Alfie B-Smith, Author at Thumb Culture

8Sep

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

Tinytopia Review

Tinytopia is newly released on Steam, developed by MeNic Games and available on both Windows & MacOS, you will be teleported into a cute world of city building fun. Available now on Steam for £10.99. IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A PLANE? NO, IT'S A UFO I love city builders, the fact they're the perfect game to play when you want to chill out and don't want to do anything competitively. First seeing Tinytopia, I thought the setting was something out of Toy Story, but I was intrigued. What could possibly make this different than the rest out there? Let's find out. Let us know in the comments if you have played Tinytopia, or what your thoughts are. Gameplay There is nothing complicated about Tinytopia's gameplay. Each level is mostly the same, achieving a population goal or, constructing "...

8Sep

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

PC Reviews

Hell Architect Review

We previously got a first look at Hell Architect during its early access/preview stage. Woodland Games have now fully released Hell Architect on Steam. Originally pitched in a Kickstarter Campaign, we take a closer look at the full release version published by Play Way & Leonardo Interactive. YOU ARE IN MY HELL NOW! If you checked out Dan's preview of Hell Architect then you will know what to expect and this sparked my interest. So let's check out the full release version of Hell Architect and create our own living hell for the sinners that may enter! Let us know in the comments if you have checked out Hell Architect. And if so, what you enjoyed, we will be intrigued to find out. Gameplay The gameplay focuses solely on building and managing your very own hell. Built by Woodland Gam...

28Jul

By Alfie B-Smith1 Comment

PC Reviews

Chernobylite Review

Chernobylite is a single-player, science fiction survival video game developed by The Farm 51 and published by All In! Games. The game is out now on PC for £23.99 and is coming to PlayStation 4 & Xbox in September 2021 and next-gen consoles are yet to be announced. AN ALTERNATIVE LOOK AT THE CHERNOBYL DISASTER! I have always been fascinated by the Chernobyl disaster and horror games. Discovering Chernobylite I was instantly drawn into the way The Farm 51 took this and made it a truly unique storyline and allowing players to visit Chernobyl in the comfort of their own homes. Follow me, as we embark on a grueling story of discovering what happened to Igor's Fiancée. Gameplay Chernobylite takes a lot of inspiration from the classic post-apocalyptic game setting, but they make ...

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron Portable SSD Review

16Jul

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron Portable SSD Review

There is a saying, all good things come in small packages. Then, this runs true with the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron. Other World Computing Inc. (OWC) has a reputation for delivering well-built and well-designed hardware for Apple products. But with the evolution of USB and the wider supporting USB Type-C technology in the PC world, OWC's accessories are becoming increasingly popular. An Ideal Companion For Gaming, Travelling, and Field Work! Having recently ventured into custom-built PCs, I have been on the lookout for various kinds of storage options. Firstly, I have explored my options in portable drives, particularly with having a laptop also. Then I discovered the OWC had launched a new portable SSD called, Envoy Pro Elektron, a tiny but yet solid-built solid-state drive that connect...

Ubisoft Forward E3 – Top 5 Announcements

14Jun

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

News & Updates

Ubisoft Forward E3 – Top 5 Announcements

Ubisoft teased us earlier in the week and we have been expecting to see updates on upcoming releases, as well as new forthcoming updates. High anticipation over Far Cry 6, Rainbow Six Extraction, and Riders Republic, and updates to Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs: Legion, For Honor and The Crew 2. E3 is well underway this year and a lot has already been announced. Let us know in the comments what you are excited about! There was a lot to get through in the 1-hour show, so here is the top 5 notable announcements from this years, Ubisoft Forward E3 2021. RAINBOW 6 EXTRACTION Rainbow 6 is a fan favourite from Ubisoft, and we got a new look at the upcoming Rainbow 6 Extraction, a new take on Rainbow Six Siege's Outbreak mode. Initially, Rainbow 6 Extraction was going to be...

