REVIEW: The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire (2026 Video Game) - Out On Early Access on Steam

The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire is an early access hybrid that blends simulation, RPG and strategy systems into a single open world crime experience. Players start by building a nightclub business, then expand into wider criminal activity, managing staff, VIP guests, illegal trade and gang territory. The structure is straightforward to grasp, with a clear progression loop that moves between legitimate business management and underworld control.

Its strongest appeal lies in its ambition and atmosphere, offering a mix of empire building and street level crime that feels cohesive in concept even when still rough in execution. The game presents a living city where decisions ripple across both business and criminal sides of the operation, but current limitations such as fiddly controls and a lack of menu clarity hold back the experience. It shows promise as a foundation, but it is still clearly in need of refinement before it reaches its full potential.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2026/04/review-boss-gangster-criminal-empire.html

REVIEW: No Ordinary Heist (2026 Film) - Starring Eddie Marsan and Éanna Hardwicke

No Ordinary Heist is a 2026 British thriller directed by Colin McIvor, set in Belfast in 2004 and loosely inspired by the Northern Bank robbery. It follows bank manager Richard Murray and security guard Barry McKenna, two men with a strained and competitive relationship who are forced into a shared crisis when a criminal gang kidnaps their loved ones. With Richard’s wife and Barry’s mother held hostage, the pair are coerced into carrying out a high stakes robbery at their workplace. The film focuses less on spectacle and more on pressure, building tension through small, everyday details and the emotional strain placed on both men.

The strength of the film lies in its performances and its controlled sense of escalation. Eddie Marsan brings restrained authority and inner tension to Richard, while Éanna Hardwicke gives Barry a restless unpredictability that anchors much of the film’s energy. Their uneasy dynamic drives the story forward, shifting between hostility and reluctant cooperation. The film’s approach to tension is subtle, relying on atmosphere, silence, and implication rather than action set pieces, creating a steady sense of unease.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2026/04/review-no-ordinary-heist-2026-film.html

REVIEW: Dialoop (2026 Video Game) - on PC (Steam)

Dialoop blends a sliding style match 3 puzzle mechanics with roguelite progression and deckbuilding, creating a fast and reactive experience. Players build decks, trigger chain reactions, and stack relics to chase high scores, while the sliding grid adds a different layer of strategy. The visuals are bright and striking, with voxel characters and dramatic defeat animations adding a distinct tone.

The game works best in short sessions, where its speed and colourful design feel engaging rather than overwhelming. While the new mechanics are interesting, they may not appeal to everyone, and the intensity of the visuals could be off putting for some. Overall, it is a solid puzzle game that experiments with familiar ideas without fully replacing them.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2026/04/review-dialoop-2026-video-game-on-pc.html

REVIEW: The Day I Became a Bird (2026 Video Game) - On Playstation 5

The Day I Became a Bird tells a small, heartfelt story about childhood feelings, following Frank as he tries to win Sylvia’s attention through a quirky, bird inspired plan. It plays out like an interactive bedtime story, with light exploration and simple puzzles guiding you through a handful of everyday moments. The presentation does most of the heavy lifting, with hand drawn visuals and gentle music creating a consistently warm tone.

While the puzzles are enjoyable, they are very basic and there is not a great deal of variety across the short four day structure. It clearly leans towards a younger audience, especially those playing with a parent, but there is still enough charm to hold wider appeal. It may not last long, but it leaves behind a pleasant, feel good impression.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2026/04/review-day-i-became-bird-2026-video.html

REVIEW: Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026 Film) Starring Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, May Calamawy, Natalie Grace, and Verónica Falcón

Lee Cronin’s take on The Mummy leans heavily into grotesque body horror, delivering a film that is far more interested in shock and discomfort than classic franchise storytelling. The first half stands out with strong atmosphere, unsettling imagery, and a grounded emotional core from the central family, while the horror escalates into increasingly extreme and memorable set pieces that push well beyond typical mainstream limits.

However, the film loses momentum as it stretches past the two hour mark, with uneven pacing and a lack of clear identity dragging it down. It feels less like a true reimagining of The Mummy and more like a standard possession story dressed in ancient Egyptian elements. Still, if taken purely as a horror experience, its relentless gore and bold ideas make it a flawed but effective watch.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2026/04/review-lee-cronins-mummy-2026-film.html

REVIEW: Noir Mafia Simulator 1960s American Crime (2026 Video Game) - on PC (steam)

Noir Mafia Simulator drops you into a 1960s criminal underworld where each heist can be tackled your way, either through stealth or brute force. The variety of locations and the freedom to approach jobs differently give it a solid foundation, with simple but effective mechanics like lockpicking and hostage taking adding moments of tension.

