The Optional Podcast

A video game podcasts that reminds you to engage with the world around you too. Hosted by Paul Tamayo alongside the one and only Cam Brewster, this is video game commentary for the rest of us.

Leisure
Video Games
101
144 - 3rd Annual Optional Awards
It's finally here! Join us as we celebrate our third year in the podcast game and look back at the year in games by giving our highly coveted quarter waters to the best (and worst) games of the year.
101 min
102
143 - From Smashy to Classy
It's finally here. Paul and Cam talk about Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Party, Drawful, Avengers Endgame, 2 Milly's Lawsuit, the Game Awards, listener questions, and our recommendations for the week. Tune in and join the conversation!
78 min
103
142 - Sleep Mode
This week we talk more RDR2, Black Ops 4, Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Paul talks mobile gaming on his new Pixel. As always, the week's news, listener questions, and our recommendations for the week. Tune in!
67 min
104
141 - Leftovers
This week, we’re talking more of the usual suspects like RDR2 (Paul finally finished), Black Ops 4, Moonlighter, and Tetris Effect. We’re also returning to old favorites like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, God of War and… Warframe? Plus, this week’s news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. Tune in! Support us on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast Talk with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
65 min
105
140 - Flick of the Wrist
This week we’re talking more usual suspects with a mix of new games like Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu, more Battlefield V, PUBG to PS4, Sony skipping E3, Game Award Nominations, Stan Lee, listener questions and more! Support us on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast Talk with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
75 min
106
139 - Full Effect
This week we talk more Black Ops 4, Red Dead 2, Moonlighter on Switch, and of course more Tetris Effect. We also talk this week’s news and answer our very first voice message! Tune in and don’t forget to join the Discord and talk to us directly. Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
75 min
107
138 - Party City Slickers
This week we’ve got an extended show full of more Red Dead Redemption 2 chat, Diablo 3 on Switch, Tetris Effect, PS One Classic games, Superman Cosplaying Geralt, shitty Blizzard fans and tons more. Tune in and be sure to check us out on Anchor now too and leave us some voice messages! Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
107 min
108
137 - Wicky Wicky Wild Wild West
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Red Dead Redemption 2 is finally here and we’ve got TAKES. From the immaculate details to the hard-to-ignore crunch that went into making it all, we dive deep into the game. We also pick some questions out of the bucket and hit you with some nostalgic recommendations for the week. So tune in and be sure to stock up on pomade.</span><br /> <br /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join the discourse on our Discord! <a href= "https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc">https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc</a></span></p>
89 min
109
136 - Yerrrrrrba Mate
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week the guys are talking about their first victory in Blackout, more Destiny, Card Thief for iOS, and Soulcalibur VI. We talk about the week’s news, answer some questions and give our recommendations for the week.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join the discourse on our Discord! <a href= "https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc">https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc</a></span></p>
77 min
110
135 - Duty Heads
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week, the guys are talking… Call of Duty? And it’s… good? That and tons more. Join the conversation!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be a part of our Discord! <a href= "https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc">https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc</a></span></p>
48 min
111
134 - On the Spot Dice Spin
<p>We're talking more Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Dragonball FighterZ on Switch, Super Mario Party, new Switch models in 2019, streaming games in Chrome and TONS more.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join our Discord! <a href= "https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc">https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc</a></span></p>
72 min
112
Iron Blooded Orphans Ep. 5 & 6
<p>We review episodes 5 & 6 of Iron Blooded Orphans. Tune in!</p>
22 min
113
Episode 133 - Deadass Redemption
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">WE BACK. And this week, Paul shares his impressions on the upcoming <em>Assassin’s Creed Odyssey</em>, Cam jumps into <em>Super Mario Odyssey</em>, we talk PlayStation Classic, Crossplay, Bowsette, say goodbye to Tell Tale, give the fire literary recommendations, and TWO WEEKS of Feelin’ It’s. So jump in and join the conversation!</span><br /> <br /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc</span></p>
