2024 Gaming Gift Guide Holiday Christmas Playstation Actual Play Recommendations

Dive into the world of storytelling and strategy with our 2024 Actual Play Gift Guide-your ultimate source for the best in tabletop gaming experiences this year. Whether you’re shopping for audio fiction lovers, roleplaying enthusiasts, or board game fans, discover unique gifts like immersive RPGs, scented dice, and elegant game sets that promise to bring magic and adventure to every game night.

But this year, I’d like to do something a little bit different: I’d like to think about the best actual plays for different kinds of audiences. To that end, I’ve rounded up some of the new shows and arcs that my friends and family haven’t stopped talking about. In several cases, these are actual plays that aren’t to my taste, but I can see their strengths. In a time when actual play desperately needs to reach beyond its core audiences, such thoughtful, audience-aware innovation is desperately needed.

So consider this your actual play gift-giving guide for 2024.

For audio fiction nerds: Gutter, My First Dungeon, and The All Night Society

For fans of audio fiction, 2024 offers some truly immersive actual play experiences that blend storytelling and sound design masterfully. Gutter delivers gritty, noir-inspired tales that pull you into a dark, atmospheric world. My First Dungeon charms with its whimsical and heartfelt adventures, perfect for those who love a mix of humor and fantasy. Meanwhile, The All Night Society captivates listeners with its richly woven narratives and compelling characters, making it a must-listen for anyone who appreciates audio dramas that push the boundaries of tabletop gaming storytelling.

Audio-only actual play podcasts have always been at the forefront of production innovation, because unlike their livestreamed counterparts there’s always the need for editing. In the wake of the success of Worlds Beyond Number’s sensitively produced sonic landscape, more and more shows are upping their game in response. The show’s producer, Taylor Moore, will not stop singing the praises of Gutter, a new Delta Green/Cthulhu actual play from the makers of Shadowrun actual play NeoScum: “It’s the exact kind of show I WISH with every fiber of my being that I could make.” The horror-comedy podcast is the kind that keeps player banter in (sometimes to a distracting degree), but those fond of the kind of imagined post-apocalyptic United States seen in shows like HyperRPG’s Kollok or the world-building of Midst will find comparable setup in these first two episodes.

Moore has also recently tapped Brian Flaherty of My First Dungeon as audio producer for recent one-shots, and his trust was well placed. My First Dungeon has made a name for itself with limited-run, thoughtfully sound-designed seasons using a variety of indie games, including some created by team members. (Disclosure: I have appeared on both My First Dungeon and its sister series, Talk of the Table.)

Both My First Dungeon and Queen’s Court Games’ Vampire actual play The All-Night Society have been high on the leaderboard for the Audio Fiction World Cup, with many awards between them. The All-Night Society too leans into the audio fiction style of production, with an insistent audio scoring, though comparatively restrained in its palette. While sometimes one might wish the audio mix was slightly less insistent, overall the vibe is quieter, softer, less flashy, allowing for gameplay to stay at the forefront of the audience’s attention.

For your favorite grad student in gender studies: Godkiller

For your favorite grad student in gender studies: Godkiller

Godkiller is a tabletop RPG that stands out as a bold, transgressive exploration of gender, power, and divinity-perfect for the gender studies grad student who craves games that interrogate and subvert traditional structures. Designed by Connie Chang, Godkiller uses a duet format (one GM, one player) to create deeply personal stories set in a bleak, holy-punk world where gods are as flawed and hungry as mortals, and the protagonist is a lone mortal with the power to slay deities and absorb their essence. The game’s narrative and mechanics are steeped in themes of queer and trans liberation, generational trauma, and the reclamation of identity, offering a razor-sharp critique of oppressive systems-religious, social, and otherwise. Godkiller’s latest actual play, “Last Hope,” is described as “a love letter to queer/trans Chineseness,” weaving together questions of gender, heritage, and self-determination in a way that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. For the grad student who sees games as a site of cultural critique and personal transformation, Godkiller is both a playable act of heresy and a celebration of the power to define oneself against the divine.

This year I organized the inaugural Big Bad Academy, a symposium that meets during tabletop convention Big Bad Con. We combined early career researchers working on the cutting edge of game studies with practitioners of different parts of the tabletop field. Doctoral students EA Wilcox and Adriana Burton spoke lovingly and with great care and detail about the work of Connie Chang, well known for his work leading Transplanar, a dark fantasy anthology series that weaves together different systems to tell stories in a “noncolonial, antiorientalist multiverse.” This year Chang’s duet game Godkiller (out in ashcan, with an upcoming release with Evil Hat Games) has inspired a flurry of actual plays, including Chang’s own first-ever studio miniseries, Godkiller: Last Hope, prerecorded and edited with thoughtful post-production touches. The show was featured on the first front page of Twitch for its debut, and held a steady if modest audience for the rest of its run.

Godkiller is actual play in an operatic style, in keeping with the rest of Transplanar’s commitment to passionate intensity. Transplanar often reminds of the 19th century theater’s taste for melodrama, designed to move the emotions through performances that can reach all the way to the cheap seats. Godkiller is more refined and quietly intense, but released from the constraint of remote performance styles. The effect is now black box theater: experimental, full of ideas, and definitely polarizing. Like abstract art or molecular gastronomy, Godkiller isn’t for everyone, but for those who it has touched, it is indelible.

For your kid (or inner child): Re-Slayer’s Take

Re-Slayer highlights the joy of actual play games that spark imagination and fun for both kids and adults alike. Among the top picks for 2024 are family-friendly games like Pikit, a fast-paced Kaiju dice game perfect for all ages, and Spotlight, a cooperative hidden-picture game that delights fans of seek-and-find challenges. These games not only entertain but also encourage critical thinking and creativity, making them ideal gifts for nurturing the playful spirit in everyone.

Finally, over a year ago I noted that one of the trends I was anticipating this year was shows intended for children. Even before this year, several dozen shows fell under the “family-friendly” label – and I’d listened to every single one. For most, “family-friendly” means either the literal participation of children, or the removal of elements like profanity or R-rated content (though usually violence is a-OK!). Very little actual play has been produced from the ground up thinking about the ways that kids and families listen to narrative.

And it’s not surprising that Critical Role’s Sam Riegel, who has a long career tied to children’s animation, would champion the company’s first “all-ages” podcast, The Re-Slayers Take. The show combines the work of the team from Hero Club with a stable of actual play performers well known as guests on Critical Role, as well as cameos from the company’s founding cast members and a suite of nerd-famous celebrities like Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd. This isn’t Critical Role’s trademark long-form structure, with every dice roll and player reaction included. Instead, players have been directed to speak in third person, which helps clarify the action for younger (or easily distracted!) listeners. For some this will feel like a loss, but there’s definitely an audience for concision, as the Critical Role Abridged series has also revealed. Post-production effects have been added, and only key rolls are included. This is pedagogical actual play, explaining how a spell functions as it is being cast, as well as major class abilities.

My niece (age 6) and nephew (age 9) are obsessed. When I sent the first episode to them to get their perspective, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. The two had no experience of actual play, though they do have some experience with modified versions of D&D and other TTRPGs. But their attention spans are short, and audio fiction is not always the easiest sell to any age. Imagine my surprise and delight to receive a video call from my niece excitedly describing in great detail the events of the first several episodes, and their love for Idrin (Jasper William Cartwright) and Heera (Jasmine Bhullar). This was the latest proof that actual play could indeed innovate to capture new audiences. While it’s not the version of Exandria I’ll be devoting my time to, I’m glad it’s bringing in new audiences by meeting them where they are.

This is just a sample of the different kinds of actual play that are pushing the form in different directions, trying to capture new audiences. By definition, no actual play can appeal to everyone, nor should it. As a critic, my job is to focus on what the goals of an actual play are, and whether they are fulfilled.

What are the must-have actual play podcasts and shows for 2024 gamers

For 2024 gamers seeking must-have actual play podcasts and shows, several stand out as top choices:

Critical Role remains a flagship actual play podcast with rich storytelling and extensive episodes, continuing to captivate audiences weekly.
Reflex Save offers a focused D&D 5th Edition playthrough of Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden with an engaging Aussie cast.
Worlds Beyond Number and Quest Fantastic provide immersive narrative-driven campaigns with fresh content and strong production values.
The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast delivers a mix of board games, RPGs, and miniatures with entertaining perspectives and long-standing presence in the community.
Happy Jacks RPG Actual Plays is praised for unedited, authentic sessions featuring top-tier roleplayers and GMs, ideal for listeners wanting a genuine tabletop experience.
Rusty Quill Gaming Podcast blends comedy and epic storytelling in original tabletop RPG campaigns, making it a favorite for humor and adventure alike.
For those interested in unique formats, Very Random Encounters and Roll & Tell offer chaotic improv and GM-less narratives, respectively, pushing creative boundaries in actual play.
Other notable mentions include Dimension 20, Oxventure Presents: Blades in the Dark, Not Another D&D Podcast, and Dungeons & Daddies, all highly recommended for their engaging content and storytelling.

These podcasts collectively represent the must-listen actual play experiences for 2024 gamers, spanning classic D&D, innovative narratives, and diverse RPG systems.

Which actual play podcasts are considered essential for 2024 gamers

Essential actual play podcasts for 2024 gamers include a diverse mix of long-standing favorites and innovative newcomers:

The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast offers a weekly deep dive into board games, RPGs, and miniatures with a lively group of hosts and a rich history since 2011.
Happy Jacks RPG Actual Plays is known for unedited, authentic sessions featuring top-tier roleplayers and GMs, appealing to listeners who want a genuine tabletop experience.
Rusty Quill Gaming Podcast blends comedy and epic storytelling in original tabletop RPG campaigns, making it a must-listen for humor and adventure fans.
Penance RPG stands out for its organic storytelling style with free player choice and equal consequences, offering a unique narrative experience.
Dungeons & Daddies is a popular audio-only actual play podcast featuring suburban dads in a fantasy world, combining humor and engaging storytelling.
Tales from the Stinky Dragon provides a family-friendly, fully voiced, and immersive D&D experience with a full soundtrack, recently joining the Critical Role media universe.
Girls Who Don’t DnD features high sound quality and stellar voice acting with a homebrew 5e campaign, ideal for those seeking fresh perspectives.
The Adventure Zone remains one of the longest-running and most beloved comedy actual play podcasts centered on D&D 5e and other RPGs.
Dimension 20, helmed by Brennan Lee Mulligan, is praised for its anthology-style campaigns with strong storytelling and humor, accessible both as video and audio.
Oxventure Presents: Blades in the Dark is also recommended for those interested in narrative-driven actual play series.

These podcasts represent a broad spectrum of styles and systems, making them essential listening for 2024 gamers seeking quality actual play content.