Meeple Nation Board Game Podcast (BoardGame)

This week we discuss Great Western Trail, a 2-4 player game where players compete to get their cattle to Kansas City and ship them across the United States. Shipping cattle alone won't win you the game, you will need to build buildings, advance your train, and overcome hazards. Whomever scores the most points wins.

Come join us at the game table as we discuss Great Western Trail.

Direct download: MN_0329_GWT_Episode.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss the Libellud's game Obscurio.

2-8 players must watch the Grimoire closely as it provides clues on how to exit the evil Sorcerer's library. If the players can work together and find the correct exit six times they will have escaped. If they cannot, the Sorcerer, will have you trapped forever in the library.

Come join us at the game table as we discuss Obscurio.

Direct download: MN_0328_Obscuriio_episode.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss four different games with communication limits. 

First, we talk about about Time's Up! and Time's Up!: Title Recall.

Second, we talk about Blood on the Clocktower. 

Third, we talk about Dixit.

Four we talk about Pantone: the Game.

Come join us at the game table.

Direct download: MN_0327_What_could_I_say_episode.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we are talking about games that have some forum of communication limits. We go from Taboo, to Gloomhaven and several games in between.

Join us at the game table as we discuss games with communication limits.

Direct download: MN_0326_Games_with_communication_limits_episode.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us at the table this week as we discuss Kickstarters, new games and even some puzzles.

Direct download: MN_0325_June_news_episode.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss the 1-4 player game Isle of Cats, designed by Frank West and distributed through City of Games.

Join us at the game table.

Direct download: mn_0324_Isle_of_Cats.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we are talk about Azul in its three forms.

Azul 

Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra

Azul: Summer Pavilion

We also cover the expansion for the base game, Azul: Crystal Mosaic.

Join us at the game table.

Direct download: MN_0323_All_things_Azul.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

This week we talk about three different pattern building games.

Logan talks about Welcome to.. and several of the expansions. Welcome to... is designed by Benoit Turpin and produced by Blue Cocker Games.

Nathan discusses Copenhagen designed by Asger Harding Granerud, Daniel Skjold Pedersen and produced by Queen Games.

Ryan shares with us the joy that can be found in building the Best Treehouse Ever designed by Scott Almes and produced by Green Couch Games.

Join us at the game table. 

Direct download: MN_Episode_322_I_see_a_pattern_in_these_three_games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we are talking about pattern building games. We get some Facebook feedback and then we talk about games like; Reef, Tiny Towns, Attika, NUMBR9, Kingdomino, and some how we include Boggle. 

Join us at the game table.

Direct download: MN_0321_Pattern_building_games_edit.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk about current Kickstarters, new games that are coming out, and some recently released games.

Come join us around the news game table.

Direct download: MN_0320_May_news_file.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In this episode we are talking about end game bonuses. Where you may think you are winning, but it is not proven until all the cards are counted.

We discuss It's a Wonderful World, Hawaii, Raiders or the North Sea, Majesty: for the Realm, and even Ticket to Ride. 

Join us at the game table.

Direct download: MN_0319_end_game_bonuses.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us this week we discuss action games.

Action queue games, which players program their turn and hope they planned for the best (Robo Rally, Tiny Epic Mechs).

Action drafting games, where all players have a limited pool of actions to pick from (Puerto Rico).

Action retrieval games, where players can only play the action they control once until they spend an action to retrieve those actions (Centenary: Spice Road).

Direct download: MN_0318_Action_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 9:19pm MDT

This week we discuss some online gaming options. We go from phone apps like Terraforming Mars, to Charterstone.

We talk online gaming sites such as:

Boardgamearena.com

Yucata.de 

Tabletop Simulator.

Come join us at the virtual table.

Direct download: MN_0317_Quarantine_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This episode we respond to a question on how to keep games civil.

We talk about experiences we have had and how we have dealt with them. We offer some advice on maybe what not to play with some people and what mechanic might cause the most contention.

Direct download: MN_316_Keeping_game_night_civil.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk about Kickstarters and new released games, including Frosthaven, They Live, and three Ten-minute games.

We cover new games such as Azul: Crystal Mosaic, The Crew, Tajuto, and Sanctum.

 

Direct download: MN_0315_April_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we practice our social distancing as we discuss the new game from Everything Epic, Secrets of the Lost Station. This game was designed by Christopher Batarlis and Jim Samartino. 

This is a 1-6 player campaign game that has a lot of hidden content to explore.

