Framed as voicemails left by one Agent Eric Rockford on the line of his handler "Clearfield," this show makes excellent use of both its storytelling style and interactive elements to really stand out among other similar types of show. It feels like a point-and-click mystery/horror game in audio format.
When the show is actively airing, the listeners are able, through Twitter polls, to stand in for Clearfield, and point Rockford in the direction they want him to go. I listened after the fact, so I didn't get in on that bit, but the show is a fantastic listen without it. There's something about Rockford's voice as he's asking for instructions that just locked me in as a listener.
The stories and storytelling themselves are also amazing. Tight, short, monster-of-the-week style arcs connect into a bigger story, so you've got short-term payoff, and this sense of creeping dread that SOMETHING is coming. The writers trust the audience, and throw us into a world where serious shit has already gone down, that we pick up on as we go along. The pacing is expertly done-- facts are dropped slowly enough for you to work stuff out on your own, and confirmed just before it gets frustrating.
The writing and acting both are lovely. Rockford's voice is gorgeous, and a perfect fit for the character as we get to know him. The editing and sound design are fantastic. I have some audio processing issues, and music, SFX, and dialog are balanced such that I never had any trouble following.
The S1 finale raises as many questions as it answers, but there's a promised S2, so I think I can survive. Recommended if you like secret agencies & agents, horror with a hint of the Cosmic, and the vibes you get from games like 7th Guest and Sam & Max.