TC Staff Writer, Author at Thumb Culture

The Games That Have Helped Us During Lockdown (So Far!)

15May

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

The Games That Have Helped Us During Lockdown (So Far!)

Well, what a year 2020 has been so far! I think it's fair to say no one expected things to go the way they have. More than anything, whilst we're in lockdown, we hope you all staying safe, staying healthy, and staying positive. Everyone has gone through their own difficulties over the last few weeks, and whilst we may now have a road map for getting life back to normal (whatever shape normal will be after this), we've still got to someway to go. Here at Thumb Culture, we're all trying to get through this situation as best as we can. Thanks to our passion for gaming, it's made that journey a little bit easier. So let's take a moment to praise the amazing work developers, creators, and publishers have put in. Or at least those we can pry away from Animal Crossing. Stuart S So, during ...

Trials Of Mana Review – The Mana Comes Around

13May

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Trials Of Mana Review – The Mana Comes Around

Legendary RPG developers Square released Secret of Mana released on the Super Nintendo in 1993. While considered by many to be an RPG classic, disappointing sales led to its sequel, known in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3, never being localised for English-speaking audiences. Fans have made valiant efforts to translate the fairly substantial script but until very recently the game has not been widely available to Western audiences who weren't cool with emulation. This has all changed with the release of Collection of Mana, a compilation of the original trilogy of games, in which Seiken Densetsu 3 was renamed Trials of Mana. Now a fully 3D Trials of Mana is here to satisfy those with a hankering for the polygonal. It released on Switch, Playstation 4 and Microsoft Windows on April 24 2020, with...

Saints Row IV Re-Elected Review – The Resurrection of a Saint?

12May

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Saints Row IV Re-Elected Review – The Resurrection of a Saint?

The Saints Row series of games have a relatively illustrious history, first launching in 2008 as a respectable take on Grand Theft Auto, before spawning a number of sequels which got progressively more wacky. Unfortunately, my mum wouldn't let me play violent games back in those days (I only got to play Bomberman when I moved out of the family home at 25), so I never got to experience the franchise on release. As such, when the chance came up to review Saints Row IV Re-Elected on the Switch, I jumped at it. I'm actually the perfect person to review this game, I reckon, as I've no previous experience of Saints Row games, and suspect this may be the same position that a lot of gamers who are considering Saints Row IV Re-Elected's purchase on the Switch may hold as well. You can, therefore,...

SNK Gals’ Fighters Review – Girls Just Wanna Have Fights

12May

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Retrogaming Corner

SNK Gals’ Fighters Review – Girls Just Wanna Have Fights

It's hasn't always been the easiest road for SNK. Despite creating some legendary titles and systems, they've typically found themselves in second place to something else. Fighting games - Street Fighter was top dog, and no matter how good the Neo Geo Pocket was, it just couldn't match the behemoth of a system that was the Gameboy. Fortunately, in today's digital age, cult classics and oddball titles stuck to one system have a second (or third, fourth, fifth...) chance to reach an audience they couldn't before. SNK Gals' Fighters is one of these oddball titles, which unless your Mastermind specialist subject is fighting games, the chances are you won't know anything about. Originally released in 2000, this title brought together the ladies of SNK Fighting games to duke it out in your po...

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED] – Flashback to Another World

11May

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Uncategorised

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED] – Flashback to Another World

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED] claims to be a remake of a lost 1987 title but don't be fooled. This is not a remaster but rather a reinterpretation of adventure games of the 80s. Those of us who remember classics such as Another World, Flashback and Prince of Persia will instantly be aware of what the title will entail. However, does the genre need to be resurrected and will the mechanics work with modern audiences? Gameplay You are a pilot that has crashed onto a strange world. In order to escape, you need to gather parts to fix your ship. Each part is located in three distinct and uniquely designed worlds. Not only are they visually different, but the gameplay mechanics also alter on each making each area feel distinct. Whether you are mowing down enemies, sneaking past creatures...

