Mark Hudson, Author at Thumb Culture

9Oct

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Pioneers Of Pagonia – PC Preview

Pioneers of Pagonia is a world-building simulation game developed and published by Envision Entertainment. Envision had a hand in 'further developing' Command & Conquer - working alongside Electronic Arts. They also received the Best Studio 2011 award, MMO of the year award, and many, many more. So we have an award-winning indie studio with buckets of experience... I go into this one with high hopes and great expectations. The Return of Volker Wertich Colony Sim fans may remember a gentleman who goes by the name of Volker Wertich. Back in 1993, he was the brain behind The Settlers - a classic real-time city-building game. Considered by many to be an all time childhood memory, we're excited to see Volker make a return to the industry with Pioneers of Pagonia, acting as creative direct...

24Aug

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Homeseek – PC Review

Released 20th July 2023, Homeseek is a post apocalyptic colony sim developed by Traptics and published by The Iterative Collection - with QA credited to iXie Gaming. Homeseek is a new venture for Traptics, whose previous games were both 2D. Being an avid fan of colony sims, I've been looking forward to getting my hands on this one. June 6th - 2101 "Born, bred, and educated in underground bunkers, we emerge to stake our claim on the sparsely inhabited surface. What awaits us is a wasteland ravaged by drought and scarred by ancient wars. It may not be as devoid of life as we had imagined, but that does not make it any less perilous; end even where the barren land meets sea, the undrinkable water only taunts us more." Story First up, let's talk story. Rather than an 'everything all at onc...

SoundPeats RunFree Sports Headphones Review

15Aug

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech, PC Reviews

SoundPeats RunFree Sports Headphones Review

Wireless headphones have become a daily necessity for most of us. Whether for work calls, motivation at the gym, or just to make a daily commute a little less miserable, the right headphones can vastly improve our day to day lives. Advertised as wireless open-ear headphones, the SoundPeats RunFree Headphones are available for around £25.00 - £30.00. Let's take a look at what your money buys you. Design and Control To start with, let me just say that the SoundPeats RunFree Headphones are simplistic, yet surprisingly comfortable. Made from food-grade silicone, the open-ear design connects wirelessly to your favourite devices via Bluetooth. While the nickel-titanium memory alloy neckband holds the headphones in place through the most rigorous of workout routines. Having the neckband ...

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara – PC Review

25Jul

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara – PC Review

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara is set to release July 27th this year. Developed under collaboration between Chibig, Talpa Games and Undercoders, Koa is advertised as a relaxing and wholesome 3D platform adventure game. Although not even out yet, Koa has already received the 'Best Platformer Game' award at the Indie Dev Day 2022. Needless to say, I'm excited to check this one out. Koa, a Cross Platform Platformer Koa is available on Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Windows PC, Xbox Series X, S and One... Making it one of the most versatile and accessible indie games I've played in a little while. Regardless of your hardware, you should have no issues downloading Koa and The Five Pirates of Mara! Story "Join Koa and her best friend Napopo on an action-packed adventure through the islands...

30Jun

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Pile Up! – PC Preview

Pile Up! is a quirky, relaxing, strategic game in which players need to build and create communities to fulfil the requests of the inhabitants. Given only a small piece of land to develop on, this leads to some pretty whacky designs and interesting constructs. But don't get too comfortable, as chilled and relaxed as the game may be, things can quickly fall apart. Pile Up! has been developed by Remoob and published by Next in Game & IndieArk. Hearing about Remoob for the first time? Well, Remoob is a small indie company based in Turkey that aims to develop "games that feel noteworthy... with unique atmospheres". Remoob have a few other games, so be sure to check out their developer page on Steam, or their website if you enjoy this preview. Brick by Brick Each structure advertently ...

27Jun

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Mars First Logistics – PC Preview

Mars First Logistics hits Steam for early access on June 22nd 2023. With an even earlier look at the game, join me as I check out this Mars-based physics simulator. Currently in development by Shape Shop and published by Shape Shop and Outersloth, Mars First Logistics is playable in both solo and cooperative modes. Shape Shop is a small studio based out of Melbourne, Australia. Run by Ian McLarty, this will be the 5th game developed by the company. Be sure to check them out if you enjoy this preview. Did You Know... Mars is the only known planet in the universe solely inhabited by robots. The most popular being the Curiosity, Perseverance and Spirit - qualities you'll need to be successful in this game! In Mars First Logistics, we'll perhaps get a glimpse of what life is like for thes...

2Jun

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Occupy Mars – PC Preview

Occupy Mars released for PC on 10th May, available in early access via Steam. Built upon the Unity engine, this sandbox survival game sees players build and survive on Mars. Being an avid fan of all things space travel and an ex game developer, I'm excited to see a space game developed in Unity for a change. Too many games are built (half-heartedly) upon the Unreal Engine level templates. Not Just A Dream, But Reality We work for ERA, and have been sent to Mars to help make the colonisation of our nearest neighbouring planet not just a dream, but a reality. Landing in the [zone], our job is to begin colonisation procedures. Gameplay Before jumping into the game, we're able to customise our character, and quite thoroughly too. Growing up on games such as Oblivion, Skyrim and World of Wa...

10May

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

World Turtles – PC Preview

World Turtles has just hit the market for PC and is available for both Windows & Mac OS via Steam. This is primarily a city builder/colony sim with aspects of strategy and exploration, developed by 'Re: cOg Mission' (who I think is a solo developer out of South Africa) and published by Freedom Games. Upon A Turtle's Back "The World Turtle carries entire civilizations on its back through outer space, and the gentle Meeps are the only ones on a quest to save it. Cooperation, rather than conquest will save the day, so prepare to harvest, build, research, and explore the void in this wholesome turtleback builder." - Re: cOg Mission Gameplay Primarily, World Turtles is a city builder colony sim strategy game which offers 3 modes/maps; the Hatchling map, Juvenile map and Adult map. Thank...

19Apr

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

TerraScape – PC Preview

Developed by German company Bitfall Studios and published by Toplitz Productions, TerraScape has just hit early access. While Toplitz has published some fairly well-known games, Bitfall is the new kid on the block, with TerraScape being their first title. I'm always happy to see a new Indie burst onto the scene, so join me as I check out the early-access gameplay. Plan, Build, Score Bitfall has referred to TerraScape as a deck builder card game, with elements of puzzle and skill, strategic planning is key. Genuinely, I go into this one not knowing what to expect. Gameplay TerraScape is essentially a card-based city builder. Yea, that had me a little confused at first too, but let me explain. The game works on decks of cards. Being turn-based, players pull a card to place on the table, ...

21Mar

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews

IXION – PC Review

"IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?" Developed for PC by Bulwark Studios and published by Kasedo Games, IXION is a story-driven colony-sim set amongst the stars. Released back in December 2022, join me as I take a look at the game to see how it holds up some 4 years later. The Best Last Humanity Has To Offer Confident in their logic, and ignorant to the consequences of their technology, mankind has brought about its own destruction. Unfathomable malfunctions have caused the VOHLE engine - humanity's greatest achievement - to r...