Games

The unsettling and visually striking film Midsommar will be leaving HBO Max on January 31st. Released in 2019, this surprise box office success (earning $48 million with a $9 million budget) was directed and written by Ari Aster and stars Florence Pugh (known for her role in Thunderbolts), along with Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, and Will Poulter. Set in a remote Swedish community, the film centers around a disturbing midsummer ritual and helped launch Florence Pugh to stardom. It’s a must-see before it’s no longer available on streaming.

Let’s highlight some of Atlus’s best games that aren’t part of the Persona or Shin Megami Tensei series. Here’s a ranking of their five top titles. For this list, we’re focusing on games Atlus both created and published, not just those developed internally.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban marked a turning point for the series. The story became more complex as Harry discovered the man believed responsible for his parents’ death had escaped, and a dangerous plot began to emerge. The film’s tone also shifted dramatically, becoming darker and more mature with the direction of Alfonso Cuarón, who replaced the previous, more family-oriented director and steered the franchise toward an older audience.

Free games are incredibly popular right now, with titles like Arknights: Endfield and 2XKO attracting a lot of players. Plus, there’s a fresh lineup of games available for PlayStation Plus subscribers to enjoy.

Originally launched in 2013 as a retro 80s action game inspired by Far Cry 3, Blood Dragon puts you in the role of Sergeant Rex “Power” Colt, tasked with eliminating the dangerous Colonel Sloane. Though it streamlines some features from the original Far Cry 3 and features a more compact open world, the game was well-received for its funny tone, unique weapons, and the Blood Dragon creature itself, which players can use to take down enemies.

If you’re new to the Yakuza series and want to play Yakuza 3 Remastered after trying Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties, it will only be available as part of the Yakuza Complete Series bundle.

The show immediately signals a shift in tone with a humorous scene: Ser Duncan the Tall uses the restroom as the iconic Game of Thrones theme song begins. This moment emphasizes the show’s lighter approach compared to the original series, quite literally subverting expectations. George R.R. Martin discussed the scene with The Hollywood Reporter, expressing surprise at its inclusion and admitting he wasn’t entirely convinced by it, but ultimately trusted showrunner Ira Parker’s vision.

The presentation also revealed concept art for several new Pals, including an adorable Electric-type lion cub and a unique fish that can detach its head and use its spiny tail to attack. But the most impressive reveal was a massive whale, shown at the end, that makes the player character look incredibly small in comparison.

As expected, a change in leadership at Lucasfilm led to a shift in priorities. Planning for a successor began in January 2024, which explains why previously announced projects, including a film centered on Rey and her New Jedi Order, were put on hold. In fact, none of the films announced in 2023 are currently moving forward. Kathleen Kennedy, the outgoing president, recently indicated that James Mangold’s “Dawn of the Jedi” is delayed, and Dave Filoni’s movie has also been shelved now that he’s become co-president alongside Lynwen Brennan. Despite these changes, however, a film featuring Rey’s return still seems likely.

DC Comics has a long history of excellent miniseries – short, self-contained stories that have truly reshaped how fans view iconic characters. These ten miniseries stand out as the very best, offering groundbreaking and widely-loved comics experiences.