Let’s Sing 2021 on the Xbox One and Series X|S is a cover version of last year’s release, and it hits slightly higher notes. In all other respects it’s the same song, so it’s appeal to you will largely be down to the track listing. As with other years, the production is strong and slick, and with eight players and smartphones all welcomed, it’s one of the most inclusive music games out there.
Knights and Bikes on Xbox One is one of those rare beasts that everyone can enjoy. It may be simple and straightforward to play, but that’s no bad thing. It’s an utterly charming tale that’s loads of fun to play and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Exit the Gungeon on Xbox One is a good game; not quite up to par with Enter the Gungeon but still fun. But I also think it can only be truly enjoyed if you’ve played the original. The caveat is that you might not enjoy Exit the Gungeon as much, which can lead to it feeling like a disappointment. Going into things with the right expectations is key to getting the most out of the game.
My Aunt is a Witch on Xbox One and Series X|S is a treat for the eyes; never less than beautiful. But it’s a witch’s glamour, as the story underneath is stodgy, mistranslated and boring. Give an editor a hatchet and some freedom, and the brambles might clear enough to make the path to a sequel more appealing.
Turn out the lights, put on some headphones and maybe a set of Tena pants - you're going to be in for a bumpy ride with Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 on Xbox One.
Five Dates on Xbox One is a well-written, funny and endearing FMV game that manages to turn dating into a game without making it crass. Once you get over the awkwardness of choosing options based on what dates want to hear, you’ll be in the thralls of some fantastic actresses with engaging stories to tell. Swipe right on this one.
If you have money to burn, are missing the party scene or just want to attempt to head off on a mixing career for nothing but personal entertainment, FUSER on Xbox One nails what is required. The control scheme has been well handled, the visuals are bright and colourful, and the plethora of tunes included will hit the spot for many. With a deep career being the highlight, and many other options available for those looking to go beyond that and into the online scene, Harmonix have hit the sweet spot with their latest music franchise.
Crystal Ortha on Xbox One is one of the better KEMCO games of recent times. It’s a long way from groundbreaking, but has enough nice touches, and some decent puzzles, that make it worth playing. The story is good, most of the characters are endearing, and as such it’s an easy game to recommend to the JRPG fans out there.
Pangeon on Xbox One feels more like a demo than a finished game. It has some strong points to be sure; nice visuals, great enemy and level design, and perfectly adequate combat. Yet the horribly brief runtime, useless character classes, and complete lack of replayability make it difficult to recommend.
There’s plenty to commend in PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. It’s that rare example of a game that can be played by under-7s without help, and a strong co-op feature means that you can share Adventure Bay with them. Kids might not care, but it’s indefensibly slight for the price. Kids WILL care that they don’t get to play as the titular Mighty Pups for more than a few moments, though. It’s a long demo that kids will love for a time: if that’s enough for you, then go fetch.
The sokoban puzzle concept of manoeuvring boxes into specific areas has undoubtedly inspired many games, but the most recent experience for me was SokoBunny. It’s very basic in that you just kick crates around while using a bunny, trying to move them into place. And even though the latest sokoban style offering Sig.NULL isn’t reinventing the wheel, it promises a smarter version of the Japanese game. So, let’s see whether Sig.NULL pushes all the right buttons to create a rewarding puzzler, or if it’s destined for the soko-bin.
There should always be room in our lives for fun, pulpy rubbish. Sometimes you just want a Nic Cage movie, a packet of prawn cocktail crisps, or the works of Limp Bizkit. Video games can definitely be in that category too, and Vera Blanc: Full Moon could be classed as so-bad-it’s-good. In places, it’s in danger of teetering into just ‘bad’.
Ord. on Xbox One is a game that I hugely enjoyed spending some time with. The concept and execution are highly original with a great take on the 'choose your own adventure' theme. You won’t mind dying here either, because you’ll always be left with a smile on your face. With five different story arcs to play through, all very different in their themes and scope, there’s plenty to get involved in and these make up for the simple visuals.
Five Nights at Freddy’s on Xbox One is a very creepy game, but one that achieves big results with limited resources. Using nothing more than some creepy singing and things that go bump in the night to deliver jump scares if the creatures reach you, Freddy will have a profound effect on you. It’s scary, it’s atmospheric, and it will make you jump. If you are looking for a genuinely frightening game, then look no further.
The weakest of the LucasArts remasters, Grim Fandango Remastered on Xbox One has aged the most in terms of its visuals and obscure puzzling. There’s a fantastic story being told here, with Glottis, Manny, Chepito and the rest being absolute belters. But they’re stuck in a limbo of bloated sandboxes, plodding character speeds and puzzles that should have come with a pre-packaged walkthrough.
