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.

Download

RSS

iTunes

Show Links:

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

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

"Archive Footage"

2009 was a busy year for me. I had just started a new job, I launched WingDamage with my bro and suckered a few friends into writing for us. A ton of amazing games came out. Here I present to you my personal favorites. This is my top ten, and it doesn’t quite line up with the majority of other people’s that I have found online. That’s just fine with me.

Some releases, while I liked what I played, I just didn’t have enough time to get a good enough impressions to rank them one way or the other. That said, I give you my top ten games of the year.

#10 Borderlands (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

While I do enjoy the occasional FPS, it is not always my genre of choice. A good co-op mode is usually required to really get me interested. Borderlands does a great job of mixing fun FPS gameplay with RPG elements and looting to create a very addictive experience. Better yet, it’s meant to be played with up to three of your friends.

#9 Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (DS)

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is a great way to kill time on your DS. The plot is super goofy and the dialogue is hilarious. Timing is everything for both the attacks and for your defense. This keeps the battles fresh throughout the entire experience. It is any easy recommendation for all ages. Best of all, it’s an RPG that actually works well in short bursts.

#8 inFamous (PS3) [Full Review]

Most open world games have a bad habit of making me lose interest after a few hours. inFamous does several things very well. The free roaming works really well and is always fun. There is just enough of an assist to your climbing that it never feels like they are taking the controls away from you, but you also don’t get frustrated from being a pixel off from any given jump. That combined with the ever increasing lightning powers and a fun, though simple, good/evil mechanic really sucked me in to the game’s world.

#7 DJ Hero (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2) [Full Review]

When I first saw footage of DJ Hero, I had no idea what was going on. The concepts involved in scratching and mixing songs live are way above my level of musical understanding. Much to my surprise, they were able to boil it all down into a game that is fun and engaging with a soundtrack that has made its way into my regular rotation. The price is a sticking point for some people. but since the game hasn’t had the huge commercial success of it’s guitar based counterparts, I recommend picking this one up at a sale near you.

#6 Torchlight (PC)

The combination of a fun art style that mixes fantasy and steampunk with addictive hack-and-slash gameplay was all it took to get me hooked on Torchlight. People who have been waiting for something in the Diablo style that makes some improvements on the genre need look no further. Inventory management has been streamlined. Your pet’s ability to run back to town and sell all your unneeded junk keeps you in the action. The fact that they opened Torchlight up to the modding community almost immediately also speaks to the games longevity. Not only do you get a great self-contained experience, but thanks to other fans, you get one that is ever expanding.

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

If you were to look at a list of my top games of all time, the original Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! would rank very high. I am very happy to say that Punch-Out!! on the Wii lived up to all of my expectations. Long time fans will have no problem blasting through the first part of the game, which plays almost exactly like the original. Fortunately, that is only the beginning. In Title Defense Mode, they have taken our favorite old school characters and completely switched up their move sets, while still staying faithful to the characters and the gameplay, making for a hugely challenging, arcade style experience.

#4 Machinarium (PC) [Full Review]

Some games have so much personality that you know you will remember and return to them years down the road. Machinarium is one of those games for me. The art style has such an interesting, sketchy, storybook feel to it and the characters really come to life. There is no dialogue in the game, yet through animations alone you get a full sense of the story. While some point and click adventure games will reach a point where you click around the screen in frustration, Machinarium did a great job of cluing you in to what you needed to do. If you ever get stuck, the games built-in hint system works amazingly well, telling you what needs to be done without giving everything away. For a small game that you can finish in around five hours, Machinarium‘s charm will stick with your long after you finish it.

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

Somehow Nintendo was able to craft a game that is amazingly fun to play both in single player and with up to four players. The most impressive part about that is they are the same levels. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the kind of game that you can bring out with your friends and family of any skill level and have a great time just goofing around in. The mechanics that require you to be cooperative, while at the same time allow you to be competative, go a long way towards the longevity of the title. If you have a Wii, you should have this game.

