Shows
The Proving GroundsEp 23: The 2nd Foe May Be The CharmEpisode 23 – “The 2nd Foe May Be The Charm”Welcome back to The Proving Grounds, the game club where we delve deep into the worlds of CRPGs, blobbers, and roguelikes with insight, detail, and a little chaos. In this episode, JCServant takes on Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard — exploring how Atlus refined its labyrinth-crawling formula from the first game and sharing a personal journey through the punishing floors of Yggdrasil. From ice puzzles to cherry blossoms, from victory to burnout, it’s a full climb.We also spotlight Dr. Zeus’s unique control-focused party — a study in battl...
2025-11-0255 min
The Proving GroundsEp 22: Divinity's Not-So-Original SinEp 22 — “Divinity’s Not-So-Original Sin”We crack open Divinity: Original Sin and talk history, story, tactical combat, and why our Game of the Month fizzled for the club even though the game helped revive the CRPG genre. We read your takes, dig into modern reviews, and close with a look at DOS1’s lasting legacy on DOS2 and BG3. Plus: quick RPG news and what we’ve been playing.Join the community on Discord to share your answer to the Question of the Week:Do you like elemental and environmental combat systems?Discord Invite: https://disc...
2025-10-1754 min
The Proving GroundsEp 21: Sharing About ShirenEp 21 – Sharing About ShirenIn this episode of The Proving Grounds, we shine the spotlight on Shiren the Wanderer, one of the most enduring (and punishing) roguelike RPG series around. We cover its origins in the Mystery Dungeon franchise, the core gameplay that keeps fans hooked, and how the series hit USA shores back in the days of the Wii, up to 2024’s Serpentcoil Island.We’ll also break down some of Shiren’s unique mechanics, like the rescue system, the infamous jars, and the way risk vs. reward drives every single dungeon run. Along the way, we...
2025-10-031h 01
The Proving GroundsEp 20: Delving Into Azure BondsEpisode 20: Delving into Azure BondsWe dive into SSI’s 1989 classic Curse of the Azure Bonds: how TSR and SSI built a novel–module–CRPG trifecta, why the Gold Box tactics still shine, and the delightful peripherals like the Adventurer’s Journal, the code wheel, and that old-school hint book. I share why it’s a 4/4, Complete It, Repeat It. We also read your Elminage Original takes and discuss guides versus discovery, then spotlight World of Warcraft’s Delves, what they are, who they serve, and why I'm hooked on them. In news, first impressions of Dual Eclipse, plus a Legen...
2025-09-181h 03
The Proving GroundsEp 19: Elminage BarrageEp 19 – “Elminage Barrage” (09/11/2025)We dive into Elminage Original, a hardcore Wizardry-style dungeon crawler with old-school charm and sharp edges. I cover party building, dungeon exploration, brutal difficulty spikes, spell systems, and why stat gains and losses on rest can make or break a run. You’ll hear community takes, including a spotlight review from Pizzaboy, plus quick hits on what we’ve been playing, from modern WoW delves to Satisfactory. We wrap with this week’s Q&A and a new listener question: Do you use FAQs to plan your party in CRPGs, blobbers, or traditional roguelikes, and why or why n...
2025-09-1156 min
The Proving GroundsEp 18: The Ultimate CRPG of 1981Episode 18 – Ultima I: The First Age of DarknessIn this episode of The Proving Grounds, we dive into the history of Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness, the groundbreaking start of Richard Garriott’s legendary RPG series. We explore its origins, gameplay innovations, and lasting influence on both CRPGs and blobbers. Along the way, we touch on Legends of Amberland as a modern callback to the classic grid-based style, and I also take a moment to issue an apology regarding some information from the last podcast — an error introduced through AI use.Whether you’re here...
2025-09-0154 min
The Proving GroundsEp 17: A Golden Coffee Roguelike🎙️ The Proving Grounds Podcast – Episode 17In this episode, we sink our teeth into Golden Krone Hotel, a gothic roguelike where light and darkness, humans and vampires, all clash in fast, tactical runs. We break down its unique mechanics, the disguise system, and why it might be one of the best entry points for new roguelike players.We also share listener answers to the Question of the Week — do you prefer turn-based combat or real-time with pause? — and wrap up with a quick look at Star Wars: The Old Republic, exploring why it’s still worth checking out...
2025-08-3050 min
The Proving GroundsEp 16: The Original Mighty Magical BlobberEpisode 16 – The Original Mighty Magical BlobberStep back to 1986 as we dive into Might and Magic I: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum, Jon Van Caneghem’s ambitious solo project that helped define the CRPG genre. We explore its origins, the massive world it created, its unique blend of fantasy and sci-fi, and how it stood apart from contemporaries like Wizardry and Ultima. We also take a look at the curious NES port that brought the game to console players in the early ‘90s.Plus, we share a more personal side of the conversation: everyone’s favori...
2025-08-2353 min
The Proving GroundsEp 15: Why We Roll: The Joy of CRPGsEpisode 15 – Why We Love Party-Based CRPGsThis week, we dive deep into what makes party-based CRPGs so much fun — the freedom, the tactics, and that tabletop feel of running a whole adventuring group. We dive into the history of genre, and JCServant shares his own CRPG journey, from D&D and the Gold Box classics to Baldur’s Gate 3. We also spend time on your opinions — discussing listener feedback on the best type of RPG character level-up and progression systems, and even a bit about the magic of cards!🎲 Join our Discord and be part of the discuss...
2025-08-151h 08
The Proving GroundsEp 14: Etrian BeginningsThis week on The Proving Grounds, we dive deep into the labyrinth with a full retrospective on Etrian Odyssey—the classic DS-era blobber that brought hand-drawn maps and tactical survival back to the spotlight. I share my recent playthrough of the HD remaster, including what worked, what didn’t, and how I ended up breaking the game with a bard.We also step away from the screen to talk about the joys and struggles of tabletop DMing, why I nearly quit recently, and how CRPG expectations are bleeding into live play. If you’ve ever burned out runnin...
2025-08-081h 01
The Proving GroundsEp 13: Temple of Elemental CommunityIn Episode 13 of The Proving Grounds Podcast, we shine a spotlight on the heart of what makes this show possible: our community. Join JCServant as we talk about the new podcast format, highlight our Discord server, and share listener responses to last week’s question about first blobber experiences.We also dive into a classic D&D adventure with The Temple of Elemental Evil—covering its story, development, reception, and the lasting legacy fans have built through patches and mods. Plus, we touch on current spotlight games (Elmenage, Divinity: Original Sin, and Golden Crone Hotel) and wrap up w...
2025-08-0250 min
The Proving GroundsEp 12: Blob Hard: Dungeon Crawling Like It’s 1985Episode 12 – Blob Hard: Dungeon Crawling Like It’s 1985In this episode of The Proving Grounds, we go tile-by-tile into the world of blobbers — those classic grid-based dungeon crawlers where your whole party moves as one. We trace their rise from Wizardry and Might and Magic, their quiet decline in the 1990s, and their surprising revival with Japanese titles like Mary Skelter and Labyrinth of Galleria.We also take a detour into traditional roguelikes to spotlight Lost in Prayer — a fascinating new title where every enemy that kills you becomes playable in your next run. Blending Heaven-a...
2025-07-261h 03
The Proving GroundsEp 11: A Class In Patience🎙️ Ep 11 – Class of PatienceRelease Date: July 19, 2025In this episode of The Proving Grounds, JCServant dives deep into Class of Heroes, the brutal anime blobber that finally made its way to Steam. We cover its rich party-building, punishing traps, and clunky but charming systems. Then we shift gears to explore Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition—what’s been improved, what hasn’t, and whether it’s worth your time in 2025.Plus: the latest news on Legends of Amberland III, Cyclopean: The Great Abyss, Caverns of Xaskazien II, and more from the traditional roguelike scene!🎮 Topics:...
2025-07-171h 08
The Proving GroundsEp 10: A Rogue In The Pool of Radiance🎙️ Episode 10 – Going Rogue with RadianceIt’s our 10th episode, and Phil’s got a brand-new mic to celebrate! In this special installment, we dive deep into two legends of the genre: Rogue, the dungeon-crawling godfather of roguelikes, and Pool of Radiance, the Gold Box classic that brought AD&D to home computers.In the Main Event, we explore what made Rogue so brutally addictive, how its legacy still shapes modern games, and why Pool of Radiance was a landmark moment for CRPG storytelling and tactical combat.Plus:🎧 Listener questions🎤 Mic check ramblings
2025-07-041h 05
The Proving GroundsEp. 9: The Life of a RogueIn this episode of The Proving Grounds, we dive deep into what makes traditional roguelikes so compelling. From turn-based tactics and permadeath to emergent storytelling and infinite replayability, we explore why these brutal, brilliant games continue to thrive in today’s gaming landscape. JC breaks down genre-defining features like procedural generation, meaningful resource management, and the Berlin Interpretation—and highlights some of the best roguelike updates from June 2025, including Cogmind, Infra Arcana, Zorbus, and more.💬 Featuring discussion on:What defines a traditional roguelikeTactical depth and decision-makingPermadeath as a design feature...
