Meeple Nation Board Game Podcast

This week, we travel to ancient Egypt and try to win over the big guy, the Pharaoh, with dice. Favor of the Pharaoh,by Tom Lehmann and Bezier Games, is a re-implementation and re-theme of To Court the King. We liked the first version well enough, are were excited to see what Tom came up with. Spoiler--we all thought it was fabulous.

 
We loved all the options available to randomize each game. We loved the custom dice, the pool building, and the bonus tokens. The quality components and free randomization app make this game top notch. We recommend everyone in the Nation give it a try.
Direct download: MN_0089_Favor_of_the_Pharaoh.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this weeks podcast, we travel to the ancient Japanese Imperial court, were the Emperor has entrusted us to care for his bamboo garden--home of a giant panda bear, the symbol of peace.
Add in some dice rolling, territory building, farming, tile placement and some killer panda bear minis and you have Takenoko. Come for the high-quality/cute components--stay for the solid game play, or vice versa.
We cover both Takenoko and the expansion Takenoko: Chibis, which add a Miss Panda figure, baby panda disks, and new tiles and cards.

 

Direct download: MN_0088_Takenoko.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Surviving on a deep space mining expedition on Titan is hard enough without Nathan always trying to kill you. Sure he's infected, but he doesn't have to be such a jerk about it. Join Meeple Nation as we dissect another hidden role gem like Shadows over Camelot and Battle Star Galactica. In fact, Dark Moon originated from a homebrew game called BSG Express, based on the game, Battle Star Galactica . So how does Dark Moon hold up? Well, the shields are damaged, life support is failing, and Nathan has a stupid grin on his face. Listen to find out what happens next.

Direct download: MN_0087_Dark_Moon.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we continue our discussion of November gaming, concentrating on Brent's report of BGG.con in Dallas. He talks about his work in the game library, hot games, Codenames LARP, the Puzzle Hunt, Poker Tournament and Game Show.

He also explains his experience with Ponzi Scheme, Fische, Flupen, Frikadelen, Fresh Fish, and Rattlebones.

 

Direct download: MN_0086_November_Gaming_-_Report_from_BGGCon.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this week's and next week's podcast, we cover the ins, outs, and triumphs of our recent foray into three gaming events. Meeple Nation (mostly Brent) and the Northern Utah Gaming Guild (again mostly Brent) helped organize and run an Extra Life event to raise money for Primary Children's Hospital. We raised just over $1400 over the 24 hour event. And we gamed. Hard. Among the many games played among the 60+ attendees, we discuss the plays of Ghostbusters, Codenames, Dead of Winter, The Game, Pathfinder, and many others.
 
At one point, Pandemic Legacy and T.I.M.E Stories were set up next to each other, and they had to play so as not to spoil info for the other table. Leave it to Ryan to walk up and blab secrets all over the place. Ryan needs to keep his mouth shut!
 
The next week Brent was away but Nathan and Ryan visited the International Games Day at the Library.
Direct download: MN_0085_November_Gaming_part1.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:47am MST

This episode we offer up advice during this gift giving season. Here are our suggestions. Let us know what you suggest!

Party Games

  • Codenames
  • Spyfall
  • One Night Series (Ultimate Werewolf, Ultimate Werewolf Daybreak, Ultimate Vampire, and Revolution)

General Games

  • Carcassonne: Star Wars
  • Splendor
  • Dixit
  • Favor of the Pharaoh
  • 7 Wonders: Duel

 

Gamer Gift

  • Pandemic Legacy

 

Stocking Stuffers

  • Bang! The Dice Game
  • Star Realms or Star Realms: Colony Wars
  • Red 7
  • Timeline in it’s many forms, Timeline: Americana, Timeline: Invention, Timeline: Discoveries, Timeline: Diversity, and a few more

 

Kids Games

  • Coconuts
  • Loopin’ Chewie

 

What we hope to get for Christmas

Nathan

  • Spyfall, still
  • Space Cadets: Away Missions
  • A Carrying Case for Dominion

Ryan

  • Magic the Gathering 2015 Gift Box

Brent

  • 504





Direct download: MN_0084_Holiday_Gift_Guide_2015.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 8:52am MST

This week we discuss a deckbuilder initially released on 2009 from Rio Grande Games. Nathan has embraced and enjoyed this game with his 20 plays so far. 1-5 players compete for scarce resources and they try to build the biggest tribe. Brent's along for the ride and Ryan is a bit hesitant based on theme and some blind selection gameplay.

