John, Author at Thumb Culture

9Jan

By JohnNo Comments

Yakuza: Going Back to Move Forward?

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays, and enjoying a good start to 2018. With Yakuza 6 due out in March, I decided that my Christmas play-through this year was going to be Yakuza Zero. A game which id been dying to play all year but never quite found the time (as I have been a fan of the series since I first played it back on PS2). Well, I finally finished it, and upon discussing it with a few friends I found that the same question kept being asked… ‘Should I play the others on previous-gen consoles?’ Since it’s a question I have been asked by a number of people, I thought I’d put my opinions out there for all in the hope that it helps. It doesn’t look like we're going to be getting a Kiwami 2 (remake of the 2nd game) here in the west, and the price tag of the original western release ...

This Is The Police PC Review – A Crime In Gaming!

23Nov

By JohnNo Comments

PC Reviews

This Is The Police PC Review – A Crime In Gaming!

This is the Police is an Adventure/Strategy game from THQ Nordic. Freeburg is the city backdrop of the game, a city on the brink of chaos. You take on the role of Jack Boyd the City Police Chief who is on the verge of retirement. Being pulled between the Mayor, The Mob and his own personal issues (not to mention the city crime – you know the job he is actually paid to do). Will he reach his goal of retirement and a nice pension? Let’s find out… Gameplay This is the Police has a gritty anime comic book style to the game overall which is mirrored by the personality of Jack Boyd. The game starts with a press conference where you are answering questions on your retirement and the city plans that will come to fruition afterwards. A comic strip explanation of Jack (Narrated by himself of c...

Expand Review – A Monochrome Masterpiece

16Nov

By JohnNo Comments

PC Reviews

Expand Review – A Monochrome Masterpiece

Expand is a puzzle based game, published and developed by Chris Johnson. It made its debut on PC back in 2015 (more than likely under the radar for most of you), and now it’s made its ‘debut’ on consoles (also probably under the radar for most of you). I am a bit of a puzzle fan (usually in physical form rather than video games), so let’s not waste any time and get stuck in. Gameplay The Premise of Expand is very simple, guide a pink square through a series of puzzles and mazes to collect a pink ‘quadrant’. There are 4 of these quadrants to collect each of which come with a different type of level (or puzzle), each of which take approx. 30 mins to complete. Then there's one final area which combines all of these as a ‘final challenge’ of sorts. Expand is unusual in the way that it’...

Assassin’s Creed Origins Review – A New Beginning In An Ancient Land

1Nov

By JohnNo Comments

PC Reviews

Assassin’s Creed Origins Review – A New Beginning In An Ancient Land

As you all know by now, I’m a sucker for a Steelbook, so whenever I’m given the option of one I jump at it. I’m happy I did, this has to be one of the best-looking steel books I’ve seen in a very long time. The images don’t really do it justice as the Characters are a glossy finish making them almost pop off the cover Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get my hands on one of the big collector’s editions to review, although it would have been nice. I had to buy the game just like all of you. (Thanks Ubisoft!) Anyway, now the salutations are done with and we discussed my obsession with fancy cases. Let’s get down to the real reason everyone is here. To find out if this game is worth the pretty pennies they are asking for. Assassin's Creed Origins is the Eighth main release in the...

5 Horror Games That Deserve a PS4 Remaster

31Oct

By John2 Comments

Retrogaming Corner

5 Horror Games That Deserve a PS4 Remaster

As we yet again approach the time of year filled with Pumpkins, Trick or Treat and Scary movies. In a year that has seen a number of classic games get a remastered treatment (such as Sonic, Crash, Yakuza etc.). I thought it would be fitting to look back at five of the classic PS1 horror titles that were maybe overlooked for a remaster, but certainly deserve one. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely more than 5 which deserve this treatment. So in no particular order lets get going with these classics that deserve a remaster Resident Evil 2 & 3 (Capcom) Ok, so Resident Evil is a pretty obvious choice. After all it's the godfather of the Zombie Apocalypse as far as games are concerned. Especially given the resurgence the franchise has seen with the release of 7. I've grouped ...

The Invisible Hours Review – A Murderous Experience

26Oct

By JohnNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

The Invisible Hours Review – A Murderous Experience

I’m sure that everyone at some point has played the classic board game Cluedo (Clue for our USA readers). The game where you travel around a mansion looking for clues as to who committed the crime (Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Candlestick). Well, imagine if you could bring that into the 21st Century and experience it in VR? Tequila Works have in essence tried to do just that with The Invisible Hours. Have they succeeded? or have they committed their own brutal murder? (In the Developer Studio with the Computer Software.) Gameplay The Invisible Hours is a Murder Mystery Adventure game where you are a member of the audience so to speak, watching a Theatre production of ‘The Invisible Hours'. The outline of the play is that Nikola Tesla has invited a number of estranged guests...

Dreamworks Voltron VR Chronicles Review – Bot Bot Bot

25Oct

By JohnNo Comments

PC Reviews

Dreamworks Voltron VR Chronicles Review – Bot Bot Bot

As an 80s kid I have very fond memories of Voltron. It was among many cartoons I used to watch religiously. So when I heard a VR game had been created, I jumped at the chance to check it out. (Yes, I know it’s technically based on the Dreamworks remake that I haven’t seen, but... IT’S VOLTRON!!) For those of you not familiar with Voltron, the basis of the storyline is that five teenagers are transported from Earth to become the last line of defence for the galaxy in an intergalactic battle against the evil alien force led by Lord Zarkon. Voltron VR Chronicles has been created by Digital Domain and gives us the opportunity to ‘become a Paladin’ and experience a unique story created exclusively for VR. At a price point of $15 (UK Price still TBA), I started this game hoping to be engaged ...

Middle Earth: Shadow of War – A Precious Review

10Oct

By JohnNo Comments

Xbox Reviews

Middle Earth: Shadow of War – A Precious Review

Shadow of War is the follow-up game to Shadow of Mordor, developed by Monolith Productions and Produced by WB Games. I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on the Silver edition of this game which comes with a very nice Steelbook. Those of you that have read some of my other articles will know how I appreciate a good Steelbook case. This edition also comes with a few added perks in the form of DLC. A Silver War Chest & Four Legendary Orc Champions to fight beside me. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this the DLC was not available for me to test (Check back though as I will update this after release to give my opinion of this content). So, now it’s time for our second journey into the world of Middle Earth to re-join Talion and Celebrimbor in their war against Sauron and his ...

6Oct

By JohnNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Ruiner Review – Cyberpunk Bloodbath

Ruiner is a Cyberpunk anime stylised top-down action shooter. It's the debut release from Reikon Games and produced by Devolver Digital. Before we delve too deeply into the world of Ruiner, as its Reikon Games' debut, I just wanted to give you a little info into their background. Reikon is a studio based in Warsaw that was founded in 2014. Four veteran game designers who have such titles as The Witcher Series, Dying Light and Shadow Warrior to their name. With that level of experience and knowledge, I'm pretty excited to see what they have given us in their first Indi release. Ruiner is very much a story driven game set in the year 2091 in a Metropolis known as Rengkok. You take on the role of a somewhat augmented man/machine sociopath hybrid who goes on a brutal vendetta after a voice ...

PES 2018 Review – Championship Candidate or Relegation Reject

26Sep

By JohnNo Comments

PC Reviews

PES 2018 Review – Championship Candidate or Relegation Reject

As someone who has been a keen PES player since its first release back in 2001 (when it emerged like the Phoenix from the ashes of International Superstar Soccer). This is a review I’ve been looking forward to doing. The release of these games reminds of the start of a real football season when you have the hopes and dreams of your team pulling something out to amaze you. Have Konami done that to us this year? Well let’s find out… I’m sure that by this stage PES doesn’t need any kind of real introduction or explanation of what the game is. So I won’t bore you with a breakdown of what the game is about, after all everybody knows what football is (or at least I hope so.) Gameplay So this year PES has given us much of the same as last year in terms of what is included in this title. Ther...