Let's take a look at Merchants of the Dark Road.  This is a 1-4 player competitive game that includes an automa for solo play.  It's a beautiful looking game with lots of shiny components (if you get the deluxe version) but got mixed feedback from our Julius.
Merchants of the Dark Road (BGG, Elf Creek Games)
Deluxe edition (Elf Creek Games)

1P 294 - Merchants of the Dark Road

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This week Julius is out so I have a special guest.  A podcast listener, ChrisOkay, comes on the show to talk me into playing Expedition to Newdale.  The game will eventually get played by me but that is probably years away.  Technically, I did play it a couple of times when I first got it... one solo and one with my son.  Chris thinks I should play it sooner and really get it on the table.  So, he tells me all about the game.  I have to admit, it sure sounds fun!
Newdale is actually the 3rd game in the Longsdale series but only the 2nd soloable game.  I have the other game in the series, Tybor the Builder and have yet to play that either :|
Expedition to Newdale (BGG)
Oh My Goods! Big Box (BGG)
Tybor the Builder (BGG)
Here's the cards I mentioned in the show.  You can follow the path from the next game I'll be talking about (Star Trek Captain's Log) all the way down to Newdale, a lifetime away!

1P 336 - Expedition to Newdale

This week Julius and I discuss set collection solo games.  We each bring three games that we think include set collection in the mechanics and are interesting solo games.  Just a footnote here... I am right about Agricola.  The first set of three sheep gets you a point.  After that, every set of two sheep gets you a point!  If you disagree, just let me know.
08:15 Onirim
11:00 Pandemic: The Cure
13:25 Agricola
19:00 Isle of Cats
23:22 PAX
26:00 So You've Been Eaten

1P 335 - Popular Mechanics: Set Collection

I accidentally used Podbeans AI processing.  Let's see how it sounds.. the description below is from their's.
Welcome to Episode 334 of the One Player Podcast, where we dive headfirst into the unique game systems of '20 Strong' and 'Solar Sentinels'. Join our host Albert as he navigates through the intriguing mechanics, quality of components, and player strategies of these engaging board games.
First, Albert explores '20 Strong', a solo game based on dice allocation and stat-tracking. Understand the game's high-quality components, unique mechanics, and criticism about the glittery dice. Despite being light on theme, Albert describes '20 Strong' as strategically captivating and provides an in-depth review of its gameplay.
In the second part of this episode, Albert shifts focus to the cosmos with the game, 'Solar Sentinels'. Our hosts shed light on their firsthand experiences of this complex game. Though the game's theme elicits differing reactions, the hosts agree on the game's strategic challenge that revolves around managing three different character card attributes.
The final segment invites you into the captivating world of dungeon crawlers. The episode provides intriguing discussions about the play dynamics, balance within games, and the aesthetic aspects of the game.
Deftly uncovering the intricacies of '20 Strong', 'Solar Sentinels', and dungeon crawlers, the One Player Podcast caters to both beginners and seasoned players looking to up their game.

1P 334 - Unpacking '20 Strong' and 'Solar Sentinels'

This week's game is Dungeon Pages, a roll and write by Jasons Greeno & Tagmire.  It's a roll and write dungeon crawl game.  It was initially released once over the course of a year.  Each week you would get a new dungeon page.  Effectively a hero with their set of five dungeons to explore.  Each of those pages is a quick campaign game that can be played in under 30 minutes!

1P 333 - Dungeon Pages

This week Julius and I talk about Bullet ♥︎ and, really, Bullet ★. These games are in the style of Bullet Hell video games were bullets are flying all over the place in overwhelming quantities.  It's a really fast playing simultaneous play game with a timer.  Julius find the timer optional and I appreciate that because it makes the game sound more fun to me.
 
Bullet ♥︎ (BGG)
Bullet ★ (BGG)
Bullet series (Level 99)

1P 294 - Merchants of the Dark Road

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