11Jun

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

PC Reviews

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Review

Elite Dangerous has been around since December 2014, and the game has significantly evolved since its inception. Frontier Developments has recently introduced an exciting expansion to the game with Odyssey, out now for PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Available for £29.99 for the standard edition, £34.99 for the deluxe edition, which includes the Original Soundtrack, and £49.99 for the Commander Premium Edition. ELITE DANGEROUS: ODYSSEY, JUMP AROUND! The release of Elite Dangerous: Odyssey sparked my interest in the game all over again. I was keen to dive in and explore the vast system of different planets, ecosystems and Starports. If you have played this before or are currently playing this, let us know how you feel about this expansion and your experiences with this. Read on to find out how ...

12May

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

PC Reviews

Before We Leave Review

Before We Leave, a non-violent city building/4X strategy game developed by Balancing Monkey Games and published by the folks at Team17, this a great take on the modern-day city builder games. Prepare to be soaked in by just how engaging this game can be, and it is out now on Steam! BEFORE WE LEAVE - DON’T FORGET ME, PEEPS! I am a fan of a good city builder game, exceptionally engaging, chilled builders, where you can just get lost in the game and create something unique. Before We Leave one that looked interesting with its hexagonal spaces for creating and just its overall look, read on to find out how I get on. Gameplay You will find yourself in awe when you see your first planet devouring space whale. However, the game, in its entirety, is non-violent. You are managing a colony o...

Gas Station Simulator: Prologue – Early Days Review

6May

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

PC Reviews

Gas Station Simulator: Prologue – Early Days Review

Gas Station Simulator: Prologue - Early Days is a casual simulation game currently in development by Drago Entertainment and Movie Games. This release is a little snippet of what we expect in the second quarter of this year when the game is released. This prologue - early days is a welcomed introduction. Gas Station Simulator: Prologue - Early Days story is around an inherited plot of land that comes with a gas station that has fallen to disrepair. Since you have inherited this land, it is now up to you to renovate it. The early day's demo is available to download now, for free GAS STATION SIMULATOR: PROLOGUE - EARLY DAYS, ANYONE GOT GAS? Gameplay I touched on the general storyline briefly in the intro. However, you soon get introduced to your Uncle, who lends you some money to get th...

Endzone: A World Apart Review – It is Chaos Out There!

12Apr

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

PC Reviews

Endzone: A World Apart Review – It is Chaos Out There!

Endzone: A World Apart is a post-apocalyptic city builder set around a group of terrorists who blew up nuclear power plants all over the world and plunged the world into chaos. One hundred fifty years later, humanity returns to the surface. Your goal is to build them a new home and ensure their survival in a shattered world. They are threatened by constant radiation, toxic rain, sandstorms, and droughts. The game is developed by German game developers, Gently Mad and published by Assemble Entertainment, and is out now for PC on Steam! ENDZONE: A WORLD APART - HELP US GROW! Gameplay I do enjoy city-builder sims, especially finding one set around a nuclear fallout/apocalypse. As you can probably imagine, your main goal is to build a settlement and make sure your settlers are happy, soun...

Pascal’s Wager: Definitive Edition – Hello Dark Souls Fans!

22Mar

By Alfie B-SmithNo Comments

PC Reviews

Pascal’s Wager: Definitive Edition – Hello Dark Souls Fans!

Pascal's Wager is a single-player action RPG that was first released on mobile that saw rapid growth with over 1 million downloads. Pascal's Wager is released on iOS, Android and most recently, PC. The game is developed by Chinese game studios, TipsWorks & Giant Network, both of which are new to the international market in releasing PC games. PASCAL'S WAGER - IS THIS JUST ANOTHER SOULS LIKE GAME? When seeing Pascal's Wager for the first time, I was lured by how cool the characters looked, the overall dark, mythical setting the game is set in, and just the spookiness of how this game looked. Join me as we take a look at this game for the first time on PC, and let me know in the comments, your thoughts and if you are excited to play this on PC! Gameplay I will be upfront here; ha...