Stuart, Author at Thumb Culture

26Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Monster Jam Showdown – PS5 Review

Monster Jam Showdown releases this week and with it comes a lot of interested fans of the monster truck series. Developed and published by Milestone, the game aims to deliver an experience as close to the real thing as possible, without getting into the driving seat. Releasing across all platforms, PlayStation, Xbox, PC and the Switch, get ready to take these 12,000-pound (weight) machines into the arena. This Game Is Jam Packed If you are a fan of Monster Trucks, keep reading to the end for something a bit different. Oh, don't forget to let us know which truck is your favourite! You'll never guess mine. Gameplay When you start up Monster Jam Showdown you get put straight into a nice easy to follow tutorial. Teaching you some of the basics in one of the three trucks that you are given ...

22Aug

By Stuart1 Comment

VR Reviews

Toy Trains VR – Quest 3 Review

Toy Trains VR is incredible. There I've said it right from the get-go. End of the review, c'mon everyone let's go back to playing Toy Trains VR. What? You want to read more about why I believe this is one of the best uses of VR out there? Well as the review train pulls into Thumb Culture station, make sure you've got your ticket as we head out on this journey. Let's Keep This Review On Track Something Random both developed and published this track-building puzzler. However, they did not condone the use of train puns. That being said, I'm going to do my best to throw as many puns into this review as possible. Let us know in the comments how many you found. Don't worry they shouldn't derail the review. Gameplay What Something Random have created with Toy Trains VR is nothing short of ...

Terra Alia: A Multilingual Adventure – Quest 3 Review

20Aug

By StuartNo Comments

VR Reviews

Terra Alia: A Multilingual Adventure – Quest 3 Review

Are you looking for something totally different? Well, look no further than Terra Alia, an enchanting game where technology, magic and language mix into an immersive experience. Think Duolingo, but on steroids and in VR! Developed and published by 30 Parallel Inc, at the time of writing the game was on sale on the Meta Store at just under £8. What an absolute bargain for an interactive learning experience. I mean who doesn't love learning when its gamified! Pick Your Language If you are looking to learn a new language, then let us know whether Terra Alia takes your fancy in the comments. Gameplay In essence, Terra Alia looks to help you learn one of ten different languages. It just takes you on an enchanting journey in the process. Starting off just like any other game, firstly you ...

14Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Features

Monster Jam Showdown – Dev Interview

Following on from our invite to the Monster Jam Showdown Press Event last month we had the opportunity to ask the developers of the upcoming Monster Jam Showdown game some questions. We were lucky enough to put these to Milestone Italy's Game Director, Federico Spada. Even the TC Mini Crew got involved. And yes, they asked the important questions. Check out the interview below. How has the development of MJS differed from other Milestone games such as Hot Wheels? Monster Jam Showdown brought completely new challenges to the development team. One of the main differences is that Monster Jam trucks are real, whilst Hot Wheels are toys, so players have some expectations about their driving experience. Even if driving a Monster Jam truck is a privilege only a few people on ...

12Aug

By StuartNo Comments

VR Reviews

On Point – Quest 3 Preview

VR Shooters are ten to a penny, but something that isn't common is one that brings up that feeling of nostalgia. On Point from Actuator Digital does just that! Released recently into early access on both Steam VR and Meta Quest, via App Lab, the game looks to help you relive some arcade memories. All while playing from your living room. Say What Again! Can a VR game really invoke that much emotion? Can it compare to a game that I spent possibly hundreds of pounds on in the arcade? Will On Point be the messiah that brings me back to VR? Gameplay Firing up the game you are transported into a classic arcade, complete with cabinets all around. Unfortunately, you can't actually play all of these as they are currently stuck inside a barriered-off area. Moving away from the this, in front of ...

9Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Razer Blackshark V2 Pro Headset Review

Razer, Razer, Razer, what are you doing to our bank accounts? If you could stop releasing awesome pieces of hardware that would be excellent. What's that? No?! Fine! If you wondered what they've done this time, all I will say is Blackshark V2 Pro. Now it does come with a hefty price tag of £200, but surely you get what you pay for? Gimme an R, Gimme an A...You Know The Rest Razer has added to the Blackshark V2 line, and the addition is glorious! So let's dive in and find out if the new Blackshark V2 Pro is the headset for you! Headset First up, let's talk about the rest of the V2 lineup of headsets and just why you should save your pennies up and get the Pro. Starting at the low end of the line, and low by no means that it isn't worth a purchase. You have the V2 X, with a fixed microph...

Nacon Revolution 5 Pro Controller Review

7Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Nacon Revolution 5 Pro Controller Review

By now everyone has heard of Nacon, right? Just in case you haven't let me give you the 411. They create some great pieces of hardware, including the Daija Arcade Stick, the Revolution X Pro and the RIG 500 Pro headset to name a few. And they've done it again! Nacon have hit us with the Revolution 5 Pro controller and we were lucky enough to get some time with one of the limited samples. Let's Get To Grips With so many 'Pro' controllers out there, what makes this one stand out above the rest? Let's unbox and find out! In The Box When you open up your box you are greeted with a nice fabric case that helps keep your controller secure. Open this up and you get your first glimpse at the Revolution 5 Pro controller in all its glory. This controller has a 3m long braided cable, to allow you ...

6Aug

By StuartNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Over the Top WWI – PC Preview

Over the Top WWI is as you have guessed, a World War 1 shooter. Akin to Battlefield 1, you set about some visceral battles with on foot infantry as well as vehicles. Over The Top isn't just the name of the game If you're a fan of shooters and a fan of World War 1, then this might just be the game you have been looking to add to your library. Let's take a look at some of the features in this heart-pumping preview. Gameplay So you might think that this section is going to be short for a shooter. Well, you'd be incredibly wrong! There are so many strings to the proverbial bow of Over The Top WWI that just covering a few is probably doing it a disservice. On the other hand we want to keep this a nice brief overview of a preview. So we will do our best. Heading from the main menu int...

Monster Jam Showdown Press Event Roundup

25Jul

By StuartNo Comments

Features

Monster Jam Showdown Press Event Roundup

Through my time running Thumb Culture, I have been to many press events. Running around herding sheep, watching motocross bikes fly through the air, a banquet dinner at Warwick Castle. One thing that these did not have though... Monster Trucks! The amazing people at Plaion and Milestone Italy invited us to not only see Monster Jam Live at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, but to get our hands on their upcoming title Monster Jam Showdown too. What made it even more incredible, was that the aforementioned amazing people, also allowed the TC Mini Crew to come along! We packed our bags, got the Mini Crew dressed in some Monster Truck outfits, headed off along the Motorway! Once in Cardiff we headed straight to the Principality Stadium to meet the Plaion team members and get our Pit Part...

GameSir Eneba G7 Special Edition Controller Review

1Jul

By StuartNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

GameSir Eneba G7 Special Edition Controller Review

Here at Thumb Culture we're always keen to try out new hardware. So when we were contacted to see if we wanted to try out the new GameSir G7 SE, we knew we had to say yes! Getting to grips with the controller was easy. Straight out the box it was perfect. Plug and play at its finest. Anyone familiar enough with the traditional Xbox layout design will have an easy time with this controller. Features Let's dive into some of the more finer details about the GameSir G7 SE. The controller comes with a super durable 3m long braided cable. Which is great news, as the controller itself is compatible with both Xbox consoles, as well as your Windows PC. Meaning there is plenty of length no matter where you sit when gaming! Alongside this, to ensure that you have precise control when gamin...