The Mighty Nein review: Critical Role level up with magical new adventure

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Fans can now revisit the world of Exandria with the adaptation of the popular live-action tabletop role-playing campaign, The Mighty Nein, featuring the well-known voice actors. This long-awaited version brings to life the campaign that viewers loved the most.

I, like so many other fans, have been eagerly anticipating an animated version of their second live-streamed campaign ever since ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ came out. It feels like ages since they first announced it way back in January 2023, and the wait has been tough!

With over 550 hours of gameplay and six big story arcs spread across three and a half years, the creators of Critical Role and Titmouse, Inc. have a lot of content to work with – and they’re already planning at least two seasons based on it.

The team listened to viewers who felt the first season of The Legend of Vox Machina moved too quickly. As a result, the new season, featuring The Mighty Nein, begins with an introductory session that establishes the characters and their backgrounds.

Twenty years after the story of The Legend of Vox Machina, The Mighty Nein takes place in Wildemount, a continent facing the threat of war. The two major powers, the Dwendalian Empire and the Kryn Dynasty, are on the verge of conflict due to rising political tensions.

A shared tragedy unexpectedly brings together a diverse and troubled group of individuals. They quickly become central figures in a dangerous power struggle when a potent magical artifact, The Beacon, is stolen. This unlikely team of outcasts must work together to reveal a carefully constructed deception and prevent the kingdom from descending into total war.

The adventurers have become much more powerful, discovering a wealth of magical abilities – including new spells, powers, and special skills. This group is also more unique than typical adventuring parties, with a diverse mix of character classes and species.

The group includes Jester (Laura Bailey), a wildly energetic Tiefling cleric, and her friend Fjord Stone (Travis Willingham), a half-orc sailor and warlock who’s discovering unusual abilities tied to a magical sword. They’re joined by Nott the Brave (Sam Riegel), a goblin rogue who enjoys stealing and has a drinking problem, and Caleb Widogast (Liam O’Brien), a troubled and messy wizard currently on the run after being accused of murder.

The adventurers meet Beauregard “Beau” Lionett, a blunt but dedicated monk from the Cobalt Soul who is looking into possible wrongdoing within her organization. They all end up at the Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival of Curiosities, where they find Mollymauk “Molly” Tealeaf, a tiefling who hunts monsters and reads tarot cards.

The show introduces Yasha Nydoorin (played by Ashley Johnson), a powerful barbarian with celestial heritage and a reputation as a skilled mercenary who comes from the harsh lands of Xhorhas.

From the very beginning, The Mighty Nein feels distinct from the more traditional fantasy of the previous story. This world is noticeably larger and grimmer, with a strong emphasis on complicated politics and the blurry lines between right and wrong as different groups fight for control. The story is more intricate and the consequences feel more significant, exploring serious topics and the problems that come with power and corruption.

The longer episodes, which run about 45 minutes, are a significant step up. They allow for better character development and a more detailed introduction to the complex world the story takes place in. The main storyline is much more engaging, filled with palace secrets, political maneuvering, hidden groups, and unexpected surprises.

Even with a more complex story and a serious tone, Critical Role continues to prioritize its characters and the relationships between them. The show also delves deeper into the backstories of key characters like Caleb, played by Liam O’Brien, and Fjord, played by Travis Willingham.

Running a second Dungeons & Dragons campaign allows for more developed and intricate characters, and this group is particularly interesting. They operate in more morally ambiguous areas than Vox Machina, but that makes them more captivating and complex – especially considering Vox Machina deliberately played into classic fantasy archetypes.

The story continues to explore the characters’ personal struggles and hidden histories, hinting at future revelations. While some characters can be a bit overly dramatic at times, the show generally does a better job of balancing the emotional arcs of the entire group.

Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of adult humor, with some truly funny scenes – largely thanks to the popular character Jester. Laura Bailey delivers an exceptional performance, and the whole group has some great moments, especially when things go hilariously wrong during gameplay (like when someone exclaims, “Oh fk you, water!”).

The campaign has been significantly updated from the original, bringing characters and plot points like Essek Thelyss, Trent Ikithon, the Luxon beacons, the Volstrucker, and the Cerberus Assembly into the story much sooner. This creates a more complete narrative and makes it easier for new players to join in.

As a big fan, I’m really excited that this offers something for everyone – both newcomers and those of us who’ve loved it from the start! It’s amazing they’ve included events the original characters didn’t experience, and the cast they’ve brought on board is incredible – Mark Strong, Ming Na Wen, Nathan Fillion, and Jonathan Frakes? Seriously impressive!

Titmouse, Inc.’s animation beautifully captures the fantastical world of this installment, with eye-catching character designs and detailed settings – especially the breathtaking Lucid Bastion of the Kryn Dynasty. The studio is particularly skilled at bringing the complex magic of Dungeons & Dragons to life on screen, making each spell feel powerful and believable through its visual depiction of incantations and magical components.

The game features two beautifully animated dungeon sequences, both structured like elaborate heists. Players will explore exciting and detailed locations, including a luxurious chateau with a musical interlude, a lively circus, a familiar shop, and the renowned Soltryce Academy. Keen-eyed players will also enjoy discovering plenty of hidden references and Easter eggs, with “318008” being a frequently spotted one.

The main problem with this first season is that it’s hard to say goodbye. When the last episode ends, you’re left wishing it didn’t, especially since the characters and stories were finally starting to come together in interesting ways. It feels like the season ended a bit too soon.

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2025-11-17 20:12