So Very Wrong About Games

Pickaxe

A podcast about all manner of hobby games by Mike Walker and Mark Bigney. Bad games don't go easy on you, so we don't go easy on them. Thorough analysis via reviews, news, and discussion of topics in gaming. We take context seriously, we value your time, and we're not into hype. Just because games are fun doesn't mean we can't take them seriously, and just because we take them seriously doesn't mean we can't have fun.

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421 episodes
Updated July 21

Episodes421

Newest first

Feb 20, 2024 · 56 min
#299: Nucleum
The theory of the atom first posited by the pre-Socratic philosopher Democritus in roughly the 4th Century BCE. None of his actual writings have survived. The great thing about the pre-Socratics is that so few of their works are available, you can spend about ten minutes (or less!) and have read as much of their stuff as have the world's leading experts. Games Played Last Week: 01:53 -Kingdom Rush: Elemental Uprising (Alara Cameron, Helana Hope, and Sen-Foong Lim, Lucky Duck Games, 2023) 04:15 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023) 06:43 -Caverna: The Cave Farmers (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2013) 07:22 -Hidden Leaders (Andreas Müller, Markus Müller, & Raphael Stocker, BFF Games, 2022) 08:28 -AQUA: Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024) 13:05 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020) 16:54 -Lacuna (Mark Gerrits, CMYK, 2023) 19:33 -5 Towers (Kasper Lapp, Deep Print Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 24:05 Kemet: Rise of the Gods reprint with additional modules on crowdfunding soon from Matagot 25:11 Burned on Kickstarter February 13 from Stone Circle Games and Jon Moffat 25:52 Wandering Galaxy: new Crossroads game from Plaid Hat Games 26:52 Feature Game: Nucleum (Simone Luciani & Dávid Turczi, Board&Dice, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 13, 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
#298: Deckbuilding
Every man wants to be a macho, macho man To have the kind of body always in demand Jogging in the mornings, go man go Work outs in the health spa, muscles glow You can best believe that he's a macho man Ready to get down with, anyone he can You can tell a macho, he has a funky walk His western shirts and leather, always look so boss Funky with his body, he's a king Call him Mister Ego, dig his chains You can best believe that he's a macho man He likes to be the leader, he never dresses grand -"Macho Man" by The Village People 03:05 AYURIS: Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022) Games Played Last Week: 05:06 -AQUA : Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024) 08:05 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023) 09:36 -Kingdom Rush: Elemental Uprising (Alara Cameron, Helana Hope, and Sen-Foong Lim, Lucky Duck Games, 2023) 10:45 -Imperium: Horizons (Nigel Buckle and Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2024) 15:48 -Tokyo Highway: Rainbow City (Naotaka Shimamoto and Yoshiaki Tomioka, itten, 2023) 19:32 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu & Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023) 21:33 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021) 24:45 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022) 27:59 -Great Western Trail: New Zealand (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2023) 35:09 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021) 36:14 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 37:54 Bus from Capstone reprint in 2024 38:34 Burned on Kickstarter February 13 from Stone Circle Games and Jon Moffat 39:15 CMON moving to Gamefound for A Song of Ice and Fire Tactics 41:37 Topic: Deckbuilding Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 6, 2024 · 1 hr 11 min
#297: Envelopes of Cash
