Lia Batson – Google

Fantastic overall. SPOILER ALERT! Very good in that the storyline was fresh, based on a true story, so more realistic but still an adventure, the characters were well done and there were lots of different options to pick from, so looking forwards to future playthroughs. New in game mechanics were great as previous games did not have these. Story was so well thought through, brilliantly linked together, pieced together with the evidence collection and the overall game had the most sincere feeling of dread and an edge of palpable nervousness about it. Constantly wondering when the dude was going to show up, lots of tense QTEs but plenty of double chances if you're an idiot like me and often miss them. Got Erin killed early on, but the second time I played it, I managed to keep her alive to see the rest of her story play out. I bodged the QTE so Charlie got nommed in the meat grinder, but otherwise, Kate was alive and so was Mark and Jamie, but her character needs a personality check! Bad points were that it just sort of ended and we never know what happened - are there two killers, who picked up the mask, so was Du'Met really dead? And what was the point in the obbles or whatever they were called? You save them up to collect strange models that you can toggle on the game screen, like the anamatronics etc. I thought they'd have more use. Only other bad was that the 'dark pictures' other than Charlie's at the door gave no clue about how to avoid or negotiate the deaths and dangers. It seems a lot of the time it was sheer luck or misfortune that would save or kill of the characters. There was no rhyme nor reason for some of the deaths, whereas the decision making in Little Hope for example, seemed a bit more logical. Otherwise it would have been 5 stars. This, alongside playing At Dead of Night has definitely made me dubious about taking another trip to a Travelodge any time soon!

This has to be, hands down, one of the best games I have ever played. You can play it multiple times over as a single player and get different options, reactions, responses and consequences each time that that's wonderful. The graphics are incredible, the story, although far-fetched and I'm not a fan of monsters is detailed and intricate and well thought through and superbly executed. Only problem was the first time round I was so pants at it that only two people survived. Good job it ain't real life! It was a good way to lose myself on a rainy day. Jumpscares predictable but well done regardless. Felt like playing a movie. Will be trying the rest of the dark pictures anthology as well, as they are of a similar nature. Fab game.

This was sheer insanity! This was brilliant. I've rated 4 rather than 5 because for a pleb like me, it was difficult. I'm not the best gamer, so that is all on me and not the game creators. The story was interesting, intricate and varied and Jimmy's (the main character's) habits are detailed and complex. Can get repetitive when you keep getting bumped off and have to constantly retrieve the objects he takes off you each time. Otherwise, this game is so constantly unnerving and cleverly done that my nerves were literally shot to pieces every time I played it. Still haven't completed it yet, but that's because of my incompetence and the fact that the little sod keeps hiding in the bathroom and round corners or chasing me into dead ends. If you didn't have any before - get some tenna lady pads ready. You'll sure need em! It's jumpscare central.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Haven't read the book yet, so cannot compare. Beautifully filmed with great cinematography and backdrops. Well played out storyline, depicting the downfall of Snow. There were a few bits that seemed very rushed, like the snake tank. Seemed like a way to hurriedly bump off the spares. Also, the flying drones smashing around was wholly out of place and more like a boxing match for a convenient escape for Lucy. Otherwise an outstanding film with a tense yet engaging storyline that's full of feeling. Great to see an LD character involved too - demonstrates what an asset they are x 👏🏼