Author: Jay Armstrong

Found as TheManMountain on every major gaming platform. I play a wide range of games across a variety of platforms, enjoying RPGs, action games and platformers. You’ll find me frequenting the podcast and hijacking the Twitch channel. In the real world, I’m a software developer by trade and spend a lot of time 3D printing and streaming.
QPAD DX-700 Mouse Review
Hardware & Tech

QPAD DX-700 Mouse Review

QPAD have delivered a wired alternative to their recent QPAD DX-900. This comes in the form of their QPAD DX-700, similar not only in name but it's almost an identical mouse. I recently reviewed the QPAD DX-900 and it's safe to say the key differences lie in whether you want to go wired or wireless. Whilst still relatively new to the scene, QPAD has already made quite the splash. With their range of "Pro Gaming Gear", they now have a variety of keyboards, mice, headsets, mousepads and more. I've had good impressions so far from their headset and mouse range. Design The QPAD DX-700 comes in the same style of premium packaging that QPAD dons as a standard. One thing I like about their packaging approach is that everything feels nice and secure. As you can see below it's effectively the ...
Xbox Series S Review – Micromachine
Hardware & Tech

Xbox Series S Review – Micromachine

Microsoft first announced the Xbox Series S during a blunder in 2020. The Xbox Series S was revealed due to a leak and then Microsoft had to react. Of course this reveal didn't necessarily go to plan, not to mention the Halo sized gap in the release window. Since then however Microsoft has been going from strength to strength. The reveal of the Xbox Series S aside, it was strange to see this oddly designed box. A next-gen console promised to deliver 4K, HDR and Ray Tracing but not as powerful as their flagship machine. It's an approach that will only really be proven successful with time. Or will leave a small, cuboid dent on the Xbox history. Great Things Do Come In Small Packages... As you know, I already own the Xbox Series X, and the PlayStation 5. In terms of raw horsepower I...
QPAD DX-900 Wireless Mouse Review – Mice To See You
Hardware & Tech

QPAD DX-900 Wireless Mouse Review – Mice To See You

Having enjoyed the QPAD QH-700 headset, which I reviewed last year, I was keen to see what other products QPAD had available. They're a relatively new brand in my eyes, but one that prides themselves on eSports quality products. Well QPAD kindly sent Thumb Culture some mice. In fact both a wired and wireless option in the form of their DX-700 and DX-900 respectively. In this review I'll be focusing on the QPAD DX-900 Wireless Mouse but be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming review of the DX-700. Design As always I am a sucker for a well packaged product. When you're spending money it's nice to feel like you have a high quality item fresh out of the box, and the QPAD DX-900 delivers. As you open the box you're able to glean your first look at the mouse and it looks really sleek. ...
Story Of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town Review – Farming Simulator
Switch Reviews

Story Of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town Review – Farming Simulator

Story Of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town is quite the mouthful. It's the latest in the Story of Seasons franchise. Those familiar with Harvest Moon will definitely want to keep an eye out for this one. For those unfamiliar, Harvest Moon isn't the game it once was. As licences and IPs moved around, the original crew were left without access to the namesake. Cue Story of Seasons launching in 2014; Harvest Moon through and through just under another guise. Story Of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town is developed by Marvelous Inc. It's a game described as a farming simulator. Actually, that's possibly a disservice to the game as there's a lot of variety and depth to the game and it feels more akin to an RPG. Fewer monsters to slay; more harvesting, mining, and friendships. You're also fortunat...
Demon’s Souls Review – Your Souls Are Mine
PlayStation Reviews

Demon’s Souls Review – Your Souls Are Mine

Bluepoint Games are back with their signature style of remaking a game. They tread a fine line between making a game look incredible, whilst retaining the original layout, controls, and features. Demon's Souls is the latest showcase of their talents. Whilst some would like to see them tackle their own original title, I feel like the skill involved in how they remake games could be aimed at even more classic titles. Demon's Souls of course is the game that dawned the Souls-like. True, it was Dark Souls that really blew up and ushered in a whole new genre. When you play Demon's Souls however you start to see all the seeds being planted in design and how it evolved to become Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Demon's Souls - A Revisit Of Hidetaka Miyazaki's Influential...
The Xbox Wireless Controller – A Hands On
Hardware & Tech

