Tag: Puzzle

Looking for that next puzzle game to stretch those brain muscles? Thumb Culture has news and reviews of the newest puzzling genre games.

SETTRIS PC Review
PC Reviews

SETTRIS PC Review

SETTRIS is a puzzle game of rotating and flipping block placement. It is developed and published by Zoo Corporation (Mystic Gate, Pretty Girls series). It is currently only available for PC on Steam. SETTRIS is Totally More Laid Back than Tetris Puzzle games have been around for ages. Some of them are nice and chill to pass the time, whereas others are anxiety-inducing. SETTRIS is thankfully among the former. I personally don't mind a mixture of the two though. Which type of puzzle game do you prefer? Gameplay SETTRIS is honestly a very simple game. Each stage presents a game board and the challenge is to get all of the pieces you are given onto that board. You are able to flip and rotate the pieces as needed. There is also no timer so you can take your time with each. Most of the ...
Pile Up! – PC Preview
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 ...
Dr. Fetus’ Mean Meat Machine – PC Review
PC Reviews

Dr. Fetus’ Mean Meat Machine – PC Review

The development team at Headup Development has brought us the diabolical game known as Dr. Fetus' Mean Meat Machine. Players may know Dr. Fetus as the main antagonist from the Super Meat Boy franchise. If you are familiar with the game Puyo Puyo, then players can try this new puzzle arcade with a large-difficulty twist. Where? You might ask well it's out now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch for £7.99. A demo is also available on Steam for those who are cautious and know what the world of Super Meat Boy is like. Who knew evil could look so cute? I remember playing Super Meat Boy and never beating the game. When I saw this game released, you know what they say about the cat? I enjoy playing challenging games such as the Soulsborne games or the Nioh franchise, so why not try a puzzle ...
Planet of Lana – PC Review
PC Reviews

Planet of Lana – PC Review

Planet of Lana is the debut game release from Swedish game developers Wishfully Studios which was released in May 2023. Since release the game has been garnering all of the right kinds of attention. Seeing as it is their debut release, big things are yet to come from the game developers in future releases. I got the chance to review the game to offer up my thoughts on the game and whether it's worth a playthrough. Tech Trouble in Paradise Planet of Lana is a side-scrolling platformer at heart. Its design reminds me of the retro games I used to play such as Another World, Flashback, or even Prince of Persia which paved the way for these types of games. Do you like games in this style? What games have you played and why did you love playing them? Let me know in the comments below. Gam...
Mars First Logistics – PC Preview
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...
Tin Hearts – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Tin Hearts – PS5 Review

Tin Hearts is a puzzle platformer from developers Rogue Sun released on 16th May on all platforms. The game is the first official game released by Rogue Sun. They boast that some of the members of the dev team worked on Fable, a popular action adventure. Having seen the trailer I knew I had to take a closer look at this game which looked quirky, challenging, and had a good narrative. Let's see what it is all about. Get stuck into this Tin-spiring Tale I always find myself drawn to puzzle, narrative-driven games. Something is compelling about working through this kind of game and uncovering an overreaching story. One that comes to mind is The Witness where you journey in solitude through the game solving puzzles and learning more about the story as you progress. This game looks to be simi...
Killer Frequency – PC Review
PC Reviews

Killer Frequency – PC Review

Killer Frequency, developed and published by Team 17 Digital, brings a style of game I've never played before. You play a radio host in a small mid western town in the USA and things aren't plain sailing on the night shift! Don't touch that dial! What is your favourite slasher flick? Is it Friday the 13th? Or Does Freddie infiltrate your dreams? Let us know in the comments. Gameplay As soon as I saw the trailers for Killer Frequency, I immediately knew that it was going to be a game for me. Playing as Forrest Nash, a radio host on 189.16, The Scream, you will single-handedly save or completely ruin the night. It is going to be quite hard to cover this game without giving away any spoilers on the story, but here goes. Set in the 1980s you are at the KFAM Radio Station in a small town...
Teslagrad 2 – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Teslagrad 2 – PS5 Review

Back in 2016 I played a game called Teslagrad on PS Vita. I was so wowed by its art design and excellent use of clever gameplay mechanics that I went on to platinum the game and also purchased the physical edition too. It was a critical and commercial hit and needless to say when Teslagrad 2 was announced in 2022 I was excited for its release. Teslagrad 2 - Magnetic Norse Norwegian team Rain Games also shadow-dropped a new remastered version of Teslagrad alongside this sequel. Both are available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Gameplay Players take on the role of Lumina who is on a quest to return home to her family after her airship is attacked leaving her stranded. Using magnetic abilities to solve puzzles to traverse the treacherous lands of Wyrmh...
Unheard: Voices of Crime Edition – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Unheard: Voices of Crime Edition – Switch Review

Unheard: Voices of Crime Edition by devs NExT Studios and published by 505 Games is an interesting game that mainly uses sound as its primary game mechanic. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, I was fortunate enough to put my ears to the test on the Switch version. Being the first time on console, as it has been out on PC since 2019, I felt that this could be a good handheld game to get stuck into. Stop, Look, and Listen. Playing as an acoustic detective. Do you have what it takes to solve the mysteries that are about to be presented to you? Gameplay Unheard: Voices of Crime is a 2D top-down game that presents itself on a single screen. In a nutshell, you play a detective that needs to revisit crime scenes and answer questions about what has happened. It is e...
Shadows of Doubt – PC Preview
Previews & Early Access

Shadows of Doubt – PC Preview

We had a chance to get a sneak peek of Shadows of Doubt, a detective stealth game from ColePowered Games released into Early Access on 24th April 2023 on PC. The Devs boast of an immersive game where you have the freedom to play the game how you want. Let's take a closer look. If in doubt, Stakeout! ColePowered Games offers here a character-rich and immersive detective thriller. Being a crime/detective game fan I had to check this title out. Are you a fan of this style of game? Leave a comment below and let us know what games you enjoy. Gameplay Shadows of Doubt is essentially a detective game, more particularly one with a feel of neo-noir crime drama. While not explained much I got the feeling the character you play is a retired detective. The game starts with a dark room with text sa...