Wednesday, April 24

Author: Jordan Rooker

A gaming enthusiast from age 5, Jordan plays games of all sorts. Whether he's deep into the latest MMO, grinding for gear in his favorite looter-shooter, or popping zombies in Call of Duty - you can guarantee he's spending the little free time he has as a Technical Support Consultant to game. Join him in checking out some of the latest releases and upcoming games.
Outcast A New Beginning – PC Review
21Mar By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

Outcast A New Beginning – PC Review

Outcast: A New Beginning is a new 3rd-person, open world adventure sequel to the original Outcast from 1999. Developed by Appeal Studios (Outcast – Second Contact, Gangs of Sherwood) with publishing by THQ Nordic (a lot of games), the game returns Cutter Slade to the world of Adelpha to defend the Talans from an invading force. Launched on March 15th 2024, the game is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Original Developers, Original Feels? There's usually something special about original developers returning to the setting of one of their original games. And I don't mean just to do an expansion or DLC or direct sequel to a game within a few years of the first. In this case, it's been well over 20 years since the first Outcast game hit the market. Can ...
Read More
Outcast: A New Beginning PC Review In Progress
15Mar By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

Outcast: A New Beginning PC Review In Progress

Outcast: A New Beginning is a new 3rd-person, open world adventure game that is a sequel to the original Outcast from 1999. Developed by Appeal Studios (Outcast - Second Contact, Gangs of Sherwood) with publishing by THQ Nordic (a lot of games), the game returns Cutter Slade to the world of Adelpha to defend the Talans from an invading force. Outcast: A New Beginning launches on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on Friday, March 15th 2024. Original Developers, Original Feels? This review is a bit different than my usual reviews, as I am still actively playing through the game. I invite you to return after the full review is complete for a more in-depth look at the game. For now, please check out my initial thoughts below: Initial Thoughts Outcast: A New Beginning is a se...
Read More
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor – PC Preview
11Mar By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Previews & Early Access

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor – PC Preview

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a new bullet-hell roguelite available in Early Access. It is being developed by Funday Games (Don't Die In The West) with publishing by Ghost Ship Publishing (Spellrogue, Deep Rock Galactic [technically Coffee Stain Publishing]). It is currently available for PC via Steam and there is no indication that it will be available on other platforms. It's Like a Love Letter to Rock and Stone I don't know about you, but I love Deep Rock Galactic. Overall it has a simple concept, is easy to dive into, and is a hell lot of fun playing with friends. If you haven't checked it out, I highly recommend doing so. As a fan of DRG, I couldn't overlook when the Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor demo hit Steam a while back. I was itching to get my hands on it for more and here we ...
Read More
Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge PC Review
30Jan By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge PC Review

Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge (formerly Heavy Duty Challenge) is a simulation game with - you guessed it - heavy-duty trucks. It was developed by Nano Games (Zamb!, Cityconomy, Reef Shot) and published by simulation giant Aerosoft. It is available now on Steam, PS5, and Xbox series X|S. Take your heavy truck on the road, or off, or complete a variety of challenging courses. Shifting is Important in Heavy Duty Challenge Simulation games seem to come in all shapes and sizes. Basically, think about any job or vehicle and there's probably some simulation game out there for it. If there isn't, then what are you waiting for? Go make it! Anyhow, I hadn't really thought of there being a competitive component to driving a heavy truck until I heard about Heavy Duty Challenge. In hi...
Read More
Nacon Limited Edition Controllers – The Pro Compact Colorlight and Camo Revolution X Pro
28Nov By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Hardware & Tech

Nacon Limited Edition Controllers – The Pro Compact Colorlight and Camo Revolution X Pro

I think I've made it fairly well-known in my reviews for Thumb Culture that I'm not a big controller user. Apart from the brief session on my PlayStation now and then, my Steam Deck is as close as I get. But I couldn't pass up the chance at trying out some new hardware. For this review, I got my hands on two limited edition controllers - the Nacon Pro Compact Colorlight Controller and the Nacon Camo Revolution X Pro Controller. I do believe I have my Steam Deck to thank for me being capable of using them! Nacon's Controllers Are Made For Lasting Use Each of these Nacon Limited Edition Controllers can be found directly from Nacon's website or from Amazon dependent upon availability. They normally run around $40/€55 for the Nacon Pro Compact Colorlight and $99/€99 for the Nacon Camo Re...
Read More
SPRAWL – PC Review
4Oct By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

SPRAWL – PC Review

SPRAWL is a retro-style hardcore FPS available now on Steam and the Epic Games store. It was developed by MAETH and published by Rogue Games, Inc (Dust & Neon, Homebody). If you're looking for a fast-paced parkour shooter with bullet-time and a variety of weaponry, this may be the next one for you. DOOM + Ghostrunner = SPRAWL I'll be the first to admit that I'm not very good at parkour games such as Ghostrunner or Mirror's Edge. I can do simple jumping puzzles in most games. But running and gunning while traversing walls is completely beyond my ability most of the time! I wasn't sure how things were going to play out for me in SPRAWL. Thankfully after lowering the difficulty (only from Normal to Easy) I was able to get more of a handle on the mechanics without dying repeatedly. What ...
Read More
Forever Skies – PC Preview
24Aug By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Previews & Early Access

Forever Skies – PC Preview

Forever Skies is a different take on the post-apocalyptic base-building survival genre. It is the flagship game of Far From Home Studios, who believe that games can be a tool for enacting change in the world. Forever Skies is available in Early Access for PC only on Steam. Forever Skies Brings Survival to New Heights Let's face it: there are a lot of base-building survival games out there right now. Many of them are post-apocalyptic, and even more involve zombies or other similar savage humanoids. So while Forever Skies seems to follow that post-apocalyptic route, it caught my eye because it looked a bit different than what I'm used to seeing. Not to mention the idea of a floating base too. Thankfully there also don't appear to be any zombies either, which I am very glad for. Gamepl...
Read More
SETTRIS PC Review
18Jul By Jordan RookerNo Comments
PC Reviews

SETTRIS PC Review

SETTRIS is a puzzle game of rotating and flipping block placement. It is developed and published by Zoo Corporation (Mystic Gate, Pretty Girls series). It is currently only available for PC on Steam. SETTRIS is Totally More Laid Back than Tetris Puzzle games have been around for ages. Some of them are nice and chill to pass the time, whereas others are anxiety-inducing. SETTRIS is thankfully among the former. I personally don't mind a mixture of the two though. Which type of puzzle game do you prefer? Gameplay SETTRIS is honestly a very simple game. Each stage presents a game board and the challenge is to get all of the pieces you are given onto that board. You are able to flip and rotate the pieces as needed. There is also no timer so you can take your time with each. Most of the ...
Read More
Halls of Torment PC Preview
9Jun By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Previews & Early Access

Halls of Torment PC Preview

Halls of Torment is a fantasy horde survival roguelite. It is developed and published by Chasing Carrots (Good Company, Pressure Overdrive). You can find it out now in Early Access on Steam. Halls of Torment is Another Steam Deck Staple I've never really been into horde survival games. I held out a long time before finally picking up Vampire Survivors when it suddenly became so popular. But once I did get around to it I could understand why. Halls of Torment is looking like it will be the same way. I've already added it to my list of games that will always be available on my Steam Deck. The list isn't long yet, but any game that is as simple and entertaining to pick up for a quick session should be there. What's on your list? Gameplay Halls of Torment is one of the latest horde surviva...
Read More
Mountaincore – PC Preview
23May By Jordan RookerNo Comments
Previews & Early Access

Mountaincore – PC Preview

Mountaincore (formerly known as King Under the Mountain) is a fantasy colony sim, now available for PC in Early Access. Taking inspiration from Dungeon Keeper and Dwarf Fortress with the art/design style of Prison Architect, Mountaincore has been a passion project of developer Rocket Jump Technology for nearly a decade. The development cycle seems to have had its ups and downs over those years, but it is now available for further community playtesting and input via the developer's Discord server. You can pick it up over on Steam, Epic, and Itch.io. Throw Out the Micromanagement in Mountaincore I've spent my fair share of time in Rimworld. And just like many people probably will at first glance, I instantly thought Mountaincore was a Rimworld rip-off. It has the same art style and core me...
Read More