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Grunn is a wonderful mystery-horror game hiding under the cover of a simulation game. There are genuine jumpscares and moments that are so tense you’re waiting for something bad to happen. The art style, audio and the way you have to uncover the story have made it a really memorable game. I’m still playing through it and I cannot wait to be able to say that I’ve unlocked all the endings. Dan has done a really good job at creating a fun little experience that makes you want to play more. Given how much time I’ve sank into this game, it would be unfair to give Grunn anything other than the Thumb Culture Platinum Award
If you’re a fan of the vast majority of franchises in Funko Fusion, you’ll have an incredible time playing through the game. However, if you aren’t then I’m not sure how appealing this game is going to be for you. Fortunately for the game I am a massive fan of the included worlds and as such enjoyed every second of my play time. Playing through the worlds that I have either grown up with (The Thing) or just from my favourite movies (Hot Fuzz) was an absolute joy. Thankfully for all gamers out there a recent patch also made it easier to unlock worlds and expand your gameplay. Funko Fusion receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Close your eyes for me. Now imagine you’re walking down a dimly lit alley, the cold, damp air clinging to your skin like a bad memory. A flickering streetlamp buzzes overhead, casting jagged shadows that dance in the mist. Out of the corner of your eye, you catch the movement of a figure in a nearby window, fleeing like a ghost. Before you can react, they vanish, leaving the alley in a tense silence. You sprint toward the building, your gut twisting in suspicion. As you push open the door, the smell hits you. Inside, sprawled across the floor in a pool of blood, lies a body. Lifeless. Now open your eyes. You’re now back in the real world where you didn’t experience any of that. And that’s a bit like what playing Shadows Of Doubt on PlayStation 5 is like. It’s genuinely heart-breaking to say this, but in its current state, I cannot recommend Shadows of Doubt on console. There’s an amazing game here, but the technical problems are simply too big to ignore. It’s not just a matter of a few bugs. It feels like the game was released in an unfinished state on consoles. These issues constantly get in the way of enjoying what could otherwise be one of the most immersive and addictive games of the year. As it stands, I have no choice but to award Shadows of Doubt the Broken Thumb Culture Award.
Recycling Center Simulator is a fun and simple game. I wouldn’t say I liked it or disliked it. The gameplay isn’t anything extreme, and it depends if you enjoy doing the same thing over and over. I wish maybe some small secrets to find scattered around or some cheesy dialogue. If you’re unsure about picking it up, at the time of writing this review there was a demo for the game available. I’d suggest checking that out if you still can.
Charles Cecil and co. over at Revolution Studios know a winning formula when it comes to the narrative-style genre of games. I feel that releasing the Reforged version is a way of bringing the games to the modern audience. Hopefully, they will continue going through the series, especially with the 6th installment – Broken Sword – Parzival’s Stone in the works. I have loved the nostalgia that Shadow of the Templars brought about. Nostalgia but with the comfort of playing on my PS5 from my sofa. I certainly hope that others also share the same feeling and keep their support going for the studio.
Whilst it may not be the perfect game and the gameplay loop is a bit repetitive, the one thing that The Mixologist does have, that ensures you will have fun for hours, is the real-life drinks list. Getting to pour your favourite cocktails, maybe even try some fancy moves. One thing that will keep you coming back for more is the fun factor.
Anomalie Studios created a delightful yet thought-provoking story and I am here for it. They gave me the impression that Melobot was well loved when developing and it shows. I had been craving something a little different game-play wise for a while and Melobot delivered that to me. A word of advice though; do not underestimate this game in terms of ease. Imagine you are a first time PC player. Remembering where keys are for your attacks and moving your mouse to ensure you’re kept out of harms’ way? Ooft. It’ll be a quick boss fight and you’d be the reason for it. I am totally not speaking from experience here…
Overall, if Cat Rescue Story is on your wish list, I would encourage you to buy it. In all honesty, who doesn’t love cats? And if you don’t, what kind of monster are you? Players will easily get lost in this cosy and relaxing game. Therefore, I will be rewarding Cat Rescue Story with the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
In conclusion, The Holy Gosh Darn is a great addition to the Tuesday trilogy. If you’ve played the previous games you’re going to be content with this when you pick it up. For newcomers, nothing is stopping you from jumping in here and then moving on to the other titles. If the trailer below entices you to check out the game, you can expect more of the same absurdity and comedy throughout. I applaud the twists and turns of the story which kept me on my toes. There’s a clever re-use of locations as the story progresses which rewards a keen eye and good memory. The humour was also consistently good, managing to be entertaining even when the game is trying to frustrate you by delaying you in extended conversations and scenarios. I’ve been going back and forth on what award to give this. If you’re a fan of the previous games, this is an essential buy. If you’re new, and the trailer appeals, I’d say you should absolutely give it a go.
Brink Traveler has been out for quite some time, but being wireless on the Quest headset gives an incredible experience. Sending you on a journey around the globe to experience some once-in-a-lifetime locations. Brink XR are continuing to update the game and bring us new locations. Who knows, the next one may be somewhere you’ve already been.
Dovetail Games has done it again, they have brought another fascinating train simulator onto the track. As a train fan, this game feels incredibly authentic with everything where it should be. Train Sim World 5 reaches it’s final destination and gets the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Supermoves is a great game. There are areas where it could be polished a bit more, however, the quick-paced nature of throwing yourself from one platform to another is really exciting and certainly gives you a buzz. The arcade-feel and adrenalin that pumps as you calculate your next death-defying leap or massive miscalculation certainly keep you on your toes. I really hope that other gamers see how much fun this game is and begin hosting multiplayer lobbies. Supermoves deserves recognition!
Overall, I enjoyed playing Football Referee Simulator. It is a different take on the football simulation genre, putting us in the shoes of those that most football fans hate. The developer can make this game even better by making some slight tweaks and additions. But for the £0.89 price tag, you can’t go too far wrong at all. It is with all this in mind, that I will be awarding Football Referee Simulator with a Thumb Culture Silver Award.
Now in the end, I sadly can’t say if Disney’s Epic Mickey: Rebrushed does the previous version justice. But what I can say is that it’s a blast! The world is fun and with the lighting improvements, it does great at setting a darker tone and look. Seeing classic characters was cool, especially since I love classic cartoons (particularly Rubber hose animation). Combat is enjoyable and not tedious. New enemies get introduced just as I’m feeling bored with the current ones, which helps it stay fresh.
Pneumata’s gunplay was still solid, and I enjoyed using the guns. You can feel the weight behind each swing of a melee weapon. I still didn’t like the block/dodging from the demo. It was annoying during specific parts of the game where they would throw a hoard of creatures at you. The few reasons I say this was annoying was because of explosive barrels in poor locations. Enemies basically breathing down your neck while running so you can’t detonate said barrels.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a delightful romp through both the past and present. It’s a game that doesn’t try to be anything more than a fun, nostalgic platform and succeeds. While it may not have the depth or challenge of some platformers, it makes up for it with charm, style, and a heap of nostalgia. Whether you’re a long-time Rugrats fan or just looking for a light hearted platformer to enjoy with a friend, this game is well worth your time. Just remember to grab your screwdriver—you never know when you’ll need it. For its merits, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Frostpunk 2 has a specific way of making you feel urgency, all the time. The stress I felt when the death and illness count was rising in my city was beyond terrifying. Knowing your city is on the brink of collapse isn’t the end through. There is a reward for playing again. You start a new game now knowing the outcome of your actions. It helps you become a better leader and this is reward enough. I will absolutely be playing more of this game. I won’t be surprised if I beat my record time spent on Frostpunk with this one!
I did say this game needs co-ordination and unfortunately, I am a button masher extraordinaire. I can, however, appreciate the beauty and the message of this story. Kazimir’s journey needs to end with the peace he needs and deserves. Selfloss is a bittersweet yet stimulating game that incorporates both story and gameplay. I recommend this game to anyone wanting to dive into a deep narrative about ‘self-loss’ (pun fully intended). This is a great start for Goodwin Game, I can’t wait to see what they publish next.
Caravan SandWitch is a cozy, thoughtful game that stands out due to its emotional depth and engrossing world. The lack of combat might deter some, but those who enjoy narrative-heavy adventures will find plenty to love here. At the time of writing the performance issues on the Switch make it that bit harder to recommend on the system. But regardless of platform, Caravan SandWitch offers a touching, memorable journey that lingers with you long after you’ve finished playing.
What The Car? is exactly what you expect from the description with even greater unexpected turns. It’s a silly adventure game where you play as a little car in a world run by adorable bears with jobs. Every level is a new journey and a new challenge. The game is short and sweet but delivers on what it sets out to achieve. There’s enough content in the game that offers a lot of replayability, especially when it comes to trying out player-made levels or finding all the hidden secrets. Players who were fans of Triband‘s previous titles or fans of this genre will enjoy this new addition, especially at its affordable price tag.