Texas Tech's letter to school's in its system:
What is it and what does it mean for students?
SABRINA HARRISON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
On Sept. 25, 2025, Texas Tech released a statement to the universities in its system about compliance regarding faculty discussions of gender identity. The statement is vague and does not provide much guidance in the matter.
However, it makes two things clear: universities in the Texas Tech system will only recognize two sexes and “faculty must comply with these laws in the instruction of students, within the course and scope of their employment.”
So what does this mean for MSU?
For now, everything is very vague. According to President Stacia Haynie, MSU has provided the faculty with Texas Tech’s letter as guidance, and is currently working with the system’s general council to provide more defined guidelines.
“That has been what's been available and we’ll be meeting with the faculty to answer questions they may have or at least take those questions and work with the system for those answers. And working with general counsel for the system to provide greater clarity,” Haynie said.
For now, all that is known is that faculty members are no longer allowed to discuss transgender and nonbinary identities in classes. Whether faculty members can discuss gender identity outside of classroom instruction is still up in the air.
“I think the system is focused on the classroom instruction and ensuring that classroom instruction aligns with the president's executive order, the Governor's Statement, and House Bill 229,” Haynie said.
This change comes after a student had a conflict with a professor teaching gender identity content in children’s literature course.
The student recorded the conflict and uploaded it to social media. The video circulated
COURTESY OF APPILY
Chancellor of Texas Tech University System Ted L. Mitchell issues a memorandum to campus presidents directing compliance with state and federal law, which recognizes only male and female sexes.
online and after pressure from State Rep. Brian Harrison, Gov. Gregg Abbott and backlash from the public, the professor was fired.
At this time, it is unclear what will change on MSU’s campus but there is no doubt that students will be impacted.
The Texas Tribune reported the teaching doctors have had to change their curricula at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to exclude the terms “transgender,” “DEI” and “affirmative action.” This has led to lessons surrounding transgender people being delayed until further guidance is released.
One professor told the Texas Tribune, “The Hippocratic Oath is ‘first do no harm,’ right? But if students aren’t prepared, then they are going to do harm.”
The Wichitan will continue updating this story as information arises but as of publishing, the Texas Tech system has not released any official guidelines.
Editor-in-Chief: Sabrina Harrison
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Editorial: The truth about transgender identities
THE WICHITAN STAFF
As both Texas and the federal government create more and more anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the line between truth and myth becomes blurred.
It is important to remember that the people writing these legislature often do not have any background in sociology, psychology, biology or anthropology. Therefore, their understanding of sexuality and gender may be limited to the realm of politics.
As such, take what these politicians, political commentators and weird relatives at Thanksgiving have to say with a grain of salt.
It is important to do your own research, but here are some quick facts:
Myth
Sex and gender are the same thing.
Fact
“Sex” is a biological term while “gender” is a sociological term.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines gender as “the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed,” and sex as “a set of biological attributes in humans and animals.”
Myth
There are only two genders.
Fact
Because “gender” is a sociological term, how many genders we have will vary to reflect society.
For example, in many indigenous cultures there are more than two genders. The term “two-spirit” is an umbrella term for North American Indigenous people who fulfill a third gender role in their respective tribe.
Myth
Many people regret transitioning and will detransition.
Fact
People are more likely to regret getting knee surgery than they are transitioning.
In an interview with NPR, director of LGBTQ+ health policy at KFF Lindsey Dawson said that regret rates are even lower.
“Regret rates for gender-affirming care are about less than 1%, which is much lower than regret rates for procedures that we see as quite common and that are widely accepted,” Dawson said.
This includes knee surgeries, which have a 7.3% dissatisfaction rate, according to researchers Michael J DeFrance and Giles R Scuderi.
A research article by Michael S Irwig shows that only 8% of trans people surveyed detransitioned.
According to that same article, a majority of those who detransitioned did so not because they no longer identified as trans, but rather because of societal pressure.
Myth
Being trans is trendy, and people only transition for attention.
Fact
For many people, it is dangerous to socially and/or medically transition.
The Human Rights Campaign declared a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans in 2024. This was due to bills limiting LGBTQ+ rights, gender-affirming care and community access.
