REVIEW: Mage Drops on PC (Steam)

Mage Drops is a Golf/Platform/Puzzle game from the good people at Orchid of Redemption.

In recent times we have seen quite a few of these Golf/Platform/Puzzle type games, but how does Mage Drops stack up against some of the previous releases in this ever-expanding genre.

As always when reviewing an "Early Access" game, it is worth pointing out that the game is not the finished article yet, the developers are still tweaking the game, listening to player feedback, adding or removing features to try and get the game as good as possible.

When loading up the game, the first thing you will notice is how pretty everything looks. And when things look really good, you instantly know that the developers have spent a lot of time and love on crafting a game, and with Mage Drops that is very apparent from the start.

Each course/level has the basics of golf, you start at the tee, and you need to get the ball in the cup. Aiming is done with a simple dotted line, which you can lengthen, lower, and so on until you get the desired shot. The cup itself is quite large, this instantly tells you that the platforming or puzzle elements are going to be more important than a millimetre precision shot.

Read Full Review

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-mage-drops-on-pc-steam.html

It’s back to the classroom as Ackley Bridge returns for a fifth series

Ashley Walters (Top Boy, Bulletproof) will make his directing debut

Award-winning Ackley Bridge will return to Channel 4 and All4 for a fifth series in 2022, with 10x30 new episodes commissioned from The Forge.

Ackley's back for more high-jinx plans, scams, and mad-cap adventures in school and on the estate. We'll pick up with our trio – Johnny (Ryan Dean - The Gentleman, Penny on M.A.R.S.), Kayla (Robyn Cara -Life, Hounslow Diaries) and Fizza (Yasmin Al Khudhairi - Hilda)  - as they try to navigate the second half of the school year. Elsewhere, life gets complicated for Marina (Megan Morgan - Hollyoaks), Kayla's popular Queen Bee sister, just as her younger brother Kyle (Adam Little – Years and Years), Ackley's newest pupil and troublemaker, turns up at school, fresh out of juvie. It's been a year already jam-packed with love triangles, catfishing, compulsive liars and one utterly joyous (albeit failed) gypsy wedding. But it's not over until the last school bell rings and there's still plenty of time before the sun breaks on the summer holidays…

And for the adults, life is just as chaotic. Martin (Rob James Collier – Downton Abbey) finds his role as Head under the spotlight as Ken (George Potts - Brassic) - true to form – continues to be a raging pain in the proverbial. Things get trickier still for Martin when Asma (Laila Zaidi – Benidorm, Holby City), Ackley's new hotshot teacher joins the staff to immediately ruffle some feathers. Kaneez (Sunetra Sarker – Informer, The Bay) is back at the beating heart of the school and is presented with her biggest challenge yet, in the form of new boy Kyle. Sue (Charlie Hardwick - Emmerdale) does her best to impress Ken which could lead to a change in career.

Rebecca Holdsworth, Channel 4 Commissioning Editor said: "I'm thrilled to be revisiting Ackley Bridge to see what is in store for our pupils and teachers. Series 5 promises the same trademark mix of funny, heartfelt and hard-hitting stories."

George Ormond, Executive Producer, The Forge, added: "We're delighted to be back for another series in our rowdy school and our left-behind town.  It's been a lot of fun coming up with series 5 and we can't wait to share it."

Nida Manzoor’s award-winning, bold music comedy We Are Lady Parts recommissioned for a second series

We Are Lady Parts has been recommissioned for a second series for Channel 4. Series two will also launch on Peacock in the US.

Series one explored the highs and lows of the band, named Lady Parts, as seen through the eyes of Amina Hussain (played by Anjana Vasan) – a geeky microbiology PhD student, on the lookout for love. Amina is recruited to be the bands' unlikely lead guitarist. Lady Parts' fierce and enigmatic frontwoman Saira (Sarah Kameela Impey) sees something in Amina and uses her desperation to find a husband as leverage, offering to set her up with potential matches if she agreed to join the band. Amina soon gets swept up in their joyful, anarchic energy and punk spirit. But she's caught between two different worlds – her more strait-laced uni friends and the band, who urge her to find her voice. Series one ended with the band reuniting on stage, following an exposing interview, for a kick-ass performance. With the support of her fellow band members, Amina manages to overcome her vomit-inducing stage fright and takes her place on centre stage, where she belongs - much to the delight of their newly found adoring fans!

Nida Manzoor, Writer, Creator and Director: "I feel so incredibly lucky and excited to have the opportunity to make a second series of We Are Lady Parts. I can't wait to delve back into the world of the band and go deeper into their lives. Expect more high jinks, more music, and more flights of fancy. SPARTA!"

REVIEW: Hyperball Tachyon on PC (Steam)

From Rendah Games comes Hyperball Tachyon, a fast-moving 2D platform game, where you control a ball as you bounce and jump through increasingly difficult levels.

The basic idea of the game is to get from the start point to the finish line in as fast a time as possible.

At first things start out pretty simple, but soon you will face various obstacles including sand traps, water, spikes and so on.

Your ball can do a basic extra jump, but in the differing levels you will find things that help you and things that hinder you.

For example, a collectable that will allow you an extra jump, or columns of wind that will either push you along, or hold you down. This game is all about learning the physics of the ball, and using it to your advantage.

Read Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-hyperball-tachyon-on-pc-steam.html

Samson Kayo & Jane Horrocks return to Sky in an all new bigger and bolder series of BLOODS

Katherine Kelly and Nathan Foad join the cast of the comedy including Lucy Punch, Julian Barratt, Adrian Scarborough, Kevin Garry, Sam Campbell and Aasiya Shah.

Filming has started on a new series of Sky Original Bloods, Sky's critically acclaimed paramedic comedy starring BAFTA nominated Samson Kayo and Golden Globe nominated Jane Horrocks. The bigger 10-episode deal will be made for Sky by BAFTA award-winning Roughcut TV (Stath Lets Flats, People Just Do Nothing, Cuckoo) in association with Sky Studios. It will air on Sky Comedy and streaming service NOW in two viewing drops coming in 2022.

Bloods follows tough-acting loner Maleek (Kayo) and over-friendly divorcee Wendy (Horrocks), a pair of mismatched paramedics and their fellow ambulance station colleagues through the life-saving world of a south London emergency service. Katherine Kelly (Innocent, Liar) joins the cast in the two new series as the ambulance stations acting counsellor and listening ear and Nathan Foad (Our Flag Means Death) will play Wendy's son Spencer.

The shows returning cast include; Lucy Punch (Motherland) as boisterous station boss Jo and Julian Barratt (Mighty Boosh) as grieving widower Lawrence. Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey) and Aasiya Shah (Raised By Wolves) reprise their roles as Gary and Kareshma, paramedics with diametrically opposing career outlooks, and Kevin Garry (Ted Lasso) and Sam Campbell (Melbourne International Comedy Festival Barry Award winner) as the glued-to-the-hip duo of paramedics Darrell and Darryl.

The news comes as it is revealed that US streaming service Hulu has acquired the series in a multi-season deal. The first series of Bloods is set to debut on the streamer next month on December 9.  

The hit first series has been described as "A magnificent paramedic comedy full of gallows humour ★★★★★" by The Independent and containing "lovable characters and an impressive high hit rate of gags" by TV Times, while Radio Times described Kayo and Horrocks as "an unexpectedly dazzling comedy duo." The 10x30min episodes will be shot at North London Studios and in various locations in South London and will continue to bring humorous relief to the world and characters of the paramedic service while recognising the talent of those who put their own lives at risk in an emergency to help keep us safe and healthy.

Samson Kayo said: "I'm so excited the BLOODS team are back together again for this new bigger and bolder series. With ten episodes, there is going to be loads more laughs, friendship and fun for fans to enjoy. Maleek is reunited with his miss-matched paramedic partner Wendy and he can't wait to hit the roads again in their ambulance!"

Jane Horrocks said: "I am very much looking forward to getting back to Bloods for series 2. The scripts are already banging and Wendy is getting more naughty!"

COMPETITION! Win Faraday Protocol on Nintendo Switch or PS4

We have 2 codes to give away each for Switch and PS4.

To enter just click the link below to go to Twitter and Like and Retweet, and give us a follow @GamingCouchSpud

We will DM winners on Twitter after 2 weeks

https://twitter.com/GamingCouchSpud/status/1460198513191628803

Faraday Protocol is a first-person puzzle game that will test your wits and intelligence, challenging your critical thinking. You are Raug Zeekon: interstellar archeologist from planet Cunor. You have been sent by your company to investigate the source of a mysterious signal coming from an unexplored star.

The Bia Tool, an ancient relic of an alien civilization, is the first mystery you uncover when arriving in OPIS. Unsure of its true purpose you start wielding it to solve the challenges on your path. With its ability to absorb energy and the option to redistribute it to different machinery, you start digging deeper and deeper into the temples, encountering even harder puzzles that will test your savvy and abilities in problem solving. Are you smart enough to solve every challenge thrown at you?

You encounter a mysterious robotic voice. Her name is IRIS, an A.I. created to guard the ancient structures of OPIS. The complex seems to have been abandoned for aeons, but what was its purpose? Rooms filled with puzzles, getting more and more sophisticated and challenging as you progress through them. Who built them? Why would someone build a training facility like this on an otherwise abandoned planet?

Features:

Puzzle your way through the mysterious space station OPIS

Use the Bia-Tool to absorb and redistribute energy

Unravel the many mysteries of the station and its governing A.I. IRIS

Find hidden collectibles that reward especially attentive players

Experience a unique blend of retrofuturism

REVIEW: BitMaster on Nintendo Switch

BitMaster seems like it should be a game made for Nintendo Switch, it is a twin stick shooter, you shoot at enemies while skating around on a hoverboard.

The game is described as being inspired by such classics as Geometry Wars, Crimson Land and Satellite Reign, but does it measure up?

There are 100 waves of enemies to face (20 different kinds of enemy), after 20 waves you will face a boss, and then another 20 waves and so on.

You can collect new guns and unlock new characters to play with, the environment changes colours, and different areas will benefit or harm your character.

For example, in one area your shield will regenerate faster, in another, your weapon may fire slower rounds.

Read Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-bitmaster-on-nintendo-switch.html

REVIEW: Too Many Humans on PC (Steam)

Too Many Humans is a Real Time Strategy game, but instead of controlling the army, or a private security force as is often the case in such games, this time you are controlling zombies! Sounds good right!

Let's take a quick look at the official story.

"You are Phthisis, the God of pestilence, decay and death. Humanity has degraded too far into greed and is causing irreversible damage to Gaia; your dear sister, and their planet. Something has to be done. But like every god, you have rules (omnipotence gets boring otherwise): you are not allowed to directly kill humans. But you *can* raise them back from the dead. And if the living ones die because of this... Eh *shrug*.

Rise, mutate and unleash your Zombies into frantic battles against the treacherous humans. Fight every battle to break one by one the chains of avarice humanity has binded itself with."

Read Full Review

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-too-many-humans-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: Faraday Protocol on Nintendo Switch

Faraday Protocol is a first-person perspective puzzle game and walking simulator. I am playing this on a Nintendo Switch Lite.

Let's take a look at the official story of the game.

"You are Raug Zeekon: interstellar archeologist from planet Cunor. You have been sent by your company to investigate the source of a mysterious signal coming from an unexplored star.

The Bia Tool, an ancient relic of an alien civilization, is the first mystery you uncover when arriving in OPIS. Unsure of its true purpose you start wielding it to solve the challenges on your path. With its ability to absorb energy and the option to redistribute it to different machinery, you start digging deeper and deeper into the temples, encountering even harder puzzles that will test your savvy and abilities in problem solving. Are you smart enough to solve every challenge thrown at you?"

Read Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-faraday-protocol-on-nintendo.html

La! It’s A Sin cast reunite for a festive special of The Great British Bake Off

The cast of Channel 4's award-winning hit show It's A Sin will be reuniting this Christmas for a seasonal special of The Great British Bake Off.

Swapping the Pink Palace for an equally iconic erection, Olly Alexander; Lydia West; Nathaniel Curtis; and Shaun Dooley will enter the Bake Off tent to try their hand at some festive themed bakes.

Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood and hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas will preside over the hotly contested competition to see who on the cast knows their sieves from their spatulas in the first of two festive episodes airing on Channel 4 over the holiday period.

Celebrating the new year with another special episode is The Great Festive Bake Off. Four former bakers will return to the tent to go head to head in three seasonal challenges. Series nine bakers Kim-Joy and Jon and series 11's Hermine and Rowan will face three favourite festive challenges and find out who tops the tree as Star Baker.

