Sam Machkovech

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Sam Machkovech is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant based in Seattle, WA. He has been writing about the intersection of art and technology since 1996, and he became a nationally syndicated video game critic before graduating high school. He has since written for American Airlines, Ars Technica, The Atlantic, Billboard, Edge UK, Game Developer, Polygon, The Stranger, and more, and he has appeared on programs including BBC World Service, Digital Foundry, Marketplace, and This Week in Tech. His favorite video game, by a longshot, is Picross 3D Round 2.

Latest articles by Sam Machkovech

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom screenshot showing princess Zelda, a blonde woman with elf-like ears, trapped in a sheer magenta crystal

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom review – "A refreshing, magic-filled retool of the Link's Awakening engine"

By Sam Machkovech published 25 September 24

Review

Exploring Balatro's hype, its ingenious twists on poker, and its mysterious creator

By Sam Machkovech published 22 February 24

Opinion Interview | "I'm sure I'm not done with this game," says Balatro's anonymous, humble designer

Opinion

How Arzette turned Zelda's biggest joke into something to laugh with, not at

By Sam Machkovech published 14 February 24

Interview Interview: In conversation with the creator of a one-time joke that transformed into a four-year project

Interview

Analogue Duo review: "This modernized TurboGrafx-16 needs a bit more gas"

By Sam Machkovech published 11 December 23

Review The Analogue Duo might be one of the best way to play Turbografx-16 and PC Engine games today, but a few compatibility quirks keep it from greatness.

Review

Deluxe's destination: What the end of Mario Kart 8 means for the series

By Sam Machkovech published 7 December 23

Opinion Opinion | The chequered flag is out for now, but what's next in line for the longstanding kart racer series?

Opinion

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1
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review: "The best but most broken game I've played all year"
2
Towers of Aghasba review: "Exploration is a joy thanks to gorgeous visuals and a varied landscape"
3
Sorry We're Closed review: "Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill can't match this neon-soaked survival horror for its sheer inventiveness"
4
Lego Horizon Adventures review: "Brilliantly rebuilds this PlayStation icon"
5
Codenames review: "The ultimate pick-up-and-play party game"

1
Wicked review: "Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will have you defying gravity"
2
Gladiator 2 review: "A rousing spectacle with Ridley Scott and Denzel Washington on top form"
3
Paddington in Peru review: "Endlessly easy to love with a pitch-perfect Olivia Colman"
4
Venom: The Last Dance review: "A puddle of pixels that isn’t much fun to splash around in"
5
Smile 2 Review: "Naomi Scott demonstrates her talents with a raw, no-holds-barred performance in this largely successful horror sequel"

1
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: "Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place"
2
Dune: Prophecy review: "HBO's prequel occasionally stands up to Denis Villeneuve's movies – but largely falls short"
3
Arcane season 2 review: "Stunning animation and a bigger scope reaches thrilling new heights"
4
Silo season 2 review: "A commanding performance from Rebecca Ferguson makes it a dystopian future worth staying in"
5
Agatha All Along finale review and recap: "Fun, but think about it too hard and it falls apart like a house of tarot cards"