Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is a trial-and-error nightmare that wants to kick your ass repeatedly. This lack of hand-holding drove me to distraction. Furthermore, the cruel nature of the monster and the weird world added to the misery. Yet, once you got to grips with the mechanics and you chipped away at what was required, it became a tough but fun horror experience.
This strange horror title was developed by TinyMindz and published by Ultimate Games SA. It is a single-player game that’ll test your resolve. Additionally, it has classic jump scare mechanics as you hide under tables, explore dark rooms, and avoid a giant killer monster.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery tells a sinister tale.
Having a sweet tooth can annoy your dentist, but Cakey’s Twisted Bakery takes things to the next level. You play the role of a child who is locked inside a deranged bakery where sweet-toothed mascot monsters hunt you for fun. Doors are locked, and the only way out is to bake. Yet, this is easier said than done, as each monster has a weakness, and baking that specific item requires a trip around the hideous bakery floor.
If you can match the item to each monster’s weakness, you have the chance to forge new paths and escape your baking prison. However, if you are caught by the sinister and hulking monster, you will instantly perish, and the madness starts again. Therefore, there is plenty of risk as you try to escape the cruel and colourful world.
Picking the ingredients.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is a stealth survival experience where gathering the correct ingredients is a must. Moreover, hiding underneath tables or within crates becomes the new norm. As you gather the ingredients, you must mix and bake them to make the perfect explosive pie. Fire, Acid, Ice, and so forth must match the weakness of the monster.
This can be challenging to work out as the developer gives you no guidance. Subsequently, I spent much of my time making the wrong thing until I realised that I was screwing things up. Yet, once you get through this rather obvious problem, you quickly progress towards the end goal.
The lack of content or depth makes it more of a creative concept rather than a fully-fledged game. Although I enjoyed the sinister game of hide and seek, I wanted more focus, depth and a greater reason to want to find every ingredient. Additionally, once you understand what is going on, Cakey’s Twisted Bakery doesn’t have the same impact.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is dark, colourful, and horribly sinister.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is one of those dark and horrible to look at titles that makes you jump repeatedly. Hiding in ridiculous places as a romping monster floats past is mentally tiring. Furthermore, trying to find key ingredients as you are looking over your shoulder makes this a horribly uncomfortable experience.
This generates a chilling atmosphere as you hear industrial sounds, horrible ambient noises, and the repetitive sound of each monster. I’d say that the odd moments of silence are welcome, but they only serve to put you on edge further.
Simple controls.
Exploring the large bakery is an easy task despite the lack of guidance. Moreover, gathering the required ingredients and going toe-to-toe with a monster was relatively straightforward. However, the lack of hand-holding is a sticking point, and it will put off many people.
Replay value is almost non-existent. There are 2 different endings and a hard mode if you want to test your skills, but that’s about it. Moreover, it only takes around 3 hours to complete everything. Consequently, it is a game that won’t have you coming back for more.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is a fun concept.
I’m not against creative concepts, but releasing it as a full-blown game is a little deceptive. Thankfully, Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is inexpensive, and the experiment works once you understand the fundamentals. Furthermore, it is pretty dark, and it made me jump repeatedly. Accordingly, I like it, and I recommend buying it here! Can you defeat every cruel monster? Gather your ingredients, mix them, and don’t get caught.
The Bench is an adventure puzzle game where you use pigeons to help you escape from a retirement home. No, that isn’t a joke, that actually is the basis for this adventure. Developed by Voxel Studios and published by Noovola, The Bench was released on October 24th, 2025. Playing as the grumpiest old man, players must use their flock of pigeons to solve puzzles, cause mischief and mayhem, and maybe even remember who you used to be along the way. With an interesting movement mechanic, multiple mini-games, and a whole lot of pigeons, The Bench is simple, comedic, and charming.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Bench. I like how they tell the game’s story and the moments of absurdity. I really like solving the puzzles and found them to be varied and an appropriate level of challenge. The Bench isn’t a very long game, but there are achievements, or stamps, to collect, small side quests to complete, and a few secrets to discover along the way that help prolong the gameplay. I must admit, at the time of writing, I did notice a few bugs during my gameplay. It isn’t anything game-breaking, but obviously I would have had a slightly more enjoyable experience if some of these bugs were fixed. So, get your slices of bread ready, because it’s time to discuss The Bench!
Escaping the Retirement Home
The Bench begins with players feeding a pigeon some bread outside of a retirement home. You toss the bread to the bird just before a nurse comes out, asking you to come inside soon to take your ‘sleeping pills’. Suddenly, after she goes inside, the pigeon speaks and teleports you to a strange world filled with floating benches. Then it walks behind a post and transforms into a mysterious figure wearing a hat and trench coat.
To say I was taken aback in this moment is an understatement. The entity encourages players to escape from the retirement home and gifts players their first golden egg. Upon breaking the egg open, you receive your first loyal pigeon follower. From there, the game walks you through some basic gameplay, and it really is quite simple. You grab a pigeon. You throw it to where you want it to go. Stuff happens. Done.
The ‘stuff’ that can happen varies. Pigeons can be thrown at sparkling trees or into dumpsters, and they may drop items like marbles—the game’s currency—or golden eggs that let you recruit more pigeons. You can also equip pigeons with different tools, including bricks, scissors, keys, and paint buckets, which gives each one a clear purpose in how you use them. A flock of pigeons can move things, such as heavy boxes blocking a bench or doorways needed to proceed. I did feel a bit bad about throwing pigeons around, but thankfully they don’t seem to be in any pain as they stand cooing around you.
You can also hit some things yourself with the cane, but it has to be in reach of the bench you are sitting on. Movement is done entirely by traveling from bench to bench. You can move to any bench that is in vision with a screen wipe of pigeons to expedite the process. I found this really appealing, mainly because for me it felt like a unique movement mechanic I haven’t seen done in many games. Sometimes the puzzle itself was trying to get the next bench in view, so it wasn’t always a streamlined obvious way to go about things.
