Sure he may have turned Xbox fortunes around after the Xbox One debacle, but both he and Bond have played a significant role in the state of the gaming industry today. A tenure remembered for consolidation, cancellations and mass layoffs.

"I’m not saying The Castle is a Lovecraftian film, but I’m also not saying it isn’t..." Don't tell me I'm dreaming

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is swinging for the fences to prove that the 'Stories' sub-format of Monster Hunting is far from just a forgettable side experience Full preview: www.well-played.com.au/monster-hunt...

gee whiz i love this game

A full hour of huge announcements and reveals

The world is not ready for this collaboration when it lands tomorrow but I certainly am

Best game I played in 2025. Glad it won a couple prizes in the WellPlayed Game Awards, very much deserved.

After much deliberation, the winners are in for the WellPlayed Game Awards 2025 Game of the Year – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Congrats to @hideokojimaen.bsky.kojimaproductions.jp and @playstation.com

Code Vein II has the guts and grit to be a solid action RPG, but the points of frustration may not endear everybody to the challenges lying in wait Our review: www.well-played.com.au/code-vein-ii...

Here are the games you should get around during the first release-heavy month of 2026

Like every year, there are some really promising games to keep an eye on from ANZ devs

The trusty old BenQ got taken by the green goblin last night. You will be missed.

First review for the year and it was a blast. @danthat.bsky.social and the team really delivered the goods with Earth Must Die

Tons of banging looking games coming this year. Couple I've got my eye on are Resident Evil Requiem and Silver Pines. You'll never believe what else made the list!

It's always fun to write about upcoming point-and-click games, and there are some awesome looking titles coming this year

2026 is off to a cracking start for metal fans thanks to the debut album from Firsun. Highly recommend. youtu.be/RLjfeDJXpzc Album: open.spotify.com/album/0Frl0j...

PODCAST // WellPlayed DLC 265 We kick off 2026 by discussing the best games we didn't review in 2025, our most anticipated titles of 2026, and more Spotify: bit.ly/49DCe5D Apple: apple.co/49zqily YouTube: youtu.be/iE2KPgrA3Vk Ep deets: www.well-played.com.au/the-wellplay...

Shoutouts to my picks Absolum and Old Skies, two stone cold bangers that are worthy of the praise they've received

Finally decided on my albums of the year 1. Nevertel – Start Again 2. Dayseeker – Creature in the Black Night 3. Thousand Below – Buried in Jade 4. Dreamwake – The Lost Years

REVIEW // Nothing Ear (3) "With its eye-catching design and a price of $299, the Nothing Ear (3) is a great option for anyone looking for a set of wireless earbuds that offers premium comfort, excellent audio quality, and an outstanding companion app, despite its bang average noise cancelling."

Still a bit surreal that Routine is out and I've played it. Absolutely incredible attention to detail in the retrofuturistic environment design, loved most of what I played except for a few gripes

No wonder that was the summer showcase because that was hot 🔥

Make a new Outbreak damnit

REVIEW // Dispatch Dispatch is a hilarious, action-packed choice game that should be in the Game of the Year conversation Read: www.well-played.com.au/dispatch-rev...

You love to see it

I think a lot of Aussie games media have shown their true colours today. Regardless of what was shown on TV, it's pretty disappointing to see the celebratory pile on, but not overly surprising

The AFL just can't bloody help itself. Constant rule changes, bullshit opening round and now this. We don't need a wildcard weekend, just another example of the league's money-grabbing focus. If you can't finish top 8 at the end of the season you haven't earned the right to play finals.

For a company making arguably the most anticipated game ever, which will probably make the most money a game has ever made, it's really disappointing to see it seemingly treat its workers this way

The Florist director Phil Larsen sat down with the awesome @zachjackson.bsky.social and chatted design, changing game worlds and finding horror in color! #survivalhorror

I wonder what we'll get first, GTA VI or a new Breaking Benjamin album

The title was targeting a 2025 release but will now have to wait for the legal matter to be resolved

some good games in here

Had an absolute blast playing Pro Jank Footy at PAX – my highlight of the show. Really excited for its release next year.

It's been a long time coming, but Routine is finally launching after all these years

Who has Grand Theft Cthulhu bee GTA6 on their bingo cards? Also, fuck yes

Happy new Dayseeker day. Already given the new album Creature in the Black Night one spin and it's excellent. Very keen to hear some of these live in December. open.spotify.com/album/331dpo...

REVIEW // Ninja Gaiden 4 Mainline Ninja Gaiden returns after more than a decade with fun, fast and challenging gameplay, and plenty of blood Read: www.well-played.com.au/ninja-gaiden...

Super stoked about Electric Callboy coming back to Melbourne next year, but not stoked about $180 for general admission. I'll be there though.

I was there watching @auralynxian.bsky.social while she was performing the tortuous tongue tango. Game looks awesome – I said it plays like Life is Strange meets Superbad (not the sexual humour) and I'm sticking by it. Very keen.

REVIEW // Letters to Arralla Letters to Arralla is a wholesome and cheeky Australian-made experience Read: www.well-played.com.au/letters-to-a...

Very keen for this one

This shouldn't surprise anyone who knows Ash

PAX Aus 2025 is just days away, @auralynxian.bsky.social has put together a list of things to do if you're thinking about getting into the industry

🥵

REVIEW // Google Pixel 10 Pro XL & Google Pixel 10 The latest Pixel devices prove once again why Google's smartphones are some of the best Read: www.well-played.com.au/google-pixel...

REVIEW // Ghost of Yōtei Ghost of Yōtei does more than live up to the mantle of the Ghost; it solidifies itself as an instant modern classic. Read: www.well-played.com.au/ghost-of-yot...

We spoke to Battlefield Studios Designer Matthew Nickerson and Technical Director Christian Buhl about all things Battlefield 6 console experience

A second Frosty Games Fest is on the way

REVIEW // Borderlands 4 Borderlands 4 isn't just another game — it's the Borderlands you know and love, jacked up on some serious polish and finally reaching its true potential Read: www.well-played.com.au/borderlands-...

Really enjoyed this chat. It's always a blast hearing how devs create their games and the stories that come with it. Big thanks to Prokop and Tobi from Warhorse for taking the time to chat with us.