Summary
Dungeons & Dragonsis one of the most epic and versatile tabletop games ever created. Using only a set of rules and some paper, Dungeon Masters can transport players to immense worlds of high fantasy. Whether the theme is steampunk, medieval, or outer-space, allD&Dneeds is a little bit of time investment and imagination. There’s no limit toD&D’sform, and no twocampaigns are ever the same, which makes this pillar of the TTRPG world an absolute delight to play.
As its popularity has grown over the last few years, D&D has found its way out of the shadows and into the media spotlight. With the release ofDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesin 2023, it’s safe to say the game is bigger than ever. Luckily, a lot of brilliant shows have had a hand in that growth in popularity. For those who haverecently entered the worldofDungeons & Dragons, or for long-time players who want to explore content familiar to their campaigns, there are great shows out there that are similar toD&D. Whether it’s actual-play YouTube shows, high fantasy live-action, or imaginative animation - there are brilliant choices for everyone.
Critical Roleis an actual-play D&D show available on YouTube and Twitch. It’s been running since 2015, and is currently partway through its third campaign. It features a star-studded cast of voice actors,includingThe Last of Us’sAshley Johnson and Laura Bailey, as well asTears of the Kingdom’sMatt Mercer. The show is filled with epic highs and lows, and earth-shattering twists.
DM’d by Mercer, the cast use their brilliant acting abilities and fantastic imaginations to create a great group of characters that navigate the impressively vast and intricate original world of Exandria. Although the first campaign began live-streaming halfway through, there’s still a whopping 121 episodes available, as well as the entirety of Campaign 2 and a huge chunk of Campaign 3. The show is incredibly fun, but follows a more dramatic and sincere tone than some other shows - making it a great choice for those who want to invest in some passionate high fantasy.
As the name might suggest,Arcaneis a brilliantly unique steampunk-style world concerned with magic and technology. Inspired by the MOBALeague of Legends, the show is fantastically complex with distinct characters from all walks of life. It’s perfect for those who like great world building and totally original plot points - and for any fans ofLeague, it’sfull of familiar faces.
Arcanewas critically acclaimed upon release, and with the second season right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to catch up on the events that took place in Piltover and Zaun. The show has everything, including phenomenal voice acting, complicated characters, and a truly unpredictable plot. Any lovers of D&D will appreciate the originality of the show, and its vast lore - it’s believed to be one of the best video game adaptations of all time, making it a worthy choice.
After its release on Netflix in 2016,Stranger Thingswas celebrated by critics and audiences alike for its 80s nostalgia, heavily aided by the brilliant performances of its young cast members. One of the core elements ofStranger Things, both visually and in its narrative, isD&Ditself. The show is inspired by classic 80s movies likeStand By MeandET,and the most recent season even drew heavily on perceptions of the ‘satanic panic’ surroundingD&Dduring the time period.
Four of the main characters, Will, Mike, Dustin and Lucas, continually playD&Dthroughout the show, and even name one of the central monsters the “Demogorgon,” after an enemy from the game. If that isn’t enough, the show has a lot of elements seen in classic campaigns, including a great cast of characters, a seemingly unbeatable enemy, and a lot of heart. The main characters often useD&Dterminology to process the supernatural events taking place around them, and at its center, it’s all about the unbreakable bond of true friendship - not unlike the chaotic band of PCs featured in mostD&Dgames.
Dimension 20is Dropout’s (formerly CollegeHumor) incredible D&D show, typically DM’d by improv master Brennan Lee Mulligan (with popular DM Aabria Iyengar taking over on occasion) with a revolving cast - although, more often than not, featuring one member fromthe original rosterof Emily Axford, Zac Oyama, Brian Murphy, Siobhan Thompson, Ally Beardsley, and Lou Wilson. The campaigns vary in length, ranging from 4 episodes to 20+.
If anyD&Dfans feel a little too intimidated by the intense drama and back-catalog ofCritical Role,Dimension 20is the perfect place to enter the world of actual-playD&Dshows. With a subscription to Dropout, gamers can access over twenty different campaigns with a plethora of different themes, including fairytales, vampires, and high school. There’s seriously something for everyone - and without a doubt there will be a lot of hilarity with some heartfelt moments sprinkled in.Dimension 20can also be less rigid with the rules, which sometimes makes it an easier choice for players who prefer to sacrifice rules for the story.
Dragon Ageis a longstanding fantasy RPG based in an original world that’s been expanded upon across multiple games, comics, and now shows.Dragon Age: Absolutionis an adult cartoon based within the world of the games, with a fareasier to understand narrativefor those who haven’t encountered much from the franchise. The show is set in the northern region of Thedas, the fictional world from the series, and follows a rowdy group of mercenaries as they take on a seemingly impossible heist.
TheDragon Ageworld is a brilliant example of high fantasy, and this show is only the beginning of the lore available for those who want it.Absolutionis also in-canon, so it references events from the previous games and may even be relevant to the upcomingDragon Age: Dreadwolf.Fans ofD&Dwill find the transition to the world ofDragon Agesmooth and relatively familiar, and once again, the eccentric cast of characters resembles that of aD&Dcampaign very well.
Those who haven’t heard ofCritical Rolemay have come acrossThe Legend of Vox Machinaon Amazon Prime Video and not realized that the two are related at all. Fortunately, those who aren’t keen to watch the hundreds of hours of actual-play footage can now follow the events of Campaign One’s heroic party Vox Machina in animated form. The series, created by the Critical Role company and featuring the original cast voicing their respective characters, is a direct adaptation of theCritical Roleshow and breaks down the campaign into more digestible plot points.
Since the show is based on a literalD&Dcampaign,The Legend of Vox Machinais a certified treasure trove for fans ofD&D. Players will easily be able to spot the inspiration for certain spells and enemies since they may have encountered them in their own game. It features all the high fantasy ofD&Das well as the genuine tomfoolery and ridiculousness of any campaign. It’s a truly fun experience with great characters and a brilliant story. With an animated adaptation ofCritical Role’sCampaign 2 - which will follow the chaotic Mighty Nein crew - seemingly on the horizon, those who prefer theirD&Dcontent in cartoon form will bespoiled for choice.
