Little Orpheus is an experience more than it is a game. This hilarious story takes you on a wild ride with awesome aesthetics and funny quips all over the place. Where the simple and sometimes boring gameplay lacks, the narrative picks up the pieces tenfold. Don’t go in expecting a challenge and you’ll enjoy your time.

Cult of the Lamb might not have the most complex systems, but it has a magnitude of quick and fun activities for you to engage in, and everything fits together wonderfully. The management system can feel a little frustrating at first while you learn the ropes, and there were many times when I just wanted to get back to the frantic action of the dungeon diving portion, but once you understand the best ways to proceed you’ll have a ton of fun just like I did. Massive Monster have created a winning combination here and they plan to add more content in the future so I’ll definitely keep my eyes open for it because I would love to continue my tenure as a cult leader.

For those who like a bit of fast, hectic scrolling shooter action, Andro Dunos II II is worth a look. Some lovely, detailed visuals help sell the madness, while the abilities on offer to the player are good, if a bit cumbersome to get to grips with. It’s not my favourite example of the genre then, but still a fun evening or two to be had for those interested.

Thymesia is a game that has a story as complex as the pronunciation of the title itself. If a brutally tough game that puts your reflexes, memory and patience to the test like many Dark Souls-type games then there is some joy for you here. The combat is tricky to master but fast and fluid. If you are willing to commit yourself to the game and repetition doesn’t phase you then I would recommend you try this out.

PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC is not only a mouthful to say but it’s a great take on the game from yesteryear. PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC is the remastered version of PAC-MAN WORLD and it holds up great. The platforming is crisp and fun. I really like taking a beloved character like Pac-Man and changing his gameplay mechanics on their heads. You get the best of both worlds of classic Pac-man and classic platforming gameplay. Recommend!

Tinykin has utterly caught me off guard in all the best ways. It’s a joy to play from start to finish, with simple yet fun mechanics letting us explore this giant house and find something new and exciting in every nook and cranny. A lack of real challenge lets it down a fraction, but that’s a small gripe in what is otherwise an excellent experience.

You can tell a lot of time and effort has gone into making F1 Manager to be as polished and as detailed as it is, I genuinely wasn’t expecting this much detail and depth as a first entry into the series. F1 Manager can easily be labelled as the best F1 Management game ever and I hope all fans of management and strategy games pick this up and enjoy it as much as I am!

Destroy All Humans 2 Reprobed in my opinion is better than the original due to the fact that there is more for players to do as it has more variety. While the game takes a more goofy and playful tone to the whole “conquer the human race” trope, it still proves itself to be a fun experience that any player should try out.

Saints Row is a new take on the franchise, one that focuses heavily on the RPG aspect of the game. It’s a fun underdog story set in the beautiful Saint Elos about this new version of the Saints. The customization options to make your boss truly your own delivers in such a remarkable fashion. However, it is the number of glitches and bugs that hurt the game’s reputation.

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.

Aniquilation is a twin-stick shooter that seems to have forgotten it is a twin-stick shooter, or that putting so much mayhem on the screen at once doesn’t always equal fun. Shooting seems to be the attack I am using the least and although the game looks pretty enough it’s not really a joy to play for me.

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.

We cleared all of the rooms in roughly 5 hours over a couple of nights, and we had a blast doing so. The lack of replayability aside, there’s a lot to enjoy within Escape Academy. Each room feels different enough, even when all we’re doing is finding another four digit number or word, and the fluffy tale underpinning the affair is easy enough to just sit back and enjoy without too much thought. Launching into Game Pass was a great choice, hopefully exposing it to more players, and whether you play it alone or in co-op, this is a great way to spend an evening or two.

After Wave: Downfall will no doubt attract many achievement-hunting players, but Shoot ‘em Up enthusiasts looking for something new and different should also consider picking up the game. The gameplay is fast and fun, it has a unique aquatic setting and viewpoint, and it provides a great challenge to anyone willing to work their way through each of the difficulties.

RimWorld is a difficult game starting out. Your community will either die from starvation or will be killed by enemy factions or wildlife. That’s normal. It will take an hour at most to get a grasp on what needs to be done and figure out how the controls on the console work. Once everything becomes a fluid motion you’ll feel satisfaction from having your community thriving and surviving. RimWorld Console Edition has a big learning curve and will need players invested if anything is expected to come out of it. Give it the love it needs and players will have a surprisingly enjoyable experience.

As I mentioned earlier it’s hard to review games like The Quarry without spoiling the story, but I hope I’ve been able to whet your appetite enough with what could easily be Supermassives best entry to date. With the beautifully crafted scenery, soundtrack and great cast it’s certainly one I’ll be playing again and again once I get my Series X version!

The We Were Here series is in a class of its own, and Forever is the best entry yet. Grab a buddy and get ready to test both your brains over about 15 hours of gameplay that constantly impresses and brings new things to the table.

I was very surprised by Endling – Extinction is Forever. I enjoyed it for the most part, with a lovely visual style and story, although the gameplay felt a bit repetitive at times which held it back slightly.

Fans of 90’s style platformers will want to check out Adventures of Chris. It can feel a bit unfair at times, especially in regards to the boss fights, but persevere and there’s a decent platform adventure to be found here.

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.

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.

As someone who plays horror titles as often as I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there have been few titles to truly give me a scare, but MADiSON is one that has delivered in every aspect. It’s not often you’ll find me raving about a near-perfect horror game but for me, this one may well be up there for me as one of the best horror titles available hands down, and without a doubt one of the best titles of 2022.

Severed Steel is a must have for this year, nothing else has come close in a long time to distilling the definition of ‘fun’ into a video game.

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.

Overall and whilst MX vs ATVs arrival on current-gen consoles was always one we were going to expect, it’s shocking to see it arrive in such a poor state. With glitches galore and a real lack of polish all around, what has long been an exciting series release has this time turned into something that feels like a rushed release that would have really benefitted from utilizing the extra power of current generation consoles to push out something spectacular rather than another general churned out release. Unfortunately, this isn’t one I want to recommend.

All in all, Bright Memory Infinite might not quite live up to the hype it built up two years ago, but it’s still a solidly made and presented shooter. The action is fast and hectic, and the sword and glove powers are great fun to use and upgrade. A few niggles aside, you should consider checking this out if you’re after a bit of fun but brainless shooting.

Urban Flow is a clean, simple puzzle game that can lead to some frantic multi-tasking. If that appeals then this is must have.

Overall, whilst the combat could be improved, and if I’m being picky the enemy types could have been expanded upon, the 10–12-hour playtime is worth investing if you enjoy horror and want something refreshing to give you a scare. There may have been multiple horrors to have arrived recently, but this one certainly stands up there as one of the better releases of 2022, whilst the story is one that sticks in the mind from the opening moments and continues after the controller goes down at the end of the evening.

The story had me pretty hooked throughout even if it was a bit confusing at times, and the seeds of a decent idea in the time limited puzzle exploration scenes are there. But every time I started to find my rhythm with Of Bird and Cage I’d get tripped up by a scene, be it bugs or simply poor design choices, and end up feeling off tempo entirely.

Final Vendetta is exactly what it wanted to be; a side-scrolling beat-em-up that can sit with the likes of Streets of Rage and Final Fight. And it does a pretty good job in doing so. The graphics have a great retro feel, the music is great, and the characters have different and interesting moves. It’s just a shame it’s so hard, missing continues and lacking online play.

As Dusk Falls is a stellar example of the narrative adventure genre. A fantastic cast of characters are used brilliantly throughout, with twists and turns galore. The sheer breadth of choice and consequence mean there is scope for several playthroughs, and even when we’re bouncing between characters there’s cohesiveness to the story rarely found in gaming. Top it off with a stunning art style and soundtrack and we have not only one of the best examples of the genre, but one of the best titles of the year so far.

