Games

The anime Sentenced to Be a Hero quickly gained popularity, captivating viewers with its immersive dark fantasy world and a unique premise – a hero who wasn’t a newcomer from another world. Fans were eager to learn more about this world, and each episode continued to expand on it. However, the latest episode revealed a surprising twist: one of the heroes is actually from another world, meaning the show has incorporated elements of the ‘Isekai’ genre after all.

Honestly, as a gamer, I think the next Mass Effect should really lean into that open-world, Bethesda-style gameplay. Mass Effect fans are craving a huge, sprawling sci-fi world to explore, packed with content. I mean, I used to work at Bethesda, so maybe I’m biased, but I think that’s exactly what the series needs right now!

In January 2026, two games launched exclusively on PlayStation 5. One, Code Violet, received very poor reviews, earning a score of just 27 out of 100 on Metacritic. The other game, Cairn, has been much more successful. It’s currently tied for the highest-rated game of 2026, with a Metacritic score of 84. Cairn was developed by The Game Bakers, a French studio previously known for Furi (2016) and Haven (2020).

Hisaya Hashida’s manga, Lunatic Terrapop, will end with its 35th chapter on February 13th. Released in September 2024, this is Hashida’s first serialized work and has gained a loyal following thanks to its original sci-fi story. The news comes from the official Shonen Jump account on X (formerly Twitter). So far, 34 chapters have been published every two weeks, and they’re all available to read on the Manga Plus app. There’s no word yet on when translated book volumes will be released.

Arc Raiders has unexpectedly become a game where players often cooperate to survive and collect loot, even if it’s just through ignoring each other. However, Bungie’s upcoming game, Marathon, will be very different. It’s designed to be competitive and cutthroat, encouraging players to prey on each other. This shift from the cooperative spirit of Arc Raiders to the competitive nature of Marathon is likely to reignite the discussion about whether games should prioritize working together or competing against each other.

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were given the option to either support or criticize the author of the Harry Potter books. However, John Lithgow faces a different situation: he’s been asked to explain why he chose to participate in the new film knowing about the controversy surrounding the author and their connection to the franchise. He recently discussed this at the premiere of his new movie, Jimpa, telling Variety that he seriously considered not taking part.

The 2018 film Upgrade tells the story of Grey Trace, who is left paralyzed and loses his wife in a violent attack. He’s given a second chance when a tech billionaire offers him an experimental cure: an artificial intelligence implant called STEM. The implant not only restores his ability to walk but also grants him enhanced strength and agility, which he uses to hunt down those responsible for the attack. A television series based on the film was nearly in production, but a change in leadership at Peacock led to its cancellation, as reported by Tim Walsh to Bloody Disgusting.

When people think of Marvel’s version of Superman, they often picture heroes like Hyperion or Sentry. While these characters do have similar powers – super strength, speed, flight, and heat vision – they’re typically portrayed as darker, twisted versions of Superman, not true heroes. Spider-Man, on the other hand, might not have god-like abilities, but he shares something essential with Superman: they both represent hope and goodness, inspiring others to be their best. Each hero serves as the moral compass of their universe.

Many recent games have benefited from performance improvements, and while those updates are welcome, several other titles still desperately need them. This is especially true for Xenoblade Chronicles 2, a fantastic JRPG and one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch. Despite being a brilliant game, its technical performance is very poor and needs fixing. Sadly, it seems unlikely we’ll ever see an updated version for the Switch 2, and there’s a key reason why.

Marvel’s success isn’t just about its most famous heroes. The early Iron Man movies proved that even lesser-known characters can become incredibly popular. There are many other under-the-radar heroes from the comics who, with the right story and actors, could also become big stars. These characters deserve a chance to shine on the big screen.