The Meeples & Miniatures Podcast

In this episode, I continue my series about getting started in Miniature Wargaming, by looking at hybrid games – games that use Miniatures but which may not be considered to be fully fledged wargames.

My review this time is of the Skirmish Wargame Patrol: WWII, from Pacific Sky Games. This is a game which allows you to recreate the day-to-day activities of a World War II Infantry squad in a campaign setting

All this, plus the usual discussion of news items, games, rules and miniatures – plus some listener feedback.

00:00 Intro

04:00 Rumblings – Gaming news & views

32:30 Rules Review: Patrol WWII

53:30 Getting Started in Miniature Wargaming: Hybrid Games

85:45 Mailbag – Listener Feedback

95:20 Closing comments

In this edition of the show, I start a new series about getting started in Miniature Wargaming, and look at some of the questions you might ask before embarking in the hobby. I briefly discuss the ethics of gaming certain conflicts, and there is the usual chat about games, rules and miniatures that I've been playing with, reading and painting over the past few weeks.

My review this time is of the boardgame Duel in the Dark – a game which recreates the British night bombing campaign of 1943 over Germany.

00:00 Intro

06:45 Rumblings – Gaming news & views

37:35 – Is it ever wrong to game certain conflicts?

44:00 – Game Review: Duel in the Dark

93:00 – Getting Started in Miniature Wargaming

110:00 – Closing comments

Duel in the Dark

Scotia Grendel - Collectair Miniatures

Navwar - 1:300 Scale Aircraft

Ambush Alley Games

Rebel Miniatures - Operation Dark Star

Uncharted Seas

The recent half term holiday has seen two gaming shows in the UK – Partizan and UK Games Expo. In this episode, I talk about the games and the new releases I saw at Partizan, and then take an in-depth look at the UK Games Expo – including several interviews with designers of new games released at the show.

Finally, I announce the winner of the Polemos Napoleonic competition.

00:00 – Intro

02:50 – Partizan Wargames Show

14:55 – Polemos Competition Result

17:35 – UK Games Expo

21:30 – Interview with Gary Dicken from Ragnar Brothers

32:10 – Interview with Dean Conrad of Ludorum Games

52:20 – Interview with Alan Paull of Surprised Stare Games

61:00 – Interview with Mike Raabe of Wattsalpoag

67:00 – Interview with Andy Cooper of West Wind Productions

73:40 – Interview with Martin Wallace

81:45 – UK Games Expo – the wrap up

96:20 – Closing Comments

Partizan

Flashing Blade Miniatures

Peter Pig

UK Games Expo

Ragnar Brothers

Ludorum Games

Surprised Stare Games

Wattsalpoag

West Wind Productions

Warfrog Games

In this show, I chat about various games I've been playing over the past few weeks, things that have caught my interest, plus I review two card games.

Subjects and games covered include 15mm Modern figures, Gaming on VASSAL, Sharp Practice, Impetus, Last Night On Earth: Growing Hunger, Unspeakable Words and Mausen.

Enjoy the Show!

00:00 - Intro

06:00 – 15mm Modern Figures

10:30 – Gaming Talk – VASSAL, Sharp Practice, Impetus and Last Night On Earth – Growing Hunger

33:45 – Competition

36:30 – Game Reviews : Unspeakable Words & Mausen

56:00 – Closing Comments

In this part of the show I take an in-depth look at the strategy boardgame Shogun, in which players take the role of one of several Daimyo seeking ultimate power in Sengoku period Japan.

Following on from this, I review the scenario book "Day of the Ranger? from Ambush Alley Games, which allows you to take part in various events surrounding Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu in 1993.

As well as reviewing the scenario book, I also discuss what other resources you might want to have a look at for this operation, and also what miniatures you may want to use if you were playing the scenarios.

00:00 – Intro

01:30 – 'Shogun' – an in-depth look at this strategy boardgame

41:15 – 'Day of the Ranger' – a review of the new scenario book from Ambush Alley Games, along with ideas for miniatures to use and additional resources.

72:00 – Closing comments

Shogun @ Boardgamegeek

Ambush Alley Games

The Assault Group

Britannia Minaitures

MoFo

Episode 32 of 'Meeples & Miniatures' is now available for download.

Actually, Part 1 of the show is now available. I've recorded lots of material for this show, so much so that I've had to split the show into two parts.

In Part 1 (available now) I chat about the recent Society of Ancients Battle Day, and some of my preparations leading up to it.

I also talk about my current search for a set of rules to game Ancients with, which includes a mini-review of 'Field of Glory' and my initial thoughts on Warmaster Ancients and Basic Impetus.

Coming in Part 2 (available later this week) will be in depth reviews of the Boardgame 'Shogun' and the Wargames Scenario pack 'Day of the Ranger'

00:00 – Intro

03:55 – Competition

07:40 - Wargames Journal – Welcome back!

10:00 – Society of Ancients Battle Day

40:10 – Field of Glory 'mini-review'

52:15 – Chat about Warmaster Ancients & Basic Impetus

65:15 – Closing Comments

Wargames Journal

Society of Ancients

Field of Glory

Warmaster Ancients

Basic Impetus

In this show, I take a look into the world of Napoleonic wargaming, as I review the Polemos Napoleonic rules, written by Chris Grice and published by Baccus. In addition, I review the Range of Baccus 6mm Napoleonic figures, and also discuss what commercial terrain is available for gaming this period in 6mm.

Finally, there is a new prize competition to enter, in which you can win a copy of the Polemos Napoleonic rules.

00:00 Intro

02:45 – Rumblings: Gaming news

10:55 – Rules Review: Polemos Napoleonic

54:12 – Competition

56:55 – Figure Review – Baccus 6mm Napoleonic

70:40 – Terrain Review: 6mm Terrain for Napoleonic battles

82:40 – Closing Comments

Baccus Miniatures

Timecast Models

S&A Scenics

In this episode, I mainly discuss my recent trip to the Hammerhead games show - including an overview of the Command Horizon ruleset.

For my review this time, I'm looking at the Dr Who Micro-universe CMG.

Finally, I discuss my initial thoughts on painting 6mm figures, along with paint and brushes.

Show Notes:

04.45 - Rumblings: Gaming news
• 18.35 - Hammerhead Report
• 35.10 - Review: Dr Who Micro-universe
• 46.55 - Painting: Musings about painting 6mm figures, paint and brushes.
• 55.25 - Closing comments

Hope you enjoy the show.

The latest episode of Meeples & Miniatures is now available for download.

In this show, I look at the new expansion for Battlelore – Scottish Wars. I also review the boardgame Ca$h & Gun$ and it's first expansion Yakuzas.

This show has a distinctly wargaming flavour to it, as I concentrate on wargaming rules reviews and chatting about miniatures.

In particular, I'm looking at skirmish gaming in large scale – 40mm to be exact – and specifically gaming in the late 18th and early 19th Century, incorporating the American War of Independence, the French Indian War and the Napoleonic War.

I review the rules Black Powder Battles in depth, plus I look at some other, free (or at least very cheap), skirmish rules that you may want to consider for this period.

Finally, I look at the broad range of 40mm figures that are available, whether it be Napoleonics from the likes of Sash & Saber or Perry Miniatures, French Indian War from HLBS or American War of Independence from Front Rank Figurines, to name but a few.