Hey all! I started this podcast quite a few months ago, and I’ve been catching up! Right now I’ve started season 4 😁! So if anything, this is an honest review of mine without a cloud of nostalgia or anything like that!
Season 1 - like I’m sure you’ve seen the other reviews say - is incredible! The best season by a long shot, and with my favorite characters they’ve played! The concept drew me in, and the players and DM immediately charmed me! Not much to say without spoiling except that there were so many moments where I laughed and bawled my eyes out, and those moments weren’t really that far apart! A masterpiece, even if I do have a few nitpicks about pacing in some episodes (which I’m sure comes naturally with the DnD podcast medium).
Season 2 - I also really enjoyed this one! A lot of folks here in the reviews don’t like this one, but I find myself to be in the crowd that does. Is it as good as season 1? Not really. However, it shines in its own right, and I think it made me laugh and cry nearly as much as the first one. I love the new characters, and the whole aftermath of season 1 setting up the primary conflict was wild! There were so many twists and turns that I was not expecting, and I think that the familial relationships and conflict really tugged on my heartstrings. The ending didn’t quite land with me, and sometimes I felt like plot threads were not tied entirely by the end, but I think this season stands well in comparison to the first.
Season 3 - The season that I did not expect to grow on me as much as it did! Wow! This season Will DM’ed the Call of Cthulhu system, which really shook up the episodes for me! Even if they played fast and loose with the rules, the system of wounding, sanity, and combat intrigued me the whole time! I also LOVE the characters! I particularly liked Trudy Trout and Kelsey Grammer the most overall, but the whole cast was delightful. Hearing Anthony as a player — and still having him emotionally devastate me — was fun, and I think Will kept an engaging story going while allowing a lot of goofing around by the players! If you’re expecting a gritty CoC campaign, this season isn’t really what you’re looking for. However, it contains a lot of Eldritch spooky stuff to go around! Also, I was once again laughing and bawling by the end, so mission accomplished.
Season 4 - This season has really just started and I’m only on episode 4 out of the 10 currently released episodes! So far, very fun concept! I’m struggling to remember the names and archetypes of the characters as we progress, but that’s really an effect of me just starting the season. It’s a little slow right now, but I’m hoping it’ll really pick up once it finds its footing! Excited for more fun characters and crying!
So, overall, I think there are some genuine good faith criticisms to be had about the podcast and how some of the seasons turned out. However, this podcast has brought me so much joy and grief and delight in every season, and I am so excited to hear more! Would absolutely recommend this podcast to anybody who likes DnD but isn’t too interested in all the minute inner workings of the system (I.e. me!)
