Explore every episode of the podcast The Proving Grounds

Episode 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 battlefield manipulation and probability — and cover recent RPG news, including the Avernum 4 remaster, the sci-fi dungeon crawler Descent of Lunaris, and the new demo for The Secret of Weepstone.

To close, we touch on the legendary Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition expansions, grand strategy storytelling in Crusader Kings III, and creative empire-building in Age of Wonders 4.

Join the discussion on Discord, share your Question of the Week thoughts, and help us celebrate the enduring art of dungeon design.

Discord: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

Question of the Week:
How do you feel about FOE puzzles that require items or movement tricks to progress — satisfying challenge or pacing killer?

Ep 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://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

Legends of Amberland III Demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3823520/Legends_of_Amberland_III_The_Crimson_Tower/

Heroes of the Seven Islands: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010290/Heroes_of_the_Seven_Islands/

Ep 21 – Sharing About Shiren
In 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 talk CRPG news, share your community feedback, and dig into our Question of the Week.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of roguelikes, or you’re just curious what makes these games so addictive, this is a great jumping-in point to discover why Shiren remains such a beloved cult classic.

🎧 Join the Proving Grounds community on Discord: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz
📧 Email: jcservant316 at gmail dot com • Discord: JCServant

Episode 20: Delving into Azure Bonds
We 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 Legends of Amberland III update.

Question of the Week: Are you willing to play games with a Japanese, manga-style art direction, do you enjoy it, or just tolerate it for the gameplay?

Join the community chat and play along: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

Ep 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 not?

Join the discussion on Discord, share your builds and favorite dungeons, and help pick future games for the club: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

Email: jcservant316 at gmail dot com
Discord: JCServant

Episode 18 – Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness

In 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 for nostalgia, history, or insight into how these games shaped the genre, this episode connects the past to the present in CRPGs.

🎧 Join the discussion on our Discord: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

🎙️ The Proving Grounds Podcast – Episode 17

In 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 today as a CRPG-adjacent experience.

💬 Join the discussion on our Discord: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

Episode 16 – The Original Mighty Magical Blobber

Step 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 favorite comfort game—the ones we turn to when we need a familiar adventure to relax with.

Join the discussion in our community here: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

Episode 15 – Why We Love Party-Based CRPGs
This 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 discussion: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

This week's question: What’s your “comfort food” game in these genres—the one you keep returning to when you want that classic RPG experience?

This 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 running a game or butted heads over house rules, you’ll want to hear this one.

Plus, we revisit last week’s Question of the Week: Which game best captured the feeling of tabletop RPGs? I reflect on my joystick-passing Gold Box days and give props (and critiques) to Solasta.

In the news? Caves of Qud is finally coming to Switch on August 15th!

🛡️ Join the discussion and share your thoughts:
👉 https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

❓ Question of the Week:
Which party-building system do you prefer in classic RPGs—class-based, skill-based, or hybrid—and what makes it stand out for you?

In 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 with this week’s new community question.

Come be part of the conversation and join the Discord: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

Episode 12 – Blob Hard: Dungeon Crawling Like It’s 1985

In 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-and-Hell themes, unique skill trees, and creative death mechanics, it’s one to watch if you enjoy high-stakes, tile-based exploration. Check it out here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2849500/Lost_in_Prayer/

Want to discuss blobbers and roguelikes with fellow fans? Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/nSSTqzfKmz

🎙️ Ep 11 – Class of Patience
Release Date: July 19, 2025

In 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:

• Class of Heroes – deep customization, school exams, and dog dwarves?!

• NWN2 Enhanced – classic content, mixed reception

• New blobber and roguelike releases

• Listener question: underrated CRPGs that deserve more love

💬 Join the community:
Discord | Twitter @JCServant | jcservant316@gmail.com

🎙️ Episode 10 – Going Rogue with Radiance

It’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
🎉 Thoughts on why great gameplay trumps great story telling in CRPGs

Thanks for being part of the journey—here’s to many more!

In 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 roguelike

• Tactical depth and decision-making

• Permadeath as a design feature

• Favorite genre quotes and moments

• June’s biggest roguelike patch notes

• Upcoming spotlight: Class of Heroes and Steam sale picks

🎧 Tune in to level up your appreciation for roguelikes—from ADOM to Caves of Qud, and everything in between.

🧠 Secrets, Mods, and the Future of CRPGs
In 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-school adventuring, crunchy mechanics, and a dash of chaos, this one’s for you.

In 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 most unforgettable RPGs in years… even if you need a guide, a spreadsheet, and divine intervention to finish it. Plus, Phil shares his plans to include more news and discussion on traditional roguelikes in future episodes—because sometimes, permadeath and tile-based graphics are the break we all need from cinematic chaos!

Join 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.

Today, 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 Faerûn. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it."

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!

Today, 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!

Salutations! 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?

In 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.

Welcome 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 Traditional Roguelikes! In this episode, we go over these genres in detail and explain how YOU can join The Proving Grounds!