2025-06-281h 11
The Proving GroundsEp. 8: Secrets of the Inner Sanctum🧠 Secrets, Mods, and the Future of CRPGsIn episode 8 of The Proving Grounds, Phil aka JCServant dives into the classic Might and Magic Book One: Secret of the Inner Sanctum—a foundational blobber that helped define the genre. We explore its design, legacy, and what made it stand out in 1986. Then it’s on to GOG’s brand-new Mod Program, a curated collection of fan-favorite mods made easy to install. Finally, Phil tackles big questions from the community: Is the CRPG renaissance fading? And is Baldur’s Gate 1 still a good starting point for beginners?If you love old-sc...
2025-06-1444 min
The Proving GroundsEp. 7: Bhaalspawn Therapy HourIn this episode of The Proving Grounds, Phil takes aim at Baldur’s Gate 3—a game he both loves deeply and occasionally wants to throw out a window. He praises the phenomenal writing, emotional companion arcs, and jaw-dropping cinematics, especially The Urge storyline. But then the gloves come off. From boss fights that feel like escape room puzzles to radiant damage that nukes your own Cleric, it’s a roast of Larianisms with a side of laughter. Burst damage reigns supreme, puzzle mechanics block your RP dreams, and “just talk to him nicely” becomes a death sentence. Still, it’s one of the...
2025-06-071h 08
The Proving GroundsEp. 6: Into The InfernoJoin JCServant as we dive into Into The Inferno, a retro-inspired dungeon crawler that sparks both nostalgia and frustration. We also break down thoughts on Baldur’s Gate 3—can modern RPGs truly capture that old-school feel? Plus, a great listener question that gets right to the heart of what makes classic games memorable. Whether you're deep in a dungeon or just grinding through traffic, this episode is for you.
2025-05-3155 min
The Proving GroundsEp. 5: The Sorcerer Who Forgot to Long RestToday, we’re putting the spotlight on Solasta: Crown of the Magister—a love letter to tabletop gaming wrapped in indie ambition. Built on the D&D 5e SRD, Solasta gives us grid-based, turn-based combat with real verticality, smart use of lighting, and rules that play like a digital tabletop session. It’s crunchy, tactical, and unapologetically nerdy.But before we dive too deep into spell slots and darkvision, I’ve got a few things to say about Baldur’s Gate 3. Stick around, because later in the show… I’ll be performing a one-act tragicomedy inspired by my time in Fae...
2025-05-171h 13
The Proving GroundsEp. 4: Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 3 and more!Today, Phil talks a bit more about some of the challenges and fun parts of BG3 (spoiler free, of course!). He also shared his progress on two blobbers: Into the Inferno and Etrian Odyssey IV. We also take a look at a JRPG Final Fantasy / Wizardry hybrid while answering your questions at The Proving Grounds!
2025-05-1036 min
The Proving GroundsEp. 3: Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 2 and Into The InfernoToday, Phil dives further into BG3 and shares what he does and doesn't like about Larian's shining star! Will he ever get the video game girlfriend of his dreams? Then he finds a fresh indie title on the other side of the spectrum, and explains why it scratched an itch left by BG3. More mechanics discussion than you can shake a stick at on today's episode of The Proving Grounds podcast!
2025-05-031h 15
The Proving GroundsEp. 2: Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 1Salutations! Welcome to the Proving Grounds Podcast, the cool club where we discuss CRPGs, blobbers, and traditional roguelikes. This week, we talk about Wizardry 1 a bit more, jump into Baldur's Gate 3 and Etrian Odyssey 4, and answer that age-old question: What is an RPG?
2025-04-261h 08
The Proving GroundsEp. 1: Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad OverlordIn this first episode of The Proving Grounds, Phil shares his detailed thoughts and experiences of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord! He also shares a bit about Etrian Odyssey 4, answers a couple of questions, and invites you to join our game club where we play and chat about CPRGs, blobbers, and traditional roguelikes.
2025-04-191h 15
The Proving GroundsIntroduction to The Proving GroundsWelcome to the Proving Grounds! The Proving Grounds is a bit like a book club, but for games! Every month or two, we focus on a game and discuss it on our Discord server, sharing experiences, tips, and tricks! In this podcast, Phil (and guests) discuss their adventures through these beloved games. Don’t worry, we don’t just choose any old game for our club! We dive into the RPG genres that began on computers in the 80s and inspire games through today. More specifically, The Proving Grounds focuses on first-person perspective dungeon crawlers (Blobbers), CRPGs, and T...
2025-04-1922 min
RPG CastRPGCast – Episode 657 : “Well-Seasoned Blobber”
It's one final week of JCServant 'Phil-ing' in! Chris plays Podcast: Painkiller Enhanced Edition, and probably needs a nap. Anna Marie picnics with some ham sandwiches, while her Pokémon are gettin' busy.
Question of the Week
How do you resist buying games on your wishlist before the holidays? Please help us :(
Check out the show notes here!
The post RPGCast – Episode 657 : “Well-Seasoned Blobber” appeared first on RPGamer.
2022-12-041h 53
Christian Geek Central PodcastGhostbusters Afterlife Review (CGC Podcast #691)Subscribe in a reader Open In i-tunes i-tunes Page LinkON THIS EPISODE: A review of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and as our study of Proverbs continues we take a look at what it means to "fear" God and "hate" evil, and how getting those things wrong can really cause problems for geeks! PLUS, more assorted topics based on your questions, feedback and Paeter's Geek Week! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:30 Intro 00:01:28 Ghostbusters: Afterlife Review 00:14:45 CGC & Christian Geek Entertainment News 00:31:51 The Weekly Word (Exodus 35-40, Leviticus 1-15, and Psalms 29...
2022-03-1100 min
Christian Geek Central PodcastGhostbusters Afterlife Review (CGC Podcast #691)ON THIS EPISODE:A review of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and as our study of Proverbs continues we take a look at what it means to "fear" God and "hate" evil, and how getting those things wrong can really cause problems for geeks!PLUS, more assorted topics based on your questions, feedback and Paeter's Geek Week!TIMESTAMPS00:00:30 Intro00:01:28 Ghostbusters: Afterlife Review00:14:45 CGC & Christian Geek Entertainment News00:31:51 The Weekly Word (Exodus 35-40, Leviticus 1-15, and Psalms 29-34)00:38:39 "Fearing" God & "Hating" Evil (Proverbs Bible Study)00:52:24...
2022-02-0400 min
Dragon Quest Slime TimeEpisode 015 - Phil & Dragon Quest IVHosts Liamland & Plattym3 talk to long-time RPG podcast host, Phil Willis! We get to know him and his RPG & DQ fandom a bit before diving into the last of NES-original DQ games: DQIV. We take a hard look at all the chapters & all the versions of the game.
To hear a whole lot more of Phil (Twitter: @jcservant), check out more than 200 episodes of his podcast, RPG Backtrack (or a dozen plus of his podcast, The Hunt), available on pretty much any podcast app or at RPGamer.com. You can find his writing previews and reviews on R...
2020-04-102h 12
I Thought They Smelled Bad on the Outside - ITTSBOTOcastRPG Backtrack 101: Aesop’s Something or Other – FableMuch was promised by Peter Molyneux when it came to a series that took huge quantities of money and time to create. His promises were definitely worth their weight in gold, as this discussion makes clear. Hosts: JCServant, JuMeSyn, FowlSorcerous, Ocelot,...Read more
2013-09-1800 minI Thought They Smelled Bad on the Outside - ITTSBOTOcastRPG Backtrack: Episode 90 – Bauxite RepublicInstead of venturing further into a galaxy far, far away BioWare chose to enter a land inspired by, but hardly identical to, Imperial China. The company’s usual high writing standard made the transition with flying colors. Download Audio Hosts: JCServant, JuMeSyn,...Read more
2013-05-2900 minI Thought They Smelled Bad on the Outside - ITTSBOTOcastRPG Backtrack 71 – The Force Is With UsA long time ago in a galaxy far, far away LucasArts let a couple of RPGs be made. Many things die in the course of them, but sadly no Gungans were among those slain. hosts:JCServant, JuMeSyn, Fowl Sorcerous, Wheels download...Read more
2012-05-1200 minI Thought They Smelled Bad on the Outside - ITTSBOTOcastRPG Backtrack 67 – I know Kung-FuBringing the story of Ryo Hazuki into existence cost many millions and failed to enchant the enormous audience needed to recoup them. The question of whether this story will continue has yet to be answered.Download AudioHosts: JCServant, JuMeSyn, Wheels, Fowl...Read more
2012-03-1800 minI Thought They Smelled Bad on the Outside - ITTSBOTOcastRPG backtrack 66 – I’m going to disneyland – Kingdom HeartsTrust in me poor unfortunate souls, I’ll make a man out of you. Be prepared Prince Ali, someday my prince will come. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. Hosts: JCServant, JuMeSyn, Ocelot, Wheels, Fowl Sorcerous, Quin download audioreal ep will be up this saturday, until then...Read more
2012-03-0500 min