Latest news with #Metacritic
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Nintendo Stock (NTDOF) Slips on Bo Bragason Zelda Casting
Nintendo (NTDOF) stock slipped on Wednesday after it was revealed that Bo Bragason will play Princess Zelda in the upcoming live-action film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. Also added to the cast was Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who will play the protagonist and legendary hero, Link. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. There's been speculation for months about who would play the female lead in the adaptation of the video game company's popular series. Some fans had debated the role and the best fit for it. Some fans had called for Hunter Schafer to be cast as Zelda, but that was a controversial pick as Schafer is trans. Nintendo sidestepped this controversy with its casting of Bo Bragason. Nintendo doesn't have its own studio to create the live-action version of The Legend of Zelda. Instead, it has teamed up with Sony (SONY) to develop the film. This is interesting, as Sony is the creator of the PlayStation brand, one of Nintendo's biggest rivals in the video game space. Donkey Kong Bananza In other Nintendo news, reviews are live for the company's newest game, Donkey Kong Bananza. The game currently has a score of 90 out of 100 on Metacritic, suggesting the video game developer has another success on its hands. The game will be released tomorrow, with sales data likely to follow in the weeks after that. Despite all of this positive news, Nintendo stock was down 0.84% as of Wednesday morning. However, the stock has rallied 44.6% year to date and 50.21% over the past 12 months. Is Nintendo Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Turning to Wall Street, the analysts' consensus rating for Nintendo is Moderate Buy, based on eight Buy, two Hold, and a single Sell rating over the past three months. With that comes an average NTDOF stock price target of $95.41, representing a potential 13.31% upside for the shares.
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
2025 Emmy nominations predictions: Our expert's picks in 15 major categories
Emmy nominations arrive Tuesday, and there will be plenty of time for us to argue about who should win (let's start with 'The Pitt') and why this could be the year (though probably not) that we'll have a surprise or two when the trophies are handed out on Sept. 14. In the meantime, if you love 'Severance,' 'The White Lotus,' 'The Pitt,' 'The Studio,' 'Hacks' and 'Adolescence,' you will find plenty of reasons to smile. These are the shows that are going to steamroll through the nominations. If you belong to the 'What We Do in the Shadows' cult and want a tip of the hat for its final season, you're probably in luck. And if your comic taste embraces the absurd, and you have complicated feelings about air travel, you might be disappointed that Nathan Fielder's 'The Rehearsal' is left out of comedy series, though Fielder could earn a nod for his direction. Attaboy, Captain! Who else will be flying high when nominations are announced? Let's take a look. COMEDY SERIES'Abbott Elementary''The Bear''Hacks''Nobody Wants This''Only Murders in the Building''Shrinking''The Studio''What We Do in the Shadows' Possible surprise: 'The Four Seasons'Possible 'snub': 'What We Do in the Shadows' 'The Bear' won 11 Emmys last year, the most wins ever for a comedy series in a single ceremony. But that record was lost on viewers when 'Hacks' won the final Emmy of the evening, besting 'The Bear' for comedy series. 'The Bear' has been sliding with critics, going from a 92 rating on review aggregator Metacritic for its second season to an 80 for its third and a 73 for its just-released fourth season. Sometimes I wonder if the naysayers are taking the time to consider the whole picture and the patient, deliberate way 'The Bear' shows the difficulties in breaking free from addiction and familial dysfunction. Because the show's new seasons arrive in June, there's some overlap between what voters are watching (the latest episodes) and what they're supposed to be voting for (the episodes that came out a year ago). The new season was exceptional, ending in a showcase for its primary actors and providing well-earned catharsis for their characters. I don't know if 'The Bear' will win any Emmys this year, but the nominations will still be plentiful — and deserved. COMEDY ACTRESSKristen Bell, 'Nobody Wants This'Quinta Brunson, 'Abbott Elementary'Ayo Edebiri, 'The Bear'Natasha Lyonne, 'Poker Face'Jean Smart, 'Hacks' Possible surprise: Selena Gomez, 'Only Murders in the Building'Possible 'snub': Lyonne As always, it's an honor to be nominated. And in a category that includes Smart, a nomination will be as far as it goes for the four women joining her. Edebiri and Brunson are sure bets to return. Bell has never been nominated, though she was a delight on 'The Good Place.' She should break through for 'Nobody Wants This,' the most easily binged contender this Emmy season. But voters could go any number of ways here, opting for past Emmy favorites like Tina Fey ('The Four Seasons'), Kathryn Hahn ('Agatha All Along') or Uzo Aduba ('The Residence'). Or they could re-up Gomez, who received her first acting nomination last year, or Lyonne, recognized two years ago for the first season of 'Poker Face.' COMEDY ACTORAdam Brody, 'Nobody Wants This' Seth Rogen, 'The Studio'Jason Segel, 'Shrinking'Martin Short, 'Only Murders in the Building'Jeremy Allen White, 'The Bear' Possible surprise: Steve Martin, 'Only Murders in the Building'Possible 'snub': Segel As with comedy actress, this category has one less nominee slot this year, which could be bad news for veterans Martin and Ted Danson ('A Man on the Inside'). If Bell earns a nomination for lead actress, how could you leave out Brody? And if you laud Short, how do you neglect Martin? (That happened two years ago, when the field was five.) But if Emmy voters were paying attention — and that is, admittedly, a big if — they'd remember that it's Martin who carried the emotional weight of the past season of 'Only Murders,' his character grieving the guilt from the loss of his longtime stunt double and friend (played by Jane Lynch). COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTRESSLiza Colón-Zayas, 'The Bear'Hannah Einbinder, 'Hacks'Kathryn Hahn, 'The Studio'Janelle James, 'Abbott Elementary'Catherine O'Hara, 'The Studio'Sheryl Lee Ralph, 'Abbott Elementary'Jessica Williams, 'Shrinking' Possible surprise: Megan Stalter, 'Hacks'Possible 'snub': Hahn There's more room in the supporting categories, which sport seven spots. That should be good news for Hahn, consistently the most delightful actor working in television today. She could well be a double nominee for her profane, force-of-nature marketing exec on 'The Studio' and for her lead turn in the Marvel spinoff 'Agatha All Along.' She could also somehow be shut out completely. (Let's not go there.) COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTORIke Barinholtz, 'The Studio'Paul Downs, 'Hacks'Harrison Ford, 'Shrinking'Ebon Moss-Bachrach, 'The Bear'Tyler James Williams, 'Abbott Elementary'Michael Urie, 'Shrinking'Bowen Yang, 'Saturday Night Live' Possible surprise: Colman Domingo, 'The Four Seasons'Possible 'snub': Urie 'The Four Seasons' was a bit of a snooze, but I was nudged awake every time Domingo came onscreen. Will older voters have a soft spot for this featherweight Gen X friends drama, or were they just watching to take notes on places to visit in upstate New York? Netflix campaigners excel at vacuuming up nominations, so it wouldn't be surprising if 'The Four Seasons' outperforms expectations. DRAMA SERIES'Andor''The Diplomat''The Last of Us''Paradise''The Pitt''Severance''Slow Horses''The White Lotus' Possible surprise: 'Squid Game'Possible 'snub': 'Paradise' The first season of 'Andor' earned 8 nominations and it could well surpass that for its second and final go-round, one that leaned into a pointed critique of authoritarianism, showing how easily a democracy can erode into fascism. The category's last spot is a toss-up between the disappointing second season of 'Squid Game,' which felt bloated even at just seven episodes, and 'Paradise,' another dystopian drama, but a lot more fun, even with all the overwrought '80s covers. DRAMA ACTRESSKathy Bates, 'Matlock'Britt Lower, 'Severance'Elisabeth Moss, 'The Handmaid's Tale'Bella Ramsey, 'The Last of Us'Keri Russell, 'The Diplomat' No 'snubs.' No surprises. These are the nominees. And jumping ahead, to answer your question: Yes, Kathy Bates has won an Emmy — two, in fact. If you saw her on 'American Horror Story: Coven' somehow making a serial killer and slave abuser almost sympathetic, you know that particular Emmy was earned. And I'm not sure if she had more than two minutes of running time for the guest turn on 'Two and a Half Men,' for which she won her first Emmy, but watching her spot-on imitation of Charlie Sheen as the ghost of Charlie Harper, I can't argue with the choice. DRAMA ACTORSterling K. Brown, 'Paradise'Gary Oldman, 'Slow Horses'Pedro Pascal, 'The Last of Us'Adam Scott, 'Severance'Noah Wyle, 'The Pitt' Again, no 'snubs.' No surprises. Unless the nerds in the actors branch go all in for Diego Luna in 'Andor.' DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESSCarrie Coon, 'The White Lotus'Taylor Dearden, 'The Pitt'Allison Janney, 'The Diplomat'Katherine LaNasa, 'The Pitt'Parker Posey, 'The White Lotus'Natasha Rothwell, 'The White Lotus'Aimee Lou Wood, 'The White Lotus' Possible surprise: Leslie Bibb, 'The White Lotus'Possible 'snub': Dearden 'The White Lotus' snagged four nominations in