Overall, 35MM is a dark and gritty experience that tells the tale of abandonment and isolation perfectly. It doesn’t always showcase the best visuals when it comes to animal or human modelling but if you want a game that can set a believable and creepy tone whilst showcasing the worst possible scenario, and you have 4-5 hours spare, then this is a game that you should really be looking to add to your collection. What you will find here isn’t game-changing, but it is a fantastic adventure that is well worth the once over at least.

FromSoftware has combined everything they learned while designing their past games and created something that will stand as a benchmark for years to come. Elden Ring is probably the most accessible game in their Soulsborne series, but it is very difficult. This difficulty and the esoteric nature of their design isn’t for everyone, but if you like fantasy RPGs there is no question as to whether you should give this a try. The amount of enjoyment, excitement, wonder, and reward I have felt while playing this game is unmatched. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything like it before. Elden Ring is easily the best game I’ve played so far this year, and I know it’s early but it should be in the discussion when talking about the greatest games of all time.

I don’t know who Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires is for. The base game has a big fan base and the 1 vs 1000 combat is always fun to wade through. That’s no exception here the combat is still as fun as it ever was but unfortunately, the maps all feel the same and that battlefield rarely changes. I can’t get any joy from the strategy element and for me, it sucks a lot of life out of the game for little reward.

Despite the slight dip in the middle, I came away from A Musical Story utterly won over. It has simple but effective gameplay, some excellent music, and a touching tale told entirely in its fantastic artwork and music.

What Lies in the Multiverse is a refreshing puzzle platformer that takes world jumping seriously. With fun puzzles and a humorous and deep story, this game is great. Be sure to talk to everyone and have a great time with it!

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

All told then, I was mightily underwhelmed by Crossfire X. While it’s not entirely without merit, there are far better shooters already out there – and on Game Pass – which meant I lost interest in this fast. Clunky combat and menus, requiring an additional purchase for the full campaign, and a bizarre one mode per map multiplayer set up all come together to define Crossfire X as a massive disappointment.

Overall, if you like creature catchers such as Pokémon, Nexomon, Temtem or any other inspired game of the same vein, then Monster Crown is another one that will join that list of options that can not only offer a significant number of monsters to get lost in but also provide a fair few hours of battling, levelling and breeding in a way we have become all too accustomed too over the years. It’s not original, it’s not unique, it’s not the best option out there, but it does offer more of what many players know and love on an Xbox console and for that reason, we’ll take it.

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

However, slight technical issues aside I feel confident in saying that Martha is Dead is one of the best titles I’ve played this year. Its gameplay mechanics are simple but put to use effectively, but it’s the narrative, themes, and the way this is all tied together that really stand out. It’s gruesome, grim, and will be hard to stomach for some people, but if you’re up for a truly gripping and thrilling tale, then Martha is Dead is a must play.

Overall, Super Toy Cars Offroad is just not good, at least not for me. I enjoy a goofy arcade racer intended for children occasionally and love classics like Mario Kart and Cruisin’ USA. This sadly lowered the bar of expectations for me from this developer in their near future. The last game took around 4-5 years to develop while this one was less than two years. It feels rushed when racing through the tracks and learning the levels becomes a chore with trying to manage the dreadful physics on top of normal map memorization. This makes it even more luck based having one lap work flawlessly, then getting thrown around and hitting invisible hitboxes taking the same path lap 2. At least the power ups aren’t overpowered and not a huge threat, which is sad to say about any racer with item usage and combat mechanics. The game isn’t hard, just needs more polishing to work out the issues. I would pick this game up only on new game sale if you love this genre or wait for a better sale in the future. You would have more fun just playing the second Super Toy Cars game, as I believe that’s the best entry yet. The shoddy gameplay for Offroad allows the music and visuals to outshine, even if they aren’t a beacon of light to bathe in.

All in all, Don’t Be Afraid is certainly not afraid to push certain boundaries, though whether you’ll get enjoyment out of that is down to your personal tolerance for child peril and harm in gruesome environments. Despite some unease at times I still enjoyed most of what the game offered, with some smart use of spooks and visual/audio work to really sell the horror at points. Horror game fans should at least look into Don’t Be Afraid, just make sure you’re braced for what’s ahead.

