1Upsmanship

1Upsmanship: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Feat. Cody Johnston) Jun 19, 2023

Vwoom and jedi-leap your way through Respawn’s latest with Adam, Mike, and special guest Cody Johnston! Will this jedi survive to the end of the episode, or even score a spot on the Celestial Hard Drive? To find out, young padawan, you must use this zipline to go over there. This is very important. The fate of the galaxy itself may depend upon you being cool at zipline, can you do that? Use the force if you need to, just get it done.

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1Upsmanship: L.A. Noire Jun 12, 2023

Possibly Rockstar’s most divisive open world experiment, 2011’s hard-boiled noir film homage gets the once-over by your favorite creative investigation duo. But beneath the glossy paint and ground-breaking motion capture is this game actually fun? How does the storytelling hold up in the twelve years since this game’s release? Does the game handle its problematic topics like race and gender inequality well? Would we want a sequel if they ever made one? Forget about it, Shipheads, it’s Rockstar.

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1Upsmanship: Legend of Zelda - A Link To The Past (Feat. Danielle Radford) Jun 05, 2023

We’re back, fresh from the barren, content-less Dark World, and we’re starting this season with a bang! This week we warp into the 2D Zelda that perfected the formula, and we’re joined by our favorite Zelda Enthusiast, Danielle Radford! Some would say this is one of the greatest games ever made. Some would say this game is still being imitated to this very day. Some might even say this game remains a blast to play. But none of those people are Michael Swaim! Yeah. He goes pretty hard this episode. So pick up your hookshot, zip over the gap and join us for the new season of 1Upsmanship!

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1Upsmanship: No Man’s Sky (Feat. Cody Johnston) May 01, 2023

Host of Some More News Cody Johnston sits in with Adam and Mike as they tackle a game with ambitions as vast as a galaxy and a launch scandal to match. Has Hello Games done enough to improve NMS over the years? Will it launch onto the Celestial Hard Drive or run out of hazard protection and get eaten by a Gek? They do that, you know. Strap in and let’s go exploring.

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1Upsmanship: Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Apr 24, 2023

Join the chorus, new one. Voices clash and clamor in the never-ending quest to recover our lost souls from the dark places they may wander. In this episode, your stalwart hosts Adam and Michael pore over a game that demands to be taken seriously, both by virtue of the topics at hand and the loving care the developers obviously put into the exercise. But does laudable handling of human suffering equate to a good game? Should it? Does it have to? There’s no doubt Senua’s is a work of art, but to make it onto the Celestial Hard Drive, we’ll have to answer those questions and more.

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1Upsmanship: Katamari Damacy (Feat. Starline Hodge and Hana Michels) Apr 17, 2023

Ship Heads, prepare yourself for maximum fun, because our illustrious host has teamed up with two stellar guests, Starline Hodge and Hana Michels to talk about a game that’s truly one of a kind! Though tough to explain, the sheer joy of rolling up all of known civilization into a junk star is an unparalleled experience that deserves unpacking (and then re-packing obvs). The squad tackles deeper issues like whether this game actually means something and what’s up with dads, man? Things get personal, zany and a little poignant as we endeavor to wrap the universe of Katamari Damacy into a small hour-sized glob. Don’t miss it!

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1Upsmanship: Callisto Protocol (Feat. Tom Reimann) Apr 10, 2023

Stranded in a cold, dark, and surprisingly poop-covered future, our 1upsmanship crew battles its way through Callisto Protocol. Joined by longtime colleague and friend Tom Reimann (Gamefully Unemployed) our heroes debate whether this game got unfairly maligned and whether there’s ever truly enough spike-covered walls. They answer key questions like do we really need this particular white male protagonist? How does Callisto Protocol stack up to its obvious predecessor Dead Space? And will anybody ever bring Adam the space cowboy he so desperately desires? Listen and find out!

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1Upsmanship: Atomic Heart Apr 03, 2023

Your original 1Ups Boyz are back in the USSR! Michael officially returns from some time away, although we air episodes out of order so that’s not actually useful information. What is useful is their breakdown of the first big title from Mundfish, a little bit of Bioshock and a little bit of Fallout all wrapped up in a Soviet Russian package. Blast ‘bots, uncover mysteries similar to mysteries you may have uncovered before in the games that inspired this one, and find out P-3’s ultimate fate – or at least whether you should pick the game up or not. Will it find a place on the Celestial Hard Drive? Listen. Learn. Love.

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1Upsmanship: Diablo 2 (Feat. Abe Epperson) Mar 27, 2023

Slap on your controversy armor Ship Heads, because this episode’s got some scorching hot takes that are gonna do some real AoE damage to looter fans. Joined by longtime pal, collaborator and Dia-bro Abe Epperson (Small Beans), our journey takes some twists and turns as we talk about the growth of the looter genre, Diablo 2’s historical significance, the role of internet communities in game development and whether the destination IS the journey for one of the most beloved PC games in video game history. Don’t miss it!

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1Upsmanship: Assassin’s Creed Origins (Feat. Youssef Maguid) Mar 20, 2023

Michael and Adam are joined by Ubisoft host and producer Youssef Maguid to discuss a huge turning point in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and, dare we say, history? A lively conversation ensues about what makes this entry essential, the meticulous crafting of Ptolemaic Egypt, and whether the changes were good or bad for the series. Mount your camel and zip directly to your destination…Fun! Seriously, those camels have an incredible auto-travel feature!

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1Upsmanship: Stray (Feat. Vanessa Guerrero) Mar 13, 2023

Adam is joined by longtime guest, first time host, Vanessa Guerrero (Twitter: @nessguerrero) to talk about Stray, the 2022 beloved indie cat caper. The conversation gets predictably ‘zurked’ as our feline fans veer off into indie game development cycles, monstrous allergies, and whether they need a face to be loved! But did that cute ginger tabby claw its way into the Celestial Hard Drive? Do our hosts finally grant robots the same emotional significance as humans? Will Adam finally find that crack in the cyberpunk fortress and reunite with Michael who’s just, like, waiting outside for him? Leap on in to find out!

