Thumb Culture
HomepageThumb Culture's Reviews
While I am a massive lover of Rise of the Triad, I feel that the Ludicrous Edition will possibly only appeal to die-hard fans and those who enjoy retro gaming. It is tough at times playing games that you loved yesteryear to find that the pizzaz that enthralled you has long been superseded by today’s games, therefore not luring modern gamers. I do hope that I am wrong, and I also hope that the online crossplay works well so that there are many multiplayer lobbies available in the future when it launches on console.
Sprout Valley is an adorable game with an identity that unfortunately works to its detriment. The simplicity may be a selling point that attracts some, but I imagine even those will end up disappointed with a lack of things to do and build. I can see Sprout Valley building an audience on Nintendo Switch, where people will check in on their island for minutes at a time. The game has an incredibly solid foundation, but the features here need to be expanded on.
Wow! From the get-go, I was overwhelmed (in a good way) by the vibrant and detailed lands utilising light and colour well. I thoroughly enjoyed playing as the three quirky characters solving what came to be challenging puzzles only able to be solved by a combination of them all. As stated above I can only imagine the game is ten times as enjoyable playing with others. Little has been done to change the characters and their skills but if it's not broken, don't fix it. Overall, it is a masterclass in how side-scrolling 2.5d platformers should be made and it is above and beyond all out there at the moment.
Sea of Stars is a masterpiece in my eyes. The gameplay offers a nice challenge without being too hard. If players struggle, they’ve implemented relics to help make the game easier. The characters all have great chemistry, and I couldn’t hate a single one (Garl is my favourite). Combat is very engaging without asking too much of the player. I enjoy the animations for cutscenes to help emphasise what’s going on. When performing a spell or combo, the animations look smooth. I found the Ninja Seraï’s skill where she goes behind and attacks through a portal to both look amazing and cold. The soundtrack does well to set the mood.
While the game’s graphics and audio are impressive, I believe that the balance of the game is not quite up to par. This may be attributed to the 4 vs 3 gameplay approach. Personally, I did not experience the same level of fear that I had when being pursued by Jason Voorhees.
Despite its short runtime and perhaps lacking enough challenge for veteran players, Full Void is still absolutely worth picking up. The platforming puzzles and superb visuals are a great combination, underscored by an exceptional sense of atmosphere and unease. It also taps into how a debilitating event would feel and be perceived through the eyes of a child living through it. A worthy homage to its 20th-century predecessors, fans will feel right at home and have an enjoyable couple of hours.
Having played a fair few games recently that looked like I would enjoy, but ended up as an epic fail, I was a little sceptical. My fears were quickly alleviated though as I entered a fantastically created world full of wonders and awe. Simplistic gameplay and challenging levels awaited and I had to be on top form to progress steadily. Tenebris Pictura takes all the flavours to create the perfect blend of modern gaming.
Even though I looked forward to playing Red Dead Redemption after playing, I think it would have been better off with a remaster. Maybe it’s because of the vast improvements I enjoyed in Red Dead Redemption 2, but I didn’t find this as enjoyable as I did back on PS3.
While it’s short, Ashina The Red Witch has bags of story, well-developed characters, beautiful pixel art, and some great tunes on its soundtrack. As the dots connect and the pennies drop there’s a rewarding payoff for those who have played previous Stranga Games titles. This is a must-play for any fans of My Big Sister and Red Bow.
Homeseek boasts some brilliant writing, good graphics and terrific audio. With a quick but believable backstory and clear influences from games like Frostpunk, it’s a solid entry in the colony sim genre. There are plenty of original touches and mechanics, but the game stays true to its roots and provides one of the best dystopian, post-apocalyptic colony sim experiences I’ve had in a long time.
With impressive visuals, great voice-over of characters, and a beautifully realised world, it’s easy to forget this is a port of a mobile game.
The improvements that Frontier Development has added, have really brought the game to a new level. And I would urge any F1 fans (who do not just watch F1 for the crashes) to buy and download the game.
This game has fun platforming, relaxing puzzles, and a great story that asks big questions with down-to-earth protagonists. Sephonie manages to juggle three strong cores to individual games and bind them together (if a bit loosely) to make a satisfying experience that pulls you in – it has definitely won me over after my time with it.
Venba is a triumph. Its representation of a culture rarely seen in video games is refreshing and sorely needed more. The story is both heart-warming and heart-breaking in equal measure and covers several scenarios that families with a similar history will no doubt resonate with on a personal level. Visai Studio has loving crafted a stunning recipe of puzzles, story, music and art that blend together in a rich, well-rounded dish that’s not to be missed.
Having the expansion elements as well as the barn finds, auction house and more gives The Repair House variety to break up from just dismantling, purchasing parts and repairing. It brings that extra element that is often missing from a lot of these similar simulations.
A solid side-scrolling action adventure beat-em-up. I loved being reunited with Double Dragon in all its revamped glory and enjoyed my time playing it. I’ll no doubt dip into the game from time to time or even play it split-screen with friends and family. There’s tons of replayability and it’s challenging enough especially with the various difficulty modes for it not to get boring quickly.
While I enjoyed the questioning and puzzle solving of who, what, why, and how? I did not fully get the bizarre death matches and surreal mundane mystery labyrinths. I guess you could argue it was a battle of the subconscious as to find a definitive solution in order to find the truth.
The game runs very well with no framerate issues at all. A major gripe I had with the game was when I dismantled a gun to repair it. The camera always pulls back to the centre. When it does this every time, it starts to become tedious. I wish the upgrades were better, as they don’t seem worth it. It’s okay that the upgrade makes sanding quicker, but that’s only part of the process. What about the cutting or carving, as they are all part of the same task when playing?
My Friendly Neighborhood was honestly a breath of fresh air. The game doesn’t put pressure on the player with needless chase scenes. Puzzles are well-made and not too challenging. The characters and voice acting are excellent and left me laughing and feeling uncomfortable.
Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara is designed to be playable by all ages, and suits different play styles. Whether you’re a speed runner who wants to set record times or an explorer who prefers to visit every corner of the map, Koa has you covered. There’s enough gameplay to keep things interesting, and the developers have left it open to DLC or expansion in the future.