The radio play is adapted from the 7th Edition module and benefits from having a slightly-more self-aware narrative that acknowledges the racism, sexism, and imperialism of the time. It's mostly done in a cheeky and humorous style with the assumption being the characters know that colonialism and misogyny is bad. The radio drama doesn't get into politics as much as the revised module, perhaps for the best given its cheeky half-parody half-serious tone, but it's still able to diversify the cast as well as show the downside to being a non-white person or woman in the early 20th century.

Hazel Kalifan, one of the protagonists, is a real "Annie Oakley type" and does more as the central heroine to make a statement than any direct statements by the narrative. I'm also fond of her supporting cast in elderly Suffragist Victoria Woodhull, Zeke the manly adventurer who would have been the star decades ago, and Cecil the insurance investigator. The casts of characters rotates quite a bit since a good chunk of the protagonists meet their end before the final episode. This is true to the module but contributes to the audiodrama's disjointed tone.

Overall, the story is enjoyable from beginning to end but does suffer a little bit toward the end. The problem boils down to tonal imbalance and mood whiplash. Basically, the story can't quite decide if it's a rollicking Pulp adventure or a somber horror story that not everyone is expected to live through. Still, it's a a lot of fun.

From the famous CoC module. Great fun.

The chances I'll ever get to experience Masks of Nyarlathotep for myself are slim to none. Accordingly, when this mega DART was announced, I saved my pennies for the deluxe edition so as to have the best possible DART take on this epic. It did not disappoint at all. The story is well worked into the DART format, with the extra pleasure of there being a "Choose Your Own Adventure" aspect to it. As always, the supporting prop documents are top notch. This is a truly epic DART!

The Deluxe Edition of the Masks of Nyarlathotep exceeded all expectations. Incredible props and fun hidden messages for Dark Adventure Decoder Club members! Hours and hours of the best audio drama yet! And the commercials have reached a new high. A+++

Another collection of props rife with the dizzying verisimilitude you have come to respect and expect from the Howard Phillips Lovecraft Historical Society. In terms of additional information, I think one of my favorite documents are the various notes and letters from Dr. Robert Huston, mostly because it offers a view of how a man of learning may become swayed by the appeal of a nihilistic cult and a more philosophical perspective of the cult's purpose and the doom they wish to usher unto the world. The presentation is top notch and includes peripheral paraphernalia that helps give the reader a glimpse into the cultural climate and attitudes of various environs from a bygone era. Spend a night in your secluded study by the glow of your desk lamp as you sift through the documents and artifacts collected in this case file, and even the morning sunlight will offer you no comfort as you grapple with the daemoniac implications these letters and clippings impart.