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.

Whilst Spirit Roots is not a bad title, it’s also not a title that will give you anything you haven’t seen or got already from any other title in the genre. It’s nice to look at and it might take you a few hours to push through all of the levels, but if you’re looking for anything more than the basics, you won’t find it here. The price point does shine a large positive with this title one of the cheaper new releases on the store, but with numerous other titles on the horizon, there should have been something a little more to Spirit Roots to ensure it stood out as a game you must play.

To put it bluntly – I really relived my youth playing this. Controls were as you should expect from a platformer of this nature, very good and responsive. The additions of powers gave the game some strategy; should I stick with the blue potion for my floaty jump or take a chance on this new potion which could give me a ninja strike or turn me into a wizard which gave me a range attack shot. The enemy type changed as you progress through the levels and were in theme with the level. An enjoyable little platformer, and one for those looking for some quick and easy gameplay.

Castle on the Coast is a a great choice for kids, newcomers to games, and 3D platforming fans. Harkening back to games of yesteryear this looks like it came from the Playstation. In association with Valley Children’s Hospital where the main character, George the Giraffe, this is a decent collectathon that won’t make you pull your hair out.

Infernax for me is a decent platformer that is aimed at the older market. They have added in a lot of adult references and gore to make sure you understand it is not for kids. There are some fun comical elements, wonderfully tough decisions with surprising outcomes and challenging bosses which will test your patience. I am glad games like this are still being made as there is still a lot of joy to be had with this formula.

Roll7 has gone above and beyond with their third skateboarding entry, OlliOlli World. It’s bursting with content and more is on its way. This game is perfect for veterans and newcomers alike, and the character customization is next level. What are you waiting for? Drop-in and ride.

KING OF FIGHTERS XV may not be the best game when it comes to the story but the fighting aspect fills those missing holes. Being able to feel this excited about a fighting game almost feels unreal in a way. With my little experience with the genre, KING OF FIGHTERS XV makes me want to improve in every way that I can. The fluidity of the combat, the strategic big brain plays, the beautiful and handsome character designs, it all comes together and shatters all my expectations I had going into KING OF FIGHTERS XV and I look forward to putting more countless hours into the game.

Nibb Games & Guimaraf Studio have created a superb puzzle platformer in Kinduo. It’s easy enough to blast through a few levels in just a few minutes but that doesn’t stop there being some clever level arrangements or at least some challenge. Exactly the type of indie title I like to see, and well worth checking out.

I’ve tried to see the good in The Dead Tree of Ranchiuna, but it just does everything in such a boring, bland, obtuse fashion that I cannot recommend anyone bother wasting their time with it. Outside of some passable music the game is just tedious and dull, and somehow even worse than the developers previous efforts. Avoid at all costs.

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.

Reverie Knights Tactics is a decent attempt at a strategy RPG. I found the combat quite similar to the publishers other game Fell Seal but not as complex or interesting. The story had potential but it lacked too much content so you didn’t get the background of the setting or the characters. But for 10 hours it’s still a fun playthrough if you enjoy this style of game but those puzzles will frustrate you.

First person puzzlers aren’t rare, but Summertime Madness is a great effort from DP Games to add to the growing entries in the genre. Outside of one incredibly sharp difficulty spike I enjoyed my time with it a lot. If you’re in for an evening or two of abstract puzzling then this gets a recommendation for sure, just have a walkthrough ready for that last section so as to not completely undermine the good experience up until that point.

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

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.

It might not be the best brawler out there but Breakneck City was still decent fun for the time I spent with it. Combat is surprisingly satisfying while the levels have more freedom of movement than I expected. The music and audio can safely be ignored though.

Now that I think about it I don’t think I’ve ever played a game advertising itself as dark, sexy, and mature that’s actually any good. Demoniaca: Everlasting Night continues that trend. There was a lot I didn’t like about this game, but I have to give them credit for trying something different. I think most players should steer clear of this tower of terror, but if you are looking for a Metroidvania that’s a little different as well as a frustratingly challenging experience then it might be worth checking out. It’s not the worst in the genre, but it’s far from the best.

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.

Dying Light 2 is an even better-looking game that the previous instalment in the series. I can quite easily see myself spends hours hunting down resources, exploring the game during the night and just finding everything that Dying Light 2 has to offer Not to mention that the story has layers upon layers, so you really do see and feel the consequences of your choices and actions. The game is so unique because of having such an expansive and multi layered zombie survival expereince. If Dying Light got Techland noticed, Dying Light 2 puts them squarely on the map as a big-time developer! If the game can live up to what I have experienced so far then we have a new benchmark for ambitious open world RPG-like Zombie Games.

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.

Overall, if you’re after a new co-op shooter to play with friends, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction isn’t a bad way to go. Sure it’s difficulty will be enough to turn some away, but should you stick with it, formulate a plan and not mind the frequent MIA operator in need of a saviour, what you’ll find is a competent multiplayer shooter that brings fantastic visuals and challenging gameplay to an already beloved franchise and with plenty of returning characters that players will know from before, this doesn’t feel like yet another game that you’ll need to learn from scratch. Is it worthy of being a fully-fledged game? I’m not so sure, but with it currently available on Xbox Game Pass, there is no reason to avoid checking out what is likely to be one of the years biggest shooters.

Again, I appreciated the retro visual style, and for all the weirdness of the experience I found myself wanting to see what the next ending would bring. That it is so short to run through is a blessing, but once more I’m not sure I could recommend this to anyone who isn’t really into esoteric, indie experiences.

Overall, S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored is a game that starts out really strong, but suddenly fades as if there is a lack of identity that’s taken over. Jump scares are relied upon too heavily throughout the game and whilst the puzzles aren’t bad at all, the enemies are appalling given the only real threat they pose is the radiation they give off which can be easily avoided. The idea of a dark scientific research project hidden within the radiation-contaminated depths of Chernobyl is certainly a money-making idea, but it has to be done right and sadly, this isn’t a game that ticks those boxes.

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.

Overall, if you like Overcooked! and are looking for more of the same that isn’t cheap and nasty like the several other options currently available on the store, Cannibal Cuisine isn’t a bad shout. It’s not overly priced, it’s got a fair challenge to keep you going for a while and the co-op play is seamless. Sure, meal variety could have been a little more exciting but for what it is, it’s not a bad effort and will certainly do the job until we hear from Overcooked! 3 at some point.

Excuse the cliché but Pupperazzi is not the dog’s bollocks – it’s the dog’s dinner. This isn’t to say Pupperazzi doesn’t possess some bright points, as its accessibility and the novelty of photographing dogs doing outlandish things is where the game’s charms shine through. However, once you dig deeper and deeper into what Pupperazzi has to offer, all that remains is a drove of simplistic and weightless objectives with no character or spirit to help salvage it. If you want a cheap and cheery photography game to spend a few hours with Pupperazzi will do in a pinch, but like an ageing show dog, the longer it goes on the more it loses its ability to entertain you.

Aeterna Noctis provides challenging platforming to the metroidvania genre. With a grueling souls like gameplay loop you will have to have to maintain a close eye on your health and be mindful of of where your soul is if you want your skills to progress. I think fans of Hollow Knight will find interest in this game.

While I might not have been able to relate to the stories personally, I still got some enjoyment out of A Year of Springs. Between the pleasant visuals and tales I would recommend players check this out as one of the better visual novels on Xbox.

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.

The racing in Gravity Chase is fin and the use of tubular and half pipe tracks means there’s less time worrying about crashing and more focus on the actual racing. The sense of speed, especially when boosting, is top notch even if it makes accurately hitting boost pads or pick-ups difficult at times. Unfortunately, the samey-feeling tracks and need to unlock them for each player count meant that my enthusiasm for playing dwindled far quicker than I’d have expected.

Anyone that loved the original will delight in playing Windjammers 2 (and that is unabashedly me). For those coming to this game for the first time would do well to look for good video tutorials.

A few sparks of potential is all The Anacrusis has but perhaps when it comes out of early access and gets a full release its litany of issues can be rinsed away. Until then it’s not worth anything more outside of a curious session or few thanks to how forgettable and unexciting the action, the serious lack of urgency and the horrid performance jankiness. The set dressing does offer some appeal, but the entire game needs to revel in the ideas the game clearly has in terms of how it’s presenting itself to players instead of strafing away from its commendable features. Stray Bombay has a fission of what The Anacrusis could be after a serious overhaul, but for now there’s nowhere near enough reason to give it a prolonged time commitment.

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.

If you are an Xbox gamer and have any interest in action roguelites and platformers I think it’s a no-brainer that you give Dead Cells a try – it is on Game Pass after all. The base game has a ton of content to enjoy, and if you like what you see then definitely consider picking up the DLC. Each one is only $5 USD and you can get them all together in a bundle at a reasonable discount. Motion Twin might have moved on from Dead Cells, but Evil Empire plans to stick with it and I look forward to seeing them make a fantastic game even better.

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.

All in all, Love Choice is a pleasant title to sit back and relax with for an hour or so of an evening. The stories are short and sweet and the interactivity is more than we’d expect from a visual novel.

All in all Red Ronin is a fantastic 8-bit styled, turn-based puzzle game that gave me hours of fun all the while challenging me in ways I didn’t expect from this title. The pixel graphics complimented it well, even though I have a bit of a soft spot for 8-bit and 16-bit games, it did impress me. The game did crash quite often at the time of playing on my Series X but the loading times made this more an inconvenience then an issue. The soundtrack complimented the game well and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m not a huge fan of puzzle games (with not being the sharpest tool in the shed) but I sure did have tons of fun.

Overall, if you’re looking for something that will keep you occupied for a few hours and doesn’t really require all that much concentration to see through to the end, then Timothy Vs the Aliens is likely to be able to tick that box, with a 3-4 hour run time enough to see it done and dusted. Should you want something that can bring engagement, excitement, and something to dig your teeth into, then unfortunately this isn’t going to be for you. Sure, with a little more development and a bigger budget we could have even seen something spectacular here, but as it stands currently, this is more of an empty shell and a load of fetch quests rather than a full-frontal defence against an alien invasion.

There’s not really much more to say about Horatio Goes Snowboarding. Visually it’s passable if hardly outstanding, while audibly I had to shut it off after just a few minutes thanks to some aggressively naff music and sound effects. The experience is slight and seems better suited to mobile or Switch gaming where you can pick it up for five minutes here and there rather than sitting in front of the big screen for any length of time. Fun enough in very short bursts but there are far better titles to stick the Xbox on for.

While the slow, awkward pace and systems might put off some early on, Vaporum: Lockdown is worth sticking with and investing the time to get to grips with. The grid based gameplay is somewhat refreshing in this day and age, and the sense of satisfaction in solving puzzles off our own back is good. UI and presentation wise things could have been better implemented for sure, but get lost in the world and there’s a lot to enjoy here.

Sadly, Mini Madness utterly squanders any sort of promise it may have had with dull driving icing the cake of boring track design, terrible music, and shoddy UI and modes. Even those looking for a simple racer to last an evening will likely turn this off after only a handful of races.

Aluna: Sentinel of the Shards is an uncomplicated hack’n’slash action RPG. It has enough elements to make it visually nice and simple to play, but the lengthy levels and repetition may cause you to suffer burnout pretty quickly. It can be played differently if you want to try melee, ranged or magic focused but I can’t see many wanting to revisit the game to play it a different way as it offers little replay value. But in terms of content, I can’t fault it definitely has plenty of hours worth of gameplay.

Despite its lacklusterness, it’s hard for me not to recommend Record of Lodoss War – Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth considering that it’s on Game Pass. If you like Metroidvanias, or action platformers, then it’s definitely worth a look. But if you are expecting a top-of-line experience like its inspiration Symphony of the Night, you’ll be disappointed. Wonder Labyrinth checks all the boxes and features some unique Team Ladybug ideas, but nothing about it stands out from the pack.

I was totally underwhelmed with the single player part of Asteroids, until I stumbled upon challenges. Short sharp specific focused game mode. These were exciting, with the fact I had a goal to work toward made playing it more enjoyable.

Serious Sam 4 almost had me with its fast gunplay and over the top action, but a reliance on sheer, overwhelming numbers and repetition meant that I began to get bored and frustrated far too quickly.

The crux of the matter is simple; Ball laB is a basic game with basic qualities. It has simplistic controls, a basic idea and some pretty common gameplay concepts that make up the entirety of the core experience, but all in all, Ball laB is a simple and effective game that comes bearing a wallet-friendly price, enjoyable and engaging gameplay and enough content to keep you interested just long enough to see the end. If you can handle basic pixel visuals, can bring a little patience and are happy to part with a little pocket change, you could find yourself enjoying a fairly decent platforming experience to see the year out. It’s not going to be one of the biggest games this year, it’s unlikely to even be remembered come the start of next year, but it’s not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.

Overall, if you are looking for a game that can provide a high-quality storytelling experience, whilst remaining engaging throughout, then there will be few better than The Letter – A Horror Visual Novel. Sure, you can blast through it with skip-text options and auto-play if you’re just here for the Gamerscore, but if you want to make the most of that money spent, then this is not a game that will disappoint. It brings classic horror to a complete narrative adventure, and it does it in a way that even few books manage to achieve. This is the first time a visual novel has left me anything but resenting its existence, and somehow this one even manages to be impressive. Hopefully, we see more horror visual novels given this same development effort.

For spoiler’s sake, I won’t go too much into the secret of what exactly is going on at Happy’s Humble Burger Farm but what I can say is that it is definitely an experience I enjoyed. A mixture of horror and a fast food simulator proved itself to be a very nice combo and I think any fan of horror games will thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Tunnel of Doom is a tight little package that has found a flourish on the roguelite formula that feels like more developers should be paying attention.

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.

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.

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.

Aspire: Ina’s Tale doesn’t bring anything new to the table. The graphic design is superb, but I can’t recommend you play a game on graphics alone. I think fans of the genre could enjoy this, and for the amount of content I think it is fairly priced, but if you are interested I suggest you wait to pick it up in a sale.

All in all then, I came away from Transient: Extended Edition underwhelmed entirely. What could have been an interesting mix of two popular genres ended up missing the mark on both aspects while also just being really rather boring to play. It’s short enough that people keen to give it a go won’t have to waste too much time on it, but I can think of many other titles I’d rather give my evenings up to play.

Space Crew takes a while to get into but once you do it is fun to play and definitely brings the same enjoy Bomber Crew did. They have taken what was lacking in Bomber Crew and the frustration you had and changed things around. But let me tell you this, even though they have made it so much better gameplay-wise, I think I still had more fun playing Bomber Crew which is bizarre.

Overall, if you like dark, dystopian and gritty gameplay experiences, platforming that comes with a difficulty curve that takes some learning, and controls that are simple enough for even gaming casuals to pick up and want something short enough that you can sit through in an evening or two, then White Shadows may be the next game to add to your list. It’s not revolutionary, and there may be better out there, but it’s a good first effort from Monkel.

Grow: Song of the Evertree feels like a mobile phone time-killing game that has been plucked out spruced up with some gorgeous graphics, added some great orchestral background music, pumped the game full of things to do and gives you free license with how you want to play create your worlds. As with these types of games, some things can get quite repetitive but if you want a stress free pretty looking game then you could easily lose some hours with this game.

If you like Metroidvanias and/or 2D precision platformers then Trash Quest should be on your radar. The fantastic movement mechanics give the player the appropriate amount of control for working your way through the maze-like space station on your compact quest. The game is reasonably priced at $9 USD, but if you want to check out the game for less you could pick it up on steam where it’s only $3.

The Gunk is a perfect example of a developer that can make tired mechanical tropes sing with master craftmanship.

Fans of simpler puzzle/platformers would do well to check out Night Lights. It may lack a bit in the audio department, and some sections feel overly long thanks to padding back tracking, but overall I had a good time with the game and would definitely recommend others check it out.

Little Bug starts of well enough, but some awkward controls and frankly annoying difficulty spikes towards to end mean it’s only a mild recommendation for those who enjoy checking out smaller indie titles. Those looking for a decent platformer to play already have a plethora of better options to choose from.

Overall, if you like your party games, are looking for a giggle and you want some wacky fun to keep you and some friends entertained for a few hours, Rubber Bandits is not a bad shout. Going further than that might be difficult due to the lack of game modes making longevity a stretch, but there is enough here to warrant a look, especially given the game is available right now on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC.

Clone Drone in the Danger Zone is simple in nature, offering up some slightly unwieldy physics based combat that is fun enough in short bursts. The story mode offers more than we expected going in and is worth a shot, and there are plenty of challenges for dedicated players to check out as well as online play, but the rinse and repeat nature of the combat means we’ve likely had our fill before the evenings up.

Upon reflection, Beyond A Steel Sky may well be a tale of two games. One side of the equation sees it as an interesting narrative adventure with strange characters, a bustling metropolis, intriguing gameplay elements and a welcome sense of humour. On the other side meanwhile there’s the flatness of those personalities, unexplored ideas, a dearth of reasons to care, a mediocre protagonist and a game you can brush off and forget about. There’s enough here for you to be welcomed in but there are far greater alternatives out there – especially ones that aren’t dragging and lugging about a twenty-five-year-old design. It’s worth a shot then, but much like the game itself you will refer it to the past once you’ve finished it.

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.

Encodya is an unabashedly retro point-and-click adventure. That brings with it all of the warts of early-mid 90s gaming along with any nostalgia.

I would recommend this title to LEGO fans that love building, but hate the mess. This game is a brief story of a bond between two characters and coping with everyday life as a Lego. I enjoyed the silent story the player witnesses as the levels roll on and was impressed mostly by the vivid color usage in the visuals and level design. If you’re not into puzzle games or an avid Lego fan, then you might find it hard to find value in this short game and will quickly lose interest. Once the credits roll, the game resets right back to the beginning again with no other mode or extra content apart from the main 35 levels. I felt it was a tad short for the asking price, but the game is impressive for what it is and is an official LEGO product. If trying to get a young child to play this, they will most likely lose interest in comparison to the standard LEGO game due to the lack of familiar characters, voice acting, and the subtlety of the story delivery. This game was made for the fans of the hobby and puzzlers alike.

The bottom line is you should wait whether you’re a new fan or an old fan returning. This Definitive Edition was a sad excuse for a re-release. Visual issues plagued the gameplay making it a frustrating experience with goofy looking models looking worse than the originals. The sounds still hold up and have aged well and there is longevity with these titles as they are brilliant when functioning. I have faith they will continue to update and fix issues, but game developers are getting away with dropping broken games and fixing it later. The delay for the physical releases being pushed back to the 17th shows that they want more time to fix them. The digital launch was a beta test at best and we were the guinea pigs to experiment with. Wait for the inevitable updates to slowly roll out before giving your money to a game company that wanted to swindle loving fans at launch. At least San Andreas is part of Game Pass if looking to test the waters before buying.

Deep Silver Fishlabs has spent a lot of time developing space-combat shooter games; they also developed the Galaxy on Fire series, and I think all of that time has culminated in a stand-out product here in Chorus. Taking the gameplay elements found in a typical 3D action RPG and applying them to a space flight game works tremendously well. Flying around the levels is a blast, the combat is enjoyable, and the story is more substantial than I expected, which was good and bad, as sometimes I wished the characters would shut up so I could get back into the action. If playing a space-combat shooter with an action RPG structure sounds at all interesting then you should consider checking out Chorus.

343i are trading heavily on Halo nostalgia with Infinite, and for the first time since taking over the series they have delivered a game that can easily stand shoulder to shoulder with the Bungie originals. The combat is excellent, it looks stunning, the hits of nostalgia at points are perfectly placed, and outside of the lack of co-op for now, this is exactly what I’d expect from a new Halo game.

Overall, if you like the world of Sherlock Holmes, enjoy a good investigative adventure, or have enjoyed any of the previous games in the series, either new or old, then Sherlock Holmes Chapter One is likely to be a game you will thoroughly enjoy. It has charm, wit, excitement, and plenty of harrowing crimes to chill you to the bone as you explore the picturesque locale of Sherlock’s childhood stomping ground. This is what I always want a Sherlock game to be.

I’m a pretty patient guy when it comes to trying out new gaming experiences, but Drizzlepath: Déjà vu is just simply not very interesting at all. A walking sim without any of the intrigue or interesting tales and scenarios, even achievement hunters might want to think twice about adding this to their list.

Backbone isn’t an overly long game, maybe 5-6 hours at most, but what it does in its trim time frame is craft a world and characters that we care about, a narrative that is constantly intriguing and surprising, and offer us just enough interactivity that we can progress almost without having to worry about any challenge. It’s a marvellous example of what the indie game space can do, and a title that everyone with – or without – a Game Pass subscription should check out.

The Prince of Landis has some redeeming qualities, most notably the art style and the story/setting, and adventure game fans might find something they like here, but ultimately it falls short, mostly due to the shallow gameplay. The short length of the game is beneficial to the overall experience (as well as for all the achievement hunters playing the game), but I would recommend waiting for a sale to pick it up.

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!

A Short Hike exceeds expectations. When you need a game that let’s you peacefully escape, look for A Short Hike. When you need a game to cleanse the palate, look for A Short Hike. I cannot recommend A Short Hike enough!

As an interactive experience, Lucid Cycle had some potential to be an interesting break form the norms of gaming as a whole. What we got though was a tedious set of scenes that threaten to have some sort of narrative payoff but falls flat at every turn. There are far better “walking sims” out there for you to be wasting your time and money on this.

Fury of Dracula: Digital Edition is a wonderful way to tackle the convoluted board game. It is not without its problems but for anyone that bounced out off the real life version, this is the best way for newcomers to play it.

The chill nature of the gameplay, the exploration of the oceans, finding new fish and completing quests for the townsfolk meshed together to make a really rather enjoyable time. Moonglow Bay is the perfect palette cleanser in between other grittier titles, and another solid addition to the Game Pass service.

Bloody Rally Show is a fun, unique roguelite-style title. The nature of every race never being the same is a great feature to keep the game fresh. The top down elements brings back old school vibes, but while the game is fun in short bursts, I feel it’s a case of too little to really make it something that’ll keep players coming back.

Reminiscence in the Night felt like a cross between point and click and visual novels, with a passable story. This was a nice change of pace for the usual Ratalaika visual novels, The point and click aspect offered some good interactivity, and I found myself enjoying this more than some of the other titles. Of course, cheevo hunters will still be able to blast through this for some quick gamerscore as well.

My Singing Monsters Playground is a cute and very fun party game for both kids and adults. The games are simple enough that kids can pick up and play them but also robust enough that they are interesting for all ages to play. Not every game is great but they are all enjoyable enough, and the colourful, bubbly graphics and music keep the joy flowing. Although this is offline only it can still be fun to play with any friends that come over or even just to let your kids enjoy.

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

All in all, Space Moth Lunar Edition is a great modern throwback to the arcade Shmups of old. It has some clever systems to encourage high score chasing and repeat plays, it looks and sounds lovely, and is, most importantly, a lot of fun to play. If you’re a fan of the genre or just curious to try a title like this out, you won’t find much better than this.

Overall, if you want something that can be finished off over an evening or two and don’t mind challenging yourself, Circa Infinity is a fantastic choice to go with. It’s fairly cheap, it’s challenging and it’s going to ensure you’re getting something different than the blockbusters currently saturating the release window at this time of year. More of this, please!

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

Cyanide & Happiness – Freakpocalypse is a game that relies on its humor to finish out strong. Episode 1’s story falls short with nothing exciting to latch onto. Fans of Cyanide and Happiness will most likely appreciate the title for what it’s for but the same can not be guaranteed for newcomers.