Above all, it's fun, and beyond that, surprisingly heartfelt. Perfect if you're looking to fall in love with a found family, laugh at cartoonish antics, and get your heart broken all at the same time. All the characters, player and non-player characters alike, are bursting with personality and depth. The editing is top-notch and sets a brisk pace, the music choices are impeccable, and the audio quality is constantly improving, so it's a joy to listen.

For me, the biggest draw of Explorers Wanted is how simple it is to feel connected to the cast and characters. With some actual play podcasts, it might take a handful of episodes to remember everyone's names, but here, everyone is so delightfully full of personality that you could never mistake one for another. It has strong storytelling, humor, constantly evolving mysteries, intrigue among hidden factions, and an immersive interpretation of the Ninth World setting.