Direct download: MN_0314_Secrets_of_the_lost_station.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss the Mariucci J Designs, LLC game, HEXplore it.

Designed by: Kat Kimoundri, Nathan Loos, and Jonathan Mariucci.

This is a fully cooperative game where players must gain enough experience to survive and defeat the threat of the Dead King.

Direct download: MN_0313_HexploreIt.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 10:19am MDT

This week we each talk about four different games with modular boards.

The Reckoners
Descent
Mage Knight
Cities Skylines

Direct download: MN_0312_I_have_a_modular_board_game_for_you.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss a wide list of games that all have modular boards, such as Catan, The Quest for El Dorado, Takenoko, Nemesis, Clank! In! Space!, HeroQuest, and many others.

Direct download: MN_0311_Modular_board_games_edit.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss march news and recap our experience at SaltCon Spring 2020

Direct download: MN_0310_March_2020_news_edit.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss It's a Wonderful World, designed by Frederic Guerard.

It’s a Wonderful World is a cards drafting and engine building game from 1 to 5 players. Each round, players will draft 7 cards and then choose which ones will be recycled to immediately acquire Resources, and which ones will be kept for construction to produce Resources each round and/or gain victory points.

Direct download: MN_0309_Its_a_Wonderful_World.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 7:38am MDT

This week we discuss Bunny Kingdom, a game designed by Richard Garfield.

In Bunny Kingdom, you draft cards, many of which represent a space on the board where you place one of your bunnies. As you connect territories, you create fiefdoms. The score for a fiefdom is the number of castle spires times the number of unique resources that fiefdom produces. Other cards can add resources and castles, connect territories, and provide end game scoring.

Build your fiefdoms to their greatest scoring potential and be named Big Ears by the Bunny King.

Direct download: MN_0308_Bunny_Kingdom.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss some of our favorite card drafting games. Each game uses the card drafting mechanic in a different way. Each game we discuss we think is awesome.

Agricola
Fairy Tale
El Grande
Trekking the National Parks

Join us at the game table.

Direct download: MN_0307_Drafted_drafting_games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss the card drafting mechanic. It was a little surprising to find non-card games in this episode, but they fit the mold. We include games with trade rows like Clank! or markets like Aeon's End and Thunderstone Quest, and also games with tiles like Azul and Kingdomino.

Have a listen and share us your thought on our Facebook page Meeple Nation Off Air.

Direct download: MN_0306_Card_Drafting.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we announce our contest winners from episode 300. We sprinkle in some news and all this before the computer runs out of power.

 

Direct download: MN_0305_Feb_2020_news.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk about the board game The Menace Among Us by Jeff Gum, published by Smirk and Dagger Games. Hidden roles, space theme, and asymmetrical setup. 

Direct download: MN_0304_The_Menace_Among_Us.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk about all things Legendary, from Marvel to James Bond. Legendary was one the first game to use the semi-cooperative mechanic. We even suggest some new properties for Upper Deck. Who knows what is coming down the road?

Direct download: MN_0303_All_things_Legendary_edit.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we share our thoughts Semi-Cooperative games. We're a little loose on the definition of this mechanic a bit. Okay, maybe more than a bit. 

Direct download: MN_0302_Semi-Coop_games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk recap and review the year 2019 as far as the board game hobby. None of that other stuff. We talk about our game of the year. We talk about some of our greatest game memories. 

Oh, and Nathan plays way too many game and has some way crazy game goals. Like a lot of goals. Think of a lot of games played. Nathan came close to that mark, or maybe blew it away. Find out inside.

Direct download: MN_0301_2019_review.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss the changes we have seen in the board gaming hobby over the last 5 and a half years, since our first episode. 

Also there are some free games to win. Not two or three contests, but four contest where you can win a free game.

Direct download: Meeple_Nation_0300_threehundred.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss Marvel Champions, the new game from Fantasy Flight. This is a 1-4 player, fully cooperative game where players take on the role of one of the five heroes in the core box, Spider-man, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, and Iron Man. The heroes face off against one of the three super villains, Rhino, Ultron, or Klaw.

Tune in to hear our thoughts and to see if it is a game the Ryan will like. (ed. note: why does Nathan keeps wondering if Ryan will like games?)

