RDTN Episode 279 Pairs Long John Company Discussion With D&D Onslaught Interview

Episode 279 of RDTN opens the year with an unexpected centerpiece: a John Company discussion that grew far beyond the hosts’ plan. They expected to spend ten or fifteen minutes on the game, but the conversation kept unfolding, becoming what they describe as the show’s longest game review. That extended look gives this episode a different shape from a quick tour of several titles. It’s a chance to hear the hosts follow their thoughts through a game in detail, even though they say they don’t expect to repeat the format.

The episode also brings in D&D Onslaught co-designer Nick Yu for a conversation with Marty, and includes reflections on Hickory Dickory and The Great Split. A run of lighter subjects and a Taste Buds segment fill out the opening portion before the show turns toward its tabletop discussions. Listeners looking for a particular segment can use the timestamps below.

John Company takes the long route

The hosts’ account of the John Company segment is less about a planned review structure and more about what happened once they started talking. They hadn’t intended to explain the rules in depth or devote a large portion of the show to one title. The discussion simply kept producing more thoughts and opinions. For listeners, that kind of detour can be useful: instead of squeezing a game into a short verdict, the conversation has room to linger on what the hosts find worth discussing.

The source doesn’t lay out the game’s rules or offer a formal assessment of how it plays, so there’s no basis here for a detailed account of its mechanics. What it does make clear is that John Company earned a sustained conversation from the group, and that the length surprised the hosts as much as it may surprise regular listeners. Their description sets expectations: this is the episode’s central game discussion, and it runs much longer than their original estimate.

Two games the hosts want back on the table

Hickory Dickory gets a more personal note. One host missed a game night because of work and says they hope Marty can bring the game to the table. The missed session leaves them wanting to see it in action. Marty also recalls people stopping by while the game was on the table to ask what the group was playing. The other host adds a small correction from experience: people often ask what’s happening at a table, but don’t usually single out a particular feature of the game.

That exchange captures the social side of a game night without pretending that a passerby’s curiosity says anything definitive about a title. It’s a glimpse of how Hickory Dickory drew attention in that setting, alongside the more practical point that at least one host still hasn’t had a chance to play it. Anyone listening for a full account of the game should treat this portion as a brief reaction and a wish to get it played, rather than a complete review.

The hosts give The Great Split a more direct recommendation. If you enjoy “I split, you choose” games, they suggest giving it a play. They describe it as fun and value that it gives players opportunities to try different strategies while remaining competitive. That’s the clearest gameplay takeaway in the episode notes: the appeal, as presented here, lies in making strategic choices within a format that keeps the contest engaging. The conversation also looks ahead to the possibility of playing it together at TantrumCon at the end of February.

D&D Onslaught with Nick Yu

Marty’s conversation with Nick Yu, co-designer of D&D Onslaught, is another main stop on the episode’s tabletop tour. One host missed the opportunity to play because of work, and says they hope to try the game in the coming weeks. They’re drawn to dungeon crawlers and note that their own shelves already show that interest. That enthusiasm comes with a useful question: how will Onslaught compare with the dungeon crawlers they already know?

The source doesn’t provide an answer to that comparison or describe Onslaught’s rules, so it would be premature to claim what sets the game apart. The interview does, however, give the episode a direct connection to its design through Yu’s participation. For listeners who are already interested in the title, the segment is the one to seek out; for the host who missed the game, a future play will be needed before they can judge how it fits alongside their other dungeon crawlers.

Episode guide and listener note

The show begins with introductory and conversational segments before moving into the games. Its guide lists a Taste Buds feature at 00:16:55, followed by links to Portal Games, Nidavellir: Idavoll and Game Toppers. John Company begins at 00:33:23. Miniature Market appears at 01:20:50, just before The Great Split at 01:22:52, then D&D Onslaught with Nick Yu at 01:29:47 and Hickory Dickory at 01:59:03. Video game discussion starts at 02:06:12, and the episode wraps at 02:13:23. The guide places Nidavellir: Idavoll at 00:26:25 and Portal Games at 00:26:42, so listeners may want to use the linked segments as a guide rather than assume those entries are listed in exact timestamp order.

There’s also a reminder for people who entered the show’s 10th Anniversary Contest: check your email to see whether you were selected. The hosts say they’re still waiting for responses from about 10 winners, thank everyone who entered and congratulate those selected.

For a first episode of the year, the memorable feature is the gap between the hosts’ plan and what the recording became. John Company takes over far more time than expected, while Onslaught, The Great Split and Hickory Dickory each offer a reason to keep listening for a different kind of tabletop conversation. The clearest next step for the hosts is also a simple one: get the games they missed back to the table and see how they play.