this category for its second season, with Jennifer Coolidge winning. I'd expect the widely seen third season to at least equal that and possibly exceed it if voters go with Bibb. Meanwhile, 'The Pitt,' featuring an ensemble with more fully realized characters, will have to settle for a one or two nods. (I'll need Dr. King's calm, caring support if Dearden isn't nominated.) What will it take to break through this two-show category blockade? Just an actor owning seven Emmys. Janney doesn't need a spot on 'The Pitt' or 'The White Lotus' to make it in, though wouldn't it be fun if she showed up on the next season of one of these shows? DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTORWalton Goggins, 'The White Lotus'Jason Isaacs, 'The White Lotus'Jack Lowden, 'Slow Horses'Sam Rockwell, 'The White Lotus'Patrick Schwarzenegger, 'The White Lotus'Tramell Tillman, 'Severance'John Turturro, 'Severance' Possible surprise: Patrick Ball, 'The Pitt'Possible 'snub': Schwarzenegger Do all the 'White Lotus' men make the cut too? Possibly. Though, again, it'd be nice to even things out a bit and include Ball, so good as the troubled Dr. Langdon on 'The Pitt.' Given the character's ambiguous fate, this might be the only chance to nominate Ball. Lowden earned his first nomination last year, alongside 'Slow Horses' castmate Jonathan Pryce. With the show's latest season hinging on the emotional relationship between their characters, there's a chance they both could return. LIMITED SERIES'Adolescence''Dying for Sex''Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story''The Penguin''Say Nothing' Possible surprise: 'Disclaimer'Possible 'snub': 'Say Nothing' Perhaps I'm underestimating 'Disclaimer,' Alfonso Cuarón's pulpy psychological thriller. Expectations were high; Apple TV+ had the chutzpah to show it at both the Venice and Telluride film festivals last year. But its pleasures and narrative momentum dissipated rather rapidly over the course of its seven episodes. I don't know anyone who managed to finish it. Yet, in a weak year for limited series, it might make it in on name value alone. LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE ACTRESSCate Blanchett, 'Disclaimer'Kaitlyn Dever, 'Apple Cider Vinegar'Cristin Milioti, 'The Penguin'Michelle Williams, 'Dying for Sex'Renée Zellweger, 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy' Possible surprise: Ellen Pompeo, 'Good American Family'Possible 'snub': Dever Zellweger won an Oscar for playing the plucky farmer in 'Cold Mountain' and a deteriorating Judy Garland in 'Judy.' And, given the film academy's aversion to humor, it might surprise you to learn that she earned a lead actress nomination for the first 'Bridget Jones' movie in 2002. Now, more than two decades later, Zellweger has a shot at her first Emmy nomination for the fourth film in the series. It's her signature role. Give her the nod and the Emmy too. LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE ACTORColin Farrell, 'The Penguin'Stephen Graham, 'Adolescence'Brian Tyree Henry, 'Dope Thief'Kevin Kline, 'Disclaimer'Cooper Koch, 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' Graham figures to be nominated for 'Adolescence' as a producer, actor and writer. (He wrote all four episodes with series co-creator Jack Thorne.) He's excellent playing Eddie, the shell-shocked dad, particularly in the series' final episode, which has his character dealing with the aftermath of his son's arrest, trying to have normal life, a happy birthday, while plagued by doubts that what happened was somehow his fault. Graham deserves the Emmy for the last scene, where Eddie goes into his son's room, tucks in his teddy bear and whispers, 'I'm sorry, son. I should've done better.' LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTRESSErin Doherty, 'Adolescence'Deirdre O'Connell, 'The Penguin'Imogen Faith Reid, 'Good American Family'Chloë Sevigny, 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'Jenny Slate, 'Dying for Sex'Christine Tremarco, 'Adolescence' Possible surprise: Lesley Manville, 'Disclaimer'Possible 'snub': Reid Doherty will likely win for the series' third episode, the taut two-hander with Owen Cooper. But, again, the fourth episode is just as good — maybe even better — featuring a heart-rending turn from Tremarco as the mom trying to hold it together. LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTORJavier Bardem, 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'Owen Cooper, 'Adolescence'Rob Delaney, 'Dying for Sex'Rhenzy Feliz, 'The Penguin'Peter Sarsgaard, 'Presumed Innocent'Ashley Walters, 'Adolescence' Possible surprise: Clancy Brown, 'The Penguin'Possible 'snub': Sarsgaard Cooper will soon become the fifth teen actor to win a Primetime Emmy. Next up: A juicy role in Emerald Fennell's adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights.'
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Superman' Fans Speak out as Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes Critics Clash Over Reviews
On Monday night, July 7, the highly anticipated James Gunn-directed Superman movie began making waves on social media. Not only was the film itself rapidly picking up steam, but David Corenswet and Gunn were also popular mentions among moviegoers. And for any fans who didn't happen to check in on the new Superman movie and Corenswet's debut as the iconic superhero, there was a whole lot of praise and limited negativity for those who caught an early showing. While Superman doesn't officially hit theaters until July 11, several critics and others attended early viewings beginning on Monday night. However, as fans raved over Corenswet's performance and the film Gunn has thrown immense hype behind, two of the top critic review sites initially had an interesting gap and a few differing viewpoints. As of Tuesday night, Rotten Tomatoes has dubbed Superman as certified fresh, with 140 critic reviews and an impressive 86 percent score. While Metacritic had tallied far fewer critic reviews thus far, with 42, Superman landed 71 percent (30 votes) as "positive," with the other 12 checking in as mixed. That's certainly far from painfully negative, obviously, but it's worth noting that only eight of the reviews checked in at or above the 86 percent mark. Now, in all fairness, the obvious has to be stated when evaluating the reviews of Superman. These are very early, and there'll be a plethora of additional feedback in the coming week. Regardless of how you chalk up the early reviews, it was still the fans who made their mark in that category when discussing the newest DC movie. The first reactions from early viewers of Superman were enough to pique the interest of any movie lover. "#Superman made me believe that a man can fly again ... All due respect to '78, this is the greatest Superman movie of all time," said one viewer. "#Superman is a tear-jerking, beautiful start for the DC Universe. It has never felt more like a comic book than this. Corenswet is the perfect Superman, Brosnahan gets the spotlight really well as Lois, and Lex Luthor is a MENACE," read one incredibly strong review."#Superman is everything I wanted it to be, & a million things more. It is truly awe-inspiring, both as a DC fan who has longed to see this universe onscreen in such a loving & unique way, & just as a hopeful person," read another rave review. "James Gunn's SUPERMAN is the comic book movie I've been waiting to see for decades," said one fan. "Superman is a living, breathing DC comic book come to life, blending James Gunn's trademark quirkiness with the earnestness of the Donner films. It's perfectly cast— Corenswet feels like #Superman peeled off the page while Nicholas Hoult steals almost every scene he's in," raved another fan. Those are just a few of the comments from Superman and DC fans about the newest Man of Steel film, with many more echoing similar sentiments and offering high praise.'Superman' Fans Speak out as Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes Critics Clash Over Reviews first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 9, 2025
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
The Best Games of 2025 So Far, According to Critics
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors We're officially past the halfway point of the year, and 2025 has been an incredible year for high-quality video games — though less so for the games industry itself, especially after Microsoft's mass layoffs in Xbox studios. 2025 has brought us a glut of incredible games from teams of all sizes and projects of all budgets — from tiny two-person teams to billion dollar mega blockbusters. With so many incredible games to play, it might be a bit of a struggle to pick out which ones are worth playing, which is why we've put together this list of the best games of 2025 so far. These rankings are decided by Metacritic, where an aggregate of review scores from professional critics is applied to each game, and the Metascore is listed next to the game's name in our list. We've also excluded remasters and re-releases, and picked the highest scoring platform for each game, as scores tend to shift a bit depending on the hardware it's being played on. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – 93 Maelle slashing at an enemy in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Maelle slashing at an enemy in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Sandfall Interactive Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an incredible turn-based RPG that's well deserving of the top spot on the list. A fantastic story is paired with a top-notch combat system and gorgeous artwork and execution to make a game that has to be seen to be believed. In our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review we called the game a phenomenal piece of art, and it really is. It's going to be hard to top this one. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC 2. Split Fiction – 93 Split Fiction is the latest game from Hazelight Studios, best known for its prior work on award-winning games like It Takes Two and A Way Out. Like those games, Split Fiction is an exclusively co-op affair, filled with a lovely story of overcoming differences, accepting the past, and embracing the future. You can play solo on a single screen in the same room, or use the free friend pass to play over the internet, which is also a huge plus. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC 3. Blue Prince – 92 Indie roguelike puzzle game Blue Prince was a surprise smash hit when it released earlier this year, nearly instantly taking over the free time of anyone who caught wind of it. It's a fascinating game that has players exploring a mansion that changes every day, which can be influenced by drafting certain cards and rooms. Just about everyone who played Blue Prince absolutely fell in love with it, so just be aware that if you pick it up, you may lose weeks of your life to it. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC 4. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach – 90 Hideo Kojima and the team at Kojima Productions have done it again. Death Stranding 2 is a sight to behold, and it's one of the best-looking games on the PS5. It's got a bonkers story, as you'd expect from Kojima, and a whole host of gameplay improvements over the first game, and both make it worth checking out, even if you weren't super keen on the first game. Available on: PS5 5. Monster Hunter Wilds – 90 The Monster Hunter series has been rapidly growing in popularity since the release of Monster Hunter World back in 2018. Monster Hunter Wilds took the lessons learned from World and its follow-up Monster Hunter Rise to create a story-driven, fast-paced game with some of the best combat in the series' history. Some players have been mixed on the game's difficulty – or lack thereof – and PC optimization could certainly be better, but nobody has any complaints about the gameplay itself. It's phenomenal. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC 6. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector – 90 Citizen Sleeper was a huge leap forward for the RPG genre, and Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector took it even further. It's filled with tension, incredible world-building and character writing, and a whisper of tabletop gaming that made it feel both familiar and fresh. It's best played after its predecessor, and there's no better opportunity to play both games than right now. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC 7. Despelote – 89 Despelote came out of seemingly nowhere to become one of the most fascinating and beautiful games of the year. It's an autobiographical slice-of-life adventure game set in Ecuador in 2002 when the country qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. As a player you'll explore the city through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy, connecting with others and yourself through soccer, video games, and shared national pride. It's got an entirely unique art style that captures the fuzzy memories of a simpler life, and you owe it to yourself to play it. Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC 8. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – 88 As much a medieval life simulator as it is a video game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes a system-heavy, immersive approach to storytelling and gameplay. You'll step back into the shoes of Henry of Skalitz, who'll need to fulfil the role of a soldier, a spy, a blacksmith, or so much more to make his way through medieval Bohemia. It's an incredibly ambitious game that sticks the landing more often than not, and it's been highly praised by press and critics alike. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC 9. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo – 88 Pipistrello is a delightful indie game from Brazil that is heavily inspired by some of the best games of yesteryear, including The Legend of Zelda. It's got some gorgeous pixel art, a great mix of puzzling and adventure exploration, and a brilliant soundtrack featuring a guest track from Kingdom Hearts composer Yoko Shimomura. If you miss adventure games from the GBA era, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is for you. Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC 10. Monster Train 2 – 87 Sometimes you just need a rock-solid deck-building roguelike to get you through the day, and Monster Train 2 does exactly that, building on the incredible foundation that the first Monster Train laid. There's a truckload of new content, some incredible tweaks to the first game's formula, fantastic quality of life additions, in addition to everything people loved about the first game. Some fans are calling it the greatest deck-building roguelike of all time, and it's not hard to see why. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Geek Girl Authority
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Why Are Video Game Reviews So Important
The global video game market is estimated to be worth around 455 billion U.S. dollars . Dozens of new titles drop every month. PC games, console games, and mobile games. Gamers are spoiled for choice. There's a familiar problem, though. How do you know what's worth paying for and playing? The answer is reviews! Reviews are part of gaming culture now. They used to be in magazines or just a discussion with friends. Now it might be a quick TikTok hot take, a Metacritic score, or a longer YouTube review. Game reviews help people decide what to buy and play. And what to avoid. Knowing what you're paying for Games aren't cheap. Most top titles cost $70 or more. Plus, there are deluxe editions, DLCs, and microtransactions to consider. Players want to know what they're getting into before they buy. Reviews help with that. A decent review isn't just a brief mention of 'good' or 'bad.' It will break down aspects like gameplay mechanics, performance issues, and story depth. Is it too short? Buggy? Surprisingly addictive? Players want answers, not hype. Or at least not only hype. And while it once might have been real critics shaping conversations, anyone can be part of it. Steam user reviews, Reddit threads, YouTube impressions. They all offer fast and real-world feedback to help you choose. In this ginormous industry, reviews are how players can cut through the noise to spend their money wisely. Developers are listening Game reviews were for players. But their influence runs through to developers, too. Studios are paying close attention to what reviewers are saying, especially after a launch. A bunch of negative comments might mean the developers push bug fixes quicker. Or that they work on rebalancing gameplay or monetization. In some cases, reviews have basically rewritten a game's future, just take a look at Cyberpunk 2077, No Man's Sky , and Battlefield 2042. They all had rough starts with loud feedback. And then followed the major course corrections. Strong reviews are validating for developers, too. They boost sales and build momentum. If gamers like a title, it means future content or sequels are more likely. Bottom line: reviews are powerful. Developers might not read or respond to every comment, but they are definitely taking note. Everyone's a critic now Press passes are no longer needed. Anyone can write a review. A quick log into Steam, a few lines on Reddit, or a TikTok hot take. User reviews are everywhere — they're now expected and wanted . Gamers want to know what real people think and not just someone who's been chosen to review a game. There's a real upside. Players get honest, first-hand impressions from people just like them. You can spot red flags early, find out how it runs on a similar setup to yours, or see if the gameplay vibes match what the trailer promises. But it's not all perfect. Personal bias and half-baked opinions sometimes make muddied waters. Some players rate on day-one play and don't check back after bug fixes or long-term play. That's where review sites like Sweepschaser help. They make it so gamers can filter through the reviews and find the ratings that matter. Still, most gamers know how to read between the lines. And when enough voices say the same thing? You probably know it's worth listening to. Keeping the conversation going A good game gets people playing. A great game gets people talking. Reviews are often a starting point for deeper conversations. Story twists, controversial mechanics, difficulty settings, representation, endings… they all become a topic of conversation in gaming circles once reviews start dropping. We've seen it with The Last of Us Part II, Elden Ring, Starfield… Reviews spark debates, memes, think pieces, and YouTube breakdowns for weeks or months. Even divisive ones keep a title 'live'. The Last of Us Part II saw divided fans dissecting its bold story choices. Elden Ring' s reviews celebrated the open-world design, and Starfield had mixed reviews about its scale and pacing. For better or worse, they help direct how we talk about games. And the shared conversation is a part of why gaming feels like a living community. Not all reviews are created equal Not every review is worth your time. Some outlets get early access with strict embargoes and limited gameplay windows. Others are tied up in sponsorships. Or lean heavily on hype. Even user reviews can be all over the place. From rage-fueled rants to five-star fanboying. Read wisely. Look for reviewers who are like you. Those who share your tastes. Watch a few gameplay clips. Read the good and the bad. And if a site is just echoing the trailer, skip by. The best reviews will tell you who a game is good for. Not just that it's 'good.' More than just a score Reviews do more than rate games. They show what players value and what developers get right (and wrong). Yes, the score matters. But the detail, the conversation, and the honesty behind a review are what really matter. Do the mechanics click? Does the story resonate? Is the experience worth your time? In the end, these reviews are a window into gaming culture. They help players connect, be guided, and make sense of the vast gaming library out there. Movie Review: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH
