The way this year is starting, going back to 2025 for a little reflection might actually be an up side. So, let's go! Our 2025 Wrapups begin...now! We're kicking things off with our Favorite Movies of 2025 - you've got time to argue with us on what should and shouldn't be on the list, don't you?

It's very clear from the commentary exploding on the timeline right now that hardly anyone outside Chicago knows ICE shot and killed a man in his car here in the fall. It's probably not your fault—too much news. But if you're choosing to jump in & *report* today, please contextualize. Thanks.

We had a great time exploring the frozen wastelands of #Frostpunk2, and there's even more to explore with the latest DLC, #FracturedUtopias. Here's our thoughts on the latest content update:

By now you may have heard of #ConsumeMe. It's a highly regarded, award winning slice of life game that was nominated for a Game Award. It's also one hell of a potential life-changer - even if you've waited 6 years to play it.

Whether you knew of @kumail.bsky.social pre or post Marvel muscle glow-up, you've got something to look forward to with his new special Night Thoughts. He's back and at the top of his standup game.

You'll be back in a different era with @bitmapbureau.com 's Terminator 2D: No Fate. See what we thought in our full review:

Stories touch us, and we process the world around us through them. While we're reeling from the news of Rob Reiner's murder, we turn to the cast of one of his most beloved works, #ThePrincessBride, to share their memories and condolences.

. #DoctorWho fans have always been known for their patience, and we appreciate it. But we promised even more from @chicagotardis.bsky.social , and while some of our staff was sidelined by unfortunate circumstances recently, we're gonna make good on that! Ladies and gents - #ChrisEccleston!

It's hard to make these posts and find words. The loss of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer is a tragedy. What a sad night.

The Berlin Apartment has a poignant narrative that's certainly important - but is it a good game? See what we thought, and tell us your thoughts if you've played

Don't mistake incompetence for accident. The degradation of your social media feed, the collapse of your news, the defunding of your school—it is all functional. They are happy to rule over the ashes, as long as they are the ones holding the match.

Whether you love or hate @thegameawards.com, you can't deny it's the most wonderful time of the year for game announcements. On that note, we've compiled a list of things we're most excited for that were announced at the show. See if your picks made our list!

hourslong community resistance against ice still going on in elgin, illinois—a western suburb with a large latine population and a frequent target for ice/cbp. state rep. karina villa is on scene, per live feed, and used a bullhorn to call out to the person agents are ostensibly looking for.

About 100 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have descended on Minneapolis for Operation Metro Surge, a new phase of the Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigrants, this time targeting the city’s Somali population. unicornriot.ninja/2025/ice-tar...

DHS used a wide variety of weapons against people in Elgin yesterday, not only tear gas. Some wild photos in this writeup from @domguan.bsky.social:

#DeathHowl by @theouterzone.bsky.social is a soulslike with tactical turn-based combat and deckbuilding that "feels like a lost legend, one that balances the cosmic scale of defying the afterlife with the intimate, crushing weight of personal grief." Find out more ahead of its release tomorrow:

You thought maybe we didn't have more from @chicagotardis.bsky.social but the truth is - we've only just begun. Today's dose of #DoctorWho fun is from a panel with Jo Martin, Steph De Whalley and Susan Twist. Buckle up!

We got our hands on @noodlecatgames.com 's latest, Cloudheim as it came out of Early Access this week. We thought it was gorgeous, with a ton of potential - Find out more about what we thought in this writeup, and share your own thoughts if you're also playing

It's time, #DoctorWho fans! So begins our Tales from TARDIS series, where we'll have all the tea from @chicagotardis.bsky.social this past weekend, beginning first with Carole Ann Ford and Katy Manning

We've got a bonus article for #StarTrek fans from Christina Chong's panel, where she talked Strange New Worlds, including the musical episode, the Muppet episode, and interesting ideas for themed episodes that the actress says "may or may not have happened." Boldly go explore the article now:

Two consecutive weekends. Two sci-fi conventions. You bet your butt our crew successfully navigated both! Time to get wibbly wobbly with us as we share all the deets from @chicagotardis.bsky.social

We dove into a charming wizarding world with Act 1 of Scrabdackle, a hand drawn top-down adventure game with a lot of great things packed in. It's releasing into Early Access tomorrow so check out what we thought and see what you think!

It's hard to know what the pinnacle of an event is, but when we saw William Shatner come on stage @creationent.bsky.social 's #ST-CHI with his brown bag sushi lunch, we knew. If you really want to know what it's like to sit in the room w/ #StarTrek's OG captain, read on. It's the cherry on top.

Think of all of ST-CHI as a great big meal you wait all year for. You know that the delicious dessert is the sweet pairing of Nana Visitor, Cirroc Lofton and Chase Masterson. #Ds9 is divine #StarTrek

He's not just a dipshit from Chicago - he's OUR dipshit from Chicago and we had a great time with him at #ST-CHI talking #StarTrek and DnD with our friends @chicagohistorypod.bsky.social at the helm. www.culturecombine.com/post/captain...

If you're an audiophile looking for a great deal - we recently reviewed the Status Pro X and enjoyed our time with them enough to recommend them- especially on sale for Black Friday! www.culturecombine.com/post/status-...

If you're a Whovian, on Thanksgiving your thoughts turn from turkey to TARDISes in the blink of an eye. Here's what to expect at this year's @chicagotardis.bsky.social ,which officially kicks off tomorrow! Time to get wibbly wobbly!

Tim Russ and Jeri Ryan shared the stage to talk Voyager at this year's #ST-CHI and #StarTrek fans can rejoice this turkey day, as we've got all the details! Find out about onset pranks, mended relationships, and how Seven became an icon for those who feel like outcasts.

When you're at a #StarTrek convention you find out that a lot of the cast has been bonding for a really, really long time. And that makes panels fun, intimate, and a little bit crazy. Gates McFadden and Brent Spiner's time at #ST-CHI was no different.

Now that we've beamed back from #ST-CHI we've got plenty of #StarTrek tea and it's hot as Earl Grey. Let's kick it off with #LowerDecks and how we spent our time with Gabrielle Ruiz, aka T'Lyn.

We're at the final day of ST-CHI Trek to Chicago, Shatner is on stage with a sushi bag lunch, and what the hell even is a microphone? Pure chaos served with love the way only Shatner could.

Oh hey, Star Trek people. You gonna head out to @creationent.bsky.social's ST-CHI: Trek to Chicago? Cuz y'know, we're HUGE Trekkies and we WILL be on the floor all weekend. You should go, too.

It hits different when you've grown up with the music. It's a lot of fun when the band and the audience appreciate each other. That's why Minus the Bear at the The Metro was something special. Photos/words: @aaroncynic.bsky.social www.culturecombine.com/post/minus-t...

Shopkeep til you drop, cuz Moonlighters 2 is releasing in Early Access! We've got the preview hot off the YouTubes for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy! youtu.be/MkxbSPAvnPM?...

Line up a scary point and click for some Halloween fun with Concierge. Here's our full review:

We'd send you candy but ... have you seen the prices? So how about for a Halloween treat we give YOU a Halloween playlist you might not be tired of already. It's rowdy, it's surprising, it's coming from all of us here in Chicago with love. Rock out.

Hot off the You...tubes...it's a video review of the highly anticipated sequel to Escape Simulator - Escape Simulator 2! See what we thought, or read the full review at CultureCombine.com

New video just dropped on our Youtube - this time we're taking a look at @dotemu.bsky.social 's latest game, Absolum. Don't miss it!

It's that time of year when young journalists' thoughts turn to favorite things of the year. Thing is, we might have stumbled on our favorite trivia game of the decade in the process with @leagueofthelexicon.bsky.social . Sometimes the hype is for a reason.

This is the crowd that’s still streaming into Grant Park for Chicago #NoKings. Photo: @aaroncynic.bsky.social

#NoKings Chicago. 📸: @aaroncynic.bsky.social

Also please follow @plussone.bsky.social who's sending out some of my photos and video since it's becoming increasingly difficult do to service issues

The #NoKings rally in Grant Park is impossibly huge. Tens of thousands of people here. Hundreds of folks are still streaming in.

Alright yall I've been trying to post from #NoKings on Chicago where there are thousands rallying right now but service is spotty at best. This will be the thread for the day depending on what I can get out

You ever mean to get around to listening to more from a band and just didn't have time? One of our staff members did. And that band was Cake. Read on for his results:

Dotemu's great at nostalgia, but with Absolum, they show they're also great at original concepts, with a roguelike/beat 'em up mashup that's quickly become one of our favorite new games of the year.

Federal judges issued restraining orders that prohibit National Guard from deploying in IL and protect the First Amendment rights of peaceful protests still ongoing in Chicago. READ MORE:

I'm at the scene where ICE abducted multiple people from Lincoln and Foster this morning. A WGN producer was among the people taken, allegedly because she was among a group of bystanders who tried to intervene. ICE agents hit this car while making their getaway.

BREAKING: Federal judge issues a TRO in the Northern District of Illinois (including Chicago and the Broadview ICE facility), providing protections for protesters and journalists covering the protests. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... Some of the key elements: