Episode 28 of EXP-lore takes us back to familiar worlds with a fresh coat of paint, as we dive into the world of remakes in film and video games.

Whether it’s a beloved classic reimagined for a new generation, or a remake that never should’ve left the drawing board, we’re asking what makes these do-overs work—or fail. From movie reboots to game remasters, we share our favourites, our frustrations, and a few guilty pleasures along the way.

Why do some stories beg to be retold, while others lose their magic the second time around? And is nostalgia a blessing, or a curse, when it comes to remakes?

Hosted by your rebooted panel:

Mike Hearnden

Some things change, some stay the same—but the conversation’s always worth revisiting.

You can find more about us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk

If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this twenty-seventh episode of EXP-lore, we’re shuffling the deck, mixing the genres, and talking all things crossover.

From Magic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond to unexpected IP mashups, we explore what happens when beloved franchises collide. Do these crossovers expand the game, deepen the lore, or just feel like a cash grab? And what do we want to see?!

We share our thoughts on the best and worst examples, why some collaborations work better than others, and which dream crossovers we’d love to see next. Whether you’re a planeswalker, a dungeon master, or just here for the multiverse mayhem, this episode has something for you.

Hosted by your crossover curators:

Mike Hearnden

Different worlds, same table—let’s talk about breaching the multiverse.

You can find more about us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk

If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this twenty-sixth episode of EXP-lore, we’re rolling out the battlefield and digging into everything terrain.

From rocky outcrops and ruined cities to forests made of felt and cereal-box bunkers, we talk about how terrain shapes the games we play and the stories we tell. We cover the practical—storage, costs, and table space—as well as the creative—building, painting, and bringing battlefields to life.

Expect discussions on our best (and worst) terrain experiences, the difference good scenery can make to a game, and a few confessions about shortcuts we’ve taken along the way.

So whether you’re stacking books under a gaming mat or carefully crafting every detail of a custom board, this episode has you covered.

Hosted by your battlefield builders:

Mike Hearnden

The dice may decide the outcome, but the terrain sets the stage.

You can find more about us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk

If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this twenty-fifth episode of EXP-lore, we’re unlocking extra content, downloading some opinions, and maybe installing a few hot takes—because we’re talking video game expansions and DLC. 

From game-changing add-ons to cash-grab catastrophes, we share our favourite expansions that kept us playing long after the credits rolled—and the ones that made us wish we’d saved our money. Expect nostalgia trips, hot takes, and the occasional tangent into “remember when games just came finished?” territory.

We’ll cover everything from sprawling RPG epics to tiny quality-of-life tweaks, asking the big questions: When is DLC worth it? When does it go too far? And why do horse armour jokes never get old?

So plug in, press start, and join us for a conversation that’s 100% complete—no season pass required. 🕹️🎧🔥

Hosted by your fully upgraded panel:

Mike Hearnden

Extra missions, bonus content, and zero microtransactions—just the way we like it.

If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this bonus episode of EXP-lore, we’re cracking open a classic, sharpening our pencils, and diving headfirst into a dungeon of danger—because we’re tackling The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.

Join us as Mike dons the mantle of narrator, trap-setter, and occasional goblin, guiding the rest of the crew through the legendary Fighting Fantasy choose-your-own-adventure book that started it all. Will they fight bravely, loot wisely, and survive the perils ahead? Or will poor dice rolls and questionable choices doom them to an early grave?

It’s part RPG, part audiobook, and all chaotic fun—with plenty of tangents, terrible accents, and classic EXP-lore banter along the way.

So grab two dice, a pencil, and your provisions—because it’s time to EXP-lore Firetop Mountain. 

Starring your favourite doomed adventurers:

Mike Hearnden (your fearless narrator)

No minis, no map—just danger, decisions, and dungeon-crawling delight.

You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk

If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this twenty-fourth episode of EXP-lore, we’re grabbing our walking sticks, shaking our fists at the sky, and getting nostalgic—because we’re talking about how our hobbies have changed over the years. 

From the humble beginnings of pocket money armies to today’s premium-priced plastics, we look back on how games like Warhammer and others have evolved—from cost, to community, to the way we actually play. Remember organising games by text? Or playing in freezing garages with dodgy terrain? We do—and we survived.

It’s part retrospective, part rant, and all rooted in our love for the hobbies that have grown up alongside us (for better or worse). Whether you’re a grizzled veteran or a fresh recruit, this episode’s got something for everyone who's ever said, "It didn’t used to be like this..."

So dust off your old rulebooks, adjust your rose-tinted goggles, and join us as we explore the then and now of our tabletop lives. 

Hosted by your hobby historians:

Mike Hearnden

Things may have changed—but we’re still here rolling dice and talking nonsense. 

You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk

If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

In this twenty-third episode of EXP-lore, we’re cheering for the little guy, the long shot, the dark horse—because it’s time to talk underdogs. 🐾🎮🥊

From scrappy rebels to overlooked champions, we dive into our favorite underdog stories across games, films, and beyond. Why do we love them? What makes a good one? And why does it feel so good when the odds get defied?

But then—like a wild Tangela in tall grass—we get ambushed by nostalgia and spend the second half deep in the tall weeds of Pokémon talk. From team comps to type matchups, childhood memories to modern metas, we let the Poké-chat run rampant.

It’s an episode of two halves: one heartfelt, one hyper-beamed. Whether you're here for inspiring stories or Pikachu-powered tangents, this one’s a super effective use of your time. ⚡🐉🎙️

Hosted by your badge-less but battle-ready trainers:

Mike Hearnden

No potions required—just press play. 🎧🎮🔥

In this twenty-second episode of EXP-lore, we’re hitting pause on the deep dives and taking a moment to check in—because it’s time for a good old-fashioned hobby update. 

From piles of shame to proud displays, we're sharing what we've been building, painting, playing, and procrastinating. Expect some new projects, unexpected detours, and a few too many half-finished minis staring at us from the shelves.

It’s a laid-back episode full of hobby highs, crafty chaos, and the usual banter you’ve come to expect. Whether you’re knee-deep in sprues or just looking for a bit of inspiration to jumpstart your next session, this one’s for you.

So grab a brush, cue up the podcast, and join us as we talk progress, plans, and plastic. 

Hosted by your hobby hopefuls:

Mike Hearnden

No hot takes, no hard rules—just good vibes and glue fumes.

Episode 21 – EXP-loring: A Q&A

In this twenty-first episode of EXP-lore, we’re turning the tables and putting your questions in the spotlight. It’s time for our first-ever Q&A episode—because sometimes the best adventures start with “What if…?” 💬🎲🧭

We’ve gathered questions from our amazing community, Discord, and friends, and we’re diving headfirst into the weird, wonderful, and occasionally wacky corners of our gaming lives. From behind-the-scenes podcast insights to hot takes on dice etiquette, campaign chaos, and personal favourites, no topic is off-limits.

Expect candid chats, unexpected tangents, and plenty of laughs as we tackle everything from our most memorable tabletop moments to what games we’re loving right now—and yes, we do reveal which one of us hoards minis like a dragon.

Along the way, we reflect on what EXP-lore means to us, how we keep the spark alive in our hobbies, and why community-driven content makes this all so rewarding.

So grab your headphones, settle in, and join us for a relaxed, rambling journey through your curiosities and our chaos. 💭🎧🧃

Hosted (and mildly grilled) by your ever-chatty crew:

Mike Hearnden

Whether you sent in a question or just want to hear us sweat under the spotlight, this episode is a celebration of you—our listeners, supporters, and fellow nerds. 

Episode 20 – Lore of the Worlds

In this twentieth episode of EXP-lore, we’re swapping dice rolls for deep lore dives and getting lost in the tangled, thrilling process of worldbuilding for tabletop RPGs. 🌍📜🎲

From crumbling kingdoms to star-faring civilizations, we’re pulling back the curtain on how we craft the settings, cultures, and conflicts that bring our games to life. Whether you’re building a sprawling campaign world or a single mysterious village, we’re sharing our go-to methods, creative rituals, and favourite inspirations.

We talk about where to start (maps or myths?), how to make your world feel alive, and why the tiniest details can spark the biggest moments at the table. Expect discussions on everything from collaborative storytelling and player-driven world shaping to avoiding common worldbuilding traps (yes, we’re looking at you, 300-page lore docs no one reads).

Along the way, we ask: What makes a setting feel real? How much lore is too much? And how do you balance creativity with coherence when you’re basically building a universe from scratch?

So sharpen your pencils, prep your pantheons, and join us as we chart a course through the multiverse of imagination and invention. 🗺️🔥✨

Hosted by your ever-expanding ensemble:

Mike Hearnden

Whether you’re a veteran worldbuilder or just starting to sketch your first continent, this episode is packed with ideas, insights, and inspiration to help bring your stories to life. 🎧🏰🛸