Reviews

Be prepared for Puzzle By Nikoli W Slitherlink: you will need to be firing on all mental cylinders to get the most out of its Boxes-based puzzling.

That title was always going to be a challenge to shake. With so many good Metroidvanias out there, spilling out of Game Pass on a weekly basis, Clunky Hero can’t help but feel slow and cumbersome in comparison. It’s large, dense, and at its best when you’re exploring but, in every other way, Clunky Hero succumbs to its name. 

If you’re a fan of a sim experience then you will get a whole load of enjoyment from Startup Company Console Edition.

It may be an old game, but Kingdom Rush is still hugely enjoyable.

Will One Piece Odyssey be a rare treasure that’s able to stand out amongst the droves of turn-based RPGs on the market, or is it just another anime adaptation falling short of its potential?

There may not be any new content on offer and the upgrade of Darkwood to Xbox Series X|S may focus on some shiny visuals and quicker loading times, but if you are new to the game then this is a great version to jump into. 

She Wants me Dead is a hard platformer, but it's a very engaging and quite addictive one

With totally wacky minigames, a stock photo overdose and a suitably surreal story, Salamander County Public Television may not be for everyone. But if irreverence and things way outside the box are your thing, this is a fantastic indie game you will be playing long after you have solved the mystery of the missing residents.

UnderDungeon is a game that will restore your faith in the retro scene. It is quirky and charming, yet while the action isn’t fast and furious, it is much more considered. There are issues, but the levels are varied enough to keep you coming back. 

Breakers Collection brings a franchise I wasn’t aware of bang up to date. It is challenging, the online modes work well and are thriving, whilst there is plenty to go at offline.

Drop It: Block Paradise is too finicky, too capricious in its reliance on a physics engine, to be a satisfying puzzler. 

Fueled Up may not be the most comprehensive experience, but on the whole it’s a great little co-op game that’s accessible to all.

Mrs.Cat Between Worlds is a case of good cat, bad cat, and for a blizzard of Xbox achievements, that might well be enough to cough up £4.99 like a furball. 

If you have found the Puzzle by Nikoli W series already, then Heyawake is a satisfying more-of-the-same.

If you want to understand the B-movie charms of this strange little subgenre, then Demon Hunter: New Chapter is a surprisingly good place to start.