Tabletop GamingDungeons and DragonsD&D Dungeon Master’s Guide 2024 lore glossary was a fun but slight “pain in the ass,” say devsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Tabletop GamingDungeons and DragonsD&D Dungeon Master’s Guide 2024 lore glossary was a fun but slight “pain in the ass,” say devsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Benjamin Abbott)

We’re careening toward the new D&D Dungeon Master’s Guide 2024 at breakneck speed, and the dev team are out to fill fans in on why they should upgrade. A lore glossary which gives a whistlestop tour of important figures from one of thebest tabletop RPGsis on that roll-call.
However, seeing as this addition to the Dungeon Master’s Guide 2024 draws from half-a-century of history spread across countless D&D rulebooks, novels, and video games, how much of a pain in the ass was it to pull together?
“I really tried to get broad representation from all of D&D’s 50-year history,” Wyatt adds. “So [there was] some pain, but it really was fun, because I mean, D&D’s history pretty well overlaps with mine. So it was a walk down memory lane for me too.”
“The joy of including [the Lore Glossary] here is it ties so strongly into the 50th anniversary,” says creative director Chris Perkins. “Because we have a multi generational game now, as James said, there’s a lot of fans who started with Fifth Edition who just don’t know what some of these things, some of these places and characters, are.”
The new Dungeon Master’s Guide is due to arrive on November 12, 2024. I’ll be weighing in on whether I think it’s an improvement soon, so keep an eye out if you’re on the fence. If you’re keen to jump in, on the other hand, you can currently get it for less ahead of launch – it’s currently$39.99 at Miniature Marketinstead of $50, and UK fans can pick it up for£28.99 via Magic Madhouserather than the £40 I’m seeing elsewhere.
For more on the new version of the game, find out howD&D “didn’t burn the game down” for the new rulebooks: it’s still the RPG you love. As for which adventures you should pair with this rules upgrade, don’t miss thebest D&D books.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Round up of today’s best dealsDungeons & Dragons Curse of Strahd$18.81ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Mordenkainen$49.95$41.36ViewSee all pricesDungeons and Dragons Candlekeep$49.95$34.97ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Van Richten’s Guide$49.95$39.99ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Tasha’s Cauldron of$49.95$29.97ViewSee all pricesEditor’s PickDungeons & Dragons Xanathar’s Guide to$49.95$23.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Round up of today’s best dealsDungeons & Dragons Curse of Strahd$18.81ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Mordenkainen$49.95$41.36ViewSee all pricesDungeons and Dragons Candlekeep$49.95$34.97ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Van Richten’s Guide$49.95$39.99ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Tasha’s Cauldron of$49.95$29.97ViewSee all pricesEditor’s PickDungeons & Dragons Xanathar’s Guide to$49.95$23.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Round up of today’s best dealsDungeons & Dragons Curse of Strahd$18.81ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Mordenkainen$49.95$41.36ViewSee all pricesDungeons and Dragons Candlekeep$49.95$34.97ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Van Richten’s Guide$49.95$39.99ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Tasha’s Cauldron of$49.95$29.97ViewSee all pricesEditor’s PickDungeons & Dragons Xanathar’s Guide to$49.95$23.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Round up of today’s best deals
Dungeons & Dragons Curse of Strahd$18.81ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Mordenkainen$49.95$41.36ViewSee all pricesDungeons and Dragons Candlekeep$49.95$34.97ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Van Richten’s Guide$49.95$39.99ViewSee all pricesDungeons & Dragons Tasha’s Cauldron of$49.95$29.97ViewSee all pricesEditor’s PickDungeons & Dragons Xanathar’s Guide to$49.95$23.95ViewSee all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Curse of Strahd$18.81ViewSee all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Curse of Strahd$18.81ViewSee all prices

Dungeons & Dragons Curse of Strahd
Dungeons & Dragons Curse of Strahd

$18.81View
$18.81
$18.81
See all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Mordenkainen$49.95$41.36ViewSee all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Mordenkainen$49.95$41.36ViewSee all prices

