Entertainment
Star Wars: Zero Company will be brilliant because XCOM is brilliant
It’s funny how many video games are just clones of other titles, with only a few minor tweaks to the mechanics and an entirely different setting. Few genres in particular are as obvious as XCOM: a tactical turn-based game that involves managing a squad of permanent-killable allied soldiers through a series close-quarters grid-based battles before escaping to play a metagame of some sort, such as a base or mothership. Star Wars Zero Company is a Star Wars game that lets you play all those things, and more. It’s brilliant.
This is obvious, because it’s the nature of this kind of thing. XCOM, in its modern Firaxis incarnations, is a brilliant game, while the Star Wars Universe fits perfectly over this immaculate shape like a black leather glove with bionic arms on Skywalker. Greg Foertsch, the game director, said that it was a perfect match during a presentation. You couldn’t imagine that it hadn’t already been done. Indeed! Zero Company is a game that feels like it’s closing several loops at once. If you enjoy either one of those things, then you will like the game. You’ll probably love this game if you enjoy both.
It’s a little limiting to say “it’s just XCOM Star Wars”. I will admit that. Many of the differences are minor, while others may be a bit more significant. They work, but they may dilute certain XCOMisms. The golden rule of “two actions for everyone” is an example that has been altered.
The linear storyline is the most notable feature of this game. It’s not a heavy-handed approach – most missions are just typical ones, and only two of the seven or eight hours that I spent playing the game were devoted to specific story beats. This means the essential replayability will be preserved. It also allows for the Star Wars craziness you would expect.
Surprise! You’re a sort of scoundrel with a motley crew who are reluctantly drawn into something larger. The Star Wars franchise has done this before, but the southern drawl and write-up of Hawkes, the default voice of the protagonist, is a welcome change. The Hutt gangs, dockyard secrets and intelligence officers all provide a good, but light noir-style thriller.
You can also walk around your base in third-person, which is a big departure for most XCOM games. In fact, some narrative missions will begin with a short exploration in third-person. It’s HQ is a little like a mini-version of Destiny Tower, or more specifically, Marvel’s Midnight Suns mansion, with vendors and crew members chilling out at their stations. They’re ready to chat or reveal some key information. This can sometimes lead to side missions, like a mission involving a former Republic Clone Trooper Crewmate or rescuing an old friend.
The HQ metagame has a lot of familiar elements: stations can be upgraded or unlocked over time. For example, I spent a lot of time in the droid-bay, which was unoccupied. You can upgrade it to include more beds or more weapons, you can go to the terminal and recruit operators etc. The resources are then used to create a system where you spend credits on upgrading the number of operators that you have. These typically come from missions. This is a turn-based loop that’s been around for years, but it still has a lot of appeal.
It has some interesting twists. The addition of bonds between operators and your character is one of the most significant changes to the formula. This has a thematic connection to Star Wars’ “ragtag crew”, as well as the attachment to your operator that genre lovers love. The system is simple: Operators who work together on missions earn XP that helps them level up their bond. Once they reach the next level, you can choose to give your operators a passive buff, like +4HP to both or +3 ranged damage.
This, in turn plays into another system, Operations. They are like a pre-mission appetizer, in which you use Intel (earned each day) to embark on a mini-text-based quest. You’ll usually be presented with two or three semi-veiled options, which offer small rewards, but I believe that they will become crucial as you progress in the game. As I progressed in the game I was faced with a series of ‘dilemmas,’ where I would have to choose between four options that could either increase or decrease my bond with certain operators. This early on in the game and at standard difficulty, I was able to get away by just irritating the guy I hired that I had no intention of sending out on any missions. This will be more critical as you begin to take casualties in later levels or higher difficulty.
The missions are exactly what you would expect of a developer like Bit Reactor. They have a great mix of verticality and range as well as destructible, varying cover. There’s also a wide variety of enemies, even early on in the game, which is primarily droid focused. The three points are divided between each operator, and the cost of moving and using weapons varies depending on who is playing and how they attack. For example, I built my main character as a “sniper”, so shooting costs me 2 of my 3 points. Others only had one point, while others used a method where they would use all their points to repeatedly fire an automatic weapon.
“Assists” is another new system which plays on the idea of teamwork and bonds. The operator chooses the option to help, and then selects another operator within range who will assist him. When the first operator attacks an enemy the second operator takes the shot for free. Bonds and character bonuses can boost the efficiency of this system. Each operator has their own skill tree. Smartly, you can also stack these bonuses with other ones, such as damage from blasters, etc. You can see quickly how building an operator as a helper machine and another damage dealer can allow you to punch well above your weight when encounters become more difficult.
There’s also a good mix of abilities that can be used in battle. Your operatives can be assigned equipment in advance, such as passively-buffing weapon mods or active-use explosives. However, they will also have their own unique abilities. For example, my marksman Hawkes could use an Action Point to steadie himself before shooting, increasing the chance of crit and hitting. He could also fire his sniper gun to deliver a shot that is guaranteed to hit. Give another character nearby an additional action point this turn. Jae is a character who can be added to your team a few minutes after you start (and she has the same ability as any other operator). She fires an extra finisher shot on any enemies below a specific HP level, even if they have already been attacked by allies.
As you advance, you’ll also start seeing these improvements in your enemies: For example, Super Battle Droids take turns to build up an extremely powerful rocket. This gives you something on which to concentrate (or avoid) once it is time for you to act, while others will use grenades, and other weapons. Later in my game play, I came across a system where the main enemy faction would gradually level up. Your intelligence-gathering might grant you the chance to sabotage one of their two buffs while it’s still being researched or constructed, but you’ll have to live with what’s left over for the rest of the game – another thing that plays in nicely to that replayability and sense of role-play that’s so important for these games.
Even in early levels, the missions are varied. You may need to save someone in a certain number of turns or send an operator to break a safe or control a large crane to give your team an escape route. The majority of the games I played were the same, but because of the different locations and the diversity of the characters, they all felt unique.
Star Wars Zero Company is essentially all it needs to be. The game just has to be unique enough to make it stand out from other turn-based tactical games, and do more than simply treat Star Wars like an aesthetic. From the first hours, it succeeds almost perfectly. It’s what I expected after reading the premise. This is XCOM Star Wars. The game is based off the foundations that made this series so popular and was created by those who clearly, deeply, understand it. It’s a great match.
Entertainment
Halle Berry Is Having the Best Summer Ever-With a Beauty and Intimacy Routine To Match
Happy birthday, Halle Berry! Halle Berry turned 60 on August 14, 2018. Berry’s celebrations started early, as she and her partner Van Hunt were enjoying a vacation on the exclusive Kokomo island in Fiji. She has a bob with tropical flowers, silky swimsuits and kaftans, as well as a beauty regimen that makes her glow and radiant anywhere she goes.
Berry’s latest Instagram posting featured a full-view mirror selfie of her product line. Berry’s wellness platform Respin collaborated with the women’s intimate brand Joylux to create the Joylux x Respin Moisture Rich Vaginal Gel. This is a newly launched, hormone-free vaginal moisturizing gel for dryness during menopause or perimenopause. Her carousel caption says: “Today ….don’t give a F*ck!”
Berry is a strong advocate of women’s healthcare. In a previous interview with Vogue, Berry spoke openly about her involvement in women’s healthcare and her launch of Respin. She said that menopause is nothing to fear. This is the time when you are at your most beautiful. We’re smarter, we’re wiser. Like turbo-versions of ourselves. “I want women to be aware of this and look forward to it.”
Berry had Olga Lorencin products like the Rescue & Recovery serum, an ultra-rich facial serum that contains peptides, fatty acid, oils and a plethora of other ingredients. Super HA: Supercharged hyaluronic acid face serum is also available. Berry is known to have endorsed both of these products before. They are also particularly effective on mature skin.
Berry is well aware of the benefits of SPF. Berry has the Avene mineral sunscreen balm stick SPF 50 in her arsenal. This 100% zinc-oxide stick is SPF 50 and suitable for sensitive skin. It can be applied quickly and easily, without leaving a white residue, and it won’t cause any breakouts. No wonder Berry’s skin is so resplendent.
For Berry’s hair, which is still in that fabulous flippy cut she has maintained since the spring when it was first cut, there’s Christophe Robin’s Regenerating Serum With Prickly Pear Oil. This serum repairs and smooths out frizzes and split ends while protecting against heat.
Her beauty regime is as neat and minimal as one might expect on a luxurious, relaxing vacation with her beau. She has a pinky-nude manicure and minimal makeup. A good SPF and pleasure gel are essential. Happy birthday Halle Berry!
Entertainment
Nicole Kidman admits she was ‘very fearful and deeply vulnerable’ after Keith Urban divorce
Nicole Kidman opened up in a recent interview about her separation from Keith Urban, saying that the future was “completely unknowable to me at this time.”
Kidman filed for divorce in Nashville, Tennessee last September. The couple had been married 19 years. In January the divorce had been finalized citing irreconcilable difference. They agreed to split custody between their daughters, Sunday Rose (18) and Faith (15). Neither sought spousal maintenance, nor did they have to go to court.
Kidman, in a long-range interview with British Vogue for the September issue of that magazine, said she would approach her single life by putting “feelings” first.
It’s who I am. It’s probably because I am not very analytical. I am more emotional and lead from my heart. “It throws people because they believe I will be more measured, but I am not,” said she.
She continued: “I still have the ability to think about things, but I don’t want my mind to rule me.” What does it mean to have a life that is well examined? “Try things, make mistakes, fail, get back up, move on, embrace love, stay open, keep the heart open, and explore the possibilities.”
Kidman acknowledged that it was not the best year. But at the same I am like, “OK, I did not expect this. “I had an entirely different idea of how my life would be. But this is the reality.” You have these big plans, and all of these expectations of your future. And then… it’s not. It’s up to you. You have to adapt. “I don’t know what the future holds.
Kidman responded that she was afraid of the future uncertainty. “I was deeply vulnerable and fearful at one point, which was quite revealing.” “I can choose to either not face it, and curl up in fear, or go forward with a great deal of hope.”
Kidman, who is also Australian, met Urban in Los Angeles and they married the next year in Sydney.
Kidman was married to Tom Cruise for the first time, and Urban his second.
Kidman was recently linked with a private equity investor from LA named Michael Reinstein. Last month, the two were seen conversing on the balcony at her Portofino hotel in Italy. She hasn’t commented on their relationship publicly.
The full Kidman feature is available in the September issue, which will be on sale and digitally downloadable from Thursday the 20th of August.
Entertainment
Drake Dating Show ‘Goth Baddie’ Pinkchyu Reveals Another Celeb Barked in Her DMs
Pinkchyu’s DMs are filled with a dog-like imitation of Drake, but this time it is a huge artist.
This viral “goth baddie”, tells TMZ… a major musician sent an audio of him barking at her like a canine — she thought it was a joke.
The celeb is clearly taking a cue from Drizzy, after Champagne Papi became infamous for barking at Pinkchyu on his “20-v-1 dating challenge”, which Pinkchyu won.
OnlyFans’ model and content creator, who won’t reveal names, says that the mysterious admirer “is pretty massive” and “a huge musician.” She told us that she didn’t respond because she had no idea what to write.
TMZ reported that Pinkchyu had won the contest and told us later Drake would fulfill his promise to purchase a home for her mother. She told us that all she needed to do was choose a house and Drake would pay for the costs.
Pinkchyu said that Drake and she didn’t get together after the concert, but they had some great conversations at the party.
Pinkchyu, the mysterious musician says that she is single but not looking for love. She says she is focused on her work and has little time to spend with a partner.
She already has plenty company in her home. Her cats.
Entertainment
Colt Ford breaks shoulder in Germany tour bus crash, rescued through windshield
Colt Ford, a country rapper from Texas, broke his shoulder after the tour bus he was riding in crashed. The bus’ busted glass forced him to be saved through it.
Ford shared the photo on Wednesday. It showed the bus in the grassy ditch, with the windshield damaged and the damage done to the passenger’s side.