Direct download: MN_0299_Marvel_Champions_edit.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Last month, Brent and Nathan got to spend the week in Dallas Texas to attend Board Game Geek Con 2019. We talk about the experience of the con, the people of the con, and of course the games we played. Nathan adjusts his game list mid cast. Learn what game Nathan missed playing.

There's an app for that, Nathan.

Direct download: MN_0298_2019_BGG_edited.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We continue our discussion of fully cooperative games by focusing on one games each. We discuss three very different games that appeal to us and highlight the mechanic.

Spirit Island, City of Kings, and Chronicles of Crime.

 

Direct download: MN_0297_Three_Fully_Co-op_games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We talk about a bunch of cooperative games, not team, or semi-cooperative games. We are only talking fully cooperative games. Marvel Legendary, you don't count. No one winner, secret winner, secret goals, or extra score steps.

We discuss Hanabi, Arkham Horror the card game, The Mind, Magic Maze, Mysterium, One key, Just one, and we mention many more.

 

Direct download: MN_0296_Fully_Co-Op_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Christmas shopping got you geared up to buy more board games? We feel the same. We put our stocking caps on and came up with a bunch of awesome suggestions to get the gamer in your life or to gift to a home that could use a little more gaming action.

Direct download: MN_295_2019_Holiday_gift_guide.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In this episode we discuss Elizabeth Hargrave's widely popular game Wingspan. You play birds, place eggs, gather food, and create engines for fame and glory of the birding world.

If that doesn't sound awesome, you still need to play this game. Wingspan contains just enough player interaction to keep Ryan invested, and lives up to the hype.

 

Direct download: MN0294_Wingspan.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss Hako Onna which is a creepy deduction game that has a pick up and delivery element to it.

This has a US release through WizKids and plays 3-5 players.

There are a lot of great elements about this game, and Ryan feels its theme.

Does he like a new game?

Tune in and find out.

We'll see you at the game table.

Direct download: MN_0293_Hako_Onna.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Logan talks about the mild touch of Pick Up and Deliver in Nemesis. Is there more than the aliens picking up larva and delivering it into players chests?

Ryan gushes over crayon rail games again and focuses on Martian Rails. They take the core mechanic and build a wonderful mess of a map. Simplicity and a little magic make these games fabulous.

Train game and pick up and delivery mechanics make a lot of sense.

Nathan brings up Pirates Cove. Ryan likes it but is not a fan of combat system which punishes the losers dramatically through a whole lot of random.

Give us a listen.

Direct download: MN_0292_Three_Pick_up_and_Delivery_games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We discuss Pick Up and Delivery games, a mechanic that seems to be lacking in our game group, but we have still played some very fun games.

Ryan chats up crayon rail games like Empire Builder, and Nathan tries to understand how Ryan can like a game with so little theme.

We bring up Firefly (of course) and games like Star Wars: Outer Rim, Deep Sea Adventure, and Pandemic. Still hoping for a Pandemic Legacy: Season 3.

Come join us at the game table.

Direct download: MN_0291_Pick_up_and_Delivery_games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Nathan and Ryan talk Arkham Horror: the card game. Meeple Nation will represent at SaltCon! Our highlight is the Meeple Nation hosted game show.

New games coming out:

  • Wingspan European expansion
  • Gloomhaven: Subtitle
    • Will it have new content or a retread of the old stuff and who is the target of this game new players, existing players?

Nathan brings up Pandemic Legacy: Season 2. He and his wife have only one game left. David compares Gloomhaven to Agricola.

  • Codenames: the Simpsons
  • Caroline and the Other Mother from Wizkids.
  • Azul: Summer Pavilion
    • Do we need more Azul games?

KickStarters:

  • Oathswon
    • Minis vs Standees
  • Hard West 
  • Rome and Roll
  • Hey Cutie? Really Ryan??
    • What happens to a kickstarter when it doesn’t fund
  • Tiny Epic Dinosaurs
Direct download: MN_0290_October_2019_news.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk about some great ideas for spooky games for the Halloween season.

We discuss Mysterium, Fury of Dracula, Nycophobia, Horrified, and Fearsome Floors.

We also mention Hako Onna, Arkham Horror, and a host of other games.

Join us for some spooky fun that even Ryan can have.

Direct download: MN_0289_spooky_games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In this episode we discuss different ways that apps have become a part of the board gaming hobby.

We discuss gaming websites like Brettspiewelt.de, BoardGameArena.com, and Yucata.de. We talk gaming apps for the phone like Dominion, San Juan, and Suburbia app, and Ryan brings up Star Realms for some reason.

