Punching Cardboard

Well, it's that time of year, the time when everyone climbs all over everyone else to get their Top 10 lists up and running. We're no different here at the PCP, so we have some lists for you too. However, we are different enough to put a little spin on the exercise. So,  mainly because we've yet to play all the major 2014 releases, here are the top games we played for the first time in 2014.

Yeah, bet you didn't see that coming.

Of course, rather than keep it simple, we throw other lists at you first: Disappointments, games that need to be played more, honorable mentions. In other words, we talk about a lot of games in this one. Help you somebody!

GENERAL TIMELINESS:

08:20 -- What We're Doing
09:00 -- Friendless Stats
10:48 -- Disappointments
26:27 -- Need More Plays
44:35 -- Honorable Mentions
64:17 -- The Top 10 Games We Played For the First Time in 2014

Direct download: PCP_053_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 5:09pm PDT

Over two long play sessions we've decided the fate of post-war Germany five times over, and we've survived to tell the tale. Just how good is Histogame's Wir Sind Das Volk!, and can it rise above GMT's cold war competition? Can these game designers take the ridiculous and make it sublime? Will we come to grips with the whisky is rated? Why is the sky blue?

Join us on this magical journey back to the middle of the 20th Century and find out. Mostly.

SHOWTIMES:

00:42 -- BenRiach 10 Year-old Curiositas
02:57 -- Ratings: Theirs, Ours and Everyone's
09:30 -- Wir Sind Das Volk! (very full review)

Direct download: PCP_052_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 9:47am PDT

We're a little low-key early on in this one, but there's nothing like Feld mechanics to raise the temperature of a discussion. Come along to a quiet little city on the Zwin. Or even better, join us for some Dim Sum in 1960s New York City.

TIMESCAPES

03:05 -- When Things Go Bad #2
06:50 -- Jim plays Uwe, WHA????
21:38 -- Temporum, a brief note
24:45 -- Setup? This is about setup???
28:45 -- The Feld Throwdown begins
30:30 -- Featuring the Bruges Expansion (review)
53:05 -- Expansions?
60:45 -- Chinatown (review)
76:10 -- Age of Steam
83:00 -- Lethargy Incorporated

Direct download: PCP_051_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 10:56am PDT

Episode 50! A Milestone. We've got special guests and previews of secret upcoming games by all-star designers and marching bands and . . . well, none of that really. Just Jim and Eric pontificating about some games they've played. But that's what you came for, right? Right? Hello?

THE TIMES (ARE A CHANGIN')

01:35 -- What to put under the tree
07:30 -- How could we forget Imperial Settlers?
08:35 -- Meh (Five Tribes)
13:12 -- Meh 2 (La Isla)
19:49 -- And fill the stockings too.
21:25 -- La Granja (full review)

Direct download: PCP_050_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:05pm PDT

You do not mess around with Sandra. If she wants something, she wants it now, and you hop to. And don't try impressing here with your fifth upgraded part when she's only interested in the first three. She doesn't have time. Just make sure you're working enough shifts and pushing those cars through in a timely order to facilitate the Automotive Revolution.

But if you want an escape you can always go to Greenland. In 1200 AD. Find yourself a fine Norse woman and settle down a while. Watch out for sharks.

TIMELINE:

01:23 -- Auchentoshan
03:38 -- Productive Gaming & the Sheriff of Nottingham
10:43 -- More Castles for the Mad King
14:40 -- Twilight Imperium III forever, and ever, and ever. . . . 
18:20 -- A Word about Streamlining
19:40 -- Kanban: Automotive Revolution (review)
38:26 -- Greenland (review)

Direct download: PCP_049_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:54am PDT

And here we are, on the last episode of our first season. Welcome. This, I believe, is also our longest episode as well (something I could look up, but if you've been listening, you know . . . ).

We discuss many, many things in this episode, including a trip to Stonemaier Games' Design Day event, United Airlines' complete incompetence (Save one beautiful soul) and a bunch of games played. Long reviews of Panamax and Castles of Mad King Ludwig included for your listening pleasure.

We do rant and ramble a bit, but we think some of it is quite entertaining, and Jim's story of his journey back from St. Louis ends with hope for us all.

THE TIMES:

3:15 -- Stonemaier Design Day
8:05 -- Horse and Pony Show
14:00 -- RANT! De-icing and the redemption of humanity
23:00 -- Asmodee: The New Electronic Arts?
25:00 -- More St. Louis Shout-outs.
28:30 -- Eric plays Brass and Cosmic Encounter
31:10 -- The Ty Wyman Memorial Cup, Race 2 (Thunder Alley)
33:07 -- Review: Panamax!
68:00 -- Review: Castles of Mad King Ludwig
91:25 -- Queen Corrects Greed MSRP

Direct download: PCP_048_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:59pm PDT

You wanted it. We promised it. Then you waited for it. And now it is here! The COIN series comes to the Punching Cardboard Podcast. And this episode is so big that good ol' T.C. returns to help carry the weight of this series.

We discuss some other games as well, and yeah, well, for the better part of an hour: COIN!!!

TIMES

3:20 -- Our never ending Kill Shakespeare update
8:03 -- Our Machi Koro impressions
10:49 -- What's been on our tables
11:30 -- Panamax 1st impression
16:32 -- Munchkin Deluxe? not really
17:20 -- Segue
19:08 -- A little Cosmic Encounter
20:05 -- How to Concentrate in Vinhos
22:25 -- COIN series featuring Fire in the Lake

Direct download: PCP_047_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:35pm PDT

We spend some time with some lighter fare and end up running all over the place in this episode. Kickstarters delivered late. Over-priced games. Greed. GreedSushi Go wrongly compared with 7 Wonders (I mean, come on!). Games where red cards win. More 7s. Games with shoddy components. Etc.

TIMELINE:

9:05 -- quick take on Trains: Rising Sun
10:52 -- IDW bungles Kill Shakespeare
21:50 -- Greed (Queen games bungles)
33:50 -- Card Drafting (7 Wonders, Seasons, etc.)
50:57 -- Red7
52:20 -- She didn't realize it was Carl Chudyk
54:34 -- Back to Red7

Direct download: PCP_046_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:04pm PDT

With Essen 2014 in the rear view mirror we take a look at the games we will be pursuing. Two lists, five items on each, 10 games that at least one of us will own even if home equity lines of credit are needed.

And then there are all the games that didn't make our lists that we're just not gonna buy. Nope, no way, no chance, only in an emergency, only if they look really great, or good, or at least appear in some physical form at our friendly local game store. But truly, other than that . . . .

TIMESTAMP:

2:18 -- Lagoon 1st Impression
5:30 -- Essen post-view
6:40 -- Deus
12:00 -- Wir Sind Das Volk (We are the People)
15:45 -- Samurai Spirit
20:25 -- Kanban: Automotive Revolution
26:28 -- Aquasphere
32:15 -- Arkwright
39:09 -- Mythotopia
44:20 -- Colt Express
51:20 -- Greenland
64:32 -- The Castles of Mad King Ludwig
68:58 -- Notables from our long lists

Direct download: PCP_045_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:28pm PDT

Welcome to episode 44, the episode in which we were going to discuss GMT's Fire in the Lake.  Yup, we're all set to get that one on tape, but circustances continue to prove they are far from within our control as Eric is stranded at work, and even though we've recruited our friend T.C. to join the fun, we are unable to get things rolling.

Plan B. Guest host? check. Other games to chat about? check. Electricity? check. Single malt whisky? check. Alrighty then, Fire in the Lake and COIN to be pushed back again. Fire up the chatter about Ars VictorDead of Winter and Here I Stand. Enjoy.

Direct download: PCP_044_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:45pm PDT

Before we get to the games on the table this week we want to take a moment to let you know that from October 1st through October 8th we will be proud participants in the 2014 Stonemaier Charity Auction. Stonemaier Games will be auctioning off nine supreme copies of Euphoria, including extra bells and whistles like Game Trayz inserts, pairing each game with a different blogger/podcaster. Each blogcaster will be choosing a charity that will receive 50% of bid for that particular copy. The blogcaster with the largest amount bid will see the entire amount sent to it's charity. The Charity we have chosen is the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. We have much more information about this on the podcast, and you can click the links above (or below) to find out even more. And keep an eye out for tweets to keep you updated as the week progresses.

We also get to some games, taking a first look at Spanish farming in La Granja and a full look at gun-fighting in the Doomtown corral. And we even discuss the reviewing of games in general, something sparked by recent reviews of a Kicstarter game called Lagoon. Follow the timeline below for all the goodness.

1:55 -- Stonemaier Charity Auction
10:40 -- La Granja
31:20 -- Review Fight!
50:45 -- Doomtown: Reloaded

Charity Links:

https://bbrfoundation.org/
http://stonemaiergames.com/2014-charity-auction/

Direct download: PCP_043.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:27am PDT

What's wrong with us?

In opposition to those poorly received games we like, our guilty pleasures, there must be games that are well-loved and critically acclaimed which elude our ability to enjoy. Right? Surely.

We spend the Lion's share of this episode discussing games that, despite their acknowledged goodness, one of us is unable to like. It was a fun, maddening discussion, and we hope you'll enjoy it, or at least tell us why we're wrong. Because we are wrong.  Very, Very wrong.

Timestamps:

2:55 -- Kickstarted Games Update
17:10 -- Anticipated Games
23:05 -- What's Wrong With Us
25:48 -- Tzolk'in
31:55 -- Shogun
44:47 -- Brass
50:00 -- Suburbia
54:13 -- Le Havre
61:10 -- Honorable Mentions

Direct download: PCP_042_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:47am PDT

This is one action packed episode, chock full of opinions about games old and new. Games of all types. Card games, war games, Euro games. You like laying tiles? Yup, we talk about those too.

It's a long one, so here's a menu in case we're talking about anything you want to skip:

3:39 -- The Arran Malt Whisky (cask strength)
4:27 -- Doomtown: Reloaded
13:25 -- Fire in the Lake
24:00 -- Will we be playing Five Tribes?
27:20 -- Clearance!
28:15 -- The Castles of Burgundy
33:15 -- Ginkgopolis
41:50 -- Seasons
48:45 -- Quantum
59:15 -- Istanbul
103:45 -- Legacy: The Testament of Duke DeCrecy

Direct download: PCP_041_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:41pm PDT

There is always special satisfaction in grabbing an item off a clearance table and finding it to be something of real value. Even better when said item is a worker placement game that you will be able to enjoy many times over.

What's He Building in There? is such a game, a fairly straight forward exercise in placing workers, but with a theme that makes us smile as we place them. Find out just how much fun we had building our doomsday machines in this week's episode.

Direct download: PCP_040_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:55pm PDT

This week we're arming Orcs and Elves and hobgoblins, all in the name of making more money. More moola. No prestige or honor, just cold hard cash.

Battle Merchants allows you to get you "Lord of War" on and we're gonna discuss just how much fun that is.  As if you expected anything else.

Direct download: PCP_039_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:47pm PDT

The imperials are here, and they are settling!

It seems like you have to wait forever to access games that debut at the big cons (Panamax anyone?), but a GenCon release lands in the Pacific Northwest just days after its debut in Indianapolis, so we're here to tell you about it.

Portal Games has gotten copies of Imperial Settlers to market, to stores, to shelves, and more importantly, to us. Yes! Imperial Settlers is ours, and we're playing the something out of it.  Tune in here to see what we think.

Direct download: PCP_038_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:11pm PDT

This episode finds us doing a rare preview for a game yet to see publication: Galaxy of Trian. We put the basic game of this lovely galaxy through it's paces and teleport back to tell you what we think. Bear in mind, we are working with a prototype of the final game and things may change.

Since we are doing a preview/review we should also say our stance regarding previews is simple: (spoilers) If someone sends us a demo or prototype and asks us to give it a review, we will play it and if we like it we may do a show about it.  If we don't, we won't.  And when we say "like it," we mean we would put it into rotation with the published games we are playing at that time. Phew.

Direct download: PCP_037_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 4:36pm PDT

Potato Man! Port Royal! Gem Rush!

Yes, little games are people too. Or sometimes you just want to play a bunch of short, satisfyingly simple games.

So we get down with some quick, light fillers, two of which are not yet available in the U.S., but we do have an international audience, so we talk about them anyway. And did we say Potato Man!

