As an overall experience, the OnLive MicroConsole asks quite a bit out of me as a user. Not the service itself, I have no beefs with the service. The OnLive MicroConsole is a box roughly the size of a DSi. It is designed to bring PC gaming to your television or monitor without the need of a computer with reasonable specs, or a computer at all for that matter. There is a lot the OnLive MicroConsole has to offer the world in terms of a cheap and affordable PC gaming experience brought straight to your living room. It’s hard to imagine a world where they could even live up to a fraction of such lofty goals and promises

All it asks is that you have a TV or monitor with an HDMI port, an Ethernet port to plug into nearby, and at least 2 MBPS out of your ISP to experience their service. This is where I ran into some issues. I’ve got power sockets and death squids all over the place, so that’s no problem. My TV is HDMI ready, so no need to drop 30 bucks on a component adapter, and I can handle the MBPS needed. But I’m clearly not the person they had in mind for the MicroConsole. The service allows for computers to connect via WiFi, however the console does not. The console requires you to connect either with an Ethernet cable or through various bridge techniques.

So, as it stands now, my only option is the grab a big ol’ Cat5 that I still have from when I wanted to play some PS2 online and went to work. The problem with this scenario is that I’m too uninterested in crafting any sort of bridge solution, so I’m just stuck having this MicroConsole sitting on the floor with cables strewn about as I try and figure out the best possible way for this to work.

It doesn’t work.

It just sits there.

Neither on my entertainment center or anywhere else useful, it becomes a deathtrap. Ready for my dogs to wander in, trip over, and unplug at any second. But I powered forward. Obviously the best solution for me is to just use my home computer if I really wanted to use OnLive effectively. But hey, this unit was free. I’m going to use it.

After that, it’s all gravy.  The unit boots up in a flash. First time start up is simple enough. Quick sync of the controller using the included USB cable gets your rolling. Speaking of included cables, considering they hand these things out like samples at Costco, it’s pretty impressive that it comes fully loaded with all the cables and accessories you would need. You get your network cable, power cable, USB cable for controller charging, a rechargeable battery, a battery pack that takes double-A batteries, even a pair a Duracell double-A’s to get you started, and surprisingly a rather nicely sized HDMI cable. It really is a fully loaded package.

Once you log in using your OnLive account, you discover that the dashboard is exactly the same as the PC experience. The OnLive MicroConsole is not it’s own unique user experience in any way. Outside of using a unique OnLive crafted controller, it is identical no matter how you are using their service.

A unique part of this system is the controller. Most conventional wisdom would just assume that, considering this is ostensibly a PC, that they would either A) pack a simple but branded USB keyboard and mouse with the unit or B) tell you that you can just use most any USB accessories you need. But they don’t.

Instead they took a rather surprising route. They included a controller unique to the console. What can only be described as a some sort of insane alchemic formation that is a cross between a 360 controller, a PS3 controller, and a Wii Classic Controller Pro. You get your traditional ABXY buttons, left and right triggers and bumpers, a D-Pad that doesn’t suck (this is important to note), and concave thumbsticks that are laid out like a PS3. There’s also an interesting media row, which allows you to record and control what OnLive has dubbed “Brag Clips”, which is just PR speak for gameplay videos you can record and show off to other OnLive users. It’s a rather nice inclusion.

You look at the controller though, and it gives off bad vibes. Aesthetically it looks like a third party controller you’d buy for your PS3 or PC that is both a game controller and a multimedia remote wrapped up into one package. However, its build quality is superb. It has a nice weight to it, and all the buttons, triggers and pads just feel solid. I should note that the OnLive MicroConsole fully supports most USB keyboards, mice, USB hubs and various other third party controllers, including the XBox 360 controller. Check it out below. I lined it up with the 360 and the PS3 controller for quick comparison shot.

I’m not going to spend too much time talking about the service of OnLive, since the service itself is free these days and easy enough to just jump in and try out. Most of the games feature 30 minute timed demos, so if you want to put the system through it’s paces, it’s easy enough to see if it’s for you and if you find it’s stream of Arkham Asylum up to your standards. The biggest worry, and a rightful one at that, is that this service does run through the Internet. You are essentially playing a video of a game with a wireless controller. There is a lot to go wrong in that equation. But I can tell you from first hand experience that it’s a virtually non-existent issue. I’m not so one with the machine that I recognize any sort of lag between pushing the button and having the action happening. It’s a very seamless. There are only a few times when you feel like you’re not actually playing the game directly, and that usually comes from video hiccups or a quick notice of controller lag. I’m not running a particularly fast network at my home, but it’s enough to get things rolling. The image I’m putting out is just barely above standard definition, however I have used the service on much better networks than mine and can say from first hand experience that the image quality can really be superb.