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1Upsmanship: Forspoken Mar 06, 2023

Bounding across the barren video game landscape in search of digital treasure and probably our parents, it’s 1upsmanship! This time our boys take on the recently released and largely panned Playstation exclusive Forspoken in a desperate attempt to add their laundry list of gripes to the pile. But things take a turn toward the celestial as Michael and Adam discuss the value of the Hero’s Journey as a story structure in 2023, the value of a game being made for financial considerations, and how the combat is actually sorta awesome when you finally get all your upgrades. Check it out!

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1Upsmanship: Friday the 13th (Feat. David Bell) Feb 27, 2023

Bar your doors and hit the floor Shipheads, cause this game’s about to rip off your jaw - in a good way! Joined by fellow maniac David Bell (Gamefully Unemployed), our heroes navigate the pros, cons and sometimes thongs of your favorite camp slasher turned asymmetrical multiplayer murder simulator! It’s a love letter to cinephiles and just a damned good time, in the sense that it’s utterly terrifying and Adam and Dave enjoy donning a hockey mask while they podcast.

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1Upsmanship: Favorite Video Game Companions Feb 20, 2023

Mike and Adam take a break from their relentless celestial campaign to discuss their favorite video game companions. But this ain’t no escort mission! Both gamers hold their own as they describe and defend their top ten. Will Mike ever reference a game Adam has played? Will somebody on this podcast finally acknowledge Final Fantasy? Will Adam somehow bring up Destiny again? I mean, yeah probably.

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1Upsmanship: F-Zero (Feat. DJ Danl) Feb 13, 2023

Start your engines shipheads, because 1Upsmanship is taking on its first ever racing game and they picked a classic! Co-piloted by special guest co-host DJ Danl, our boys boost past futuristic space gambling plots, Mode 7 graphical innovations, the history of racing games as a genre, and Adam’s dad hogging the controller. But will F-zero pass the great checkered flag in time to win its place on the Celestial Hard Drive? Tune in and find out!

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1Upsmanship: Among Us Feb 06, 2023

Your stalwart hosts test the very fabric of their friendship – even moreso than usual! It’s not just an argument about a video game, it’s an argument about arguments. Revel in two lifetimes of regrets as the fellas recount their own sordid histories with social games, plus the phenomenal job InnerSloth did harnessing that sick tension and using it to help us all survive the pandemic and come out the other side just a little more suspicious of our loved ones.

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1Upsmanship: Arcaxer (Feat. Anthony Graceffa and Aaron Lutes) Jan 30, 2023

Shipheads, meet Anthony and Aaron, VR devs with a new game to show off and fascinating insights into the unique space in which they work. Arcaxer is VR’s first turn-based RPG. We dive into how they came up with such a wild idea, went about accomplishing it, and the trials and travails of trying to market the thing now that it exists. Visor up and let’s see what the next evolution of gaming looks like (spoilers: it involves running on a treadmill and then vomiting).

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1Upsmanship: Mega Man X (Feat. Seanbaby) Jan 23, 2023

Joined by the internet’s own Seanbaby (@Seanbabydotcom) of 1900-Hot-Dogg and Cracked notoriety, the celestial debate continues with a deep dive on everybody’s favorite super fighting robot, Mega Man who slapped on some new gear and a fresh coat of paint in his first big outing on the SNES. Things get heated when our heroes clash over the game’s difficulty, how much this franchise steals from others, and whether getting the Hadoken is Mega Man’s ultimate power upgrade. Listen now to gain all our powers!

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1Upsmanship: Dishonored Jan 17, 2023

Our heroes zip rooftop to rooftop over the grim streets of Dunwall, discussing all the important questions raised by one of the most creative franchises in recent video game history. How much does this game really owe to Bioshock? Is stealth the only viable approach? Wait, Susan Sarandon is in this? Should every game consider making you lord of rats? Hop aboard, Ship Heads, this one’s a whale of a time!

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1Upsmanship: Celestial Hard Drive Update 2.0 Jan 09, 2023

It’s that time of the year again! Michael and Adam decided to kick 2023 off with a bang and discuss the State of the Drive. In this special once-a-year extravaganza they each revisit five hard drive decisions they’d like reconsidered. Things get surprisingly heated as the two friends argue about whether they need to discuss Psychonauts ever again, whether the Hard Drive needs a morality clause, and whether being first or the most fine-tuned is more important for a game’s legacy. Major game franchises get slandered! Fundamental drive assumptions get patched out! It’s a must-download update for all our listeners!

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1Upsmanship: Game of the Year 2022 Dec 19, 2022

The fellas cap off their first season at iHeart with the traditional ranking of their favorite games of the year-slash-airing of grievances. Elden Ring might even be mentioned; who’s to say? If all the “traditional” outlets let you down on the GOTY front, give this episode a spin. If nothing else, shipheads can trust Michael and Adam to give their unvarnished opinions on what made an impact and what fell flat, no matter how unorthodox or unsupported by the facts. Agree or disagree, hopefully it makes for some interesting conversation and a solid look back at how the medium advanced in 2022.

To those looking to connect via Discord, you can join the Small Beans server by following this link - https://discord.gg/bJrUm5w2P5

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1Upsmanship: God of War Ragnarök Dec 12, 2022

Kratos, Loki, Freya and all the other knuckleheads from God of War (2018) return to complete the Norse Saga. Did one of the most-anticipated games of 2022 live up to the hype? Mike and Adam are happy to explain to you why no, it did not. “Happy” might not be the right word. Exasperated? Livid? The boys get really bent outta shape in this one, guys. Let’s all listen to their ramblings and nod along before they unleash their spartan rage and destroy the studio.

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1Upsmanship: The Wolf Among Us Dec 05, 2022

The game is afoot in Fabletown, and someone’s out to get ahead…or two. Your very own gaming detectives Tweedle Swaim and Tweedle Ganz set out to determine whether Telltale’s decision-driven adaptation of Bill Willingham’s stellar Fables comics belongs on our Celestial Hard Drive. Will you side with Mike or Adam? Either way, they will remember that.