Let us know what you think.

Direct download: MN_0083_Arctic_Scavengers.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 3:18am MST

We interview Richard and Emily Gibbs about their game company which makes accessories and kits to make games blind accessible.

Support their Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/64ouncegames/braille-rpg-dice-from-64-oz-games

Visit their store at http://store.64ouncegames.com/

Direct download: MN_0082_Richard_and_Emily_Gibbs_from_64_Ounce_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 3:20am MST

These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. With dice. Lots of beautiful dice. Yellow, blue, and the unfortunate red-shirt 6-sided dice.

In this podcast, we delve into this light dice fest. We all enjoyed the theme, each player taking a role of a bridge crew member from the Original Series or The Next Generation with a unique ability to help overcome the challenges. This game is easy to learn, easy to play, offers a variable challenge level, and allows players to join in at any point in the game, while playing up to 7 players.

Nathan added the game to his "family game list" which he'll bring out often. Brent enjoyed his first play. Ryan felt a little burnout after 6 plays, but admits that there will be times with certain group dynamics where this game will fit perfectly.

Direct download: MN_0081_Star_Trek_-_Five_Year_Mission.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this podcast, we discuss the awesome games that are currently hitting our game tables including Arctic Scavengers, Legendary Encounters: A Predator Deckbuilding Game, Liar's Dice, Space Alert, and Machi Koro: Millionaires Row. We also give an update at the goals we set at the first of the year, and we learn that Ryan is a bad friend. We end by covering our anticipated games including T.I.M.E Stories, The 7th Continent, Gloomhaven, and Pandemic Legacy.

Direct download: MN_0080_Catching_Up_with_Meeple_Nation.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we discuss board games with a horror theme that would make for an excellent time at your next Halloween party. The games discussed range from King Of Tokyo and Betrayal at House on the Hill to Gloom and Mansions of Madness to Midnight Party and Ghosts!.

Ryan details his dream Halloween Party including plans to play Mysterium in costume, with atmospheric candles, playing up the seance. Apparently, Brent and Nathan aren't getting an invite.

These are the games we discussed. Let us know your favorite Halloween Game!

Ghosts!
Last Night on Earth
Betrayal at House on the Hill
Mysterium
Gloom
Guillotine
King of Tokyo - Especially with Halloween Expansion
Bring Out Yer Dead
Student Bodies
Eaten by Zombies
Dead of Winter
Midnight Party
Spooks
Until Dawn
Cave Evil
Mansions of Madness
Cthulhu Realms
Gimme the Brain
Lord of the Fries

Direct download: MN_0079_Halloween_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 12:58am MST

Tile Placement games are a little too prolific to cover in a single cast, so we limited the games we cover to tile placement games where you are connecting lines from tile to tile. The games discussed include Street Car, Metro, Tongiaki, Fresh Fish, Tsuro and Tsuro of the Seas. 

Direct download: MN_0078_Tile_Connection_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:38am MST

Ninja Ghosts and Killer Plants of Cthulhu don't measure up to the Alien Shapeshifters who took home the prize. We discuss Smash Up by Paul Peterson. In Smash Up, you combine two factions into one deck and compete for the majority at several locations that offer victory points for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in power when the total power reached the locations breaking point. This game, and the rulebook, offer plenty of humor, great art, and a sense of discovery as you learn how your two factions interact, create synergy and win points. In addition to the base game, we cover the expansions Awesome Level 9000, The Obligatory Cthulhu set, and Science Fiction Double Feature. 

