So Very Wrong About Games

Mike Walker & Mark Bigney

0.0 (0)
HOBBIES
UPDATED WEEKLY

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 DAY AGO

#330: Andromeda's Edge

Generally we here at SVWAG prefer sci-fi to fantasy, especially if it is of the general sort. There is something joyous about the weird flights of fancy that sci-fi can enable, such as Andromeda's Edge with its "Jelluloid Technoblorps." That said, there's something particularly odious about importing generic fantasy into your sci-fi, like space dwarves and space dragons--something Andromeda's Edge also does. Call it a wash. Games Played Last Week: 01:01 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024) 02:14 -Dro Polter (Paul Schulz, Oink Games, 2023) 05:56 -Rise and Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024) 11:26 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022) 16:27 -Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024) 18:18 -Irish Gauge (Amabel Holland, Capstone Games, 2019) 22:25 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021) 26:42 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, Allplay, 2024) 31:43 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024) News (and why it doesn't matter): 37:15 From the Voidfall universe Mindclash brings us Revenant by Allan Kirkeby 39:28 Renegade reprints Acquire 41:03 Please support us on Patreon and take our games! www.patreon.com/svwag 41:53 Feature Game: Andromeda's Edge (Luke Laurie and Maximus Laurie, Cardboard Alchemy, 2024) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1h 5m
17 SEPT

#329: Replayability

If you replayed all the published SVWAG episodes back-back, it would take over 355 hours, or almost 15 days. This is not necessarily how we would recommend you spend your time. Indeed, for our purposes, we are equally wrong regardless of whether anyone is there to hear it; while we sometimes engage with Western philosophy due to Mark's academic background, the realm of the koan is beyond our purview. Long story short, feel free to re-download all our episodes to your heart's content. I'm sure it would help us with some algorithm somewhere. 01:41 AYURIS: Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022) Games Played Last Week: 05:06 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024) 11:30 -Valka (Brooke Penrose, Terrible Games, 2024) 17:01 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024) 21:43 -Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024) 29:36 -CATAN: Starfarers Duel (Klaus Teuber and Benjamin Teuber, KOSMOS, 2023) 33:38 -Rise and Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024) 40:54 -Martian Dice (Scott Almes, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2011) News (and why it doesn't matter): 42:20 International Gamers Awards announce their 2024 winners 43:18 German wooden monstrosity: Drachentreppe 44:59 David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin Line of Fire: Burnt Moon; in the Undaunted 2200 setting 46:12 Topic: Replayability Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1h 11m
10 SEPT

#328: The Vale of Eternity

I find so many mnemonics to be profoundly disappointing. Unless there's a structural element to tie the components together, a mnemonic will not serve to dispositively disambiguate a dyad. I assure you, that lamentable bit of alliteration was unintentional. For example, "I before E except after C" also works qua slogan as "I after E except before C." There are the ones about beer and liquor, feeding or starving a cold, colour of the sky and sailors' states of mind... I recall the structure, but not which one goes with which. Relatedly, is there a mnemonic to remember how to spell mnemonic? Games Played Last Week: 02:27 -The Voyages of Marco Polo (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015) 04:52 -Pulsar 2849 (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017) 07:29 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020) 12:01 -MicroMacro: Crime City--All In (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2022) 14:45 -Who's the Banana? (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2009) 17:07 -Rats of Wistar (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023) 19:29 -Raccoon Tycoon (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2018) 22:05 -Yokohama Roll & Write (Hisashi Hayashi, OKAZU Brand, 2021) 24:29 -Gods Love Dinosaurs (Kasper Lapp, Pandasaurus Games, 2020) 27:05 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024) 29:49 -Ratyl (Andy Gallagher, Busy Dad Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 33:51 Monopoly goes to Flavortown 34:38 Zheng He by Greg Engelstein and David Thompson on GMT's P500 35:47 Cyberpunk 2077: more promising-looking than CMON's offering 39:46 Beyond the Horizon: Dennis K. Chan, Adam Hill, Ben Pinchback, Matt Riddle 41:20 Studio Ghibli Othello/Reversi sets: https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8405167/othello 43:20 Feature Game: The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

58 min
3 SEPT

#327: Game Mastery

Solidarity, dear listeners, on this most august September Labour Day. Of course, Labour Day is the labour holiday invented for the US and Canada so as to undermine global solidarity. Nearly everywhere else celebrates International Workers' Day instead. One must marvel at the ingenuity of inventing Labour Day so as to undermine global labour solidarity. 02:29 AYURIS: Rolling Heights (John D. Clair, AEG, 2023) Games Played Last Week: 06:59 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024) 09:49 -Flowerfall (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2012) 11:51 -MicroMacro: Crime City--All In (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2022) 12:29 -Who's the Banana? (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2009) 14:52 -Dodo (Frank Bebenroth and Marco Teubner, MOSMOS, 2020) 19:00 -Life in Reterra (Ken Gruhl and Eric M. Lang, Hasbro, 2024) 21:48 -Windmill Valley (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2024) 25:12 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999) 28:28 -River of Gold (Keith Piggott, Office Dog, 2024) 33:06 -Spectral (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2024) 37:07 -Bargain Hunter (Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games, 1998) 41:53 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024) 45:15 -Heat: Pedal to the Metal (Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen, Days of Wonder, 2022) News (and why it doesn't matter): 47:18 Kronologic series: Paris 1920, Cuzco 1450, and Babylon 2500 48:15 Topic: Game Mastery Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1h 11m
27 AUG

