Mike Crewe, Author at Thumb Culture

27Aug

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Duskfade – PS5 Review

Jump, swing, and slash your way through a throwback 3D platformer in Duskfade! Coming to us from developer Weird Beluga, Duskfade harkens back to classic action platformers from the sixth-generation of consoles. Available now on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, is Duskfade a fun evolution of games gone by? Or is it just another title stuck in the past? Duskfade: A Stunning Homage to PS2 Classics Duskfade opens with a seemingly light-hearted narrative. Protagonist Zirian and his sister Allira live in Tick Town, where everything seems like a Disney-esque fairytale. That is, until Allira locks herself away to work on a secret project. This then leads to something going awry: their home exploding. and reality being ripped apart. Now, where their home once wa...

25Aug

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

The Sinking City 2 – PS5 Review

I'm a big horror movie fan, although I have to admit I'm not the best when it comes to playing horror games. One jumpscare is enough to send the controller flying across the room and get my heart racing. Thankfully, The Sinking City (or more specifically, the PS5 remaster I played) wasn't full of cheap scares. Instead, it focused more on investigation, with combat taking more of a back seat. Now, with The Sinking City 2 developer Frogwares has flipped these two mechanics around, with this sequel being much more like a traditional survival horror. Considering their history with detective titles, would this gambit pay off? Would my heart be able to cope with all the Lovecraftian monsters out for my blood? Let's dive in and find out! The Sinking City 2 is out now, and is available on Pl...

5Aug

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

The Planet Crafter – PS5 Review

Originally released into Early Access in 2022, The Planet Crafter has touched down on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S! Touted as “A space survival open world terraforming crafting game, designed for 1 to 10 players”, could this be a must-play survival title for consoles? Developer Miju Games’ debut title is currently sitting at an impressive “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam. Very impressive, but would it be just as fun to play on consoles? The Planet Crafter: Terraforming fun or Terra-boring tedium? There are plenty of survival crafting titles out there. However, this one seems to be a highlight of the genre based solely on the Steam reviews. Have you played The Planet Crafter before? Then I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Gameplay After stepping o...

27Jul

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Viking Frontiers – PS5 Review

Grab your axe and bow, and get ready to fight for survival! Developed by BLUM Entertainment, Viking Frontiers puts you in the role of a surviving member of a Viking clan cast out of their homeland. You'll need to hunt, build, and raid your way to the top, as you attempt to keep your clan alive. After its release on Steam last year, Viking Frontiers is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Despite the mixed reception received for the PC version, I was nonetheless excited to try this one out! Survival is Everything in Viking Frontiers... When it Works Viking Frontiers opens in the most generic way imaginable. A quick text crawl sets the scene: your father has had his Jarl rights stripped from him during a time of political unrest. With your clan chased out of their homelan...

15Jul

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Denshattack! – PS5 Review

Developer Undercoders has quite a collection of unique videogames under their belt. Denshattack! looks to be perhaps the most off-the-wall (or should that be off-the-rails?) game they've developed to date. Available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, is Denshattack! as fun as it looks? Or is it all style, no substance? Well, get ready for something crazy, as we kickflip our way into the review! Did You Know? Denshattack! Translates to Train Attack! It's obvious right from the get-go that Denshattack! is a wholly original concept. From games like Noby Noby Boy to Goat Simulator, I love me some weird! Got any favourite gaming oddities? Let us know in the comments below! Gameplay In its absolute simplest form, I'd describe Denshattack! as Tony Hawk's Pro ...

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced – PS5 Review

14Jul

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced – PS5 Review

After numerous rumours, leaks, and social media hoaxes about its cancellation, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is here! Possibly the worst-kept secret in gaming, the remake of the beloved 2013 swashbuckling, stabby adventure has arrived on modern platforms. Developed by Ubisoft Singapore, this ground-up remake looks to recapture gamers all over again with Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, exactly how much of Black Flag has changed? And, is it worth revisiting for gamers who have already played the original? Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced: My Favourite Sea Shanty Simulator Narratively, the main plot remains largely unchanged. Privateer Edward Kenway kills an assassin and assumes his identity, leading to one of the series' best character arcs. Edward is...

3Jul

By Mike CreweNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round – PS5 Review

2019's DEAD OR ALIVE 6 received average review scores on its release. Whilst it was praised for the deep combat mechanics, it was criticised for a poor story mode and barebones multiplayer. Now, developer Team Ninja has released DEAD OR ALIVE 6: Last Round for current gen consoles. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, what does this new and improved version have to offer? Well, prepare for a punch to the gut, because this game is far from being a knockout... DEAD OR ALIVE 6: Dead On Arrival I am, admittedly, kind of a casual fighting game fan. Although I do enjoy beating people up (virtually, of course), I tend to stick to the single-player content. Unfortunately for me, fighting games are often more focused on multiplayer. With that said, do you have any recommend...

22Jun

By Mike CreweNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

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...