Zach Jackson
@zachjackson.bsky.social
Co-Founder & Managing Editor of WellPlayed. Point-and-click connoisseur. Bleeds Passiona. Carlton, Burnley & SJ Sharks fan. [email protected]
Shoutouts to my picks Absolum and Old Skies, two stone cold bangers that are worthy of the praise they've received
The WellPlayed team takes a moment to shine a spotlight on the ones that passed us by
The Best Games We Didn’t Review In 2025
The ones that got away
www.well-played.com.au
January 8, 2026 at 9:38 AM
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
1. Nevertel – Start Again
2. Dayseeker – Creature in the Black Night
3. Thousand Below – Buried in Jade
4. Dreamwake – The Lost Years
January 3, 2026 at 8:43 AM
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
1. Nevertel – Start Again
2. Dayseeker – Creature in the Black Night
3. Thousand Below – Buried in Jade
4. Dreamwake – The Lost Years
Reposted by Zach Jackson
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."
"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."
Nothing Ear (3) Review
Nothing continues to prove itself as a big player in the audio market
www.well-played.com.au
December 22, 2025 at 12:26 AM
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."
"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
REVIEW // Routine
The long-in-development sci-fi horror has its flaws, but Lunar Software's commitment to its vision is impressive
Read: www.well-played.com.au/routine-revi...
The long-in-development sci-fi horror has its flaws, but Lunar Software's commitment to its vision is impressive
Read: www.well-played.com.au/routine-revi...
December 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
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 🔥
A banger showcase of Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand games
Everything Shown At Frosty Mini December 2025
Mini but mighty
www.well-played.com.au
December 10, 2025 at 1:03 AM
No wonder that was the summer showcase because that was hot 🔥
Make a new Outbreak damnit
We spoke with Resident Evil Requiem's producer about the game's design, a new Resident Evil Outbreak and more
Chatting The Return To Raccoon City And Designing Resident Evil Requiem With The Game’s Producer
Horror homecoming
www.well-played.com.au
November 20, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Make a new Outbreak damnit
Reposted by Zach Jackson
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...
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...
November 16, 2025 at 1:11 AM
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...
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
A tasty snack is coming next month
Frosty Mini Is A Bite-Sized ANZ Showcase Going Down In December
A little iced treat
www.well-played.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM
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
November 11, 2025 at 9:02 AM
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.
November 9, 2025 at 8:12 AM
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 delay might be the headline, but the real story is the people fired along the way
Morale At Rockstar Is At “Rock Bottom” Alleges Employee In Explosive Forum Post After Studio Fires More Than 30 People
Hi, what are you looking for?
www.well-played.com.au
November 9, 2025 at 12:18 AM
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
Reposted by Zach Jackson
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
Classic survival horror roots with a floral twist
The Florist Developer Wants To Explore Colour And Brightness In A Tight Modern Take On Classic Survival Horror
This survival horror sounds bloomin' good
www.well-played.com.au
November 7, 2025 at 10:09 PM
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
An enormous window for "the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve"
Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, Jumping To November 2026
You've waited this long, what's a few more months
www.well-played.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I wonder what we'll get first, GTA VI or a new Breaking Benjamin album
Reposted by Zach Jackson
The title was targeting a 2025 release but will now have to wait for the legal matter to be resolved
Folk Horror Title The Fading Of Nicole Wilson Pulled From Steam Due To A Legal Dispute
The publisher is hoping for a quick return
www.well-played.com.au
November 4, 2025 at 12:12 AM
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
Here are our picks from the PAX Aus 2025 show floor
The Best Games We Played At PAX Aus 2025
The best of the best
www.well-played.com.au
October 31, 2025 at 5:35 AM
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.
PREVIEW // Pro Jank Footy
"Just like my stint playing division three reserves for South Yarra in the SFNL, my hands-on time with Pro Jank Footy wasn’t long enough but it was bloody fun, and probably hilarious for those watching from the sidelines"
Read: www.well-played.com.au/pro-jank-foo...
"Just like my stint playing division three reserves for South Yarra in the SFNL, my hands-on time with Pro Jank Footy wasn’t long enough but it was bloody fun, and probably hilarious for those watching from the sidelines"
Read: www.well-played.com.au/pro-jank-foo...
Pro Jank Footy Preview – Sports Entertainment
Why eat the meat pie when you can be the meat pie
www.well-played.com.au
October 30, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Had an absolute blast playing Pro Jank Footy at PAX – my highlight of the show. Really excited for its release next year.
Reposted by Zach Jackson
It's been a long time coming, but Routine is finally launching after all these years
Sci-Fi Horror Game Routine Is Launching This December After 13 Years In The Making
Scary games come to those who wait
www.well-played.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 1:21 AM
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
Also, fuck yes
The long-awaited Aussie indie is now within arm's reach
Dead Static Drive Has Finally Locked In A November Release Date
Rising from its enternal slumber
www.well-played.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Who has Grand Theft Cthulhu bee GTA6 on their bingo cards?
Also, fuck yes
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...
open.spotify.com/album/331dpo...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:58 PM
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...
open.spotify.com/album/331dpo...
Reposted by Zach Jackson
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...
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...
October 20, 2025 at 11:17 PM
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...
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.
October 20, 2025 at 6:04 AM
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.
PREVIEW // Mixtape
"I’m controlling two slimy, pink tongues as they plunge into each other’s mouths. They dance around in languid circles, like a load of sopping wet clothing in a front loader...This is Mixtape."
"I’m controlling two slimy, pink tongues as they plunge into each other’s mouths. They dance around in languid circles, like a load of sopping wet clothing in a front loader...This is Mixtape."
Mixtape Preview – One More Time With Feeling
Rewind and hit play on teenage dreams
www.well-played.com.au
October 20, 2025 at 3:46 AM
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.
Reposted by Zach Jackson
REVIEW // Letters to Arralla
Letters to Arralla is a wholesome and cheeky Australian-made experience
Read: www.well-played.com.au/letters-to-a...
Letters to Arralla is a wholesome and cheeky Australian-made experience
Read: www.well-played.com.au/letters-to-a...
October 18, 2025 at 11:15 PM
REVIEW // Letters to Arralla
Letters to Arralla is a wholesome and cheeky Australian-made experience
Read: www.well-played.com.au/letters-to-a...
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
After four years in development, Foolish Mortals is launching very soon
Point-And-Click Adventure Foolish Mortals Gets A November Release Date
Don't be fooled, it's happening
www.well-played.com.au
October 12, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Very keen for this one
This shouldn't surprise anyone who knows Ash
Only @ashwayling.bsky.social could interview Randy Pitchford and Sam Winkler dressed as a gorilla
October 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
This shouldn't surprise anyone who knows Ash