We also discuss board games that have app integration.

Direct download: MN0288_Theres_an_app_for_that.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We talk Pathfinder Adventure Card Game, Arkham Horror TCG, Agricola, Terraforming Mars, Marvel Legendary and Lord of the Rings the Living Card Game, Star Wars: Outer Rim, Chronicles of Crime and The Reckoners.

And then Ryan had to bring up Firefly.

 

Direct download: MN0287_Going_Solo.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We discuss the art of playing games alone, games designed to be played with only one player. Games discussed:

Proving Grounds, Onirim, Hostage Negotiator, and Ambush!

We don't play games alone that much, but we tried a few out for this episode and were not disappointed.

Direct download: MN0286_One_Player_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join your hosts as we discuss some great games. Nathan loves him some hidden roles, and these four games highlight a great use of the mechanic. Games discussed:

Don't Mess with Cthulhu

Bang! and Bang! The Dice Game

Salem

and

Sheriff of Nottingham

We're not sure if that last one is hidden roles or not, but Dave is special, so we didn't tell him to take his sweet voice and go home.

Direct download: MN0282_Four_Hidden_Role_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We talk all things hidden roles. What does Nathan find so appealing about seeking out the traitor or becoming one to turn the tables on the heroes?

We discuss: 

  • Dead of Winter
  • Don’t Mess with Cthulhu
  • Battlestar Galactica
  • Shadows over Camelot
  • One night anything
  • Werewolf
  • Betrayal at House on the Hill
  • Resistance
  • Secret Hitler
  • Spyfall
  • Dark Moon
  • Betrayal Legacy
  • The Thing: infection at Outpost 31
  • Werewords
  • TimeBomb Evolution
  • Deception: murder in Hong Kong
Direct download: MN0281_Hidden_Role_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

So much news coming out of GenCon. Join your GenCan'ter hosts as we discuss all of the hot new game announcements.

Direct download: MN0280_August_2019_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

The Lord of the Rings - Journeys in Middle-earth is an app-driven exploration game in the world of Middle-earth by Fantasy Flight.

This is a spiritual successor to the app-driving plugged into their Imperial Assault and Decent properties, but this game was designed that was from the ground up.

If you love Middle-earth, you will enjoy this game. If you don't mind a phone giving you all of the game's details, this will work.

Ryan is unconvinced.

Direct download: MN0279_The_Lord_of_the_Rings_Journeys_in_Middle_Earth.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Dinosaur Island by Pandasaurus Games utilizes Action Points, Dice Rolling, Set Collection, Tile Placement, and Worker Placement all to replicate the great documentary Jurrassic Park.

We only lose a few patron in the process. Well, every turn. It's okay. They keep coming anyway.

Direct download: MN0278_Dinosaur_Island.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 9:49am MDT

Your hosts each pick a tile placement game that make great use of the mechanic and talks about why we like it. Our game choices are:

Nathan - Number 9

Logan - Escape

Ryan - Between Two Cities

Direct download: MN0277_Three_Tile_Placement_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

 

Join your hosts as we discuss some great new games coming out soon. We talk:

  • Clank! Expeditions: Temple of the Ape Lords
  • Magic Maze: On Mars
  • Robin Von Locksley
  • Aftermath
  • Star Wars: Outer Rim
  • Proving Grounds
  • 3 Laws of Robotics
  • Monster Slaughter
  • Deep Blue
  • Tasty Humans
  • The Isle of Cats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct download: MN0275_July_2019_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We discuss three games or two players or best with two players:

 

  • Reckoners
    • Designers: Brett Sobol, Seth Van Orden
    • Publisher Nauvoo Games
  • One Deck Dungeon
    • Designer: Chris Cieslik
    • Publisher: Asmadi Games
  • Battle Line
    • Reiner Knizia
    • GMT Games
Direct download: MN0273_Top_Games_for_Two_Players.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join your hosts as we talk about playing awesome games two player. We hit games designed specifically for two people, co-op games, and games of variable player counts, but shine with two players. Also Nathan talks about raising his girls to love games too.

