Ghosts on a Train feels like sitting down to play a game with old friends.Instead of the usual D&D actual plays, GoaT uses Ghost Lines as the base RPG. It comes with its own completely different steampunk/Cthulhupunk mythos, which gives it a fresh feel.That's helped by the three players and Greg, the GM (or 'conductor'). Each of the players - Hannah, Guy, and Stefen - have their own very different character and style of playing, so there's always something to listen to, and laugh about.And there are lots of laugh-out-loud lines and scenarios (e.g. the hot tub on the train, the beans, the pumpkin), and you can tell that they're having a lot of fun playing.Unlike D&D, which tends to be DM-driven, Ghost Lines seems a lot more cooperative. The players are not only creating their characters and deciding what to do in situations, but the GM calls on them to describe people and things they encounter. As a result, the story and landscape are powered by the imagination of all four.There are a lot of through lines and ongoing mysteries, for those who like the Lost style of storytelling. The tone is mostly light and silly, with some more serious scenes along the way.Lastly, the story is structured episodically, with on-train and off-train arcs, so there are several points the listener can jump in at without feeling like they've missed out on all the fun.Recommended.

Fun, imaginative podcast that (like Wolf 359) transforms from a workplace comedy to something more serious, dramatic and sinister as it goes.The fast-moving story has Jack, a queer woman, hired by a property management firm to be a troubleshooter. The trouble, however, involves various supernatural elements - of which the property management and her boss, the suave Edwith, may or may not be aware.The story builds nicely with lots of callbacks, and the final episode wraps up the storyline while leaving plenty of places to go in Season Two (I hope!).

A guilty pleasure.