#2 Street Fighter IV (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

Another franchise that successfully managed to return to its roots and come back with a fantastic experience; Street Fighter IV delivered for both casual and hardcore fans. The character designs were taken one step further towards looking like a cartoon, which lends itself well to the way over the top fighting action of the franchise. The combination of new and classic moves really helped keep every character feeling fresh and unique. Gone are the days of pallet swapped characters. They even managed to make Dan a viable character. The addition of new move types even helped balance the game for newcomers just learning how to throw down on the mean streets of the World Tournament.

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

I originally was not following Dragon Age: Origins because I thought it looked a little too much like the film versions of Lord of the Rings. Boy was I wrong. This game has earned it’s place as my Game of the Year. Bioware brought their classic gameplay ideas from their old PC days and mixed them with the versatility of modern gameplay mechanics, a good story, and fun characters to bring an RPG masterpiece back to the PC. All complaints I have heard about the game seem to involve the console editions, so I highly recommend the PC version if you can run it. The way you move around in battles and control the action flows perfectly. I was also impressed with how the good/bad meter of other Bioware games was replaced with a party member specific meter of how well that character liked you. Your actions and conversation effect both those in your party and the world around you. With six distinct origin stories and the upcoming two years worth of DLC on an already expansive game universe, Dragon Age: Origins is a title I will be playing for a good long while.

"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.

"An electrifying experience!"

As the Three Amigos eloquently put it in their classic, The Three Amigos, being infamous is even better than being famous. You know, cause your in-famous. This holds especially true for Sony’s PS3 exclusive inFamous. It is good to be inFamous.

As I have outlined earlier, Sony is in desperate need for some sweet exclusive games and Sucker Punch has delivered a knockout blow with inFamous (forgive the pun). I would go so far as to say that this game vaults Sucker Punch right up there among Naughty Dog and Insomniac as one of the premier PS3 exclusive developers.

Sucker Punch is best known for the Sly Cooper series, which is excellent, but geared more for kids. Much like fellow PS3 alums Naughty Dog and Insomniac, Sucker Punch has turned away from the kid stuff for a decidedly more grown up tale. You take on the role of Cole McGrath, a bike messenger who unleashes a massive explosion when he attempts to deliver a package. The explosion gives Cole crazy electricity based super powers. The explosion also plunges the city into chaos and it is up to you to decide if you are going to be a hero or a villain. Gangs have taken over the city and you can actually clear out each district of the city by completing side quests. These quests vary in length and in quality. Completing each not only nets you experience, but will actually remove the enemies from that section of the city.

I am going to unofficially add this one to Jonah’s list of good open world games. The city is open to you, although certain sections have completely lost power so you are in deep trouble if you try to start a fight with no way to replenish your electricity. You maneuver your way through the city like Altair on steroids. Cole will leap up and grab onto ledges, windows, drain pipes, and pretty much anything else he can get his hands on.

By the game’s end, you will be able to float through the air with static electricity, send out electric rockets, throw out electricity grenades, or use a half dozen other nifty powers. That’s right, nifty. The coolest part is stringing your various powers together into your own strategies. I found a healthy mix of electricity grenades coupled with some precision electric rockets to be brutally effective.

The story starts slowly, but picks up a bit as the game progresses. The only thing is, it is up to you the player to find all the dead drops which give you the background info. If you want to just jump around the city shooting dudes with bolts of electricity, you can ignore the story if you want. But if you take the time to piece together all the little bits of information they provide, the end rewards you with a mind blowing twist.

There are the requisite collectible doodads strewn about the city. This is pretty much a given for any sandbox game, but the items are actually marked on your map, so if you want to find them you don’t need to spend $20 on a strategy guide. I love this. Every game that wants me to collect 500 little things flung about everywhere should include a little map with the knickknacks and doodads marked down. That way I don’t have to waste hours searching all over creation for the collectible whatzits.

My only real issue with the game is in the karmic decisions that you are forced to make. There are no real gray areas to any of the moral dilemmas. All of the choices are completely clear. You are pretty much either a bastard or a saint with no in between. After playing through some recent games with a more nuanced approach to moral decisions, it is a little strange to have to decide between feeding people or taking all the food for yourself. I can see why the developers chose to present things in this way, it is simply a small annoyance in such an amazing game.

In the end, the game does a great job of making you feel like the savior of the city or a terrible bastard. One path grants you the power to heal while the other path nets you force lightning. The choice is up to you, but either way you go you’ll end up a super powered electrical storm of rad. And yes, I did get permission from the National Council of Rad to use that sentence.

If you had told me earlier this year that the guys who make Sly Cooper would make one of the best games of the year, I would have laughed as hard as when The Three Amigos defeated El Guapo with the power of sewing. However, Sucker Punch has come through with a very well crafted game that stands tall amongst the PS3 giants and has me excited to see what they have cooking up next. In defiance of reason and Metacritic, I give inFamous a Captain America high fiving a Tiger, then turning to the camera to do the Three Amigos salute… for justice.

"A Dramatic Recreation of Golfin' for Brains"

On a very special twentieth episode of Barrel Roll, A Video Game Podcast, we are joined by special guest Dalibor “Dali” Dimovski, co-founder of Sidequesting.com to talk about video games and video game related topics.

First and foremost is what we’ve been playing, which ranges from Sega’s new Wii title “Let’s Tap” and “Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance”, to a comparison of the Wii and 360 versions of “Tiger Woods 10″. Which version wins out? The one that is most fun! Also Rhythm Heaven and Mega Man Star Force 3 demos have been played by Jesse.

We are proud to have the new Kirby Krackle single “Ring Capacity” to play for you in the break. For details on how to get your copy of this awesome new song about Green Lantern by the World’s First Comic Book Rock Band, go to their site.

The news is dominated by crazy talk. Nintendo’s Demo Play, Final Fantasy Tactics coming to the PSN, the possibility of a “Day of the Tentacle” sequel and much more.

In everybody’s favorite segment, “Let’s Talk About Stuff”, we have a rousing discussion of Prototype VS InFamous VS Red Faction: Guerrilla. Lucas has played all three and gives us the low down on all three of these groovy hip new open world games.

Download

RSS

iTunes

"ZZZZZZZZZ"

On a very special nineteenth episode of “Barrel Roll! – A Video Game Podcast”, we rival our Emerald City ComiCon episode for title of “most sleepy”.

We are once again joined by friend of the show Wesley Johnson, who is here to tell us that Five Guys is worth the trip. Premium burgers and fries? Heck yeah!

In “What We’ve Been Playing”, after some Broken Sword talk, Jonah and Brittany go into further experiences with the beta for Aion: The Tower of Eternity. Brittany has also been playing a ton of Sims 3 the last few days and tells us the changes from part 2. Jesse finally finished Sir Togsef, then threw in a slew of other games to figure out what he wants to move onto next. Wesley, while not having much time to game this week, did get a chance to play a little bit more inFamous.

Being the week after E3, there is not a lot of news to discuss. We did scrounge up a few stories to keep you entertained. We then move on to review the new Blu-Ray release of Advent Children Complete in our “Movie Time” section, and in “Let’s Play Together”, Jesse and Jonah have been trying out Monster Hunter Freedom 2.

Don’t forget we will have Kirby Krackle on the next episode, so post your questions for the guys or email the show at podcast@wingdamage.com!

Download

RSS

iTunes

Show Links:
Sims 3 Unboxening

"Like Redbull, Minus the Horrible Taste"

On a very special seventeenth episode of “Barrel Roll! – A Video Game Podcast”, we see the return of our very own prodigal son, Luke. We are also once again joined by our good friend and fellow gaming enthusiast Wesley Johnson. Together we discuss the pressing issues of the day, like what video games we have all been playing over the last week.

Wesley and Luke have both been playing inFamous, the PS3 exclusive super-hero romp with crazy electrical powers. They each give their thoughts on the experience. Luke also played, and finished, the new Bionic Commando. Did it live up to it’s predecessor? You will have to listen and find out.

Both Jonah and Brittany were in the first Aion beta. It’s the new MMORPG from NCsoft which gives you the ability to sprout wings and fly… once you reach a certain level requirement. Jesse had a chance to finish Klonoa and it turns out, it is as good as people told him it was.

In the second half of the show, we spend a good long while talking about all the nifty new stuff that was shown off at E3. Were our predictions correct?

Here are the links to download the show. Don’t forget to head over to iTunes and give us some sweet review action!

Download

RSS

iTunes