Paul, Author at Thumb Culture

PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue – February Update

18Feb

By PaulNo Comments

PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue – February Update

February PlayStation Plus game catalogue update brings us several great titles, including a day one release. From galaxy-spanning adventures and 90s summer mysteries all the way to medieval warfare and Victorian puzzles, there's plenty of variety on offer this month. The games below are available on the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers from February 18th 2025. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage — Tape 1 | PS5 Genre: Adventure Longevity: Unknown | Trophies: 50 (incl Platinum) Metacritic: 84 | OpenCritic: 74 DON'T NOD return with a new teenage angst simulator in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. Journey between 1995 and 2022 Michigan as you piece together the mystery of one summer that changed the lives of 4 girls forever. As a fan of the Life is Strange series, I'm really excit...

17Feb

By PaulNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell – PS5 Review

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to close the book on the Momodora series of games, with Momodora: Moonlit Farewell. After spanning 5 games and almost 15 years, developer Guilherme Melo Martins aka rdein has decided to conclude the story with this latest entry. It's not often that I pick up a game at the end of a series without having played previous games, but in this case, Moonlit Farewell looked too good for me to pass up. Farewell, Momodora, I Hardly Knew Ye The Black Bell tolls ominously 13 times, beckoning death and darkness. Momo Reinol, high priestess of the village Koho, must track down the bellringer to stop the onslaught of demons. Can she find the malevolent culprit and secure safety for her village and for the precious Lun Tree? Gameplay The Basics A small tut...

Blue Prince Launching On PS+ & Xbox Game Pass

16Feb

By PaulNo Comments

News & Updates

Blue Prince Launching On PS+ & Xbox Game Pass

During February's PlayStation State of Play, indie game publisher Raw Fury and developer Dogubomb announced that their mysterious puzzle adventure game Blue Prince will be coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Spring 2025. In addition, Blue Prince will be available at launch through the PS+ Game Catalogue for Extra and Premium members, and as a day one release on Xbox Game Pass. This announcement is in addition to the already-announced Windows and Steam versions of Blue Prince for PC. Players can begin their mind-bending journey today by visiting Blue Prince’s page on Steam to play the demo and wishlist the game before release. Welcome to Mt. Holly, the mysterious manor with shifting rooms. In Blue Prince, you embark on a genre-defying experience, filled with a unique mix of...

16Feb

By PaulNo Comments

News & Updates

Spirit of the North 2 Gets Physical

Indie publisher Silver Lining Interactive announces a new partnership Infuse Studio to digitally publish Spirit of the North 2. This new publishing deal will also include the release of a stunning physical retail edition for PlayStation 5 and PC alongside the digital launch. As a lover of both indie games and physical media, and someone who enjoyed the first Spirit of the North game, this is great news. You can read my review of Spirit of the North's Enhanced Edition on PlayStation 5 here. Spirit of the North 2 Gets New Publishing Deal Spirit of the North 2 sees players take on the role of an isolated fox and its raven companion on a quest to restore the lost guardians and return home. As they bravely explore the Northern Isles, players will unveil the mysteries of a beautiful ancient wo...

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter – PS5 Review

7Feb

By Paul1 Comment

PlayStation Reviews

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter – PS5 Review

Following up on the success of Tails of Iron, Manchester based Odd Bug Studio has developed and released a sequel, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter. Published by United Label, it was released on 28th January 2025 on PC (Steam), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series S&X, and Switch. You can read our review of the first game in the series here. Whiskers of Winter by Stuart R.R. Little The story begins with a little history lesson. In the not too distant past, The North had fought a vicious war against the Darkwings, The War of The Rift. Eventually, the warden of Winter's Edge had done enough to win that war, and peace had followed. A long enough peace for the Rats of The North to forget about the Darkwings. Unbeknownst to them, their enemy had been rebuilding strength, and now once a...

6Feb

By PaulNo Comments

News & Updates

Just Crow Things Flies Onto PlayStation

Just Crow Things, the sandbox chaos simulator from Unbound Creations releases on PlayStation this March. Indie fans who game on PlayStation have definitely been treated well so far this year. Several titles finally making the transition onto the PlayStation store, including Botany Manor, Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip, and Berserk Boy. The backlog grows, friends. In Just Crow Things, you're a little crow trying to prove herself to the world. Make new animal friends, poop on unsuspecting “hoomans”, and steal all the shiny trinkets! Each level is a full of fun items to discover and puzzles to solve, while leaving a bit of chaos behind. You can check out our review of the PC release here. Caw-s Chaos Like Crow-nly You Can You are a lonely crow whose family heirloom was stolen! Alebit in a le...

30Jan

By PaulNo Comments

News & Updates

Is This Seat Taken? – Cosy Game Reveal

The Wholesome Games publishing label, Wholesome Games Presents, and developer Poti Poti Studios have just announced Is This Seat Taken?, a hilarious logic puzzler coming to Steam, Google Play, and the App Store. It's a game that gives me the same chill vibes as Wilmot's Warehouse, I couldn't wishlist it fast enough. Solve Seating Sadness Is This Seat Taken? is a heartfelt puzzle adventure, all about finding yourself and fitting in, that will have you wondering, “Does this person really smell that bad?” Players can find their perfect seats in an upcoming public Steam demo available February 10th. Window seat or aisle? Booth or table? Lone wolf or life of the party? In Is This Seat Taken?, your mission is to organize groups of people according to their preferences. It’s a cosy, no-press...

28Jan

By PaulNo Comments

News & Updates

Botany Manor Takes Root On PlayStation

Starting today, the stately manor doors of Botany Manor are now open on PlayStation consoles. In the critically acclaimed botanical puzzle game, you’ll be able to explore a historical English homestead. Discover a lifetime of memorabilia and Research on a whole new platform. Uncover long-forgotten seeds and help each rare plant grow by piecing together clues and solving puzzles. Grow Your Indie Puzzle Game Collection Today The enduring estate of Botany Manor is home to retired botanist Arabella Greene. She has amassed a collection of rare, long-forgotten plants, over her career. These plants require some research to help them live again. Play as Arabella and explore the stunning historic manor and its grounds. Determine the correct set of circumstances to help the flora flourish by looki...

28Jan

By PaulNo Comments

Features

Backlog Busting With Bug – #1

At the start of 2025 I have renewed my commitment to attacking my gaming backlog. I have a wide-ranging taste in video games, which results in me wanting to play lots of releases and simply not having the time or funds to do so. Even so, I have amassed a sizeable collection of games, both physically and digitally, and in this feature series I intend to tackle as many as I can. Every so often, I'll report back with thoughts on the games that I've completed. Hopefully by the end of the year I'll have reduced my pile significantly. If there's a game in here you think I should be prioritising, let me know in the comments and I'll try bump it up the list. Alternatively, I've listed most of my backlog, including digital titles, here. A Noble Quest Begins January started off fairly produ...

14Jan

By PaulNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Universe For Sale – PS5 Review

Universe For Sale is a multi award-winning narrative point-and-click adventure from small Italian indie studio Tmesis Studio. Originally released on PC in November 2023, Akupara Games has now extended that to Xbox, PlayStation, Switch. The game is also available on mobile devices via Apple Store and Google Play Store. For the purposes of this review, I've been playing on the PlayStation 5. Drops Of Jupiter In a small colony situated in the clouds of Jupiter lives Lila, a young woman with the amazing gift of being able to conjure universes from mundane ingredients. Universe For Sale explores the story of Lila meeting a mysterious stranger who has an odd fascination with her. The stranger is part of a space-cult in which members sever body parts in order to reach enlightenment. Who is t...