Articles by: Fran Ruiz

Fran Ruiz is our resident Star Wars guy. His hunger for movies and TV series is only matched by his love for video games. He got a BA of English Studies, focusing on English Literature, from the University of Malaga, in Spain, as well as a Master's Degree in English Studies, Multilingual and Intercultural Communication. On top of writing features and other longform articles for Space.com since 2021, he is a frequent collaborator of VG247 and other gaming sites. He also serves as associate editor over at Star Wars News Net and its sister site, Movie News Net.

Articles by: Fran Ruiz

Still from the Star Wars T.V. series Ahsoka (season 1, episode 7). Ezra and Sabine face an enemy.

'Ahsoka' season 1 episode 7 review: Fast-paced action in the vein of Rebels ahead of the big finale

By Fran Ruiz published 27 September 23

The seventh episode of Ahsoka sets up a race against time for the season finale and mostly plays out like a classic Star Wars Rebels episode.

Press image for the video game Homeworld 3. Here we see a whole fleet of different spaceships in formation, from one large spaceship filling the top half of the image, and then 4 medium -sized spaceships and then lots of smaller scout-like spaceships.

Everything we know about Homeworld 3: Release date, platforms, gameplay, trailers

By Fran Ruiz published 22 September 23

It won't be long before we can finally return to the legendary Homeworld universe. Here's everything we know about Homeworld 3 ahead of its 2024 launch.

three robed figures kneel in the center of a series of spires arranged in a circle

'Ahsoka' season 1 episode 6 review: Myths and legends

By Fran Ruiz published 20 September 23

The sixth episode of Ahsoka expands the "Star Wars" universe with new bits of mythology and iconography that support long-awaited returns.

Still from the Star Wars T.V. series Ahsoka, season 1, episode 5. Ahsoka faces her master.

'Ahsoka' season 1 episode 5 review: The trip down memory lane fans were waiting for

By Fran Ruiz published 13 September 23

The fifth episode of Ahsoka evades cheap fan service and focuses on a meaningful, nostalgic journey of our heroine.

Screenshot from the animated T.V. show Star Wars Rebels. Here we see Ezra Bridger (male, short dark hair, thick eyebrows) holding a green lightsaber just in front of his head in a defensive position. He has 2 scratches on his cheek.

Who is Ezra Bridger?

By Fran Ruiz published 7 September 23

As the Star Wars: Ahsoka series on Disney Plus continues, you might be wondering why Ezra Bridger is such a big deal. Meet the lost Padawan.

Still from the Star Wars T.V. series Ahsoka, season 1, episode 4. Baylan Skoll awaits his opponent.

'Ahsoka' season 1 episode 4 review: Fateful encounters and a return

By Fran Ruiz published 6 September 23

The fourth episode of Ahsoka is an excellent midpoint chapter packed with gorgeous duels and leads into an unpredictable second half of the season.

XCOM Enemy Unknown - Best alien invasion games

Best alien invasion games of all time

By Fran Ruiz published 1 September 23

Do we stand a better chance against alien invaders in the realm of video games? These are the best alien invasion games of all time.

Still from the Star Wars T.V. series Ahsoka, season 1, episode 3.

Ahsoka season 1 episode 3 review: Democratizing the Force

By Fran Ruiz published 30 August 23

The third episode of Ahsoka reminds us of George Lucas' stance on the Jedi Order and the Force without sacrificing the sense of adventure and wonder.

Everything we know about Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

By Fran Ruiz published 30 August 23

While we wait for Avatar 3 to arrive in 2025, James Cameron and Ubisoft plan to keep us busy with the open-world video game Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.

Image showing the Jedi/the light side on right left in blue and the Sith/the dark side on the right in red.

Star Wars timeline: From the dawn of the Jedi to the New Jedi Order

By Fran Ruiz published 29 August 23

Star Wars is going far and wide in the coming years across all forms of media with an updated Star Wars timeline that includes new eras. Here's our summary.

Still from the video game Star Wars Outlaws. Here we see the main character Kay Ves (shoulder length,. Shaggy brown hair, she is wearing a blue cropped jacket, white shirt, brown trousers and brown belt) with her little companion Nix perched on her shoulder (Nix is a small creature the size of a cat, with 2 eyes, 4 head tails, and sleek fur). Standing next to her is the reprogrammed commando droid ND-5. He is a tall, humanoid (skeletal even) looking droid wearing an olive-green trench coat with a brown belt and gun on his hip. He's also holding a big rectangular case over his shoulder. To their left is a desert city. To the right is a frozen, icy city.

Everything we know about Star Wars Outlaws

By Fran Ruiz published 25 August 23

Star Wars video games are set to expand in the coming years, and Star Wars Outlaws will be at the center with a huge open world adventure.

