgiving pace and difficulty makes it a great entry point for younger players. A lack of visual polish hinders things slightly, though the added in mini games make up for this.

SIMULACRA is a great horror experience. It might not look it off the bat but I thoroughly enjoyed the jump-scares that this game provided. When the story pulls you in you’ll be surprised at how far down the rabbit hole you go. Shock value and great story line await in this title and I hope it gets the attention it deserves.

While it won’t go down in history alongside some of the classics, Voyage of the Dead is a fun arcade light gun shooter that shows of what the MARS can do. It’s a shame that technically the title holds the hardware back, with slowdown and hitches that make aiming much harder than it needs to be. Beyond that though, Voyage shows the promise that the hardware holds, and I can only hope we get further, more optimised titles going forward.

What we have here is a game that manages to capture its theme beautifully but then crashes under the weight of its own monotonous gameplay.

A few of Yaga’s game mechanics cripple what would otherwise be an enjoyable pre-modern Slavic tale of witches, kings, magic and a one-armed blacksmith hero. Some core aspects of play aren’t explained fully or not at all, and ironically it’s these fundamentals which help drag the experience down. That element, coupled with seemingly arbitrary and crippling punishments tied to character death, robs the overall experience of much of why gamers game – for enjoyment. Yaga will frustrate you, and not in a good way.

Tracks is simple pick up and play game and if you have kids who love trains this is something they may enjoy. I still prefer playing with the real thing with my son but if you want to get your creative juices flowing and love trains this is a no-brainer for you.

Narcos is an OK game with few new ideas brought to the turn-based action strategy genre. But unfortunately, without difficulty tweaks or in-game saves this game starts off tough and just gets harder from there. When you can’t be too cautious or throw caution to the wind it really limits the strategy element and instead means the game relies on luck and repetition to progress.

Despite these misgivings though, I had a fairly enjoyable time with Terminator: Resistance. Sure, its mechanics, looks and technical aspects all feel as though the last 10 years of progression in gaming didn’t happen, but as a straight shooting FPS it does a passable job of entertaining. The campaign over stays it’s welcome, but along the way there are some quite likeable characters that make the journey more bearable. It would have been nice to have the death bringing army of machines feel more of a genuine threat rather than a pop up gallery; if the tension in that early scene could’ve been maintained we might have had something quite special on our hands here. As it is, we have a pretty bog standard shooter that feels a decade too late to the party.

I have done a few Kemco games now and they have all basically blended into one. If you enjoy these simpler RPG titles then may get on with Wizards of Brandel better, but the fact you can buy cheats for the game just puts a sour taste in my mouth. Seeing as the game is not very long in the first place, this just adds insult to injury.

Need For Speed Heat has done a fantastic job going back to its routes... with loads of cars, tons of customisation and the feel of two games in one with the day and night cycle. It has a couple of flaws with the police chases but you still find yourself having a fun, intense experience.

The truth is that to truly appreciate Fractured Minds and leave the game having been rewarded and touched by its content, it is imperative that you approach it in the knowledge that the actual gameplay and puzzling is entirely secondary to the experience and the message. Not that the puzzling is completely pointless, it’s just heavily weighted to the simplistic...If you can do that, what awaits is wholly unnerving and uncomfortable. Fractured Minds is an insight intended to open eyes wide to the daily turmoil mental health can raise. From the half-light of paranoia to the all too bright light of anxiety, this is a game that makes its mark, and in my opinion, makes those who play it all the richer for having done so.

Virtually perfect in its storytelling, performances, presentation, authenticity, fun factor, and respect for its unfathomably important and historic entertainment licence, Jedi: Fallen Order stands not only as the greatest Star Wars game of all time, but as one of the greatest games ever made. This is the Star Wars game we were looking for.

Alwa’s Awakening is very true to the original style 8-bit platformer. They have some adventure and puzzle elements as well and is not as linear as many of the other 8 bit platformers. The story line is quite light in details but the game itself is more concentrated on the gameplay which shows as it is a fun and interesting challenge. Although it feels a bit slow-paced it is still a good game to pick up for old-style platformer fans.

