Quality Control
192 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 448 ratingsSenior reporter Charlie Hall and guides editor Dave Tach host in-depth conversations each week about the latest games, movies, comics, and gear reviewed and recommended by the Polygon team. Produced by Polygon and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
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Episodes
A special episode with Justin McElroy
January 07, 2019 18:10 - 28 minutesAfter 192 episodes and millions of downloads, Polygon's Quality Control is going on hiatus. To celebrate we brought back creator Justin McElroy. Until the next time we've got a game, a movie, or anything at all to talk about, thanks to you at home for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
December 13, 2018 16:15 - 21 minutesManaging editor Chelsea Stark stops by to discuss her review of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Just Cause 4
December 06, 2018 15:47 - 18 minutesJust Cause 4 is good. Right up until it isn't. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Battlefield 5
November 29, 2018 17:59 - 25 minutesPolygon's review of Battlefield 5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Pokémon: Let's Go! the audiobook
November 15, 2018 04:17 - 13 minutesAn audiobook version of Polygon's Pokémon: Let's Go! review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fallout 76 beta
November 08, 2018 16:34 - 31 minutesThis week on Polygon’s Quality Control podcast, we’re joined by Jenna Stoeber and Tara Long. Between the two of them, they’ve spent dozens of hours in the Fallout 76 beta, so who better to bring onto the show to discuss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Return of the Obra Dinn
October 31, 2018 14:59 - 21 minutesCharlie Hall sits down with Polygon's senior reporter Colin Campbell to discuss the latest game from indie developer Lucas Pope, Return of the Obra Dinn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Red Dead Redemption 2
October 25, 2018 11:01 - 53 minutesAll about Red Dead Redemption 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Blackout, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s battle royale mode
October 16, 2018 15:20 - 31 minutesIn this week’s Quality Control podcast, we discuss the newest edition to the Call of Duty franchise, a battle royale mode called Blackout. It’s available as part of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. At a glance, it looks like many other battle royale games on the market. But, in motion, there’s a lot more nuance to the experience. I sat down with our Austen Goslin. Between the two of us, we’ve spent hundreds of hours inside PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite, but also precursor games in the...
Inching forward with Mega Man 11
October 10, 2018 17:01 - 23 minutesThis week on Polygon’s Quality Control podcast, Mike McWhertor joins Dave Tach to discuss Mega Man 11, which is available now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows. In this episode, you’ll learn about Mega Man lore, how Mike played the game — and what Capcom seems to have figured out across a bunch of franchises lately. Much of the discussion centers around what Mike wrote recently in his Mega Man 11 review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
October 03, 2018 19:17 - 25 minutesIn the latest episode of Polygon’s Quality Control podcast we grapple with the Greco-action game Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Guests include Colin Campbell and Simone de Rochefort. https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2018/10/1/17920288/assassins-creed-odyssey-review-ps4-xbox-one-windows-pc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What is the best starting Pokémon?
September 26, 2018 21:49 - 25 minutesAt the beginning of every Pokémon game, players must make a Sohpie’s Choice-like decision to ally themselves with a single, cuddly fighting animal. While their stable will undoubtedly expand, it is that creature who will be their intimate companion on the long road to becoming the very best. Like no one ever was. Today’s formal debate brings three Pokémon experts to the fore, including Polygon’s Allegra Frank and Ryan Gilliam as well as The Verge’s Megan Farokhmanesh. They will each make th...
