Olivia Houlton, Author at Thumb Culture

16Sep

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

Rue Valley – PC Preview

Rue Valley is a narrative RPG developed by Emotion Spark Studio and published by Owlcat Games. There is currently no release date yet, but the game is available to wishlist on Steam right now. If you can't wait, there is also a demo of the game that can be played right now. Find out the truth The journey begins with an introduction to a male protagonist, who is currently undergoing counselling. It is not known at this point what the story holds. However, it is not long before you realise something is not as it seems. Gameplay At its core, Rue Valley has the player explore and collect memories to try to decipher why they are stuck in a time loop. The time loop itself begins at 20:00 hours and finishes at 20:47. It is within this short time that you need to unravel the mystery. You a...

Remedy and Annapurna Announce Project Collaboration

29Aug

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

News & Updates

Remedy and Annapurna Announce Project Collaboration

Remedy and Annapurna have today announced a strategic partnership. Both companies will be working together on the development of Control 2 as well as taking the Control and Alan Wake franchises to film, TV and beyond. This is exciting news for fans. Not only do we get the news that Control 2 is in development, but there is also potential Film/TV projects for Alan Wake and Control. Now that's a lot to process. Control 2 Annapurna will work alongside Remedy as a co-production and co-financing partner. This partnership enables the team to make exactly the game they want it to be. We don't know much more than this at the moment. Aside that the Control 2 development team is already working on the game. And that Remedy are gong to be publishing the game themselves. Seems there will be a wai...

Tiebreak: Official game of the ATP and WTA – PC Review

28Aug

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Tiebreak: Official game of the ATP and WTA – PC Review

Tiebreak, developed by Big Ant Studios and published by Nacon, is the latest tennis simulation game to enter the arena. This is the newest game in Big Ant Studios' repertoire, with them being the masterminds behind AO Tennis. Having been in early access since January, Tiebreak has made the jump to a full release. Available across all consoles and PC, the game will cost you around £35-50 depending on platform. Is Tiebreak a Grand Slam? If you have played Tiebreak, we'd love to hear what you enjoyed! If you are yet to play, we hope that this review can help you towards making a decision. Either way, drop a comment below and share your thoughts! Gameplay With sports simulation games, there is a variety of game modes to explore. Tiebreak is no exception. It bolsters a career mode, tour...

2Aug

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Minds Beneath Us – PC Review

Minds Beneath Us is a single-player sci-fi narrative game from BearBoneStudio. It is based on the backdrop of a futuristic Asian city where AI has become fully automated, with a mysterious conspiracy unavailing. Will you unravel the mystery? Minds Beneath Us is a complex story-driven game now available on Steam at an introductory price of £15.07. If you are in two minds about playing Minds Beneath Us, then keep on reading. Gameplay Minds Beneath Us begins with an introduction to Jason Dai, a run-of-the-mill type of guy. Quickly, you learn that you are the rogue consciousness that has infiltrated his mind. Known as M.B.U, you take control of Jason, turning his boring life upside down. Using Taiwan as its muse, BearBoneStudio have created a cyber-punk world as its backdrop. Society h...

True Colours A Date With Deception – PS5 Review

22Jul

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

True Colours A Date With Deception – PS5 Review

True Colours - A Date With Deception is a single-player visual novel narrative game from developer Borealis and EastAsisaSoft. Is this a cute visual novel about the pursuit of happiness? Or will you become entangled in a web of lies and deceit? Will you seek redemption? True Colours - A Date With Deception was originally released for PC in quarter 4 of last year. However, it can now be brought on all major platforms for approximately £10. Due to the nature of the game, I will try my best not to spoil anything. But please be warned that there will be some light spoilers. Gameplay With True Colours - A Date With Deception being a visual novel, this means that there is minimal gameplay. It is simple in the fact you continuously press the x button to progress through the game. Occasionally...

21May

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Little Kitty, Big City – PC Review

Using one of my nine lives, I recently took a tumble into Double Dagger Studios' debut release, Little Kitty, Big City. A platformer and puzzle game released on the 9th of May on PC. It's also available on Xbox Game Pass to anyone with a valid membership. Will You Land On Your Feet? A cosy and relaxing game, with an abundance of mischief. It will not be long until you snigger at destroying a copious amount of plant pots. Gameplay Your adventure begins with a very cute kitty enjoying a nap in the brisk sunshine. However, it doesn't take long until that is rudely interrupted. Next thing you know, you are catching a ride with a crow! Unfortunately for this kitty, your apartment, where you were just sleeping, is not easy to get to. Therefore making it your main mission to return the kitty ...

17Apr

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

House Flipper 2 – PS5 Review

Building on solid foundations from the first game that was released in 2018, the development team at Frozen District have brought us a new addition to the House Flipper series. House Flipper 2 is available to buy now on Xbox and PlayStation for an average £34.99. Of course, it can be brought on PC, however, this version was released in December 2023. Will you become a property brother? Since House Flipper 2 was announced, I have been incredibly excited to play. This has been highly anticipated by the House Flipper community. It's great to see the best parts of the original game taken and improved. Let me know in the comments if you are enjoying the new game! Gameplay Moving back into your parent's house isn't everyone's dream, but the sleepy town of Pinnacove is your new home. The res...

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator – PC Review

26Mar

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator – PC Review

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is the newest addition to the simulation genre. Developed by Simteract who pride themselves on premium simulation games, and published by Nacon. The game is an introduction to the highs and lows of being a taxi driver in the bustling city of Barcelona. Launched on the 7th of March 2024, this game is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Realistic? This game revolves around, you guessed it, being a Taxi driver. You climb into the driver's seat of your car and the start of your business. Will you create a Taxi empire? Let me know below how you got on with the game! Gameplay As simple as the game may seem, it does have a lot to offer. You begin your journey with a driving test. In no way similar to those that we are used to, i...

29Feb

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Furnish Master – PC Review

A new interior design game has entered. Developed and published by Alex Blintsov and is available on Steam for between £10 - 15. Furnish Master has exceeded my expectations already, and I am excited to see how Alex Blinstov continues to improve an already amazing interior design game. Furnish Master is available on Tuesday 20th of February with it being released in early access. Are you ready to get your furnish design on? I came across Furnish Master completely by chance when scrolling through Steam for a new game. When I watched the trailer, I was instantly drawn. Having played the game, my excitement has not wavered. Please let me know by leaving a comment below if you are excited to play Furnish Master. What are you most excited to try? Gameplay Furnish Master is a single-pl...

Sims 4: For Rent Expansion Pack – PC Review

10Jan

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Sims 4: For Rent Expansion Pack – PC Review

Simmers rejoice! The development team at Electronic Arts have brought us a new expansion pack; The Sims 4 For Rent. In this expansion pack players will now be able to build residential rentals that enable creativity with multi-family dwellings. The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack is available to buy now on Xbox, PlayStation and PC for £34.99. EA has also added an early purchase incentive. You can bring the night market flavour home with a bonus grill cart, a street umbrella and a fruit basket if you order the For Rent Expansion Pack between November 2nd and January 18th. Are you ready to own a property empire? Since it was announced, I've been incredibly excited to play The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack and I know I'm not alone. This expansion pack has been highly anticipated by the Sims...