Garrett's Games And Geekiness

Shelley and I tackle both ends of the gaming weight spectrum this week with a small-box, 2-player-only younger brother to a modern classic Splendor Duel by Marc André and Bruno Cathala from Space Cowboys then we dive into the deep end for the latest heavy title from a designer known for making out brains work Woodcraft by Vladimir Suchy and Ross Arnold from Delicious Games Thanks to our main sponsor this week - LeiriaCon! Taking place March 23-26 on the west coast of Portugal, this conventionhas been on Shelley and my bucket list and we're so glad we can attend this year. Join us! https://www.spielportugal.org/leiriacon/leiriacon-2023 Also, you can sponsor the podcast yourself at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR buy a game or two from us - check out this extensive list of games that need find a new home: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I tackle a couple of smaller-box, medium weight games that we loved. First we create groves of apple trees in Applejack by Uwe Rosenberg from The Game Builders then we head to the beach in Hawaii and claim the best spots with our multi-colored towels in Maui by Frank Crittin, Gregoire Largey, and Sebastien Pauchon from Next Move Games Thanks to our sponsor this week - LEIRIACON! Taking place form March 23 - 26, join us on the west coast of Portugal for four days of gaming goodness. Here's the link to the website for all of the information: https://www.spielportugal.org/leiriacon/leiriacon-2023 Also, you can support the podcast directly at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames Finally, if you're looking for a game or two to check out, why not support the podcast by buying something from us? Here's the link to our Google Sheet with a list of games we have for sale. Make us an offer! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I tackle two ends of the complexity spectrum in this week's episode, loving every minute of both experiences. On the less complicated, family-friendly end of the spectrum, we try out Everdell's little sibling My Lil' Everdell by James A. and Clarissa A. Wilson then we get much more complex, but in wonderful ways, as we make champagne in Dom Pierre by Rola and Costa from R&R Games and Pile Up Games  Remember that you can support the podcast by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or checking out our games for sale on this document:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit#gid=0  

Shelley and I check out the GORGEOUS Collector's Edition of  Everdell by James A Wilson from Starling Games in preparation for our review of the brand new My Lil Everdell next week. But before that we fix our erroneous ways by doing a re-review of  Dandelions by Takashi Sakaue from BoardgameTables.com (which is now Allplay)

Shelley and I compete as rival dog walkers, trying to increase our reputation and walk the best breeds of dog in Dog Park by Lottie and Jack Hazell from Birdwood Games then we head up to the Sierras and into one of the most beautiful places on the planet to get great photos in Yosemite by Tim Blank from WizKids

Shelley and I research amazing women throughout history in HerStory by Nick Bentley, Danielle Reynolds, and Emerson Matsuuchi from Underdog Games and then get abstract as we fulfill tasks and race to get rid of our markers first in Framework by Uwe Rosenberg from Edition Spielwiese and Pegasus Spiele

This week Shelley and I become restauranteurs in Paris, competing for space for our tables on the square in  Dinner in Paris by The Trolls from Funnyfox (via Lautapelit.fl) then we head to Greece to rebuild our own cities in Akropolis by Jules Messaud from Gigamic  You can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or even help us AND you by purchasing a game from us that no longer fits on the shelves. Here's the link to the list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

Shelley and I take a trip up the peninsula to "The City By The Bay" for two different San Francisco titles: Ticket to Ride San Francisco by Alan Moon from Days of Wonder as well as San Francisco by Reiner Knizia from Rebel Studio You can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or even help us AND you by purchasing a game from us that no longer fits on the shelves. Here's the link to the list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I check out the co-op expansion for Stonemaier Game's Viticulture and Tuscany - one of our favorite titles - called  Viticulture World by Mihir Shah and Francesco Testini, with original designers Jamey Stegmaier and Alan Stone then we get into the wayback machine an enjoy getting  Showmanager by Dirk Henn from Queen Games back to the table - the original which has been re-released as Atlantic Star and then again as Show Manager Remember that you can help support the podcast by going onto Patreon and becoming a patron - www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR  buy a game from our extensive 'these no longer fit on the shelf' list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I get some newer games to the table (I promise some Essen releases soon!): First, we head to Australia and take A Walk in the Park by David Harding from Grail Games Then we head back in time to rebuild our cities in Thera by Zach Hoekstra from Mr. B Games and L4 Studios Remember you can support the podcast (especially with the holidays upon us) by buying a game we no longer have room for on our shelves. Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Or help us out by becoming a Patron on Patreon: www.patreon.com/garrettsgames  

Shelley and I wrap up our Meeplefest episodes and we drop right back in to our discussion of expansions and their effect on the games we play, then discuss some of those perennial facorites that Tom & Joe love getting back on the table. Joining us are Tom Lehmann - Race for the Galaxy, Roll for the Galaxy, Dice Realms, Res Arcana and  Joe Huber - Caravan, Blue Skies, Ice Cream, Scream Machine, Burger Joint Some of the other games mentioned throughout the podcast are Princes of Florence Carcassonnee Terraforming Mars Tichu Can't Stop Advanced Civilization Euphrat & Tigris (Tigris & Euphrates) Yellow and Yangtze Triumph and Tragedy Conquest and Consequence Mare Mediterraneum Remember you can support the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out the games we have for sale at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  - just pay the reasonable cost and shipping, and you'll have new games for you arriving on your doorstep.

