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Nerf Legends is an FPS shooter that fails to hit the target. Despite being based on the iconic foam dart firing toys it’s sad to say that this is not a title that lives up to its expectations. Without multiplayer and a relatively dull single-player experience, I am afraid that if it is “Nerf or nothing” then I choose “nothing”.
I enjoyed my time playing Rescue Party: Live! though I definitely recommend playing co-op. It has strong similarities to Overcooked and that same sim genre but is different enough to stand on its own. I found it is friendly for all ages in gameplay and look & sound. And with plenty of variety in maps and challenges within which kept playing from feeling stale. From playing with friends to mastering levels and unlocking trophies, there is plenty to keep you busy here.
Featuring well-designed and well-balanced gameplay, great graphics, and a host of maps and modes to suit every player. Personally, I can see myself returning to the game every few days for an hour or so, enjoying some casual but explosive FPS fun. Halo Infinite is balanced, fun and introduces just enough new features to make it interesting. It caters to players of different skill levels and allows both casual and hardcore to enjoy hours of gameplay. Did I mention, it’s also free? What’s not to love about that.
Bloodshore is the game that just keeps on giving when it comes to replayability. While the longevity of a single playthrough is roughly around two hours. The number of choices that the game has to offer will always give you another playthrough. There are so many different endings and choices and different narrative choices to make. I would estimate that there are at least 20 hours of gameplay to keep you going back. Because trust me when you finish one playthrough. You just have to play another one to see a different outcome by making different choices from the previous game.
Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water is just what horror games need right now. Zombies are such an oversaturated idea and they are everywhere. So it is nice to have something truly scary in a paranormal survival horror. It is a great game to introduce new fans to the series who possibly weren’t even born when it came out. Though controls are a bit finicky, it is very unique and stands out well in a slew of subpar horrors that rarely even raise a whimper, let alone have you losing sleep at night. The drab setting, story, lore, and atmosphere created would fit snuggly amongst other J-horror media. With jump scares here and there, it’s the subtle ones that got to me. What you think you saw, you did not see…or did you? If it raises my heart rate a little, that’s a good thing because horror doesn’t usually get to me. A job well done! Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water gets a Thumb Culture Platinum Award from me!
Red Ronin is a fun, addictive strategy game with great level design that constantly evolves to keep the game fresh. The power-up mechanics allow you to be creative with your strategy although some of the later levels do feel restrictive. A lack of story polish does hold it back a little but ultimately Red lets her blade do the talking. If you’re into fast-paced puzzles with a smattering of blood and guts, I’ve no doubt you’ll be dashing out to buy Red Ronin. I give Red Ronin the Thumb Culture Bronze Award.
Despite the odd flaw here and there, Crysis Remastered Trilogy remains highly playable today. The remaster treatment may look better in some places than others, but it still looks really good as a whole. What you get is three great games with a fantastic story and good gunplay, which costs less than a new game today. It’s a no-brainer and perfect for anyone who fancied Crysis in the past but missed out on it. If the whole trilogy had the same control and quality of life improvements as Crysis 3 it would have scored higher. That said, Crysis Remastered Trilogy takes home a respectful Thumb Culture Gold Award
People will complain that it's just another Far Cry game and it's the same as all the rest. Well, the clue is in the title mate! If you like Far Cry games, you will LOVE Far Cry 6. If you don't like them, then don't buy the game. It's that simple and it doesn't give you the right to complain about them. I don't like avocados, so I don't eat them. That way I don't complain about them. Same thing. Anyway, the game is bloody brilliant so go and buy it now! The story is engaging throughout with a few twists. If you spot warning signs early on, it will keep you guessing and the twist will sometimes hit you when you least expect it. If you like explosive gameplay, great casting, and a vast world to explore then Far Cry 6 is a must. We have a winner of the Thumb Culture Platinum Award!
Although I really enjoy Killsquad, it is not without its shortcomings. It has all the groundwork for an amazing game ahead. But without a better loot system, more diverse zones, and some tweaking of the gameplay overall, it will fall short of its full potential. Thus I award Killsquad the Thumb Culture Silver Award. Here’s hoping for a long life after launch. If you enjoyed this review, be sure to check out my previous reviews here.
Even though Nuclear Blaze is a short game, it is fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed playing this game and the challenge it gave me at certain points. Congratulations to Sébastien at Deepnight Games for creating such a masterpiece as the debut game from his new studio. I will leave you with the reveal trailer below and of course, Nuclear Blaze has earned the highly deserved Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
Coffee Noir is well written and presented. Plus, the mix of genres is unusual. It kept me fully engaged at all times, to the point where several hours had passed before I noticed. If you’re a fan of either detective fiction or business games, then Coffee Noir is worthy of your attention. I award Coffee Noir the Thumb Culture Silver Award!
All in all, Farming Life is not a bad game. Unfortunately, for me, I personally preferred other farming sim games. But please don’t let that sway you away from this game. It is a good game and Pyramid Games has done a solid job on this. It does have some good little features in it which does keep it fresh from other titles. I give Farming Life the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Overall I enjoyed playing Youtubers Life 2 quite a bit. The setting was fun and entertaining and I found the gameplay mechanics to be straightforward, especially when done often. The loose story was engaging and I enjoyed the use of social media, streaming, etc beyond simply recording videos. There were some glitches forcing me to restart the game that soured it for me a little. It looks and sounds great and if you like lifestyle simulators, I have no doubt that Youtubers Life 2 will be your cup of tea. I give Youtubers Live 2 the Thumb Culture Silver Award.
My Final Thought is that LEGO Marvel Super Heroes on the Nintendo Switch is an absolute must for not just fans of the Lego franchise but for the Marvel Universe as well. This game was an absolute blast to play. I could quite easily play through the whole game again because it is just that good. Please do yourself a favor and pick this game up. You will not be disappointed. So it is with great pleasure to give LEGO Marvel Super Heroes the Thumb Culture Platinum Award. It truly deserves it.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Diablo II Resurrected is essentially the same game but with minimal gameplay changes such as the shared stash and auto-loot. The addition of the Lord of Destruction expansion is also quite welcome. The graphical overhaul it has been given is phenomenal. I think once the connectivity issues are sorted out then it will be the complete package and players will not be disappointed. This will definitely scratch the itch of fans until the next instalment. I give Diablo II Resurrected the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Despite its short length, I had a lot of fun with Gley Lancer. The amount of variety on hand from the start is impressive and it encourages you to experiment with different formations and weapons. I’m a sucker for 16-bit games and this one hits you right in the nostalgia feels. The graphics are great for what they are but the music just makes it for me. Gley Lancer is definitely one for my import Mega Drive collection if I can find a copy. Despite playing this on PlayStation, I can see it being a great addition to the Switch. I award Gley Lancer the Thumb Culture Gold Award!
While doing this Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions review I do look back on fondness for the game. While it does have its flaws. It’s a nice refreshing change to go back to a boxing game. You don’t have to be a fan of the Rocky franchise to play it although that certainly does help. It can appeal to any gamer with its easy-to-pick-up and play attitude. So that’s why I’m going to give Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions the Thumb Culture Silver Award.
As I mentioned the graphics aren’t groundbreaking. The audio in the game also won’t whisk you into a world of your own. But don’t let that discourage you from playing Train Station Renovation. It’s a very relaxing game which I have sunk many hours into. It is definitely a game that can help you if you’re struggling with any mental health problems or de-stress. Kind of like PowerWash Simulator which Dan previewed here. The gameplay definitely makes up for the standard graphics and audio. I award Train Station Renovation the Thumb Culture Silver Award.
I’ve played a lot of Darius games, especially since I joined Thumb Culture and I have to say this has been my favourite one yet. The gameplay is frantic and fun and I think the capture ball and its various mechanics make the game so much better. Throw in a great soundtrack I would happily listen to whilst driving at high speed, and we have a great game. Even though some things can blend into the background a bit, the HD treatment is appreciated. I award G-Darius the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition is an absolute cracker. If you’re a fan of the XCOM series or even games like Mario + Rabbids Battle Kingdom then you are in for a treat with this game. Controlling the game with the DualSense controller is no chore. Snapshot Games has done a fantastic job of converting controls from keyboard and mouse to a control pad. With four DLCs included, including the newly released DLC 4: Corrupted Horizons this is definitely a brilliant deal. I award Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition the Thumb Culture Gold Award.