REVIEW: Formula Legends (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Formula Legends is a playful and visually striking tribute to open-wheel racing across six decades. Players can drive 16 unique cars and race on 14 reimagined circuits, each evolving through different eras. The Story Mode and customisation options add depth, making the game appealing to both newcomers and long-time fans of motorsport.

However, the handling feels inconsistent, with cornering heavy and straights too light, and the lack of official licences means drivers and teams are fictional. While the sim-cade approach provides accessible gameplay, it prevents the game from fully succeeding as either a simulation or arcade racer. Despite these issues, the game remains fun, with great graphics and engaging homage to racing history.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-formula-legends-2025-video-game.html

REVIEW: Car Driving School Simulator (2025 Video Game) - On PC (Steam)

Car Driving School Simulator balances realistic driving challenges with entertainment. Eight detailed maps, 30 vehicles, dynamic weather, and first-person mode create variety and immersion. Following traffic rules adds a fun, structured challenge.

While the traffic AI can be unpredictable and the lack of UK levels is noticeable, the game remains enjoyable. With room for extra content, it could become a lasting favourite for simulation fans.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-car-driving-school-simulator.html

REVIEW: The Shadow's Edge (2025 Film) - Starring Jackie Chan and Tony Leung Ka-fai

Larry Yang's The Shadow's Edge delivers a rare mix of brains and brawn, pairing a clear, tightly written story with the kind of physical spectacle only Jackie Chan can provide. Chan stars as Wong Tak-chong, a retired surveillance expert coaxed back into action to hunt a cyber-criminal gang that has stolen billions. While the setup sounds familiar, the film stands out for its disciplined storytelling and the electric chemistry between Chan and rising star Zhang Zifeng as rookie cop He Qiuguo. Their mentor–protégé dynamic adds warmth and emotional weight to the tense, technology-driven cat-and-mouse chase.

The action sequences are as inventive as anything in Chan's long career, with practical stunts that outshine modern CGI and a post-credit reel that proves the danger was real. Tony Leung Ka-fai makes a compelling villain, giving the final showdown the gravitas of two veterans squaring off. A slightly overlong runtime and the absence of an English dub are minor drawbacks, but they do little to dull a thrilling ride. The Shadow's Edge shows that Jackie Chan remains a force, using age and experience to deepen his screen presence rather than hide it.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/09/review-shadows-edge-2025-film-starring.html

REVIEW: The Long Walk (2025 film) - Starring Cooper Hoffman

The Long Walk adapts Stephen King's 1979 novel into a stark, oppressive survival thriller. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film follows fifty teenage boys forced to walk until only one remains alive, a concept that immediately sets a grim and relentless tone. Cooper Hoffman shines as Ray Garraty, bringing a quiet resolve and emotional weight that keeps the film from collapsing under its own bleakness. The supporting cast holds their own, and moments of human connection between the walkers offer brief relief from the tension.

Unfortunately, the film never escapes the limits of its premise. Once the deadly rules are revealed, the narrative settles into a repetitive cycle of marching and dying with little variation. At nearly two hours, the slow pacing and predictable turns drain the suspense, leaving strong performances stranded in a story that feels stretched thin. The result is a technically competent but ultimately exhausting adaptation that struggles to justify its length.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/09/review-long-walk-2025-film.html

REVIEW: Disc Golf City (2025 Video Game) - On PC Steam

Disc Golf City brings the quiet sport of disc golf into a colourful low-poly city, swapping forests for rooftops, alleys and hidden trick-shot targets. The arcade setup is easy to grasp and free of timers, with playful achievements for creative throws and scenery that invites exploration. When a throw curves just right and lands in the basket it feels genuinely rewarding.

The problems lie in the demanding controls and a punishing progression system. Only the tutorial is open at first and new levels require under-par scores across all courses, turning early play into a grind. Free play mode offers little relief and often resets progress. With smoother handling and more generous unlocking this could become a cult favourite, but at launch it remains a charming yet uneven experience.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-disc-golf-city-2025-video-game.html

REVIEW: Prisoner of War (2025 film) - Starring Scott Adkins

Prisoner of War, directed by Louis Mandylor, is a 2025 action war thriller set during the Battle of Bataan. Scott Adkins stars as RAF Wing Commander James Wright, who is captured by Japanese forces and forced into brutal hand-to-hand combat in a POW camp. The film highlights his martial arts skills as he motivates fellow prisoners and plans a daring escape, delivering intense action sequences and a grounded portrayal of resilience.

While the story follows familiar war-thriller beats, Adkins' performance and the fight choreography stand out, making the film a solid throwback to physical action cinema. The supporting cast, including Peter Shinkoda, Donald Cerrone, and Michael Copon, adds depth, though the nearly two-hour runtime and slower pacing in non-action scenes are minor drawbacks. Overall, it is a gripping and visceral action experience for fans of the genre.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/09/review-prisoner-of-war-2025-film.html

REVIEW: Call of the Sea (2025 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Call of the Sea is a first-person puzzle adventure set in the 1930s, where you play as Norah on a journey to a remote South Pacific island in search of her missing husband. The game has no combat and instead focuses on exploration and a steady stream of puzzles that blend naturally into the story. The island is beautifully presented, with vibrant environments and mysterious ruins, while Cissy Jones's performance as Norah adds real heart to the narrative.

Not everything lands smoothly, with some puzzles proving difficult enough to push players towards outside help, and the Switch Lite version showing occasional stuttering. Still, the game's striking setting, engaging story, and thoughtful design make it a rewarding experience. It may not have much replay value, but as a single playthrough it stands out as a memorable and challenging adventure.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-call-of-sea-2025-video-game-on.html

REVIEW: Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek puts players in the shoes of Sloane Spencer, a young teen exploring a town full of eerie mysteries and supernatural threats. The game blends stealth, puzzles, and exploration, with fun cartoony graphics and spooky sound effects that bring the Goosebumps universe to life. Players navigate abandoned theatres, foggy streets, and shadowed libraries, using a slingshot and a haunted book to evade monsters and uncover hidden secrets.

The game is easy to pick up, with a gentle learning curve, making it ideal for younger players. While it's a short experience, the clever puzzles, stealth mechanics, and familiar Goosebumps charm provide plenty of fun. Fans of the series will appreciate the playful scares and spooky atmosphere, making this a strong introduction to both stealth gameplay and the Goosebumps world.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-goosebumps-terror-in-little.html

REVIEW: Light of the World (2025 Film) - Starring Ian Hanlin and Benjamin Jacobson

Light of the World is a 2025 animated Christian drama that brings the life of Jesus to the screen through the eyes of his youngest disciple, John. From the early days of his ministry to the crucifixion and resurrection, the story is told with heart and accessibility, framed in a way that feels fresh without losing reverence for the source. Directed by Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer, the film pairs Disney-inspired animation with a story that balances humanity, faith, and wonder.

The cast, including Ian Hanlin as Jesus and Benjamin Jacobson as John, deliver warm and engaging performances that help bring this biblical story to life for younger audiences as well as adults. The film never shies away from the darker elements of Christ's story, but presents them in a way that is appropriate and meaningful. Light of the World is both visually striking and spiritually uplifting, a rare animated biblical tale that manages to feel universal in its appeal.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/09/review-light-of-world-2025-film.html

REVIEW: Dixotomia (2025 Video Game) Released in Early Access on MetaQuest

Dixotomia drops you into a threatened colony where vampires, mercenaries, and androids clash, and survival depends on skill, strategy, and quick reflexes. The game mixes sci-fi gunplay with vampiric abilities, offering deep upgrade trees and a choice-driven experience that shapes the fate of the planet.

As an Early Access title, it shows plenty of promise but is rough around the edges. Bugs, uneven visuals, and lack of polish can frustrate, yet the immersive environments, solid controls, and cinematic action suggest a strong foundation. With continued updates, Dixotomia could become a standout VR shooter.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-dixotomia-2025-video-game.html

REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and the new "The Order of Giants" DLC on Xbox

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers a cinematic action-adventure that captures the spirit of the films. Players explore iconic locations, solve puzzles, engage in stealth and combat, and uncover relics in a richly detailed world. The whip mechanics, Adventure Books, and first-person perspective provide a dynamic and immersive experience, while voice acting and animated cutscenes bring the story to life.

The Order of Giants DLC expands the game with a new Rome-based story featuring Father Ricci, the Cult of Mithras, Nero's gladiator games, and hidden crypts beneath the city. With fresh challenges, new puzzles, and atmospheric locations, it complements the base game perfectly. Together, they offer a polished, entertaining, and highly satisfying adventure for both longtime fans and newcomers.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-indiana-jones-and-great-circle.html

REVIEW: The Thursday Murder Club (2025 FIlm) - Starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie

The Thursday Murder Club brings Richard Osman's novel to the screen with Chris Columbus directing and an enviable cast led by Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie. Their chemistry and charm carry the film, turning a familiar cosy mystery setup into something lively and watchable. Add in neat camerawork, a warm score and a supporting cast that includes Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant, and it feels like a carefully assembled piece of polished entertainment.

The problem is that it rarely takes risks. At nearly two hours, the pacing sags, the plotting feels predictable, and the film leans so hard into its cosiness that it drifts towards complacency. It is safe, pleasant, and charming, but never daring. For audiences after comfort viewing with accomplished performances, it does the job. For anyone seeking sharper wit or genuine suspense, it may feel like a missed opportunity.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/09/review-thursday-murder-club-2025-film.html

REVIEW: EDENS ZERO (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

EDENS ZERO puts players in control of Shiki Granbell and his friends on a cosmos-spanning adventure. Featuring a mix of the original story and game-exclusive quests, the game lets players explore Blue Garden and beyond, with over 700 equippable items and full character customisation. Combat is dynamic, with eight playable characters offering varied fighting styles, and boss battles that provide satisfying challenges.

The game stands out for its vibrant anime visuals, smooth controls, and entertaining gameplay, appealing to both fans of the manga and newcomers. While minor issues like a small mini map exist, the world feels expansive and the overall experience is polished and fun.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-edens-zero-2025-video-game-on.html

REVIEW: The Roses (2025 Film) - Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman

The Roses follows Theo and Ivy Rose, whose seemingly perfect marriage spirals into escalating cruelty as career shifts and domestic pressures create tension. Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman deliver magnetic performances, balancing humour and menace while keeping the audience invested in their chaotic relationship.

The film shines in its portrayal of relatable domestic conflicts, with supporting performances from Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon adding extra comic relief. Despite sharp humour and entertaining chaos, it plays it safe compared to the 1989 original, making it a solid but fleeting one-time watch.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2025/09/review-roses-2025-film-starring.html

REVIEW: Lost Twins 2 (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Lost Twins 2 is a delightful puzzle-platformer where players guide siblings Abi and Ben through a whimsical, hand-painted world. The game's signature mechanic allows you to move the environment itself, creating new paths and solving clever, well-crafted puzzles. Each level is full of thoughtful design, from pressure switches and water gates to lifts and breakable domes, ensuring a fresh challenge at every turn. Inspired by Miyazaki, the art and animation are soft, painterly, and utterly charming, complemented by a soothing original soundtrack.

Players can tackle the journey solo, switching between Abi and Ben to reach goals, or enjoy local co-op, which highlights the game's inventive puzzle mechanics. With no enemies, no timers, and no deaths, the focus is purely on exploration, discovery, and creativity. The story may be light, but the experience is joyful, clever, and visually breathtaking. Lost Twins 2 is a heartwarming, cerebral adventure that succeeds in delighting both children and adults.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/09/review-lost-twins-2-2025-video-game-on.html