Author: Mike

Hailing from Glasgow I play a variety of games but a big fan or RPGs and action adventure games. However I do try and review other genres of games. In real life I work in a call centre so with gaming am happy to let video game characters do the talking.
While Waiting PC Review
PC Reviews

While Waiting PC Review

While Waiting is the latest release from indie developer and publisher Optillusion (Moncage). This point-and-click narrative game depicts the unnamed male protagonist's life at various key moments. The premise intrigued me as you can let events happen passively or actively participate to make entertaining moments happen. The game is full of tongue-in-cheek humour, and heart as you relate to the main character. It even had me belly laughing at times, something a game hasn't made me do in a while. While Waiting is available now on Steam and Nintendo Switch. Life pauses for no one in While Waiting Gameplay While Waiting begins with a child-friendly and humourous version of conception and birth, which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the game. This sequence introduces the mechani...
10 video games to look forward to in 2025
Features

10 video games to look forward to in 2025

The last couple of years have been strong with hugely popular and successful video games. From Baldur's Gate 3 to Belatro, video games have been excellent and 2025 looks to be no different. I have written about what are shaping up to be the top 10 video games of 2025. Now remember this is just my opinion. Some games may have been overshadowed by the others hence why they don't appear on this list. Or, in my opinion, are less likely to be released in 2025. I have also written these in no particular order. So, let's get into what we're all here for...games! GTA VI As this will probably be the biggest video game of 2025 I figured why not begin with GTA VI. It has been a long time coming, especially since its predecessor came out in 2013. The game centres on Lucia, a newly escaped convict in...
Are Remasters Good for Gamers?
Features

Are Remasters Good for Gamers?

As a gamer in my 30s, I’ve played across several console generations. Remasters tap into that nostalgia and that’s no secret to game developers. Remasters have become more and more prevalent, they’re arguably their genre now. In theory, bringing a classic game to a generation is fantastic if done well and for the right reasons.  We’ll examine how much remasters add or subtract from the gaming experience. As well as if the industry has gone overboard and how console technology has influenced remasters. We’ll also look at examples of good and bad remasters to help reach a consensus.  Remasters give a second chance at older games  Remastered video games are nothing new to the industry, happening as far back as the late 80s. It’s probably more common now, with technology and high-speed in...
Blockbuster Inc. – PC Review
PC Reviews

Blockbuster Inc. – PC Review

Blockbuster Inc. is the debut game of developer Super Sly Fox in partnership with publisher Ancient Forge S.A. (The Tenants). I was pleasantly surprised this came from a 3-person team who have added a quality business sim/tycoon game to the genre. The elements of The Sims franchise and the Two Point series especially caught my eye. I was excited to be able to play and review the game and hopefully you are too. Blockbuster Inc. is available now on PC/Steam. Bring your Hollywood dreams to life in Blockbuster Inc. I was excited to play Blockbuster Inc. and it didn't disappoint. Mixing the mechanics of the business simulators with tongue-in-cheek humour at pop culture, you will have an entertaining time. Comment below what you think of the game and what your favourite movie or TV show was...
Shines Over: The Damned – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Shines Over: The Damned – PS5 Review

Shines Over: The Damned (SO: TD) comes from indie developer Juan-Mod Studios (Shines Over series). Published by Firenut Games (Have A Blast), the single-player first-person horror adventure game has supernatural and sci-fi elements. A mysterious event has left the area, possibly the world empty except for the nameless protagonist and his loyal German shepherd companion. SO: TD is the fourth addition to the Shines Over series showing Juan-Mod's penchant for horror and survival games. The game is a PS5 exclusive and is available now. You can also access Juan-Mod Studios' other games on their website. There is no darkness without light in Shines Over: The Damned I hadn't heard of the Shines Over games before but as a horror fan, I was excited to experience it. Comment below what you thin...
Planet Zoo: Console Edition – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Planet Zoo: Console Edition – PS5 Review

Planet Zoo: Console Edition is a zoo builder and management sim game where you build a safe space for numerous animals big and small. It was developed and published by the British company Frontier Developments (Planet Coaster, F1 Manager 2023). It is undoubtedly a spiritual successor to Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2, which the team at Frontier brought us. With my review based on the PS5 version the game is also available now on Xbox series X|S. You can check out Kevin's review of the PC version and how it compares. There's a place for all animals big and small in Planet Zoo I was excited to play Planet Zoo as it eventually made its way from PC to consoles after 5 years. Real-life zoos have their share of problems but it did feel nice to (digitally) help conservation for all sorts of ani...
Our Favourite Video Game Easter Eggs
Features

Our Favourite Video Game Easter Eggs

Well Easter is here and some of the team here at Thumb Culture are sharing their Easter Eggs. No not the chocolate kind... Our favourite Video Game Easter Eggs. Video Game Easter Eggs - The Plot Chickens How many of these were you already aware of? Let us know in the comments what your favourite Video Game Easter Egg is. The Last Of Us Tease - Tony Originally The Last of Us was to be revealed in July 2011. The development team on Uncharted 3 created a little link to the upcoming Naughty Dog game during development of Nathan Drakes 3rd adventure on PS3. With Uncharted 3 launching in Nov 2011, The Last Of Us would then be common knowledge. However when the reveal of The Last Of Us got pushed to December of that year, Uncharted 3 was already in players hands with the Easter Egg still i...
Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator – PC Review
PC Reviews

Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator – PC Review

Garden Life is a first-person narrative & life-sim where you manage the community garden of a small, sleepy village. While the garden grows you also contribute to the village and its residents and quickly find your place here. Thankfully for someone like me who doesn't have a green thumb, Garden Life was easy to get into. At its root, Garden Life is a narrative game but gardening is the main gameplay mechanic with tasks and quests. However, if that's not what you're looking for there is creative mode, a sandbox version of the game. Gardening here is a simplified version of the task similar to Stardew Valley or home improvement in House Flipper but still simulates realistic responsibilities and obstacles. The game is the latest release from developers Still Alive Games (Bus Simula...
The Invincible – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

The Invincible – PS5 Review

The Invincible is a narrative-focused adventure developed by Starward Industries and published by 11 Bit Studios (Children of Morta). Starward are a Polish studio delivering its debut game with staff having worked on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. The game is based on Stanislaw Lem's 1964 novel of the same name. Set in the distant future, you play Dr Yasna who ends up on the desert planet Regis III suffering from amnesia. The game has elements in common with Firewatch but also movies such as Annihilation & Arrival when it comes to tone and narrative. The game also has elements of sci-fi exploring sims Subnautica but firmly on dry land. The Invincible is available now on PS4 & PS5, Xbox S/X and Windows. The Invincible holds its own in this sci-fi adventure I wasn't fa...
The Fabulous Fear Machine – PC Review
PC Reviews

The Fabulous Fear Machine – PC Review

The Fabulous Fear Machine (TFFM) comes from developer Fictiorama Studios (Do Not Feed the Monkeys) and is published by AMC Games & Shudder. TFFM is an indie outbreak sim horror game with a fresh spin on the genre. Not your typical outbreak though, fear is what is spread through the machinations of the titular machine. The game is set across 3 distinct campaigns where each character makes a wish to Kirlian, a sentient fortune teller carnival-style machine. We're all cogs in The Fabulous Fear Machine TFFM tells its stories in comic book format, panels and all, reminding me of classic comics and pulp fiction horror. In return for helping them achieve their wish, Kirlian takes the character's life story for mysterious reasons. Through spreading fear, each character manipulates stock mark...