Ford posted on Instagram: “One moment you are heading to Germany for an event and preparing for a new single, the next you realize your bus has flipped over and that you have a shoulder injury and first responders pulling you through the windshield.”
The crew may be a bit bruised, but they are still all here.
It is not known what caused the accident or where it occurred. However, the singer of “Ride Through the Country”, who was due to perform at Tailgate X, a tailgate festival in Ballenstedt (central Germany), about 100 miles from Berlin, had been scheduled to appear on Saturday.
Ford’s country music peers quickly responded with messages of support, referencing Ford’s near-fatal cardiac arrest he recovered from in 2024.
Meghan Patrick wrote: “While I’m so glad you are alive, I feel so bad for this entire brother.”
We are here to help you in any way we can. We are here to support you in any way that we can. Love you buddy.
You’re all doing great, dude. Your life has been a tough one. Love ya,” Jake Owen said.
“Dang, brother. I’m glad you are all OK but that shoulder injury is not what you need. “Prayers for quick recovery. Hang in there, buddy,” Tracy Byrd said.
Ford suffered a heartattack during the 2024 show at Dierks’ Bentley Whiskey Row, Gilbert, Az.
Ford was in cardiac arrest two times, had 10 hours of surgery performed and spent 8 days in an artificially-induced coma.
I couldn’t possibly have been closer to death. Ford said to Mayo Clinic, in March 2025: “I died twice on that day.”
It can’t be more serious than when one of the best heart doctors in world says, “You are 1% of 1%.”
Ford claimed he did not remember performing in Arizona before his heart attack. However, he remembered walking to the tour bus where he later was found slumped on a chair.
He told the clinic that he woke up 8 days later and could not pick up a glass with ice and eat it himself.
Ford said that after the heart attack he changed his eating habits and lost over 60 pounds.
I’ve changed my mind. “If I go to Whataburger I will eat a chicken sandwich grilled,” he said in People magazine, February 2025.
I don’t eat all of the french fries or other stuff. “McDonald’s was my favorite place to eat and I used to love it, but now I don’t crave it.”
Ford also credits his wife Megan for encouraging him to remain active.
“I feel and look great.” “I feel like I am Rocky coming back,” said he.
God has something else for me to accomplish. “For some reason, he gave me another opportunity. I intend to make the most of it.”
Ford will return to perform in the US on August 19th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines.
Georgian-born rapper and country singer, he co-wrote Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem.” He also had his own hits with “Ride Through the Country,” “Workin’ On” and other songs.
Entertainment
Read the Full Credits to Phoebe Bridgers’ Lost Weekend
Lost Weekend is Phoebe Bridgers’ third and highly-anticipated album. This is her first solo album since Punisher in 2020, as well as her first solo song since 2022’s “Sidelines”. The 15 other tracks were made by a variety of collaborators including Jack Antonoff and Alex G. Blake Mills and Christian Lee Hutson also contributed. Bridgers’ brother Jackson and her pug Maxine even contribute vocals. Below are the complete credits.
Lost Weekend is the culmination of a long-running campaign that included pop-up concerts, a charity concert at Madison Square Garden without phones, and listening parties in planetariums around the world. She’ll tour North America and Europe next year to support her album. The former dates feature Alex G as support, while the latter will be Isaac Wood, ex-frontman of Black Country, New Road.
Outside
-
Business7 days agoElon Musk plans 100 million-square-foot terafab semiconductor plant near Houston
-
Business4 days agoVandalized fiber lines cause Verizon service outage for thousands of SoCal customers
-
BBC News World1 week agoSee the Sun like never before with most detailed images yet
-
Business1 week ago
Why extreme heat can force airlines to leave passengers behind
-
Business7 days agoHealth department investigating after seeing more than 5x increase in cyclosporiasis cases in McHenry County
-
Business1 week agoTrump Issues Tariffs on Key Ingredient for Electronics and Solar Panels
-
BBC News World2 weeks agoHuman remains exhumed at site of controversial World War II massacres in Ukraine: “Each of them had their dreams”
-
HealthNews2 weeks agoMass measles outbreak threatens Central Valley after farmworkers left Arizona
