The title of this review does not do the podcast justice, but that is what I will use to describe this podcast.
So what is Orpheus Protocol about? In my own experience with it so far, it is an actual-play RPG podcast where the elements present in such games, shows and literature such as XCOM, X-Files, SCP Foundation and Cthulhu mythos mix and match in an original, unique, and at times disturbing and upsetting way. And all of that goes hand-in-hand in an amazing manner that AWLAYS leaves you craving for more. What I mean with this mixing and matching is that in the setting of the podcast, there is this organisation that carries the name of the podcast itself - The Orpheus Protocol (or just Orpheus): A paramilitaristic organisation that contains, utilizes and takes care of eldritch, arcane and mythological threats of both bygone age and modern age. Anything from werewolves to modern AI creations that are fueled by arcane spells and artifacts, from witchcraft to ancient gods. From swords from bygone eras to modern weaponry and dark secrets slumbering in abandoned missile silos.
The main characters of the podcast, brought to life by the spectacular players and their brilliant acting along with the world and events that the game master Rob Stith (creator of the podcast and the RPG tabletop system that the podcast uses, and to which the podcast also acts as a public beta test of sorts) throws at them, are relatable and interesting in regards of their backstories and individual traits. A man born and grown in a normal, everyday American town where strange things happens, who finds himself betrayed and almost killed in the hands of his childhood friend and brought to life as a cyborg. A strong-willed woman who grew up in a orphanege where a huge and disturbing tragedy took place in the middle of a cold winter, who finds herself wielding the power over blood itself (and many other assorted magics). And a murderer in search of arcane and eldritch secrets who is trying to turn over a new page in their life, only to make things for everyone else much, much, much worse.
So if you are a fan of XCOM (a ragtag team dealing with insurmountable odds against a variety of otherworldly threats with the help of some serious firepower, both physical and mental), SCP (a paramilitaristic organisation tasked with containing a manner of arcane, technological and horrifying threats), Cthulhu mythos (Ancient gods, eldritch spells, other worlds and dimensions not to mention horrifying sanity threatening monstrosities and people corrupted by them) or X-Files, this podcast is THE thing for you.
Update schedule is also extremely consistent and the podcast updates weekly on Mondays (US, Tuesdays for Europe and rest of the world more or less).
