Olivia Houlton, Author at Thumb Culture

4Apr

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Pets Hotel – PS5 Review

Games Incubator is back with its newest simulation game, Pets Hotel. As it suggests in the name, you become the owner and manager of your very own pet hotel. Originally, the PC version of this game was released in April 2023. However, after positive reviews, Games Incubator has dipped its paws into the PlayStation realm. Will your hotel be paw-some? Pets Hotel is now available to buy on the PlayStation Store for £17.99. However, as previously stated, you can also buy it on Steam if you are more of a PC player! Gameplay Before we get into the core of the game, the best way to learn all about this game is through the tutorials. These tutorials give you the tools that you need to ensure that you can run your pet hotel. This includes teaching the player how to take bookings, care for the a...

14Mar

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Features, LEGO

LEGO F1 Speed Champions Set Review

As a massive fan of F1, I was overjoyed to hear that the partnership between F1 and Lego was unveiled in November 2024. Now, in March 2025, I have finally been able to get my hands on the Speed Champions line up. With the F1 season beginning on Sunday 16th, there is no better way to get your F1 fix now. Each Speed Champions set can be brought now, setting you back £22.99 each. Do you like fast cars? The Speed Champions line-up, alongside its LEGO City, LEGO DUPLO, and LEGO Collectibles companions, are the first step in this multi-year partnership. This line-up caters to an entire fan-base, which Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer of Formula 1, shares this excitement: "Formula 1 and the LEGO Group are proud to unveil the first product range of our partnership. This fantastic range ca...

The Rise of the Golden Idol & DLC – PC Review

12Mar

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

The Rise of the Golden Idol & DLC – PC Review

The Golden Idol is back with the newest instalment from Latvian studio Color Gray Games and publisher Playstack. The Rise of the Golden Idol is a direct sequel to 2022's The Case of the Golden Idol. However, this time you are transported to the roaring 1970s to solve crime. The base game was originally released in November 2024, however, we at Thumb Culture have been lucky to receive the base game and its newest DLC: The Sins of New Wells. Available on Steam the base game will cost you around £17, whilst this first DLC is £5. Have you got your detective's hat on? There is an abundance of detective style games out there to enjoy, but does The Rise of the Golden Idol beat them? Let me know your thoughts below! Gameplay The Rise of the Golden Idol follows on the events of its predeces...

7Mar

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Mini Market Design – Switch Review

Mini Market Design is the latest cosy game on our screens. Developed and published by RedDeerGames, the game is now available on the Nintendo store for £8.09. I am a big fan of all things cosy, so I was excited to get my hands on this game. What will you build? Are you a big fan of the cosy-type games? If so, let me know of your favourite down below. In the meantime, let's find out what Mini Market Design is all about! Gameplay As expected, Mini Market Design is a creative sandbox game where you can design and decorate your mini markets. You begin by choosing from 8 different unique store layouts. While they are all 'mini' in nature, they offer variety in size. It is up to you to decide if you stay with the ultimate mini market, or do you test the limits of what is mini. Once you h...

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator Delivery Driver DLC – PC Review

24Feb

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator Delivery Driver DLC – PC Review

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator returns with a new expansion, Delivery Driver. Published by Nacon and developed by Simteract, Taxi Life originally drove into our libraries March 2024. Almost a year into the journey, we now welcome the first expansion. Available on all platforms, this expansion pack will cost you between £7.99 - £8.50 depending on platform. Beep, beep! Have you played the original game? If you haven't, check out my review of the base game to help make your decision! Gameplay The Delivery Driver DLC offers new timed missions, whereby the player needs to deliver packages. To start these missions, you can drive to one of the new warehouse icons highlighted on the map. There you will be faced with a showcasing of different deliveries. These missions will all be diff...

The Executive: Movie Industry Tycoon – PC Review

13Feb

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

The Executive: Movie Industry Tycoon – PC Review

The Executive - Movie Industry Tycoon is the latest release from Goblinz Publishing and Aniki Games. This management game depicts your journey from a small studio to a Hollywood Giant. Discover this new take on the management genre by buying now on Steam. Produce your dream movie! Gameplay The journey begins with being the founder of a brand-new production company. Allowing you to produce the movies you have always dreamed of. As shown in the above image, how you gain your status is completely up to you. Will you have it fed to you on a silver spoon? Or will you gain acclaim through the traditional loan route? Once you decide, you are thrust into a world of ambition, rivalry and domination. Every decision you make impacts your movie's critical acclaim and box office potential. Ther...

11Feb

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

DeTechtive 2112 – PC Review

DeTechtive 2112 is a story-driven action adventure that follows a mystery over a unique array of maps. Created by M11 Studio & 5Deniz, and published by Indie.io, DeTechtive 2112 is available now on Steam for £8.74. However, if you want to experience other work by M11 Studio, bundles with previous games may pique your interest. How will you solve the case? The first game of the year for me to review has me taking the role of a detective in the dystopian future of 2112. So let's get into it. Gameplay DeTechtive 2112 begins by introducing you to the protagonist, Detective Matthew Wallace. Instantly you are drawn to the secrets Matthew may be hiding, as he is confronted as soon as the game begins. After collecting back your belongings, you are then thrown into the cases that make y...

3Dec

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Switch Reviews

MySims: Cozy Bundle – Switch Review

Are you ready to get into your cosy pyjamas and make some adorable friends? Well, you are in luck! With the release of MySims: Cozy Bundle, there is double the fun. Rediscover the charm of two classic MySims games: My Sims & MySims Kingdom. MySims: The Cozy Bundle is available now on Switch for £34.99, depending on the Nintendo Store. Will you help save the town? We first covered the news of this release back in August and have been looking forward to it ever since. Have you played MySims or MySims: Kingdom before? Let me know your thoughts and feelings about this re-release down below in the comments! Gameplay Originally released in 2007, the MySims franchise is a chibi-styled spin-off from the main Sims franchise. Capitalizing on the popularity of Animal Crossing, Electronic...

25Oct

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Tiny House Simulator – PC Preview

Thanks to the team over at Far From Sky, I have had the chance to play a demo of their debut creation, Tiny House Simulator. Set on an idyllic island, the goal is to grow your budding tiny house business. Tiny House Simulator is due to release in early access on the 5th of November. However, you can now play the demo to get a feel for the gameplay and the mechanics. How tiny will your home be? Gameplay Tiny House Simulator houses a warm and inviting world, where you watch tiny houses come to life. It is a playground of possibilities, with each home being a reflection of both your creativity, but also a reflection of the personalities of your clients. This could be a cosy cabin deep into the woods or a bright and breezy haven by the sea. It is your job to craft and customise these hom...

23Oct

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Just Dance 2025 Edition – Switch Review

Do you enjoy dancing your heart out? Then, Just Dance 2025 may be the game for you! Developed and published by Ubisoft, it is the sixteenth instalment in the main Just Dance series. Just Dance 2025 is already out on Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S as of the 15th. Get your dancing shoes on! As the name of the game suggests, you just need to dance. Whether good or bad at dancing, the game caters to your ability. Have you played any of the Just Dance series games? Let me know in the comments how Just Dance 2025 compares to the rest of the 16 instalments. Gameplay Just Dance 2025 follows the same pattern as its predecessor, with the addition of several new enhancements. It continues to expand on being a light hearted gameplayer experience. Making exercise fun, whilst also enabling the ab...