Games

I was super excited to hear about *Zero Company* at Star Wars Celebration Japan! It’s a new turn-based tactics game being made by Bit Reactor, Respawn Entertainment, and Lucasfilm Games. Honestly, I love this genre – games like *X-Com* and *Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew* really prove that tactics games are perfect for telling stories about a ragtag team of heroes, and I’m hoping *Zero Company* delivers on that!

The PlayStation 2 was home to many iconic games, including classics like *Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3* and *4*, and the early *Grand Theft Auto* titles. It also launched the first *God of War* and my personal favorite, *Final Fantasy X*. However, beyond these huge hits, there were several fantastic PS2 games that didn’t get the attention they deserved. While a few have been remastered recently, they still aren’t as well-known as they should be, and many are only playable on the original PS2.

As a huge Star Wars fan, it’s always been a bit heartbreaking knowing the clones were being manipulated by Palpatine with those inhibitor chips. It basically took away their free will! But even with all that going against them, some of those soldiers *still* managed to be amazing and really impact the story. So, I put together a list of what I think are the seven best Clone Troopers, ranking them based on how much of a difference they made to the whole saga.

Anthony and Joe Russo are known for directing blockbuster hits, especially within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But what are their best films *outside* of the superhero world? Here are 5 excellent movies from the directing brothers that show their skills extend beyond just making superhero films.

Directed by Leigh Whannell, known for creating the *Saw* and *Insidious* films, the 2018 sci-fi movie *Upgrade* quietly became a standout hit. Even seven years later, it’s still highly regarded. If you haven’t seen it, or it’s been a while, good news: it’s currently available to stream on Netflix, though it’s easy to miss among their many options.

Fans of Critical Role can look forward to *The Mighty Nein* arriving on Amazon Prime Video November 19th. This animated series introduces a new group of adventurers following the success of *Vox Machina*. Based on Critical Role’s second campaign, *The Mighty Nein* tells the story of a band of unlikely heroes – a group of outcasts and fugitives haunted by their pasts. When a dangerous relic called “The Beacon” falls into the wrong hands, they must overcome their differences and work together to save the world from destruction.

From September 29th to October 5th, *Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance* ranked as the 10th most popular movie on Netflix in the U.S. It landed behind films like *Idiocracy* and *Sweet Home Alabama*. This was the first week the movie made it into the top 10, and it’s appearing on streaming at a particularly noteworthy moment.

Starting October 7th, you can watch director Stacie Passon’s 2018 film, *We Have Always Lived in the Castle*, on Netflix. This fantasy thriller, based on Shirley Jackson’s last novel, stars Taissa Farmiga, Alexandra Daddario, Crispin Glover, and Sebastian Stan. The story follows sisters Merricat and Constance, who have lived in isolation for six years after a family tragedy, and whose quiet lives are disrupted by the arrival of a seemingly friendly cousin with hidden motives. Critics and audiences alike have praised the film, giving it an 84% and 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively – it’s a real standout in the fantasy genre.

Recently, photos surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) from the set of Brand New Day. The MCU Film News account shared pictures of the actor, wearing a white outfit and sitting on what looks like a helicopter. The photos appear to have been taken during a break in filming, as the actor is seen smiling and chatting with the crew. You can view the images below.

PC gamers will soon be able to get their hands on *XCOM 2*, a well-regarded 2016 strategy game from Firaxis and 2K Games. As a sequel to the critically acclaimed *XCOM: Enemy Unknown* (released in 2012), *XCOM 2* continues the tradition of turn-based tactical combat.