The Broken Meeple

Broken Meeple Podcast 142 - Essen Spiel Preview 2026

LONGEST EPISODE EVER! :-)

In this episode after my quick updates, I give an extensive first impressions rant on the Realm of Reckoning board game from IV Studios which shall we say..........didn't impress me much and was subject to controversial "free speech interventions" by the BGG Facebook team.

Then it's all about Essen 2026. I talk about my plans, the hall layout, tips for newcomers and drivers and then I go through the first page of "hot thumb" board games for Essen from the BGG Preview list and see if ANYTHING can lift my excitement up.............hmmmm........

Timestamps:

00:00 - General Updates

11:48- Realm of Reckoning First Impressions

37:37- Essen Preview 2026 (The Convention)

01:00:19 - Essen Preview 2026 (The Hot Games List)

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

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Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 140- I'm Back Baby! ► https://youtu.be/mLf5RBlS9Dg

Episode 141 - Where's the Excitement Gone? ►https://youtu.be/uGYvDdhYs_8

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Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

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#brokenmeeple #essen #spiel #conventions #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

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Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast 141 - Where's the Excitement Gone?

Back to business as usual - quick update on health and the channel and industry with a couple of behind the scenes aspects to how this channel stays afloat.........barely.

Then a review of Wingspan Pocket - not a game I got a copy of obviously but my friend has it and it's been played enough times to give it my thoughts and final rating.

Then a discussion point about the fact that people are starting to drop out of the industry and whether it's down to the simple fact that games just aren't as exciting any more?

Timestamps:

00:00 - Health, Channel, Patreon, Industry

16:06- Wingspan Pocket Review

29:14- Where's the Excitement Gone?

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

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Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 140- I'm Back Baby! ► https://youtu.be/mLf5RBlS9Dg

Episode 139 - What's Hurting Conventions? ►https://youtu.be/dmgvJ7ASiPk

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************

#brokenmeeple #essen #wingspan #conventions #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

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Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast 140 - I'M BACK BABY!!

I'm back everybody!! Sort of! I'm still recovering from my recent appendectomy surgery and thank you for everyone who sent me positive messages wishing me well. But I'm well enough to get a rudimentary podcast together and let you know how things are going and what my plans are!

In normal fashion I will also rip Tiny Epic Quest apart for the borefest that it is. And then mention how my taste in solo games has changed and what I'm doing with my collection.

Timestamps:

00:00 - My Appendix Surgery Saga

20:23- Upcoming Videos and Conventions

31:30 - Tiny Epic Quest

42:01 - Solo Tastes and Collection Downsizing

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

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Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 137 - Longform vs Shortform ► https://youtu.be/jM6L-H94mX8

Episode 139 - What's Hurting Conventions? ►https://youtu.be/dmgvJ7ASiPk

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************

#brokenmeeple #goldengeek #bgg #ukge #conventions #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

***************************************

Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast 139 - What's Hurting Conventions Now?

Plenty to talk about here, my usual musings, two conventions I've been to recently, my horrible first impressions of Rosalie and my thoughts as well as others on what's potentially wrong with board game conventions these days? Are recent developments in gamers and technology use hurting conventions more than helping them?

Timestamps:

00:00 - Channel Updates

10:10 - Hexacon and Manorcon

27:02- Rosalie First Impressions

50:22 - What Is Hurting Conventions?

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

***************************************

Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 137 - Longform vs Shortform ► https://youtu.be/jM6L-H94mX8

Episode 138 - H Index ► https://youtu.be/qPVz8V-CwPo

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************

#brokenmeeple #goldengeek #bgg #ukge #conventions #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

***************************************

Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast 138 - The H-Index

Too damn hot! But thankfully it's cooled down enough to get a podcast out! People have asked me to do a H-Index - personally I didn't think it would be of any use at all, but it's a popular request, so why not, I got nothing else to do! So here's a quick update on the Revenant review from a solo perspective and my workings on my H-Index.

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

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Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 137 - Longform vs Shortform ► https://youtu.be/jM6L-H94mX8

Episode 136 - UKGE Review ► https://youtu.be/eA8Kuwc6mi0

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************

Timestamps:

00:00 - Channel Updates

09:33 - Revenant Update

20:12 - H-Index

#brokenmeeple #goldengeek #bgg #ukge #hindex #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

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Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast 137 - Longform vs Shortform Content

It's been a very emotionally draining couple of weeks for me. Stressful work, a hacked FB account, other personal stuff, lack of time, heatwaves, the UK Expo and lots of unnecessary abuse/pushback on Facebook making that platform seem less and less desirable for board game creator content.

But we must push forward and even though I get to spill out my soul for camera in this episode, I still get to talk about my positive experience with SAIL and my not so positive experience with Veiled Fate............which got me a lot of abuse online for not liking it, seriously there are some fragile ego's out there.

And some of those tests on our resolve have impacted some of my friends in the industry where I see them get pushback/abuse also. It's unjustified and one of the hot topics is shortform vs longform creation. We prepare longform content and there's reason for that, we are critical reviewers, not quickie overviews. We need the time. And yet apparently that gives the right to people to eviscerate my friends and myself for choosing longer content. Well I have some thoughts to say on the matter so strap in - this will require some restraint!

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

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Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 135 - Golden Geek Awards ► https://youtu.be/HTGiav6wl00

Episode 136 - UKGE Review ► https://youtu.be/eA8Kuwc6mi0

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Channel Updates, Health and Anxiety Issues

12:56 - Sail

17:30 - Veiled Fate

34:00 - Longform vs Shortform Content

#brokenmeeple #goldengeek #bgg #ukge #anxiety #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

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Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast 136 - UK Games Expo 2026 Review

A full disclosure of everything I was doing at the UK GAMES EXPO 2026!

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

***************************************

Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 135 - Golden Geek Awards ► https://youtu.be/HTGiav6wl00

Episode 134 - What Themes Work For You ► https://youtu.be/UnSVAPUz1rY

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************

Timestamps:

00:00 - Channel Updates

08:35 - UKGE 2026 Overview & Press Event

26:09 - One To Really Look Out For

29:42 - Disappointments

44:06 - Hot Selling Craze

47:18 - By Popular Demand

49:00 - Finally Got It Played

55:48 - Better Than I Recall, But . . .

01:05:00 - Games With Future Solid Potential

01:28:40 - Open Gaming

#brokenmeeple #goldengeek #bgg #ukge #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

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Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast 135- Golden Geek Awards & UK Games Expo Preview

Big bumper episode today! Firstly I talk about another failed year of the Golden Geek awards and then I give some basic tips for attending the UKGE and explain why I'm only attending for two days and not in crazy excitement for any of the games. . . . . . aren't I'm supposed to be bigging it up?

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

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Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 133 - Stat Recording ► https://youtu.be/fe3HWZ0Ypbk

Episode 134 - What Themes Work For You ► https://youtu.be/UnSVAPUz1rY

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************

Timestamps:

00:00 - Channel Updates

07:28 - Golden Geek Awards 2026

26:55 - UKGE Preview

#brokenmeeple #goldengeek #bgg #ukge #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

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Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast 134 - What Theme Works For You?

After some general updates and my impressions of Helionox - a subpar deck builder that clearly suffers from Kickstarter cardinal sins - I go into what themes work for me and what don't work for me when a game comes into view?

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

***************************************

Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 133 - Stat Recording ► https://youtu.be/fe3HWZ0Ypbk

Episode 132 - So I Played Speakeasy ► https://youtu.be/PB-AwBTXYv8

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************

Timestamps:

00:00 - Channel Updates , UKGE, The Future

20:10 - Helionox Impressions

41:00 - Themes Discussion

#brokenmeeple #essen #bgg #ukge #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

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Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Broken Meeple Podcast - Episode 133 - Stat Recording & Challenges

Among gamers there's a trend online and offline of board game challenges and recording stats and plays etc. Which of these have merit and which of these feel like a waste of time? Do I engage in any of these myself?

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SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1

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Related Content

Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI

Episode 131 - When Does Player Interaction Become Frustrating? ► https://youtu.be/icXaAEvGW_E

Episode 132 - So I Played Speakeasy ► https://youtu.be/PB-AwBTXYv8

***************************************

Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Channel Updates

11:18 - UK Games Expo update

18:26 - Doomlings Impressions

23:23 - BG Stats, 10x10 Challenges, What's the Point?

#brokenmeeple #essen #bgg #bgstats #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames

***************************************

Useful Links

Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple

Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple

Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple

Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.