Olivia Houlton, Author at Thumb Culture

24Nov

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Superhero Simulator – PC Preview

Superhero Simulator is a single-player simulation game that has entered early access, brought to you by developer and publisher mightyracoon! Studios, you are given the opportunity to become the hero that Goldpine City needs. Do you have what it takes to become a superhero? Is it a bird, is it a plane? Being an avid fan of Marvel, I jumped at the opportunity to play Superhero Simulator. While it doesn’t have the backing of the likes of Insomniac’s Spider-Man series, it could be a great addition to the superhero genre of games. While I will be talking about the positives and negatives of the game, it must be remembered that this game is in early access. I am reviewing the game based on what is there currently. However, the mightyracoon! Studios have a clear plan for their development, ...

22Nov

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Contraband Police – PS5 Review

Contraband Police is a first-person simulation game developed by Crazy Rocks, a small indie team from Poland. Transported back to 1981, it is your job to stop smuggling, corruption, and forgery. Contraband Police is available now on the PlayStation Store for £24.99. Ready for duty? Using my real-life skills as a Police Detective, will I be able to become the best border guard inspector the Acarist People's Republic has ever seen? Join me to find out & let me know how you've fared! Gameplay In Contraband Police, you are a young trainee officer assigned to work a border post in the mountain region of Karitkatka. The year is 1981, with entry into the Acarist People's Republic being strictly regulated. Every move is monitored. In this new post, it is your job to ensure that entry i...

28Oct

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

House Builder 2 – PC Preview

Built on the foundations made by House Builder in 2024, House Builder 2 paves its way into the simulation genre. Developed by FreeMind S.A. and published by PlayWay S.A., House Builder 2 is available now on Steam. Let's Get Building! House Builder 2 was released in early access, with the intention of developing it using feedback from its players. Therefore, this preview is based on its current early access state. Gameplay As the name suggests, the premise is, of course, to build houses! While the first task gives you a teeny introduction into the game by building fences, it isn’t long until you are chucked into the deep end. By the second task, you are well on your way to building your first house. After being given the blueprints of what the customer wants, you then need to trave...

Architect Life: A House Design Simulator – PC Review

22Jun

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Architect Life: A House Design Simulator – PC Review

Have you ever wanted to design your dream house? Then, Shine Research's latest game, Architect Life: A House Design Simulator, is for you! This is Shine Research's first delve into the simulator genre, and with the help of publisher Nacon, they have produced a smashing game. Luckily for you guys, Architect Life is available to buy now on Steam. Time To Design Before we begin the review, please share your thoughts in the comments section below! Gameplay As the game name suggests, the plot has you learn the trials and tribulations of becoming an architect. Whether that be through building your own dream home, or one for your clients. I immediately thrusted myself into career mode, learning on the go. Within career mode, you create an architectural firm, whereby clients come to you to...

12Jun

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Date Everything! – PC Review

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to date your fridge? Well, you are in luck! Sassy Chap Games have burst onto the scene with their debut title, Date Everything! A dating simulator with a unique twist that will be sure to raise eyebrows. Date Everything! will be coming to Steam on June 17th. However, if you pre-purchase before this date, you will receive a 10% discount. Is there anything you can't date? Let me know in the comments who your favourite datable item is! Gameplay Upon starting the game you immediately find out your degree in customer service is useless, after you lose your job to AI. Which feels a little too real in this day and age. However, all seems to be ok when a stranger sends you a gift. Unwrapping this mysterious gift, you are presented with a pair of...

30May

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Copycat – PS5 Review

Long-time cat lover? Or hoping that the Cat Distribution System chooses you next? Then the Spoonful of Wonders narrative adventure game, Copycat, may be for you! The PC version was released in September 2024, which was reviewed at the time by our resident writer Alex. Copycat has now jumped onto other systems, with the PS5 version releasing on 29th May 2025. And that's what I'll be reviewing today! Is Copycat paw-some? Is the PS5 version any different to the PC version? Let's find out! Gameplay Although the game focuses on our feline friend, the journey begins by introducing you to our human protagonist, Olive. Olive is an elderly lady who lives alone in the Australian suburbs. As highlighted by the cat adoption centre employee, Olive has just lost her furry friend and has come to ...

4Apr

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

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...