The Great Christmas Bake Off and The Great Festive Bake Off will be on Channel 4 during the festive season (dates and times to be confirmed).

REVIEW: Observer: System Redux on PC (Steam)

"The year is 2084. The future has turned out much darker than anyone could imagine. First, there was the Nanophage. A digital plague that killed thousands upon thousands of those who chose to augment their minds and bodies.

Then came the War, leaving both the West and the East decimated and shattered. With no one left to seize power, corporations took over and forged their own crooked empires.

You are a tool of corporate oppression. Feared and despised, you hack into the darkest corners of your suspects' minds. You creep into their dreams, expose their fears, and extract whatever your investigation may require."

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-observer-system-redux-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: Destructivator SE on Nintendo Switch

Destructivator SE is a 1990s style arcade run and gun shooter. Playing this brings me back to playing similar games like Contra on the original NES.

Let's look at the story.

"The year is 2145. Earth still burns. Zallagor and his army have been vanquished, but at great cost: the once great cities of Earth lie in ruin, its population hungry for revenge.

Zallagor's home planet of Zerkl has been located. Zallagor has gone, but somebody will rise to replace him. Maybe they already have. The Destructivator is ready – it is time to strike!

Take on the role of a tiny super-solider decked out in lime green spandex! Blast and melee your way through hordes of alien soldiers, robots, spaceships, traps, bosses – and more! Fight on foot or commandeer an enemy ship to take out Zerkl's defenses and ensure that the alien menace won't threaten Earth ever again."

Sounds fun right!?

Read Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-destructivator-se-on-nintendo.html

Deck the Halls for LIVE Joe Lycett: Mummy’s Big Christmas Do!

Joe Lycett is hosting a big queer Christmas house party - live from his Birmingham hometown. The 90-minute festive spectacular will see the comedian and consumer warrior celebrate the return of Christmas as only Joe knows how.

LIVE Joe Lycett: Mummy's Big Christmas Do! will get the yuletide party started in sparkling style complete with a large dose of Joe's trademark wit and a side order of tinsel. Packed to the rafters with special guests, musical performances and stand-up comedy, the live show will celebrate all things queer. The specially invited audience will be the real stars of the show – made up of LGBTQ+ icons, allies of the LGBTQ+ community, and local heroes in addition to some people who may well be in for some devilish surprises from Joe.

The action won't just stay indoors however as we'll have fun games, twists and turns and will feature Birmingham as you've never seen it before. Will Joe find out who's been naughty and who's been nice? Expect presents, snow, a veritable feast of shimmering seasonal goodies and lots of laughs as Joe becomes the angel atop Channel 4's Christmas Tree.

Joe Lycett said, "This show combines three of my favourite things - LGBTQ+ culture, Birmingham and chaotic live television. Queer creativity outside of London is the most exciting it has been in years and I can't wait to introduce Channel 4 viewers to our colourful and anarchic world, with some silliness and a few laughs thrown in."

Strictly the Real Full Monty: Line-up revealed

Strictly the Real Full Monty: Line-up revealed

The Real Full Monty is back with a bang this Christmas. Ashley Banjo will be leading a brand-new line-up of brave celebrities, ready to take the famous Full Monty strip to a whole new level. The nervous new recruits will be baring all to raise awareness of life-saving cancer checks, whilst bringing old school glitz and glamour to the all-new supersized strip. This is a Monty dance extravaganza.

The class of 2021 hitting the dance floor this year will be EastEnders actress Laila Morse, professional dancers and husband and wife James and Ola Jordan, Blue singer Duncan James, model Christine McGuiness, Olympian Colin Jackson, musical theatre and Loose Women star Brenda Edwards, TV presenter Martin Roberts and Love Island favourites Teddy Soares and Demi Jones. They all have stories to tell about how cancer has touched the lives of themselves or those closest to them.

Presenter, choreographer and mentor Ashley Banjo will support the anxious celebrities as they take on a completely new twist in front of a guaranteed-to-be-screaming audience in Blackpool, determined to remind viewers that getting private areas checked can save their lives.

Ashley Banjo said:

"I'm so excited to be working with a new brilliant, bold and brave line-up of celebrities for Strictly the Real Full Monty. It's going to be our biggest musical dance extravaganza yet and we are determined to get the message out there that early cancer checks in intimate areas save lives. So don't forget to check your bits and baubles this Christmas!"

Memoria - Poster and Trailer - Starring Tilda Swinton

MEMORIA - Jan 14 in UK cinemas.

Winner of the Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and nominated for the Palme d'Or, Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton (The French Dispatch, The Souvenir) stars in Apichatpong Weerasethakul's meditative exploration of memory and the human condition. The Guardian describes the film as "slow cinema that decelerates your heartbeat", saying the actress and director make a "dream team".

It's a film that starts with a literal bang, as Swinton embarks on a lyrical and profound journey into the senses that Indiewire describes as "a transfixing deep-dive into the profound challenges of relating to people and places". The journey leads to an unexpected and extraordinary revelation where, as the actress herself explains, "all the wisdom in the world is being revealed to this person at this moment".

Synopsis: Visiting her sister in Bogota, Jessica (Tilda Swinton) is awoken by a loud bang, audible only to her. Restless and disoriented, she roams the city in search of an explanation for the mysterious sound, becoming immersed in the aural richness around her – whispers in a hospital room, sound effects playing in an editing studio, indiscreet noises from a city square. Despite being present throughout, Jessica's motives remain opaque and her encounters enigmatic. Soon she begins to confront the unsettling sights and sounds that call her identity into question.

Watch Trailer

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2021/11/memoria-poster-and-trailer-starring.html

REVIEW: Lone McLonegan: A Western Adventure on Nintendo Switch

I was given a copy of Lone McLonegan on Nintendo Switch by the excellent PR team at Flynn's Arcade, and I do like me a 'point and click' adventure game, so I happily decided to check this one out. Now I have played plenty of these types of games over the decades, mainly on PC, and the odd one on Xbox, but I thought that I would see how such a game would work on Nintendo Switch, and a Switch Lite specifically.

Let's start out with the storyline.

"Lone McLonegan used to be "The Most Wanted Outlaw In The Wild West" but now he's a little rusty and out of shape. Bragg Badass, his arch nemesis, is now number one on the most wanted list and the new idol of the West.

When Lone learns of Badass' latest exploit, he finishes his mojito, jumps off his couch and decides to reclaim his spot back by robbing the Bank of Oldewell, which holds the most secure safe in the county. That will no doubt put the highest price on his head again and he will once again outdo Badass at last!

Halfway through the journey the stagecoach in which Lone is traveling is attacked by Badass' hitmen and Lone must walk to Oldewell to make history again."

Read Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-lone-mclonegan-western-adventure.html

Hannah Waddingham joins leads Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde in Masterpiece and ITV’s literary classic adaptation, Tom Jones

Hannah Waddingham joins leads Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde in Masterpiece and ITV's literary classic adaptation, Tom Jones, written by Gwyneth Hughes and produced by leading independent production company, Mammoth Screen

Emmy® award-winner Hannah Waddingham has been cast as the seductive and vengeful Lady Bellaston in Tom Jones, a Masterpiece, ITV and Mammoth Screen (Victoria, Poldark) miniseries currently filming in Northern Ireland.

Waddingham won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso at this year's Emmys®.

This follows the announcement that Solly McLeod (The Rising) is playing the hero Tom, alongside Sophie Wilde (You Don't Know Me) as the heroine Sophia Western and Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who) as Sophia's trusted maid, Honour, in this adaptation of The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling based on Henry Fielding's classic novel.

A rollercoaster story of the title character's complicated journey to find real love, Tom Jones has delighted and scandalised readers since it was originally published in 1749.

Also starring are James Fleet (Bridgerton) as Squire Allworthy, Tom's warm-hearted adoptive father; Alun Armstrong (Breeders) as Squire Western, Sophia's hard drinking, but loving grandfather, and Olivier-winner Shirley Henderson (Happy Valley) as Sophia's Aunt Western.

Tamzin Merchant (Carnival Row) is Sophia's Aunt Harriet, with Julian Rhind-Tutt (Britannia) as her bellicose husband Fitzpatrick. Susannah Fielding (This Time With Alan Partridge) is Mrs. Waters.

