If you’re as big a sci-fi fan as I am, then you know that absolutely everything is better with spaceships and laser beams. There’s always been a healthy supply of sci-??fi?? stories, movies, and video games, but sometimes it can be hard to find a spacefaring board game for your next tabletop night. 

Years of living with sci-fi and board game obsessions have left me with a decent list of great games that manage to convey everything I love about the genre. Some of these are massive undertakings that only the most dedicated gaming groups should attempt, and others are perfect for getting your kids involved. There’s a sci-fi game out there for everyone, and hopef?ully, a few of these will be perfect for you. 

Catan: Starfarers

Catan: Starfarers is a great starting place for sci-fi gaming, assuming that you’re already familiar with games like Settlers of Catan. The two games are extremely similar, but Starfarers puts more of an emphasis on expansion and exploration than trading. The game replaces ports from Settlers with a galactic market, and it also introduces NPCs and bonuses that ca??n be collected by pushing deeper into space. Beyond that, it’s the same building and trading game that you already kn??ow and love, which makes it one of my biggest recommendations on this list. 

Twilight Imperium

Twilight Imperium is an immersive and utterly massive board game about building up a spacefaring empire. It’s also not for the faint of heart. The game works best with 4-6 players, and it can easily run over 6 hours. The goal is to ??progress your empire in various ways to collect Victory Points, and in the process, you might end up crushing a few of your fellow competitors. You need a dedicated group of friends to tackle a run, but if you’re a fan of 4X games, this is the tabletop experience of your dreams. 

Voidfall 

Voidfall is another 4X game that isn’t quite as time-consuming as Twilight Imperium, and that offers a bit more playstyle flexibility. The game’s premise is that a terrible en??tity called the Voidborn has erupted i?nto the heart of a galactic empire, and the empire’s surviving Houses must fight it off. The game can be played solo or competitively, but the cooperative mode is where it really shines. There’s just nothing quite like building up armies and vanquishing epic space aliens with your friends. 

Terraforming Mars

You and up to four friends can become corporate overlords working to profit through humanity’s advancement in Terraforming Mars. This is a resource management game where you expand your planetary territory to increase the production of valuable materials like? oxygen and electricity. At the same time, you can pick up special project cards to create even more valuable technology. If you’re looking for fewer space battles and a more grounded sci-fi experience, then this is definitely the game for you.

Nemesis

Nemesis is a heavy board game with a narrower focus than games like Twilight Imperium and Voidfall. Players take control of a character on a stranded spaceship that’s been infested with a terrifying alien creature. As a group, you need to pursue various goals to survive, but sometimes characters will find themselves at odds with each other thanks to their individual goals. Nemesis is a semi-cooperative experience that thrusts you into a survival/horror experience right in line with the Alien franchise, and it's great for fans of board games with awesome miniatures.  

Cosmic Encounter

Managing a space empire is no easy task, but Cosmic Encounter transforms you into an imperial decision-maker with a fairly rules-light approach. You choose an alien race, each with a special power, to control, and then you have to split your attention between defending your various homeworlds and expanding into enemy territory. As you move your units between planets, you’ll feel a bit like you’re playing a game of Risk, but the alien powers add a whole new twist t??o the formula and give the game a wild amount of replayability. 

Dune Imperium

It’s no surprise that some of the best sci-fi franchises lend themselves to great board game adaptations. Dune Imperium lets you fight for control of the spice against up to three other players. On its face, Dune Imperium is a worker placement game, but it mixes in deckbuilding elements to inject a different layer of strategy into the experience. You’ll be using cards to move your Agents around the map while also gathering resources that allow you to damage your opponents and add to your deck. It's a great tabletop experience, but the digital version of the game is almost just as fun. 

Firefly: The Game

There are several different Firefly board games, but the best is easily Firefly: The Game. The game puts you into the cockpit of your very own ship and tasks you with traveling throughout the ‘Verse to pick up jobs and crew members. You need to build up enough cash to keep your crew afloat, but traveling runs the risk of attracting the attention of the Alliance or Reavers, who are really your main enemies here. Any sci-fi fans can appreciate this game, but it’s definitely geared at people who are invested in the Firefly aesthetic. 

First Rat

On to a game that’s perfect for families and also includes a single-player mode. First Rat is a bit like a sci-fi Mouse Trap, but here the rodents are running the show. You play as a group of rats that dream of one ?day walking on the surface of the moon (it’s made of cheese, haven’t you heard?). Players race to the rats�launchpad, collecting resources along the way, which they can use to gather more rats for their cause and progress the space race even faster. 

Star Realms

Star Realms is a deck-building game that’s designed for 2-6 players. You and your opponents have access to a shop filled with ships from various factions, and you take turns building up your fleet while trying to blast each other to bits. Even wit?h more than two players, games move pretty quickly, and because you build your deck as you go, no two games are ever alike. This works as a fantastic introduction to deckbuilding for players who’ve never gotten to experience it, and there’s a digital version of the game that’s available for those times when your tabletop group can’t get together. 

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Squid Game proved to be something of a surprise worldwide hit when it released on Netflix back in 2022. Once the show wrapped,? viewers were left practically begging for more and now, finally, we know when more is com??ing.

Squid Game Season 2 will debut on Netflix on December 26, 2024. There's some pressure for the sequel, of course, but also apparently quite a bit in store. "I do have a ??lot on my shoulders," Director Hwang Dong-hyuk told Netflix in 2023. "But I’ll make ?sure it’s worth the wait."

Season two will pick up the story three years after the culmination of season 1, with the crowned winner of the season Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) focusing on his endeavor to take down the organizers of Squid Game. 

Armed with his hefty amount of winnings, Gi-hun will set out in search of the man playing ddakji on the subway, only to find that he’ll need to step back into the dark? world of the Squi??????????????????????????d Games if he wants to end them once and for all.

There’s a long list of returning faces coming back for Squid Game Season 2 alongside Lee, including the following:

• Lee Byung-hun (Hwang In-ho, the overseer of the games)
• Gong Yoo (The salesman who recruits participants for the games)
• Wi Ha-Jun (The detective from season one)

But of course, with a lot of the familiar faces from Season 1 being dead or havin??g mo??ved on from their harrowing experience, there’s a long list of new faces coming to Season 2 as well. 

And that’s not all. On top of the news that Season 2 will be coming on December 26, we also now know that Season 3 is now confirmed to be arriving in 2025. The third season will be the last one??, according to Netflix, so the story will be all wrapped up within the?????????????????????????? next couple of years.

The post Squid Game to return to Netflix with s?eason two on December 26 appeared first on Destructoid.

Board games are a fantastic way to cool off at the end of the day or week with a group of friends or just that one special person in your life who ??also just gets the feeling of sitting dow??n and playing one. They can even blur the lines between hobbies, with many containing miniatures for you to paint and play with.

While simple board games are great, there's a special place in my heart for the most overly complicated games that require setting up and in-depth knowledge to play. At first, these games are a pain for newcomers because they must be learned and enjoyed, but once you've mastered them, they're so much fun to play. I don't think it gets much better than starting a game with a blank board and ending ?it with one filled with miniatures or a giant sculpture everybody's worked to craft over the last few hours.

Below, I've highlighted the best board games with miniatures that I've been able to find. ??I think I've in??cluded a decent range of titles that should please everybody in one way or another. So, whether you want an easy board game to hop in and out of or one that'll take you days to complete, you should find something here.

20. Age of Mythology: The Board Game

• Players: 2-8
• Game length: 2 hours

That's right, there's an Age of Mythology board game, and it isn't that terrible. The appeal of this game is that it has hundreds of miniatures for you to mess around with, one set for every army. Obviously, this is based on the video game, so you've go??t units of varying strength that need to be created using buildings.

Certain tech upgrades will be required to make the most powerful units, which you'll need for combat because it's very much a rock, paper, scissors system. The game is won when the Wonder is b??uilt, but the whole way, you'll be battling against the enemy natio??ns, trying to secure your victory, exactly as if you were playing the video game.

19. Black Rose Wars

• Players: 2-4
• Game length: 2-3 hours

Black Rose Wars is an epic board game in which players become Magi and fight for con?trol of the Black Rose Magic Academ?y. The entire academy has become a battleground, and players are fighting for control over the Black Rose relic that will give them the power to rule for the next decade. The game boasts a decent stack of miniatures for you to play with in each game, and the tile sets offer a unique playthrough with each new opponent.

Every room in the academy grants you more strength for your chosen magical art, ensuring that everyone's power grows as they explore and defeat their enemies. The final battles are always the most explosive, though they could be over fairly quickly if you've mastered a particularly potent spell al?ong your jour??ney.

18. Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game

• Players: 1-4
• Game length: 1-2 hours

Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game adapts the gameplay of video games into a tabletop fo??rmat that anyone can enjoy. Every campaign has 11 missions, and death or madness is certain for the poor adventurers players take with them as they work together to conquer the darkness. You've got to compete with monsters, the failing sanity of your crew, and your own ability to comprehend what you're seeing as you travel deeper into this roguelike dungeon crawler board game.

The miniatures in this title are all inspired by the video game, and there ??are loads of them. Painting them might just make you mad, but I'd say it's worth it to create a truly authentic experience for a group of fans who want to delve deeper into the unknown.

17. Monster Hunter World: The Board Game

• Players: 1-4
• Game length: hours+

There's so much to love about Monster Hunter World, and now you can bring it to tabletop in Monster Hunter World: The Board Game. As with the video game, you're hunting down massive ??monsters that are roaming the land and threatening your home. They dictate where you go, and you've got to use the right weapons and strategies to? take them down.

The miniatures here are spot on, though they won't all reflect the absolutely mad armor and weapons you'll craft using pieces of the monsters you kill. Capcom's monsters in Monster Hunter World are so vibrant and interesting that this game wouldn't be worth playing if you didn't paint you??rs the mome?nt you open the box.

16. BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat

• Players: 2
• Game length: 1 hour+

BattleTech is about as close to Warhammer 40K without actually playing it, and BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat is a great place to start. The box contains e?verything you need for a 2-player battle for domination in the 32nd century using high-tech armored battle mech miniatures.

Each battle mech has its own strengths and weaknesses, as well as advantages on different terrains. Your goal is to wipe out your enemy using any means at your disposal. As you can imagine, with added flavor, painting, and set up, this game can last multiple hours if ?you let it, and if you've put the time in to create something unique, you should.

Be warned, BattleTech is a slippery slope. If you love this game after a few rounds, there are loads of expansions to sink your teeth into, including Alpha Strike and Clan Invasion.

15. Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

• Players: 1-6
• Game length: 1 hours

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape is the modern version of Massive Darkness, a board game that was i?ncredibly popular when it launched more than a ?decade ago. It's a fully cooperative dungeon crawler in which players must work together as Lightbringers to push back and defeat the darkness.

The game offers massive scenarios that require multiple sessions to complete them in, and every character has a different class and abilities to use in and out of battle. The miniatures are what? you're here for, and they're gorgeous. Each is brimming with character and crying out to be pain?ted in your style, adding to and enhancing the gameplay.

14. Cthulhu Wars

• Players: 1-4
• Game length: 1-2 hours

In Cthulhu Wars, players take? on the role of Great Ones, ancient and unknowable beings attempting to control Earth and humanity on a scale we simply can't comprehend. With more than 64 miniatures, this game is shockingly huge, but it still pales in comparison to the stakes you play for.

Depending on which being or beings you play as, you'll have to master all sorts of strategies and abilities if you want to beat your fellow god-like creatures. The first player of the four major factions to complete six tasks will win the planet, but nobody is going?? down without a fight.

13. The Witcher Old World

• Players: 1-5
• Game length: 1-3 hours

The Witcher Old World transports you into the universe of The Witcher video game series, where monsters are par for the course whenever you leave a settlement, and everyone is out for themselves, meaning nothi?ng is what it seems.

The board game takes you on an adventure across vast lands where you'll craft a unique Witcher character and face moral choices that won't ever have a clear outcome. In fact, you're likely to have some sort of?? consequence regardless of what you choose later in your gam?e.

There's so much to this game, including card-based combat, skill trees, and stunning miniatures. Enjoy The Witcher universe ??like you've never quite seen it in a tactile, physical forma??t that you can paint to create a fully custom experience for you and your friends.

12. Fallout The Board Game

• Players: 1-4
• Game length: 2-3 hours

The Fallout franchise becomes so much more tactile with Fallout The Board Game, featuring high-quality miniatures and interesting mechanics that engross you in the franchise's universe. Each game begins with players on the edge of an unk??nown landscape that they must explore and complete missions in as they travel.

There are various quests to complete and factions to side with, each of which can hugely influence how the world changes as you play. This game has tons of replay value and is great for anyone who likes a little D&D character flair in their board games with miniatures. It's not the cheapest, though, so it's worth keeping an eye out to see if you can get a good deal on it.

11. Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game

• Players: 1-4
• Game length: 2 hours

I adore the Horizon series, and Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game brings it to life like ??never before. It's a semi-cooperative game in which the Hun??ter's Lodge assigns players a dangerous mission and must pick a class and tribe before heading out to complete it.

Over the course of the game, players upgrade their characters through skill trees, face off against dangerous machines, and even encounter a massive boss fight. The miniatures in this game are stunningly detailed and can be painted to look exactly like they do in the games. If you want even more from the experience, there's a plethora of expansions to add onto it, including the Thunderjaw, Rockbreaker, and the Stormbird?, all of which come with huge new minis for t??he game.

10. Ankh Gods of Egypt

• Players: 2-5
• Game length: 1.5-2 hours

Ankh Gods of Egypt is a divine competition between rival gods who want to win the favor of their worshippers, amass more followers, and build the greatest monuments known to man. Th?e game is steeped in Egyptian mythology and will have you learning more and more about it as you play. It's also got an intriguing turn system that sees you pick two actions fo?r every turn, then watch as your opponent attempts to undo everything you've just achieved.

The game has dozens of miniatures to use, but all of them are unpainted and come in va?rying plastic colors. They look so much better once painted, and the game feels way more interesting when it looks like you're throwing actual deities around the board.

9. Descent: Legends of the Dark

• Players: 1-4
• Game length: 3-4 hours

In Descent: Legends of the Dark, players embark on a dungeon crawling campaign that's going to last them 14 quests and the better part of a day if you really want to enjo?y it. You choose from six distinct heroes before heading out on your adventure and can work with the game's companion app to take care of the legwork so you can roleplay and react to what monsters are doing instead of reading everything off of a sheet.

The game has a ton of replayability ?thanks to its quest set, environments, and the amazing miniatures you get to play with. Some of these models are massive and deserve being fleshed out with your imagination and all the colors you can dr??eam up for their designs.

8. Bloodborne: The Board Game

• Players: 1-4
• Game length: 1.5-2 hours

It's difficult to choose between the Dark Souls and Bloodborne board games, but Bloodborne's is ever so slightly lower on overall ratings from fans. Still, this game offers you another chance? to walk the streets of Yharnam as a Hunter and tackle the beasts emerging from hidden corners. The game's card-based combat system means every encounter is interesting and keeps you on your toes, pushing you to break through and uncover the mysteries of this region before encountering the horrif?ic boss monsters it has in store.

I love the characters of this universe, and the board game has some incredible miniatures for you to admire every time you open the box. These are truly breathtaking, though a lo??t of that has to be attributed to FromSoftware for desig?ning them in the first place. Painting these will be tricky but so worth the end result when a boss fight becomes all the more terrifying for all the blood and gore you add.

7. Dark Souls: The Board Game

• Players: 1-4
• Game length: 2 hours

As if Dark Souls wasn't punishing enough, there's now a board game to throw yourself into and get completely destroyed by. The miniatures in Dark Souls: The Board Game's core set and every expansion are amazing, with a lot of detail on each enemy to make them look just as gross and imp??osing as they are in ??the video games.

This is a dungeon crawl board game in which player spick a character class and venture forth to tackle the enemies blocking their path. At the end of it all, as you might expect, is a big old boss to take down. You've got to learn how to manage your stamina a?nd health before hitting the boss so you can face it withou?t getting completely annihilated. There are a lot of systems at play in this board game, so it isn't for the faint of heart.

6. Cyberpunk 2077: Gangs of Night City

• Players: 2-4
• Game length: 2 hours

Cyberpunk 2077: Gangs of Night City is a board game heavily inspired by the video game. It's a competitive game in which players take on the roles of gang leaders in Night City. You'll recruit members and use them to complete quests. Cho??ices really matter here and will impact the story as you play, but it's y??our overall Street Cred that determines whether you win or not.

There are quite a few miniatures in this game, a??nd the only thing that sets them apart is the plastic color. They could definitely do with a lick of paint to make them unique and give each gang a distinct visual style on the board.

5. HeroQuest

• Players: 2-5
• Game length: 1-2 hours

In HeroQuest, you'll tackle epic adventures as you explore monster-filled dungeons with four heroes who have answered the call to push back against evil. It's a cooperative dungeon crawler with more than 65 detailed miniatures for you to analyze while you play, if you can put them down that ??is.

As a ???group, you'll work through 14 quests in the core game and must make tactical decisions to, hopefully, emerge victorious when all is said and done. Death can come swiftly in a dungeon, though, so you need to keep your wits about you as you fight each foe and try to avoid every trap that awaits you.

4. Nemesis

• Players: 1-5
• Game length: 1-2 hours

Imagine the Alien franchise as a board game, and you're pretty close to what Nemesis feels like to play. The crew awakens from their cryo-slumber to realize one among them has been ripped form their ??habitation pod, and there are disturbing noises in the vents.

You've got to choose your characters wisely because each o?ne has a distinct set of skills that will be crucial for the game ahead. The idea is to work together as you face the alien threat and attempt to escape, but one among you has a dif??ferent agenda.

Nemesis has some amazing miniatures for you to paint or leave as they are. They're incredibly detailed and keep you going when mastering the co??mplex mechanics and dealing with being backstabbed by that one player who always tries to screw everyone over.

3. Blood Rage

• Players: 2-4
• Game length: 1.5-2 hours

Prepare for the ultimate battle in Norse mythology with the Viking board game with miniatures Blood Rage. The goal of the game is to fight through ages, drawing new cards each time and then su?mmon mythological beasts to help fight for control over vari?ous territories.

Spilling blood is part of the game, and the miniatures will certainly help you do that with their s?harp designs. This is a board game with miniatures that are cryin?g out for a good paint job, so do yourself a favor and give them some blood and warpaint while you're customizing them for your fist game.

2. Rising Sun

• Players: 3-5
• Game length: 2 hours

Rising Sun sees players arrange their armies and fight for control of the provinces of Japan. However, it's not all about winning the war through sheer force. The game's unique combat involves bluffing, forming alliances, and talking your way into victory just as much as having your sol??diers use a sword to take it.

The miniatures in this game are absolutely stu?nning and incredibly detailed. Anyone can have hours of fun just from painting them, but getting to use them multiple times as you rope more people into playing is probably the most satisfyin??g thing about it. Expansions are available for those who want to make more of the experience, but the core set is more than enough to get started with.

1. Star Wars Legion

• Players: 2
• Game length: 2 hours

Star Wars Legion is one of the best board games with miniatures out there. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in the Star Wars universe and control an army in some of the ultimate battles between good and evil. You can assemble your forces and drop into whatever conflict you fancy simulating, be it Hoth, End??or, or a lesser-known battle you want to bring into the light.

Each miniature in the box comes unpainted, ready for you to make your mark on it. The core set has everything you need to learn how to play and get hours of enjoyment from the game, but this is just the beginning you can expand the game with additional core sets and so much more when you're ready to paint them up and send them?? out to the front lines.

The post 20 Best board games with miniatures (2024) appeared first on Destructoid.

The Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow set launches on August 2, 2024, and transport?s players to Valley, a beautiful part of Bloomburrow where all kinds of anthropomorphic creatures live together in harmony. In this article, we've ?got exclusive details on two of the cards you can get for your collection from this set.

Part of the fun of a new MTG set, for me, is discovering new cards and figuring out what they do or how they work as you open packs. However, Bloomburrow is a set I can't stop reading and speculating about, because it includes so many themes that I think? many fans adore. Every new card I see fits the world? incredibly well, and the mechanics open up some serious potential for mayhem, if you build your deck right.

Two exclusive new MTG Bloomburrow cards to feast your eyes upon

MTG Bloomburrow will add 261 cards to the base game for y??ou to use in collecting and building decks. In the lead-up to the set's launch, Wizards of the Coast reached out to me to see if I'd like to exclusively reveal some of them. I said yes, and no??w you get to admire two new cards and their special variants.

Fecund Greenshell

Fecund Greenshell is a 4/6 Elemental Turtle Creature with Reach, one of the best abilities out there. This card gets +2/+2 as long as you cont?rol 10 or more lands, which isn't as difficult as you might thi??nk if you build your deck around slapping down as many lands as you can as early as you can.

Whenever Fecund Greenshell or another creature you control with a toughness greater than its power enters (which also means when it enters the battlefield), look at the top card of your library. If that card is a land card,?? you can put it ono the battlefield tapped. Otherwise, put it into your hand.

This card's abilities are designed to make it more powerful, but you've got to work with those mechanics to maximize its attack power. It doesn't matter when it enters, but you've got to then play cards at or above power 4 so you can, hopefully, play more lands. Something like Dryad of the Ilysian Grove would pair very well with Fecund Greenshell, allowing you to quick?ly top it up to a 6/8 Creature you can annihilate most other cards using.

Fecund Greenshell Extended Art

The extended art ver??sion of Fecund Greenshell doesn't do anything different than the main version, but it is much prettier. You can see how the berries shooting out of its back are more like barbs, killing the birds that attack it. I think the fact that this creature appears to be based on a snapping ?turtle is hugely appropriate, because that spiny mouth looks lethal.

Festival of Embers

Festival of Embers is an Enchantment that can make you a force to be reckoned with. It lets you cast instant and sorcery spells from your graveyard by paying 1 life, as well as their other costs. This can be massively advantageous if you've been hammering opponents with spells. Even if you only want it so you can reuse? one particular spell, it's worth havi?ng in your deck.

The only downside here is that if a card or token is put into your graveyard from anywhere, you exile it instead. So you could reuse a spell, but if it then heads to your graveyard, it's out of the game instead. To dodge this a little, you can sacrifice the card and minimize its impact on what leaves the game for good,? if you need to make the most ?of your graveyard.

I think Festival of Embers is going to work best with spells that have multiple abilities and effects. If you can? really? make the most of bringing back just a few spells and then sacrifice it, then I can see it saving you from utter destruction at the hands of your opponents. You're really playing with fire if you use this, though, which makes sense given the artwork.

Festival of Embers Showcase Woodland

This is the Showcase Woodland variant of Festival of Embers. It's one of Bloomburrow's exclusive art styles, and I think it's pretty stunning. It gives off vibes of pagan festivals and an evi?l army amping itself up before a bloody battle. Quite appropriate for the utter destruction it can cause.

This set hits me right in the childhood, because its characters remind me of every story about animals overcoming adversity like Watership Down and The Animals of Farthing Wood. It feels about as close to MTG in the UK's countryside as you could possibly?? get, and t??hat's what I like about it the most. I believe these cards nail those themes on the head, and it'll be interesting to see if the entire set feels the same.

Despite the darker themes a few cards feature, Bloomburrow is the brightest and cutest set we've had for a while in MTG. With Duskmourn: House of Horror coming a few months afte??r, it's definitely the light of this multiverse right before the night truly sets i?n.

The post Exc??lusive: Two brand new beautiful MTG Bloomburrow cards revealed appeared first on Destructoid.

Have you ever wanted to spend some time with a small group of? friends or family but don't wan?t to store massive board games?

Ma??ybe you're looking to go on a trip or visit someone's house and only want to bring a card game or two for the day. Regardless of the reason, there are t??ons of card games out there, with the list below highlighting 12 of the best games you can play with three players.

Best three-player card games to play this year

Below is a list of some of the best three-player card games I've tried out over the years. I've played all of these first??hand and can wholly confirm that they're enjoyable, even if you have more players joining in later. I've also included several genres, from simple point-collecting games to complex trick-taking games and even horror ones, to give some variety.

While this list primarily focuses on card games that are?? fun to play with three players, several entries can support up to six or even eight if you want to have fun party nights with ?a large group. With that said, let's get right into the list, shall we?

12. Point Salad

• Price: $17.97
• Players: 2-6

Starting this list is Point Salad, a card-drafting game that has you collecting vegetable cards to score points. The premise is simple: collect vegetable and point cards and be the?? player with the most points by the end of the round. Just be careful not to take too many cards that make you lose points.

While a surprising amount of strategy is involved in maximizing your points with certain vegetable types, Point Salad is still a relatively simple game that players of any age, young or old, can enjoy. In my experience, having more players makes this game slightly more chaotic, but it is also very enjoyable with three. It's also a solid option as a two-player card game, but I ?recommend having at least three to get the most out of it.

11. Love Letter

• Price: $14.99
• Players: 2-6

Love Letter is a deduction game where your main goal is to win the princess' heart by holding the highest value card possible. However, every card has its own abiliti?es that can cause you to swap cards, eliminate someone, or look at the cards others are holding to determine your current standing.

Love Letter is all about deduction and even some deception as you? guess whether those around you have stronger cards than you. While this is generally catered toward older players, it's still a great option if you want a quick game with rounds that last around 15-20 minutes.

10. Uno

• Price: $4.97
• Players: 2-10

There's a reason why Uno is one of the most famous card games out there, and admittedly, it's genuinely a great time. Uno is a card game that has you playing cards that are either the same color or number as the one on the table, with the main goal being to play every card in your hand. The catch? Alongside numbers, you'll also run into cards such as player skips, reversals, and?? draw-fours that can hinder a potential quick win.

However, the real fun comes from house rules and custom Wild cards, which come with most versions of Uno. You can pick just about any custom rule, from stealing cards from other players to discarding certain card types and more. If you have the creativity to come up with interesting Wild cards, you can turn a regular old Uno match into on??e that??'s chaotic and fun very quickly.

9. Exploding Kittens

• Price: $20.00
• Players: 2-5

Exploding Kittens is a hilarious and great game option if you wantone that's on the wilder and weirder side. Exploding Kittens is a Russian Roulette?-styled game that has you drawing from a center draw pile until you pick up an exploding kitten card. By picking up this card, you'll either explode and be eliminated from the game or disarm it and leave it for another player to pick up later. Along the way, you'll utilize cards such as skips, future-sight, and deck shuffles to lower the odds of you exploding.

This is another game that can ruin friendships very quickly, especially if you single-handedly screw someone over by indirectly handing them an exploding kitten card. Of every card game I've played over th??e years, Exploding Kittens is one of few that consistently has me laughing the entire time.

8. Skull King

• Price: $16.99
• Players: 2-8

Next is the first trick-taking game on this list, Skull King. If you're familiar with trick-taking games, you'll be quite familiar with this, as it doesn't differ much from others like Wizard, Inside Job, or even Cat in the Box. The? main difference is the card dynamics and how they counter each other.

Like typical trick-taking games, Skull King has your standard colored cards, with the addition of the titular Skull King, mermaid, escape, and other cards that each impact the round in their own way. While one card may easily trump all ??numbered cards, another may specifically target that one card and no other, giving you a quick win. These add a??n extra layer of strategy to the game, offering an interesting twist to an otherwise straightforward genre.

7. Sushi Go! and Sushi Go Party!

• Price: $11.99 / $28.43
• Players: 2-5 / 2-8

Let's check out another cute game next, shall we? Sushi Go is a card-passing game where you'll build a starting sushi deck, place point cards, and pass your hand along until you run out. The ultimate s??ushi-making winner is whoever has the most points after three rounds. Your goal is to use e??ach card's bonus effects to their advantage while ensuring you don't lose points from having too many or few of certain card types.

Since this list focuses on three-player games, I recommend Sushi Go as a quick and inexpensive option. However, if you want more card options or plan to invite extra people to play, you have Sushi Go Party as an alternative.

Sushi Go Party is the same as Sushi Go regarding gameplay mechanics and length. The only difference is the number of card options, maximum player count, and the increased price. Despite this, Sushi Go Party is another solid option if you like having more deck-building freedom or want a fun party game for larger get-togethers with family or friends.

6. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea and The Ques?t for Planet Nine

• Price: $14.95
• Players: 3-5

Next on the list is another pair of games, with these entries involving more trick-taking. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea and The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine are cooperative trick-taking games where, instead of competing against one a??nother and having one winner, you work together to reach the end of a storyline. With each pas??sing mission comes new objectives and obstacles, and it's up to you and the rest of the table to collaborate and complete the story.

Of these two, I personally prefer Mission Deep Sea, as its mission combinations get much more complicated than those in Planet Nine. However, it has fewer missions, and sometimes, I like the simplicity of jus?t getting specific c??ards and moving on with a round. Both are great options, and I thoroughly enjoyed playing both with my family.

5. Kodama

• Price: $19.99
• Players: 2-5

Here's an option that strays away from traditional card game mechanics. Kodama is a unique card game that involve?s you caring for tree spirits by growing a tree. The objective is to place tree branch cards along your chosen tree trunk to c??ollect points, with objective cards in your hand increasing your points further. Whoever has the most points by the end is the winner.

Of all the card games I've played, I've yet to find one similar to Kodama. While some of its mechanics are tricky to lea?rn initially, making it more suitable for teens and adults, it's still a great option for a half-ho?ur to hour-long game on a quiet and relaxing board game day.

4. Coup

• Price: $14.49
• Players: 2-6

Another deception and deduction game on this list is Coup, a card game where you and everyone else at the table manipulate and bluff your way to victory. Using the two cards in your hand, you'll use each c??haracter's powers to your advantage and eliminate those who stand in? your way. It's a classic last-man-standing game with a significant emphasis on deception.

Coup can be another friendship-breaking game, depending on how deceptive and manipulative you and those around you are. Your strategies can range from alwa??ys telling the truth and using what's avail?able to you to your advantage to lying every round about the cards in your hand and risking being outed by someone at the table. It makes for a whole lot of fun, regardless of whether you're playing with two, three, or the maximum of six players.

3. 50 Clues: Dead or Alive

• Price: $16.86
• Players: 1-5

The first game of this trilogy, 50 Clues: Dead or Alive, completely changes the way you play card games by introducing an escape room element into the mix. Much like a traditional escape room or mystery game, your goal is to solve the puzzles laid out on each card and solve each mystery. While I could go into further detail on what to expect, much of the enjoyment of 50 Clues comes from not knowing the puzzles, solutions, or my reactions to them. Let's just say this is an interesting adventure f??or horror and escape room fans.

Unlike others on this list, you'll also need a phone, paper, and a pen for this game, as you'll have to visit the official 50 Clues site to access your first set of puzzles. The series also features more parts, including 50 Clues: The Secret of The Mark and 50 Clues: Keepers of Evil, if you want to explore the entire story.

It's important to note that this game is not suitable for young children, unlike most entries in this list. If you're a group of older folks who want to try something entirely different from usual, that's when 50 Clues becomes a worthwhile consideration??. Otherwise, others on this list may be more suitable for you if you're looking for family-friendly games for all ages.

2. Sea Salt and Paper

• Price: $14.95
• Players: 2-4

Returning to relaxing strategy games is Sea Salt and Paper, an origami-styled card game full of marine life. The objective of the game is simple: you collect and play card sets during your turns to gain points, with every card ha??ving its own effects, point values, and bonuses, depending on their type.

At its core, Sea Salt and Paper is a simplistic but enjoyable game with a beautiful visual style. It's also easy to pick up for all ages, making it another great family-friendly game that you?? can play with two, three, or even four players.

1. Dominion

• Price: $49.99
• Players: 2-4

Last but certainly not least is Dominion, a deck-building game that has you collecting riches and buildings to create a flourishing kingdom. Throughout Dominion, you'll purchase currency cards to build up your money supply while simultaneously collecting action cards to he??lp you progress. In doing so, y??ou'll obtain point cards that reward you with victory points. Whoever has the most victory points by the end is the winner.

Overall, your goal is to compete with everyone at the table for resources, usin??g your action cards to?? either buff your own effects or deter others from gaining more cards. The exact strategies you'll use depend entirely on your starting set of card piles, which you can fully customize depending on your preferences.

This is definitely one of my favorite card games. I play on a near-weekly basis with family and friends and regularly return to it alongside other board games. Dominion also has multiple expansions if you enjoy the game and want t??o invest?? more time into getting more card options.

The post 12 best 3 Player card games for 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

N.K. Jemisin's The Broken Earth series is a fantastic look at a civilization thousands of years into the future, sparked by events that leave an entire planet completely broken and covered in ash, crea??ting an entirely new season.

What sets The Broken Earth series apart is that it toes the line between sci-fi and fantasy. I always love books that do this because science was deemed magic for so long in our history until it was understood. When you take that idea and apply it to the future, though, it seems so much scarier. That's exactly what you'll find in th?is series, which consists of a main trilogy and a side story to ??enhance your understanding of the world.

How to read The Broken Earth series in order

Below, I've outlined The Broken Earth series books in reading order so you can read through them from start to finish. This is the recommended order because it'll get? you through the story and give you the co??ntext for the novellas so you can see more of this universe in context.

• The Fifth Season: Published 2015
• The Obelisk Gate: Published 2016
• The Stone Sky: Published 2017
• Stone Hunger: Published in Clarkesworld Magazine Issue 94 in July 2014

With this order, you have the main trilogy to get your teeth into. What starts out as feeling q??uite sci-fi soon starts to draw upon fantasy elements as you read each book, making for a gripping set that you won't want to put down.

Stone Hunger is an anomaly here because it was written and published before the rest of the books. It's unclear exactly when it takes place within the main trilogy, but fans agree that it's essential reading if you enjoy the other three books. You can read some of it on the Clarkesworld website if you want to get a taste of what this entry ha?s in store for you.

What I like most about this series is that it's a?? completely different kind of post-apocalypse. The world is shattered by someone, not s??omething, and then every living soul must deal with the consequences as if they were the last remaining lifeforms on Earth right after the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs hit.

Each entry in the main trilogy feels better than the last, which is extremely difficult for any writer to do. Fans agree that's exactly the case with The Broken Earth s?eries. If you're looking for a perfect? trilogy for your next three reads, then look no further than this one.

The post How to read The Broken Earth series in order appeared first on Destructoid.

Board games are brilliant. They make for the perfect night in with friends, family, or just that one really special person in your life. With a board game, you're free to have a conversation and play a game without anyone in the room being glued to a screen, and really feel like you'??re get?ting to know one another.

However, board games can also be an expensive hobby. Many aren't cheap, and going out to a board game café isn't really an option when you're at home, bored, and want something to do that isn't turning on a console or movie. That's why it pays to grab them wh??ile they're cheap, and one of the best times is right before Amazon Prime Day. These early discounts can save you a bu??ndle of cash, money you'll need for what you've been holding out for in that sale.

Best board games on sale before Amazon Prime Day

Below, I've listed the best board games that I've fou?nd on sale before Amazon Prime Day. These are games that I think are brilliant because they involve every player and allow time for free-flowing chatter between rounds. Of course, there are also just a few classics everyone needs in here too.

Bananagrams

• Price: $13.99 ($17.02)
• Players: 1-8

Bananagrams is a simple yet thoroughly enjoyable game similar to Scrabble. Each player has a set of tiles and must make as many words as possible b?efore the others do. It's frantic, quite stressful, but also incredibly enjoyable because it pushes you to really think about the words you can make. As you can see in the image above, you can place tiles everywhere to make words word, ending up with a patchwork of let??ters by the end of the game.

Dungeons & Dragons: The Yawning Portal Game

• Price: $23.90 ($55.99)
• Players: 1-4

Dungeons & Dragons: The Yawning Portal Game is a different sort of way to play D&D. You don't need to craft a character, have a stash of D20s, or understand how every spell in the game works. This board game is all about being a server in a classic D&D inn, where you'll all compete to be the best at serving the 68 unique characters, earning the most points for your work. This game is great for D&D fans and newcomers alike, even those who have never heard of the TTRPG can?? enjoy with.

Clue

• Price: $17.12 ($21.99)
• Players: 2-6

Clue is a mystery board game that never ends. It takes the iconic setting of so many mystery novels, a group of strangers brought together for one night only for someone to be murdered, and asks players to solve it. Every character has something to hide, and players need to work together to uncover secrets a?nd motivations for the murder. But one player will be trying to get away with it the entire time. It's a great game for friend?s who want to try out something new and think they have the acting skills to fool one another. Clear your evening, though, because it can go on for a while.

Scrabble

• Price: $17.49 ($21.99)
• Players: 2-4

Don't skip Scrabble. It's an essential board game for everyone. Each player is given a set of tiles with letters on them, and you've got to work out the longest or highest-scoring words you ??can based on where you can place them on the board. You've got to use letters other players have placed to snake them out of the best scores and emerge victorious because of your understanding of the English language.

With that said, this game is meant to be fun, too. I'm only okay at it, and I always lose to my mother-in-law, who plays several times a week. It's the go-to game for my wife and me, because we both love how creative you need to be with letters and words, and it just gets you talki??ng. There's lots of time to think, eat, drink, and relax together. If you're after a good board game for date night, it's this one.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

• Price: $47.96 ($59.95)
• Players: 1-4

In Arkham Horror: The Card Game, players pick an investigato??r deck and set out to the town of Arkham, Massachusetts, where a dark presence is infecting the town and causing all sorts of trouble. It's a cooperative game with scenarios for you to work through, making for lengthy game sin which you'll unc??over secrets and must solve mysteries on the fly. This is a brain-teasing game that requires a lot of thought and attention from each player, so not one you can play casually while chatting.

Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle

• Price: $34.96 ($49.90)
• Players: 2-4

Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle is a cooperative deck-building game in which up to four players must build up their defenses as one of the major characters from the Harry Potter franchise. The key is working together here, so as you gain influence, you get more spells, can heal, and fight back against the da??rk forces that are once again rising in an attempt to overthrow the balance of power in the wizarding world. There's a decent mix of roleplaying elements with deck-building here, making it perfect for bridging the gap between fans of the books and fans who just love board games.

Trivial Pursuit

• Price: $38.00 ($44.99)
• Players: 2-6

Trivial Pursuit is a?? game that requires the full attention of every player. Everyone has a counter and must make their way around the board, gathering wedges by completing tasks in each category. These range from answering questions to performing tasks, and there's always at least one every player is terrible at.

This game is for group parties who want to have fun but also play something that'll keep them on their toes. It's not a game that you can ignore for minutes at a time, but y?ou can also pause here and there to chat before diving into another round. The rounds go quite quickly if every player is quite sharp, and the best games I've played have always been the competitive ones.

Carcassonne

• Price: $33.59 ($41.99)
• Players: 2-5

Carcassonne is a board game that should really be part of?? everyone's collection, because it's ??the perfect introductory game for those who haven't ventured into board games just yet. In it, players build a map using tiles until they've crafted a unique landscape, from which one of them emerges as the winner. Over time, you've got to fill the landscape with knights, monks, and all sorts of other bits and pieces of medieval life until it feels like a thriving, living world you've built with your friends.

Ticket to Ride

• Price: $43.97 ($54.99)
• Players: 2-5

Ticket to Ride is a fast-paced board game in which you've got to build your railway lines linking iconic American cities before everyone else. You've got to plan routes perfe??ctly and claim them to ensure you're the winner because a simple card could be your ?downfall if you don't pay attention. It's easy to learn and lasts up to an hour for each round, so a relatively quick board game you could squeeze two rounds into an evening.

Fallout The Board Game

• Price: $65.98 ($69.99)
• Players: 1-4

Fallout The Board Game brings th?e beloved franchise to life in an entirely new light. Each scenario put players at the edge of unknown territory and sees them work through stories based on tales from the games. You'll be battling massive mutated enemies, uncovering unpleasant truths, and leveling up your character while using V.A.T.S. to land precise hits and make the most of your perks.

Everything has been translated here, right up to the faction system tha can completely transform a game if you're not careful. This board game is probably best for fans of Fallout, but I think anyone could enjoy it as long as they understand the ru??les and embrace the wasteland.

Chess, Checkers, and Tic-Tac-Toe

• Price: $14.99 ($19.99)
• Players: 2

Chess, Checkers, and Tic-Tac-Toe are all fantastic little board games that most people know how to play. The beauty of this edition i??s that it includes three games in a single box, meaning you don't need three boxes to fill up your board game drawer or space on a shelf. I regularly play these with my children and in-laws, and they're just brilliant to have ready to go at a moment's notice when friends pop over, and you want to do something a little different to keep the evening moving.

Exploding Kittens

• Price: $17.07 ($20.00)
• Players: 2-5

Exploding Kittens is a pulse-pounding card game that takes about 15 minutes per round, but it feels so much faster than that. This game sees you dodging exploding kittens with various other types of cat that can pass it on, reflect it, or do something absolutely crazy to help you survive the ensuing blast. I love the inventive??ness of each card and how they can just take you by surprise, and have you giggling away while trying to play your turn.

Cascadia

• Price: $31.99 ($39.99)
• Players: 1-4

Cascadia is a simple and relaxing board game in which each player takes a turn to pick a token and link up their ecosystem. It's designed?? for everyone to have a good time in up to? 45 minutes together while looking at how ecosystems naturally expand as it's reflected in each turn. Think of this one as more of a game you can play while having deep conversations that you can come back to between breaks in the natural flow.

Monopoly

• Price: $19.99 ($21.99)
• Players: 2-6

Monopoly needs no introduction. This is a game about buying up properties as you move around the board, building houses and hotels on them and ruining every other player with the extortionate rents you can charge. My family was always terrible at playing this game because my parents couldn't go easy on each other, but that ruthlessness has seen me become the best player among my friends. Monopoly is one?? of those easy games that everyo?ne knows how to play, so it pays to have it ready to go as an activity for a rainy day or night.

7 Wonders

• Price: $50.98 ($59.99)
• Players: 3-7

7 Wonders is a game that feels a lot like the Civilization series. Each player is the leader of one of the world's seven greatest nations. Over the course of the game, everyone will acquire cards that'll help them reach their long-term goals and win the game, but they've?? got to keep an eye on each other.

This is as much a game about building your own civilization up as it is about tearing other ones down. If you love a game with a broad scope and like to kick off your own political dramas, look no further. If you really want to spice things up, then you can pick up the Leaders expansion to add even more names into the mix while w??orking to become the world's greatest civi?lization.

Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

• Price: $31.89 ($39.99)
• Players: 4-12

Deception: Murder in Hong Kong sees players work together to find a killer, but the killer is among them. Everyone is an investigator, but the killer must deceive and manipulate the rest of the players to get away with murder. It's a tense game that can lead to some arguments, but the way it pushes everyone to suspect each other whilst also being forc??ed to trust to ??a certain degree is brilliant.

Catan

• Price: $43.97 ($59.99)
• Players: 3-4

Catan, also known as Settlers of Catan, is a phenomenal board game, but you need a few hours to get through each game. Players start with two settlements and a handful of resources, and must gain more resources throu?gh dice rolls and deals with others so they can build roads, cities, and conquer the map. with every player competing to win, there are so many layers to the conversations you have and the deals you can make. I've swapped side on an alliance more than once to prevent someone winning.

The base game is fantastic, but you can also get the expansion on sale before Amazon Prime Day. The Seafarers expansion brings new elements to the core game that allow you to branch out and explore the waters surrounding the land. Cities and Knights adds war-like mechanics to the game. Finally, Explorers and Pirates adds even more seafarin??g elements to the game, and with all of them together, you can get lost for an entire da?y playing.

Pandemic

• Price: $30.04 ($39.99)
• Players: 2-4

In Pandemic, players must work together to stop a pandemic by making use of each of their character's skills and crush outbreaks and epidemics as they occur. Four diseases threaten the world, and it's down to every player to help prevent them from ending the world. This game is a fabulous change of pace from those that pit you against one another, and we all need a game that has you working with other people rather ?than against them now and then.

There are three expansions for the base game that enhance the gameplay, but it's the alternate editions you might want to nab while they're on sale. Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu is similar in style but sees you trying to close four gates rather than stop four diseases. Pandemic: Rising Tide has players battling against the se??a itself in the Dutch Water Crisis. Each one is different mechanically and keeps things interesting with loads of new flavor.

Mansions of Madness

• Price: $87.99 ($109.99)
• Players: 1-5

In Mansions of Madness, players take on the role of investigators exploring eerie locales in a mysterious region where some sort of horror is haunting the locals. Ther??e are four campaigns to work through, each of which uses an app to help move things along and aid in the sleuthing players must employ if they want to conquer the entities at the heart of this game. This is another cooperative board game, but one that's great for a group who are really into game when they start to play them because it requires a lot of atte?ntion.

The Beyond the Threshold expansion adds two new investigators into the mix for the base board game, and The Streets of Arkham expansion adds a further four investigators and two new scenarios to dig into. I'd recommend conquering the base game first because these expansions, especially The Streets of Arkham, get into t??his universe's lore quite heavily and req?uire that background knowledge from the base game.

Star Wars Legion

• Price: $95.99 ($119.99)
• Players: 2

Star Wars Legion is a miniatures game designed to allow two players to battle it out in any Star Wars skirmish they can imagine. The miniatures are unpainted, so you can have a go at finishing them yourself, and the rules are fairly simple compared to other miniature games like Warhammer 40K. The only downside is that it's limited to two players, so you'll need to have multipl?e rounds in a day or organize a few sessions with different people over time to make the most of it.

The post 20 best? board games on sale before Amaz??on Prime Day appeared first on Destructoid.

Stern Pinball has unveiled a brand new pinball machine, a variation of one of its most popular, for a very special anniversary. The greyscale Godzilla 70th Anniversary Edition Pinball Machine features brand new artwork, content, and a way to e??njoy the franchise like never before.

As the name suggests, the Godzilla 70th Anniversary Edition Pinball Machine celebrates the 70th anniversary of the king of movie monsters. The first movie premiered in Nagoya in October 1954, and we still adore it all these years later. This pinball machine is a tour of Godzilla's greatest stories and battles, allowing you to jump in and find enemies you might be familiar with, others you might not be?, and dozens of nods to every major entry. in the franchise.

Remembered as it was born

As you can see in the trailer, the Godzilla 70th Anniversary Edition Pinball Machine takes everything from the full-color version and?? wipes that color out. Godzilla was born in black and white, and this pinball machine is an homage to that original vision that c?aptivated audiences.

The machine is available at the same price as the premium color table, $9,699, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Stern Pinball has also confirmed that this machine will be in production for as long as there is de?mand, with ??no end in sight as long as there are buyers.

Finally, Stern Pinball is launching a new Godzilla Challenge Mode alongside the Godzilla 70th Anniversary Edition Pinball Machine. This challenge mode can be played by those with the greyscale and color machines, so no m??atter how you're celebrating Godzilla, you can push your skills further.

I adore Godzilla, and I have only recently watched the latest movies in which the Kaiju battles against and then with Kong. Despite being a hulking, great mutated dragon with breath that could turn several cities into glass at once, there's something intoxicating about Godzilla that makes us want to watch and even root for the thing that could well destroy us. That is unless you're watching Shin Godzilla.

Some truly iconic pinball machines are out there, but few produced today are as iconic as Godzilla. Sure, it's fun to play around with a John Wick or Jaws pinb?all machine for a laugh, but Godzilla is part of the woodwork when it comes to sci-fi and m?onster movies.

Celebrating that with your own pinball machine, or just with one in an arcade, makes the franchise tangible and enhances the already pretty thrilling experience of every round on a pinball table. There's something about the physicality of a table that brings the creature to life far more than its various video game crossovers and releases.

The post Stern? Pinball reveals stylish greyscale Godzilla 70th Anniversary Edition Pinball Machine appeared first on Destructoid.

You could spend a lifetime reading sci-fi novellas and short stories, even if you just restricted yourse??lf to ones ?that take place in deep space. 

Who has the time for that? If you’ve got a hankering for stories involving aliens, sp??ace travel, an??d the loneliness of the void, then here, in no particular order, are some of the best the genre has to offer. 

Bloodchild - Octavia Butler

Great sci-fi novelists tend to be great short story writers, and Octavia Butler is no exception. “Bloodchild�/a> is the titular story in one of Butler’s collections, and it’s as haunting as anything else she’s writt??en. A colony of humans coexists peacefully with an alien race called the Tlic on their home planet. The only catch is that families have to volunteer a child to become a host for the Tlic’s eggs. The story is told from the perspective of a host, and the fact that he accepts his fate actually helps to make it all the more disturbing. 

“Into the Comet�/a> is a story of survival and advanced mathematics from the author of 2001: A Space Odyssey. A science ship heads out into space to observe a comet, but becomes trapped when its computer malfunctions and the comet’s gasses interfere with its radio transmissions. With no way to calculate a trajectory that will allow the ship to escape from the comet’s pull, the crew is resigned to their deaths. Then a journalist who went along for the expedition comes up with the idea? to arm the crew with abacuses and manually calculate their path to survival. 

