Features

Paul’s 10 Most Anticipated Late-2025 Games

11Jul

By PaulNo Comments

Paul’s 10 Most Anticipated Late-2025 Games

The first half of 2025 gave us some huge contenders for Game of the Year; Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Split Fiction, to cherry-pick a few. Thankfully, the back end of the year also looks stacked with quality. Among them are a new Pokémon game, a follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima, a new Silent Hill entry, and the long awaited Metroid Prime 4. It's also alleged that a sequel to Hollow Knight is due to release before Christmas this year, but I wouldn't know anything about that. Ignoring all those games, though, here are 10 games set to release in the rest of 2025 that I can't wait to get my hands on. I've listed them alphabetically for fairness — I love all my children equally. Cairn | PlayStation, PC Genre: Simulation, Survival Developer: The Game Bakers | Publisher...

Magic: The Gathering Spoiler Season Never Ends

8Jul

By JoseNo Comments

Features, News & Updates

Magic: The Gathering Spoiler Season Never Ends

Magic: The Gathering will start the official spoiler season for Edge of Eternities on July 8th, according to Mark Rosewater's Tumblr account, Blogatog. Barely three weeks apart from the release of the Standard legal Final Fantasy set. Oh, and just last week, they also announced another Secret Lair, this time casting Sonic the Hedgehog and friends. It almost feels like there is no time for fans, players, and collectors to just breathe and enjoy a new product before a new one is already announced, and another is close to launching. Back To Canon Lore Three weeks after its release, it is safe to say Final Fantasy was a tremendous success for Wizards of the Coast. Even among the most sceptical fans, such as myself, it is undeniable that this Universes Beyond crossover was a total hit. The em...

McDonald’s Squishmallow Avery Happy Meal Toy Review

2Jul

By CharlotteNo Comments

Features

McDonald’s Squishmallow Avery Happy Meal Toy Review

Regular readers of Thumb Culture will know about the TC Mini Crew, our affectionate name for the kids of the editorial team here! Middle of the TC Crew has been asking to write a review for a while, and the release of new Happy Meal McDonald's Squishmallow toys seemed the perfect opportunity. And so without further ado, enjoy this review written and product photos by Middle of the TC Mini Crew. Bring On The Squishes McDonald's have got new Happy Meal Toys finally, and they are Squishmallows, which I love. There are fifteen to collect and all of them are 3 inches big. You can read more about them on this website. So why not pop down to your local McDonald's and order a happy meal to earn yourself one of these soft, cosy snuggle buddies!!! Open Up Once you open the cute happy meal bo...

Wizards of the Coast Bring Out The Ban Hammer

2Jul

By JoseNo Comments

Features

Wizards of the Coast Bring Out The Ban Hammer

On June 30th, Wizards of the Coast (WotC) announced its updated ban list for all formats of Magic: The Gathering. Interestingly, only the Standard format was struck by the ban hammer. Seven times! Seven cards currently legal in Standard have been banned, effective immediately. While bans in Standard aren't unusual, seven at once is a rather rare occurrence. WotC is sending a clear message that what happened at Pro Tour Las Vegas can't happen again. Furthermore, no updates were made to Modern, Legacy, Pauper, Brawl, Vintage, or Pioneer. Further, giving the impression that Wizards is laser-focused on fixing and balancing Standard. What Went Wrong at Pro Tour Final Fantasy? Izzet Prowress took the Pro Tour by storm, pun intended. In the words of Magic: The Gathering Hall of Famer Reid Du...

Building My First Gunpla: HG 1/144 GN-002 Gundam Dynames

1Jul

By MikeNo Comments

Features

Building My First Gunpla: HG 1/144 GN-002 Gundam Dynames

I've been a pretty casual fan of the Gundam franchise since childhood. Upon discovering Mobile Suit Gundam Wing one night on Toonami, it's been something I've enjoyed on and off for more than two decades. Recently, I've started watching Gundam 00 and decided it was finally time to get my first Gunpla! As someone who's been building and collecting various LEGO kits over the years (much to my wife's dismay), and finding constructing them gives my mental health a big old boost, it was time to give Gunpla a go. Short for Gundam Plastic models, these require a bit more care and attention than LEGO sets. Unfortunately, I'm pretty clumsy with fiddly things. Which likely meant I would probably end up getting frustrated and scrapping the kit halfway through. So, join me in my very first Gunpla k...

Final Fantasy Is Shaking Up Every Magic: The Gathering Format

20Jun

By JoseNo Comments

Features

Final Fantasy Is Shaking Up Every Magic: The Gathering Format

Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy is the first Extended Universes premium set to be Standard legal. After only one week since its official release, many Final Fantasy cards are finding their way into competitive Standard builds. From enchantment reanimation with 'Yuna, Hope of Spire', and 'Cecil, Dark Knight' mono black midrange, to my personal favourite Gruul Delium with 'Terra, Magical Adept'. Final Fantasy's influence doesn't stop there, though. In only one week, 'Vivi Ornitier' and 'Y'shtola, Night's Blessed' have made their way up to the 200 most popular commander list on CEDHREC.com. From Midgard to Modern: Why (Almost) Every MTG Format is Impacted Are you playing with the new Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy cards? How do you feel about them becoming a steadfast in players ...

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers – Preview Event

16Jun

By Kyle McGrathNo Comments

Features, Previews & Early Access

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers – Preview Event

When I was asked by the Senior Editors here at Thumb Culture if I wanted to attend a preview event of Leenzee and 505 Games upcoming title Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, I'm sure you can guess my answer. Even if I had to make my way from Wales to that there London! I had intended to go into this game blind upon launch, but who can say no to playing a game early and getting to chat to the developers about it? Warning, the GIFs used in this article may contain flashing images! Destiny is a heavy burden for such small wings. For those who aren’t aware of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, it’s an upcoming Souls-like game with a Chinese Mythology setting. If you know how most Souls-likes go, then you’re fully aware of what to expect, but there are a couple cool things to point out. If you’re wondering ...

Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy – Most Expensive Standard Set Ever

13Jun

By JoseNo Comments

Features

Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy – Most Expensive Standard Set Ever

Most Magic: The Gathering players are, by now, used to the high prices of cards, booster boxes, or other premium products that Wizards of the Coast has been releasing at overwhelming speed in the last few years. The Final Fantasy set marks a stark difference, simply by the fact that it is Standard legal. Players excited to play their favourite characters from the rich Final Fantasy lore are going to have to dig deep in their pockets to do so. Cloud and Sephiroth are coming to an LGS near you Yes, it's an exciting time to be a Magic: The Gathering player, undoubtedly so. With this set and the SpongeBob Secret Lair that just came out not three months ago, you can now play Commander and sit across 'Squidward, Sarcastic Snob', 'Cloud, Midgar Mercenary', and 'Chun-Li, Countless Kicks'. Th...

Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2025 Roundup

10Jun

By Cameron J KeywoodNo Comments

Accessibility In Gaming, Features

Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2025 Roundup

Laura Kate Dale is a prominent voice in the games industry and a full-time video game critic who focuses on accessibility and representation in video games. She hosted the 2025 edition of the Access-Ability Summer Showcase—a celebration of accessibility and representation in gaming. Sponsored by Many Cats Studios, the event once again celebrated developers who build inclusive games for all players. True to its name, the showcase offers high accessibility. Multiple formats were available, including versions with American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), and a fully audio-described edition voiced by accessibility consultant SightlessKombat. For anyone interested in how far accessibility in games has come—and where it’s headed—the full showcase is well worth watching. ...

Drop Point Preview With Tiny Indie Studio

30May

By StuartNo Comments

Features, Previews & Early Access

Drop Point Preview With Tiny Indie Studio

Recently, I received a very interesting email. It was purely titled Days Gone Meets Rust. This piqued my interested as these are both games that I absolutely love. Fast-forward a few days, and I'm getting an invite to a special, exclusive showing of Drop Point. The brainchild of Tiny Indie Studio. A small studio from Hamilton, New Zealand. Could you read this before I Drop my Point? Jumping onto a video call, they had an awesome presentation ready to go. I honestly felt the excitement from the start of the call. It also helped that both Mike (Project Manager) and Piripi (Art Lead) from Tiny Indie Studio were absolutely awesome guys to talk to! Gameplay Drop Point is a base-building, base raiding, harvesting, crafting, and combat survival game. The game is set on an island where a large...