Requiem for a Generation: The Greatest Games of the Last Console Generation

Greatest Series:  Batman, The Arkham Series.

Christopher Nolan wishes.  He may have fooled the popcorn stuffing masses, but he couldn’t fool me, and he couldn’t fool himself.  He lies in bed at night crying, just praying he’ll dream of a world in which his movies were as good as the Arkham series.

At least that’s what I like to think.

My first experience with the Arkham Series (Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Origins) occurred one day when I came home from some place and my brother had gotten a new Batman game I hadn’t heard of called Batman: Arkham Asylum.

I remember being very impressed by the graphics and game mechanics watching him play it.  When I played through the game myself, I was sucked in by the open world aspect and fun story.

The game play was varied and fresh.  You don’t simply grind through a dungeon – fight a boss – repeat.  You explore, fight some bad guys, complete tasks, explore, fight, and when you do face a boss the format of the showdown is different depending on the enemy.

Arkham Asylum was an imagining of the Batman universe that felt authentic while also happening to be a really fun game with oodles of replay value.  The game makers took the time to create an interesting and deep world of characters and it shows.  By itself it was one of the best games of the last console generation.  Looking at is as part of a series and it is just the beginning.

The Arkham series not only gives fans the Batman they deserve but the villains to go with him.  The Joker of course, but the villain that shines especially bright in the series is Bane.  No longer is he some stocky Englishman with a mask and a speech impediment.  He is reborn in the Arkham series as the hulking, Mexican, criminal genius leading a group of fanatical mercenaries on quest to destroy Bruce Wayne.  He also has a totally badass soundtrack.

Where the games distinguish themselves as a series is there ability to keep the characters and open world spirit of the game intact while introducing enough knew aspects to keep it from feeling too familiar or growing tiresome.  Each game has a distinct storyline but is also able to keep an overarching plot and conflict (Batman and the Joker) to keep things relevant.

(This scene is awesome)

In every game, the mechanics improve, the world expands, and the story supplies plenty of new thrills and twists.  Arkham Origins wasn’t just one of the best looking games of the last generation, it was also one of the best sounding.

The best game in the series is probably the second installation, Arkham City.  A flood of new characters are introduced in front of the backdrop of a world that is easily three times the size of Asylum’s.  The leap forward is just astounding.

These games are really, really good looking.

Arkham City also gives fans another thrill by having a multi-story campaign in which the player splits time between Batman and Catwoman (who never looked as good as she does in this game, eat it, Anne Hathaway).  It effectively turns the game into two for one.

Where other series fall victim to redundancy (Call of Duty), or are unable to hold the story together (Mass Effect), or both (Bioshock), Arkham remains strong throughout.

The Arkham series hits everywhere you want it to and leaves you excited to see where it is going to go next.  Christopher Nolan should be so lucky.

Stop It: Filming Concerts on Your Phone

Last summer I went to an outdoor concert in Central Park, She&Him with Camera Obscura.  I had never been to a show in Central Park before, I remember being surprised by how intimate it was, how smart I felt for being one of the only people to bring an umbrella when it poured, and how you weren't allowed to take pictures or video with your phone.

The ban on photography did not only extend to capturing a vine vid of Zoe Deschanel, but literally taking a picture of anything with your phone at any moment.  One overzealous security guard threatened to throw me out of the venue for taking a picture of my friend between acts.

No photos allowed

That security guard and that concert was off the mark, but the spirit behind the rule is right at the center of an issue that is ruining concert experiences:  People filming shows on their phone.

First, lets just get this out there in the open to avoid an ambiguity (or, just in case you missed the title of this post):  Filming performances at concerts on your phone needs to stop.  If you've done it in the past, don't do it again.  If you're thinking about doing it, don't.

The fact of the matter is, you rarely can even see what your filming and even if the video quality comes out okay (which it won't) the sound is likely to be crap.

It blocks the view of people behind you and it distracts and annoys the performer.  It's not exactly the greatest inspiration to be on stage and see people attempting to shoot video of you like some paparazzo.

It's also contagious.  One person pulls out their phone and tries to get a vid and suddenly three people next to him/her want to capture that same moment for all eternity.

This is been a growing epidemic for years that reached a fever pitch last week when Iggy Azelea performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live and this happened:

Everyone in the audience trying to film a performance on their phone when it was already being professionally filmed for television.  Dear Lord.

Now granted there are a few factors that make this situation worse.  One, it is in LA, where the monkey see, monkey do factor is higher than normal.  Two, it is in LA, where most of the people anywhere are only there to network and try and get a few more followers on Twitter or Instagram.

This truly is a terrifying new trend that not only makes going to concerts that much worse but also is leading to a blanket ban that prevents you from even taking pictures at concerts.

C'mon people, put down the phone, real life is happening all around you.

Game of Drinks: Game of Thrones Themed Drinks

Drink-smith Carrie Watt with her Game of Thrones cocktails.

In Westeros they love their horns of ale and a good Dornish vintage.  Well, you may never taste the grapes of the Arbour, and we certainly would not recommend drinking like Cersei Lannister, but you can have some pretty damn tasty Game of Thrones cocktails at the Halyards bar in Brooklyn every Sunday night (at the Game of Thrones/Mad Men viewing party) courtesy of bartender miss Carrie Watt.

Ice & Fire

-Whiskey, jalapeno chili pepper, blood oj, splash of soda.

This aptly titled whiskey drink hits a lot of notes from the moment it touches your tongue.  Starting cool and leaving you breathing fire.  An initial refreshingly sweet flavor gives way to sour and the drink has a distinctly spicy sensation that stays in your throat long after it is gone.

Sanza Stark

-Titos, strawberry, lemonade and basil.

This drink matches the elder Lady Stark in both looks and flavor.  This pink, summery cocktail is light and sweet.  A bright lemonade flavor makes it great for a sunny day by the pool in Highgarden.

White Walker

-Vodka, Cointreau, lemon cordial, simple syrup

This milky white, icy vodka drink has a distinctly tart flavor and a powerful kick that can do you in very quickly if you're not mindful.  Delicious and strong, the lemon cordial gives the drink a visual consistency of an icy abyss.

Remember the Wedding

-Tequila, OJ, blood OJ

Named for the way the blood OJ ominously mixes with the tequila and OJ, this afternoon cocktail is sugary and strong.  The blood OJ sets it apart for both character and taste.

Lady Arya

-Beefeater gin, lemonade, cayenne peppers, cucumber and agave

A personal favorite, this gin drink is invigorating, feisty and great for anyone looking for something flavorful but not too sweet.  A well balanced mix between smooth and fiery, it perfectly embodies everyone's favorite pint-sized assassin.  You can bet the Hound would drink it by the hornful.

So there they are.  Guaranteed to make your journey to the Wall more enjoyable or your next royal hunt more exciting.  Make them at home for your next Game of Thrones viewing party or come down to Halyards in Brooklyn every Sunday night for the Game of Thrones/Mad Men trivia and viewing party (Starts at 8pm) and have Carrie herself make you one of your choosing.