Tag: Strategy

Discover detailed reviews of top strategy games, including real-time tactics and turn-based challenges right here on Thumb Culture. Perfect for players who enjoy deep thinking, careful planning, and mastering complex gameplay mechanics.

Ghost Master: Resurrection – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Ghost Master: Resurrection – PS5 Review

I am, admittedly, a bit of a sucker for remasters/remakes. Or, at least, the ones of games that didn't come out a few years ago... Being able to experience something from my younger years on modern hardware is both nostalgic and comforting. So, when I saw that Ghost Master was returning from the dead, I knew I had to check it out! Released in 2003 for PC and a year later for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, Ghost Master is a sort of puzzle/strategy hybrid. A game my younger self would often describe as "The Sims but you have to haunt them instead of take care of them". Not that I really took care of my sims... Now, in 2026, Ghost Master: Resurrection is here! Developer Mechano Story Studio state that this is a "faithful remake of the beloved original" but with some much-needed bug fixes and upgr...
RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike – PC Review
PC Reviews

RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike – PC Review

RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike is a strategy arcade roguelite releasing March 31st on PC. With publishing by Playstack (Abiotic Factor, Balatro), developer Doraccoon brings coin pushing to a digital scale with a plethora of unique bits and bobs. You can pick it up only over on Steam. Like at the Carnival, But Better! I was always curious around the coin pusher games at the carnival. Mostly because I wanted the free tokens that would randomly fall. These days I see one on occasion at the gas station or travel center, and usually toss in a quarter or two if I have one on me. RACCOIN looks to be a more manageable for my wallet. So how does it play? Well check out the review below and I'll let you know my thoughts! Gameplay RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike is a coin pushing strategy arca...
Celestial Return – PC Early Access Preview
Previews & Early Access

Celestial Return – PC Early Access Preview

There’s subtlety, and then there’s Celestial Return. Developed by Metaphor Games and published by Shoreline Games, this neon-soaked detective RPG doesn’t creep onto your screen so much as bleed into it. This doesn’t ease you into Netherveil City. It throws you in, neon-first. Coming to Steam, and currently running a Kickstarter. Celestial Return - Not quite a star Before we really get into Netherveil, I’m curious, are you the sort who clicks every dialogue branch just in case, or do you streamline towards objectives? Gameplay You play Detective Howard, a worn-out investigator armed with a rusted badge, a sentient rose that refuses to stay quiet, and a pocketful of dice that matter far more than you’d expect. Netherveil is a dying city. Suicides pile up. Corpses crawl. Conversations fra...
Laysara: Summit Kingdom – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Laysara: Summit Kingdom – PS5 Review

Originally released into Early Access on Steam back in April 2024, Laysara: Summit Kingdom has now launched it's 1.0 version! As well the PC version, Laysara is also available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. When researching the game, I found out that the developer, Quite OK Games, is actually a three-person team. Well, three people and a yak, according to their website! Right away that struck me as impressive, as the trailers showcase something that's not only very beautiful, but also looks really fun to play. But, is that truly the case? Onwards and Upwards in Laysara: Summit Kingdom City building games typically see the player expand outward, transforming a humble town into a multi-district city. In Laysara, things are a little bit differe...
City Tales – Medieval Era – PC Review
PC Reviews

City Tales – Medieval Era – PC Review

Unleash your creativity and be the leader that your people need, in City Tales - Medieval Era. Developed by Irregular Shapes and published by Firesquid, this game is a medieval themed city builder that released on Steam on January 29th. A City Builder that is actually Chill? "Waaah, I am unhappy. My house is not studded with diamonds and my caviar is not covered in pure gold." Let's be real. We all played a city builder that feels like that. No matter what you do, your people are just so whiny and unhappy, even if they are well taken care of. Not in this game though! City Tales - Medieval Era puts a fresh, chill spin on the genre that both strategists and cosy gamers can enjoy. Gameplay City Tales - Medieval Era is a very relaxing city builder that does not pressure you to improve ...
Ghost Keeper – PC Early Access Preview
Previews & Early Access

