You Should Watch… Critical Role
I don’t know about you, but I find it really difficult to get work done when surrounded by complete silence. On top of that, I’m always looking for things to watch which I can easily dip in and out of for a few minutes or hours here and there, to fill up some time. My go-to show is Critical Role.
Critical Role is a weekly Twitch livestream of a Dungeons and Dragons game, run by Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day‘s Geek and Sundry. In the words of Matthew Mercer, the game’s DM, it stars “a bunch of nerdy-ass voice actors who gather around and play Dungeons and Dragons.”
Critical Role has been streaming since the first half of 2015 almost on a weekly basis, streaming every Thursday night on Twitch and then uploading to You Tube the following Monday. With each episode lasting anywhere between two and a half hours to five hours, the format of the stream makes it easy to watch in short or long chunks and are great to play in the background. Either while writing your college essay, or when heading out on a long bus journey.
What is Critical Role?
The above video was made by BrooklynnCalifornia.It certainly gives a great insight into what the stream is about! The voice actors add a great quality of emotion and realism that makes it seem like you are following a real story, rather than a group of people playing out a game. Mercer‘s DMing skills is unparalleled. It’s no wonder that he is releasing a book on his self-made land of Tal Dorei, as well as a recently announced comic book based on his world and the characters.
The cast is incredible for any anime or gaming fan, with some recognisable names on the list!
Starring: Liam O’Brien as Vax’ildan. Laura Bailey as Vex’ahlia. Travis Willingham as Grog Strongjaw. Ashley Johnson as Pike Trickfoot. Sam Riegel as Scanlon Shortalt. Taleisin Jaffe as Percy de Rollo III, and Marisha Rey as Keyleth.
These guys make the game because of their real life friendships and connections, coupled with their acting abilities and creative imaginations. Hilarious scenarios, as well as some surprisingly heartfelt and emotional moments link you to the characters from the very beginning. Sometimes, you can’t help but shed a tear!
Matt Mercer‘s writing for the show cannot be overlooked. His ability to bring these characters to life in a world of his own creation, along with some memorable NPCs that get you laughing or shuddering with fear. He does not go easy on his friends. The first episode starts about a year or so into their campaign, so we are introduced to their team: Vox Machina, with pre-established relationships.
Vox Machina
The show never fails to impress. Whether it’s fighting a legion of dragons to protect the entire continent from utter destruction, or turning into a bunch of cows to gain intel on a strange entity threatening the lands, Critical Role has it all! After the first episode, I decided I wanted to give Dungeons and Dragons a go myself, and I haven’t looked back ever since!
I always seem to be several episodes behind on the show, so I always know the show is there when I need a few minutes of pure fantasy to enjoy. And if you’re a huge fantasy fan like I am, then you cannot give Critical Role a miss!
Doing a little of this, a little of that. If you see me holding a camera, run!
