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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.
Frank and Drake is an awesome experience that delivers. Not only is it a feast for the eyes with some truly beautiful art and animation but the narrative and how it is delivered gets its hooks into you. It will really have you flex your cognitive might.
One of the biggest strengths of the game is the freedom in how you can approach play and succeed. You can focus on building strong relationships between villagers, or you can optimise the employment prospects. You can expand your village through recruitment, coupling with outsiders or filling houses with children. You'll probably find yourself bouncing between these different options during a playthrough to help firefight your current predicaments. This really helps to keep the gameplay loop fresh and challenging.
The gameplay of Exoprimal plays really well, with the suits being easy to learn and feeling like each brings something to the team as intended. The story is where the game starts to lose my interest, as sadly, playing multiplayer repeatedly to get some data or cinematic is pretty boring.
Even though this game has its issues, I still enjoyed the gameplay. That’s why I’m giving it the Thumb Cultures Gold Award.
I found Strayed Lights too quick to finish and with little content. The lack of dialogue or notes ruins what could’ve been an interesting story. The combat and bosses were fun, apart from the final boss since its attack let up.
Though Final Fantasy XVI is a fun game in its own right, much of the appeal comes from the visuals. The combat is fun, with its flashing colours, but spamming square for forty hours isn’t much fun. Though the boss fights look great, once again, it’s all visuals and doesn’t leave much for the player to do except do enough damage to trigger a cinematic and then do some quick-time events. Story-wise, they do well, with the overall goal being for Clive to destroy the Mother Crystals. However, how the story goes about this is rather messy. Characters don’t get enough development for me to care, with Benedikta Harman being a good example. Without spoilers, it felt as if they couldn’t decide her role in the story. Unless the enemies are large or bosses, they don’t really fight back and will just get smacked around. The game says you can do builds but doesn’t offer a proper way for the player. There are no different weapon types or spells. The only two stats used for combat is solely staggering and attack. They decided to go with smaller maps instead of a larger open world. Which is fine, but these areas are lifeless and lack any secrets. I was shocked to see that for a game about gods who control the elements, the elemental effect didn’t play a part in the game. Final Fantasy XVI relies too much on its visuals and not enough on the gameplay. That’s why I’m giving it the Thumb Cultures Silver Award.
The game Inner Ashes bravely tackles the sensitive topic of Alzheimer’s disease with great skill and sensitivity. The developer’s approach is both educational and tasteful, showcasing a deep understanding of the subject matter. As a result, the game is a beautiful and impactful experience. It is for this reason Inner Ashes is awarded the Thumb Culture Platinum Award
F1 23 really nails the driving experience like no iteration has done before. Catching slides makes you feel every bit the seasoned F1 driver. It’s a game changer. The Breaking Point story mode is really well done with some great acting, story twists/turns and some top notch cutscenes that heighten the drama. It’s time now for the franchise to move up the grid and onto current gen only release, carrying forward the pieces that have been mastered. Codemasters must press the foot to the floor and finally put some of the quirks that have been hanging around the game for a few years now firmly in the rear view mirrors. This one takes the chequered flag with a very strong Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Overall, Cruise Ship Manager is a basic simulation game that’s not all that engaging. From its low-poly graphics and repetitive music to its boring and sometimes creepy-looking characters, the game feels lifeless. If you’re a fan of simulation games or just looking for a fun way to pass the time, Cruise Ship Manager is likely to feel devoid of a real game. So lay anchor up, set down the sails and disembark; this cruise isn’t worth going aboard. I award Cruise Ship Manager a Thumb Culture Bronze Award.
Martian Panic was okay for what it is. For someone like myself who doesn’t play many rail shooters, it was easy to pick up and play. The dialogue was fun, and the visuals were enjoyable. I wish there were some unlockable art or modes to toggle on and off. For example, a classic black and white filter or unlimited ammo for power-up guns. If you’re looking for casual fun or simply to check out the rail shooter genre, then pick this up. I give Martian Panic the Thumb Cultures Silver Award.
Park Beyond goes beyond just a fresh coat of paint in the genre and sets a new standard for future games with innovative ideas and challenges. It invokes fun and nostalgia reminiscent of Theme Park, which must have been its inspiration.