Legend of Vox Machina season 2 review: more D&D than ever — which rules

Playing through one of the first Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, I quickly realized that my character wasn’t always the main character. As a timid newbie, I was happy to play a supporting role in someone else’s story, so that was fine. I quickly learned that a good DM finds a way to give everyone their own hero moment while moving forward along an overarching storyline.

This is not easy in real life when you are trying to negotiate a group of people who have different schedules and live in different time zones to play. It’s also not easy when you have to streamline it to minute episodes.but the second season Legend of Vox Machinaan animated show based on the real-life web series Critical Role, skillfully balancing the journey and dynamics of each with a cast of seven characters. in the meantime Build epic showdowns. It perfectly combines the charm of an animated fantasy show with the charm of Dungeons & Dragons.

[Ed. note: This review contains some slight setup spoilers for season 2 of The Legend of Vox Machina.]

second season of Legend of Vox Machina Specifically, when a group of powerful dragons descended on the capital, Emon. Our mercenary group – briefly includes the confident half-elf ranger Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey) and her twin brother, the cynical rogue Vax’ildan (Liam O’Brien). Strong half-elf druid Keyelth (Marisha Ray). Horny gnome bard Scanlan (Sam Riegel), dimwitted but big-hearted Goliath barbarian Grogg (Travis Willingham). brooding human gunman Percy (Talia Senjaffe); and compassionate gnome cleric Pyke (Ashley Johnson) — who managed to escape the attack.

In order to stop the dragons from conquering the world, Vox Machina needs to collect some ancient artifacts.things to do thatthey embark on a quest across the land of Taldrey to ancient temples, fortified cities, hidden realms, and beyond.

The very setting of this season, where characters travel from place to place in search of various objects, already feels more in line with its Dungeons & Dragons roots than the first season, which focused specifically on one location. can be The first season had a lot of D&D-ism, but it felt more like a standard fantasy anime show and more accessible to new viewers. This time around, it’s easy to see the strings of D&D pulling the plot, especially with the way each episode takes you to new places and builds up different encounters.

Image: Prime Video

Image: Prime Video

It should be emphasized that this is not a bad thing.the way is Legend of Vox Machina The success of synthesizing all these separate character arcs, fetch quests, and moving parts is incredibly impressive. The center of the show always returns to the characters that these voice actors have played for so long. And this season almost all of them get big main character moments woven into the larger plot. In addition, there are many changing story elements that move around. Instead of the streamlined focus of the first season, it becomes more like a mosaic. And like a mosaic, it works best when all the pieces are pinned in place. For this trope, that means when the characters interact.

And yes many of vulgar jokes. But instead of using jokes to pander or elicit obligatory laughter while dealing with more serious topics, Legend of Vox Machina do the opposite.The show established a crude and lewd tone from the very first episode of its first season, introducing its characters as a bunch of hot messes — and after that We’ve slowly peeled back those layers, revealing their insecurities, bonds, and true motives. The show never pretends to be too tall for well-delivered ass jokes.when Scanlan conjures up a bright pair of pink buttocks It’s definitely worth a snort to soften the crash of the party.

Image: Prime Video

fantasy in appearance Better in animation. The fantastical powers and battle scenes are nicer, the spectacular backgrounds look more fantastical, and the character designs look cooler. The Fey Realm, where Vax, Vex, Percy, and Keyleth find themselves stuck in a few episodes, is especially gorgeous. Keyless’s elemental magic, Pyke’s glowing healing powers, and Scanlan’s summoning of the bright pink and purple bards are what make these shows animated.

second season of Legend of Vox Machina There are many negative elements. There’s a lot of lore based on years and years of gameplay sessions that are definitely terrifying for newcomers. And the already vast character roster just keeps getting bigger. But for those to whom it clicks, an epic adventure has heart and fun that makes it more than just an epic fantasy show, making it truly special.

Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 premieres on Prime Video on January 20th. 3 episodes drop every week.