The Offline Gamer

In this episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen step into the immersive audio-driven world of Sound Realms for a playthrough of the dark and dramatic Fortress of Death. Guided by narration, sound effects, and a whole lot of dice rolls, they navigate traps, solve puzzles, and fight for survival—all in real time. It’s part dungeon crawl, part radio drama, and fully chaotic. Can they escape the fortress unscathed? (Spoiler: doubtful.)

Matt and Karen are back with part two of their UK Games Expo 2025 round-up! This time, they chat about even more games they played and picked up—including relaxing pattern builders, clever two-player showdowns, and some truly unique indie gems. They also reflect on the general atmosphere of the show, the creativity on display, and whether the event still delivers the spark that keeps them coming back each year.

In this episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen return from UK Games Expo 2025 and dive into part one of their two-part wrap-up! Sadly, Rai couldn't join them this year due to illness, so it's just the two of them sharing first impressions, con highlights, and a few mild grumbles (spoiler: air conditioning is important).

They discuss how the new hall layout at the NEC added space and accessibility—but also a bit of navigational chaos—and whether the bigger floor plan made it easier or harder to explore everything. There’s also some thoughtful reflection on whether UKGE has outgrown its three-day format.

The UK Games Expo 2025 is nearly here, and Matt, Karen, and Rai are back with their annual mega-preview! In this episode, the team covers everything you need to know for UKGE 2025 – from the new hall layout and bring & buy changes, to Chow Street’s food truck lineup and their top tips for surviving the weekend.

They also each highlight five games they’re excited to see at the show, including upcoming releases like Trouble on the Tempus, Restless Spirits, Fathom, Pergola, The Last Week of Summer, Popcorn, Gwent: The Card Game, and many more.

Whether you're prepping your spreadsheets or just curious what to keep an eye on, this is your essential guide to UKGE 2025!

In Episode 101, Matt and Karen return for a slightly shorter show ahead of their big UKGE preview. They share highlights from recent game days with friends, discussing a mix of new and favourite titles, including Rebirth, Restless Spirits, Trio, Castle Combo, Explorers of Navoria, and more.

Matt also interviews the team behind Minor Disaster Games, creators of the upcoming Kickstarter for Trouble on the Tempus—a co-op, time-travelling disaster management game. The team dives into the game's origins, inspirations, and what sets it apart in the crowded co-op space.

To celebrate 100 episodes and 10 years of The Offline Gamer, we brought together a fantastic group of board game creators, friends, and fellow enthusiasts for a chaotic, laughter-filled quiz live at AireCon 2025!

Hosted by Matt, this special episode features guest teams including Adam from Die Rollin’, Will the Board Game Wizard, Chris from Unfringed, Lee from Molinarius Games, Mike from Huff No More, and Dave from Board Wreckers. Over multiple rounds teams competed for glory, groans, and the occasional pity half-point. Expect puns, passionate debate, obscure trivia, and lots of playful chaos.

In Episode 99, Matt and Karen recount their jam-packed weekend at AireCon 2025 in Harrogate. From the ups and downs of the Bring & Buy to an epic quest for food through the convention’s labyrinthine layout, they dive into the highlights, including games played, exhibitors visited, and surprise finds.

They also preview exciting upcoming releases, share some fun raffle moments, and thank everyone involved in recording their milestone 100th episode.

Join Matt and Karen in Episode 98 of The Offline Gamer as they dive into all things Airecon 2025!

They discuss what makes this Harrogate-based board game convention a must-visit, covering the exhibitor lineup, open gaming spaces, event highlights, and even a sneak peek at upcoming releases.

Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, get ready for a fun and informative guide to this relaxed and community-driven gaming event.

In this episode, Matt, Karen, and Rai take a deep dive into their gaming highlights of 2024, reflecting on favourite titles, standout events, and exciting moments shared with friends and listeners. They also discuss their gaming plans for 2025, including conventions and anticipated releases. Rai returns as a guest co-host.

The team shares updates on various Kickstarter projects, discusses upcoming conventions like AireCon and UKGE, and reminisces about the joy of connecting with the gaming community. Plus, they explore their favourite games of the year and their most memorable gaming sessions.

In this festive episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen share their Christmas gaming plans, discuss family-friendly titles like Wuzzled and Rolling Ranch, and reflect on recent plays, including Balatro, Tape to Tape, and The Spill. They recount highlights from the Meeple People Weekender, featuring games like Century: Golem Edition and Yukon Salon, and dive into their latest arrivals, including Tang Garden: Seasons and River Valley Glassworks. The episode wraps up with holiday cheer, a giveaway, and teasers for their 2025 plans.

Intro music was AI generated using Udio.