Mike, Author at Thumb Culture

23Apr

By MikeNo Comments

Trolley Problem, Inc. PC Review

Trolley Problem, Inc. is a simulation/choices matter game built around the titular thought experiment. It is the debut game from developer ReadGraves & published by Yogscast Games (Helheim Hassle). I had heard of the thought experiment before but to experience it as a video game was quite something. I found when push came to shove making choices wasn't as easy as I expected. Trolley Problem, Inc. is available now on PC via Steam & Epic Games. Trolley Problem, Inc. will change your definition of a dilemma! I was excited to play Trolley Problem, Inc. and see what choices I would make. Feel free to comment and let us know what you think of the game down below. Gameplay Trolley Problem, Inc. is based on the thought experiment and various other scenarios involving ethical dil...

19Apr

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews

Solasta Lost Valley Review

Solasta Lost Valley is a brand new non-linear campaign and the second Solasta expansion after Primal Calling. And comes from the indie developer and publisher Tactical Adventures. Like Crown of the magister, Lost Valley is an isometric turn-based RPG. However, this is a brand new campaign set in the world of Solasta. The titular valley is a long-forgotten region ripe with opportunity but not everyone may feel very welcoming. I enjoyed getting a sneak peek with some of the Tactical Adventures team and have put some of my first thoughts here. Solasta Lost Valley is available now on Steam as well as Xbox Game Pass on PC. The party who went up a mountain and stumbled into the Lost Valley! I enjoyed my time playing Solasta Lost Valley and hopefully, you do too. I and the TC team would ...

Solasta: Lost Valley DLC & Multiplayer First Look

4Apr

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Solasta: Lost Valley DLC & Multiplayer First Look

I recently got an early sneak peek at the Solasta: Lost Valley DLC and the upcoming addition of online multiplayer. Tactical Adventures set up the session to show off what they have been working on and it didn't disappoint. I joined Mathieu Girard (CEO & Creative Director), Pierre Worgague (Marketing Director) & Emile Zhang (Community Lead) for an hour-long hands-on experience. I came into the session having played & reviewed the base game last year. Playing the turn-based fantasy RPG again was a pleasant reminder of what I enjoyed about Solasta in the first place. Get ready to roll! Alongside the DLC is the release of the online multiplayer for Solasta. Playing online co-op felt just as good, perhaps even better than similar games e.g. Baldur's Gate 3 & Divinity Original...

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream

24Feb

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream is the latest instalment in the Atelier franchise. It continues the trend of single-player RPGs in a somewhat open-world akin to late 1700s or early 1800s Europe. It was developed and published by Koei Tecmo who have been part of the series since it began on the PS1 in 1997. I was excited to play the game after having enjoyed the Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack. If you are a fan of the series then I have no doubt you will too. And if you are interested, you can read my review here of the original Atelier Mysterious Trilogy here. The Adventure Continues! Atelier Sophie 2 is available on February 25th on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4 & PS5. The TC team and I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on Atelier Sophie 2. So d...

20Feb

By MikeNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Flawless Abbey

Flawless Abbey is the debut release from Russian developer Bed Head Games in partnership with publisher Critical Reflex (Aeon Drive). Set in a hand-painted fairy tale world, Flawless Abbey is a puzzle game where your choices shape the outcome. Delve deeper into the world as you uncover the story of the titular abbey and its inhabitants. It was nice to be able to play this demo until the release comes from Bed Head Games. Find what is beneath the surface of Flawless Abbey For a short demo, Flawless Abbey sets up an interesting game with a fresh design style. The TC team and I would like to hear your thoughts on what you think so far. Feel free to post in the comments below. Gameplay Flawless Abbey begins with a prologue of sorts, being told via a stage play is the tale of a fo...

The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante Review

15Feb

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante Review

The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is the debut game from developer Sever Studio while working with publisher 101XP. You play as the titular character in this single-player narrative-driven RPG. The game takes place in the fantasy fictional world of Magra, part of the Arknian Empire. The setting is akin to Victorian London with class issues, religion and even persecution of magic users being major driving forces of the story. Set out on a challenging lifetime journey, where every choice entails consequences. Each decision determines the path you go down so choose wisely. Sir Brante was released on PC last year but is available now on PlayStation & Xbox consoles with my review based on the PS5 version. And if you want to read more on the game, check out Gareth discussing news on it...

26Jan

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews

Startup Panic Review

Startup Panic is a life sim game from the Indonesian indie developer Algorocks and published by Tinybuild. The game begins with the protagonist quitting their soul-crushing job to start their own company from scratch. Starting off humbly in the characters home with a dream of building an online platform company like WordPress or Squarespace. Soon you go to renting office space, hiring employees and even becoming rivals with the head of a giant corporation. In this single-player sim, even the game tells you success is unlikely but odds are meant to be beaten. Startup Panic is Algorocks debut game and is available now on PC as well as Android & iOS. Startup Panic - If it were easy being the boss then everybody would do it I have played some games in the same genre so I was excit...

17Jan

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews

Rescue Party: Live! Review

Rescue Party: Live! is a sim game from Scottish based developer Tag Studios (Pocket Mortys, Prison Architect Mobile) in partnership with publisher 505 Games. Thrown into the deep end as a firefighter on your first day as various disasters occur. You and your team travel across the city to help the numerous citizens in danger. Whether solo or local and online coop work to complete tasks, very much like Overcooked but instead of cooking meals you are evacuating people. You can play Rescue Party: Live! anytime as it is available now on Steam. Rescue Party: Live! - I'm a firefighter, professional firefighter It isn't often a game comes where up and I can step into the shoes of a firefighter, watching Fireman Sam when little likely to blame. I was excited to play Rescue Party: Live! an...

16Dec

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Noble Fates Preview

Noble Fates is a 3D kingdom builder sim game developed and published by Xobermon LLC. Set in a world where a pantheon of gods tries to bring order to the chaos of mortal kind. And opposing them are demons & devils who thrive on the chaos. You play as a Kontra, a type of demi-god with this ability and is keen to prove themself by building a kingdom that will last the ages. This means making decisions to influence their fate. Seeing the kingdom grow with everyone doing their part and expanding within its own borders and relationships with others. With great power comes great responsibility. So will you be remembered as a benevolent, kind ruler or a cold, cruel one? I played Noble Fates on PC where it is available now on Steam early access. In The Great Game Can We Achieve Noble F...

6Dec

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Dolmen Preview

Dolmen is a horror action RPG set in the far future in a distant part of the galaxy. Previously having made Tap Hitz on mobile, this is the first major release for Brazilian developer Massive Work Studio. Massive Work made the game in partnership with publisher Prime Matter. And was made possible after a successful Kickstarter campaign. The titular Dolmen is a mysterious mineral whose discovery led to being able to cross into parallel universes. As you may expect this doesn't go well and various monsters and creatures enter our universe. You play as the unnamed protagonist tasked to find out what happened on Revion Prime and recover the mineral. I was able to play this preview version with a full release on PC during 2022 and later planned to be released on PS4 & Xbox One. Slay the...