John Wick Hex Review – Every Dog Has It’s Day

6May

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

John Wick Hex Review – Every Dog Has It’s Day

Given the nature of the John Wick franchise, it comes as no surprise that the blockbuster film would hand the license over to a video game developer. We have seen and experienced countless crossover titles but unfortunately, the majority of them lack the quality and passion that the source material deserves. This is why I was shocked to learn that the immensely talented Mike Bithell and his team were developing John Wick Hex, a prequel to the film series. Could this crossover hit the bullseye or will it miss the target? Gameplay John Wick is about relentless action at a break-neck speed. He floats between enemies and orchestrates a symphony of death in an instance. John Wick Hex successfully replicates the glorious violence in a considered, tactical, and cerebral manner. Each miss...

Streets of Rage 4 Review – Floor Chicken Is Back On The Menu

29Apr

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews, Retrogaming Corner

Streets of Rage 4 Review – Floor Chicken Is Back On The Menu

It's been a long 26 years for fans of the classic beat 'em up series, but finally, Streets of Rage is back! Constant rumours and rebooted projects have given plenty of hope for a fourth title, but it just never materialised. Now that's all changed. Published and developed by Dotemu (alongside Lizardcube, and Guard Crush Games), Streets of Rage 4 hits PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Steam on April 30th. As some of my earliest gaming memories involved taking every chance to shun my Super Nintendo, sneak into my brother's room and take down Mr X as many times as possible, you better believe I jumped at the chance to dive back into the city. The all-time classic Streets of Rage, known as Bare Knuckle (ベア・ナックル Bea Nakkuru) in Japan, is a trilogy of beat ‘em up known for this timeless...

23Apr

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Uncategorised

Moving Out Review – PIVOT!

Packing its bags and setting up residence on the Nintendo Switch is Moving Out. Taking inspiration from the fantastic Overcooked, the crazy, chaotic multiplayer is available on April 28th but is this worth the relocation fee? Gameplay You work for a professional removal service and your task is simple. You need to ensure that the identified items are moved from the house (or other crazy locations) to your truck. Although this may sound simple, I guarantee you, it isn't. As a family, we sat together, joy-cons in hand, excited to experience the co-op fun. Smiles beamed across the kids’ faces as the bright lights of the title screen sparkled in their innocent eyes. 5 minutes later… “I said grab the f**king sofa! Come on! Pivot! PIVOT!” At this point, I realised that the Mov...

Boot Hill Bounties Review – Joycon Wayne

20Apr

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Uncategorised

Boot Hill Bounties Review – Joycon Wayne

Yeeehaw friends. It's time to posse up with the JoyCon and ride into the sunset. Gunslinging has hit the Switch. Ok, so it's not quite the port at the top of everyone's wish list, but when I tell you Boot Hill Bounties is Red Dead Redemption crossed with Earthbound, you know to expect a hog-killin' time. Brought to us by Experimental Gamer Studios, Boot Hill Bounties is available now on Switch and Steam. Gameplay Describing a game as a retro RPG can mean a lot of things and will not paint the same picture for everyone. So, to give you a better idea of what you'll be playing, let me start by telling you Boot Hill Bounties comes directly from the school of Earthbound. The game is full of quirky characters, funny dialogue, and fourth wall breaking moments. But, it's not ...

Doom 64 Review – Left In Hell: The Forgotten Slayer

14Apr

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Doom 64 Review – Left In Hell: The Forgotten Slayer

Back in 1997, the world was going crazy for 3d. The Nintendo 64 was out, Mario 64 had changed the gaming landscape, and a behemoth of the First Person Shooter genre was released on the world - GoldenEye. In its wake, Doom 64 struggled to get the attention it truly deserved. Bethesda are now rectifying that with the re-release of the cult classic Doom 64, available now across all major platforms (PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch). Whether you're done ripping and tearing in Doom Eternal, or looking for something to hold you over until its Switch release, let's see if this forgotten release can stand up with its peers. Gameplay Doom 64 is a fast-paced shooter with a focus on movement, big guns, and all kinds of hellspawn trying to stop you from reaching the exit. So far, so Doom. And ...