The Adventure Zone
ClaimedAn Actual Play and Comedy podcast featuring Travis McElroy and Griffin McElroy
189 people rated this podcast
Reviews of The Adventure Zone
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RATING
I found my way to this podcast at its inception by already being a listener of the original McElroy flagship product, MBMBaM. I was instantly in love with TAZ. The first season had an extremely natural evolution. It began as a single episode with no clear intentions of becoming a spinoff, and it was charming and genuine to watch the hosts go from the fun, hilarious days where they were not taking it even a little bit seriously to the later-game episodes where they had established a slow and natural passion for the story and obvious affection for the characters.
Season Two was, in my opinion, even better than season one. It lacked some of the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of the family learning to roleplay together, but the story was set in their homestate of West Virginia and it felt meaningful and rich in a very real-world way.
It came to me somewhere in Season Two that the plotlines themselves where beginning to favor the fact that the podcast had begun to skew toward a much younger fanbase than MBMBaM. I wasn't necessarily thrilled with that since I'm not in that young age group, but neither was it getting in the way of my enjoyment or the quality of the storytelling.
It feels cold and hypocritical to say that Season 3 has been a disappointment. I know that this season's DM is new to the role and I know that, being unfamiliar with that role myself, I probably couldn't do much better. Then again, I haven't asked anyone to hang in there with me and keep up with their monthly membership throughout a pandemic, only to present them with results that frankly feel phoned in.
Don't get me wrong, I do believe that an incredible and earnest amount of hard work went into producing the current season. I also believe that work was mostly put into the wrong things. A large ensemble cast of NPCs exists in this season, all of whom are described beautifully and none of whom have had moments where the affection we are asked to bestow upon them was earned in real time. A completely original fantasy world was built for this season, which is an admirable attempt but the logic of which breaks down upon any kind of scrutiny and-- worse than that-- has no earned emotional merit to make up for the lack of logic. Past seasons did not attempt something as daunting as a totally original world but they found brilliance in small moments that played out with an open sincerity and sense of collaboration and in-the-moment adaptation for both players and dm.
I don't know. Maybe I'm just a grumpy woman in her thirties. I hung in there for all of 2020 but I've rerouted my subscription money to other shows on their network. I'm happy that younger people are enjoying this season, and maybe this one just isn't for me. I think it was a good try. I don't think they stuck the landing.
This is the first podcast I ever listened to. And it is near and dear to my heart. The first season (Balance) will take your breath away as they go from being silly and not taking the story seriously to investing themselves fully into it. To the point where it will bring you to tears. I love this family of podcasters, and I hope everyone listens to TAZ.
I binged the majority of the episodes in about a month and a half! Totally recommend!!
So far I've only listened to TAZ Balance, but I REALLY enjoyed it! I can't wait to catch up on their other campaigns. Also, I've seen TAZ live shows (before pandemic times) and they were some of the best live-shows ever. The humor in TAZ is great, the story-telling is on point, and the great chemistry between the players all being family is so delightful to listen to
The next best thing to having literally the best dnd crew of your own ever. Made up of your own siblings. Makes me happy when I'm missing hanging with my favorite friends and chosen family. Mayhem, magic, and mystery in approximately equal portions.
TAZ is a great D&D podcast! The first season was amazing, as is the second one. I definitely recommend it to everyone who enjoys D&D and storytelling!
I would have given the first season 5 stars. I think the second full season was a success, although I wasn't able to follow all of it and got a bit lost in the characters and drama.
The Graduation season is very different: much more character focused, with some interpersonal drama, but very little high-stakes action. That might speak to Travis' theatre background, and to the show's well-deserved reputation for having heart, but I think this season could benefit from more jeopardy, and perhaps more focus on the players.
Just three good boys and their dad playing tabletop RPGs together. Lots of laughter and a few well earned tears are in store should you dare to enter...The Adventure Zone
A fantastic actual play series. The first season, Balance, is some of the best actual play and comedy content I've heard, and the emotional moments hit hard. While later seasons have varied, overall consistently great stuff.
I came into this podcast a little late, right around the experimental arcs. I listened to Dust (I think) and was impressed. I promptly binged all of Ballance in less time than I care to admit. I have been a huge fan ever since!
You guys, this is what did it. This got me into D&D. I'm so happy that these good good boys decided to share their game with us. It's hilarious and heartfelt.
This was my first podcast ever, it rekindled my creative side, and made me get into podcasting. I love story telling, and this family knows how to tell a story. Whether its a reckless romp through Balance, trying to survive in Amnesty, or whatever is building up in Graduation right now, the goofs keep the episodes light and the narrative keeps you coming back again and again. Plus they have a ton of live shows in different settings and game systems that are always fun.
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Podcast Details
Created by
The McElroys
Podcast Status
Active
Started
Dec 3rd, 2014
Latest Episode
Feb 25th, 2021Release Period
2 per month
Episodes
185
Avg. Episode Length
About 1 hour
Explicit
Yes
Order
Episodic
Language
English
Podcast Tags
Dungeons & DragonsFunnycomedyrole playing gameMcElroysTabletop GameD&DMcElroy BrothersDungeons and DragonsbrothersJustin McElroyFantasyDnDadventureLiverpgtabletop roleplayingtabletopmacelroysLive Play RPGrole playingMcElroyImprovdice rollingStorytellingEpic storytellingGriffin McElroyClint McElroyTravis McElroyStories
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