Part 5/9:
Certain mainstream journalists, notably Polygon writers, have a history of critiquing games or characters they perceive as sexist or offensive. Now, their reactions to Stellar Blade appear to be driven by a desire to criticize rather than objective analysis. They're framing Eve’s design as a negative aspect, while still admitting that the game itself is quality.
Interestingly, this pattern extends into the narrative: many reviews or articles acknowledge that Stellar Blade is a good game but are quick to qualify their praise with remarks about the character's sexualization. This cautious praise suggests that critics feel compelled to conform to social expectations while still expressing their doubts about the character design.