When we announced that we were going to be looking at the podcasts of other gaming-inspired websites, one of the first people that contacted us to take a listen to their show was Paul from the Visiting the Village podcast. This week, we listened to the latest episode (at the time, #13) of “VtV” and have scribbled down our thoughts.
As a primer to what the show is about, imagine a quick-hitting back-and-forth banter between hosts Paul Taylor and Ian Hardingham of independent game studio Mode 7 Games covering some of the often looked-over gaming news developing on the interwebs.
Read on for our thoughts on the show.
Entertainment Value
The podcast takes place over an hour or so and focuses more on opinions about news stories as opposed to just reading from a press release. Paul and Ian have a great amount of good topics that they speak about, utilizing a barrage-like method of delivering them. Fast-paced, detailed conversation takes place, with minimal humor to stray from the subjects. I loved the fact that they cover not just news, but also great articles and alternative game releases. This is definitely a podcast from two guys who love what they talk about. Therein lies the problem, however. Perhaps the fast-paced nature coupled with the bullet-point delivery created a feeling as if Ian and Paul were talking to me rather than creating conversation with each other.
Original Content
The podcast’s content is very intriguing. Instead of focusing on the major stories that each gaming podcast tends to cover, the Village manages to find topics that hover just below the mainstream yet are completely relevant. The hosts made it a point to avoid speaking too much about E3 in the episode, instead covering topics such as the rebirth of Monkey Island and articles about games. This is not a podcast about news… its a conversation about news.
Production Value
Effortless. At least, that is how it seemed like the hosts were able to accomplish maintaining the agenda and flow of the show when recording. The ease of staying on topic, yet covering every detail about said topic in a good, short time made the show go by quickly. It’s apparent that the hosts are extremely well-prepared and the show well-edited. The hosts never stray too much (or at all, recently) and the added touch of an audible “ding” when they switch to the next topic is good. The added music in the background also helps keep the typical “voice-only” style of podcasts from becoming too monotonous.
Cast Members
Visiting the Village is hosted by Paul Taylor and Ian Hardingham. The gents are extremely knowledgable about the subjects they speak about, to the point where their audience almost needs to be just as knowledgable to appreciate their work.
Visiting the Village is a great show for those who love videogame podcasts but are tired with the usual “big news only” format. The hosts are extremely dedicated to discussing the topics, no matter how under the water level of the big media stories. The show might be a little too fast-paced for me, and the lack of any real humor changes the way I listen to the podcast. I can see myself listening to this podcast while driving or working, such as gardening or other housework that does nto require reading. The speed of conversation had me losing my place in the podcast if my mind wandered, forcing me to rewind and relisten what I might have missed.
Visiting the Village can be found at Visiting theVillage.com and on iTunes.
Do you have a podcast that you’d like us to listen to? Send it over! Visit our “Contact” page and send us the link! And remember, a podcast is only as good as its latest episode. :)
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