Hollywood has spent more than two decades trying to turn Resident Evil into a successful live-action franchise, and mostly failing. Paul W.S. Anderson’s movies built an increasingly explosive mythology of their own, while Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City crammed the first two games into one movie. Both approaches borrowed plenty from Capcom, but neither captured the specific panic of wasting your ammunition, opening the wrong door, and realizing the game has something much worse planned for you.

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil solves that problem without adapting an existing storyline or recruiting Leon Kennedy, Jill Valentine, or Chris Redfield. It recreates the experience of playing the games through limited supplies, locked doors, escalating objectives, revolting creatures, and one increasingly furious man who cannot believe any of this is happening to him. The result is an adaptation built around what players do instead of which characters they recognize, which is exactly what the franchise needed.

Bryan Is the Perfect ‘Resident Evil’ Player Character

Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier whose final delivery of the night takes him toward Raccoon City at the worst possible time. He is not a cop, soldier, or government agent who has spent years surviving bioweapon outbreaks. He is just some guy who was already having a terrible night before the monsters arrived. That makes Bryan much closer to the person holding the controller than the franchise’s established heroes. Leon and Jill have survived enough mutated nightmares that audiences expect them to know what to do. Bryan wastes ammunition, misses important details, makes terrible decisions, and keeps entering places that no sensible person should enter because the story has given him another objective.

His near-constant cussing may be the movie’s most accurate connection to the games. Bryan mutters while searching unfamiliar spaces, begs enemies to stay dead, and becomes personally offended every time the night gets worse. Anyone who has ever sworn at a locked door or demanded to know why a game gave them a shotgun without shotgun shells will recognize him immediately. But Abrams never plays that frustration like Bryan knows he is inside a video game. He is simply reacting to an absurd situation with the same panic, anger, and disbelief that players usually provide from the other side of the screen.

‘Resident Evil’ Turns Each Set Piece Into a New Level

Image via Columbia Pictures

Cregger has described Bryan as an avatar and discussed designing the movie around the games’ power progression. That meant each new location needed to challenge Bryan in a completely different way while still pushing him toward his final destination. In an interview with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff at Fantastic Fest, Cregger admitted that translating that structure into a movie created a new production problem with practically every sequence:

“This whole movie was just like… I didn’t even think about it when I’m writing it, but then when we get there, I’m just like, ‘Okay, it’s just one set piece after set piece after set piece,’ and each one is a completely new, very complicated riddle that has to be solved. I would love to do a movie of just two people in a diner, just talking. That just sounds so refreshing.”

Those complicated riddles become the movie’s version of individual levels. Bryan receives an objective, enters a new environment, finds supplies, encounters something horrible, and escapes into an even worse part of the map. Each location introduces its own rules and obstacles, giving the movie the same forward momentum as a playthrough that refuses to offer a comfortable stopping point. Bryan’s growing arsenal reinforces that progression. He moves from a pistol to a shotgun and eventually a machine gun, but better weapons never turn him into an unstoppable action hero. He becomes marginally better at surviving while the monsters become much larger, faster, and more disgusting, until he himself becomes one.

That balance is essential to Resident Evil. Finding a shotgun should provide approximately five seconds of relief before the player starts wondering why the game decided they needed one. Cregger lets Bryan become stronger without allowing him, or the audience, to become comfortable. The familiar references also support the structure instead of becoming a parade of Easter eggs. Typewriters, herbs, padlocks, healing supplies, and recognizable creatures appear throughout the movie because they belong to the franchise’s visual and mechanical language. Even viewers who have never touched the games understand what it means when Bryan finds a weapon, enters a new area, or discovers another door he cannot open yet.

A Faithful Adaptation Does Not Need Leon Kennedy

Image via CAPCOM

I would happily watch Leon Kennedy stumble through Raccoon City again, but recognition is not the same thing as understanding. The Anderson movies pulled characters and monsters from the games into their own mythology, while Welcome to Raccoon City recreated famous locations and story beats. Cregger leaves those heroes alone and tells an original story on the edges of the outbreak, yet his movie understands what players actually do inside that world. A direct adaptation can rebuild the Spencer Mansion or Raccoon City Police Department, but a movie cannot give viewers the agency that makes exploring them terrifying. They cannot decide whether to use a healing item, conserve their last two bullets, or open the extremely suspicious door at the end of the hall. Cregger replaces that agency with Bryan’s frustration, desperation, and increasingly questionable choices.

Bryan is not replacing Leon, Jill, or Chris, nor does he need to. He represents the poor bastard controlling them, except he has been dropped into their world without their training or seemingly endless tolerance for getting bitten. Watching him struggle is more recognizable to players than watching another highly trained hero confidently mow down monsters. After years of movies adapting Resident Evil’s stories, Cregger adapts its verbs: search, conserve, unlock, run, shoot, swear, and somehow survive long enough to reach the next objective until you can’t anymore. Bryan’s miserable journey captures what lore and Easter eggs cannot. Faithfulness is not only about what players see in Resident Evil: it is also about everything the games put them through.

