Mike, Author at Thumb Culture

21Sep

By MikeNo Comments

Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt

Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt is the debut foray into AAA games for Swedish company Sharkmob. It is an online multiplayer third-person battle royale taking place in Prague, Czech Republic. Fighting through the city and the only rule is to keep your existence a secret, the titular masquerade. I didn't come across any plot for the game but it is faithful to the World of Darkness setting. Definitely inspired by games like Apex Legends and PUBG, Bloodhunt however is like their goth cousin. Going it alone or in a trio, fighting to be the last vampire standing, and maintaining the masquerade is all that matters. Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt - Something to Sink Your Teeth Into I kept up on news and other player's thoughts and I found there was some disappointment. Many people were expe...

12Sep

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews

Beyond Mankind: The Awakening Review

From Spanish developer/publisher, Brytenwalda Studios comes Beyond Mankind: The Awakening, a sci-fi action survival RPG set in 2120. Brythenwalda has previously released games such as Viking Conquest. The scenario is a version of Earth that has been ravaged by nuclear war and subsequent nuclear winter. Since fleeing to space and settling on the moon and various space stations, returning to Earth has been humanity's goal. However, disagreement has formed between the United Colonies (UC) and H.O.P.E. The UC who want to return to business as usual and H.O.P.E. who believe homo sapiens have had their chance and genetically & technologically enhanced humans are the future. BEYOND MANKIND - ARE WE HUMAN? OR ARE WE CYBORGS? I am interested in games like this, as I am a fan of games such ...

25Aug

By MikeNo Comments

Features, News & Updates, Previews & Early Access

Saints Row Reveal Press Event

It has been 8 years (0r 6 including Gat Out of Hell), since a new addition to the Saints Row series. For the fans (myself among them), the wait is now over. Volition & Deep Silver have been working on the latest title, Saints Row, releasing on 25th February 2022. As the title suggests, Saints Row is a full reboot that takes the series back to its roots like the days of Stillwater & Steelport. I learned the game takes place in the fictional city of Santo Ileso, heavily inspired by the American South West. Growing tired of working for others, the nameless protagonist forms their own gang, The Saints. As the boss, this means building The Saints from the ground up alongside your trusted lieutenants Neenah, Kevin & Eli. Together they pursue their own goals carving out a piece of ...

19Aug

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Foreclosed PS5 Review

Foreclosed is a cyberpunk action shooter with RPG elements experienced in graphic novel panels and stylised graphics. The title refers to when people are property and upon a company going under, their identity is being auctioned off. We begin with the protagonist, Evan Kapnos, being foreclosed and suddenly forced on the run. Kapnos is smack dab in the middle of a conspiracy and the only way to survive is with some help from allies is get to the person at the top and make them a counteroffer. Foreclosed is brought to us by Italian indie developers Antab Studio (Gridd series) and publishers Merge Games (Ultimate Chicken Horse). It is available now on PC (steam & stadia), Xbox One, Xbox Series S&X, PS4, PS5 & Switch. Going once, going twice... sold on Foreclosed I e...

11Aug

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Hokko Life Early Access Review

Hokko Life is the debut game of Swedish based indie developer Wonderscope in partnership with publisher Team17. It is a community sim game very much in the vein of the Animal Crossing series and Stardew Valley. I don't recommend falling asleep on public transport but in this case, it led to ending up in the small but welcoming town. Over time the town has dwindled but perhaps helping the community means turning this around. Being quickly welcomed by the anthropomorphic animal residents, repaying the hospitality leads to it feeling like home. The plot feels similar to Stardew Valley with the emphasis on change from urban life. And the gameplay & design very much feels like Animal Crossing: New Horizons (AC: NH). If you enjoyed those, especially the latter, then you won't be disappoin...

2Aug

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

The Falconeer: Warrior Edition Review

The Falconeer: Warrior Edition is an enhanced version of the base game with some DLC included for good measure. The base game was first released in November 2020 on Windows & Xbox series S/X. This version brings the game to PS4, PS5 & Nintendo Switch and is available now. With his debut, Falconeer comes from developer Tomas Sala and indie game publisher Wired Productions. Sala developed the game solo and Wired is known for games such as Deliver Us The Moon. Taking place in Ursee, a world mostly water, various factions, and houses emerged, and all seek to gain power. As a result, the falconeers have become warriors, guardians, and anything else needed to survive, supported by their giant warbeasts. This review is based on the PS5 version and you should also check out Jay's...

12Jul

By MikeNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Anna’s Quest Review

Almost exactly 6 years later, Anna's Quest has made the jump from PC with a direct port to console. From developer/publisher Daedelic Entertainment we return to this 2.5D point & click puzzle game. Beyond that, it is also a hand-drawn adventure game depicting Anna's journey and adventure. And featuring a melting pot of elements from the world's fairy tales, folklore, and mythology. This Anna's Quest review is based on the Switch version and is also available on PS4 and Xbox One. Anna's Quest - Not your regular fairy tale I had heard really good things about Anna's Quest so I was excited to pick up the game. If you enjoyed this review then please like and share this, as well as checking out the rest of the TC content. If you enjoyed this review, why not check out my review of Nanotale...

11Jun

By MikeNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Wreckfest PS5 Review

From Finnish developer Bugbear Entertainment comes Wreckfest, a racing and vehicular combat game published by THQ Nordic. Bugbear are no strangers to racing and demolition derby games, previously making the Flatout Series. In fact, I learned that the genre is becoming somewhat of a speciality of theirs, which initially grabbed my attention about Wreckfest. Taking this experience, Bugbear has made a game I can best describe as if Gran Turismo and Burnout had a baby and this was the result. Bugbear struck gold upon releasing the game in early access after an unsuccessful Kickstarter. As a result, the following few years allowed them to reach their goals and release the full game on PC and then on consoles. Wreckfest is available now on X-Box & Playstation as well as Windows. All is f...

27May

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews

Solasta: Crown Of The Magister Review

In the debut game from indie developer and publisher Tactical Adventures comes Solasta Crown of the Magister. As a fan of tabletop and video game RPGs, Solasta definitely caught my eye. So much so that I also wrote the Thumb Culture preview which you can find here. A single-player turned based isometric RPG set in the world of Solasta. The game takes place in a fantasy world following a devastating magical cataclysm from which it has not fully recovered. Solasta Crown of the Magister is available now on Steam and GOG. Solasta Crown of the Magister - Heavy is the head that wears the crown The Kickstarter campaign was incredibly successful and made the game possible. A tactical RPG combined with 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, Solasta measures up against similar games such as Baldur's ...

25May

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews

King Of Seas Review

King of Seas is developed by 3D clouds, and they have brought us a single-player open-world RPG. They previously made car-based games so have leapt to sailing the seven seas. They, alongside Team17, a well-known indie publisher who previously brought us the Overcooked! series and Worms WMD. Following the popularity of games such as Sea of Thieves, the pirate genre is growing. And I believe that King of Seas is only the most recent addition to the genre and is a quality one at that. King of Seas is available now on Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Series X|S, and PS4. If you're still deciding after my review you can find the preview to King of Seas written by Martin here. King of Seas - I'm the captain now! You begin King of Seas as a newly minted captain and playing in a third-pers...