Jordan Rooker, Author at Thumb Culture

25Jun

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Fatekeeper – PC Early Access Preview

Fatekeeper is a first-person RPG now available in early access. In development by Paraglacial with publishing by THQ Nordic, this solo adventure has you wielding melee weaponry and magic as you explore ancient ruins and encounter an assortment of creatures who have only your death in mind. You can pick it up now only for PC on Steam. Similar Look, Different Feel in Fatekeeper I think I’ve played a cumulative total of less than 20 hours of Skyrim and other Elder Scrolls games. Apart from ESO, anyhow. But it feels like the most direct comparison at a glance when you see screenshots and videos of Fatekeeper. Sure, it probably has some similarities, such as perspective and visuals. But what makes it different? Let’s take a look at this early access state below. Gameplay Fatekeeper is a...

18Jun

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Moonsigil Atlas – PC Review

Moonsigil Atlas is a new deckbuilding strategy roguelike by Snake Tower Games. Use the geometric shape of sigils from cards and fit them into physical space. Combine features from different cards to maximize their abilities. Published by Twin Sails Interactive (Ember Knights, Gloomhaven), take back the heavens today on PC/Linux only on Steam. A Battle for the Heavens, Across the Atlas It seems I've been running across roguelites and roguelikes across all sorts of formats. I suppose it helps being more familiar with the game formula now. Moonsigil Atlas isn't anything like those that I've played before though. I was curious to see just how different things would be so here we are. Needless to say it was an entertaining experience. Check out my thoughts below. Gameplay Moonsigil Atla...

Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core – PC Early Access Preview

4Jun

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core – PC Early Access Preview

Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is the latest FPS adventure deep into Ghost Ship Game's mining planet of Hoxxes. In this roguelite structure, you're sent as a Reclaimer to investigate mining operations deep within the planet. With nothing but a pick in your hand, join up with up to three other players and earn upgrades and gear enhancements the deeper you go. It is available now in early access on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Not the Usual Mining Adventure in Rogue Core I'm still a big fan of Deep Rock Galactic. Like many games, I haven't spent as much time in it as I would have liked. But my ears perked up when I caught wind of a new entry to the IP. This was especially the case once I found out it was going to be a roguelite too! Check out my thoughts on the state of the latest entry bel...

19May

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Far Far West – PC Early Access Preview

Far Far West is a first-person co-op shooter combining spells, cold steel, and wit. Complete missions and side objectives solo or with up to three others and then take on a variety of bosses. Then high tail it to catch the train out and return to the saloon to prepare for the next trip. You can pick up this new game by Evil Raptor (Akimbot, Pumpkin Jack) with publishing by Fireshrine Games (ODINFALL, Core Keeper) in early access now over on Steam. Watch what you Wish For in Far Far West When I first heard about Far Far West, it was being compared to games like Helldivers 2, Destiny 2 and Deep Rock Galactic. Given the amount of time I've spent in each of these games, it felt like this one would be right up my alley. Needless to say, I'm always happy to find a game hitting early access wit...

13May

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

TerraTech Legion – PC Review

TerraTech Legion is a vehicular combat roguelite by Payload Studios (TerraTech). Battle your way through endless bot swarms while improving your tech. Take on missions to complete your contracts or just survive for the highest score. You can pick up the game, with publishing by Mythwright (TerraTech, Thronefall), on Steam, Epic Games, and Xbox Series X|S. Tech on Tech... Legions of Tech Back again with another roguelite. It wouldn't be a new month without a new one to explore. I spent a lot of time playing with LEGOs when I was a kid, so TerraTech Legion looks right up my alley. So how did it play out? Check out my review below. Gameplay TerraTech Legion is a bullet hell style roguelite. Much like in TerraTech and TerraTech Worlds, this version also puts you in the seat of a modula...

5May

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

ICARUS: Console Edition – PS5 Review

ICARUS: Console Edition is now available on Xbox X|S and PlayStation 5. The console port of the popular PC survival game, originally developed by RocketWerkz, has been in development by Grip Studios. Though the PC version has been around since December of 2021, this version just became available at the end of March this year. It contains all the crafting, survival, and challenges that the game is well known for. Perhaps ICARUS is too close to the sun on Console... It's nice when developers keep multiple platforms in mind during early game design. This generally makes for a better consistency, but of course there are always some games that play better on console than their computer counterparts. Knowing how long ICARUS has been around on PC, I was curious to check how it translates over t...

29Apr

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Morbid Metal – PC Early Access Preview

Morbid Metal, a third-person action roguelite by SCREEN JUICE is available now in early access. With publishing by Ubisoft, become an agent of destruction while shifting between characters mid-combat, combining attacks and abilities to overcome sectors of machine foes. You can currently check it out only on Steam. Metal Meets Metal in this Hack 'n Slash Roguelite This game originally caught my eye a few years ago. I added it to my wishlist after finding it, but believe I must have removed it after not seeing much news on development so I didn't notice the news ramp back up over the last year. I think StarRupture was the last game I had a similar wishlist experience with. Was I just as impressed with the re-emergence of Morbid Metal? Find out below! Gameplay Morbid Metal is a third-...

Gray Zone Warfare – PC Early Access Preview

17Apr

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Gray Zone Warfare – PC Early Access Preview

Gray Zone Warfare is a tactical FPS in early access by MADFINGER Games. Take on missions solo or with a squad of your own as you explore a persistent, remote Southeast Asian island in both PvE and PvPvE combat. The game is only available on Steam. Tactics are Needed in the Gray Zone I'm no stranger to first-person shooter games. My most consistently played series over the years is without a doubt Battlefield. They provide a nice blend of ground and vehicle combat that I think draws me, alongside the steady paced action. Gray Zone Warfare is one that I've seen but not really taken a look at as far as FPS games go. I was guessing it would be a mixture of Rainbow Six Siege and Squad from the tactical standpoint. Let me share what I found thus far in my time with the game below. Gamepla...

Don’t Lose Aggro – PC Early Access Preview

14Apr

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Don’t Lose Aggro – PC Early Access Preview

Don't Lose Aggro is an action roguelite where you are the tank. Oren Koren, the developer, has taken the role and created a roguelite game loop around doing just that. It will be available in Early Access only on Steam. Tanking Can Be Slow... I bet you didn't expect me to be writing about another roguelike game, did you? Oh wait... yeah you probably aren't surprised. I'm not either at this point and I enjoy seeing the different flavors that are out there. Check out my thoughts on the early access build of Don't Lose Aggro below. Gameplay The "holy trinity" of player roles, damage-per-second (DPS), healer and tank, are commonly found in multiplayer games. Don't Lose Aggro extracts the tank role and puts it into a solo player experience where your task remains the same - get your par...

13Apr

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Animalkind – PC Early Access Preview

Animalkind is a cozy crafting co-op now available in early access on PC. Play as a small, lovable quadruped summoned to a mysterious island with development and publishing by Uncommon Games. Explore the open world with the assistance of an ancient mech and develop a growing community, alone or with a trio of friends. It's only available now in early access through Steam. Animalkind of Adorable I should really have shown this game to my daughter first to see her reaction. She loves games with animals as well as crafting games like Minecraft. Just the sight of the critters I'm sure will excite her to play. But anyhow, Animalkind looks pretty cute to me too so I thought I'd check it out. Let me tell you about it below. Gameplay Animalkind is an open world co-op crafting adventure wher...