Rob Lake
As seen in:
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University of Cambridge News,
Flickering Myth,
Killeen Daily Herald,
Responsible Investor,
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Fintech Finance News,
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Comics and Video Games.
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Founder of @GeekCultureRev | Senior Retail Manager | Mental Health First Aider | DM’s Open | Bylines - Rapid Reviews UK, Gamerhub, and more…
Articles by Rob Lake
The Cabin Factory Review - A Quietly Terrifying Shift at the Edge of Sanity
There is something strangely comforting about routine. You wake up, clock in, and repeat the same process until it becomes second nature. But there is also something deeply unsettling about it when that routine begins to twist into something unfamiliar. When the work you thought you understood starts to turn against you. That is the quiet horror at the center of The Cabin Factory, a small but memorable game from International Cat Studios and published by Future Friends Games.
Soundcore Liberty 5 Review
Reading Time: 5 minutes When it comes to wireless earbuds, choosing the right pair can be quite a challenge. While big brand names often hold the market share, they also demand quite the price tag. This is where Anker’s Soundcore range comes into view. Over the last few years Anker have carved their own path past the bigger brands to establish their own range of top quality earbuds at a very competitive price point.
The Gloriously Untrue Adventures of Sapphira Review - A Vivid Journey Through Sapphira Olson’s Imagination
Every now and then, a comic enters my airspace that reminds me why the medium is a pretty powerful storyteller. The Gloriously Untrue Adventures of Sapphira is one of those discoveries. It is unpredictable, self-aware, and strangely emotional. It’s the sort of book that defies every rule of structure yet somehow feels entirely complete by the final page. Written and illustrated by Sapphira Olson, this opening issue drops you into a world that feels half dream and half diary.
Carrera Hybrid UK Launch - Specs, Price & Review Highlights
Carrera have announced the launch of their Carrera Hybrid range here in the UK! Slot car racing enters a whole new digital era combining the classic excitement of the iconic slot car with the immersive experience of video gaming.
Blade Runner 2019 Complete Series Omnibus Review - Expanding the Cyberpunk Classic
Blade Runner 2019 is one of those rare tie-in collections that manages to feel both faithful to its source material and daring enough to expand it in meaningful ways. Published by Titan Comics, this omnibus gathers the entire twelve-issue run of Blade Runner 2019, the first major comic project set within Ridley Scott’s celebrated cyberpunk universe.
Carrera Hybrid Launches in the UK - Discover the First Racetrack Merging Reality and Video Games with the Power of AI
Carrera have announced the launch of their Carrera Hybrid range here in the UK! Slot car racing enters a whole new digital era combining the classic excitement of the iconic slot car with the immersive experience of video gaming.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater PS5 Review - The Definitive Remake Experience
If you’ve ever wanted to revisit one of gaming’s most iconic stealth adventures, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on PlayStation 5 delivers a stunning chance to do just that. This remake of the beloved Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater brings the Cold War jungle to life with Unreal Engine 5 graphics, smoother controls, and quality-of-life improvements that make it accessible for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Katanaut Review - Blades, Space Horror, and Acclaim’s Surprising Return to Gaming
The indie scene has been thriving on Steam lately, and Katanaut is one of those titles that immediately jumps out from the crowd. Developed by Voidmaw, this roguelite action game blends challenging combat, exploration-heavy design, and an eerie sci-fi atmosphere that makes every run feel dangerous and unpredictable. On top of that, it carries the legacy of a surprising publisher: Acclaim.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Review
Reading Time: 5 minutes Doom: The Dark Ages Developer: id Software Publisher: Bethesda Studios Website: https://doom.bethesda.net/en-US/the-dark-ages Genre(s): Action Platform: PC Age Rating: PEGI 18 Release Date: 14/05/2025 Price: £69.99 A code was provided for review purposes DOOM has never been a game to pull its punches. To an extent its the gaming equivalent of a heavy metal rock concert – its loud, fast, and unapologetically aggressive. But with DOOM: The Dark Ages things feel different.
Spider-Man ’94 #1 Review - The Animated Series Finally Swings Back Into Action
For those of us who grew up in the 1990s, Spider-Man: The Animated Series was more than just another superhero cartoon. It was one of the boldest and most ambitious shows Marvel had ever put on TV. Across five seasons, it told sprawling stories about Peter Parker’s struggles, the rise of his villains, and even multiverse-level adventures that rivaled anything happening in the comics at the time. But the series ended in 1998 with one of the most infamous cliffhangers in superhero television history.
Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Destructive Comics Review
When it comes to DC Comics, few characters have managed to evolve, reinvent themselves, and remain relevant in the way Harley Quinn has. Originally introduced as a one-off sidekick in Batman: The Animated Series, she has since grown into one of DC’s most recognizable and commercially successful characters. From animated shows to blockbuster films and countless comic runs, Harley has carved out her own chaotic corner of Gotham that feels unlike anything else in the DC lineup. Harley Quinn Vol.
Alien Vs. Avengers Review.- Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Meets The Perfect Specimen
Alien vs. Avengers is one of those crossover comics that immediately makes you stop and do a double take. Marvel’s Earth’s Mightiest Heroes facing off against the acid-blooded monsters of the Alien franchise? On paper, it sounds like pure fan service, the kind of mash-up that lives on fan forums and “what if” conversations. But Marvel has made it real, collecting the full miniseries into one volume that delivers exactly what the title promises.
Event Horizon: Dark Descent #1 - A Descent into Gothic Horror Among the Stars
When Event Horizon hit cinemas in 1997, it was dismissed by critics and largely ignored at the box office. But over time, the film grew into something much bigger than a forgotten sci-fi horror experiment. It became a cult classic, celebrated for its grim tone, unforgettable visuals, and the chilling suggestion that hell itself exists not in some mythical underworld, but in the black nothingness between stars.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) Review - Why Jill Valentine’s Fight for Survival Still Matters In 2025
It feels a little surreal to be talking about Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in 2025. Yet thanks to the titles imminent release as part of the PlayStation Plus Classics offering, here we are. Originally released in 1999 for the PlayStation, this third entry in Capcom’s survival horror juggernaut is now making its way onto the PlayStation Plus Classics Collection, giving players old and new a chance to dive into one of the most memorable chapters in the Resident Evil franchise.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers PS5 Review
A Brutal Yet Beautiful Journey Through a Cursed Empire… From the moment Wuchang: Fallen Feathers loads on PS5, the tone is unmistakable. The game greets you with dim skies, decaying towns, and vast mountains that fade into mist. It is set in a land teetering on the edge of collapse, where disease, war, and strange supernatural forces seem to be gnawing at everything. It has an immediate pull for anyone who enjoys worlds that feel heavy with history and mystery.
Odysseus: In Defiance of the Gods - Book 2 Review
Odysseus continues to defy the gods as a familiar face makes her presence known… PSY Comics return with another thrilling chapter in their epic saga of gods and mortals. This second issue in the adventures of Odysseus not only delivers more spectacular battles and terrifying monsters, but also serves as a bridge to the publisher’s other series, Circe. With Circe stepping into Odysseus’s path, the stakes rise dramatically. How will the goddess of change influence his crew?
Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 Review - Springtrap, Lore, and the Game’s Chilling Mechanics
From the very first night, Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 makes it clear that it is not trying to repeat the same tricks as the earlier games. The frantic juggling act that defined how the original 2014 Five Nights at Freddy’s game changed horror and the chaotic energy of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is gone. In its place is a slower, more calculated form of fear. There is only one enemy who can kill you, but he is the most dangerous yet.
Retrospective: How Five Nights at Freddy’s Quietly Redefined Horror Games
It has been over a decade since Five Nights at Freddy’s first flickered onto our screens, quietly released on August 8, 2014, by a relatively unknown indie developer named Scott Cawthon. At the time, it seemed like just another quirky horror game in the ever-growing pile of let’s play bait on Steam. A game where you sit still in a security office and monitor malfunctioning animatronics through grainy security feeds? Sounds niche, right?
Karma: The Dark World Review - Gothic Fantasy Awaits [2025]
Karma: The Dark World is not a game that tries to entertain with fast action or familiar horror tropes. Instead, it quietly unsettles you, pulling you into a slow descent through memory, guilt, and psychological decay. It is a disturbing, visually intense experience that trades jump scares for emotional tension and abstract storytelling. If you come into it expecting combat or traditional survival elements, you may be surprised by just how different it is from most horror titles.
