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I thoroughly enjoyed Sushi Bar Express, which is no surprise considering that I love this genre of game. However, it does not live up to the likes of Cooking Mama, however a fun addition to simulation cooking games. It should be checked out by the likes of young and old. It is definitely something that I will be continuing to play. Therefore, I will be awarding Sushi Bar Express with the Thumb Culture Silver Award.
Deceive Inc is brilliant, even though the combat can be a bit clunky with aiming and firing the guns however the developers have addressed this and are working on lots of updates. I still cannot get over that a team of just 18 people can produce a game of this quality. It is either a game that you are going to really enjoy or simply not get on with. I am firmly in the enjoy it camp and for that reason, Deceive Inc gets the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
This remake had the potential to derail the amazing work Capcom has been doing with remaking games in the series. I was worried about it being a fan favourite. I am glad to report that the series is still in great hands. Capcom has seemingly done the impossible and made Resident Evil 4 even better. With the Mercenaries DLC out this week for free things will continue going from strength to strength. With new areas and stunning graphics combined with the power of the PlayStation 5 and dualsense controller, it is a match made in heaven. For this reason, I award Resident Evil 4 the Thumb Culture Platinum award.
While not perfect Blade Assault is fantastically addictive and engrossingly challenging. The ramp up in difficulty is nicely balanced with building your skills for an epic run being so rewarding. If you’ve never tried a Rougelite/Roguelike game before this is a fun place to start. If this genre is normally your jam then there are some deep levelling systems here to get lost in.
In a nutshell Alterity Experience is a short game with a poor ending. There is no real conclusion and no questions are answered about the actual theme of the game. Just find things and move on. I can imagine the concept at the point of idea was better than the finished product, but I feel very much like I had ordered from Wish. Aside from the sense of fear created when the aliens are trying to break in, movement and comfortably large space in which to move around, Alterity Experience comes up short in all other departments. I am awarding Alterity Experience a Thumb Culture bronze award because I can see the potential, although I would have rather had an Alternative Experience. Time to go and watch Signs to remember how alien invasions are done properly.
While Planet Cube: Edge is a decent game it lacks a certain “je ne sais quoi”. Its looks will have an appeal for Gameboy fans and its sounds will be nostalgic for many, but some frustrating gameplay quirks mean it ultimately falls short of greatness.
So, the game could do with a bit of polish. But the developer cares about this game. There were a few other issues that I had while playing that had already been fixed before release day.
Alice Gear Aegis CS: Concerto of Simulatrix looks and plays like it would be better suited to be a mobile game. There is nothing for players to unlock through progression. The gold earned is only for outfits in the game. The weapons aren’t upgradable in Aegis.
Blood Bowl’s customisation doesn’t seem to exist at all. All players are visually the same, with only paid armour being any different. No options for different hairstyles, colours or scars, with all the characters looking very much copy and paste. The game seems very slow, with the A.I. taking ages to take their turn, and with no speed up, this gets annoying.
WWE 2K23 is most definitely a redeeming title for this franchise most thought would be dead and buried. With some DLC on the way featuring some fan-favourite superstars with their own move sets and entrances. As always with games and multiple DLC there is a Season Pass available which will help to save a few £’s in the long run.
I really enjoyed The Guise, and I was pleasantly surprised at the engaging storytelling. The mix of exploration, combat and platforming blends really well, and Rasul Mono, the creator, has definitely created a beautiful game that is well worth checking out. I do not think you will be disappointed. I will be awarding The Guise a Thumb Culture Silver Award.
Dredge quickly gets its hooks into you with its addictive gameplay loop, while its mysteries will keep you intrigued. The delivery of its story makes it feel like one of the create your own adventure books of old, giving it a unique identity.
So with the love that is usually put into the scripting and references for Postal 4: No Regerts is highly applauded. the frame issues and load issues do put a sour taste in your mouth, but if you are willing to overlook that and enjoy the game for its charismatic characters and extremely gory and explicit combat then this would be a great game for you.
I enjoyed my time with Titanium Hound. It’s a hidden gem that more people should start digging into. The story could do with some work, but the controls and feel of the game were on point.
Its approach and delivery of its storytelling feel fresh and unique. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of my all time favourite movies and this is the video game equivalent of that Charlie Kaufman masterpiece.
Overall I have to give IXION a big thumbs up. While it might be a little difficult at times, if you just take your time and read the tutorials, you should find it quite enjoyable.
I was starting to get bored and frustrated around the 8-hour mark on Mato Anomalies, thanks to the poor rewards and Gear System. Making the team share a health bar seemed like a good idea. However, it does more bad than good, with enemies barraging with attacks.
Overall as mentioned above, the game has its charm. However, it is aimed at a younger audience but isn’t off-putting for older players. Looks wise it’s easy on the eyes and has comic classic wording appearing during combat which is always appealing
Aces & Adventures pleasantly surprised me with its engaging narrative & worldbuilding and incorporation of poker as the primary combat mechanic. Don’t let the poker element put you off as the card library and enemy encounters will help you find your perfect deck. I did feel thrown in the deep end a bit but it is worthwhile to power through.
Meg’s Monster is a unique and heartfelt little game that manages to stand out from its peers. While its gameplay mechanics could benefit from more variety, its characters and story make it a worthwhile experience for players who enjoy games with strong emotional themes.