Let us, following in Andy Schwarz's example, highlight the fine work of Nancy Skinner, a California state senator whose "Fair Pay to Play Act" granted college athletes in California the right to profit from their name, image, and likeness. This forced the NCAA to allow such changes more broadly. It hasn't been perfect, but let's acknowledge one thing: if someone's gonna be making millions off your name and face, maybe--just maybe!--you should be able to get a cut. Games Played Last Week: 01:43 -AQUA : Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024) 06:24 -Imperium: Horizons (Nigel Buckle and Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2024) 13:40 -World Wonders (Zé Mendes, Arcane Wonders, 2023) 19:33 -MLEM: Space Agency (Reiner Knizia, Rebel Studio, 2024) 24:14 -Maskmen (Jun Sasaki and Taiki Shinzawa, Oink Games, 2014) 28:27 -The Barracks Emperors (Wray Ferrell and Brad Johnson, GMT Games, 2023) 32:17 -Tokyo Highway: Rainbow City (Naotaka Shimamoto and Yoshiaki Tomioka, itten, 2023) 37:14 -Vengeance (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018) 40:03 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022) News (and why it doesn't matter): 44:29 "Wednesdays with Walker"--streaming on Twitch 45:05 Unpublished Flickateers by Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson 45:55 Storm Raiders by Shem Phillips 46:48 Voidfall Solo Online by Mark Hutchinson! https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3222419/play-voidfall-solo-online-fan-made-app 47:59 Feature Game: Envelopes of Cash (Andy Schwarz, Envelopes of Cash LLC, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 30, 2024 · 1 hr 22 min
#296: Dexterity Games Revisited
It has been many a year since our early days, our salad days when we were younger and dumb and didn't know what we were doing. Much has changed, in that we are now older and dumb and don't know what we're doing. But the inexorable march of time has at least offered many new offerings in the broad tent of dexterity games, and so it is past time that we focus on one of our preferred genus of toy. 01:26 AYURIS: Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021) Games Played Last Week: 04:19 -Anachrony (Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2017) 11:11 -Welcome to the Moon (Alexis Allard & Benoit Turpin, Blue Cocker Games, 2021) 15:44 -General Orders: World War II (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023) 22:16 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu & Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023) 25:25 -Burned (Jon Moffat, Stone Circle Games, Unpublished) 28:39 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023) 34:50 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 39:59 Mythic Games sells Anastyr and Hel: The Last Saga to CMON; backers will get base game only 41:44 Renegade Games' Axis and Allies: G.I. Joe 44:19 Ads for Votes for Women pulled from Facebook because they apparently think women's suffrage is contentious 47:00 Carolingi pulled from Gamefound, pre-orders directly from Sea Cove Games 47:59 7 Empires from Mac Gerdts 49:27 Star Trek: Away Missions goes Original Series 51:52 Topic: Dexterity Games Revisited Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 23, 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
#295: Federation
A pretty solid rule of thumb is that if you've been disappointed in a kind of game, try David Thompson's version of it and see how delightful it can be. Hidden movement got you down? Sniper Elite is the cure. Abstract chunky tiled fighty thing didn't please? War Chest might please. Mediocre skirmish cramping your style? For What Remains is ready to serve. It's a good thing he has styles of games he hasn't explored, lest he just obsolete the remainder of the games industry. Give him time. He'll collaborate with everyone eventually. Games Played Last Week: 01:41 -Beast (Aron Midhall, Elon Midhall, and Assar Pettersson, Studio Midhall, 2022) 07:17 -Iberia (Jesús Torres Castro and Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2016) 11:42 -Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa (Mandela Fernandez-Grandon and Fabio Lopiano, Osprey Games, 2024) 18:16 -Bitoku: Resutoran (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2023) 23:00 -Kurz vor Knapp (Helmut Punke and Tobias Punke, Zoch Verlag, 2020) 28:06 -Animal Upon Animal (Klaus Miltenberger, HABA, 2005) 29:33 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 38:01 Shipyard reprint from Delicious Games 38:55 In the Gang from KOSMOS 39:56 Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam on Kickstarter 40:51 Feature Game: Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 16, 2024 · 1 hr 20 min
#294: 2023 Year in Review
As ever, and with no clue what a lang syne is (much less an auld-y type configuration), we embrace the new year by commemorating the old. We would venture that the new year only truly begins once SVWAG has given its imprimatur on the best game published in the preceding year. The Julian Calendar was abandoned in favour of the Gregorian, and it is evident that the Gregorian should be abandoned in favour of the SVWAGgering Calendar. Games Played Last Week: 01:34 -Kutná Hora: The City of Silver (Ondřej Bystroň, Petr Čáslava, and Pavel Jarosch, Czech Games Edition, 2023) 06:53 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023) 07:57 -K2 (Adam Kałuża, Rebel Sp. z o.o., 2010) 09:35 -Cover Your Assets (Brent Beck & Jeffrey Beck, Grandpa Beck's Games, 2011) 11:52 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023) 16:53 -Road Trippin (Uncredited, Guilt Free Gaming, 2021) 19:42 -Evacuation (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2023) 28:05 -Solar Titans (Phillip Gee and Xian Wu, SunnySideUp Games, 2023) 31:03 -Tiny Mini Golf (Kamis Kamiński, Self-published, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): Nothing to see here. 34:25 Topic: 2023 Year in Review 35:04 Mark and Walker's Top 10s 52:28 SVWAG 2023 Game of the Year 53:37 Special Categories Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 9, 2024 · 1 hr 21 min
#293: Out of Print Games Revisited
Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, claimed that you never step in the same river twice; for it is not the same river and you are not the same person. Such as it is with games! They are reprinted and thus reborn, all along some blurred spectrum of redesign spanning from carbon copy all the way to entirely new design. Let us not forget Heraclitus' student Cratylus, who evidently thought Heraclitus some kind of squish, insofar as he is credited with countering that you cannot step into the same river once. 01:25 AYURIS: Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles Episodes 1 & 2 (Richard Amann, Thomas Vande Ginste, Viktor Peter, Wolf Plancke, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2022) Games Played Last Week: 03:32 -Rats of Wistar (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023) 09:15 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023) 11:00 -Faiyum: Privileges (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2023) 15:04 -Horizon Wars: Midnight Dark (Robey Jenkins, Precinct Omega Publishing, 2023) 22:52 -Burned (Jon Moffat, Stone Circle Games, Unpublished) 26:36 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023) 30:40 -Trick Shot (Second Edition) (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2023) 35:05 -Napoleon's Conquests (Bruno Lamotte, Fellowship of Simulations, 2023) 42:47 -Splendor Duel (Marc André and Bruno Cathala, Space Cowboys, 2022) 43:42 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022) News (and why it doesn't matter): 47:23 War Story: Occupied France; narrative game by David Thompson, Dave Neale, and Osprey Games 49:02 Keyside: Richard Breese and 49:37 Turing Machine on Boardgamearena and designer's notes on BGG 50:49 Terra Pyramides by Kiesling & Kramer 51:06 Moby Trick 51:25 Halo miniatures game by Mantic Games 52:02 Gaia Project Expansion announced, again 52:49 RIP Bryan Ansell, co-founder of Games Workshop 54:05 Topic: Out of Print Games Revisited Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 2, 2024 · 1 hr 21 min
#292: Arborea
"This here's a jam for all the gamers Tryin' to do what those rulebooks offer Get shot down 'cause you're overzealous Take too long, opponents get jealous Ok, smarty, go to a party Games are on the menu for everybody You wanna play a game that's more complexer But you're standin' on the wall like you was Poindexter A game is laid out, one not played out The options unfold and your mind just spins out They say you should take your turn or get removed So come on, gamer, and just bust a move" -Young MC, noted foe of analysis paralysis Games Played Last Week: 01:10 -Evolution: Climate (Dominic Crapuchettes, Dmitry Knorre, & Sergey Machin, North Star Games, 2016) 05:57 -Tiny Epic Crimes (Scott Almes, Gamelyn Games, 2023) 10:20 -The Fox Experiment (Jeff Fraser and Elizabeth Hargrave, Pandasaurus Games, 2023) 13:45 -Undergrove (Elizabeth Hargrave and Mark Wootton, AEG, 2024) 15:15 -Votes for Women (Tory Brown, Fort Circle Games, 2022) 17:52 -The Gods Will Have Blood (Daniel Bullock, Lock Horns Games, 2023) 21:56 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022) 23:40 -Fun Facts (Kasper Lapp, Repos Production, 2022) 24:31 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018) 24:39 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021) 25:55 -Duhr: The Lesser Houses (Jenna Felli, Devious Weasel, 2018) 30:47 -No Thanks! (Thorsten Gimmler, AMIGO, 2004) 32:37 -Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester (Changhyun Baek, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, and Antonio Tinto, DiceTree Games, 2023) 38:58 -Road Trippin (Uncredited, Guilt Free Gaming, 2021) 41:00 -Star Trek: Away Missions (Andrew Haught, Mike Haught, and Phil Yates, Gale Force Nine, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 47:35 Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Magone, published by Sorry We Are French 48:04 Amabel Holland in The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/the-personal-political-art-of-board-game-design 48:36 Zombie Sniper. That is all. 48:59 Jenna Felli's upcoming game Murray the A**hole Frog (trans designer and trans artist) and upcoming novel Serpent Ascending 50:24 Co-op Dungeon Scrawlers?! 2together by OldChap Editions 51:24 Andy Schwarz's "Financial Reckoning" for Envelopes of Cash: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/envelopesofcash/envelopes-of-cash/posts/3995962 52:47 Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition accidentally published with crypto-fascist imagery. Burn the "Banner of Kekistan" 54:48 Feature Game: Arborea (Dani Garcia, Alley Cat Games, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 19, 2023 · 1 hr 15 min
#291: Adventure Games
Just before Mark is de-platformed, he would like to remind the SVWAG audience of two very important facts. First, he is but a man shouting into a can, and just because he doesn't like the thing you like doesn't make either less worthy of respect, dignity, and chocolate. He is willing to accept the possibility that he's Playing It Wrong and/or Doesn't Get It and/or needs to Git Gud and/or is just insufficiently evolved. Second, a reminder that complaints are to be directed to support@aircanada.ca. 01:12 AYURIS: El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Glück, 1995) Games Played Last Week: 02:26 -Age of Innovation (Helge Ostertag, Capstone Games, 2023) 07:55 -Mage Knight: The Board Game (Vlaada Chvatil, WizKids, 2011) 14:08 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023) 15:13 -The Fox Experiment (Jeff Fraser and Elizabeth Hargrave, Pandasaurus Games, 2023) 18:45 -Android: Netrunner (Richard Garfield and Lukas Litzsinger, Fantasy Flight Games, 2012) 23:23 -Apiary (Connie Vogelmann, Stonemaier Games, 2023) 29:49 -Air, Land & Sea (Jon Perry, Arcane Wonders, 2018) 31:47 -Schadenfreude (ctr, Studio Turbine, 2021) 34:13 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021) 38:13 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017) 40:01 -The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2021) 41:03 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game: Raise the Flagg Campaign Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2023) 44:01 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 45:09 Unchained by Trick or Treat Studios, inspired by Nightfall 45:49 Small Box Games' three Omen sets on Kickstarter now! 46:21 Quacks of Quedlinburg Duel 46:40 Votes for Women reprint on Kickstarter 47:16 German magnets! Die verdrehte Spuknacht 48:28 You can support us on Patreon, if you're so inclined: www.patreon.com/svwag 49:12 Nucleum: Australia 49:29 Topic: Adventure Games Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 12, 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
#290: Mindclash Games
A review of So Very Wrong About Games, not actually by Werner Herzog: "To listen to SVWAG is to court madness. One host is beholden to the delusion that if he utters sufficient words in a short period of time he may stave off his inevitable death, whereas the other grapples with the false consciousness of refusing to acknowledge life's meaninglessness. Collectively their banter serves as a cruel rebuke to evolution, a bitter mockery of humanity's purported superiority over a nature they despise and denigrate. It is reason's death rattle in the face of pure chaos. Thank you for recommending Rhino Hero Super Battle, I enjoyed it with my family very much. Four stars." 01:20 AYURIS: Agricola (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2007) and Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016) Games Played Last Week: 04:25 -Ceres (Gustaf Sundström, Artipia Games, 2023) 10:22 -Daybreak (Matt Leacock & Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023) 13:59 -Raising Robots (Brett Sobol & Seth Van Orden, Nauvoo Games, 2023) 16:02 -Demon Ship (Malev Da Shinobi, Black Site Studios, 2023) 19:58 -Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion, 2014) 26:19 -Vaalbara (Olivier Cipière, Studio H, 2022) 29:03 -Septima: Shapeshifting & Omens (Robin Hegedűs, Mindclash Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 36:45 Preview of Phantom Division Relaunch on Gamefound 38:24 French Revolution! 1793 Patriots & Traitors on Gamefound 39:21 Redevelopment of Omen: A Reign of War from John Clowdus and Small Box Games next year 40:16 Topic: Mindclash Games Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 5, 2023 · 1 hr 22 min
#289: Daybreak
Dexterity games, dismissed by many in the board game world as children's toys (whereas, by contrast, we laud them as children's toys), can offer a unique window into the player's soul. A fine dexterity game is a crucible in which one's true character emerges. Are you an assertive, grandiose table-hog capable of great feats but undone by hubris? Are you a small-minded, plodding dilettante lacking in ambition or imagination? Junk Art can reveal all! Games Played Last Week: 02:11 -Age of Innovation (Helge Ostertag, Capstone Games, 2023) 13:33 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017) 14:49 -Belratti (Michael Loth, Mogel-Verlag, 2018) 16:47 -Revive: Call of the Abyss (Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Østby, Eilif Svensson, and Anna Wermlund, Aporta Games, 2023) 22:13 -Tetra Tower (Uncredited, Enksy, 2014) 24:27 -Junk Art (Jay Cormier & Sen-Foong Lim, Pretzel Games, 2016) 27:47 -General Orders: World War II (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023) 36:30 -Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021) 37:20 -The Wolves (Ashwain Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022) 39:34 -Cthulhu: Death May Die (Eric M. Lang & Rob Daviau, CMON, 2019) 43:19 -Drags 2 Riches (David Pettifer, Bored Wreckers Inc, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 48:35 Prepare to get uncomfortable: Hollandspiele's Doubt Is Our Product about the tobacco industry 50:59 Aqua, oceanic tile-laying 51:44 Mark laments the market rewarding bad actors: Palladium Games and Steamforged Games 56:19 Feature Game: Daybreak (Matt Leacock & Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 28, 2023 · 1 hr 33 min
#288: All the Games
There's no time no time at all we must get to the games there's been so many all the time one after another hurry hurry we must get to all of the games 01:26 AYURIS: Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021) Games Played Last Week: 03:07 -Septima (Robin Hegedűs, Mindclash Games, 2023) 10:42 -White Castle (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2023) 16:25 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017) 20:45 -Nekojima (David Carmona & Karen Nguyen, Unfriendly Games, 2023) 25:02 -Catch the Moon (Fabien Riffaud & Juan Rodriguez, Bombyx, 2017) 27:25 -TEAM3 GREEN (Alex Cutler & Matt Fantastic, Brain Games, 2019) 30:58 -Piazza Rabazza (Guido Hoffman and Jens-Peter Schliemann, Zoch Verlag, 2022) 33:43 -Tumblin' Dice (Carey Grayson, Randy Nash, and Rick Soued, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2004) 35:38 -After Us (Florian Sirieix, Catch Up Games, 2023) 43:12 -Raising Robots (Brett Sobol & Seth Van Orden, Nauvoo Games, 2023) 46:49 -Moonrakers (Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, and Austin Harrison, IV Studio, 2020) 52:14 -Great Western Trail: New Zealand (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2023) 53:09 -Tiger and Dragon (Hashimoto Atsushi, Oink Games, 2021) 56:21 -Mosaic: Wars and Disasters (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2023) 1:01:00 -Ready Set Bet (John D. Clair, AEG, 2022) 1:03:12 -Fairy Tale (Satoshi Nakamura, Z-Man Games, 2004) 1:05:04 -Hollywood 1947 (Travis Hancock, Facade Games, 2023) 1:08:46 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023) 1:11:08 -Daybreak (Matt Leacock & Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023) 1:17:37 -Arborea (Dani Garcia, Alley Cat Games, 2023) 1:19:48 -Nucleum (Simone Luciani & Dávid Turczi, Board&Dice, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 1:25:25 Anno 1800 Expansion 1:25:54 "Pop culture" That's Not a Hat 1:26:33 Albedo available as print and play! Cards: https://kaiherbertz.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/albedoprintandplayfullcolor.pdf Rules: http://hespiele.de/downloads/albedo_en.pdf 1:27:35 City of the Living: Prosperity (by Reiner Knizia) with zombies Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 14, 2023 · 1 hr 22 min
#287: Voidfall
The shift from Beckett references to low-grade puns might strike one as jarring, but it is important to note that both hosts have essentially been twelve going on sixty for most of their lives. If it's not juvenile and/or obscure, it is difficult for the hosts to process--they become disoriented and frightened. In such circumstances, a nice Star Control II reference will probably calm them down. Hey, there's one of those in this episode, too! Games Played Last Week: 01:52 -Great Western Trail: New Zealand (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2023) 07:03 -FlickFleet: Xeno Wars (Jackson Pope & Paul Willcox, Eurydice Games, 2022) 13:04 -White Castle (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2023) 16:38 -Forgotten Depths (Peter Albertson, Void Knight Games, 2022) 20:37 -Omicron Protocol (Brendan Kendrick & Bernie Lin, Dead Alive Games, 2022) 29:09 -Among Cultists: A Social Deduction Thriller (Stefan Godot, Godot Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 38:40 Rafter Five: Dexterity from Oink Games 39:23 Expandalone to Wizards of the Grimoire (aka Bookie-Bookie Pew-Pew) on Kickstarter: Shifting Sands 41:00 Feature Game: Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 7, 2023 · 1 hr 9 min
#286: Through the Desert
One has to be careful in buffet situations. There are so many options, and you are pulled in so many different directions. You must differentiate the false urgency from the genuinely pressing, and it is a test of your evaluation and timing skills to successfully navigate your priorities. What to do, and when? How much of what? If you fail to make the wise choices, you might not get through the dessert. Games Played Last Week: 02:20 -IKI: Akebono (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2023) 08:22 -Inhuman Conditions (Tommy Maranges & Cory O'Brien, Web published, 2018) 13:19 -FlickFleet: Xeno Wars (Jackson Pope & Paul Willcox, Eurydice Games, 2022) 18:09 -Gods Love Dinosaurs (Kasper Lapp, Pandasaurus Games, 2020) 22:35 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023) 26:00 -Fun Facts (Kasper Lapp, Repos Production, 2022) 31:33 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu & Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023) 35:51 -Sunrise Lane (Reiner Knizia, Horrible Guild, 2023) 38:55 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 40:35 Dexterity expansions! Tokyo Highway: Rainbow City and ICECOOL Wizards 41:22 Gaia Project expansion in "late 2024" 42:42 Sand by Devir Games 42:57 Calimala reprint by Alley Cat Games 43:57 Through the Desert on Kickstarter with A Message from the Stars and Switchbacks 44:25 My Favourite Things on Kickstarter: trick-taking and social ranking 45:37 Diablo role-playing and board games 45:59 Dragons Down by Mr. B Games on Kickstarter, inspired by the madness that is Magic Realm 48:35 Feature Game: Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 1998) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 31, 2023 · 1 hr 21 min
#285: Updating the Canon
"'Well, I remember it as though it were an episode ago' Said Walker the Host as he reeled back to clear whatever foreign matter May have nestled its way into his mighty throat Many a poor design had met its demise while staring point-blank down The cavernous barrel of this awesome critical machine Truly a wonder of nature, this urban gamer Walker the Host had many a story to tell And it was a frequent occasion such as this that he did ... 'Say Bigney, do you wanna play games with me? Say, Bigney, do you wanna play games by my side? Ah, Bigney, do you wanna play games with me? Say, Bigney, SAY, BIGNEEEEEY'" -Walker the Host, lesser-known variant of Tommy the Cat (Primus, 1991) 02:12 AYURIS: Bitoku (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2021) Games Played Last Week: 04:32 -Imperial Miners (Tim Armstrong, Portal Games, 2023) 07:34 -Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021) 12:00 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023) 12:39 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023) 16:41 -G.I. JOE Deck-Vuilding Game: New Alliances--A Tranformers Crossover Expansion (Dan Blanchett, Renegade Game Studios, 2023) 21:58 -Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023) 30:33 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023) 33:51 -Messina 1347 (Raúl Fernández Aparicio & Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2021) News (and why it doesn't matter): 40:53 Next Valiant Defense game by David Thompson illustrated by Nils Johansson: Guadalcanal 41:42 Tiny Epic Crimes misallocation shenanigans 42:48 Please support us on Patreon! Or don't, that's cool. Two new bonus episodes coming this week! www.patreon.com/svwag 43:23 Topic: Updating the Canon Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 24, 2023 · 1 hr 17 min
#284: Zoo Vadis
On October 27th, 1962, a man named Vasili Arkhipov saved the world. Literally. Had he not stood up to his commanding officer and refused to launch a nuclear warhead during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the resulting retaliations would have obliterated all human life. Probably the marmosets and gibbons, too. We here at SVWAG think the man deserves a holiday in his honour, especially given that we all owe our lives to him. October 27th is Arkhipov Day. Games Played Last Week: 01:05 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022) 05:56 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023) 25:58 -Louis XIV (Rudiger Dorn, alea, 2005) 29:46 -Terraforming Mars: The Dice Game (Jacob Fryxelius, FryxGames, 2023) 33:26 -Trailblazers (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2023) 37:08 -Argent: Mancers of the University (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2015) 46:06 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022) 48:50 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004) News (and why it doesn't matter): 52:32 Haunted Lands by Ludus Magnus 53:24 Check out sowronggames.com: Searchable episode notes, SVWAG profiles, the Canon, and more! 54:29 Arkhipov Day: Oct. 27th. Celebrate Vasili Arkhipov and his having saved the human race! 55:30 Feature Game: Zoo Vadis (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 17, 2023 · 1 hr 30 min
#283: Calling It a Win
"Somethin' tells me it's all happening at the zoo I do believe it I do believe it's true The monkeys stand for honesty Giraffes are insincere And the elephants are kindly but they're dumb Orangutans are skeptical Of changes in their cages And the zookeeper is very fond of rum Zebras are reactionaries Antelopes are missionaries Pigeons plot in secrecy And hamsters turn on frequently What a gas, you gotta come and see At the zoo" -Simon and Garfunkel, "At the Zoo", clearly written about contemporary board games 01:39 AYURIS: -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021) Games Played Last Week: 04:28 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023) 06:05 -Trolls & Princesses (Pim Thunborg, Game Brewer, 2023) 13:14 -Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021) 17:11 -Neotopia (Orlando Sá and André Santos, Arcane Wonders, 2023) 24:27 -Trailblazers (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2023) 28:21 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022) 34:21 -Whirling Witchcraft (Erik Andersson Sundén, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2021) 37:41 -Cosmoctapus (Henry Audubon, Paper Fort Games, 2023) 40:00 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017) 42:59 -R (Seiji Kanai, Kanai Factory, 2011) 45:46 -Yura Yura Penguin Mini (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-published, 2022) 48:06 -Innovation (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010) 54:25 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021) 55:11 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023) 57:59 -Albedo (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2017) 59:39 -Zoo Vadis (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2023) 1:07:02 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016) News (and why it doesn't matter): 1:10:15 Attribution is incredibly important, especially in new media 1:12:00 Doctor Rat: deduction 1:12:37 International Gamers Awards ceremony: https://www.internationalgamersawards.net/ceremony/2023-ceremony 1:13:23 Warhammer: The Old World is coming back in 2024 1:14:43 Little Plastic Train Company's Deluxe Board Game Train Sets: Wave 2 on Kickstarter 1:15:29 Duel of Ages' redevelopment, Worldspanner: Factions by Brett G Murrell, soon on Kickstarter 1:17:05 Topic: Calling It a Win Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 10, 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
#282: City of the Great Machine
It's all Fat Bear Week and puns this week, both of which share one important characteristic--they have distended, pendulous bellies. Wait, that wasn't it. It's that they are both to be respected for their power and danger. Those people you hear about who try to live with bears always suffer the same fates as the serial deployers of puns, in that they are both found dead and alone. Games Played Last Week: 01:42 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022) 04:45 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021) 08:02 -Can't Stop (Sid Sackson, Playte Games, 2023) 14:23 -Hybris: Disordered Cosmos (Damien Chauvreau, Aurora Game Studio, 2023) 27:38 -Praga Caput Regni (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2020) 28:52 -Fast & Furious: Highway Heist (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2021) 32:32 -Trolls & Princesses (Pim Thunborg, Game Brewer, 2023) 37:06 -Battle Card: Series 1 (Nils Johansson and David Thompson, Postmark Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 40:32 A Study in Emerald 3rd Edition by CMON 41:43 Star Trek: Into the Unknown 43:36 Mythic shamelessly goes in for yet more money, again, for Darkest Dungeon 45:37 Feature Game: City of the Great Machine (German Tikhomirov, CrowD Games, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 3, 2023 · 1 hr 9 min
#281: Games for Mixed Company
We turn to yet another discussion of important issues in boardgaming, this time WE INTERRUPT YOUR SILLY EPISODE NOTES FOR A SERIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT It is fat bear week! The possibility of a US federal government shutdown has been averted, and thus the voting public (even foreigners, we won't tell) may vote on which lorge bois of the ursine variety shall take the prize! For those uninitiated, the US National Park Service runs a bracketed competition to determine the preferred corpulent bear. Note: none of these bears are anthropomorphic, nor have any been inadvisably given projectile weapons. 01:20 AYURIS: Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021) Games Played Last Week: 03:45 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023) 08:23 -3 Ring Circus (Remo Conzadori and Fabio Lopiano, Devir, 2023) 14:36 -Uprising: Curse of the First Age Expansion (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, and Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2023) 16:38 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023) 24:21 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022) 28:42 -Faeries & Magical Creatures (Glenn Drover, Foridden Games, 2023) 34:22 -Aquatica: Cold Waters (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2020) News (and why it doesn't matter): 38:08 GameTrayz making a new folding table 39:49 Renegade reprinting Hasbro designs: Nexus Ops, Vegas Showdown, Risk: 2210 and Risk Godstorm 40:53 Sci-Fi Undaunted! Undaunted 2200: Callisto 42:31 Consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag 43:25 Topic: Games for Mixed Company Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 26, 2023 · 1 hr 21 min
#280: Knarr
Any old person could consult Wikipedia, but only the true elite tune in to SVWAG to hear Walker summarize random boat-related articles for them. It's a power move to rival even the most outrageous exploits of the viking peoples. Games Played Last Week: 00:50 -Faeries & Magical Creatures (Glenn Drover, Foridden Games, 2023) 05:27 -Dogfight! (Carlo A. Rossi, PSC Games, 2023) 09:48 -Ceylon (Chris Zinsli and Suzanne Zinsli, Ludonova, 2018) 12:10 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023) 16:55 -Barrage: The Nile Affair Expansion (Tommaso Battista and Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2022) 22:33 -Jenga Maker (Uncredited, Hasbro, 2022) 25:21 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Waterdeep (Vangelis Bagiartakis and Konstantinos Karagiannis, WizKids, 2023) 27:53 -3 Ring Circus (Remo Conzadori and Favio Lopiano, Devir, 2023) 33:16 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017) 36:39 -Emerge (Adam DeYoung, Pandasaurs Games, 2023) 42:18 -Albedo (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2017) 44:22 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023) 48:24 -Battle Card: Series 1 (Nils Johansson and David Thompson, Postmark Games, 2023) 52:33-Wabash Cannonball (John Bohrer, Rio Grande Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 58:54 Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor expansion contents unboxing and live stream 59:36 New Food Chain Magnate on Gamefound in November by Lucky Duck Games 1:00:52 Second Edition Yokohama (domestic and deluxe) by Synapses Games 1:02:11 Redeveloped Hansa Teutonica with gangster theme being shopped around by Andreas Steding 1:03:05 Ghost in the Shell from River Horse Games coming in 2024 1:03:34 Feature Game: Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices