Thursday, November 27

Author: Jordan Rooker

A gaming enthusiast from age 5, Jordan plays games of all sorts. Whether he's deep into the latest MMO, grinding for gear in his favorite looter-shooter, or popping zombies in Call of Duty - you can guarantee he's spending the little free time he has as a Technical Support Consultant to game. Join him in checking out some of the latest releases and upcoming games.
Shoulders of Giants: Ultimate – PC Review
27Aug By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

Shoulders of Giants: Ultimate – PC Review

Shoulders of Giants: Ultimate is an action roguelite adventure by Moving Pieces Interactive. It was previously only available on the Epic Games store for PC or Xbox One/Series X|S but as of August 12th is now available via Steam. Though simply named Shoulders of Giants at its prior release, the title has been updated to reflect the Ultimate changes that have been made to the game since then. Frog and Robot - another Dynamic Duo Adventure There have been many video game duos over the years: Ratchet and Clank, Sam and Max, Jak and Daxter, Kratos and Boy, etc. Though the Froggie in Shoulders of Giants: Ultimate would assert that the robot is the sidekick, I think an argument could definitely be made for the latter. When you think of other game duos, who are the most memorable to you? Let me...
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Hellbreach: Vegas – PC Review
15Aug By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

Hellbreach: Vegas – PC Review

Hellbreach: Vegas is a wave-based zombie co-op shooter moving from Early Access to a 1.0 release on Steam. It has been available in Early Access on Steam since early March this year, but solo indie developer Infinity Ape Studios has stuck to his 6-month timeline. With publishing by Iceberg Interactive (Star Dynasties, AirportSim), the official 1.0 launch date was yesterday i.e. August 14th, 2024. Now this is Zombie Slaying! Fresh off my preview for Last Whisper, Hellbreach: Vegas definitely looks to be a horse of a different colour. At a glance it immediately hearkens back to spending some late nights with friends fighting zombie hordes in any number of Call of Duty games. Gameplay Hellbreach: Vegas is a wave-based zombie co-op FPS for you and up to three other friends to enjoy. It...
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Last Whisper – PC Preview
9Aug By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Previews & Early Access

Last Whisper – PC Preview

Last Whisper is a zombie survival exploration game for you and up to eight other friends. It is being developed by solo developer MxzStudio with publishing by RockGame S.A. (Scrapnaut, Cafe Owner Simulator). The game is available now in Early Access on PC via Steam. Yet Another Zombie Survival Game... Zombies have been in video games for a long time. So it's hard to not compare new to old, especially with the plethora out there. Upon first glance I was hoping that Last Whisper would be different. This one though, didn't really feel like it was much. Check out my thoughts on the preview build below. Gameplay Last Whisper is a zombie survival game. My guess is that if you're reading this review you probably already have an idea of what that entails. And guess what? You're right. Quit...
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Kristala – PC Preview
6Aug By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Previews & Early Access

Kristala – PC Preview

Kristala is a dark fantasy action-rpg available now in early access on PC by developer Astral Clocktower Studios. It is self-published and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch upon full launch. Welcome to your Feline Fighter Fantasy Fresh off my latest preview of No Rest for the Wicked, I thought a look at a similar genre game would be interesting. This brought me to check out Kristala. While many others were returning for DLC for that one game with a really old circle, I was busy getting my butt handed to me once more in a different game. Sometimes we are just gluttons for punishment! Gameplay In Kristala, you take on the role of a feline warrior on their quest to master six magic specialties of the sacred Kristals. The intent by doing so is to ...
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No Rest for the Wicked – PC Preview
19Jun By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Previews & Early Access

No Rest for the Wicked – PC Preview

No Rest for the Wicked is a new Action RPG, Souls-like crossover. It is in development by Moon Studios (Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps) with publishing by Private Division (Kerbal Space Program, The Outer Worlds). It became available in Early Access in mid-April on Steam. The full release version will be available for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It has the Souls-like tag for a reason! Moon Studios is already known for visually stunning and atmospheric games. Though I personally have never played either Ori game, it is on my ever-growing list of games to play when given the chance. No Rest for the Wicked appears to be just as eye-catching and immersive as the Ori series. Do previous games from the same developer ever draw you to a new IP? For me it was ...
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Outcast A New Beginning – PC Review
21Mar By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

Outcast A New Beginning – PC Review

Outcast: A New Beginning is a new 3rd-person, open world adventure sequel to the original Outcast from 1999. Developed by Appeal Studios (Outcast – Second Contact, Gangs of Sherwood) with publishing by THQ Nordic (a lot of games), the game returns Cutter Slade to the world of Adelpha to defend the Talans from an invading force. Launched on March 15th 2024, the game is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Original Developers, Original Feels? There's usually something special about original developers returning to the setting of one of their original games. And I don't mean just to do an expansion or DLC or direct sequel to a game within a few years of the first. In this case, it's been well over 20 years since the first Outcast game hit the market. Can ...
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Outcast: A New Beginning PC Review In Progress
15Mar By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

Outcast: A New Beginning PC Review In Progress

Outcast: A New Beginning is a new 3rd-person, open world adventure game that is a sequel to the original Outcast from 1999. Developed by Appeal Studios (Outcast - Second Contact, Gangs of Sherwood) with publishing by THQ Nordic (a lot of games), the game returns Cutter Slade to the world of Adelpha to defend the Talans from an invading force. Outcast: A New Beginning launches on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on Friday, March 15th 2024. Original Developers, Original Feels? This review is a bit different than my usual reviews, as I am still actively playing through the game. I invite you to return after the full review is complete for a more in-depth look at the game. For now, please check out my initial thoughts below: Initial Thoughts Outcast: A New Beginning is a se...
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Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor – PC Preview
11Mar By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Previews & Early Access

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor – PC Preview

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a new bullet-hell roguelite available in Early Access. It is being developed by Funday Games (Don't Die In The West) with publishing by Ghost Ship Publishing (Spellrogue, Deep Rock Galactic [technically Coffee Stain Publishing]). It is currently available for PC via Steam and there is no indication that it will be available on other platforms. It's Like a Love Letter to Rock and Stone I don't know about you, but I love Deep Rock Galactic. Overall it has a simple concept, is easy to dive into, and is a hell lot of fun playing with friends. If you haven't checked it out, I highly recommend doing so. As a fan of DRG, I couldn't overlook when the Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor demo hit Steam a while back. I was itching to get my hands on it for more and here we ...
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Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge PC Review
30Jan By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge PC Review

Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge (formerly Heavy Duty Challenge) is a simulation game with - you guessed it - heavy-duty trucks. It was developed by Nano Games (Zamb!, Cityconomy, Reef Shot) and published by simulation giant Aerosoft. It is available now on Steam, PS5, and Xbox series X|S. Take your heavy truck on the road, or off, or complete a variety of challenging courses. Shifting is Important in Heavy Duty Challenge Simulation games seem to come in all shapes and sizes. Basically, think about any job or vehicle and there's probably some simulation game out there for it. If there isn't, then what are you waiting for? Go make it! Anyhow, I hadn't really thought of there being a competitive component to driving a heavy truck until I heard about Heavy Duty Challenge. In hi...
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Nacon Limited Edition Controllers – The Pro Compact Colorlight and Camo Revolution X Pro
28Nov By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Hardware & Tech

Nacon Limited Edition Controllers – The Pro Compact Colorlight and Camo Revolution X Pro

I think I've made it fairly well-known in my reviews for Thumb Culture that I'm not a big controller user. Apart from the brief session on my PlayStation now and then, my Steam Deck is as close as I get. But I couldn't pass up the chance at trying out some new hardware. For this review, I got my hands on two limited edition controllers - the Nacon Pro Compact Colorlight Controller and the Nacon Camo Revolution X Pro Controller. I do believe I have my Steam Deck to thank for me being capable of using them! Nacon's Controllers Are Made For Lasting Use Each of these Nacon Limited Edition Controllers can be found directly from Nacon's website or from Amazon dependent upon availability. They normally run around $40/€55 for the Nacon Pro Compact Colorlight and $99/€99 for the Nacon Camo Re...
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