Garrett's Games and Geekiness
Doug Garrett and his wife Shelley discuss and review the strategy/designer board games they play on this weekly podcast. Interviews with notable names in the hobby, along with designers and publishers, are part of the show.
info_outline
Garrett's Games 929: Revive + Call of the Abyss Expansion and Amritsar
04/21/2024
Garrett's Games 929: Revive + Call of the Abyss Expansion and Amritsar
As promised, Shelley and I get one of last week's big games back to the table with it's recent expansion for a discussion of what that adds in Revive + The Call of the Abyss Expansion by Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Ostby, Eilif Svensson and Anna Wermlund from Aporta Games then we got a great and beautiful mancala-based game on the table with Amritsar by David Heras Pino from Ludonova
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/30914828
info_outline
Garrett's Games 928: Revive Redux and Scholars of the South Tigris
04/14/2024
Garrett's Games 928: Revive Redux and Scholars of the South Tigris
Shelley and I get two HEAVY games to the table this week, re-visiting Revive by Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Ostby, Eilif Svensson and Anna Wermlund from Aporta Games Scholars of the South Tigris by Shem Phillips and SJ MacDonald from Renegade Game Studios and Garphill Games Support the podcast at OR check out the extensive list of games we have for sale that belong on your table!
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/30809963
info_outline
Garrett's Games 927: Apiary and The Gig
04/07/2024
Garrett's Games 927: Apiary and The Gig
Shelley and I play two games that provide variety through various player boards: The Gig by Robb Smigielski, Lewis Shaw, Jamie Gray, and Dann May from Braincrack Games and Apiary by Connie Vogelmann from Stonemaier Games
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/30719043
info_outline
Garrett's Games 926: Dune Imperium Uprising and Books of Time
03/31/2024
Garrett's Games 926: Dune Imperium Uprising and Books of Time
Shelley and I get two heavier games to the table this week. First up is a sequel to a worker placement/deck builder we've enjoyed in the past: Dune Imperium: Uprising by Paul Dennen from Dire Wolf and Legendary then we create cool 3-ring binder books, collect resources and perform actions in Books of Time by Filip Glowacz from Board&Dice
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/30607303
info_outline
Garrett's Games 925: Cathedral of Orleans and Djinn
03/24/2024
Garrett's Games 925: Cathedral of Orleans and Djinn
Shelley and I work together to build Orleans' cathedral in the cooperative family game The Cathedral of Orleans by Wolfgang Dirscherl, Markus Müller, and Reiner Stockhausen from dlp games and Matagot then we compete to capture the most genies while collecting resources in Djinn by Benjamin Schwer from Hall Games and Pegasus Spiele
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/30444613
info_outline
Garrett's Games 924: Ark Nova + Marine Worlds Expansion and Heart of Venice
03/17/2024
Garrett's Games 924: Ark Nova + Marine Worlds Expansion and Heart of Venice
Shelley and I add the Marine Worlds Expansion to Ark Nova by Mathias Wigge from Feuerland Spiele and Capstone Games and then roll dice to build canals and ship goods in Heart of Venice by Yuko Y from JrnyCat
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/30391128
info_outline
Garrett's Games 923: Art Society and Footprints
03/10/2024
Garrett's Games 923: Art Society and Footprints
This week Shelley and I get snooty as we buy painting to hang on our crowded wall in Art Society by Mitch Wallace from Mighty Boards the go prehistoric as we wander across various landscapes in Footprints by Eilif Svensson, Asmund Svensson and Geir Andre Wahlquist from Chilifox Games
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/30240108
info_outline
Garrett's Games 922 - The Disappointing Games of 2023
03/03/2024
Garrett's Games 922 - The Disappointing Games of 2023
After our Top 10 Games last week, it's time to reveal some of our disappointments of the year...and also suggest OTHER games by many of the designers that you should play instead. The Fox Experiment (play Wingspan) Mosaic Glades (play Keythedral) Spellbook (play Sushi Go...or get a pack of cards and play Rummy!) Atiwa (play Agricola) Railway Book (play Yokohama) Trekking Through History (play Trekking the National Parks) Stack n Stuff Orichalcum Rauha Bonsai And our best gaming experience (to end on a positive note) involved playing flowerpower out on our deck.
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/30169763
info_outline
Garrett's Games 921 - Doug & Shelley's Top 10 Games of 2023
02/25/2024
Garrett's Games 921 - Doug & Shelley's Top 10 Games of 2023
Remember to sponsor the podcast at or check out our extensive list of games for sale here: It's time for our annual countdown of our favorite games that were new to us in 2023! We always wait about a month into the next year so we can try and play as many of the big games as possible, but we still haven't gotten around to all of the possibly great games we have seen on other reviewers end-of-year lists. With that caveat, listen for our comments and our lists are below: Doug's Honorable Mentions In the Footsteps of Darwin by Gregory Grard & Matthieu Verdier from Sorry We Are French Lunaris 45 by Rola & Costa from Pile Up Games Wandering Towers by Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer from Abacusspiele Moesteiro by Rola & Costa from Pythagoras Doug's Top Ten 10) Revive by Helge Meissner, Kristian Ostby, Eilif Svensson, & Anna Wermlund from Aporta Games 9) Terracotta Army by Przemyslaw Formal & Adam Kwapinski from Board&Dice 8) Marrakesh by Stefan Feld from Queen Games 7) Forest Shuffle by Kosch from Lookout Games 6) Amygdala by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer from Game Brewer 5) Darwin's Journey by Simone Luciani & Nestore Mangone from ThunderGryph Games 4) House of Cats by William Attia & Kristian Ostby from Aporta Games 3) Tucana Builders by Kristian Ostby & Eilif Svensson from Aporta Games 2) The White Castle by Isra C & Shei S from Devir 1) Barcelona by Dani Garcia from Board&Dice Shelley's Honorable Mentions Oranienburger Kanal by Uwe Rosenberg from Spielworxx Forest Shuffle by Kosch from Lookout Games Wandering Towers by Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer from Abacusspiele Earth by Maxime Tardif from Inside Up Games Moesteiro by Rola & Costa from Pythagoras Shelley's Top Ten 10) Terracotta Army by Przemyslaw Formal & Adam Kwapinski from Board&Dice 9) Joan of Arc - Orleans Draw & Write by Ryan Hendrickson & Reiner Stockhausen from dlp Games 8) Amygdala by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer from Game Brewer 7) Neotopia by Orlando Sa & Andre Santos from MEBO Games 6) Darwin's Journey by Simone Luciani & Nestore Mangone from ThunderGryph Games 5) Caldera Park by Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer from Deep Print Games 4) Tucana Builders by Kristian Ostby & Eilif Svensson from Aporta Games 3) House of Cats by William Attia & Kristian Ostby from Aporta Games 2) The White Castle by Isra C & Shei S from Devir 1) Barcelona by Dani Garcia from Board&Dice
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29926228
info_outline
Garrett's Games 920: Lunaris 45 AND Amygdala
02/18/2024
Garrett's Games 920: Lunaris 45 AND Amygdala
Shelley and I check out a dice placement game in Lunaris 45 by Rola and Costa from Pile Up Games and Pythagoras and then check out the brain and emotions in Amygdala by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer from Game Brewer Remember to sponsor the podcast at or check out our extensive list of games for sale here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29812678
info_outline
Garrett's Games 919: Kutna Hora and Alpujarras
02/11/2024
Garrett's Games 919: Kutna Hora and Alpujarras
On Shelley's birthday we have an episode of games that weren't our favorites, but might work well for you: Kutná Hora: The City of Silver by Ondrej Bystron, Petr Caslava, and Pavel Jarosch from Czech Games Edition and Alpujarras by Steve Finn from Dr. Finn's Games Remember you can subscribe to the podcast at OR Check out our extensive list of games for sale (including BOTH of the games from this episode if they haven't sold already)here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29752473
info_outline
Garrett's Games 918: Cascadia + Landmarks Expansion and Bonsai
02/04/2024
Garrett's Games 918: Cascadia + Landmarks Expansion and Bonsai
Shelley and I get mellow with tree creation in Bonsai by Rosaria Battiato, Massimo Borzi and Martino Chiacchiera from DV Games then we design our own wildernesses, populating them with various animals in Cascadia with the Landmarks Expansion by Randy Flynn, Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin, and Shawn Stankewich from Flatout Games and AEG Remember to support the podcast at or check out our extensive list of games available for purchase at great prices here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29699328
info_outline
Garrett's Games 917: The Fox Experiment and Bark Avenue
01/28/2024
Garrett's Games 917: The Fox Experiment and Bark Avenue
Shelley and I check out a couple of canine-related titles this week The Fox Experiment by Elizabeth Hargrave and Jeff Fraser from Pandasaurus Games and Bark Avenue by Mackenzie and Jonathan Jungck from TerreDice Games and Good Game Publishing Sponsor the podcast at or check out our extensive list of games for sale (which includes both of the games above):
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29629313
info_outline
Garrett's Games 916: The White Castle and Fit to Print
01/21/2024
Garrett's Games 916: The White Castle and Fit to Print
Shelley and I simultaneously layout competing newspapers in Fit to Print by Peter McPherson from AEG and Flatout Games then we head to east and try to gain favor at The White Castle by Isra C. and Shei S. from Devir Remember to sponsor the podcast at OR Check out our EXTENSIVE list of games for sale at reasonable prices - help us out and get great games!
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29444883
info_outline
Garrett's Games 915: House of Cats and Forever Home
01/14/2024
Garrett's Games 915: House of Cats and Forever Home
Shelley and I go to the cats and dogs this week, checking out the recent releases House of Cats by William Attia and Kristian A. Ostby from Aporta Games and Forever Home by Lottie & Jack Hazel from Birdwood Games Remember to sponsor the podcast at OR Check out our EXTENSIVE list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29407513
info_outline
Garrett's Games 914: Spellbook and Starship Catan/CATAN: Starfarers Duel
01/07/2024
Garrett's Games 914: Spellbook and Starship Catan/CATAN: Starfarers Duel
Shelley and I tackle some spell-making in Spellbook by Phil Walker-Harding from Space Cowboys then get a classic that's getting re-published Starship Catan by Klaus Teuber from KOSMOS, coming out in Q1 2024 as CATAN: Starfarers Duel with Benjamin Teuber added as co-designer Sponsor the podcast at or check out our EXTENSIVE list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29369898
info_outline
Garrett's Games 913: Moon River and Tucana Builders
12/31/2023
Garrett's Games 913: Moon River and Tucana Builders
Shelley and I play two sequels (of a sort) this week. First up is a new take on Kingdomino with pieces that connect to make domino land tiles in Moon River by Bruno Cathala and Yohan Servais from Blue Orange then we move from Trails of Tucana (a draw/draw game) to a tile laying cousin in Tucana Builders by Kristian A. Ostby and Eilif Svensson from Aporta Games Sponsor the podcast at OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29170613
info_outline
Garrett's Games 912: Fisheries of Glouscester and Neotopia
12/24/2023
Garrett's Games 912: Fisheries of Glouscester and Neotopia
Shelley and I check out a 2-player game of competitive fishing in Fisheries of Gloucester by Steve Finn from Dr. Finn's Games then we get a bit abstract as we add 'manufactured tokens' to various areas to create patterns in Neotopia by Orlando Sa and and Andre Santos from MEBO Games and Arcane Wonders Sponsor the podcast at or check out our extensive list of games for purchase at reasonable prices here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/29044028
info_outline
Garrett's Games 911: Ierusalem and Mountain Goats
12/17/2023
Garrett's Games 911: Ierusalem and Mountain Goats
This week Shelley and I check out a fun remake, as well as some fun big-box complexity Mountain Goats by Stefan Risthaus from Allplay (which used to be Level X from Schmidt Spiele) Ierusalem: Anno Domini by Carmen Garcia Jimenez from Devir Sponsor the podcast at or check out our extensive list of games for sale here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28944503
info_outline
Garrett's Games 910: Rauha and Stack 'n Stuff
12/10/2023
Garrett's Games 910: Rauha and Stack 'n Stuff
This week Shelley and I attempt to enlist gods to increase our scores in Rauha by Johannes Goupy andThéo Rivière from GRRRE Games and then we pack our moving van in Stack 'n Stuff by Uwe Rosenberg and Marianne Waage from Lookout Games Remember you can sponsor the podcast at or check out our list of games for sale here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28808578
info_outline
Garrett's Games 909: Mosaic and Orichalcum
12/03/2023
Garrett's Games 909: Mosaic and Orichalcum
This week Shelley and I discuss two games that, for different reasons, didn't really work for us. First up - Orichalcum by Bruno Cathala and Johannes Goupy from Catch Up Games and Pandasaurus Games then we tackle the MONSTER game Mosaic: A Story of Civilization by Glenn Drover from Forbidden Games Remember to sponsor the podcast at or check out our games for sale page here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28807458
info_outline
Garrett's Games 908: Barcelona and In The Footsteps of Darwin
11/26/2023
Garrett's Games 908: Barcelona and In The Footsteps of Darwin
Shelley and I check out two solid titles this week. The first, a game that once again has Darwin as its theme (though much lighter than Darwin's Journey that we discussed previously) In The Footsteps of Darwin by Gregory Grard and Matthieu Verdier from Sorry We Are French and Hachette Boardgames then we head to the Iberian Peninsula and work to modernize one of our favorite cities in Barcelona by Dani Garcia from Board&Dice and CMON Global Limited Remember you can sponsor the podcast at OR get some great games for good prices from your extensive list of games for sale:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28637423
info_outline
Garrett's Games 907: Forest Shuffle and Space Park
11/19/2023
Garrett's Games 907: Forest Shuffle and Space Park
Shelley and I grow our forest glades and populate the trees with animals in Forest Shuffle by Kosch from Lookout Games then we travel the galaxy picking up resources and fulfilling contracts in a game that reminds us for Parks (and it's by the same designer!) Space Park by Henry Audubon from Keymaster Games Remember that you can sponsor the podcast by going to or check out the list of games we have for sale, which also works to support us here:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28569078
info_outline
Garrett's Games 906: Darwin's Journey Expansions and Patios
11/12/2023
Garrett's Games 906: Darwin's Journey Expansions and Patios
Shelley and I tackle the REST of Darwin's Journey, exploring all of the expansion and discussing their incorporation into the base game. Then we try out a smaller-box game with some nasty 'take-that' elements. Darwin's Journey and Expansions by Simone Luciani and Nestor Mangone from ThunderGryph Games, CMON Global Limited and Korea Boardgames Patios by Jesus Torres Castro from ATOMO GAMES
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28559633
info_outline
Garrett's Games 905: Planted and Darwin's Journey
11/05/2023
Garrett's Games 905: Planted and Darwin's Journey
Shelley and I decorate our spaces with various flora in Planted by Phil Walker-Harding from Buffalo Games then take on one of the BIG games that's been on the shelf for a few months Darwin's Journey by Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone from CMON Global Limited, ThunderGryph Games and Korea Boardgames Sponsor the podcast at or buy some games just in time for the holidays!
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28508429
info_outline
Garrett's Games 904: Marco Polo x2 - Voyages & MP2
10/29/2023
Garrett's Games 904: Marco Polo x2 - Voyages & MP2
After playing the original Voyages of Marco Polo by Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini (2015) at Meeplefest, Shelley and I wanted to reflect on why we made a choice back in the day to only keep Marco Polo II: In The Service of the Khan (2019) We hope you enjoy our reflections on these two titles once again.
