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Maybe I've been sleeping too long on some Mobile Games, because What The Golf absolutely nails what fun games are all about. This is genuinely on another level when it comes to design and it subverts your expectations right from the get go. The game constantly finding new ways to entertain, challenge and surprise. I would love to see what the creative genius of this talented team at Triband could come up with if tackling some other genres of games.
The best way to describe House Flipper 2 is that it is the older sibling of House Flipper. The grown-up version, but is still familiar. But there is plenty of room to grow and develop. It's not often I say this, but I genuinely believe that this game is worth its money. Frozen District has taken the well-loved mechanics from the first game and has improved them. Although House Flipper 2 is not at the level of its predecessor in terms of furniture, objects, houses, etc.. the game will just keep improving, and I am genuinely excited to see how it improves. It is with all this in mind, that I will be awarding House Flipper 2 with the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
SO: TD is a short but sweet game that delivers an interesting horror experience. It does suffer from being too short and the abstract narrative left mostly unexplained. In its two-hour playtime, there are stunning visuals and solid audio to go with it. And for a linear game, it delivers a compelling plot to ponder and revisit afterwards. But I do wish there were more answers than being left with mostly questions. I enjoyed my time playing SO: TD and am curious to see what Juan-Mod brings us next.
Nyaaaanvy is a bizarre but really enjoyable battle game. At first, I was a little unsure, however once I had played the first match and got to grips with the controls and arena physics it became one that I couldn’t put down. For a game that is quite simple, nudging and spin attacking your opponents is great fun and makes for a brilliant game both in single and multiplayer.
Overall I liked my time playing Planet Zoo and I'm glad to have gotten to experience it. The setup is excellent and Frontier Development put a lot of care into the game. However, in practice, this visually fantastic game didn't do as well with the gameplay mechanics. The variety of content combined with the mechanics almost shot itself in the foot. There is so much going on and even during the tutorial there is no way to revisit support/guidance and ends up becoming more frustrating than fun. The graphics and audio of Planet Zoo are also amazing and designed and run very well, especially in busy zoos. It is so easy to stop and simply watch the animals in their habitats. The cliché British characters, soundtrack and sounds were fantastic and worked well with the intended ambience of the game. And with so much content and options there are many hours of gameplay and so many zoos to build and see.
The ‘90s badass tropes will wear thin very quickly, but they won’t stop you coming back for more. Beat Slayer is a thoroughly enjoyable rhythmic romp that is both fun and deceivingly addictive. With an exceptional soundtrack and mix-and-match gameplay with something for everyone, you’ll be saying “Just one more run” until the wee hours.
The Outlast Trials is a fun coop game with friends (you can play alone as well). But there doesn't seem to be much in the way of content. The main maps are great with having the players do various objectives, but I found the MK Challenges tedious and lame.
An exquisitely crafted experience Freedom Planet 2 was definitely worth the long wait. The sheer amount of little details that have been implemented with such thought, care and attention shows not only the abundance of talent at Galaxy Trail but also the passion they have for their projects. DO NOT let this one speedrun past you! It should absolutely be on your radar. Having taken an already excellent first game and dialing everything up to 11 for this sequel, I look forward to what this gifted team of developers has in store for us next.
Playing Penny’s Big Breakaway washed me over with a wave of nostalgia that Sonic Mania was already supplying. There are some tricky moments everyone needs to be careful when playing on the controller and that is your right thumbstick. I’ve died several times because my thumb flicks the thumbstick and the yo-yo does a trick that kills my jump. I’ve given my thumb a Homer style strangling for its betrayal. I delightfully bestow the Thumb Culture Platinum Award upon this gem of a game.
If you enjoy games like Portal Knights, you're going to enjoy how Omega Crafter transforms the elements of survival games. I'm going to keep playing it to see just how much more I can find that I haven't already.
Although there are many positives to the game, I do believe that some of the negatives outweigh these. It cannot be said that the developers don't care. Within the first couple of days since the release, the developers have already made updates which has taken on board some of the issues highlighted. The main issue I have with the game is the longevity, and how much this game can offer. And unfortunately, I do not see this as a game I would often go back to. And this is echoed by many of the players thus far.
The jokes were funny, and the game does play really well with no glitches. But (and this is what hurts the most), the game overall just isn't long enough. I managed to finish the game in just over two hours. When completed there was no real reason to keep on playing. The game lacks anything for the player to work towards. If players enjoy collecting trophies, they can add some longevity that way.
Millennia is an exceptional strategy game that brings some real competition to the 4X genre, but it still has a few areas where it could improve to match others in the genre, providing players with a rich and captivating gameplay experience. Promising endless enjoyment, its meticulous historical accuracy, interesting changes to it, and sophisticated mechanics ensure a rewarding challenge for strategy enthusiasts. The deep mechanics, historical elements, and attention to detail, make it a must-play, whether you are a keen history aficionado or a dedicated strategy player.
Considering just how simple the basic gameplay is, the combination of the stunning art style and the chill lo-fi vibes of the soundtrack make this an incredibly impressive experience. Each meticulously crafted level manages to separate itself from the rest and stand out. Every element of each dream feels impeccably crafted with incredible attention to detail. No detail left unpolished.
When I read that Outcast was one of the games that helped pioneer the open-world genre, I was impressed! But that is to say, this game seems like it would have thrived back in the day. Nowadays, we have way too many open-world games, and this one doesn't seem impressive unless you loved the first and wanted a sequel. It's a shame, as the world of Adelpha is beautiful, and some of the creature designs look cool, but it falls short everywhere else, in my opinion.
Alone in the Dark is brilliant and ticks all the boxes for me. The setting, storyline, characters, gameplay and puzzles are fantastic. If you enjoy a mix of combat and puzzle solving with a horror vibe running through it, you certainly need to pick this game up.
SUMMERHOUSE is a dream game for those who love to build tiny houses with big stories and the freedom to create whatever they want. Beautifully crafted, it's easy to pick up, and made with a lot of love and thought. Being a solo and personal project, the game achieves what it sets out to do. There is no limitation to what you build when using your imagination. Bringing a sense of serenity with its minimalist but thoughtful approach to gaming, it has me wishing for summer to arrive. I would love to see future DLC where players can have more themed blocks to recreate their childhood neighborhoods.
As a long time fan of the franchise, being able to play the original games on a newer console was enough for me to love it. Aspyr have managed to give the game a much needed upgrade whilst remaining true to the source material.
For those who love art and are interested in new ways to showcase paintings this game is a must. It's an interesting take on the hidden object genre of games too. As I said earlier the wavy animation featured in all of the paintings meant eye strain was a real issue. I have a little interest in art and found this game really interesting.
Berserk Boy offers ample gameplay which is fun, fast-paced, and enjoyable, offering plenty for Casual Players, Speed Runners, and Completionists alike. The graphics are lovely as are the cutscenes, and the music is just perfect for the game. Overall, this is what any Action Platformer fan has been waiting for.