Some games we discuss include:

 

  • Star Wars Rebellion
  • Not Attika
  • Star Wars X-wing
  • Lost Cities
  • Ballon Cup
  • Patchwork
  • Catan Card Game
  • Starship Catan
  • Star Realms
  • Tally Ho
  • 7 Wonders: Duel
  • Splendor
  • Chronicles of Crime
  • Codenames: Duet
Direct download: MN0272_Two_Player_Gaming_Too.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Dave joins us again as we talk gaming goals and SaltCON Summer. We discuss: 

  • Chronicles of Crime
  • The Reckoners
  • Big Trouble in Little China
  • Ultimate Werewolf
  • Magic Maze
  • Robo Rally
  • Shadows over Camelot
  • Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
  • Don’t Mess with Cthulhu

And others.

 

 

Direct download: MN0271_SaltCON_Spring_Recap_and_Gaming_Goal_Catch_Up.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Spiel des Jarhes nominees.

Catan: Starfarers, Asmodee

Ecos: First Continent, John D. Clair and AEG

Dead Reckoning, John D. Clair and AEG

Pandemic: Rapid Response and Z-man

Raccoon Tycoon: The Fat Cat Expansion

Fickle: A Fairy Board Game, BARD Games

Tiny Towns: Peter McPherson and AEG

Direct download: MN0270_May_2019_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

The exciting journey into the world of Aeon's End, Legacy style. Nathan loves legacy games already and Ryan even said that he likes the game at one point! Friend Dave joins us again as we talk about this fun new deck builder!

Direct download: MN0269_Aeons_End_Legacy.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In this episode, we discuss all things Legendary, including Marvel, Alien, Buffy, and the rest. We talk The Quest for El Dorado, which mixes deck building with a spacial race across platters full of different terrain types. We end on Clank! In! Space!, which is a glorious ride through science fiction pop culture with deck building while stealing artifacts from a space ship. It's beautiful. 

Direct download: MN0268_Deck_Building_in_Three_Flavors.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Deck/bag/dice builders are games where your starting deck or pool changes throughout the game as you buy more cards or cull cards. We love this mechanic and talk through the game that started it all: Dominion. Other games we discuss are:

Thunderstone (all varieties)

Clank!

Mystic Vale

Arkham Horror TCG

Star Realms (Hero Realms)

Tyrants of the Underdark

Direct download: MN0267_Deck_Builders.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

The City of Kings is a co-operative tactical role-playing board game for 1 - 4 players. Your unique hero ventures out from the City of Kings to explore tiles, gather resources and vanquish monsters.

Designed by Frank West and Published by The City of Games 

Direct download: MN0266_The_City_of_Kings.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Meeple Nation talks April 2019 News. We cover

Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein!

Space Base: Command Station

Game of Thrones: Oathbreaker

Pathfinder Adventure Card Game: Core Set

Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time

Venom Assault: Villains and Valour

Takendo Giant: Chibis

and

Terraforming Mars : Turmoil

 

 

 

Direct download: MN0265_April_2019_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Tableau Building is a fantastic family of games. In this episode, your hosts select a game each and detail how their chosen game utilizes tableau building for fun and profit. 

Innovation by Carl Chudyk and Asmadi Games

Charterstone by Jamey Stegmaier and Stonemaier games.

Near and Far by Ryan Laukat and Red Raven Games

Direct download: MN0263_Three_Tableau_Building_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Your hosts, Nathan, Ryan and Logan discuss Tableau building games and what makes them great.

From Race for the Galaxy and 7 Wonders to Citadels and Terraforming Mars, tableau builders give players an array or components (cards, tiles, player boards, etc.) to buy, build, manipulate and combine for victory points.

You hopefully create an engine for fun and profit.

Direct download: MN0262_Tableau_Building_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Meeple Nation was at SaltCON 2019 and ran a bunch of games. Listen to get our highlights of the con. We hosted Brent Mair's Puzzlehunt, the Game Show, a bunch of Werewolf and a dozen other social deduction games. We had a blast.

Direct download: MN0261_SaltCON_2019.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

The hosts of Meeple Nation deliver your March 2019 News with special guest Ashlee Howard. We discuss a bunch of forthcoming games including:

Star Wars: Outer Rim from Fantasy Flight

Terraforming Mars: Turmoil from Stronghold

Ravnica Inquisition from Wizkids

Time Breaker from Looney Labs

Talisman: Kingdom Hearts from USAopoly

Hako Onna from Ejin and Wizkids

and Kickstarters:

Creature Feature by our friend Kristopher McClanahan of Deeply Dapper Games

Throw Throw Burrito from Exploading Kittens

High Rise from Formal Ferret Games

 

The Silver River from Robert Burke Games

Direct download: MN0260_March_2019_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join the Nation as we gush about the board game Nemesis by Awaken Realms, designed by Adam Kwapiński. This epic board game is loosely based on the Alien franchise.