Ghost Keeper – PC Early Access Preview

I did not expect to be checking out a true "spiritual" successor to the classic game Ghost Master. Although it is not made by the same team, you are able to see the clear inspiration used for the game. I mainly played Ghost Master on PS2, but always wished for another title. So I am happy to see that Ghost Keeper will be making that happen. It is out in early access now on Steam for £10.99, which is rather cheap! There is also a demo available as well. Things that go bump in the night. Gameplay There is not a main story so far in Ghost Keeper, but the level objectives are the same. Kill or scare, all present mortals with a team of ghosts. Each ghost gets their own unique skills, while also sharing some universal ones. Universal skill they tend to share, are telekineses and breakdown, ...
Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked PC Review
PC Reviews

Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked PC Review

Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked is a digital tabletop game set within the D&D universe. Developed and published by Resolution Games (Demeo) in partnership with Wizards of the Coast, it builds on the original Demeo series by adding in familiar features from The Forgotten Realms. Play it solo or with up to three other adventurers across Steam, PS5, and Meta Quest. It is also playable via Steam on Mac. Digital D&D Tabletop Demeo Dungeons & Dragons is something I didn't really look into learning more about until I was an adult. I didn't have any friends that played it, nor did I hang out at a local gaming/card shop for any kind of exposure to it. Nowadays I play as regularly as I can with my wife and a few of our friends, but I'm still in the mostly learning stages. ...
This Ain’t Even Poker Ya Joker PC Review
PC Reviews

This Ain’t Even Poker Ya Joker PC Review

This Ain't Even Poker, Ya Joker is an Auto Clicker, Strategy  game from Mash. The game is basically Cookie Clicker with Poker. And less Grandmas aiming to take over the world. The game allows you set it and forget it, but there are a few bugs to it. We'll go over more about it in the Graphics and Audio portion. Also, because this doesn't have much to go off on this might be one of my shortest reviews. Did you know that the odds of getting a royal flush is 649,739 to 1? Gameplay This Ain't Even Poker, Ya Joker has you meeting with a Jester, who is holding you hostage. Saying you'll need to make 1 billion coins in order to release you. You start off with one card and will need to earn coins to unlock more cards to make a hand. The coins can be used to either increase your cards or in th...
10 Budget MTG Commander Upgrades to Give This Christmas
Features

10 Budget MTG Commander Upgrades to Give This Christmas

In the last decade or so, the Commander format has completely taken over Magic: The Gathering. It has, without a doubt, become the most popular format among players, new and old. It is therefore safe to assume that your MTG-playing friend, whom you want to gift some Magic stuff this Christmas, plays Commander. Budget All-Stars Your MTG Friend Will Love This list is meant for those who want to buy Magic: The Gathering cards for their friend or loved one but haven't got a clue. You could always just ask them which format they play, but that would risk ruining the surprise. If you don't know where to buy singles from, look for trade card gaming shops or comic book shops near you. Chances are, they have some of this stuff. If you really can't shop locally, or it's too time-consuming, then...
Death Howl – PC Review
PC Reviews

Death Howl – PC Review

Death Howl invites players into a sorrow-soaked spirit realm where grief becomes both a weapon and a burden. Developed by The Outer Zone and published by 11 bit studios, this indie title blends three genres that have never been combined like this before. It plays like a soulslike with an integrated deck-building system and grid-based combat. You craft combat cards, collect totems, and face corrupted animal spirits as you guide a grieving mother on a desperate journey to challenge death itself and save her son. Enter the Pixelated Underworld I've never been the biggest fan of soulslike games, often preferring the more forgiving variant, soulslite. Death Howl reminds me of one of my favorite games, Blasphemous. Both games have the high difficulty of soulslikes, with a cryptic world to ...