Ultimately REDO! left me wanting to go back to other metroidvanias rather than to put more time into this one. The slower traversing of the land and the unforgiving combat just doesn’t fit my preferences but that doesn’t mean REDO! is a bad game. I would recommend anyone interested in REDO! to check out the gameplay and if your interest is still piqued then give it a go. The artwork is pleasant and the puzzles required to progress may appease you more than it did me.

I’ve very much enjoyed my time with Freshly Frosted. It’s proven to be a nice game to unwind with after the work day, with challenges that are pitched just about right for the most part. Wrapped up in a cute and whimsical story and art style, this is a refreshing puzzler that stands out from the crowd.

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.

Sonic Origins is a great example of packing classic games together and improving them for a modern audience. The added mission modes are the stand out, but the games themselves still play just as good as ever, especially with the new Anniversary mode. Pre-order lock out nonsense aside, this is a fantastic way to experience the classics.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong feels like a bit of a flat, confused mess. The story has some intrigue about it and the characters are interesting but some of the conversations had in the game are so serious that it sometimes feels mundane. If you like detective games with a twist then there is some joy to be had here but I feel it is a bit of a disservice to vampires.

At first, I was a little disappointed that Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue DX wasn’t really a roguelite, since it lacks any penalty for death, but then I quickly found myself having a blast – beating the game in one sitting. I love games where I can just kick back, relax, and not have to worry about missing important elements of the game or achievements and this game fits that description perfectly. If you’re looking for a quick and fun distraction, Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue DX could be just the thing to extinguish your boredom.

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!

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.

Much like it’s predecessor, Drunken Fist 2: Zombie Hangover is capable of providing a few laughs at times, but it wears out its welcome very quickly and feels like it has taken a step or two backwards rather than forwards.

Overall players can get a lot of playtime and enjoyment out of this collection, but the fact that the game lacks a typical multislot save system really hurts the product. If you like RPG games and want to try something different or have played gamebooks like the ones this is based on, then Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is worth a try.

Sadly, whilst Dolmen is a game that may have been well suited 10 or 15 years ago, with a ton of souls-likes already out there such as The Surge, Hellpoint, Mortal Shell, Nioh, and so on, there is a lot to achieve if you want to make it as a memorable experience in the action RPG genre, and Dolmen doesn’t stand up there with the cream of the crop already available.

A slightly risque, 2D action RPG is how I would describe Lost Ruins. It has a unique combat system with a wide variety of weapons, spells, and items, giving you plenty of options to tackle your foes. Some might say it has too many options and the constant pausing to swap things around takes away from the gameplay, others will like this approach. Don’t be fooled by the game’s Metroidvania appearance, it lacks a few key components, and you won’t get lost working your way through this linear adventure, but I think it has just enough to keep fans interested.

If you love Metroidvania games, Moolander is very similar to those such as Ori and is packed with quality content. The gameplay at times feels as if this was intended to be a mobile game, well that’s because that is how Moo Lander started out in 2013. This game has been in development for years and the love from the developers shows in their product they’ve made together. Moo Lander was inspired heavily by Ori and plays much like it with a simpler design from a significantly smaller group. The story is engrossing and cooky enough to entertain those looking for a simple singleplayer story. There are multiplayer elements with Moo Lander such as couch coop game modes and PvE & PvP, but the story is the key part for this indie developed game.

Super Perils of Baking is a modern game with an old retro 16-bit soul. Tough platforming with even tougher challenges and secrets await you through these 50 stages. Overall Super Perils of Baking will test your skills and I do recommend it to 2D platforming fans. Gamers looking to get into platforming will find better games but Super Perils of Baking wouldn’t be the worst choice either.

Soundfall can be fun and certainly offers a fresh look on rhythm action games. It doesn’t manage to find the compelling magic though.

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.