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1Upsmanship: Super Mario 64 (Feat. Daemon Hatfield) Nov 28, 2022

Joined by Daemon Hatfield, host of IGN’s Gamescoop, our heroes reflect on Mario’s first major foray into the 3D gaming, and the moment where he finally found his voice. How did Nintendo triple-jump over everybody’s expectations and nail it on their first try? Why aren’t there more 3D platforming games? What else is there to say about one of the most important video games of all time? Hopefully we figured out something, cause this thing’s almost an hour. Spoilers: We did.

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1Upsmanship: Interview with Game Designer: Charlie Cleveland Nov 21, 2022

One of our most esteemed guests, the designer of Subnautica and new miniature RTS game Moonbreaker, Charlie Cleveland stops by to talk about the design process, his long term goals and experiences as a designer, following up on the success of Subnautica, and how to deal with valid criticisms on a release. You can check out his new game Moonbreaker in Early Release on Stream. Join us for a great conversation about how games are made!

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1Upsmanship: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) Nov 14, 2022

Perched high in their AC-130, Mike and Adam revisit the subject of Call of Duty’s legacy through the night-visioned lens of one of the franchise’s greatest entries. Hard truth bombs get dropped! Friendly fire gets briefly tolerated! But will Modern Warfare finally breach the fortified walls of the Celestial Hard Drive? Join us on this special mission and find out.

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1Upsmanship: Half-Life: Alyx (Feat. Brian Brushwood) Nov 07, 2022

Brian Brushwood of Modern Rogue and the World’s Greatest Con podcast pops on a headset and bumps virtual fists with your fearless heroes as they come together to cover Valve’s pinnacle VR experience! Before the G-Man stuffs them all back into stasis, they’ll finally determine whether there’s a viable path forward for the medium or it’s just a passing fad that gives most people motion sickness. VRoooooom!

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1Upsmanship: Half Life 2 (Feat. Mark Lentz) Oct 31, 2022

What? Back-to-back Half Life? That’s right Shipheads, we know what you like and this Halloween we decided you deserve a treat. Mike and Adam are joined by Mark Lentz, a video game developer who worked on the recent indie hit Cursed to Golf, to discuss the towering legacy of one of video games’ most beloved sequels, Half Life 2. Will Mike finally finish mocking the Smoking Man? Will the boys forgive the sequel’s profound refusal to clarify the story? Will we ever get tired of using the gravity gun? I mean…the answer to all these questions is no, but if you want to know the answer to the most important question of all, whether this game makes it to the celestial hard drive, you’ll have to listen all the way to the end. Enjoy!

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1Upsmanship: Half Life Oct 24, 2022

Grab your crowbar and conveniently pre-charged HEV suit Shipheads, cause we’re tearing down the fabric of reality and changing the course of human (and gaming) history! Join Mike and Adam as they talk about the enormous legacy of Half Life, the series’s unfinished story, and whether it holds up by modern gaming standards. (Spoilers: Adam played Half Life for the first time a month ago).

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1Upsmanship: Alien: Isolation (Feat. David Bell) Oct 17, 2022

Shh! The 1Ups boys and Gamefully Unemployed’s own David Christopher Bell are huddled up trying not to get Xenomorphed. Actually, you know what? Just get in here. It’s safer, plus it smells like dude. We’ll talk about Alien: Isolation, a seminal survival-horror adventure and potentially the greatest film-franchise-to-video-game adaptation of all time. Well, Dave thinks so, anyway.

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1Upsmanship: Dead Space 2 (Feat. Tom Reimann) Oct 10, 2022

Our heroes are joined by their longtime friend and collaborator Tom Reimann to discuss the second installment of the space horror/action RPG franchise, Dead Space. It’s an undeniably polished and action-packed sequel, but does that make it better than the original? What exactly does the Marker want, and does it matter if that’s clear to the player? Did the franchise take the right direction by toning down the scares? Will Tom rip Adam’s arm off and use it to spear this game onto the celestial hard drive forever using his Kinesis module? Hint: at least one of these questions gets objectively answered. Double hint: it’s the franchise direction one.

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1Upsmanship: Inscryption Oct 03, 2022

Seriously, what the hell is this game? That would be an appropriate question to ask, dear listener. So appropriate, in fact, that our hosts were still asking it weeks after they’d finished the game. Join Mike and Adam as they discuss this devious and spooky little deckbuilding game that transcends the boundaries of video game development, storytelling, and even the file structure on your personal hard-drive to become…one of our favorite games of all time? Wow, really? Huh. I guess that’s true. I mean we’d never lie in our intro paragraph.

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1Upsmanship: Stardew Valley (Feat. Maggie Mae Fish) Sep 26, 2022

Joined by returning guest Maggie Mae Fish, the 1ups crew explores yet another ChoreSim/faRmPG game designed by one brilliant, determined, and decidedly strange person. But can this adorably weird indie game keep up with the big boys like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, or will it take a couple swings, get tired, and have to sleep at like 10am? Strap on your listening tools and dive into the videogame mines with us. Yes, the game has mines.

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1Upsmanship: Mass Effect Sep 19, 2022

Our courageous gamerbois brave alien technology, uncertain terrain, and the wrath of the internet as they discuss the first entry in Bioware’s beloved Mass Effect franchise. Sure, it’s important, sure it’s monumental, sure Wrex is one of the greatest characters in videogame history, but does it belong on the drive? Find out if our hosts went Paragon or full Renegade on this special episode!

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1Upsmanship: The Return of the Obra Dinn Sep 12, 2022

Adam and Mike tackle the surprisingly lurid and dangerous world of an insurance claims adjuster who’s investigating the mysterious reappearance of a lost clipper ship. What happened to the crew? Is the Captain actually John Wick? Will this 1-bit indie darling actually change Adam’s AAA ways? Will Lucas Pope submit to our heroes' shameful shilling and be on a future 1upsmanship episode? Unfortunately our magic timepiece doesn’t tell the future, but we feel pretty sure about this prediction: You’re in for a treat.

