Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure on Xbox is a bit of a surprise. After the original game fell flat, I was expecting pretty much the same to occur here, but whilst it’s not quite a good enough racer to compete with Crash, Mario and Sonic in the very finest kart racing league, it can easily hold its own in the formula below it.
As a conclusion to Kiryu’s seven-game saga, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life on Xbox provides a very fitting end that will not leave a dry eye in the house. It is an added bonus that it is one of the best Yakuza games; a standout title in a standout series.
Papa's Quiz on Xbox is probably the textbook definition of a fine game. It does exactly what it sets out to accomplish, and while the UI, presentation and minor design issues do hold it back from being something more, this is still a solid trivia game.
Luckslinger on Xbox is a fun and interesting take on the Wild West action platformer, using luck as a substantial gameplay mechanic within the level design. The luck elements don’t always alter the course of level progression in a meaningful way, and the platforming and adventure elements can feel a bit disconnected from each other, but still the whole hip-hop presentation of Luckslinger manages to shine, thanks to the soundtrack.
The shooting is accurate and feels good, and it’s possible to reach a state where you’re chaining headshots and being crushed beneath a pile of Achievements. But, lest we forget, Gangsta Paradise has virtually zero ideas and variety, and it somehow manages to make its two hours feel thin.
The combat is a particular highlight, so if you like brawling or Chinese history, Bladed Fury is an easy sell. Even if you don't, it’s worth a punt, if only so you can dash about with twin blades.
We wondered whether a space-sim could be hammered into the shape of a racer, and Orbital Racer on the Xbox gave us an emphatic answer: no, it can’t. Without physical tracks you’ve got no sense of direction, speed, or points of interest. You get desperate for a chicane, a pit stop, anything to enliven the chugging space tour.
Without spoiling the story, if you liked the base game of The Outer Worlds, you will love Murder on Eridanos on Xbox. The narrative is tight and keeps you guessing, the new gear is fun to find and use, and the increase in the level cap has been reflected across the game.
DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part Two on Xbox has made tweaks in all the right places to improve things for the concluding part of the DOOM Slayer saga. It’s by no means perfect, but the gameplay and tactics required makes it worth sticking around to finish the fight against evil.
From its charismatic characters and stupendous story to its meaningful gameplay and incredible soundtrack, Undertale on Xbox is a titanic accomplishment that not only ignores the ideas of what makes a video game, but redefines them.
A Fantasia of jazz and line-art, Genesis Noir on Xbox is a voyeuristic tour through the beginning, middles and end of the universe. The laid-back, blissful pace won’t be for everyone, and a reliance on toys rather than actual objectives will irritate some. But side-step the bugs and a couple of gameplay hiccups, and you have a ride that has a groove that, once tuned into, will take you somewhere deliriously unique.
If you're looking for a game that will entertain the whole family, innovating and informing as you go, then you can't go wrong with Lost Words: Beyond the Page on Xbox. It's a great experience with a fantastic concept, some beautifully heartfelt writing, and wonderful gameplay.
I love the vast majority of what Wales Interactive do and that is the case with I Saw Black Clouds on Xbox. It's a game that works as a solo adventure, but equally good with someone to throw ideas off, dictating the decisions you make.
Escape from Life Inc on Xbox is an engaging little game that, although short, has enough about it to keep you wanting to go back to it. I can't put my finger on what exactly the X-Factor is, but there is certainly an appeal about the characters and their struggles. Yes, the controls are wayward every now and again, and it's not the most technologically advanced game ever, but what it has in bucket loads is heart.