You start the game waking from hibernation to find a crew member with a hole in their chest and blood everywhere. Each player has hidden objectives they need to complete in order to win, but you first have to survive.

Mechanics:

  • Campaign / Battle Card Driven
  • Cooperative Play
  • Dice Rolling
  • Modular Board
  • Partnerships
  • Player Elimination
  • Variable Player Powers

The theme is spot on, the components excellent, and the play experience tense and exciting.

 

Direct download: MN0259_Nemesis.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Nathan has been itching to bring Star Wars Rebellion from Fantasy Flight to the podcast. Nathan is a sucker for all thing Star Wars, and he's pretty lucky because Fantasy Flight always delivers a quality play experience. Logan has Nathan's back.

Ryan just doesn't seem to like games.

Listen as we discuss the flavor and mechanics of Star Wars Rebellion.

Direct download: MN0238_Star_Wars_Rebellion.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join Meeple Nation as your hosts discuss three of their favorite area control games. We each chose a game that uses the mechanic in different ways, and different than Risk.

The chosen games are:

Carolvs Magnvs (2000) by Leo Colovini

Carcassonne (2000) by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) (2011) by Christian T. Petersen

All of these are older games. We think they show great and unique ways that area control can be used in board games. Plus, they are fun and a little cutthroat.

Direct download: MN0257_Three_Area_Control_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Area Control games like Risk tend to have a bad rap in our playgroup, but does that make the mechanic problematic? Many players love area control and seek out games like Heroes of Land, Sea, and Air, Twilight Struggle and Scythe. Join Meeple Nation as we discuss those games as well as Area Control games like El Grande.

Other games discussed:

  • Spirit Island
  • Terra Mystica
  • Carolus Magnus
  • Attika
  • Carcassonne
  • Tyrants of the Underdark
  • Bunny Kingdom
Direct download: MN0256_Area_Control_and_Area_Influence.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join the Meeple Nation with your hosts Nathan and Ryan as they discuss the board game news for February 2019. Will every property release a roll & write version? Will Nathan buy all the kickstarters? Only one way to find out...

We discuss:

 

  • The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
  • Chronicles of Crime: Noir/Welcome to Redview
  • Gloomhaven: Forgotten Circles
  • Tuki from Next Move Games
  • Imperial Settlers: Roll & Write
  • Dracula’s Feast: New Blood
  • Aftershock
  • Valor and Villainy

 

 

Direct download: MN0255_February_News_2019.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join Meeple Nation with your hosts Ryan, Nathan, and guest host Logan as we discuss Big Trouble in Little China The Board Game. Big Trouble is Nathan's all time favorite movie, so the game has a lot to live up to. Will Nathan ever choose a different character than Jack Burton? Will he stop quoting the movie long enough to take his turn?  Only one way to find out? I'm a reasonable guy. But, I've just experienced some very unreasonable things.

Direct download: MN0254_Big_Trouble_in_Little_China.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we continue our discussion of press-your-luck in games as we talk card flips in Dead Man's Draw, gear dice selection and dice rolling in Formula D, and progressing deeper and pushing clank in the game Clank!

Direct download: MN_0253_Pressing_Luck_with_Dead_Mans_Draw_Formula_D_and_Clank.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we review the press-your-luck game, winner of the 2018 Kennerspiel des Jahres, Quacks of Quedlinburg

Direct download: MN_0252_Quacks_of_Quedlinburg.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us as we talk about gaming goals, what we accomplished and what we didn't. We celebrate Nathan's fantastic gaming year.

We also talk news including

  • New Frontiers
  • The City
  • Suburbia Collectors Edition
  • Clank Legacy: Acquisitions Incorportated
  • Proving Grounds
  • ...More
Direct download: MN0250_Gaming_News_and_Gaming_Goals.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 10:03pm MDT

We dip into the mailbag and answer a few questions from listeners, starting with the question of Time Travel in board games.

Direct download: MN_0249_Time_Travel_In_Games_and_More_Questions_Answered.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We talk everything Pandemic including:

Pandemic 2008

  • On the brink 2009
  • In the Lab 2013
  • State of Emergency 2015

Pandemic: Contagion 2014

Pandemic: The Cure 2014

  • Experimental Meds 2016

Pandemic: Legacy Season 1 2015

Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu 2016

Pandemic: Iberia 2016

Pandemic: Rising Tide 2017

Pandemic: Legacy Season 2 2017

Pandemic: Fall of Rome 2018

Direct download: MN0248_Everything_Pandemic.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 3:48pm MDT

We discuss NaNoWriMo, Social Deduction, Gaming Goals, App Supported Board Games, and answer a few questions.

