Here& #39;s why you& #39;re seeing a review of a game before review code has been distributed:

This isn& #39;t actually a review, it& #39;s a placeholder claiming real estate in Google. By having this headline plus a URL like "marvels-avengers-review" IGN gets authority in the Google algorithm https://twitter.com/IGN/status/1293094857863503872">https://twitter.com/IGN/statu...

Google landgrabs are pretty common in the media. My favorite is GamesRadar& #39;s Half-Life 3 review. https://www.gamesradar.com/half-life-3-review/">https://www.gamesradar.com/half-life...

Sometimes this strategy can serve the reader, like having a post about where to buy a new console when it& #39;s not for sale yet. That you can& #39;t buy the console is itself useful information.

Each site approaches this differently.

It& #39;s a little frustrating!

IGN will likely get better Google results (and more traffic) because it& #39;s willing to publish something that isn& #39;t really what& #39;s on the tin.

But I also can see an argument for this serving the audience.

Different approaches! Keeps things interesting!