As you travel, you come across envelopes that are brief noir style flashbacks of your life before you retired. I actually found these to be quite endearing. In a conversation, a woman asks you to promise not to be a grumpy, bitter old man. His response is that he won’t because he has his friends to watch over him and it cuts to some pigeons standing around. So touching, but also kind of absurd! For me, this moment somewhat created a feeling of comfort from my flock of pigeons. I love that they follow you from bench to bench, always vigilant, protective and forever loyal.
And I really do mean a flock of pigeons. At any bench, they will all surround you, standing in groups around you or on top of trees and posts. Pigeons with tools always move to the front where you can easily grab them, which is convenient, but I love how the developers committed to the feeling of being surrounded by pigeons, all eagerly waiting for you to toss them a slice of bread. I grew up near a city, so I am very familiar. I also love that the developers did not shy away from the number of pigeons you can acquire. Many puzzles award you golden eggs, and you can find plenty more scattered throughout the world. The game rewards you for exploring your surroundings, so go ahead and toss those pigeons at anything and everything to see what shakes loose. You may just find something.
Plethora of Puzzles
Speaking of puzzles, The Bench is filled with fun mini-games. One big area for mini-games is in the newspaper. The newspaper acts as your guide with a fast travel map of all the benches you’ve sat on and keeping track of your objectives, both for the story and also for the many puzzles and achievements. One page is dedicated to the photo objectives, a side puzzle that players can complete to earn extra marbles. Early on, you receive a vintage camera. Many NPCs across the five different areas will ask you take take pictures of specific things, such as chess pieces or graffiti spots.
Another page is for the stamps, or achievements, that you can collect. These require doing certain things or completing specific objectives. Some stamps are quite straightforward, such as growing your flock. Other stamps however are a bit more complicated. You are able to spend one marble at shops to get a random stamp’s picture and name as a ‘hint’. However, I found that I still struggled quite a bit in figuring out what I needed to do. I believe a developer said somewhere that they kept it somewhat vague to encourage exploration and trying things out. I can support that and this isn’t necessarily a critique on the stamps, but I would be lying if after a while, I gave up and looked up a guide.
There are many obtainable pages for Fillpoint, a mini-game where you must fill every dot in a cluster, without going back to previous sections. These progressively get more complicated as new colors are introduced and clusters get larger, but again, the ones in the newspaper are just side puzzles for extra rewards. I personally was a fan of trying to complete all of the newspaper puzzles, but I can certainly see them not being everyone’s cup of tea.
There are plenty of puzzles outside of the newspaper. Safes appear throughout the world and require specific number combinations to open. The game scatters various mini‑games around the map, including fishing and drawing on a statue. A full day–night cycle runs in the background, and you can skip time by snoozing on a bench. Certain secrets or puzzle solutions only reveal themselves at particular times of day. Overall, I enjoyed the puzzles. I thought there was a good balance of pretty easy to a little tricky. Some may have taken longer to figure out, but I was still able to solve them. I’m certainly not the sharpest crayon in the box. For the stamps that were really difficult, I wouldn’t mind a bit more of a hint, but overall I think the developers at Voxel Studios did a great job at creating puzzles.
Pigeon Customization and Twitch Integration
An extra layer of fun comes in the form of pigeon customization. You can come across kiosks where you can spend your hard-earned marbles. Outside of stamp hints, all purchasable items are for customization. You can buy different colored pencils and different ‘canes’ for you to use. You can buy various plumages for your pigeons, little hats for them to wear, and change their name, height and weight as well. I really enjoy when developers add customization in their games. I loved editing my pigeons, giving each one a name to match the eventual plumage pattern they would have. Some prices are a bit expensive when considering the amount of marbles you might reasonably come across, but it wasn’t too big of a concern.
However, I did notice quite a few bugs in this area alone. I should be able to cycle through my pigeons while in the kiosk menus, but the next pigeon wouldn’t show. I would need to exit the shop menu and then go back in to reset things. A workaround was to grab the pigeon you wanted to edit and then open the kiosk with it in hand. Editing the weight never seemed to stick either and would default as soon as you performed any other action. I also noticed a few moments where hats I have not purchased would quickly appear on a pigeon for a second before going away, even if I was no where near a kiosk.
Outside of the kiosk, there are a few other bugs. One time I hit an NPC and he flew into the sky and ended up stuck somewhere else on the map, even though they normally just ragdoll onto the floor and reset. When I relaunched the game, I noticed that some marbles reappeared, and while I won’t complain about the extra marbles, it doesn’t feel intentional. Like I said earlier, none of these bugs are game breaking. They are minor issues at worst, and sometimes they may even be beneficial or humorous. I hope that the developers are listening to bug reports and working on patches. At the time of writing, it’s been a few months since the game had an update. Maybe something big is in the works?
Another extra layer of fun comes from the twitch integration. If you’re a streamer, viewers/moderators can customize your pigeons. They can also spawn racoons that you need to beat away or they’ll eat your pigeons. However, I am not a streamer, so I’m a little on the fence about this. On one hand, it looks like a lot of fun! I watched a video of someone streaming and the pigeons will edit in real time, and spawning racoons seems like complete chaos. I think having twitch integration is a great way to appeal to streamers, which could lead to many positive outcomes for the game.
However, for all of us who are not streamers, I can’t help but feel like we’re missing out. I have to purchase all of the customizable options and there are no hungry racoons. They also seem to have customization options that are exclusive to the twitch integration, but don’t quote me on that. Both features could fit naturally into non‑streaming gameplay. You could unlock all customizations—or make them far cheaper—and add a randomize button so you don’t have to edit every pigeon individually. Raccoons could spawn unpredictably and attack the pigeons, or appear as fixed encounters when you sit on certain benches.
The Bench is Flockfull of Fun
Overall, I really enjoy The Bench and had a lot of fun playing this one. It’s a simple and cozy puzzle adventure that had me eating bread and cooing along with my flock. I liked the story and all it’s absurdities that I didn’t even touch on. Remember that meme conspiracy where birds aren’t real and are actually government controlled surveillance? The Bench remembers. The puzzles were fun and had a decent balance of challenges. The pigeons are, of course cute and despite the bugs, still super fun to dress up in different outfits and feathers. It is simple entertainment that I will certainly keep my eye on for future updates or future games.
In my opinion, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives. It may not have the action or excitement that every gamer is looking for. However, for those of you who enjoy simple fun, a good puzzle, and a cozy time, I can happily recommend this one. I could easily imagine this game releasing in VR, because the movement system and the grabbing and throwing mechanics would work naturally in that format. I can also imagine future games continuing or expanding the story, or even exploring the same idea with entirely different animals. Regardless of what they decide to do, I think Voxel Studios deserves an applause for this one.
Inspired by the anti-gravity titans of the late 90s (like F-Zero), the ones that turned neon skylines and impossible corkscrews into religion, Millennium Runners arrives with a very clear mission statement.
Nothing new, just a reminder of why it kicks ass!
Developed by Commodore Industries and published by Over The Game, Millennium Runners is a high-speed anti-gravity racer built around one simple philosophy… Go faster than feels responsible!
Some racers want realism. Some want spectacle. Millennium Runners wants your reflexes. This is a game designed around velocity as an emotional experience. From the moment the countdown ends, acceleration feels aggressive. Corners appear without warning. The soundtrack pounds like it is measuring your heartbeat.
Millennium Mach 10 or Bust
At its core, Millennium Runners is a test of control at impossible speeds. You guide anti-gravity ships through twisting tracks that defy physics and basic common sense.
This is not racing on flat circuits. You are spiralling through vertical loops. Corkscrewing above cities. Clinging to walls that seem held together by optimism alone.
There is a rhythm to the handling. When you find it, your brain switches off and instinct takes over. It becomes less about thinking and more about reacting.
It is arcade racing in its purest form.
Fast. Loud. Unapologetic.
Teams, Rivalries, and Identity
Instead of handing you a generic vehicle, the game leans into team identity. Each faction has its own visual style, handling philosophy, and subtle personality.
Some ships feel heavy and aggressive. Others are nimble but demand surgical precision. The differences are noticeable enough to encourage experimentation without overwhelming you.
It adds something important: context.
You start recognising opponents. You start remembering who knocked you into a barrier at 800 miles per hour. The rivalries feel earned rather than random.
It elevates the experience beyond a simple time-trial simulator.
Arcade Spirit, Arcade Shelf Life
Classic Races. Time Attack. Grand Prix. Unlockable teams. Leaderboard chasing. The essentials are all present. What is not present is depth beyond that core loop.
Once you have mastered the tracks and unlocked the factions, the experience begins to feel thin. There are no sprawling progression systems or evolving live-service layers to keep things fresh, nor are there meaningful side activities to encourage long-term engagement beyond chasing faster lap times. What remains is enjoyable, but increasingly familiar with each return session.
It captures the energy of classic arcade racers perfectly.
Including their relatively short lifespan, where excitement burns bright at first before gradually fading once the novelty of speed and spectacle begins to wear off.
The Millennium Blur
Visually, Millennium Runners has strong art direction. Neon reflections shimmer across metallic surfaces. Futuristic skylines stretch endlessly beneath the track.
But there is one persistent issue… A heavy blur.
A heavy blur effect designed to emphasise speed frequently muddies the action.
At these velocities, clarity is king. You need to see corners long before you reach them. You need clean visual information. Instead, there are moments where the game feels slightly out of focus, like racing without your glasses on.
It does not ruin the experience…. It just undercuts it.
Final Lap
Millennium Runners is a game of soaring highs and frustrating limitations. When it works, it is electric. The sensation of speed is outstanding. The tracks are imaginative. The soundtrack drives the adrenaline even higher.
But the persistent blur and limited content keep it from true pole position.
There is heart. It has the horsepower. It just is not quite the finished champion it wants to be.
If you crave neon, speed, and anti-gravity chaos, Millennium Runners will absolutely deliver that rush.
Just do not expect it to stay on the podium forever.
The Scott Pilgrim series started as a graphic novel, written and illustrated by Bryan Lee O’Malley. These volumes follow the escapades of Scott Pilgrim, a 23 year old bass guitarist in the garage band, “Sex Bob-Omb” who falls for new to the neighborhood, Ramona Flowers. He learns that he must defeat her seven evil exes, each with supernatural abilities.
The franchise has branched out to other forms of media, such as in film, animation and of course, video games. The first video game is Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game. It is a side scrolling beat ’em up, loosely following the story of the graphic novels. The game was originally released back 2010 and received generally favorable reviews. There was a complete edition re-release later in 2021. An anime, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, was released in 2023 as both a continuation and retelling of the original story.
This is all to lead us to today’s game review: Scott Pilgrim EX, an upcoming action-adventure, side scrolling beat ’em up. Developed and published by Tribute Games Inc., Scott Pilgrim EX has an anticipated release date of March 3rd, 2026. The story takes place after the events of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and delivers the same wacky, slightly absurd tone you’d expect. Players travel through time and space to rescue the Sex Bob‑Omb band members after Metal Scott kidnaps them. The game features seven playable characters, multiplayer of up to 4 people both local and online, and melee mayhem mixed with weapons galore.
My preview of Scott Pilgrim EX was admittedly a lot of fun. I enjoyed that they took the side scrolling beat ’em up genre and filled it full of mayhem with the inclusion of multiplayer and a surplus of weaponry and combat skills. The game manages to be both linear and not, and I ended up appreciating that far more than I expected. My only gripe was more so on a personal level in that there feels like something more is missing when playing single player, but it isn’t so much so that one can not play alone. I’ll discuss all of these in the review of course, but overall I really enjoyed Scott Pilgrim EX and can happily recommend picking this one up when it comes out!
