So Very Wrong About Games

Pickaxe
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A podcast about all manner of hobby games by Mike Walker and Mark Bigney. Bad games don't go easy on you, so we don't go easy on them. Thorough analysis via reviews, news, and discussion of topics in gaming. We take context seriously, we value your time, and we're not into hype. Just because games are fun doesn't mean we can't take them seriously, and just because we take them seriously doesn't mean we can't have fun.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Burned

    Going to have to post a guard to the studio.... Can't keep letting riff raff stroll in. (unless its the rapper) 00:00 Intro 04:03 Innovation Deluxe (Carl Chudyk Asmadi Games 2017) 07:28 Tír na nÓg (Isaac Shalev, Jason Slingerland Grand Gamers Guild 2024) 09:59 Azul (Michael Kiesling Plan B Games 2017) 15:27 Coalitions (Andrew Rourke PHALANX 2026) 24:44 The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing KOSMOS 2021) 28:29 OffShoots (Self-Published 2024) 32:00 NEWS 36:05 Burned (Jon Moffat Stone Circle Games 2025) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    51 min
  2. #251: Game Design Trends

    21/02/2023

    #251: Game Design Trends

    You like SVWAG? Their early work was a little too negative for my taste. But when SHUX came out in '20, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole podcast has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the episodes a big boost. They've been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think SVWAG has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor. In '23, SVWAG released this; episode 251, their most accomplished episode. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "gullet regurgitation". An observation so catchy, most people probably don't think about the meaning. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of consumption and the importance of digestion. It's also a personal statement about the podcast itself. Hey, Walker!01:37 AYURIS: Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)Games Played Last Week:03:42 -Godtear (David Carl, Alex Hall, & Steve Margetson, Steamforged Games, 2019)08:30 -Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps (Andrew Haught, Gale Force Nine, 2020)14:17 -LOAD: League of Ancient Defenders (Uncredited, Archon Studio, 2016)17:49 -Warpgate: Beyond (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)22:23 -Code of Nine (BakaFire, Z-Man Games, 2012)26:17 -American Psycho: A Killer Game (Dan Blanchett, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)30:25 -Sabika (Germán P. Millán, Ludonova, 2022)News (and why it doesn't matter):36:15 Bamboo by Sabika's Germán P. Millán36:53 Cyclades: Legendary Edition37:52 The closure and bankruptcy of Holy Grail Games39:16 Expansion to Cosmic Frog! "Find Muck"40:15 Topic: Gaming Design TrendsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 7m
  3. #247: Ginkgopolis

    24/01/2023

    #247: Ginkgopolis

    Ah, you dear internet pedants, I can hear your rapid and ever-present desire for infinite emendations and futile attempts to be comprehensive! "What of the expansion, uhm actually," you demand. We have little experience with the Ginkgopolis expansion, and while it adds several modules, they don't add much to the game--if you catch my subtle distinction.Games Played Last Week:01:18 -The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2019)05:52 -Heat: Pedal to the Metal (Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen, Days of Wonder, 2022)11:00 -Last Message (Lee Ju-Hwa and Giung Kim, IELLO, 2021)15:05 -Hyperborea: Light and Shadow (Andrea Chiarvesio, Maurizio Vergendo, and Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion Press, 2016)19:10 -Ragnarocks (Gord!, Grey Fox Games, 2022)23:45 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)26:18 -Rauha (Johannes Goupy and Théo Rivière, GRRRE Games, 2023) 28:16 -For Sale (Stefan Dorra, Uberplay, 1997)30:41 -Woodcraft (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)News (and why it doesn't matter):34:30 Game Brewer's Trolls and Princesses on Kickstarter36:02 Expansion to Witchstone: Full Moon36:40 Nusfjord Big Box: new expansions sold separately37:54 Gears of War: The Card Game38:26 SVWAG YouTube Page: new videoshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn7rQYKYwsxouP_7nSza9qQ39:19 Feature Game: Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 3m
  4. #246: 2022 Year in Review