Dungeons & Dragons Mordenkainen
Dungeons & Dragons Mordenkainen

$49.95$41.36View
$49.95$41.36
$41.36
See all prices
Dungeons and Dragons Candlekeep$49.95$34.97ViewSee all prices
Dungeons and Dragons Candlekeep$49.95$34.97ViewSee all prices

Dungeons and Dragons Candlekeep
Dungeons and Dragons Candlekeep

$49.95$34.97View
$49.95$34.97
$34.97
See all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Van Richten’s Guide$49.95$39.99ViewSee all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Van Richten’s Guide$49.95$39.99ViewSee all prices

Dungeons & Dragons Van Richten’s Guide
Dungeons & Dragons Van Richten’s Guide

$49.95$39.99View
$49.95$39.99
$39.99
See all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Tasha’s Cauldron of$49.95$29.97ViewSee all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Tasha’s Cauldron of$49.95$29.97ViewSee all prices

Dungeons & Dragons Tasha’s Cauldron of
Dungeons & Dragons Tasha’s Cauldron of

$49.95$29.97View
$49.95$29.97
$29.97
See all prices
Editor’s PickDungeons & Dragons Xanathar’s Guide to$49.95$23.95ViewSee all prices
Editor’s Pick
Editor’s Pick
Editor’s Pick
Editor’s Pick
Editor’s Pick
Dungeons & Dragons Xanathar’s Guide to$49.95$23.95ViewSee all prices

Dungeons & Dragons Xanathar’s Guide to
Dungeons & Dragons Xanathar’s Guide to

$49.95$23.95View
$49.95$23.95
$23.95
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
More about tabletop gamingThis new indie D&D campaign setting brings Studio Ghibli and Zelda: Breath of the Wild aesthetics and worldbuilding to the tabletop RPG, and I’m already scheming hard as a DMD&D Monster Manual 2025 is going to pack a serious punch thanks to a family of monsters descended from gods, and frankly I’m terrifiedLatestSquid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"See more latest►
More about tabletop gamingThis new indie D&D campaign setting brings Studio Ghibli and Zelda: Breath of the Wild aesthetics and worldbuilding to the tabletop RPG, and I’m already scheming hard as a DMD&D Monster Manual 2025 is going to pack a serious punch thanks to a family of monsters descended from gods, and frankly I’m terrifiedLatestSquid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"See more latest►
More about tabletop gamingThis new indie D&D campaign setting brings Studio Ghibli and Zelda: Breath of the Wild aesthetics and worldbuilding to the tabletop RPG, and I’m already scheming hard as a DMD&D Monster Manual 2025 is going to pack a serious punch thanks to a family of monsters descended from gods, and frankly I’m terrified
More about tabletop gaming
This new indie D&D campaign setting brings Studio Ghibli and Zelda: Breath of the Wild aesthetics and worldbuilding to the tabletop RPG, and I’m already scheming hard as a DMD&D Monster Manual 2025 is going to pack a serious punch thanks to a family of monsters descended from gods, and frankly I’m terrified
This new indie D&D campaign setting brings Studio Ghibli and Zelda: Breath of the Wild aesthetics and worldbuilding to the tabletop RPG, and I’m already scheming hard as a DM
This new indie D&D campaign setting brings Studio Ghibli and Zelda: Breath of the Wild aesthetics and worldbuilding to the tabletop RPG, and I’m already scheming hard as a DM
D&D Monster Manual 2025 is going to pack a serious punch thanks to a family of monsters descended from gods, and frankly I’m terrified
D&D Monster Manual 2025 is going to pack a serious punch thanks to a family of monsters descended from gods, and frankly I’m terrified
LatestSquid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"See more latest►
Latest
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
See more latest►
Most PopularOne of Sonic 3’s writers threatens us with a good time in a future movie: “We gotta get Big the Cat in there in some capacity"This nifty gadget turns any M.2 SSD into a portable drive, but it’s great for when you’re upgrading your PC tooLeague of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane"After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarmingJames Gunn says his DC shows will likely stick to the “one episode a week” schedule moving forward: “It affords a quality show an opportunity to be discussed"Just two weeks after its theatrical release, Lord of the Ring: The War of Rohirrim is heading to digitalEscape the horrors of family time this holiday with Slitterhead’s first ever discountNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneYou might be ready for Elden Ring: Nightreign, but not as ready as this streamer who completed the RPG like it was a roguelike – 207 bosses, random items, and permadeathThe team behind the unofficial Zelda Ocarina of Time PC port just modernized another Nintendo 64 classic, and the original creator is “very happy” about itNosferatu’s Bill Skarsgård was so happy to shed the Orlok character when filming wrapped: “It was an immense sense of relief”
Most PopularOne of Sonic 3’s writers threatens us with a good time in a future movie: “We gotta get Big the Cat in there in some capacity"This nifty gadget turns any M.2 SSD into a portable drive, but it’s great for when you’re upgrading your PC tooLeague of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane"After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarmingJames Gunn says his DC shows will likely stick to the “one episode a week” schedule moving forward: “It affords a quality show an opportunity to be discussed"Just two weeks after its theatrical release, Lord of the Ring: The War of Rohirrim is heading to digitalEscape the horrors of family time this holiday with Slitterhead’s first ever discountNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneYou might be ready for Elden Ring: Nightreign, but not as ready as this streamer who completed the RPG like it was a roguelike – 207 bosses, random items, and permadeathThe team behind the unofficial Zelda Ocarina of Time PC port just modernized another Nintendo 64 classic, and the original creator is “very happy” about itNosferatu’s Bill Skarsgård was so happy to shed the Orlok character when filming wrapped: “It was an immense sense of relief”
Most PopularOne of Sonic 3’s writers threatens us with a good time in a future movie: “We gotta get Big the Cat in there in some capacity"This nifty gadget turns any M.2 SSD into a portable drive, but it’s great for when you’re upgrading your PC tooLeague of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane"After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarmingJames Gunn says his DC shows will likely stick to the “one episode a week” schedule moving forward: “It affords a quality show an opportunity to be discussed"Just two weeks after its theatrical release, Lord of the Ring: The War of Rohirrim is heading to digitalEscape the horrors of family time this holiday with Slitterhead’s first ever discountNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneYou might be ready for Elden Ring: Nightreign, but not as ready as this streamer who completed the RPG like it was a roguelike – 207 bosses, random items, and permadeathThe team behind the unofficial Zelda Ocarina of Time PC port just modernized another Nintendo 64 classic, and the original creator is “very happy” about itNosferatu’s Bill Skarsgård was so happy to shed the Orlok character when filming wrapped: “It was an immense sense of relief”
Most Popular
One of Sonic 3’s writers threatens us with a good time in a future movie: “We gotta get Big the Cat in there in some capacity”
This nifty gadget turns any M.2 SSD into a portable drive, but it’s great for when you’re upgrading your PC too
League of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane”
After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarming
James Gunn says his DC shows will likely stick to the “one episode a week” schedule moving forward: “It affords a quality show an opportunity to be discussed”
Just two weeks after its theatrical release, Lord of the Ring: The War of Rohirrim is heading to digital
Escape the horrors of family time this holiday with Slitterhead’s first ever discount
Nosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted one
You might be ready for Elden Ring: Nightreign, but not as ready as this streamer who completed the RPG like it was a roguelike – 207 bosses, random items, and permadeath
The team behind the unofficial Zelda Ocarina of Time PC port just modernized another Nintendo 64 classic, and the original creator is “very happy” about it
Nosferatu’s Bill Skarsgård was so happy to shed the Orlok character when filming wrapped: “It was an immense sense of relief”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”