Stanislaw Lem is another sci-fi legend who’s probably best known for writing the novel Solaris, which was adapted into a movie in 1972 by director Andrei Tarkovsky. Lem wrote a whole series of short stories starring a well-traveled spaceman named Ijon Tichy, and “Let Us Save the Universe�/a> takes the form of an open letter from Ijon to the rest of humanity. I?t manages to brilliantly mix social commentary with galaxy-wide worldbuilding and makes for an excellent introduction to Ijon’s series. 

The Long Rain - Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury was a prolific sci-fi writer and the author of Fahrenheit 451. “The Long Rain�/a> comes from his short story collection The Illustrated Man and recounts the story of a group of astronauts who’ve cr??ashed onto the ??surface of Venus. They try to make their way to the Sun Dome, the only safe place on the planet, but along the way they’re forced to contend with the endless, almost mystical Venusian rain that slowly drives them insane.

Rhysling is a blind songwriter who uses his musical skills to book passage on spaceships traveling across the solar system. He decides to take one last trip to Earth, so he can live out his final days on his home planet. Naturally, disaster strikes, and Rhysling is forced to face his death early while also composing his final song. “The Green Hills of Earthâ€?/a> is a touching little story that uses the excitement of a spaces?hip catastrophe to talk about mortality and the importance of art. 

“Schrödinger’s Catastrophe�/a> is a story for fans of cerebral sci-fi horror a la Event Horizon. The story takes place on a ship called the USFS Erwin, where all known laws of physics and probability suddenly and disastrously stop functioning. Corporal Alice Aste travels to the Erwin to find out what happened to the crew and why the ship stopped communicating, but nothing in her military career has prepared her for the c??haos ?that unfolds when she arrives on the ship. 

Prott - Margaret St. Clair 

Margaret St. Clair’s “Prott�/a> is a strange first contact story told in the form of diary e?ntries. The diary in question belongs to a researcher who traveled deep int?o space to study the mating habits of an alien race called the prott. The researcher observes the aliens but also goes to great lengths to find a way to communicate with them before strapping his notes to a rocket and sending them back to Earth. As a nice change of pace, this first contact story isn’t about the fate of humanity, but the bizarre impressions of the aliens in question will hang in your mind for days. 

Drive - James S.A. Corey

Set in the universe of The Expanse, this story focuses on Solomon Epstein, the man who invented the spaceship drives that fueled humanity’s push into the stars. In a few dozen pages, “Drive�/a> manages to capture most of the big themes and emotional overtones that make The Expanse such a phenomenal ser?ies. Part speculative sci-fi, part politi?cal thriller, and part touching romance, “Drive�is a 100% memorable short story. 

Ursula K. Le Guin’s name is really all you need to know that “Vaster Than Empires and More Slow�/a> is worth reading. Le Guin is a legendary sci-fi author, and “Vaster Than Empires�is a unique first contact story about an exploratory space vessel landing on a planet covered in forests. At first, the team thinks that the planet lacks any conscious life, but eventually, they come to realize that the planet itself may be a l??iving consciousness. 

“The Pizza Boy�/a> is one of the most delightful sci-fi short stories I’ve ever read. The story follows a young boy who, like his father before him, makes a living by delivering pizzas to the many ships of a military fleet. What begins as an almost whimsical tale of a space-age pizza business slowly morphs into a story about quiet rebellion and the fight against imperialist forces. If ??you only read one story from this list, “The Pizza Boy�should be it. 

The post 10 Best spacefaring sci-fi short stories appeared first on Destructoid.

A Song of Ice and Fire is considered by many to be one of the best fantasy book series of all-time. Its richly drawn world, iconic characters, and incredible plot twists continue to win over new fans, especially with the continuing release of tie-in TV shows like Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon and the upcoming Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. However, the length and comp??lexity of the books can be daunting for new readers. 

If you’re wonder??ing how to read the Game of Thrones books in order and where to get started, you’ve come to the right place.

How many Game of Thrones books are there?

The main storyline of A Song of Ice and Fire is comprised of five books. However, there are a few additional books set within the same world that bring the total to seven, or eight if you include The World of Ice and Fire compendium. Graphic novel editions of several of the b?ooks are also availabl?e.

Game of Thrones Books Reading Order 

While Fire and Blood is the first book in the series chronologically, it’s much better to start reading George R.R. Martin’s books in release order. Here’s our co?mplete recommended? reading order.

1. A Game of Thrones

The first Game of Thrones book is a ?masterclass in world building, character development, and unlike other books in the series, mystery. Ned Stark’s quest to uncover the truth behind the death of Jon Arryn, one of the book’s key storylines, sets the entire series in motion and is a compelling read from start to finish.

2. A Clash of Kings

Clash of Kings picks up right where Game of Thrones left off with the War of the F?ive Kings. The conflict between the Lion and the Wolf continues, while claimants such as Stannis Baratheon and Balon Greyjoy enter t??he fray and ensure the realm’s plunge into chaos. 

3. A Storm of Swords

The longest book in the series, A Storm of Swords, is arguably its best. The sprawling complexity of Martin’s world and story take full shape, with iconic twists and turns we wouldn't dare spoil here. Daenerys continues to gather power, and ??Jon Snow’s story??line is better than ever.

4. A Feast for Crows

The fourth and fifth book in the series, A Feast for Crows and A Dance With Dragons, take place for the most part simultaneously. However, character perspectives are divided between the two. A Feast for Crows follows characte?rs in King’s Landing,?? Dorne, and the Vale.

5. A Dance With Dragons

A Dance With Dragons follows events in Slaver’s Bay and the North, and is the latest novel in the main series. Point-of-view characters missing from A Feast for Crows return, though some of the main characters from that book work their way into A Dance With Dragons near its conclusion. By this point, the books and Game of Thrones TV show feature very different sto?ries, so even if you've only seen the show, it's a great read.

6. Fire and Blood

Fire and Blood departs from the main storyline of the previously released books, and instead covers the rise of the Targaryen dynasty. As a result, the book takes place between 300 and approximately 160 years before A Game of Thrones.

7. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a series of novellas following the adventures of ‘Dunk and Egg� one of whom is a hedge knight, while the other is the future king of Westeros. The novellas take place about 90 years before A Game of Thrones.

8. The World of Ice and Fire

As an addition to the other stories of Westeros and Essos, Martin and supporting authors Elio M. García Jr. and Linda Antonsson have released a companion book to the series that helps develop its world. It isn’t essential reading, but it’s great for anyone who can’t get enough of A Song of Ice and Fire. 

Game of Thrones Books in Chronological Order

The Game of Thrones timeline starts with Fire and Blood, which begins its story with Aegon’s conquest of the Seven Kingdoms. The next book in the chronology is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. After that, it’s the main series in order, beginning with A Game of Thrones, followed by A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and finally, A Dance With Dragons.

The first two books in the Song of Ice and Fire chronology are the least essential to the larger series, so it’s bett?er to read in release order if you’re new to the books.

Is House of the Dragon based on a book?

The House of the Dragon TV show is based of Martin’s Fire and Blood. However, the opening event?s of the show occur mid??way through the book.

When does the next Game of Thrones book come out?

The next book in the main series, The Winds of Winter, does not have a scheduled release date. However, Martin has, according to his own blog posts, written three-quarters of the book. A Winds of Winter sample chapter is available on the author’s website. 

In addition to Winds of Winter, a second volume of Fire and Blood is also in the works. After Winds of Winter, the next book in the main series will be A Dream of Spring??, which will likely be the final book in the saga.

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Disney has announced and released Jessica Jones: Breaking the Dark, the first in a ?new series of novels that will continue the story of the retired superhero turned private investigator. Perhaps the most exciting part of this book is that it also features Luke Cage, meaning it could move into familiar territory with The Defenders.

This book is aimed at adults and is a gritty thriller with a mystery at its c?enter that not everyone? will be able to stomach. It's an interesting direction for Disney to move in, but Jessica Jones has always been a character with stories right on the line between what young Marvel fans will enjoy and stories that are really only aimed at an adult audience.

Find your new murder mystery fix with a Marvel character

The plot of the book sees Jones tackle a case from a young mother of teenage twins whom she's sure were changed in some way while visiting their father in the UK. Their skin is too perfect, the??y've lost all hints of their personalities, and they can't stop talking about a girl named Belle. After finding this girl in the isolated town of Barton Wallop, Jones knows there's much more to this case than meets the eye.

As is always the case with a Jessica Jones story, we get to see the underbelly of a world where superheroes are commonplace as we follow a self-destructive detective who has a soft spot for those with power abusing it. Luke Cage is also mentioned in the book's blurb, which gives me hope that this series will explore The Defenders network and ?see Jones team up with old allies, even if it's just a guest appearance.

You can pick up your copy directly from Disney or through the much more convenient Amazon listing. There's even an audiobook version on Audible if you don't have the time to pause to read a few chapters each day, which is how I'll be digesting this book. So far, we have no date f?or when the next book will be released because Disney is likely seeing how well this?? one sells.

I believe the now-canceled Jessica Jones TV show was fantastic, addressing some real issues through its story arcs that Marvel hasn't touched upon anywhere else. The titular character is vulnerable yet strong and is portrayed in a way that I think most of us can ide?ntify wit??h.

Having Jessica Jones return in a new series will all?ow fans like me to dive into her adventures and experience the darker side of the Marvel universe once again. Based on what we know of the plot, this book seems like it will dive deep into the darkness of the world that Marvel movies gloss over and highlight what can happen when powerful beings use their abilities to fulfill their darkest desires.

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Anime streaming platform Crunchyroll has announced Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, a trilogy of mo?vies that will conclude the incredibly popular and award-winning anime Shonen series. The movies will be available to watch in theaters worldwide??, except in some Asian territories.

This announcement was made on the same day as the final episode of the Hashira Training arc was aired. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle adapts the final arc of the manga, and while no release date has been confirmed yet for the trilogy, one can't be far off given just how popular the manga and anime series are. With over 150 million copies of the manga in circulation, there are bound to be some big expectatio??ns for this movie trilogy finale.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba finally ends

Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini said, "Demon Slayer has been a phenomenal franchise, and we at Crunchyroll are delighted to have been a part of it from the beginning. Crunchyroll is thrilled to be able to bring this trilogy of films to fans, on the big screen, and it promises to be one of the truly epic and ??consequential pop cultural events of our time when it hits theaters."

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba premiered in April 2019. It is based on the manga of the same name, which has been running since 2016. The manga is published by SHUEISHA's JUMP COMICS and consists of 23 volumes. The series is directed by Haruo Sotozaki at studio ufotable, with mu??sic by Go Shiina and Yuki Kajiura, and Akira Matsushima as chief animation director and character designer.

The latest movies, -To the Swordsmith Village-, Mugen Train, and -To the Hashira Training-, all released to critical and commercial acclaim. In fact, Mugen Train boasts the record for the highest-grossing anime of all time and the highest-grossing Japanese film at the box office. The movie has generated $500 million to date and is the second? highest-grossing anime film in US box offic?e history.

While the trailer doesn't show off all that much in terms of clips from the movies and our characters in action, you probably know what's coming in this final story arc if you're all caught up with the manga. If you've never heard of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, though, now is a great time to pick up the bo?oks and start watching the anime so everything can be fresh in your mind when you book your tickets to see each film.

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The theme for Lucca Comics & Games 2024 has been revealed alongside incredible artwork from Yoshitaka Amano, who is probably best known for his work creating the gorgeous logos for most games in the Final Fantasy series.

For the Lucca Comics & Games 2024 festival, the theme is "The Butterfly Effect." Amano's piece, which you can see at the top of this article, is called OUVERTURE and is one of three created for the event. The second will arrive later this year, with the final one set to be revealed during the festival on October 30, 2024. However, the event will feature much more than art, with Netflix revealing a Squid Game 2 preview and several annivers??ary celebrations for household names in games and ??TTRPGs.

Lucca Comics & Games 2024 promises something for everyone

Lucca Comics & Games 2024 runs from October 30, 2024, until November 3, 2024, in the city of Lucca, Italy, and has a packed lineup for fans of art, video games, comics, and Netflix shows. One of the most highly anticipated parts of the event is a teaser for Squid Game 2 from creator, writer, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk. The series is still popular on Netflix, and the second chapter is something fans won't want to?? miss.

This year is the 25th anniversary of One Piece, so director Tatsuya Nagamine and animator Kenji Yokoyama will be on hand to close out the festival with a celebration of the series, but also a few surprises for what's in store for it in the coming months at the One Piece stall.

A wider celebration of Yoshitaka Amano's work will be held at the Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan as an exhibition that highlights how you can combine video games, anime, and contemporary art into a single inimitable artistic vision. This exhibition is a quick 4-hour drive from the festival, but you can catch it another time because it doesn't kick off until November 13, 2024, to March 1, 2025. Leaves you?? plenty of time to book another trip.

2024 will also mark the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, so Lucca Comics & Ga??mes is putting together two tributes to this incredible fantasy world framework we all know and love. First is a collection of original artworks curated by one of the TTRPG's most important art histo?rians, Jon Peterson. The exhibition is being held in the Church of the Servi where tables will be displayed alongside the art to highlight the players and the game they love.

The second tribute will see the basement of San Paolino Bastion renamed for Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, the original creators of D&D. Lead rules designer Jeremy C?rawford will be on hand to present the tributes and discuss the gam?e's present and future.

Fans of the Star Wars: Unlimited TCG can enjoy an early pre-release of Set 3, The Twilight of the Republic on October 30, 2024??. There will be a chance to engage with this new set and get into a few games before anyone else in the world attendees.

Finally, this year is somehow the 40th anniversary of Tetris. The game we were all playing long before modern iterations like Tetris Effect: Connected. Alexey L. Pajitnov, the creator of Tetris, and Henk B. Rogers, co-foun?der of The Tetris Company, will hold a talk at the festival on the game's history and imp?act on video games.

Tickets for Lucca Comics & Games 2024 can be purchased from the official website. At the time of writing, the tickets aren't yet on sale, but they will become available with early bird pricing on July 16, 2024. When I checked the site, ther?e?? wasn't a US/UK version, but you can still muddle through because most buttons have English instructions.

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The season 14 finale of Doctor Who was released into the world ??on June 21, and whereas The Legend of Ruby Sunday set us up for an epic experience, what we got instead fell flat. Fans are understandably upset, so? what went wrong?

I’m not even sure where to begin, to be honest. It could be the terrible CGI effects of Sutekh as he was dragged behind the TARDIS inside the Time Vortex, or maybe it’s the an??ti-climax of discovering the true identity of Ruby’s mother. But maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself. All of those things happened within the last 10 minutes of the episode, and Empire of Death was doomed from the start. 

The episode began with Mel and the Doctor zipping across London on a Vespa to escape th?e fast-moving “dust of deathâ€?unleashed by Sutekh's minions to devour all life across the universe. 

After arriving back at UNIT, bizarrely unscathed considering the fact that literally everyone else in London is turned to dust, the Doctor and Mel head into the Time Window to join Ruby, who is still there asking for her Mummy while the rest of the world crumbles around her. Honestly, if you put a gas mask on that girl, you could consider this a season-long rerun of The Empty Child. Even the Doct?or has to tell her that they’ve “go?t worse problems� 

As the trio are stumbling around in the Time Window, Sutek?h appears before them and explains that he has been attached to the TARDIS since 1975, going everywhere that the Doctor did and spreading the image of Susan Twist throughout time and space to spread his “dust of death�on every planet the Doctor has ever visited. He also explains why he’s letting the Doctor live, and it’s a doozy.

Sutekh, ??the god of death and terrifying beast, is just a soap opera-loving giant dog, and the only reason he’s here is to find out who Ruby’s mother is. The same thing can be said for the majority of the audience. I wonder if Sutekh would have been as disappointed as us mere humans if he’d lived long enough to find out the answer.

Using Ruby’s memories to conjure up the Remembered TARDIS, the only living trio left inside UNIT escapes the wrath of Sutek?h and takes off? into space. Cue yet another emotional breakdown from the Doctor as he stands in the doorway to the TARDIS, screaming into the void, watching the universe crumble around him. 

Thankfully, the Doctor is in possession of what amounts to a glorified iPad, and after a brief jaunt to a badly described planet to get a spoon (yes, you read that right), he hands the iPad off to Ruby. In her hands, the iPad picks up on her memories and we’re shown a clip of Roger ap Gwilliam. Remember him? In 73 Yards, he’s the?? Prime?? Minister in 2046 who takes the earth to the brink of nuclear devastation. 

