Previews & Early Access - Thumb Culture

9Oct

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Pioneers Of Pagonia – PC Preview

Pioneers of Pagonia is a world-building simulation game developed and published by Envision Entertainment. Envision had a hand in 'further developing' Command & Conquer - working alongside Electronic Arts. They also received the Best Studio 2011 award, MMO of the year award, and many, many more. So we have an award-winning indie studio with buckets of experience... I go into this one with high hopes and great expectations. The Return of Volker Wertich Colony Sim fans may remember a gentleman who goes by the name of Volker Wertich. Back in 1993, he was the brain behind The Settlers - a classic real-time city-building game. Considered by many to be an all time childhood memory, we're excited to see Volker make a return to the industry with Pioneers of Pagonia, acting as creative direct...

30Aug

By Tom McMylorNo Comments

Gaming, Previews & Early Access

Wayfinder Early Access – PS5 Preview

Wayfinder Early Access Preview - Massive promise, minimal multiplayer, sometimes online. Wayfinder, from developer Airship Syndicate, was launched into early access on August 17th, 2023 on PS5 and Steam. However, the “access” part of the game didn’t arrive until a day later when a queue was introduced to help alleviate stress on the servers, as of the time of writing (24/08/2023) you are still required to queue for hours to get access to the game. Despite the developers framing the game as an MMO, you will be disappointed if you come into the game expecting a rival to Final Fantasy XIV or World Of Warcraft. Wayfinder is as much MMO as Destiny or Warframe, which makes sense considering the latter comes from the same publisher. Sure you may have your hub world where you can see other pl...

24Aug

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Forever Skies – PC Preview

Forever Skies is a different take on the post-apocalyptic base-building survival genre. It is the flagship game of Far From Home Studios, who believe that games can be a tool for enacting change in the world. Forever Skies is available in Early Access for PC only on Steam. Forever Skies Brings Survival to New Heights Let's face it: there are a lot of base-building survival games out there right now. Many of them are post-apocalyptic, and even more involve zombies or other similar savage humanoids. So while Forever Skies seems to follow that post-apocalyptic route, it caught my eye because it looked a bit different than what I'm used to seeing. Not to mention the idea of a floating base too. Thankfully there also don't appear to be any zombies either, which I am very glad for. Gamepl...

16Aug

By Kyle A McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Sengoku Dynasty – PC Preview

Sengoku Dynasty is an open-world RPG with Life Simulator and Survival elements. Developed by Superkami and published by Toplitz Productions, it was released into early access on August 10th of this year for £24.99 on Steam. Build Your Dynasty For those who like survival games, managing or building small towns, this one might be for you. Play solo or co-op, fight enemies, manage the resources and needs of villagers, craft, and choose what path you wish your character to take. Toplitz Productions has other games with the same concept but in different periods, such as Wild West Dynasty or Medieval Dynasty. Gameplay In Sengoku Dynasty, your character washes up on a beach after their previous kingdom got destroyed. Exploring further, you happen upon a charred village, and a man named Toshic...

Rightfully, Beary Arms – PC Early Access Preview

27Jul

By Paul WrightNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Rightfully, Beary Arms – PC Early Access Preview

Today I'm going to be looking at a new rogue-lite title from a small indie development team. Rightfully, Beary Arms - the debut title from Daylight Basement Studio - is launching into Early Access on July 27th and I've been playing it over the past couple of weeks to take a look at what's on offer so far. The Right To Beary Arms If Rogue-type games are your thing, you can also check out some other titles we've written about here, here or here. Gameplay At its core, Rightfully, Beary Arms is a twin-stick bullet-hell rogue-lite. This means you're going to be facing waves of enemies through randomly generated maps until you win or get killed, rinse and repeat. It's a very marmite genre, but I really enjoy the gameplay loop of learning how to deal with different enemies, figuring out what ...

30Jun

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Pile Up! – PC Preview

Pile Up! is a quirky, relaxing, strategic game in which players need to build and create communities to fulfil the requests of the inhabitants. Given only a small piece of land to develop on, this leads to some pretty whacky designs and interesting constructs. But don't get too comfortable, as chilled and relaxed as the game may be, things can quickly fall apart. Pile Up! has been developed by Remoob and published by Next in Game & IndieArk. Hearing about Remoob for the first time? Well, Remoob is a small indie company based in Turkey that aims to develop "games that feel noteworthy... with unique atmospheres". Remoob have a few other games, so be sure to check out their developer page on Steam, or their website if you enjoy this preview. Brick by Brick Each structure advertently ...

27Jun

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Mars First Logistics – PC Preview

Mars First Logistics hits Steam for early access on June 22nd 2023. With an even earlier look at the game, join me as I check out this Mars-based physics simulator. Currently in development by Shape Shop and published by Shape Shop and Outersloth, Mars First Logistics is playable in both solo and cooperative modes. Shape Shop is a small studio based out of Melbourne, Australia. Run by Ian McLarty, this will be the 5th game developed by the company. Be sure to check them out if you enjoy this preview. Did You Know... Mars is the only known planet in the universe solely inhabited by robots. The most popular being the Curiosity, Perseverance and Spirit - qualities you'll need to be successful in this game! In Mars First Logistics, we'll perhaps get a glimpse of what life is like for thes...

12Jun

By KevinNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Havendock – PC Preview

There was a time once when the oceans were full of only fish and whales. Beautiful mermaids would swim freely without the fear of banging into driftwood or having a plane crash on them. Times have changed, and YYZ has brought us Havendock to reflect on the different times that the world is in today. Do you have the skills to not only survive a wreck but thrive from it and let others thrive with you? Well, I guess it's time to find out for me. Pretty sure I'll need some supplies, so it's a packed lunch and a waterproof coat ready, and time to wash myself up on a little piece of land. Havendock - for those whose favourite colour is maroon. Havendock has its work cut out if it's going to make an impact on the masses of settlement building games. The pressure certainly is on in this cate...

9Jun

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Halls of Torment PC Preview

Halls of Torment is a fantasy horde survival roguelite. It is developed and published by Chasing Carrots (Good Company, Pressure Overdrive). You can find it out now in Early Access on Steam. Halls of Torment is Another Steam Deck Staple I've never really been into horde survival games. I held out a long time before finally picking up Vampire Survivors when it suddenly became so popular. But once I did get around to it I could understand why. Halls of Torment is looking like it will be the same way. I've already added it to my list of games that will always be available on my Steam Deck. The list isn't long yet, but any game that is as simple and entertaining to pick up for a quick session should be there. What's on your list? Gameplay Halls of Torment is one of the latest horde surviva...

2Jun

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Occupy Mars – PC Preview

Occupy Mars released for PC on 10th May, available in early access via Steam. Built upon the Unity engine, this sandbox survival game sees players build and survive on Mars. Being an avid fan of all things space travel and an ex game developer, I'm excited to see a space game developed in Unity for a change. Too many games are built (half-heartedly) upon the Unreal Engine level templates. Not Just A Dream, But Reality We work for ERA, and have been sent to Mars to help make the colonisation of our nearest neighbouring planet not just a dream, but a reality. Landing in the [zone], our job is to begin colonisation procedures. Gameplay Before jumping into the game, we're able to customise our character, and quite thoroughly too. Growing up on games such as Oblivion, Skyrim and World of Wa...