MarineVerse Cup fulfils the brief very well, there are 7 destinations to visit, many different modes including 4 different vessels, mini games and training as well as the races. I became borderline addicted and would be up early every morning to set my initial time in the yacht races. There is a shallow learning curve to sail the boat, but a steep one to snatch the vital seconds to increase your position. The easy to learn and hard to master may put some people off, but I think it works well. Whilst everything is done well, my only real reservation is that there isn’t enough to do. I would like to see some epic races around far more distant buoys that you get one shot at. Hopefully the developers will be on the case soon. I have decided that MarineVerse Cup sails into a Thumb Culture Silver Award spot.
Interrogation is a good game. It lacks the cut and thrust of a shoot ’em up, or the intensity of driving an F1 track. But for what it lacks it makes up for in atmosphere and pressure. I really enjoyed playing Interrogation, but I felt that it would be a very good part of a bigger game. All the other aspects could have been more interactive to make the game grow. Maybe Critique Gaming will expand upon the idea and go bigger and better. Fingers crossed, because I’m definitely on the look out for what they are going to do next. I have decided to award Interrogation: You Will be Deceived a Thumb Culture Silver Award.
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is without a shadow of a doubt a good game. But, it doesn’t try and push the boundaries of game making though. Without the Travis factor, this game would be fairly average. So the non Travis fans will not have as much of a good time as the fanatics. As much as it pains me to say this, I am having to judge this based on how good it is, rather than how much I liked it. Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes has been awarded a Thumb Culture Silver Award.
Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is a very playable game, there is a desire to get to the next level with as minimal casualties as possible and it does turn what should be a deadly shoot out into a bit of a sneak around to avoid dying. The unrealistic nature of the gameplay was a real downer for me, Narcos: Rise of the Cartels should have been right up my street, but it falls short of my expectations on so many levels it was disappointing. Without the Narcos endorsement, Narcos: Rise of the Cartels should probably retail for less than the £29.99 that is being asked. I have awarded Narcos: Rise of the Cartels a Thumb culture Silver Award.
Frostpunk is in a word awesome, it’s beautifully crafted, enticingly simple and wholly captivating. Words truly do not do the magnificence justice, buy it, play it, love it. Many hours are going to be lost, my children’s names will fade from my mind as I plan my next move. Frostpunk is a city-building game fan’s delight. 11 Bit Studios need to go out and have one hell of a celebration unless that hell freezes over of course. Frostpunk romps it’s way to an easy Thumb Culture Platinum award.
Unable to throw me off any high ledges or lay down to be consumed by Harpies was frustrating. Walking around looking for items in unusual places was frustrating. Not having the ability to have true freedom of movement was frustrating. The narrator was frustrating. Most of all though, the fact that there was no actual game was the most frustrating thing. Argonus and the Gods of Stone looked like it had so much potential, but it’s just a jumbled up scavenger hunt with no logic. I wanted a Monet and I got a Pollock. There is paint, it’s on the canvas, but it’s simply a mess. I was hoping for better. It wasn’t so many gods of stone, but a game of stone. Based on all of this I award Argonus and the Gods of Stone a Thumb Culture Bronze award.
Deliver us the Moon is a well crafted, aesthetically pleasing, audio delightful little game. KeokeN Interactive should be very proud of Deliver us the Moon as it ticks all the boxes. I hope that their next game moves onwards and upwards, who knows, maybe mars? Longer sections, more intricate puzzles and more intuitive gameplay. My only advice is simple. Get this game as it is the winner of a highly coveted Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Reversed Interactive bring us the slightly oddly titled Tyler: Model 005, the story of a robot. Not sure if I need to read up on robotics, but rest assured that’s not going to happen. Time to put my I into this AI and go on an adventure.
Oure has been released after a couple of better games in the same format. It fails to live up to the expectations of the first few minutes and becomes a chore very quickly. I can't see the game being as successful as its predecessors which is a shame as it started with so much promise. It is rather like climbing into a Ferrari, sitting in the seats, admiring the experience that you are about to have only to discover it's got the engine from a Fiat Cinquecento in it. Oure lacks the substance to succeed, but if you want a really nice flying dragon simulator I guess you have found your match.
Vostok Inc has a retro feel to it, so essentially it already feels like it has been around for a long time. The mechanics of the combat can be found in the original Asteroids game, albeit with easier controls. If you like the combat mechanics, then just playing the game as shoot 'em up is great fun. I think this game will still be as enjoyable in years to come, the simplicity of picking it up and playing for a bit and not having to dedicate hours to missions means that it will probably sit in gamer's collections with frequent revisits. I like Vostok Inc a lot and I will be playing it to conclusion. I confess that I don't normally get that into retro games, but Vostok Inc has won me over. Prepare for time to pass at an alarming rate. Nosebleed Interactive have spent their energies in the right areas to make this game top rated for fun.
Aporia ticks a lot of boxes without necessarily heading in a typical direction for a game these days. The combination of visual and audio make it an absolute pleasure to play. The puzzles are not overly taxing, but in keeping with the vibe of the game. I have made everyone in my family play this game now and the verdict is unanimous, they all like it. I'm sure that the game will be a bit Marmite for some, those that only like the adrenaline rush of facing 20 incoming zombies armed with only a stick might not appreciate the beauty and subtlety of the game. Maybe try something new?