Author: John

QH95 Pro-Gaming Headset From QPad®
Hardware & Tech

QH95 Pro-Gaming Headset From QPad®

The QH95 is the latest headset from QPad® and has been designed to be an ideal choice for multi-platform gamers. As well as having full support for the more traditional uses of headphones (such as watching movies & listening to music). This is my first headset review & in truth, it isn't a piece of hardware that I've used that often in the past. However, it couldn't have come at a better time with everyone still being very much in lockdown. As such, I used the headset truly for multi-platform purposes. I put it to the test gaming on my PS4 & Nintendo Switch as well as using it for work purposes on conference calls while working from home. The question is does it truly live up to the claim of it being the ideal choice for multiple platforms? Design & Comfort The ...
Mafia II Definitive Edition Review – Criminal!
PlayStation Reviews

Mafia II Definitive Edition Review – Criminal!

Mafia II Definitive Edition is a remaster of the classic that came out 10 years ago from 2K Czech. The re-master is being handled by Hanger 13, a studio working under 2K’s banner. While this is a review of the PS4 version it has also been released on other platforms and it's worth noting that if you own the original on PC then you can upgrade to the Definitive edition completely free. Along with Mafia II, 2K is releasing a Definitive edition of Mafia III which again if you’re lucky enough to already own, the upgrade is completely free. To round off the trilogy, 2K will be releasing a ground-up remake of the original Mafia game which is due out in August. Now we have all that out of the way, let's see how well this re-master has been ‘made’. Gameplay As this is a re-release of a 10-yea...
Shenmue 3 – A Classic Franchise, Kickstarted Back To Life
PlayStation Reviews

Shenmue 3 – A Classic Franchise, Kickstarted Back To Life

18 Years after we left Ryo in the middle of his journey of revenge for his Father’s murder, we finally have the next entry into the saga with Shenmue 3! Developed by the YS Net team after a successful Kickstarter campaign, Shenmue 3 is very much intended to be a game for the fans, funded by the fans. In the hopes to finally give us an ending to this adventure. Before we get into the review, I would like to take this time to thank Koch Media for sending me the goodies included in the collectors edition along with the game, I can confirm that the LightBox looks amazing and the Dragon / Phoenix Mirrors will be kept safe from those who wish to use them for evil purposes. The question is, does Shenmue 3 live up to almost 20 years of anticipation and hype? Does a game franchise from 20 ...
The Ninja Saviours: Return of the Warriors PS4 Review –
Gaming, PlayStation Reviews

The Ninja Saviours: Return of the Warriors PS4 Review –

The Ninja Saviours: Return of the Warriors is a re-boot of the classic Taito Arcade game Ninja Warriors. The original came out back in 1987 and there have been ports on other platforms throughout the last 30 years, but none ever truly lived up to the original Arcade version (in my opinion). This re-boot is based around the 1994 Super Famicom version called Ninja Warriors: Again While trying to describe this game to some friends who had no knowledge of the original Arcade game, I found the best was to tell them to imagine Streets of Rage and replace the main characters with Ninja’s. Almost instantly they knew what to expect from the game, however that did result in a few ‘oh it’s a rip-off of those games then?’ comments. In fact, Ninja Warriors came out first (Streets of Rage only ...
PC Building Simulator PS4 Review – PC’s for Dummies?
Gaming, PlayStation Reviews

PC Building Simulator PS4 Review – PC’s for Dummies?

PC Building Simulator is the latest release from Claudiu Kiss & The Irregular Corporation and is the newest of the ‘Sim’ style games to make its way to the PS4 after Car Mechanic Simulator came out in June. At first glance, I was a little confused why a PC Building Sim would come to PS4, as it just feels like something PC gamers would be the market aim for such a title. I briefly had a try of the PC release that came out last year and had a bit of fun so I’m hoping the PS4 version doesn’t reduce the spec on me (or if so, then not by too much). Gameplay As the title suggests, the main aim here is to build and repair PCs. You have taken over a PC repair shop from your Uncle who has moved on to bigger and better things (or at least ‘things’ somewhere else). Customers will email th...
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II PS4 Review – JRPG Heaven
Gaming, PlayStation Reviews

