#Reviews & criticism

Culture · RSS

This week in Reviews & criticism · updated Fri Oct 23 2026

Gaming hardware evolution and narrative-driven experiences dominated this week's coverage. The Evercade Nexus showcased meaningful handheld improvements with dual analogue sticks and enhanced displays, while the GamerCard struggled despite ambitious design ambitions. In software, genre trends shifted notably—tactics games reached a creative peak with acclaimed franchises and innovative entries attracting broader audiences, while action-adventure franchises offered compelling alternatives, with Castlevania's Metroidvania-roguelike blend and Uncharted's spinoff receiving particular praise. Meanwhile, streaming delays affected major properties, with The Witcher Season 5 pushed to 2027, prompting discussions about filling narrative gaps with alternative experiences until anticipated sequels arrive.

AI-written weekly briefing drawn from this topic's recent stories.

Latest Reviews & criticism stories

Halloween Horror Gem Mouthwashing Now Free on Xbox Game Pass

The indie horror game Mouthwashing, praised as one of the best of 2024, has been added to Xbox Game Pass just in time for Halloween. Developed by Wrong Organ, the game blends surreal visuals with psychological terror abo…

· via The Gamer

Retro Dodo Picks Its Top 18 Retro Handhelds for 2026

The article rounds up 18 retro emulation handhelds that the author has tested over more than five years. It groups recommendations by price and features, including models such as the Retroid Pocket Nova, AYANEO Pocket Ai…

· via Retro Dodo

GamerCard Handheld Falls Short Despite Ambitious Design

Grant Sinclair's GamerCard, a thin portable gaming device priced at £149, attempts to honor the Sinclair legacy but ultimately delivers a frustrating user experience. The device's minimal 6.5mm thickness and lightweight …

· via Time Extension

Why Uncharted's Spinoff Remains Superior to Drake's Saga

Naughty Dog's 2017 spinoff Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, directed by Shaun Escayg, stands as the strongest entry in the franchise despite sidelining protagonist Nathan Drake. The game successfully replaces Drake with suppo…

· via Polygon

Futurama's Six Different Endings Ranked by Finale Quality

Polygon ranks all six series finales from the long-running animated comedy, which has ended multiple times across its various networks and revivals. The show's creator David X. Cohen discussed the newest finale, titled "…

· via Polygon

Weekend Streaming Guide: New Films Across Major Platforms

A curated selection of new films available on streaming services this weekend includes horror, action, and documentary options across multiple platforms. Notable releases include Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma on M…

· via Polygon

How Tony Stark's Iconic Line Reshaped Superhero Cinema

An opinion piece examines Tony Stark's most memorable quote from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which originated in Robert Downey Jr.'s improvisation and fundamentally altered the trajectory of superhero filmmaking. The …

· via Polygon

Complete Guide to Redeeming Free Currency and Items in Aniimo

Aniimo, a free-to-play game, offers numerous promotional codes that grant players bonus currency, level-up materials, and other rewards. This guide catalogs all currently active codes along with their specific rewards, r…

· via Polygon

Classic Novels Better Left Unadapted

The article argues that some literary classics are ill-suited to film because their effects rely on the printed page. It points to Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves, whose footnotes, rotated text, and chaotic layouts…

· via Polygon

Understanding the Last Reveal in Verity

The film Verity, adapted from Colleen Hoover's novel and directed by Michael Showalter, follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh as Jeremy Crawford hires her to complete his wife Verity's book series. While living at the…

· via Polygon

Xbox's October Slate Aims to Turn Around a Tough Year

Xbox's 2026 has been marked by layoffs and studio departures, leaving fans uncertain about the brand's direction. October is positioned as a critical month, with Gears of War: E-Day and Call of Duty leading a strong line…

· via Polygon

October 2026's Most Notable Switch 2 Releases

Polygon selects six Switch 2 games arriving in October 2026, including Order of the Sinking Star and Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen. The month also brings ports, upgrades for existing Switch titles, and a major multiplatf…

· via Polygon

Why Peppermint Patty Stands Out as Charlie Brown's Truest Pal

The article argues that Peppermint Patty has a strong claim to being Charlie Brown's best friend in Peanuts. It notes that her appearances often involve struggles at school or an unspoken crush on Charlie Brown, which he…

· via Polygon

Polygon's Point It Out! debates Halo's future under Xbox

In a new Point It Out! video, Oli Welsh joins the crew to talk about Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's decision to dismantle the Halo team and shift the franchise to Activision. The discussion examines what the move means for the s…

· via Polygon

What GTA 6 Still Hasn't Explained Before November

After Netflix's August showcase and Game Informer's September deep dive, Rockstar has still left many GTA 6 details unexplained. The piece catalogs open questions about topics like review timing, the cast, GTA Online, an…

· via Polygon

ModRetro Teams With OpenAI to Push AI-Made Retro Games

ModRetro has partnered with OpenAI to promote the Codex coding agent, giving attendees at OpenAI's developer conference a transparent Chromatic handheld. The collaboration appears aimed at encouraging developers to creat…

· via Retro Dodo

Ready Player One Graphic Novel Sticks Closer to Cline's Novel

A new graphic novel adaptation of Ready Player One is written by Scott Peterson and illustrated by Meredith Laxton. It is described as staying closer to Ernest Cline's original novel than Steven Spielberg's 2018 film, wh…

· via Polygon

Six PS5 Releases to Watch in October 2026

Polygon highlights six PlayStation 5 games arriving in October 2026, including Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. The month's lineup spans multiple genres, from a Star Wars racer to a kungf…

· via Polygon

Ranking the Standout Sci-Fi Movie Lines of the 2020s

Polygon ranks five memorable lines from science fiction films released in the 2020s. The article calls the Dune movies a major achievement while noting that superhero sci-fi has had fewer successes this decade, despite h…

· via Polygon

Witcher 3 Remastered Tops 2026 Metacritic Rankings

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered holds a 94 Metascore on Metacritic, placing it first among 2026 new releases. That score comes from eight PC reviews, while early reviews for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch 2 are sim…

· via Polygon

Roland Emmerich’s Stargate Is Free to Stream on YouTube

Roland Emmerich’s 1994 film Stargate is now available to watch for free on YouTube. The movie sends Egyptologist Daniel Jackson and Colonel Jack O’Neil through a portal to a distant world modeled on ancient Egypt. The ar…

· via Polygon

1991’s Dark Shadows Revival Now Streaming Free on YouTube

The 1991 NBC revival of Dark Shadows is available in full on YouTube at no cost. The 12-episode series follows governess Victoria Winters as she arrives in Collinsport, Maine, and becomes entangled with the Collins famil…

· via Polygon

Five Mystery Novels That Keep Readers Hooked

Polygon recommends five detective novels that maintain suspense from beginning to end. The list includes Anthony Horowitz’s Magpie Murders, which pairs a fictional mystery with an editor’s search for its missing final ch…

· via Polygon

Nine Far Side Strips Where Cats Play the Villain

This list highlights nine Far Side comics in which Gary Larson portrays cats as villains or victims. The strips show cats ignoring owners, destroying property, and attacking people, contrasting with Larson's more sympath…

· via Polygon

Lanterns Redefines Green Lantern Rules Through John Stewart

The seventh episode of Lanterns suggests John Stewart can sustain Green Lantern constructs without wearing a ring. Earlier, John created a living bird that continued to exist after he returned the ring and was knocked un…

· via Polygon

Lanterns Episode 7: Hal's Vault, Antaan, and Sinestro's Arrival

In the penultimate episode of HBO's Lanterns, John Stewart uses Hal Jordan's ring to create a digital copy of Hal's consciousness. The Hal-ogram opens a vault in Rushville, revealing supplies and a portal-making black sp…

· via Polygon

Five Detective Series to Fill the Lanterns Void

This list recommends detective shows for viewers who enjoy HBO’s Lanterns. It notes that Lanterns blends superhero elements with a murder mystery centered on Hal Jordan and John Stewart. The recommendations include True …

· via Polygon

Ranking Jujutsu Kaisen’s Greatest Anime Battles

Polygon ranks ten standout fight sequences from the Jujutsu Kaisen anime. The article argues that the series uses combat to reveal how characters think under pressure, turning cursed techniques into tactical problems. It…

· via Polygon

You Don't Know Games