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My time with Cult of The Lamb was a delight. I have recommended it to a lot of my friends already. Massive Monster and Devolver Digital are likely to grab a stack of awards for this “Cult” hit. I award Cult Of The Lamb the Thumb Culture Gold Award
Ultimately, Lord Winklebottom Investigates was a charming, entertaining, and altogether wonderful game that I thoroughly enjoyed playing. The puzzles were fun, the writing fun, and the story was engaging, all of which contributed to a delightful experience. As a result, I am happy to award Lord Winklebottom Investigates the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Cursed to Golf brings a fresh spin on the Roguelike genre, which is very welcome. It’s charming, funny and mastering the levels gets very addictive. While its learning curve can be steep at times the sense of achievement when beating a boss utilising all of your skills is really rewarding. As it sinks it hooks into you be prepared to say “Just one more run”…. a lot. I would love to see multiplayer added in the future as this game would lend itself well to couch co-op or online matches. This would be a tonne of fun. If you want a fun and challenging game that delivers an addictive adventure then look no further than Cursed To Golf. It takes home the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
So what does all this mean for the Saints Row score. Well the game isn’t perfect, there are the odd little nuance of the game, but boy oh boy is everything just fun about the game. It doesn’t take itself seriously, which is easy to do when previous iterations of the franchise have allowed you to fight using a large purple dildo.
At WASD I thought this would be a game to look out for and I'm glad to have been proven right. Arcade Paradise is a masterpiece of how to mix both the simulation and retro genres together and not loose the vital elements. I can't put it down and for that reason, I award Arcade Paradise the Thumb Culture Platinum Award!
My final thought on Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is that maybe, just maybe the Nintendo Switch could have found its game of the year. It's an experience that will stay with you forever and has the ability to make a grown man cry. Words are pointless right now so all I'm going to say is. That if you have a Nintendo Switch then it is an absolute must to play this game. So it's with great pleasure that I give Xenoblade Chronicles 3 the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
The attention to detail in this game is a brilliant display of confidence. Every little bit of it triangulates and octagulates (100% accidental reference to the other Square Enix games mentioned above) and enchants the mind. Every bit of the experience is worth it. The question is often asked, ‘Are games art?’ Well, of course, they are—and 32 years ago this great example was released. Now, love and passion—by all those in Square Enix responsible—have given us a remake to be savoured. Live A Live gets the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
This compilation is a fantastic addition to any retro or modern game collection and is the definitive Wonder Boy experience. The four games on there have been carefully curated and are the best to be included. They have brought the old into the new age by making it more accessible for all generations. They are as fun to play now as they were back then, and kids will love them. If you missed out on these games when they were first released, now is your chance to get on and enjoy them. Even with the rose-tinted goggles removed, I award the Wonder Boy Collection the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
As I’m sure you can already tell, I adore this game. From gameplay to atmosphere The Tarnishing of Juxtia is an experience that I will love playing for years to come. There are very few games that I would call perfect, but The Tarnishing of Juxtia is one of them.
For an Early Access release Terraformers is well on the right path to being a great fun game. All the right boxes are ticked for the game style and with ever-increasing difficulties, it will be hard to walk away from. The gameplay is challenging but still fun and can be entertainingly frustrating without wanting to rage quit. If this is your bag, then you should definitely bag it, it is definitely worth the investment.
My final thought on the Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium collection is that it’s a game with so much content that it will last forever. The gameplay is great, the audio is absolutely fantastic and there is something for all ages across every genre. It can be fast-paced or slow as hell. The choice in gameplay is up to you.
Two Point Campus has taken the world of its predecessor and built upon it, creating the best example of a management simulation. Two Point Campus is available on PC (Steam), Xbox One / Series S/X and Playstation 4/5.
My final thought on Spidersaurs is that it’s a great game. It pulls you in right from the start with the catchy intro, colourful art style and kickass theme tune. The gameplay is fast-moving and flows really well. It’s a game that will definitely appeal to many video game genres as well as retro gamers.
Retreat to Enen is landing at a time when we as humans are starting to really explore the issues of climate change, and our effect on the natural world. The game really explores some of these issues in a relaxed and passive manner.
Unavowed is a great point-and-click adventure made by a studio at the very top of their game. It’s accessible to new players without compromising anything for more experienced point-and-click enthusiasts.
TombStar looks and feels a lot like other top-down, twin-stick shooters. But I feel it also has its own uniqueness in the setting and lore that gives it enough of a bump to make it competitive with others like Enter the Gungeon or even Hades
Firegirl: Hack n Splash Rescue DX is fun, but only when you get past a frustrating initial hump. It suffers from balance issues with its progression and economy. It may be a push that many players are unwilling to grind through.
Bright Memory: Infinite is a sci-fi single-player FPS set in 2036 China where you investigate a singularity threatening the world. It was made by indie developer Zeng Xiancheng of FYQD Studio with their first major release and publisher Playism (DEEEER Simulator). Bright Memory was originally released in Steam early access in 2019 as an episodic game. After success on Steam, Xiancheng was inspired to re-release Bright Memory in full rather than in episodes. FYQD Studio has found success, both in Steam early access and being awarded the Unreal Dev Grant from Epic Games.
My final thought on Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is that while the gameplay is fast and fluid and easy for most of the game. I just can’t ignore the bland and boring story. It goes on way too long and it’s way too predictable. Along with bad performance graphics-wise and a non-excictent multiplayer. The soundtrack is one that truly stands out.
Sadly, this is a game that doesn’t quite stick the landing, despite having a stellar concept. There’s plenty of ambition on display here, and I commend that fact. Decisions are poignant and permanent, and seeing all the different places available to go is a treat. Seeing some of the tropes of other game genres mixed in was also a nice touch. One of the highlights was picking produce from my garden in that wild west farming game. Pop culture commentary. Gets me every time. However, the numerous negatives I’ve highlighted throughout this review does make for a tough recommendation.