Mal Keenan, Author at Thumb Culture

26Apr

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

Knock’em Out – PC Review

Do you ever find yourself in need of an effective way to vent some steam after a hectic day? Instead of punching friends or fellow students/colleagues, game developer Adribeh has kindly created a forum to allow you to safely punch your friends to a bloody pulp with Knock'em Out. This early-access game was released on 4th April. At the moment there's a sale on reducing the price to £3.99. The developer provides a simple description on its Steam page, "Keep a cool head to knock out your opponents in the most violent and fun way!" I got the chance to get within punching distance with fellow Thumb Culture reviewers Stuart and Kyle to give the game a fair whack. See what we thought below. A Smash Hit That's Hard To Beat! Nothing beats the adrenaline when clutching a win in a fast-paced multip...

15Mar

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Please, Touch the Artwork 2 – PC Review

Please, Touch the Artwork 2 is a point-and-click puzzle game from Belgian solo game developer Thomas Waterzooi. He has been involved in past game projects such as Divinity Original Sin and Hitman. Made in only six months, the game follows on from its predecessor with graphical improvements throughout. The game released on 19th February 2024 on PC and mobile. Tactile Tactics and Painty Pointers The game revolves around paintings, namely paintings of iconic Belgian painter James Ensor whose works featured expressionism and surrealism. It is a way for us to interact with his paintings, giving a more comprehensive look at them and discovering his creative works. Gameplay What better way to appreciate art than to be inside art. From the off, I noted the pointer has become a long sk...

20Nov

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Three Minutes to Eight – PC Review

Developers, Chaosmonger Studios, aim with their latest game, Three Minutes to Eight, to give us gamers "an ever-evolving gaming experience, mimicking a borderline state of mind that teeters on the edge of consciousness, where everything is possible yet remains elusive." An exciting and bold mission statement. The game was released on 31st October 2023, available on all consoles and PC. I got the chance to play through the game recently. Time to get down to business Three Minutes to Eight is a side-view pixel-art adventure/mystery where the gamer can either point-n-click or use a controller to move around. These kinds of games were so well made and popular that they've stood the test of time. This game goes to show the style and genre aren't going anywhere soon. Do you enjoy these kinds ...

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – PS5 Review

24Oct

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

Gaming, PlayStation Reviews

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – PS5 Review

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a massive expansion for the main game Cyberpunk 2077 released by game developers CD Projekt Red on 27th September. The expansion now offers up a whole new standalone story to that offered up in Cyberpunk 2077. I got a chance to take a closer look at the expansion and all it has to offer. Be warned, minor spoilers follow: TAKING LIBERTIES I grew to love the Cyberpunk 2077 universe fully only in recent months. Initially, I was deterred at first by its rough patch on release. Having followed its roadmap to its present state I'm now eager to play this new expansion. How can it improve and move the story forward? What new things has the developers included in it? If you are the same and love the game comment below! GAMEPLAY This addition to the Cyb...

4Oct

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Mythforce – PC Review

Mythforce is a roguelike RPG co-op adventure brought to you by developers Beamdog. The game was released on 12th September 2023. They claim throughout their promotions online to have captured the essence of 80s daytime cartoons in game form. Sounds interesting. I recently got a chance to check it out for Thumb Culture. Check out the review below. A Love Letter to Retro Cartoons Roguelike games have become commonplace in game stores in recent years. Often they are endless AI-generated levels added to mix things up for the gamer. I've played a few games with this added and while it certainly is fun, I'm a bit on the fence. Mythforce is a good example of roguelike done well, however. What are your favourite roguelike games that you have played recently? Let us know in the comments. Gam...

20Sep

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Golf vs Zombies – PC Review

Golfing and surviving a zombie apocalypse. These two things you wouldn't necessarily put together. The developers, Sleepwalking Potatoes, have gone and done it in Golf vs. Zombies! It follows on from their past releases Earthworms, Lesson Learned, Bouncy Bob, and My Demon Wife. This unique take on this horror genre was released on 15th September on most platforms. I got my hands on the club and took a swing at this unique game. Read on to see what I thought of it. The Fairway to the Zombie Par-tee If have found zombie apocalypse games to have become stale then games like this get you excited. I for one have and it takes something unique to interest me. This is a quirky take on the genre providing a challenge but also some laughs. What's your favorite zombie survival game that you hav...

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy – PC Review

5Sep

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy – PC Review

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is the latest in the Trine series, the first being released in 2009 by developers Frozenbyte. The game was released on 31st August 2023 available on all platforms. We received an invite to see what makes the game tick so we jumped at the chance. Let's delve back into the Trine universe and see what's in store! Wakey, Wakey. Rise and Trine! When Trine was released in 2009 I remember it being a well-made side-scrolling action adventure. This game however had a unique feature - the ability to control all three characters consecutively. The ability to swap from agile thief to lumbersome but tough knight instantaneously had me excited at the time. Who else remembers the previous games from the Trine series? Leave a comment below with your memories of the games....

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons – PC review

1Aug

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons – PC review

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a side-scrolling beat-em-up released on 27th July 2023 and is available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. The game follows the continuing adventures of the Double Dragon brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee who we are familiar with from Double Dragon games going back to their first appearance in 1987 Double Dragon. Two heads are better than one! I absolutely loved Double Dragon when I had a chance to get my hands on it following its release. I was drawn into the story as you took control of one of the brothers battling your way through the streets. Playing it with friends was just as rewarding. What are your favorite side-scrolling fighting games similar to this? Let us know in the comments! Gameplay I went into this...

12Jul

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

It’s Only Money – PC Review

It's Only Money was released in early access by developers Usual Suspects Studios on 16th June and its overall score on Steam is Very Positive. The game is a third-person sandbox simulation game where they encourage you to "steal back the city". I got a chance to get a hands-on look at the game and share my thoughts. Money makes the world go round. The game boasts a similar game style to that of GTA but is seemingly more quirky and random. I love a bit of quirky humour in my games and know I'll love this one. Do enjoy your crime simulators and like to cause a bit of mayhem on the streets? Let me know your favourite games below in the comments! Gameplay It's Only Money throws you into the action straightaway working your gruelling shift at Rockhaven's biggest factory. Here you run f...

29Jun

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Planet of Lana – PC Review

Planet of Lana is the debut game release from Swedish game developers Wishfully Studios which was released in May 2023. Since release the game has been garnering all of the right kinds of attention. Seeing as it is their debut release, big things are yet to come from the game developers in future releases. I got the chance to review the game to offer up my thoughts on the game and whether it's worth a playthrough. Tech Trouble in Paradise Planet of Lana is a side-scrolling platformer at heart. Its design reminds me of the retro games I used to play such as Another World, Flashback, or even Prince of Persia which paved the way for these types of games. Do you like games in this style? What games have you played and why did you love playing them? Let me know in the comments below. Gam...