TC Staff Writer, Author at Thumb Culture

4Mar

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Samurai Shodown Review – Perfect Strike

Over the last decade, the fighting genre has had a resurgence and re-established itself with the masses. Thanks to the success of Street Fighter IV, our favourite franchises have been rebooted and restored to much fanfare. From Mortal Kombat to King of the Fighters, aficionados of the genre have been spoilt with the vast selection of games available, however, is Samurai Shodown a cut above the rest? The franchise is steeped in history, and although the game has never been popular with the mainstream audience, it has always had a hardcore fanbase. Releasing on the Xbox One and Playstation 4 in June 2019, Samurai Shodown has now made its way to the portable phenomenon the Nintendo Switch. Gameplay Unlike many of the fighting games currently available, Samurai Shodown i...

Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Review – Speeding Fine!

3Mar

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Retrogaming Corner, Switch Reviews

Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Review – Speeding Fine!

Yes, you read right... this is a review of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, to be more precise. For the uninitiated, a little history... Back in 1991, when Sony made stereos and Microsoft made operating systems for PCs which would make your grandma's egg timer look fancy and cost the same as a small car, a fledgeling Sega was looking to challenge Nintendo in the console wars. Sega had struggled with the Master System, their attempt to replicate the success of the NES. Part of the reason for this was that Nintendo had an ace in the hole; (Super) Mario; a man whose chief personality traits to this day are having a moustache, wearing a hat and eating suspicious fungal things which fall out of the blocks he punches. Sega had nothing. Or, to be more accurate, they h...

Sega Ages: Puyo Puyo 2 Review – Retro Puzzling Fun

3Mar

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Retrogaming Corner, Switch Reviews

Sega Ages: Puyo Puyo 2 Review – Retro Puzzling Fun

What is a puyo? Collins dictionary defines it as a coarse woollen poncho, native to the southern cone of South America. Students of Korean history, meanwhile, may recognise Puyo as the name of an ancient kingdom centred in Manchuria. In Sega Ages: Puyo Puyo 2, a Puyo is er...a slimy blob of something. Fortunately for the gamers amongst us, this review will focus on the slimy blobs and not Argentinian outerwear (although if Thumbculture does offer up ponchos for review, I will be on them faster than a Clint Eastwood impersonator with cold shoulders). Anyway, enough small talk - Sega Ages: Puyo Puyo 2 is another release by developers M2 of a classic game from the past. So how does it hold it up after a couple of decades in the attic? Let's find out! Gameplay Honestly, there have ...

Two Point Hospital Review – I’ve Got A Bad Case Of Lovin’ You

2Mar

By TC Staff Writer1 Comment

PlayStation Reviews

Two Point Hospital Review – I’ve Got A Bad Case Of Lovin’ You

Back in the 90s, Bullfrog Productions were on top, creating hits, and making tidal waves with their Theme series. The first title Theme Park went on to receive countless rereleases, and multiple sequels. However, it's spiritual successor Theme Hospital remained a cult classic, and only ever received a smattering of ports. For years, fans have clamoured for a new entry, and whilst there's been pretenders, nothing has lived up to the heights set back in 1997. Until now. Two Point Hospital, created by Two Point Studios, is the sequel we always wanted. When the game's development is lead by Mark Webley and Gary Carr, two gentlemen responsible for the creation and direction of Theme Hospital, you can be sure it's worth booking an appointment. Originally released on PC in August 2018, Two ...

Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition Review – Heaven or Hell?

26Feb

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Retrogaming Corner, Switch Reviews

Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition Review – Heaven or Hell?

Fans of the hack and slash genre have enjoyed a slew of games over that last decade and now, icons such as Bayonetta are inherently linked with the genre. However, over the last year, Capcom decided to re-introduce the architect of the genre: Dante. On the back of the success of the fantastic Devil May Cry 5, Capcom has re-released the classic, and long considered the best hack and slash game: Devil May Cry 3, but will it evoke the inner demon or should have it been left back in 2005? Gameplay Acting as a prequel to Devil May Cry, this makes the game easily accessible to new fans of the franchise. Although the narrative isn't the game's selling point, it does tell an engaging story with incredibly slick action sequences and one-liners that have been taken straight out of a classic...