Well, this gives the Doctor an idea. During his campaign, Roger made DNA registration mandatory for everyone in Britain, and this me?ant that Ruby’s mother’s DNA would be on file. For some reason, 2046 still exists despite the f?act that the world is ending today, so the Doctor, Mel and Ruby travel forward in time to get some answers. 

Fast forward ten minutes. The iPad holds the information both the audience and Sutekh are still waiting for, and Mel is now a minion of Sutekh. I’m still not entirely sure how that happened, but it’s not the weirdest thing that happened in this episode, so I’m willing to gloss over it. Minion Mel takes the ?Doctor and Ruby to UNIT headquarters through the magic of teleportation, which is never explained, and the Doctor faces off against Sutekh for the second time. 

Even if you gloss over everything else that was strange about this episode, there is no ignoring the fact that the Doctor’s “epic battleâ€?with Sutekh amounts to nothing more than him attaching a leash to the oversized dog and taking it for another walk in the Time Vortex. The Doctor yells about taking “death to deathâ€??in order to “create lifeâ€?- I’m not sure that’s how it works ??- and miraculously, everyone is back to life. 

The epi?sode is capped off with us finally finding out the identity of Ruby’s mother,?? and it turns out that she was nothing more than a 15-year-old girl who abandoned her daughter on the doorstep of a church. And the pointing? Well, she was never pointing at the Doctor at all, but rather the road sign behind him in order to give her daughter the name “Rubyâ€? 

Ruby is emotionally overwhelmed that her mother gave her a name, but this is perhaps the most annoying thing about this episode. Even if she had been trying to name her baby, there was nobody around to see her abandoning her child, so how would anybody have known that she had wanted the baby to be called that? As a fellow upset viewer asked on Twitter, “Did Sutekh email social services and let them know?�/p>

After a heartfelt message of “things are ?important because we make them importantâ€? which is entirely lost in the weirdness of the rest of the episode, the Doctor helps Ruby to find her mother in a coffee shop. Despite his advice that her mother made her choices and had ample time to come and find her, Ruby runs into the cafe and all but throws herself at the woman who dropped her on a doorstep in the middle of winter. 

Of course, there’s a happy ending, with Ruby reunited with her birth mother and the Doctor telling Ruby that she had “changed himâ€?before a tearful but not permanent goodbye, but that’s not actually the end. The end is given by Mrs. Flood, who yet again appears to give us another ominous message. Dressed in a white fur coat (in what is pre??sumably a throwback to former Gallifreyan companion, Romana) and holding an umbrella on the roof of Ruby’s house, she tells us that the Doctor’s story “ends in absolute terrorâ€? 

I can’t help but wonder what’s more terrifying than the not-so-gradual decline in the quality of the storywriting of Doctor Who. I’ve lost all faith in Russell T Davies at this point, and I can’t help but feel that with the incredibly anticlimactic reveal of Ruby’s mother done and dusted, viewership will ab?solutely suffer during season 15 ?unless radical changes are made. 

Until then, I’m going to go back and start again in 2005, rewatching all of the old episodes to remind myself why I love Doctor Who so much. Season 14 has left a sour taste in my mouth, and I’m uncertain whether I’ll come back for season 15 or whether I’ll bother watching the Christmas special. I do have a sliver of hope for the Christmas special, with it being written by Steven Moffat. The man who brought us Weeping Angels can save Doctor Who, surely? 

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Russell T Davies might as well be part of the furniture when it comes to Doctor Who at this point. He wrote the first episode of the revival with Christopher Eccleston and he’s showrunner on season 14 with Ncu??ti Gatwa. 

Since 2005, Davies has written a total of 45 episodes of Doctor Who, as ?well as having credits on Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. His undeniable talent has brought us a lot of incredible stories and moments, but I’ve done my best to narrow it down to the ten best episodes he’s ever written. 

10. Gridlock

David Tennant as the Doctor, alongside Martha as his companion, travel to the city-state of New New York on ?New Earth, coming face to face with a huge drug problem and traffic like you’ve never seen before. 

Martha ends up kidnapped by Milo and Cheen, a couple who are on the verge of welcoming a baby into the world, because they need a third person in their vehicl?e in order to use the Fast Lane. Usually, this wouldn’t b??e a problem, except even in the Fast Lane it’s going to take six years for them to reach their destination. 

Cue? the Doctor, car hopping through the truly insane multi-level traffic where people have made their homes inside their cars, with some bizarrely heartwarming moments and no end of interesting people to meet. Not to mention the giant crabs who populate the space below the traffic. 

9. Voyage of the Damned

Three words to sum up this episode of Doctor Who are “Titanic in space� With a guest appearance from Kylie ??Minogue as Astrid, Voyage of the Damned sees residents of the planet stop orbiting Earth in order to observe “primitive cultures� They’re here to see the celebration of Christmas, on board a replica of the doomed cruise liner which sank in 1912.

?With a terminally ill captain with suicidal intentions, the replica of the Titanic is no less doomed than the original it was based on, so the Doctor must set out to save those on board with the help of Astrid. Eventually, he saves the ship, but must face saying goodbye to Astrid. This episode is als??o the first time we’re introduced to Wilf, Donna’s Granddad and a favorite character for many. 

8. Bad Wolf

Maybe I’m biassed, but this episode has so many British references in it that I can’t help but love it. Not least, the android version of Anne Robinson, who hosted the fondly remembered real-life version of The Weakest Link, which was much less deadly than the one depicted in Bad Wolf. Then there’s the lethal version of What Not to Wear, with android versions of Trinny and Susannah.

This is also the episode which introduces us to the concept of Bad Wolf, a message spread through time by Rose herself, which went on to be the name of the production company responsible for not only Doctor Who, but also shows like Dope Girls and The Winter King. 

7. The Christmas Invasion

The first episode with David Tennant as the Doctor, The Christmas Invasion was (as the name sugge??sts) the Christmas special in 2005. It aired on Christmas Day with an initial audience of 9.84 million. 

This is the episode which sees the Doctor’s hand forcibly removed from his body during a sword fight with the leader of the Sycorax, which falls to earth as he regrows a new one because he’s got “just enough residual cellular energyâ€? The original hand goes on to play a vital role much later when Donna touches it, absorbs the energy within and ends up becoming Doctor Donna during Journey’s End. It also explains why, in Torchwood, Captain Jack Harkness is a little overly atta??ched to the hand he keeps in a jar. 

6. Midnight

I’ve written about Midnight before, but I really cannot express enough how much I love this?? episode. It’s creepy, suspenseful, and it really does have you on the edg?e of your seat. 

Midnight sees the Doctor separated from Donna, who was in desperate need of a break by that point, on a tour of the planet Midnight. The planet as a whole is uninhabitable due to massive lev??els of radiation from its nearest star. However, while Donna makes the most of a Spa on the surface, the Doctor chooses to take a shuttle tour to see a waterfall made of Sapphires. 

Spoiler alert, he doesn’t get to see the waterfall and everything goes horrib??ly wrong, resulting in multipl??e deaths and a lot of fear all around. 

5. Rose

Rose was the first episode of the Doctor Who revival back in 2005, starring Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor and Billie Piper as his companion. While Eccleston only remained with the?? show for one season, Piper went on to become a long-serving companion to not just him, but also Tennant when he took ove?r the role. 

I have such fond memories of Rose, the episode as well as the character, because it re-awoke my love for Doctor Who in a way that I seriously was not expecting. It obviously wasn’t just me, either, with 10.81 million viewers ?tuning in to see the glorious return of the Doctor.

4. The Legend of Ruby Sunday

I was hesitant to include anything from season 14 on this list, but The Legend of Ruby Sunday is an exception I’m willing to make. The culmination of an entire season of clues interwoven so subtly that they were barely noticed, leaving me kicking myself for not realising where the story ??was headed?. 

After six episodes of slow pacing and questionable choices, things suddenly start to make sense in The Legend of Ruby Sunday in an explosive way. On top of everything else, the reintroduction of a lege?ndary enemy, Sutekh, definitely earns this episode a place on this list. 

3. Turn Left

Turn Left is? an interesting take on what most people would know as the Butterfly Effect. What would happen to your life if you just made one choice differently? Would it become something unrecognizable? Would you prefer a?? different life to the one you have now? If you had the chance, would you do something differently or go through everything to get to the point you’re at right now?

That’s the point of Turn Left, with Donna choosing to go a different way and things ending up oh so differently. Rose even appears to Donna in order to save her life from a disaster the Doctor is no longer around to save her from. It’s a ‘Doctor-liteâ€?episode, which usually rank among my least favorites, but this one is special?? because it spark??s thought and forces the audience to get philosophical. 

2. The End of Time

The final?? appearance of David Tennant as the tenth Doctor, and the introduction of Matt Smith to the role, The End of Time? sees the Doctor facing off against his nemesis, The Master. This episode holds a huge spot in my heart because of one thing â€?Wilf. 

The Doctor has already wiped Donna’s memory of his existence in order to save h??er life after the events of Journey’s End, and Wilf shields himself?? from a plot by The Master to turn all humans into clones of himself. In the end, Wilf is the only person The Doctor can turn to for help. 

At the end of this episode, The Doctor takes a tour around everyone he has ever known with the face he currently has, something which is guaranteed to leave you in floods of tears. But the hardest goodbye of all is with? Wilf. 

1. The Star Beast/Wild Blue Yonder/The Giggle

Not one episode, admittedly, but we can class two of these as bonus entries on the list. These three episodes are among those I would gladly ??watch time and again.

The reappearance of David Tennant and Catherine Tate as the formidable duo so beloved by fans. The introduction of Rose Noble and Beep the Meep, the first sprinkling of hints about what was to come in season 14, bringing back old enemies like the Toymaker (played so perfectly by Neil Patrick Harris) and the massive shock of bi-regeneration - of course these three 60th anniversary special episodes deserve to be ?top of this list.

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The birth of science fiction is considered by some to stretch all the way back to the age of Shelly's Frankenstein. Sin??ce then, there have been some hugely influential writers in the science fiction genre. Here is my personal list, both of the modern age and the old.

Sci Fi writers you need on your bookshelves

Whether you're just delving into the wonderful world of sci-fi or already have shelves straining under Hamilton's epics, there are always a few writers you still need to discover. Take a look through this list to see which writers you may have missed from your collection.

H.G Wells

I may as well get one of the all time greats out of the way, to begin with. H.G. Wells is responsible for some of the greatest works of science fiction literature of all time, with some being adapted for film and radio. His most famous work is no doubt War of The Worlds, but other notable entries include The Invisible Man and The Time Machine.

He was a prominent futurist who predicted many of the technologies we have today. He foresaw the use of the Atomic Bomb, satellite television, space travel, and many other technologies far beyond his time. The granddaddy of science fiction is, without a doubt, on??e of the most influe??ntial science fiction writers.

Essential reading:

• War of The Worlds
• The Invisible Man
• The Time Machine
• The Island of Doctor Moreau
• The World Set Free

Mary Shelly

Although not the most prolific sci-fi writer of all time, Mary Shelley can certainly be considered among the most influential. Taking a look at Frankenstein, published in 1818, we can clearly see the first elements of science fiction in literature. Her opening of the door to fiction, combined with the marvels of science, paved the way for the ent??ire genre.

If you're interested in where it all began, Frankenstein is a wonderful work. It is steeped in horror, social observation, fascination with new and barely?? understood technology, and the fear of the unknown.

Philip K. Dick

Whereas some of Philip K. Dick's books are essential reading for anyone looking for influential sci-fi writers, some are reserved for completionists. Dicks various works, such as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Scanner Darkly, and The Man in The High Castle, have been adapted into film and TV. Bladerunner, based on Electric Sheep, is widely consider?ed to be one of the best science fiction films?? of all time.

However, Philip K. Dick is a very stylised writer, rarely conforming to traditional narratives or writing styles. This can certainly make some of his lesser-known works a difficult read for the uninitiated. This doesn't mean you shouldn't ?delve into his work, though. Once you get over his bizarre approach to narrative, his books will change your perception of reality.

Essential reading:

• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
• Scanner Darkly
• Valis
• A Maze of Death
• The Man in The High Tower

William Gibson

Working through Neuromancer by William Gibson often requires the reader to take a quick minute to remember how long ago the novel was published. This runs true for? many of his varied works. Gibson's ability to predict and expand on the future of technology is uncanny. His understanding of just what the Internet and electronic connections would be and the results of it all are?? still being unraveled today.

For me, Gibson's writing style is everything I want from a science fiction book. He drops you into a world that is unexplained, into a narrative already well underway, with concepts you have to learn as you go. The depth and ferocity of Gibson's writing result in a narrative t??hat barely gives ro?om to breathe. It's only once you've put the book down that you realize just how much he has fit into the relatively short stories.

Neuromancer is credited with a lot of what made up the theory behind The Matrix films. He accurately described the internet, cybersp??ace, meta universes, and internat?ional electronic communication way before it was ever available.

Essential reading:

• Neuromancer
• Count Zero
• Burning Chrome
• Mona Lisa Overdrive
• Archangel (Graphic Novel)

Douglas Adams

When everything starts a little too bleak and serious on you?r science fiction bookshelf, take this influential B??ritish writer for a spin. Douglas Adams takes the seriousness, mostly, out of science fiction and yet still paints a wonderfully rich and vibrant world that will scratch the itch of any sci fi fan.

Although the world of Arthur Dent in Hitchikers Guide to The Galaxy isn't one of intergalactic space battles, and multi-planet politics, the 'trilogy of five' is full of amazing concepts and stories. Each book expands upon the universe created by Adams, producing some truly fasc??inating characters, and some hilarious situations. There are very few writers in the science fiction genre who have the dry humour and creativity of Douglas Adams.

Essential reading:

• Just start at the beginning of The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy and go from there.

Jules Verne

Many of the books of Jules Verne are read to children as they grow up, or used as e??ducational studies. There is a good reason for that. His works are full of imagination, creativity, and marvel. The worlds of Jules Verne are distinctly of years long passed when science was still more or less only fiction.

Verne wrote some of the most gripping and exciting adventure stories of his time. Even now, they are considered essential reading for most lo?vers of literature, with most having delved into at least one. He push??ed the boundaries of what science was capable of at the time, resulting in some truly fascinating works of science fiction.

Essential reading:

• Journey to The Center of The Earth
• Around The World in 80 Days
• Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea
• From The Earth To The Moon + Around The Moon

Isaac Asimov

The reach of Asimov's works in both the Foundation and Robots series goes far beyond the scope of his books. The impact of his theories and ideas are implemented in everything from Ho?llywood to theoretica?l papers.

His works are remarkably difficult to adapt to screen due to their complexity of concept and theory. However, I consider them essential reading and Asimov one of the most influential science fiction write??rs of all time.

The Foundation series focuses on a universe that has expanded across the Galaxy. It is a society based on predictions made by a socio-scientist eons before. He created the Sheldon Principle, which was able to predict big events and advise on how to deal with them. The many books, both in the Foundation and Robotics series, tackle some huge and fascinating issues and ??subjects. As a wr??iter, he is almost unmatched, and as a social commentator and world builder, he is among the best.

Essential reading:

• Foundation Series
• Robots Series
• Prelude to Foundation

Arthur C. Clark

There are few writers of his era as good at describing the vast nothingness of space as Arthur C. Clark. His world-renowned book, 2001, A Space Odyssey, was lovingly depicted on the big screen by Kubr?ick, giving image to the amazing science fiction novel written by one of the most influential writers of his time.

Besides this classic, Clark wrote many other novels, often dealing with space travel, alien ships, and first contact. His series of Rama books examines the idea of aliens entering our local space and the implications of their presence. Childhood's End is a fascinating look at the arrival of a seemingly benevolent alien race, position?ing themselves abov?e Earth in an attempt to mediate international relations.

Arthur C. Clark isn't afraid to write books of vast scale and significance. His narratives can span decades, sometimes re?sulting in catastrophic changes. This scope is what makes him so influential in the science fiction genre.

Essential reading:

• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• Rendezvous with Rama
• Childhoods End
• The Nine Billion Names of God

Margaret Atwood

As an author, she has rooms full of literary awards, and every one of them is well-earned. She can be considered among the best writers in many genres alongside her massive influence in modern science fiction. Some of her most famous works, like the Handmaid's Tale trilogy, have been?? adapted for TV to huge success, and many of he??r other worlds sit among the best in the genre.

Margaret Atwood approaches her science fiction in a unique and affecting way in both her Handmaid's Tale and MaddAddam trilogies. The ve??risimilitude she loves to embrace in? her work brings the realism of the situations very close to home. Atwoods various tales are often seen as sociopolitical observations as well as gripping pieces of science fiction. Atwood writes with a gravitas and realism that leaves lasting impressions.

Essential reading:

• Handmaids Tale
• The Testaments
• Oryx and Crake
• The Year of The Flood

Iain M. Banks

The Culture Series, written by Iain M. Banks, flexes his impeccable ability to create a vast and complex universe while still keeping the intricacies of human emotion at its very core. Banks never loses sight of what it is to be human or what we consider to be important. Throughout his Culture Series, he tackles everything from possible galactic destruction to gender-swapping ex-lovers entangled i??n joint pregnancies. Nothing is outside the scope of his imagination.

Iain M. Banks is a prime example of what is possible when a creative author is given the freedom of science fiction. Few series of books broach quite as many concepts and get quite as experimental as Banks does. He is, for me, one of the most influential modern science fiction writers out there.

Essential reading:

• Player of Games
• Excession
• Use of Weapons
• The Hydrogen Sonata
• Against a Dark Background

Ursula K. Le Guin

No list would be complete without the multi-award-winning science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin and her enormous influential impact on science fiction. Le Guin has written some magnificent pieces of science fiction, delving deep into a number of complex social and political issues. Her seminal work, Left Hand of Darkness, unpacks the issues surrounding sex, identity, and gender. The Dispossessed, another one of her essential books, tackles capit??alism, the advancement of educatio??n, and the values of freedom, among many other issues.

Ursula K. Le Guin is a writer with real weight to her writing. Her books can be a little heavy for first-time science fiction readers, but no fan should be ??without at least a few of her incredibly important works. She tackles huge societal issues and paints them over wonderful science fiction backdrops li?ke few others.

Essential reading:

• The Dispossessed
• Left Hand of Darkness
• The Lathe of Heaven

The post 11 most influent?ial Science Fiction writers of all time appeared first on Destructoid.

What started out as a little bonus mode in 2008's Call of Duty: World at War has become a global phenomenon. Call of Duty's Zombies mode is a staple of the franchise, with complex lore, a sprawling multiverse, varied maps, and numerous now-iconic original characters behind it. Not to mention, more than a few celebrity guests have gotten in on the zom??bie-killing action.

While the likes of Tank Dempsey (Steve Blum), Dr. Edward Richtofen (Nolan North), and Samantha Maxis (Julie Nathanson) have carried the mode from game to game, several notable pop culture favorites have briefly come along for the ride. Malcolm McDowell, Jeff Goldblum, the late Ray Liotta, and more have featured in the mode, and that's just in Treyarch's titles. Sledgehammer Games' Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Call of Duty: WWII boast celebrity guest stars of their own.

While every celebrity cameo in the Call of Duty Zombies lineage has been fun, some are just a bit more special and noteworthy than others. Here are the top five best the Trey??arch franchise has offered up to date.

5. Helena Bonham-Carter as Madame Mirela

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's Dead of the Night takes players to the manor of skilled archaeologist Alistair Rhodes (Charles Dennis), where all kinds of paranormal entities threaten the lives of those present. Alongside Gideon Jones (Kiefer Sutherland), Jonathan Warwick (Brian Blessed), and Godfrey (Charles Dance) is Christina Fowler, aka Madame Mirela, as portrayed in voice and likeness by Helena Bonham-Carter. She turns in a solid vocal performance here, and considering her entertainment track record, she was a perfect fit for the Zombies mode.

Bonham-Carter has made a career out of taking projects of the supernatural and macabre variety. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Corpse Bride, Alice in Wonderland, and more fill her filmography. She's also among director Tim Burton's most frequent collaborators, in addition to being his former romantic partner. Bonham-Carter took the role of Mirela seriously, too, telling CinemaBlend that she personally crafted Mirela's accent and channeled Mrs. Lovett, her Sweeney Todd character, to get her Dead of the Night performance just right.

4. Ron Perlman as Floyd Campbell

Kicking off Call of Duty: Black Ops III's Zombies mode, Treyarch put its latest celebrity-loaded map at the forefront. Shadows of Evil takes place in the run-down, paranormal Morgue City, where seedy inhabitants do vile things to get ahead. One of these individuals is Floyd Campbell: a washed-up boxer who's willing to kill if it mea??ns getting to the top of his profession. Ultimately, he pays the price for his underhanded tactics. Ron Perlman's unmistakable face and rumbling voice couldn't be more suitable for the grizzled journeyman fighter.

Much like Bonham-Carter, Perlman is no stranger to odd, paranormal fictional universes. He's a mainstay in the works of director Guillermo del Toro, from Cronos to Hellboy, where strange is the name of the game. The surreal French fantasy flick The City of Lost Children, starring Perlman as carnival strongman One, also boasts a similar aesthetic to Shadows of Evil. All of this experience, coupled with the fact that Perlman told IGN h?e'd always wanted to play a boxer in some form, drove home the fact that no one could play Campbell quite like him.

3. Joe Pantoliano as Al "The Weasel" Arlington

One of, if not the absolute best Zombies map to date, Call of Duty: Black Ops II's Mob of the Dead features four mobsters attempting to escape Alcatraz Island via a shoddily-built plane. Not only are they unsuccessful??, but they're trapped in a time loop, forcing them to fend off endless waves of zombies, die, and repeat their failure over and over again for eternity. The mastermind of their initial escape plan is Al "The Weasel" Arlington, modeled after and voiced by Joe Pantoliano to utter perfection.

In a cast chock-full of crime genre legends, Pantoliano very much stands out as Mob of the Dead's MVP. The Sopranos, Matrix, and Bad Boys actor was a prime choice to bring out Weasel's meek and insecure yet innovative and intelligent personality. It's just too bad that when the character returns in Black Ops 4's Blood of the Dead, he only? does so as a bird in spirit form, thus preventing Pantoliano from getting another shot at the role.

2. Danny Trejo as Himself

Call of the Dead from Call of Duty: Black Ops I is the first Call of Duty Zombies map to feature a celebrity cast, and it goes all-out. When their horror film set is overrun, Robert Englund, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Michael Rooker h?ave to fight off waves of zombies in the middle of Siberia. Danny Trejo joins them, signature machetes in hand, to slaughter the inco?ming undead. All four actors thrive with the material provided, but Trejo takes it to another level as only he can.

To say that the Machete and From Dusk Till Dawn actor brings enthusiasm and gusto to the project would be a massive understatement. Trejo put his all into his lines, bringing a bit of comedy as well as plenty of badassery to match his tattooed, weaponed-up character model. The actor told XboxViewTV all about his experience working on Call of the Dead back in 2011, and while he's not much of a gamer hi?mself, it's abundantly clear that he had a ton of passion for the endeavor.

1. George A. Romero as Himself

Continuing on with Call of the Dead, it's worth remembering who was directing the film that Trejo, Rooker, Englund, and Gellar were working on when they were ambushed by the undead. That person was none other than George A. Romero, who's overpowered by zombies during the intro cutscene and turned into one himself. Throughout the game, he wanders the map with a stage light in hand and loads of one-liners. If you make Romero mad, he'll fly into a rage, sprinting after you with his weapon of choice. All in all, there's not a single soul more fitting to appear in a Call of Duty map than him.

Romero is single-handedly responsible for crafting the modern image of a zombie through revolutionary films like Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead. Even years after his death in 2017, he continues to inspire the horror genre and those working within it. Zombies simply wouldn't ??exist without ?Romero, so it's only right that the visionary director was included in what has become one of the mode's most beloved maps.

For those unaware, Black Ops 4's Tag Der Toten, a Call of the Dead reimagining, features Romero's signature glasses sitting on a table. This is both a fun Call of the Dead Eas??ter egg and a tribute to the man who paved the w?ay.

The post The top 5 best Call of Duty Zombies celebrity gues?t stars appeared first on Destructoid.

After dominating popularity rankings, and consistently being one of the best financially performing Shonen Jump manga, Sakamoto Days is getting an anime adaptation. Re-creating the visually stunning action sequences from the Sakamoto Days manga is no easy task, but the?? first anime adaptation trailer proves we are in for an absolute ?treat.

Since 2020, Yuto Suzuki has written and illustrated Sakamoto Days in Weekly? Shonen Jump. The manga follows the story of a legendary retired hitman, Taro Sakamoto, who attempts to settle down as a family man but is dragged back into his former life to protect his loved ones.

TMS Entertainment shared the first teaser trailer for Sakamoto Days and confirmed that the anime will air in January 2025. TMS Entertainment feels like the perfect studio to bring this manga to life; the studio has an extensive background working on action shows, from working on iconic spy anime series Lupin The 3rd in the '70s to modern anime adaptations like Dr. Stone, MEGALOBOX, and Undead Unluck. If the quality of Sakamoto Days is anywhere close to ??that list of gems, th?is anime adaptation is in good hands.

Bartender dire??ctor Masaki Watanabe will s??it in the director's chair, while Taku Kishimoto takes on Series Composition and Yo Moriyama heads up Character Design.

In addition, TMS confirmed that Taro Sakamoto will be voiced by veteran voice actor Tomokazu Sugita, who is most known for roles as Sakata Gintoki in Gintama, Joesph Joestar in Jo'Jo's Bizarre Adventure, and Escanor in Seven Deadly Sins. With a proven ability to expertly mix action and comedy as Joesph Joestar or Sakata Gintoki, Sugita is an ideal cho??ice for Sakamoto.

The trailer only gives fans a brief glimpse at the action scenes, but it's already easy to tell that an immense amount of att??ention to detail was put into these set pi??eces. The first fight we see from Sakamoto's past features impressive lighting and various shot angles.

Meanwhile, the few snippets we get to see of the supporting cast also boast remarkable visual effects that jump off the screen, as Sakamoto sends his enemies into the ground. If TMS Entertainment doesn't shy away from some of the more intense scenes and puts everything into the large-scale destruction, this adaptation could reach the fight choreography heights of a Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer.

We won't know what other anime series' Sakamoto Days will b??e up against in the winter season of 2025, but this show has everything it needs to be a sensation based on how strong the manga has been from the start to its last few arcs.

The post Sakamoto Days’ first official teaser shows why this could be the next big anime hit appeared first on Destructoid.

If you’re a fan of fantasy or private detective books, you might be interested to know that there is a series of books that takes both concepts and mashes them together �The Dresden Files.

The Dresden Files books and other media are centered on the adventures and cases of Harry Dresden, a wizard and private investigator available for hire in modern day Chicago. The series was dreamed up and written by Jim Butcher, who by his own admission (in the author's note of Dead Beat) took the heroes from his own favorite books, like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings and Sam Spade from The Maltese? Falcon, the 1930 novel written by Dashiell Hammett, and combined them to create his very own magically cable, crime-solving hero.

At the time of writing, there are currently 17 novels (of the originally planned 20), 2 collections of short stories, 6 short stories that appear in anthologies, a novella, and 11 Graphic Novels that provide the story of The Dresden Files universe. 

Books

• Storm Front (2000)
• Fool Moon (2001)
• Grave Peril (2001)
• Summer Knight (2002)
• Death Masks (2003)
• Blood Rites (2004)
• Dead Beat (2005)
• Proven Guilty (2006)
• White Knight (2007)
• Small Favor (2008)
• Turn Coat (2009)
• Changes (2010)
• Ghost Story (2011)
• Cold Days (2012)
• Skin Game (2014)
• Peace Talks (2020)
• Battle Ground (2020)

Short story collections & anthology appearances

• My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (2006)*
• My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymooon (2007)*
• Many Bloody Returns (2007)*
• Side Jobs (2010)
• Shadowed Souls (2016)*
• Brief Cases (2018)
• Heroic Hearts (2022)*
• Instinct (2023)*

*These collections of short stories feature stories from J??im Butcher, as well as other authors.

Graphic novels

• Welcome to the Jungle (2008)
• Storm Front Volume 1 (2009)
• Storm Front Volume 2 (2009)
• Fool Moon Volume 1 (2011)
• Fool Moon Volume 2 (2013)
• Ghoul, Goblin (2013)
• War Cry (2014)
• Down Town (2015)
• Wild Card (2016)
• Dog Men (2018)

Novella

• The Law (2022)

It’s safe to say that there’s a lot of material considered lore in the world of Harry Dresden. If you’re just beg??inning to dip your toe into the series, then you might be wondering what order you should read the books in, so let’s look into it. 

The definitive Dresden Files reading order

I will always recommend this reading order only to ?those who have read the books themselves before. Storm Front, the first book in the series, is the best introduction to Harry Dresden and will provide the best understanding of the world in which the books are set. 

With that said, here’s the chrono?logical reading order for all of the various Dresden Files publications. The actual books will be bolded, just to make things more clear:

1. 'Restoration of Faith' (Short story in Side Jobs)
2. Welcome to the Jungle (Graphic novel)
3. Storm Front
4. Storm Front Volume 1 (Graphic novel)
5. Storm Front Volume 2 (Graphic novel)
6. Fool Moon
7. Fool Moon Volume 1 (Graphic novel)
8. Fool Moon Volume 2 (Graphic novel)
9. Ghoul, Goblin (Graphic novel)
10. 'B is for Bigfoot' (Short story in Brief Cases)
11. Grave Peril
12. Summer Knight
13. Death Masks
14. 'A Vignette' (Short story in Side Jobs)
15. Blood Rites
16. Dead Beat
17. 'I Was a Teenage Bigfoot' (Short story in Brief Cases)
18. War Cry (Graphic novel)
19. 'Something Borrowed' (Short story in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding)
20. Proven Guilty
21. White Knight
22. Down Town (Graphic novel)
23. 'It’s My Birthday Too' (Short story in Many Bloody Returns)
24. Wild Card (Graphic novel)
25. 'Heorot' (Short story in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon)
26. Small Favor
27. 'Backup' (Short story in Side Jobs)
28. 'Day Off' (Short story in Side Jobs)
29. 'The Warrior' (Short story in Side Jobs)
30. 'Curses' (Short story in Brief Cases)
31. 'AAAA Wizardry' (Short story in Brief Cases)
32. 'Last Call' (Short Story in Side Jobs)
33. Dog Men (Graphic novel)
34. Turn Coat
35. 'Bigfoot on Campus' (Short story in Brief Cases)
36. 'Even Hand' (Short story in Brief Cases)
37. 'Love Hurts' (Short story in Side Jobs)
38. Changes
39. 'Aftermath' (Short story in Side Jobs)
40. Ghost Story 
41. 'Bombshells' (Short story in Brief Cases)
42. Cold Days
43. 'Cold Case' (Short story in Shadowed Souls)
44. Skin Game
45. 'Jury Duty' (Short story in Brief Cases)
46. 'Day One' (Short story in Brief Cases)
47. 'A Fistful of Warlocks' (Short story in Brief Cases)
48. 'Zoo Day' (Short story in Brief Cases)
49. Peace Talks
50. Battle Ground 
51. 'Little Things' (Short story in Heroic Hearts)
52. The Law (Novella)
53. 'Fugitive' (Short story in Instinct)

Will there be more books in The Dresden Files series?

Yes, although nobody knows when. On Jim Butcher’s website, the release date for 'Twelve Months' is listed as TBD, mentioning that 'Mirror Mirror' will be book number 19 in the series.

The post The definitive Dresden Files reading order appeared first on Destructoid.

It's easy to think of the entire ?fantasy book genre being aimed at children, but that's just not the case. There are hundreds of fantasy books and series aimed at adults and young adult??s that will free you from the shackles of grounded reads and help you dream beyond the rules of reality.

I always loved reading fantasy books growing up because they take you away from the mundanity of everyday life. I can't say if the best ones blend real life with their fantasy concepts or not because I genuinely love them all and devoured any sci-fi and fantasy I could get my hands on as a kid. However, there are still plenty of fantasy books to dig into as an adult that y??ou probably didn't come across as a child and make for accessible reads to help you get into the genre.

The best fantasy books for adults

Below, I've listed what I thi?nk are the best fantasy books for adults who want to get into the genre or return to it after a long hiatus of living a busy day-to-day work life. I've tried to veer away from anything too niche but also include a few books that are the beginnings of a really engrossing series, just in case you're hooked after the first page and know you need the next dozen novels.

10. The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

To me, if you're looking to read the best fantasy books for adults, then you can't go wrong with anything from J.R.R. Tolkien. Author of the incredible The Lord of the Rings series, he's got a huge backlog of titles for you to delve into if you adore this universe. However, I'd recommend you begin with The Hobbit.

Unlike the movies, this story is fairly short and to the point but extremely gripping. Where the films drew out everything they could, the book is well-paced and follows the original Hobbit on his unexpected journey across Middle-Earth. During this journey, he encounters all manner of fantasy creatures, es?tablishing the very foundations of everything we know about fantasy today.

Regardless of whether you've seen the movies or not, this is a fantastic starting point for a journey into fantasy. If you love it, you can continue on into The Lord of the Rings and far beyond. You could try the LEGO game?? if you want to exp?erience the book through a new medium.

9. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) - George R.R. Martin

If The Hobbit didn't exist, A Game of Thrones may be the most well-known fantasy book and TV series of all time. It all begins with this first book, where absolutely everything that could go wrong goes wrong. It's the start of an epic saga ??that sees one family torn apart by greed, and a world that doesn't know it's about to fall to darkness come closer than is comf??ortable to complete annihilation.

The story follows the Stark family as they enter into the highest level of society and the fight for the Iron Throne that plays out behind the scenes. No one is safe, not even the king, and there's a threat looming over the world that n?o one is prepared to even admit exists. Winter.

What I love about this first book in an entire series that could all be the best fantasy books for adults is how well it introduces every character, setting the tone for what's to come. You get to know a colorful cast of genuinely interesting people who have all found themselves somewh??ere in the royal court that extends around the entire region where it's set. There's political drama on a global and local level and some of the best lines you'll ever read.

Don't go into this if you can't take losing your favorite characters, though. This series as a whole is pretty brutal and will absolutely not hold your hand while you grieve. It delves into the darkest p??arts of the human heart in a world where power is everything, and you must do whatever you can to seek it.

8. The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower #1) - Stephen King

The Gunslinger is the first book in The Dark Tower series, all of which are great fantasy books for adults, but it can be read in isolation and enjoyed without needing to continue through the full set. It follows a lonely character who equates to a fantasy cowboy on a journey of vengeance to find one man. This man has been evading him for a long time and has the ability to twist the minds of those around him, but this cowboy is mo?re than capable of looking?? after himself.

This book does a fantas??tic job of setting up the series and makes you fall in love with some really well-realized characters. Everyone the protagonist has a meaningful relationship with becomes a friend to you as the reader, and you end up missing them when the story moves on.

If you like a bit of dark fantasy but not too dark, this is the perfect book for you. It doesn't require you to rea??d all about tentacled monsters and flying whales, but it does invite you into a desolate world that's intrinsically linked to ours and te??lls a tale of reluctant fatherhood that will have you rooting for everyone involved as they trudge ever onward.

7. Neverwhere (London Below #1) - Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller, and Neverwhere is one of his most underappreciated books. I first discovered it as an ??audio drama created by the BBC, which is a great way to consume this fantasy book for adults, and was hooked on London Below from that point. the universe feels similar to Fallen London b??ut takes a much more literal approach to its translation of the surface world.

The story follows a young man who innocently helps a young girl one night, only to be transported from ?Earth into London Below. This underground version of the city twists it in? whimsically dark ways that make it feel oppressive at first but also somehow welcoming and charming after a while.

It's a fantastic read and a great way?? to get into the universe. I'd say it's probably better if you have at least some level of knowledge o??f the city of London because some of the characters and locations and their twists might be lost on you without any.

6. Outlander (Outlander #1) - Dianna Gabaldon

You might know Outlander from the impeccable Amazon Prime show. I??f not, you're in for a treat once you've read this amazing fantasy book for adults. While the series is close to historical fiction, it's all framed through a fantasy tale of a woman fa??lling through time without any real knowledge of how she did it. She must find a way to exist in a time when women hold no power and any woman with an ounce of intelligence is treated as a witch.

I adore the setting for this book and the rest of the series: Scotland in the 1700s. ??It takes a beautiful country and transports you to a time when it was as lush and green with a reasonable amount of civilization as it has ever been—befor??e the English came in and ruined it all.

Through this book and the seri?es at large, you'll learn so much about the history of England and Scotland, but it's the love story between Jamie and Claire that will stick with you. Fair warning: pretty much every book has a few adult scenes, so if that's not the kind of thing you're after, maybe skip this one.

5. Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovich

Rivers of London is the first book in a fabulous fantasy series that's intrinsically English and explores folklore in a way I guarantee you've not experienced before. The first book here follows a police officer who, standing guard at a crime scene all night, notices what ap??pears to be a ghost dog. This leads him into a world filled with mystical wonder and starts him on a path you don't expect when you join the force.??

What I really enjoy about this book and the series at large is how it b?lends folklore into modern life without it ever feeling jarring. If you enjoy this entry, there's so much more for you to dig your teeth into. It's also quite a fresh series in terms of when it was published, so it's got loads of modern tropes that will help you really get lost in it.

This series can really bridge the gap between standard fiction and the best fantasy books for adults out there. Author Ben Aaronovich ??has worked on a number of popular TV shows and is brilliant at bringing stories to the table that are self-contained but add to a wider story arc without making you feel like you've missed something.

4. The Drowning City (The Necromancer Chronicles #1) - Amanda Downum

The Drowning City is a fantasy book I picked up ??in a second-hand bookshop because I liked the blurb and cover. It's hard to tell what the story is from either, and that's ?partly because it's completely bonkers. It's set in a rich fantasy world that's thick with lore from centuries of history. Every event is fueled by something that happened in the past, and it makes the whole thing feel like you're exploring a culture more than reading a book.

What makes The Drowning City one of the best fantasy books for adults is how dark some of its subject matter is. Each location is so vivid that I felt like I was walking down their s?treets or getting pulled into the canals by their ghosts. the

I really can't tell you much about this story without needing to add context that will spoil the plot. What I can say is that you enter the titular location as a newc?omer alongside the protagonist and learn all about the magic and politics of the local region as she does. It's so much fun?? to explore and is part of a trilogy that you could go on to read if you like a bit of dirty fantasy.

3. The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials #1) - Philip Pullman

Before the TV adaptation was created, I wouldn't have included The Golden Compass in this list of the best fantasy books for adults. However, I believe that the show opened a lot of people's eyes to how dark the world? that Phili?p Pullman created really is.

In this book, you enter into a world where human souls stand by their side as creatures that can change shape until they hit puberty when they settle into one form. What starts out as a tale of children disappearing quickly morphs into one that spans entire dimensions, leading to a war between worlds that's worthy of Magic: The Gathering.

The best part of th?is book, in particular, is its characters. Each one is beautifully flawed and feels like a firm friend you'll never forget. The book brings them all to life from mere words on a page, and I think any book that can do that is worth your time, regardless of your age.

2. Carve the Mark - Veronica Roth

You might know Veronica Roth's much more popular work, the Divergent trilogy. This follow-up is smaller in size but much broader in scope. It's set in a star system where the people of each planet have different roles within the stellar so??ciety and explores what happens when one society seeks to overthrow and take control o??f another.

This series only consists of two entries, but they're gripping and explore the fantastical side of sci-fi that se??es humanity intertwined with elements of the universe in a way I've never seen explored before or since. That's why they're some of the?? best fantasy books for adults you could hope to read.

At the heart of the plot is a lov?e story that's probably one of the easiest to understand and identify with, how your weaknesses and strengths can complement someone else's. It's beautiful in its own way, a small time investment, and a couple of books you won't regret picking up.

1. 14 (Threshold #1) - Peter Clines

I went into 14 expecting to be reading something along the lines of Silent Hill 4: The Room, but I was so, so wrong. While it treads the line between sci-fi and fantasy, I think it fits more into the fantasy genre because it's more of a mystery book about an apartment building and a group of people who all take the oddities they notice about it as a given, and don't ask questions.?? That is until one of them starts poking around and makes a startling discovery.

This book is part of a series that's connected, but you don't need to read in order. That's why I love it. If you en?joy a good mystery thriller with twists that are so o?ut of this world you'll never see them coming, this is a fantastic book to pick up first.

The fantasy elements lean quite heavily on the work of H.P. Lovecraft. So, if you'd rather avoid the tentacled region?? of fantasy, give this a miss. I will say that it does a great job of not being anywhere near as vague as some of those old horror novels and won't scare you so much as it will get your adrenaline going. Especially in the final chapters.

The post 10 best fantasy books for adults to get into the genre and inspire your imagina??????????????????????????tion appeared first on Destructoid.

Netflix often feels as though it's packed with dozens of new shows and mo??vies to watch and ?has nothing you want to see at all. That's why you need a list of what's good on there.

Whenever I sit down to watch something new on Netflix, I ??feel paralyzed. It's a pretty common feeling, choice paralysis, and it comes from having so many options for what you could invest the next few hours in that you end up not wanting to invest them in anything at all. That's why a list of the best sci-fi movies on Netflix is handy. It can help you figure out what you're putting on before you're overwhelmed by the choices.

The best sci-fi movies on Netflix right now

Below, I've listed the 10 best sci-fi movies you can watch on Netflix at the time of writing. Movies are added and removed prett??y regularly on the streaming service, but I'm keeping this list as up-to-date as possible s?o you've always got something to look forward to watching at the end of the day.

11. Green Lantern

Just kidding.

10. In Time

Don't knock it until you've tried it. In Time is a phenomenal sci-fi film with a few flaws, but they're easy to overlook thanks to the phenomenal acting on show and the incredibly intriguing story. It stars Justin Timberlake stars as Will Salas in a strangely familiar future: a time when humans have success??fully stopped the aging process, so we're 25 forever.

Don't think that's a good thing, though. At 25 years of age, every human's built-in timer starts. It gives them a year to live. You have to work to earn time, and time is a?? currency spent on everything from food to luxury cars. After what equates to a billionaire leaving all his time to Will, we're taken on a wild ride that explores how capitalism can ruin immortality and what justice and fairness look like in this ?world.

I adore this movie and go back to it often. It's a wild ride?? and certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's fun, fast-paced, and has a fairly solid plot for? the most part.

9. The Martian

Based on the book by Andy Weir, The Martian tells the gripping story of an astronaut left stranded on Mars. I rewatched this recently and was struck yet again by the grounded ??realism that Weir brought to the source material and all that is present in the movie.

Astronaut Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, is left stranded on Mars in a habitat designed to last him about one month after a storm forces his crew to leave the planet earlier than planned. He survives the injuries he's sustained, but ??has to use every ounce of his brainpower to figure out how to survive on Mars much longer than intended, get a message back to Earth to let them know he's alive, and thrive through questionable, yet sustaina?ble, farming methods.

I do think the movie skips over a lot of the science some viewers might want to dive into, but it's no less enjoyable for being more approachable. Matt Damon's performance as a man fighting against all odds as he hits setback after setback on a world with an atmosphere that actively wants to kill him is stellar. If you like Apollo 13, you'll love this.

This is a movie you can recomme?nd to anyone, not just sci-fi fans, so it's a great pick for a movie night.

8. Divergent Trilogy (Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant)

The Divergent series stars Shailene Woodley as Tris Prior, in a city where people are divided into factions based on their ??inclinations within a few specific ideals. This includes serving others, defense, political ruling, or living off the land. They all work together, but are very separate. That's where divergents come in, because they don't fit into this formula.

Tris is divergent, but she has to pick one group if she wants a home, so she picks the fighting, fun-loving Dauntles??s. Through her training, her understanding of divergence grows, but so too does her understanding of how those in power abuse the system. Soon, her purpose becomes setting the world on the right path, not earning herself an easy life within the faction system.

This trilogy is great, because its cast puts in fantastic performances that really make you believe their characters. It also helps that the books each film is based on ?have unnerving sci-fi concepts in them that make your skin crawl and poke that part of your brain that's always asking, "What if?" They're too good not to watch but will have you squirming as you do.

The setting starts relatively smal??l and grows in scale with each movie. I think the last one, as is so often the case with these trilogies, drops the ball a bit. But it's not unwatchable, you just have to power through it to get to the conclusions. I promise you it's worth the payoff of seeing everything that's come before settling into a world that's genuinely different from when you first encountered it.

7. The Maze Runner and Scorch Trials

The Maze Runner and Scorch Trials movies are the best parts of what was a fairly disappointing trilogy for me. They're based on a book series of the s??ame name but fail in places where the books managed to knock it out of the pa??rk.

Starring Dylan O'Brien, these movies tell the story first of a group of young men and one woman who are all left trapped in a glade in the center of a giant maze. They're forced to figure out how the ever-changing maze works and escape to uncover the truth of the world around them. Scorch Trials builds upon this but on a much larger scale and?? explores a bit more of the world's history, too. Each one has a fairly large reveal that's both expected and surprising in a way that's really enjoyable because you're rooting for it.

I love these movies, but the last one didn't work for m?e. That's okay, though, because it's not on Netflix right now. Instead, you've got the two best movies that you can watch and enjoy without having them ruined by what comes next. That might not sound like a good idea, but I think the overall concepts presented in these movies are enough to warrant anyone watching them if they've got the time.

6. The Matrix Resurrections

This is a must-see if you're a fan of The Matrix franchise. Though, if you've never seen the series before, you need to go back and watch the originals before dropping in on this one. Keanu Reeves returns t??o the role of Neo, but not quite as you kno?w it. He and the Matrix are back, but they've changed, and it's not all for the better.

As with a few of these movies, I can't begin to unpack the details without spoiling the plot, s?o watch whatever you need to and then watch this. As a fan, I was blown away by how this movie manages to return to the basics while advancing the franchise in a direction I didn't think it would go.

The Matrix Resurrections takes something that should have had a final conclusion and manages to breathe new life into it. Your expectations are thrown out the window by the end, but the movie also pays h??omage to all that came before, with ?little cameos, visual nods, and music that all links back to something from the original trilogy that will have you screaming, crying, and laughing as a fan.

5. Dune

I don't think I need to introduce what Dune is. This is the first part of what will be a massive cinematic universe, following Paul Atreides (Ti?mothée Chalamet) as his family's house is given control of Arrakis. It's the most important planet in human space because it produces Spice, an almost ethereal substance that makes long-distance interstellar travel pos??sible, and makes those in control of it incredibly wealthy.

However, the gift of Arrakis is a cur??se. A grudge between Atreides and the previous stewards of Arrakis, th??e brutal Harkonnen, sets in motion a story that will see Paul become so much more as we get into later films.

Don't think this is a sci-fi action film, though. Instead, it's all about the politics of this universe, through all the scheming of factions like the Bene Gesserit. And despite the world of Dune also being incredibly high-tech, and ??everything looks tangible and functional.

This is all without mentioning the biggest draw of the Dune universe: Sand Worms. These colossal sci-fi creatures eat massive sand-crawlers for breakfast. But there's something godlike about them, and they're an ever-present danger on Arrakis. While the scenes with them aren't even the best in the film, they're an inescapable p?art of this universe ?and one of the main reasons I read the books in the first place.

4. Edge of Tomorrow

Edge of Tomorrow is the perfect movie for fans of time-loop tales like Deathloop. Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt star in this fast-paced sci-?fi story about Earth clashing with a deva?stating alien invader.

William Cage (Tom Cruise) is thrust into the invasion and soon gets caught in a loop; he can repeat the day over and over, dying and coming back to the same day. He and an elite soldier named Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) try to use this to uncov?er a way to break through the enemy's attack pattern. To me, it's the perfect sci-fi romp because it escalates on all fronts until its crescendo, at which point you get a satisfying conclusion and nothing less.

There's really very little I can tell you about the plot that isn't going to spoil it, so please just watch it. If nothing els??e, the VFX on the aliens is astounding.

3. Arrival

Arrival is a very different kind of sci-fi movie. It's a quiet thriller that sneaks up on you with its impactful moments, instead of blasting them out front and center. Rather than a vi??olent alien invasion, large black ships simply appear on Earth one day. It's a quiet entrance for a species so advanced that no one can even begin to?? comprehend its language.

That's the crux of this movie: the way in which the aliens communicate. It stars Amy Adams as a linguistics professor named Lo??uise Banks, who is enlisted by the government to work out how to speak to these aliens and figure out what they want. But the story goe??s so much deeper.

Watching the process of understanding how a language that you've never seen or heard before works?? is fascinating, and a treat in itself if you're into movies that really push you to think. The twist towards the end of the movie is what I think is best??, though.

