So Very Wrong About Games

Latest Episodes:

#198: 2021 Year in Review Jan 25, 2022

Show notes

It's a star-studded eleganza extravaganza, featuring your two least-favourite SVWAG hosts giving you an incomplete capsule summary of a terrible year of great games. Of course, they neglected to play That One Game, of course, which means that all their observations are utterly useless, but how does that differentiate this episode from any other? This offering is more classy, however, as in a concession to the glitz and glamour of end-of-year shows, both hosts begrudgingly and uncharacteristically wear pants.
(You might be asking--is that "pants" in the British sense or the Canadian sense? The answer is yes.)
Games Played Last Week:
02:50 -Fossilis (David Alberto Diaz, Kids Table BG, 2020)
05:07 -In Too Deep (Josh Cappel & Daryl Chow, Burnt Island Games, 2021)
10:17 -French Toast (Uncredited, Blue Beard Entertainment, 2021)
12:06 -Magnate: The First City (James Naylor, Naylor Games, 2021)
18:02 -Corrosion (Stefan Bauer, Capstone Games, 2021)
20:35 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)
24:18 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)
29:46 -Monstrology (Andy Lubershane, Middle Brain Games, 2017)
33:06 -Conquest & Consequence (Craig Besinque, GMT Games, 2021)
YEAR IN REVIEW
35:59 Personal Top 10s
58:07 SVWAG Game of the Year
1:08:48 Special Categories
1:25:37 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre Year in Review
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#197: Ankh: Gods of Egypt Dec 28, 2021

Show notes

In the 14th Century B.C.E., the pharaoh Akhenaten attempted to shift Egypt into monotheism centered on the cult of the god Aten. Apparently there's some who argue it was possibly instead henotheism, whereby many gods are acknowledged but one is elevated above the others--a claim advanced about many ostensibly mono- or polytheistic religions, even some practised today--but at any rate is was exceptionally controversial. By the time his son Tutankhaten became pharaoh, the cult of Aten was suppressed, and the ascendancy of the god Amun was restored in a polytheistic pantheon. Hence the new pharaoh's name was changed from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun. Theme!
Games Played Last Week:
05:51 -Coyote (Spartaco Albertarelli, New Games Order, 2015)
07:19 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2022)
13:11 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021)
15:24 -That Time You Killed Me (Peter C. Hayward, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
22:03 -The Adventures of Robin Hood (Michael Menzel, KOSMOS, 2021)
26:16 -Final Girl (Evan Derrick & A.J. Porfirio, Van Ryder Games, 2021)
34:43 -Radlands (Daniel Piechnick, Roxley, 2021)
38:06 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021)
41:53 -7 Wonders: Architects (Antoine Bauza, Repos Production, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
43:35 Kickstarter Christmas! Upcoming For Science! giveaway
44:17 Boardgamegeek 2021 Support Drive
44:37 Walker a guest on Board Game Barrage
45:29 25th Century Games' Ra with Ian O'Toole art
46:12 Games Workshop backtracks, re-issues Cursed City
46:53 See you again in 2022
47:36 Feature Game: Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#196: Going Off-Script Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

Some things, of course, from Josie and the Pussycats have aged poorly. The idea of "record stores" and CDs (that could, in turn sell out like they were PS5s or something) is downright quaint--especially given the format of this show. I'm pretty confident that the cultural moment of Moviefone Guy has well and truly passed, despite the continued use of both movies and phones. Do people still know who Carson Daly is? I confess I never really did. Mostly I know him from that totally jerkin' movie, Josie and the Pussycats.
01:39 AYURIS: Watergate (Matthias Cramer, Capstone Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:10 -Sine Tempore (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018)
06:27 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
07:08 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021)
11:40 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)
13:59 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2022)
19:40 -Wingspan (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
21:20 -Factory Funner (2nd ed) (Corné van Moorsel, Boardgametables.com, 2021)
26:18 -Ethnos (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017)
28:32 -Undaunted: Reinforcements (Trevor Benjamin, David Digby, David Thompson, & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)
37:49 -Bitoku (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2021)
40:28 -Gutenberg (Katarzyna Cioch & Wojciech Wiśniewski, Granna, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
45:48 Kickstarter moving to blockchain is better for... reasons
46:32 Fairy Tale Inn from Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori
47:09 New Patreon-exclusive Discord channel
48:00 Asmodee sold to Swedish Embracer group for €2.75 billion
48:26 Asmodee purchased retailer Miniature Market sometime in 2021
50:08 Topic: Going Off-Script
1:11:16 Masterpiece Theatre: Josie and the Pussycats
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#195: Cryo Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

The hosts are, briefly, back in the same room again, and this has had the unfortunate effect of bringing out the very worst in Mark. Don't worry, he doesn't spend ten minutes complaining about the implied political claims of kids' shows, but his mind naturally went to the gutter of abominable puns. You have been warned.
Games Played Last Week:
01:16 -On Mars (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2020)
04:24 -Pulsar 2849 (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017)
06:37 -Hibachi (Marco Teubner, Grail Games, 2021)
09:41 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
16:51 -Isle of Skye: Druids (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2018)
21:08 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
25:15 -The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged (Johnny O'Neal, Britherwise Games, 2021)
27:09 -Brian Boru: High King of Ireland (Peer Sylvester, Osprey Games, 2021)
33:37 -7 Wonders: Architects (Antoine Bauza, Repos Production, 2021)
37:21 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
45:44 Werewolves of Miller's Hollow (i.e., Werewolf/Mafia) licensed for a movie
47:12 Kickstarter moving to blockchain for... reasons
50:41 Feature Game: Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#194: Our Gaming Autobiographies Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

We skip over substantial portions of our hosts' stories, of course. No mention is made of Walker's extensive experience with Gilbert & Sullivan. Mark's stint as the Official Pokémon Master of Canada is glossed over. The deep tribal conflict of Jocks versus Geeks, of which Walker is destined to be the bridge (think Dune but even more messianic), is only alluded to. Someday, the whole story might be told, but you wouldn't believe us.
01:43 AYURIS: Nemesis (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
04:27 -Stardew Valley: The Board Game (Eric Barone & Cle Medeiros, CorcernedApe, 2021)
11:30 -Imhotep (Phil Walker-Harding, KOSMOS, 2016)
14:56 -Sheepy Time (Neil Kimball, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2021)
18:38 -IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)
21:43 -Mindbug (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, & Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2021)
27:55 -Paper Dungeons (Leandro Pires, MeepleBR, 2020)
29:12 -Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021), Board Game Arena adaptation by Elena Laskavaia
31:36 -Coffee Traders (Rolf Sagel & André Spil, Capstone Games, 2021)
34:29 -Magnate: The First City (James Naylor, Naylor Games, 2021)
40:45 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
41:19 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
43:16 Loto Quebec's Azul scratch tickets
44:50 7.6 tons of counterfeit Pokémon cards
45:31 Flat River Group acquires Greater Than Games
46:34 Stan Lee's Genesis
47:15 A Billion Suns: Warzone
49:00 Topic: Our Gaming Autobiographies
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#193: Praga Caput Regni Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

We have become feature-hungry here at SVWAG. We debut Walker's Language Corner which, let us be frank, is not apt to be repeated, especially given Walker's aversion to dead languages. We finally name a recurring segment that has been airing unaccredited for years, and we have dubbed in Mark's Rage Theatre. It is Festivus every day of the year, and Mark has some grievances to air.
Games Played Last Week:
01:18 -Paper Dungeons (Leandro Pires, MeepleBR, 2020)
04:40 -Sheepy Time (Neil Kimball, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2021)
09:45 -Draftosaurus: Aerial Show (Antoine Bauza, Corentin Lebrat, Ludovic Maublanc, & Théo Rivière, Ankama, 2020)
12:07 -Disney Gargoyles: Awakening (Nate Heiss, Ravensburger, 2021)
16:26 -Imperial Steam (Alexander Huemer, Capstone Games, 2021)
21:14 -Puerto Rico (Andreas Seyfarth, alea, 2002)
27:49 -Beez (Dan Halstad, Next Move Games, 2020)
30:03 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012) BGA implementation by Radu Stefan & Adam Dewbery
34:31 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021)
36:04 -Cellulose (John Coveyou & Steve Schlepphorst, Genuis Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
38:50 My City Roll and Write
39:10 Play-Along Parasocial Saturdays! Dec. 4 at 10:30 EST, join us in playing Paper Dungeons and Cartographers
39:34 I, Napoleon from GMT Games and Ted Raicer
40:24 Boards&Dice: Terracotta Army
40:51 Tasty Minstrel's remaining stock being sold off through CoolStuffInc
42:28 Feature Game: Praga Caput Regni (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2020)
1:08:10 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 4
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#192: Event Gaming Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

One of the great tragic modern misapprehensions of history is the blanching of fascism. It seems that people can watch Attack on Titan and play with their space marines, and simply because there are no swastikas to be found they assume that there are no connections to fascistic ideology contained therein. This is one of the reasons why we so appreciate the humble cucumber sandwich--we would assert that its very fragility and delicacy evoke anti-fascism. Whether one ought to use butter or cream cheese is of great doctrinal import, of course, but we're not gonna get all dogmatic about it.
01:47 AYURIS: Undaunted: Normandy (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
05:07 -Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021)
07:55 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)
10:21 -1846: The Race for the Midwest (Thomas Lehmann, GMT Games, 2005)
20:33 -Railroad Tycoon/Railways of the World (Glenn Drover & Martin Wallace, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2005)
22:20 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021)
24:53 -Res Arcana: Perlae Imperii (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2021)
27:49 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)
30:08 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
31:03 -Dinosaur World (Brian Lewis, David McGregor, & Marissa Misura, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
36:28 -Too Many Bones (Adam & Josh Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2017)
40:11 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
42:26 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
45:18 -MicroMacro: Crime City--Full House (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2021)
46:21 -Khôra: Rise of an Empire (Head Quarter Simulation Game Club, IELLO, 2021)
47:04 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
48:02 Marvel Zombicide, because of course
49:10 20th Anniversary of the Lord of the Rings movies: Games Workshop's Battle of Balin's Tomb
50:09 Games Workshop condemns Nazis and Nazism in their community
54:22 Topic: Event Gaming
1:14:57 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 3 (Walker's Take)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#191: Keepers Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

Sometimes your devotion and enthusiasm doesn't translate into research or comprehensiveness. Case in point, dear listeners--The Legend of Korra, a franchise Walker introduced to Mark, is one that Walker loves but--shocker!--is one he has only seen but half of. It is revealed during Mark's unhinged ramblings about he would have "fixed" season 3 that Walker is utterly unfamiliar with what he's talking about, and not for the usual reasons. Masterpiece Theatre will never be the same, and Walker just discovered he's got a lot more episodes of Korra than he thought existed.
01:12 AYURIS: Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon (Krzysztof Piskorski & Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:40 -Sine Tempore (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018)
08:15 -Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021)
10:06 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
11:07 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021)
15:31 -Brew (Stevo Torres, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
17:12 -Bärenpark (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout, 2017)
20:57 -Destinies (Michał Gołębiowski & Filip Miłuński, Lucky Duck Games, 2021)
23:54 -War Chest (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, AEG, 2018)
28:16 -Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021)
31:01 -MicroMacro: Crime City--Full House (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:09 New Dungeon Bowl from Games Workshop
35:24 Horseless Carriage by Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga of Splotter
37:25 Familiar Tales by Jerry Hawthorne and Plaid Hat Games
38:21 Star Fighters: Rapid Fire by Michael Dunsmore & Jordan Nichols and Alley Cat Games on Kickstarter
40:07 Parasocial Saturdays! Saturday November 13th at 10:30 AM EST: Sentinels of the Multiverse
40:46 No regular episode next week
41:46 Topic: Keepers
1:10:57 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 3 (Mark's Take)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#190: Ultimate Railroads Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

"Planned obsolescence" is not just an economic term, it is a way of life for some companies. It is the practice of deliberately making a sold item frail or of limited use until it is unfashionable; this forces the consumer to replace it sooner than they would otherwise. Analysts tell us that it is best deployed by oligopolies to increase their sales volume. Completely unrelatedly, we talk about Games Workshop in the news.
Games Played Last Week:
01:26 -Mindbug (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, & Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2021)
03:36 -Ticket to Ride: Germany (Alan R. Moon, Days of Wonder, 2017)
06:18 -Chocolate Factory (Matthew Dunstan & Brett J. Gilbert, Alley Cat Games, 2019)
08:22 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)
09:55 -My Farm Shop (Rüdiger Dorn, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
12:05 -Royal Visit (Reiner Knizia, IELLO, 2021)
14:18 -Dunaïa (Thomas Dupont, BLAM !, 2021)
15:42 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
20:10 -One Deck Dungeon: Abyssal Depths (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
23:55 Warhammer Underworlds Harrowdeep changes the card backs, prices us out of the game
27:15 Steam Up on Kickstarter: dim sum board game
28:28 David Gregg working on Nightfall 2.0
29:05 Parasocial Saturdays: streaming Dinosaur World November 6th at 10:30 AM EST on Twitch.
29:17 www.patreon.com/svwag, final week of Arkhipov Day sale
30:28 Feature Game: Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021)
Board Game Arena adaptation by Elena Laskavaia.
52:25 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 2
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#189: Resolving Rules Disputes Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

This topic was suggested by Penn State law professor Jacob Schuman, although let us be perfectly clear that he does not necessarily endorse any of the views expressed. I mean, if Justices Breyer and/or Alito heard us impugn their oracular insights, no doubt we would be put on blast; much like those terrible journalists for having the sheer gall to posit that judges are, well, human and all. Perish the thought! We also apologize for suggesting that textualism does not ineffably guide one to the True and Correct Opinion, just like it did in Bostock, where textualist methods gave you at least three competing interpretations.
01:05 AYURIS: Clinic Deluxe Edition (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:40 -Tinners' Trail (Martin Wallace, Alley Cat Games, 2021)
07:09 -Merchants of Amsterdam (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande Games, 2000)
10:59 -Merchants Cove (Jonny Pac, Carl Van Ostrand, & Drake Villareal, Final Frontier Games, 2021)
13:26 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)
15:17 -Isle of Cats (Frank West, The City of Games, 2019)
17:52 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
20:28 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021)
22:36 -Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Nate French & MJ Newman, Fantasy Flight Games, 2016)
26:00 -Messina 1347 (Raúl Fernández Aparicio & Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2021)
28:34 -Dark Ages: Heritage of Charlemagne (Adam Kwapiński & Andrei Novac, Board&Dice, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:58 Risk: Shadow Forces. Legacy light?
33:51 Art Robbery from Helvetiq and Reiner Knizia
34:29 Iron Forest approaches
35:07 Assault on Doomrock Ultimate Edition approaches, Too Many Bones is... too... many bones.
37:05 Parasocial Saturdays! October 30th at 10:00 EST on Twitch.
37:35 Arkhipov Day: October 27, 1962: 59th anniversary of Vasily Arkhipov saving the world. Theme song "Two Atomic Heroes" by Lemon Knife! Arkhipov Day Patreon sale!
38:15 Topic: Resolving Rules Disputes
1:08:23 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 1
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected