Previews & Early Access

2Nov

By JasonNo Comments

Model Builder Preview

Model Builder by developers Moonlit and Kuba Wójcik is, as it sounds, a model building simulator. Everyone at some time in their life has probably built a model, with varying outcomes. Published by Green Man Gaming will this be a tedious affair or a total breeze? Model Builder - 0% Chance of Gluing Fingers Together! I am quietly optimistic, having reviewed Balsa Model Flight Simulator recently. If you like what you read, give the demo a chance over in the Steam store! Gameplay Before I start I will say that there was a disclaimer that it was a game in progress therefore I will concentrate on the main gameplay and only report if there are any game-breaking bugs. From the off, you can select from a campaign and sandbox mode. Sandbox needs no intro therefore it was straight ont...

19Oct

By Jordan Rooker1 Comment

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Undying Early Access Preview

Undying isn't your typical survival/crafting/zombie game. Developed by Vanimals and published by Skystone Games Inc (The Last Friend), Undying enters Early Access on Steam on October 19th, 2021. It has been in development over the past three years. Vanimals is hopeful for it to be in Early Access no longer than six months. The Early Access version of Undying consists of roughly the first half of the game. Vanimals is also planning for an eventual release to consoles as well. Undying - Complete a Mother's Undying Wish When I first heard about Undying, I wasn't certain I was ready to add yet another zombie apocalypse game to my library. There are just so many available out there with varying degrees of success. This becomes especially true when you add the "crafting" and "survival" tags to...

15Oct

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Space Boat Preview

Currently in development by Recombobulator Games, "Space Boat is a new narrative adventure game with interactive elements." Funded through Kickstarter, at the time of this preview Space Boat has raised £3,426, which is a little way from its target goal of £23,554. With a 15 minute playable demo now available, will they reach their crowdfund goal and give us a finished game? Join me below as I attempt to figure that out. Well Hello There Space Traveller! "You’ve been waiting to travel for a long time? It's now possible to go to the most beautiful places in the galaxy!... or whatever you can afford." - Allen, Space Boat Travel Agent. Gameplay With a development team who boasts an impressive resume of Mass Effect, Dead Space, and Thief, we walk into this demo with high expectations. Pl...

5Oct

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Balsa Model Flight Simulator Review

Balsa Model Flight Simulator by Canadian-based devs Floating Origin Interactive is exactly as it sounds. Simply put it is a flight simulator game that allows you to build and fly your very own balsa wood planes! Balsa Model Flight Simulator - Glory to Destruction in 10 Seconds Headed by Felipe Falanghe who created the acclaimed Kerbal Space Program, Balsa Model Flight Simulator keeps you in the air but this time on planet Earth. Ready to test your creative skills and take to the skies? Let's do this! If you enjoy my review please check out my past articles here! Gameplay It is worth pointing out that at the time of review, the game was in early access with a huge caveat that many things may not be functional or work quite correctly. Indeed there were many features that have no...

4Oct

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Arboria Review

Developed by Dreamplant and published by All in! Games, Arboria is a dark fantasy rogue-lite. Entering early access on Steam in May 2020, the game will release fully September 9th 2021. Gobbok And The Evil Hat We begin our journey as a Yotun warrior birthed from the father tree with a singular purpose - to hunt down Gobbok. Gobbok is another Yotun, who's been corrupted by a cursed hat and who's fled the village against the will of the elders, descending into the Durnar. After we too become corrupted by defeating Gobbok and equipping his hat, we find ourselves back at the troll village once again being birthed a Yotun from the father tree. What do you think about a character's death being permanent? Gameplay Arboria is best described as souls-like, with elements of the game bearing r...

21Sep

By MikeNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt

Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt is the debut foray into AAA games for Swedish company Sharkmob. It is an online multiplayer third-person battle royale taking place in Prague, Czech Republic. Fighting through the city and the only rule is to keep your existence a secret, the titular masquerade. I didn't come across any plot for the game but it is faithful to the World of Darkness setting. Definitely inspired by games like Apex Legends and PUBG, Bloodhunt however is like their goth cousin. Going it alone or in a trio, fighting to be the last vampire standing, and maintaining the masquerade is all that matters. Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt - Something to Sink Your Teeth Into I kept up on news and other player's thoughts and I found there was some disappointment. Many people were expe...

6Sep

By Mark HudsonNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Malum Review

Releasing September 2nd with a retail of £3.99, Malum is a cooperative horror survival game for up to 4 players, Developed and published by MalumGames. Malum features procedural puzzles which players must solve while being stalked by a range of gruesome monsters. Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope! Whether it's a scream, a shout, or a little cry.. we all have our own way of expressing fear, our own little quirk. For me it's repeatedly saying "Nope!" while running in the opposition direction, and that's something I did ALOT during this game. What's your quirk? Let me know in the comments below. Gameplay First of all, the game is very simple in its design - something that I feel is reflected in the £3.99 price tag - we'll circle back to this later. It appears to have been built atop an Unreal ...

6Sep

By JasonNo Comments

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Mechajammer Preview

Mechajammer by Devs Whalenought Studios is a tactical cyberpunk turn-based RPG that allows you to take your turns simultaneously with those around you. Set in an off-world grindhouse of an urban and jungle colony it is down to you to recruit your crew and adventure through the gloomily lit city. Mechajammer - Urban Survival At Its Heart Are you ready to read on? Mechajammer is currently in demo form for PC over on Steam so you can join in as well. Let's do this then and don't forget to check out my other articles here on Thumb Culture! Gameplay I played the Mechajammer demo therefore elements of the gameplay are limited in some respects, however, it still allows you to get an overall feel for the game. In the beginning, you can either choose from a pre-made character or create y...

6Sep

By Jordan Rooker1 Comment

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Rogue Spirit Early Access Review

Rogue Spirit is a 3D rogue-lite action game now available for Early Access on Steam. The developers, Kids With Sticks, have partnered up with publisher 505 Games to bring this third-person adventure to the masses. Kids With Sticks already spent about 19 months developing the game and plan to have it be in Early Access for 7 months. Of course, this is an estimate and not set in stone. If you're a fan of roguelites such as Hades, Dead Cells, Risk of Rain 2, and the like, then Rogue Spirit will be one to add to your collection. Bounce between bodies in Rogue Spirit The aspect of possessing bodies to switch up abilities is what made Rogue Spirit catch my eye. I did not prepare myself for the challenge of playing another roguelite though. Needless to say I will be playing through my frust...

29Aug

By Jordan Rooker1 Comment

PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Mosaic Chronicles Early Access Review

I recently took a look at Mosaic Chronicles, developed and published by Error300 for PC. The game entered early access on Steam on August 25th and appears to be one of two games currently in development by the small indie studio. Error300's website shows the game displayed on a phone, but I haven't been able to confirm if this will be an available platform. As the game title states, Mosaic Chronicles couples beautiful mosaic pieces of art together with a tale to follow along. Mosaic Chronicles definitely takes a different path to the puzzle game genre than that of my previous review of Seed of Life. Chill and Puzzle in Mosaic Chronicles The timing of my review for Mosaic Chronicles couldn't have been better. I just got home from a week-long vacation with my family and another family. On ...