Direct download: MN_0247_Year_End_Gaming.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Brent and Nathan sit down and talk about their last few days of gaming from BoardGameGeek.Con 2018 in Dallas. 

Games played:

  • Poker
  • Two Rooms and a Boom
  • Capital Lux
  • Rebel Nox
  • Discover: Lands Unknown
  • Lost Expedition
  • Sentient
  • Dominion: Nocturne and Renaissance.
Direct download: MN0246_More_Games_Played_at_BGGCon_2018.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 7:04pm MDT

We are joined by Matt for this news episode.

We talk Keyforge Names, Kickstarter Games, One Dollar Kickstarter Pledges, Errant Uber Drivers, Layoffs and Acquisition during this Golden Age.

Direct download: MN_0245_December_2018_Gaming_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Nathan and Ryan made it to BGG.Con 2018. This recording is their coverage of the first 20 games they play which includes:

Downfall

Brikks

Blueprint

Sherlock: Last Call

Sherlock: Tomb of the Archeologist

Flowerfall x3

The Quest for El Dorado Heroes and Hexes

New York Slice

Thunderstone Quest

A Study in Emerald

Ticket to Ride New York

Big Trouble in Little China

Steamrollers

Big Dig

Fuji

The River

Kashgar: Merchants of the Silk Road

U.S. Telegraph

Firefly

Iron Dragon

 

Direct download: MN0244_Twenty_Games_played_at_BGG.Con_2018.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 9:09pm MDT

This is the episode that everyone, or at least one, has been waiting for. In this episode we discuss dozens of games, and a history of what makes up the Cthulhu Mythos. We start with the Fantasy Flight games, labeled Arkham Horror Files, including Arkham Horror 2nd Edition, 3rd Edition, Mansions of Madness 1st and 2nd Editions, Elder Sign, and Eldritch Horror.

Then we discuss a good many games that are not Fantasy Flight properties, including Cthulhu Wars, Towers of Madness, Cthulhu Realms, and many more.

Music Clip provided by: Echoes of Time v2 Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Direct download: MN0243_Everything_Cthulhu_Mythos.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 10:18am MDT

This is our 5th annual Holiday Gift guide. We each bring five recommendations to the table, along with our recommendations for audience.

Nathan

  • Muse
  • Sagrada
  • Space Base
  • Azul
  • Magic Maze

Brent

  • Ticket to Ride
  • Pandemic
  • Sushi Go Party!
  • King of Tokyo
  • Exit and Unlock! Escape Room Games

Ryan

  • Codenames (Harry Potter)
  • The Mind
  • Disney's Villainous
  • Magic: The Gathering
  • Reef
Direct download: MN0242_Holiday_Gift_Guide_2018.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we have an intervention of sorts, but who needs intervening, Nathan or Ryan? We discuss how perception, attitude, and enthusiasm affect enjoyment in gaming, for everyone.

What is your attitude towards games? What types of games do you enjoy?

Direct download: MN0241_Perceptions_and_Attitudes_about_Gaming.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Ryan, Brent and Nathan sit down with Matt and Barb and talk news and Kickstarters.

 

Make sure you look for us at BGG.con and consider donating to our Extra Life effort at https://extra-life.org/team/nugg

Thanks for listening!

Direct download: MN_0240_October_2018_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 11:10pm MDT

Once again Brent is away which somehow means that Sam comes over to play. Sam Aho from Sam Says Game Reviews joins Ryan and Nathan while they discuss Introducing New Games to Players.

What should you do when an experience player teaches a game to a new player? Should there be strategy discussion, commentary on moves, warnings about game timing and more? Tune in to listen to a few differing opinions on the subject.

Direct download: MN_0239_Introducing_New_Players_to_GamesFinal.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 10:52am MDT

Nathan, Ryan and Sam Aho from Sam Says sit down to discuss their experience with this Scott Almes creation from Gamelyn Games.

Heroes of Land Air and Sea is a 4X game, and definitely not tiny. Listen to hear their thoughts.

Direct download: MN_0236_Heroes_of_Land_Air_Sea.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 9:38am MDT

In this month's news episode we discuss expansions including The Quest for El Dorado: Heroes and Hexes, Magic Maze: Hidden Roles, remixed games including Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig, and many more original games.

Direct download: MN_0235_September_2018_Board_Game_News_.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk about Raiders of the North Sea along with the Hall of Heroes and Fields of Fame expansions.

These games are now published in the US and are designed by Shem Phillips with art by Mihajlo Dimitrievski.

 

Direct download: MN_0234_Raiders_of_the_North_Sea_and_Expansions.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 11:21pm MDT

The many games played at SaltCON end of summer including Hail Hydra, Battleline, Reef and many more.

Direct download: MN_0233_SaltCON_EOS_and_Games_Galore.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 11:37pm MDT

This week we talk through five games we've been playing. We start with Majesty: For the Realm, Ryan continues with Terraforming Mars: Prelude, Nathan talks Mountains of Madness, I bring up Fast Forward Fortress and we end with more Decrypto.

Direct download: MN_0232_Majesty_Prelud_Madness_Fortress_Decrypto.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 8:28pm MDT

When you picnic or camp do you game, or just enjoy the outdoors? Do you beat up your cards, watch over them carefully, or choose tile based or pencil games? 

We discuss all manor of games from our past and suggestions from you, Meeple Nation.

Direct download: MN0231_Camping_and_other_Outdoor_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 6:50pm MDT

It is again time for news. We talk Power Rangers, Unique Games, Keyforge and Discover, the exit of Christian Peterson from Asmodee North America, and the merger of Stronghold Games and Indie Boards and Cards.

We discuss Root, Everdell, Monster Crunch, Flotsam Fight, and many more games.

Join us in the guild or at Meeple Nation Off Air on Facebook.

Direct download: MN_0230_August_2018_Gaming_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we are again joined by Matt and Barb of the Players Wanted Podcast. We discuss their recent trip to GenCon including Oink Games, Pikoko, Ice Cool 2, and Matt's GenCon Hat, which is not a game.

We cover all that and over a dozen other titles, including Keyforge, Welcome To..., Reef, and more.

Direct download: MN0229_Matts_GenCon_Hat.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:28pm MDT

This episode Ryan, Brent and Nathan each choose five games from the massive list of 615 titles previewed on boardgamegeek.com.

This list is found at https://www.boardgamegeek.com/geekpreview/7/gen-con-2018-preview

We talk Robotech, Alien, Aliens, Towers, and many more.

Direct download: MN_0227_GenCon_2018_Anticipated_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:41pm MDT

We are joined this week by friend of the podcast, Thomas Roybal, a university professor that has used games and gaming concepts for years in his classrooms. 

He gives us examples of games he was occasionally able to play with the kids when he taught high school, and his more subtle way of using games at the university.

Direct download: MN_0226_Games_in_the_Classroom_with_Thomas_Roybal.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Brent, Nathan and Ryan are joined again by Barb and Matt for a lot of fun and a little chaos.

We talk Kickstarters, Games ending, games beginning, and for some reason, real news about Big Trouble in Little China

Direct download: MN_0225_July_Gaming_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 10:37pm MDT

Sam Aho joins Nathan and Ryan while they discuss their favorite games, including Ryan being on a quest.

Direct download: MN_0224_Favorite_Games_with_Sam_Aho.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

What do you play when you have seven or more players and splitting into two or more groups isn't an option? We discuss games we enjoy plus ideas from you, the listeners. Let us know what we missed by contacting us in the BGG guild or on the Meeple Nation Off Air Facebook group!

Direct download: MN0223_Too_Many_Players_-_Games_for_7_or_more.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:17pm MDT

This week we sit down and talk about the fantastic cooperative game from Greater than Games.

Nathan likes it. Brent likes it. What does Ryan think? Does the theme resonate, do the mechanics and theme come together to provide a nice narrative?

Yes.

Direct download: MN_0222_Spirit_Island.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This episode we introduce and review two games, starting with Space Base from John D Clair and AEG and The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 from Mondo games and Joe Van Wetering.

 

Could Ryan and Nathan like them both?

Direct download: MN_0221_Space_Base_and_TheThingt.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:58pm MDT

Nathan finally plays Starfarers of Catan, he raves about his Game Toppers Tables, we talk Kickstarter, more Asmodee acquisitions and Asmodee's possible desire to be acquired, and more June news.

Direct download: MN_0220_June_2018_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:34pm MDT