James Berich
@jamzy.bsky.social
Long-time game critic and editor for Press Start Australia. Condiment enthusiast. Survival horror obsessive. Twin Peaks romantic. Budding cook. ENFJ-T. Simulcast with @AtJamz on Twitter (when I remember) 🪿
So many questions about this clip of Dead Space that appears in the final season of Damages but has been rebranded SAMURAI $EVEN randomly (and why does he say "Namaste Bitches") 😭😫
December 17, 2025 at 1:04 AM
So many questions about this clip of Dead Space that appears in the final season of Damages but has been rebranded SAMURAI $EVEN randomly (and why does he say "Namaste Bitches") 😭😫
Finished Sleep Awake. Pretty disappointed. Not much horror, if any, and while the blend of live action FMV with gameplay had potential, it ultimately fell flat. Average story, dated gameplay and a wasted concept. It's not bad, it's not good, it's just boring. Nice art though.
December 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Finished Sleep Awake. Pretty disappointed. Not much horror, if any, and while the blend of live action FMV with gameplay had potential, it ultimately fell flat. Average story, dated gameplay and a wasted concept. It's not bad, it's not good, it's just boring. Nice art though.
Giving SLEEP AWAKE a shot now, expecting some cool things given the people involved (Spec Ops writer, NiN guitarist).
December 11, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Giving SLEEP AWAKE a shot now, expecting some cool things given the people involved (Spec Ops writer, NiN guitarist).
Will die on the hill that Tonic Trouble is one of Michel Ancel's most underrated though perhaps revisiting it today would change my mind. And we're one step closer to Ed in Smash Bros obviously.
December 11, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Will die on the hill that Tonic Trouble is one of Michel Ancel's most underrated though perhaps revisiting it today would change my mind. And we're one step closer to Ed in Smash Bros obviously.
Finished ROUTINE and loved it. It doesn't lay on the stalker mechanics too thick and the atmosphere is absolutely top notch, helped by some incredibly strong sound design. It's really a slightly more forgiving Alien Isolation. Really recommend it, even if the plot is clichè. 🌼
December 11, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Finished ROUTINE and loved it. It doesn't lay on the stalker mechanics too thick and the atmosphere is absolutely top notch, helped by some incredibly strong sound design. It's really a slightly more forgiving Alien Isolation. Really recommend it, even if the plot is clichè. 🌼
Successfully opening a door for the first time after mindlessly walking around in Routine for 20 minutes feels like
December 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Successfully opening a door for the first time after mindlessly walking around in Routine for 20 minutes feels like
Gaga still got it 💁🏼♂️💁🏼♂️💁🏼♂️ #TheMayhemBall
December 5, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Gaga still got it 💁🏼♂️💁🏼♂️💁🏼♂️ #TheMayhemBall
Surprised at such varied scores as I really liked Metroid Prime 4. There are some missteps, but IMO none as dramatic as in 2 and 3. It really delivered on that core Metroid experience for me. Adored the world, soundtrack and bosses. The Sylux stuff is SUPER average tho....they didn't cook at all.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Review – Primed For Excellence press-start.com.au/r...
December 3, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Surprised at such varied scores as I really liked Metroid Prime 4. There are some missteps, but IMO none as dramatic as in 2 and 3. It really delivered on that core Metroid experience for me. Adored the world, soundtrack and bosses. The Sylux stuff is SUPER average tho....they didn't cook at all.
IMAX opening in WA, we won 🌚
November 25, 2025 at 12:48 AM
IMAX opening in WA, we won 🌚
Finished Corruption. I think people remember it worse than it was (and people remember Prime 2 better than it was 👀) but overall it felt less Metroid-y with a huge reliance on menus rather than organic exploration. But still had some great moments and cool places to explore.
November 24, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Finished Corruption. I think people remember it worse than it was (and people remember Prime 2 better than it was 👀) but overall it felt less Metroid-y with a huge reliance on menus rather than organic exploration. But still had some great moments and cool places to explore.
Now on to #MetroidPrime3. The opening is a stark difference to the first two games, setting the tone for what's to come - though I haven't played this since launch, so it's kind of new to me. Really grating and slow intro, but also a really cool battle with a familiar face.
November 23, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Now on to #MetroidPrime3. The opening is a stark difference to the first two games, setting the tone for what's to come - though I haven't played this since launch, so it's kind of new to me. Really grating and slow intro, but also a really cool battle with a familiar face.
