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.

Overall and if you’ve played any previous game in the series, then you know what you’re getting into. Sadly Monster Energy Supercross 5 doesn’t offer enough that I’d recommend dropping launch price cash on, however it’s well worth checking out when a sale drops. For newcomers, it’s hard to recommend starting here when other titles are available cheaper frequently, however, if you want something that looks fantastic on your Series S or X, then this is definitely a beautiful way to enjoy Supercross.

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

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.