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.

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.

Overall, Backfirewall_ is a unique and entertaining game that offers a fresh and original experience. The game’s clever puzzles, diverse app-characters, and numerous collectibles make it an engaging and rewarding game to play. Its humour adds an element of fun and playfulness to the game. If you’re looking for a narrative, adventure, puzzle game that is a bit different from the norm, then Backfirewall_ is a game you won’t want to miss.

Moons of Madness is a solid, well made horror cinematic experience which all horror fans should check out. The way Moons of Madness looks and feels is exactly like a sci-fi movie, featuring a great story and plenty of horrific action to keep you running.

EAFC 26 is still the leading football simulation game in the world, and it’s not even close. It’s a shame there is no real competition to keep them on their toes. They are keeping with the ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ mantra and appeasing their biggest money maker by putting a large amount of focus on the Ultimate Team game mode. They have made just enough graphical and gameplay changes so it can be considered a new game, but barely.

Savage Halloween caters to those who want a more casual run and gun play style and for those who are eager for a challenge. Regardless of which one you pick you’re guaranteed to receive a treat than a trick with this title.

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.

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.

Overall, I had a great time with Cursed to Golf. The golfing mechanic is simple to learn, but between the random course layouts, hazards, and Ace Cards, actually beating a hole is anything but. Constantly fun, with the only drag being the boss battles, this is an easy recommendation.

Captain Spirit may indeed be short, but it packs one hell of an emotional punch nevertheless. The relationship between Chris and his abrasive father plays a significant role, but it’s Chris’ use of his imagination to get through day to day life that truly steals the show here. This atmosphere, grouped with the writing and the acting, makes for a very captivating two hour journey. Bring on Life is Strange 2.

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.

Of all the legacy Final Fantasy games that have come to Xbox One, the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is the most comprehensive of the lot. The spiritually deep story is every bit as moving today as it was nearly twenty years ago, and surprisingly, each title here has aged remarkably well, both visually and mechanically. Sporting over 200 hours worth of gameplay, complete with refinements and added extras, returning to Spira should be a no-brainer.

The Onion Kingdom is bigger, better and more detailed than ever before. Overcooked! 2 takes its compelling concept to the next level through added mechanics, new additions and heaps of clever functionalities. The game’s difficulty may spike from time to time, but nevertheless, it goes without saying that Overcooked! 2 offers a robust co-op centric experience that rarely gets old, with online multiplayer to boot.

Celeste offers a bold and beautiful story that will touch anyone who can relate to its plot foundation. It’s a brilliantly designed and gorgeously presented experience throughout the entirety of play. Perhaps Celeste’s greatest achievement, however, is that it appeals to speedrunners, thrill seekers, and completionists alike. Furthermore, it doesn’t alienate genre newcomers thanks to how accessible it is.

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.

Atelier Yumia’s first bout is a fun, open world crafting game that offers more than just clearing icons on a map—its verticality while offering player creativity through movement and housing tools make for a good time. It’s everything its developer has been building towards, and I’ve come away quite impressed with what they’ve got to offer.

Discolored is exactly what we like to see from indie games: inventive puzzle mechanics, lovely audio/visual presentation and a run time that doesn’t overstay its welcome. If anything Godbey Games could have gotten away with another hour or so, but what’s here is perfectly enjoyable puzzling that is well worth an evening’s entertainment.

Lengthy loading times to the side, Hammerwatch is the pinnacle of couch co-op fun. The addition of timed exclusive console content, along with the promise of online play and new mods, makes Hammerwatch an absolute steal when you take the generous price tag into account. The game looks great and plays great, which is further bolstered when you bring your friends into the fold.

The Crackpet Show: Happy Tree Friends Edition is a title that I wouldn’t mind grinding for a couple an hours or two. It’s challenging to the point where it makes me want to take a break and come back to a boss later. It does the Happy Tree Friends series justice and makes me reminisce on my childhood days watching the show. Just a jolly good bloody mess all around.

A tightly written, well thought out card building game makes Griftlands one of the best in its genre. However, the starting hours need to be pushed through to grasp its complexity.

Evil Wizard was a pleasant surprise to me. Taking the role of a villain, this game’s unique blend of dark humor and fourth wall-breaking antics is an absolute masterpiece. The witty dialogue and clever references had me smiling ear to ear while navigating me through this game ‘after the game’ (which will make more sense if you play it). The game seamlessly blends intense boss battles with moments of comedic relief, creating an unforgettable gaming experience. With its not-overly-complex gameplay mechanics and fun story beats, this game is a must-play for any fan of action adventure games, particularly those with a fondness of Deadpool style humor.

Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts 2 is a very attractive game with exciting gameplay and a lot of interesting mechanisms. Each area is large and fun to explore, and if you enjoy stealthy commando action combined with realistic sniping then this game is a must. Even for FPS fans, there is a lot to enjoy here with plenty of gadgets and challenges to add some replay value.

Thanks to a brisker pace and slightly shorter runtime, I found myself enjoying Tape 2 a bit more than Tape 1. It feels more exciting and engaging, and even the modern day parts pay off finally as we get to the bottom of the mystery that was frustratingly teased throughout the last episode. As a whole, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is one of the better choose your own adventure style games in recent years, and a welcome return for Don’t Nod indeed.

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.

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.

Despite a couple of sticking points, we greatly enjoyed our time with Horror Tales: The Wine. The tale is interesting enough to keep us going, the visual and audio work is great, and the mix of puzzles and out-and-out chases sequences was paced really well.

FIFA’s vice-grip on the sports genre continues – FIFA 19 offers something for everyone. From the redesigned Kick Off mode to the Journey’s conclusion, there is a lot of game here. Legacy issues in career mode leave it short of being all it could be, however, which is inexcusable given how deep and rewarding games such as the NBA 2K series have made their career modes. That said, this is as good as FIFA has ever been.

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.

Rogue-lites are hardly a rare sight these days, but rarely does one catch the eye like this. With its grindy upgrade system and a few minor issues aside, the game consistently bombards its players with fast and frantic play that’s utterly engaging and constantly rewarding. It helps that the whole ordeal not only looks stunning, but sounds magnificent. Black Paradox, moment to moment, is an absolute blast that should not be overlooked.

Onimusha: Warlords still holds up exceptionally well nearly twenty years since its original release. Capcom’s ability to merge historical events with such a fantastical and engaging plot, together with a gameplay foundation that’s well paced, deep, and constantly exciting, is precisely why this classic is so highly regarded. Whilst Warlords is indeed unforgivably short, this is one Capcom comeback that you simply must have.

There’s something satisfying about playing a modern game but pulls on those nostalgic strings and #BLUD does that with its stylistic choice. Harkening back to the late 90’s I was instantly pulled into the game by its looks. Once I was there the story, combat and characters kept me involved to see it through the end and it ended up being an enjoyable time. I wish I could figure out some of the side quests, whether that’s how to do them later in the game or find ones I missed but doesn’t take away from a good time. If you dig action adventure, dungeon “crawlery” type games, check out #BLUD.

Despite some slow combat and a few confusing plot points, Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark offers a wonderful, intriguing, and wholly immersive turn-based RPG. The game’s depth in regards to its class management and its party building is second to none, but its ability to remain almost grind-free in the face of this vastness is what truly shines through. Here, it’s all about choice and strategy, qualities that many of its peers seem painfully unfamiliar with.

With brilliant voice and face acting, a plethora of interesting characters to amuse and massive amounts of detail, L.A. Noire is a game I enjoyed and will continue to enjoy.

While these issues can take the sheen off things at times, when we’re in the flow of a level, stunning pixel art whizzing by our retinas, cracking music filling our ears, and the thrill of the platforming keeping our palms busy, Freedom Planet 2 is a wonderful time. The levels are well designed, the boss encounters tough but fair, and there’s enough here to have people coming back for more, be it a new character or simply beating their best times.

Black Desert won’t be to everybody’s tastes, and does little to push the MMO genre forward. With that said, it does streamline the experience into a more familiar shell, its real-time combat and impeccable UI tweaks helping it fit onto a console with the minimal of fuss. Its quest structure is lacking in variation, and it doesn’t have the complex characters of The Witcher 3, but it’s a world that is great to explore with friends, with the promise of more to come.

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.

The Forgotten City features a compelling story taking place in a mystifying city. The writing is more than clever and has you experiencing both horror and mirth. The deduction aspect of the game might not be breaking any new ground but the experience is enjoyable and worthwhile as a whole. If you’re unsure of this one then maybe wait to make sure the patch is fully implemented. I would also avoid any playthrough videos as they could easily spoil the story, and that is the most satisfying part of the game.

Boy, did I enjoy A Juggler’s Tale. It was a palate cleanser of a game that in my mind only suffers from it’s longevity – or rather lack there of. From the voicework, to the music and the gameplay, it was all well done with care from the developers, and something that you can experience in just a couple of hours. A definite recommendation to new gamers and veterans alike.

Remothered: Broken Porcelain might be the new horror story driven game this Halloween! With high end visuals and continual story to boot we can only hope new and greater things will come of the series. Remothered deserves to sit along some of the genres best, and Broken Porcelain makes for a fine sequel – here’s hoping the wait isn’t too long for the next entry!

Treasures of the Aegean has been a joy to play; initially, I thought It might be hard to get this review done. I figured I might get distracted by a certain AAA racing game that released around the same time as this, but every time I played that I just wanted to get back to the mysterious island that popped out of the Aegean sea and parkour my way across the environment, solve puzzles and search for lost treasures.

Raging Justice comes tethered to a particularly steep difficulty curve, yet ticks many of the boxes that it needed to to stand out as a solid beat ’em up experience. This may not be the next Streets of Rage II, but it’s certainly worth a visit if you’re on the market for a modern day version of that formula. It’s fun, brutal, often unfair, yet ultimately satisfying in the long run.

Anthem is one hell of a decent loot-shooter that boasts some ambitious mechanics. Its massively engaging combat and its flow of movement takes center stage, with its several activities, its deep lore, and its diverse and interesting world following closely behind. That said, Anthem isn’t without fault, and BioWare will need to carefully address the game’s issues alongside its community feedback to ensure they maintain player interest.

Natsuki Chronicles is one of the more enjoyable bullet-hell shooters I’ve played in quite some time. It nails the addictive nature of the classic arcade titles, and wraps it up in some gorgeous visuals and excellent level design. While these games are hard by nature, I did feel that Qute took it a tad too far here, with even the Easy setting proving to be rock solid. But those with time and patience on their hands will get no doubt have a great time here, and even if I suck at it, Natsuki Chronicles will be popping up on my playlist for sometime yet.

All in all, Things Too Ugly is a short, fun detective mystery, with a well written story and brilliantly designed puzzles.

One of the best entry level fighting games, Samurai Shodown is an excellent return to form for the series. This Xbox series upgrade offers some small but much appreciated upgrades on the original title. Anyone looking to dip their toes into fighting games will do well to start here, that said, there is a lot to dig into after that.

I personally loved playing Slipstream, it grew on me with a bit of time enjoying the art and music designs. What was even more impressive is that this Indie title is from a one-man team and this is his third game, but first on console. Sandro Luiz De Paula is the man who made this masterful homage to classic arcade style racers and should be proud. It’s a simple game, but works with no issues I found. The variety of difficulty options allow for the player to establish their playstyle letting them pick the pace. The art style of colorful exotic levels makes it fun to race through over and over switching paths up each tour finding different exits. The game doesn’t offer a lot through variety of cars or customization options; however, it doesn’t need to. The game is relatively cheap for what is being offered with stunning visuals and audio design.

Pricing aside Visions of Four Heroes is great content, and for those interested in this series it is a decent extension of the game with an interesting concept on the storylines.

We’ve been wanting to see more co-op puzzle titles and The Past Within is a fantastic entry to the genre. Smart pacing and an interesting premise and set-up make for an evening well spent with a friend.

Super Bomberman R2 Is exactly what you want from a sequel. It kept everything that made the original game fun and added new ideas to try and build on what works. I may not be a big fan of some of the newer battle modes but I am very glad to see the Grand Prix 64 Bomberman battle return. The controls are simple for anyone to pick up and play and I am very happy this gaming series is still going strong.

Once again, it’s hard to really delve into 1000xResist without ruining the experience as the story is the main draw and driving force of the game throughout. It can get a bit confusing, and perhaps goes on a little too long at the conclusion, but all the same it is gripping and full of interesting twists and turns.

If obscene and dark humor is your thing and you have the urge to play a 3D platformer, look no further than Hell Pie. Hell Pie does 3D platforming well which is something I think is hard to do. It has unique techniques to make the gameplay enjoyable and satisfying for pulling off complex combos and saves. Definitely check it out if the humor is not off-putting.

South of the Circle is an enjoyable experience. If you are looking for something where you can chill out and let the story do most of the work, then this is for you. You will grow to love Peter and Clara and I thoroughly enjoyed my playthrough.

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.

Simply said fans of Moving Out should love Moving Out 2. This is everything a sequel should be. Doesn’t over complicate the formula that worked so well in the first game and in a sense is just more of it which is what I personally want most of the time. With its wealth of accessibility options, it’s a great game for newer gamers and veterans alike. I can’t wait to play more of this game co-op via online play with friends.

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.

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

Mia and the Dragon Princess is another solid effort from the teams at Wales Interactive and Good Gate Media. The cast all put in some excellent performances, the story is brief but also full of interesting twists and turns, and it had us laughing far more than expected to with some classic British humour. For our money, this is one of the best live action adventures out there.

Offline players can now rejoice as we finally have some new features in career mode. It’s probably the first time in many years that the career modes don’t just feel copied and pasted and long may it last! For Online folk, the best game modes are still here with the same few tweaks to keep the core of what made them fun but add interesting new features to keep you on the hook. It may have a new name but it’s still the best football game out there.

Don’t be guided by the game’s daunting history. No Man’s Sky is now a near-outstanding experience that sits in a league of its own. Despite some issues with the game’s textures, delayed rendering and some unstable framerates, No Man’s Sky is a diverse, deep and ambitious player-shaped adventure that’s constantly intriguing.

One of the greatest things I’ve enjoyed in my time with Vagante is slowly learning how the game works, such as discovering all the different systems within the game and familiarizing myself with all the characters and learning their strengths and weaknesses. When I first played the game, all those years ago, it was definitely a little rough around the edges. I’m happy to see it reach its final state, which is a compelling roguelike platformer RPG that should appeal to fans of any of those genres.

There’s a lot to like about Mouse P.I., from it’s excellent visuals and animation to the simple act of exploring and shooting. Cuphead is a clear inspiration in certain aspects, and though this is a different genre, it will likely still appeal if you enjoyed that game. It is a great game for console and handheld should you have one as well.

I had a great time with Godstrike. The combat is fast and fluid, and hectic as a bastard, but the challenge is pitched just right that I found myself dropping in every day or so for an hour to see how I would get on. Having time as our health and restriction is an inspired touch, and every hit against us has that bit more impact as a result. Truly challenge, but incredibly rewarding, Godstrike is an easy recommendation.

I love Scarlet Nexus. Its technological post-apocalyptic environment, smooth and flashy combat mechanic combined with its genre of an anime RPG, was just executed so well. Sure the game towards the end might seem a little bit tedious but you just can’t help but focus on the good things that made this game such an enjoyable experience. This game is to not be ignored.

Attack on Titan 2 greatly improves upon its predecessor in nearly every way, but still comes with a few issues such as periodical freezing, and at times, poor control feedback. With these small problems to the side, this game undoubtedly does justice to its source material. Attack on Titan 2 is fast-paced energetic fun at its finest.

Whether miniatures, strategy games, or deck-building is your thing or not, I highly recommend Wartile because the sum of its parts delivers a unique and fun experience more than each alone. One of the indicators I personally measure when evaluating a game for review is: “Does it call to me when my console is off?”. For Wartile my answer is a hearty “Yes!”.

Saints Row The Third Remastered has done a good job of touching up the original. All of the DLC content that has been added to the title should encourage those interested to pick this up. Fans of the series that missed this one would definitely enjoy this instalment. Those interested in GTA style games should give this game – or at least this series – a try as there is a lot of fun to be had here.

Inquisitor Martyr is a great game despite the occasional technical flaw. There’s no shortage of mission, weapon and enemy variation within, making for a Diablo-like experience that’s faithful to the source material. Support for local and online co-op is present, though, regardless as to whether you go into this as a solo player or with friends, Inquisitor Martyr’s engaging gameplay will keep you firmly entertained.

Overall though I had a fantastic time with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. The action is fast and fun, and highly replayable thanks to several character options and upgrades. It might be a little repetitive solo but get some mates together and this is sure to provide a lot of laughs.

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!

Without being so finicky though, RIDE 5 is a superb bike racer. It balances fantastic visuals and incredible bike detail with plenty of breakneck speeds and thrill-inducing racing moments and whilst it doesn’t change too much from the already successful formula that the series has become renowned for, this is certainly an enjoyable adventure for bike aficionados.

Tri-Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey is more retro styled goodness from the minds behind Last Stand and Lilimo Games. The constant switch up of gameplay styles keeps things fresh, it has a charmingly retro story, and is quite simply a fun few hours of gaming.

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.

An absolutely enjoyable puzzle platformer that has charm, style and enough funny, well written dialogue to propel a simple, yet effective story. Beautiful art and designs round out the package neatly, however, some poor physics-based puzzles and repetitive music lets the experience down a little. That said, it’s certainly worth a play through nevertheless.

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.

The epitome of FPS bullet-hell. Despite minor issues with the game’s framerate, this is a shining example of how several gameplay elements can be seamlessly slapped together to produce a near outstanding outcome. The game’s action-packed structure rarely buckles, which when grouped with its fantastic design and uncertainty, makes for one of the best shooters in recent memory.

Outside of these fixable issues Bite The Bullet is a fun action title that adds in a unique mechanic to proceedings, in eating foes to gain abilities. It’s challenging without being too punishing, has a pretty good sense of humour, and offers plenty to sink your teeth into in its upgrades, hidden areas, and side quests. Plus, that soundtrack is just awesome. Like, seriously excellent.

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 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.

Overall Ziggurat II provides players with yet another fantastic FPS rogue-lite adventure that can be enjoyed for hours. Whilst the campaign may only set you back around 5 or 6 hours, seeing everything this game has to offer is certainly going to push that time up to more than 50 hours, and with fantastic detail, impressive visuals, polished gameplay and some truly enjoyable content, this is going to be one of the surprise hits of 2022, one which certainly deserves a spot in your gaming library.

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 am a big fan of the Yakuza series and Like a Dragon Ishin! has all the qualities that you would expect from a game in this series. It looks and feels like a modern game but certain aspects do remind you that you are playing a remake of an older game. For those new to the series this is a great one to jump into as it’s disconnected story-wise from the Yakuza thread. There is so much content to enjoy and the different combat styles keep things fresh even if the story doesn’t feel too fresh.

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.

Earth Atlantis’ blend of exploration and side-scrolling shooting remains tense, invigorating and well paced throughout the entirety of play. Its unique old-sketch visuals provides a theme that widely sets itself apart from its peers, ultimately producing an adventure that’s as fascinating as it is enticing. There’s a few niggles here and there, but these are easy to forgive in the face of everything that this game gets right.

Train Sim World is a robust yet accessible game that caters for a wide range of its material’s responsibilities. The game does a good job at feeding you into its intricacies and once there, rarely fails to maintain its allure. It’s also quite free in its approach, enabling players to explore and drive at a leisurely pace. Not perfect nor groundbreaking by any means, but it does achieve what it sets out to accomplish.

Nidhogg 2 doesn’t stray too far from the concept of its predecessor. This, depending on what you want from a sequel, will be for the better or for the worse. Regardless, there’s no doubt that this game offers one of the best and most tense 1v1 experiences in recent memory. What I found most compelling is how in-depth and robust the game can be, whilst remaining totally accessible and fluid throughout.

If you’re looking for a game to start your love affair with tactical turn-based games, Crown Wars: The Black Prince is as good a choice as any thanks to the way healing and upgrades work. Despite a few flaws, I had a great time with Crown Wars: The Black Prince.

When playing Anodyne 2: Return to Dust you can tell the developers love making video games and want to share that love with anyone interested. Thanks to an ever-expanding world and the introduction of new mechanics and ideas as the game progresses the game certainly stands out from the pack. There are some slow-paced parts and a few of the later puzzles and card locations might require a guide, but overall Anodyne 2 should be played by anyone who is interested in indie game design or anyone that wants to enjoy a multi-genre nostalgia-fueled adventure with an endearingly entertaining story about self-discovery.

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.

I decided to review Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan on a whim, and I’m glad I did. There’s a lot to like here, and I think it could appeal to a lot of different gamers. The story goes off the deep end in terms of wholesomeness and could be perfect for children that know how to read. The exploration, the monster befriending, and the wonderful art style are the best parts and I found the game hard to put down, many nights I’d tell myself “oh, I’ll just play one more island real quick” – “Gotta recolor ‘em all!”

One of the best thought out FMV games by Wales Interactive, a must play for fans of the genre and good entry point for newcomers.

Morbid: Lords of Ire is the best kind of sequel. Confounding, different, but also spiritually aligned with its predecessor. It helps that it did not forget to be fun too.

If want to get back to your arcade roots and experience some of Capcom’s exemplary arcade games spanning over three decades then Capcom Arcade Stadium is a no-brainer. The quality of life additions allow players of all skill levels to enjoy the games, and the multiple leaderboards for each game will have the veterans competing for fame and glory. Some audiovisual galleries would have been nice, but as long as Capcom stays active with challenges and hopefully adds more games then the Stadium will remain standing room only for some time to come – but really how else would you play at the arcade?

UnMetal is a love letter to old school Metal Gear with a comedic twist. It excels in stealth and you will enjoy yourself though each of the levels. There’s nothing I would change or feel is missing in my opinion. It’s definitely one of the best indie games I have played this year.

Paul Raschid has been in the FMV game for a while now, and though The Complex still remains a firm favourite at Tavern Towers, Hello Stranger is a strong contender for some of his best work yet thanks to a snappy playtime, great performances and plenty of replayability.

The Sims 4 once again proves that a good PC game that’s primarily designed for keyboard and mouse, simply doesn’t suit the controller. It’s but one of the many reasons that Microsoft needs to pull their fingers out and enable keyboard and mouse support for the Xbox One, not only will it help the transition of games like this and Divinity Original Sin, but it will add more appeal too.

Darksiders: Genesis redeems the series after the disappointment of the 3rd entry last year. It manages to capture the essence that makes Darksiders what it is, while transposing it in to a new genre. Top quality action, over the top powers and spectacle and a fun core loop that provides challenge without too much frustration. Removing the series staple platforming wouldn’t have hurt, and at times solo play can be a little bit attritional, but overall you’d be hard pressed not to have a good time with Genesis.

Episode 1 really is a journey that tugs on your heartstrings and plays with your emotions, so much so that I can’t wait to see how the brothers and their relationship develops over the coming episodes. No doubt there will be many more horrific challenges in their way, but I am eager to see how things pan out. Life is Strange 2 is off to a great start.

What you’ll find here isn’t the next game to join the contest of who can be the biggest FPS hit of the year, but rather a game that focuses on realism, action, and teamwork. It trades the big-budget effects for the nitty-gritty darkened warfare and it does this in a way that feels believable and enthralling, whilst managing to scratch that one-more-go itch as each round concludes, and for the efforts, it might just be the surprise big hitter of the year from the FPS genre after all.