Mal, Author at Thumb Culture

19Dec

By MalNo Comments

Blood on the Thames – PC Review

Blood on the Thames is a point and click murder mystery narrative game. It was recently released on PC on 31st October by Developer and Publisher Team Firestorm. This game follows on from their first created game back in 2018 In the Dark and is available from Steam for £12.79. BLOOD IS NOT THE ONLY THING IN THE THAMES I'm always on the lookout for a good detective mystery puzzle game. There's something satisfying when solving a puzzle or mystery after an arduous time collecting all the evidence or clues. Have you been a fan of any games which have weighed heavily on the detective theme? Let us know in the comments below! Gameplay As you boot up Blood on the Thames, you are introduced to a rather busy looking menu. From its music to the style of choice for its graphics, it all feel...

15Nov

By MalNo Comments

PC Reviews

Beta MAX – PC Review

Beta MAX is an upcoming first person puzzle platformer, Developed by Nexcide and published by The Game Publisher. I got a chance to play through the game prior to its release on the 22nd November 2024. There is a small demo available now should you wish to try it out before then. BE KIND - RELAX AND UNWIND I'm a big fan of these kind of puzzle games with interesting mechanics. This game is challenging enough to have you scratching your head and thinking abstractly to complete levels. This game is a spiritual successor to games such as Portal, Viewfinder, The Talos Principal among others. Are you are fan of this kind of games? If so, leave a comment below with your favourites! Gameplay In Beta MAX you play as a teenage boy called Max. The game starts in Max's bedroom and judging by ...

Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition – PS5 review

25Oct

By Mal1 Comment

PlayStation Reviews

Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition – PS5 review

THQ Nordic treat us this year with a re-release of a much-loved classic, Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition. Darksiders II was initially released in 2012 on the PS3 and Xbox 360. In 2015, they released the Deathinitive Edition for the PS4 and Xbox One, which boasted improved gameplay. It’s now got the next gen upgrade which introduces even more updates, like; load times, 4K resolution, and DualSense integration. making the most of this generation's hardware. I got the opportunity to check it out recently, check out my review below. A NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER Remasters like this give a new audience another look at games which may have passed them by at the time. For me, it was the latter, I didn't get a chance to play this originally on release. Are there any games you tried ...

16Oct

By Mal1 Comment

PC Reviews

Beyond Galaxyland – PC Review

Introducing Beyond Galaxyland a retro-futuristic adventure from developer Sam Enright. Their previous first foray into the gaming industry The Greater Good (2018) garnered many great reviews with some saying it was a masterpiece. This game, released on the 24th September 2024, seems to surpass the first in graphics, story, and more. It's available on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation and Switch. TO THE STARS AND BEYOND There's definitely a market for these pixelated side-scrolling adventures which are a love letter to games such as Another World, Flashback, Prince of Persia, and more. What games do you have fond memories of playing? Leave a comment and let's get talking. Let's go explore Galaxyland together! Gameplay Beyond Galaxyland tells the tale of Doug an unassuming teen thrown into an adv...

Fix It: The Handyman Simulator – PC Review

4Jul

By MalNo Comments

PC Reviews

Fix It: The Handyman Simulator – PC Review

Fix it - The Handyman Simulator is a job simulator game from German developers VIS Games released on 4th June 2024 on PC. VIS games have made a name for themselves in creating many types of simulator games spanning many job types from bus drivers to long-distance lorry drivers, and tram drivers. I was given a chance to test out my DIY skills by playing this interesting-looking game. A Few Screws Short of a Toolbox This game is one of many in the simulator genre with just about every job accounted for. These games let you try many jobs out there allowing you to live the dream. Are you a fan of these types of simulator games? I had played some from this developer before. One of the more memorable ones was Autobahn Police Simulator 3. Let us know what simulator games you have enjoye...

26Jun

By MalNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Drova – Forsaken Kin – PC Preview

Drova - Forsaken Kin is an upcoming single-player, action-RPG adventure from game developers Just2d. It's a souls-like action game with mysticism and grim undertones from Celtic mythology. Drova was first teased three years ago and is still being developed. It is set to be released sometime this year on PC. We were invited to take a close look at the game before release. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to go on a deep dive into the lands of Drova. A Pixel RPG Game With Tonnes Of Soul Do you like a challenge and love the souls-like genre? Is it not easy for you to buckle under the relentless weight of all the attacks thrown at you?? Following getting a good beating while playing Dark Souls & Elden Ring I've decided it's not the genre for me. Let me know what your favourite game in t...

16May

By MalNo Comments

PC Reviews

Harold Halibut – PC Review

I recently took a dive into uncharted waters to take a closer look at Harold Halibut, a narrative-driven story game released on the 16th of April on all platforms. It's also available on Xbox Game pass to download for anyone with a membership. The developer, Slow Bros, has gone above and beyond crafting this game using a mix of Claymation and digital effects. Take an underwater journey with me as I see what's under the surface of this interesting-looking game. A QUIRKY GAME WITH HEART AND SOLE Nothing beats a cozy, chill story game with an abundance of great narrative and interesting characters. There are so many out there too and over the years I've spent many an hour getting lost in them. What are your favourite narrative adventures and what draws you to them? This game excel...

26Apr

By MalNo Comments

PC Reviews

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 MalNo 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 MalNo 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 ...