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
September 19, 2018 19:27 - 29 minutesThis week on Polygon’s Quality Control podcast, Chris Plante and Dave Tach join host Charlie Hall to discuss Shadow of the Tomb Raider. How did the franchise get to now, and what's it like to play through an introspective look at the narrative roots of Lara Croft herself? You can read Polygon's full review right here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Spider-Man PS4 and the joys of the most AAA game
September 12, 2018 13:10 - 28 minutesThis week on Polygon’s Quality Control podcast, Chelsea Stark joins Dave Tach to discuss Spider-Man on PS4. In this episode, you’ll learn about why Chelsea and Dave like the game so much, even if they come just short of loving it. Much of the discussion centers around what Chelsea wrote recently in her Spider-Man review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Destiny 2: Forsaken (is really good)
September 07, 2018 21:58 - 41 minutesRyan Gilliam returns to Quality Control, joining Dave Tach to talk about Destiny 2: Forsaken. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Polygon's new reviews
September 04, 2018 15:00 - 34 minutesIn this episode of Quality Control, Chris Plante and Charlie Hall explain the future of Polygon's reviews. Games have changed since we launched Polygon. We’re changing with them. We believe that a new strategy, focusing on criticism and curation, will better serve our readers than the serviceable, but ultimately limited reviews rubric that, for decades, has served as a load-bearing pillar of most game publications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
WoW: Battle for Azeroth today (and yesterday and tomorrow)
August 29, 2018 14:11 - 37 minutesIn this week’s episode of Quality Control, Dave Tach and first-time guest and World of Warcraft veteran World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth. This week, you’ll learn about Ryan’s history with the game, which doesn’t span from vanilla WoW, but still lets him say things like, “back in my day.” A lot of our discussion centers around what Ryan wrote recently in his review, “Battle for Azeroth continues World of Warcraft’s legacy as an excellent, but safe MMO,” where he wrote: "World of Warcra...
Monster Hunter: World comes to PC
August 24, 2018 19:48 - 22 minutesThis latest incarnation of the Monster Hunter franchise carved off many of the series traditional rough edges, but the console version for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One didn’t always impress fans with its performance. The PC version, which launched more than six months later, has been a fixture on the Steam best seller’s list all month long. Patrick is our resident expert, so we wanted to ask him about his experience and also talk about starting out on PC for the first time. Learn more about you...
The weird joy of We Happy Few
August 15, 2018 14:59 - 24 minutesIn this week’s episode of Quality Control, Dave Tach and Charlie Hall talk about We Happy Few. Press play to learn about the game’s history from Kickstarter to Early Access (where the original concept changed pretty dramatically) to its recent release on PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One (which at launch reflects the changes that the game’s earliest players asked for). We Happy Few is the story of what comes after the fall of European democracy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
The best board games from Gen Con 2018
August 09, 2018 18:34 - 35 minutesOn this week's episode of Quality Control, Charlie is joined by Gamers With Jobs' Allen Cook to discuss Gen Con 2018. Here's all of the very best board games from the largest tabletop convention in the United States. https://www.polygon.com/gen-con https://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/1302125 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Backlog Week — How to play more tabletop RPGs
July 30, 2018 21:41 - 35 minutesIn honor of Polygon's Backlog Week, we're tackling the topic of tabletop role-playing games. How do you find a group of people to play Dungeons and Dragons with? What are some good options to introduce role-playing to your friends and family? And how do you keep everyone comfortable at the table? To answer those questions, we invited the team from the One Shot Network onto the show to talk about their strategies. Our guests include James D'Amato, Meghan Dornbrock, DC and Daniel Kwan. One Sho...
The unlikely resurrection of No Man's Sky
July 26, 2018 21:11 - 39 minutesIn this week's episode of Quality Control, Charlie and Dave are both on hand with Russ Frushtick to talk about Next, the massive new update for No Man's Sky. Our No Man's Sky thoughts from way back in 2014 Recent opinion from Ben Kuchera Tara Long, with 250+ plus in-game hours, gives her take A terrifying first encounter with new aliens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A much better Pokémon Go Fest
July 18, 2018 20:36 - 21 minutesIn this week’s episode of Quality Control, Charlie Hall and Allegra Frank talk about Pokémon Go Fest 2018, which ran without a hitch, unlike last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The can't-miss Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
July 11, 2018 21:53 - 18 minutesIn this week’s episode, Dave Tach and Michael McWhertor talk about Mike's Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker review. Press play to learn more about the game’s history and what you get with the new versions on Switch and Nintendo 3DS (spoiler: not a whole lot, but some of it seems cool). Stick around to find out just what it is about this little game that keeps Mike coming back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The genius of Red Faction: Guerrilla
July 04, 2018 15:27 - 25 minutesIn this week’s episode of Quality Control, Dave Tach and Russ Frushtick talk about Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered (which is the remastered version of Red Faction: Guerrilla). Red Faction: Guerrilla is basically the definition of a cult classic — a game that didn’t quite break into the mainstream but gained a devoted following, including from Dave and Russ. Press play below to learn more about what makes this game so special, despite its drab (but justified!) appearance. Learn more ab...
Westworld Season 2
June 27, 2018 21:28 - 30 minutesIn this week’s episode of Quality Control, Dave Tach and Russ Frushtick talk about Westworld Season 2. In this spoiler-filled episode, you’ll find out why Dave’s mad at Dolores, why Russ didn’t quite connect with the first season (but Dave super did), and why Westworld reminds us of Lost (which is a good thing) and the Matrix trilogy (which is a less good thing). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The best of E3 2018
June 20, 2018 18:35 - 54 minutesIn this week’s episode of Quality Control, Charlie Hall, Dave Tach, Chris Plante and Allegra Frank look back at some of the best and most interesting games of E3 2018. We discuss Cyberpunk 2077, Rage 2, The Last of Us Part 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — plus a bit about what it’s like to be in the presence of Hideo Kojima. For more on the biggest video game show of the year, check out all of Polygon’s E3 2018 coverage — including the 15 most promising games fro...
E3 2018 preview, featuring Chris Plante and Jason Schreier
June 06, 2018 20:22 - 42 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon writer talks to a critic about a new game, movie or piece of gear. In this week’s special episode, Charlie Hall invites Polygon’s executive editor Chris Plante and Kotaku’s news editor Jason Schreier to preview this year’s E3, which kicks off next week in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How Fortnite became the world's biggest game
May 30, 2018 18:21 - 36 minutesFortnite has been in development since at least 2011 and when it came to market as an early access title it wasn't very good. Come marvel with us at Epic Games' epic turn around with Fortnite: Battle Royale. Vox's new Netflix show, Explained, digs into the most fascinating and misunderstood topics of the day, from cryptocurrency to the racial wealth gap. Watch on Netflix now! https://www.netflix.com/explained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Solo: A Star Wars Story
May 28, 2018 18:18 - 1 hourWe put the band back together to discuss Solo: A Star Wars Story. Vox's new Netflix show, Explained, digs into the most fascinating and misunderstood topics of the day, from cryptocurrency to the racial wealth gap. Watch on Netflix now! https://www.netflix.com/explained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Understanding Deadpool 2, the X-Force, Cable’s wild backstory and the future of the MCU
May 19, 2018 16:11 - 52 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic about a new game, movie or piece of gear. In this episode, Susana Polo and Dave Tach talk about Deadpool 2, the X-Force, Cable’s bizarre backstory and the future of the MCU. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The state of Destiny 2
May 15, 2018 17:33 - 24 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic about a new game, movie or piece of gear. In this week’s episode, Charlie Hall and Dave Tach talk about the state of Destiny 2 in the wake of the Warmind expansion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Free Comic Book Day
May 03, 2018 17:17 - 32 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic about a new game, movie or piece of gear. This week’s episode is a special preview of the newest comics from DC and Marvel, just in time for Free Comic Book Day this Saturday, May 5. Joining host Charlie Hall is Polygon’s comics editor, Susana Polo. If you're headed out for FCBD, here's a cheat sheet with all the upcoming comics we mentioned in this episode. Be sure to check out Susana's series on the best #1 comic each ...
Avengers: Infinity War
April 27, 2018 23:06 - 48 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? This week, Polygon's Susana Polo and Dave Tach discuss Avengers: Infinity War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nintendo Labo
April 19, 2018 22:46 - 25 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon's Simone de Rochefort and Brian Gilbert stop by to discuss their time with the Nintendo Labo line of games. Learn more about your ad choices....
God of War
April 12, 2018 13:20 - 21 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon's Dave Tach joins host Charlie Hall to discuss God of War. Also, be sure to read Polygon's review, written by Chris Plante. Learn more about y...
Ready Player One
April 05, 2018 21:50 - 17 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon's Ross Miller joins host Charlie Hall to discuss Ready Player One. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Far Cry 5
March 28, 2018 15:35 - 31 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon's Ben Kuchera joins host Charlie Hall to discuss the first few hours of Far Cry 5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...
Sea of Thieves
March 23, 2018 17:41 - 30 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon's Russ Frushtick joins co-host Dave Tach to discuss his time with Sea of Thieves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
Where The Water Tastes Like Wine
March 01, 2018 22:07 - 20 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, deputy new editor Allegra Frank joins host Charlie Hall to discuss her time with Where The Water Tastes Like Wine. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Metal Gear Survive, part 2
March 01, 2018 21:32 - 35 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Mike McWherter joins guest host Dave Tach to discuss his review of Metal Gear Survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...
Super NT
February 15, 2018 22:10 - 19 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon’s editor-in-chief Chris Grant joins host Charlie Hall to discuss his review of the Analog NT, which you can read right here. Learn more about ...
Monster Hunter: World
January 31, 2018 23:18 - 20 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon’s Chelsea Stark joins co-host Charlie Hall to discuss her review of Monster Hunter: World. https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/26/16934076/monster...
Dragon Ball FighterZ
January 25, 2018 19:12 - 19 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon’s Jeff Ramos joins editor-at-large Justin McElroy to discuss his review of Dragon Ball FighterZ. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Metal Gear Survive
January 19, 2018 20:24 - 18 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon’s Michael McWhertor joins Charlie Hall to discuss his preview of Metal Gear Survive. https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/17/16897202/metal-gear-su...
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
January 04, 2018 22:14 - 23 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon’s Chris Plante joins editor-at-large Justin McElroy to discuss his review of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Star Wars: The Last Jedi — Part 2
December 27, 2017 20:47 - 1 hourPart 2 of our annual deep dive into this year's entry in the Star Wars franchise, featuring Susana Polo, Dave Tach and Ben Kuchera. Come on inside the jedi tree. We've got a few porgs roasting over the fire, and a warm cup of blue milk waiting for you. And join us next week with part two. In the mean time, check out our review: https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/12/16749732/star-wars-review-the-last-jedi-rian-johnson-luke-rey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Star Wars: The Last Jedi — Part 1
December 20, 2017 15:48 - 1 hourOur annual deep dive into this year's entry in the Star Wars franchise, featuring Susana Polo, Dave Tach and Ben Kuchera. Come on inside the jedi tree. We've got a few porgs roasting over the fire, and a warm cup of blue milk waiting for you. And join us next week with part two. In the mean time, check out our review: https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/12/16749732/star-wars-review-the-last-jedi-rian-johnson-luke-rey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Star Wars Battlefront 2 multiplayer
December 08, 2017 17:42 - 28 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon’s Owen Good joins co-host Charlie Hall his part of the review of Star Wars Battlefront 2. https://www.polygon.com/2017/11/20/16682342/star-wa...
Xbox One X
November 30, 2017 19:03 - 25 minutesIn each episode of Quality Control, a Polygon editor talks to a critic after they review a new game, movie or piece of gear and allows them to add a little bit of extra context and insight. Why did they feel the way they did? What do they wish they had been able to discuss in more depth in their review? Also: Did they play it wrong? This week, Polygon’s Samit Sarkar joins editor-at-large Justin McElroy to discuss his review of the Xbox One X. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...