This is my current gold-standard set of podcasts:

Podcast / RSS Link	Category	Average Length	Description
Major Nelson Radio	Gaming	1:15 - 2:00	Gaming podcast, focussed almost exclusively on the Xbox 360. Interviews and news.
IGN Games Podcasts	Gaming	0:40 - 1:15	I listen to the following podcasts from this RSS: Game Scoop (all around gaming news) Three Red Lights (ostensibly 360, often silly) Nintendo Voice Chat (Wii / DS) Command Prompt (PC Gaming)
IGN Entertainment Podcasts	Television / Movies / Technology	0:40 - 1:00	I only currently listen to Channel Surfing, but occasionally there are other interesting podcasts
Bungie Podcast	Gaming	1:30 - 2:00	Bungie studios talking mostly about Halo. Note: Not bleeped, not filtered.
Anger, Sadness, Envy	Gaming	1:15 - 1:45	Rampancy.net's podcast discussing all things halo. Fun deep dives into story and gameplay.
The Dealnews Podcast	Technology, Consumer News	0:40 - 1:00	A medium-length, somewhat lighthearted take on tech news and product deals.
The Java Posse	Programming	1:00 - 1:30	Java and JVM news and sessions

Here are some podcasts I’ve just started listening to and am still evaluating:

This game makes me so happy.  Did I mention that I got all 1250 achievement points in Mass Effect?

There was only one reason I wanted the game:  Portal.  I heard from friends and reviews about the thing, so I had a feeling I’d like it.  I did.  Great writing and mind-bending (but not too mind-bending) make for a fun game.

To catch anyone up who has missed out on the Portal premise, the player awakens in an austere lab environment.  You quickly become acquainted with your host, GLaDOS, a computer that has a pretty disturbingly carefree attitude towards life and safety.  GLaDOS introduces you to the concept of portals and in pretty short order, the Portal Gun (aka Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device), and from there you have to figure out puzzles and how to keep yourself alive in order to reach the next elevator.

Now, the Orange Box contains 4 other games and I really didn’t give them a fair shake.  I played through a bit of HL2, and it seemed nice, and polished, but I couldn’t really get into it.  It looks like Team Fortress is doing some cool things with multiplayer, but my lack of internet leaves me unable to test more.

• How much would I pay for the game? You should buy this game if you see it for $40 or less. Portal alone is worth it for $30 or less, and you can now get the Still Alive edition on XBLA for I think $15, a real steal.
• How many times would I replay it? At least twice. There are some “advanced” editions of the levels, so you will be hitting some things multiple times anyway, and there’s a great developer’s commentary version.  Unfortunately, I failed to do some of the achievements on my first playthrough, so I’ll have to try again.

Mass Effect

Mass Effect is an XBox360 (also available on PC) role playing game from Bioware, makers of some other great RPGs such as Star wars:Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire.  Combat is real-time like Jade, but has more of a Gears of War feel, with weapons and cover system.  RPG elements include conversation choices, ability points, logbooks, quest guides, and lots of inventory.  It has far more inventory options than Jade or KOTOR, and includes a similar crafting system of swappable upgrades for weapons and armor.

And I haven’t even mentioned the six different classes (three major classes, three mixed classes) that play quite differently and have different special skills.  And at any given time you can pick two other team members with different classes and skills to augment your setup.  One of whome is Wrex, who has the best lines of the game.

• How much would I pay for the game? You should buy this game if you see it at any price.  Seriously, its original $60 is still worth it at this point.  Story, graphics, and gameplay are excellent.  It’s almost like playing a sci-fi movie.  Bonus points for the glitch that lets me get all the “Renegade” points and achievements without actually having to be a jerk in the rest of the game.
• How many times would I replay it? You will have to play it at least 3 times to get all achievements.  I made a couple of mistakes on two runs of mine, so I need to play it through 5 times.  And I will.  It is that satisfying.

I can’t believe I missed the press releases, but such is life.

The main community site is at http://www.leagueoflegends.com/

I wish them the best.  The game is fun and has a lot of teamwork potential.

Actually, there are a lot of stuff from PSO in there, including color-coded pickups and lots of statistics.  The story is compelling, based on Norse Mythology, but twisted up with technology.  Gameplay is fast and entertaining, with explosions and physics effects.

There is a healthy amount of problems with the game, though, including the chunky/clunky camera (well documented elsewhere) and a very slow menu system.  Death comes often (only one class has healing abilities) brings no penalties, but punishes you with a 40-second-long cutscene of a Valkyrie picking you up.  If the Valkyries are invulnerable, why aren’t they killing all the baddies.

Probably the worst part of the game was the feeling of being stranded.  The manual doesn’t have a lot of detail, and there is almost no in-game help.  And with all the statistics and modifiers you are dealing with, you are left confused often.

• How much would I pay for the game? You should buy this game if you see it for $40 or less.  Story, graphics, and gameplay are pretty good.  It has enough flexibility to cover several play styles, but if you really hated Diablo or the GameCube Phantasy Star Online, you may want to pass.
• How many times would I replay it? At least twice.  The game is relatively short; IGN lists it at 12-15 hours, and even my casual play-style bears that out.  So, it’s a quick play, but the different classes have very unique styles to them, so you can replay without duplicating the experience.

Yes, there is one pair of underwear in the list.  I expect a host of jokes relating to me wearing those — it won’t be a surprise.

Pat.

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See an overview of the game here. Download at least the demo now. This is the second entry on my “must-buy” list of things on XBLA, along with Assault Heroes. (Is it weird that I haven’t bought anything on my must-buy list? Editor’s note:  I’ve purchased both since.) The game is also available for PC, DS, and PSP, and is slated to arrive on Wii, PS2, and Cell phones.

It’s like a two-player Bejeweled, with each player taking turns on the same board trying to make at least 3 gems in a row. If you knock out four in a row, you get another turn right away. The gems you clear away will either give you mana for spells or do damage to your opponent. When you have enough mana, you can choose to cast spells on yourself or your opponent with a variety of effects.

Add to that some RPG elements like a lightweight story, equippable items, and character improvement, and you have a rockin’ time. Try it today!

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Pat’s Rating system:

• How much would I pay for the game? Oh, probably in the $30 range would be my upper limit. Thankfully, it is only $10-15 on XBLA, so that is well within reason. But should I wait for the Wii version? (Editor’s note:  No, the controls and UI are terrible)
  
• How many times would I replay it? Repeatedly. The demo doesn’t save your progress and only has a 30-minute storyline, and it limits you to level 7, but I’ve played through it 3 times. Add multiplayer and XBL-multiplayer and you’ve got something.

read more at TheConans »