    17/01/2023

    #246: 2022 Year in Review

    Welcome to our year-end eleganza extravaganza! Lists are compiled. Harsh truths confronted. For example, while one generally takes a while to acclimatize to the using the new year in dates, 2022 seemed immediately apt and people switched over effortlessly. 2023 still seems weird, though--as evidenced by the fact that we forgot to change our tags for our 2023 episodes thus far! How embarrassing.Games Played Last Week:01:32 -Good Puppers (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)03:21 -Woodcrafters (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)06:55 -Robotech: Reconstruction (Dr. Wictz, Strange Machine Games, 2023) 12:59 -Black Rose Wars (Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2019)18:46 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt--Pharaoh (Erc M. Lang, CMON, 2021)22:53 -Age of Industry (Martin Wallace, Treefrog Games, 2010) and Age of Industry Expansion: Belgium and USSR (Clause Sirois, Self-published, 2013)29:17 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)30:25 -Artisans of Splendent Vale (Nikki Valens, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)37:14 -Lanzerath Ridge (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2022)40:42 Top 10s of 20221:04:44 Game of the Year 20221:07:33 Special CategoriesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 38m
  5. #245: Beowulf: The Legend

    10/01/2023

    #245: Beowulf: The Legend

    "I'm head of the classI'm popularI'm a quarter backI'm popularMy mom says I'm a catchI'm popularI'm never last pickedI'm in the Green Team cliqueBeing attractive is the most important thing there isIf you wanna catch the biggest fish in your pondYou have to be as attractive as possibleMake sure to keep your hair spotless and cleanWash it at least every two weeksOnce every two weeksAnd if you see Johnny Football Hero in the hallTell him he played a great gameTell him you liked his choice in the best of three"-Popular by Nada Surf,which ought to have been in the Green Team Wins rulebookGames Played Last Week:01:09 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)04:01 -Tiletum (Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2022)08:18 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)10:55 -Terracotta Army (Przemysław Fornal and Adam Kwapiński, Board&Dice, 2022)17:54 -Paperback Adventures (Tim Fowers and Skye Larsen, Fowers Games, 2022)23:34 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)24:46 -Robotech: Reconstruction (Dr. Wictz, Strange Machine Games, 2021) 29:12 -Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion, 2014)34:24 -Roll Camera!: The Filmmaking Board Game (Malachi Ray Rempen, Keen Bean Studios, 2021)News (and why it doesn't matter):38:32 Irrgarten der Magier (Magician's Maze): Co-op dexterity with magnets!40:05 Andrew Parks and Eric Goldberg's Tales of the Arthurian Knights41:06 Isle of Skye Big Box: Walker Buys Twice Edition42:16 End of year SVWAG survey! Questions! Prizes! Please help us plan! https://forms.gle/WuqtmUK39xFMAbAb742:54 We have a Patreon. www.patreon.com/svwag44:11 Feature Game: Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 6m
  6. #244: Oak

    03/01/2023

    #244: Oak

    After much popular demand, we present to you the much-anticipated return of Masterpiece Theatre. Our esteemed patron--who is utterly unaware of our existence, such is his focus on his twin demesnes of fastness and furiousness--deserves no less. Of course, should His Grace, the Reverend Doktor Doktor Vincent, Duke of Diesel, Esq. O.B.E. ever condescend to acknowledge us plebs, we would no doubt swoon from appreciation. We would cherish so much as a grunt! Or a cease and desist! Games Played Last Week:01:21 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)05:33 -Time of Empires (David Simiand and Pierre Voye, Pearl Games, 2022)09:31 -Time Barons (Jon Perry and Derek Yu, WizKids, 2014)13:51 -Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition (Muneyuki Yokouchi, Bézier Games, 2022)18:19 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)22:20 -One Deck Galaxy (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2022)26:02 -G.I. Joe Deck-Building Game: Coldsnap Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)29:33 -Tidal Blades: Banner Festival (J.B. Howell and Michael Mihealsick, Druid City Games, 2022)34:16 -Tiny Turbo Cars (Hjalmar Hach, Alessandro Manuini, Jonathan Panada, Laura Severino, and Giulia Tamagni, Horrible Guild, 2022)News (and why it doesn't matter):39:59 Knizia's Quo Vadis becomes Zoo Vadis from Bitewing Games41:13 Kingmaker from 1974 becomes revised from Gibsons Games42:38 End of year SVWAG survey! Questions! Prizes! Please help us plan! https://forms.gle/WuqtmUK39xFMAbAb743:25 Warsurge on Kickstarter: setting and miniature agnostic with unrestricted unit design45:59 Feature Game: Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)1:11:32 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Glass OnionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 23m
  7. #243: Real-Time Games

    27/12/2022

    #243: Real-Time Games

    We take no time off for Boxing Day here at SVWAG, a day so named because according to the common law of the King (still feels weird saying that) citizens of the Commonwealth are permitted to punch someone in the face on this day only. It's like a pugilistic The Purge but with the metric system and occasional poutine. The news this week features a number of exemplary game titles. Many a stellar game has crossed our paths purely on the strength of its name, whereas others are so generic as to defy searching. Go ahead, find R on Board Game Geek, or the game Quest. I dare you.01:59 AYURIS: Dominant Species Marine (Chad Jensen, GMT Games, 2021)Games Played Last Week:04:50 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)10:59 -Weather Machine (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2022)12:42 -Time of Empires (David Simiand and Pierre Voye, Pearl Games, 2022)23:10 -Wayfarers of the South Tigris (S J Macdonald and Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2022)26:40 -Persuasion (Xoe Allred, Unpublished)31:31 -Starship Captains (Peter B. Hoffgaard, Czech Games Edition, 2022)37:22 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)42:43 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)47:53 -Arcana Rising (Tim Armstrong, Grey Fox Games, 2021)50:12 -R (Seiji Kanai, Kanai Factory, 2011)News (and why it doesn't matter):52:35 Much that Is Good, and All that Is Evil: game about the Western Gull53:08 The Adventures of Robin Hood: Friar Tuck in Danger expansion54:14 End of year SVWAG survey! Questions! Prizes! Please help us plan! https://forms.gle/WuqtmUK39xFMAbAb755:10 Noobs in Space55:48 Topic: Real-time GamesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 26m
  8. #242: Random Events

    20/12/2022

    #242: Random Events

    All things in SVWAG are glorious, and that applies doubly for our glorious returns. We will also not be taking any additional breaks during the holidays! Yes, we can pledge an uninterrupted broadcast schedule through to the new year--leading directly to our annual end-of-year spectacular. And it shall be what, listeners? Say it with me,It shall be glorious.02:24 AYURIS: Bullet♥︎ (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)Games Played Last Week:05:08 -Tidal Blades: Banner Festival (J.B. Howell and Michael Mihealsick, Druid City Games, 2022)08:12 -Riftforce: Beyond (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2022)11:29 -Turing Machine (Fabien Gridel and Yoann Levet, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2022)17:27 -Roll Camera!: The Filmmaking Board Game (Malachi Ray Rempen, Keen Bean Studios, 2021)23:36 -John Company: Second Edition (Cole Wehrle, Wehrlegig Games, 2022)29:27 -Horizons of Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2022)33:20 -Terracotta Army (Przemysław Fornal and Adam Kwapiński, Board&Dice, 2022)35:37 -Pandemic: Fall of Rome (Matt Leacock & Paolo Mori, Z-Man, 2018)38:11 -Tiletum (Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2022)39:44 -Brazil: Imperial (Zé Mendes, MeepleBR, 2021)49:02 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)50:46 -Frostpunk: The Board Game (Adam Kwapiński, Glass Cannon Unplugged, 2022)News (and why it doesn't matter):52:27 Calico app: cats on your phone53:20 French website Tric Trac to shut down54:18 Mythic Games divests itself of several IPs to CMON and Monolith Games56:01 Sweaty Tryhard vs. Filthy Casual: not meant as insult. New Myers-Briggs to be crafted?58:10 Inside Job: trick-taking with traitor58:52 IKI expansion: Akebono. Walker summons the purifying flames.59:23 Queen games reprints Stefan Feld's city collection with no updates in 9-day campaign. Allegedly.1:00:35 Topic: Random EventsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 24m
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About

A podcast about all manner of hobby games by Mike Walker and Mark Bigney. Bad games don't go easy on you, so we don't go easy on them. Thorough analysis via reviews, news, and discussion of topics in gaming. We take context seriously, we value your time, and we're not into hype. Just because games are fun doesn't mean we can't take them seriously, and just because we take them seriously doesn't mean we can't have fun.

Information

  • Channel
    Pickaxe
  • Creator
    Pickaxe
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    403
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Pickaxe

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