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28379552
info_outline
Garrett's Games 903: Hues & Cues, Viva Pamplona, and Le Paresseux
10/22/2023
Garrett's Games 903: Hues & Cues, Viva Pamplona, and Le Paresseux
Shelley and I talk about some of the "big player count" games that we enjoy, especially during late-night plays at conventions: Viva Pamplona! by Wolfgang Kramer from FX Schmid (released in 1992) Le Paresseux by Dominique Tellier from Eurogames (released in 1990) Hues and Cues by Scott Brady from CMON (released in 2020) Here's the link to our games for sale:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28311356
info_outline
Garrett's Games 902: Alea Iacta Est (redux) and Comic Hunters
10/15/2023
Garrett's Games 902: Alea Iacta Est (redux) and Comic Hunters
Shelley and I reflect on another chance to play Alea Iacta Est by Jeff Allers and Bernd Eisnenstein from Alea (released again in 2016 as Order of the Guilded Compass from Greg Fox Games) and then we check out Comic Hunters by Robert Coehlo by Bucaneiros Jogos with its cool Marvel-covers theme Here's the link to our games for sale:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28310441
info_outline
Garrett's Games 901: It's A Wonderful World and Pick A Pepper
10/08/2023
Garrett's Games 901: It's A Wonderful World and Pick A Pepper
Shelley and I check out a game from 2019 that passed us by, and then check out a much newer little card game from last year: It's A Wonderful World by Frederic Guerard from La Boite de Jeu and MEBO Games and Pick-A-Pepper (or Sauscharf) by Wolfgang Kramer and Christian Stohr from Amigo Here's the link to our games for sale:
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28201373
info_outline
Garrett's Games 900: Essen 2023 Preview!
10/01/2023
Garrett's Games 900: Essen 2023 Preview!
Essen Spiel happens THIS WEEK, so Shelley and I sat down to discuss possible titles to peruse and buy. Though we're not headed to Germany this year, we can't wait to play the best of the new releases. AND - WE HAVE HIT 900 EPISODES! Help us celebrate by sponsoring the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or puchasing some games from the list below: The games mentioned (or added after we recorded), Alphabetically by Publisherf - a total of 110: FTW?! Cascadia Landmarks Fit to Print Pollen The Academy Cabanga! Schrödingers Katzen Z3bra Pampero House of Cats Revive: Call of the Abyss Tucana Builders Gap Neotopia World of Wonders Ceres Blueprints of Mad King Ludwig Welcome to...Edition Collector Moon River Next Station: Tokyo Barcelona Books of Time Nucleum SideQuest: 7th Sea Kick Off: Coach From the Moon Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Salt Carnival Karakum Footprints Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods Rats of Wistar + Expansions Portals Kutná Hora: The City of Silver Match of the Century Moorland Evacuation 3 Ring Circus Bamboo Bitoku: Resutoran Ierusalem: Anno Domini Savernake Forest The White Castle Yokai Sketch Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester Cathedral of Orleans Orleans: The Plague Pioneer Rails Keops Havalandi Prey Another Day Walking in Burano: Roll & Write Sea Dragons Mytikas Nautilus Island Amygdala Delta Planta Nubo Vedur Taiwan Night Market Contraband Insider Printing Press Sunrise Lane (re-issue of Rondo) Discordia Dim Sum Coffee Rush Nunatak Wave All Roads Hens Tipperary 1902 Melies Urbify Amritsar: The Golden Temple The A.R.T. Project Evenfall The Fox Experiment Concordia: Roma/Sicilia Pictures: USA Satori Art Gallery Lunaris 45 Dance of the Ibexes (Tanz der Hornochsen) Sardegna (Kreta) Stereo Mind: Classical Tequila Celtae Gods of Rome Lata Missao M The Glade Mycelia Aelderman e-Mission Kuhfstein Maps of Misterra Redwood SpellBook Bier Pioniere Age of Rome Food Trucks Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game Stamp Collection (California) Dr. Frankenstein Five Peaks
/episode/index/show/garrettsgames/id/28086491