Advertisement

Release Date

September 18, 2026

Advertisement

Runtime

90 Minutes

Producers

Advertisement

Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, Miri Yoon, Robert Kulzer, Roy Lee, Zach Cregger, David Minkowski

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

There are some movies where you can feel the tension building with every second, and then there are movies where you spend most of your time wondering why the characters haven’t simply turned around and gone home. Fall 2: Deadpoint definitely knows how to make you uncomfortable with heights, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of its predecessor.

Following the events of the first Fall, this sequel introduces us to Jax, played by Harriet Slater, who is dealing with the death of her sister, Shiloh. She meets Shiloh’s adventurous friend Luce, played by Arsema Thomas, and the two decide to take on an incredibly dangerous climbing adventure in Thailand. Their destination is Mount Kwan, where they attempt to navigate a terrifying plank trail thousands of feet above the ground.

Naturally, things don’t exactly go according to plan.

A rockslide leaves Jax and Luce stranded high above the ground, and from there, the movie becomes another battle against the elements, gravity and, apparently, common sense.

And this is where my biggest problem with Fall 2: Deadpoint comes in.

We’ve already seen this movie.

Well… not literally this movie, but we have seen the basic concept. Two people get themselves into an incredibly dangerous situation at a ridiculous height, they become trapped, and then we watch them desperately try to survive. The original Fall took a very simple concept and managed to squeeze an impressive amount of tension out of it. The sequel changes the location, changes the characters and adds some twists, but it still feels like we’re watching the same movie trying to climb a different mountain.

The biggest problem is that the danger doesn’t always feel as fresh or as frightening as it should. There are certainly some moments where the heights will make your stomach drop, and the cinematography does a good job of reminding you just how high these characters are. Looking down from those planks is enough to make anyone’s palms sweaty.

But once you’ve established that falling equals death, there are only so many times you can show someone almost falling before the effect starts to wear off.

And unfortunately, that’s where the movie starts to lose its grip.

Harriet Slater does a decent job as Jax, particularly when the story focuses on her grief and the emotional connection to her sister. Arsema Thomas also brings some energy to Luce, and the two leads do what they can with the material they’re given.

The problem is that the characters sometimes make decisions that had me sitting there thinking, “Why would you do that?!”

When you’re watching a survival thriller, you want to be shouting at the screen because you’re scared for the characters. Here, I was occasionally shouting because I couldn’t understand their decision-making.

The movie also tries to compensate for its fairly predictable survival formula by throwing in some twists. Unfortunately, some of these twists feel more ridiculous than shocking. Instead of making me gasp, they occasionally made me raise an eyebrow.

And then there is the ending.

Without getting into spoilers, let’s just say the movie clearly wants to leave the door open for another instalment. Considering how this sequel already struggles to escape the shadow of the first movie, I’m not sure another climb is necessarily what this franchise needs.

The original Fall worked because of its simplicity. Two people. One tower. Nowhere to go. A terrifying situation.

Fall 2: Deadpoint tries to build on that formula, but in doing so, it makes the story more complicated without necessarily making it more interesting. Some of the twists feel unnecessary, while the emotional story doesn’t receive quite enough attention.

That doesn’t mean the movie is completely without merit.

There are still some genuinely impressive visuals, and if you suffer from a fear of heights, there are moments where you will definitely feel uncomfortable. The setting gives the filmmakers plenty of opportunities to create some spectacular-looking sequences, and there are times when the movie succeeds in making you feel just how isolated these characters are.

Unfortunately, for me, those moments weren’t enough to carry the entire film.

Fall 2: Deadpoint isn’t a complete disaster, but it feels like a sequel that was made because the first movie was successful rather than because there was a truly compelling story left to tell. It takes the basic formula and stretches it further, but bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better.

I wanted more tension, more believable character decisions and a stronger emotional connection. Instead, I got plenty of climbing, plenty of screaming and plenty of moments where I was wondering how these people managed to get themselves into this situation in the first place.

⭐ My Rating: 2/5

Fall 2: Deadpoint had me looking down, but unfortunately, it wasn’t because I was impressed by the view. The movie has some decent thrills and uncomfortable height sequences, but it spends too much time trying to recreate the magic of the original instead of finding its own footing.

In the end, this sequel falls short of the original and leaves the franchise dangling somewhere between suspense and silliness.

Hopefully, if there’s another Fall movie, the filmmakers can finally give the audience something to climb on board with.

After a summer off, the start of the next network TV season is officially around the corner. Starting this week and going into next month, all of the hit network shows that took the last month will be getting ready to return. For the Fall lineup, procedurals, reality competition shows, and sitcoms alike will be starting their latest seasons, or premiering for the first time. Other hit shows won’t be returning yet, but they will be airing their new seasons as part of the Spring lineup for their respective networks.

It’s always tough to say goodbye to a beloved network TV show for the summer, especially for fans of intense procedural dramas that left off on game-changing cliffhangers. This new season of network TV will introduce new characters, pick back up with ongoing storylines, and shake things up with new storylines. These are 6 upcoming network TV shows, new and returning, that we are looking forward to – ranked by our hype.

6

‘9-1-1: Nashville’ Season 2

Premiere Date: October 15

Image via ABC

9-1-1‘s second spin-off, 9-1-1 Nashville, premiered with its first season on ABC last fall. The series follows the firefighters and paramedics of Station 113 in Nashville, as well as the complex dynamic that Captain Don Hart (Chris O’Donnell) has with his family and his ex, Dixie Bennings (LeAnn Rimes). Don has been married to his wife, Blythe (Jessica Capshaw), for a very long time, and they have a son named Ryan (Michael Provost) who also works at the firehouse. The series kicks off when Don meets Blue (Hunter McVey), his son with Dixie, for the first time.

Season 1 of 9-1-1: Nashville focused on extending the universe of 9-1-1 once again, this time to include Nashville and to introduce these new characters. The core group working at the 113 is made up of Don, Ryan, Blue, and firefighters Roxie Alba (Juani Feliz) and Taylor Thompson (Hailey Kilgore). Blythe’s sister-in-law, Cammie Raleigh (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), works as a 9-1-1 dispatcher. While each episode follows the weekly procedural model of the first responders taking calls and helping people, 9-1-1: Nashville also leans heavily on its family drama elements, particularly through the rivalry between Blythe and Dixie. Last season ended on an intense cliffhanger, and it will be exciting to see how the events of the Season 1 finale affect the coming season.

5

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 23

Premiere Date: October 15

Image via ABC

After over two decades, Grey’s Anatomy will once again be returning this fall for its twenty-third season. The end of Season 22 saw the exit of Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), who decided to move to Paris as a family with their children after Teddy received a dream job offer. The other doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, meanwhile, were forced to reevaluate their priorities at the end of last season in the wake of a major bridge collapse.

Most notably, 11 seasons after Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) death, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) has decided that she is ready to remarry. The season ended with Meredith proposing to her longtime partner, Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), who immediately accepted. After the events of last season, the rest of the doctors are sure to be in for some messy personal drama in Season 23, but it will be exciting to see Meredith take this next step in her relationship for the first time since Derek.

4

‘St. Denis Medical’ Season 3

Premiere Date: November 2

Image via NBC

NBC’s hilarious medical sitcom, St. Denis Medical, will be returning later this fall for its third season. The series follows the doctors, nurses, and other staff of the Emergency Department of St. Denis Medical Center in Oregon. While the series came in with a strong start when it premiered two years ago, Season 2 elevated St. Denis Medical to one of the best sitcoms of recent years. Last season was laugh-out-loud funny and deeply emotional, and it evolved the main character dynamics in compelling and surprising ways.

The Season 2 finale of St. Denis Medical saw everyone rallying around Dr. Ron Leonard (David Alan Grier) to support him through his heart surgery. As of the end of the season, Ron made it out of the surgery alright, but not without making a surprising confession while high on pain medication. Meanwhile, after two seasons of buildup, Serena (Kahyun Kim) and Matt (Mekki Leeper) are now officially a couple. As St. Denis Medical gets ready to return, we look forward to seeing how the show ups its hilarity from last season, as well as how the character dynamics continue to change in the coming season.

3

‘Line of Fire’ Season 1

Premiere Date: September 21

Image via NBC

NBC’s newest procedural drama, Line of Fire, premieres on the network this month. It follows the Hollingsworth family, all of whom work as law enforcement agents. At the helm of it all are Secret Service Agent Mike Hollingsworth (Peter Krause) and US Marshal Jane Hollingsworth (Hope Davis), a married couple with three adult children: Secret Service Agent Micah Hollingsworth (Tommy O’Brien), FBI Agent Claire Hollingsworth (Kat Cunning), and new Department of Justice analyst Russ Hollingsworth (Taylor Bloom).

The Hollingsworths often cross paths on the job. The series kicks off when they learn about a recent murder, and they receive insider information that one of them was actually the intended target. As it turns out, someone is killing government agents, and none of the Hollingsworths are safe. All they can do is just continue doing their jobs while staying vigilant, all while not truly knowing who they can and cannot trust.

2

‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 6

Premiere Date: October 7

Image via Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Abbott Elementary will officially be back next month for its sixth season, and we absolutely cannot wait for its return. Last season was absolutely hilarious, with iconic storylines like the one that saw the faculty, staff, and students of Abbott have to temporarily relocate to an abandoned mall due to damage to the school building. The season also saw the heartbreaking yet understandable breakup between Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams), but thankfully, they were able to work through it and get back together.

Season 6 of Abbott Elementary is in for a major shakeup after last season ended with the district announcing the upcoming shutdown of 20 schools. Abbott will be staying open, but they will have to take in a number of new students. Because of this change, Ava (Janelle James) has promoted Gregory to her Assistant Principal. Gregory now finally has a version of his dream job, and he’s thinking about proposing to Janine soon. The other teachers, however, will definitely struggle to adjust to having more students in their classes next season, and Abbott Elementary will no doubt utilize this change in funny and clever ways.

1

‘9-1-1’ Season 10

Premiere Date: October 15

With characters that we love dearly and the promise of an explosive multiple-episode opening emergency to kick off each new season, there is no upcoming season of network TV that we are more excited about than 9-1-1 Season 10. It’s already been announced that 9-1-1‘s tenth season will open with a volcano eruption, and that Eddie (Ryan Guzman) and Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) will finally get to share their first scene together this season.

Last season of 9-1-1 saw Chimney (Kenneth Choi) step up as Captain of the 118 in the wake of Bobby’s (Peter Krause) death. The 118 also welcomed Harry Grant (Elijah M. Cooper) to the firehouse after he realized that that was his dream. May Grant (Corinne Massiah) decided to become a nurse, which will give 9-1-1 the opportunity to spend more time at the hospital this coming season. Athena Grant (Angela Bassett), meanwhile, left her position as a sergeant to become a detective. In addition to all of these professional changes for so many main characters, Buck (Oliver Stark) made a major personal change by deciding to foster Theo (Lincoln and Theodore Sykes), his biological son and the son of his deceased friend.

Advertisement

9-1-1

Advertisement

Release Date

January 3, 2018

Advertisement

Showrunner

Tim Minear

Directors

Advertisement

Bradley Buecker, David Grossman, Brenna Malloy, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Jann Turner, Jennifer Lynch, Marita Grabiak, Sarah Boyd, John J. Gray, Barbara Brown, Robert M. Williams Jr., Kristen Reidel, Marcus Stokes, Tasha Smith, Millicent Shelton, Juan Carlos Coto, John Gray, Greg Sirota, Alonso Alvarez, James Wong, Kevin Hooks, Varda Bar-Kar, Shauna Duggins, Sharat Raju

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

A contest offering aspiring musicians the chance to open for Ed Sheeran has become another point of attention amid the controversy surrounding his Loop Tour. Guitar Center launched a competition for a chance to play at one of the singer’s concerts, but the opportunity has attracted more than just hopeful performers.

As backlash surrounding Sheeran’s tour continues, some people have found a different way to make their voices heard through the contest.

On September 14, Ed Sheeran’s tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, announced Macklemore’s removal from the Loop Tour following the rapper’s pro-Palestine remarks during a performance at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

That same day, Guitar Center launched a competition series, “Open for Legends,” allowing undiscovered musicians a chance to be the opening act for Sheeran’s show in Mexico City on December 11.

Advertisement

Participants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid U.S. passport. Bands can have no more than five members, and prior experience performing in front of an audience is required. Those interested in the opportunity must submit a video featuring original music.

Apart from opening for Sheeran, the winner will also receive a $2,000 gift card, $15,000 in cash, covered round-trip travel and accommodations.

The Contest Has Recieved Many Spam Entries

The contest has been affected by the controversy surrounding Sheeran’s tour. According to reports, the competition has been flooded with spam entries, many uploading pro-Palestine videos and expressing their disapproval of Sheeran.

Political protest videos, memes, and non-musical clips were uploaded, prompting Guitar Center to scrub the site of content not related to the competition.

Advertisement

One video titled “EDSHRANCOMPLICIT” featured a man flipping the bird to the camera. Another entry, meanwhile, uploaded a video with links to Palestine support organizations, as noted by Entertainment Weekly.

Guitar Center Addressed The Invalid Contest Entries

Days after the contest was launched, Guitar Center released a statement about the contest, explaining that “Open for Legends” was not launched as a result of Sheeran losing Macklemore as a supporting act. Instead, they had been developing it for months before it was announced.

They also addressed the bogus contest entries. “As with any open submission process, we received entries that were not legitimate applications to participate in the program. Those submissions will not be considered so that the opportunity can remain focused on musicians who are seeking to showcase their talent,” the statement read, per Rolling Stone.

Ed Sheeran’s Supporting Acts And Band Made A Stand

The remaining dates of Sheeran’s tour was left with no supporting acts and backing band after Macklemore was booted. As previously reported by The Blast, openers Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Finneas announced their exits from the Loop Tour, each taking to social media to state their departure and express their support for Palestine.

Sheeran’s longtime collaborator and backing band, Beoga, also left the tour, sharing they supported Macklemore’s speech. “As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be,” the band noted.

The Loop Tour Will Reportedly Proceed With Ed Sheeran Performing Solo

Sheeran has since spoken out about the controversy, explaining that it wasn’t his decision to remove Macklemore from the tour, but the promoter’s.

“I have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won’t ever change,” he wrote, adding that fans who go to his concerts “do not expect a political forum.”

Advertisement

The Loop Tour has 17 remaining dates, and according to reports, the performances will proceed without supporting acts. A source told TMZ that while plans have been constantly changing since the controversy, Sheeran performing solo is not a concern since he had already performed big venues in the past without a band.

Christopher Nolan’s Inception is a movie obsessed with time. Every tick of the clock is one step closer to disaster; seconds become minutes, become hours, become days, months, and years, as its characters descend through layers of dreams, and Hans Zimmer miraculously translated that concept into the music itself. One of the movie’s most ingenious tricks connects Zimmer’s thunderous score to Édith Piaf’s “Non, je ne regrette rien,” the song used to warn Nolan’s dreamers that their “kick” is approaching.

Recently, Zimmer has exclusively revealed to Collider that the Piaf song almost didn’t make it into Inception at all — and it was because Nolan had cast Marion Cotillard. Cotillard played Mal Cobb in Inception only a few years after winning the Academy Award for portraying Piaf herself in La Vie en Rose. Rather than just being a really cool sound that could be dropped into the score, it was actually a fundamental part of the story. “Chris and I — I don’t know who came up with it — but we both loved the Édith Piaf song. It was written in the script, and the slowing down of it was written in the script,” said Zimmer. “Everybody goes, ‘BRAAAM,’ which then became a sound effect in every trailer. But with us, it was a story point. It’s a very different thing to use that idea as a story point than just a way of getting from one non sequitur to the other in a trailer.” Then came Cotillard, and suddenly using Piaf presented Nolan and Zimmer with a strange problem. Zimmer explained:

“But the Édith Piaf song nearly didn’t make it because when Chris cast Marion Cotillard, we thought, ‘Hang on a second, she played Édith Piaf. Is this a bit odd?’ But I found a recording that sounded like it was from the ’40s, like the German army was marching up the Champs-Élysées. It was really dirty and crackly and mono, and it was really moody. We loved it. We had to send somebody from Warner Brothers to Paris to talk to the man in charge of the estate so that we could use it. He gave us permission, and then we found the real recording of the version I’d found on YouTube or somewhere, and it was this pristine, clean recording. So we had to go and mess it all up just to make it moody again.”

The decision certainly worked. Inception went on to earn $839.8 million worldwide, while the sound Zimmer and Nolan created became so influential that its enormous blasts were imitated across movie trailers for years afterward.

Hans Zimmer Is Returning to North America

Zimmer will revisit music from throughout his career when Hans Zimmer Live – The Next Level comes to North America in 2027. The all-new production features Zimmer himself alongside a 19-piece ensemble, with the composer promising something closer to a “rave” or “roller coaster” than a conventional orchestral concert. Following its hugely successful European run, the North American leg begins February 17 in Hartford and continues across the U.S. and Canada through April.

Hans Zimmer Live – The Next Level begins its North American run on February 17, 2027. Tickets go on general sale September 25 at 10 a.m. local time. Stay tuned at Collider for more.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

July 16, 2010

Runtime

148 minutes

Advertisement

Franchise(s)

Inception

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

If there is one thing everyone can agree on, it is that nothing is perfect, especially with video games, as more gamers and opinions flood the community, which will hate even the best titles. Legendary games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or modern classics such as God of War aren’t spared hate, criticism, or discourse, proving that there isn’t a single video game that everyone can say is perfect.

Despite that, some games can be considered to be universally beloved, and that is why this list will feature six video games since the 2000s that are universally beloved. Based on aspects such as gameplay, design, narrative, visuals, originality, influence, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these six titles are some of the few that many gamers can come together and appreciate, whether that be critically or emotionally.

6

‘The Last of Us’ (2013)

Image via Naughty Dog

The Last of Us is a great example of a beloved video game that received the exact opposite reaction when the sequel dropped, with many gamers upset with the story and how it handled some characters. At least they have the first game, which follows Joel, a veteran during the zombie apocalypse who must escort a girl across the country. When he learns that she may hold the cure to the outbreak, the mission to deliver her safely makes it more complicated, but will he be able to do it when he gets there?

The Last of Us is renowned for its narrative prestige that proved video games could bring that type of storytelling to games. The dynamics between Joel and Ellie were fantastic and a staple of the experience, making it even more painful when the sequel was released. The Last of Us is more than just a great story, however, as it also features engaging gameplay that brings out the best in the survival horror genre. Eerie, tense, and haunting, this game will have gamers on the edge of their seat, which is why almost everyone who has played it loved it. This is a video game narrative so good that there is even a TV show of it that is well received, proving the source material is just flawless.

5

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment

The 2020s still have a way to go, but the decade is already home to a plethora of modern hits, like FromSoftware’s magnum opus, Elden Ring. After the death of one of her sons, Queen Marika shatters the titular ring into many pieces, leaving her demigod children to claim them. As the Tarnished, players must travel the Lands Between and defeat the demigods to collect the shards, restore the ring, and become the Elden Lord.

Even though the 2020s are young, this decade has produced one of the most universally beloved video games in Elden Ring. Nothing else this decade has as much fan love to an overwhelming amount, proving why it won Game of the Year in 2022. Yes, it may be difficult, but it is because of that difficulty that fans adore it and the feeling they get when overcoming the obstacles. More than that, Elden Ring encourages exploration, rewarding it with lore, boss battles, and worthwhile items. Elden Ring is the most universally loved video game of the 2020s, but this acclaim has seeped into history as a whole to become a landmark of the industry.

4

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)

Rockstar is one of the greatest game studios of all time, and while fans hope their next game will make this list in the future, for now their most beloved title is Red Dead Redemption 2. Arthur Morgan is a cowboy during the dying era of the Wild West, but when he learns of his tuberculosis diagnosis, he realizes he doesn’t have much time left. Dedicated to finding redemption, he sets out on one final adventure to find peace of heart before passing away.

There is a vocal part of the community that strongly believes Red Dead Redemption 2 deserved to win Game of the Year over God of War, and whether that is true or not, the fact that there are so many fans proves how beloved it is. The gameplay is good, but the main appeal of Red Dead Redemption 2 is the experience that allows gamers to immerse themselves in the world and role. Arthur is a captivating protagonist that players get to experience the story through, and the setting is just as engaging and complex, with so much detail packed into the Western frontier. Since it is Rockstar’s best video game ever, this title went above and beyond to deliver a gaming experience unlike anything else, showcasing why so many fans adore it.

3

‘Resident Evil 4’ (2005)

Image via Capcom

Being scared is usually a bad thing, but gamers can’t get enough of it, especially when it is done well. Resident Evil is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, and while the new game and movie are remarkable, nothing can beat Resident Evil 4. When the daughter of the president of the United States is captured in Spain by a cult, Leon S. Kennedy is assigned to bring her back safely. However, when the cult is infected by a parasite, Leon and Ashley must fight their way through zombie-like creatures to safety.

Changing an already beloved formula isn’t usually the recipe to be adored by fans, but Resident Evil 4 pulled it off miraculously. The innovative over-the-shoulder camera changed the game, literally, making it so much easier and more fluid to play. The inventory management system as well was a fun way to manage items and make every decision important. It made Resident Evil an action franchise, which did upset some fans, but it broke out into a whole new demographic. Resident Evil 4 is a blast from start to finish, and a video game that most fans agree is absolutely outstanding.

2

‘Super Mario Galaxy’ (2007)

Image via Nintendo

Nintendo is a company that doesn’t stop making amazing games, and their biggest franchise is Mario, of course, meaning he has plenty of beloved titles, including Super Mario Galaxy. Bowser disrupts the Mushroom Kingdom’s festival to kidnap Princess Peach, taking her far away into the depths of the galaxy. However, Mario, with the help of Rosalina, sets out on a planet-hopping adventure to bring her back, no matter how many Koopas he needs to stomp on or bosses he needs to take down.

There isn’t a single bad 3D Mario video game, but the most beloved is arguably Super Mario Galaxy, which strikes the perfect amount of nostalgia and great design. The spherical gravity is a one-of-a-kind mechanic that gives new life to the franchise, making it even more fresh and imaginative. The movement is fluid, and the platforming is some of the greatest of all time, only made better by the plenty of gimmicks. Super Mario Galaxy is one of the best Nintendo games ever, only improving with age to remain a staple of the company and gaming in general.

1

‘Portal 2’ (2011)

Image via Valve

Valve may have some shortcomings, but for the most part, they are a beloved gaming studio, best known for their platform, Steam. But they used to be one of the best game makers as well, releasing multiple beloved classics, like Portal 2. Set after the first game, Chell wakes up to the same facility, but this time it is run-down and abandoned. However, one robot companion helps her navigate the facility to escape, that is, until they accidentally wake up GLaDOS, who is itching for revenge after what players did to her in the first game.

Valve has other masterpieces such as Half-Life 2, but there is a bigger audience around Portal 2 that has made it one of the most beloved video games of all time. It is a 2010s video game masterpiece that used its innovative mechanic with the portal gun and expanded on it to create a much more definitive experience. Portal 2 is a masterclass of game design that inherently teaches the player without much instruction while still making the puzzles thought-provoking and stimulating. The game also boasts witty writing and a charming style that enhances the already intriguing narrative. In the end, Portal 2 is the complete package of game design and fun, a combo that the majority of gamers have to admit they love.

Advertisement

Resident Evil 4

Advertisement

Released

January 11, 2005

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language

Advertisement

Engine

RE Engine

Advertisement

Franchise

Resident Evil

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The Cosmere is a shared literary universe of fantasy literature created by acclaimed author Brandon Sanderson. The ongoing series debuted in 2005 with Elantris, Sanderson’s debut novel. The series currently consists of approximately 30 short stories, novellas, novels, and even a graphic novel. It’s super popular and is still ongoing, with the conclusion not expected for at least a few decades. Clearly, it’s quite a massive project that Sanderson has planned.

The basic premise is that each series or stand-alone takes place on its own planet, all within the same galaxy. Each planet has an intricate system of magic that has a heavy hand in the story. The magic exists due to incorporeal objects called “Shards,” leftover splinters of the dead god Adonalsium, who mysteriously shattered thousands of years ago. The series overlap with certain characters and concepts and feature a variety of settings. For example, some are steampunk, some are space-age fantasy, while others are more Medieval. One thing’s for sure: they’re all awesome. Alas, only a few can reign supreme. These are the best books in Sanderson’s Cosmere universe, ranked based on their overall strengths, legacy, and qualities.

10

‘Warbreaker’ (2009)

Image via Gollancz

Warbreaker is currently the only Cosmere work set on the planet Nalthis. The story follows Siri, a young princess of Idris who is betrothed to the God King Susebron of Hallandren, as a means of maintaining a shaky alliance between the two nations. Siri’s sister, Vivenna, travels to the capital of T’Telir to rescue her, while the god Lightsong the Bold struggles to find his place in the universe, treating his recent deification as a joke. Meanwhile, a sulky veteran is working behind the scenes, assassinating key political figures in the court of gods.

The magic system in this Medieval world is really interesting. Each person has what’s called a Breath, which looks like rainbow-hued gas. By convincing or stealing the Breath from others, people gain access to heightened abilities, such as perfect pitch and enhanced perception. However, Breath can also be used to bring fabric to life, where it can be used as a weapon, a tool, or a defence mechanism. The book is primarily a romance at heart, but it’s got a lot of political stuff in it, too. It’s a superb book and a must-read prequel if you want to read The Stormlight Archive series, which we’ll talk about later.

Image via Tor Fantasy

Mistborn is currently the longest series in the Cosmere, which consists of two short stories, one novella, and seven full-length novels. The first era of Mistborn is a trilogy (plus one novella and short story), and is a Medieval urban fantasy. The second era is four books (plus one short story) long, and is set hundreds of years later, in a more steampunk-y world. The Lost Metal is the conclusion to this second era, involving a secret plot to destroy the capital city of Elendel and start a war with the recently rediscovered Malwish people.

All of Mistborn is set on the planet Scadrial, a heavily industrialized world. There are three magic systems here: the first and most prominent is Allomancy, which involves users swallowing beads of various metals that grant temporary abilities, depending on what type of metal it is. For example, tin grants heightened senses, while pewter gives one extra strength and resilience. The book is a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful steampunk fantasy series, once again starring comedic cop duo Wax and Wayne. The stakes are lower than the original Mistborn era, but it’s still an awesome read.

8

‘The Well of Ascension’ (2007)

Image via Tor Fantasy

The Well of Ascension is the second book in the first era of Mistborn, and also arguably its best. The rest of the trilogy were some of Sanderson’s earliest published works, so the writing isn’t quite as refined. This one soars above in terms of story and excitement, however. It is set immediately following the first book, which is basically about an Ocean’s Eleven–style heist crew, only they plan on committing regicide and bringing down a tyrannical, planet-wide empire.

However, the stakes get monumentally higher in this second entry. It becomes clear that the Final Empire was just the beginning, and the very fate of Scadrial is slowly beginning to unravel. In the oppressive metropolis of Luthadel, professional thief Vin and noble heir Elend Venture must establish a new empire whilst putting a stop to the coming apocalypse. While it’s not a conclusion to the trilogy, it’s an excellent climax point, with espionage, wit, and plot twists galore.

7

‘Shadows for Silence: In the Forests of Hell’ (2013)

Image via Tor Fantasy

Shadows for Silence: In the Forests of Hell is currently the only story set in the world of Threnody, which has fallen under a shadow, causing ghost-like entities called Shades to prowl the forested world during the night. The shades seem to be the magic system of this world; there is nothing else mentioned. This novella stars Silence Montane, an innkeeper and secret bounty hunter who receives the contract of a lifetime.

During the night, she steps out into the woods with her teenage daughter, William Ann. There are three simple rules of being out in the woods at night: do not kindle fire, do not spill blood, and do not run. Any of these things will attract the Shades and will likely lead to swift death. This novella first appeared in a collection focused on dangerous women in fantasy, which George R. R. Martin also participated in. However, it was later published on its own, and republished in 2016’s anthology Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection. It’s an excellent piece of dark fantasy that’s short and sweet in all the right ways.

6

‘Yumi and the Nightmare Painter’ (2023)

Image via Tor Fantasy

Advertisement

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is the third of Sanderson’s secret projects written while in quarantine, a stand-alone novel set in the UTol system, inspired by East Asia. The story follows two magic users in vastly different worlds. First, there is Yumi, a priestess known as a yoki-hijo. She lives in an incredibly hot, Medieval world, where the Sun scorches the earth to the point that everyone needs platform shoes and the plants have evolved to float above the ground. Yumi’s job is to stack rocks to summon spirits known as hijo, who will grant wishes to ailing villagers.