The core loop to Sparklite certainly holds some appeal, the loop sucking you into just one more go – time and time again. Fans of procedurally generated rogue-likes will find ample here to keep the interest and perhaps even new players may be drawn into the loop too.

Valfaris isn’t so much full of surprises as much as full of bad guys. No matter which way you face you will have some enemies coming at you – though you’l also have piles of enemies at your feet before too long! I did however find it really tough, it’s punishing difficulty almost too much at times. If you like a challenge then you’ll be right at home here, but those after a more serene experience will do good to look elsewhere.

Police Chase is a straight up driving simulation with not much catering towards the title. With a bit more depth and realism this could have been a fun title but unfortunately seems to lack on story, development, gameplay and leaves the player lost in a world that seems unrealistic and unfinished.

Mad Games Tycoon is, quite simply, a poor attempt at the sim genre. Boring, cluttered UI makes it’s hard to see what’s going on, there’s no real sense of achievement or progression and my nightmares will be scored by that abysmal soundtrack for the rest of time.

What’s most apparent about Woven is that it is clearly a labor of love and the game’s environment is very refined in its structure. It’s clear that the developers spent a lot of effort in play testing, in object placement, mood and setting. It’s a beautiful game with a difficulty that may be in the upper strata for some but an enjoyable challenge for others. If that sings to you then this is your game.

It’s hard to write about, and recommend, a game that has so little content and so little going on. It’s probably one of the more poorly made titles Ratalika have published, but by the same token it wasn’t the worst hour of my life either. The silver lining is – as always – at least it’s an easy 1000G.

There are so many games that are lost to the past and have sadly expired with their outdated consoles, hence the many modern 2D platformers that are currently being created to try to fill this void. Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King might just be the perfect example of what is truly needed in order to effectively relive those past experiences, back in the days when it took extreme perseverance and commitment to complete these games. For those who just can’t wait to be king… be prepared, for your wishes have just been granted.

Bee Simulator attempts to educate through play, doing so in a charming, entertaining way. The solo campaign is short but sweet but it effectively highlights the role bee’s play in our ecosystem. Great for younger players due to not only the low difficulty but also the informative nature, I have a feeling even the adults will find more enjoyment here than you may expect.

Worbital is a fun strategy title that utilises gravity, physics and over the top weaponry to great effect. While the battles can drag on a little too long at times, there’s something to the spectacle of the space battles. It’s a shame that the online side of things seems so barren as it would definitely make for a decent chill out title in between other games.

I try to see the good in all things, but Delta Squad puts that ethos to the test. It is at least 4 player co-op, so you can share the tedium with others and even poorly done, a top down shooter still has trace elements of fun – though ‘trace’ here is being extremely generous.

If you’re a lover of story games this is one for you! Unlike many story games Afterparty has many twists – and just as many types of drinks to consume. The gameplay is simple but because the focus is on the story this actually is to the titles benefit. You can play it multiple times with a different experience every time! The characters are brilliant and it’s probably one of the best story driven games I’ve come across this year.

Cat Quest II is a simple and fun RPG which I found quite enjoyable to play and it seems like it has plenty of content to get your claws into. The story line is not deep, but it doesn’t need to be when its about a cat and dog, and they fill it with cat puns to try and keep things interesting. But the combat in this game can come across as repetitive and having to read the same pun-filled dialogue every time you fail a dungeon is far from purrfect.

As a recent addition to the Microsoft Game Studios family, Obsidian have put their best foot forward with The Outer Worlds. Solid gun play, an engaging story with great, likeable characters and a world that is fun to explore and interact with. Some missions let the side down a little and the game could be bigger but with so many nods to the great RPG predecessors and taking the best elements from them this is a great game to pick up.

Deep Space Rush is a short game with some enjoyable, if not deep gameplay and is fine for its budget title release. The developers didn’t attempt to make a masterpiece and so they don’t ask for a lot of your money. Also, the publishers have a reputation for easy gamerscore and completions, and if that’s a motivator then the game doesn’t disappoint. Expect to enjoy the game for an hour or so before the lack of progression stifles the desire to keep playing.

There’s clearly a lot of time and effort that has been put in to Citadel: Forged with Fire. An impressive amount of detail has gone into the systems and world and for those who get into the swing of things, this will likely hold their attention for quite some time. Unfortunately, the gathering and combat is tedious, the UI and control scheme is maddeningly unhelpful and to achieve anything noteworthy takes far, far too long.

Just Ignore Them is a fun 8-bit adventure and a great addition to the retro point-and-click genre. Albeit a short campaign, the game shows use of a retro style mixed with a scripted horror experience can work well for the crew at Stranga Games.

Addictive and well made, Lornsword Winter Chronicle is a must for strategy lovers. Handles well, looks great and offers a real challenge, so if you’re a fan of he genre I’d highly recommend this title. The 2 player aspect is amazing and a highlight of the game.

While I was disappointed by the horror aspects in Close to the Sun, overall I found my time with it to be quite engaging. The story and characters get their hooks in just enough to keep you playing, and the world building – from the gorgeous visuals to the incidental details and notes left behind – is brilliant. That it keeps its run time brief is to the games credit too, as yet more chase sequences would definitely have harmed the experience.

Children of Morta has a very compelling story and the way they use death in the game to help progress the story is refreshing. However, there is so much that you need to unlock in the game to try and balance the difficulty in your favour to even complete the first dungeon. This, in turn, ruins the experience by having to play the same dungeon over and over. It is a shame that the same level of effort that was put into the story line was not put into the gameplay, things becomes repetitive quite quickly.

Compared to similar games within this genre, Kine has far more levels and side quests to play so it is not really a disadvantage that it somewhat lacks the incentive to replay. For a puzzle game it is excellent but the music unfortunately detracts from the theme rather than enhancing it. It isn’t too challenging and the characters and story line are carefully integrated into each level which motivates the player to continue through to the end and makes it more enjoyable to play.

Sea Salt is refreshing in its gaming style. Combining action and strategy in a simple based setup works great here. The dark artistic style and music serve the evil cult theme well. It has enough difficulty to make the game a challenge and enough variation to make you consider different tactics and replay the game in a different way. Although the graphics are in an 16-bit style, there is something charming about the sprites making the game an interesting play through.

There’s no doubt that Visual Concepts have an affinity for the world of sports entertainment. The huge roster, plethora of modes and atmosphere they’ve created here is admirable. Unfortunately, the technical side brings the whole thing crashing down, with glitchy, broken mechanics and some bizarrely woeful representations of the stars that are an obvious step down from previous entries. Even die hard WWE fans (such as myself) will struggle to maintain much interest here, which is a huge shame.

You’re a pig, and you must eat tennis balls. It’s like Pac-Man on drugs. It very random and super fun! Well worth checking out if you fancy something a little… different.

Doorkickers: Action Squad is a great little action title that has fun with a concept that is often the remit of more serious shooters. The fast paced, fluid controls allow for complete control of the action, the challenge is just right and there’s a serious ‘one more go’ feel to the whole affair. Some may be put off by the lack of evolution to the mechanics, but when you’re having this much fun to begin with, I don’t see that being a problem for many.

This may seem like an easy cash grab scheme to re-release the same game and play on the nostalgia people have for the Ghostbusters. But they have done a lot of work to upscale the graphics to make it feel like the game belongs on the Xbox One. It is still a good fun game and it does feel like a continuation from the movies and great that you feel involved in the story. If you can ignore the few minor annoyances, then this game still holds up as a decent game for anyone and not just long-time fans.

Stela is a fun experience, if short, and deserves a place up there with such titles as Limbo and Inside. Offering a large amount of depth and atmosphere is a plus and most people would likely find enjoyment from this title.

Lonely Mountains Downhill is a fun, arcade style challenge that will test even the most hardened of gamer’s nerve. Some bizarre technical issues and dodgy physics let the side down a tad, but it’s far from unplayable. In fact, there’s something rather calming to the whole affair in between the rage that makes playing the game worthwhile – especially as it launches into Gamepass.

As with all Jackbox games, Party Pack 6 is a great game to play with a bunch of mates. I have loved playing these games in the past, so naturally had high hopes for this pack. But I’m afraid it fell a little bit short. The games weren’t bad bad and I had great fun playing the 5 games on offer, but I just found this pack a little lacking. It feels as though the ideas may be running thin. Audio is always amazing and if you’re a Jackbox fan then add this to your collection. Push a Button is a must play, but lets face it, Fibbage is king and you always will go back to that.

While I may not be fit to rule the new world, I sure had a depressingly great time with Frostpunk. The difficulty will no doubt put people off – especially those going in blind – but persevere and there’s a deep, rewarding strategy title here that will get it’s hooks in, and drag you down with it.

Just like all these Ratalaika games, they are simple, repetitive and not very taxing. Playing with a friend can make this title less tedious but ultimately you know what you’re going to get – an easy ride to 1000g with little excitement.

Twincop is a co-op game in the most literal sense of the term. The funky 80’s style, over the top mechanics and fast paced action are well executed and entertaining. Things can get frustrating when repeatedly dying – it’s always the other persons fault – but if you’re after a fun twin stick shooter with a twist, this’ll fit the bill nicely.

Driven Out is a very challenging game and offers good enemy variety and will test your reflexes. But with no backstory or any kind of storyline, it is hard to bond with your protagonist. There is some fun to be had in the sense of achievement by progressing in such a tough game, where it can take you an hour or more to progress past the same 3 or 4 enemies. But constantly dying against the same foe grows old very fast.

These D&D classic games rely so heavily on their storytelling and combat styles and they have aged very well. Both stories are deep and gripping and the combat is just the right level of complex to keep it interesting. The graphics and cutscenes do show their age but for near 20-year-old games, they can still hold their own as must-haves for RPG fans.

Although somewhat unusual in its theming, the level of detail and extensive research that has gone into the making of Felix the Reaper is vast and perhaps this is why it stands out so significantly. If anyone was wondering how to incorporate the artistic portrayal of Death in a mentally stimulating puzzle game with humorous and light hearted theming, they certainly need look no further than Felix the Reaper.

Those with the patience of a Norse war chief will no doubt feel right at home in Northgard. There’s an impressive amount of granular detail to get lost in, allowing you play to your strengths. The visuals are nice and colourful, and if it gets its hooks in, you’ll have a title to play for a long time yet. But fiddly UI, unclear systems and a slow pace will likely put off as many as it attracts.

I loved the nostaglic feel to the 3D platforming action, though some of the puzzles had me reaching for the off button. Battling through them was ultimately rewarding though, and kept me cracking on through the adventure. While it’s unlikely Xbox exclusive players will get to tackle the brilliant Breath of the Wild anytime soon, A Knight’s Quest is about as solid an attempt as we’ll see on our console for now.

Whilst this game has interesting gameplay and the ship upgrade system can be fun, it will take a while for someone to get into it. Yes the game is long, but long doesn’t always mean good. Some missions can be tough, seemingly at random, and you will need to find the right upgrade to proceed easily. It is repetitive by design and unfortunately, because there are so many missions, I found myself bored very quickly.

I am glad these games are back, as there is a lot of joy to be had in these D&D based RPG’s which both newer and old RPG fans can enjoy. The controls designed for the Xbox controller make the game much quicker to steer and feel more fluid. The game flows a lot quicker than it did in the past too, without all the restrictive loading times associated with CD’s. If you are a big fan of in-depth story lines and interesting plot twists in your RPG’s, then this collection will be something you’ll love.

Debris Infinity wears its inspiration on its sleeve, but manages to pull off such a good cover that it gets a pass. If chasing high scores isn’t your thing then you’ll find little here to keep you going. But if you just fancy something quick and easy to pick up when coming home from the pub then this will likely do the job. If nothing else, your intoxicated brain will be mesmerised the sheer spectacle of it all.

One Night Stand is a quiet game hidden amongst the large onslaught of the action genre, but those looking for this type of gameplay and story will find it a treat and something a little different.

Is GRID the perfect racer? I have to say it comes close. It definitely checks off a lot of the boxes that I look for in a game. There may be a few features from other titles that I would have loved for Codemasters to have borrowed from but that’s a moot point. The car count is decent, the locales are gorgeously rendered, the audio is spot on, track layouts are interesting, and the racing at higher difficulty levels is incredibly intense. I would have liked to be able to set the length of the race in Career mode as I feel the races are a bit short but that’s probably the only gripe I have with this game. If video racing is your thing do yourself a favor and pick this up. Right now.

As a fan of old-school beat ‘em ups like Streets of Rage, I have to say that anyone who enjoyed those games in any capacity will enjoy this game. I was initially turned off by the steep learning curve when I was dying far to easy, but the more I gave it a shot and the more I played, the more I wanted to unlock different characters and endings and give it a go.

Indivisible is a breath of fresh air in the RPG genre and is a good combination of both Platforming and RPG. The combat idea is fresh, and you will get the desire to try and master it or at least enjoy the various party combinations to enjoy different experiences. The storyline, although starting of as quite basic, does grow to become a lot more interesting. This is a great addition for any who enjoy a light-hearted RPG with decent amount of challenge.

Some minor niggles in visuals and UI marr things slightly, but overall as live service titles go, Breakpoint is one of the better examples.

Trine 4 is an absolute masterclass in 2D puzzle platforming. Everything about it – from the brilliant use of physics, through the wonderfully crafted world to the constantly engaging gameplay – is a step above most other titles out there. Combat is about the only weak point I can think of, but even that manages to be fun, just not as much as the puzzling. Whether you’re new to the series (pro-tip: the collection of all 4 titles is out on the same day) or a returning veteran, Trine 4 will keep you enchanted from start to finish.

While sim games are hardly rare, Megaquarium has a unique, charming spin on things that make it worth checking out. Some slight UI niggles aside, there’s enough charm and content here to give you a relaxing evening playing with the fishes.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is very enjoyable and should appeal to many with its distinctly memorable characters and almost limitless customisation opportunities. It certainly has a high entertainment value bringing a more up to date and fresh approach to a genre that other developers have tried to revive with somewhat less success. The music is exciting flowing seamlessly through different areas and never becomes irritating. No part of play gets frustrating because of the ability to skip or customise levels and the depth of design in every character and their dialogue brings it all together so seemingly effortlessly. A confident thumbs up.

I enjoyed We Were Here, and again Total Mayhem Games have made a beautiful, intricate and definitely more difficult game with this sequel. The communication needed and I suppose understanding of your partners humour (explaining symbols) really made this much longer than expected play throughly enjoyable. I will be going through it again and suggest you do too with a good friend.

Tropico 6 is a fun sandbox strategy game, with some new additions that provide some reason to upgrade from the previous entry. I enjoyed my time with the campaign, even if some of the objectives and demands sometimes got a little too overwhelming. At least sandbox mode is there, allowing you to de-stress with no pressures and just enjoy the act of creating your own little empire.

Blasphemous has an astonishingly good looking art style, making the oft used pixel art look feel fresh, even after all these years. But beyond that, there’s a solid game here, with a decent challenge that will keep you hooked. That the story is also captivating – steeping you in the lore of the universe here – is just another upside to this brilliant adventure.

Legend of the Skyfish began promisingly, skilfully luring the player in with tales of exciting music, beautiful visuals, intricate action puzzles and epic boss battles. Combined with the strange controls, technical glitches and much of the former mentioned missing, however, it became increasingly frustrating to play and slowly chipped away at my sanity. Sadly I wasn’t hooked as my patience soon wore fin, but at least the game wasn’t a complete pile of carp.

Torchlight 2 doesn’t explore new territory, but it doesn’t need to. It keeps true to what made the first Torchlight a decent RPG and built on it. Although it has taken a while for it to finally make its way to the Xbox One, fans of the first game or those into isometric RPG’s will be happy to tuck into this game as there is plenty of content and variety to keep things interesting. To also now be able to play this multiplayer as well can only make the game more interesting.

Creature in the Well is visually fascinating and manages to bring together hack and slash with dungeon crawling and a pinball twist. It sounds like a strange mix, but it works brilliantly.

I really enjoyed Blair Witch, it caught the essence of the franchise and definitely gave me nostalgia from the movies – which now I have to watch again. Visuals look great and it plays well, although being a bit short in length I’d recommend this to any horror or franchise fan. Bloober did a pretty good job and I can’t wait to see what they have in store next.

Overall, we have a simple, repetitive JRPG that doesn’t really add anything to the genre of note, further hampered by the fact that you can buy add-ons to make the whole thing even less engaging. As it is, it’s all too forgettable and really, not worth investing much time in at all.

Himno is a simple game designed to be played at any pace suited to the individual’s preferences or needs. Featuring relaxing sound effects, music and endless areas to explore, it certainly provides a tranquil experience but it isn’t particularly exciting so it won’t appeal to everyone. With no pressure to avoid enemies or harmful obstacles, Himno provides a calming escape from the stresses of everyday life and a relaxing time-free approach to gaming.

I can say with absolute certainty that Gears 5 is an astonishingly fun video game. The excellent flow of combat established in prior entries has been implemented here almost flawlessly, the audio/visual feedback is intense, and there’s even a compelling, touching narrative in there to boot. The open world areas let the pace down a bit, and some difficulty spikes can frustrate, but overall if you’re after an action experience, you cannot go wrong here.

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series brings together some of the best narrative games of the last decade in a package that celebrates not only the series, but every single person – be they creators, actors or fans – that has been there along the way. If you’ve never experienced the series before, this collection is now the perfect opportunity to jump in.

Final Fantasy VIII Remastered has done a great job of bringing a great game from the archive back into the forefront. On first impressions, you might not be wowed exactly by the remaster job, as some graphics look great and some still look like as they did on the PS1. But it has allowed this great Final Fantasy story to be played by both old and new fans of the series as well as allow inexperienced players a chance to just enjoy the ride.

As overGame put in their email to me, Gaijin Charenji 1 : Kiss or Kill is more of an experience than a traditional video game. If you are up for an hour spent questioning what you see before you, before having your mind melted by the mad antics on display, then absolutely pick it up. I fear many people won’t be willing to give it a chance however, and that’s a shame, as it is a unique experience that will stay with you for some time.

I have enjoyed every moment of this game thus far. There’s been a few hiccups, but overall the game is solid, with its mix of RPG elements and fully obtainable upgrades that can be unlocked how ever you wish. Some wonky voice acting doesn’t distract too much from some great visuals and atmosphere too, really allowing you to get immersed in the world.

The shame of all this is that without these practices, NBA 2K20 can stand tall as the best basketball sim available. Even running unopposed with the retirement of the NBA Live franchise, it continues to get better and better on the court, but serious issues surrounding that experience leave it feeling less and less impressive year on year. Here’s hoping 2K can end that trend.

Thankfully, there’s something about the core feel to the gun-play and movement that mostly makes up for things. Everything is snappy, even with the screen chock full of enemies, gunfire and gigantic bosses. Getting a particularly powerful upgrade early on feels like winning the lottery, while teaming up with 3 players online makes the grind far more appetising. It’d have been nice to be able to keep something from each run, and have online loot shared amongst the team, but as it is, Risk of Rain 2 is a great example of the genre.

WRC 8 is super challenging even if you’re an experienced driver. I recommend taking your time to learn the courses. It will lower your frustration levels and add to the overall replay value of the game. Again this is definitely going to be difficult for the casual racer but well worth the effort to “git gud”. Wheel users will get the most out of this game as the normal controller just does an ok job.

If you want a game you can play with a friend for a couple of hours, We Were Here really shines with is intricate puzzles. A few little hiccups here and there with not being able to hear each other aside, if you want a pick up and play co op game I would definitely recommend We Were Here. Doubly so, as it will be free on GwG by the time you read this.

Despite the UI downers, I still found myself rather charmed with Bus Simulator. It does exactly what it says on the tin, and for that I admire it. The act of driving about the city is relaxing, planning routes and getting to know them is oddly fun, and managing the back end of the business can get quite deep. Even if you may not think it’s up your street, hop aboard one day and you might just be surprised.

eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 is another fine addition to the Pro Evolution Series. Konami have done some work good on the gameplay mechanics and the graphics are looking better and better every year. A few of the game modes come out better than others, with the Legend mode not sitting right with me. An effort has been made to secure more football rights to gain more attention for football fans and keep rivalry well truly alive with FIFA, which only benefits the consumers at then end of the day.

Niffelheim is a good game for those that enjoy the foraging and building mechanics in games. With a superb art style and intriguing story, players will find they can put a lot of hours into this game and they’re going to need it. Being a little grindy the game will find homes with many players and received good reputation on PC builds.

There is very little I can say negatively about NASCAR Heat 4. Visually, the way the game deals with shadows under the cars doesn’t do the gorgeous lighting effects of racing at night justice. Track surfaces seem a little dull in comparison to the dirt tracks. The dirt tracks seem to have more luster and reflect light better than the tarmac. For some it may just feel like an update to NASCAR Heat 3 and that’s fair. But if you’ve not played previous iterations then NASCAR Heat 4 is definitely the pinnacle of virtual stockcar racing.

Distraint is a short game, but well worth the time invested. The story kept me interested, and while the mechanics are simple, they work well enough.

Hunt: Showdown is an amazing game and I’m glad Crytek have persevered over the years because this needed to happen. Anyone with a fetish for horror should pick up this title. The stealth and PvPvE work well and the game feels like a shot of adrenaline when a gunfight breaks out between players.

The idea of this game is appealing, but the execution fell short and didn’t give enough to fall in love with. It feels like a game that you would play a couple of times before becoming bored and letting it gather digital dust at the bottom of the game pile. There’s no story, just basic single player and hectic multiplayer action, both of which become frustrating pretty quickly.

The Sojourn is a rather pleasant experience, all told. The puzzles are smartly designed, offering a decent challenge without being too obscure – for the most part. The calming backing audio and colourful visuals make it easy to get sunk in, too, with even harder areas a joy to just be in. While the story side fell flat for me, at least it keeps out of the way of the puzzling action.

While the Contra name is renowned, especially amongst older gamers, this modern take on the franchise is simply not fit for that legacy. With dull, repetitive combat, bland and uninspiring visuals and some out of touch design decisions, I’d recommend any one looking for some fun arcade action to look elsewhere.

My time with The Surge 2 is far from over. Lessons from the original have clearly been learned, with the whole production having a better feel to every aspect, from combat through audio/visual presentation. While in some parts the difficulty spikes to an almost frustrating degree, it’s worth persevering with. An absolutely brilliant entry into the Souls genre, and well worth picking up.

Mable and the Wood is a pleasant adventure with a cleverly thought out combat system. Execution is not always perfect, and the game isn’t without its flaws however overall is still an enjoyable adventure. This is a nice little platformer where you are free to make your own decisions and choose the kind of hero you want to be.

Overall, Super Dodgeball Beats is a rather fun and unique game that will bring out the friendly competitive nature in everyone, despite some criticisms regarding calibration and the diminishing entertainment value once the championship has been completed. This game creatively brings together all the essential elements in this genre to form a relatively distinctive and memorable gaming experience.

If you fancy some childish ‘adult’ humour interspersed with a simple choice based dialogue system, Scheming will do you for an evening. Just don’t expect to get much more out of it than that.

Rebel cops may be simple in graphics and gameplay mechanics, but it makes up for it by its clever push for tactics and strategy. You will feel connected to your team and not want anyone to die, but this game is tricky enough that the choice may not be in your control. If you like a challenge and as well as playing with stealth, then this game will strongly interest you.

Man of Medan is an absolutely brilliant take on the interactive horror genre, with excellent acting and story telling, amazing visuals and plenty to warrant multiple plays. The fact that you can now also do this with friends adds to the experience greatly, lending an extra air of uncertainty to proceedings. Some slight technical and presentation issues aside, I’m glad that more people get to experience Supermassive’s work. Here’s hoping the rest of the anthology can keep up the good work.

While Mekabolt has some nice, colourful visuals and snappy controls, there simple isn’t really much else going on here that I can recommend. Level design is basic, there’s no real challenge and it all just feels a bit of a slog to get through. As with other Ratalaika games, achievement hunters will likely lap up it up, but anyone looking for a solid platformer is best off looking elsewhere.