Alex Crooks, Author at Thumb Culture

15Oct

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

Dressmaker – PC Review

After taking the cosy gaming world by storm with a simple trailer, Dressmaker has finally launched on Steam. With some lofty expectations to live up to, we tried out this debut release from Cozy Lives to see just how far they have pushed the cosy gaming genre. Currently available on Steam for £13.90, read our review to see whether Dressmaker is worth adding to your library. Check out our other PC reviews here. See a dress, make a dress, become the best Dressmaker. Gameplay Dressmaker is far more in depth than I initially anticipated but in the best way. It's not a case of just make a pretty dress, it's taking measurements, playing tetris to maximise use of fabric. Getting to know NPCs is also a big part of the games as you slowly learn their dress preferences. As you make more d...

2Oct

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

Cards Everywhere – PC Review

We've had shops, libraries, blockbuster like stores and now we have cards. Cards Everywhere is one of the newest tidy up games to launch on Steam. From developers Armed Chicken, it's time to sort through duplicates and rearrange your binders to put your collection back in place. 52 card pick up seems way more approachable now Gameplay Cards Everywhere is exactly what it says on the tin. Your 1500+ card collection has been scattered across the floor. Now it's time to sort through them. The game binder labels and separates each theme into its own collection. These collections range from 20 to 50 cards each, and you unlock skill points every time you complete a page. Cards Everywhere isn't just a one type of card game. Instead, it offers a variety of card designs ranging from locatio...

2Oct

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

Worming From Home – PC Review

It's been a long day at work filling out spreadsheets. Now it's time to turn on my PC, load up Steam and play a game about filling out spreadsheets. It's totally different though because now I'm a worm. I've been waiting a long time for Worming From Home to hit the Steam shelves after play the demo a while ago. Who knew that typing as a worm could be so hard? Gameplay The first thing that crosses my mind when thinking about Worming From Home is... just how much can a worm do? Turns out quite a bit if you were to ask Zach Northrop and Mason Sabharwal. The game is pretty simple in its premise if you take a look on the Steam page it's simply a "Remote work simulator where you are a worm :)". There is work and you are most definitely a worm but don't let the label fool you. Somehow, there...

29Sep

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

Tiny Eden – PC Review

Grow, cultivate and sell in Tiny Eden by Bajka Games. Transform your apartment balcony into a thriving garden in this cosy farming simulator that just landed on Steam. We've played quite few cosy games at Thumb Culture so we're adding Tiny Eden to the roster. If you're interested in grabbing Tiny Eden it's currently available for £13.75. Don't overwater those strawberries! Time to transform this balcony Gameplay The premise of Tiny Eden is that you live in a futuristic city and you want to grow plants on your balcony. It's a simple idea and you start with a small collection of pots and seeds to get you going. Gameplay develops by introducing different tools, new rooms and orders for you to complete. There's also a little robot and a cat to keep you company on your new venture. As ...

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition – Switch 2 Review

17Sep

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

Switch Reviews

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition – Switch 2 Review

Arise, foul tarnished, it's time to explore the Lands Between in Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition. This edition of From Software's 2022 game of the year includes the original game; the Shadow of the Erdtree dlc which you can read the review of here; and new cosmetic options. Is playing this game fun or a sign of mental instability because why would you do this to yourself? Gameplay If you asked me to explain the lore of Elden Ring, I'd struggle because there's a lot going on and not a lot of explanation. The game takes place in the Lands Between, a place ravaged by warring demigods, a big glowing tree and plenty of backstabbing. Truly to try and explain the story of the game would ruin the fun of finding all of the lore - something I'm still doing one whole platinum trophy later. Elde...

TV Archive: Tidy Up Together – PC Review

7Sep

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

TV Archive: Tidy Up Together – PC Review

After the popularity of the librarian tidy up game, numerous clean up games have made their way to the Steam sto re. One of these is TV Archive: Tidy Up Together. Games Together has taken the solo adventure of a tidy up game and added multiplayer elements to TV Archive so you can enjoy the clean up with your friends. Now available on Steam, you can grab TV Archive for £4.59. I'm pretty sure the TV Archive is just the backrooms of an old Blockbusters Gameplay The aim of TV Archive is really simple. Look at alllllllllll the videos on the floor, pick them up, put them on shelves. As you complete more shelves, you'll unlock skill points that unlock character upgrades. These upgrades range from looking at the map anywhere in the room to more efficient cooldown on certain skills. U...

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Legacy Edition – PC Review

2Sep

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Legacy Edition – PC Review

Aspyr Media has moved on from the old school Tomb Raiders and have recently set their sights on The Lord of the Rings: War in the North. The Legacy edition ports the original 2011 release into the Steam library for old and new fans to pick up the controller on this classic. They're taking the hobbits to Isengard and we're heading in a different direction! Gameplay War in the North takes place just before the events of the Fellowship of the Ring. The game starts with the three main characters meeting with Aragorn in the Prancing Pony. It's an exploration into the darker side of Middle Earth and you can take up to two friends along for the ride with you. This game is the epitome of old school RPGs. All three main characters have their own, unique skill tree. Creating the perfect squa...

2Sep

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

Low Budget Repairs – PC Review

Have you ever played a restoration game and thought 'damn I wish I didn't have to be so perfect'? No? Well you should have. Embrace subpar work and questionable materials in Low Budget Repairs by Gray2RGB. Take all of the fun of games like House Flipper and then see just how much of a mess you can make whilst trying to make money and not spend your own. You can grab Low Budget Repairs on Steam with console release dates waiting to be announced. Check out our other PC reviews here! Do you think I can use water to thin this paint out? Gameplay Imagine House Flipper, but you only really care about getting that cheque and dipping. That idea encapsulates Low Budget Repairs. Set in Poland in the 90s, the story starts with your lovely aunt leaving you a house. It sounds wonderful, right? ...

ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs – PC Review

25Aug

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs – PC Review

Have you ever wanted to own a store and repair old 2000s electronics? Did you hope it would be in Japan? If that's been your lifelong dream, then you're in luck! ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs by Mandragora has finally landed on the Steam store. Fix this nokia knock-off? No problem! Gameplay ReStory takes cosy and amplifies it to the next level with simple gameplay that's easy to pass the time with. You've just opened up your own electronics cleaning and restoration store. Things start off pretty simple, with only a small number of electronics that you can work on. Flip phones, tamagotchi rip offs and game controllers are how you make all of your money in the early game. Like with many shop simulator games, you unlock additional electronics by making enough money to buy licences....

19Aug

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

Zombutcher – PC Review

Have you exhausted the many supermarket simulator options available on steam? Are you looking for something that scratches that itch whilst looking for something a little bit unique? Enter Zombutcher by Odius. In this butcher shop simulator you take up the reigns as a zombie butcher selling animal produce by day. By night, you lock the shutters and start selling human meat to the undead who are waiting just outside your basement. The premise of Zombutcher makes it stand out immediately due to the absolute craziness of a concept. Does the oddity live up to the hype and deseve a place in your Steam library though? We played it to find out just how good this game was. Zombutcher is currently £11.75 on Steam. Brains.... brains... brai- Oh. Sorry. Packaged chicken is $5. Gameplay Zombut...