Metacritic Removes Resident Evil Requiem Review After AI-Written Controversy

A review of Resident Evil Requiem has been removed from Metacritic after readers discovered it was written by a fabricated journalist profile that appears to have been generated using artificial intelligence. The controversy has raised broader concerns about AI-written reviews infiltrating major aggregation platforms that influence consumer buying decisions and corporate earnings narratives.

The review in question was published by UK-based gaming outlet Videogamer and awarded the new Capcom title a 9/10 score. It was subsequently scraped by Metacritic and included in the site’s launch-day score roundup — until readers began questioning its authenticity.

What Is News

A Resident Evil Requiem review published by Videogamer was removed from Metacritic.

The review was attributed to “Brian Merrygold,” a journalist profile that appears to be AI-generated and fictitious.

The author’s profile image file name referenced ChatGPT, suggesting AI origin.

Multiple other suspicious bylines appeared on Videogamer following reported staff layoffs.

Metacritic confirmed removal of the review and reiterated its ban on AI-generated critic reviews.

The site stated it will sever ties with publications found publishing AI-written reviews.

The Review That Sparked Scrutiny

The removed review praised Resident Evil Requiem in sweeping, dramatic language filled with clichés but lacking detailed gameplay analysis. Readers noted the prose felt generic and formulaic.

The article was credited to “Brian Merrygold,” described as an experienced iGaming and sports betting analyst. However, users quickly pointed out that the byline had no prior digital footprint. The associated profile image URL included the file name “ChatGPT-Image,” further fueling suspicion.

Screenshots circulating on social media showed additional staff profiles on Videogamer with similar AI-style portraits and recently created social media accounts.

Alleged Shift to AI Content

According to reports, Videogamer was recently sold to Clickout, a company specializing in gambling SEO content. Sources claim the publication’s human editorial staff was laid off last week, with AI-generated content filling gaming news, reviews, and features sections.

Older human bylines reportedly disappeared from the site’s masthead and were replaced with AI-created journalist profiles.

While it is difficult to conclusively prove AI authorship in every case, multiple AI-detection tools reportedly flagged the Resident Evil Requiem review as likely machine-generated. Another Videogamer review — this time of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen — was also removed from Metacritic’s roundup.

Metacritic’s Response

Metacritic cofounder Marc Doyle confirmed that the Resident Evil Requiem review and several other 2026 Videogamer reviews were removed.

In a statement, Doyle emphasized that Metacritic does not allow AI-generated critic reviews on its platform. The company said it maintains a vetting process when adding publications but acknowledged complications can arise when outlets are sold or undergo staff turnover.

Metacritic stated it will remove AI-generated reviews immediately and potentially sever ties with the publication involved pending investigation.

What Is Analysis

The incident exposes vulnerabilities in content aggregation systems that rely on publication-level trust rather than article-level verification.

Metacritic functions as a central authority in video game criticism. Developers reference Metacritic scores in earnings calls, and consumers use the platform to inform purchase decisions. If AI-generated reviews slip into the system, it undermines the credibility of both the aggregator and the wider games media ecosystem.

This case also reflects a broader media-industry tension. As advertising revenues shrink and SEO pressures increase, some publishers are turning to AI-generated content to cut costs. However, substituting human critics with automated prose risks degrading review quality and eroding reader trust.

The gaming community is particularly sensitive to authenticity in criticism. Reviews are expected to provide firsthand impressions, mechanical analysis, and informed context — elements difficult for AI systems to replicate convincingly without direct gameplay experience.

There are also transparency concerns. If outlets deploy AI-generated writers without disclosure, they blur ethical boundaries. Readers assume a critic played the game; AI cannot.

For Metacritic, the situation raises operational questions. Should aggregators implement AI-detection safeguards? Should they require proof of editorial staffing? Or will enforcement remain reactive, relying on community whistleblowing?

A Growing Industry Pattern

The controversy arrives amid increasing scrutiny of AI-generated journalism across industries. As AI writing tools improve, distinguishing between human and automated content becomes harder — particularly when publishers intentionally obscure authorship.

This case differs from harmless blog automation because review scores directly affect commercial performance. A single high score can shift public perception and investor sentiment.

What Comes Next?

Metacritic has reportedly circulated reminders to gaming outlets reinforcing its AI-review ban. Whether it introduces stricter monitoring mechanisms remains unclear.

Videogamer has not publicly clarified the extent of its AI transition.

For now, the Resident Evil Requiem incident stands as a cautionary tale: when AI replaces human critics without transparency, the integrity of the review ecosystem itself is at risk.

As generative AI tools spread across media, platforms that curate and amplify content may need stronger verification frameworks — or risk becoming conduits for algorithmic noise rather than trusted cultural judgment.