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II PS4 Review – JRPG Heaven

Remastered games have become more popular & frequent over the last couple of years, so it’s hardly surprising that one of the most popular PS3 / PS vita JRPGs has joined the club. Nihon Falcom did this by bringing their Legend of Heroes series to us on the PS4. Now they have added the 2nd part of the story to this gen in Trails of Cold Steel II. This is a perfectly timed release as Trails of Cold Steel III is due to make an appearance later this year. Being completely honest and upfront, when asked to do this review I had no prior experience of this franchise, in any format. So, to try and ensure my review wasn’t biased by a lack of knowledge on my part I did a little light reading up on the first title, just to make sure I had an idea of the story before getting stuck in. In the...
CTR: Nitro Fueled Incense Burner & Other Merchandise
Gaming

CTR: Nitro Fueled Incense Burner & Other Merchandise

With the current frenzy of fast paced Karting action currently occupying (almost) everyone’s gaming consoles, the guys over at Numskull have released a whole host of collectable merchandise and goodies that will turn any man-cave into a CTR shrine, and they were kind enough to send us here at Thumb Culture a few pieces to have a look at. The Peace de la resistance among this selection is the Incense Burner, following on from the trend that started back with Spyro, we have a wonderfully detailed version of Crash sat in his ‘Team Bandicoot’ Kart ready to burn off the line and get him some of that Wumpa fruit! At approx. 20cm long, 17cm wide and 14cm high, Crash is a fairly large statue for an Incense Burner, but that is to be expected considering it’s a Kart, and I think it fits qu...
Judgment PS4 Review – Fists of Justice?
Gaming, PlayStation Reviews

Judgment PS4 Review – Fists of Justice?

Judgment is the latest release from Ryu ga Gotoku Studios & Sega, the teams that created the well-loved Yakuza series. Judgment is being called the spiritual successor to Yakuza as its set in the same fictional Japanese Red-Light District of Kamurocho. But, it's set after the conclusion of the Kiryu Saga. As a fan of the Yakuza series, I was both excited and a little nervous about getting my hands on Judgment and seeing what might be contained within… Gameplay Players take on the role of former Lawyer turned Detective Takayuki Yagami. Weighed down by the knowledge that he was responsible for the acquittal of a Murder suspect who then killed his own girlfriend. Yagami is entangled in a case where his former employer is defending a Yakuza charged with murder and thus our story un...
Leisure Suit Larry Wet Dreams Don’t Dry PS4 Review
Gaming, PC Reviews, PlayStation Reviews

Leisure Suit Larry Wet Dreams Don’t Dry PS4 Review

Calling all Sierra fans, your favourite 80's sleazy Lounge Lizard has returned, this time on PS4 in Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don’t Dry. Larry Laffer is back in the gaming saddle after taking the reigns back off his nephew Larry Lovage in the last two ‘alternative’ instalments. Wet Dreams Don’t Dry comes to us from CrazyBunch, who look to return Larry to his point and click adventure roots. The question is, does this game offer up some Stiff Competition or is it just a flaccid failure of a game from a series that should’ve stayed in the 80’s? Gameplay I’m sure anyone old enough to remember the original games only really remembers them because of the adult content and really being ‘too young’ at the time to play the game. This is because for the most part the story content only in...
Bubsy Paws on Fire PS4 Review: A Furry-ous Platform… Er?
Gaming, PlayStation Reviews

Bubsy Paws on Fire PS4 Review: A Furry-ous Platform… Er?

Bubsy the platforming Bob-Cat returns to us in this latest addition to the series from Accolade, this time courtesy of developers Choice Provisions the creators of games like Runner 3. As a child, I’m going to be honest, I was more into Sonic, but I do remember playing the older Bubsy games. So, when I was given the chance to do this review I thought great, some old school style gaming for a change with a bit of nostalgia sprinkled on for me. Let’s just say I didn’t get what I was expecting… Gameplay Right off the Bat, Bubsy Paws on Fire is a different style of game than I was expecting to play, instead of a traditional Platformer it was very quickly apparent that this is more of a side-scrolling speed-run game. You play as one of 3 characters; Bubsy (of course), Virgil and Wool...