2. Men in Black

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've watched the original Men in Black well? over 100 times. Yes, that ages me, and while this movie has also aged, it's aged well. Starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, the movie pulls back the curtain on the titular suited dudes ??who are allegedly managing every alien incident on Earth.

I always loved the idea that this organization could be real as a kid, and I think that sense of unknown? still stands today, even if some of the CGI isn't as great. Mercifully, a lot of the effects in this movie are practical, so all the gross aliens that give you a sense of body horror look genuinely lifelike. Many of the actors in it weren't as big as they are today, so you'll see a few cameos from their much younger selves when their careers were just starting to ta??ke off.

At its heart, this is a movie about an outsider ??finding his place in the world, and a mentor who can't let go. It's amazing sci-fi?? action with a heartwarming message behind it, and a non-stop thrill ride of comedy and questioning the universe.

1. District 9

District 9, in my opinion, is an iconic sci-fi movie that not enough peopl??e have seen. It's set in the near future, asking what the world would look like if the first aliens we met were actually refuge??es fleeing from their dying home. The 'Prawns,' as they're referred to in the movie, are bedraggled and arrive with a single, fairly large ship. They're crammed into an area of South Africa that's little more than a refugee camp, and are left to rot.

The movie follows Wikus van de Merwe, played by Sharlto Copley, as he interacts with the aliens before coming into contact with a harmful substance and subsequently mutating into on??e. We see the underbelly of the ecosystem built around District 9 by humans, a weapons research facility that wants to exploit the aliens and any technology they have.

It's a sad story, really, and a thought-provoking one. By the end of the movie, you feel sorry for the protagonist we've watched, who is almost butchered the whole way through, and you glimpse the hope that a species can cling to when faced with dire circumstances. There are so many amazing moments that you need to see and feel to understand. What I think is so impressive about it is how it can bring you to the edge of raw emotional reactions when many of the characters speak in alien clicks. If you only watch one movie from this list, let it be District 9.

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Netflix has just announced the release schedule for the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai via a neat video collage of events from the hit Karate Kid series revival.

While that's not a traditional trailer, it does reveal c??rucial information, such as the fact that the upcoming final season will come out in a rather unexpected manner.

Cobra Kai Season 6 release schedule

The final season?? will be composed of 15 episodes and is divided into three parts.

• Part 1, which will be released on July 18.
• Part 2, which will be released on November 28.
• Lastly, The Finale Event, which will be released at an unannounced date in 2025.

We have no information on how the 15 episodes wil?l be split between the three p??arts.

Cobra Kai Season 6 plot

The final season takes place after the arrest of Terry Silver, and will b?ring John Kreese back as the main villain after his Hannibal Lecter-esque prison escape. It seems like the series is returning to its roots, as Kreese has brought back Cobra Kai in the final attempt to defeat Daniel LaRusso's Miyagi Do and Johnny Lawrence's Eagle Fang Karate school??s.

The Karate Kid sequel had its humble beginnings as a comedic YouTube series that brought fans up to speed with the modern-day liv?es of Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso. However, it became a hit of such magnitude that it grew to accommodate pretty much the entire cast of the movie series, and a whole new generation of kids who are �in the series' own words �inexplicably too much into Karate. You can witness the beginning of the end on July 18.

Is this the end of Karate Kid?

If Cobra Kai has sparked or reignited your interest in the Karate Kid series, you can also stay tuned for the upcoming Karate Kid movie. While connections to Cobra Kai are sadly unconfirmed, we know It'll be a sequel to both the original film and the 2010 remake, and both Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are set to make a return. The new Karate Kid movie was originally set to release in 2024, but the s??tudio curre?ntly has no set date.

The post Cobra Kai Season ?6 release date, episode count, tr??ailer, and more appeared first on Destructoid.

HBO is gearing up for the second season of House of the Dragon. The Game of Thrones spin-off, based on the George R. R. Martin book Fire & Blood, will finally continue after its initial 2022 season. Here is everything you need to know about the House of the Dragon Season 2 r??elease date, where to watch, and more.

House of the Dragon Season 2 release date

The House of the Dragon Season 2 release date is currently set for June 16, 2024. The first episode will premiere then, followed by weekly episodes from that point forward each Sunday night. This long-awaited second season comes almost exactly two years after the series kicked off in 2022. Furthermore, it arrives about five years after the conclusion of Game of Thrones.

Trailers and where to watch, explained

In the meantime while we wait impatiently for the war between the two factions at the heart of this TV series, there are a couple of different trailers for fans to check out. HBO made the intriguing move to release two different trailers, one for each of the?? core factions. The official Black trailer focuses on the Targaryen side of the war for succession, showcasing brutal sequences of characters like Rhaenyra and Daemon alongside their dragons.

The other main trailer focuses on the Greens, led by Queen Alicent and her currently reigning son on th??e Iron Throne, King Aegon II. The trailers give equal time to both sides of the war, hyping up the upcoming war for succession and putting all of the key players at the forefront. The series will be available weekly through the Max streaming service subscription.

Season 2 cast

House of the Dragon Season 2’s cast will feature a large part ?of the first season’s returning cast members alongside a handful of newcomers. Here are all of the key characters fans sh??ould watch out for:

• Emma D’Arcy: Plays Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Matt Smith: Daemon Targaryen
• Rhys Ifans: Otto Hightower
• Olivia Cooke: Queen Alicent Hightower
• Steve Toussaint: Corlys Verlaryon
• Eve Best: Rhaenys Targaryen
• Fabian Frankel: Ser Cristin Cole
• Sonoya Mizuno: Mysaria
• Bethany Antonia: Baela Targaryen
• Phoebe Campbell: Rhaena Targaryen
• Harry Collett: Jacaerys Velaryon
• Tom Glynn-Carney: King Aegon II
• Ewan Mitchell: Aemond Targaryen

House of the Dragon Season 2 episode count, explained

Unlike the first season of House of the Dragon, Season 2 will only have eight episodes in total for fans to watch. This is two shorter than the first season, which featured a total of 10 episodes. The season will kick off with its first episode on June 1?6, 2024, titled “A Son for a Son.�It will likely follow-up after the devastating events that happened at the end of the first season. The series will run for eight weeks straight and concl??ude with its Season 2 finale on August 4, 2024.

The post House of the Dragon Season 2 premiere release date, tra??iler, cast, and m??ore appeared first on Destructoid.

Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere series is one of the m??ost expansive the author has produced, encompassing a collection of books that can be enjoyed in pretty much any way you want.

Some authors prefer to create a universe like The Cosmere that spans dozens of books, and must be read in a specific order. Brandon Sanderson moves away from this somewhat, because his series can be read in multiple orders, and the best one, according to fans, isn't the order in which they were released. This vibrant collection of fantasy books is perfect for anyone hoping to ?pick up a meaty franchise they can lose themsel?ves in, and I've got the definitive reading orders all worked out for you.

The definitive Cosmere reading order

Below is the definitive Cosmere reading order. It includes multiple sets within the series, including The Mistborn Trilogy and The Stormlight Archive. I thought it would get a little c?omplicated laying all that out for newcomers, so this is the order you should read the books in, by book name o?nly.

• Mistborn (The Final Empire)
• The Well Of Ascension
• The Hero Of Ages
• Warbreaker
• The Way Of Kings
• Words Of Radiance
• Elantris
• Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection
• Oathbringer
• Dawnshard
• Rhythm Of War
• The Alloy Of Law
• Shadows Of Self
• The Bands Of Mourning
• The Lost Metal
• White Sand
• Tress Of The Emerald Sea
• Yumi And The Nightmare Painter
• The Sunlit Man

I completely understand that this is a lot of books, and the list looks pretty daunting. However, each book and mini-series within this reading order works individually, so you don't necessarily have to re??ad them in? this order, if you can't buy them all at once or have one or two from the list available right now.

The chronological Cosmere reading order

Fans on the Brandon Sanderson subreddit have constructed a slightly different reading order for the Cosmere series. It's an order that follows the universe in chronological or??der. This is best for those re-reading the series, because you'll know the story already and can better see how this order makes the books fit together with smaller gaps in time, so you can keep u??p the momentum.

• White Sand Vol. 1
• White Sand Vol. 2
• White Sand Vol. 3
• Elantris
• The Hope of Elantris â€?(Short story found in Arcanum Unbounded)
• The Emperor’s Soul â€?(Novella found in Arcanum Unbounded)
• The Eleventh Metal â€?(Short story found in Arcanum Unbounded)
• The Final Empire
• The Well of Ascension
• The Hero of Ages
• Mistborn: Secret History â€?(Novella found in Arcanum Unbounded)
• Warbreaker
• Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell â€?(Novella found in Arcanum Unbounded)
• The Way of Kings
• Words of Radiance
• Edgedancer â€?(Novella found in Arcanum Unbounded)
• Oathbringer
• Dawnshard â€?Novella
• Rhythm of War
• The Alloy of Law
• Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania â€?(Short story found in Arcanum Unbounded)
• Shadows of Self
• The Bands of Mourning
• The Lost Metal
• Sixth of the Dusk â€?(Novella found in Arcanum Unbounded)
• Tress of the Emerald Sea

For reference, Arcanum Unbounded is a collection of Cosmere short stories, but they fit within th?e wider series as they've been listed above.

What is The Cosmere?

The Cosmere is the fictional universe where author Brandon Sanderson has set many of his fantasy novels. It's a shared universe, where characters from one book or series can world-hop and appear in the background of another. Readers will notice this as they read, especially if they read in the definitive order outlined above. A good way to tell if a book is not part of The Cosmere is if it features Earth, because our planet is very much not in it.

The heart of The Cosmere is its concept of magic, and the idea and theory behind magic are the same for all these interconnected worlds. An event called the Shattering of Adonalsium split the Adonalsium into 16 shards, each of which is a god. Magic in The Cosmere comes from the powers of these gods. Each book dives deeper into the concept of magic in The Cosmere, so I recommend you read through them to get a better idea of what this shared universe is ??about.

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The Google Play Twitter account has stopped posting outside of what appear to be automated replies to app queries after a super??sonic blunder of a t?hread yesterday.

Just in case you missed it, the official Twitter account for Google Play treated us to a mind-bending thread on April 29, 2024. The thread claims to show images of Sonic the Hedgehog getting older as you scroll down, but all it does is share images out of time and context, with captions that made very little sense. Today, aft??er what looked to be quite the ordeal that resulted in every single post in the thread getting a Community Note, the account has gone silent.

The Google Play Twitter account still hasn't explained why it unleashed unhinged Sonic facts

Google Play's Sonic thread has nine posts and now has a Community Note on each individual post. This is because the images don't match what the account is saying about them at all, though they are good for a laugh if you need one. The official Sonic the Hedgehog account even chimed in at one ??point to ask, "What? are you doing?"

That's the question on everyone's lips today, because the account has only rep??lied to a few people's help queries ever since posting the thread. I'm sure there are multiple people on Google's end trying to think of the best way to come back from this.

It's impossible to know exactly ??why Google Play posted so many incorrect images and captions about on??e of the most iconic characters in video game history.

What seems pretty certain is that something went wrong with the account. Once the Sonic posts had stopped, users figured out that they could get it to respond to whatever they posted as a reply. The best example I found is from user Gabriel Engel, who asked it to help with his lawn.

Whatever the issue was here, there's no way for Google to come out of it looking clever. Every Sonic post being incorrect is funny enough for the social media account of an app store that hosts games, but the ongoing replies and sheer amount of attention it has drawn have me and many others waiting with bated breath for the first post-Sonic post that, hopefully, explains everything.

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The Fallout TV series proved again that the once greatly-mocked idea that video game adaptations can blow minds is true. That's due to Amazon's ridiculous budget, sure, to the multi-episode structure that allows the story to grow unrestrained, but mostly due to the great writing and acting behind its characters. That's always what earned Fallout a place in the hearts of fans, and I'm glad the show??runners noticed that.

We've previously looked at many of the best characters in the video game series, so let's now look at our favorite characters in the TV series ??so far.

10. Hank Maclean

Kyle MacLachlan, who did Paul Atreides long before that was cool, portrays the similarly named Hank Maclean. He's just an awesome and caring father who, in a likely nod to Fallout 3, gets kidnapped?? right a??t the start of the series.

Spoilers: He's actually not a good guy. He's a pretty vile bastard whose e??vil �despite a pretty telling kill in one of the first episodes �can't be fully gauged before the first series' closing episode. He's only low on this list because he doesn't show up for most of the series, but I can't wait to see what the show has in store for this character in season 2.

9. Thaddeus

Despite his harmless and even kind of dorky look, Johnny Pember?ton's Thaddeus is a member of t?he Brotherhood Of Steel, one even mean enough to be the Wasteland's version of a bully to Maximus. He's pretty funny in his own right and also finds himself at the center of a few of the series' funniest moments, all without ever ending up becoming just a punching bag for jokes �regardless of what the picture of him that I chose might lead you to believe.

8. Moldaver

A great series needs a great antagonist, and Moldaver is just that. She serves a??s the main baddie for the first season and plays the perfect introductory villain before we learn of some even viler ?entities roaming the Wasteland.

7. Maximus

Maximus is easily the least interesting out of the main character trifecta, but he's not without his merits. Though we first picture him as an honorable soldier, his supposed honor quickly loses out to his ambition, a turn you likely didn't expect out of such character. Maximus gains extra points because his smarts don't quite match his will to get ahead, which results i?n some pretty fun moments.

6. Siggi Wilzig

Fallout turns the tables on TV viewers as they know Michael Emerson for his portrayal of Ben Linus, the superb main villain from Lost (or at least before all the wacky retcons hit). While you're expecting a conniving schemer �a pretty normal assumption to make about anyone in the Fallout world, even if you haven't seen Lost �he's not that. In fact, the first and only important thing that he asks for is as selfless as i?t is courageous, hilarious, and gruesome. His query results in an unforgettable moment that perfectly sets the tone of the show from relatively early ??on, and I salute him for that.

5. Betty Pearson

At first, Betty appears like a stern yet caring figure, the kind of person who'd probably make f??or a great Vault?????????????????????????? Overseer, a role she eventually ends up filling. Betty isn't, however, as nice as the show originally leads you to believe, and her character becomes much more interesting because of that. I can't wait to see what else she gets into in season 2.

Also, she's played by Leslie Uggams, the actress who plays Deadpool's roomie Blind Al, so there's absolute?ly no way not to love her, regardless of how much worse she might turn in the future.

4. Norm Maclean

When you first look at Moisés Arias' Norm Maclean, you might be inclined to think that he'll be just the brother character, someone who exists possibly just for a scene where a tragic death in the family? takes place. The show doesn't go down that path, as Norm proves an inquisitive, detective-like figure who helps uncover the big dark secrets of this world. The choice of having a Norm doing all the detective work while the main character is busy in the main quest is hilarious and works wonders in a world so imbued with '50s influences.

3. Snip Snip

Matt Berry is arguably the most interesting comedic actor working today. He gets that distinction because he can bring hilarity into any serious line simply by pronouncing one word in the most bizarre yet subtle way imaginable. Tha?t naturally ?makes him the perfect fit to voice characters like Snip-Snip, a very helpful robot that'll do whatever it takes to "help" its owner.

Snip-Snip can be your savior or your mauler, and either task ?will leave him equally happy, because he's as useful as he's clueless??.

2. The Ghoul

The Ghoul is by far the most popular character on the show, and It'??s easy to understand why. First off, he's played by Walton Goggins, which almost feels like cheating at this point. Secondly, he has the most badass scenes, which juxtapose perfectly with his tragic backstory as a performer who got separated from his beloved daughter when the world went to hell. Still, what I find most important is how he plays with others, with his interactions with Lucy being the obvious highlight.

1. Lucy Maclean

While Ella Purnell's Lucy is incomparably less badass than The Ghoul �even most characters on the list �she has an essential trait that most main characters in most TV and movie properties miss, one that easily makes her?? top tier for me.

Before M?arvel movies, blockbusters were usually led by absolute badasses and, after Marvel, they began being led by badasses who also said quippy jokes. I'm fine with either, but Lucy, as an innocent person who lived her whole life sheltered away from reality inside a vault, serves as the perfect surrogate for the non-fans and an incredibly entertaining character to watch. She's not there merely to move the main plot along, quipping a joke every 30 seconds to keep audiences entertained. Instead, she's organically funny, as she does her best with the little knowledge she has to navigate this mad world, and she does a great job as the genuine and still-untarnished heart of the show.

You can now watch the Fallout TV series on Amazon Prime.

The post 10 Best Fallout characters?? in the Amazon? Series, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.