Welcome to the Powet Top 5, where we explore the top (and bottom) 5 items we think are relevant to any of a variety of topics that span the imagination. Sit back, read, and respond.

Snotboogie, as seen in the opening seconds of the show's first episode. R.I.P Snotboogie

Baltimore is a dangerous place, even moreso if you’re involved in its drug game. Of course if you watch HBO’s groundbreaking series The Wire, you already know this. No one is guarenteed a happy ending. In fact, several people, including main characters have gotten killed in some of the worst ways imaginable. The five people below in particular, have deaths that were particularly memorable and gut wrenching. Coincidently, this list is organized by season as well. Obviously, massive spoilers are coming, so if you haven’t seen this series, check out the links below before reading.

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This $20GOTW comes to us courtesy of Jeff Vogel’s Spiderweb Software. Founded in 1994, the company specializes in RPGs in which gameplay and story take precedence over graphics and sound. The company is also notable for prioritizing Mac development over Windows. Often times, the company develops its games for Macintosh before porting them to Windows. The company’s games are geared towards hardcore RPG fans, and while they lack the bells of whistles of games like Skryim and Dragon Age, their stories and gameplay give mainstream RPG franchises a run for their money. Case in point, Geneforge. While the first Geneforge game was released in 2001, you’d think the game came out in 1987. However, it’s unique gameplay, specifically the ability to summon creatures and create an army of your own, were ahead of its time.
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15 years ago, moviegoers packed theaters to watch Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day, a movie in which a group of pilots team up to fight off an alien invasion. The movie was nothing short of an epic in its day. Sadly, the obligatory movie tie-in video game was no where near as epic. Basically its a screw up of a flight simulator with repetitive missions, crappy play control, and worse flying physics. You fly around each level, take out all the enemies, then destroy the enemy superweapon in 45 seconds, rinse, and repeat. At least you can unlock new planes, but they play like crap too. Oh, and there’s a Will Smith soundalike! So yeah, this game’s a bust. You want to battle aliens while flying around? Go play some Star Fox.

Full confession: I already love Aaron Sorkin. Mostly, I loved Sports Night, which was a two-season series on ABC, which I found to be no end of fun and woefully underrated. It certainly had problems that got in the way of its mass appeal, so its cancellation after two years wasn’t entirely unexpected. It’s been nearly fifteen years since that show started, so Aaron Sorkin must have learned from what did and didn’t make that show work, right?

Oh yes he did, and here are the top five reasons why.

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The Digital Novel is a genre of gaming that isn’t popular over on this side of the Pacific due to its heavy emphasis on story rather than action. However, this title from independent developer Christine Love is worth checking out for its non linear storytelling, although clearly it isn’t meant for everyone. Designed as a spiritual successor to her two previous games Digital: A Love Story and Don’t take it personally babe, it just ain’t your story, Analog’s deep story and 59,000 word count will keep open-minded players hooked.
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Despite its steep learning curve, Jet Moto became a cult classic on the original Playstation, and is one of the many franchises that Playstation 1 gamers wish to see revived. Developed by SingleTrac(Twisted Metal), Jet Moto was the future version of motocross, as you took control of a hoverbike with a rocket engine on the rear. Playing as one of several unique characters, you make your way through several unlockable tracks as you try to win each race. The game’s physics system made the handling something special, although proper handling was downright chaotic for new players. The game’s steep learning curve scared many players off, but players who stayed on board were well rewarded as they mastered their vehicle, along with each curve and bend of the game’s tracks. The comic book art style (featuring some sexy pin up girls) and Pulp Fiction-style soundtrack also helped to keep players hooked. The PC version of the game improved on the Playstation original’s graphics and multiplayer, and two sequels added even more features to Jet Moto. After the Playstation 1 years, the series basically disappeared as two planned sequels were canceled early in development. All three Jet Moto games are available on the Playstation Network for download, so if you like hardcore racing, check them out.

Welcome to the Powet Top 5, where we explore the top (and bottom) 5 items we think are relevant to any of a variety of topics that span the imagination. Sit back, read, and respond.

Let’s face it, having a servant must be an awesome thing. They clean up after you, prepare your daily routine, fix you whatever you want to eat and drive you around – amongst a whole plethora of other duties. They are your right-hand man. (or woman, if we want to be politically correct)

Then there are the servants that not only fix you dinner and take out the trash, but the type that REALLY take out the trash. They do everything from help you combat colds to combat the forces of hell. They may have been soldiers in their former lives, or are just very dedicated to making sure every possible need of their masters is met; even those that require a good helping of regular asskicking.

There is “effective”, and then there is “combat effective”. These guys take up both titles. They will also serve you tea in-between cracking skulls. Would you like some sugar with your lumps?
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Bastion was developed over the course of two years by a 7-man team of Independent developers. It debuted last year as part of Microsoft’s annual Summer of Arcade promotion, and was recently included in the last humble indie bundle. Playing as a character known as “The Kid”, you explore the broken landscape to find out the secret of “The Calamity”, an event that ruined the world long ago. You wield several upgradable weapons as you travel through a landscape that puts itself together as you travel on it. There is a narrator in the game that provides commentary on everything you do. With its unique art style, Bastion stands out among independent titles, and its gameplay is reminiscent of 16-bit action RPGs like Secret of Mana. If you’re a fan of old school level grinding, you’ll love Bastion.