Review of The GROGNARD Files - Fellow Keepers Of All That Is

Fellow Keepers Of All That Is Good...

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“Now, you may say that because I am from Oop North, I'd be biased towards any kind of blog, podcast or even a dice roll made by a fellow countryman. But, given that I am from 'The Shire'and the chaps at the Grognad Files are from over the border in 'Mordor', I don't think that claim could be reasonably levelled at me. So, it must be because the show has echoed so many of my own experiences since I first rolled a D20 in anger in 1981. I'd already written my own gaming memoir back in 2011, inspired by 'The Elfish Gene', and a bout of depression which was exacerbated by the author's apparent self-loathing for being a gamer, and I'd been sketching out ideas for another 3-400 pages when a reader of my polemical wargaming blog, suggested I listened to TGF. And boy am I glad I did! Dirk and his motley band have informed, entertained and helped me to shake that feeling that somewhere I'd taken a wrong turning and that my escape from reality had been a pointless one. After losing several friends from my formative and most active gaming years to Mortis in 2017, I'd been a bit dark of mood to say the least. After all, it was only a matter of time before I failed my iwn saving throw, right? Well, the show cast 'Resurrection' on me in a big way and along the way, made me go back and look at games that I'd passed over in the 80s and then in the 90s when I was manager/owner of the Sheffield branch of Dungeons & Sarships (the retail arm of Chris Harvey Games - Who you really should interview guys as he was an early force majeur in the U.K scene). The shopping list has been an increasingly long one... Runequest and all the supplements were snapped up, Judge Dredd the boardgame and the forgotten classic RPG of the same name, as well as a complete set of MSPE (all apart from one elusive adventure) and so it goes on... Did I mention the several hundred pounds on a semi complete Traveller LBB colletion? No? (Damn, I hope the wife doesn't read this - I told her I was mugged on my way back from the chip shop.) All of this has been down to the down to earth, frothing of the presenters and guests (an impressive line up to those of us if the 'One True Vintage') and that alone should speak volumes about the quality and content of The Grognard Files. Remember Games Of Liverpool? Fondly recall GW carriers with only 4 store names on them? Weep for those heady days when Steve & Ian could be seen in the stores checking how things were going? Snigger when you remember how 1st ed Warhammer Fantasy Battle was sold off cheap at £2.99 by the truck full? Have to go and have a lie down in a darkened room as you reminisce over 'Flying Buffalo News'? Then, my young Hobbits you should be listening to The Grognard Files! (Oh, and reading my book too of course...)”Read full review »

Mark Hides via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 03/08/18

More reviews of The GROGNARD Files

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Probably my favourite

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“I seriously have to ration this podcast as its equisitely scripted nostalgia takes a lot of time to craft. If only these guys could go pro and release one a week I would be in heaven.”

Goodmania7000 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/19/18

Life changing...

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“Well not really. A great trip down senility street, yet with its jaundiced eye firmly fixed on the horizon. All of the games are reviewed with humour and warmth. Whilst playing the podcast where my wife could overhear, she burst out ‘I can’t believe they’ve spent time thinking so deeply about...”Read full review »

Orlanth Rex via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 02/08/18

A Chronicle of the UK Experience

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“This is a well-written podcast with a unique point of view. It’s great to learn about Golden Age gaming in the United Kingdom from the grognards across the pond. Keep up the great work!”

Zanguine via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/26/16

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