Milli & Greg may not be the next big blockbuster title, but with polished gameplay, cute and creative visuals, and a fine soundtrack to boot, this is definitely a game that you need in your library, as has been mentioned in the video above, Milli & Greg comes in at rather palatable £3.29, which is less than a cup of coffee in some places! So there is no reason not to add this little gem to your collection.

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.

Overall, Evil Genius 2 is an enjoyable game. Having not played the original I can’t say if it was or wasn’t worth the lengthy wait for this sequel, but as someone who has played his fair share of city builders and management sims, this is certainly no bad effort if you’re looking for something a little more casual, whilst still providing enough to keep you engaged for several hours. With multiple characters, each playthrough has its own twists and never did I feel like things were becoming too much of the same, which is all too frequent in gaming these days. Sure, it may not be quite so taxing for veteran city builders, but it’s certainly a welcome experience on Xbox consoles.

Pathfinder: Wraith of the Righteous is a worthy sequel as it’s packed full of lore and interesting storylines. The customisation involved in the game is off the scale and allows users to tailor the experience to their own tastes. I think they could have done more to create a really simple approach for those not familiar with these games as some of the choices can become overwhelming and complex. But there are hours of exploration, story, loot, and fighting where this game delivers well.

Monster Jam Showdown is a fun, action-packed racer letting us control the wildest, most over the top vehicles there are. A few quibbles with the controls for stunts aside, if you’re simply after a fun time, then this is an easy recommendation.

The game’s hands-off approach allows for a more relaxed and carefree affair, which is massively refreshing when we consider the current farming trend that tends to favor realism and constriction above all else. Putting its slightly convoluted mechanics aside, Farm Together offers a relatively light-hearted and fun experience that, although repetitive in the long run, manages to stand tall and firm.

Wildermyth is unlike anything else on the market. A roleplaying game that really emphasizes embodying a character and a story, that also happens to have a good combat system in there. Quickly repeating story elements diminishes that vision a bit, but there is still so much that the game understands about generating drama and investment – this is a must-play that I hope gets a refined and honed sequel.

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.

REZ PLZ brings us a unique spin on the co-op puzzle platformer, and it’s one that mostly succeeds. The way it forces players to co-operate using each other – literally – is gruesome, yet hilarious. Graffiti Games managed to come up with some ingenious methods for killing our heroes in the name of progression and with a willing partner there’s a lot of fun to be had here. I’m grateful of the solo mode too, though there’s no denying it’s far from the best way to play. Grab a friend, a few drinks and you’ll no doubt have a blast here.

Broken Mind is not a long game but it is fun and refreshing to play. I enjoyed my journey, and even though I am a big wimp when comes to survival horror I still really enjoy my playthrough of it.

For the first time in years, I actually enjoyed and looked forward to going back to a Sonic game and will continue to hunt those red star rings for a while yet. But the main USP of the avatars let the side down. I really hope Sonic Team continue with the duel Sonic crossover games as they seem to be providing them with their best output in years.

El Hijo: A Wild West Tale is a beautiful stealth game. I do love the fact it’s not all about killing but just getting to the next area. I had a great time playing the title and I love the art style too. Like most stealth titles, if you’re a fan of this genre and enjoy not going around killing everyone then this is a game for you to pick up.

A joyful parody of platformers and graphic adventures that manages to keep hold of its love for them. It’s two games in one, and they’re both the funniest you’ll play this year.

Wuppo is a sensational experience that’s packed with content, charm and an endearing soundtrack that runs deep in the colourful design. I found issues with the difficulty spike during boss encounters, and I was a bit let down by the lack of a solid story, but these small faults are not enough to pull the game down from greatness.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is how a remake should be done. By taking and meticulously remoulding the original game, Mafia: Definitive Edition sings with a deliciously authentic 1930’s gangster shooter experience that’s enriched to no end by a chapter-based story that keeps the focus on the story and its characters. The aiming and target reticule aren’t ideal, and the Free Ride mode is a missed opportunity, but when the smoke clears and all you want is a classy hard-boiled gangster shooter there are few better options available.

It’s fair to say this is true of the whole experience. Whilst MIND CONTROL DELETE is not quite as brilliantly unique as its predecessor due to the nature of sequels, it is a very thoughtful addition to the series. Its narrative is intriguing and its balancing systems work well. Whilst the repetition of levels can occasionally become grating, the end result is polished, interesting and a great value.

Despite my qualms with the final few areas and the overall length of the experience, as I said at the top I came away from The Pedestrian with a smile on my face. The core concept is very clever, making use of the visuals and presentation within the puzzles as well as using it to fill in the background with more interesting fare. Puzzle platformers a hardly rare, but if you’re looking for a unique and challenging entry The Pedestrian is well worth a look.

While the need to get a handful of players together locally might hinder your ability to play Demons With Shotguns regularly, when you can it will likely fast become a game night favourite. The action is quick, violent and wonderfully fun, the visuals and audio compliment the gameplay brilliantly and, despite the simple premise, things don’t quickly become overly repetitive. The co-op mode is a great addition that braver and more skilled than I solo players can take on too.

While the live service nature might not inspire much excitement, as a game to play with friends Exoprimal is a worthwhile pickup. The action is immediate and hectic, but never overwhelming, and the rounds are generally well paced and fair to enable some exhilarating final moment reversals of fortune. It might not have to flash of some of the bigger multiplayer titles out there, but it has more than enough to come recommended, especially if you’ve got a Game Pass subscription.

The pop culture references combined with the solid and unique gameplay are just the ticket for those looking for a fun first-person shooter experience. Some people might not like the pixelated art style, but it works extremely well here. All too often, the retro-inspired shooters that I play feel outdated, just like the games they are emulating, but Fashion Police Squad provides a fresh take on the genre by combining plenty of humor, fun mechanics, and level design variety.

The Colonists is a ‘warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold day’ kind of game, very comforting, peaceful RTS with plenty of depth and stats under the hood to warrant sticking with it.

Overall Tails of Iron is an enjoyable experience. Action-RPG fans will find a lot to like here. I know some people don’t like 2D games, but everything here works well, especially the beautiful art and the combat. Some of the side quests can feel like a drag, but the main questline will draw you in and keep you hooked.

Tunche is a unique game with a wonderful aesthetic. The hand-drawn graphics really make the game stand out. The roguelite and beat ‘em up gameplay is a lot of fun, especially the combat. There is a nice variety amongst the five playable characters and playing the game in local co-op was enjoyable. The game can start to feel repetitive. This seems like the type of game where I would play a run or two, put it down, and then try again later or the next day. If you are a fan of the two genres then Tunche is definitely worth a look.

Moving Out is simple, light-hearted and fun – and a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you take it as face value, it’s well made and entertaining. Single player can get a bit boring, but this is clearly a multiplayer focused experience and it’s much more fun there. And yes, it may cause arguments, but isn’t that part of the fun?

Blacksad: Under The Skin is an enjoyable detective game and the gritty noir story is very gripping. You care what happens to your cat-man detective and you’ll want to get to the bottom of the crime. All the other characters in the game are interesting and varied and the fact they are animals makes things a bit more entertaining. But the controls when moving Blacksad are so slow and clunky that they let the game down a tad, ruining the will to explore the world fully.

Soulcalibur VI offers a surprisingly deep game with some robust systems laying on its impressive foundation. Here, strategy and timing is equal to brute force, making for a fighter that’s tactical, fluid, and engrossing. The game’s two lore-heavy story modes, although convoluted, serve up a great deal of content on top of the game’s PvP sections, with no shortage of additional extras to unlock elsewhere.

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

Despite a few odd technical issues, Wreckfest is really rather fun to play. The sheer carnage on display as you smash and crash with your fellow racers is quite the sight, especially in the destruction derby style modes. Those looking for a racer with a little extra edge will no doubt find it here.

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

A must have for any fan of horror. The game’s eerie atmosphere makes for some great scares, with its gory cutscenes and psychotic characters collectively relaying a truly 90s-esque horrific experience. The controls are clunky at times and enemy position isn’t always made clear, but with most of the other bugs now remedied ahead of release, I highly recommend giving this a go.

Although many comparisons can be drawn from such games as Stardew Valley, Graveyard Keeper very much stands on its own two feet. This game will not be for everyone due to the play-style, however, if you are partial to the pixelated farming sim genre and have a curiosity for something a little darker, I fully recommend that you consider adding this game to your collection.

Overall, I had a great time with Submerged Hidden Depths. It’s an easy to play title that is just happy to have us along for the ride, not concerned with giving a challenge or putting too many obstacles in our way to succeed.

Fe is a wonderful and endearing adventure that’s slightly let down by niggling control issues. This game brilliantly merges stealth and platforming together, with a collection of well designed puzzles thrown in for both meaning and balance. The visual presentation remains rich and diverse throughout, serving up an experience that wont be forgotten in a hurry.

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.

Ra Ra Boom is a fun, colourful scrolling brawler/shooter that has plenty of charm and good replay value. Some small niggles in the combat and early game power levels aside, this is one for those looking for some couch co-op brawling good times.

The game remains compelling throughout the entirety of play by introducing new features at a decent pace across its broad content, ultimately ensuring that any sense of repetition is kept at bay.

Car Mechanic Simulator may be a little rough around the edges as far as its optimization goes, but speaking specifically of its functionalities and its mechanics, it’s easily one of the most well rounded sims in recent memory. Furthermore, it doesn’t alienate the inexperienced, and instead, does a wonderful job at keeping its in-depth gameplay and its deep systems both accessible and easy to digest. I wholly recommend giving it a chance.

As someone who enjoyed Hot Wheels Unleashed I was excited to give Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged a try and it did not disappoint. Is it more of the same? Yes but every aspect of the game has improved. The new modes and individual car upgrade systems really give some depth to what could have been cash grab reskin of the previous game. Happy to say I don’t think that is the case and I look forward to playing this some more and seeing what kind of DLC awaits us as that is something I thought the first game did well.

Predator: Hunting Grounds finally makes it to the Xbox Series, and it has been worth the wait. The game looks good, and plays well, with tons of fan service for fans of the dreadlocked hunter. There are a couple of annoying bugs but those didn’t stop me from really enjoying this entry.

Undead Horde is a surprisingly deep hack ‘n’ slash RPG that not only succeeds at being interestingly unique, but excels as far as strategic variation is concerned. The amount of content on offer, despite its tendency of becoming slightly repetitive from time to time, is quite simply commendable. Bottom Line? Whilst far from Diablo’s standards, this adventure is bound to keep you hooked and entertained for hours on end.

Aside from the lack of online co-op, Battletoads is put together beautifully, with tremendous hand animated graphics, well written and witty storyline, and tight controls which made me very happy as I was fighting my way through the enemies.

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.

Comparisons will no doubt be drawn to Overcooked, but to simply judge Catastronauts based on that alone would be somewhat of a disservice. High praise goes to the developer for their clever level design, and in particular, for how well the game’s diverse mechanics come together to produce such an engaging co-op experience. Short it may indeed be, but even so, Catastronauts is massively entertaining.

Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet isn’t as well rounded as other RPGs. There are far too many loading screens, and the combat will be very hit-and-miss for many. That being said, the game offers a surprising amount of depth in both play and progression. Furthermore, the story remains interesting throughout, and doesn’t at all alienate newcomers. Fatal Bullet may not be perfect, but it’s action-packed, engaging, and immersive, nevertheless.

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.

The mixture of exploration and puzzle solving is solid but the unsettling weirdness of its location and story is what makes Broken Pieces a must play for all point and clickers out there.

KeyWe has plenty to offer you with so many different styles of levels. It’s a brilliant co-op adventure and I enjoyed every level. It’s a challenge to get gold, but not to the point where it starts fights – we still had so much fun trying for it. If you’re looking for a new game to play co-op, look no further.

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.

Bomber Crew is tense, exhilarating and often purposely overwhelming. The main drawback here sits with the game’s mouse-suited UI and its, at times, frustrating moments of play. Persevere, however, and you’ll find a deep, complex and engaging experience that’s massively rewarding. Don’t be fooled by its cutesy and colorful design, because if anything, Bomber Crew means business.

Silt takes a solid concept, uses its ideas smartly, and doesn’t out stay its welcome. A few niggles aside, this is a great way to spend a few hours solving the mysteries of the depths below and the diver seemingly stranded within it.

Overall, Mirrored Souls is an enjoyable, surprisingly tough puzzle title with a well-implemented dual-control mechanic. The Bricks Studio make sure to make good use of the various mechanics they introduce, and for those looking for a new puzzler to see them through a few evenings this will do nicely.

The Inner Friend is creepy, abstract, touching, and something that will get under your skin. There’s a story here that is relatable, yet presented in a way that captures the exaggerated-ness of a child’s imagination. Movement is a little fiddly, and it’s all over quickly, but the experience is still one that will stick with us for some time yet.

Lawn Mowing Simulator did something to me that I didn’t think possible by grabbing my attention so well I didn’t want to play other games for awhile. While obviously a niche game Lawn Mowing Simulator does what it says it will do and does it well. If you have the slightest amount of curiosity about the game, I’d recommend it for sure.

Overall Gotham Knights is a fantastic single-player game and an even better coop experience. Fans of the Arkham series will be right at home and inexperienced players will pick the gameplay up with very little difficulty. Beautiful skyscapes, brutal combos, and unreal levels of customizability put Gotham Knights right up there with some of the best Comic Book Video Games.

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.

So I am actually impressed with Nobody Saves the World. Drinkbox Studios have a very fun and interesting graphical design about their games although on first impression they can seem a bit childish when you see the haunting eyes of some of your forms you realise it is for a slightly more mature audience. The way they have handled progression in this game is a breath of fresh air and I look forward to playing this game through to completion.

Deep, vast, and hilarious, Party Golf is one of the finest party games available on the Xbox One. The only real issue is that the game’s procedurally generated courses can prove to be a hindrance as far as spawning in concerned, but this only occurs infrequently. The bottom line is that if you’re looking for something that’s heavily customizable, constantly outlandish, and totally unique, Party Golf will serve you and all of your buddies well. Don’t miss out.

Rune Factory 4 Special is a mammoth game with tons of content for those that are fans of the genre. It is hobbled by some strange High-definition upgrade choices.

When things are flowing smoothly and we’re swinging and jumping all over the place, it’s as fun as we could hope it to be. That classic collect-a-thon itch is well and truly scratched, the pixel art visuals are lovely to look at, and there’s a charm to the whole thing that just makes it a joy to play at the end of a hard day.

MotoGP 18 offers a refined and diverse motorcycle racing experience that comes with some solid physics and decent elements of play. There’s plenty of options to tune the gameplay however you see fit, which ultimately makes for a very deep and accessible racer. The visuals are hardly impressive and there’s certainly room for improvement, but on the whole, this is one of the better titles in the series so far.

Regions of Ruin is an enjoyable and compelling mix of role-playing, exploration, city-building, and crafting (and more) done right. It’s easy to pick up and play and varied enough in it’s execution to keep it interesting. It’s fun and easy to recommend.

Visually compelling, and smartly written Mothmen deserves to be talked about in the same breath as the other great narrative games released in 2022.

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.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood may not be quite what I expected in a new entry to the series, but damn, if it isn’t good. The ‘live service’ additions detract slightly from the experience, but that glorious combat more than makes up for it. Add in some wonderfully crafted play spaces to explore (if only there was a couple more) and you’ve got yourself a great way to spend a weekend. The main campaign will be over quick, but while it lasts, it’s great, wholesome, Nazi killing fun.

Styx: Blades of Greed is unrepentantly a stealth game, and this instalment adds a lot of new features and mechanics but makes sure to never move to far away from what has made this series appealing – skulking in the shadows.

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD is a blast from the past that is now available on current-gen Xbox and I couldn’t be happier. Fans that have nostalgia for the game will definitely enjoy the quality of life and visual updates the game has to offer. New gamers will find unique gameplay in this first-person/third-person action adventure game with an … odd … western vide.

The game’s enhancements and quality of life improvements are wonderful, not only making it look much better and more refined, but giving it a management fluidity that the original version lacked. You’ll need to forgive some delayed rendering and the odd drop in framerate, but for the most part, the entire package holds up remarkably. Putting it simply, Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition is the best way to play Borderlands on console.

Are you interested in a game within a game but at the same time having to determine what is real and what isn’t? Then CorpoNation: The Sorting Process might just be for you. Overall, this game was great and the gameplay loop of waking, working, relaxing was honestly enjoyable. Coupled with the accessibility options meaning I didn’t have to pull my hair out and the fact I could use a mouse or play natively on PC made for a better time. If you are into quirky games and don’t think everything great is tied to high fidelity visuals than I would give CorpoNation: The Sorting Process a shot.

Redeemer: Enhanced Edition, although not quite as robust as its contemporaries, is one hell of a bloody good game. Everything from its progression, its pacing, and its core functionality, right through to its combat diversity and its play depth, remains constantly gratifying and energetic throughout. Despite some issues with its performance and its insipid level design, fans of the brawler concept will absolutely love what’s on offer here.

Apart from a few niggling bugs my overall experience of Battlefield 2042 was great. I had a blast sharpening my skills and learning the new mechanics of the game, like the addition of changing the capture points to sectors sometimes battling for 3 objectives in point A, bringing more tactics into your play. With a 10 hour trial thanks to Game Pass/EA Play subscriptions, I would highly recommend at the very least checking the game out this way – I think you’ll enjoy it!

While the addition of the extra dimension brings a few niggles to the precision platforming that simply weren’t there in the original, overall Super Meat Boy 3D retains a lot of what made the original game great – with snappy restarts, generally tight controls, tricky challenges and a lot of reason to go back and beat personal records or find hidden secrets.

What a zero-stress game Disney Illusion Island Starring Mickey & Friends was! Gaming doesn’t always have to have strict limits and fast paced action and this proves that. Is it going to move the needle for the platforming genre? Probably not, but it was fun and didn’t overstay its welcome. Throw in co-op, accessibility for all skill levels, and it’s a metroidvania and as far as I’m concerned that’s always a winning combo. If this sounds like something that would fit your gaming lifestyle at this point in your life, I say check it out.

Aggelos is a love letter to fans of classic side-scrolling platformers. Despite a few glaring issues, the game achieves greatness through staying true to its formula, through not holding back on its difficulty, and through maintaining a pace that effortlessly keeps things interesting and unique. Whilst this may not be the best adventure of its kind, it’s certainly high up there, and in the midst of so many retro-inspired releases, that’s a feat in itself.

The game can feel like a chore if tackling the beginning alone, but it does become more bearable with new abilities. The visuals are lacking in general detail, but were updated and are noticeably different. Ignoring minor bugs with visuals, lag, no singleplayer choice, there is a quality game here that adds to the ever-changing library of Game Pass. Give it a go!

Sorry, We’re Closed is going to hit a set of people in their early 2000s nostalgia. For the rest there is a weird and compelling game that feels like a throwback that is also fresh.

The Crew 2 is much bigger and much better than its predecessor. It’s not perfect by any means, but it does tick many of the boxes that it desperately needed to, nevertheless. Issues with the lack of map engagement and the T-800 AI to the side, The Crew 2 offers a robust and gorgeously detailed racing experience. It’s accessible, fairly deep, well rounded and thoroughly entertaining, for the most part.

Detective Di: The Silk Rose Murders is a wonderfully brief point and click adventure that throws the player in the thick of a murder investigation. Di and all the other characters may not have voice actors, but that doesn’t take away form the feeling of true quality on this game, especially with how small the developer staff was while making this Kickstarter project years ago. This is a decent port over to consoles and the developers fixed the broken achievements in the game very quickly after launch. Apart form minor nuisances like inventory usage or lack of facial features for some models, this game is fun to experience. Gorgeous art with enjoyable music appropriate for the Tang Dynasty of ancient years past. For the amount of detail and time invested in making this game, it is accurately priced on the Xbox market. If a sale ever happens for it, I would say it’s a must buy for point and click fans or if you’re looking for a decent adventure title with an enthralling story and cool art.

The visuals are amazing, the game is simple and it has a heart, that I can say about Minecraft Legends. There are things that could’ve been done better and it’s not as complex as the Civilization games – or any strategy game for that matter – but Mojang and Blackbird Interactive get my respect for venturing off into the unknown and finding a treasure like this.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a game that I enjoy playing for a few hours at a time. While I do enjoy the game for what it offers, it can get tiring at certain points and put a strain on your hands and fingers. I’ve been playing rhythm games for years so for beginners it may be a bit daunting and irritating at first. It sucks that 500+ songs are behind DLC and you shouldn’t get it unless you’re absolutely sure that this is something you want to sink your time in. Given that Xbox doesn’t have that many rhythm game options I would recommend Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival as a perfect jumping-off point for those looking to get the beat moving.

Blue Fire grew on me as I progressed through the game, it really opened up and became a joy to play once my moveset started to expand. Anyone craving a 3D action platformer that borrows from some of the best games ever made should give this a try. I think by not going overboard and sticking with a reasonably sized world that is filled with NPC’s and secrets the developers created something that shines and could burn for some time to come.

Nine months is a bit too long of a wait for this DLC to truly recommend returning to the game for, but newer players who will have it folded into their organic playthrough are in for a tough but enjoyable addition to an already excellent game.

A Fold Apart was a game that hit close to home for me. Given the current circumstances in the world today I take it I won’t be alone. It is definitely a game that will tug at your heart strings. Besides a few glitches and repetitive puzzles at times, A Fold Apart has a meaningful story that many will enjoy.

God of Weapons may not be as refined as Vampire Survivors to knock them off their perch as the best rogue-like survival game. But I think it does plenty to provide a fun alternative. I like the variety of characters, unlockables and objectives as it keeps the game fresh and interesting. It’s very easy to pick and play, and not difficult to master.

While a few tweaks could have seen it reach the next level, what we get within Scars Above is a fun, challenging adventure that we could quite happily have seen stretch on for a few more hours above our 11 hour playtime. The use of various offensive elements that can be combined is great, while the gadgets generally are good to use as well. Wrapped up in a world that feels vast without actually being too big, this is a solid title for those looking for a little challenge over the course of a few evenings.

To me, Totally Reliable Delivery Service is a cute rag doll game which in my opinion is meant to be played with friends. As I have stated before the single-player experience turns somewhat lacking and you’ll find yourself getting tired and bored easier after a couple of dozen deliveries. Playing online or with friends is what you need to do to gain the full experience and richness of the game. If you do that I promise you that you won’t be disappointed.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s nice to be surprised by a game. Narrative heavy games aren’t typically my style, but this one is humorous enough and the core gameplay mechanic of accepting and denying people entry to the kingdom kept me coming back for more. The concept was simple but the extra mechanic twists were welcomed. If it just had some shorter load times (I don’t know why they were so long!) I wouldn’t have much of anything negative to say. I think fans of the old school Lucasarts point and clicks would really dig Lil’ Guardsman.

Gigantosaurus The Game is a very friendly and easy going title which will provide hours distraction for young children and fun the whole family. It is not too difficult to play and there is a good balance of puzzles, collectable items, races and cut scene animations to keep everyone amused and entertained. It is likely to lose its appeal once the kids reach a certain level of maturity, but it is definitely recommended for families with younger children that need a good diversion and older family members who can jump in and out to help if anyone gets stuck.

After 8 years the vanilla career mode got its big update, and the new features have the potential to bring lapsed players back. However, despite the positives, a poorly implemented new handling model means that at launch the game is held back from its full potential. We’ll be keeping an eye on it as Codemasters update things, but for now go in with some caution.

Rage 2’s main drawbacks sit with its uninteresting story and its awkward, convoluted structure of progression. If you’ve both the forgiveness and the patience to overlook all of that, a shooter that deals in explosive action and sheer depth awaits. Rage 2 is all about having a mindless blast, and between its vastly varied combat, its interesting world, and its diverse gameplay, it certainly delivers on that front, and then some.

Constantly tense and surprisingly varied, Darkwood offers a new take on the tired genre, one that never relies on needless scares and cheap tactics to set its captivating, grim atmosphere. Here, you’re simply thrown to the unknown and left to fend for yourselves by any means necessary, with no hand-holding whatsoever, and no easy way out. Despite a few issues, Darkwood offers everything a great survival horror should, and more besides.

My Brother Rabbit’s dual story offers a charming, warm and somewhat emotional adventure. Special mention goes to the game’s gorgeously drawn artwork, together with its wonderful soundtrack. It’s easily the most distinct point-and-click game that we’ve seen from Artifex Mundi so far, and despite its lack of difficulty, it’s a journey worth taking, one that’s filled with character and splendor throughout.

Anima: Gate of Memories – The Nameless Chronicles is a surprisingly deep RPG that offers a rich and interesting story, fast-paced combat and the freedom to explore its world however you see fit. Issues with its poor voice acting and somewhat dated visuals to the side, Anima is one hell of a fluid experience that seamlessly combines several well developed functionalities together to produce a memorable adventure.

These slight performance hitches aside, I really enjoyed my time with The Last Cube. It offers a different spin on puzzle platformers that manages an excellent difficulty balance throughout, giving the old noggin a good workout without making things too hard despite the potential for doing so.

In conclusion, Long Ago: A Puzzle Tale was a wonderful experience. A decent length of a game for the low price as well. This game is a must play for those who are into directional puzzle games. What I’ll remember most from this project though was the music and visuals. It would be amazing if the developers added the other tracks into casual play considering how well they sounded. The developers really put love and effort into the project and it shows. An excellent Indie title, albeit simple in design. The game may appear short, but there is incentive to return.

I had a rather great time with Journey to the Savage Planet. With bright visuals full of colour and character sucking you in and some funny, engaging writing encouraging progression, Typhoon have done a solid job on their first outing. Great exploration and combat are just the icing on the cake, with more than enough to do to keep you coming back for some time.

Stay isn’t going to be for everyone. This is less of a traditional game and more of an interactive dialogue-heavy experience with a theme that largely revolves around motivation, self-esteem, will-power and anxiety. Stay’s clever “the clock is always ticking” mechanic holds up really well, as does the main character’s mood system. Though, issues with delayed input and the, at times, irritating pace, holds it back slightly.

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.

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