Mark Hudson, Author at Thumb Culture

16Jan

By Mark Hudson3 Comments

Halo Infinite Multiplayer Review

From the launch of Combat Evolved in 2001 to Halo Infinite in 2021, Halo has captured the imagination of players on a global scale. With the original title generating a whopping $170,000,000 in 5 years through Xbox sales alone... It's no surprise then, that multiple developers & publishers have gotten involved over the years to try and grab their piece of the pie. The latest addition to the franchise, Halo Infinite, is brought to us by 343 Industries and Xbox Game Studios. Finally released in December 2021, Halo Infinite brings us a much-needed distraction from the troubles of the last 2 years...for those on Xbox and Windows that is. Boots on the ground! Kind of, sort of... If you've ever played a first-person shooter, you'll probably be familiar with the term "boots on the ground". ...

16Dec

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

The Handler of Dragons Preview

The Handler of Dragons is a 3D RPG game developed by Jerzy Calinski and published by Golden Eggs Studio. Currently in early access on steam, The Handler of Dragons will have to compete with the likes of Elder Scrolls and Dark Souls. Quantity Over Quality, Right? With titles such as Broken Blades, Magnus Failure, Thoefil and Ignatius all released within the last 2 years, Jerzy is pumping out games left right and centre. As these games currently have under 10 reviews each, could this title be the one to really catapult Jerzy into the limelight? Join me as I explore The Handler of Dragons and attempt to answer that very question. Gameplay Although linear structured, this RPG allows the player to make decisions that impact the world around them. For example, the dialogue system offers play...

Razer BlackWidow Mechanical Keyboard Review

22Nov

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Razer BlackWidow Mechanical Keyboard Review

There's no doubt that Razer is a serious contender in the gaming market, capturing the hearts of gamers worldwide. Whether you're thinking about a new keyboard, mouse, headset... every gamer knows the Razer brand to be top of the pile. Launched in 2010, the Razer BlackWidow brand has become synonymous with the precision, tactile clickiness that we gamers have grown to love. Read on as I take a look at the Razer BlackWidow Mechanical Keyboard. Razer BlackWidow - A Step Up I've never really been one to buy something because of the brand name. To me, a keyboard is a keyboard and a keyboard at £30 does the same thing as a keyboard at £100, right? Wrong. After swapping my £30 budget mechanical keyboard for the Razer BlackWidow, I know I've opened a door I can never close. Gone are the days...

15Oct

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Space Boat Preview

Currently in development by Recombobulator Games, "Space Boat is a new narrative adventure game with interactive elements." Funded through Kickstarter, at the time of this preview Space Boat has raised £3,426, which is a little way from its target goal of £23,554. With a 15 minute playable demo now available, will they reach their crowdfund goal and give us a finished game? Join me below as I attempt to figure that out. Well Hello There Space Traveller! "You’ve been waiting to travel for a long time? It's now possible to go to the most beautiful places in the galaxy!... or whatever you can afford." - Allen, Space Boat Travel Agent. Gameplay With a development team who boasts an impressive resume of Mass Effect, Dead Space, and Thief, we walk into this demo with high expectations. Pl...

4Oct

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

News & Updates, PC Reviews

PUBG: Season 13 Is Here

Player Unknowns Battleground (AKA PUBG) is a successful, well-known battle royale-style shooter developed by KRAFTON & PUBG Corporation. Released back in July 2017, players are now able to enjoy the latest season 13 update. Season 13 is upon us! Join me as I explore what new content this latest season brings to the title. Since PUBG launched in 2017, we've seen the game progress and grow into a popular leading title of the battle-royale genre. With new weapons, maps, cosmetic skins and even new game modes added on a regular basis, PUBG continues to hold a somewhat dwindling player base. Public lobbies are now seeing the introduction of bots to ensure game lobbies are filled with 100 combatants. Ranked matches average around 60 players, just 60% of what they used to have. Could...

4Oct

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Arboria Review

Developed by Dreamplant and published by All in! Games, Arboria is a dark fantasy rogue-lite. Entering early access on Steam in May 2020, the game will release fully September 9th 2021. Gobbok And The Evil Hat We begin our journey as a Yotun warrior birthed from the father tree with a singular purpose - to hunt down Gobbok. Gobbok is another Yotun, who's been corrupted by a cursed hat and who's fled the village against the will of the elders, descending into the Durnar. After we too become corrupted by defeating Gobbok and equipping his hat, we find ourselves back at the troll village once again being birthed a Yotun from the father tree. What do you think about a character's death being permanent? Gameplay Arboria is best described as souls-like, with elements of the game bearing r...

6Sep

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Malum Review

Releasing September 2nd with a retail of £3.99, Malum is a cooperative horror survival game for up to 4 players, Developed and published by MalumGames. Malum features procedural puzzles which players must solve while being stalked by a range of gruesome monsters. Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope! Whether it's a scream, a shout, or a little cry.. we all have our own way of expressing fear, our own little quirk. For me it's repeatedly saying "Nope!" while running in the opposition direction, and that's something I did ALOT during this game. What's your quirk? Let me know in the comments below. Gameplay First of all, the game is very simple in its design - something that I feel is reflected in the £3.99 price tag - we'll circle back to this later. It appears to have been built atop an Unreal ...

24Aug

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Hoa Review

Hoa is a puzzle-platforming game developed by Skrollcat Studio and published by PM Studios. Developed in the Unity engine, Hoa will release for PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch and XBox on August 24th, 2021. Feel like a kid again. Offering some incredibly imaginative and original design, get ready to lose yourself entirely as you enter a whole new world in Hoa. Exploring the game and taking in the scenery really brought a level of immersion that I've not felt in a long while. Let me know in the comments what you thought? Were you able to lose yourself in Hoa? Gameplay Hoa is designed to be relaxing, peaceful and imaginative, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. Playing as Hoa (the main character) the goal is to unlock her past and learn her story through exploratory based puzzles. The game is ...

2Aug

By Mark Hudson1 Comment

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

New World Preview

New World is an upcoming MMORPG currently in development by Amazon Game Studios and Double Helix Games, Powered by the Amazon Lumberyard engine. After an alpha test all the way back in October 2018, New World is finally open for beta testing. Join me as I delve into the game to see what awaits us at the final release of August 31st. Fans of New World will no doubt be aware of the controversy surrounding the title! Back in the alpha test many players were confused by the game's lack of PVE content and left questioning whether the game would be worth picking up on the final release. Since then, the developers have worked hard to introduce PvE content, as well as reduce the consequences for PVP deaths. How did you find the balance of PVE and PVP during the beta? Is there anything else you h...

29Jul

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Get Packed: Fully Loaded Review

Developed by Moonshine Studios and published by Coatsink, Get Packed: Fully Loaded is the new definitive edition of Google Stadia's Get Packed. Originally released on 28th April 2020 the Fully Loaded version will be available to play on PS4, Xbox One and PC on the 29th July 2021. Do you have too many friends? Don't worry, this game will fix that! I haven't played a game like this in a long time, join me as I check out Get Packed: Fully Loaded on Steam (PC). With both "cooperative" and competitive options, this game will test the bonds of friendship. Let me know in the comments below if you lose any friends - or gain some, to this title! Gameplay Our story is set in "Dichlington" - a suburban town which is built atop the worlds largest deposit of rock salt. Dichlington has 12,000 reside...