Kyle McGrath, Author at Thumb Culture

Currently Playing – Metaphor: ReFantazio

2Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Currently Playing – Metaphor: ReFantazio

The main game taking up a lot of my time is Metaphor: Refantazio, which came out this October. I’ve enjoyed it so far, although outside of review games, I have only played Persona 5. JRPGs are something I enjoy, but usually when it’s turn-based, it’s a little hard for me to really get stuck in. The story of Metaphor: Refantazio is both simplistic and complicated, which I don’t mind. It’s a typical "try to change the world for the better by finding like-minded individuals" game. The way they go about dealing with harsh topics is interesting with the game dealing with Classism and Racial Bias. I still haven’t gotten used to how the calendar system works, which frustrates me at times. Such as dedicating days to help build bonds and then some for grinding out levels for my archetypes....

22Nov

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Beff Jezos Simulator – PC Preview

I’m going to take a shot at starting my own company in a new simulator, comedically called Beff Jezos Simulator. Honestly, I never thought someone would create it, but here it is. And it’s launching in early access on Steam today! Gotta start from somewhere. Gameplay After you’ve made your company sign, you’re instantly thrown in and can start working. Essentially you have a computer and a willing to build an internet empire! Use your computer to purchase stock, then once it’s delivered, resell it for a higher price. The game lets you set your own price, which is a neat feature. Although it will also let you know when you're getting too greedy and charging too much. At the start of Beff Jezos Simulator the stock you can purchase is limited. You can buy basics such as party hats, pla...

11Nov

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Sengoku Dynasty – PC Review

Open-world RPG city builder Sengoku Dynasty is back at Thumb Culture, now at full release as of November 7th this year. Developed by Superkami and published by Toplitz Productions, Sengoku Dynasty is currently available for £24.99 on Steam. Forge A New Beginning Sengoku Dynasty is back with features familiar to my first look at it, such as city building, crafting, and management. However, the brand new Daimyo conquering system is now implemented, which we’ll dive into later. The devs have also added support for female character customisation. Gameplay There are five modes to choose from; Creative, Chill Out, Normal, Hardcore and Custom. After customising your character (the customisation options are pretty light), you witness the story’s beginnings told through a beautiful painting...

5Nov

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Ark of Charon – PC Review

Please be aware this article contains gifs that may include flashing lights and patterns Ark of Charon is a city builder mixed with some tower defence developed by Angoo Inc. and SUNSOFT. The game is available for £17.99 on Steam and whilst it is in early access, its version 1.0 is coming soon. Now, join me as I ride on the back of a piece of The Great World Tree, as it makes its way to its new home! We have a long journey ahead. We get a rather short story explaining that the World Tree gave life to the world. But one tragic day, it began to wither. This lead to life dying and darkness creeping in. Now a sapling emerges, shining hope for a new generation and it’s down to you to help it. Well, it’s more guard it than doing any growing in Ark of Charon. Gameplay Ark of Charon has...

30Oct

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Puppet House – PC Review

Enter the home of a ventriloquist whose puppet kills any who dare enter. Well, after a few people disappear, I thought I’d take it upon myself to investigate. Puppet House is a new escape room horror made by Vecube Studio and Spirit Games Studio. Recently, it came out on Steam for £13.99. Who's really pulling the strings? We play Rick Evans, a detective investigating the Hills House after hearing people go missing. Once we arrive at the house, Rick oddly gets knocked out while attempting to enter the premises. This begins what seems to be the start of one hell of a night in the Puppet House. Gameplay There isn’t any combat, apart from some QTE (Quick-Time-Events) happening at scripted points. However, for an escape room game, the key is the puzzles. There are a good amount of the...

28Oct

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Worshippers of Cthulhu – PC Preview

Did you ever have a dream of running your own cult? well Worshippers of Cthulhu, has you covered! Take control of an unknown Shepard leading his flock to awaken The Great Old One himself. Fresh out in early access, you check it out on Steam for £20.99. Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn. Funnily enough, I played the demo for Worshippers of Cthulhu a little while back. I was happy with what I played then and was looking forward to seeing what the early access has in store. A road map is out for anyone to look at, but I’ll talk about that later on. Gameplay To grow your cult and ultimately awaken Cthulhu (starting on the island of Dreamshroud) you will do what’s of typical city management games; managing resources, the needs of the people (or acolytes, in this cas...

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead – PC Review

22Oct

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead – PC Review

If you enjoyed A Quiet Place movie. Then, if you enjoyed the movie like me, the news of a game being made for it might have surprised you. However, the team at Stormind Games is giving us an original story set in the world. A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is out already on PS5, Steam, and Xbox as of the 17th. "A Quiet Place", But my heart is screaming. In A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, we step into the shoes of Alex. An outgoing girl who loves the outdoors and singing. Well, that was until the invasion. Now hunted by beings that strike at the sound of a pin drops, she must find a place where she can be safe. Gameplay Now, if you’re jumping into A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, thinking being silent is going to be easy. Oh boy, are you wrong! The slightest sound catches the attentio...

11Oct

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Karma: The Dark World – Preview

Thanks to the teams over at POLLARD STUDIO LLC and Wired Productions, I got to have a sneaky pre-release play of the Karma: The Dark World’s demo. Set in a 1980s dystopian Germany, a corporation known as Leviathan, looks to be running the show, but not everything appears as it seems. Whilst there isn’t a release date available yet, you can Wishlist the game on Steam now. The mind is a funny thing. Gameplay In this first-person cinematic psychological thriller we play as Daniel. Loading up the demo we awaken in a medical room with no memory of who we are and why we are there. I began navigating through various rooms, which in turn calibrated my game. For example, brightness, FOV (Field of View) and audio. This feature is a really cool part of the gameplay and not just a quick flash o...

10Oct

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Amber Isle – PC Review

Amber Isle is a cosy management game with crafting and exploration. Developed by Ambertail Games and published by Team17. Available for £24.99, this adorable dino adventure arrived on Steam today! However, Nintendo Switch gamers will have to wait until 31st October to get their hands on this cute prehistoric village sim game. Let's make a name for ourselves! Your (customisable) Paleofolk embark on an adventure, which is short-lived after they fall from the hot-air balloon they’re travelling on. Your dino falls through the roof of an abandoned shop on Amber Isle. The outraged and less than friendly Mayor Clawsworth declares you a hooligan that must pay for damages. Two kinder Paleofolks, Mabel and Adi convince the Mayor to let you run the aforementioned store and help fix up the once ...

4Oct

By Kyle McGrath1 Comment

Previews & Early Access

Storage Hunter Simulator – PC Preview

Storage Hunter Simulator is a management simulator game. Developed and published Racoons Studios and additionally published by BeardedBrothers.Games, Storage Hunter Simulator releases into early access on Steam, on October 10th. A used towel, that's $250 easy. The simulator genre never ceases to amaze me with how many concepts can spring forth from it. Storage Hunter Simulator has the player bidding on abandoned storage lockers and trying to make your money back, plus profit. I’m definitely coloured intrigued, and since this game will release in Early Access, there’s potential for far more content even further post-launch. Gameplay There’s no overall story to Storage Hunter Simulator. You dive right in by choosing between one of two characters, male or female. After choosing, y...