For cat-lovers and Xbox lovers, Stray is a pleasant and uncanny feline-centred adventure game that’ll be purr-cisely what many will be looking for. The various cat behaviours are cool, the dark alleyways and neon evoke a particular kind of foreboding atmosphere, and there simply isn’t another game out there quite like Stray. However, Stray’s presentation is a mask for routine gameplay dynamics, and the overarching dreariness of the dystopia setting doesn’t mesh convincingly with the playful moments found dotted throughout. There’s a sense BlueTwelve Studio wanted a big-time mainstream experience condensed down to the length an indie title, and they’re successful in achieving that, it’s just the world they created could’ve been cheerier and less predictable. Thankfully though, this cat game never outStrays its welcome.

A decent arcade shooter that is definitely worth the price of admission. But I would gladly pay a few dollars more for a fleshed out story and character selection.

As far as the racing game genre goes Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is one of the coolest and freshest around. Of course, the brilliance of Hot Pursuit stems from its original release in 2010 and the remaster doesn’t bestow a bountiful bouquet of bonuses, but replaying it ten years down the line hasn’t changed the recipe one iota – and that can only be a great thing, although the changes are minimal beyond aesthetics. If you haven’t played Hot Pursuit and want an exhilarating racer this is a must own and while you’re at it bump up the score below by 1.0, but as a remaster it only does enough to make it competent and does little to stand out from the litany of remasters out there.

This is probably one of the best versions of this style of game I’ve played (which isn’t many as I am a bit of scaredy cat) and it is helped by the visual style. Most of the level is bathed in a blue hue, reminiscent of the afterglow of a static TV, and it feels like it takes a lot of its inspiration from the low-budget-but-with-a-ton-of-style film Skinamarink. It is a good visual inspiration as the long drawn out shadows make it look like everything is a threat, and the hues support the theme of the mundane turned terrifying. It is fairly short experience, but the difficulty settings give you the option to make it more challenging (or you can turn the monsters off entirely to just soak up the environment). But at the price point, this game is unassailable as a purchase recommendation.

Overall, Gunkid 99 is a truly fantastic game. At present, you are unlikely to progress too far thanks to a mixture of true difficulty and the apparent freezing issues that plague the high-score screens, but should they be sorted with a patch in the near future, then Gunkid 99 is certainly a game worthy of your time. Whether you’re a platform maestro, a fan of simplistic games, or just looking for a challenge, this is somehow one of the most addictive games you’ll play for some time, yet equally one of the hardest.

Bish Bash Bots is tight, smartly put together game. A single screen tower defence game, with the wobbly controls of a party game. Well worth the price of admission with plenty of variety in each level.

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.

Defenders Quest is a solid RPG/Tower Defense hybrid that offers up hours of content, spread across a dark and compelling story. The visuals and the sound are the weakest points here, but to judge this merely on how it looks would be doing it a disservice. It’s accessible, it’s refreshing, and above all else, it’s well developed.

Landflix Odyssey holds its own in a sea of competitors by combining many ideas, yet never overwhelms the player. If you’ve ever been watching your favorite TV shows and wished you could play a video game version, Landflix Odyssey has granted your wish – in a comedic pixel platformer that will challenge your platforming skills one minute and have you smiling at its parodies the next.

El Paso Elsewhere is confident in its visual and audio delivery, the combat is great, it suffers from uneven pacing that drags some areas unnecessarily.

Crash Drive 3 is a wonderful idea of a game and plays with no major issues. The game is a wonderful addition to the series and the hard work invested by the team shows. Lovers of goofy arcade racers will enjoy.

Pirates Outlaws is a solid deck-building roguelite that adds tons of content and lots of interesting spins on familiar formulas, it is an easy recommend for fans of the genre. For those that are new to this style – there are better places to start.

Ancestors Legacy is a game of historical greatness, featuring real battles from times gone by, easy to grasp controls and some great stories. It has its bumps, but is a title that you will keep coming back to. Whether you’re a Viking lover or a Polish shield bearer, there is a faction for you. I’d liked to have seen some element of multiplayer through the campaign – as it is, though, there’s a pretty great RTS here for console players to get stuck in to.

Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 & 2 offers a great blast from the past, complete with new and upgraded features as well as some additional extras, such as the history-rich museum mode, added modifiers and more. The gameplay is solid and is still as hard as ever, offering a real old-school and varying challenge, if you so choose it.

It has been a while since I have had the need/want to replay a game over and over because of the carrot and stick. Astro Flame Starfighter gives a good balance of making you want to play more because of the enjoyment factor and the need to upgrade your ship to finish off the level/mission or get the 3 stars you wanted for completing said mission. Graphics are good when playing and handling of your ship is good too. Each boss has its own unique look and attack which was a good surprise.

Sunless Sea: Zubmariner Edition is a thinkers delight. Full of multiple paths and novel sized stories which will keep you playing for hours, along with a beautiful hand drawn backdrop to set the tone. Twisted communities and imaginative concepts, Sunless Sea is a great game for those with a hunger to explore.

Obey Me is a fun and fresh take on the Beat-Em-Up genre. It is quite easy for games in this genre to become repetitive and dull, but with the variety of weapons, moves, enemies and dodging of traps things are kept interesting. The story may seem vague at the start, but it builds things nicely and with some humorous dialogue it does keep you gripped. This is a fun game to pick up and play and is much better enjoyed with a friend.

Mighty Goose is solid run-and-gun fun, borrowing from the classics of the past and adding a modern spin. The campaign is on the short side, but there’s a new game plus option offering some extra challenge. The over-the-top, hectic action gives the game a carefree feeling, but I never felt like I was mastering the gameplay since a lot of the enemy attacks are hard to see and avoid. It’s by no means a golden egg; however, if you’re a fan of the genre or looking for some careless action then it might be worth giving Mighty Goose a try.

In my opinion, I feel that Destroy All Humans 2 should’ve been remastered instead since it was made and released at a later time period in gaming. While first time players might find it a little stale, bland, and repetitive, old players regardless will have fun with the game as it throws them back into a more simpler time period than the one we’re living in now.

While it lasts though Dead Dungeon is a fun, challenging platforming title that will have you pulling your hair out as you press the retry button for the hundredth time. It’s not up to Super Meat Boy’s superlative design, but it’s a decent alternative and well worth a look.

If you’re thirsty for a cool anime open-world adventure based on a new TV show, Sand Land is a really cool offering. Beelzebub and his crew are a diverse set of personalities, the tank battles are pleasing, and the plethora of upgrade abilities and accessibility features means Sand Land is worth digging into. These Sand Lands can be too empty, the sense of open-world repetition seeps in all too soon, and navigating that open-world can be troublesome, but Sand Land is otherwise an unexpected oasis in the desert that’s worth necking back and savouring while it lasts.

Sisters Royale is a fun and amusing bullet hell title that offers up some solid arcade action, but little else. The specific anime styling will either draw you in or put you off (you know what I mean), but the light-hearted tale will likely win over even the most prudish players. Some online leader boards or alternate modes wouldn’t have gone amiss, but even so I still think Sisters Royale is worth a look if you’re into, or curious about, the bullet hell genre.

Hyperdot encapsulates brilliant the short, snappy arcade thrills that used to dominate places such as Xbox Live Arcade. Super simple to grasp, yet with a real challenge for dedicated players, it will no doubt keep most hooked for far longer than they intended to sit down and play.

Pure Farming 2018 is a very deep and diverse farming experience, but it doesn’t come without fault. The visuals are far from impressive, the draw distance remains very limited, and the game can become overly repetitive. With that to the side, Pure Farming 2018 accomplishes everything it sets out to achieve. Simply put, this is multitasking made fun.

Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection brings age but also wisdom to the table. Most gamers have heard of Ninja Gaiden either by reference or by playing one of the original games. This collection brings the games to players who have not experienced it before and with the addition of the Hero easy mode there is no reason to fear the gruesome challenge these games used to be if you just wanted to experience it. For fans of the series, while it has not been remastered it has been spruced up with the new framerate and plays very smoothly on a Series S and X. If you need to get your ninja on and enjoy a fast combat action game, then this collection could be for you.

I am not a fan of serious racing sims, luckily this is far from that. But it’s not solely a Micro Machines/Mario Kart clone either. It’s found its niche somewhere in the middle and it’s quite enjoyable to play. With a variety of power-ups and cars, there is plenty of fun to be had. I feel this game would have benefited if it opened up online play other players other than just friends.

Everyone appears to be having fun and that gusto carries some of the weaker moments. This becomes the crux of what makes Bloodshore great, it isn’t aiming for high-minded art but at larger-than-life entertainment with energy and gusto. As long as you, the audience, are game then you will have a blast.

All in all, I really enjoyed Faraday Protocol. The puzzles are paced really well, introducing new approaches and ways of thinking constantly, and the later added twists are a welcome change at the right moment. The visual aesthetic can get a little too repetitive – though it is technically very well done – but as something to play in short sittings over a few nights this is a great puzzle game.

If you are really into speed-running 3D platformers then Demon Turf could be your new obsession. That’s obviously a very specific audience, but the game does that aspect very well. If you’re looking for some nostalgic fun then this game could also satisfy your cravings although it falls well short of the best in the genre. Modern quality of life features make up for some of its failings, but I can’t give this game my full recommendation; if you’re interested then I’d say wait for it to go on sale.

Tohu draws from its inspiration well, using excellent visuals, animation, and audio to really craft an enjoyable tale. It’s some of the actual puzzles that let the side down a little though as they can be just a bit too obscure for my liking, bringing back the days of seemingly random items used in bizarre ways. With a little help, I still managed to enjoy my time with Tohu though, and if you’re more point and click inclined then I’d highly recommend checking this title out.

PUSS! looks and sounds utterly bizarre with its various trippy A/V themes, but underneath there is a fun, yet very hard, gameplay core. I’m not a big fan of having to restart completely each time I boot it up, but those looking for something eye catching to have fun with (or stream) will likely get quite hooked on this title.

Impact Winter, as far as survival games go, remains quite accessible throughout. The time management mechanic sits well with the item and character management systems, which further bolsters the genuinely tense gameplay. Sadly, however, technical issues such as framerate inconsistency and the occasional freeze, ironically, pulls this game just shy of greatness.

Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials is a Metroidvania that places you deep within a cave with just a radiant bat. It’s unique in it’s light and dark mechanics and lite-leveling system. The meat of the game comes from puzzles and boss fights. Mix that with a humorous story and you’ve got yourself a winner of a game.

Developer Jutsu Games have ensured that this latest title is engaging, silly and fun and with surprising detail packed into an expansive gameplay experience this is certainly going to be a surprise for many gamers out there. The issues however are glaring, and should a fix be put in place soon then there will be very little to complain about should you jump in with a purchase of this one.

Ultimate Chicken Horse provides a canvas for you and your friends to create carnage on. Despite the lack of a structured unlock or progression system, this is a great game to pick up and enjoy in time for the festive break. It’s easy to play and as challenging as you and your nearest and dearest’s level of creativity and cunning.

Aground for me manages to capture all the fun about crafting that made Minecraft positive but without needing to be so creative. It also captures the fun exploration that made Terraria enjoyable but with much greater depth to the story and progression. The story sets you up thinking it’s a bland survival story but spirals into alien warfare and hidden mystery species and technologies. For those into crafting games with a lot of exploration, this game will be right up your street as it is thoroughly addictive.

Speed Brawl is a fun and inventive take on the side scrolling beat-em-up. Encouraging fast combat by design, skillful play will see competent players likely performing amazing looking feats. Sometimes though, the game just takes the wind out of your sails, leaving you plodding along and scraping by for any chance to get going again.

Q.U.B.E. 2 is thought provoking, well designed, and intriguing. Unfortunately, however, issues with the framerate and some texture problems persist throughout. With that to the side, this is a wonderfully crafted puzzle adventure that maintains its innovation and unique concept from beginning to end.

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.

Blasphemous has an astonishingly good looking art style, making the oft used pixel art look feel fresh, even after all these years. But beyond that, there’s a solid game here, with a decent challenge that will keep you hooked. That the story is also captivating – steeping you in the lore of the universe here – is just another upside to this brilliant adventure.

Little Triangle certainly delivers a challenging and endearing platformer, but small flaws pull the game just shy of greatness. The gameplay structure and visual presentation is top notch, however, the occasional framerate drops and the somewhat imprecise controls, slightly hinder the overall experience. With that to the side, there’s still no denying that Little Triangle is an adventure that’s worth your time and attention.

As a fan of old-school beat ‘em ups like Streets of Rage, I have to say that anyone who enjoyed those games in any capacity will enjoy this game. I was initially turned off by the steep learning curve when I was dying far to easy, but the more I gave it a shot and the more I played, the more I wanted to unlock different characters and endings and give it a go.

Torchlight 2 doesn’t explore new territory, but it doesn’t need to. It keeps true to what made the first Torchlight a decent RPG and built on it. Although it has taken a while for it to finally make its way to the Xbox One, fans of the first game or those into isometric RPG’s will be happy to tuck into this game as there is plenty of content and variety to keep things interesting. To also now be able to play this multiplayer as well can only make the game more interesting.

Ultimately, I feel that the yearly model for releases is perhaps starting to become outdated. Of course, the moment to moment gameplay is still as solid as ever, and fans will no doubt find enjoyment here. But, in the age of live service games, something like Madden seems a natural fit. I’m not saying what’s here is bad, as such, it just feels like the value proposition is getting lower each time.

Issues with its fluctuating difficulty curve and its short campaign length to the side, Ninjin is a decent beat ’em up that does a great job at combining its varying elements together to produce such a fast-paced and chaotic adventure. The gameplay goes a lot deeper than expected, and with support for both online and local multiplayer included, there’s little to scoff at here.

LEGO The Incredibles is very easy to recommend if, and only if, you’ve not grown tired of the tried and tested LEGO formula. The game doesn’t do much to evolve or build upon the foundation that we’ve endured time and time again. However, with that being said, there’s no denying that LEGO The Incredibles packs a great deal of action-packed content across its exciting story and its sprawling world hubs.

Despite that these games have aged about as well as leather in a desert, and overlooking a few omissions, Konami’s Castlevania Anniversary Collection is well worth the investment if you’re a fan of the series, or, are curious about the franchise’s roots. Throw in the fact that this compilation will soon see the addition of the Japanese versions for each title included, picking this up truly is a no brainer.

oOo: Ascension is a decent arcade experience that amply rewards the player’s perseverance and endurance. The ever evolving intricacy of each stage will constantly keep players on their toes, offering up new and interesting obstacles at each and every hurdle. Despite some frustrations with the, at times, imprecise controls, oOo: Ascension is definitely one for those that relish a challenge.

Bouts of input delay on Xbox ruin the experience, and it’s not something to play solo, but Wobbly Life, with co-op buddies, can be a surprising amount of fun. There’s a vast array of things to do, and the hilarity of the physics can make for some funny, rage-inducing moments.

At the end of the day Outcast – A New Beginning did keep drawing me back to play it whether that be advancing the story (or trying to figure out how) or to get a few more trials under my belt for the limited time I had. So, it wasn’t all bad but definitely nothing I’m going to remember aside from having some fun flying around a colorful and open world. Lastly, to conclude I don’t usually bring price into the equation, but this is one of those games that has broken the barrier of our standard pricing and I think that should be considered with what you get in this game compared to others. At what today can be considered a premium price (for a normal base game mind you) I don’t think you are getting a premium product.

At first glance, Ultimate Fishing Simulator might not seem like it would appeal to everyone, but it is engaging enough to enjoy whether the player has any interest in fishing, or none at all. There are plenty of beautiful locations to choose from and with a vast array of equipment to experiment with, it is likely to be an interesting and enjoyable fishing experience for all.

The Forbidden Arts is a beautiful, vibrant and fun game for the whole family. Side scrolling action at its best, it also brings a tiny bit of nostalgia along for the ride. Challenging puzzles make this game addictive, while great design keeps you looking at the screen.

Coming from Roiland, Trover Saves the Universe was never going to be a straight laced affair. There are plenty of funny moments spliced into the gameplay that will have you laughing. That it ports so well with the VR element removed is commendable; controlling Trover in fights and puzzle situations is intuitive, if no doubt sightly more awkward without that extra element. The constant stuttering nature of the acting did start to grate by the end, though fans of his work will no doubt look over that detail. If you’re after a unique, bizarre adventure for an evening, Trover will most certainly have you covered.

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.

If the absence of Left 4 Dead 3 has you itching for something alike, Earthfall will just about do the trick. It’s a shame that the game doesn’t do much to innovate, and repetition will indeed sink in once you’ve plugged in a few hours, but with that said, the core structure and its gameplay loop is compelling enough to justify a recommendation. Basic it may well be, but it’s fairly action-packed and exciting nevertheless.

Between the art style, the core gameplay and the humor that lands, there’s a lot of fun to be had here. It’s a little too heavy handed on the in-jokes and references at times, undermining the successes elsewhere. The lack of enemy variety and the world level layouts hurt this the most, but overall, the game is well deserving of your time.

Battlefield V’s content depth may indeed be lacking, though even so, the content that is on offer remains explosively robust from the onset. The campaign is relatively engaging and emotional, and the multiplayer is every bit as action-heavy as it ever has been. That said, if you’re looking for a varied shooter, you may want to hold off until DICE adds in its additional story, its battle royale mode, and its extra maps.

This collection offers a nice selection of distinctly themed classic beat’em ups, including two console debut titles: Armored Warriors and Battle Circuit. It’s a shame that when playing online with more than two players the game’s framerate dramatically spikes, but with that to the side, there’s little to scoff at. When all is said and done, the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle is a must have for fans of the genre.

Battlezone Gold Edition is fun, engaging and well developed. There’s plenty of content within, seemingly designed in such a way that it maintains a great level of replay value without running the risk of becoming stale and repetitive. It plays well, it looks great and above all else, it’s easy to gel with and understand. If you’re a fan of arcade tank warfare, Battlezone Gold Edition will be a great investment.

Whilst not quite on the same level as top-tier metroidvanias, fans of the concept will love Timespinner for all that it gets right. The game’s story remains interesting throughout, with gameplay that’s well paced, exciting, and consistently engaging, not to mention fairly open and deep. It’s a shame that its time manipulating mechanic isn’t put to better use, but that gripe, alongside a few niggling issues, does little to pull this adventure shy of being worthwhile.

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.

It’s fine. A short description of a game set 30 plus years after its predecessor is really how I’m feeling. It’s not bad but it’s not … for me. In my opinion Beyond the Ice Palace II keeps its retro hardness alive in this installment (which I’m not knocking) but in 2025 I want smoothness to my platformers. This one really takes me back to SNES days where a game was hard because it meant you had to put the time in to master it and I’m just not into that in this day and age which I realize isn’t necessarily the opinion of all gamers. I know some metroidvania fans who would love this one so if that’s you, at least give Beyond the Ice Palace II a double take.

In a world where quick delivery is a major part of our lives, I’m surprised it too this long to get a cool videogame out of the concept. Parcel Corps feels pretty natural in terms of a videogame giving strong Crazy Taxi vibes. When the game flows it feels so good, but it can quickly come to a halt, literally at times and it takes a bit to get it going again. I do like this game but it can feel a little rough around the edges sometimes. This is a good base, and I would love to see it expanded on. If you enjoy “extreme sports” in an open world type environment, you’d probably feel at home with Parcel Corps.

In what feels like a love letter to JRPG’s and professional wrestling, WrestleQuest hits all of the right notes. My qualms with it are small but it definitely met my expectations. The wrestling tones are laid on thick but in no way do I think it will be a hinderance to RPG fans. If you can stomach lots of talking and a variety of moves via turn based combat, well you can do much worse than WrestleQuest. OH YEAH!!!

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.

I’ve found myself really enjoying Midnight Fight Express. While initially limited, the combat opens up as you unlock new moves and combos. Being able to replay missions is great, and the customisation in both moves and appearance really sat well with me. I’d have liked to have voice acting in the game, but other than that this comes recommended.

112 Operator excels not only as a crisis management game but as an emotional experience that challenges you to think beyond strategy. The sound design, dynamic challenges, and the human element behind each emergency make it an intense and thought-provoking experience. While the visuals are simple, they allow you to focus on the real heart of the game, the emotional and tactical complexities of managing emergencies. This title will stay with you long after you put it down, making you think about the unsung heroes who answer those 112 (999/911 calls). This isn’t just about making quick decisions, it’s about understanding the human element behind those decisions.

ADIOS Amigos is a fun game that accommodates both solo and local co-op play, across a small variety of well designed modes. The controls take some time getting used to and the entire journey can become repetitive before long, but with that aside, its decent gameplay mechanics coupled with its light-hearted sense of exploration, drives ADIOS Amigos in all the right directions.

Delayed completion aside, I found Anthology of Fear to exceed my expectations, with a solidly build horror foundation complimented with genuine frights and tense moments. With no combat (and very little actual peril) it might not suit everyone, but if you enjoyed titles like Layers of Fear or indeed the P.T demo, then this is well worth a look.

Even though I’d not seen an episode of the show before playing I was really rather taken with Samurai Jack: Battle Though Time. It looks great, the combat is fun and fluid, there’s lots to do with upgrading Jack’s abilities, and lots of replayability with the different difficulties and scores to beat. A great game all round and one worth checking out.

This next gen, upgraded version of Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer brings the fun of a Diablo-like experience to our shiny new machines. There’s a lot to play and experiment with, with a good range of characters and abilities. Fighting mechanics feel good, though easily switching weapons with the right stick in combat can feel a little too tricky at times. After a fairly standard feeling initial load, the Series’ SSD really shines in game, letting us move about in game super fast!

Greedfall II had a big ask to follow on from the original which I enjoyed a lot even if it had its annoyances and limitations such as repetitive dialogue choices. Greedfall II feels much more refined in terms of graphics, story and dialogue. The new combat system was a bold choice but it’s a risk, allowing players to try their hand at both real time and tactical styles. Returning players will find a lot to enjoy here, but newer players will be able to pick things up easily enough as well.

The combat and traversal in Kingdom Hearts III is simply outstanding, with each massively in-depth system intertwining perfectly to produce a widely compelling basis that constantly excites. There’s a fantastic amount of variation as far as the game’s worlds, its enemies, and its activities are concerned, bolstering its already impressive value. Unfortunately, some sloppy development choices and a convoluted plot hold it back from greatness.

Just Dance 2019, for better and for worse, doesn’t do much to step the series outside of its comfort zone. Though even so, it still manages to maintain the allure that’s held the franchise together for quite a number of years now. Despite the odd issue with its tracking technology, the game offers countless hours of fun for players of all ages, complete with a decent online component to further its longevity.

GRIP isn’t a bad racer by any means, but it could have been a lot more than what it is had the developer spent more time refining track consistency. Furthermore, the campaign itself feels nonsensical by design, and there’s certainly some population needed for its online component. Nevertheless, and despite those faults, GRIP is one of the most fun, intense and unique combat racers in recent memory.

Solo players will definitely find some challenging fun here, and I have found myself trying to beat a few of my own times, but I’m not sure how much I’ll return to it over time to test my skills. Some of the tracks I cannot see how I can go any faster, and unless some of my online pals pick it up and get into it the online random leaderboards aren’t enough to keep me coming back.

Despite the clear inspiration it has taken from Mario Kart and other kart-racing games, Nickelodeon: Slime Speedway is an energetic burst of kart-racing action you will find suitably engrossing. It’s not pushing any boundaries, nor does it always feel compelling to drive – but it will likely steal your evenings with the little ones, and there’s a cast of characters here that will delight those little ones who grew up in the 90s. All told this is a solid effort that will go down well like Garfield’s lasagne – just don’t expect it to get Squidward’s approval.

Overall, Silver Chains is at best a capable horror that gives a few hours of chills, and at worst it’s a game that relies on overused tropes to create its scares whilst looking damn good doing so. Let’s not forget though, this is an indie title, and for a small budget adventure, we’ve certainly seen and played much worse. Whilst it might not be the best horror game you’ll play this year, there is no reason not to add this to your list if you’re a fan of the genre.

There are many trucks to level up and many customization skins to unlock by earning XP with each of the 8 groups of trucks and finding all the collectibles on top of secret vehicles. Overall, this is a fun arcade racer with some issues, but none that are game breaking.

Fun, diverse, and heavy on the replay value, Hero Express is a solid atypical driver that will keep fans of its Trials-like concept entertained for hours on end. Despite some issues with its upgrade system and the occasional flaw in its level design, this is the pinnacle of one-more-go gaming. When all is said and done, you’ll be hard-pressed finding anything quite as engaging as this, for the same massively generous price.

Might Switch Force Collection is a mixture of clever, old school mechanics, wrapped up in a modern package. Some of the games perhaps haven’t aged all that well, but if you’re after something to feed that nostalgia itch, you won’t be going far wrong with this.

Journey of the Broken Circle is more than meets the eye. It’s an easy to pick up 2D platformer that delivers an excellent narrative about love, existentialism, and friendships. From the actual gameplay perspective, nothing is gated through difficulty and even younger gamers could play and enjoy. Throw in some collectibles and audio that pairs up well with the mood of the story and you’ve got yourself a game. Recommended to fans of story and casual platforming.

Xuan-Yuan Sword 7 is a curious and fun insight into a franchise that hasn’t seen much air outside of China. Solid combat, with detailed upgrade systems, underpins a compelling story.

Heading Out has a clear sense of style and carries the whole experience. It falters a little with the driving model and some small bugs.

Beholder houses a great deal of depth, even for a management sim. It’s an intriguing experience that will constantly toy with your moral compass, if indeed frustrating at times. This game isn’t particularly lengthy, but there’s a heap of replay value to be found within thanks to the procedurally generated scenarios and over ten different endings.

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.

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.

Yonder’s world is as endearing as it is captivating, but the Animal Crossing/Harvest Moon-esque content that fills it, although accessible and plentiful, isn’t quite as robust as it appears to be. Whilst most of the game’s fun quests and opportunities have meaning and depth, a large portion of them feel needless and tacked on, merely to bolster longevity. Still, overall, it’s hard not to be allured by the game’s diverse and truly relaxing foundation.

When Trepang2 is at its most gory it is a claret-drenched delight. Its attempts to delve into horror are less good.

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.

Roguelite lovers will enjoy ScourgeBringer I feel. If you have played Dead Cells you can look forward to some similar action and beats, while also offering just as much of a challenge. It’s a good example of the genre and well worth a look, especially as it’s included in Gamepass!

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance nails the charm of the Gelflings and the world of the Dark Crystal, but fails to do anything even remotely new in the Tactics genre. Nevertheless, it’s a simple game that for a small price could be worth picking up for a quick blast of uncomplicated strategy when the strategy craving hits.

Short, sweet, simple and challenging arcade action that is easy to pick up and play, and very moreish thanks to super fast restarts egging us on for ‘one more go’.

Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics achieves much of what it sets out to accomplish. Whilst the game excels as far as accessibility is concerned, those that relish an in-depth turn-based strategy game may be disheartened by the simplicity on show here. That said, and despite its recycled level design and its grind-like reward system, there’s a fairly compelling experience within that does more things right than it does wrong.

Cris Tales is a beautiful 2D JRPG with an interesting story and great use of time manipulation. Each of the characters are unique and bring something different to each battle. The way the screen splits to show you the past, present and future is delightful to see and invests you into the game to try and improve the future, while using time powers in battles is well executed and kept me keen on trying different strategies. Hopefully the slow movement outside of battle and the fact there is no difficulty slider doesn’t put people off as there’s a lot to enjoy here in this stunning looking JRPG.

SuperMash to me had a goal in mind, and that goal was to create a variety of games for the player to play out of different types of genres. It executed it’s goal perfectly but even so, I feel that a few more additions to the game itself would make it even better and more entertaining than it already is.

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 a debut FMV title, Trapped Predator has done a great job of following in the wake of publisher Wales Interactive. The tale is engaging with plenty of twists, turns, and reasons to replay. We’d have liked a few more choices, more frequently to make along the way and we hope that whatever they bring us next can fine tune what is already a solid base in their production and story telling.