In 2023, 22.8% of all recorded hate crimes were against members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Transgender and gender-nonconforming people make up 4% of the total number of hate crimes done in 2023.
That is 542 hate crimes in one year.
In the past 12 years, 372 of those hate crimes led to the deaths of trans and gender-nonconforming people.
When lawmakers and people in power make laws, rules and guidelines based on these myths it contributes to the disenfranchisement of not only transgender and gender-nonconforming people, but LGBTQ+ people as a whole.
Myth
Transgender women are just men dressing up so they can assault cis women.
Fact
Trans women are more often the victims of sexual assault and violence than they are the perpetrators.
A research article published in 2017 by LGBT Health shows that 39%-47% of the trans women surveyed had been physically assaulted whereas 50%-59% faced sexual abuse.
Myth
Laws that keep transgender people out of the bathrooms they identify with protect women and children.
Fact
Laws trying to enforce who can and cannot use a public restroom reinforce gender stereotypes and disenfranchises women who do not fit into a specific type of femininity.
This is especially true for Black and brown women.
The UK based, grass-roots anti-violence service Black and Brown Rainbow told The Guardian they saw an increase in calls from Black and asian LGBTQ+ people who were scared of using public restrooms after the UK ruled that people must use the bathroom of their assigned sex.
“Women’s toilets have never felt entirely safe for black and brown women, because we don’t fit that binary way of looking. In some communities, facial hair is part of who we are, but in public toilets people stare and feel it is acceptable to make remarks because we don’t fit a narrow, European version of female,” co-founder Taranjit Chana told The Guardian.
In the US, there are similar stories.
According to NBC News, eighteen year old Gerika Mudra tried to use the bathroom in a Buffalo Wild Wings and was harassed by an employee who did not believe she was a woman.
The Guardian reported a similar story. Ansley Baker is a cis gender woman who was harassed by a hotel security guard while using the bathroom because the security guard did not believe she was a woman.
The government shut down on Oct. 1
ABHIGNA ANDEPALLI VIJAYAKUMAR REPORTER
On Oct. 1, 2025, the federal government officially shut down as Congress failed to pass funding bills and annual appropriations bills that Congress must pass every year to keep the federal government operating for the new fiscal year 2026 before Sept. 30.
The core dispute was over how to divide the
$6 trillion-plus federal budget between social programs, defense and security and whether to extend pandemic-era aid and health subsidies. Partisan disagreements between republicans and democrats in Congress led to a deadlock.
When no compromise was reached, funding for these agencies expired, triggering the government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025.
About 1.5 million federal workers were affected by the
shutdown and about 800,000 were furloughed, while another 700,000 were continuing to work without pay in essential roles, disrupting operations in departments such as education, commerce and labor departments.
The White House froze approximately $26 billion in federal funding, primarily targeting infrastructure and clean-energy projects in Democratic-led states.
In an unusual move for a shutdown,
President Trump’s administration directed agencies to prepare for possible permanent layoffs, known as “reduction-in-force (RIF)” plans, rather than just temporary closures.
Currently, national parks are partially closed and many public services, including federal research and grant programs, are paused. Social Security and Medicare payments continue, but agency offices are providing limited support.
Negotiations remain stalled, with neither chamber scheduling a new vote. President Trump has said he will not sign any funding deal unless it includes spending cuts and immigration measures, while Democrats insist they will not support any bill that excludes health care and social program funding.
Economists estimate the shutdown is costing the U.S. economy about $15 billion per week and both parties continue to blame each other.
What’s Next? Republicans say democrats are unwilling to compromise, while Democrats argue the GOP’s proposal unfairly targets critical social programs. Meanwhile, business groups, governors and federal unions are applying pressure to end the shutdown quickly, but so far, no compromise is in sight.
MSU Hosts On-Campus Flu Shot Clinic
JAY
PRADO REPORTER
The Recreational Sports and Wellness Center offered oncampus flu vaccinations for students and staff again this year at MSU with a clinic held Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the Clark Student Center.
The clinic, provided by Market Street Pharmacy, administered doses to more than 60 people, according to Market Street pharmacist Brittany Rushing.
The timing aligns with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which advises everyone six months and older to get an annual flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. Many insurance plans cover the cost with zero co-pays.
The vaccine protects against four flu strains, with a high-dose option available for those 65 and older.
Adjunct criminal justice professor Ted Paddack emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, “I would encourage all students to get their flu shot."
He added that during flu season, class attendance can drop significantly.
"It takes a toll on students whenever they’re unable to come to class,” Paddack said.
Students should be getting their flu vaccine not only for heard immunity, but also to protect themselves.
According to The American Lung society, between 12,000 to 79,000 people across the nation die because of the flu every year.
Though the chance of dying because of the flu is low for college students, it is not zero. The flu can cause complications, especially for those with other medical conditions.
The flu continues to adapt and change, so it is important to keep up with each new flu shot that comes out. It can also help reduce the severity of the flu if you were to catch it.
The MSU Student Wellness Center organized the event from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM in Comanche Suite at the Clark Student Center.
PHOTO BY JAY PRADO| THE WICHITAN Students and faculty recieve their flu shots, Oct. 8.
COURTESY OF BRITANNICA
The US government shut down due to partisan disagreements and no compromise was reached before the Oct. 1, deadline.
MUSTANGS WIN!
PHOTO BY KASSIDI FERGUSON | THE WICHITAN
The woman's volleyball team celabrate after scoring a point, Sept. 26.
PHOTO BY KASSIDI FERGUSON | THE WICHITAN Alayna Guerrero (7) and Isabella Dickens (13) celebrate after a good spike, Sept. 26.
PHOTO BY KASSIDI FERGUSON | THE WICHITAN
The woman's volleyball team prepare for their game against Sul Ross State, Sept.
PHOTO BY MADISYN BUTLER | THE WICHITAN Josh Thomas (10) gets the ball and runs for the endzone, Oct. 4.
PHOTO BY CARMA HULSE | THE WICHITAN Jamarion Carroll (6) amd Noah Bustard (44) celebrate winning with their team as they sing the school fight song, Oct. 4.
PHOTO BY KASSIDI FERGUSON | THE WICHITAN Malakai Matthews (14) catches the ball in the endzone, earning a touchdown and tying the game, Oct. 4.
PHOTO BY CARMA HULSE | THE WICHITAN Donnie Smith (49) and Brycen Lewis (20) celebrate after MSU makes a fumble recovery, Oct. 4.
ART WALK 2025 Oct. 2,
PHOTO BY ASTRITH ALVAREZ | THE WICHITAN Folorio dancer, Maricela Dominguez, sang and performed downtown alongside her dance partners, Oct. 2.
PHOTO BY ASTRITH ALVAREZ | THE WICHITAN Eternal rose vendor, Angeles Zacarias, handed out buisness cards to potential customers, Oct. 2.
PHOTO BY ASTRITH ALVAREZ | THE WICHITAN Owner of "Uncommon Diceworks," Bret Hudman, packs up resin dice for an excited customer, Oct. 2.
PHOTO BY ASTRITH ALVAREZ | THE WICHITAN Jewelry vendor, Jessica Smith, Greeted Customers with a smile, Oct. 2.
PHOTO BY ASTRITH ALVAREZ | THE WICHITAN Customers lined up at "The Bar" for a fresh drink after a long day of walking around downtown, Oct. 2.
PHOTO BY ASTRITH ALVAREZ | THE WICHITAN People viewed artwork from private collections of many talented artist, Oct. 2.
ALEX RHEA REPORTER
OWFMA: Art essentials
n Tuesday, Sept. 30, the Wichita Falls Museum of Art hosted the “Arts Essentials Studio, Form & Space: Proportions of the Face” event. This even went over the element(s) of art of form and space.
The “Arts Essential Studio” is a recurring event that happens every Tuesday. The event goes over one element of art for an hour and a half.
However, unlike a previous event, there was a specific style to work on during this event. The main focus was to learn how to draw portraits with proper proportions by using form and space.
The museum provided stands at each table with sketch paper to work with on, pencils, a thick charcoal stick and a kneaded eraser for people to use.
In addition to the art supplies, there were small pictures of celebrities to use as references such as Tom Holland and Kevin Hart.
Education curator Jennifer McLarty hosted the event and taught everyone how to proportion the face properly when drawing a portrait.
McLarty informed everyone at the event how the face is proportioned properly and how it’s easier to draw the face when thinking about it in sections.
Elliot, a participant at the event said they think they have accomplished something by being pushed out of their comfort zone to try new things they would not normally do at home. They also do not have all of the necessary art supplies at home.
“I did think it was pushing me out of my comfort zone and making me try new things. Things I wouldn’t normally do at home. Also, I don’t have all of the art supplies at home.” Elliot said.
Crafting with comfort: Crafternoon at WFMA
CARMA HULSE REPORTER
On Oct. 4, the Wichita Falls Museum of Arts held a Crafternoon activity.
During Crafternoon students have the opportunity to bring their own projects and work on them
outside their home. Even if a student does not have a craft, educator at the museum Jennifer Mclarty has crafts for any guest.
Crafternoon provides a community for artistic freedom but it also allows opportunities for others' opinions.
The evenet is a great way for the museum to connect with the community.
“Well it helps people to know that we are here. It gets people out and doing things together. You know sometimes we have families and other people are just MSU students who just need the space to do their kind of thing and if they need other supplies, we have all kinds of stuff,” McLarty said.
Psychology junior Aaliyah Harrison found out about this event because her friend, dental hygiene junior Kennady Carlton, invited her to come with her. Harrison was coloring some pages while
Carlton was crafting letters for freshmen at Texas State.
“I was scrolling through Mustang's link when I saw the Crafternoon event. I came to the last one. I liked it from the previous time I was here, but then the first time I saw it I just needed something to get out of the house, and to be with a friend ," Carlton said. "I also needed to get this craft done. I needed a set time because I knew that if I was on my own I would just tell myself I’m busy but seeing this event I knew that I could go to this and get it done. I like Crafternoon, it is super calm and I like the museum here.”
If you ever need a place that feels welcoming and allows artistic expression, Crafternoon is where you should be.
PHOTO BY ALEX RHEA | THE WICHITAN
Students draw familiar celebrity faces to practice proper proportions, Sept. 30.
PHOTO BY MADISYN BUTLER | THE WICHITAN Psychology junior Aaliyah Harrison laughs with dental hygiene junior Kennady Carlton as they work on their crafts, Oct. 4.
PHOTO BY MADISYN BUTLER | THE WICHITAN Crafternoon welcomes everyone to bring their own projects to work on, Oct. 4.
PHOTO BY ALEX RHEA | THE WICHITAN Instructer Jennifer McLarty leads the class by projecting her drawings for everyone to see, Sept. 30.
Bad Bunny convierte a Puerto Rico en símbolo global
JULIETTE SALTOS MOLINA SPANISH EDITOR
Benito Martínez, Bad Bunny, logró que Puerto Rico fuera el centro del universo por una noche al transmitir su concierto Debí tirar más fotos a través de las plataformas de Amazon.
Con su álbum Debí tirar más fotos, el cantante ha conseguido difundir la cultura puertorriqueña por medio de sus canciones, al resaltar las tradiciones, la alegría y el ritmo boricua en el ámbito internacional.
El sábado 20 de septiembre, Bad Bunny se despidió con broche de oro de su país natal con un show final titulado No me quiero ir de aquí: Una más, en el Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot, conocido como el Choliseo. Una vez más invitó al resto del mundo a sentirse parte de esta cultura desde la comodidad de sus casas, al fusionar salsa, perreo y reguetón en un mismo espectáculo.
Durante los últimos meses, artistas de renombre como LeBron James, Penélope Cruz, Arcángel y Austin Butler han participado en las funciones, lo que pone en
evidencia la masiva influencia y el alcance de su trayectoria.
Su más reciente álbum, Debí tirar más fotos, no es solo música: es también homenaje y compromiso con su país, que ha atravesado dificultades como el huracán María en 2017, los apagones, la pandemia de COVID-19 y la falta de inversión en la educación. Por ello, decidió formar una alianza con Amazon con el objetivo de fomentar el crecimiento del comercio interno mediante una iniciativa llamada ComPRa Local, a través de la cual granjas locales podrán usar la infraestructura de Amazon para distribuir sus productos a escala global. Además, el cantante ha
expresado su voluntad de apoyar la creación de centros educativos con enfoque STEM para estudiantes y docentes.
Cada una de estas propuestas ha resultado en una mayor visibilidad de Puerto Rico, tanto en el aspecto turístico como en el económico. CNN Latinoamérica señala que “en los últimos tres meses, Bad Bunny ha atraído aproximadamente 200 millones de dólares a la economía hasta la fecha, según economistas locales”.
Pérez, funcionario de turismo que administra el Coliseo, la sala de conciertos más grande de la isla, declaró a CNN Latinoamérica lo siguiente: “Nunca Puerto Rico, ni la música puertorriqueña, había experimentado un éxito comercial y artístico a la escala de la residencia de Bad Bunny, que comenzó en julio y termina esta semana. El impacto ha sido Devastador.
El fenómeno cultural que ha generado Bad Bunny trasciende la música, pues ha convertido a Puerto Rico en un referente mundial al demostrar que es más que una pequeña isla. Con su voz, su arte y sus proyectos, Bad Bunny reafirma que ser artista también implica ser agente de cambio.
COURTESTY OF VARIETY
Concierto de Bad Bunny transmitido en Prime Video., Sep 10.
COURTESTY OF VARIETY Bad Bunny en su show final No me quiero ir de aquí: Una más., Sep 10.
COURTESTY OF VARIETY
Concierto final de Bad Bunny en el Coliseo
José Miguel Agrelot
Based on a true story: "When Life Gives You Tangerines"
ABHIGNA ANDEPALLI VIJAYAKUMAR REPORTER
The Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines" (Korean: 폭싹
속았수다) is a South Korean series that premiered in March 2025 and quickly became a global sensation, captivating audiences with its heartfelt storytelling and rich cultural tapestry. Set on Jeju Island, the series follows the lives of Ae-sun and Gwansik, who are played by IU, popular K-pop idol, celebrity and Best Actress in South Korea, and Park Bo-gum, a K-pop and actor who were childhood friends.
Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's relationship evolves over decades, mirroring South Korea's transformation from the 1960s to the present.
The drama dives into themes of true love, resilience and the passage of time, resonating deeply with viewers worldwide. Critics have lauded it for its emotional depth and historical context, drawing comparisons to the acclaimed "Reply 1988" for eliciting nostalgia and warmth rooted in the Korean experience.
Ae-sun, a spirited and strong young woman with dreams of becoming a poet, faced many hardships growing up in post-war Korea. After losing her father, she learned to carry her pain with quiet strength.
Her relationship with Gwan-sik, a loyal and steadfast man, blossomed in the middle of all those struggles. Despite the heavy weight of society’s judgment and family expectations, their love only grew deeper.
Eventually, they got married and had a daughter named Geum-myeong.
Even though Ae-sun could have chosen an easier life by marrying a rich man, she stayed true to her heart and built a simple, honest life with Gwan-sik. But her journey wasn’t easy. She had to endure a mean and controlling mother-in-law who made her life miserable.
Still, Ae-sun kept her head high and sacrificed her dreams to create a stable home for her daughter.
Gwan-sik, devoted as ever, worked tirelessly: first in the village, making fish nets and catching fish, and later, even crossing the sea to be with Ae-sun while she was pregnant.
Together, they poured all their love and effort into raising Geum-myeong, making sure she got to study abroad and live the life they never could.
Ae-sun became the backbone of her family, quietly carrying everyone’s burdens with grace.
Geum-myeong grew up to be strong, kind and determined just like her parents.
Her first love was Yeon-woo, a man gentle and loyal like her father. But sadly, their engagement fell apart because of her wicked motherin-law, who treated her the same way Ae-sun had once been treated.
Yet, fate had another plan.
Later, Geum-myeong met Jin-ho, a warm-hearted and caring man who reminded her of her father’s strength and kindness. They married happily, and Geum-myeong went on to have a successful career and a daughter of her own, continuing Ae-sun’s legacy of resilience and true love.
The story revolves around true love, finding that one person who stays with you for a lifetime, no matter how hard life gets. It is also about the strength of family bonds between a father and daughter, a mother and daughter, and how a husband should truly care for his wife.
Geum-myeong becomes the heart of their story, the living proof of her parents’ love and sacrifice.
Ae-sun gives up her own dreams to raise her daughter, and Gwan-sik never stops working to give her a better life.
They send Geum-myeong to study abroad, making her the backbone of the family.
Geum-myeong’s first love, Yeon-woo, reminds everyone of her father, who is extremely calm, loving, and sincere. But just like her mother, she faces the cruelty of a wicked motherin-law, which leads to their broken engagement. Later, fate brings her to Jin-ho, a man who truly understands what love and respect mean. He becomes her safe place, her strength, and her home.
One of the most emotional and famous scenes in the story is when Geum-myeong gives birth. Lying on the hospital bed, weak and in pain, she sees Jin-ho crying beside her like a child. He holds her hand and says softly, “We won’t have another baby if it risks your life again.” The moment he asks the doctor about her condition, even before seeing their baby, shows what real love and care look like, the kind of love that puts your partner’s life above everything else.
This story is not just about romance, but it is about sacrifice, loyalty and the generations of love that hold a family together. From Ae-sun and Gwan-sik to Geum-myeong and Jin-ho, it shows that love can survive anything if it is real.
PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB
PHOTOCOURTESY OF LIFESTYLE ASIA
When Life Gives You Tangerines is based on the real life love story between Hong Kyun-ja and her husband.
SANA HUSSAIN MANAGING EDITOR
TLess borders, more lands... and crashes. "Borderlands 4" review
he “Borderlands” franchise has thrived on fast-paced gunplay, irreverent humor and loot-driven chaos since its 2009 debut. Expectations for “Borderlands 4” were high, with longtime fans hoping Gearbox would address criticisms of “Borderlands 3” while moving the series forward into new territory.
The fifth game in the series marks the franchise’s first fully open-world design and was marketed heavily on expanded movement systems, more weapons and refined co-op play.
“Borderlands 4” launched Sept. 12, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a Nintendo Switch 2 release set for Oct. 3. It quickly set a new series record for concurrent users on Steam. The game’s Metacritic score stands at 84/100, making it one of the franchise’s best-reviewed entries. Gearbox has projected the release will help push total Borderlands sales past 100 million units.
Two members of our university’s Valorant eSports team weighed in. Computer Science Senior Jaxon "tracotr" King, who has played through the franchise and Business Senior Myles "Stoo" Stewart who has logged 4,000 hours logged across Borderlands franchise.
Both praised the core gameplay upgrades. King called "Borderlands 4," “a major enhancement of its predecessors. Most gameplay elements from Borderlands 3 are present here but iterated upon in a way that feels new and completely revamped.”
He highlighted the traversal system, saying, “Being able to grapple and glide to keep or gain speed makes running around and fighting stuff super fun.”
Stewart agreed the mechanics were a highlight.
“The mechanics that stood out the most were the new alternate fire modes, the grappling and climbing system, the safehouses and fast travel changes, and the randomly generated objectives found on the map,” Stewart said. He also emphasized that side content remains strong.
“The side quests are absolutely worth doing, just as they’ve always been in the franchise, thanks to the easter eggs, humor, and worthwhile rewards.” Stewart said.
The two teammates diverged on story and performance.
King rated the game 8.5 out of 10.
“A fresh new step for the franchise… I would recommend this game to anyone
with a device that can run it, it is very welcoming to newcomers and ups the ante on expectations of long-term players,” King said.
For him, the narrative was secondary. “The story is not really the draw of these games, it is the fun loot, at least for me,” King said.
Stewart rated it 7 out of 10 and was more critical of the writing and atmosphere.
“The main storyline is not engaging at all, making it easy to forget or simply lose interest in. The older games did a much better job with atmospheric background music, something 'Borderlands 3 and 4' have failed to capture,” Stewart said.
He also felt the music lacked the immersion of earlier games.
On performance, King noted, “Performance-wise, the game does not run very well on lower-end hardware, however I heard it performs good on new-gen consoles.”
Stewart’s PC experience was harsher.
“The performance was awful, with stutters occurring constantly and frequent crashes. Sometimes even before the character select screen on launch day,” Stewart Said.
Despite differences, both agreed "Borderlands 4" offers the most ambitious vision yet for the series and lays the groundwork for future patches and downloadable content.
Overall, "Borderlands 4" delivers a bold step forward for the franchise, expanding exploration, mechanics and co-op play while addressing many past criticisms.
Players are given four distinct Vault Hunters at the beginning of the game.
While performance issues, particularly on PC, remain a concern, the core gameplay, loot system and side content continue to shine, offering hours of fun for both longtime fans
and newcomers. With ongoing patches and future downloadable content planned by Gearbox, the game sets the stage for what could be the
most expansive and enduring entry in the series yet.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEAM
PHOTO COURTESY OF IGN
Borderlands 4 Gameplay is designed with zero loading screens between areas.
SANA HUSSAIN MANAGING EDITOR
ANo cost too great. "Hollow Knight: Silksong" shines
fter seven long years, "Hollow Knight: Silksong" has finally arrived, and it was worth the wait. Developer Team Cherry’s sequel to the 2017 indie classic brings back the haunting beauty, tight combat and atmospheric exploration that defined the original while refining nearly every system.
The game launched in Sept. 2025 to widespread acclaim for its precision, art direction and worldbuilding. Players have described it as both a continuation and a bold evolution of the original.
It crashed Steam, Nintendo Shop, Playstation Store and Xbox Store with it's release due to the massive amount of downloads.
Mechanical engineering junior Sanje “Kyro” Fountain, MSU’s "Street Fighter 6" eSports player who recently won a tournament at the Retro South Expo, called "Silksong," “a phenomenal game that masterfully builds upon the strong foundation set by the original.”
He said the story follows Hornet, the princess of Hallownest, who is captured and taken to the mysterious land of Pharloom. After escaping, she searches for answers about her capture and the ancient Weavers who manipulate Silk, a magical substance central to the world’s lore.
landscapes as both eerie and beautiful, with areas like the mechanical Cogwork Core and the quiet Choral Chambers showing the game’s range.
“Every area is designed to enamor you,” he said.
Psychology graduate and longtime fan of the series Austin Trammell was also asked for his input on the game. Both Fountain and Trammell agreed that the combat marks a major evolution.
Hornet moves faster and more gracefully, using Silk-based tools and techniques to fight unpredictable enemies.
“This game is hard,” Fountain said. “Even as someone who’s beaten Hollow Knight countless times, I was immediately humbled.”
He said the sequel was clearly made for players familiar with the challenge of the first game.
Fountain praised Hornet’s movement and platforming, calling it, “a perfectly choreographed
He said it’s demanding but deeply satisfying once mastered. Trammell also highlighted the movement system as one of the game’s best features.
put the game down to calm down.”
Despite that, he said the challenge feels deliberate and fair.
Like its predecessor, "Silksong’s" story is told indirectly. Players piece together its mysteries through exploration and cryptic dialogue rather than cutscenes.
“Each room, enemy, and character holds a veil of mystery,” Fountain said. “The world feels alive. Every encounter adds something to the story.”
Fountain described Pharloom’s
“Hornet’s diagonal movement abilities add a new dimension of control and challenge. It’s so much fun to just use each new mechanic as it unlocks.” Trammell said.
Both reviewers praised the visuals and music.
"'Silksong’s' art direction invokes feelings of helplessness but also hope, and its soundtrack builds an atmosphere that pulls you in and immerses you completely,” Trammell said
While the difficulty adds depth, Fountain said it can also be punishing.
“Every mistake costs you,” he said. “There were moments I had to
Fountain said the game ran flawlessly on his Asus ROG Ally with no frame drops or crashes. Trammell said his experience was also smooth and immersive.
“'Hollow Knight: Silksong' is a mustplay title for any fan of the genre,” Fountain said.
“Through its lore, characters, level design, and music, it has cemented itself as one of the best games of the year.”
He rated the game 9.5 out of 10.
Trammell agreed.
“The combat is challenging, but
the thought-provoking story and immersive worldbuilding make it unforgettable,” he said. “I’d recommend it for the experience alone.”
Team Cherry’s long-awaited sequel delivers a haunting and heartfelt journey that rewards
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM CHERRY
Hollow Knight Character "Hornet" is a princess Knight who is half-weaver and half-wrym.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM CHERRY Hollow Knight: Silksong Character "The Knight" is a vessel, a being created to serve as a shell containing kingdom-destroying infection.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM CHERRY Developers released a trailer to the new sequel of Hollow Knight: Silksong on August 21, 2025