Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 14h

You're obviously positioned as saving 'Merica, but there's got to be a contingent of gamers with [MAGA] in their handles creaming themselves at leveling buildings in NYC.

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 14h

It's not a new trick for this genre; Modern Warfare 2's big gimmick was basically 'Red Dawn.' But playing soldier in a burning Brooklyn makes Battlefield depressing, especially at a time when the president is sending armed forces to democratic cities.

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

'Battlefield 6' Is a Throwback Military Fantasy That's Smart Enough to Play Dumb

'Battlefield 6' is a lean, mean military machine that feels refreshingly simpler than 'Call of Duty' has become

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 14h

'Battlefield 6' is a leaner, simpler military shooter than we've seen in recent years — a throwback to the late-2000s heyday of the genre. MP is great, but its story trades in the lazy shock value of NIMBYism around domestic terrorism.

Review @rollingstone.com

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

'Battlefield 6' Is a Throwback Military Fantasy That's Smart Enough to Play Dumb

'Battlefield 6' is a lean, mean military machine that feels refreshingly simpler than 'Call of Duty' has become

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 2d

As someone who quit Call of Duty for a decade before being sucked back in by Black Ops 6, playing BLOPS 7 reminded me of why I walked away in the first place.

Won't ever happen, but the series should step back to catch some kip.

Impressions @rollingstone.com

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

It's Time for 'Call of Duty' to Take a Break

'Black Ops 7' shows that 'Call of Duty' could've used a year off after the exceptional 'Black Ops 6'

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 5d

Wow so this Taylor album genuinely sucks. I say this as a more recent fan: this is what I imagined her music to sound like when I didn’t like her before.

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 5d

Playing #GhostOfYōtei this weekend? It’s a great game that wears its samurai cinema and western inspirations on its sleeve. @rollingstone.com lists the essential movies to stay in the Yotēi headspace long after the credits roll.

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

From Samurai Films to Westerns, 10 Movies to Watch Before Playing 'Ghost of Yōtei'

PlayStation's 'Ghost of Yōtei' is inspired by the work of Akira Kurosawa, Sergio Leone, and Takashi Miike

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 6d

I missed out on this year's Tokyo Game Show but @koreis.bsky.social knocked it out of the park with a recap of the best games he played for @rollingstone.com.

Check it out:
www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

The Coolest Games from Tokyo Game Show 2025

TGS 2025 showed off new looks at games from Capcom, Bandai Namco, and Koei Tecmo

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 6d

Doing my service as an American this weekend binging Call of Duty and blasting Taylor Swift with a case of High Life.

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 7d

Ahead of the premiere of Campaign 4 tonight, @rollingstone.com caught up with DM @brennanleemulligan.bsky.social at a pinball bar to delve into his origin story, personal philosophies, and how D&D can save the world. Dude's brilliant.

@criticalrole.bsky.social

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

Brennan Lee Mulligan Is Saving the World, One Dungeons and Dragons Game at a Time

Dimension 20 DM Brennan Lee Mulligan on taking over Critical Role's Campaign 4, the new Dungeons and Dragons live-play campaign.

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 8d

Dude gives a measured, thoughtful, and elegant answer and this lady just has to let him know she disagrees.

That’s not your job as an interviewer. If he’s saying something factually incorrect (he isn’t) you can call him on it. But nobody gives a fuck what you think about the answer he gave.

Razzball @razzball.bsky.social · 8d

Zohran Mamdani calling it a genocide on The View and getting applause.

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Reposted by Chris Cruz

Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com · 8d

Rolling Stone spoke with the executive producers about how they reimagined the introduction of The Mighty Nein’s heroes for a new take, as well as an exclusive first look at many of the supporting characters played by guest stars like Mark Strong, Alan Cumming, and — somehow — Tim McGraw.

Inside Critical Role's New Animated Series 'The Mighty Nein'

Critical Role's adaptation of 'The Mighty Nein' brings an all-star cast to the Amazon series.

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 8d

I spoke with the producers of Critical Role’s ‘The Mighty Nein’ about story and tonal changes, and how they scored such an insane guest cast.

@rollingstone.com @criticalrole.bsky.social

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

Inside Critical Role's New Animated Series 'The Mighty Nein'

Critical Role's adaptation of 'The Mighty Nein' brings an all-star cast to the Amazon series.

www.rollingstone.com

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Reposted by Chris Cruz

George Yang @yinyangfooey.bsky.social · 9d

I wrote about the state of video game remakes, and why Trails in the Sky First Chapter stands out amongst the rest of them www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

Gaming Has a Remake Problem. One Japanese RPG Shows Us a Better Way Forward

'Trails in the Sky' earns its remake credentials over lazier games like 'Metal Gear Solid Delta.'

www.rollingstone.com

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Reposted by Chris Cruz

Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com · 9d

"Most of his songs aren’t even in English."

It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be Latin, it’s going to be (mostly) in Spanish, and it’s already driving right-wingers insane.

Story: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...

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Reposted by Chris Cruz

Hayes Madsen @solfleet.bsky.social · 10d

Final Fantasy Tactics is out tomorrow, and I can’t wait for people to experience it . After taking the weekend, I think this is genuinely the best review I’ve ever written. And I think it’s a genuinely important game for this moment. I hope you’ll play it. www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

Final Fantasy Tactics' Themes of Class and Resistance Hit Way Harder in 2025

Square Enix's 'Final Fantasy Tactics' told a tragic tale of classism. Its remake is doing even more

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 10d

Hades II is a game so ambitious, it’s practical two sequels. But the craftsmanship on display here is unparalleled. In early access, it was my favorite game of 2024; the full release might be my favorite of this year.

Full review @rollingstone.com

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

'Hades II' Is a Lavishly Excessive Sequel, Fit for the Gods

'Hades II' is one of the best sequels ever, and is practically 'Hades III" on top

www.rollingstone.com

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Reposted by Chris Cruz

Vulture @vulture.com · 13d

The final domino has fallen, and ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ is back, baby. Nexstar has followed Sinclair in bringing Kimmel back to its airwaves starting Friday, September 26.

Jimmy Kimmel Wins!

The final domino has fallen, and ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ is back, baby. Nexstar has followed Sinclair in bringing Kimmel back to its airwaves starting Friday, September 26.

www.vulture.com

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Reposted by Chris Cruz

Ken Klippenstein @kenklippenstein.bsky.social · 15d

ICE shooter Joshua Jahn's politics aren't what's being reported, three longtime former friends tell me.

www.kenklippenstein.com/p/the-ice-sh...

The ICE Shooter’s Motive

Joshua Jahn's friends speak

www.kenklippenstein.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 14d

One of the few games to remember that there's a touchpad on the controller.

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 14d

It still makes me laugh that all the bitch boy incels clung to Ghost of Tsushima as anti-TLOU2 cope only for the sequel to end up being a female-led revenge story (and better than the original in every way).

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 14d

'Ghost of Yōtei' is a deeply affecting and gorgeously cinematic samurai saga that remains soulful rather than bleak.

For @rollingstone.com writer @alyssamerc.bsky.social wonderfully describes the experience.

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

'Ghost of Yōtei' Is an Emotionally Gripping and Meditative Samurai Revenge Saga

'Ghost of Yōtei' improves on every aspect of 'Ghost of Tsushima,' and is one of PS5's best games

www.rollingstone.com

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 15d

Damn, gottem.

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 15d

Rolling Stone's 'Hades II' review is delayed because there's too many goddamned games.

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Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 15d

Noting that I didn’t go to Paris for this preview because the editors would’ve had my head on a pike for traveling to France for a one hour demo.

Chris Cruz @yochriscruz.bsky.social · 15d

I've stepped back from Pokémania but #PokemonLegendsZA's real-time battles got me hyped.

Being endlessly hunted by a red-eyed alpha Pikachu and knowing my trainer can be snuffed is a thrill I never expected from this franchise.

Preview @rollingstone.com:

www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...

'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' Shows a More Modern Way to Catch 'Em All

Nintendo's 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' will make you fear the alpha Pikachu

www.rollingstone.com

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