Having actively avoided horror games, and anything remotely scary, for many years due to a lack of enjoyment found in being scared witless, I figured it’s time to delve back into the recently flourishing genre. The 2D pixelated action-adventure horror Worse Than Death on Xbox One, developed by Benjamin Rivers Inc., caught my eye as a good place to resume; after all, a few pixels can’t be too frightening, right?
While it seems that Popcap and EA have played it somewhat safe, Neighborville is still an interesting game to play, and with more of an emphasis on the story mode, including the return of the gnomes to find and vanquish, there is plenty of fun to be had here. Just don't expect to have your socks blown off with the originality on display.
If you want a fishing game then Fishing Sim World is still the daddy, however if you want to try something different, then The Fisherman - Fishing Planet just might scratch that itch.
Fans of roguelike experiences will have a lot of fun here. There is something great about Overland on Xbox One, but if it’s taught me one thing, it’s that survival in the apocalypse is a bloody nightmare.
While I'm pleased to say that Shadowkeep does deliver in terms of both story and things to do, it is not as “sparkly” new in terms of enemies and the like as Forsaken, with more of the beasts and baddies that are in place having been recycled from Destiny 1. The hive are a bit spikier and the buildings are covered in Fallen graffiti, and it has to be said that the Moon is more decrepit and crumbling and new areas have been added, but when it comes down to it things are not so much new as buffed up and rolled in a bit of glitter.
Frostpunk is another incredible title from 11 Bit Studios, and an utter triumph for the genre. It’s an incredibly unique and engaging deep dive into the bowels of the icy tundra, a textbook example of emotional storytelling through gameplay. If you can stomach it and face the cold, Frostpunk is an experience you will likely never forget.
Indivisible on Xbox One is super stylish, charming and loads of fun to play. There is a slightly wonky difficulty curve to get to grips with and the game will set you back a fair few pennies, however, if you're looking for something different to lose yourself in, you’ve found it.
Children of Morta on Xbox One is a traditional roguelike hack and slash RPG situated in a rich fantasy setting that feels alive thanks to an endearing cast of characters in the Bergson family.
The Outer Worlds on Xbox One is so much more than Fallout in space, and I honestly think you owe it to yourself to play this game. This is one of the most entertaining gaming experiences I've played this year, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone and everyone.
Naturally, the next logical step for the developers was to create a spin-off in the form of Rebel Cops, which focuses entirely on XCOM style, turn-based strategy gameplay. It’s a bold move, but could it pay off and be an addictive addition to the series that tests your tactical nous?
Should you be after a game that can provide hours of fun or even some engaging experiences with friends, then Tetsumo Party isn’t likely to be your go-to game. It has a nice idea and if done better - dare I say maybe even with Kinect from back in the day - we could have been looking at a very interesting game. Sadly, that’s not the case
Loading up Truck Driver for the first time gives a real sense of interest and intrigue, this being the first ‘trucking’ game on consoles. But then afterwards, every little thing that the game presents will dampen your spirits, leaving you to drive with no passion through a bare bones game that needs to visit the nearest petrol station for a refill and tune-up.
Megaquarium on the Xbox One does an excellent job of presenting a sim management game on a home console, without dumbing down the abilities you have at your fingertips. Gameplay is fun and fair; it doesn’t offload hundreds of problems at you at once, meaning a much more casual experience.
