Superheroes are the new pop culture

Plus, Pokémon TCG Pocket is the latest mobile game sensation

Our top pick of the week: Superculture This week on Polygon, we ran a special issue called Superculture — a look at how superheroes have not only taken over comics and movies, but are taking over all aspects of modern culture.   From an attempt to tighten up the graphics on a 2017 video game, to the challenges facing superhero actual play podcasts, to TikTok reporting and board games, one thing is clear: Superheroes are everywhere. Superman is the white whale of video game superheroes There are no definitive superhero RPG actual plays, and I think I know why The dream of an Indian MCU barely involves superheroes The modders trying to turn Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite into something beautiful Sentinels of the Multiverse might be the best superhero board game — but its creator wants to do better When crack ships crack the superhero mainstream NPC Miles Morales is the street performer of the internet  Stephanie Williams' memes changed superhero stories, on and off the page Fans gave defunct MMORPG City of Heroes a true comic book reboot in 2024 Polygon's Shopkeeper is a weekly newsletter that collects the best deals on games, gaming accessories, Blu-rays, books, and other fine wares. Subscribe here. This week on YouTube | Fallout's score is more important than you realize | The main motif to Fallout is simple: just three notes. But it's become such an ingrained part of the world that when players heard those three notes played in the 2024 Fallout TV show, it gave them goosebumps, brought them to tears, and got them excited. Polygon's Simone de Rochefort interviews longtime Fallout composer Inon Zur about the creation of the theme and its appearances in Fallout 3, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Fallout 76's expansions. 7 stories to read PS5 Pro review: 2025's games will make or break it | A mid-generation console that currently offers small glimpses of its potential.   You need an RPG to get through this year | Prepare for the long winter with an RPG.   You can use this website to learn the meaning of every Skyrim dragon's name | How to name your dragon.   How Dragon Age: The Veilguard's writers decided each companion's romance arc | …and how they decided which NPCs would get together.   Dropout's Vic Michaelis on Very Important People season 2 and the meaning of life | 'It is always a surprise until the second they call cut.'   Why the Dragon Age: The Veilguard team designed its trans-inclusive storylines | 'Disclosure belongs to the individual.'   Is the horror movie Heretic about current American politics? The directors say of course it is | 'Religion can be very beautiful when it's a personal journey. There are also aspects where it can be very dangerous.' 6+ things to watch Over the Garden Wall's new stop-motion short on YouTube | Welcome back to the Unknown.   Trap on Max | M. Night Shyamalan's Trap isn't about the twist — it's about what women get from true-crime stories.   The best action movies of the year so far | From all around the world.   Netflix's Arcane season 2, The Penguin finale, and more new TV this week | Plus: Dropout TV's Very Important People. 8 games to play Slitterhead | Transforming players into pawns in a parasitic proxy war. Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. Life Is Strange: Double Exposure | A brilliant thriller about accepting your flaws. Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. Mario & Luigi: Brothership | Brothership is only fine — which is too bad. Available on Nintendo Switch.   Halo 2's legendary E3 demo | Finally playable, 20 years later. Available as a Steam Workshop mod for Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Karate Survivor | A fun spin on the Vampire Survivors format… once you unlock the core mechanics. Available on Windows PC. Strikle | Miss Wordle? Striking NYT workers created their own version. Available in browsers.   Homicipher | A clever horror game about female desire and monster language. Available on Windows PC.   Pokémon TCG Pocket | Low commitment, shiny holographic rewards. Available on iOS and Android. Shop talk Warhammer 40,000 The Ultimate Guide is a great way to dive into the world of WH40K — and it's on sale for 30% off! It's an encyclopedia of sorts, going over the must-know lore, characters, and settings within the grimdark universe. Plus, it has some amazing photography of miniatures. "Warhammer 40K The Ultimate Guide is an excellent option for casual fans who may be experiencing the 40K universe for the first time," writes Alice Jovanée. Free game of the week The Booze of Monkey Island | Brush up on your insult sword fighting skills; someone is making an unofficial Monkey Island game — and you can play it in early access. Available on Itch.io. The best of the rest SO: Pokémon has always inspired urban legends — so of course Pokémon TCG Pocket would have its own. MANY: The secret actor behind Metal Gear Solid 3's EVA has been revealed after 20 years. SECRETS: Where the heck is Baby Steps? THIS: Silent Hill 2 remake's strange photo puzzle has been solved, hinting at new layer to its story. WEEK: Someone found a new Donkey Kong Country 2 cheat code. This email was sent to reunisoft.cryptonews@blogger.com. 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