Though I myself am not too familiar with the Scott Pilgrim world, I do want to believe that this game continues the franchise in a positive way. I hope that the fans get as much enjoyment as I did, reveling in the mayhem of it all. So, get ready to steal life from your friends, because it’s time to discuss Scott Pilgrim EX!
Just a quick disclaimer: I usually feature my own screengrabs for games that I review. I find it helps makes my reviews more personal, something that I find important when I read reviews myself. However, since Scott Pilgrim EX isn’t released yet at the time of writing, I didn’t feel comfortable using my own images. Some of these images showcase two players, but please note that my experience was fully single player, which I will discuss later in this review.
A Journey Through Space, Time and Toronto
Scott Pilgrim EX takes place in Toronto, 20XX. Toronto has been taken over by three rival gangs—the Vegans, the Robots, and the Demons. One day, during Sex Bob-Omb’s practice session, Metal Scott appears and kidnaps your band members, leaving Scott beat up. Who is behind this? Why did they steal the band members? Later, when Ramona Flowers finds Scott, she calls up some allies to help. With a team of seven, it is up to players to travel through space, time and Toronto to rescue the band members and take down members of the rival gangs along the way.
The city is quite expansive. Areas lead in multiple directions for the most part, leading to a slight exploration aspect with secrets, hidden areas, and the occasional side quest. Though it might be better to follow the “Go” signs in order to know where to go next, I do think it’s worth while to explore some of what Toronto has to offer. Enemies will respawn when you re-enter areas though, so make sure you don’t travel too far if you don’t think you can run or fight your way through.
Certain sections of the map serve as shopping districts. Defeated enemies and various objects will drop coins, allowing you to make purchases at these shops. Players can purchase items such as healing items, to-go snacks that revive you, various belts and accessories to raise stats, trinkets that give you passive power-ups, and the occasional cosmetic item. Take advantage of the open-map aspect and go earn some coin from the respawning enemies and make valuable purchases.
Scattered across the map are portals. You unlock portals mostly by playing musical riffs you learn after rescuing band members. These portals are where the time and space truly come into play as they transport you to…well, different times and spaces. Many boss battles take place inside these portals, so make sure you’re prepared for whatever waits on the other side.
Seven Playable Characters to Beat ‘Em Up
Scott Pilgrim EX features seven playable characters— Scott Pilgrim, Ramona Flowers, Matthew Patel, Lucas Lee, Roxie Richter, Gideon Graves, and Robot-01. Each character has different move sets and beginning stats that they start with, up to 16 points. These stats are the vitality (increases HP, overall health), willpower (increases GP, a resource for super attacks, assists and regaining health when HP is zero), strength (strengthens attacks and throws, including velocity) and agility (faster movement and critical hit chance). Players can change their character at certain areas on the map. It might be worthwhile trying different characters to see which one you like best. Personally, I wanted someone who could pack a punch, so I went with Lucas Lee, who starts full Strength with a value of 13.
There are a few different combat abilities on the table for players. The game starts you off with a brief tutorial of the basics. They do feel pretty standard for what you might expect in a side scrolling beat ’em up game. There are light attacks, heavy attacks, jump attacks, the ability to throw stuff and of course the super attacks that require GP. You can also use GP to call upon other non-playable characters to provide an assist, such as passive buffs like resistance from damage or healing. Again, it might be worthwhile trying the different characters to see what works best for your playstyle. I did think that at times the combat felt a bit clunky, but it wasn’t anything that majorly impeded on my gameplay.
Another important aspect to the combat are the various weapons that you can pick up. The game lets you use all kinds of weapons—hammers, rocks, volleyballs, bombs, and more—against foes, but they can just as easily be used against you. They certainly don’t skimp on the amount either. I know in some other side scrolling beat ’em up, there may be a weapon or two per encounter. Here, the floor can be practically littered with various weaponry to use! Things become quite chaotic as things start bumping into each other and flying everywhere. The mayhem that was promised many times on the Steam page holds up. I had a blast just trying to dodge the chaos that one thrown shell caused.
Scott Pilgrim EX has four levels of difficulty—Very Easy, Easy, Normal, Hard. When playing video games, I typically go with the standard experience rather than making things easier or harder. Playing on normal difficulty felt like the perfect balance of challenge for me as a player. I had an easy enough time that I never felt like I was struggling, but the game still pushed me when enemies swarmed me or during boss fights. I know this isn’t the most interesting thing to discuss, but I wanted to quickly applaud the developers for this.
Multiplayer Mayhem
Up to four players can take part in this adventure. Players can join up locally or online with easy drop-in/drop-out co-op. There is even the option to quick play, pairing you up with random players that have open sessions. I did try to join a random session through quick play and had my own open for a while. Sadly, there was no one. This was expected of course since the game hasn’t been released yet. I can only imagine that my experience would have been enhanced had it been in multiplayer.
I do wonder quite a bit about some of the multiplayer aspects. From what I can tell, the team shares money. However, I’m not sure whether purchased items are shared or if each player has to buy their own. Does the number of enemies increase as more players join the game? I’m assuming yes, but is there friendly fire? If a player dies, they come back as a ghost and siphon HP from others to revive. However, I still don’t know how much they drain or if it can actually kill someone. I wish I could have tested all of these in multiplayer, but I’ll have to wait until March 3rd.
Despite being in single player, overall I had a great time playing. However, I do think that multiplayer is more so the way to go for this game. I felt like I was missing out on something by playing single player, but couldn’t quite place my finger on what it was. Yes, there was mayhem, but there could have been so much more with three other players by my side. I could beat the boss by myself, but having teammates alongside me would have made a huge difference. To me, the game did feel a bit more inclined towards a multiplayer experience rather than single player. However, even then, this is just a personal opinion. I am sure there are plenty of players out there that will stick with single player and have just as much fun.
A Win for Scott Pilgrim Fans I Hope!
Before I wrap things up, I’d like to mention two more things I liked—the music and the references. For a game involving rescuing band members, I’d expect a decent soundtrack to go along with this premise. Thankfully, Scott Pilgrim EX delivers. I really liked the catchy beats that played throughout the areas of the map and during boss battles. If there was a version of this game available to purchase that included the soundtrack, I might actually consider it.
I also loved all the references made throughout this game. The shells and turnips looked like they were from Mario. Metal Scott is most likely referencing Metal Sonic. I don’t know whether this is standard for the series, but I still found it enjoyable.
Overall, I really enjoyed Scott Pilgrim EX and think that Tribute Games Inc. did an amazing job! It may not be the same team that developed the first game, but I hope that fans of the franchise enjoy it nonetheless. There’s mayhem, multiplayer, and a whole lot of enemies to brawl. I don’t have much to complain about, and the game genuinely surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Typically, I don’t go for side scrolling beat ’em ups. This one takes that genre and does so much more with it. I can happily recommend picking this one up when it comes out on March 3rd! Please feel free to try out the demo available now!
Thank you for reading and have fun stealing HP from your friends as a ghost!
Alex the Rabbit will not set the world alight. However, I enjoyed its simple ways, its chiptune audio, and the basic pixelated graphics. Furthermore, if you are a completionist, you’ll fly through the achievements in no time. Accordingly, if you want a basic game that will not test you, this could be the ideal option.
This indie platformer was developed by Well Andrade and published by Well Game Studio. It is a single-player retro experience that is easy to pick up and easier to complete. This isn’t a complaint, as I enjoyed wasting an hour or so. Alternatively, you can let your kids give it a go as they take on 20 levels and 4 huge bosses.
Alex the Rabbit is on a carrot-collecting mission.
Rabbits and carrots go together like peanut butter and jelly and Batman and Robin. Therefore, it didn’t surprise me that Alex the Rabbit is all about collecting every carrot you face. Quite why the rabbit hero is on his mission is a mystery, but it didn’t matter. Instead, I fell for its mindless charms as I explored every side-scrolling, 2D world.
The core principles are refined. Effectively, you must move from beginning to end while collecting every carrot on offer. En route, there is an array of monsters to kill. Overcoming these creatures will not stretch you, as a simple hit from your feet is often enough to take them down. Additionally, there is a lack of variety, and this prevents your foes from being anything other than a minor inconvenience.
This will disappoint gamers who wish for a challenge. However, if you want something easy and mindless, the repetitive and easy-to-identify movement makes killing every foe a walk in the park. Sadly, this shortcoming infects the end-level boss. No matter which one I faced, they were unbelievably easy to overcome. I’m not asking for a Soulsborne experience, but something a little harder would have been appreciated.
Alex the Rabbit is wonderfully dated.
Despite the lack of difficulty, Alex the Rabbit is wonderfully dated. The vivid colours, rudimentary backdrops, and pixelated visuals reminded me of a bygone era. Moreover, the simple 2D world was fun to explore. Although there were limited branching paths, I rarely tired of what I saw. The basic animations and understated levels worked well with the theme and the art style.
The audio is shrill and repetitive. The chiptune audio plays on a short loop, and it will drive you mad. The music evolves as you move between each world. Sadly, this ensures that you endure the same tune for at least 20 minutes at a time. This will drive players mad, and the developer should have added more variety.
Basic controls.
The basic control system works perfectly with each large chasm and the generous hitboxes of your opponents. Although the developer has incorporated plenty of traditional mechanics, you’ll pick up the fundamentals in no time. Consequently,most gamers can master Alex the Rabbit.
There is a serious lack of replay value and longevity. I completed the achievements in around 20 minutes and the whole game in under 1 hour and 30 minutes. This isn’t bad for the price, but I’d have liked a speedrun mode or a difficulty slider to make me come back for more. Alternatively, maybe some secret areas would have been a nice twist.
Alex the Rabbit is good but a little too refined.
Alex the Rabbit has a great core concept, but it is a little too refined. If you want something to challenge you, this will not scratch that itch. Moreover, if you want something to get your teeth into, this won’t appeal. However, if you want a basic but fun platformer that is suitable for all ages, this will tick that box. Accordingly, I like it, and I recommend you buy it here! Can you collect every carrot? Avoid the creatures, leap every chasm, and take home every vegetable.
Achieving emotional balance has become more essential than ever. Traditional approaches to mental health, such as talk therapy and medication, continue to play a vital role. However, a growing number of people are seeking alternative methods that address not just the mind, but the body as well. This shift reflects a broader understanding that emotional well-being is deeply connected to physical and sensory experiences.
The Connection Between Mind and Body
Emotional experiences are not confined to your thoughts; they are also felt in your bodies. Stress, anxiety, and unresolved trauma can manifest physically, leading to tension, chronic pain, or even digestive issues. Recognizing this mind-body connection has led to an increased interest in practices that help individuals process emotions through physical awareness. Techniques such as somatic exercises, mindfulness-based movement, and breathwork are becoming central to modern approaches to emotional balance.
By paying attention to the body, people can often uncover emotional patterns that were previously inaccessible through traditional talk therapy alone. This holistic perspective empowers individuals to engage with their feelings in a more integrated and embodied way.
The Rise of Somatic Practices
One of the most significant trends in alternative emotional wellness is somatic therapy. This practice encourages individuals to tune into bodily sensations as a gateway to understanding and releasing emotional tension. Rather than focusing exclusively on cognition, somatic approaches help people reconnect with their bodies and process experiences stored physically.
The appeal of somatic therapy lies in its gentle yet powerful approach. It can help clients identify where trauma or stress resides in the body and develop strategies for releasing it safely. Because of this, somatic practices are increasingly recommended for individuals who have struggled with traditional therapy or who are seeking a more comprehensive approach to well-being. For those interested, searching for somatic healing near me can help locate specialised practitioners who guide this process with care and expertise.