Direct download: MN_0077_Smash_Up.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:01am MST

We discuss Specter Ops by Emerson Matsuuchi and Plaid Hat Games. In this deduction game, you play as Hunters guarding a secret base or as the Agent sent in to discover the secrets. The Agent tracks her moves in secret and the other players try to locate and kill the agent using unique player powers and a cool car. This is similar the Scotland Yard in game play, but in a nifty scifi universe. 

Direct download: MN_0076_Specter_Ops.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Party Games

This week we talk Party Games. First we speculate on what defines a party game. Honestly, who knows? Should it play more than 6? Should it involve teams? Should it be 'light'? Then we talk about our favorite party games, why they count, and why we find them outstanding. We talk Codenames, Spyfall, Times Up!, Ca$h 'n Guns, Wits & Wagers, Liar's Dice, Game of Things, and Two Rooms and a Boom!

Brent reports on his visit to Saint George Board Game Convention. http://stgcon.org
We also mention the International Gamers Awards, which you can find at http://internationalgamersaward.net
Direct download: MN_0075_Party_On_Gamers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am MST

We finally review Dominion, the granddaddy of all deckbuilders. Brent and Nathan highly enjoy this new classic and have collected every expansion. We talk about Dominion's legacy and how the expanstion bloat nearly make the game unplayable. Brent discusses his storage solution. Nathan is soon going to have less money is his pocket, recreating said solution. Ryan, though, finds the games' theme lacking and the gameplay repetitious and often lacking in, well, fun. It's 2 to 1 though, so listen as we break down Dominion and expansions, including the newest expansion: Adventures.
Direct download: MN_0074_Dominion.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

We talk with Mike Adams, a NUGG member, friend, and color-blind gamer about the challenges of being color blind at the gaming table. Mike is Red/Green color blind, which means he cannot see red and green colors, including the red and green that are mixed with other colors. He has a hard time distinguishing purples and blue because of the missing red within purple. He also says distinguishing between yellow-green and yellow can be tough.
 
Although you can probably guess how this makes gaming difficult, we let Mike explain how it effects his enjoyment of games and his strategies for minimizing the difficulties. 
Direct download: MN_0073_Colour_Blind_Gaming_Post.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

We talk with Avonelle Wing from Double Exposure about the services they provide for Game Companies, Stores, Conventions, volunteers, and gamers. We encountered the Envoy heralds at SaltCon where they taught players new games at the con, including games in the Play-to-win program.

 
The Envoy website is: http://dexposure.com/envoy/
 
The Double Exposure website is at: www.dexposure/com/home.html
 
Aspiring game designers and folks planning kickstarters should look into Metatopia. (google it. check out Ryan Macklin's post. it's my fave.) 
 
twitter is: @dexenvoy, @de_gaming, and @avonelle
Direct download: Avonelle_with_Double_Exposure.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we talk about Viceroy, which is designed by Yuri Zhuravlev and produced by Mayday Games and Hobby World. Viceroy is a board game of bidding and resource management set in the world ofBerserk, a Russian collectible card game.

 
This is a beautiful and colorful collection of cards and bits with excellent artwork. The theme is stretched a bit as the characters provide fairly generic powers depending on where they are placed in your pyramid, including more resources, cards, or tokens for scoring, which is bit of a point salad.
 
We all enjoyed the game, though Ryan is a bit disgruntled at the way Brent and Nathan "taught" him the game, thoroughly whooping him, locking him out of resources, and gloating in their towering pyramid at his expense.
 
It was a tough first play.
 
The tagline on the box says "Build Your Pyramid of Power!" and like a elaborate stack of cheerleaders, you must stack the character cards bought at auction in the most beneficial way possible.
Direct download: MN_0071_Viceroy.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:51am MST

From camp #GenCant, we talk about the latest buzz from GenCon, which was two weeks prior to this podcast's release. It was all brand new to us as we recorded and gushed about new games. We hit the old favorites: Imperial Assault, Firefly, and Legendary. We also hit on new games, such as Blood Rage, Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn, Codenames, Mysterium, Star Wars Carcassonne and Champions of Midgard, among many others.
 
We also talk Nathan into spending more money for our own enjoyment. Not that that's hard.
Direct download: MN_0070_Gencon_Aftermath.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

With guest host Dennis Holliday, we discuss the world of Kickstarter, focusing mostly on board games, of course. Dennis has backed over 60 projects and Brent even more. Both seasoned Kickstarter veterans discuss their experiences and joys of this crowdfunding experience. Both are positive and express that the good out way any negative experience that occur.
 
Ryan, on the other hand, expresses his paranoia and criticism of Kickstarter, speculating that it allows creatures the opportunity to skip steps in the creative process and produce inferior products to what might have been. Ryan might be overthinking it.
 
Nathan jumps on board, backing his first project!
Direct download: MN_0069_Kickstarter.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 3:31am MST

Designer: Mike Fitzgerald
Publisher: Eagle/Gryphon Games
Players: 1-4
Ages: 10+
Play Time: 45-60 min
 
In this episode, we discuss how Baseball Highlights: 2045 is not a baseball simulation, but instead a tight, mechanics oriented deckbuilder, which focuses on the 'highlights' of a game of a baseball game. You don't need to like baseball to enjoy this game, and if you absolutely hate baseball, you could still really like this game.
 
Ryan gushes about the cyberpunky art where the robots are trash cans with a bat for a single arm and steam coming out the top. We talk about how the game has a specific flow to the game play that takes some time to get in to, but when you do, the game plays really well. The flow is different with 3 players and is slightly more challenging to slip into. Baseball Highlights also works great for tournament play.
 
We also talk about the various expansions including the Coach, Rally Cap, Magna Glove, Robot Hitters, and Cyborg Pitcher expansions.
Direct download: MN_0068_Baseball_Highlights_2045.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we revisit the Pathfinder Adventure Card Game. We are joined by our friend, Dennis Holliday, and we talk about the second and third base games, Skull and Shackles & Wrath of the Righteous.

Pathfinder Adventure Card Game is a cooperative game

Ages: 13 and up

Players: 1-4 (up to 6 with expansion)

Time: 60-90 minutes

Publisher: Paizo Publishing

Designers: Chad Brown, Mike Selinker, Tanis O'Connor, Paul Peterson, Liz Spain, Gabby Weidling

We previously reviewed the base set in 2014 on our fourth podcast, http://meeplenation.com/podcast/mn-podcast-0004-pathfinder-adventure-card-game-rise-of-the-runelords/

Direct download: MN_0067_Pathfinder_Adventure_Card_Game_-_Revisited.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This episode we review:

Betrayal at House on the Hill

Publisher: Avalon Hill

Year Published: 2004

Edition: 2nd

Designer: Bruce Glassco

Ages: 12+

Time: 60 minutes

Player Count: 3-6

Direct download: MN_0066_Betrayal_at_House_on_the_Hill.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this episode we talk about games we have already reviewed and the expansions we hope to see soon. We also talk about new games we anticipate. We cover

  • Star Wars: Imperial Assault and the Twin Shadows expansion
  • Pathfinder Adventure Card Game
  • Dark Moon
  • Firefly and the new ships and new expansion, Kalidasa
  • Ghostbusters
  • Seafall
  • Dark Moon
Direct download: MN_0065_Looking_Back_and_Looking_Forward.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we review Castles of Mad King Luwdig.

Designer: Ted Alspach

Publisher: Bezier Games

Time: 30-90 minutes

Ages: 13+

Direct download: MN_0064_Castles_of_Mad_King_Ludwig.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Colt Express is a program movement game for 2-6 players that plays in 40 minutes, ages 10 and up. It is played on a three dimensional train, as players take the roles of competing bandits, trying to get the best haul without encountering the sheriff.

Direct download: MN_0063_Colt_Express.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we talk about the game Werewolf, originally designed as Mafia as part of a psychology experiment. We focus our talks on Ultimate Werewolf, a set of cards from Bezier Games.

Direct download: MN_0062_Werewolf.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This episode we review Star Wars: Imperial Assault, a game based on Fantasy Flight's Descent series of games.

Released in 2014

Players: 2-5

Time: 60-150 minutes

Ages: 14 and up

This game can be played as a two player head to head skirmish or with one player controlling the imperial side while 1-4 players control 2-4 heroes as they try to complete objectives and level up their characters.

Direct download: MN_0061_Star_Wars_Imperial_Assault.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

What is theme? What is narration? Do they compete with each other? We discuss Theme and Narration and a few games as we explore this topic.

Games include:

Dominion

Dixit

Mysterium

Duel of Ages

Direct download: MN0060_Theme_vs_Narration.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Legendary Encounters

Upper Deck

Ages 17 and up

Around 60 minutes

1-5 players

Direct download: MN_0059_Legendary_Encounters_An_Alien_Deck_Building_Game.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Ben Hillyard of Daedalus speaks with us at SaltCON 2015

Daedalus makes inserts designed to quickly start games. These inserts store the game in the original box but can be pulled out and opened to set up the game. http://daedalusproductionsinc.com

Some of the games they have built these inserts for are

  • Merchants of Venus
  • Dead of Winter
  • Eclipse
  • Small World
  • Marvel/DC/Dungeons and Dragons, etc Dicemasters
  • Robinson Crusoe
  • Cosmic Encounters
  • Caverna
  • Le Havre

You can use their Design It tab to request inserts for your favorite games.

Direct download: MN_0058_Ben_Hillyard_of_Daedalus_Productions.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

We discuss

  • Meteor
  • Get Bit!
  • Garbage Day
  • Chopsticks Megadexterity 3000
  • Click Clack Lumberjack
  • Mayday Sleeves 
  • Mayday Sleeve Bundles

Visit www.maydaygames.com

Direct download: MN_0057_Ryan_Bruns_of_Mayday_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this episode we speak with new designer and game company owner, John Ogilvie, about his games Bejinx and Skwozen. Bejinx is a game add-on that enhances most any game, adding a little bit more chaos and another level of game.

Skwozen is a card set which takes a traditional set of playing cards and adds eight symbols to each of the square cards. Rules exist for many popular public domain games.

Direct download: MN_0056_John_Ogilvie_talks_Bejinx_and_Skwozen.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

On May the 4th we sat down and recorded this Star Wars specific podcast, reminisced about the movies, the good the bad, the Gungans, and then talked about Gaming in the Star Wars Universe. We talk about the following games:

  • Star Wars Trivial Pursuit
  • Decipher's Star Trek CCG
  • Star Wars LCG
  • Queen's Gambit
  • Star Wars: Epic Duels
  • West End Games' Star Wars Role Playing Game
  • Star Wars: X-Wing
  • Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Direct download: MN_0055_Star_Wars_Gaming.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This episode we speak with Blake and Curtis, designers of the block stacking game, Kubeni.

This game can be played with 2-8 players. Each set contains 20 blocks a custom die, a timer, and a set of cards. Playtime is 10 minutes or less per player.

www.kubeni.com

Direct download: MN_0054_Blake_and_Curtis_talk_Kubeni.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Deus was designed by Sébastien Dujardin. It looks like it scales well from 2-4 players in 45-60 minutes. Ages 14 and up. Some direct interaction as players compete to expand across a hex based map.

Direct download: MN_0053_Deus.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Seth Jaffee is a game designer and developer best known for the game Eminent Domain. In this episode he discusses the game and the upcoming Exotica expansion. Eminent Domain is for 2-4 players (up to five with the Escalation expansion) in 45-60 minutes.

You can find Seth at http://sedjtroll.blogspot.com

Direct download: Seth_Jaffee_talks_Eminent_Domain_and_more.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Star Realms is a game for 2 player. It plays in 20 minutes. Ages 12 and up.

Designed by Rob Dougherty and Darwin Kastle.

Direct download: MN_0051_Star_Realms_with_live_playthrough.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this episode we discuss Gamer Snobbery, terms such as Eurogame and Ameritrash, and why Brent doesn't like the term Filler.

We also do a third of the way review of our 2015 gaming goals. How are you doing with yours?

Direct download: MN_0050_Gamer_Snobs_in_a_Growing_Hobby.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Michael Coe of Gamelyn Games talks about his three Tiny Epic Games:

  • Tiny Epic Kingdoms
  • Tiny Epic Defenders
  • Tiny Epic Galaxies
Direct download: MN_0049_Michael_Coe_of_Gamelyn_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:41am MST

Machi Koro is a card and dice game from IDW and Pandasaurus Games for 2-4 players in 30 minutes. Ages 8 and up.

The Harbor expansion adds a 5th player but can extend the game past an hour.

Direct download: MN_0048_Machi_Koro__Machi_Koro_Harbor.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

SaltCON 2015 took place in Layton Utah on March 12-14, 2015.

 

Next year the convention will be March 3-5, 2016 at the same location. 

 

Visit their website at http://saltcon.com

Direct download: MN_0047_SaltCON_Organizers_at_SaltCON_2015.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In our first episode from SaltCON 2015 we talk with Rick and Joanne Soued about their history, creation of Funagain Games, aquisition of Eagle Games, and creation of Gryphon Games.

Rick spends much of the interview telling us about many of the current games available through their company including Tumblin-Dice, Through the Ages, Baseball Highlights 2045, and many  more.

We greatly enjoyed the time we spent with Rick and Joanne and hope to spend more time playing Eagle-Gryphon Games.

Direct download: MN_0046_Rick_and_Joanne_Soued_of_Eagle-Gryphon_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this episode we introduce the SaltCON interviews which we plan to release across the next six or seven weeks. Some weeks we will release two episodes.

We are saddened to report that the podcast recorded live during the Saturday panel was lost.

We discuss the games we played at SaltCON including Deus, Colt Express, Witness,  Baseball Highlights 2045, Ultimate Werewolf, and Two Rooms and a Boom.

We talk about future releases Orphan Black Card Game, Abyss Expansion - Black Pearl, Legendary Encounters: Predator, Seafall, and Pandemic Legacy.

Finally we report our contest results. Thanks to Mayday Games for their support of Meeple Nation!

Direct download: MN_0045_SaltCON_2015_Special_Report.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we review the 2009 release Thunderstone, and what is considered by many to be its improvement, the 2012 released Thunderstone Advance. This game is for 2-5 players ages 12 and up, in about 60 minutes, which might include setup. There are solo rules in some of the rulebooks.

We focus a bit on the Thunderstone Advance: Numanera set, which is based in the Numanera world created by Monte Cook.

Let us know what you think!

Direct download: MN_0044_Thunderstone_and_Thunderstone_Advance.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Beowulf the Legend was released in 2005 for 2-5 players (the more the better). It plays in an hours and was designed by Reiner Knizia.

Join Beowulf as he embarks on his epic journey to defeat Grendel, the Sea Hag and the Dragon. Work to aquire the most fame so that you can become Beowulf's successor.

Direct download: MN_0043_Beowulf_the_Legend.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 7:58am MST

This episode we talk about seven pirate games (in addition to bringing up Corsari again). 

We start out with a short mention of Ghostbusters the Board Game and Cuao. Then we dive into these seven pirate games:

  • Meuterer
  • Pirate Flux
  • Get Bit!
  • Walk the Plank
  • Hold Your Breath
  • Dead Man's Draw
  • Loot

Finally, a contest from our friends at Mayday Games. Visit our Facebook Page or listen to the podcast for more details.