Shelley and I continue our discussion of design, play-testing, and how expansions find their way into a designer's repertoire with Tom and Joe. Joining us are Tom Lehmann - Race for the Galaxy, Roll for the Galaxy, Dice Realms, Res Arcana and  Joe Huber - Caravan, Blue Skies, Ice Cream, Scream Machine, Burger Joint Also mentioned: Splotter Spellen and Jeroen Doumen, one of their primary designers.

Shelley and I get the mics set up around the boardroom table once again, but this time it's a more intimate and deep discussion with just a couple other great people and designers: Tom Lehmann: Dice Realms, Race for the Galaxy, Res Arcana, Fast Food Franchise, Throneworld Joe Huber: Blue Skies, Caravan, Starship Merchants, Scream Machine, Ice Cream, Burger Joint If you would like to sponsor the podcast, go to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames. You can also get some great games at excellent prices by checking out our games for sale on this Google Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Let me know what you're interested in and we can figure out postage. Your presents will then wend their way to you!

Continuing our discussion of games and design that began last week, this time design is more of the focus as the wine continues to flow. Guests include Matt Leacock - Pandemic, Pandemic Legacy, Daybreak, Era: Medieval Age, Forbidden Island, Roll Through The Ages, Thunderbirds Joe Huber - Blue Skies, Caravan, Scream Machine, Starship Merchants, Burger Joint Simon Hunt - Pick & Pack, Take Stock Scott Caputo - Whistle Stop, Whistle Mountain, Sorcerer City, The One Hundred Torii, Kachina, Voluspa Kris Hunt Greg Zamira  and others  Help support the podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon: www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or help us out, get a cool game, and make space for new stuff for us to review by buying something off our for sale Google list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Thanks for your support!

Meeplefest is BACK! After two years away, Shelley and I once again convene the roundtable discussion. In part 1 we discuss the effects of COVID on our gaming and begin a discussion of game design and publishing as well. Joining us on this episode and next week's are Matt Leacock - Pandemic, Pandemic Legacy, Daybreak, Era: Medieval Age, Forbidden Island, Roll Through The Ages, Thunderbirds Joe Huber - Blue Skies, Caravan, Scream Machine, Starship Merchants, Burger Joint Simon Hunt - Pick & Pack, Take Stock Scott Caputo - Whistle Stop, Whistle Mountain, Sorcerer City, The One Hundred Torii, Kachina, Voluspa Kris Hunt Greg Zamira  and others  Support the podcast by buying one of our games! Here's the list of we have for sale at reasonable prices: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Thanks for checking it out!

Shelley and I dip our toes once again into the Essen Wantlist this week, but start by looking at another recent Kickstarter arrival The Gardens by Matthew Dunstan and Brett J. Gilbert from Grail Games Remember you can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames  or you can purchase a game from our extensive list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Here's the list of Essen games discussed: Evergreen (Horrible Guild) The Great Split (Horrible Guild) Make It Happen (Indie Boards & Cards) Galenus (Ion Game Design) Discordia (Irongames) HITSTER (Jumbo) Expedition (Korea Boardgames Co.) Nirvana (Korea Boardgames Co.) Targi: Die Bonus-Box (KOSMOS) Nimalia (La Boite de Jeu) Tribes of the Wind (La Boite de Jeu) Atiwa (Lookout Games) 1998 ISS (Looping Games) Fantasy Pub 2nd Ed (Looping Games) Precognition (Ludonaute) Air Mail (Ludonova) Sabika (Ludonova) Deities (Mandoo Games) Evora (MEBO Games) YIMBY (Mondainai) Maui (Next Move Games) Town

Shelley and I dive into the first part of my Essen Wantlist this week, but start by looking at a recent Kickstarter arrival Keystone: North America by Jeffrey Joyce and Isaac Vega from Rose Gauntlet Entertainment Then it's Part 1 of my Essen "Interested" list (in alphabetical order based on publisher - list below). Remember you can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or you can purchase a game from our extensive list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Here is the list of games: Findorff (2-F Spiele) The Council of Shadows (alea) Puerto Rico 1897 (alea) Autobahn (Alley Cat Games) Eternal Palace (Alley Cat Games) Armadillo (AMIGO) Dice Hunters of Therion (AMIGO) Sauscharf (AMIGO) Revive (Aporta Games) Castles of Mad King Ludwig: Collector's Edition (Bezier Games) Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition (Bezier Games) Sync or Swim (Bezier Games) FIKA (Board Game Circus) Garden Nation (Board Game Circus) Oros (Board Game Circus) Founders

Shelley and I head to the airport and build our airline companies in 2020's Blue Skies by Joe Huber from Rio Grande Games then we head back to 2010 and become cat people for some unknown reason in Felinia by Michael Schacht from Matagot and Asmodee  which has been recently republished in 2019with some tweaks as Dragon Boats of the Four Seas from Maple Games

Shelley and I have a great time with two more Japanese titles, one of which is more readily available than the other, though both are worthy new titles that we need to get on our own shelves...in fact, many thanks to a BGG user who was willing to trade for his copy of Pastiche! Exhaust by Hisashi Hayashi from OKAZU Brand and Pastiche: Birth of a Masterpiece by Rikkati from Twins Lion Do You can support the podcast by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or purchasing one of our many offerings on our always updating Games For Sale list. Just buy a game or two, pay the shipping, and it will wind up on your doorstep! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing  

Shelley and I play a couple of very different but excellent dice games this week Dice Realms by Tom Lehmann from Rio Grande Games and  Dandelions by Takashi Sakaue from Boardgametables.com Remember that you can support the podcast by making a small donation at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or by buying one (or some) of the games on our Games For Sale list. Pay the shipping and it can arrive on your doorstep. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing