The Proving Grounds

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 | [email protected]

🎙️ 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!