Direct download: PCP_036_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:54pm PDT

Despite what we say on the podcast this is indeed episode 35.  The number of this episode shall be 35 and none other, etc., etc.

And in this episode we offer up a little Carl Chudyk action by discussing two of his more recent inventions, Innovation and Impulse. Listen in to see where we come down on strategic, chaotic card play and wild momentum swings.

Direct download: PCP_035_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:40am PDT

We could care less about NASCAR, or Indy car, or Motorcross, or F1, or any other type of real world contest where people climb into or on machines and go fast, and yet here we are looking at a game that just might be the first legitimate contender for the best game of 2014.

There is nothing overly complex or unique about Thunder Alley; however, it's card driven mechanics and bring the field with you strategies result in an experience that's just fun. Simple fun.  Oh, and it's exciting too.

Step inside, we'll tell you more.

Direct download: PCP_034_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 4:09pm PDT

You've got 3 corps, 22 cards, air support at the ready, some gas, ammo and food, and there's absolutely no way you're ever getting across the Rhine. No Way! None. Keiner!

And so what. Who needs to beat a game to win it, or enjoy it. You just need to beat the person you're playing with, and that can be done. Oh yeah!  

So this is our story of 1944: Race to the Rhine. Listen in and maybe you can find the way to get across the Rhine in time. Enjoy the journey.

Direct download: PCP_033_final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:14am PDT

This episode finds us doing our first preview, this for Chris Handy's Pack-O-Game. These games come in boxes that resemble your old-fashioned Wrigley's pack of gum; however, it's pretty certain that the flavor contained within lasts longer.

We also take a look at the deck builder Valley of the Kings, a game that lets you plan for your own afterlife.

All this, and a special appearance by Lemmy.

Direct download: PCP_032_final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:17pm PDT

This is the episode in which we tell you, dear listener, what games you can get to the table when gaming with your casual or non-gamer wife.

Though we specify "wife", we would expect that the strategies contained herein would also work with non-gamer husbands and partners, but as the only married people on this podcast are men, we only have experience with wives, hence the specificity of . . . ah hell, just apply these ideas to anyone you know and if it doesn't work, see title above.

Thank you for your support.

Direct download: PCP_031_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 10:40pm PDT

Who could blame you if you thought this episode was about the Star Wars: X-Wing miniatures game?  I mean, we head down that road until abruptly switching gears into a review of Helios. To be fair, that was our intention from the beginning.

Mmmmm, pie.

Direct download: PCP_030_final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:51am PDT

It's one episode before 30 (will there be a 30?) and we've decided to give some underplayed and undervalued games some love.

This is a long episode, which starts with a discussion about reviewing games and gives a little insight on how we approach this podcast.  For our discussion proper we each choose 3 games and reveal them in order. Here's a rough idea of when we actually get to the games.

Number 3 choices -- @ 20 minute mark
Number 2 choices -- @ 43 minute mark
Number 1 choices -- @ 65 minute mark

Direct download: PCP_029_Final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 3:45pm PDT

You have a bazillion different cards that can hit the board and 8 rounds to create a Civilization.  What will yours look like?  It's episode 28 and we're talking Nations!

And we . . . will . . . not . . . compare . . . aaahhhh!  Who're we kiddin', there's no self control in this group.

Direct download: PCP_028_Final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:10am PDT

This is a long one, but we start off having a really good time before we get down to the dissection.

Spoiler: Eric rates Terra Mystica a 10, and he says it's the top game he's ever played. Can we talk him down from the mountain?

And because no one has ever wanted to know, we ask the question: Led Zeppelin or Metallica? Hint: Zep is the correct answer.

Direct download: PCP_027.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 5:19pm PDT

On tour again, back in the power trio format! We ship ourselves to the Portuguese colony of Madeira, where we encounter wild grapes, free range wheat and unprocessed sugar. And lots of wood.  

Yep, it's a Euro game and we have punched the cardboard and pushed the wood.  Is Madeira the best of the 2013 Essen crop?  Listen on.

Direct download: PCP_026.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 2:18pm PDT

What creates depth in a board game? Is it a complexity of mechanics? A heavy coat of theme? Level 10 armor? Cows? A fair amount to drink?

Listen in and see if we can figure it out as we discuss some recent releases that are simple to play but offer more than meets the eye, or brain.

Direct download: PCP_025_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 2:50am PDT

Everything old is new again as Eric makes his triumphant return to the podcast.  In this episode we take a long look at playing with our . . . by, by ourselves, and we talk about some of the games that lend themselves well to this endeavor.

Mainly we discuss what everyone in the know already knows about Mage Knight, but we do it in a charming and entertaining fashion.  Just go with it.

Direct download: PCP_024_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 1:20pm PDT

I am a Samurai warrior, going it alone for episode 23.  One must do what one has to in order to keep to schedule, and I must talk to myself for 30 minutes (I can't believe I went on for 30 Minutes).

Anyway, what follows is a fairly comprehensive review of Sekigahara: The Unification of Japan.

Direct download: PCP_023_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 4:48pm PDT

Hello and welcome to cross-stitching 101.  

Okay, not really, but we are going off into the world of the Arts with today's podcast arguing (and we mean arguing) over the qualities of a little game called Bruxelles 1893.

Listen in to find out what we think about schmoozing patrons at the theater and building fancy works of art. Hint: we disagree.

Direct download: PCP_022_Final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 2:06pm PDT

A special Friday posting to get the blood flowing. Here, after a very heartfelt and reasoned coffee discussion, we delve into round two of our Game of Tournamentsand take a side trip on the Tokaido road.

With new rules in place in this ever morphing contest we hope to get you, dear listener, involved in the action. We will posting the second round match-ups over the next few days. Please head over to our BGG blog and partake in the adventure that is the Game of Tournaments.

Direct download: PCP_021_final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:14pm PDT

We answer viewer mail in this episode.  Well, we respond to a question posed by one of our listeners.  Same thing, really.  No?

Okay, fine, so we have no viewers, but we do ramble on a little about viewing bad TV game shows, so something somewhere has been viewed.

Anyway (and I say this too many times in this episode), after quite a bit of banter to open the show we decide to address the question of whether collectible editions are good for the hobby. Are they?

And, oh yeah, those are old school Netrunner cards in that photo.

Direct download: PCP_020_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 1:56pm PDT

Seeing as Russia has taken over the world's headlines (and not yet the world) we decide to get all topical up in this house and revisit the new version of an old game that we played a while ago.  The game is set in a Russia's second city, which is how we get all topical.

We also give The Agents another shout out and then because we like you we cut this episode short and leave you with more time in your day to find something fun to do.  You're welcome.

Direct download: PCP_019_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 10:39am PDT

Let me just say this: It's just not nice to kill somebody's dragon before he's had any time to get to know that dragon.  Giants, go for it, but leave the poor dragon alone.

We play a couple rounds of Rune Wars and a few other American style games, and we survive to tell the tale.  Unfortunately someone didn't let Ralph live long enough to tell any tales.  Mean. Just plain mean.

Direct download: PCP_018_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:34am PDT

Spring Break is over and we are back to talk about board game expansions.

What do they add to game play?  Are they worth it? Why such a big box? That little box is cute.  Where the hell is the Trains expansion?  I don't like these giants. You're sacrificing who to whom? You got your Carcassone in my Keyflower!

We want Trains, expanded!

Direct download: PCP_017_Final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 11:58pm PDT

Firstly, we really like this episode and feel we were actually good this time out.  B, we apologize for the length as we were so busy being good that we ignored the timer we set to constrain ourselves. Well, not so much ignored as spat in the face of the timer.

In our longest episode to date (and hopefully ever) we announce our Game of Tournaments, review The Agents, and dissect the Kickstarter experience. We do a lot of dissection here.

So please enjoy our novel length show and watch for our Game of Tournaments post announcing the 16 games that will be competing for the Unplaced Worker award.

Direct download: PCP_016.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:36am PDT

It's a Cramer fest!

This week we discuss the merits of making Scotch whisky for clansmen up in Scotland, fighting France for the favor of King Henry, and sewing dresses for the French socialites we just, um, conquered for said King, while drinking the whisky we made, because, well, why make it if you're not going to drink it, and will this sentence ever stop running?!?

What we're trying to say is we look at several games designed by Matthias Cramer. Maybe we should stop drinking.

Direct download: PCP_015_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 1:45pm PDT

Yes, this was it: our show about nothing, our Seinfeld episode.  See what the critics have to say.

"Not since the Pop-O-Matic have we been so enthralled." ~ Gerbil Monthly
"Is this going on the air?" ~ Justin Bieber
"It was a discussion." ~ BBC 13
"A few thoughts were completed." ~ The Journal of Non-Sequitur Dining
"Frank Turner will never hang out with them." ~ Tattoo Weekly

We promise to be much better next time out.

Direct download: PCP_014_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 10:06pm PDT

If you thought that when humans set up a colony on Mars we would have a group of industrious scientists working to unlock the secrets of the red planet, you were wrong.  According to Travis R. Chance, we humans will do what we do best once we colonize Mars: Exploit and corrupt everything.

We cover the excellent game Infamy on this week's show, and we get a little help from our friend Craige, who has recently become a hardcore analog game addict.  He must've taken too much compound in his younger days.

Direct download: PCP_013_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 9:16pm PDT

Episode 12 - No Need to Dumb it Down

Really, you're sitting there with Candyland spread out on the table and the Wiggles on your stereo?  Oh, the humanity!

Save Yourself!  

Trust that your kids can handle something more, something deeper, something that makes you less likely to pack it all in. Throw Galaxy Trucker on the table and Magical Mystery Tour on the turntable (what, no turntable!?!?), and watch your children come alive.

Direct download: PCP_012_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 11:14pm PDT

Beware, low energy conversation ahead!  

The dog days of August are an exaggeration.  It's the dog days of February that really get ya, and as our energy wanes we attempt an intelligent and critical discussion of Russian Railroads.  

Maybe Monday night isn't the best time to record. 

Direct download: PCP_011_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 1:36am PDT

Jim loses his bet that we wouldn't make it to episode 10.  We solve the mystery of the infamous Segway death.  And we discuss our first Kickstarter game, which propels us into a dystopian future that makes utopias look pretty lame.  

Plus, we give Canadians heck for sending us their garbage musicians while keeping the good stuff for themselves.

Where else will you hear "The commodity tokens are adorable."

Direct download: PCP_010_final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:11pm PDT

Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized bone catapults or one bone-catapult-shaped duck?  

Or, as an alternative to dying either way, would you rather listen to this podcast?   "Just look at those bones in the middle there."

All in All a very difficult decision, one similar to the decisions that will break your brain in Vlaada Chvatil's latest invention.  All of this is discussed within. 

Direct download: PCP_009_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 11:30pm PDT

It's a rainy night in Portland.  It's toward the end of a long week, and it's getting late.  Energy levels are low and we are far from progressing to our next power plant upgrade.  

But we push forward and fight through the dead air.  We will not be defeated.  We will discuss this beast called The Capitals.  We will conquer a wonky rule book and fiddly mechanics, and we will be the better for it.  For this Capital can be beautiful.

* FYI - Contrary to the info provided in this podacst the inventor of the Segway is alive and well; however, we were close to the truth in our Segway story.  Tune in to Episode 10 where we solve the mystery.

Direct download: PCP_008_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 3:57pm PDT

Think of this podcast as our "about" page, at least until we think up some really good stuff to write about ourselves.

We try to discuss what brings each of us into the hobby, and then we try to explain why this analog form of gaming bests digital gaming.  Success? Eh??

Direct download: PCP_007_final.mp3
Category:Board Games -- posted at: 1:22am PDT

You run a family of discs.

You send your discs out to the fields to plant crops and tend to the sheep and you send your interior designer discs into the cave to create the dwelling of your dreams.  And you can send your more nomadic discs off on wild adventures.  Some discs will sneak off and then bring back baby discs, which gives you more discs to do your bidding.

In the end, if your discs do your bidding well, you reap the rewards.  Oh, and there are dogs too.  And they chase your sheep.  And donkeys.  Yes donkeys.

It has come to my attention that discs should read dwarves; however, I am too lazy to go back and change it, so you can use your imagination to correct the text above, you know, like when sending your discs on an adventure.

P.S.  We really do like this game.  I think.

Direct download: PCP_006_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:40am PDT

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