BRAVE NEW WORLD Help Thorn battle enemies on intriguing quest

The second guy says: “Well, my parents are old and frail... and I’m the only son they have. I have to take care of them and be there with them when they go. So please send me back.”

Poof! Another puff of cloud carries him away.

The third guy, looking sad, says: “Well, I’m not married and my parents are dead. I don’t have many friends really... just those two.”

“So what’s your wish?” asks the genie.

I ASKED my wife why she married me. She said “Because you are funny.”“Bring them back here.” I said “I thought it was because I was good in bed.”

She said “See? You’re hilarious!”

I DIDN’T want to believe that my dad was stealing from his job as a road worker.

But when I got home, all the signs were there.

Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch

Genre: Action RPG

Price: €20

Age rating: 16

As Thorn embarks on his quest, he’ll need to confront enemies intent on stopping him and the visceral combat will really keep you on your toes until the credits roll.

Simple attacks, parries and blocks are your bread-and-butter moves, but the game does not lack variety as you unlock more skills and weapons with which to dispatch your enemies.

The game is heavily inspired by From Software’s Dark Souls series, so expect timing to be key to success – and expect to die a lot.

A haunting soundtrack only adds to the game’s intriguing atmosphere.

Skip to the end: A gorgeous 2D adventure that will challenge your skills.

Platform: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One,

Xbox Series X|S

Genre: Action

Price: €12.66 for Xbox pre-order

Age rating: PEGI 7

From the off, Spiderheck is fun. Control your spider in this co-op brawler in battles to the death using a plethora of weapons.

From laser swords to rocket launchers, use what you can to stab, shoot, and blow up single opponents, or swarms of enemies in this fast moving, colourful game.

Getting to grips with the controls takes a bit of time, but once you get the hang of them, ridiculous physics allow you to pull off crazy moves as you dual with friends or online players.

Skip to the end: Fast, bright, chaotic, finger cramping fun.

Platform: iOS

Genre: Arcade

Price: Free

Age rating: Any

This pixelated arcade style time-passer is a real throwback to the days of Flappy Bird insanity, or even the early days of Temple Run, and has the same addictive singlerun format.

Taking you through two-dimensional levels, you run as Roach the horse, jumping for apples and carrots and trying to avoid being caught.

This game is basic, yes, but beautifully simple, with engaging graphics and a fastpaced soundtrack.

You couldn’t spend hours playing it, but it sure is good to pass the time on your commute.

Skip to the end: If you liked Temple Run, then this horse-themed arcade game is for you.