However, the experience is dragged down by dated visuals, lack of controller support, weak shooting mechanics, and a planning system that feels too limited. While there is clear potential, the game in its current Early Access state struggles to stay engaging and feels behind the times.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2026/04/review-noir-mafia-simulator-1960s.html

REVIEW: ROGOLF (2026 Video Game) - on PC Steam

ROGOLF takes a straightforward mini golf concept and gives it a light roguelite twist, placing it inside an office climb where each run feels slightly different. The changing rules per level, along with upgrades bought between floors, add a welcome sense of progression and strategy. The scoring system, which balances shot cost against coin multipliers, keeps each attempt engaging and gives players a reason to push for better runs.

That said, the core mini golf mechanics remain quite basic, and the limited number of course layouts starts to show over time. While the visual style feels deliberately dated, it does little to mask the repetition that sets in during longer sessions. Even so, the overall structure and quirky setting give the game enough charm to make it a worthwhile, if slightly limited, experience.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2026/04/review-rogolf-2026-video-game-on-pc.html

REVIEW: The Rogue Prince of Persia (2025 Video Game) - On PS5

The Rogue Prince of Persia is a 2025 2D roguelike platform game developed by Evil Empire and published by Ubisoft. It follows an unnamed Prince who relies on fluid parkour movement and fast paced combat as he fights through procedurally generated levels set around the city of Ctesiphon. The gameplay is built around wall running, wall jumping, swinging and agile traversal, combined with melee and ranged attacks, kicks, dodging and quick weapon switching. Progression comes through Medallions, coins and weapon upgrades, while a time travel mechanic sends the player back to a hub called The Oasis after death, where skills and gear can be improved for the next run.

The game works best when movement and combat flow together, creating energetic runs that feel responsive and skill driven. It captures the spirit of the Prince of Persia series and reshapes it into a roguelike structure with strong pacing and satisfying core mechanics. However, it does suffer from repetition over time, with limited variety becoming more noticeable during longer play sessions. Overall it is an enjoyable and well made action roguelike that delivers a solid experience, even if it does not fully escape its repetitive nature, scoring 8 out of 10.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2026/04/review-rogue-prince-of-persia-2025.html

REVIEW: Playtive Wooden Baby Swing (2026 from Lidl)

The Playtive Wooden Baby Swing from Lidl turns a small impulse buy into a genuinely worthwhile addition to the garden. It is easy to set up, feels sturdy once in place, and most importantly delivers exactly what you hope for when your child settles in and starts to enjoy the ride. The simple wooden design and strong ropes give it a reassuring sense of quality that goes beyond its low price.

It is not without its small frustrations, particularly the lack of a quick attachment solution for easy removal in bad weather, which feels like an oversight. Even so, for £15 it represents excellent value and proves that a well made, enjoyable product does not need to come with a high price tag.

Full Review at

https://www.playwithtoys.co.uk/2026/04/review-playtive-wooden-baby-swing.html

REVIEW: Past Life (2026 Film) Starring Aneurin Barnard and Jeremy Piven

Past Life follows a traumatised war journalist who undergoes hypnosis and begins experiencing visions that appear to place him inside the mind of a serial killer from the 1980s. As he teams up with the hypnotist who triggered these episodes, the pair attempt to piece together clues from the murders, all while questioning whether what they are seeing is real or something far more dangerous.

Driven by strong performances from Aneurin Barnard and Jeremy Piven, the film balances grounded drama with surreal, visually striking dream sequences. While its low budget is evident, the commitment from the cast and the focused runtime keep it engaging, even if the final act feels rushed and the twist is predictable.

Full Review

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2026/04/review-past-life-2026-film-starring.html

REVIEW: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026 Film) - Stars Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black and Keegan-Michael Key

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie delivers a bright, energetic adventure that focuses on action, spectacle, and constant movement. With a tight runtime and standout animation, it keeps things simple and entertaining, packed with familiar characters, game references, and fast moving set pieces that are clearly designed to keep younger audiences engaged from start to finish.

While it lacks deeper character development, the film leans into what it does best. It avoids heavy messaging and sticks to pure entertainment, which is likely to appeal to general audiences far more than critics. That straightforward approach, combined with its visual appeal and pace, makes it an easy crowd pleaser.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2026/04/review-super-mario-galaxy-movie-2026.html

REVIEW: Xiaomi Tag (2026 Tracking Unit)

I approached the Xiaomi Tag with doubts, but the experience quickly shifted once I saw how easy it was to set up and how consistently it performed. From a simple Bluetooth connection that worked instantly, to real world tracking during a journey from Southampton to a cruise ship and beyond, it proved reliable in situations I did not expect it to handle so well. Even in the middle of the sea, it managed to update its location when near other connected devices, which genuinely surprised me.

There are limits to how it works, mainly the reliance on nearby phones with Bluetooth and internet access, but in everyday life that rarely becomes a major issue. Once back on land in Norway, it returned to steady and accurate tracking without any fuss. For such a small and lightweight device, it delivers exactly what it promises, and at its price point, it feels like excellent value with very few real drawbacks.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2026/04/review-xiaomi-tag-2026-tracking-unit.html