Still from the Star Wars T.V. Show Star Wars The Mandalorian. Here we see Sabine Wren with dark purple short hair and brown eyes. She is wearing special Mandalorian armor and is holding her helmet in the crook of her arm.

Who is Sabine Wren?

By Fran Ruiz published 24 August 23

There's a new Mandalorian warrior in town and her name is Sabine Wren. Learn more about her role in Star Wars Rebels, the Ahsoka series, and more.

Hera Syndulla is a green-skinned Twi'lek with two head tails (known as lekku) protruding from the top left and right of her head. She is wearing a brown leather cap, goggles, and a brown leather aviator jacket with a fluffy collar. Here she is piloting a spaceship.

Who is Hera Syndulla?

By Fran Ruiz published 24 August 23

Among the many familiar faces from Star Wars Rebels returning in the Ahsoka series, there's a famous Twi'lek captain. Meet Hera Syndulla.

Ahsoka Episode 1 + 2. Ahsoka meets with an old friend.

Ahsoka season 1 episodes 1 & 2 review: A continuation, but also an expansion of the Star Wars canvas

By Fran Ruiz published 23 August 23

The two-episode series premiere of Ahsoka brings back the Force to the small screen and behaves like a Star Wars Rebels sequel, but it's got its own voice too.

Grand Admiral Thrawn, a humanoid with striking blue skin, short dark hair and red eyes, looks extremely menacing as he sits in his chair flanked by two guards.

Who is Grand Admiral Thrawn?

By Fran Ruiz published 21 August 23

Grand Admiral Thrawn is being set up as the big bad in the Ahsoka series. Who is he and what does he want? Here’s a quick rundown of his story so far.

Still from the Star Wars T.V. show Ahsoka. Here we see Ahsoka (orange face with white markings and blue and white stripped head tails) holding her lightsaber out in front of her, with her pointer and middle finger angled upwards as she uses the Force.

Who is Ahsoka Tano?

By Fran Ruiz published 21 August 23

The journey of Ahsoka, Anakin Skywalker’s former apprentice continues this summer on Disney Plus. Need to catch up? Here’s a quick rundown of her story so far.

Everything we know about Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

By Fran Ruiz published 11 August 23

We’re diving back into the grim darkness of the 41st millennium once again, as Titus returns in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2. For Ultramar!!!

Best Star Trek games of all time

By Fran Ruiz published 8 August 23

Boldly go where no one has gone before with our in-depth, ranked list of the best Star Trek games of all time.

Still from the video game Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. A giant white mech robot down on one knee in the ruins of a building. They are holding a giant gun.

Everything we know about Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon — Release date, plot, gameplay

By Fran Ruiz published 1 August 23

FromSoftware are letting dark fantasy video games rest for a bit and have turned their sights to sci-fi and mechas again with the sixth main Armored Core.

Best Transformers games of all time

By Fran Ruiz published 1 August 23

Transformers have found lots of success on the big screen and T.V. over the years, but their never-ending war made it to video games too. These are the finest ones.

DC Extended Universe movies ranked, worst to best

By Fran Ruiz published 1 August 23

Ahead of Black Adam’s arrival, here’s our ranked list of all the DC Extended Universe movies released so far, from ill-fated crossover events to more off-beat adaptations.

Scene from the Marvel TV show Secret Invasion. Here we see a still from Secret Invasion season 1 episode 6 - Nick Fury sees a friendly face.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 6 review: The conspiracy ends with a whimper

By Fran Ruiz published 26 July 23

The final episode of Marvel's Secret Invasion fails to embellish the overall package and surprisingly leaves many doors open.

Still from the movie series The Chronicles of Riddick. Here we see Riddick crouching down. He’s a bald man wearing dark goggles and armor.

It's the perfect time for Riddick to make a comeback

By Fran Ruiz published 25 July 23

They say most of your brain shuts down in cryo-sleep. But Riddick is still awake and on his way to Furya and we can’t wait for his return.

Scene from the Marvel TV show Secret Invasion. Here we see a still from Secret Invasion season 1 episode 5 - G'iah and Varra meet.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 5 review: Pain and Fury

By Fran Ruiz published 19 July 23

Ahead of its finale, Marvel's Secret Invasion puts some pressure on its villains and gives Nick Fury and the other heroes a fighting chance.

Scene from the Marvel TV show Secret Invasion. Here we see a still from Secret Invasion season 1 episode 4 - Nick Fury and Talos look up.

Secret Invasion season 1 episode 4 review: Lighting the fuse and taking masks off

By Fran Ruiz published 12 July 23

In its fourth episode Marvel's Secret Invasion makes some big moves and doesn't pull its punches, even if almost nothing comes as a surprise.

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