iCringe: Communicast, PC Gamer UK, The Oddcast and You Look Nice Today

We’re over the hump with these weekly podcast reviews for the month of May. This week’s batch is another solid bunch of shows, mostly suggested by your friend and mine, Mr. Mark “Junglistgamer” Steward. Not only does he hail from an obscure town near Manchester, but he also has impeccable taste in games podcasts, apparently.

It’s been tough keeping tabs on this deluge of quality podcast content, but as always, I welcome the challenge. Next week’s reviews will signal the end of the iCringe barrage of backlogged podcasts, so your input is critical to keep this train moving down the tracks. Enjoy!

Communicast – Ep 7: Rilley Hate Train

Keeping with the train metaphor, this episode starts off strong, but quickly and frequently gets derailed by side talk, chat induced giggles and as the name implies, Rilley, the vegetarian sandwich eater himself. There are of course, some quality nuggets of gaming discussion to be had, but coherent conversations devolve into pleas for control as Aaron tries to get the show back on track.

I’m all for off-topic conversation, as long as we’re in on the joke. I’d suggest a permanent ban on Skype chat for the continued health and success of the Communicast. There are lots of interesting, vocal members of the Nukezilla community out there as proven by the excellent Episode 6. The show so far has been a crap shoot depending on the cast, which of course is the entire point of a community podcast; offering all active members of the community access to partake in podcast fame and glory. Maybe Aaron needs more participation (wink, wink) and a powerful ban hammer, now and then.

PC Gamer UK – Episode 41: The Battlegrounds Are Full of Orphans

This week’s show focuses on Crysis 2 and manages to maintain my interest, despite my hatred for everything Crysis-related. I’m in the boat with their token example of Crysis (1) fan who went mad trying to run the game at a decent detail level before throwing my hands in the air, cursing the gods for our limited technology. The chat around the new game and their critical analysis of their experience at the event is riveting stuff. Not many folks who attend these events speak openly about the game’s shortcomings or their fears surrounding the core design decisions being made. Also, there’s a precious chat about Sleep is Death, a game I’ve purchased and done nothing useful with.

There’s something refreshing about a group of grown men who are mature enough to admit their faults and yet embrace who they are, warts and all. Such is the crew over at PC Gamer UK. They clearly are a bunch who love PC gaming, all the while embracing the limits and frustrations of being so at a time when the PC is seen as second or third fiddle to the likes of the more popular consoles. This is a great show for anyone who still holds a torch for PC gaming and wants to keep abreast of news and previews for the world’s greatest gaming platform. My name is Brett Parsons and I’m a PC.

The Oddcast – 05/21/2010

Geeks. These guys are geeks. YAY!

If you’re a member or can empathize with the geek gaming culture, then the Oddcast is your show. This week opens strong with a reading from Strength Gamer, click the link for a bounty of laughs. If this crew is representative of the overall staff, it’s nice to see that 1UP is still a fun place to work despite the massive defection as of late. Seaman puns and great games to play while hung over are highlights of this week’s outing.

While Tina usually sounds like she’s 2 minutes away from an afternoon nap, the overall energy of the show is high and hilarious. Sharky is practically a fixture in gaming culture with his razor sharp wit and free flowing profanity. Sam is the closest thing to a straight man the show can offer, but that’s not a bad thing. If you hold a special place in your heart for 1UP.com (even if it’s only the memory of their former glory), give this show a listen. If you’re not hooked, at least you’ll have spent an hour in familiar company.

You Look Nice Today – The Magic Number

Finally, someone’s figured out how to record live audio in a public venue and distributed it FREE as a podcast via the World Wide Web! I don’t know why everyone else has such a hard time of it, but these guys make it look easy. The latest episode was recorded at a kind of hipster weekend retreat, hosted by Jesse Thorn of Jordan, Jesse, Go! fame. The fact that Mike and Jerry from Penny Arcade think Jesse is a creepy Norman Bates type diminishes my enjoyment of this week’s show…a little.

First recommended via Chris Grant on the Joystiq Podcast YLNT is an amazing show for so many reasons. The cast of three misanthropes discuss general topics related to modern-living. Most episodes include fantastic business ideas, such as a themed restaurant where the focus of the experience is challenging the patrons with the most socially awkward situations imaginable. The latest episode is a good one, but if you really are serious about pissing yourself with unbridled laughter, give these episodes a listen. The humor receptors in your brain will thank me, but your significant other will not.