CRITICAL ROLE CAMPAIGN 4 Remains Wholly Compelling as It Turns a New Page (Review)

It’s time for a new beginning with the roll for evolution! Critical Role Campaign 4 is here, and it’s Critical Role, but different than anything you’ve experienced before. We have a new cast of characters, a revised rule set, and a new Dungeon Master leading the campaign. For 10 years, Matt Mercer has been the DM for Critical Role’s main campaigns, becoming a defining part of the show. But with Critical Role Campaign 4, things are changing. Brennan Lee Mulligan is now officially in charge of this new story, guiding the group through the amazing world of Aramán. Naturally, fans are curious: what will Critical Role look like with this new chapter? Will this story be worthy of the Critical Role name? We’re excited to share that Critical Role Campaign 4 is just as grand and exciting as ever before.

Here’s our review of Critical Role Campaign 4 episode one.

Critical Role Campaign 4 Sucks Us in with a Brand New Story

If you’re concerned that introducing a new setting and characters might lower the quality of Critical Role Campaign 4’s narrative, you can rest easy. Even after just one episode, we’re already deeply invested in the story, captivated by the complex characters, and curious about the secrets the world holds. The hints at certain names and locations, without full explanations, have us intrigued, and the end of the first episode left us on the edge of our seats.

Critical Role consistently requires a four-hour weekly time commitment, so we’re confident we’d notice immediately if things weren’t working well. Like any pilot episode, the first one is always the most challenging to create. It needs to introduce characters, establish the world, provide necessary background information, and still deliver a captivating story that draws viewers in. In this case, the answer is a definite yes.

We’ll discuss this further shortly, but the new Critical Role Campaign 4 Dungeon Master, Brennan Lee Mulligan, does a fantastic job of naturally incorporating all the necessary background information while creating truly engaging character interactions that flow seamlessly. Mulligan also expertly builds the story’s momentum gradually, so we quickly find ourselves invested, thinking about at least five different intriguing mysteries that have been introduced subtly, almost without us realizing it.

The Death of Thjazi Fang Kicks Off Critical Role Campaign 4

Critical Role Campaign 4 really shines because of its compelling central storyline. We quickly understand how all 13 characters are connected – they all have significant ties to a famous rebel named Thjazi Fang. The Critical Role Campaign 4 begins with the news that Thjazi Fang is about to be executed by the powerful noble families of Dol-Makyar in Aramán, known as the Sundered Houses. However, a lot is happening behind the scenes to try and save him. At first, it looks like Thjazi Fang might actually escape death. But, even with the dedicated efforts of his friends and loved ones (he’s an orc rogue/fighter), the execution goes ahead as planned.

I remember watching Critical Role Campaign 4 and being really struck by how the group first met – at Thjazi Fang’s funeral. It just made sense that they were all there, connected to him in some way. Like them, I immediately started wondering what had gone wrong. How could Thjazi Fang have died despite all their careful planning? And honestly, that’s exactly what we, the audience, were thinking too! It felt like we were all on the same journey, pulled right into the mystery. We’re going to be waiting a long time to find out the full story of what happened to Thjazi Fang, but I’m so ready to start piecing it all together.

The Stone of Night Song Will Spur the Action of This Campaign

The investigation into Thjazi Fang’s death focuses on past events, asking “What went wrong with everyone’s plans?” However, Critical Role Campaign 4 quickly introduces a storyline that looks to the future. In the very first episode, we meet the Stone of Night Song, a significant artifact. We don’t yet know much about it, but we learn it was made by Selendry, the Goddess of Life, to help her immortal elven children pass on peacefully. Thjazi Fang stole this artifact from the Mourn Veil-a realm inhabited by elves and fairies-along with his pixie companion, Thimble.

In the first episode of Critical Role Campaign 4, it becomes clear that a recent theft likely played a role in Thjazi Fang’s death, and multiple groups are vying for control of the Stone of Night Song’s power. We don’t yet know what Fang was after, who currently possesses the Stone, or exactly what it can do-we’ll have to watch more of Critical Role Campaign 4 to find out. However… we’re definitely hooked.

Brennan Lee Mulligan Is a Generous and Compelling DM

Brennan Lee Mulligan is very familiar with Dungeons & Dragons and has plenty of experience as a Dungeon Master. However, taking over as Dungeon Master for Critical Role-a position held by Matt Mercer for so long-was a significant challenge. Thankfully, Brennan Lee Mulligan does a fantastic job making the role his own, skillfully guiding the story with confidence and an engaging style.

Mulligan’s approach to running Dungeons & Dragons emphasizes the delicate balance between leading the story and letting the players shape it. He skillfully knows when to take charge, adding weight and revealing key plot points, and when to step back, allowing his player characters to develop the world and become more fully realized. Mulligan is always keenly aware of what each player is doing and what’s coming next in the story. For example, when Travis Willingham mentions his character, Teor Pridesire, is constantly watchful, Mulligan immediately asks for an Insight Check. That’s the kind of responsive game mastering we appreciate.

I was particularly impressed by how Brennan Lee Mulligan skillfully guided his players throughout the first episode. He was able to subtly remind them of key details and provide crucial story information without ever disrupting the natural flow of things. There was a real nuance to his Dungeon Mastering, and I really appreciated how he laid a strong foundation for the story. He managed to support the players and let their characters really shine, all while still giving them appropriately challenging obstacles. It was masterful!

We definitely need to point out that in the very first episode of Critical Role Campaign 4, Brennan Lee Mulligan absolutely nails the introduction of so many interesting characters. We especially love Lowza Blade – an incredibly powerful, ancient Orcish woman who seems to be beyond death. She’s a real force to be reckoned with.

Matt Mercer and all the Original Critical Role Cast Shine in This New Era

Don’t worry, the changes happening with Critical Role in Campaign 4 don’t mean you’ll stop seeing your favorite characters. In fact, they’re returning, and they seem even stronger than before! The original seven Critical Role players are back, and this time Matt Mercer is playing a character alongside them in Campaign 4. Their new characters are truly impressive. You can really feel the chemistry between this group of experienced actors – they clearly love playing together, building worlds, and creating compelling, well-developed, and original characters. While Campaign 4 has more players, the strong team spirit and friendship that made the earlier campaigns so enjoyable are still very much present.

Plus, we’re confident that allowing Matt Mercer to concentrate solely on developing a single character will produce truly outstanding work. Sir Julien Davinos, you are a critic and a skeptic, but we appreciate you!

13 Critical Role Campaign 4 Players Mean More Adventures and Relationships

The original eight members of Critical Role are an incredible team, and adding five more makes them even better! Thirteen players may sound like a large number, but the Critical Role Campaign 4 uses a West Marches style that allows for everyone to participate. At first, as seen in episode one, all the players will adventure together. However, they will eventually split into three smaller groups: the Seekers, the Soldiers, and the Schemers. Rest assured, even during episode one, no more than eight players are at the table simultaneously.

Bringing in new cast members like Luis Carazo, Robbie Daymond, Aabria Iyengar, Whitney Moore, and Alex Ward is a fantastic addition to the world of Critical Role. They offer fresh possibilities for how characters connect, different approaches to gameplay, and much more. Importantly, these are all experienced players who are already familiar with the main Critical Role group-making them a natural fit at the table.

We think Aabria Iyengar’s Thaisha Lloy consistently captures everyone’s attention and shines whenever she’s on screen.

Critical Role Campaign 4 Is Paving the Way for the Future of the Franchise

What stands out most in Critical Role Campaign 4’s first episode is a glimpse into the future of Critical Role. The campaign essentially asks whether Critical Role is defined by its individual members, or if it’s something even more special. And the first episode makes it clear: it’s the latter – Critical Role is greater than the sum of its parts.

Critical Role isn’t defined by the seven original players or the Dungeon Master. It’s about the show’s history, the artistry involved, and a passion for tabletop role-playing. It’s wise that Critical Role keeps the original cast together as the show develops, and probably for many campaigns to come. However, it also suggests that even if the entire group were to change someday, we’d still be enjoying Critical Role, and it would still hold everything we love about it.

Critical Role Campaign 4 begins on Thursdays at 7 pm PT, streaming live on Beacon.tv. You can also watch it simultaneously on Critical Role‘s YouTube and Twitch channels. The recorded video (VOD) becomes available to everyone the next Monday, and the podcast is released in two parts: the first part one week after the initial stream, and the second part the following Tuesday. While you wait, why not revisit earlier Critical Role campaigns and enjoy everything that’s come before?

2025-10-03 10:05