Garrett's Games and Geekiness

This week Shelley and I control rival pirate ships in Nassau by Stefan Feld from Queen Games Join head into the Lord of the Rings mythos and attempt to fulfill goals while protecting the One Ring in The Fellowship of the Ring Trick Taking Game by Bryan Bornmueller from Office Dog and finally enjoy further plays of the Essen 2024 release Spectacular by Eilif Svensson and Asmund Svensson from Chilifox Games Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel which you can find here: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames because we will reporting DAILY from Spiel Essen 2025! You can support our endeavors by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week Shelley and I get into the WAY BACK machine and play a couple of titles from the beginnings of our gaming careers Alhambra and Atlantic Star both by Dirk Henn from Queen Games and then look back at one from Spiel Essen 2024 Stephens by Rola and Costa from Pile Up Games and Capstone Games Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel so you're ready for all of our Essen 2025 videos: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames Thanks to Bezier Games for their continued support You can sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week on Episode 1010 Shelley and I head back to the Everdell universe, and then deal with our social anxiety while settling down to a good book! Everdell Silverfrost by James A and Clarissa A Wilson from Starling Games and Tabletop Tycoon A Place for All My Books by Alex Cutler and Michael Mihealsick from Smirk and Dagger Games Thanks as always to out sponsor Bezier Games! We have VIDEO reviews of Everdell Silverfrost AND A Place for All My Books as well - Check out THE FORMER and THE LATTER and make sure to Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames We will be at Spiel Essen in October, putting up video content EVERY DAY, so be sure to subscribe and ring the bell over there so you don't miss any of our fun times and the views of new titles!

This week on Garrett's Games: Shelley and I head into the North with our mechs to deal with corruption and save previous explorers in Expeditions by Jamey Stegmaier from Stonemaier Games Then we head East and make a journey with our trusty yaks to Kathmandu by Stefan Feld from Queen Games Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games You can sponsor the the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

On Garrett's Games this week, Shelley and I attempt to kill Hitler, and then build the universe! First off it's Valkyrie: A Black Orchestra Game by Philip duBarry from Tabletop Tycoon Then we head out into the void of space and collect atoms to build nebulae in Crafting the Cosmos by David Gordon and TAM from Office Dog Thanks as always to Bezier Games for their support. You can sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week on Garrett's Games Shelley and I make some booze and admire a garden. First up is Floriferous by Steve Finn and Eduardo Baraf (with art by Clementine Campardou) from Pencil First Games then we play competing distillers in Distilled by Dave Beck from Paverson Games Thanks as always to Bezier Game for their sponsorship. You can support the podcast and our video series at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

Last week on Episode 1005, we made it through the first 6 RULES that Joe ranted about. This week we delve into Rules 7-14 with much discussion, wine, etc. As Joe Huber and Tom Lehmann lead the way!

It's Garrett's Games' Meeplefest Roundtable! This week after a quick discussion of some favorite games played, we take a deep dive into a Rules For Games list that Joe Huber fashioned on a mailing list. I couldn't let the opportunity to discuss his comments pass by, and everyone gets a chance to chime in for a lively and opinionated discussion. Let us know what you think over on BGG or any of our social media sites! Thanks as always to Bezier Games for their sponsorship. You can support the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but BELONG on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week Shelley and I spend some time with dragons after playing a couple of cute card games. Wyrmspan by Connie Vogelmann from Stonemaier Games Boo to the Goose by Wolfgang Kramer and Mandred Reindl Zookini by Peggy Brown from Piatnik and AMIGO Thanks as always to Bezier Games for their support You can check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames Sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table HERE: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week on Garrett's Games we check out two fun little card games from Amigo and Piatnik, then plan shrines to lost relatives First up is Double Donkey by Michael Modler from Piatnik and Amigo follow by Zero Hero by Klaus-Jurgen Wrede and Ralf zur Linde from Piatnik and Amigo then we look to a bigger-box game with Ofrenda by Orlando Sa and Andre Santos from Osprey Games Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games You can support the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but BELONG on your table here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

Shelley and I join AWESOME rock bands and attmept to make it big (and not eat too much "candy") in Rock Hard 1977 by Jackie Fox from Devir then we get disappointed in a small-box dice fest from a company who has done some excellent games in the past Charidice by Jurgen Adam from NSV (buy either The Mind or The Game instead!) Oh, and the theme-infused older game I mentioned at one point is Punk Sucht Lady by Wolfgang Kramer and Richard Ulrich (yes, the team that brought us El Grande and Princes of Florence!) Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games You can sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week Shelley and I journey down into the ocean's depths, then to the moon! First we check out fish species in various segments of the ocean in Finspan by David Gordon and Michael O'Connell from Stonemaier Games then we head to the moon and work with various companies to exploit its resources in Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone from Pandasaurus Games. Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! You can sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Remember to check out our video channel at www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames

This week we celebrate making it to EPISODE 1000!!! First we talk Kennerspiel des Jahres - which do we want to win, and which do we think WILL win? Then we GIVEAWAY SOME GAMES to three lucky winners/viewers! Be sure to contact me at garrettsgames@gmail.com if you're a winner! Finally, we spend some time reflecting on the year so far, picking our TOP 10 GAMES of the first part of 2025. Doug’s Top 10 for first part of 2025: Fromage by Matthew O'Malley, Ben Rosset from Road to Infamy Games - Episode 981 Draft and Write Records by Bruno Maciel from Inside Up Games - Episode 981 Bone Wars by Wim Goossens from Game Brewer & Cranio Creations - Episode 999 Looot by Charles Chevallier, Laurent Escoffier from Gigamic - Episode 997 Explorers of Navoria by Meng Chunlin from Qiling Games & Dranda Games & GaGa Games Episode 990 Castle Raisers by Erwan Le Minous, Anthony Perone from Wonderful World Board Games - Episode 997 Cargo Empire by Alexander Bogdanovsky, Pini Shekhter from Moaideas Game Design - Episode 978 Sparks by Adrian Adamescu, Kristian Amundsen Østby, Florin Purluca, Kjetil Svendsen from Alion – by Dr Ø - Episode 985 Endeavor: Deep Sea by Carl de Visser, Jarratt Gray from Burnt Island Games, Grand Gamers Guild and Cranio Creations - Episode 996 Azul Duel by Michael Kiesling from Next Move Games - Episode 993 Honorable Mentions: Only Murders in the Building by Aaron Donogh, Prospero Hall, David Iezzi from Funko Games and Goliath Games - Episode 987 3 Chapters by Joe Hout from Amigo - Episode 991 Faraway by Johannes Goupy, Corentin Lebrat from Pandasaurus Games and Catch Up Games - Episode 995

For our last episode before we hit FOUR digits of episode releases, we take on TWO BIG GAMES that both use version of Action Points to do your turns! In Bone Wars, by Wim Goossens from Game Brewer and Cranio Creations, we become palentologists, publish about new dinosaurs, and compete to earn the favor of two famous scientists. In Ezra and Nehemiah, by Shem Phillips and SJ MacDonald from Renegade Game Studios and Garphil Games, we work to rebuild ancient Judah and it community. Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember you can support the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table HERE: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Finally, you have a few days left to enter our giveaway contest for EPISODE 1000 which comes out NEXT WEEK. You have to do TWO steps: 1) SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames 2) Leave a comment on one of our JUNE video episodes on the channel

This week Shelley and I check out the cute and the beautiful Alpaca by Christian Giove from Pegasus Spiel and GateOnGames includes VERY cute alpacas in an introductory-level deck-building game River of Gold by Keith Piggott from Office Dog finds players meandering down a river board with spot gloss gold, gathering resources and money, building buildings, and delivering to customers. Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games Remember to check out our YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames And sign up for our EPISODE 1000 giveaway contest. You have to 1) Subscribe to our YouTube Channel AND 2) Leave a comment on one of our JUNE video episodes. You can sponsor the podcast directly at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but BELONG on YOUR table here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week Shelley and I check out the THIRD Kennerspiel des Jahres nominee, the Viking-themed resource collection game Looot (yes, it's THREE o's) by Charles Chevallier and Laurent Escoffier from Hachette and Gigamic then we check out a title that's should make a splash at GenCon this year - build your 3-D castle to prevent the wolf army from invading your pig's fortifications in Castle Raisers by Erwan Le Minous and Anthony Perone from Wonderful World Board Games Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games REMEMBER TO JOIN OUR CONTEST GIVEAWAY! Three listeners/viewers can win games from AMIGO, Pandasaurus, and Bezier Games! All you have to do is a) Go to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames and SUBSCRIBE b) Write a comment on one of our JUNE video episodes You can support the podcast and video series directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but BELONG on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week Shelley and I check out the SECOND of the Kennerspiel des Jahres nominees: Endeavor: Deep Sea by Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray from Burnt Island Games and Grand Gamers Guild then have fun with a bunch of short-legged dogs in Clash of Corgis, a self-published game from Deric Drazich Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! You can support the podcast directly by becoming a sponsor www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR you can check out our estensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week it's a Pandasaurus Games extravaganza! First, Shelley and I check out the fun 'draw and draw' in which we explore various maps and swap cards to take our actions: Rivages by Joachim Thome then we play cards in one direction, but score in the opposite direction in the Kennerspiel des Jahres-nominated Faraway by Johannes Goupy and Corentin Lebrat Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember to join our giveaway for Episode 1000 by subscribing to our YouTube channel and commenting on one of our June-released videos (starting on Tuesday). You can sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

Shelley and I check out a cute little card game that's reminicent of Liar's Dice or Perudo Schrodinger's Cats by Heather and Christopher O'Neill, and Adriel Wilson recently re-published by AMIGO and then we pull a favorite off the shelf and add a new expansion: Barcelona with the Passeig de Gracia expansion by Dani Garcia from Board&Dice Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! You can support the podcast directly by becoming a sponsor www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR you can check out our estensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

This week Shelley and I check out a small card game for a large group Fritanga by Jose Luchoro and Rafael Miralles from Devir and then enjoy the smaller 2-player cousin of the award-winning Azul Azul Duel by Michael Kiesling from Next Move Games Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games You can support the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing