NHL 19 is quite simply the best ice hockey game ever created. There’s a massive depth of content within, all of which is magnificently upheld by its refined gameplay mechanics and its overall improvements. The game isn’t entirely without fault, but there’s no denying that this years installation is deeper, more varied and a hell of a lot more fluid than any game before it. Fans of the series, don’t pass this by.

Despite a few issues with its long loading times and its poor voice work, Operencia offers a robust and diverse dungeon crawler that should not be overlooked. The game makes great use of its intelligently mashed-up framework, with a fine balance in place to ensure that the gameplay remains constantly fresh and rewarding throughout. Whether you seek engaging combat, deep progression, or, thrilling puzzles, Operencia has it all, and much more besides.

Overall, whilst FAR: Changing Tides will feel little more than a simple puzzle adventure game to anyone who doesn’t enjoy a peaceful adventure from time to time, those who played FAR: Lone Sails will find a perfect companion to the previous adventure that matches the same aesthetics and beautiful gameplay from start to finish. Whilst it can occasionally become a little confusing, there is nothing here that should deter you from jumping in and if you have the patience to sit through not only will you find something a little unexpected but you’ll also find yourself playing one of the most enjoyable adventures this year.

What can I say? SteamWorld games don’t miss (with me at least) and SteamWorld Heist II is no exception. This is a special treat for the Xbox ecosystem, as this is our first foray into SteamWorld’s take on the tactical strategy genre. Thunderful have made another game to show and help gamers how to branch out into other types of genres that they may normally not play. If you like this universe but do not typically like this type of game (or don’t know if you do), I would still implore you to give it a chance.

The Division 2 feels like a watershed moment for the loot-shooter sub-genre. Its mechanics are solid, its performance is great (aside from some minor glitches and bugs), and its content is bountiful. These things make it a rarity in the genre, an outlier from games that launch half-finished and limping from patch to patch and DLC to DLC. The Division 2 is the new gold standard for games-as-a-service – D.C. really is lovely this time of year.

These minor things aside, Paper Trails is stunningly crafted, cleverly designed and simply great puzzling action. Each new locale offers a fun, challenging new twist, and more insight into the sweetly told narrative pinning everything together. Extra challenges are there in the form of hidden collectible origami figures for those looking to maximise their time with the game, but that the hint system is so well implemented means even players unsure about their puzzling abilities can see if through.

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.

Park builders have come a long way in recent years, and Planet Coaster 2 tops the bunch for us as a game packed with possibilities. The menu system suffers on a gamepad for sure, and we found it quite laggy too, but if you can persevere and get round the shortcomings of this, then the parks of your dreams are just a few thousand button presses away.

The gameplay remains tense and unpredictable throughout the entirety of play, and the dark alluring atmosphere is equally as potent. This wont blow your socks off, but it will definitely keep you entertained for hours on end.

The SNK 40th Anniversary Collection, despite a few stinkers, offers a solid blend of classics that will undoubtedly please those looking for a true old-school hit. There’s an experience for just about everyone here, and much more besides in the form of its vast history-rich museum, and its many added extras. The only real issue is that of its steep cost, which may be set a bit too high for even the most dedicated of retro fans.

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.

Avicii Invector’s visual style compliments the audio. I am not the greatest at rhythm games but I completely enjoyed this. If you’re a fan of the genre, this won’t disappoint. I love the music and I thank Tim Bergling for bringing it to the world and its ability to pick people up. Rest in Peace.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is both an enjoyable and amazing experience for those who are familiar with the series and for those who want to get into it for the first time. Even after I found myself 100% completing the game I still go back to it to play online as there’s just something so addicting with the flow of combat. Even though the roster may not be up to par with games such as the Ultimate Ninja Storm series we can expect DLC down the line to fill that gap and add another set of characters into the fray. In the meantime take in the wonderful story and gameplay that The Hinokami Chronicles has to offer.

A round of applause is needed as Skunkape did a phenomenal job with giving Sam and Max a makeover while still keeping that original charm. While it’s still a shame that some of the jokes were left out and there was a change in voice actors, the original fans will still get a kick out of the many new changes while at the same time introducing the game to a whole other generation.

If you’re in the mood for classic Resident Evil-style thrills, Signalis is the best example of its kind in modern videogames. Don’t expect Signalis to evolve survival horror formulae or give you a horror experience that’s resoundingly new, but provided that you crave a faithful and sumptuous classic horror game experience, Signalis will be a nice and welcoming surprise that you will be sure to savour.

If you haven’t experienced Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, this is the time to do so. This remake rejuvenates a hidden gem with excellent visual and audio refinements that make the original seem decades old despite only being a singular decade old. If you take out the remake’s flourishes you’ll still be privy to one of the absolute best indie experiences around with one of the most emotionally arresting games you’ll ever play. The controls may not be ideal for those with co-ordination issues, and are otherwise quite finnicky at times, but their inventiveness more than makes up for any stodginess. A Tale of Two Sons‘ elegant autumnal sheen has been evolved remarkably, and now is the time for the outliers to lie inside and cozy up to one of the most striking and artistically nourishing hidden delights in modern videogames.

Indika will no doubt be one the most unique games we play this year, if not one of the best. It’s themes are both layered thick and somewhat confusing and the odd pacing means we can never really settle into the flow of things. We still found some fun to be had, mainly in the weird settings and 2D sequences, and those with a bit more of an open mind will no doubt enjoy it, but it certainly won’t be for everyone.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is a brilliant follow-up to Downhill, refining the flow of the gameplay and ironing out most of the issues we had with that game. A perfect blend of chill and rage inducing gaming that we can’t seem to put down.

LEGO Party! is a solid, fun party game for families or friends. The boards are well designed and offer enough differences to make playing them repeatedly interesting, and the minigames are just the right balance of chaos and execution to be laugh out loud fun. A bit more chaos at the end of a game with bonus bricks would have been welcome, but otherwise this is a great alternative to Mario and his pals’ boardgame shenanigans.

Kentum is an excellent combination of Metroidvania exploration and combat, and light base construction. The two genres enhance rather than distract from each other.

Far Cry 5 is a masterpiece. Ubisoft has refined the core formula and delivered what may well be the best shooter we’ll see this year. The story, writing, and voice acting, remains remarkable throughout. The gameplay is every bit as energetic and chaotic as it ever was, with more depth than ever before. Far Cry 5 is stunning, well designed, and thoroughly engaging.

An evolution. While the loss of the Champions League License and legacy issues associated with that keep it from the top of the table, its exemplary on-the-pitch action definitely keep it within reach of its rival. If you love PES, this won’t change your opinion, but it also likely won’t convert you if you do not.

After laying dormant for a while, Armored Core has returned to light up the stage on hardware that makes the most of its grandeur. Fires of Rubicon feels exciting to play, it looks superb, it’s fast and furious, it’s devastating and badass, it’s all you could imagine a modern Armored Core game to be. Sure, humans are absent and all the codenames and straightforward characters make it rather unrelatable, but when you’re caught up in thrilling tussles with all manner of mechanised robots, nothing else will matter. If Fires of Rubicon is a glimpse at what the future holds for Armored Core, it’s a very exciting one indeed.

DiRT Rally 2.0’s relentless difficulty truly knows no bounds, making it an experience that’s clearly been designed exclusively for rally sim enthusiasts. The game packs a respectable variation of tracks, vehicles, and modes, with a plethora of customization options present to aid you in finding comfortable handling. Despite its few technical issues, it doesn’t get much better than this. It’s tense, it’s engaging, and it’s constantly exciting.

It’s been a long wait for this latest LEGO title, but boy, was it worth it. Updated gameplay and controls feel fresh, while the visual and audio work do the LEGO Star Wars name justice nicely. With plenty of thigs to see and do, this could well be the ultimate LEGO game when all is said and done!

Overall, whilst the story itself isn’t that impressive, the banterous nature of the antagonist, the clever mechanics and the accessible nature to things easily help make Will You Snail? one of the best platform games available in recent years. With a 5-6 hour playtime, varying slightly on skill level, this isn’t one of the longest titles for your money but the experience is certainly well worth it should you have some spare cash laying around and want something a bit refreshing rather than the usual run of the mill platform adventure.

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.

Chernobylite is an amazing, well put together survival game that has some mind blowing plot twists, some truly difficult decisions and a stunning backdrop to experience. Add in the constant sense of unease as you take every step in the exclusion zone and The Farm 51 have made one of my games of the year!

A gorgeous and immersive first-person survival game that takes all the best the series has had to offer, and runs with it. The slow pace can take a little getting used to, but that visceral heft to the game really helps to place you in its world. The open world is a nice addition, but the game still plays at its best in its claustrophobic smaller areas. If you’re seeking a palette cleanser after years of breakneck shooters, Metro Exodus is a great choice.

Overall, Hidden Through Time 2 has been a joy to play. Finding all the little hidden items is a fun time, especially so with the kids helping out, and there are plenty of humorous moments layered in too. Mouse support would have been great – especially for the custom map editor – but for the most part the controller functions well indeed.

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.

Strategy fans looking for a meaty title to sink their teeth into will be disappointed, especially if they aren’t good at platforming games. On the other hand, 2D platformer fans should definitely give this a try. They’ll certainly be happy with half of the game and they might end up getting some enjoyment from the strategy part of the game as well like I did.

El Paso Elsewhere is confident in its visual and audio delivery, the combat is great, it suffers from uneven pacing that drags some areas unnecessarily.

Super Mega Baseball 2 is a fun blend of arcade and simulation baseball. Its decent and believable physics, grouped with its unique design and alluringly fluid gameplay, gives it a definitive edge over the half-baked RBI Baseball 18. Despite the lack of diverse stadiums and licenses, this game achieves everything that it set out to accomplish, ultimately delivering a polished, wacky and robust experience.

Maxima is an accessible, welcome spin-off from the main series. The story is finely paced, the combat system is engaging, and the dungeon diving remains diverse and fun, but it’s its compelling Pokémon-esque structure that truly maintains its allure. There’s a few issues with its writing, specifically with a character that you cant avoid throughout the entirety of play, but that alone isn’t nearly enough to hold the game back from greatness.

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.

Unravel Two does everything with such charm that it’s hard not to be completely enamored by its end. The stunning soundtrack compliments its brilliantly rendered levels, really giving off the vibe that you’re running through a big, scary world. A few more variations in its puzzle design would have elevated this higher, especially later in the game, but as it stands, any fan of puzzle-platformers should certainly experience this journey.

Whilst Irony Curtain doesn’t stray too far from the expectations of its concept, it certainly excels as a fun, humorous, puzzle-filled adventure that balances its mechanics well. My only gripe with the game is that some solutions to the game’s many problems are perhaps a bit too outlandish for their own good, ultimately presenting moments of sporadic guesswork. Still, that one flaw does little to pull the game shy of well deserved greatness.

An amazing game and a joy to play. Is Underhero perfect? No, but there’s little to dislike, and similar to the crush phase of a new relationship, the game’s faults are extremely easy to overlook. The many diverse gameplay elements of Underhero mesh well and add benefit to the game rather than retract from it. It’s charming and highly recommended.

The Bloodline expansion is well written. It’s all about the exciting story and if you are a huge fan of the Watch Dogs universe, you can’t fault this. It’s a ton of fun to play and it brought back good memories to the point I might play the first game through again (or continue the first game’s DLC which I started but never finished!).

Overall, if you’re a fan of management games, the Jurassic Park or Jurassic World films, or simply want to get involved with a game that ticks all the right boxes for fan expectations, then Jurassic World Evolution 2 is a game that you should be playing.

We Were Here Forever has taken everything about the series we’ve loved so far, and has upped the ante at every turn. Bigger, more intricate puzzles that are incredibly satisfying to solve, and now with cross platform play, there’s even more chance to find a buddy to play with.

Bahnsen Knights proves that LCB Game Studios are leaders in their field. A visual novel unlike most others, but also familiar to anyone that enjoys pulp entertainment.

Across all aspects of the experience – gameplay, story., audio, and visuals – Planet of Lana II is a resounding success. A joy to play, a touching story, and incredible soundtrack make for what will be a top contender for my favourite game of the year.

Deck Nine made a bold decision to tell a prequel story, throwing away the supernatural for something more grounded. Hell Is Empty doesn’t quite live up to the original series, but it still manages to deliver an emotional and meaningful experience. Learning more about Chloe and Rachel has been intriguing, insightful, and shocking.

Arcade Paradise takes you back in time to experience the thrilling life of owning a laundromat AND an arcade! In this simulation/management game, you’ll pass the time by doing some laundry here and there as well as playing your cabinets to promote the games. While the management side is light the variety of retro games you can actually play makes up for it. Gamers with an eye for old school videogames should give Arcade Paradise a try.

Overall I am blown away at how much I have enjoyed playing MLB The Show 21. I had a mild interest in baseball but I can see myself following the sport a lot closer based on how much fun I have had so far in this game. Sure it has flaws and it’s not the easiest to just pick up and play, but that all pales in comparison to the satisfaction of crushing a pitch clean out the field.

Nexomon: Extinction is amazing and I have been playing it non-stop. As a big Pokemon fan I was a bit sceptical about trying something different, but oh my God I am so glad I did. It was glorious, so much fun and I can’t wait to dive back into it. For anyone who has been recently let down by Pokemon Shield/Sword like I was, I can’t recommend this enough.

Overall, if you are after a moody, vibrant, and focussed action platformer that can hold your attention throughout, then Gunborg: Dark Matters is definitely one you should be playing, be it in 2022 or beyond. It may be incredibly challenging, it may in essence be basic platforming, but it also brings together well-crafted mechanics, smooth controls, and some fantastic gameplay to create a memorable and enjoyable title well worth your time and money.

Weird West is now one of my top Devolver Digital games. This action RPG set on a fun and strange spaghetti western stage provides an engaging story the brings all the chapters together nicely albeit through some repetitious gameplay loops to ultimately build a universe I hope we get to explore more of someday.

Overall, if you look to MotoGP as your go-to racer of the year, then 2022’s effort certainly won’t be a bad way to spend your time. If you’re looking for innovation and a unique experience, however, the new NINE season will surely be a breath of fresh air, but with flaws of its own, there is very little to warrant an entire £60 worth here, and you’d probably feel a lot happier picking this one up with a little knocked off the total price. That said, there are many bike racers available on the Xbox Store and MotoGP 22 will can easily sit comfortably up there amongst the best on offer.

The only issues with The Gardens Between is its short length and its utter lack of replay value. If you enjoy heart warming bite-sized puzzle games, the journey found here is as stunning, as unique, and as clever as they come. The game’s core time manipulation concept works sensationally well with its few mechanics, serving up puzzles that, although quite simple, remain thoughtful and captivating throughout.

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.

Hidden Through Time has the secret sauce for what makes a game universal. It’s uncomplicated, fun, appropriate for everyone, and can be played in small chunks. For a hidden object/person game, I don’t see it being better than this. Crazy Monkey Studios does a great job of landing exactly on target on delivering exactly what you see, of which not all companies can boast. Highly recommended.

These minor niggles aside, Radical Rabbit Stew is a fun puzzle game. The central mechanic is easy to grasp, the puzzle design is mostly brilliant and the retro style visual and audio presentation is right up my street.

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.

Crash Drive 3 is a wonderful idea of a game and plays with no major issues. The game is a wonderful addition to the series and the hard work invested by the team shows. Lovers of goofy arcade racers will enjoy.

The JackBox Party Pack 8 has done a great job with this pack as there are no “padding” games. All of them are fun to play in their own way. These party pack games are usually crowd-pleasers at parties as it gets minds working and everyone I played with had fun on each of the games. Job Job might be a bit slow for some and weapons drawn might cause some confusion but when you have friends around for an evening this game could be the entertainment that you are looking for.

Presenting a serious message in what is a fairly light-hearted game, Tides of Tomorrow is absolutely an entertaining time. The Story Link feature is a very cool concept, and the way it affects not just our world but those that come after gives us pause for thought every time we’re asked to make a choice.

Sometimes it’s nice just to play something for the experience of it. Snowrunner doesn’t really offer up much beyond a good challenge, but then it really doesn’t need to. The pace and challenge won’t be for everyone, certainly, but if you’re willing to spend a good, long evening or two getting to grips with it then Snowrunner will reward your time.

I’ve been jonesing to play Kena: Bridge of Spirts since its release on other platforms so I was super excited to finally get to play it. Luckily, I think it lived up to the hype. I really only had the visuals to rely on and they are some of the best in gaming. The combat was something I didn’t look into beforehand but ended up enjoying how simple it was. For those who enjoy beautiful action-adventure games with a high emphasis on storytelling, I can’t recommend Kena: Bridge of Spirts enough.

While there’s no denying Marathon is an aggressive PvPvE extraction shooter, it is also a remarkably moreish one. The core loop of exploration, looting and fighting feels great as we’d hope from FPS veterans Bungie, and while the UI could use some touch ups in both inputs and clarity, that one more game feeling is present and correct enough that I can see myself sticking with this for some time to come. With constant updates and additions promised, I think the future is bright for Marathon indeed.

WWE 2K23 is worth the pickup for any hardcore or casual fan of the wrestling franchise. Is it something that you’ll play for weeks on end? Maybe for about a month or two sure. Burnout is definitely there if you don’t let your imagination flow. WWE 2K23 is one giant wrestling sandbox waiting for you to jump in. You won’t be disappointed in what you get yourself into.

If you’re a fan of the Crysis series, then Crysis Trilogy Remastered is definitely going to be a collection to experience once more. Whilst the initial representation may be too buggy at present, the true value of this franchise could really shine with the right patches and some additional polish. Those yet to experience this game shouldn’t be put off by the negatives in this review; sure, there is some illusion breaking bugs, and some irritation can be caused for anyone who knows the games from the originals, but in general, this trilogy still offers up the same fantastic sci-fi stories that they always have and if you’re an FPS fan who enjoys a good story, then you really shouldn’t pass this up, especially when all 3 games are available for the price of one typical release.

Dungeons of Hinterberg proves that it’s always good to step outside of your comfort zone; it went from being not on my radar at all to winning me over almost completely. With brilliantly crafted dungeons, a surprisingly effective social-upgrade mechanic, and some genuinely fun powers to use, there’s a lot to like here once you get past the slower opening sections.

After a slow start, things pick up nicely, doing a great job of recreating that teenage feeling of the 90’s, with no mobiles or internet but more random happenstance that leads to unforgettable adventures. Bloom & Rage – Tape 1 ends at a point that I’m now chomping at the bit to see what’s next, and I just hope the big mystery gets the pay off it deserves.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a game that you expect quality, and it delivers. When you aren’t crafting and battling with your deck of hero cards there is a deep story to progress and a world to explore. Not only does the exploration feel rewarding but so does the relationships you will be building with your fellow heroes. The best part is these relationships are optional if you are in it just for the card-based battling system, however I implore everyone to give that half of the game a shot. The missions you will be going on are where the game shines the most though. Gathering your favorite heroes and building their decks to work off of each other to pull awesome combos and KO as many enemies in one turn as you can is just so much fun. Very rewarding feeling when you win. Very little in terms of negatives and Marvel’s Midnight Suns is definitely in my game of the year conversations!

Laser League has the potential to stand just as tall as other competitive multiplayer experiences, such as Rocket League. It’s fun, fast paced and constantly exciting throughout. The fact that it’s so easy to pick up and play makes it widely accessible, bolstered further by its unique and articulate foundation and design. This is a game of chaos, strategy and speed, unifying to produce a game that’s truly like no other.

Trusty ol’ Game Pass does it again. Flynn: Son of Crimson is a joy to play, look and and listen to. It’s difficulty is nicely paced (even if the bosses can give us a good kicking), there’s more to explore than meets the eye, and Studio Thunderhorse keep the game moving brilliantly with new powers and abilities dished out frequently. Whether you’re into these kind of retro adventures or not, Flynn is well worth a look.

Despite its flaws and F1 Life feeling like a bit of an excuse for extra microtransactions, F1 2022 is another great entry into the series and will keep new and returning players busy until next year’s game!

These niggles aside, Bear With Me still managed to keep me hooked right through. While the obtuse nature of traditional point and click puzzles still rears its head here, they are the exception rather than the rule. The characters are well written, and I found myself really growing attached to Amber, Flint and Ted as well as most of the supporting cast. There’s a surprisingly touching narrative to uncover too, with extra little side stories tucked in along the way that flesh the world out nicely.

CrossCode is a fun medley of gaming styles which some can link to the older style Zelda games with its combat and puzzle elements. The RPG side of things does provide a lot of the content of the game, but it does sometimes seem the main focus is all the different puzzling elements, with the combat feeling a little filler to pad out the game until the next puzzling section. The variety of side quests will keep you busy, although some of the fetch quests can be a bit tedious. But the story is interesting, and it is very fun to play through, so I strongly recommend it.

Crown Trick warrants a play from all Roguelike or turn based games, a worthy challenge with a change in pace from a typical one life only game. A truly joyful movement-based game with amazing art and combat depth, try it out if you’re a part of Game Pass day one.

The combination of gunplay, fast movement, upgrades, weapons, and some frankly kick ass dynamic music that reacts to our gameplay has won me over these past few nights. The classic ‘easy to play, hard to master’ mantra is very true of Go Mecha Ball, but importantly it’s never less than a blast to play.

Aesthetically, Neon Abyss is beautiful – the neon 16-bit retro look takes me to the warm fuzzy feeling of playing SNES as a young boy. The controls very good, though I’m not a big fan of having jump on LT. I can see why this is the case, but it’s a shame that I couldn’t remap this as I could with most other buttons. I enjoyed some of the great features like passive abilities, different guns including a cat gun, unlockable characters and eggs, which follow you and have the chance to hatch into buddies that help you.

Even with these foibles, I still really dug the majority of Genesis Noir. The fantastic presentation made it easier to forgive some of the repetition and bugs, and for all the grandiose nature of the story, it was still interesting to follow and piece together. It could probably be completed in one or two sittings, so if you’re up for something a little different, I’d definitely recommend checking out Genesis Noir.

If you’re after a strategy game that’s not as stressful as others in the genre, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a great choice. Its beautiful art, story and characters are the icing on a well balanced game that rewards the time and effort you put into it. Keeping on top of some of the nitty gritty can be a bit much at times, but thankfully this doesn’t entirely negatively impact the overall experience.

Green Hell is an absolutely fantastic survival game. The way the jungle pulls you in with its beauty at the same time as punishing you for even the smallest of mistakes. Creepy Jar have done a great job making you both feel consumed by the jungle as well as adding the psychological strain of being stranded alone. The game makes no excuses for its learning curve, but it doesn’t need to because of how great the overall experience is. In the famous words of Axl Rose……… Welcome to the Jungle!

I have spent nigh-on 20 hours with the game, and my goodness, I cant wait to get back into it. There are a few small niggles, but the mix of difficulty with easy replayability and easy access makes this game worth trying out for anyone that enjoys some fun and a challenge.

Ys Origin is a remarkable JRPG that offers up a plethora of content for its generous price tag. There’s a great deal of variation within, from well designed environments to the wide selection of diverse enemies and interesting boss encounters. It helps that the game remains fluid throughout the entirety of play, despite some framerate issues later in. Simply put, fans of the genre shouldn’t overlook this nostalgic gem.

Aragami: Shadow Edition builds upon the initial release with its inclusion of the Nightfall expansion. There’s no shortage of content to enjoy, all of which is served up as a wonderful open-stealth adventure that supports online co-op play. The game’s visuals are gorgeous and well detailed and its mechanics remain fluid and well rounded throughout. Despite some minor issues, this is one hell of a good game.

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!

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.

What a ride that was! Viewfinder was pretty much exactly what I expected going into it and fortunately stayed that way the whole time. No matter how hard or easy a puzzle or chapter was, I always felt great completing a level. There aren’t a lot of negatives to say about the game, just an easy recommendation for those who enjoy puzzles and particularly ones that make you think outside the box.

MIO has a lot of features that other games in the genre introduced and found a way to incorporate and make them shine. The modifier system is similar to Hollow Knight or Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The accessibility option that makes each boss a tiny bit weaker after each failed attempt is similar to Hades. The extended platforming sections of the Ori games and Guacamelee are also present. MIO does a fantastic job of taking all these systems and making them their own while wrapping them up in a huge world to explore. This is Douze Dixièmes’ second game which follows their stunning debut, Shady Part of Me, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a solid action-RPG with an intriguing world full of worthwhile stories and characters to meet. Combat is a weak point (though upgrades help somewhat) and for as well written as the Haunting cases are, they all follow a very similar template. However, it’s a testament to DONTNOD’s skill that even despite these foibles, we had nothing less than a great time with Red and Antea. It’s not as flashy or as deep as some other titles out there, but for our money Banishers is more than worthy of your time and money.

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.

Lumines Remastered is an excellent puzzle game that offers hours and hours worth of content. The several varying modes ensures that there’s always something new to try out, and despite all of them leaning on the same concept, they’re equally as fun and addictive as one another. Issues with the difficulty’s fluctuation to the side, this is easily one of the best games of its kind in recent memory. Don’t pass this by.

Wargroove certainly packs an impressive portion of diverse content, but its harsh difficulty, together with its complexity, has a tendency of muddying the water. Nevertheless, if you can overlook Wargroove’s taxing challenge and bear with it long enough to understand its varied functionality, there’s a lot to like about it, especially if you’re a fan of strategy games.

It’s been a longer time coming than we’d hoped, but Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II manages to live up to expectations rather nicely. Vastly improved (and brutally presented) combat, a captivating story and incredible technical work mean that even the few slower moments can’t bring down what will surely be a jewel in Xbox’s crown for some time to come.

Unpacking has found a unique voice in how it has chosen to tell a story and for that deserves to be on everyone’s play list.

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is an incredible amalgamation of everything the series has done so far, and produces not only the best Trine game yet, but also one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played this year. The freedom we’re granted with the tools on offer is excellent, and combined with stunning presentation, this make Trine 5 utterly essential playing in my eyes.

Despite the occasional flaw, the game does a remarkable job of keeping things simple and easy to understand, at the same time as embedding depth through its fluid, interconnected gameplay elements. Whether you’re here for the satisfying combat, the deep and engaging story, or the vast and diverse quests within, Tales of Vesperia will certainly deliver. That, together with its additional extras, makes this edition a must have.

If you’ve never tried your hand at Phoenix Wright, the Ace Attorney trilogy is an absolute must. Everything from its memorable cast of characters and its wonderfully charismatic dialogue, right the way through to its vibrant presentation and its utterly stylish gameplay, is quite simply outstanding. Despite some moments within that are fairly linear by design alone, overlooking this compilation would be a sheer injustice.

Overall and if you can look past that glaring miss of possible greed, WRC 10 is a fantastic game. The cars feel the part, handling is much more in-depth this year than in previous entries, and should you have the capacity to race with a wheel then you’ll find the whole experience incredibly engaging. Even with a controller though there is certainly plenty to be excited by and whilst we only have a few years left of Kylotonn holding the WRC license, we are surely seeing the best we’ve ever seen from the franchise yet.

This title is a true example of a game being considered art. The use of loops, light vs darkness themes, the music and score, all whilst building a lovable cast of characters makes it a memorable game. I would consider this remaster a general success with the exception for PC, consoles seem to be running the game with only one serious known issue that should be fixed soon.

As much a victim of greater survival horror games as it is an oasis in a desert of unique survival horror experiences, Cronos: The New Dawn tries its best to evoke the atmosphere and dread that put the genre on the map. However, what lingers is the stench of a lack of effort, as there are various instances where you’ll be reminded of the greatness of the survival horror classics that came before, while you discover the myriad of ways Cronos falters in its attempts to shock and scare you. There are decent boss fights, excellent presentation, and decent weapons, but its workmanlike protagonist and weak conventional enemies keep this promising double A horror on a leash, when it really should’ve broken the chains and unleashed itself impressively upon every genre fan. Cronos is good enough, but it really should’ve been so much more.

Lost Words: Beyond the Page to me is a heavily story-based game that uses platforming as a means to tell it. If you’re after something with deep gameplay to get into, this may not be the right title for you. If the story alone is something that piques your interest then it’s definitely worth a shot as it is an enjoyable tale.