Finished with Metroid Prime 2. A lot more annoyances I found with it than I remember - some of the bosses are truly dreadful and navigating Dark Aether can be cumbersome - but it has a vibe and mood to it that's unlike any of the other games. Not my favourite, but still fun.
November 22, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Finished with Metroid Prime 2. A lot more annoyances I found with it than I remember - some of the bosses are truly dreadful and navigating Dark Aether can be cumbersome - but it has a vibe and mood to it that's unlike any of the other games. Not my favourite, but still fun.
We should all take great solace that nothing in Metroid Prime 4 will be as bad as these....hopefully. #MetroidPrime2
November 21, 2025 at 11:40 PM
We should all take great solace that nothing in Metroid Prime 4 will be as bad as these....hopefully. #MetroidPrime2
Tried out Metroid Prime 2 on PrimeHack today and have made some good progress - mainly because I want to see how these games hold up today, having not played them anywhere near recently. With the improvements and the right texture packs, you can make these games look pretty good.
November 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Tried out Metroid Prime 2 on PrimeHack today and have made some good progress - mainly because I want to see how these games hold up today, having not played them anywhere near recently. With the improvements and the right texture packs, you can make these games look pretty good.
I can't believe I've spent TWENTY TWO years imagining what the lost Yuki Yubari chapter would have looked like and now it's happening in fucking Fortnite.
NEW FORTNITE CHAPTER 7 POSTER
THE BRIDE & YUKI YUBARI SKINS CONFIRMED
THE BRIDE & YUKI YUBARI SKINS CONFIRMED
November 20, 2025 at 12:09 PM
I can't believe I've spent TWENTY TWO years imagining what the lost Yuki Yubari chapter would have looked like and now it's happening in fucking Fortnite.
Kind of wild you can just patch in an open world game design 🥴😵💫
Mafia: The Old Country is getting a big free update with new modes and content tomorrow.
vgc.news/news/mafia-t...
vgc.news/news/mafia-t...
Mafia: The Old Country is getting a big free update with new modes and content | VGC
The Free Ride update is out this week…
vgc.news
November 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Kind of wild you can just patch in an open world game design 🥴😵💫
Making it my personality for the rest of this generation that I think Kirby Air Riders is a much better game than Mario Kart World in practically every way 💁🏼♂️ It's a fun, hectic and great looking game that delivers in many ways, no matter solo or with mates.
Kirby Air Riders Review – Puts The Air In Flair press-start.com.au/r...
November 19, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Making it my personality for the rest of this generation that I think Kirby Air Riders is a much better game than Mario Kart World in practically every way 💁🏼♂️ It's a fun, hectic and great looking game that delivers in many ways, no matter solo or with mates.
Had great fun chatting to Kumazawa-san about all things Resident Evil and Requiem. It sounds like they're really listening to fan feedback and this should be one of the most unique Resident Evils so far, which I can only hope for after having played these games for close to three decades.
Resident Evil Requiem Interview – Putting The Horror In Survival Horror press-start.com.au/f...
November 16, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Had great fun chatting to Kumazawa-san about all things Resident Evil and Requiem. It sounds like they're really listening to fan feedback and this should be one of the most unique Resident Evils so far, which I can only hope for after having played these games for close to three decades.
Foolishly thought I could sneak in a single ten minute run of Ball X Pit before starting my work for today about two hours ago 🥹
November 15, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Foolishly thought I could sneak in a single ten minute run of Ball X Pit before starting my work for today about two hours ago 🥹
The reaction to the NPCs in Metroid Prime 4 is completely understandable but I have a feeling, maybe, that after a certain point they will be optional to interact with. I hope. I don't believe that the team at Retro have this fundamental a misunderstanding of what Metroid is.
November 15, 2025 at 3:46 AM
The reaction to the NPCs in Metroid Prime 4 is completely understandable but I have a feeling, maybe, that after a certain point they will be optional to interact with. I hope. I don't believe that the team at Retro have this fundamental a misunderstanding of what Metroid is.
Enjoying Age of Imprisonment much more than I expected in practically every aspect but the fact that it's canon means that the team can't go as weird with all the playable characters and as a result I'm stuck playing as random glup shitto hylians, zora, gorons etc which ain't it.
November 7, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Enjoying Age of Imprisonment much more than I expected in practically every aspect but the fact that it's canon means that the team can't go as weird with all the playable characters and as a result I'm stuck playing as random glup shitto hylians, zora, gorons etc which ain't it.