Jason, Author at Thumb Culture

15Oct

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

SiN Reloaded – PC Review

At 18 years old, I was getting stuck into PC gaming, but there was one rather important problem. My computer wasn't exactly a powerhouse. While other gamers were enjoying the latest releases, I was often left wondering whether my machine would actually manage to run them without bursting into flames. SiN was one of those games that really tested the limits of my hardware, and I certainly struggled to get the experience I wanted from it. Fast forward to 2026, and Nightdive Studios, along with Atari, have brought us SiN Reloaded, a remastered version of Ritual Entertainment's 1998 shooter. Having recently revisited another blast from the past with Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection, I seem to be on a bit of a nostalgia trip at the moment. Apparently, turning 46 means spending your sp...

Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection – PC Review

12Oct

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection – PC Review

There are some games that you remember playing, and then there are games that take you straight back to a particular time in your life. Alien Breed is definitely one of those games for me. I’m now 46, which means I’m officially at the age where I can tell younger people that games used to be harder, and start sentences with “When I was your age...” And Alien Breed takes me straight back to being younger, going around my mate’s house and playing with him on his Amiga. Back then, the Amiga was my arch rival as I was club Atari ST. However I still found that the graphics were amazing, the sound was brilliant, and, most importantly, it was where I first experienced games like Alien Breed. A few years later, when I was around 15, I finally got my first PC and started playing the Alien Bre...

Ifi Announces The UP Play & UP Play Max Bluetooth Audio Transmitters

24Sep

By JasonNo Comments

News & Updates

Ifi Announces The UP Play & UP Play Max Bluetooth Audio Transmitters

iFi Audio has been at it again; this time the British company has targeted the world of compact and portable lossless Bluetooth audio transmitters. Coincidentally, arriving just in time for the new iPhone launches. The UP Play and the UP Play Max are made to upgrade the audio capabilities of any device; and feature a range of codecs made to enhance music, gaming and productivity. Apple finally gets a taste of what hi-res sounds like! While the UP Play and UP Play Max enhance Android devices, the experience on iOS devices is touted as "transformative." The UP Play triples the level of detail in audio sent from Apple devices by services such as Apple Music, Spotify Lossless, Qobuz, and others, while the UP Play Max quadruples it. So if you are investing in the newest iPhone, don’t b...

18Sep

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

iFi iDSD GR 2 Portable DAC review

I’ll start this review with a little confession. Unlike some of the others, I’m not an audiophile. I enjoy music. A lot. I’ve spent years playing in bands, playing bass, standing in front of loud speakers, listening to music through headphones and generally having some form of music following me around wherever I go. So while I’m probably not the person who is going to tell you that a particular electronic component has transformed my favourite song, I do know when something sounds bloody good. That brings us to the iFi iDSD GR 2. Currently retailing for £529. The GR 2 is a portable DAC and headphone amplifier designed to sit somewhere between your phone, computer or other audio source and your headphones. It is effectively the middleman responsible for taking that digital audio s...

EVERSPACE 2: Galactic Edition – Switch 2 Review

28Aug

By JasonNo Comments

Switch Reviews

EVERSPACE 2: Galactic Edition – Switch 2 Review

Space games have always been a bit of a mixed bag for me. There are some absolute classics out there, such as Star Wars Squadrons, Elite, Federation of Free Traders (yeah, I'm showing my age with that last one). Still, quite a few can be either too complicated, too slow or just feel like you're spending more time looking at menus than actually flying a spaceship. EVERSPACE 2 manages to avoid most of those problems by mixing fast-paced space combat with exploration, RPG mechanics, loot, crafting and a surprisingly substantial story. Originally released on PC in 2023 before making its way onto PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, EVERSPACE 2 has now arrived on Nintendo Switch 2 in the form of the Galactic Edition. This is the complete package, including the main game, the Titans expansion, ...

The Battle of the 3 in 1 Portable Chargers – Anker Vs Belkin Review

11Aug

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

The Battle of the 3 in 1 Portable Chargers – Anker Vs Belkin Review

There are loads of 3-in-1 wireless chargers on the market now, but most of them are aimed squarely at Apple users. If you’ve got an iPhone, an Apple Watch and AirPods, you’re spoilt for choice. The interesting thing about the Belkin Modular Charging Dock with Qi2 25W and the Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, MagGo, AirCool, Foldable, Qi2 25W) is that they’re both premium foldable chargers designed for travel, but they approach the watch charging side of things very differently. At first glance, they seem quite similar. They both fold down into a compact form, they both support Qi2 magnetic charging, and they’re both designed to charge your phone, earbuds and watch from a single unit. Once you actually start using them though, the differences become much more obvious. 3 is ...

31Jul

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Corsair Cove – PC Review

There's something oddly satisfying about starting with next to nothing and slowly building up a thriving settlement, and that's exactly what Corsair Cove, by devs Limbic Entertainment, sets out to do. Blending resource gathering, exploration and town management with a pirate theme, it creates a surprisingly relaxing experience that feels like a cross between The Settlers, a light survival game and a casual adventure title. He's a Pirate! While there are pirates, treasure and plenty of exploration, don't expect a fast-paced action game. This is much more about planning your settlement, keeping your economy moving and slowly expanding your little pirate paradise. It won't be for everyone, but if you enjoy games where progression is constant and rewarding, there's plenty here to like. ...

be quiet! Dark Mount Silent Linear Keyboard & Dark Perk Ergo Mouse Review

30Jul

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

be quiet! Dark Mount Silent Linear Keyboard & Dark Perk Ergo Mouse Review

I've always known be quiet! as the company that makes some of the quietest PC components around. Whether it's CPU coolers, cases or power supplies, they've built a reputation for making high-quality hardware that keeps noise to a minimum without compromising on performance. So, when I heard they were bringing that same philosophy to gaming peripherals with the Dark Mount keyboard and Dark Perk Ergo mouse, I was genuinely interested to see how they'd compare against the more established names in the market. Mechanical keyboards and gaming mice aren't exactly in short supply these days. Every manufacturer seems to have their own take on what makes the perfect setup, whether that's ultra-lightweight designs, RGB lighting that could probably be seen from space or more programmable buttons t...

Belkin Charging Case Pro for Nintendo Switch 2 Review

15Jul

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Belkin Charging Case Pro for Nintendo Switch 2 Review

When you think of Belkin, gaming accessories probably aren't the first products that spring to mind. My last experience with Belkin was a broadband router I had back in the early 2000s that took a hit, thanks to a lightning strike. The company has since built a strong reputation over the years for reliable charging solutions, cables and mobile accessories, but with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, Belkin has stepped into the gaming space with a range of officially licensed products. One of the standout offerings is the Charging Case Pro, a premium carry case that combines protection with a built-in battery pack to keep your console powered wherever your adventures take you. Power & Protection The idea is a simple one. Most Switch owners already carry a protective case, while ...

1Jul

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Soundcore Space 2 Headset Review

Finding a pair of over-ear headphones that balances a realistic price tag with premium performance usually feels like a game of compromise. Soundcore has consistently challenged this narrative, and their Space 2 headphones push the envelope even further. Aimed at everyday commuters, remote workers, and tech enthusiasts alike, this headset delivers robust active noise cancellation, impressive battery endurance, and unexpected software integrations. Design Visually, the Space 2 headset embraces a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that looks right wherever you wear it. The construction leans on lightweight, high-grade matte plastics supported by a durable internal metal headband, keeping the total weight at a highly manageable 261 grams. The Space 2 is available in jet black, linen white a...