Garrett's Games And Geekiness

This week's episode is all about three 2-player games (though 1 expands to up to 5 players!). Jushimatsu by Madoka Kitao (expands to 5 with 2 sets and the Egg Expansion) Nanahoshi by Hiroki Kaneko and Madoka Kitao Onitama by Simpei Sato Enjoy!

Shelley and I spent some time over the summer trying to make sure we got some older titles off the shelves and onto the table.  This episode is our reflection on some of those titles that might be worth hunting down with your Christmas loot! Han by Michael Schacht from Abacusspiele Das Letzte Kamel by Tom Schoeps from FX Schmid Palermo by Walter Ziser from Piatnik Der Goldene Kompass by Inka and Markus Brand from Kosmos Himalaya/Lords of Xidit by Regis Bonnessee from Tilsit/Libellud Marracash by Stefan Dorra from Kosmos Punk Sucht Lady by Kramer and Ulruch from Ravensburger Rococo by Matthias Cramer, Louis and Stefan Malz from Eggertspiele

Shelley and I get three newer (though not Essen) titles to the table this episode. Actually we recorded this back in September, but this is a perfect time with the holiday crush to get this one out to you.  All of these would make solid last-minute holiday presents. Elevenses by David Harding from Adventureland Games (this was a Kickstarter) Nehemiah by Lukasz Wozniak from Gry Leonardo Star Realms by Robert Dougherty and Darwin Kastle from ADC Blackfire Entertainment Enjoy!

Shelley and I take on two more new releases Planes by David Short, published by AEG Games El Gaucho by Arve Fühler, published by Argentum Verlag Enjoy!

Shelley and I have some fun with Andreas Steding and Stephan Feld's latest releases, The Staufer Dynasty and La Isla respectively. The Staufer Dynasty by Andreas Steding from Z-Man Games (2-5 players, 20 min./player) La Isla by Stephan Feld from alea/Ravensburger (2-4 players, 45-60 minutes)   Enjoy!

Shelley and I take on two more Essen releases - one of which has just been released to stores here in the US - and have some fun talking about the experience (and the fun we had playing them). On the docket: Kanban: Automotive Revolution by Vital Lacerda, published by Stronghold Games Artificium by Timofey Shargorodskiy, published by Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd. Enjoy!

Shelley and I discuss two games that work well with up to 6 players, so you can have more family members enjoying fun stuff for the holidays! Happy Pigs by Kuraki Mura from Swan Coly Express by Christophe Raimbault from Ludonaute Enjoy!

This week's episode is all about different types of games.  We run the gamut from small card game, through light kid-friendly filler, to heavy weight economic game.  On the docket are Hamsterbacke by Francesco Berardi and published by Amigo Ivor the Engine by Tony Boydell and published by Surprised Stare Panamax by Gil D'Orey, Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro, and Paulo Soledade published by Stronghold Games Fun Essen titles worth investigating!

Shelley and I tackle three smaller titles, then delve into a medium-weight game that's not deck building, but is instead BAG building! King's Pouch by Keewoong Kim from Divedice Rolling Japan and Edo Yashiki by Hisashi Hayashi from OKAZU Brand Red7 by Carl Chudyk and Chris Cieslik from Asmadi Games Enjoy!

Shelley and I discuss one of the two games we played while still in Essen - Absacker - then take on two of Mayfair/Lookout's latest - Patchwork and Murano. Absacker by Leo Colovini and Dario de Toffoli Patchwork by Uwe Rosenberg Murano by Inka and Markus Brand Enjoy!

Shelley and I cover two of our recent Essen acquisitions: Royals by Peter Hawes from Abacusspiele and Versailles by Andrei Novac and NSKN Games

Shelley and I get Trains and its first Map Expansion to the table for a conversation on deck building with the addition of play to a board, then try out two from last year's Essen as well. Trains + Map Expansion (Dominion with a board - which changes things in interesting ways!) by Hisashi Hayashi from AEG Steam Park (great art and 3-D pieces!) by Buonfino, Silva and Sorrentino from Cranio Creations SOS Titanic (innovative use of a spiral-bound book for the board/co-op) by Cathala and Maublanc from Ludonaute   Enjoy!

Recorded after getting a chance to play some titles that people brought to Meeplefest back in August, here are THREE two games and one expansion from Japanese designers: Too Many Cinderellas (some interesting ideas about narrowing the possible choices for the title character) from Taikikennai Games Isaribi (fishing and selling at market with special helper who facilitate the action) by Hisashi Hayashi and from Japon/OKAZU Machi Koro Sharp (the second expansion for the buzz-worthy game from Essen 2013) by Masao Suganuma and from Foxgames/Grounding Enjoy!

Shelley and I tackle the second 1/2 of BGG's Essen Preview, looking at games from publishers M-Z, as well as spending some time discussion Days of Wonder's latest, Five Tribes from Bruno Cathala.

Shelley and I go through the Essen Preview, highlighting games from publishers A-L, and also discuss a game we got a chance to play that will be available at Essen - La Granja from Spielworxx.   Head over to the guild on BGG to discuss the games YOU are anticipating.  Next week we'll deal with M-Z!

The group continues our discussion with more on camels (and the inclusion of Through the Desert in the mix), along with some iOS games that have been ported over, Tzolkin, Russian Railroads, and Glass Road.  We then delve into the topic of teaching games to others, as well as the need to CHOOSE fun when heading to the gaming table.    

Playing experiences are a primary topic on this episode as Dave Gullett joins the gang from last week and delves into what makes a new game OK, though he loathes learning new games.  Then Susan McKinley Ross talks about Qwirkle's move to iOS and German licensing, and we discuss getting total strangers to buy 'our' games.  App versions are part of the discussion too. Istanbul Hanabi Paperback Qwirkle

Susan McKinley Ross joins in on the mics (along with last week's crew) and Erik Oliver shows up for a discussion of the games that sparked debate and enjoyment over the course of the weekend.  Those games include Norderwind (North Wind) Hollywood Advanced Civilization 18XX Freedom Nations Maskmen Glass Road Camel Up Das Letzte Kamel Castle Dice Power Grid One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Candy, Ric, Joe, Kevin, and Brett join Shelley and me for a conversation about the SdJ nominees/winners, what a 'game' is, and whether BGG needs to be more user friendly or is 'just right' as Goldilocks would say.

Ted, Doug, Ric, Denis, Paul and a couple others join Shelley and me for a discussion of the state of Kickstarter, prototypes, development, and playtesting.  Then we talk about some of the latest titles we were able to get to the table.