Episode 28 - Labelling Games and Lost Cities

In this short episode, we talk about the labels that are given to so many games. Do we really need categorizations anymore? We give you all the answers to that in about 10 minutes! Then, we review the Knizia game, Lost Cites!

Would you just look at that majestic cover...

In Lost Cities, you will attempt to complete expeditions by putting numbers in order. Wait, what? The artwork on the game cards is fantastic, even if the theme is completely unnecessary.

Setup of the game is extremely simple and quick.

Episode 27 - Game Bling and Steam Park

In this episode, we talk about pimping out games. What have we done to take our games to the next level? Then, we review Steam Park and decide the winner of our listener poll! 

Steam Park is a game for 2-4 players from Iello Games.

The humble beginnings of your park. 

Bonus cards will give you points for fulfilling specific goals.

The game, setup for two players. 

And these are the rides. These 3-d pieces really add to the "Wow" factor of the game. 

Your park will grow into a unique amalgamation of rides and stands that looks more and more interesting as the game goes on.

And this is dirt, the bane of your existence.

Episode 26 - Mainstream Replacements and Disc Duelers

In this episode, we sound a little better (hopefully)! We're talking about Mainstream games. Monopoly, Sorry, Risk. What do we like and dislike about them? What are some good games to replace these classics for your friends? After answering this question, we move on to a review of Disc Duelers! 

Disc Duelers features cutesy versions of the characters found in other Level 99 games like Devastation of Indines.

Some of the character and item cards that you might see in the game.

The main components of the game. Character discs will be flicked around the board, while item crates can be broken open to obtain new item cards.

Episode 25 - Our Preferences and Seasons

In this episode of the podcast, we take some time to introduce our gaming preferences. What mechanisms do we particularly like or dislike? Why do we play games? All of this, and our review of Seasons by Asmodee!

Seasons is a die-rolling, card-playing game for 2-4 players.

The game features some truly outstanding artwork. These are some of the cards that you will be summoning for effects and points.

The game, setup for two players.

A player board. This little piece of cardboard keeps track of your energy, summoning level, and special power usage.

A close-up of the main board. The black cube will move around the outside of the circular calendar to show what season the game is currently in.

Episode 24 - Tabletop Day Wrapup and For Sale

A conversation about our experience on Tabletop Day becomes a minor discussion on the role of Tabletop in the hobby. Then, we manage to pull ourselves together long enough to review the card game, For Sale! Be sure to follow us on Twitter @StartSpaceCast.

For Sale is a light-weight game for 3-6 players that comes in a box which is much too large for its contents.

The entire contents of the box. See? That's what I'm talking about.

The Property Deck. You can see an example of some of the cartoony artwork on the cards which makes this a really inviting game for families.

The Check Deck. Not to be confused with the Czech Deck, a popular late-eighties, Eastern-European pop band. Is anyone even reading these?

Episode 23 - Pet Peeves and Dungeon Fighter

Hello everybody! In this episode, we're revealing some of the things that annoy us in board games. We then move on to a game which is decidedly un-annoying. Dungeon Fighter! Bonus points to anyone who gets the reference in the show's opening tag-line.

Dungeon Fighter is a cooperative, dexterity game which, as you can probably tell, features some really goofy artwork.

The board. Which is a target. Which you throw dice at. Interested yet?

Each player uses a character with three special abilities. The four characters above are just a sample of the characters included in the base game.

An example of one dungeon floor. In the bottom right is a Healing Spring. If the players decide to go the short route, they will have to go through a room that requires you to throw the die under your leg.

A full dungeon. The players are represented by the red token at the bottom and attempt to make it to the facedown boss monster at the top.

The game at setup. 

Ah, the card tower. Completely unnecessary, but cool nonetheless. 

Examples of some of the monsters and items you might encounter. Again, the artwork and names on these cards will keep you entertained for quite a while.

Episode 22 - The Business of Attraction and Eldritch Horror

In this episode of the Start Space Podcast, we're talking about attracting new gamers to the hobby. But this time, we shift the focus to game stores and production companies. What could they be doing to draw more people into hobby gaming? (In our humble opinion of course) We then review the new hotness, Eldritch Horror!

Evocative box cover, no?

The game comes with a tone of tokens and cards. Included here are monster tokens, character standees, health and sanity markers, and a bunch of other stuff.

Each player takes control of one character with their own unique abilities and stats. Characters include a musician, psychic, politician, and wilderness explorer.

Characters come with a standee and some starting equipment.

I don't recommend you start off against Cthulhu, but hey, it's your sanity.

The game board (with some tokens already on it). The "faded map" look really helps to bring out the theme of the game.

The Reserve, from which you will hopefully be buying weapons, items, and allies over the course of the game.

The game at setup. Lots of cards, lots of tokens, lots of fun. (For me at least...)

Just an example of the attention to detail in this game. Whatever location is pictured on the top of this deck gets a marker on the board. If you explore there, you'll flip this card over and do what it says. After your encounter, the token moves to whatever location is pictured on the back of the next card. Awesome.