That previous thing I said. About using it on a better network? That’s another great little thing about the console.  It’s actually quite portable. The console is itty bitty. Pocket sized even. The controller is a little bulky, and the amount of cables you’ll need is a little much, but if you’re going to be gone for extended periods of time and you REALLY want to get in on that hot Deus Ex action, than this is an adequate solution.

But here is where I always find myself coming back to when thinking about or talking about the MicroConsole. The question here is WHY would you do that? The OnLive home computer client is more than acceptable. In fact, it’s the exact same service. So, taking the console around with you is just silly when you will likely just have your laptop with you. It makes sense using it at home, but it not being wireless can really kill the convenience factor. I’m sure I’m in the minority here, but not very many people I know have their router within earshot of their television.

There isn’t a room with a TV in my house that this will work with unless I implement a bridge, which is just silly for me to bother doing when, again, I can just use any of the computers in my house and hook up my laptop to the TV. A bridge isn’t a difficult thing, it’s actually quite simple, but an inconvenience for someone like me that simply wants to power up and go. It’s not elegant by any stretch of the imagination, and I will suspect that if things really take off, we’ll be seeing a WiFi version of the console or perhaps a peripheral. The controller is great, but I can easily just use a third party controller on my home PC and get the same exact experience. Yeah, it’s not on my big screen TV, but it has to get to the point where you will just wind up saying “Screw it, I’m buying an XBox” and get on with it.

The MicroConsole is not a replacement for a PC. It’s not even a replacement for a home console. I’m really in their demographic for this thing. I’m both a console gamer and a gamer that would like to play some PC titles, but just don’t have the rig for it. The console itself is virtually useless to me, because I’m just not in a position to use it like an average console. In reality, the BEST demographic for this console is someone who wants to game on a budget. The console is a hundred dollars straight up, but there are plenty of deals where just pre-ordering a game will snag you one at no cost.

For that hundred bucks, you get a decent sized catalog that has regular sales (I just picked up Arkham Asylum for a dollar), and even the option to subscribe to a Netflix like service that lets you play a large catalog of games ranging from the original Deus Ex to Braid for just 10 dollars a month. It’s a great console and a great service that has come a long way since it’s subscription based beginnings. If I had the appropriate set up for this console, It’d be another welcome addition to my gaming shelf. But given all the hoops I’ll need to jump through, I really will just be better off using the PC client.

Despite my personal issues, I have the console and the less than ideal or elegant ways of making getting it online without being in close proximity to my networks router (and I’m sure I’m not some outlier on that scatter plot, am I?). The hardware is top notch, well built and well worth owning if you feel like OnLive is the kind of thing you could really sink your teeth deep down into.

On a very special ninety-eight episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast” we are once again joined by our stalwart co-host Adam “Heat Man” Anania. With him he brings tidings of crushing Jesse’s xbox points total. CRUSHING!

But seriously folks, do people still go on about those things? I know we do briefly in the intro, but then move on to bigger and better things… like the one game that came out this week, multiple remake announcements and the games we have been playing this week.

These include Telltales excellent Back to the Future Episode 1, the best Batman game ever made, Arkham Asylum and some non-licensed games, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (interestingly enough also based on an existing story), Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and demos of The Undergarden and Undertow.

We also go off on some *hilarious tangents.

*hilarity of tangents not guaranteed by WingDamage.com or it’s affiliated. The management would like to remind you that humor is subjective and your mileage may very.

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On a very special forty-eight episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, Jesse, Dave and Jonah discuss their top ten picks for game of the year.

It was a good discussion of our likes and dislikes and why we picked what we picked. We even give out a few honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the list at the end of the show.

I don’t want to give it away here, so hit up after the break to download the episode and hear for yourself.