Low-poly horror is all the rage it seems, but few titles pull it off as well as Janitor Bleeds. Smart pacing, clever use of mechanics, and an excellently crafted atmosphere combine to make a great indie horror title.

Will Die Alone is a decent narrative adventure that handles difficult topics with a light touch and some decent writing. A single playthrough is less than 15 minutes at best, but those looking to fully explore the tale will need to play it through a few times at least. It won’t captivate like some titles in the genre, but for what we get there is a decent evening to had.

After playing Souldiers for a few dozen hours I can say that it has a ton of potential, despite its issues I continue to want to play the game when I sit down and turn on my Xbox. The Metroidvania side of the gameplay really shines – the abilities, exploration, and world-building – but the game is marred by bugs and problematic design decisions that make the difficult souls-inspired combat feel less rewarding and much more frustrating. If the game was released without many of these issues I could see myself scoring it much higher but as it is, Souldiers needs to head back to basic training before anyone else enlists in their army.

It might not stand shoulder to shoulder with the greats but for those looking for a new story driven FPS to play, Industria is one to check out.

The return of Kao The Kangaroo after a prolonged hibernation is both a blessing and a curse. Blooming with colour, bolstered by simple pick up and play stylings, and presented as a glittering throwback to the golden age of platformers, all help Kao to blossom beautifully. Yet Kao’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness, as it fails to bring anything new to a grounded genre formula, nor is it long enough to stay ingrained in the memory as it’s over all too soon. You might think it impolite to ask why of all classic platformers did Kao have to come back after all these years, and even though you might still ponder this upon completion, you may just find that this return was well worth investing time into.

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.

Retro gamers or those of a certain vintage will find something to enjoy here, but if you’re outside of that demographic this is a title that’ll likely not last a long time on the hard drive.

Not a belting success nor a show stopping flop, Evil Dead: The Game is buried in a misty purgatory that it can’t shake itself out of. The atmosphere is potent, the combat is visceral and strong despite its heaviness, and there’s certainly a good potential for multiplayer pleasures here. But much like the characters’ clothing, sweat-dabbled skin and blood-soaked exteriors, The Evil Dead can start to stink of the same old formulaic multiplayer games we’ve played before. However, if you want a good time with mates The Evil Dead will do in a pinch, just don’t expect this nightmare to last long.

Wildcat Gun Machine delivers some great sound and art design but unfortunately that doesn’t make up for lack of explanations and repetitive gameplay loops. I do think isometric shooter fans may want to check it out but gamers wanting to try the genre have better choices out there.

Despite starting off negatively (the bugs and glitches can easily be fixed with patch), overall I had a good time with Sniper Elite 5, I’d highly recommend every Game Pass member download this and give it a go, whilst fans of the series will also be happy with the new content and Nazi ball-busting opportunities.

With some grit and determination you may find something to enjoy in Blow & Fly, but for most I feel it’ll be a title that is removed from the playlist shortly after starting it. A neat-on-paper but awkward-in-practice mechanic just doesn’t have what it takes to keep us invested for long.

Despite some flaws, I’ve enjoyed my time with Source of Madness, but it’s not a roguelite where I want to start over as soon as I fail. I think the art design and Lovecraft theme help it stand out in a crowded market, and even though it’s filled to the brim with madness it’s nowhere close to being at the top of the mountain.

If you enjoy the very hard ‘old school’ style of platformer, you might find something to like with Trophy. For me though, it just went to show how far we’ve come in gaming, with too many quirks and annoyances we’ve long moved past rearing their unwelcome heads again. There are better ‘modern-retro’ games out there to play.

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.

Less content, less interesting, crippled by bizarre design decisions and bugs. Rico London feels like a weak test run for its precursor rather than a fully fledged sequel.

Gem Wizards Tactics for me feels like a half-decent PC game that has struggled to be remade for a console. It’s quite clear that a mouse would make all the menu navigation a lot easier. It would also help explain what all the skills are if you hovered over them. But the clunky controls, impossible menu navigation and weirdly short story mode made me lose interest in this game pretty quickly.

The Wanderer is an interesting look at the Frankenstein story and the visuals are appealing. However, what is here is a little predictable and the binary choices don’t inspire the imagination.

Overall, Bugsnax is likely to be a game that will sit well with the younger audience or casual gamers thanks to its minimalist approach and vibrant and colorful game world. Those wanting a meaningful experience are likely to find the systems in play here too linear and predictable and with no real pull to keep you going, it’ll only remain interesting for as long as you feel entertained by finding new food/creature hybrids. It’s not a bad game, but it’s not one that fills its full potential either.

All in all though, I’m not sure really about whether I enjoyed Paratopic enough to recommend it. It’s fairly priced for what it is but at the same time, and much like Baltoro’s Fatum Betula, it seems to layer on the weird for the sake of it, hoping that there can be some more depth or meaning pulled out of it by the player. If you like a bizarre tale that won’t take long to be then check it out, but the average player is probably going to be put off before they even begin.

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.

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.

Without wanting to sound preachy, just know that you’ve never played anything like The Stanley Parable, and this Ultra Deluxe edition just expands on that in ways I couldn’t have foreseen. There are a lot of titles that gain short term notoriety thanks to the memes or streamers reacting, but this will outlast anything else that has come before and deserves to be considered one of the very best game experiences of all time.

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.

Overall, if you’re someone who has only found their way to the underrated world of Kingdoms of Amalur with this remastered package, then the Fatesworn DLC will be a nice way to seal off the adventure and is well worth a look, although maybe consider a sale given the price point. If you’re simply wanting to return after having already enjoyed everything on offer, then this isn’t a bad adventure by any means and with a nicely rounded off story come the end, this is a good way to completely end your time with one of the finest RPG tales of its day. Graphically it hasn’t aged well, even in remastered fashion but it’s a decent tale all the same.

Some great ideas are hobbled by awkward execution in Winter Ember. For every bright spark there are a handful of quirks and issues that are just too prevalent to overlook. It’s just a shame that the parts don’t form a cohesive whole, and instead we’re left with a game that is stuck in the shadows of the greats.

As much as I’m left wanting for proper lightgun support – and a few extra modes – I can’t deny being utterly thrilled to see The House of the Dead back on my screen. The visual up-spuff is great, and MegaPixel have remained as true as they possibly could to the original game’s gameplay and beats. Even using a controller HotD is great fun, and those who haven’t spent the best part of 25 years playing it will just be treated to a gloriously fun arcade experience.

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

Overall and if you like horror games that pick up on typically used tropes or ones that have atmospheric tension dripping from every angle, then Ikai is probably going to call out to you. If you’re wanting a polished Japanese scare-fest, then you may want to either wait for a few updates or skip this one until a sale rolls around. It’s not a game you should avoid entirely but even with incredible audio and fantastic atmospheric design, this isn’t likely to be the biggest horror you’ll play this year, but in the same breath it will be far from the worst.

Detective games usually shoehorn players down prescribed paths and direct you to what needs doing and when. Paradise Killer rejects such linear design and instead counters it fantastically, offering up a substantial level of freedom in both how you tackle your enquiries and the way the conclusions pan out. The agency Paradise Killer offers players makes you feel like the godmother of all gumshoes, and it looks ravishing to boot. You might be put off by its text-ample nature and exploring can make you feel like you don’t know where to go at times, but such criticisms are folly when the freedom at your disposal is so enticing. Unlike Eddie Money’s hit you only need one ticket to this paradise, and you should certainly take it.

The art style alone might be worth giving RPG Time: The Legend of Wright a look especially if you are a fan of adventure-style games. There were definitely some high points such as the mini-game where you catch fish using a musical piano bridge that plays the tune of London Bridge Is Falling Down as you catch the fish. Overall, however, the pace and the shallow gameplay made me wish there was a way to get some of my time back from RPG Time: The Legend of Wright.

Flat Kingdom Paper’s Cut Edition has made it’s way onto Xbox and while it’s not bad, it’s not great. Mediocre platforming mixed with simple yet convoluted mechanics that took my brain longer than it should to catch on made this for a very “meh” experience. At least it’s easy gamerscore though!

It might be on the long side but I still found myself wrapped up in the tale of Ms. Lace and her cohorts as they try to overthrow a monopolistic corporation. Well worth a look for those who enjoy visual novels with a side of not so subtle messaging behind it.

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

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.

Kombinera is a hell of a challenge, though at the same time its also quite fun to put ourselves to the test to try and best it. For such a simple premise, Graphite Labs have packed this charming puzzler with enough challenge to last us a long time indeed.

Mekabolt+ is a highly enjoyable puzzle platformer styled after those early 90’s titles us older gamers remember fondly. Quick restarts are a blessing, and for some quick and easy action then this is a decent title to check out.

Mages and Treasure is a lovely retro Zelda-inspired game but lacks the punch, depth and storytelling to really make it stand out as something worth checking out.

If Rise of the Third Power was a ‘AAA’ game, critics would be shouting from the roof top telling you to play this game, so this is me SHOUTING FROM THE ROOF TOP, telling you to go play Rise of the Third Power! It’s only April but I’d be surprised if any game released this year knocks this off my number one spot for game of the year.

Deep, complex, but easy to get into. Roguebook is a phenomenally good game.

Young Souls is a scrolling beat ’em up with a few more ideas thrown into the mix. You can change the path you take slightly, and you have to earn your increase in stats. The twin’s functionality is a cool touch and playing with a friend is way more fun than by yourself. The game is meant to test your skills and patience but the added option to make it an easier ride will make it more accessible.

Beat Souls is an interesting take on the musical rhythm game genre. They have managed to inject platform game elements into it which work pretty well and are tricky to master. The bright colours and animation are very vibrant and immersive but I feel it was let down by the audio as the sound effects don’t blend with the music and the music itself is pretty bland.

Like a sweet dream A Memoir Blue is short but memorable. The lovely music, visuals and touching story are resonating to behold, but the game underpinning it is shallow. It’s ironic that despite the depths of water Miriam dives into, it isn’t matched by the gameplay and meagre length. The general impression you’re left with after completion is only that its head of hair is wet, yet the body is still bone dry. You will be satisfied there’s enough water here to fill a paddling pool but not the depth nor the engagement necessary to convince you it’s a swimming pool.

At only a fiver Frightence is worth a look for those who fancy a short thrill ride, but the abrupt ending and slow pace of the game serve to undermine the decent world building and spooks Playstige did manage to squeeze in here.

I was concerned that revisiting such a highly regarded game almost a decade later might turn out for the worst, but it’s safe to say that GTA V is just as fun, chaotic, witty, and engaging as it was all those years ago. With the new Performance RT mode it looks better than ever while also allowing us the pleasure of playing at 60FPS on console for the first time. I’ve had a blast so far going back through the story, and I can’t wait to get back into the rest of the 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.

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”.

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.

All in all, I came away from Who Pressed Mute on Uncle Marcus? cooler than I had hoped. The campy story is fun at first, but the amount of repetition and the calculating nature of trying to gather a new bit of evidence rather than just following a well written and performed story began to grate on me after a while. Fans of the Wales Interactive’s other work should still check it out, and there’s fun to be had trying to gather new evidence, but I’d still point to something like The Complex as a prime example of how great this genre can be.

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

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.

Rugby 22 is probably the only rugby game out there, so there is little to compete with. That being said you can tell they have put a lot of effort into it and with it being a tough game to simulate to begin with, they have done all the right things. A few things need fleshing out, but once you’ve got your head around it, you will be having lots of fun.