Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
@brawler1993.bsky.social
Freelance games journalist currently writing for MetroUK/GameCentral. Bylines at Destructoid, TechRaptor, GameRant. He/him. All opinions are my own.
Pinned
Can now confirm I've returned to MetroUK/GameCentral to help with gaming coverage. Kind of funny I wound up back here less than a year after leaving but feels good to be in familiar company.
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
i don't know how people listen to their favorite songs of the year only a couple dozen times. i will never understand it. tf you mean you're not pumping that shit into your ears during all your waking hours? tf you mean you only occasionally put a song on and listen to it once and then turn it off?
December 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
i don't know how people listen to their favorite songs of the year only a couple dozen times. i will never understand it. tf you mean you're not pumping that shit into your ears during all your waking hours? tf you mean you only occasionally put a song on and listen to it once and then turn it off?
New review is live! I've been playing Octopath Traveler 0 for the past month and I came away feeling very conflicted. Really flipped back and forth on the score for this one. metro.co.uk/2025/12/03/o...
Octopath Traveler 0 review – back to square zero
Square Enix's retro-inspired role-playing game series gets a prequel but does this new HD-2D title justify its lengthy running time?
metro.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 11:09 AM
New review is live! I've been playing Octopath Traveler 0 for the past month and I came away feeling very conflicted. Really flipped back and forth on the score for this one. metro.co.uk/2025/12/03/o...
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
In case you're wondering, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's chatty space marine companions aren't so bad after all - it's Samus who is this game's narrative problem.
www.eurogamer.net/metroid-prim...
www.eurogamer.net/metroid-prim...
December 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
In case you're wondering, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's chatty space marine companions aren't so bad after all - it's Samus who is this game's narrative problem.
www.eurogamer.net/metroid-prim...
www.eurogamer.net/metroid-prim...
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
i love how everyone draws tifa with added muscle mass. like everyone collectively agreed the game model is wrong, like let me fix that for you
December 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
i love how everyone draws tifa with added muscle mass. like everyone collectively agreed the game model is wrong, like let me fix that for you
I think it's important to judge a game on what it is rather than what it isn't. But it is bizarrely fascinating that it sounds like Metroid Prime 4 has almost gone out of its way to NOT be a Metroid Prime game.
December 2, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I think it's important to judge a game on what it is rather than what it isn't. But it is bizarrely fascinating that it sounds like Metroid Prime 4 has almost gone out of its way to NOT be a Metroid Prime game.
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
Winter Spectacular 2025 continues with a reflection on one of the biggest indie games of the year from @annacwebs.bsky.social!
How do you cope with the onslaught of news this year? By becoming a sicko. And Blue Prince is a game made for sickos.
How do you cope with the onslaught of news this year? By becoming a sicko. And Blue Prince is a game made for sickos.
Anna C. Webster Declares This Year The Era Of The Blue Prince Sicko | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
How do you cope with the onslaught of news in 2025? By becoming a sicko. And Blue Prince is a game made for sickos.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Winter Spectacular 2025 continues with a reflection on one of the biggest indie games of the year from @annacwebs.bsky.social!
How do you cope with the onslaught of news this year? By becoming a sicko. And Blue Prince is a game made for sickos.
How do you cope with the onslaught of news this year? By becoming a sicko. And Blue Prince is a game made for sickos.
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
We're kicking off the Winter Spectacular 2025 with a doozie.
2025 has highlighted just how many problems the video game industry faces, but @ela-bambust.bsky.social has identified one
issue that fuels everything else: Time.
Or lack thereof, to be specific.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/ela-bam...
2025 has highlighted just how many problems the video game industry faces, but @ela-bambust.bsky.social has identified one
issue that fuels everything else: Time.
Or lack thereof, to be specific.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/ela-bam...
Ela Bambust Reflects On The Time Of Indies | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
2025 has highlighted just how many problems the video game industry faces, but Ela Bambust has identified one issue that fuels everything else: Time. Or lack thereof, to be specific.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
We're kicking off the Winter Spectacular 2025 with a doozie.
2025 has highlighted just how many problems the video game industry faces, but @ela-bambust.bsky.social has identified one
issue that fuels everything else: Time.
Or lack thereof, to be specific.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/ela-bam...
2025 has highlighted just how many problems the video game industry faces, but @ela-bambust.bsky.social has identified one
issue that fuels everything else: Time.
Or lack thereof, to be specific.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/ela-bam...
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
Your yearly reminder that Yakuza 5 is a Christmas game. 🎅
November 30, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Your yearly reminder that Yakuza 5 is a Christmas game. 🎅
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
Our latest episode of Be Kind, Rewinder, is live. Episode 12 sees Scott, Lex, and Henry discuss rising hardware prices, Kirby Air Riders, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and more.
Be Kind, Rewinder - 012
Kirby Obscur: Expedition Air Riders
www.rewinder.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Our latest episode of Be Kind, Rewinder, is live. Episode 12 sees Scott, Lex, and Henry discuss rising hardware prices, Kirby Air Riders, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and more.
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
Look, say what you want but this game was ROBBED of a Best Music nomination. Like the way they blend the DK noises as percussion during the opening of this is wild.
Like I don't need it to win but damn not even nominated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmvO...
Like I don't need it to win but damn not even nominated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmvO...
Kong Bananza || Donkey Kong Bananza (Original Soundtrack)
YouTube video by The AmbiGamer
www.youtube.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Look, say what you want but this game was ROBBED of a Best Music nomination. Like the way they blend the DK noises as percussion during the opening of this is wild.
Like I don't need it to win but damn not even nominated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmvO...
Like I don't need it to win but damn not even nominated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmvO...
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
Just realized this went up yesterday. It's no secret I don't love Dispatch but what I really think doesn't work is the game's failure at making player choice as well as it's management segments compelling to the narrative.
www.avclub.com/dispatch-gam...
www.avclub.com/dispatch-gam...
Dispatch shows how player choice doesn't always work with telling a story
The narrative superhero game Dispatch would tell a stronger story if it didn't let players choose where it goes.
www.avclub.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Just realized this went up yesterday. It's no secret I don't love Dispatch but what I really think doesn't work is the game's failure at making player choice as well as it's management segments compelling to the narrative.
www.avclub.com/dispatch-gam...
www.avclub.com/dispatch-gam...
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
Been thinking a lot about how amazingly powerful this moment is in a game with so little story cutscene staging. Making brilliant use of breaking a franchise tradition, the way it uses an iconic tune, etc. Just chills at the time youtu.be/bdTdUoSCfS4?...
Samus Speaks Chozo - Metroid Dread
YouTube video by AMHarbinger
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Been thinking a lot about how amazingly powerful this moment is in a game with so little story cutscene staging. Making brilliant use of breaking a franchise tradition, the way it uses an iconic tune, etc. Just chills at the time youtu.be/bdTdUoSCfS4?...
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
So I'm taking the plunge and ordering some PC parts over Black Friday.
If you appreciate what @startmenu.bsky.social has done over the years, like @rewinder.co.uk/my freelance work, or thought I didn't sound like an idiot on Game Mess Mornings, now would be a great time to show your appreciation.
If you appreciate what @startmenu.bsky.social has done over the years, like @rewinder.co.uk/my freelance work, or thought I didn't sound like an idiot on Game Mess Mornings, now would be a great time to show your appreciation.
November 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
So I'm taking the plunge and ordering some PC parts over Black Friday.
If you appreciate what @startmenu.bsky.social has done over the years, like @rewinder.co.uk/my freelance work, or thought I didn't sound like an idiot on Game Mess Mornings, now would be a great time to show your appreciation.
If you appreciate what @startmenu.bsky.social has done over the years, like @rewinder.co.uk/my freelance work, or thought I didn't sound like an idiot on Game Mess Mornings, now would be a great time to show your appreciation.
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
Super High School Level [REDACTED]
Kirigiri Kyoko fanart 💜
Kirigiri Kyoko fanart 💜
November 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Super High School Level [REDACTED]
Kirigiri Kyoko fanart 💜
Kirigiri Kyoko fanart 💜
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
The erasure of the Heroes fandom thanks to the later seasons is so bad I saw a clickbait youtube title calling it a series "you've never seen".
Look, the show was MASSIVE (for a few months), everyone saw it and then collectively forgot it.
Look, the show was MASSIVE (for a few months), everyone saw it and then collectively forgot it.
November 27, 2025 at 3:26 AM
The erasure of the Heroes fandom thanks to the later seasons is so bad I saw a clickbait youtube title calling it a series "you've never seen".
Look, the show was MASSIVE (for a few months), everyone saw it and then collectively forgot it.
Look, the show was MASSIVE (for a few months), everyone saw it and then collectively forgot it.
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
I don't fancy my chances.
I don't fancy my chances.
November 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
I don't fancy my chances.
I don't fancy my chances.
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
My problem with Yakuza is that I played 0 first. That was a mistake. The other games aren't bad, it's just like... eating sushi for the first time at some legendary sushi joint in Japan and then only getting Very Good/Great Sushi after that and knowing you'll never have sushi that good again.
man i miss playing yakuza 0. very rare that you know you are playing one of the best games ever while you’re in the middle of it but that was the one.
November 26, 2025 at 7:27 PM
My problem with Yakuza is that I played 0 first. That was a mistake. The other games aren't bad, it's just like... eating sushi for the first time at some legendary sushi joint in Japan and then only getting Very Good/Great Sushi after that and knowing you'll never have sushi that good again.
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
how it feels to listen to the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds album on the go
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
how it feels to listen to the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds album on the go
Got my copy of the Rosalina storybook and that shit’s so charming. Little surprised it doesn’t include the bonus chapter from the remaster but whatever
November 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Got my copy of the Rosalina storybook and that shit’s so charming. Little surprised it doesn’t include the bonus chapter from the remaster but whatever
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
I bet Young Justice saved a lot of time and money on animation by putting a character who can set up a psychic group chat with everyone so they didn't have to animate nearly as many lip flaps.
November 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I bet Young Justice saved a lot of time and money on animation by putting a character who can set up a psychic group chat with everyone so they didn't have to animate nearly as many lip flaps.
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
In its brief runtime, Lee Petty and Double Fine’s Keeper manages to sweep you up in its surrealist world, while keeping you grounded with a simple but affecting tale of found family.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social Reviews.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/review-...
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social Reviews.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/review-...
Review | Keeper - Finding Your Place — startmenu
In its brief runtime, Lee Petty and Double Fine’s Keeper manages to sweep you up in its surrealist world, while keeping you grounded with a simple but affecting tale of found family. Brandon Craw Rev...
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
In its brief runtime, Lee Petty and Double Fine’s Keeper manages to sweep you up in its surrealist world, while keeping you grounded with a simple but affecting tale of found family.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social Reviews.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/review-...
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social Reviews.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/review-...
Reposted by Michael 'Play The Hundred Line' Beckwith
UK politics: "we have invented the Ace Attorney system from acclaimed game series, Don't Invent the Ace Attorney system"
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
UK politics: "we have invented the Ace Attorney system from acclaimed game series, Don't Invent the Ace Attorney system"