BAFTA-winner Daniel Rigby (Black Mirror) is the disgraced schoolteacher Partridge, who befriends Tom on his journey; James Wilbraham (In My Skin) is Tom's bitter cousin Blifil; Felicity Montagu (The Durrells) plays Blifil's mother Bridget Allworthy, a devoted aunt to Tom, and Janine Duvitski (Benidorm) is Mrs. Wilkins, Allworthy's testy housekeeper.

Dean Lennox Kelly (Jamestown) is poacher-turned-gamekeeper Black George and NTA winner Lucy Fallon (Coronation Street) is his daughter Molly, who charms young Tom.

Bertie Carvel is 'Dalgliesh' in must-watch new detective drama based on P.D. James’ bestselling novels - starts tonight Channel 5

Bertie Carvel takes the titular lead in Dalgliesh, a brand-new, must-watch period crime drama which is set to delight on its DVD and digital release this December courtesy of Acorn Media International, following its UK premiere on Channel 5.

Based on renowned author P.D. James' bestselling novels Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries, this gripping new drama follows the enigmatic detective and poet (Carvel – Doctor Foster, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Tragedy of Macbeth), as he takes on extraordinary murder cases, and reveals long-buried secrets.

Watch Trailer at

http://www.jonn.co.uk/2021/11/bertie-carvel-is-dalgliesh-in-must.html

REVIEW: Ghosts and Apples on Nintendo Switch

Ghosts and Apples is an "action-puzzle" game that will test your reaction times as well as memory.

Over 150 levels of hand drawn action. Are you hooked yet?

You find yourself in a house of magic, there are ghosts looking through windows, an octopus acting as a coat hanger, ravens, evil potions, a vampire, and so on. It is all very fantastical looking and as mentioned all hand drawn.

You play as a Puppet called Jack; your soul is trapped within him. You will soon find yourself looking up at paintings, which when you click will suck you into them, and that is how you access a level.

The main point of the game is to catch ghosts and turn them into apples, yes makes no sense to me either, but neither did the octopus as a coat hanger.

Read full review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/11/review-ghosts-and-apples-on-nintendo.html

REVIEW: Gravewood High (Early Access) - PC (Steam)

Before I start, as always with Early Access games, you must keep in mind that this is not the finished product. Game developers often will listen to feedback, update and change the game before a proper release, so any comments I give here are not on the finished game.

Gravewood High is a stealth horror game, set in a high school. Seemingly set in the 1980s/1990s.

The story goes that some students have gone missing at Gravewood High, but none of the teachers or parents have noticed. You are stuck within the school, and you need to escape, the problem is that the school is very much a maze that is constantly changing, and there is an evil teacher (Mr Hyde) looking for you.

Read more at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/10/review-gravewood-high-early-access-pc.html

Puppet Killer - Trailer and Poster - Starring Aleks Paunovic, Lee Majdoub & Lisa Durupt

Listen out for slay-bells as Puppet Killer is coming to town. Central City Media have today confirmed that the yuletide horror comedy will be released on Digital Download this November. Pulling the strings of Puppet Killer is director Lisa Ovies and stars Aleks Paunovic (Numb, War For The Planet of the Apes), Lee Majdoub (Sonic The Hedgehog, Dirk Gently) & Lisa Durupt (Love Guaranteed). Guaranteed to knock the stuffing out of you, Puppet Killer will be available on all major digital platforms from 29th November in all it's puppety glory.

It's the classic 'cabin in the woods' tale of teenagers (who are 100% teenage actors despite what IMDb may tell you) being assailed by a menacing pink and fluffy plush toy - that old chesnut.

For seven-year-old Jamie, watching horror movies with his loving parents and his fuzzy pink puppet, Simon, is a beloved Christmas tradition. Unfortunately, that all ends when his mother dies of cancer and his father marries a new woman who isn't nearly as supportive of Jamie's horror obsession, or his unhealthy friendship with Simon. After she mysteriously disappears from the family vacation home, Jamie starts to believe that Simon may have killed her.

Ten years later, Jamie brings five of his high school friends to the family's cabin for Christmas Break. All seems well until Simon is discovered in the cellar, resurrecting Jamie's old fears, causing him and his friends to question his mental well-being. 

As the weekend unfolds, Jamie's friends are slaughtered one by one in ways that would make Freddy, Jason, and Michael proud. Jamie must confront his childhood best friend in a bloody showdown that will push him to the brink of madness... if he isn't already there.

This Christmas - You better watch out, you better not die.

Puppet Killer will be available on Digital Download from 29th November-

Watch Trailer at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2021/11/puppet-killer-trailer-and-poster.html

REVIEW: Green Hell - PS4

Green Hell is an open world survival game from developers Creepy Jar.

Played from a first-person perspective, you play as a researcher called Jake Higgins, you find yourself in the jungle in the amazon, your partner Mia left to visit a tribe in the jungle, she is a linguist and decided to make first contact with a tribe known as the Yabahuca. Now she is gone, you are alone, and you need to not only find her, but you need to survive.

And this is the main idea of the game, survival. You will start off by learning how to do simple things, like building and starting a camp fire. You will need to learn how to craft items by collecting the raw materials, and combining them. But of course, things are a bit more complicated than that, you need to keep an eye on your health, not just physical but mental. As the environment around you changes, so will your need to build camps, find places to sleep. Everything you do matters. Find yourself thirsty and you decide to drink some water from a river, great if the water is clean, not so great if it is dirty. You will only make yourself more ill.

Full review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/10/review-green-hell-ps4.html

REVIEW: The Black Heart on PC (Steam)

The Black Heart is a gothic horror 1 vs 1 fighting game, think original Streetfighter 2 but with aesthetics from Mortal Kombat and you get the idea.

Originally released on the "M.U.G.E.N engine" which was a freeware 2D fighting game engine, whereby "authors" would port characters from other fighting games into the engine, Andrés Borghi took a different route, by creating totally original characters and stages for his game The Black Heart

Although moving on from that engine, it still plays in a similar way. And now gets an all-new official release on Steam with updated HD graphics and soundtrack.

 

The controls are as you would expect, directional control over your character and 4 buttons for punching and kicking.

Read full review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/10/review-black-heart-on-pc-steam.html

Blonde. Purple - Poster and Trailer - Starring Julian Moore-Cook, Elle Bindman, Adam J Bernard and Jennifer Lee Moon.

Purple will be heading to Digital Download from 30th November.

Directed by Marcus Flemmings (Palindrome, Six Rounds), the film stars Julian Moore-Cook, Elle Bindman, Adam J Bernard and Jennifer Lee Moon.

An out of his depth criminal is stuck in a bank after a heist goes wrong. With only a gun and a 16 year old girl as a hostage, how will he get out?

His life prior to this incident forces him to face truths about himself that he has been avoiding all his life.

BLONDE. Purple's writer and director, Marcus Flemmings, was thrilled to confirm the release. He said "Being a British filmmaker I am extremely elated to have the film been so warmly received by US distributors. After a thrilling bidding war it was my absolute pleasure to sign with 1091 Pictures - they are an incredibly forward thinking and diverse brand who have, over the years, been behind some wonderful releases. The incredible cast and crew who helped me get my vision out there by filming during the lockdown in the UK were simply incredible and deserve maximum credit."

BLONDE. Purple will be available on Digital Download from 30th November

Watch Trailer at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2021/10/blonde-purple-poster-and-trailer.html

REVIEW: Ragtag Racing on PC (Steam)

Ragtag Racing is a cheap, small file size, racing game on Steam, it is a super simple 3D Motorsport type game.

You can play in two separate views, in the driver's seat, or from above/behind. I have never liked playing games from the driver's perspective, so straight away I chose the above/behind viewpoint.

Race on a track, try to get from the back of the pack to the front and progress to the next track. Sounds simple! Well, it is and it isn't. The most important part of the game is your fuel level. Run out of fuel and you are done.

Full review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/10/review-ragtag-racing-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: RAYZE on PC (Steam)

RAYZE is one of the first games I am familiar with that comes under the "Aim Racer" genre. Put simply an Aim Racer game is a simplified game when by you select points on the screen with your left mouse button, and upon clicking on a target point you will move towards that point, as you move towards that point you will need to click on another target to move towards that, the ultimate aim to reach an end point of the level.

In RAYZE things are complicated by the fact that a successful hit of a target accelerates you, and a miss slows you down, hit a wall due to you not clicking on a target quick enough, and you die, level over, you have to start again. Find yourself going too fast and you can right click the mouse button and that also slows you down. Look for yellow areas to left click on to accelerate. (First speed you will reach is 120, and adds 60 for each new target you click on) Right button to slow down, and pressing the scroll wheel will restart the level. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the mouse too, which you will need to do, to find a speed of movement you are comfortable with.

More at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/10/review-rayze-on-pc-steam.html

Father of Flies - Poster and Trailer - Starring Camilla Rutherford & Sandra Andreis

Psychological horror Father of Flies, will have its UK Physical Premiere at Raindance Film Festival on 6th November.

Shot in Suffern - upstate New York, the film stars Camilla Rutherford (Gosford Park, Phantom Thread), Sandra Andreis (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Davi Santos (Tell Me a Story), Page Ruth (Shameless), and Nicholas Tucci, the star of cult horror film 'You're Next' who unfortunately has since passed away. This was one of the final films Nicholas had completed on.

The film is written and directed by Ben Charles Edwards who The British Film Institute said 'has crafted distinctive, admirable work that seems to have emerged from the unseen margins of British cinema.' He was also recently nominated for 'The Discovery Award' 'Outstanding Achievement in Craft' and 'Newcomer Discovery Award' at the British Independent Film Awards.

Co-written by Edwards' writing partner Nadia Doherty, the film is based on a story Edwards had written as a child, a haunting tale of family life. A vulnerable young boy finds his mother pushed out of the family home by a strange new woman, and he must confront the terrifying supernatural forces that seem to move in with her.

Father of Flies will have Physical Premiere at Raindance Film Festival with a general UK release in 2022

Watch Trailer

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2021/10/father-of-flies-poster-and-trailer.html

Bella Thorne stars in new thriller HABIT Coming to Digital Download 22nd November

Habit, will be coming to all major digital download platforms from 22nd November.

Habit, the directorial debut for Janell Shirtcliff, showcases an incredible cast throughout the film. It features performances from model and actress Bella Thorne (Midnight Sun, Shake It Up!), as well as Michael Jackson's daughter and American Horror Story star Paris Jackson and Bush's lead singer Gavin Rossdale.

When a drug deal goes wrong, street smart party girl Mads (Bella Thorne) and her best friends find a possible way out by masquerading as nuns...

Watch Trailer at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2021/10/bella-thorne-stars-in-new-thriller.html

REVIEW: Energy Cycle Edge on Nintendo Switch

Some years ago, a simple puzzle game was released called Energy Cycle, well Energy Cycle Edge is a sequel to that game, if you played the original, then this new version will feel instantly familiar. The concept is the same as the original. You have different coloured "cells", when you activate one it changes colour, along with all adjacent cells in the same line as the one you activated. The aim is to make all cells on the screen the same colour, sounds easy right? WRONG. Think of how you would solve a Rubiks Cube, now instead of just having 9 blocks on one side to worry about, you have many more. Just when you think you have Energy Cycle Edge mastered, you will face a more complicated puzzle.

Not only will you have a number of cells to activate on one side, things go fully three dimensional in Energy Cycle Edge, and you can change to a different side. Again, think of a Rubiks Cube and you get the idea.

Read Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2021/10/review-energy-cycle-edge-on-nintendo.html

REVIEW: Dune 2021 - Starring Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem

Dune is the kind of film that you will enjoy more on a second watching. I say that because the film itself is quite disjointed, and the characters in general are quite unlikeable, and the two characters you will take an interest in, those being Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban, and Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, aren't in the film that much. I don't understand why you would have such big name actors, and then not really use them.

If you are unaware of the Dune story, Timothée Chalamet plays Paul Atreides, the heir of House Atreides. A brilliant and gifted young man, destined for great things. He has to travel to a dangerous desert planet called Arrakis, also known as Dune. This planet has a substance on it called "Melange", also known as "Spice". This is a drug that can give humans longer life spans, and increase brain capacity.

The drug is collected by huge machines that scrape the planets surface, of course life isn't so easy and there are giant sand worms that are a constant threat, as well as deadly storms.

After a betrayal Paul and Lady Jessica, played by the gorgeous Rebecca Ferguson cross the desert to find the Fremen, natives of the planet Arrakis who they hope will help them.

Read full review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2021/10/review-dune-2021-starring-timothee.html