Comic Book Review - Hawkmoon: The Black Jewel
There are stories that feel like they were made for comics, and Hawkmoon: The Black Jewel (adapted from Michael Moorcock’s original Runestaff novels), is one of those stories. Full of strange science, dark sorcery, and bleak, imaginative landscapes, Hawkmoon plunges readers into a post-apocalyptic Europe that has more in common with the myth’s of old than with the modern day. It’s violent, romantic, philosophical, and sometimes absurd, but above all it always remains captivating.
Parasite Eve II: Survival Horror Meets Sci-Fi RPG on the PS1
In the golden age of PlayStation horror when fixed camera angles and clunky controls were just part of the charm, Parasite Eve II stood out as something… stranger. It wasn’t just horror. It wasn’t just an RPG. It wasn’t even a clean sequel, it was a pivot - an evolution in more ways than one. Released in 1999 in Japan and 2000 elsewhere, Parasite Eve II followed up Square’s first attempt at fusing a horror-RPG hybrid.
DOOM: The Dark Ages review
The DOOM franchise has never been one to tiptoe around subtlety. It’s the gaming equivalent of a double-kick drum solo that’s loud, fast, and unapologetically aggressive. But with DOOM: The Dark Ages, id Software has done something unexpected: they’ve taken the series’ trademark chaos and filtered it through the grim lens of a heavy metal dark fantasy. The result?
Feral #5 Review
If you like your comics dark, sexy, and dripping with gothic atmosphere, then Feral #5 is a must-check-out horror zine that scratches a very specific, very delicious itch. Published by the Berlin-based Chapter-X Comics, Feral is a semi-annual anthology filled with vampire witches, erotic demons, bloody revenge plots, and a healthy dose of underground music scene flair. It’s part comic, part art book, and part DIY punk ’zine—think Heavy Metal meets Vampirella with a dash of Berlin nightlife.
Video Game Review - Blades of Fire
Another Soulslike enters the area… For fans of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, the moment you boot up Blades of Fire, you’ll already know what kind of journey you’re in for. Fires crackle in the distance, steel grinds on steel, and your character, Aran de Lira, stands at the edge of a crumbling cliff with a sword on his back and a forge hammer in his hand. This isn’t just another run of the mill Soulslike, it’s MercurySteam’s attempt to merge the genres classic combat with a deep weapon crafting.
Mini Review - Sentinel Issue #17: The Call Her Trinity
Sentinel heads into its 17th issue and the mini-digest shows no signs of slowing down… One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Sentinel is its simplistic standalone format. From what started as a homage to the classic Starblazer digests, Sentinel has grown into its own entity. Within each issue is a complete self-contained story, that’s driven by big ideas with surprisingly detailed character work.
[Review] Avengers: Twilight - When the Dream Dies Loudly
What happens when the dream is over? That’s the haunting question at the heart of Avengers: Twilight, Marvel’s latest dystopian saga, penned by the always-provocative Chip Zdarsky and gorgeously illustrated by Daniel Acuña. Set in a chilling future where the Avengers have been disbanded, disgraced, or simply disappeared, the six-issue series offers something rarely seen in Marvel canon: a funeral for superhero idealism, played with a mix of sorrow, fury, and uncomfortable introspection.
Review: Circe: Book One
“Circe! Goddess of Transformation: rejected by her Father Helios for her fascination with mortality. Twisting the knife further into her Sun God Father, she saves Prometheus from eternal torture at the hand of the Furies. And now, though her Mother Hecate shields her on the island of Aeae with Dark Magik, how long can she hide from The Sun God’s glare and thirst for annihilation?” Circe is essentially a story about angry Gods with plenty of issues.
Review: The Precinct
I am the top-down law! I’ll be honest when I first saw the trailer for The Precinct, I was instantly hooked. A GTA-style city, 80’s cop drama vibes? Open-world lawbreaking? It looked like someone threw L.A. Noire, Hotline Miami, and Driver into a blender and poured out a crime-fighting cocktail. Naturally, I had to head to its streets to deliver my own version of justice that’ll hopefully make Judge Dredd blush.
Review: Assassins Creed: Shadows
Two Blades, One Beautifully Brutal Journey Through Feudal Japan… Assassin’s Creed: Shadows delivers the long-awaited leap into feudal Japan with style, power, and purpose. By introducing two protagonists—each with distinct abilities and perspectives—Ubisoft has managed to reinvigorate the stealth-action loop that has defined the series since 2007. It’s a beautiful and brutal open-world adventure, even if some old problems still linger in the shadows.
“I Am the Law”: How Dredd (2012) Captures the Spirit of the Judge Dredd Mythos
In the long shadow of comic book adaptations, Dredd stands as a lean, gritty, and faithful tribute to one of the most iconic antiheroes in comic history: Judge Dredd. Far removed from the neon kitsch and narrative misfires of the 1995 Judge Dredd film starring Sylvester Stallone, Dredd is a stripped-down, brutal, and grounded take on the lawman of Mega-City One. But more than just a hard-edged action flick, Dredd is deeply embedded in the lore and philosophy of the original 2000 AD comic series.
Review: Cable: Love & Chrome #4
A Mission Through Time… As the penultimate chapter in what has become one of my favorite Marvel outings of recent years, Cable: Love & Chrome #4 isn’t just good—it’s devastatingly great. With David Pepose on writing duties and Mike Henderson delivering hard-hitting visuals, this issue stands as the most character-driven and heart-wrenching entry in the mini-series yet.
Board Game Review - The Crystal Maze
Will you start the fans please?!... Back in the early 90's Channel 4 nailed the teatime television slot with the gameshow, The Crystal Maze. Developed by French game show developer Jacques Antoine, The Crystal Maze tasked a team of contestants to perform a range of challenges in an attempt to build enough time to then crack the final challenge - the Crystal Dome.
Review: Doctor Who Season 15 - Episode 2: Lux
A Psychedelic Dive Into Memory, Myth, and Media… In its long and storied history, Doctor Who has rarely shied away from experimentation, but Lux pushes the boundaries of the show’s format in a way that is both dazzling and deeply emotional. Directed by Amanda Brotchie and penned by Russell T Davies, this episode fuses classic animation, drama, and meta-narrative into a surreal episode of quintessential sci-fi.
Funko assembles the Thunderbolts* with new Pop! Vinyl figures
With Marvel Studios gearing up to the release of their second movie offering of the year, Funko has officially unveiled its Pop! Vinyl tie-in figures for Thunderbolts*, featuring Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Bucky Barnes, John F. Walker, and Sentry…
News: LEGO Jurassic World: Rebirth sets revealed
With the next instalment to the Jurassic World franchise heading to cinemas this Summer, LEGO Group have given us a look into their upcoming sets that’ll tie into Jurassic World: Rebirth… The six tie-in sets for the upcoming film are Baby Dinosaur Dolores: Aquilops, Raptor Off-Road Escape, T. rex River Escape, Brick-Built Mosasaurus Boat Mission, Raptor & Titanosaurus Tracking Mission, and Spinosaurus & Quetzalcoatlus Air Mission.
News: PowerA Teams Up with Bandai Namco to Celebrate the 45th Anniversary of PAC-MAN With New Licensed Gaming Gear
The partnership will deliver officially licensed PAC-MAN accessories, coming this Spring to Nintendo Switch and Xbox platforms. PowerA have announced that they are partnering with Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. to celebrate the 45th anniversary of PAC-MAN™, one of the most iconic and enduring gaming franchises of all time.
Review: Macross - Shooting Insight
Macross makes its way west, but does this shoot’em up survive the journey? Fresh from watching a bootleg copy of Akira that was kindly provided by a friend's older brother, I had my mind blown by these Japanese “cartoons” that were cooler, and a lot more action-packed than the ones that were shown on UK television. On a weekend trip to my local video rental store I happened to come across Macross: Do You Remember Love? Sitting on the shelf.
Review: Captain Wylde & The Headless Mariner
Swashbuckling Pirates and nefarious necromancy collide as John A. Short brings the legend of Captain Cinnamon Wylde to the Kickstarter tavern… ‘Year of our Lord 1727... The golden age of piracy! Captain Cinnamon Wylde is the scourge of the waters around Dead Man's Straits...
Review: Magik #2
The hunt for the Lumia Seal takes Magik and Cal deep into the heart of Tokyo. But who is watching from the shadows? And has Cal teamed up with Earth’s saviour or its prophesied destroyer? Magik #1 set this standalone series off in spectacular fashion. A series of events has caused Ilya to be thrown into a grand mystery that started with a demon-killing a mutant.
Review: Cable: Love & Chrome #2
Love and rebellion in a cyberpunk world… Cable: Love and Chrome #1 did a fantastic job in throwing Nathaniel Summers into a future where the Techno-Organic Virus had won and subsequently taken over the world. Across the opening issue writer David Pepose introduced us to the status quo of this world as Nathaniel was introduced to the people of Salvation Bay, their leader - and potential love interest - Avery Ryder, and their enemy; the Prime Conclave.
Mini Review: Shrieek! 3
Dave Metcalfe-Carr is back with the third issue of his spine-tingling anthology. With interrogations, little dogs, a fabulous T-Rex, demons, and larger-than-life comic book characters, does Shrieek! 3 go bump in the night? So we’re three issues into Shrieek! And it seems for this issue at least that the pressure of creating an instant impact within the crowded indie market has been reduced. As such Shrieek!3 feels a little different to its sister issues.
Warhammer 40K Kill Team: Pathfinders Review
The Pathfinder Kill Team for Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team is a fascinating, dynamic, and tactically rich team that embodies the high-tech, fast-paced warfare of the T’au Empire. As one of the most versatile teams, Pathfinders bring a unique combination of mobility, ranged firepower, and powerful strategic abilities to the arena. But are they the right team for you? Let’s dive into the details.
Re:Play Episode #5 - Death Stranding
Over the last couple of months I’ve been playing through Death Stranding as it’s finally made its long awaited release on the Xbox Series X. I’ve been a fan of Hideo Kojima’s work for quite a while and it all started back in middle school when I got my hands on Metal Gear Solid. While I could have experienced Death Stranding on the PlayStation 5, those who know me will already know that my Xbox is my go to console.
Review: Madness & Monsters
“An epic set of Myths: Monsters, Madness, War, Betrayal, Redemption, Isolation and Forgiveness all with a deeply psychological steer” Madness & Monsters is a 132-page anthology graphic novel that’s been created by Laurence Alison. Alongside a very talented team of artists, colourists, and letterers, Alison takes us on an epic journey across six tales full of monsters, madness, forgiveness, war, and redemption.
Review: 2000 AD Prog 2415
It’s Wednesday which means that Tharg has once again delivered another zarzaz of thrills as 2000 AD Prog 2415 heads to newsstands and comic book shops. With the publication celebrating 48 years this year, there’s no better time to jump on board and see why the sci-fi anthology is so revered. It’s straight down to business this week as we get continuations to last week's strips.
Slideshow reveals new Harley Quinn Premium Format Collectible Figure
Slideshow have today revealed our first look at their upcoming Harley Quinn Premium Format Figure. Based upon the long sold out “Hell on wheels” figurine, this new version aims to capture the characters comic book look. Coming in at a whopping $700, you can now preorder the figure over on Slideshow’s website.
Review: Magik #1
‘Magik #1’ takes a walk on the supernatural side as Illyana Rasputin sets off on her post-Krakoa adventure… Since the fall of the mutant island Krakoa it seems that Marvel Comics is going all out on giving us a new X-Men-related series each week. This week also seems to follow the trend as Magik #1 heads to comic book shelves.
Review - 2000 AD Prog 2414
It’s the first 2000 AD outing of 2025 as Tharg brings Prog 2414 across the Thrillverse… No faff, let’s dive straight into it shall we?
Review: Cable: Love & Chrome #1
Due to my holiday break I’m a little late on this one, but Cable: Love & Chrome #1 is arguably my COTY (Comic Of The Year) for 2025. Why? Well read on… Much like other Marvel characters, Cable is one who’s gone through a multitude of changes since his debut. From team-ups and fallouts, Cable has seen his fair share of ups and downs. Now with David Pepose at the helm, Cable heads back to his roots - albeit with a bit of Mad Max thrown in.
Novel Review - The Horus Heresy: The Siege of Terra - The Solar War
It’s been quite the eventful year since my challenge of reading the entirety of the Horus Heresy saga began. While I’m still yet to be fully up to date with the galaxy-spanning story of rebellion, I have finally reached The Siege of Terra part of the story. Now Horus and his band of renegades have found their way to Terra, I thought it was time that I gave yet another review that started way back when with Horus Rising.
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