Andrew Kincaid (Linden Ashby) is the CEO of Sentinel Gaming Systems. He has developed a new system that puts players "in the game." Orson Creed (Manu Bennett) developed systems with Sentinel, but wanted to use certain systems for the military where Kincaid is simply a gamer. Max Troy (Larenz Tate) world champion gamer is his "secret weapon" tester.

Kincaid kidnaps Creed's wife (Sara Coates) and places a device on Creed's neck that gives gamer Max control over him. Max quickly realizes he is not playing an ordinary game and wants out, but Kincaid makes him an offer he can't refuse.

Max, the main character was bland, a problem that plagues a lot of science fiction. Max figures out the game too fast and the film takes a turn too early. The early montage sets up an artificial message the film didn't convey.

I did not enjoy this film as much as my peers.

Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.

Then again this is not supposed to be VR now is it? The idea in general is quite intriguing to say the least. Unfortunately this does not have the budget to completely run wild with its idea. So we get visuals that are quite hard to watch - and not in a good sense either.

Of course since this pretends that the simulation is in its early stages it tries to get away with that. It's up to you to say if that actually is the case or has been achieved. Having the very charismatic Manu Bennett in one of the lead roles, but deriving him of showing emotions most of the time might not have been the best idea either ... still since I dig weird movies and this is low budget I did cut it some slack ... if you are able to do so too, you may as well engage ...

Beta Test: Yes, its Mind Games Forever. Perhaps mixing the traditions of Inception and eXistenZ, Beta Test nevertheless makes its own mark on the SF gamer trope. We have a veritable War of the Gods, a CEO of a Gaming company in dispute with Chief Designer. An armed gang burst into the home of the Designer, insert a control device in the back of his neck and kidnap his wife.

Meanwhile the beta tester receives his new game to try out. Little does he know that he will be controlling the (now) flesh puppet Designer in real life. The first task of the game is to interrupt a bank robbery, killing the robbers and making off with the loot ...

MMA fighting, neck breaking, stabbing, shooting, even Samurai sword fights. This film has them all. The storming of the Bond-Villain's HQ results in an over-extended fight but this is a good SF Thriller. 7/10.