Mal Keenan, Author at Thumb Culture

6Jun

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

Tin Hearts – PS5 Review

Tin Hearts is a puzzle platformer from developers Rogue Sun released on 16th May on all platforms. The game is the first official game released by Rogue Sun. They boast that some of the members of the dev team worked on Fable, a popular action adventure. Having seen the trailer I knew I had to take a closer look at this game which looked quirky, challenging, and had a good narrative. Let's see what it is all about. Get stuck into this Tin-spiring Tale I always find myself drawn to puzzle, narrative-driven games. Something is compelling about working through this kind of game and uncovering an overreaching story. One that comes to mind is The Witness where you journey in solitude through the game solving puzzles and learning more about the story as you progress. This game looks to be simi...

23May

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Eresys – PC Preview

Eresys is a horror survival game inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft by developers Ares Dragonis. It was released on 23rd April 2023 as an early-access game on pc. Just before writing this review, the developers have updated the game and you can expect more in the future. Unlike their previous release with a similar theme, The Shore, this game features a four-player co-op. I gathered up some Thumb Culture elite and we all ventured into the unknown to experience this game firsthand. Exorcising the Demons Within I had actually played through game developer Ares Dragonis's previous release The Shore. In that game, you explore a photo-realistic Lovecraftian environment solving puzzles and combating demons. I fell in love with this type of game and knew I had to try Eresys. Do you love th...

16May

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

Features

Streamplify Streamer Kit Review

Streamplify is a well-known name in the streaming hardware industry providing budding streamers with an array of affordable and accessible hardware to improve the quality of their streams ten-fold. Their hardware ranges from high-spec webcams, lights, mounts, and microphones to name a few. We had the chance to put some of their gear through a series of tests, and revisit a few we have previously checked out. Hard time growing as a streamer? Streamplify it! We want to hear from all of the streamers out there like myself. What's your setup? Do you think you could benefit from any of these pieces of hardware? Design The Webcam we tested is the only one on offer via their website. It's a cylinder webcam and the matte thick casing of it also doubles as an anti-spy cover. This is easily adj...

26Apr

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Shadows of Doubt – PC Preview

We had a chance to get a sneak peek of Shadows of Doubt, a detective stealth game from ColePowered Games released into Early Access on 24th April 2023 on PC. The Devs boast of an immersive game where you have the freedom to play the game how you want. Let's take a closer look. If in doubt, Stakeout! ColePowered Games offers here a character-rich and immersive detective thriller. Being a crime/detective game fan I had to check this title out. Are you a fan of this style of game? Leave a comment below and let us know what games you enjoy. Gameplay Shadows of Doubt is essentially a detective game, more particularly one with a feel of neo-noir crime drama. While not explained much I got the feeling the character you play is a retired detective. The game starts with a dark room with text sa...

Oni: Road to be the Mightiest Oni – PC Review

25Apr

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Oni: Road to be the Mightiest Oni – PC Review

Oni: Road to be the Mightiest Oni is the latest game from game developers Kenei Design & Shueisha Games. They are a team of five who had the goal of creating a small but feature-rich world full of character and adventure. The game was released on 3rd March 2023 on all platforms after two years of development. Eeny Meeny Miney Oni Oni: Road to be the Mightiest Oni is a game steeped in Chinese culture and nostalgia. The developers' goal was to make players feel as if they had jumped into the pages of a childhood picture book. I have to admit I like the look and feel of the game from its dark treelines and the muted colours of the foreground glades contrasted somewhat by the bright and vivid distant mountains. Are there any other games you enjoy with a similar style and feel to this one...

DUCK: Dangerous Ultimate Cartridge Kidnapper – PC Review

14Mar

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

DUCK: Dangerous Ultimate Cartridge Kidnapper – PC Review

DUCK: Dangerous Ultimate Cartridge Kidnapper is the latest game from game developers Duck Team. They released on Valentine's Day, 14th February 2023 putting out a party game set to rekindle that love for retro games and the fun we had playing them. I'd say it's safe to say they have succeeded. Join me as I take a first look at the game below. ABSOLUTELY QUACKERS! If you share a love for retro games whether it be Tetris, Mario or even more recent games let us know below in the comments. What game has a special place in your heart? For me, it was playing the original Sonic on my first-ever console, the Sega Megadrive. I'm eager to see if this game has that authentic retro feel. Let's go! Gameplay Since the game's initial release, it has garnered positive ratings on Steam. The game se...

1Mar

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Maki’s Adventure – PC Review

News Flash! Platform games are alive and well. Games such as Limbo and Little Nightmares are some of the big names out there representing this kind of genre. There's a new addition; one which aims to shake things up a bit called Maki's Adventure, released in January 2023, from game developers Zoroarts. It's available now to own on Steam. I've been invited to take a closer look. A Platform Adventure.... With A Twist If you enjoy the platform sub-genre of adventure games like me let us know which games you've been enjoying. Also, let us know if you've tried this game out and your thoughts on it. Gameplay Maki's Adventure seems at first to be very quick and simple. Once you have seen the quick intro with minimal exposition and have mastered the controls you are soon greeted by a lif...

17Feb

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

Dungeon Alchemist – PC Review

Dungeons and Dragons is a table-top board game that surged in popularity in the '70s. The game has stayed forever in culture through the decades and has never been stronger than what it is now. The game has inspired shows such as Stranger Things with even a movie coming out soon. With the introduction of the internet, playing at a distance is now possible. The available programs and utilities have never really been up to scratch however. Enter Dungeon Alchemist! Game developer Briganti has created a program to make it all easier. Their aim is to aid fans to create the visuals and maps needed to fully immerse themselves in the game. God-like Creation Powers at your Fingertips In recent years I've been introduced to the Dungeons & Dragons universe and I've come to love it. I'm always a...

Thumb Culture’s Most Anticipated Games of 2023

10Feb

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

Features

Thumb Culture’s Most Anticipated Games of 2023

2022 offered up a healthy serving of amazing games from Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West. We now look to 2023 and what games have got us excited. Already it's looking like it will be better than 2022 with the sheer variety and quality of games to be released. 2023 is Going to be an Exciting Time for Gaming! What game are you excited about in 2023? This a hard question, for me at least, with so many games announced to be released this year. Let us know in the comments below your choice. We put this question to Thumb Culture's writers, check out their choices below: Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Release: TBC 2023 Vinno Squires - Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, from Sega developer R...

8Feb

By Mal KeenanNo Comments

PC Reviews

This Land is My Land – PC Review

After the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 which showcased settlers in the untamed lands that went on to be the USA, some gamers wanted a Native Indian's take on that time of turmoil. The game developers, Game-Labs, set about creating just that with This Land is My Land, a game full of beautiful scenery and wilderness, aimed at survival and growth. We got a chance to get our hands on the game recently. All of this Land is Yours - Take it! I was drawn into playing This Land is My Land after seeing the trailer. The graphics looked great and the concept of a strategy/survival game based on Native Indians intrigued me. If you love a good survival, let us know in the comments your favourites. Gameplay From the off, in the main menu, the game gives you the option to start a resistance ra...