Kyle McGrath, Author at Thumb Culture

9May

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Haunted House Renovator – PC Review

I enjoy when a sim takes a nice premise like cleaning/cooking and adds a nice difference. Which is where the Haunted House Renovator by Image Power S.A. comes in! A simulation game all about cleaning old abandoned homes while encountering and dealing with ghosts. If that’s caught your eye, then it’s out now on Steam for £16.75. “This house… is clean.” — Seth Grahame-Smith: Poltergeist [1982] Gameplay The game starts you off in your inherited apartment, which serves as a tutorial and a hub, with the elevator allowing you to start the next mission at any time. Here you learn the basics of banishing various spirits and renovating the rooms themselves. Renovating is the simpler part; using a variety of haunted tools, repair damaged or broken floors and furniture, or entirely replace the...

Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy [Remake] – PC Review

22Apr

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy [Remake] – PC Review

Return to Latin America once again in the Remake of Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy. I didn’t play the game when it originally released back in 1999, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Microids has for me. Anyone who has played it before can look forward to some major visual/graphical improvements. Rediscovering An Enjoyable Adventure Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy will be out on Steam April 24th for £34.90, with the Digital Deluxe costing £43.99. This will net you a media book, some artwork, and, most interesting, a couple of animated short stories. If that sounds good to you, then click here. Gameplay Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy is a point & click-style game with the player looking around the environment solving puzzles. We play as a no-named journalist, who is invi...

15Apr

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Used Cars Simulator – PC Preview

Used Cars Simulator is (you guessed it!) a simulator game developed by DreamWay Games and published by none other than (you guessed it again!) PlayWay S.A. The game features an open world and is available on Steam in Early Access. Hit or Miss, you decide! Gameplay Used Cars Simulator drops you right into a seedy bar, and your objective is to speak to a woman in a red dress named Mercedes. She asks you to perform a stunt in her car, which, after the case, turns out to be her boyfriend’s. After her angry boyfriend demands that you fix his car, an onlooker offers you the opportunity to fix up cars for profit. There are two ways to get used cars: illegally and legally. The legal way is to either find someone selling via your computer, or people with their parked shabby cars out...

11Apr

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Stygian: Outer Gods – PC Preview

Stygian: Outer Gods is the prequel to the old game Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones. But this new survival horror is being made Misterial Games. In this early preview, I’ll be looking around the small village of Kingsport. And uncovering clues and events leading up to the Black Day. The game will be releasing on April 14th on Steam. So click here if you think it's up your alley. Warning! This article contains GIFS with flashing images. The whispers, they talk to me. Gameplay The devs aimed for Stygian: Outer Gods focus to be exploration. This is to allow the player to get fully immersed in the story and its characters. We will get to make choices that will create events leading up to the Black Day. Whatever that is. This will come into play when interacting with NPC and how you act w...

10Apr

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Features, Previews & Early Access

Crimson Desert PC Preview Event

I was luckily enough to be invited to London by Pearl Abyss to play their up-coming game Crimson Desert. There I watched a video explaining the game’s combat and some information about each of the four bosses. Afterwards we got to get hands on with the game, and what a treat it was. Warning! GIFs in this article contain flashing lights. Skill is the key Within this preview event I got to play as the main character Kliff in a small segment from the game. In the full launch we will get to venture into the large continent of Pywel, but sadly I didn't get to see this, this time! I’m looking forward to checking out the various towns and biomes we might get. If you’re looking forward to Crimson Desert, why not check the Steam Page here and give it a wishlist! Gameplay The focus of the...

Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days – PC Preview

9Apr

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days – PC Preview

Set in 1980s Texas and soon to be entering its early access life cycle, comes Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days. A side-scrolling survival horror game with management mechanics. It’s developed by PikPok and looks rather similar to This War of Mine except with zombies. If any of this catches your eye and you’d rather give it ago yourself without reading this article. Then a demo is available now on Steam with the game launching today. Even in the darkest of days, there is always hope. Gameplay At the start of Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days, we get to pick what duo of survivors we wish to play. Each has its own traits that will either benefit or hinder them during the game. I found it neat that they do have brief backstories to show how they know one another. Once selected, we spawn in...

4Apr

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Car Dealer Simulator – PC Preview

I’ll be taking a look at Garage Monkey’s new game, Car Dealer Simulator. We aim to turn old cars into “fresh” sales, all while working for a man named Little Sam. The game is out now, but if you want to try the demo before paying for the full game, click here. Used cars, but new game? Gameplay We play a nameless character who is hired by Little Sam to help run his run-down Car Dealership. Our job is to find used cars, then repair/clean them up ready for reselling. Car Dealer Simulators’ tutorials are straightforward and do well to teach you the fundamentals. We use our Tow Truck to load up cars and then deliver them back to the dealership. Here we have several ways to improve the pricing of our car. We will look over the car for any parts that need to be replaced. And we do...

4Apr

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Cinemaster Cinema Simulator – PC Review

Running a cinema isn’t something I would want to do, since I prefer gaming. But when Cinemaster Cinema Simulator popped up, I couldn’t deny I was curious. The game is developed by Overload Games and is looking to release on steam on March 27th. There is a demo out just in case you want to try before you buy, so click here. Time to catch an early screening. Gameplay No real set-up or story for Cinemaster Cinema Simulator, but we do get to name the place. After that, we get a brief tutorial on how everything works, and then we just rinse and repeat. You can select from a large choice of comedically named movies. Once picked, you’re able to organize the screening times. Major tip: don’t screen a movie all day otherwise you won’t get peace to replenish the confectioneries. It’s a pain w...

26Mar

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

AI Limit – PS5 Review

I haven’t played a soul-like game for a good while, but luckily one has popped up on my radar. And that is AI Limit. A game created by Sense Games and takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. I’m looking to face some tough bosses and build myself to be overpowered as well. You’ll be able to snag AI Limit on PlayStation when it launches on the March 27th. There will also be two editions available, one is the standard. The other is Deluxe and will net you a couple of in-game items, such as a sword and Mud Balls. Worried the game might not be for you, then luckily a demo is also out so you can try it before you buy. Push past your limits and win! Gameplay At its core, AI Limit plays much like a soul-like. You have a bit of freedom to build Arisa, how you want. This is done through stat...

Monster Hunter Wilds First Free Update Revealed

26Mar

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

News & Updates

Monster Hunter Wilds First Free Update Revealed

Monster Hunter Wilds will get its first free content update on April 4th. And with it, a new monster, a new hub and many more surprises! The update is available to all, so no need to worry about fighting alone. A seasonal event will also be coming later in the month called Blossomdance. This will change the Grand Hub decorations and come with new meals. During the event you will earn gestures, camp decorations and more cool equipment as well! The hunt continues! As mentioned, a new monster enters the wilds called Mitsune, which look both majestic and fierce. And will be fighting for dominance against Uth Duna, in the Scarlet Forest. Zoh Shia will return and won’t be confined to the story anymore, which is great as I loved the fight in the game. A new hub with more Palicoes and ways to...