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1Upsmanship: Sonic 2 Sep 05, 2022

Gotta go fast, sure. But AGAIN?! The blue blur returns in what's widely considered the most important 2D Sonic adventure. We already know Swaim's onboard, but will Ganz grant sahnic entry onto the vaunted Celestial Hard Drive? Start spinning up your impossibly-jointed helicopter tails, because we're going in.

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1Upsmanship: Tunic Aug 29, 2022

The co-captains of the S.S. 1Upsmanship steer us into indier waters, taking a closer look at adorable and surprisingly tough Zelda-like Tunic. Will its mute fox hero win over our cold-hearted hosts? Or will they take turns laying into it for daring to have minor annoying imperfections? Only a listen will tell the tale!

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1Upsmanship: Top 10 Video Game Antagonists Aug 22, 2022

Adam and Mike take a break from antagonizing each other and rank the heroes and legends who did it best. It's time to announce our Top Ten Video Game Antagonists of all time! Predict the picks, root for your favorites, and scream obscenities aloud when we inevitably rank wrong.

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1Upsmanship: Outer Wilds Aug 15, 2022

In this banjo-playing, space-exploring, puzzle-solving episode our heroes contemplate such expansive subjects as the heat death of the universe, the human need for eternity, the value of a simplified narrative conclusion, and why are there giant fish in space? Mike and Adam probe the depths and heights of a meticulously crafted puzzle and traversal indie classic, Outer Wilds, all in the service of preserving its joys and pains for future generations. Of aliens, to be clear. We’re not getting off this rock alive.

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1Upsmanship: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Aug 08, 2022

It's a big one. Some might say the biggest one of all. And to mark the occasion Adam and Mike slip on their iron boots and plumb the depths of one of 3D gaming's early masterpieces. So grab your bloated time flute and play along as our heroes consider important questions like "What was the Deku Tree's plan for Link anyway?", "Does Legend of Zelda have a memorable story or not? and "Fuck the Water Temple, right?" Can the hard drive's destiny really depend on such lazy boys? Yeah, probably.

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1Upsmanship: SeaFrog (Feat. Tyler Maitland) Aug 01, 2022

On a very special 1Upsmanship, Adam and Swaim introduce the shipheads to Tyler Maitland, indie dev extraordinaire and recent winner of the Rogue Games Game Jam for his project SeaFrog. Hey kids, let's learn about how games are made!

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1Upsmanship: Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Jul 25, 2022

Open wide for a fresh 1Up, baybeh! What starts as a deep dive into the latest installment in the Borderlands franchise ends up becoming a wide-ranging debate on the state of the modern looter-shooter, not to mention an object lesson in how to fight about video games then make up. Hooray emotional growth!

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1Upsmanship - Braid Jul 18, 2022

Adam and Mike address a classic indie darling and it answers only in the form of weird time-bending platform mechanics and a story that's either about a breakup or nuclear holocaust. Did the boys dig Braid? Smash that play button and you'll be one step closer to that forbidden knowledge.

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1Upsmanship: Call of Duty, WWII Jul 13, 2022

Backlog Episode!

Adam and Michael turn a stupid shooting game into a shockingly deep conversation, as they are wont to do. It's kind of crazy. Topics include Call of Duty, propaganda in narrative, free speech versus empathy, verisimilitude and historical obligation, and zombie mode.

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1Upsmanship: Cyberpunk 2077 - Next Gen Update Jul 11, 2022

Fresh out of their ripperdoc's basement, Mike and Adam turned around and stumbled right back in for a second snip. They felt their anger levels about the terrible launch of this game could use some cyber-reduction, and maybe a fresh pair of Kiroshi optics might help them evaluate the game in it's "finished" state . So they played the whole thing. Again. But did they enjoy their latest trip to Night City or are they blue-pilling Keanu's Silverhand back into irrelevant oblivion? Or...are they just gonna do a bunch more Matrix jokes? Hey we're not the Oracle, we just tell you what you need to hear. Follow the white rabbit and listen!

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1Upsmanship: Horizon: Forbidden West (Feat. Jason Pargin) Jul 04, 2022

Aloy's pushing her way ever-deeper into what we're pretty sure is a tiny-sized representation of the contiguous United States, and we're right along for the ride! Michael and Adam welcome long-time friend Jason Pargin back to the show to discuss the follow-up they've been explicitly waiting for ever since Zero Dawn dropped. Did the promise they sensed from this franchise pay out?

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1Upsmanship: Gone Home (Feat. Vanessa Guererro) Jun 27, 2022

Our heroes explore an empty and definitely scary house in the woods only to discover one of the most compelling love stories in video game history!! Joined by returning and celebrated guest Vanessa Guererro, the gang bonds over the depth, storytelling, and nostalgia in this little indie classic. It got real y'all. There's even some open-mouthed crying and a plan to dye each others hair that was... unfortunately cut for time. But it happened. Trust us.

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1Upsmanship: Game Mechanics That Should Be In More Games Jun 20, 2022

Ever play a videogame and think "I would LOVE to have a grappling hook in this"? Adam and Mike go back and forth sharing their favorite videogame mechanics and why they should be featured in more games. Smash that play button to see if YOUR favorite mechanics make the list!

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1Upsmanship: Halo - Combat Evolved Jun 17, 2022

It's the Citizen Kane of cover-based first-person shooters with robust multiplayer and vehicles! Adam and Mike take on the original Halo, and trace its impact through Destiny and all the way to Destiny 2, if you can believe it.

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1Upsmanship - Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Feat. Maggie Mae Fish) Jun 13, 2022

What do you get when you cross animals with just kind of hanging out? An activity some -- including the inimitable Maggie Mae Fish -- consider a full-on game, actually, thank you very much. Our hosts dig for fossils, chop wood, and talk shop, all to finally determine whether the game that took the whole world by storm at the start of the pandemic is...you know, "good."

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1Upsmanship - Elden Ring Jun 06, 2022

A new day has dawned, and that means it's time for Michael Swaim and Adam Ganser to level up and present 1Upsmanship to you afresh with a very special Elden Ring ep! Our intrepid heroes have a new theme song, a whole new attitude, and even a new format that's been re-tooled so slightly as to confuse both old fans and new listeners alike. What hasn't changed is the topic, so let's get to it (it's video games, by the way)!

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1Upsmanship: The Hard Drive Episode Jun 01, 2022

The hosts decided to take a review of the celestial hard drive. How does it work? What’s on it? How much space does it have? You see, we’ve been real lax about this in the past and this bit needs codification. With help from fellow Small Bean, askingseven, a list of all the “keeps” has been drafted and now the hosts must answer for their thought crimes.

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1Upsmanship: Sifu Jun 01, 2022

Adam and Michael discuss the crunchy combat of this year’s Sifu by Sloclap! Both hosts found the game’s ability to create the feeling of becoming powerful incredibly satisfying. Unfortunately for them, it isn’t real fighting and they’re both still wimps in real life. Seriously, you could probably just push Swaim over and he’d just say “Left Stick Up, Left Stick Up + X.”

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1Upsmanship: New Pokemon Snap Jun 01, 2022

Hana Michels, who makes cat buttholes on Etsy and is a celebrated Small Bean, joins the pod for a special episode about cramming tiny animals into balls. They discuss the limits of the Pokemon lore, their shared joy of pelting things with apples, and Hana asserts her dominance as the one true trainer.

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1Upsmanship: Halo Infinite Jun 01, 2022

Michael is the Halo hater. Adam is the Halo lover. This episode they talk about Halo Infinite and 343 Industries in some kind of red vs. blue deathmatch. See who wins the podcast. I bet it’s Adam. I don’t know why, that guy just seems like he has his shit together.

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1Upsmanship: Deathloop (Feat. David Bell) Jun 01, 2022

We brought David Bell, big bean and famous pervert, to come talk about one of our GOTYs: Deathloop, a first person shooter with a groundhog day twist. All the 1Uppers enjoy this title and discuss what made it compelling. Is its simplicity a feature or a bug? How did the hosts’ play styles differ? Michael mined the story and embraced the puzzle structure. Adam shot all the people with impressive precision. Dave found a way to make AI do all the work. This all makes sense.

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1Upsmanship - Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Jun 01, 2022

It’s time to cover the Miles Morales game! Michael and Adam discuss Insomniac Games’ influence on the zeitgeist of Spidey. Michael thinks Peter Parker is done, Miles is the new hotness. Adam thinks sequels have become something companies just do for the next gen consoles and this all takes too long. So let’s get all caught up in the web of conversation that is 1Upsmanship. Let’s listen to these gooey white takes.

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1Upsmanship: GOTY 2021 Edition Jun 01, 2022

Our hosts end the year with their Top 5 Games of the Year! While this isn’t a review show, we thought we’d take a moment to tell y’all our picks. It was a great year and we won’t spoil their picks so just put our sound beans in your hear beans.

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1Upsmanship: Psychonauts 2 (Feat. Vanessa Guerrero) Jun 01, 2022

On the most important episode of 1Upsmanship yet, the hosts have Vanessa Guerrero on to discuss the cult hit Psychonauts 2. Vanessa, like Michael, loves this series. Adam thinks “it’s definitely a sequel.” Get ready for the what we’re already calling internally “the “‘Raz’zle-dazzle.” Also, witness a historic Speed Run.

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1Upsmanship - Call of Duty: Warzone Jun 01, 2022

This episode Adam has a secret agenda and forces Michael to cover a Call of Duty. They talk about the casual gaming aspect of the game, the try-hard competitive mentality, the battle royale format, and the children of Call of Duty. Oh, the children. With their open mics. Screaming into oblivion.

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1Upsmanship: The Forgotten City (Feat. Zachary Ryan) Jun 01, 2022

Zach introduces us to a unique title this time. A time-loop based, existential mystery game developed by a team of only six or so designers based on a Skyrim mod. Gameplay mostly involves deciphering the larger mystery by altering your choices each loop. While time-loop games are in this year, the group discusses the uniqueness of this title, it’s ethical dilemmas, and the value of fables in gaming. So make sure you listen, then once you finish the episode, go ahead and listen to it again. You’ll get new information each time, I swear.

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1Upsmanship: Resident Evil Village (Feat. Jason Pargin) Jun 01, 2022

Big Bean Jason Pargin, award-winning writer and professional podcaster, drops a deuce! By that we of course mean that he joins us for a second episode in a row! This time around the beans tackle the 8th installment of the Resident Evil franchise. They discuss the scares, the development of the series over time, and why don’t they allow you to kill that baby? I mean, that baby needs to die. Why won’t you let us kill the baby?

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1Upsmanship - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Jun 01, 2022

Big Bean Jason Pargin drops by to discuss the PS5 platformer Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, the new PS5 installment in the series by Insomniac Games. The gang discusses the game’s ability to immerse you, the mechanical flaws of the game, and if the chaotic action of the game distracts from the narrative. Everything you’d expect from three men discussing a game about a feline mechanic and his awful robot.

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1Upsmanship: Returnal Jun 01, 2022

A unique game by many accounts: released as the first PS5 only major release during a pandemic and with few PS5s actually around. The boys discuss it’s repetitiveness and the uniqueness of a roguelike FPS Triple-A psychological horror game. Is this a new genre? Is this just Risk of Rain 2? Is the story anything? Adam says Adam things. Michael says Michael things. It’s a 1upsmanship episode!

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1Upsmanship: Bloodborne (Feat. Zach Ryan) Jun 01, 2022

Zach Ryan returns to discuss the 2015 masterpiece Bloodborne with the fellas. Grab your nearest blood-based weapon and down a few blood vials because it’s time to tackle some heated discussion over the legacy of the game. The hosts discuss its insane story, complexity of games in general, and everyone’s feelings on how good games do optional quests/bosses well.

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1Upsmanship: Doom Eternal (Feat. Tom Reimann) Jun 01, 2022

The Rhyme Man is back, baby! Let’s get that going as a thing! The Rhyme Man! Did this recent update of the Doom franchise improve the basic game mechanics? Does the lore add much to the game? How do we all feel about “The Rhyme Man?” Most of these questions are answered and more!

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1Upsmanship: Disco Elysium Jun 01, 2022

“What kind of cop are you?” That’s a real loaded question, game studio ZA/UM. First, I’m not a cop. Who said I was a cop? And second, maybe to answer that question we’ll have to get into 1800s-esque geopolitical fiction. And maybe make Michael cry. That’s right! This game opened the floodgates of both Michael’s physical tear ducts and the more philosophical ethical sparring of our hosts, Mike and Adam. Listen to hear what they think and where they disagree.

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1Upsmanship: Rocket League (Feat. Abe Epperson) Jun 01, 2022

Michael and Adam considered all their friends and determined that the best Rocket Leaguer of them all is Abe Epperson. Turns out, he’s also bad! They’re all bad! Considering it’s a six-year-old game that still appears to be streamed by many, you’d expect they’d get a guest who’s better at the game. Though it doesn’t help that it’s one of the most challenging learning curves in modern gaming. So let’s chat about what makes Rocket League special and why it still remains relevant.

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1Upsmanship: Psychonauts Jun 01, 2022

Child Michael Swaim visits this episode of 1upsmanship and demands that his co-host plays his favorite game from his formative years. Adam, who wants everyone to know that he does not like Final Fantasy and “sparkly anime boys,” and while that has nothing to do with Psychonauts, would not play this game if left to his own devices. Will Adam break child Michael’s heart and hate this game or will the stars in Swaim’s eyes win over his cold heart? Or is Michael completely wrong and this game can be deleted from history? Listen to find out!

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1Upsmanship: Cyberpunk 2077 (Feat. Max Scoville) Jun 01, 2022

Max Scoville, another friend/host/podcaster from IGN, joins Michael and Adam to discuss the hopeful hit of 2020, Cyberpunk 2077. Months after the game’s launch, which was sensationalized by its bugs and recalls, can we look at the game with more objective eyes or will it never recover, kid? Well, Samurai, eavesdrop on whether or not this game was worth its decade-long development.

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1Upsmanship: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 (Feat. Vanessa Gritton) Jun 01, 2022

Vanessa Gritton joins the co-hosts for the recent remastering of the OG and sequel of the classic Tony Hawk Pro Skater franchise. The gang reminiscences on the changes from the original releases and how brands change over time. Though, they all agree it’s worth letting the nostalgia do a sweet pop shove-it over your face. I know you wish you could choose Rodney Mullen, but you’re left with Michael, Adam, and Vanessa. Sorry. Also, Vanessa explains why she’s a wiener. Adam explains what being rad is.

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1Upsmanship: Death Stranding Jun 01, 2022

Get ready for Michael and Adam (the Uppers) to have some contention. Michael waxes poetic about the power of this video game’s story and the experience he had while playing it. Adam on the other hand hated the game. Uh oh. Depending on how you land on the game, hopefully, this discussion will elucidate the highs and lows of this apparently divisive title, pee and all. Honestly though, let’s just listen to Swaim talk about the beauty of the game.

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1Upsmanship: Hades (Feat. Kevin Anderson) Jun 01, 2022

Michael and Adam are joined by Kevin Anderson, apparently the 3rd host. He hosts the podcast “Bleak in Review” on the Unpopular Opinion podcast network and now apparently this show! Today, the gang examines the indie game Hades from developer Supergiant. They discuss rogue-likes and game loops in general. Michael doesn’t want anyone from Supergiant to listen to this podcast.

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1Upsmanship: Luigi’s Mansion 3 Jun 01, 2022

Michael and Adam take a break from the real world and discuss the beautiful world of being the brother that will never be first place. They discuss how in this game you play as a lean, green, ghost-bustin’ machine who projects a goo-version of himself, which is what cum is! Michael believes that this episode suffers from the game being “good, but nothing to talk about.” Let’s see if Adam can bring the fire and convince Michael that there’s more than meets the eye (that follows you around).

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1Upsmanship: Ghost of Tsushima (Feat. Zachary Ryan) Jun 01, 2022

Michael and Adam are joined by IGN’s Zach Ryan and tackle the moral implications, grind, and narrative of Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima. The group discusses genre as a whole and the combination of inspirations that made the game. Also, uncle-fathers. They talk a bit about uncle-fathers.

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1Upsmanship: Limbo & Inside (Feat. Daniel Vincent Gordh) Jun 01, 2022

Adam and Michael are joined by fellow actor, writer, and longtime bean: Daniel Vincent Gordh. This time they discuss TWO titles from the developer Playdead. It’s a double feature! The simplicity and efficiency of these games push the visual concepts to the forefront. Beautifully animated and designed, both games feature ambiguous plots and endings. Does this affect the enjoyment of the game? Can our 1uppers put their finger on what makes these particular indie games memorable? Listen on and don’t get stabbed by the legs of a horrifying spider monster or get devoured by watchdogs.

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1Upsmanship: Bioshock Jun 01, 2022

No Gods or Kings. Only Beans. The 1Ups beans have returned to dissect the 2007 GOTY Bioshock. Let’s get into the story of the franchise and the Half-Life-esque game mechanics and determine for once and for all if it is kept or deleted.

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1Upsmanship: The Last of Us Part II (Feat. Tina Amini) Jun 01, 2022

The 1Ups beans are joined by new beanie, Tina Amini, IGN’s editor-in-chief to discuss TLOU2, the most talked about game of the summer thus far. How did Naughty Dog do? Is the game a worthy follow up to one of the best games of all time? What the hell is up with the internet’s reaction to this game? Contains heavy spoilers.

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1Upsmanship: Xbox vs. Playstation 2 Jun 01, 2022

Whoa, what an episode. Michael and Adam make the cases for the cases that hold our gaming history. Let's examine the culture, the economics, the hardware, and the games through the lens of two very different gamers defending what made the system's special. Unfortunately, once they complete the segment "Keep or Delete" most of us will have to erase half of our formative gaming memories.

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1Upsmanship: Destiny 2 (Feat. Robert Brockway) Jun 01, 2022

Michael and Adam sit down with ex-cracked alum Robert Brockway and pick up the sweet loot that is his opinion and critiques of Destiny 2. Adam is unapologetic about his love for this game. Can he brave the raid of Michael and Robert's opinions? Does Destiny 2 do a crappy job curating missions? Are video games better than huge orgies? You'll have to ask Michael's 72-year-old dad about that last one!

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1Upsmanship: Uncharted 4 (Feat. David C Bell) Jun 01, 2022

Michael and Adam sit down with soon-to-be doxxed David C Bell and discuss the only Naughty Dog production about pirates that hide crates on wheels on a deserted island: Uncharted 4. Does Nathan Drake have PTSD from all his murders and puzzle-based close calls? Could the treasure hunters leave the island and just return with stuff to make their job easier? Is the crypt with the exploding mummies the worst part of the game? Is Dave's new nickname Sweet Meat? These are the hard-hitting questions our hosts and guest must navigate to find the much-coveted treasure that is "keep or delete."

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1Upsmanship: Titanfall 2 Jun 01, 2022

If the IMC spends all its resources making mechs in the war for more resources, does a titan shed a tear? Adam and Michael strap on their grappling hooks and wall walk around the story and insane politics of Titanfall 2, somehow drawing a parallel to EA in general. Luckily, they include a discussion of the value of a good FPS movement mechanic and what makes them work.

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1Upsmanship: Hollow Knight May 31, 2022

Michael and Adam visit their local stag station and fast travel into the 2017 metroidvania game Hollow Knight. One of our boys clearly worships the god-moth; the other, not so much. It gets a bit heated, but luckily no one brought a nail.

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1Upsmanship - The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening May 31, 2022

After it got the Switch treatment, the boys gab about the classic Link's Awakening. Adam contrasts it with Ocean's 11 and Michael compares it to Die Hard, but you'll have to listen! to find out how. Don't know about you, but I'm excited! I just threw a pot against the wall! Oh no! My favorite urn!

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1Upsmanship: The Witcher 3 May 31, 2022

Michael and Adam undress and take a bath in the world of The Witcher 3. Things get spicier when they talk about the relative attractiveness of peasants in medieval times. When Geralt puts on that bear armor, hoo boy, take me to the unclear afterlife that is kinda canon!

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1Upsmanship - Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Feat. Tom Reimann) May 31, 2022

Adam, Michael, and Tom Reimann take us to Jedi Academy for the most recent Star Wars video game title and try to force grasp all the ways the game succeeds and fails. Michael derails the conversation and puts the entire Ewok species on notice. I mean, at the end of the day, who gives a shit about little teacup wookiees?

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1Upsmanship: Control May 31, 2022

Adam and Michael sit down to discuss the award-winning furniture-bashing sim Control. Michael puts health systems on notice and Adam thinks "that's fine."

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1Upsmanship: Mortal Kombat 11 May 31, 2022

Michael and Adam go head to head. Bones are broken, hearts are ripped out, and minds are blown. Find out whether or not this installment of the Mortal Kombat franchise is a flawless victory or a fatality.

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1Upsmanship: Borderlands 2 (feat. Breandan Carter) May 31, 2022

Breandan shows Michael and Adam the benefits of a Handsome Jack. They may or may not also speak on the merits of the Borderlands franchise!

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1Upsmanship: Spider-Man (Feat. Soren Bowie) May 31, 2022

Soren swings silently sideways, spurting sensuous silkies. Also he, Michael, and Adam discuss Marvel's Spider-Man game!

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1Upsmanship: The Subnautica Interview (Feat. Charlie Cleveland) May 31, 2022

Michael and Adam talk with Charlie Cleveland, Founder and Director of Unknown Worlds and Director of Subnautica. You can catch up on our analysis of Subnautica here, or just dive in and get to know the game through the eyes and gills of the man who created it!

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1Upsmanship: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Feat. Vanessa Gritton) May 31, 2022

1Ups superpal Vanessa Gritton returns to help Adam and Michael tackle one of the biggest gaming franchises in history. You know, the one that's all the other gaming franchises smashing against one another for your humiliation and/or amusement, depending on your skill level. Jiggly puff puff pass, my Incineroars! Snake's about to get Solid up in this Kirby!

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1Upsmanship: Subnautica (Feat. Maggie Mae Fish) May 31, 2022

Explore a game that's part Minecraft, part Jaws, part Aliens and all indie. Under the sea! Under the sea! Peepers are creepin', Leviathans reapin', Prawn Suit Fricassee!

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1Upsmanship: Assassin's Creed II May 31, 2022

Molto bene! Mike and Adam discuss taking up the role of Desmond Miles, then Ezio Auditore, then forgetting about Desmond Miles because Ezio can climb and jump and stuff. It's Assassin's Creed 2. Arguably the most foundational of the AC games, and a good one to fight over regardless.

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1Upsmanship: Shadow of the Colossus Remastered May 31, 2022

There are giants about, and it's our job to kill them, for some mysterious reason. Join Adam and Michael as they dissect a cult classic full of emptiness and ennui. Zout Alours!

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1Upsmanship: Telltale's The Walking Dead - Chapter 1 May 31, 2022

Trigger warning: the word "crotch" is said about 38 minutes in. Also, OH SHIT ZOMBIES!

