Kyle McGrath, Author at Thumb Culture

30Jan

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

SCP: Fragmented Minds – PC Preview

I love it when studios have a go at making a game of the SCP universe. And HST Studios is shooting their shot. Entering early access is SCP: Fragmented Minds, a new survival horror where we will fight or hide while trying to uncover the truth in an abandoned facility. Its first full chapter is out now on Steam for £7.99. SCP-TC-J [CodeName] Thumb Culture Preview I’m glad to be checking out another single-player SCP game. The amount of creatures and organizations they have gives a lot of chances to tell a new story. The SCP Foundation has something for everyone, from gods to something resembling a cute orange jelly pal. I have already played a couple of other games which are okay, but I’m hoping SCP Fragmented Minds can really push it. One I reviewed not so long ago is Go Home Annie...

29Jan

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Gravelord – PC Preview

A new early access release called Gravelord has dropped into my library this week. It’s a fast-paced retro-styled shooter, developed by Fatbot Games, s. r. o. We make sure the dead stay dead all the while saying cheesy one-liners and leaving fresh corpses in our wake. Gravelord is out now on Steam for £18.48. Warning! This article uses GIFS that may contain flashing images. Is it worth it, or should it stay dead, buried, and forgotten? We get a simple set-up to Gravelord’s story with the main character Queedo narrating. He explains that it’s his job as the Grave Digger to ensure the dead get their last rest. Now, you think it would be easy but nope. Thanks to a rival, an elixir of life has been made and the dead now walk. So now it's Queedo's job to make sure they stay dead. So wit...

28Jan

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

FREEDOM WARS Remastered – PS5 Review

Thanks to Bandai Namco, we get to see the return of FREEDOM WARS. Originally released back in 2014 for the PlayStation Vita, it arrives back into your life on consoles and steam. I’ll be checking out the PS5 version for this review and to see how well it runs compared to its handheld counter-part. If you’re looking to try it for the first time, then you can grab it for £32.99. A contribution pack is also available, which will give a few in-game items. Sometimes being alive is crime in its own right. I played FREEDOM WARS on the Vita when it was given away for PS+ a while back. I remember enjoying it and finding the concept interesting. I didn’t get far through it however, as I don’t play portable systems that much. But when I saw that FREEDOM WARS Remastered was releasing, I thought,...

23Jan

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – PS5 Review

I don’t know about you guys but I found Dynasty Warriors 9 terrible with the open-world side of things. But KOEI TECMO seems to have changed their approach with the newest entry to the franchise Dynasty Warriors: Origins. I played the initial demo released prior to launch, and I really enjoyed the gameplay, so here’s hoping the full release is the same! The game has two versions available on PS5. One is the base game (costing £64.99) and the other is the digital deluxe. The deluxe nets you the soundtrack, 72-hour early access, letters, and the official art book. However, it will also set you back £79.99. Warning! Gifs used in this article might contain flashing imagery. Someone has to play mediator to the three kingdoms. I’ve played the Dynasty Warrior franchise since the good old o...

16Jan

By Kyle McGrath3 Comments

PC Reviews

Mekkablood: Quarry Assault – PC Review

Indie studio KRUMB Games is soon to launch their new action, retro-Shooter Mekkablood: Quarry Assault. The game itself is made by a solo developer and is inspired by the early 90s, FPS games such as Duke Nukem, Doom, and Quake. I enjoy retro-styled shooters, but I can't lie this mainly piqued my interested due to the Mech aspect of it. Warning! Please be aware this article contains gifs that may include flashing lights and patterns. Eat lead... wait, do you eat lead? Has this game caught your interest? Well good news, it launches on Steam on January 20th! Although I couldn’t say for how much you can Wishlist it today. Gameplay Now, when I started Mekkablood, there wasn’t a story. But looking at the Steam page for the game here is the general gist. We play Bill, an ex-Space Farme...

15Jan

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

The Spirit of the Samurai – PC Review

Digital Minds Games have brought us The Spirit of the Samurai. A side-scrolling action platformer where we play Takeshi, a Samurai looking to defend his village from a looming evil. Out now on Steam for £16.99. I saw it all in a dream. The story begins with a young boy looking to meet a Kitsune. Once it appears, it tells us the story of a past samurai who once existed. The samurai in question was called Takeshi, and he could communicate with the spirits, who then tell him of the return of an ancient evil. This sets us up for our story. Gameplay Gameplay-wise, The Spirit of the Samurai is pretty straightforward. You have a sword which you can unlock various combos for. A bow for long range and some damaging consumables such as kunai. Upon slaying enemies you earn XP which, after...

14Jan

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Empire of The Ants – PC Review

Empire of The Ants has me assume control of a brave little ant as it helps its colony. Tackle the harsh world of mother nature in this new strategy game by Tower Five. The game is out now on Steam and goes for £34.99, while for another ten quid will land you the Deluxe Edition. In the deluxe you’ll get digital artwork, soundtrack, and wallpapers. We may be small, but we are many. Gameplay The ant is a scout with no name who is tasked with controlling your colonies’ units. Empire of The Ants isn’t an open-world but mission-focused. The first missions typically give you a rundown of the game mechanics. Not all the missions have you control units, however, some ask you to recover workers or scout areas. These missions I found a little dull compared to the combat-based ones. The nest...

Emergency Call 112: The Attack Squad – PC Review

10Jan

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Emergency Call 112: The Attack Squad – PC Review

Emergency Call 112: The Attack Squad is an action simulation game developed by Crenetic and published by Aerosoft GmbH. Released on December 18th last year, Emergency Call 112: The Attack Squad is available on Steam for £12.79. Burn, Baby Burn Gameplay The campaign of Emergency Call 112: The Attack Squad plays out by hearing someone calling an operator to report an incident or accident. While the tutorial covers a basic fire, there are a few different fires and emergencies. I wish the tutorial had covered a bit more of the different emergencies. While standard fires are extinguishable by water, grease fires require a powder extinguisher, and electrical fires require fog. Some non-fire emergencies include securing an allegedly deadly spider, helping someone get out of an acc...

Priest Simulator: Vampire Show – PC Review

19Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Priest Simulator: Vampire Show – PC Review

After a long time waiting and sitting in my wishlist, I finally get to review Priest Simulator: Vampire Show! Developed by a Polish studio called Asmodev this game has been in early access for a long time. And now, now I get to play the full release. We’ll play as a vampire turned priest in this mockumental action game. The Steam page says the dub will leave me in stitches, which has set my expectations even higher. Please be aware this article contains gifs that may include flashing lights and patterns I write hymns, not tragedies Priest Simulator: Vampire Show is out now on Steam for £16.75. If you’re not looking to fork out some money just yet, they do also have a Priest Simulator: Heavy Duty, so why not give it a try? Gameplay The story of Priest Simulator: Vampire Show...

18Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Go Home Annie – PC Review

Misfit Village brings us their new game set in the SCP Universe. It’s named Go Home Annie and has us step into the shoes of D-level personal who attempts to uncover some harsh truths. The game is available right now on Steam for £16.75. Please be aware this article contains gifs that may include flashing lights and patterns Annie are you okay? I’ve always loved the SCP Foundation lore, although I wouldn’t say I know it extensively. Its main appeal to me is the actual SCPs. An SCP is an object, creature, anomaly, or humanoid that breaks the rules of nature. Some of my favourites are: SCP-024, SCP-3000, and SCP-662. So it’s rare I see a single-player game based in that universe. I’ve only played one so far, as the others are multiplayer. I’d love to know what your favourite SCP is ...