Meeples and Wine NaPodPoMo 2023

Welcome to Meeples and Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023, hosted by Michael and Suzy, where they review board and tabletop games for couples. They explore how well games play with two players, their fun factor, complexity, and whether they might “destroy the marriage.” Each episode also includes a thematic wine, beer, or drink tasting to accompany the game.

Exploring Engine Building Games: From Terraforming Mars to Magic Gathering

In this episode of our NaPodPoMo 2023 run, Michael discusses the concept of engine building in board and tabletop games. Highlighting the buzz that comes from creating efficient, interconnected systems in various games like ‘Terraforming Mars’ and ‘Magic: The Gathering.’ Engine building isn’t genre-specific, we underline its presence in resource management, card drafting, and worker placement games.

00:13 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:53 Engaging with the Podcast
01:12 Introduction to Engine Building Games
01:51 Understanding Engine Building with Terraforming Mars
02:24 The Appeal of Engine Building Games
02:49 Engine Building in Different Game Genres
03:31 Engine Building in Magic: The Gathering
04:05 Variety in Engine Building Mechanics
04:40 Appreciating the Design of Engine Building Games
05:02 Conclusion and Look Ahead

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Welcome to Meeples and Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023, hosted by Michael and Suzy, where they review board and tabletop games for couples. They explore how well games play with two players, their fun factor, complexity, and whether they might “destroy the marriage.” Each episode also includes a thematic wine, beer, or drink tasting to accompany the game.

Board Games Review: Exploring Set Collection Games with a Focus on ‘Point Salad’

In this episode of ‘Meeples Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023’, Michael reviews set collection board games with focus on the game ‘Point Salad’, launched by AEG in 2019, involves players using 108 double-sided veggie and point cards to amass points through specific vegetable collections. He discusses the complexity of the game, the strategy of selecting cards, and the gameplay mechanics.

00:12 Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:13 Introduction to Set Collection Games
02:23 Exploring the Game: Point Salad
03:50 Gameplay and Strategy of Point Salad
06:43 Final Thoughts and Review of Point Salad
07:27 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Welcome to Meeples and Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023, hosted by Michael and Suzy, where they review board and tabletop games for couples. They explore how well games play with two players, their fun factor, complexity, and whether they might “destroy the marriage.” Each episode also includes a thematic wine, beer, or drink tasting to accompany the game.

Exploring Board Games Mechanics: Auction and Bidding Games

In this podcast episode of ‘Meeples Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023’, Michael reviews two different board games featuring bidding mechanics: ‘Shipwrecked’ and ‘Power Grid’. ‘Shipwrecked’ is a blind bidding game where players compete for survival resources using a unique bidding system, with the possibility of strategic plays using different types of bid cards. ‘Power Grid’, on the other hand, allows players to bid openly for resources, power plants and cities necessary for expanding their power grid, providing insights into more conventional bidding mechanics. He gets into monitoring resources, understanding strategy, anticipating opponents’ actions, and managing bids wisely as key considerations for success in these games.

00:13 Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:09 Introduction to Auction and Bidding Games
02:15 Exploring the Game ‘Shipwrecked’
04:16 Artwork and Components of ‘Shipwrecked’
05:26 Gameplay Strategy and Rules of ‘Shipwrecked’
06:27 Introduction to the Game ‘Power Grid’
06:42 Bidding Phase and Strategy in ‘Power Grid’
09:22 Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Welcome to Meeples and Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023, hosted by Michael and Suzy, where they review board and tabletop games for couples. They explore how well games play with two players, their fun factor, complexity, and whether they might “destroy the marriage.” Each episode also includes a thematic wine, beer, or drink tasting to accompany the game.

In this episode, Michael delves into the world of paper and pencil games, highlighting grid coverage, enclosure games, and line drawing as different styles within this category.

The featured game of the day is “Cartographers: A Roleplayer Tale” by Thunderworks Games. In this game, you become a cartographer in the service of Queen Gimnax, tasked with mapping the Northern lands and increasing your reputation by meeting the Queen’s demands. The game involves edict cards that determine how you score, explore cards that dictate what you draw on your map, and the challenge of dealing with raids by your opponents. It’s a fun and engaging game that combines strategy, Tetris-like piece placement, and clever scoring mechanisms. Don’t miss out on this exciting gaming experience, and be sure to check the show notes for relevant links. Happy gaming!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Social Deduction: A Look at the Games that Keep Us Guessing

Welcome back to Meeples and Wine, NaPodPoMo 2023 edition! Today, we’re diving into the world of social deduction games, exploring why they’ve become so popular and highlighting two of our favorites: One Night: Ultimate Werewolf and The Thing: The Boardgame.

Social deduction games have increased in popularity and for good reason. They offer a unique blend of role playing, bluffing, and a touch of chaos that’s sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. In these games, players are secretly assigned roles, some good, some neutral, and some bad. The good guys need to work together to identify and eliminate the bad guys, the neutral players decide who they’re going to back, while the bad guys strive to sow discord and achieve their own nefarious goals. The beauty of social deduction games lies in the uncertainty. You never know who to trust, and every accusation, every move, could be a ploy to deceive. This constant state of suspicion and second-guessing is what keeps players hooked, coming back for more every time.

One Night: Ultimate Werewolf

One Night: Ultimate Werewolf is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn social deduction game that’s perfect for a quick game night or as an introduction to the genre. Players take on roles like Werewolves, Villagers, Seer, and the Drunk, and more, each with their own special abilities. The game plays over a single night, with players taking turns waking up and performing actions with the assistance of either a game master or by using the handy app that you can download. As the night progresses, the Werewolves try to stay hidden from the Villagers, while the Villagers try to identify and eliminate the Werewolves. One Night: Ultimate Werewolf is a fantastic choice for groups of all sizes, from small gatherings to larger parties. It’s quick, chaotic, and always entertaining.

The Thing: The Boardgame

If you’re looking for a more immersive, thematic social deduction experience, The Thing: The Boardgame is the perfect choice. Based on the classic John Carpenter film, The Thing, this game captures the paranoia and suspense of the movie in a solid tabletop experience. Players take on the roles of the researchers stationed in an Antarctic research base, so you’ve got Macready, Nauls, Windows and the rest of the team from the movie. Among them is the Thing, an alien shapeshifter that can perfectly imitate any human. The Thing’s goal is to eliminate the researchers and escape the base, while the researchers must identify and eliminate the Thing before it’s too late. The Thing: The Boardgame is a tense, atmospheric experience that will keep you guessing until the very end. It’s a must-play for fans of the movie and social deduction games alike.

Social Deduction Recommendations

Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer to the genre, there’s a game out there for you. Here are a few more recommendations to get you started:

So gather your friends, grab a glass of wine, and dive into the world of social deduction games. You’re in for a night of suspense, deception, and fun!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

In episode five of Meeples and Wine NaPodPoMo 2023, Michael discusses cooperative (co-op) tabletop games, where players work together to achieve a common goal. These games foster teamwork and camaraderie. Common themes include a shared win condition, communication among players, and unique abilities available to the players. Time or turn limits often add pressure. Some examples of co-op games discussed are Pandemic by Z-Man Games, a game about stopping global diseases, and Forbidden Island, where players collect treasures from a sinking island. The episode also covers The Crew, a challenge-based card game. The hosts stress the importance of communication, flexibility, and mutual help in co-op games, and encourage viewers to check out these games and their reviews on their website: www.meeplesandwine.fun.

In this episode Mike mentions the review of Forbidden Island from the main show Meeples and Wine, you can find that at the link HERE or you can copy the link! www.meeplesandwine.fun/forbiddendesert

You can follow us on your favorite podcast apps here! www.meeplesandwine.fun/subscribe-to-podcast

00:08 Introduction to Meeples and Wine NaPodPoMo 2023 Hello everyone and welcome to meeples and wine NaPodPoMo 2023….

00:55 Understanding Cooperative Tabletop Games Cooperative tabletop games are games in which the players work together to achieve a common goal rather than competing against each other….

01:18 Common Rules in Co-op Tabletop Games Alright, so some common rules that wind up in co op tabletop games….

02:43 Exploring Pandemic: A Co-op Tabletop Game So some examples of co op tabletop games, the one big one is pandemic….

05:26 Diving into Forbidden Island: A Co-op Adventure Forbidden Island is the first of multiple games….

07:39 The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine

09:25 Strategies for Winning Co-op Games So some strategy, communication is the key for co op games….

10:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts So if you’re looking for a new type of game to try, I highly recommend checking out some co op games….

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Episode Four: Exploring Area Control Games

This episode covers area control games, a genre of board games wherein players compete to conquer different areas on the board through various methods like moving units, establishing settlements, or using influence markers. The focus is on strategic growth and defending territories which makes the genre appealing but often complex. Michael introduces a few game versions such as Risk, El Grande, Twilight Imperium, and Kemet, each representing different levels of complexity and length of game play. He also provides gameplay strategies, emphasizing the importance of not stretching resources too wildly, considering value points on the board, diplomacy and acquiring alliances, as well as being proactive in launching attacks.

00:14 Introduction to the Episode

00:35 About Meeples and Wine

01:11 Understanding Area Control Games

02:08 Exploring El Grande

03:28 Diving into Twilight Imperium

06:00 Discovering Kemet

07:50 Strategy Tips for Area Control Games

09:30 Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Today we are talking about tile-laying games. Tile-laying games are a type of board game where players build the board by placing tiles on it. This can be done to create a city, a farm, a forest, or any other kind of landscape or scene.

Here are some additional tips for the three specific games mentioned in the podcast:

Hey everybody, and welcome to NaPodPoMo day two! Today we’re talking about worker placement games.

Worker placement games are known for their strategic depth and replayability. With so many different options available, players must carefully weigh the pros and cons of each action before making a decision. Worker placement games can also be very competitive, as players must try to outmaneuver their opponents in order to get the best resources and spaces.

Here are a few beginner-friendly worker placement games:

Here are a few tips for playing worker placement games:

With a little practice, you’ll be a worker placement master in no time!

Deck Building Games, sometimes known as Card Drafting, is a game mechanic where players take turns selecting cards from a common pool. The cards that are available change each round, as players take cards and pass the remaining cards to the next player. This creates a dynamic and interactive game experience, as players must carefully consider their own picks and how they can deny their opponents the cards they want.

Simple strategy for card drafting games

Here are some additional tips for card drafting games:

Here are some of the most popular deck-building games:

#NaPodPoMo #carddrafting #boardgames #strategy

We’d love to have you follow our main show Meeples and Wine, where we review board games for couples, rated on how fun they are and how likely it is for Michael to wind up on the couch! Head to https://www.meeplesandwine.fun/subscribe-to-podcast and you’ll get all our shows delivered to your podcast app!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/