Garrett's Games And Geekiness

Shelley and I compete to build clay warriors of various types in  Terracotta Army by Przemyslaw Fornal and Adam Kwapinski from Board & Dice as well as sailing the seas and hoping to retain our ship's crew in Bon Voyage by Yusuke Soraji from Colon Arc You can sponsor the podcast by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our extensive list of games for sale here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

This week we take on two very different games that both hurt Shelley's head: Hedgehog's Love Letter by Peke from Takamagahara (check out the awesome art!) and Autobahn by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone from Alley Cat Games & Cranio Creations Sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our extensive list of games for sale here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I tackle a game of many different tracks for advancement in Rise by Remo Conzadori and Marco Pranzo fromCapstone Games and dlp Games then we visit some of the US's beautiful natural wonders in PARKS, along with its Wildlife and Nightfall Expansions, by Henry Audubon and Mattox Shuler from Keymaster Games Sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our list of games for sale here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I get the just-announced (and very cool)  Everdell Farshore by James and Clarissa Wilson from Starling Games to the gaming table this week after discussing two fun new-to-us card games Nana (also known as Trio) by Kaya Miyano from Underdog Games and Cocktail Games and Splito by Romaric Galonnier and Luc Remond from Blam! and MEBO Games Sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or purchase some titles from us that no longer fit on our shelves by checking out our list of games at good prices: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Thanks for your support!

Shelley and I check out two quick card games that our friend Ken brought over to try, then delve more deeply into a heavier game. We started with Boast or Nothing by Yeon-Min Jung from A.ger Games and SUNNY BIRD then used our animal-laden bikes to gain points in Velonimo by Bruno Cathala from 25th Century Games, Asmodee, and MEBO Games then en with something heavier with Bamboo by German P. Millan from Devir You can support the podcast by either sponsoring us at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames, OR check all of the games we have for sale on our Google sheet - good prices for great games! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I check out one of the alternative possibilities for SdJ this week, the co-op game KuZooKa by Leo Colovini from Pegasus Spiele then tackle the new, heavy title about building the Alhambra in Granada Sabika by German Millan from Ludo Nova Remember that you can support the podcast by sponsoring us on www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or you can look at our extensive list of games for sale and purchase some games that no longer fit on our shelves: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I check out the new 1-2 player Uwe Rosenberg title with a dial resource mechanism referencing a couple of his other games in the process: Oranienburger Kanal from Spielworxx Ora et Labora from Lookout Games and Farmerama from Ravensburger Remember that you can help out the podcast as a sponsor at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out the plethora of games to buy on our list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I check out a couple of short, fun games this week as we head into summer vacation: Nimalia by William Liévin from Lucky Duck Games, Blackrock Games and La Boite de Jeu as well as Next Station London by Matthew Dunstan from Blue Orange Games Help out the podcast by sponsoring us at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or purchasing some games from our extensive list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I tackle two games with HUGE stacks of beautifully-illustrated cards as we get environmental in Wingspan Asia by Elizabeth Hargrove from Stonemaier Games and  Earth by Maxime Tardiff from Inside Up Games Sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or buy some games from us: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Quick episode this week as Shel and I have a LOT of work to do as we wrap up our school year (and deal with Shel's announcement in the podcast!). This week we discuss games I've been using with my students as they finish their project earlier than their peers. This week's titles are NMBER9 by Peter Wichmann from ABACUSSPIELE The Game by Steffen Benndorf from NSV and Pandasaurus Games Lander Toppen by Matthias Jünemann from Drei Hasen in der Abendsonne 6 Nimmt by Wolfgang Kramer from Amigo Finito! by Hartmut Kommerell from Schmidt Spiele You can help keep this podcast rolling along to Episode 900 and beyond by sponsoring us at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out the list of games on the Google Sheet, pick a few, and we can work out a deal for me to send them to you (or we can arrange a pick up if you're local). https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

This week Shelley and I get our pens out and check out Joan of Arc - Orleans Draw & Write by Reiner Stockhausen and Ryan Hendrickson from Capstone Games then wrap our heads around re-populating and revitalizing a future Earth in Revive by Kristian Ostby, Helge Meissner, Anna Wermlund, and Eilif Svensson from Aporta Games Remember that you can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or get some fantastic games headed your way by purchasing off our extensive list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I return to the savannah in preparation for a trip to a different park this week, first getting  Savannah Park by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling from Deep Print Games and Capstone Games to the table. We talked about it first on Episode 811, then again on our Top Tens of 2021 in Episode 816. Then we get the new park to the table as well: Caldera Park by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling from Deep Print Games and Pegasus Spiele

Shelley and I discuss our last LeiriaCon game  Wandering Towers by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling from Capstone Games and Abacusspiele then we talk about a gorgeous game we discussed in Episode 807 as we get it and its expansion back to the table: Meadow plus its brand new Downstream Expansion by Klemens Kalicki from Rebel and Asmodee Remember that you can help keep this podcast running by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or you can buy some games at reasonable prices from our extensive list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

This week, we grab Rôla, co-designer with Costa (whom we spoke to last week) and talk more about LeiriaCon, game design, and the games we play. Some of his designs include Dom Pierre Café Moesteiro Yinzi Lata Stephens If you have a chance to sponsor the podcast, please do so at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or you can check out our list of games for sale here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Costa (1/2 of the design team of Rola and Costa) and Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro (1/2 of the Paulo Soledade and Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro design team) join Shelley and me on the mics for a discussion of conventions, game design and philosophy, and this hobby and industry we love. The Rola & Costa team have designed such games as Dom Pierre Moesteiro Café Yinzi as well as the forthcoming Lata and Stephens Paulo and Nuno are responsible for Madeira Nippon Arraial Panamax La Stanza Reis de Portugal To hear more from these designers' partners in design, check out episode 875 in which we talk with Paulo, or next week's Episode 878 when we get Rola on the mics. Remember you can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or purchase some games from us for your own shelves which we can ship to you: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I took a break from playing games at LeiriaCon to discuss our impressions of three of the titles we had a chance to peruse for at least 1 play. Take these with a grain of salt, but these were our impressions of Beer and Bread by Scott Almes from Deep Print Games, Capstone Games, and Pegasus Spiele Shinkansen: Zero Kei by Isra C. and Shei S. from Ludonova and Tesla Games Garden Nation by Remi Saunier and Nathalie Saunier from Bombyx, Board Game Circus, and Maldito Games You can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or buy some titles from our extensive list which we can send to you: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Paulo Soledade joins us at LeiriaCon on the mics and over a decent bottle of wine as we talk about the convention, Portugal's annual board game award, game design - including Madeira and Nippon, two of his co-designs - and some of his favorite games, including Imperial. We had a great time talking and hope you enjoy the conversation. 

This week Shelley and I report for the first of a number of episodes from LieriaCon in Portugal - a fantastic gaming convention that we attended in March. We will have some interviews with organizers and designers in the coming weeks, but this week it's two of the games we had a chance to play: My Shelfie by Phil Walker-Harding and Matthew Dunstan from Cranio Creations and Mille Fiori by Dr. Reiner Knizia from Schmidt Spiele and Devir Remember that you can support the podcast by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our list of games that deserve to be on your shelf (for excellent prices!): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I head to Medici-run central Italy and attempt to gain favor with those in power in  Florence by Dean Morris from Braincrack Games, as well as Giant Roc and Maldito Games then we head into deep space where our competing ships attempt to settle a new planet and make use of Alien Tech in Alien Frontiers Edition X by Tory Niemann from Starling Games Remember you can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or you can help us find new shelves for some games that no longer fit on our own by purchasing a few from our extensive list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

I had a week off in February, so while Shelley was at work one day, I spent part of my day on a Google Meet call with the wonderful Tony Boydell - designer of such games as Snowdonia, Lux Aeterna, Alubari: A Nice Cup of Tea, Race the Rails, and - of course - Scandaroon! We discuss his past designs, creating a brand new Museum of Board Games, and some of the games he's playing currently. It's a wide-ranging discussion - we had a great time, and hope you enjoy it!  And if you're able to sponsor the podcast, you can do that in two ways: either on Patreon: www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR by purchasing games from our list of games that need to find new homes: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing