Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters is another great entry into the Warhammer Universe. With tons of different ways to customize your squad cosmetically and with talents, Daemonhunters has the ability to keep you coming back for more.

First person puzzlers are my jam, and I’m glad I finally got to check out Q.U.B.E via this 10th Anniversary Edition release. The puzzles are well crafted, with enough new mechanics added at just the right time to prevent things getting stale. Add in a passable tale and some lovely new visuals, and we have a game that comes easily recommended to all but the most puzzle adverse players. And look at that, not a single Portal comparison!

City of the Wolves is a solid instalment in the series, and a game that is in love with its past, while adding new layers everywhere that counts. There is substantial single player content, multiplayer of value and considerable roster. SNK fans will be eating well today – as long as they are prepared to pay extra for content.

Publisher Nacon and developer KT Racing have built a very solid Rally title with WRC 9, even though there aren’t many improvements over the last edition. It’s definitely a worthy investment for Rally fans, especially if you skipped last year’s WRC 8, though I’m not sure it’s worth upgrading straight away if you’re still plugging away at that title. At least not until a good sale comes along. While it does have some multiplayer modes, at the time of this writing I was unable to find any open lobbies. But to be fair most people probably prefer the career mode, because you really aren’t racing head to head anyway.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a very detailed and immersive RPG and there is much to get involved within the game and enjoy. Fans of the old Baldurs Gate-style games will find a lot of comfort in this game as there is a lot of familiarities and it has been brought to a decent modern standard. Causal players might find the game like wading through treacle in its pacing, but with the great story line and bags of content, there is a lot of enjoyment to be had if you can commit the time to it.

Blades of Fire has all the elements to be a memorable action-adventure game but a few questionable decisions in my eyes have made it slightly fade in the crowd. Great graphics, complex combat, and interesting forging mechanics but the lack of direction sadly steers the game into becoming repetitive.

Wulverblade is brutal, gory, and gorgeous in its design. It comes packed with collectibles and unlocks that constantly rewards the player with fascinating insights. Putting some difficulty inconsistencies to the side, fans of side-scrolling brawlers will be thrilled with what’s on offer. The game is well designed, diverse, and above all else it’s hard to put down.

Old gits like me will no doubt get a nostalgia rush out of Ion Fury, as for all intents and purposes it is a ‘90s game. It’s certainly a lot simpler and to the point than most modern shooters, and perhaps modern payers might not quite jive with it, but the core gameplay is fast, fun and easy to get into. Hard to beat, but easy to get into.

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.

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.

My Hero One’s Justice uses its source material well. There’s minor and infrequent issues with the game’s combat, being that some commands go unnoticed in the heat of the chaos, but in the face of everything that the game gets right, this is easy to overlook. There’s plenty of exciting content to work through here. Content that, for the most part, remains stunning, empowering and diverse from the get-go.

The Occupation’s compelling story sits rather well with its intelligent framework. This is, for the most part, an intriguing real-time detective game that sports some solid features and robust mechanics, collectively putting forward a tense and constantly exciting affair. Indeed, there’s a few persistent technical flaws present that tend to interfere with the game’s flow, but in the face of everything that The Occupation gets right, they’re easy to overlook.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season is off to a fantastic start. Telltale looks to have finally returned to true form here, serving up a well paced story that’s thrilling, engaging and consistently tense. Credit also needs to be given to the writing and the voice acting, which is the best we’ve seen from Telltale for quite some time. If this quality is maintained, the series is certainly set to go out with a bang.

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.

Platypus Reclayed is a tough old cookie, but rewarding and fun to play at the same time.

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.

I’ve said it before but the same applies. I was very excited to play this follow-up game to what was kind of an indie gem back in the day. Kill It With Fire 2 went above my expectations with the depth they were able to add. I love the fact the co-op exists because it made for some fun moments with friends. Obviously, fans of the original will want to give this a try, but I would recommend this to a group of friends with no prior experience to this game, as long as you weren’t deathly afraid of spiders … I guess.

All in all, 505 Games and KUNOS Simulazioni have a great simulator for wheel users. It provides excellent feedback and is the way the play, if you’ve the right set up. Controller users can still find enjoyment if they take the time to tweak settings, but they will definitely miss out to a degree. Those less experienced with racing games should probably be wary of jumping in here too, as the sim style of racing could be a turn off until they “git gud”, as they say.

Orbyss proves less is more, with a snappy runtime filled with decently balanced puzzles and continuous new ideas to keep things fresh. A slightly more robust hint system would be great for when players need it, but otherwise Orbyss comes with a hearty recommendation if you’re in the market for a few evenings of puzzle goodness.

Candle: The Power of the Flame delivers a gorgeously detailed and thoroughly well executed puzzle adventure. From start to finish, the game does an excellent job at keeping the player engaged through its clever functionalities and environmental mechanics. There’s some issues with slow, sluggish movement, but in the face of everything that Candle gets right, this one problem is easy to overlook.

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.

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.

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

Omega Strike is fun, thrilling and more importantly, rewarding. The game’s well designed interconnected map gradually opens up as progression is made, which further bolsters the game’s steady pace. More encouragement to swap between characters would have been welcoming, though overall, Omega Strike is a well rounded action-platformer that’s jam-packed with varying enemies and challenges throughout.

Overall, in terms of a fully polished gaming experience, Unbound: Worlds Apart is certainly up there amongst the defining titles in the genre which can offer the complete experience. Sure, some may find certain parts of the game a little more challenging than expected, however at no point does the game ever feel unfair or unmanageable and I’d certainly recommend seeing this indie gem through to the end.

Early feelings of frustrations aside, Surviving Mars offers numerous challenges and satisfying feelings of success with each play through. Definitely not a one and done kind of game, the replay value is quite high. Surviving Mars is well worth the investment if you fancy city builders, and both Paradox Interactive and Haemimont Games have experience on their side.

It happened, it finally happened! It’s been too long since I’ve enjoyed a good TMNT game but I am so happy to say Splintered Fate delivered a good time. Roguelites have been hot for a while now and throwing the TMNT skin on top of one makes a lot of sense. I think more recognizable IP’s should branch out and try new genres like Splintered Fate here. Easy recommend for Turtles fans and roguelite enthusiasts alike.

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.

Overall, if you like horror but are fed up with the same overused tropes and want something a little re-energizing then this survival horror/escape room thrill is certainly one to add to your collection. With impressive gameplay ideas, a creepy setting, and some horrific enemies, this is a game that stands out amongst the countless horror titles available on Xbox and it’s one that is well worth a playthrough.

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.

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

Mortal Kombat 11 delivers on what you would expect from the acclaimed long running series of iconic blood-soaked fisticuffs. The end result, despite a painful grind, offers a solid experience that looks great, feels amazing, and succeeds in keeping the franchise alive and revitalized, yet again. If you’re looking for one of the gen’s next best fighters, get over here!

The Oddworld has finally graced the Xbox platform with it’s newest entry into the franchise with Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition. This is a reimagining of the classic Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus. It improves on the prequel remake, Oddworld: New ‘n Tasty, in every way. Hands down the best 2D Oddworld game and I think fans of the franchise will love it.

I am already a fan of the Koei Bandai Namco Warrior games and this style paired with the One Piece anime works great. The wildly random characters and story line are very interesting and gripping and if you enjoy smashing slews of enemies with quirky comedic moves then you will enjoy yourselves here. The format can become quite repetitive after a while, but I feel there is enough variety in characters, moves and enemies along with the fun story line to make this a good game.

Even if you’re not a fan of the sport, PGA Tour 2K21 is still just a really fun video game. It’s easy enough to pick up and play, and yet there’s a lot to learn for those that want to take things more seriously. The online Societies mode could prove a great reason to keep coming back, and the custom editor is there for those that love to tinker and craft their own courses. The visual presentation is a bit of a letdown, but to be fair it’s also not a deal breaker by any means.

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

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.

At this point I can easily say I’ve found my groove with Fort Triumph. It went from being something I was struggling to motivate myself to play to not realising I’d spent an entire evening working through multiple missions. I’m still getting beat up quite a lot even on Easy, but now I’ve learned the ropes a bit better I can feel another restart on the harder difficulties calling to me. Whether I ever get to it or not is another thing, but it really is very good. If you’ve the patience and time to learn the mechanics properly, then Fort Triumph will be one of the more satisfying turn-based strategies you could choose from.

While it might not be quite the same as the real thing Monster Truck Championship does a pretty good job of replicating the fun. There’s plenty to keep players coming back in the career mode, with loads of challenges to try, and parts and upgrades to unlock. The stunt modes can feel a little too easy to cheese a way to victory but the standard and drag races more than make up for any disappointment here. And plus, who doesn’t love Monster Trucks?

Song of Horror is a wonderful psychological horror title with an even better story, the fixed camera and unique gameplay will keep players on the edge of their seats to avoid the perma-death feature.

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

Civilisation VI is very much a marmite kind of game – you’ll either love it or hate it. While I am indeed a fan (of marmite and Civ), I did feel slightly let down by the laggy performance and seemingly slower pace than I remember. The wonderful aesthetics manage to make up for this to a degree though, and if you’re after something to sink some real time into the Civ VI will absolutely be your cup of tea.

Space Marine II builds upon and improves on its predecessor in every way. Come for the big stompy Space Marines, stay for the intricate interplay between melee and ranged combat.

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.

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.

Helheim Hassle is another solid entry in to the gaming world from Perfectly Paranormal. It’s funny, has clever puzzle mechanics and designs, and there’s much more to do here than initial impressions might appear. Switching between the body parts is too fiddly to do with speed, so some sections suffer as a result and can be mightily frustrating, but other than that there’s a lot of fun to be had here.

It might not live up to its inspiration, but Doublehit Games have gotten pretty damn close. Some slight stodginess on the controls can lead to unwarranted failure at times, but it’s a small slight on an other wise charming, dark, and enthralling puzzle adventure that gives those heart strings a good old tug.

Many games try to capture the lightning in a bottle that was Fortnite or Rocket League, but with KungFu Kickball I feel Blowfish has a better chance than most to do so. Gameplay is simple and fun but with enough depth to really encourage some high level play, and it’s also easy to watch and follow along with. Ideal for gaming nights with friends or a Twitch stream audience.

This may well not be a perfect game, but it’s certainly a great one, it’s energetic, thrilling and engaging.

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.

V-Rally 4 is a deep and challenging experience. There’s an undeniable issue with the game’s somewhat overly loose controls, but with that to the side, this is every bit as engaging as V-Rally has always been. Everything from the game’s stunning visual and audio presentation to its dynamic systems and its content diversity, has been developed meticulously to produce one hell of a tense second-by-second racer.

The gameplay is tight, responsive and surprisingly accessible whilst remaining challenging throughout. The story may well indeed be basic in its delivery, but the plot does prove to be energetic and exhilarating nevertheless, however it is sadly held back slightly by a poorly voiced cast of forgettable characters.

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.

One Hand Clapping isn’t a masterpiece, but it is a refreshing and unique game especially on the Xbox platform which is woefully in need of alternative games such as this. I wish more developers would take risks like this; unfortunately, those risks aren’t usually rewarded. So if you want to try something different and reward creativity then don’t hesitate to pick up One Hand Clapping.

Elex 2 has come a long way from the first game back in 2017. Graphically it looks much better and the storyline feels much more robust. The story mode difficulty has made the game much more accessible for those just wanting to play and enjoy the story. The combat hasn’t pushed on too much but it’s not terrible, but it does feel a bit dated. But if you are a big RPG fan then there is plenty of content to sink your teeth into.

Metal Eden is a fantastic title, brimming with explosive encounters and dazzling moments of traversal. It is as good as the other big budget run-and-gunner this year.

Movers In Paradise is a fantastic DLC and playing it with my wife was great fun and laughs (and mini arguments) all round. With Moving Out still being on Game Pass you only need to pick up the DLC and you won’t be disappointed if you enjoyed the original. Even if you haven’t played the original I still recommend picking this up as I actually think I enjoyed it more than the original.

Eternal Threads folds an interesting butterfly-effect narrative into a well put together puzzle, letting us delve as deep into the mystery as we see fit. Consistently intriguing enough to see us through just one more scene, and letting us change our story at will means it’s a game that had us hooked throughout.

DBZ: Kakarot has taken some interesting steps to move on from the Xenoverse games, but only some of them have paid off. While it’d great to follow Goku’s arc through the Z saga’s, the fact remains that this is far from the first time we’ve done so. The graphics, music, voice acting and cut scenes all look great though, and take some of the sting out of the repetition. The RPG elements are laid on quite deep, though the “open world” is hardly as open as first impressions suggest, with proper progression – both in the world and for your characters – locked off until you get to certain beats in the story.

Overall I really enjoyed my time with the game, as I said earlier I think the designers did a great job combining the three aspects of gameplay, which kept everything feeling fresh. The combat can feel a little basic at times but the fun puzzles and exploration of the fantastically designed levels make up for it. Anyone interested in helping a robot learn about itself and how the civilization that designed it fell apart by exploring three vast isometric levels should give this a try.

Forgotton Anne houses a gorgeously fitting art direction that’s not too dissimilar to Laputa: Castle in the Sky. This design sits extraordinarily well with its carefully crafted platforming and puzzle elements, collectively putting forward a wonderful adventure that never loses its grip. The dialogue may well be hit and miss at times, but the overarching plot is captivating, well paced and thoroughly entertaining.

Overall, I’ve had a decent time with Alone in the Dark. The Resident Evil reboots are a clear and massive inspiration, and while it might not be quite on their level, Alone in the Dark still manages to entertain with a weird and wonderful experience. The combat sections are definitely a weak spot, but the exploration and puzzle parts are able to balance this out nicely.

The characters we meet along the way are all unique and interesting, and I really liked how Polygon Treehouse interwove several of the arcs and puzzles across them. The sense of place and aesthetics are excellent too, with some lovely visuals complemented by nice ambient music and effects. The tale may be told via text, but Tove and the rest of the cast all make various grunts and mumbles as their text box pops up, helping to sell the emotion in the writing. All of this adds up to a game that was heart wrenching but gripping, and a pleasure to play.

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.

If you can get over the poor graphics, bugs and the constant attempts on your life, Rust: Console Edition has plenty to offer you. The game is definitely suited to a very niche group and that’s OK because once you overcome the initial learning curve, Rust can be great (especially if you can group up with friends or even other in game players).

As a short, narrative adventure, The Last Case of John Morley is enjoyable thanks to a great sense of atmosphere, good story and well paced reveals that keep us second guessing right until the very end.

Not too many games go above and beyond to pay homage to the past like Trek To Yomi does. From top to bottom it is drenched in a dedicated and unshakable inspiration of Japanese cinema, which does its absolute best to make players spellbound by its sheer level of deftly crafted artistic intent. Similarly, the combat is super slick, stylish and gratifyingly nuanced, that it will please many who beg for a finely-honed, lethal and precise katana-thrusting gameplay core. Unfortunately, the repetition of enemies and their compositions do get in the way as there isn’t enough diversity in the enemy variety nor the deviation to manipulate curiosity in interesting ways, but ultimately if you want a brief, beautiful and brutal action game, you should certainly take this trek.

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.

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

Skyhill does a good job with its simplistic foundation, offering a core experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The constant uncertainty that looms overhead together with its randomly generated content, makes for some very tense moments. There’s a few issues with the game’s unbalanced systems, but with that in mind, Skyhill still manages to remain both challenging and fun throughout.

It’s easy to look at a game and know when you see quality. Hoa is one of those games that you just know will be good. From the beautiful scenery to the amazing soundtrack this game delivers a compelling experience, only falling short if you are looking for a difficult or long game.

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.

While it has a couple of minor issues found in the aiming and the physics platforming, these do not detract from an otherwise superbly paced game. Nearly every aspect within has clearly had a great deal of love and attention poured in, taking me back to the heyday of XBL Arcade, with the likes of Braid and Limbo. I feel this game deserves just as much praise as those classics, and hope it gains it.

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

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III doesn’t stack up against the likes of Diablo, but it does indeed provide a well rounded action-RPG experience nevertheless. It implements much of what worked in the immediate predecessor and improves upon what didn’t. The game provides plenty of action, heaps of loot, and a conclusion that neatly wraps up the overarching story. With minor issues to the side, this installation is arguably the best in the trilogy.

WWE 2K22 is the comeback that the series needed to put itself back on everyone’s radar once again. The game’s amazing presentation and fluid gameplay are exactly what the doctor ordered to make such a solid and enjoyable experience. 2K delivered on all of their promises making WWE 2K22 a instalment that “Hits Different”.

Dead Reset is an enjoyable sci-fi horror story, with fun characters, great b-movie effects and gruesome deaths, and is ripe for several playthroughs to see how different we can make the outcomes of the crew. The time loop addition means we even get a small sliver of experimentation in our choices, as a bad one means we can try again almost without penalty – a rarity in these types of games.

Lego Voyagers is equal parts lovely to look at, simple yet engaging to play, and an all round good time for co-op players no matter their skill level.

If this game was released on SNES when I was a kid I have a feeling I would have sunk an endless amount of time into it, especially with the fact that it has local co-op. I know I would have worked my way up through each difficulty setting and tried to find all the secrets hidden in the game. The game contains a nice variety of content overall, but I think featuring only five main levels is a little slim; however, I did have fun during my time with the game. If you have a local co-op partner then this game should definitely be on your radar. If you prefer to play solo then this could appeal to you, if you like challenging retro-fueled experiences.

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.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series Episode 2: Hunting Grounds throws you straight into the action, continuing from the cliff-hanger of Episode 1. You and your crew are running low on resources and have to escape from the space pirates. You have more exploring to do, relationships to build and more resources to gather. It’s more of the same gameplay for the most part, with the inclusion of a new evade mechanic from drones and some light gun fights. The story has enough depth to keep us wanting to come back as soon as Episode 3 is ready.

Overall and if you’re looking for a game that is great to play with a friend and can frequently keep things interesting then Struggling is sure to keep you entertained. It holds enough challenge and difficulty to keep things engaging without ever going too far as to make things inaccessible. Whilst it’s likely to be one of the weirdest games you’ll play in 2021, it’s up there with one of the finest indie games too.

Railway Empire comes with a steep learning curve and can often overburden the player with a mammoth selection of tasks. Perseverance is key, because underneath this complexity rests a thoroughly enjoyable experience that’s equally as rewarding as it is satisfying. The game remains in-depth, disparate, and competitive throughout the entirety of play.

The Precinct offers a look into the life on the other side of crime and violence, a side often portrayed in our beloved videogame hobby. It does it in a well-balanced way that has just enough simulator like details without being overwhelming which I can appreciate. I looked forward to logging in each day to knock out a few shifts. The monotony of resolving crimes did eventually wear on me so I wish the story progression were a bit faster other than seemingly RNG but even then, it’s a game that respects your time. If you think you’d enjoy it by the looks, then you have the same feeling as I did and you probably would!

Overall, The Vale: Shadow of The Crown is a game that brings to light a rarely experienced disability for many gamers whilst also showcasing just how much audio can bring a game to life. With fantastic storytelling, engaging gameplay and a story that keeps things fresh from start to finish, this is certainly one of 2021’s standout titles and will no doubt spawn new audio focussed titles in the future.

Defunct offers a well rounded adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a game that doesn’t try to stand out, but instead rest on its laurels of relaying that old-school Sonic-like gameplay. The story is forgettable and the functionality of play can take some getting used to, but if you bear with it, Defunct wont disappoint.

With its bad voice acting and its poor writing to the side, Eventide 3: Legacy of Legends is another stunningly detailed and well rounded hidden-object puzzle game from Artifex Mundi. There’s a decent variation of puzzles within, which is further upheld by a difficulty curve that gradually climbs in complexity as you dive deeper into the plot. It may not be the best from Artifex’s catalog, but it’s certainly high up the list.

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.

The lack of enemy variants is a let down, which is surprising seeing as this was the chief criticism from the core game. I also found the story to be somewhat less interesting than it could have been. Outside of those two flaws, this new content is brilliant.

Super Bomberman R brings back the classic Bomberman formula and implements some interesting mechanics to shake up the fields of play. The game offers a decent campaign and supports both local and online play across a range of fun PvP game modes. With some poor voice acting and awkward camera issues to the side, this is one party-battle game that you should definitely have on your radar.

Much like Turok Remastered, Seeds of Evil is overpriced. The game doesn’t come without problems, many of which are due to its age. However, if you can overlook dated visuals, basic gameplay functionality, and a multiplayer component that lacks population, there’s a decent amount of refined chaotic fast-paced fun to be had, within.

Fury Unleashed manages to bring some fun combat and exploration to the rogue like genre that, even when a run fails, feels rewarding. A well-executed upgrade system, as well as plentiful loot found along the way, means that it’s rare to not find something new to play with, or a new tactic to use on each go. The comic styling works well too, though the music could’ve been a bit more impactful; a small knock on an otherwise brilliant title.

I thoroughly enjoyed Deadcraft and if it didn’t have some of the niggles I would have recommended it much higher. The crafting system is simple to learn and growing your own zombie pals is delightfully morbid fun. But as I was so hooked on upgrading and crafting I didn’t realise it made the game too easy. I also just wish there was more to the story as I enjoyed the game and ended up feeling more could have been added.

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.

One Piece Odyssey is a great game for fans of the series, as it offers a chance to explore the world of One Piece and interact with its characters. The combat system is engaging and the open-world environment allows for a lot of exploration and replayability. However, some players might find the controls a bit clunky, and the pacing of the game can be slow at times.

For what looks like a simple game Curious Expedition 2 is far from it. There is much to wrap your head around from the start to plan everything you need into a limited inventory and hope you survive. But if you give the game enough time it becomes much easier to manage and you will find yourself wanting to explore more and take more risks. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would and I think it’s definitely worth a playthrough.

I am a fan of side-scrolling platformers like Inside, Songs of Iron and Limbo, and One Last Breath has taken my gaming breath away! Personally, I am not the type of character to worry about “save the world” elements, however, One Last Breath sucked me into their world and made me think, that some of my real-world actions might have a massive effect on the world as we know it. That aside, the gameplay was wonderful and pleasant to play, with the short sharp and levels that made each section of the game palatable. I felt truly relaxed while playing, even though a wrong move could kill me.

If you’re up for a disturbingly enjoyable tale for an evening or two, do yourself a favour; pick up Cooking Companions with as little prior knowledge as possible and just revel in the places it takes us. Just don’t let the kids watch.