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Music during the break – “The Robot Band Tune” by Tomas Dvorak (Machinarium Soundtrack)

Outro Music – “Fortuna (Star Fox)” by The OneUps

"Defenders of Earth"

2009 is over, and boy it sure was a crazy year. I fulfilled a lifelong dream and climbed Mount Killamanjaro. I punched an alligator right in the snout. I somehow lost at arm wrestling to a one eyed Grizzly Bear and in between my crazy adventures I even managed to play a few video games. My full time job collecting cans on the side of the highway prevented me from playing every single release that came out, but I tried my best. Below is my personal picks for the top 10 games of the year.

#10 MadWorld (Wii)

The most over the top violent and hilarious game of the year. When one of your basic attacks involves chainsawing people to death, you know you are in for a treat. In MadWorld, a typical fight will leave your enemies trapped in a tire, with a sign post through their head; their bodies dripping blood as they hang on a spike wall. All of this action is announced by the two greatest announcers in history (voiced by Greg Proops and John DiMaggio). They are absolutely hilarious. The game is worth playing if only to hear them spew off lines like: [Redacted by the WingDamage Committee for Inappropriate Language.]

#9 Madden NFL 10 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii)

When EA bought the exclusive rights to the NFL license, I was as angry as anyone. After five years, EA has finally crafted a game that captures the NFL so well that I have forgiven them. Madden NFL 10 is the best entry in the series in years. It’s the way your running backs move and shift to get through the line, the way the defenses react, and the way everything is presented like an actual NFL broadcast that make this game.

#8 Punch-Out! (Wii) [Full Review]

Old school and new school collide in one of the most entertaining games of the year. Just like you remember, but somehow still fresh and unique. Not quite a boxing game and not quite a rhythm game, Punch-Out!! is one of those games that you could throw in fifteen years from now and it would still be a blast.

#7 Demon’s Souls (PS3)

If you don’t throw your controller in frustration when you play Demon’s Souls, you are a robot. If you don’t immediately go pick up the controller after throwing it and play some more, you are crazy. Few games can match the brutal difficulty and addictive nature of Demon’s Souls. Definitely not for the feint of heart or those prone to smashing things, Demon’s Souls is one of those games where the frustrations make the ultimate victory that much more rewarding.

Demon’s Souls also features one of the more unique uses of playing online. You can’t partner up with your friends, but you will see the souls of other adventurers. If you touch the spot where they died, you can see what killed them. You can also leave messages for other players warning them about upcoming danger or letting them know about treasure.

#6 Dragon Age (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

Bioware proved once again that they are masters in the RPG genre. Dragon Age: Origins feels like a return to the classic, Baldur’s Gate. With multiple storylines and styles of play, this disc will be spinning in my 360 for a long time. I loved just about everything about this game; from the battle system to the storyline. The battles are fast paced and action packed, but you can still take the time to plan tactically if you need to. The storyline, like Bioware’s other games, really shines with moral choices that weren’t simply a matter of deciding whether or not to kick children, but actually had me weighing the merits of both sides.

#5 inFamous (PS3) [Full Review]

If it weren’t for a certain caped crusader, inFamous would be the best super hero game of the year. One of the reasons the game works so well is the way you get around. Cole is able to move through the city like Altair on steroids. As you leap and climb your way through the city, the game has a little auto-assist so that you can land right on top of that tiny pole. The effect makes you feel totally awesome as you free run through the city. The other reason the game is #5 is that it succeeds at making you feel like the savior of the city. Your actions actually feel like they make an impact as each side mission you complete clears out the bad guys in that area.

#4 Assassin’s Creed II (PS3, Xbox 360)

Someone at Ubisoft must have access to the internets, because just about everything that people complained about in the original game has been improved in Assassin’s Creed II. A big part of this change comes in the upgrades Ezio can purchase or acquire. You can now use a variety of different weapons in combat, including your hidden blade. In fact, you now have two hidden blades so you can stealth kill two people at once. By the end of the game, you’ll look back at your pathetic starting armor and weapons and wonder how you killed anybody.

The other major improvement that bears mentioning is the story. Assassin’s Creed II doesn’t have the long slow boring parts that seemed to bog down the first game at the end of every level. No more trying to figure out what is going on as you stumble around Abstergo. Now you’ll actually look forward to being outside of the Animus.

#3 Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) [Full Review]

The best Batman game ever. The best super hero game ever. One of the best games of the year. Batman: Arkham Asylum nailed the atmosphere of the comics. You are Batman trapped in a Joker controlled Arkham Asylum. You feel like the Dark Knight as you pick off bad guys one by one.

The game feels like the atmosphere of Bioshock mixed with the stealth of Splinter Cell mushed together and sprinkled over a batter of Metroid. The game is constantly evolving with new gadgets and new moves that will let you reach previously unassailable areas. The game will have you searching every nook and cranny for the countless secrets. If that isn’t enough, there are the challenge maps where you can try to post the fastest time or highest score as you wail on bad guys or try to sneak by them.

#2 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) [Full Review]

The gaming equivalent of an awesome summer blockbuster; Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is perfectly crafted. Everything from the story to the multiplayer feels polished to the point that it gleams. Naughty Dog somehow squeezes more out of the PS3 than anybody else. This game is so good it makes me feel like other developers are lazy. The game is gorgeous and if you are an HDTV Guy, this is the game that should be in your system to show off your setup. However, Uncharted 2 is more than just a pretty face. It features such a perfect blend of humor and action that you are constantly being entertained; whether you are shooting bad guys or scaling mountains.

#1 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

For sheer intensity and scope, no game came close to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It takes my number one spot. From crazy action set piece to crazy plot revelations, CODMW2‘s single player is something that has to be experienced. The game moves you from insane moment to mind blowing moment.

That’s not even mentioning the once again completely addictive online multiplayer, and the brand new co-op focused Spec Ops mode. Modern Warfare 2 will be spinning in 360′s long, long after most of these other games have been traded in to your local game store. CODMW2 is my game of the year. If you haven’t played it yet, what are you waiting for? ]]> http://www.wingdamage.com/daves-top-10-games-of-2009/feed/ 0 http://www.wingdamage.com/the-surprises-of-2009/ http://www.wingdamage.com/the-surprises-of-2009/#comments Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:38 +0000 The Wing Damage Staff http://www.wingdamage.com/?p=5416

Reflecting back on 2009, we found that it was a really great year for gaming. Not only did we see the return of beloved franchises and a resurgence in classic gameplay styles, but some games we originally hadn’t been following or maybe just didn’t hear much about ended up being amazing.

So take a look at our biggest surprises of 2009 and let us know in the comments what yours were.

Red Faction: Guerrilla (Xbox 360, PS3) [Full Review]

The Red Faction series was on the verge of irrelevance. The first two games were fun but I don’t think anyone really expected a third game in the series. Guerrilla released with little fanfare but those that did play it were greeted with some of the most awesomely destructive weapons in gaming. The main game was a blast but the multiplayer destruction contests, where you compete to blow up as much stuff as possible, are where we spent the majority of our time.

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers (Wii)
[Full Review]

People expect certain things from the Final Fantasy name. Crystal Bearers turned most peoples’ expectations on their head. A semi-open world, action/adventure title where you never level up? A hero whose hair obeys the laws of gravity? A mission in the main story that forces you to chase a bunch of monks around a monastery “Benny Hill style” as you yank their hoods off to find somebody in disguise? Crystal Bearers delivers all these things in a package only those with an open mind will appreciate.

Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) [Full Review]

Every Batman game that had come before had sucked harder than the Dyson DC24 with ball technology. It was an unwritten rule that Batman video games were supposed to suck. So when Arkham came out not only did it break the unwritten rule about not sucking, it had the gall to be exquisitely amazing. Combining the atmosphere of a Bioshock with the Metroidvania style and coating all of it with the best stealth this side of Sam Fisher, Batman shattered everyone’s expectations.

inFamous (PS3) [Full Review]

Given the developers pedigree, I should have expected great things but this one crept up on just about everyone. The idea of an electric super hero sounded a little cheesy and Prototype (which was releasing around the same time, looked like it was going to be amazing. Not only did inFamous blow Prototype out of the water with tighter controls, superior graphics, and electricity grenades, it managed to worm its way into the discussions for game of the year.

Borderlands (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

This is one of those games that after hearing the premise, I had no interest in. An FPS that uses a Diablo style loot system? The promises of hundreds of unique, randomly generated guns? I was very skeptical that anyone could make a coherent gaming experience out of that idea. The shooter/RPG hybrid genre has picked up speed, but still has a ways to go. I was very happy to see after just a couple hours spent with Borderlands that the leveling and loot systems worked so well with the FPS elements. Both added to the other in fun and interesting ways. Borderlands manages to be a high energy experience that is even better when played with friends.

Lego Rock Band (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii)

The pairing of two titans can often result in this. So when Lego Rock Band was announced the resulting scoffs reverberated around the internet. But what seemed like a desperate money grab actually ended up being a fun and entertaining music game. Besides it has freaking Ghostbusters.

Excitebots Trick Racing (Wii) [Full Review]

When it was revealed that Monster Games was working on a new Wii title, everybody’s first thought was Excite Truck 2. When we found out how secretive they were being (even dimming their monitors when the water delivery came), people started to suspect a new F-Zero. I think the last thing anybody expected was a racing game in which you control a bunch of robotic animals as they try to make sandwiches, catch fish, and score soccer goals while fighting for first place. Surprisingly, Excitebots Trick Racing is exactly that.

Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

While Bioware’s science fiction games have had my full attention since KOTOR, their fantasy stuff has never really appealed to me. On the surface, Dragon Age: Origins looked very generic to me. From the drab, Lord of the Rings inspired fantasy world, to the character designs. Going in, my hype level was zero. What I found was that it was a highly addictive experience that combines interesting characters and a story with plenty of hook with an interesting strategic battle system.

Tales of Monkey Island (PC, Wii) [Full Review of Episode 1]

Some games of yesteryear are thought to be dead and gone. Even if they did somehow bring them back, would they still be relevant, or would a new developer ruin your beloved franchise? Long time adventure game fans were blown away when they heard that LucasArts had teamed up with Telltale Games to bring back Monkey Island. Telltale had proved they had the chops to successfully revive a franchise when Sam and Max went episodic. It was a match made in heaven and the results were as fantastic as we had hoped.

The Metroid: Other M Trailer at E3 (Wii)

With the Metroid Prime series coming to an end in 2007, we no longer knew what to expect for the Metroid franchise or when to expect it. With virtually no foreshadowing, the Metroid: Other M trailer dropped at E3 revealing the game was being developed by Team Ninja. If anybody predicted that developer would ever work on a Metroid game, they probably worked for Nintendo, Team Ninja, or are a psychic. The trailer managed to seemingly show lots of gameplay while at the same time leaving us all clueless as to what kind of game it really is. The only sure thing is that it is a game I must play.

"WingDamage writer by day, Little Mac by night."

The first full year of WingDamage is officially over. Though we all played a lot of games, we’re also enthusiasts with full-time jobs outside of the site. While there’s just not enough time in the day to play every game that comes out, we do our best. Below is a list of my personal picks of the games I felt where a cut above the rest. Expect to see the picks of our other writers soon after. And don’t worry, you’ll probably agree with their picks more than mine anyway.

#10 Retro Game Challenge (DS) [Full Review]

As you might have guessed after seeing our “Friday Old Games” article series, we like our retro games here on WingDamage. Retro Game Challenge was made specifically for people like me whose favorite genres still include 2D platformers and SHMUPs. The zany plot about Japanese comedian, Shinya Arino, transporting you back to the eighties and forcing you to play fake Famicom games is not only wonderfully absurd, but a great way to take advantage of my feelings of nostalgia.

While the achievement-style challenges you complete in each of the 8bit games are fun, my favorite part is that each game is unlockable for free play. Essentially, what I really bought is a bunch of never-before-released NES games; a fact I am more than satisfied with. It saddens me that the sequel will probably never make it out of Japan.

#9 DJ Hero (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii) [Full Review]

The first night I brought home DJ Hero, I played for over four hours straight, having not gotten home until the late hours of the evening, on a work-night. I did not do this intentionally, but as they say, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” The satisfaction I felt while playing DJ Hero is something I haven’t felt since I first played Dance Dance Revolution.

In a stagnant and saturated genre, DJ Hero felt fresh. The input requires much more than a series of colorful button presses (though it uses those, too) and the soundtrack is made entirely from never-before-heard mashups of popular music from various decades mixed by legendary DJs. While it might not sell as well as Rock Band or Guitar Hero, I think it’s exactly the breath of fresh air the rhythm genre needed.

#8 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (Wii) [Full Review]

I’ve never been into sports, but I’ve been a fan of golf videogames since Golf on the NES and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, while using the Wii Motion+ attachment, is the best golf videogame I’ve ever played. This is the game that makes me eagerly anticipate future WM+ enabled titles. The three different control settings make it easy for people of all skill levels to play together and the advanced control scheme is incredibly satisfying once you’re ready to take it on. There’s a ridiculous number of courses to play and tons of customization. I can’t imagine the next iteration doing anything this game didn’t already do well enough.

#7 Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii) [Full Review]

Muramasa: The Demon Blade is absolutely stunning to look at. It’s not just a pretty face, either. The game manages to achieve an insane combat style that’s more “ninja-like” than anything I’ve ever seen on a 2D plane. On top of that, it featured a “Metroidvania Light” map structure, giant bosses, multiple playable characters, RPG elements, and a vast quantity of swords (each with their own stats and special attack) to collect. I can’t wait to see what Vanillaware cooks up next.

#6 Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) [Full Review]

Batman: Arkham Asylum, while not perfect, is a great game. Rocksteady did an excellent job of making you feel like you’re every bit as fear inspiring and every bit as vulnerable as Batman should be. You can take on huge unarmed groups, but once they have guns it’s time to be a stealthy predator. The pacing is great, there are tons of secrets to find, and the voice cast reprising their roles from Batman: The Animated Series is fantastic. It manages to not just be “good for a licensed game”, it’s one the best games of the year.

#5 Assassin’s Creed II (Xbox 360, PS3)

I’m not usually a fan of open-world games, but Assassin’s Creed II is a lot of fun. Each of the game’s cities are huge and climbing around all the buildings is so satisfying that I found I hardly used the “fast travel” system. The game is full of detail from the hustle and bustle of the cities lively inhabitants to the viewpoints, codex  pages, glyphs, feathers, and any number of other important things scattered throughout Italy for you to find.

#4 Punch-Out!! (Wii) [Full Review]

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! is the very first videogame I ever remember playing. When I heard they were making a new one, I flipped out with excitement. This game did not disappoint me one bit. It is 100% pure, unrestrained fun. Nothing in this game gets in the way of that. It is simplicity at its best.

The cartoony art style is fantastic and fits the game like a glove. Every boxer is extremely expressive and full of life. The controls are tighter than ever and the new “Title Defense Mode” doubles the length of the otherwise short experience without feeling like cheap padding. It may be “old school”, but Punch-Out!! doesn’t feel any less relevant to me now than it did back then.

#3 Street Fighter IV (Xbox 360, PS3)

2009 was the “comeback” year for fighting games. A ton of great fighters came out, but Street Fighter IV trumps them all. With a huge cast of fan-favorites as well as new characters, I’ve been able to enjoy some pretty lengthy multiplayer sessions. Capcom struck the perfect balance between old and new with the move-sets. Focus attacks, specials, supers, and ultras allow for a very deep fighting experience while still managing to not feel too intimidating (a problem I had with the critically acclaimed BlazBlue). Street Fighter IV is my new favorite fighting game and I eagerly await the next iteration.

#2 New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii) [Full Review]

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is so incredibly fun that I went back and forth numerous times on whether or not it was my number one game. Ultimately, it landed in my number two spot, and I hope it also lands in every Wii owner’s home. While the themed worlds may feel cliche, the actual level design is incredibly imaginative. Playing alone is as satisfying as Mario games of old and playing with friends is an entirely new, ridiculously enjoyable experience.

#1 aka GOTY… Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) [Full Review]

This game has already been called “Game of the Year” by a large number of media outlets. You know why? Because it’s incredible. Uncharted 2 is one of the most entertaining media experiences out there. It’s full of a cast of likable characters that are better acted and more believable than many you’ve seen on the big screen. The pacing is so good you’ll want to play it in one sitting (but you won’t because it actually takes a decent chunk of time to complete).

The single-player would have been more than enough to blow me away, but the multiplayer is the icing on the already delicious cake. Rather than feeling tacked on, it’s very fun in both versus and co-op and gives me more excuses to revisit the game. This is the kind of game you can feel comfortable recommending people buy the system for.

"Nice to see you Jim. You been working out?"

“2 Player Reviews” is a series of articles in which two members of the Wing Damage staff separately review a game, so as to give our readers multiple perspectives on the subject matter.

Player 1 – Jonah “spambot” Gregory

Player 2 – Luke “masterlookas” Jahnke

In comparison to most other superheroes, Batman is a pretty complex guy. He is one part genius detective, one part silent, stealthy ninja, and one part total henchman-punching badass. So it is pretty easy to understand why developers in the past have had such a hard time capturing the Caped Crusader in videogame form.

"No Photoshopping Required"

On a very special forty-forth episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, the announcement that Mega Man 10 will be coming out this March is discussed, much to the joy of one Jesse “writes for the Mega Man Network” Gregory.

In our “What We’ve Been Playing” segment, Wes has been spending more time on his iPhone with Chronicles of Inotia 2 and the PC version of the epic space opera, Mass Effect. Jonah has been playing some co-op on Borderlands and finished Batman: Arkham Asylum. Jesse, when not busy freaking out about Mega Man 10, was finishing Mega Man Legends and trying out the new Zelda: Spirit Tracks.

In “Friday Old Games” we discuss whether or not Goldeneye on the N64 really holds up. Then there is the news. The Mega Man 10 related news. And Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Hulu! Oh sure, it’s not game related, but it’s Jonah’s favorite TV show of all time.

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Show Notes:

Outro Music – “Fortuna (Star Fox)” by The OneUps

Mega Man Remix Album by ilp0

Mega Man 10 (WiiWare) revealed in Nintendo Power
http://www.themmnetwork.com/2009/12/09/mega-man-10/
http://nintendopower.com/images/NP250_DLmega.jpg
http://www.themmnetwork.com/2009/12/11/meet-a-robot-master-commando-man/
Rumor: http://www.fanboyreview.net/2009/11/21/are-we-getting-mega-man-10/

"And don't mind the tumbleweeds"

Hey everybody.

You may have noticed that this week we have been uncharacteristically light on the updates. The long weekend threw off our schedule pretty badly. We now know that long weekends lead to not wanting to be productive on the site.

You may have also noticed that Jesse has made some changes to the site, most notably the new featured articles bar at the top of the page. This will be a great resource for us to highlight those articles we are really proud of, reviews of the hottest new joints, giveaways, etc.

Don’t worry, though. Next week we will be back on track. That means the good old Barrel Roll Tuesday, new reviews and articles, and a Friday Old Games for your enjoyment.

This weekend, I know I’ll be playing some mad Borderlands on the PC. If you’d like to help me fill out the party, email jonah [at] wingdamage [dot] com, or message me on Steam, where I am known as thespambot. I also plan on playing through some Batman: Arkham Asylum, which has been really fun so far.

What will you be playing this weekend? Post about it in the comments!

"This Sword On My Head Means I'm Invisible"

On a very special thirty-sixth episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, we get the crew together once again to discuss the games we have been playing, the latest news, a movie about LARPing, and announce the final in our series of PAX Pack giveaways.

The crew this week consists of Jesse, Jonah, Brittany, Luke and Nate. Jesse has finally finished up Batman: Arkham Asylum and has a thing or two to say about it (don’t worry, it’s spoiler free). Luke gives us the rundown on the metaltastic Brutal Legend while Brittany has been relaxing with Harvest Moon: The Tree of Tranquility. Nate finally got around to finishing Mass Effect and we all have a good laugh about space marines and their stupid haircuts.

Jesse has also spent some time with the often over looked Breath of Fire series in the form of the PS1 classic, Breath of Fire IV, and Jonah has spent some time playing the Diablo-clone, Titan Quest.

In “Let’s Play Together”, Jesse and Jonah retell their experiences playing the DJ Hero demo at their local game store. The busting of phat beats was involved, as was a display setup with almost no volume and a turntable at a 45 degree angle.

The news has fewer subjects, but a little more focus as we discuss Square’s announcement of their final PS2 product in Japan. The full track list for Lego Rock Band has been released and favorite picks are discussed. There is even a new entry in Jesse’s “Mega Man News Roundup”.

Then it is movie time, in which we have watched “Monster Camp”. If you are unfamiliar, it is a documentary about LARPers. It was filmed locally (Seattle area) and is now streamable on Netflix. We suggest you check out the hobby of some very interesting super nerds. And when I say super nerds, you know I mean that from the heart and am not just being a jackass. I leave that to Nate.

All this and more on episode #36 of Barrel Roll, “Ernest Goes to Monster Camp”.

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Outro Music – “Fortuna (Star Fox)” by The OneUps

Lego Rock Band Track List