Kyle McGrath, Author at Thumb Culture

11Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

VOIN – PC Preview

VOIN is a new rogue-lite game with loot mechanics from Nikita Sozidar and tinyBuild. As of yesterday (10th December) it has launched into early access on Steam at an introductory price of £15.07. I played the demo a little time ago and enjoyed the gameplay then. So here’s hoping the early access is just as promising! Rise my great creation! Did you get to play the VOIN demo? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below. Gameplay VOIN’s intro begins with a voice of someone known as “Master”. This ominous voice tells our character (so far a nameless knight) to awaken. We are then led to navigate a set of caves and caverns which serve as the tutorial. Once done with the tutorial, we are sent to Amarict. Amarict is the games hub and here we have four portals we can go...

10Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Features

The Allure of Horror

What Draws Me to Horror? I’ve always wondered why people get drawn in by the horror genre. In our daily lives, I, and I assume others, try to avoid horrific events like serial killers and kidnappings. And obviously to make sure I don’t become Netflix’s next best series. So why dive into these mediums? Warning Please be aware this article contains gifs that may include flashing lights and patterns. Please read with caution! Well, I think it’s mainly more for creatures. I can’t get enough of monsters, beasts, aliens (shout out to the Xenomorph) or anything that isn’t a human. I remember being roughly eight years old, walking into the living room late at night, and seeing Stephen King’s IT. The one starring Tim Curry, and when I saw the part where this clown becomes a giant spide...

5Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Overthrown – PC Preview

Overthrown is a new game hitting early access today, December 5th. Created by Brimstone and published by Maximum Entertainment, the game itself is a city builder with you being its ever watchful Queen. I’ve seen TikTok videos of Overthrown and it looks pretty good. If you are curious to play it yourself, then head on over to the Steam page. Nothing is gonna stop me! Gameplay Overthrown offers two map sizes for the player, Foothills, which is medium size and a larger one called Seaside Cliffs. When you drop into your newly created world, a crown will be noticeable in the distances. It gives you the power to build, and this is how we will create our kingdom. A small tutorial is there, but it doesn’t really go that in depth. Unlike other games where you would begin making tool...

5Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

DETECTIVE: The Motel – PC Review

I’m checking out a crime deduction game developed by k148 Game Studio. Although no story is set, our location is. In DETECTIVE - The Motel we aim to uncover the evidence in a murder. If you’re looking to check it out for yourself, then head over to their Steam page. Looks like foul play The last game I picked up for crime deduction was called The Painscreek Killings. I enjoyed walking around the small town and looking for clues. DETECTIVE - The Motel caught my eye for the same reasons. Although, for a smaller map. Gameplay The first thing I noticed when playing the game, is that there isn’t any proper set up to what you have to do. We are simply at a hotel to uncover what events have taken place. DETECTIVE - The Motel recommends writing down key information you find, as the gam...

Currently Playing – Metaphor: ReFantazio

2Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Features

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...