Jordan Rooker, Author at Thumb Culture

12Dec

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Dream Garden – PC Review

Dream Garden is simulation game about creating your very own Zen garden. Developer Campfire Studio (My Dream Setup) provides the creative tools and set pieces based on real-life, tiny, Japanese dioramas. You can pick it up now for PC (and Mac) on Steam. Zen Garden of your Dream I never really got into any crafting type of hobbies, and miniature Zen gardens and bonsai trees were only things I saw in movies and TV. However, I'm intrigued by Dream Garden, as it seems like a way to engage with that type of craft in a familiar format. Check out my thoughts below. Gameplay Dream Garden is a creative simulation space for modelling a miniature Zen garden. The game provides a number of tools to shape, colour, texture, and decorate your choice of background and sandbox. It's basically like a...

8Dec

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Night Swarm – PC Review

Night Swarm comes to PC on December 4th. Build up your vampire kingdom, grow in power, and fight through waves of creatures in this survivors-like roguelite by Fubu Games (Rogue Loop). With publishing by Mad Mushroom (Hell Clock) and Gamersky Games (Tiny Pasture, Drova), you can pick it up soon, only on Steam. Vampires Always be Surviving I don't know if Vampire Survivors was the first ever of its genre, but I feel like it was at least one of the earliest. It most definitely defines the genre if nothing else. Night Swarm may not have vampire in the name but it sure seems more of that theme between the two. Let me tell you about this latest horde survivors-like in the review below. Gameplay Night Swarm is a horde survivors-like roguelite. Play as a young vampire chosen to lead the u...

28Nov

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

ASKA – PC Early Access Preview

ASKA is an open-world survival, colony management simulator. Currently in development by Sand Sailor Studio (Black The Fall), it is available right now as an early access title with Thunderful Publishing (GODBREAKERS). ASKA is only releasing on PC initially and you can pick it up over on Steam. Make ASKA Your Next Viking Adventure I will admit that I'm fairly sure I've seen advertisements for ASKA come across my feeds on occasion. I didn't look into it further because I heard "Viking" and "survival" and thought of Valheim. What I found was that and so much more; a pleasant surprise. I should have been remembering the fun times I had in Valheim and seeing else ASKA has to offer. Let me tell you why you should too in the review of its current state below. An impressive feature that is some...

13Nov

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Skopje ’83 – PC Review

Skopje '83 is a new first-person survival roguelite by indie developer Dark-1. Unravel the mysterious, time-warping clues about your surroundings and survive the mindless creatures outside your bus. The game is available now for PC via Steam and Epic Game Store with publishing by PM Studios, Inc. (Yooka-Replaylee, Hoa). Skopje '83 is Colourfully... Dull? I took a look at Skopje '83 in hopes of finding some sort of pseudo-Borderlands looter-shooter roguelite. Unfortunately, what I found was not what I was expecting. It's just one of those things that happens, and as I'll also note, it may honestly just be me. If you happen to pick it up and feel differently, please let me know! For now, let me explain through my review below. Gameplay Skopje '83 is a first-person shooter with a mixt...

The Last Caretaker – PC Early Access Preview

5Nov

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

The Last Caretaker – PC Early Access Preview

The Last Caretaker is a first-person crafting survival game by developers Channel37. Embark upon a voyage on the vast planet-wide ocean while searching for clues to restore humanity. Explore, craft, and survive against rogue robots and a corruption spread across everything. The game is available starting November 6ths on Steam and the Epic Games store, with a later date planned for consoles. Last and Lonely Caretaker There have been so many survival crafting games over the past ten years or so that I've lost count. Too many involve zombies. Even more involve some facet of PvP as a core mechanic. But The Last Caretaker looks a bit different. A bit less jumpy and much more inquisitive. So what are my thoughts on the game as it hits early access? Check them out below. Gameplay The Las...

3Nov

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Bounty Star – PC Review

Bounty Star is a 3rd person action game with a blend of mech combat and homesteading. Developed by DINOGOD with publishing by Annapurna Interactive (Stray, Neon White), it is available now on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. You can also pick it up for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, or Game Pass. Not Quite Trucking in Bounty Star I feel like I really missed out on getting into the whole mech genre. Not only in gaming but elsewhere. I read a few RoboTech (I think?) books back in my early days. But I never got into Mechwarrior or Gundam or the like. Honestly think games like Armored Core look awesome but never get myself to check them out. I saw Bounty Star coming up though and decided to take a look. Check out my thoughts below. Gameplay Bounty Star is a 3rd person action game. Right at ...

24Oct

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

GODBREAKERS – PC Review

GODBREAKERS is a 3rd Person action roguelite by developer To The Sky. This single to four-player co-op adventure is their debut game with publishing from Thunderful Publishing (Steamworld Heist II, Viewfinder). It is now available on PC via the Steam and Epic Games stores, as well as on PlayStation 5. Oh, the Humanity! Or Lack Thereof in GODBREAKERS I had to check out GODBREAKERS because I seem to really enjoy roguelite mechanics. It's also pretty shiny. Add to that an interesting bit of story and the hooks were set. The more I play the game, the more I appreciate different parts of it. Let me know if you've ever found yourself thinking the same of a different game each time you play. For now, check out my thoughts on this new release below. Gameplay GODBREAKERS is a fast-paced,...

30Sep

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Katanaut – PC Review

Katanaut is a new 2D horror roguelite by Voidmaw now available on PC. Enter a massive drifting space station and explore the horrors within while discovering enhancements and unlocks to increase your combat prowess. With publishing assistance from the newly resurrected Acclaim, Inc., you can pick it up only on Steam. If Dead Space and Dead Cells Had a Baby… Anyone breezing over info about Katanaut may also make the same comparison I did to Dead Cells. Both are pixel graphic 2D action roguelites with seemingly similar mechanics. So then, what sets them apart? What makes each worth playing in their own right? Comparisons slightly aside, I dove into Katanaut to find out. Read up on my thoughts below. Gameplay Katanaut is an action roguelite that will challenge your ability to be quick...

25Sep

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Jump Space – PC Preview

Jump Space is a co-op, mission-based FPS that just launched into early access on Steam and Xbox. For this preview we got hands on with the PC version. Gather up to three of your friends and follow developer Keepsake Games into the void of space. You'll crew your own ship, fight in space and on the ground, and work together against a spreading robotic corruption. Join the resistance today! Jump... and Shoot and Fly and Loot! Ok before we get into it, I need to own up to something. In my opinion the Jump to Lightspeed content in Star Wars Galaxies was peak for me. It was my first experience in an MMO and I absolutely loved getting into space on a ship of my own or as part of a crew for someone else. It was a highlight in my gaming experience that I will forever pursue to feel again. Wh...

Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids – PC Review

10Sep

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids – PC Review

Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainiods is a new 3rd person strategy action game by the creator of X-COM, Julian Gollop, and Snapshot Games (Phoenix Point). With publishing by Arc Games (Remnant II, Torchlight 3), play solo or with a friend to save the planet's supply of Brainium from the invading Brainiods. You can pick it up today for PC via Steam or Epic, PS5 or Xbox. Today I'm taking a look at the PC version which is £25 on Steam. Meet Your Next Comedic Gaming Duo: Chip 'n Clawz! Duos seem to be a common theme in 3d action platformers. The obvious and most direct comparison here would be between Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids and the well-known Ratchet & Clank series. Both feature a humanoid and their robot sidekick with a world to save. Regardless of similarities though, the trailer c...