Jason, Author at Thumb Culture

be quiet! Light Base 900 FX PC Case Review

18Mar

By JasonNo Comments

be quiet! Light Base 900 FX PC Case Review

Known for their premium, quiet cooling solutions, be quiet! has a reputation for making cases that not only look sleek but also perform exceptionally well. From my previous reviews of their Pure Base 500DX and Silent Base 802 PC cases I know this brand lives up to their great reputation. Recently I was sent the be quiet! Light Base 900 FX, a full-tower PC case that’s designed to blend aesthetics, functionality, and efficient cooling. Keeping Cool and Quiet The Light Base 900 FX is the latest iteration of their flagship series. Bringing new features and improvements, designed for users who demand space, expandability, and silence in their builds. In this review, we’ll delve into the design, hardware compatibility, ease of building, and overall performance to help you decide whether it’s t...

Door Kickers 2: Task Force North – PC Review

24Feb

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Door Kickers 2: Task Force North – PC Review

Door Kickers 2: Task Force North, by devs KillHouse Games, is a top-down tactical strategy game that builds on its predecessor’s foundation and offers a truly immersive, tactical, and fast-paced experience. With games that require critical thinking, teamwork, and real-time decision-making, titles like XCOM and Rainbow Six Siege have captured players' imaginations worldwide. Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is another title that seeks to deepen the tactical experience, offering players the chance to take command of an elite counter-terrorism unit. Plan, Lock & Load! Gameplay Door Kickers 2 stands out for its approach to real-time strategy. Instead of the typical turn-based mechanics seen in similar games, it tasks players with controlling a team of counter-terrorism operatives a...

5Feb

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Cat Detective Albert Wilde – PC Review

Cat Detective Albert Wilde, is the latest release from Greek-based devs beyondthosehills. Their last game was the puzzler Reky. Being a fan of the film noir genre, I had to pick Albert Wilde up and see what it was all about. If you have ever fancied playing the role of an anthropomorphic cat detective in 1930s New York, well now is your chance. "Decency and integrity are fancy words, but they never kept anybody well fed. And I've got quite an appetite" Now on PC, let's see what this "comedy noir, sci-fi mystery game that blends elements of a walking simulator and interactive novel" is like. Gameplay At its core, Cat Detective Albert Wilde is a simple point-and-click adventure game that intertwines narrative investigation with a tiny bit of puzzle-solving. Playing the role of Alb...

29Jan

By JasonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Assetto Corsa Evo – PC Preview

As the racing game genre continues to evolve, few titles have remained as respected and beloved as the Assetto Corsa series. With the early access of Assetto Corsa Evo released on 16th January to PC, the developers at Kunos Simulazioni are poised to elevate the franchise to new heights. Building upon the solid foundation of its predecessor while introducing exciting new features and improvements, Assetto Corsa Evo is set to deliver a thrilling racing experience unlike any other. Realism to the extreme How does Assetto Corsa Evo feel at the moment? What can be expected from the highly anticipated title before its full release? Gameplay The early access roadmap currently means that there are 5 available tracks to sample along with 75 highly detailed cars. The gameplay mechanics of As...

17Jan

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

JBL Quantum 360 Wireless Headset Review

The JBL Quantum 360 Wireless is a mid-range gaming headset designed for gamers who want to hear every detail in their ears, but don't want to pay a massive price tag. This headset will cost you £79.99 from the JBL website. Featuring Quantum SURROUND, you have the main features that you expect for a gaming headset however it falls short of offering ANC, QuantumSPHERE 360, and any wired audio capabilities. When compared to the likes of the JBL Quantum 910, the 360 Wireless headset is clearly a personal preference based on price and required features. But let's take a closer look. Design The JBL Quantum 360 Wireless headset is slightly less chunky than the more expensive models. Although distinct in its shape, any lighting features have been removed and instead, a matt and gloss plas...

9Dec

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Railroads Online – PC Review

Railroads Online is a sandbox simulation game that puts you in the boots of a budding railroad tycoon during the golden age of steam. Developed by Stefan Kelnberger and published by Astragon Entertainment, the game promises an immersive experience of laying tracks, managing steam locomotives, and navigating a rugged, untamed wilderness. Railroading Your Way To The Top Railroads Online has now been fully released on PC having been in early access for the last 3 years. It is also available on PS5 and Xbox S|X. Does it deliver the engaging gameplay it promises, or does it run out of steam? Let’s find out. Gameplay At its core, Railroads Online is all about the intricate art of building and managing railroads. Many transport games do similar, however this game feels a lot different....

27Nov

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

JBL Quantum 910 Wireless Headset Review

The JBL Quantum 910 Wireless is a high-end gaming headset designed for audiophiles and competitive gamers. With cutting-edge technology like JBL's QuantumSPHERE 360 and Hi-Res audio certification, this headset promises a premium listening experience, offering a significant edge in immersive gaming and detailed sound reproduction. Its compatibility with multiple platforms and robust wireless connectivity positions it as a strong contender in the wireless headset market. But how does it perform in real-world scenarios? Let’s dive into its design, features, performance, and overall value. Design The JBL Quantum 910 Wireless headset features a sleek and robust build that balances functionality with a gamer-oriented aesthetic. Lifting the headset from the box, the construction of it feels...

The Sims 4: Life and Death Expansion Pack – PC Review

21Nov

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

The Sims 4: Life and Death Expansion Pack – PC Review

The Sims 4 is 10 years old and still receiving content! Maxis and EA are giving GTA V a good run for their money! Their latest DLC has taken a bold step with Life and Death. Here you get to explore themes of grief, legacy, and the supernatural. The expansion transforms the typically humorous tone of The Sims 4 into a nuanced and meaningful exploration of life's journey while still maintaining the series' signature charm. They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky! With Addams Family vibes, let's see what the Life and Death expansion pack brings to The Sims 4. Gameplay The new DLC introduces the hauntingly beautiful town of Ravenwood, split into “living” and “dead” zones, each with unique activities. Players can organize funerals with personalized ceremonies, write will...

Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD Review

14Nov

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD Review

Samsung's 990 EVO Plus is the latest addition to Samsung's highly popular NVMe SSD lineup. Offering a combination of speed, reliability, and efficiency targeted at a wide range of users, from gamers to creative professionals. This SSD features upgraded NAND technology, an optimized controller, and firmware improvements, enabling it to deliver stellar read and write speeds. However, with the market’s shift toward PCIe 5.0, the question arises: how well does the 990 EVO Plus hold up on a PCIe 4.0 interface, and what should users consider as they prepare for the next-gen PCIe 5.0 platform? I was kindly sent a 1TB version to explore, however, it is also available in 2TB and 4TB variants. Design Samsung has kept the design of the 990 EVO Plus clean and practical. They have followed the...

1Nov

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

iFi GO Link Audio DAC Review

As the world moves onto all things wireless, sound quality can be sacrificed by doing so. Depending on how much of an audiophile you are, wired is still the best way to listen to music. It is strange to think that an analogue signal can carry more data than its wireless digital counterpart. This is due to the analogue data being uncompressed rather than being sent through Bluetooth codecs. These will compress the audio data before sending it to your wireless listening device and it has a big effect on sound quality for certain audio formats such as ALAC/FLAC & WAV. Cost-Effective Audio Enhancements Ok, so you want to listen to some high-quality lossless music via Tidal or Amazon Music. You don't want to use your wireless headset or buds. But your device doesn't have a 3.5mm stereo ja...