69 min
114
Iron Blooded Orphans Ep. 3 & 4
<p>This week, we're talking about episodes 3 and 4 of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans. Catch up, tune in, and join the conversation!</p>
30 min
115
Episode 132 - Online/Offline
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we talk Dragon Quest XI, Black Ops 4 Beta, Old School Musical on Switch and a little more Destiny 2 Forsaken! We also chat a couple of news stories and our recommendations for the week. Tune in and join the conversation!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join our Discord! <a href= "https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc">https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc</a></span></p>
43 min
116
Iron Blooded Orphans Ep. 1 & 2 Recap
<p>Welcome to the very first episode of The Optional Review, our new weekly recap episode where you join us in watching a piece of entertainment that you've recommended to us! This season we're covering the anime Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans.</p> <p>We'll be going over the first two episodes of the series so if you haven't seen it yet, watch those first, come back and join the conversation!</p>
32 min
117
Episode 131 - Do A Flip
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s finally here! This week hear Paul’s thoughts on Spider-Man for PS4, Cam tells us what he thinks of Destiny 2 Forsaken and of course the week’s news, questions, and our recommendations. Tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
75 min
118
Episode 130 - Yuzo, Is It You?
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re back this week and we’re talking Into the Breach on Switch, Donut County, Shenmue and Super Bomberman R! In the news it’s the tragic events in Jacksonville, Insomniac denying game downgrades, BFV delayed and new trailers for Cyberpunk 2077 and STREETS OF RAGE 4? But are we really that excited? As always, questions and our recommendations (two this week to make up for lost time) and we’re asking you all to pick an anime for us to do a recap bonus show on. Tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
74 min
119
Episode 129 - Statham Tatum
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we’re talking Death’s Gambit, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate and returning to old favorites like FF XV. We also talk about the week’s latest news and tons more. Tune in!</span></p>
81 min
120
Episode 128 - Atomic Purple
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re back this week to talk We Happy Few, Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker, Flipping Death and a bit of Third Strike. We also talk the week’s news and tons more!</span></p>
68 min
121
Episode 127 - Mandem Skies
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we talk all about No Man’s Sky’s massive new NEXT update, the week’s news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in, start mining that copper, and join the conversation!</span></p>
50 min
122
Episode 126 - Silence Dogood
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week the guys are joined by very special guest Heather Alexandra to talk No Man’s Sky, Thumper, Spider-Man, Concrete Genie, Tetris Effect, Octopath Traveler, the week’s news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in, don't forget to account for daylight savings and join the conversation!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Follow Heather on Twitter! <a href= "https://twitter.com/transgamerthink">@transgamerthink</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Wild Sailor Moon Article You Cannot Miss</span></p> <p><a href= "https://kotaku.com/we-tried-to-uncover-the-long-lost-american-sailor-moon-1827695456"> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">https://kotaku.com/we-tried-to-uncover-the-long-lost-american-sailor-moon-1827695456</span></a></p> <p> </p>
68 min
123
Episode 125 - Always Bet On Black
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week the guys talk Fortnite Season 5, more No Man’s Sky, 2018 GDoC Expo, checks for BlocBoy JB, D&D, and how to deal with “analysis paralysis.” Tune in to join the conversation.</span></p>
69 min
124
Episode 124 - Free to Play
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we talk more No Man’s Sky, Banner Saga 2, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Forza Horizon 3. In the news, it’s Shenmue hype, Warframe on Switch, Fortnite oddities and tons more. Tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
75 min
125
Episode 123 - Now You’re Playing With Powder
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During the nasty heatwave, we talk the new Battlefield V closed alpha, Lumines Remastered, Mario + Rabbids Donkey Kong DLC and TONS more. Tune in and join the conversation.</span></p> <p>Donate to help keep families together:</p> <p><a href= "https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/how-you-can-fight-family-separation-at-the-border.html"> https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/how-you-can-fight-family-separation-at-the-border.html</a></p>
58 min