Critical Role

Critical Role is a surprisingly engaging show, told through constant improvisation performed by some of the hardest hitters in the Voice Acting business, through the game "Dungeons and Dragons" lead by Matthew Mercer. Critical Role takes place in the high fantasy world of Exandria, and centers around the group of adventurers called Vox Machina. Vox Machina consists of Goliath barbarian Grog (Travis Willingham), human gunslinger Percival (Taliesin Jaffe), Dragonborn Sorcerer Tiberius (Orion Acaba), half-elf druid Keyleth (Marisha Ray), gnome cleric Pike (Ashley Johnson), gnome bard Scanlan (Sam Riegel) and the half-elven twins, the ranger Vex'ahlia (Laura Bailey) and her brother, the rogue Vax'ildan (Liam O'Brien). The story starts in-medias-res as the group are entering the dwarven city of Kraghammer. They don't manage to be there long before they start attracting attention and trouble. What makes the show isn't the story itself, which might surprise most who try to watch the show. It's the characters, their inter- personal relationships, struggles, and the impact they have on the world around them that makes the show what it is. Despite having no visuals at all, this show is intensely visual, through the amazingly graphic storytelling of Matthew Mercer. If you possess even a smidgen of ability to imagine, Matthew Mercer handles the rest. He'll paint castles in your mind, after which the remaining cast will fill the castle with life, laughter, and tears of both joy and sorrow. Being that the show is running on 300+ hours, and isn't done yet, with the average episode being 3 hours, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with a short attention span. But if that isn't an issue, I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories about people. Even if you don't like fantasy, you'll quite quickly discover that the fantasy is just the setting of the story, but that the backbone of Critical Role is the characters. I've seen 300 hours of this show, and I'd happily watch 300 more.

I stumbled upon this web series quite early in its airing. It mainly caught my interest because of the cast. Nine voice actors in total, some of which you never knew you knew, make up this extremely well rounded and semi-professional improvisational group of adventurers. Developing a human being is no easy feat, and to make each and every character as unique as they are, it's astounding. With the cherry on top that is their years of experience in voice acting, it is a joy to listen to them all whenever they speak. Now what got me to stay was the absurdly well spun story, custom built by the dungeon master. The writing of this loose script is pulled off amazingly, and the only thing that would make it better is to have an actual cast behind the creator to voice each character. Don't get me wrong, he does do a fantastic job with each one, breathing life into every being in his world. From the characters born from both the players and the DM, comes the gut busting, tear jerking, most jaw dropping story that I have ever had the pleasure to witness unfold before me. As of writing this review today on the Thursday of May 19, 2016, I await the impending exhilaration of watching the newest episode, number 54. To all of those reading this, I have one question for you. Is it Thursday yet?

Honestly, I never thought I would like this show. As a D&D player (and DM) myself, I've always thought that watching someone play without playing yourself to be extremely boring. 54 episodes later, I have to say: that was not the case with Critical Role.

How can watching 8 people talk and roll dice make you laugh or cry?

I've found that listening to Matt's descriptions would paint a picture before my eyes. It was just like watching a movie, only way better. Because fails are awesome too here. Characters are not always ready or prepared, they sometimes don't really know what to say. And that makes them more real. Through the players' voices, I can hear their characters. I've come to the point where i really believe that Ashley and Sam are gnomes, and Travis is a Goliath.

This show made me want to be a better DM, and a better player. Matthew, I one day will be as prepared as you are! I know the chances of the cast ever reading this, but if any of you ever do, thank you for letting me watch and have fun with you.

This is easily the best visual experience of my life. The connection the community feels to each other, to the people in the show, and to the game itself is incredible and I've been hooked -- nearly obsessed -- since the first half hour I saw. The experience is one that will resonate with you throughout your life and I sincerely hope this group continues in one form or another for decades to come.

This is the first and only time I've been tempted to send something to the actors, and even with only a fan letter I am waiting on pins and needles to know if they even got the letter.

Less than three you guys!

P.S. Includes more than a bit of swearing, some inappropriate humor and lots and lots of nerdiness.

One of the many things you must see before you die. Preferably Live. Do you like D&D look no further. In the vision of Matthew Mercer we follow our heroes in the quest of entertaining us.

The gang of Vox Machina: The accountant Vex cries when the gang spend to much money. Her twin brother Vax is the sneaky backstabbing kind. Grog is the fierce Goliath with an heart of gold. Pike is the true-believer of the gang and she is also paladin with a strong healing touch. Percy is the tinker of the gang creating deadly things of use. Scanlan is the gigolo and bard and the gangs jester. Keyleth the Elven Druid of many shapes and she got a wonderful laugh. Tiberius the Sorcerer he is from Draconia.

Critter and Vox Machina Fan for life.

The toothy swede.