REVIEW: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (2025 Video Game) - On Playstation 5

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater revisits one of the most beloved entries in the franchise, retelling Naked Snake's Cold War mission with striking new visuals and modern refinements. Stealth, survival mechanics, and memorable encounters all return, bolstered by updated controls, persistent wounds, and an immersive camouflage system that reflects the gritty journey through jungles and Soviet bases. For newcomers, it's the most accessible way to experience the story, and for long-time fans, it offers a polished trip down memory lane.

Yet, for all the improvements, it remains rooted in 2004. The game feels dated in design, and despite the PS5 sheen, it doesn't reinvent or reimagine enough to be called a true remake. With a hefty 90GB install size and a £60 price tag, it's hard not to see this as a cautious remaster rather than a bold revival. It's faithful, it's beautiful, but it's also a reminder that sometimes preservation can come at the cost of ambition.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/08/review-metal-gear-solid-delta-snake.html

REVIEW: Sokobos 2 (2025 Video Game) on PC Steam

Sokobos 2 takes the classic block-pushing puzzle and gives it a clever, modern twist. You must load vases into a cart, but the catch is the cart moves too, turning simple puzzles into satisfying brain teasers. Objects interact in interesting ways: some float, some sink, and some can form temporary bridges when pushed into water. The game also includes gates, pressure plates, and other mechanics, all presented with clear instructions before trusting your problem-solving skills. Set in Ancient Greece, the story adds a touch of character, casting you as someone condemned by the Gods to collect vases for eternity.

The visuals are minimalist, keeping the focus firmly on the puzzles themselves. Sokobos 2 is approachable for newcomers, yet still offers challenges for veterans of the genre. Unlike the original Sokobos, which could feel overcomplicated with large levels, this sequel keeps things simple, tight, and satisfying. Launching on Steam on 19 September 2025 for $9.99 with a 15% discount, it runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/08/review-sokobos-2-2025-video-game-on-pc.html

REVIEW: Relay (2025 FIlm) - Starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James and Sam Worthington

Ash is a covert fixer who brokers payoffs between whistleblowers and powerful companies while masking his identity through relay service calls and strict rules. After handling a tense Optimo case for Hoffman, he's contacted by Sarah Grant, who is being hunted over a report on dangerous side effects from Cybo Sementis wheat. Ash guides her through misdirection and dead drops, forwards a tracked payoff until the battery dies, and leverages the documents against an upcoming merger, all while juggling AA meetings with his sponsor Wash and a cache of client files hidden in a Newark warehouse.

As the noose tightens, Sarah is lured into a trap, Ash pulls a chaotic rescue at a concert hall, and then surrenders when Dawson's team seizes her. The real twist surfaces when Sarah reveals she is part of the operation sent to expose Ash and recover Hoffman's files. A showdown at the warehouse ends with police arrivals summoned by Ash, arrests for the team, and Ash choosing to trust Wash with the documents. Later he mails most of the payoff to the Tri-State Relay Service and departs by train as news of Optimo's crimes breaks, closing a tense story of secrecy, leverage and consequence.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/08/review-relay-2025-film-starring-riz.html

REVIEW: Jacked Up (2025 VR Game) For MetaQuest

Jacked Up is exactly the kind of VR oddity that sneaks up on you. The premise is absurd, you play as a ripped rabbit climbing a massive tower while your progress is streamed to an in-game audience, but the execution is spot-on. The bounce-based movement feels great, and every failed jump just makes you want to try again. With gyms acting as checkpoints and muscle-bound animals cheering you on, the game keeps its tongue firmly in cheek while delivering that one-more-go loop.

It isn't flawless. The graphics are basic and the gameplay can feel repetitive after a while, especially if you're hoping for variety beyond the climb. Motion sickness is also a genuine risk if you're sensitive. But for a penny under six quid, Jacked Up is funny, addictive, and refreshingly different. Right now it's a solid 7 out of 10, with potential to get even better as new challenges and mini-games arrive in future updates.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/08/review-jacked-up-2025-vr-game-for.html

Sky drops first-look teaser for The Iris Affair

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky has unveiled the first teaser for The Iris Affair, a sleek new thriller that promises sunlit landscapes, shadowy secrets and a chase that never lets up. Set against the beauty of Italy, the series follows two sharp minds locked in a dangerous contest where the stakes grow darker with every move.

At the centre is Iris Nixon, played by Niamh Algar (Mary & George, The Virtues), a brilliant but elusive figure who cracks a series of intricate online puzzles. Her trail leads her to Florence, where she encounters Cameron Beck, a smooth-talking entrepreneur played by Tom Hollander (The White Lotus, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans). He lures her into his orbit with the promise of working on a powerful secret technology. Intrigued, Iris agrees, only to uncover just how dangerous the device could be. She flees with the journal that holds the key to unlocking it, setting off a hunt that spans Sardinia, Rome and beyond.

What follows is a cat-and-mouse pursuit across Italy, with Iris determined to stay one step ahead while Cameron refuses to let her slip away. The teaser hints at high-stakes confrontations, sweeping locations and the unnerving question of who can truly be trusted when both sides are willing to deceive.

Created, written and showrun by Neil Cross (Luther), The Iris Affair brings together directors Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) and Sarah O'Gorman (A Gentleman in Moscow, The Witcher) to deliver a series that looks as stylish as it is tense.

With sun-drenched piazzas, remote hideouts and the thrum of pursuit through city streets, The Iris Affair sets up a gripping story of intellect, betrayal and survival. It arrives this autumn on Sky and streaming service NOW.

REVIEW: Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi (2025 Video Game) on PC (Steam)

Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi is a fantasy adventure from MarsLit Games, drawing inspiration from the animation style of Studio Ghibli and Studio Chizu. The story follows Lili, a reluctant would-be Guardian who has no desire to take on her mother's legacy, and Sadi, a determined Monk-in-training who believes their partnership is the only way to defeat the Void. Together they must journey across Atarassia, taking on dungeons filled with puzzles, corrupted shrines, and monstrous enemies, all while learning what it truly means to be Guardian and Monk.

The game shines in its art direction and storytelling, with a beautiful hand-painted style and emotional themes of loss and reluctant duty. Yet technical problems hold it back, with frequent bugs, clunky controls, and inconsistent audio design creating frustration. With only days to go before its release, it feels more like an early access title than a finished product. There is plenty of potential here, but the game will need major updates to deliver the experience its striking visuals and strong concept promise.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/08/review-altheia-wrath-of-aferi-2025.html

REVIEW: Recharge (2025 Video Game) - Early Access Release on PC

Recharge delivers a sim-cade take on RC racing, combining physics-based handling with the accessible fun of arcade gameplay. The visuals are impressively detailed, with authentic RC car behaviour that captures the feel of the real thing. From precise steering to the crunch of gravel under the wheels, every race feels engaging and satisfying. Single-player and cross-platform multiplayer modes keep the action varied, and extensive customisation lets players tailor both the look and performance of their cars.

While the game is already fun to play, it's still in early access and comes with a few rough edges. The menu system lacks certain quality-of-life options like disabling motion blur, and controller mapping could use more polish. Even so, the planned additions, from split-screen and custom tracks to drift mode, open-world exploration, and combat racing, point to a bright future. As it stands, Recharge is a promising RC racer with the potential to become a standout in its niche.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/08/review-recharge-2025-video-game-early.html

REVIEW: The Karters 2: Turbo Charged (2025 Video Game - A Kart Racer Built for Speed and Skill

The Karters 2: Turbo Charged is a fast-paced, skill-based kart racer from Pixel Edge Games that's already making waves in early access. With drift mechanics inspired by Crash Team Racing and a reserve system that lets you push speed without limits, it delivers thrilling, high-stakes racing moments. The game comes packed with sixteen tracks, six battle arenas, and inventive modes like Road Breaker and Quick Cut, alongside more than 1,500 mods via Steam Workshop, all browsable in-game. Multiplayer options are extensive, with split-screen for up to six players, online support, ranked matchmaking, dedicated servers, and ghost races to test yourself against top players.

Despite not being fully released, the game feels highly polished, offering smooth controls, strong visuals, and plenty of content to keep players hooked. A single-player challenge campaign, cups of up to 24 rounds, replay and photo modes, and a range of competitive leaderboards add to its replay value. With a Story Mode and in-game track editor on the way, The Karters 2 is already a standout in a crowded genre, and the planned updates could make it one of the most feature-rich kart racers on PC.

Full Review on

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/08/review-karters-2-turbo-charged-2025.html

REVIEW: The Death of Snow White (2025 Film) - Starring Sanae Loutsis, Chelsea Edmundson and Tristan Nokes

The Death of Snow White takes the familiar fairy tale and drags it deep into the world of brutal horror. Jason Brooks leans hard into the B-movie energy, filling the screen with blood, black magic and some outrageous kills that are more inventive than they have any right to be. Chelsea Edmundson steals much of the film as the Evil Queen, a twisted monarch whose obsession with beauty leads to blood rituals, human sacrifice and a castle that looks like a serial killer's scrapbook. The film doesn't shy away from going all-in on its gore, from skull crushing and axe decapitations to poison-induced hallucinations, and the Seven Dwarves are reimagined as ruthless assassins with their own signature methods of murder.

It is a film that knows exactly what it is and embraces its low-budget charm. Yes, some of the visual effects wobble under the strain, but the creativity behind the kills and the gleefully over-the-top performances keep it entertaining. Snow White's arc from hunted princess to trained killer is satisfying, and the final battle delivers in both spectacle and savagery. For horror fans who enjoy their fairy tales soaked in blood and not afraid to be a bit camp, this is easily one of the most fun reimaginings in recent years.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/08/review-death-of-snow-white-2025-film.html

REVIEW: MAVRIX by Matt Jones on PC Steam - (Early Access)

MAVRIX by Matt Jones is an ambitious open world downhill mountain biking game, currently in early access, that offers players a huge 100 square kilometre playground of downhill race tracks, slopestyle lines and multiple bike parks. It aims to combine creative freedom with competitive racing, featuring authentic physics, dual stick controls, real world brand customisation, sponsorship contracts and online multiplayer with global rankings. The game encourages both casual exploration and high-level competition, whether you want to cruise with friends, find hidden challenges or chase rare unlocks through intense races.

While the foundation is promising, the game's long-term success will depend on the developers focusing on core stability and accessibility before expanding content. Players are calling for serious optimisation so it can run smoothly on a wide range of PCs, an offline single player mode to allow instant play, and the removal of unskippable scenes that slow down the action. If the basics are nailed first, MAVRIX could become a standout title in the MTB gaming space. If not, it risks squandering its potential under the weight of performance issues and poor design priorities.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/08/review-mavrix-by-matt-jones-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: The Naked Gun (2025 Film) - Starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson

The Naked Gun (2025) opens at full throttle, with Frank Drebin Jr foiling a bank robbery in a schoolgirl outfit, only to uncover a plot involving the theft of the P.L.O.T. Device. His chaotic policing leads to reassignment, a visit to his father's memorial, and an investigation into the suspicious death of software engineer Simon Davenport. The trail points to billionaire Richard Cane, whose sinister scheme is to unleash humanity's savage instincts while the wealthy hide underground.

The film delivers the same rapid-fire, absurd humour as the originals, with Liam Neeson's straight-man delivery amplifying the madness around him. Pamela Anderson shines as Beth Davenport, Danny Huston plays the suave yet deranged villain, and a string of surprise cameos add extra laughs. Packed with set-pieces from a self-driving car disaster to a bizarre living snowman, it's unapologetically silly and designed for fans of the franchise's classic comedic style.

Read the full review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/08/review-naked-gun-2025-film-starring.html

REVIEW: Killing Floor 3 (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Killing Floor 3 drops players into a brutal co-op shooter set in 2091, where a rebel group called Nightfall battles against Horzine's monstrous zeds. With six unique specialists to choose from, players fight through waves of enemies using class-specific weapons and abilities, while upgrading gear, triggering slow-motion Zed Time, and using tools like sentry guns and ziplines to survive. The combat can be intense, the visuals are strong, and the gore is satisfyingly over the top.

But the game feels unfinished. The difficulty is harsh for newcomers, early weapons are underpowered, and even with visual settings adjusted, motion sickness can still hit hard. Despite being a full release, Killing Floor 3 feels more like a beta, lacking content and polish. Tripwire promises updates, but right now, the console version especially feels rushed and underwhelming.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/08/review-killing-floor-3-2025-video-game.html