Games

Forza Horizon 6

My experience hasn’t been perfect, of course. There are some drawbacks, but they’re understandable given how ambitious the game is – it features clever level design and a really engaging combat system. I often found myself saying I’d stop after ‘just one more try,’ but then losing another hour to tough enemies that repeatedly defeated me. Simply put, Nioh 3 is incredibly addictive.

The Fantastic Four has been consistently strong in recent years, so this new story had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, writer Josh Trujillo was a great choice. He’s familiar with the team and understands their dynamics – which is crucial, as the Fantastic Four are essentially a family. The story jumps right into the action, initially showing the team on trial with a group of apes, then explaining how they got there. Johnny Storm takes the lead in defending them, and the team’s reactions feel authentic and set the stage for what’s to come.

For those hoping to hear about a new 3D Mario game, this won’t be the time. Nintendo Partner Directs don’t feature first-party titles. Instead, they showcase games from partner developers who are working with Nintendo. This can cover a wide variety of games, from those published by Nintendo but developed by other studios to ports of third-party games newly headed to the Switch 2. The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on February 5th will take place at 9 AM ET. This is the typical timing for Nintendo showcases, so there aren’t any big surprises here.

Batman is central to DC Comics, and the writer, Fraction, clearly understands the character and his universe. This issue is fantastic from start to finish – I couldn’t stop smiling while reading it! The story continues directly from the previous issue, but even if you haven’t read that one, you’ll easily be able to follow along. The opening pages quickly bring new readers up to speed.

The atmosphere in Gryffindor house strongly emphasizes bravery and bold action, overshadowing quieter strengths and self-reflection. This focus doesn’t quite fit with a school like Hogwarts, which should appreciate all kinds of personalities.

Mega Crit, the developer of Slay the Spire, hasn’t announced an exact release date for Slay the Spire 2, but it will be available in early access this March. They’ve hinted at a launch on a specific, yet-to-be-revealed Thursday, giving fans a timeframe to look forward to. While Mega Crit is keeping some details under wraps, what they’ve shown so far suggests the sequel will offer the same innovation, difficulty, and replayability that made the original Slay the Spire so popular. Slay the Spire 2 is shaping up to be one of the most significant indie game releases of the year, and potentially the best.

Even during the classic era of Westerns, a few films truly stand out and deserve to be rediscovered by today’s viewers. When looking at John Wayne’s career, there are several excellent movies beyond his most famous ones that deserve more attention, and The Sons of Katie Elder is a prime example. Released over 60 years ago, it still boasts a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is currently available to stream on Paramount+.

The movie Bronson quickly climbed the ranks on HBO Max, landing at number six, according to FlixPatrol. It’s right behind the recently added The Shape of Water and ahead of The Notebook, which has been streaming for over a month. Both Bronson and The Shape of Water are new to the service. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is gaining Oscar buzz and is currently the most-watched movie, despite only being available for two days. I’m Chevy Chase, and You’re Not is in fourth place, also after two days. Rounding out the top five are Sinners at number two (streaming for 54 days) and The Smashing Machine in third (9 days).

Jujutsu Kaisen has quickly become a standout anime and manga series for a new generation of fans. One of the biggest topics of discussion is how the characters’ power levels grow and compare. The series features many strong characters, all built around the ideas of sorcerers and cursed energy, which makes each one unique. Gojo Satoru, in particular, has become incredibly popular, known for both his immense power and his captivating personality.