Mal Keenan, Author at Thumb Culture

Fix It: The Handyman Simulator – PC Review

4Jul

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

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 Mal KeenanNo 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 Mal KeenanNo 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 Mal KeenanNo 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 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....