Top Down Perspective 19 - 09 - 11

On this week's show Jon is playing Mega Man Soccer as well as a bunch of Battletoads. Sean is playing more Age of Empires Online as well as the new Driver: San Fransisco. Nathan is trying out some more iOS games as well as searching the city for Dead Island.
As for news, the 2011 Tokyo Game show happen so we're talking about all the 3DS and PlayStation Vita's future. All that and some information on Shadow Complex 2.

Top Down Perspective 12 - 09 - 11

This week Jon is collecting games from sales all over town while Sean spends all his waking minutes on Age of Empires Online. Nathan is playing some of that too along with Tiny Tower.
As for news, we're talking about The Last Guardian's absence from this year's upcoming Tokyo Game Show, Max Payne 3 still existing and Nintendo's newly announced second analog stick peripheral for the 3DS.

Top Down Perspective - Pax Prime 2011 Edition

This week we're all back from our various trips and we're talking about Jon's time at Pax Prime 2011. Firefall, the Pax 10, Halofest, and everything else he did. Nathan's been playing Tiny Tower and, along with Sean, some Age of Empires Online. Sean and Jon has also been playing with some of the recently release 3DS Ambassador Program games.
As for news, we're talking about the Uncharted 3 reality TV show, the announcement of the Persona fighting game, and much more.

Top Down Perspective 18 - 08 - 11

Sorry its late, but that is almost entirely due to the fact that for the first time in the history of the podcast, SEAN isn't here this week! That means a two man show starring Jon and Nathan, which also means a slight change in the order of operations. That's right, new first THEN the games we played. Revolutionary I know. Stories were a bit light this week as we recorded right on the verge of Gamescom, which is where all the big stuff is going on (including a new Grasshopper game, but we don't mention that at all on this show). Instead we talk about the upcoming ICO/Shadow of the Colossus HD collection and the exciting fact that some unseen aspects of "The Last Guardian" will be glimpsed in a featurette when it drops in September. We also talk about the long-awaited return of Counter-Strike, the only modern military shooter that ever mattered.
Then its games games games, including Catherine, the greatest game ever made (Deadly Premonition to the layman), Shadows of the Damned, Another World, Mario's Picross and a handful of others (been a few days at this point, my memory isn't as a good as a chimpanzee's...that actually IS true, amazing creatures).
Speaking of remarkable apes, Orangutans. Amazing. 97% of their DNA is virtually identical to our own, including whatever it is that makes iPads so fascinating because yes, some genius scientists somewhere are finally allowing our ape brethren to tinker with some of the latest technology and all of us here at the Top Down Perspective could not be happier. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is in theaters now if you want a glimpse at the amazing future that surely awaits us if we continue down this path (fingers AND toes crossed).
All that and a record number of user-submitted questions! Thanks, keep 'em coming.
Ah yes, and our theme song this week is an excerpt from the Suburban All-Star's song "Soccer Riot".

Top Down Perpsective 08 - 08 - 11

This week Nathan's computer has awful problems so we lose the "what are you playing?" segment of the show. But in terms of news, you'll get to hear about Borderlands 2, the PlayStation Vita being pushed back into 2012 for everywhere outside Japan, and (most importantly) the Tester season three has been announced!

Top Down Perspective 01 - 08 - 11

This week Nathan hates everything. That pretty much sums it up. But, they both played Bastion and Sean went through Atlus's Catherine.
As for news: a significant 3DS price drop is announced and coming soon. Information about the Nintendo Ambassador Program is talked about along with the release of the Humble Bundle 3 and Australia getting their own mature games rating (finally).

Top Down Perspective 18 - 07 - 11

We're back and Jon hasn't really played anything (a little Mortal Kombat). Sean on the other hand is playing Ms. Splosionman, Hot Spring Story, Picross DS, Geometry Wars Galaxies and a little Noby Noby Boy. Nathan is also playing Twisted Pixel's new game as well as some online indie flash games and the new Catherine Demo.
Not much news is going around but we carry on. Pop Cap Games is purchased by EA, a man finishes Dragon Quest 9 in 700+ hours and some of June's sales figures come through with disappointing results.

Top Down Perspective 11 - 07 - 11

Nothing is really coming out right now! Sean finished up Puzzle Agent 2 and continues to adore Picross 3D. Nathan is also trying out the new Nelson Tethers game. Jon is playing more handheld games such as the two recent eShop GameBoy releases: Qix and Fortified Zone.
In the news department you'll be hearing about Team Bondi's awful company ethics, Harmonix trademarks 'Vidrhythm' as well as  Nintendo talking 3D gaming on the WiiU and automatic downloads of game demos to your 3DS.

Top Down Perspective 05 - 07 - 11

We're all together again this week after a great Canada Day weekend just in time for the 4th of July! Nathan is playing more Trenched as well as some old Gunstar and Castlevania games. Jon is visiting some old DSiWare Pictobit games as well as the most recent GameBoy eShop release: Kirby's Dreamland. And Sean is playing a ton of Picross 3D and starting up Puzzle Agent 2.
As for the news, Limbo is coming to the PS3 and PC. Disney is shutting down Pure and Split/Second developer Blackrock Studios and Capcom has chosen to not allow people to delete saved games from their new Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D 3DS game. Lastly, Activision has announced Call of Duty XP 2011 .....the Call of Duty themed convention.

Top Down Perspective 26 - 06 - 11

This week Nathan is playing the original Bioshock as well as Double Fine's Trenched. Sean finished up Duke Nukem Forever, Ghost Trick, Child of Eden and starts Shadows of the Damned as well as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. Jon is also playing the "new" Zelda as well as some old games.
As for news, LulzSec has decided to stop hacking people, Infamous 2 is already up for digital download and California is, once again, trying to ban violent video games.

Top Down Perspective - E3 2011 Edition

E3 happened…over a week ago. But hey, welcome to your eighth most useful source for all the latest happenings in the world of interactive entertainment (trance vibrators included), the Top Down Perspective!
Herein you shall hear glorious tales detailing the games of tomorrow from our very own Jon Wheeler, who actually traveled to the City of Angels for the biggest (well, most prestigious) video-game trade show on this planet. Every single press conference is discussed in detail (arguably, too much detail, hence the length of this episode).
But hey, what’s this, games are coming out right now! In addition to all the E3 chatter, we break down what we’ve been playing as per usual, though this week contains some pretty heavy hitters. The Duke is loose on the Xbox 360 and both Sean and Jon have some choice words to share regarding the highly publicized release of “Duke Nukem Forever”. Just think, if you were born the year this game started development you would be starting junior high, or planning a bar mitzvah, or some other rite of passage that takes place when you turn 13 (or 14 depending on who you ask but that ruins this tangent). Finally, Nathan gets so excited about “Child of Eden” he loses control of his ability to string words together in a coherent manner, resulting in some unfortunate, completely unintentional double entendres.
To be honest, many more games are talked about in this segment but you’ll have to actually listen to the episode to find out what they are. Enjoy this extra long episode, we’ll be back with our regularly scheduled program (including the e-mail portion) next week.

TDP Spoilin' Games: L.A. Noire

DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED L.A. NOIRE! You have been warned!
Sean and Nathan spoil the crap out of Rockstar's L.A. Noire as they analyze everything they found great, and not so great, about the game. This is a bonus dedicated podcast talking about that one game only and nothing else.

Top Down Perspective 05 - 06 - 11

This week we're missing Nathan but Jon is hear to chat just in time before he leaves for E3. Sean finished up L.A. Noire and dove head first into the everything the Rockstar Pass gave him. Jon on the other hand is still trucking through Shadow Wars, and has tried out Dead or Alive Dimensions and Blaz Blue Continuum Shift 2 for the 3DS.
In the news section we have some information on a rumored name for Sony's next handheld, along with word that the PSN is now completely up in North America and the "apology program" is in session.

TDP Diet! 29 - 05 - 11

This week all our schedules run tight so we only have time for a short recap. Sean finishes off the Portal 2 campaign and plays a bit more L.A. Noire. Nathan tries out Crysis 2, Fight Night Champion and completes L.A. Noire. We also mention that a L.A. Noire specific episode is on the horizon.
As for the news, a Hulk Hogan Kinect game is announced along with a Phoenix Wright movie. Mortal Kombat DLC is discussed as well as the reveal of the Modern Warfare 3 trailer of last week.

Top Down Perspective 26 - 05 - 11

Nathan and Sean have been playing a ton of L.A. Noire so get ready for that. Also, Sean started Portal 2 co-op and Nathan continues to play Wario's Woods. Jon on the other hand is getting frustrated with Shadow Wars.
The PlayStation network is in a weird place as part of it is down but others are up (briefly). Sony also details the apology program for everyone, Duke Nukem Forever goes gold and L.A. Noire might become a franchise.

Top Down Perspective 17 - 05 - 11

Sean's here and telling us all about his time with last week's new release: Brink. Nathan is playing a ton more Wario's Woods and Jon is still playing MvC3 and started up Outland.
With news: Sony seems to almost have the PlayStation Network back up (and then down again), Soul Calibur 5 is announced, and more is discussed on this week's TDP.

Top Down Perspective 09 - 05 - 11

This week Nathan and Sean have been playing more Mortal Kombat. Nathan also enjoyed quite a bit of Picmin 2 as well as a ton of Wario's Woods. Sean on the other hand started up Portal 2 and tried out Unpleasant Horse. Jon joins in later to talk about Mortal Kombat, Castlevania Legends and Ghost Recon Shadow Wars.
On the news front we have more information regarding the PlayStation Network's down time, Mass Effect 2 being delayed, information on Burnout Crash and Value working only on "single player plus" games from now on.

Top Down Perspective 02 - 05 - 11

We're all here and ready to go this week. Sean starts us off with Outland. As well, everyone here has played some of the new Mortal Kombat. Nathan played through Portal 2 as well as revisited some old GameCube games. Jon didn't play much other than MK but he did have time for some Mole Mania for the GameBoy.
The PlayStation Network is still down and your credit card information might be at risk! No Halo themed armor in Gears of War 3, information on the first Portal 2 DLC is revealed and the next Assassin's Creed game might be getting announced soon. All that and more on this week's TDP!

Top Down Perspective 27 - 04 - 11

This week on the SLEEPY cast Jon is dead tired from traveling so much, Nathan is tired from being up till 5 writing an essay and Sean is sick. Jon arrives home from Sakuracon and tells us about his time there. Nathan and Sean go back to some older games. Since you're dying to know, Sean's obtained 111 Pokemon in Pokemon Black.
As for news, the PlayStation Network has been down for a few days due to unexpected causes, some more Project Cafe rumors and EA Sports details a new subscription service they may have in the works.

Top Down Perspective 17 - 04 - 11

This week Jon is trying out a new Xbox Live Indie Game, playing some more Marvel vs. Capcom 3 as well as some Rayman 3D. Nathan is addicted to Plants vs. Zombies along with more obscure IOS games. Lastly, Sean has been playing World of Goo for the iPhone, Bit. Trip Beat (on PC) and Back to the Future Episode One.
As for news: Valve has something crazy going on with the release of Portal 2. Information regarding the end of the PlayStation hacker situation arises. And rumors of Nintendo's next home console begin to surface.