Kyle McGrath, Author at Thumb Culture

18Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Enigma of Fear – PC Review

What is the fear? Well, thanks to both Dumativa and Cellbit, we’ll find out soon enough. My job is to find out what paranormal events have been occurring in a place called the Perimeter. As I play Mia and her loyal four-legged companion, Lupi. We will solve puzzles and try to crack the code in Enigma of Fear. The game is available on Steam for £20.99, and was released late November. Played it already, what’s your thoughts? Why can't it be Enigma of Baked Goods? Gameplay You play as Mia, a woman part of an organisation named the Order who track down, study and contains paranormal entities and situations. Alongside her pup Lupi, occult specialist Agatha, and tech whiz Samuel, the four of you are looking for the Order’s leader and Mia’s father, Verity. His last location was the Strach ...

13Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Murky Divers – PC Review

Ember Studios ironically brings us an underwater, online cooperative, looting game called Murky Divers. From what I’ve heard, it shares a lot of similarities to Lethal Company. I haven’t played Lethal Company because of the space setting. Underwater is more my thing, because, it is similar to space but more, well, “murky”. You can purchase it for £6.99 right now on Steam. The release for 1.0 will be launching shortly on the 12th of December, giving you something to look forward to. Warning: some GIFs used in this article might have flashing images. “Every dive is a new adventure.” – Philippe Cousteau Jr. Some of the Thumb Culture team and I gave the game a go to bring you this review, but if you prefer to go in blind then what are you doing here?! Go buy the game! Gameplay ...

12Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Shop Simulator: Supermarket – PC Review

Please be aware this article contains gifs that may include flashing lights and patterns Here comes another simulator. This time, we are going to be working as a cashier in Shop Simulator: Supermarket. Created and self-published by the team Three River Games. The game itself is already out on Steam and will cost you £8.99. Cash or Card, Sir? Regular Thumb Culture readers will know, I love a good simulation game. If you do too then you may want to check out some of my other reviews including: Zoo Simulator, Recycling Centre, Storage Hunter, and most recently, Beff Jezos Simulator. But back to Shop Simulator: Supermarket! Gameplay In Shop Simulator: Supermarket we don’t have a story as such, more little goals to complete to become, well, a fully fledged supermarket. The game walks...

11Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

PC Reviews

Laundry Store Simulator – PC Preview

Please be aware this article contains gifs that may include flashing lights and patterns. PlayWay S.A. has published another sim and once again I find myself in another occupation. You need your clothes cleaned and dried, well come check out my store in Laundry Store Simulator. Developed by Akhir Pekan Studio and released on 9th of December, it’s my job to make sure all the creases are out, and the game is clean to go. Wanna try it out for yourself? Then head over to Steam here. No shoes, no shirt, but I still give service! Gameplay We get our laundry store, thanks to the investment of a certain not-so-subtle Banker. Literally his name. Now, with ten grand of in debt in our bank, we can start. Laundry Store Simulator gives you both a cheap washer and dryer to use at the start. Luck...

11Dec

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

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...