Mike, Author at Thumb Culture

14May

By MikeNo Comments

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 MikeNo 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 Mike1 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 MikeNo 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 ...

15Apr

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Ghost Master: Resurrection – PS5 Review

I am, admittedly, a bit of a sucker for remasters/remakes. Or, at least, the ones of games that didn't come out a few years ago... Being able to experience something from my younger years on modern hardware is both nostalgic and comforting. So, when I saw that Ghost Master was returning from the dead, I knew I had to check it out! Released in 2003 for PC and a year later for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, Ghost Master is a sort of puzzle/strategy hybrid. A game my younger self would often describe as "The Sims but you have to haunt them instead of take care of them". Not that I really took care of my sims... Now, in 2026, Ghost Master: Resurrection is here! Developer Mechano Story Studio state that this is a "faithful remake of the beloved original" but with some much-needed bug fixes and upgr...

7Apr

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Beyond Words – PS5 Review

If you'd have asked me, "If the creators of GoldenEye and TimeSplitters collaborated, what game would they make?" my first thought would not have been Beyond Words. Two absolute childhood classic first-person shooters would have me thinking of a new splitscreen multiplayer title. Man, do we need more splitscreen multiplayer games... Nostalgia aside, Beyond Words looks like it could be one of those "Oh, just one more round" type of games! But is it? Developed by MindFuel Games, Beyond Words is an amalgamation of genres, including roguelike and word games. Is "word game" a genre? Either way, think Scrabble on steroids, and you're on the right track! Beyond Words is out now and is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S. How Would I Describe This Game? You ...

1Apr

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Dragonkin: The Banished – PS5 Review

The Action RPG genre can be a tough one to break into. With series such as Diablo, Path of Exile, and the plethora of Warhammer ARPGs, to name but a few. The incredibly addictive nature of grinding, dungeon-delving, and loot-hoarding is one I've been a fan of for a long time. With Dragonkin: The Banished leaving Early Access and releasing on consoles, I knew I had to play it! Created by developer Eko Software (who know a thing or two about ARPGs!), Dragonkin has just launched its 1.0 version. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and is priced at £34.99 on consoles and £20.99 on Steam. All You Need Is Loot I'll admit it. I'm one of those gamers that, when they really get into a game, it's the only thing on their mind until the credits roll. With ARPGs, t...

Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered – PS5 Review

20Mar

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered – PS5 Review

Who would have thought that we'd ever see the Legacy of Kain series again? Well, after last year's Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered, it looks like the franchise may be back! Potentially, but we'll have to wait and see, as the latest game, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered, is another remaster. An updated version of the 2003 title released on PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox, does Defiance stand the test of time? Can co-developers Crystal Dynamics and PlayEveryWare bring this almost 26-year-old title to a modern audience? Or, will it only resonate with those of us that have played the original? It's always tough to say with remastered classics! Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is available now on Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, PC, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series...

13Mar

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Laysara: Summit Kingdom – PS5 Review

Originally released into Early Access on Steam back in April 2024, Laysara: Summit Kingdom has now launched it's 1.0 version! As well the PC version, Laysara is also available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. When researching the game, I found out that the developer, Quite OK Games, is actually a three-person team. Well, three people and a yak, according to their website! Right away that struck me as impressive, as the trailers showcase something that's not only very beautiful, but also looks really fun to play. But, is that truly the case? Onwards and Upwards in Laysara: Summit Kingdom City building games typically see the player expand outward, transforming a humble town into a multi-district city. In Laysara, things are a little bit differe...

10Mar

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Under The Island – PS5 Review

If you're a gamer of a certain vintage, chances are you have fond memories of the '90s and early 2000s. From Alundra to the 2D Zelda titles, there were plenty of brilliant action RPGs during that era. With Under The Island, developer Slime King Games attempts to capture the magic that made these classics so memorable. Blending elements of modern and retro (are we calling the '90s retro now? I feel old...) games, Under The Island may well be a great debut for the developer. Can the gameplay match what is arguably a gorgeous-looking love letter to games gone by? Under The Island is out now, and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. With that said, let's get on with the review! Above, Around, and Under The Island! With...