Olivia Houlton, Author at Thumb Culture

The Rise of the Golden Idol & DLC – PC Review

12Mar

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

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...

27Sep

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Cat Rescue Story – PS5 Review

Are you a lover of cats? Cat Rescue Story is the newest game from developer and publisher Nacon. Build your purrfect cat rescue sanctuary from the ground up, with some trouble along the way. Cat Rescue Story is now available on the PlayStation Store and retailers for £31.99. The cat's pajamas! Gameplay Cat Rescue Story begins with your great aunt Olivia disappearing, leaving you with a beautiful, yet run-down house. The goal for the player is to fix up the rescue whilst also taking in all kinds of stray cats. The more you renovate and decorate, the more room you will have for even more cats. And in complete honesty, you can never have too many cats. Cat Rescue Story boasts over 50 breeds throughout the game. From breeds we know and love, such as the Tabby Cat, to special breads such a...

23Sep

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Football Referee Simulator – PC Review

Are you ready to become the best? Football Referee Simulator is the newest simulation game from developer and publisher Vladimir Pliashkun. Put yourself in the shoes of an up-and-coming referee and make decisions that could change the game. Football Referee Simulator is available to buy now on Steam for £0.89! You've got a new job! Gameplay Football Referee Simulator puts players are put into the referee's shoes, playing a pivotal role in the outcome. You begin your journey in the lower divisions of the game, with one dream; to ascend to legendary status in the refereeing world. With that legendary status comes the hope that one day, you will oversee competition finals. There is a multitude of leagues and tournaments to enable this dream. The game itself features over 100 diverse club...