On the other hand, there is a young man simply known as Painter. He lives in the cyberpunk-esque city of Kilahito, enveloped by a dome of shadow, which sometimes spawns dangerous nightmares. Using a canvas and some paint, Painter must magically turn the nightmares into something harmless before they prey on innocent people. Through cosmic circumstances, Yumi and Painter’s destinies become intertwined. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is a fantastic one-off story about love, friendship, and the difficulties of fitting in, all set in two fascinating worlds.

5

‘The Bands of Mourning’ (2016)

Image via Tor Fantasy

Advertisement

The Bands of Mourning is the third novel in the second era of Mistborn, and it is, in this author’s opinion, the best in the series. Once again starring cop duo Wax and Wayne, the story involves a quest to find the fabled Bands of Mourning, a relic left behind from the first era, which grants users special powers using a secondary magic system on Scadrial. Feruchemy is pretty complex, almost too complex to explain here, but know that it also involves the use of metal, much like Allomancy.

So many major revelations happen during this book, and for the first time, it takes the adventure far beyond the reaches of the Elendel Basin. By far, this one has the heaviest connection to the first era of Mistborn, as it involves temples lost to the ages, ancient history, hidden civilizations, and political gatherings. Featuring steampunk airships, new characters and cultures, and new mysteries, The Bands of Mourning is a solid ten out of ten.

4

‘The Way of Kings’ (2010)

Image via Tor Books

Advertisement

The Way of Kings is the first book in The Stormlight Archive series. This series consists of novels that are always at least 1,000 pages long, so it’s quite the dedication. The setting is the planet Roshar, which is constantly plagued by hurricane-like tempests called highstorms. Plant life is almost non-existent, and any animal life has evolved to be crustaceous, so they can shelter in their shells.

Following the humans of Alethkar making contact with the indigenous race of crustaceous humanoids called the Parshendi, the Alethi king is assassinated, prompting a war between Alethkar and the Parshendi. In the midst of it all is a slave called Kaladin, a disgraced soldier who is used as arrow fodder on the battlefield. Each entry in Stormlight features flashback sequences, examining the lives of its principal characters, with this one focusing on Kaladin’s life. It’s a tragic, yet highly inspiring tale that starts slow at first, but gets highly engrossing by the end.

3

‘Tress of the Emerald Sea’ (2022)

Image via Tor Fantasy

Advertisement

Tress of the Emerald Sea is the first of Sanderson’s secret projects written during quarantine. The novel was inspired by The Princess Bride and is set on the distant world of Lumar, which doesn’t actually have any Shards, so there is no magic system. It is a vast and alien world closely orbited by 12 moons, which constantly drop spores onto the planet, thus making up the oceans in lieu of water. The spores produce drastic, often destructive effects when they come into contact with the liquid and can even be sailed upon thanks to gas jets hidden on the planet’s surface, which fluidize the many-colored seas.

Tress is an ordinary girl living in the Emerald Sea, who works as a window washer for the mayor, whose son, Charlie, she is dating. Unfortunately, Charlie disappears on a voyage with his father, causing Tress to leave the backwater town of Diggen’s Point to rescue him. This quest evolves into a thrilling pirate tale and a heartwarming tale of true love. The world is thoroughly interesting, the characters are memorable, and the book is written with a great sense of humor. It is one of the greatest fantasy stories ever, and it’s a phenomenal read for fairy tale fans.

2

‘Oathbringer’ (2017)

Image via Tor Fantasy

Advertisement

Oathbringer is the third entry in The Stormlight Archive and is by far the most cinematic novel of the entire Cosmere universe. The magic system of Roshar is more prominent in this book. It involves traumatized individuals developing spiritual bonds with spren, spirit-like entities. The type of spren one bonds with determines their abilities; to power their abilities, they must breathe in Stormlight, an ethereal essence gathered in gemstones from highstorms. The flashback sequences in this book focus on Dalinar Kholin, a seasoned Alethi general and highprince.

This book sees the war between humanity and the Parshendi escalate from a petty squabble over a deceased king to a huge struggle for survival, each species fighting against extinction. Multiple large-scale battles are fought, resulting in one of the most thrilling and satisfying climaxes in the entire series. It’s an awesome adventure and a crowning achievement in Sanderson’s extensive repertoire. Not one line is wasted, and not one page is boring.

1

‘Words of Radiance’ (2014)

Image via Tor Fantasy

Advertisement

Words of Radiance is the second entry in The Stormlight Archive, which features flashbacks from Shallan Davar, an aspiring young artist and student. While the three main plot threads in The Way of Kings are largely separate, they all start to come together in this one. This book really does feel like the calm before the storm, in every sense of the expression. Things seem normal at first, but by the end, armageddon is looming on the horizon.

This monster of a book, like the rest of the Stormlight series, is filled with profound moral wisdom, exceptional character development, and master-class worldbuilding that no one else could have done better. It’s got a little bit of humor, a little bit of romance, loads of action, political intrigue, feuding noble families, and an enormous cinematic battle sequence at the end to top it all off. This entire series is a must-read for fantasy fans. Words of Radiance easily stands as the best book in Sanderson’s universe, especially considering that it is his highest-rated book on Goodreads.