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1Upsmanship: Resident Evil 2 Remastered May 31, 2022

Adam and Michael continue their survival/horror binge with a tour of Raccoon City's Police Station that's also a museum, orphanage, crypt and government lab for some reason. Imbibe the herb of your choice and join us!

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1Upsmanship: What Remains of Edith Finch May 31, 2022

The 1Upsmanship boys Adam and Michael tackle indie meditation on death and fate Edith Finch, talk predetermination versus free will and how to handle grim topics in storytelling.

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1Upsmanship: Dead Space (Feat. Tom Reimann) May 31, 2022

In space...no one can hear you cut the limbs off of an alien zombie cultist. Tom Reimann of Gamefully Unemployed joins Adam and Mike to break down the initial installment of sci-fi/zombie/survival/horror game Dead Space.

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1Upsmanship: GoldenEye 007 (Feat. Greg Burke) May 31, 2022

Facility. Slappers only. No Oddjob. If these words mean anything to you, it's time to buckle in for a Goldeneye dive so deep we may as well have leapt from the top of a Russian dam. Featuring the glorious return of the n00b himself, Mr. Gregory Burke.

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1Upsmanship: Starcraft (Feat. Brian Brushwood) May 31, 2022

Our chat with Brian Brushwood of The Modern Rogue about Starcraft.

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1Upsmanship: Super Mario World May 31, 2022

Fresh off their epic Sega/Nintendo clash, the guys calm things down with a game everyone can agree on. Why was SMW such a phenomenon? What aspects make it such a sustaining piece of interactive art? What does its appeal say about human nature? Probably something about turtles.

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1Upsmanship: Sega Genesis vs. Super Nintendo May 31, 2022

Michael and Adam dispense with the niceties and go Fanboy a Fanboy in this uniquely-formatted episode of 1Upsmanship that aims to determine which was the more impactful system: The Sega Genesis, or the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. HINT: Things get dicey, it's the Genesis, and Michael wrote this copy.

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1Upsmanship: Red Dead Redemption 2 May 31, 2022

You are aware of what this is. It does not require further description. Happy New Year!

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1Upsmanship: Minecraft (Feat. Cody Johnston) May 31, 2022

Cody Johnston of Some More News stops by to discuss the Cracked Cigarette Tree and how it relates to one of the more important games ever made. A truly crafty deep-dive into the mine of gaming, friendship, and the ways in which our relationship to virtual cubes says a lot about who we are as people, you know?

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1Upsmanship: Sonic CD May 31, 2022

Get ready for some contention, some reaffirmations of fraternal love, and some going super duper fast! It's Adam and Michael dissecting Sonic CD, and, as they so often do in the process, the very nature of their friendship.

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1Upsmanship: Horizon - Zero Dawn (Feat. Ryan Pequin) May 31, 2022

Three Word Phrase creator and Cartoon Network animator Ryan Pequin graces the show with his opinions on a bright start to a new AAA franchise about robot dinosaurs and the people that love to slay them.

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1Upsmanship: Red Dead Redemption (Feat. Vanessa Gritton) May 31, 2022

Just in time for about a month before the release of the sequel, it's Red Dead Redemption! Adam and Mike invite returning favorite Vanessa Gritton to read her divorce/glitch journal, and help decide whether to keep or delete this Rockstar classic.

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1Upsmanship: Fallout - New Vegas (Feat. Vanessa Gritton) May 31, 2022

In their most explosive dust-up so far, Adam and Michael square off to demolish and enshrine (respectively), Michael's favorite game that Adam also played and thinks is just fine! Gamer and comedian Vanessa Gritton joins to incite violence, Michael nerds up the end with a Fallout rap, and Adam and Mike's friendship is forced to bust out a couple of stimpaks to survive.

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1Upsmanship: Super Metroid May 31, 2022

Please note, you can only listen to this 1Upsmanship episode if you already have the Morph Ball, 15 Super Missiles, and the thing that goes on the other thing to reveal the secret thing. Join Samus, Adam and Mike for a rousing discussion of gating and how it makes games possible but also frustrating!

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1Upsmanship: Fallout 4 (Feat. Vanessa Gritton) May 31, 2022

Do synths dream of synthetic sheep? And if so, does that justify their total enslavement for the purposes of salvaging an apocalypse-ridden post war 1950's-style Earth? Vanessa Gritton joins Michael and Adam to parse the philosophy of Fallout 4, burn Boston, and argue about the potential future of the franchise.

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1Upsmanship: God of War 4 May 31, 2022

Adam and Michael discuss the latest installment in the Wad of Gore franchise, Wad of Gore 4: "Boy!" Edition.

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1Upsmanship: Far Cry 5 (Feat. David Bell) May 31, 2022

Whether you cry near or far, this is the fifth time you've done it, and it's in America now! Is that good? Join David Christopher Bell, Adam Ganser and Michael Swaim as they answer that question more thoroughly than anyone probably should.

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1Upsmanship: Portal 2 (Feat. Starline Hodge) May 31, 2022

Star returns to laud Portal 2 for its awesomeness! The fellas agree.

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1Upsmanship: Skyrim May 31, 2022

No guests. No filler. Just Skyrim. The 1Upsmanship fellas take on an obligatory entry in gaming history, and the current crown jewel of the Elder Scrolls universe.

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1Upsmanship: The Last of Us (Feat. Tom Reimann) May 31, 2022

Tom the Rhyme Man stops by to discuss seminal Naughty Dog zombie stealth game/movie thing The Last of Us with Adam and Michael, and throw some shade at Zelda in the process.

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1Upsmanship: Overwatch (Feat. Starline Hodge) May 31, 2022

Star Hodge joins the 1Upsmanship fracas to discuss Overwatch, soccer, and bespectacled gorillas.

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1Upsmanship: Bioshock Infinite (Feat. Tom Reimann) May 31, 2022

Every possible multiverse version of Adam Ganser and Michael Swaim welcome every possible multiverse version of Tom Reimann to discuss the social and philosophical implications of Bioshock: Infinite.

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