Direct download: MN_0042_Light_Pirate_Games_and_Contest.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we are releasing a second episode, an interview with Chris Urinko of Daft Concepts, makers of board game accessories. We talk about kickstarter, their current project, Custom Miniatures and Tokens for your RPG and Tabletop Games.

Chris also talks about his experience with the Board Game Designer Guild of Utah and gives advice to new Board Game Designers. He codesigned the game, Hold Your Breath.

Kickstarter Project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/732415737/laser-etched-miniatures-for-table-top-games-and-rp

Website: http://daftconcepts.com

Email: info@daftconcepts.com

Twitter: @battlejack, @daftconcepts

Direct download: Daft_Concepts_with_Chris_Urinko.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 6:58pm MST

During this month of love (February 2015) we turn our hearts to two-player games. We discuss

  • Battle Line
  • Balloon Cup (now Pinata)
  • Lost Cities
  • Medici vs Strozzi
  • GIPF
  • TAMSK
  • Tally Ho

Nathan also laments his inability to keep up with Living Card Games and figure based games such as X-Wings.

We also discuss three games that at least one of us (Ryan) considers best with 2, even if they play more. 

  • Attika
  • Scrabble
  • Carcassonne
Direct download: MN_0040_Two_Player_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

Kingsport Festival is steeped in art and lore from the Cthulhu Mythos. In the game you summon one or more of the Outer Gods or their minions in order to increase in Evil, Death or Destruction. The game is similar to Kingsburg but offers unique play.

The game is for 2-5 players in about 60-75 minutes. Ages 13 and up.

Direct download: MN0039_Kingsport_Festival.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

An interview with Michael Mindes of Tasty Minstrel Games.

Direct download: MN_0038_Interview_with_Michael_Mindes_of_Tasty_Minstrel_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this episode we discuss the Roll for the Galaxy game, for 2-5 players in 45 minutes or less.

Fun for all!

Direct download: MN_0037_Roll_for_the_Galaxy.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

This week we hear a report from Brent on BryceCon 2015, gaming convention with family, and food. We briefly discuss Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Timeline, Dead Man's Draw, Coconuts and Roll for the Galaxy.

After this report Brent talks with Rob Hicks of Midnight Campaign. Then he interviews Gail and Gary Tanner, founders of BryceCon.

Direct download: MN_0036_BryceCon_2015_Report.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:34am MST

In this episode we have a bit of feedback, discuss Splendor again for a few minutes (they fixed the colorblind issue), and then dive into the six racing games we discuss this episode: Hare and Tortoise, Roborally, Fearsome Floors, Cartagena, Formula De, and Snow Tails.

Direct download: MN_0035_Race_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 9:47am MST

This is a hot release from late 2014 where 2-5 players work together to complete a common goal and each player works on an individual goal. But is one of you a Betrayer?

Recommended by all three hosts.

Direct download: MN0034_Dead_of_Winter.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

In this episode we review Brent's 2014 gaming goals:

1. Play 40 games 10 times

2. Play Twilight Imperium with Brian

3. Play Monopoly

4. Play More Games with my Kids

 

We then discuss the benefits of playing a game multiple times.

 

Then we dive into our 2015 gaming goals

 

Brent

1. Play Dominion at least 43 times.

2. Play Games at least 25 times with my kids.

3. Attend 3 game conventions/trade shows.

4. Make 12 videos - likely games played at least 10 times.

5. Play 10 games 10 times.

6. Significantly organize at least five games with better inserts and getting started sheets.

 

Nathan

1. Play Starfarers of Catan at least once.

2. Play at least 40 games with my kids.

3. Play 10 new games with my family.

4. Play 10 games 10 times.

5. Play 20 new games this year.

6. Play 20 games within my collection that I haven't played for at least a year.

 

Ryan

1. Play Hanabi and get a perfect score.

2. Find Accessible Games I can play with my blind daughter and my other kids.

3. Thrift 10 gems (games I want to add to my collection).

4. Travel 10 times this year to my friends house to play games.

Direct download: MN_0033_Gaming_Goals_2015.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MST

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