The Xbox Wireless Controller – A Hands On

Naturally, the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have taken the gaming world by storm. Launching late in 2020, they both have an absolute plethora of similarities. From SSDs to subscription services... the competing consoles have never been more aligned. One thing however that definitely sets them apart is their controllers. These aren't going to be articles about which has the better analogue stick placement. This is purely my thoughts on what the 2 devices bring to the table, and where I would like to see improvements if they ever choose to refine these models. I will say from the get-go though that with the DualSense and the revised Xbox Wireless Controller these are the best iterations both companies have ever delivered in the box of a console. I have to add that slight disclaimer...
The PS5 DualSense – A Hands On
Hardware & Tech

The PS5 DualSense – A Hands On

Naturally the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have taken the gaming world by storm. Launching late in 2020, they both have an absolute plethora of similarities. From SSDs, to subscription services... the competing consoles have never been more aligned. One thing however that definitely sets them apart is their controllers. These aren't going to be articles about which has the better analogue stick placement. They're actually purely my thoughts on what the 2 devices bring to the table, and where I would like to see improvements if they ever choose to refine these models. I will say from the get go though that with the DualSense and the revised Xbox Wireless Controller these are the best iterations both company have ever delivered in the box of a console. I have to add that slight dis...
Carto Review – Cartography Has Never Been So Puzzling
Xbox Reviews

Carto Review – Cartography Has Never Been So Puzzling

Carto is the latest game from Sunhead Games. You might not have heard of them as this game is really their big debut, with their prior entries into the gaming space were for mobile. Carto is a game where you take the map building mechanics of the board game Carcassonne, but allow the player to explore. Riddled with puzzles and various islands featuring different biomes, you take control of Carto. Little Carto has become separated from her Granny. Using the map manipulation skills she taught you as a child, you're able to explore and try to reunite with her. Carto - The World Is Your Oyster Personally, I hadn't even heard of Carto until it cropped up on Game Pass. Launching earlier this month to the service, I quickly grabbed it just to have a look. I absolutely adore Carcassonne and the ...
Gears Tactics Review – The Gift Of The Gabe
Xbox Reviews

Gears Tactics Review – The Gift Of The Gabe

Gears Tactics is a turn-based strategy game set in the Gears of War universe. It first launched on PC in early 2020, but was a launch title for the Xbox Series X. It's not often a game franchise gets a spin-off in a completely different genre. This isn't Microsoft's first rodeo though. Of course Halo Wars was a famous real-time strategy that span out of the first person Halo universe. Whilst Gears Tactics was a surprise announcement it's also one that really made sense for the series. As a tactics game the mechanics don't particularly offer anything wildly revolutionary, but they work well. Using the Gears cover system allows cover and scenery to play well. Not to mention each character is equipped with skills and weapons from the main games. These pair nicely with the tactical feel of ...
Call of the Sea Review – Happy We’ll Be Beyond The Sea
Xbox Reviews

Call of the Sea Review – Happy We’ll Be Beyond The Sea

Call of the Sea is the debut game from Out of the Blue Games. It has a distinct art style that evokes titles like BioShock, Sea of Thieves and Firewatch. Speaking of the latter, the star of Call of the Sea is Cissy Jones; famed for her work on Firewatch. Jones plays Norah Everhart, the protagonist of the game. Norah has set out on a mission to find her missing husband, Harry, who is exploring the world to find a cure for Norah's mysterious illness. From the introduction, all that we really know is that this illness is manifesting itself in strange markings on Norah's torso. However it's quickly revealed that this illness led to the death of her grandmother, mother and implies a slow decline for Norah herself. As we arrive with Norah she has tracked her husband down to a mysterious i...