Mindfulness and Movement
Another reason people are exploring new paths to emotional balance is the integration of mindfulness with movement. Activities such as yoga, tai chi, and qigong are not just physical exercises, they are practices designed to cultivate awareness and presence. By combining gentle movement with intentional breathing, individuals learn to manage stress, regulate emotions, and foster a deeper sense of inner calm.
These practices also encourage a reconnection with the present moment, which is particularly valuable in a society often dominated by distractions and overthinking. By grounding themselves physically, people can create the conditions for emotional healing and resilience.
Personalised Approaches to Emotional Wellness
As awareness of mind-body connections grows, more individuals are seeking personalised approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Emotional balance is not universal; each person’s experiences, sensitivities, and needs differ. Modern therapeutic approaches are increasingly tailored, offering hybrid programs that blend somatic therapy, mindfulness, movement, and traditional talk therapy.
This personalised care model acknowledges the complexity of human emotions and offers multiple entry points for healing. Whether someone prefers a movement-based approach, guided meditation, or a combination of therapies, there is now a wider variety of accessible options to explore.
Moving Forward with Intention
The journey to emotional balance is deeply personal, and the growing interest in holistic, body-centered practices reflects a broader cultural shift. People are recognising that well-being is not just about managing symptoms, it’s about cultivating a sense of harmony between mind and body. By exploring innovative and integrated approaches, individuals can build resilience, release stored tension, and foster lasting emotional health.
The rising popularity of these practices signals a shift in how society understands emotional wellness. By valuing the body as a partner in mental health, people can access deeper levels of healing and live with greater balance and clarity.
When a child or adult starts showing signs of difficulty with focus, organisation or emotional regulation, families often find themselves asking the same question: “Could this be ADHD?” Recognising the possibility is just the first step. The next step is understanding what local assessment options are available and how to access them. The right assessment can bring clarity, relief and a practical path forward for both children and adults who need support.
This article explores what families should know about local ADHD assessment options, why early and accurate assessment matters, and how to make informed decisions that support your loved one’s wellbeing.
Why Local ADHD Assessments Matter
Accessing an ADHD assessment close to home can make the process less stressful and more convenient for families. Local services are often familiar with nearby schools, community resources and support networks, and they can help you navigate next steps more effectively.
Assessment is not about placing a label on someone. It is a comprehensive process that helps understand behaviour, cognition and how differences may be affecting daily life at school, work and home. For many families, the clarity that comes from this process can be transformative.
What an ADHD Assessment Involves
A thorough ADHD assessment typically includes:
A detailed developmental and behavioural history
Questionnaires or rating scales completed by caregivers, teachers or the individual
Clinical interviews
Observation of behaviour over time
Evaluation of attention, executive function and emotional regulation
The goal is to build a complete picture rather than make a quick judgement. Because ADHD shares symptoms with other conditions such as anxiety, autism or learning difficulties, a full evaluation helps distinguish ADHD from other challenges.
For families in and around Manchester, a comprehensive Private ADHD Assessment Manchester can be an excellent option to explore. This type of assessment is designed to be thorough, respectful and tailored to each individual’s unique experience.
Public vs Private Assessment Options
When considering assessment, families typically have two broad paths to explore: public services through the NHS and private providers.
NHS Assessment
Pros:
No out-of-pocket cost
Connected with local medical records
Coordinated care within the public health system
Cons:
Waiting lists can be long
Less flexibility in appointment times
Limited access to specialised ADHD experts in some areas
Private Assessment
Pros:
Faster access to appointments
Often more flexible scheduling
Comprehensive evaluation with experienced clinicians
Detailed feedback and personalised recommendations
Cons:
Cost is typically higher than public options
May require families to coordinate with schools and health services themselves
For many families, a private assessment can be an effective way to get answers sooner, particularly when early intervention is a priority.
How to Prepare for an ADHD Assessment
Preparing for an assessment helps make the most of the time with professionals and ensures that all relevant information is available. Helpful steps include:
1. Keep Behaviour Logs Track patterns of behaviour at home, school or work over several weeks to identify consistent themes.
2. Gather Reports Bring school reports, previous assessments, teacher comments or examples of challenges and successes.
3. Talk with Family Members Gather observations from other caregivers or family members to build a fuller picture.
4. Make a List of Concerns and Questions Write down what you want to understand or explore during the assessment so nothing important is missed.
Being organised helps clinicians make a thorough evaluation and gives you confidence that the process is grounded in real-life context.
What Families Can Expect After an Assessment
An ADHD assessment typically ends with a detailed feedback session where professionals share their findings and recommendations. Here’s what families might hear and do next:
Diagnosis or Clarification The clinician may confirm ADHD, rule it out, or identify other areas that need support.
Tailored Recommendations These can include behaviour strategies, school plans, therapy options or referrals to other specialists.
Support Planning Families often work with schools to develop educational strategies that support learning and organisation.
Follow-Up Care Some individuals benefit from coaching, counselling or ongoing support to build skills over time.
The right post-assessment plan turns understanding into action, helping individuals live more confidently and effectively.
Escape from Ever After is a humour-filled satirical beast that will amuse lovers of the Paper Mario series. It bounces from one tongue-in-cheek element to another with ease. Moreover, the chapters flow nicely as the silly story is wonderfully paced. However, the latter game is a little rinse-and-repeat, which tarnishes the endgame. Yet, this shouldn’t put you off, as the overall presentation and core elements are enjoyable.
This action-adventure platformer was developed by Sleepy Castle Studio and published by HypeTrain Digital. This single-player affair incorporates turn-based combat as you explore each unique location and tackle an array of weird and wonderful monsters. Additionally, there are environmental puzzles as you use each character’s special powers to open new pathways and overcome plenty of hurdles.
Escape from Ever After tells an amusing but oppressive tale.
A hero taking down an all-powerful dragon in its castle is pretty well-trodden. Yet, the twist to Escape from Ever After is something that no one could predict! You play the role of Flynt Buckler, a cheery hero who wants to thwart the deadly dragon, Tinder. As the protagonist enters Tinder’s castle, things don’t seem right. There are storybook characters everywhere, and the global conglomerate, Ever After Inc., has taken over. Furthermore, Tinder has been imprisoned. Consequently, Flynt cannot complete his mission, and all hell breaks loose.
The plot may seem irrelevant, but it isn’t. It helps to form the most unlikely of pairings. Flynt and Tinder decide to work together to take down the evil corporation while reinstating the balance. If they complete their quest, they will regain control of the castle and their feud can continue. If they fail, every storybook character will become a pawn in the conglomerate’s game of global domination.
A fun and witty experience.
As the 5 core chapters unfold, you’ll laugh and smile as you discover new pathways, attack monsters, and find an array of collectables. Moreover, there are new heroes to recruit as you visit the 3 little pigs, trek through a frozen library, or visit some pirates. Each location has its own interesting elements and characters to help or overcome. Yet, at its core, the action remains the same.
Semi-open world exploration is punctuated by turn-based combat. Furthermore, there is character progression and a trinket system similar to the badges in Paper Mario. This passive skill buff was a great way to add some tactical nuance to the madness. Additionally, each extra hero added tools and the chance to explore each level differently. This kept me thinking as the puzzles evolved and things became slightly harder but still manageable.
Alongside this, there is a hub world to explore between the different chapters. This was the weakest part of Escape from Ever After. Although it offers enough to keep you coming back, it didn’t capture my attention as the story did. Instead, I used this to grab some side quests and occasionally check my weird and wonderful emails.
Unlike other turn-based games, this relies on reactions and timings. Your characters can add power or additional attacks if you time things right. Moreover, if you time your defence correctly, you’ll reduce the incoming damage. This sounds great in practice, but in reality, the timing window is tough to get right and often unfair. Subsequently, it’s a mechanic that falls short more often than not.
Escape from Ever After looks razor sharp.
The combination of 2D and 3D imagery works extremely well. The characters rotate on the spot to generate the sense of 3D depth. However, the background is wonderfully flat. This juxtaposing style is reminiscent of the ever-popular Paper Mario series. Sadly, though, the developer didn’t put too much thought into the character models. The latter game has repetitive monsters with slightly different colourways. This was unfortunate because it tarnished the fun and interesting work up until that point.
The audio is filled with energetic, fun, and dramatic songs: the jazzy, big-band vibe flows and shifts to suit each chapter’s theme. Furthermore, there is a sinister corporate edge that generates a sense of frantic madness. The developer has incorporated some voiceover work and fun nonsense sounds. This adds a layer of humour and personality to each hero and the plot.
Excellent controls.
I was impressed by the simple control system and the clean UI. The tutorial is nicely paced, and understanding the fundamentals was a walk in the park. As the game evolves, new mechanics are introduced. Thankfully, these are well explained, and you are rarely left guessing what is required.
This 20 to 25-hour RPG adventure has some replay value. There is a 100-level Stairs of Success option that will keep you playing for hours. However, if this isn’t your thing, you can find every secret and collectable in around 30 hours. Therefore, it offers great value for money.
Escape from Ever After is a whimsical and fun game.
Escape from Ever After came to me out of nowhere. I hadn’t researched it, and I didn’t know its satirical edge. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised by its art style, fun mechanics, and amusing story. However, the turn-based timing elements and the repetitive monsters should have been much better. Despite these complaints, it is great, and I recommend buying it here! Can you defeat the corporation? Work together, master your skills, and show the conglomerate who is the boss.
Tactical combat returns with the release of Showgunners for consoles. Can this previously PC exclusive make waves with modern generations? Or is this another disappointing port?
Reality With A Deadly Twist
It’s been three years since developers Artificer released turn based tactical shooter Showgunners on PC. When I first laid my eyes on this dystopian futuristic game, I had hoped it would eventually make its way onto consoles and now, finally it has. Unfortunately, it’s not all positive; whilst I enjoyed my time with this game, it’s not without some issues.
Set in the latter part of the 21st century, Showgunners tells the story of Scarlett Martillo, a character who decides to sign up for the game show Homicidal All-Stars. This show format reminded me vividly of The Running Man with its twisted game show format and deadly consequences. With every new season, contestants fight to the death for glory, fame and money. Scarlett has a simple quest: win the game show and become a legend. This is the main crux of narrative storytelling in Showgunners and it doesn’t hide away from that; it is old school video game story telling.
Each level is a game show episode, where Scarlett is desperately fighting for her life and survival. It’s not a complex tale; it’s a simple tale of revenge and fighting for your life. The characters are not complex or layered and they don’t need to be. If you are looking for a lore rich tale, with a deep meaning, you will be sorely disappointed. It’s a serviceable, if not predictable tale, of around 12-15 hours, which did not wow me but kept my attention enough for me to see it through. The blend of satire and seriousness does create an interesting balance, but sadly, The Running Man did it better.
Tactical Chess Match
When it comes to gameplay in Showgunners, the developers have chosen to streamline the traditional turn-based approach, with mostly great results. If you are familiar with turn based combat games like XCOM, then you will feel right at home with the grid-based movement. The problem with exploration is that it becomes far too tedious and formulaic. Interestingly, the developers have done away with current tactical game tropes and removed gameplay structures, such as base building, which makes it feel much more fast paced and edge of your seat.
Where this game attempts to be different is in its approach to combat. In each level, gameplay is broken into two distinct modes: exploration and turn based encounters. In exploration, you are tasked with traversing the environment from the isometric view, whilst dodging traps and completing environmental puzzles. When the game turns into turn-based combat, it becomes a tightly woven tactical chess match, where positioning and abilities can win you the fight. The only real downside to combat lies in how, by game’s end, mission structures tend to be vastly similar and predictable.
Who Runs The Show?!
Where Showgunners begins to break the mould is with the use of its Show Director; this is an AI system that responds to how you play the game. Depending on how well you play, the director can reward or punish you for your performance. The developers have taken the narrative aspect of the game show, and have woven it impressively into gameplay. This Director adds tension and excitement for players and is a brilliant and unique addition to the game.
The final aspect of the gameplay is the RPG element the game deploys. As Scarlett, your currency is Fame and you can earn Fame by completing stylish executions or environmental kills, alongside survival; these can be spent on upgrades or more powerful gear. It’s clear the game wants you to be quick and confident in your approach to combat and less methodical. For some lovers of turn-based combat, this may off-putting, but personally, I loved the quicker approach. It’s also worth mentioning how seamless the transition to controller has been, thanks to the excellent optimisation by the development team!
Along with upgrades, Scarlett can also recruit up to three allies at a time to be in your combat team for each level/episode. Each character has unique abilities and upgradeable skill trees. They all feel different from one another, with my personal favourite being Phantom, who, like the name suggests, has stealth based abilities. Whilst the roster is fairly small, hopefully the developers can add more through DLC. Still, gameplay in Showgunners is the selling point and is by far its strongest aspect. Speed kills!
Dystopian Delight
When it comes to visual presentation, Showgunners delivers and then some. The visuals are a beautiful mix of cyberpunk, meshed with a 80/90s retro style that just absolutely nails the tone the game sets out to achieve. It’s bold, over the top colours, burst onto the screen like a game show; everything has this grandiose spectacle to it. Blood bursts out of enemies violently and delightfully. Characters and enemies look bold and detailed and stand out beautifully, with the isometric camera view. As previously mentioned, you can really see the inspiration The Running Man has had on the developers; this is a bold and brutal visual style that knocks it out of the park.
Similarly, audio design and soundtrack feel perfectly placed. The roar of the crowds in the game show atmosphere really makes you feel part of a big event. Gun shots violently pierce your eardrums as they are fired, and abilities activated sound wicked in their power. Finally, the soundtrack exudes a futuristic synth atmosphere that will have you head nodding, whilst you plan your next move. Whilst the narrative may not reach the heights of The Running Man, the aesthetics and sounds certainly do.
Verdict
When Showgunners clicks, it’s a fast paced, violent, turn based tactical shooter that will entice new and old players of the genre. Stunning visuals, unique setting and a wicked soundtrack make this game stand out in a sea of PC games coming over to console. Sadly, a middling narrative and some poor exploration and level design can sour the taste slightly. Still, there is a vast amount of fun to be had with this game. On with the show! Check out the page for the game here- Showgunners Platinum Edition
I never knew I needed an ultra-lightweight gaming mouse until I had one in my hands. There is nothing better than a feather-light peripheral with razor-sharp accuracy. Accordingly, when I was offered the Mark Model 3 mouse from QPAD, I couldn’t resist. I combined this with their Obsidian mousepad, and I wasn’t disappointed. The smooth movement, lightning-fast accuracy, and professional and elite edge were phenomenal.
Regardless of the mousepad, this gaming mouse is fantastic. It has multiple buttons for MMO and FPS gaming. Additionally, the optical sensor is capable of up to 26k DPI for increased accuracy. If that isn’t enough, it has tri-mode connectivity and a whopping 88-hour battery life. In short, this lightweight beast packs an almighty punch.
What’s in the box of the Mark Model 3 mouse?
The packaging is a bit of a sleeper. Although the imagery is attractive, it doesn’t show off the power within.
The Mark Model 3 mouse comes in 2 colourways. I was sent the black one, and I wasn’t disappointed. It has side-mounted buttons, a DPI shortcut button, and a comfortable, ergonomic design.
A vision screen delivers zero latency.
Use the USB cable to connect and charge the mouse.
Grip tape is provided.
Learn the basics with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
Gaming peripherals are all about gaining a match-winning edge. At under 50 grams, the Mark Model 3 mouse is ridiculously lightweight. This will increase speed and accuracy while reducing fatigue. Moreover, the low-latency 4K polling rate will push you into the elite bracket. When combined with the up to 26k PAW 3395 optical sensor, gamers can enjoy next-level precision and adjustable settings.
A wireless mouse would be useless with a woeful battery life. Thankfully, this mouse offers over 3 days of continuous gaming before it needs to be charged. If you somehow run out of juice, you can plug it in and carry on playing. Additionally, a short charge offers a hefty battery boost to get you back in the game for longer.
The Vision screen surprised me. This real-time small display screen offers precise settings to keep you on top of all the finer details. Although this wasn’t something I focused on, I can see why high-end gamers would find it useful.
Build quality.
The Mark Model 3 mouse offers exceptional build quality at an affordable price. Like every other QPAD product, you will not be disappointed. The hardened plastic case will resist greasy stains, damage, and fading. Furthermore, it can be cleaned easily if you so wish. The DPI button is located on the underside of the mouse. This was a little unusual, but I like how this created a clean and streamlined design.
The lightweight finish may not be to everyone’s liking, but a little trial and error goes a long way. Once you get your settings right, you’ll adore using this during marathon gaming sessions. An under 50g mouse is a joy to use. However, things are taken up a gear when you combine it with sleek plastic and an ergonomic design. The tactile buttons are nicely placed, and the actuation distance works well, no matter the genre of game.
Is the Mark Model 3 mouse worth it?
This gaming mouse offers a lot of impressive options for the price. It is ideal for workers or your everyday gamer. Alternatively, if you love to compete, this lightweight mouse will not be out of place against its big-name peers. The build quality is fantastic, and I love how it packs in the market-leading tech. Accordingly, it is fantastic, and I recommend buying it here!