Metro: Last Light Review – Going Underground

24Feb

By TC Staff Writer1 Comment

Switch Reviews

Metro: Last Light Review – Going Underground

After the success of Metro 2033, a sequel was inevitable. And in 2013, 4A Games created Metro: Last Light. It was a notable for a couple of reasons; unlike the first game, it was an original story in the Metro universe, and it was the first time PlayStation owners could get their hands on the franchise. During development, plans were in place to release a version for Nintendo's Wii U, but, ultimately canned. Since then, the Metro games have been ported to everything. And now, Nintendo fans can finally get this hands on the series as Metro Redux releases for the Switch on February 28th. For those jumping in at the start, you can find Phil's impressions of Metro 2033 here . If you want to find out if it's worth braving another dose of radiation, then carry on reading comrade. Game...

Metro 2033 Redux Review – Back in the USSR (well, Russia)

24Feb

By TC Staff Writer1 Comment

Switch Reviews

Metro 2033 Redux Review – Back in the USSR (well, Russia)

The Metro series originally hit the Xbox 360 and PC back in 2010. The Metro Redux collection brings together 2033 and its 2013 sequel, Last Light, to the Switch. My colleague Rich is tackling the latter game, with his review here. How does Metro 2033 Redux hold up in 2020? Read on to find out. Metro 2033 Redux takes place following a nuclear conflict that has rendered much of Earth uninhabitable. In Moscow, many of the surface dwellers took shelter in the city's expansive metro system and began to form into communities centred around each station. You take on the role of Artyom, a man who has spent most of his life in "Exhibition" station. Life in the station is quite peaceful, with music and laughter filling the tunnels. Unfortunately, all that is soon to change, as a growing threat fr...

18Feb

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Help Me Doctor – Diagnosis Disaster

There's a variety of reasons why we play video games. It could be for pure fun, the challenge, the art, or the social commentary. And thanks to digital distribution, it has made it possible for small studios and teams to put out content that genuinely challenges your views in ways you didn't expect. Help Me Doctor, developed by IceTorch Interactive and released on Switch by Ultimate Games S.A, claims it will force you to face the moral obligations doctors face on a daily basis. But when you consider Ultimate Games S.A's height of social commentary was with their "hit" title Wanking Simulator, these claims quickly fall flaccid. Gameplay Help Me Doctor gives you your own practice to run. You'll see a series of patients and must diagnose their aliments, and ensure all their insurance...

18Feb

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Goblin Sword – Pixels And Goblins

The console wars have raged on for years. Whether it's SNES vs Mega Drive, PlayStation vs Xbox, Console vs PC, the calls of superiority will echo from the internet trenches for aeons to come. However, when all is said and done, there is one thing that unties these armies - a disdain for mobile games. So when it was revealed that Goblin Sword was getting a port over to the Nintendo Switch, it would be easy to dismiss this title; generic name, generic logo, and a low price that cries out cash grab. Brought to us by Gelato Games, and released on the 13th February, Goblin Sword is here to defy these expectations. Gameplay Goblin Sword is a retro-inspired 2d action platformer. Playing as our plucky hero, you'll run through bite-sized levels filled with enemies, traps, and collectables....

Clumsy Rush Nintendo Review – Stumbling Out Of The Gate

17Feb

By TC Staff WriterNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Clumsy Rush Nintendo Review – Stumbling Out Of The Gate

In Clumsy Rush, which was developed by NerfGame and published by RedDeerGames, you play as a feckless hippo whose goal is to reach the end of an obstacle course whilst wearing a crown over a series of 47 levels. Clumsy Rush released on Nintendo Switch at £4.99 on December 23rd 2019. Gameplay As the title suggests, controlling your hippo is intentionally challenging. You control your movement by using the L2 and R2 buttons to pivot upon your left and right legs respectively. There is a button that will cause you to rush forward, but if you are wearing the crown it will fall off immediately, rendering this move useless in single-player mode. Each level has a series of hazards that are designed to impede your progress. Unfortunately, games that revolve around clunky control schemes ca...