Jordan Rooker, Author at Thumb Culture

26Aug

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Sandustry – PC Early Access Preview

Sandustry is an automation and building sandbox game now available in early access. In development by Lantto Games with publishing by Hooded Horse (Fogpiercer, Manor Lords), create increasingly complex factory systems to harvest sand and other materials for gold to advance your builds. You'll also uncover more about the ancient civilization on the planet as you dig deeper to discover mysteries buried below. It is currently only available via Steam for PC, Mac, and SteamOS/Linux. No House on a Rock Here, But Factory Below the Sand Building and automation games come in all shapes and sizes. For me, StarRupture, Satisfactory, Factorio and RimWorld come to mind. So what's this little pixel game Sandustry about? How can I take tiny pixels and make my own factory? Well let's take a look togeth...

Yet Another Zombie Survivors – PC Review

19Aug

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Yet Another Zombie Survivors – PC Review

Yet Another Zombie Survivors is a bullet heaven survivors roguelike. With just over two years in early access, developer Awesome Games Studio (Fury Unleashed, I, Zombie) is rolling out the 1.0 red carpet. Choose your team leader and embark into various biomes, gaining squad members and power the longer you stay alive. You can pick it up on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation starting August 20th. Zombies... Always Zombies in Yet Another Zombie Survivors Of course its another roguelite. They've kind of just become my thing I guess. More than anything, the ease in which to pick up my Steam Deck for a short gaming session just leans toward this genre in particular. Yet Another Zombie Survivors is another that had come across my Steam store time and again. With a full release ahead, what better time t...

8Aug

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Angels Fall First – PC Review

Angels Fall First is a tactical FPS with space, vehicle, and ground combat. Strangely Interactive has been developing the game for over 10 years, built upon a sci-fi universe that started as a simple mod. If you are looking for a new tactical sci-fi FPS that is overflowing with opportunity for an in-depth experience, this may be what you're looking for. It is only available on PC via Steam. Familiar, Yet Not Really I hadn't heard of Angels Fall First until it popped up as a recommended game on Steam right around the time of its 1.0 release. At a glance and the brief description I had read, I was expecting more of a sandbox style of game. Instead what I found upon loading up was a very intricately detailed tactical FPS that reminded me of late nights playing coordinated operations in Plan...

28Jul

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Fogpiercer – PC Review

Fogpiercer is a strategy deckbuilder roguelite available for PC, macOS, and Linux. Choose your driver, engine and support carriages as you traverse the wasteland in search of a new home. Defend against an ongoing assault to reach the edge of the fog safely. Developed by Mad Cookies Studio (Cardbob) with publishing by Hooded Horse (Manor Lords, 9 Kings), you can find it on most digital store platforms and included with Xbox Game Pass. Chugga Chugga Boom Boom Here we are back again with another roguelite. Fogpiercer is also a strategic deckbuilder similar to Moonsigil Atlas or Slay the Spire. With a plethora of rougelites to go around, how does it shape up? Check out what I found in the review below. Gameplay Fogpiercer is a roguelite that combines strategic, turn-based combat and d...

8Jul

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Exo Rally Championship – PC Review

Exo Rally Championship is the latest exoplanetary racing sim by Exbleative (Exo One). Take rally style racing to the starts and compete in challenging courses across terraformed planets. Explore the surfaces in free roam or kick things up a notch with time trials. With publishing by Future Friends Games (Tiny Aquarium, Clover Pit), roll on up today with it only on Steam. Speed Isn't Everything in Exo Rally Championship Racing games have been around forever but I've never really been drawn to the more in-depth ones. Arcade style racing games, like Cruisin' USA and San Francisco Rush were more my style. I never got into the more realistic games like the Grand Turismo series. Though I'm only vaguely familiar with rally style racing in real life, Exo Rally Championship looks like it is somew...

25Jun

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Fatekeeper – PC Early Access Preview

Fatekeeper is a first-person RPG now available in early access. In development by Paraglacial with publishing by THQ Nordic, this solo adventure has you wielding melee weaponry and magic as you explore ancient ruins and encounter an assortment of creatures who have only your death in mind. You can pick it up now only for PC on Steam. Similar Look, Different Feel in Fatekeeper I think I’ve played a cumulative total of less than 20 hours of Skyrim and other Elder Scrolls games. Apart from ESO, anyhow. But it feels like the most direct comparison at a glance when you see screenshots and videos of Fatekeeper. Sure, it probably has some similarities, such as perspective and visuals. But what makes it different? Let’s take a look at this early access state below. Gameplay Fatekeeper is a...

18Jun

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Moonsigil Atlas – PC Review

Moonsigil Atlas is a new deckbuilding strategy roguelike by Snake Tower Games. Use the geometric shape of sigils from cards and fit them into physical space. Combine features from different cards to maximize their abilities. Published by Twin Sails Interactive (Ember Knights, Gloomhaven), take back the heavens today on PC/Linux only on Steam. A Battle for the Heavens, Across the Atlas It seems I've been running across roguelites and roguelikes across all sorts of formats. I suppose it helps being more familiar with the game formula now. Moonsigil Atlas isn't anything like those that I've played before though. I was curious to see just how different things would be so here we are. Needless to say it was an entertaining experience. Check out my thoughts below. Gameplay Moonsigil Atla...

Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core – PC Early Access Preview

4Jun

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core – PC Early Access Preview

Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is the latest FPS adventure deep into Ghost Ship Game's mining planet of Hoxxes. In this roguelite structure, you're sent as a Reclaimer to investigate mining operations deep within the planet. With nothing but a pick in your hand, join up with up to three other players and earn upgrades and gear enhancements the deeper you go. It is available now in early access on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Not the Usual Mining Adventure in Rogue Core I'm still a big fan of Deep Rock Galactic. Like many games, I haven't spent as much time in it as I would have liked. But my ears perked up when I caught wind of a new entry to the IP. This was especially the case once I found out it was going to be a roguelite too! Check out my thoughts on the state of the latest entry bel...

19May

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Far Far West – PC Early Access Preview

Far Far West is a first-person co-op shooter combining spells, cold steel, and wit. Complete missions and side objectives solo or with up to three others and then take on a variety of bosses. Then high tail it to catch the train out and return to the saloon to prepare for the next trip. You can pick up this new game by Evil Raptor (Akimbot, Pumpkin Jack) with publishing by Fireshrine Games (ODINFALL, Core Keeper) in early access now over on Steam. Watch what you Wish For in Far Far West When I first heard about Far Far West, it was being compared to games like Helldivers 2, Destiny 2 and Deep Rock Galactic. Given the amount of time I've spent in each of these games, it felt like this one would be right up my alley. Needless to say, I'm always happy to find a game hitting early access wit...

13May

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

TerraTech Legion – PC Review

TerraTech Legion is a vehicular combat roguelite by Payload Studios (TerraTech). Battle your way through endless bot swarms while improving your tech. Take on missions to complete your contracts or just survive for the highest score. You can pick up the game, with publishing by Mythwright (TerraTech, Thronefall), on Steam, Epic Games, and Xbox Series X|S. Tech on Tech... Legions of Tech Back again with another roguelite. It wouldn't be a new month without a new one to explore. I spent a lot of time playing with LEGOs when I was a kid, so TerraTech Legion looks right up my alley. So how did it play out? Check out my review below. Gameplay TerraTech Legion is a bullet hell style roguelite. Much like in TerraTech and TerraTech Worlds, this version also puts you in the seat of a modula...