Tony C, Author at Thumb Culture

19Apr

By Tony CNo Comments

Lunark – PS5 Review

The cautious and methodical exploration in Prince of Persia wowed players with its rotoscoped character animations back in 1989. In 1992 the award winning Flashback won critical acclaim and commercial success. Jump to 1997 and Abe's Oddysee brought the genre to the next level with innovative gameplay and epic storytelling. Now in the age of 3D games, Lunark returns to the classic roots of the 2D cinematic platformer pioneered and perfected by the aforementioned games. Flashback to a lost genre - Lunark A debut title by Canadian developer Canari Games, its Kickstarter campaign success story not only funded the creation of the game but also brought the new indie studio into existence. Played here on PS5 the game is also available on PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and St...

18Apr

By Tony CNo Comments

News & Updates

PS Plus April Game Catalogue

The PS Plus April Game Catalogue games are available to play now for PS+ subscribers at the Extra & Premium tiers. There are some great games added to the PlayStation subscription service this month and here’s all the info on the games available: Kena: Bridge of Spirits - PS5/Ps4 Genre: Adventure | Longevity: 25hrs+ | Trophies: 42 (incl Platinum) Metacritic: 81 | OpenCritic: 81 | Release: 21st Sep 2021 Immerse yourself in a story-driven action-adventure set in a charming world rich with exploration and fast-paced combat. Play as Kena, a young Spirit Guide travelling to an abandoned village in search of the sacred mountain shrine. Find and grow a team of tiny spirits known as the Rot who maintain balance by decomposing dead and rotting elements. Enhance your companions’ abi...

4Apr

By Tony CNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Blade Assault – PS5 Review

The Roguelike/Roguelite genre has become more and more popular with recent games like Returnal and Hades receiving high praise both critically and from players. Blade Assault is a 2D Action Roguelite Platformer that enters the arena of this challenging yet rewarding game genre. Slash 'n' Dash - Blade Assault Created by South Korea based developers - Team Suneat and published by PM Studios, it is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam. There is also a physical version available from Numskull Games (PS4, PS5 & Switch). Gameplay As part of the Undercity resistance force, you are on a mission to bring the corrupt to justice. Heading towards Esperanza, a sky city where the rich and powerful rule over the rest of the world, you must grow in strength t...

4Apr

By Tony CNo Comments

Features

PS Plus April Monthly Games

The PS Plus April monthly games are available to play now for all PS+ subscribers. Remember, even if you do not plan on playing these games now, make sure to add them to your library so you can access them at any time in the future. Meet Your Maker – PS5/PS4 Genre: FPS/Building | Longevity: New Release | Trophies: n/a Metacritic: New Release | OpenCritic: New Release | Release: 4th April 2023 Meet Your Maker is a post-apocalyptic first-person building-and-raiding game where every level is designed by players. Switch between roles as you mastermind devious Outposts filled with traps and guards, then gear up for methodical fast-paced combat raiding other players’ creations, gaining an edge by choosing the right loadout (melee, ranged, defensive), perks, and consumables to match...

3Apr

By Tony CNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Planet Cube: Edge – PS5 Review

With the Super Mario Bros Movie right on our doorstep, it shows how a small 2D character from a platforming videogame can become a worldwide juggernaut. Planet Cube is a precision platformer with aspirations of following in some mighty big footsteps. Planet Cube Edge Run & Gun Created by Costa Rican team Sunna Entertainment, this is their maiden effort on home consoles, with their previous titles being mostly on mobile. Played here on PS5, it is available now across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Steam. Gameplay Players take on the role of Edge, a highly skilled engineer in an underwater weapons research facility, who is on a quest to fight a force that is invading his planet. Armed with a prototype photon blaster you must jump, shoot, stomp and dash your way through the ha...

24Mar

By Tony CNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Dredge – PS5 Review

Indies are often the big innovators in the gaming space. The team behind Dredge, a single player fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent, aim to be known for creating games with high immersion, excellent execution and with a bit of a difference from anything you've played before. Dredge up secrets of the past Developed by the small New Zealand based team Black Salt Games, this is their debut release. It hits PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on March 30th. There are no spoilers ahead so no caution is needed to proceed with reading this review. Gameplay Waking up on a dock in a small island town players take on the role of a fisherman who has come to town to take up the vacant position. In travelling to this island your boat was completely destroyed d...

22Mar

By Tony CNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

The Wreck – PS5 Review

There's a category at The Game Awards called Games For Impact. It's an award for thought provoking games that tackle some real world issues, with Celeste and Gris being among its previous winners. The Wreck is one such game that shines a light on some heavy themes. The Wreck that life can be Developed by French team The Pixel Hunt, the 3D visual novel is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC. Gameplay Players take on the role of failed screenwriter Junon (aka Jun) as she is navigating one of the most pivotal days in her life. Piecing together how you got to this point by interactions with other characters and revisiting events from your past, the story plays out as you explore the history of these characters. You are put inside the mind of the main character to ...

21Mar

By Tony CNo Comments

News & Updates

PS Plus March Game Catalogue

The PS Plus March Game Catalogue games are available to play now for PS+ subscribers at the Extra & Premium tiers. Get excited as it’s a big month for the PlayStation subscription service. Here’s all the info on the games available: Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection - PS5 Genre: Adventure | Longevity: 50hrs+ | Trophies: 101 (incl Platinum) Metacritic: 87 | OpenCritic: 88 | Release: 28th Jan 2022 Experience Naughty Dog’s thrilling, cinematic storytelling and the iconic franchise’s largest blockbuster action set pieces. Discover lost history with the charismatic yet complex thieves, Nathan Drake and Chloe Frazer, as they travel the world with a sense of wonder, pursuing extraordinary adventures and lost lore. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection includes critically a...

10Mar

By Tony CNo Comments

Features

Game Over – The Deals That Weren’t

Failed mergers and collaborations over the years have shaped the videogames industry as we know it. There have been so many sliding doors Game Over moments that we could so easily have a different gaming landscape today. Failure doesn't mean GAME OVER! With Microsoft's potential acquisition of Activision Blizzard hanging in the balance, let's take a look back at some of the pivotal events in history that have brought us to where we are in the modern era of video games. Nintendo & PlayStation - Late 80's In 1988 Nintendo struck a deal with Sony to develop a CD- ROM add-on for the hugely successful SNES. Sega had been gaining huge ground on Nintendo with the Megadrive/Genesis and they needed to develop a way to stay ahead in the "Console War". The partnership would see Sony develop i...

9Mar

By Tony CNo Comments

Retro Reviews

Mud Warriors – Gameboy Colour Review

If I told you there are new games for GameBoy in the modern era of "Next Gen" consoles you'd think I was crazy right? It is getting mighty close to 25 years since the GameBoy Colour hit store shelves and yet indie developers are releasing/developing new games for the retro handheld with increasing frequency. One such game is Mud Warriors, a collaboration between Polyducks and Lance Campbell. Playground Warfare - Mud Warriors An adaptation of Ryan Veeder's text adventure Mud Warriors, it was originally released in Sept 2021 and it got an Analogue Pocket release on Jan 28th 2022. This game runs natively on Analog Pocket via its support for GBStudio games using the micro-SD slot. If you don't have a retro device to play this on then it is also available to play in your browser direct...