Mike Crewe, Author at Thumb Culture

22Jun

By Mike CreweNo Comments

Bellwright – PS5 Preview

After two years in Ealy Access on Steam, Bellwright has come to consoles! Available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, how does this mediaeval-themed open-world survival game fare on the new hardware? Developed by Donkey Crew, Bellwright is still labelled as Early Access on Steam, and states that the console versions will be updated alongside it as it heads to a 1.0 release. With that said, let's preview this intriguing-looking title, shall we? Bellwright, or Bellwrong? It's rare for games to come to PS5 whilst still being worked on (updates and DLC notwithstanding), so I was intrigued to see if Bellwright was even in a playable state! The story opens with little more than a text box explaining a little about your situation. Years ago, your family fled the Karvenian uprising. A...

19Jun

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Solarpunk – PS5 Review

Developed by Cyberwave, Solarpunk is a futuristic survival title set in a technologically advanced world. Despite the survival theme, the game looks incredibly cosy! But is it engaging to play? Solarpunk is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Is Solarpunk the Next Great Cosy Game? Or is it a Solarflunk? You start by creating your character, although options are limited. This isn't too much of an issue, as Solarpunk is first-person (apart from the zoomed-out third-person option in the airship). There is co-op play, though, which ends up with everyone looking virtually identical. From there, you have the option of two game modes: standard or soft. They are essentially the same, except that in soft (does that sound insulting to anyone else?), you keep your inv...

Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks – PS5 Review

10Jun

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks – PS5 Review

After initially releasing into Early Access on PC, Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks is now racing onto consoles! Available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, is this multiplayer-focused combat racer worth a look for both 40k fans and newcomers? Let's take a look! Developed by Caged Elephant, Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks is available now, and priced at a very reasonable £15.99 on the PlayStation Store. Dese Speed Freeks Are Gunna WAAAGH! The Warhammer 40k universe is big. Like, really bloody big. I'll admit, I don't know all there is to know about this long-running franchise, so I pose a question to you, reader! Which 40k game would you recommend? From real-time strategies to boomer shooters, the series has had a plethora of videogames across many genres. I've played a fair few...

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – PS5 Review

5Jun

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – PS5 Review

Story of Seasons, or Harvest Moon, is a long-running franchise dating back to the SNES days. I personally didn't discover the series until Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life for the GameCube in 2004. Since then, I've been a pretty casual fan, having played a number of titles over the years. Now, after a nine-month timed exclusivity on Nintendo Switch 1 & 2 and PC, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S! What's interesting, though, is that this is actually a remake of a previous game! The original was released on the Nintendo DS under the name Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar. Developer Marvelous Inc. has completely revamped this 18-year-old portable title for modern consoles. But is it any good? Let's take a look in our Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar ...

27May

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

NITRO GEN OMEGA – PS5 Review

Giant mechs will always have a place in my heart. No matter the medium, mechs are inherently cool. That's why I was very excited to get my hands on NITRO GEN OMEGA. This slick, anime-inspired title has you take control of your own customisable crew of mech pilots in a post-apocalyptic world. Developed by DESTINYbit, this stylish tactical RPG looks like it could be something special. Is that the case, though? It certainly looks the part, but is there enough substance here to match the impressive visuals? NITRO GEN OMEGA is out right now, and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. NITRO GEN OMEGA: Style and Substance! AI has overrun the world. Humanity is barely surviving. Sounds eerily familiar so far... Survivors ...

22May

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Hydroneer – PS5 Review

If you're a PC gamer, chances are you've played a mining automation sandbox videogame before. There are a lot out there, with many seemingly having something to set them apart from the rest. But which category does Hydroneer belong to? An innovative title for the genre, or something that does little to showcase itself? Developed by Foulball Hangover, Hydroneer is finally available for consoles! Originally released on Steam in 2020, it has seen a plethora of updates over the years. Now, Hydroneer is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S! Hydroneer, Hydro Far, Hydro Wherever You Are Hydroneer is actually a title I'm rather familiar with despite never having played it. The YouTube channel Let's Game It Out made several videos on it that usually resulted in it slowing to a cr...

14May

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Bus Bound – PS5 Review

Simulator titles based on relatively mundane jobs are like marmite. You either love them or hate them. Personally, I quite like getting stuck into a virtual job. More so than my real job, anyway. Developed by stillalive studios, Bus Bound is the latest sim that puts players behind the wheel of the most unreliable of all public transport: the bus. Clue's in the name really... Available now for PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S, is Bus Bound another surprisingly fun public transport sim from the developer that brought us the well-received Bus Simulator 21? Let's find out! The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round In my short time working at Thumb Culture, I feel like I've covered a lot of simulators. However, I've yet to review one centred around buses! Although I don't like act...

12May

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

The End of the Sun – PS5 Review

If "story-driven adventure steeped in Slavic folklore" is a phrase that interests you, then get ready for this one! The End of the Sun, developed by the small, family-run studio The End of the Sun Forge, certainly piqued my interest when I first saw it. Originally releasing on Steam in 2025 to a "Very Positive" reception, the game is now available for PlayStation 5. Is this a tale worth telling? Or will playing this game have you begging for the end of the actual sun? Let's find out! Spend Your Days in the Sunshiiiiiiine! With plenty of walking simulators out there, it can be difficult to find ones that tell a genuinely engaging story. Got any recommendations for someone who is admittedly not too clued in on the genre? Let me know in the comments below, so I can add them to my ever-ex...

28Apr

By Mike Crewe1 Comment

PlayStation Reviews

Aphelion – PS5 Review

In my opinion, developer DON'T NOD has created some brilliant games that people don't speak about enough. Aside from the first two Life is Strange titles, they've also developed games such as the wonderful Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, and the criminally underrated Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. Now, they're set to release Aphelion, a sci-fi action adventure set on an uncharted planet. Aphelion is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC vis Steam. Is this game's narrative on par with the rest of DON'T NOD's back catalogue? And adding to that, is the gameplay enjoyable enough to keep players engaged? Let's find out! Did You Know: "Aphelion" Isn't a Word Made Up For This Game! The nigh-on infinite amount of sci-fi in films, books, games, and so on, has kept me enterta...

23Apr

By Mike CreweNo Comments

Gaming

Crime Simulator – PS5 Review

Ever imagined yourself as a thief, breaking into homes and stealing people's valuables? I certainly hope not, but if so, then developer CookieDev has you covered! In Crime Simulator, you'll need to take anything that isn't nailed down as you try to repay a debt. These poor, unsuspecting NPCs won't know what hit 'em... The game was originally released for PC and Xbox Series X|S in 2025, with a Nintendo Switch port in February of this year. Now, PlayStation 5 players can finally get their hands on the loot! But, is it even worth stealing? Turns Out, Crime Does Pay! An unknown benefactor recently bailed our nameless protagonist out of prison, and now they owe a big debt. What's the best way for a newly free criminal to earn some quick cash? Crime, of course! Right off the bat, Crime ...