#326: Deep Rock Galactic

Some important editorial notes! -the game walker mentioned is Völuspá, and no we don't know what work those accents are doing; -SVWAG does not engage in the eating of seal meat (no one's thought to offer, really); -we hope that Undaunted 2200: Callisto will follow in Battle of Britain's excellent example of having a badass Sikh pilot. Games Played Last Week: 01:02 -Nocturne (David Iezzi, Flatout Games, 2024) 03:24 -Cosmic Encounter (Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, Bill Norton, Peter Olotka, and Kevin Wilson, Fantasy Flight, 2008) 12:20 -Spectral (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2024) 15:13 -The Edge: Dawnfall (Michał Oracz, Krzysztof Piskorski, and Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2018) 22:20 -Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023) 24:50 -Life in Reterra (Ken Gruhl and Eric M. Lang, Hasbro, 2024) 28:06 -Undaunted: Battle of Britain (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 34:55 English Sakura Arms now owned by Japanime Games; third time's the charm? 37:03 Res Arcana Duo expandalone 37:48 Natera: New Beginning: cute and only somewhat anthropomorphic 38:53 Lords of Heaven from PHALANX: Crusades revisionism or culturally sensitive? 40:55 Feature Game: Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1h 5m
20 AUG

#325: Collection Organization

The full title of the Spider Lord is Spider the Third, by the Grace of God of the Unfinished Basement, Canada and His other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Subterranean, Defender of the Faith. 01:56 AYURIS: Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012) Games Played Last Week: 05:02 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023) 08:12 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024) 12:55 -Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005) 19:19 -Pavlov's House (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2018) 23:26 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022) 24:47 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2020) 29:17 -Trolls & Princesses (Pim Thunborg, Game Brewer, 2023) 32:21 -Dro Polter (Paul Schulz, Oink Games, 2023) 36:47 -Gnome Hollow (Ammon Anderson, Levity Games, 2024) News (and why it doesn't matter): 42:22 Board Game Arena: Gnome Hollow, Orleans, Darwin's Journey 43:47 Flickering Stars: sci-fi dexterity by Matt Leacock 44:11 French Republican Calendar from Karate Fight Publishing 45:15 Tikal Legendary 46:19 Please consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag 46:40 Topic: Collection Organization Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1h 7m
13 AUG

#324: Design Pet Peeves

It is Festivus once again here at SVWAG, where we shall once again vent our collective spleen over features of games that irk us. Sometimes we will assert that our umbrage is righteous and ought to be shared, and other times we will concede we are merely motivated by idiosyncratic pique. Our feelings, in either case, shall not be denied. 00:46 AYURIS: Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005) Games Played Last Week: 04:21 -Terminus (Earl Aspiras and Tom Volpe, Inside Up Games, 2024) 08:53 -For Northwood! A Solo Trick-Taking Game (Wilhelm Su, Self-published, 2021) 12:41 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022) 15:15 -Harvest (Trey Chambers, Keymaster Games, 2024) 20:44 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023) 24:46 -Tribune (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2021) 29:18 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022) News (and why it doesn't matter): 33:59 Peacemakers: Horrors of War, a promising sequel to Dawn of the Peacemakers 35:27 Quartermaster General: South Front 36:37 Valiant Defense: Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field NOT designed by David Thompson 37:53 Topic: Game Design Pet Peeves Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1h 6m
6 AUG

#323: Wilmot's Warehouse

Who is this Wilmot? What wares is he housing? Few answers are offered. We are merely told, rather imperiously, that we work at his warehouse. Sure, we have weekends off, but on occasion the fickle demiurge Wilmot commands us to speak in monosyllable, or move seats, or hide secrets from our colleagues. One shudders to imagine what terrible fate befalls those foolhardy enough to flout his edicts. Games Played Last Week: 00:41 -Terminus (Earl Aspiras and Tom Volpe, Inside Up Games, 2024) 10:15 -Hour of Need (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022) 13:40 -Animal Upon Animal (Klaus Miltenberger, HABA, 2005) 14:01 -Ghost Blitz (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010) 14:50 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022) 15:45 -Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2023) 21:39 -Robinson Crusoe: Collector's Edition (Joanna Kijanka and Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2024) 28:29 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) 34:39 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022) 37:04 -Quartermaster General: East Front (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter): 44:49 Phil Walker-Harding, Dr. Finn, and Devir Game's Cities 46:15 Feature Game: Wilmot's Warehouse (Ricky Haggett, Richard Hogg, and David King, CMYK, 2024) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1h 3m

See All (333)

Creator

Mike Walker & Mark Bigney
Years Active

2017 - 2024
Episodes

333
Rating

Clean
Show Website

So Very Wrong About Games

So Very Wrong About Games

#330: Andromeda's Edge

#329: Replayability

#328: The Vale of Eternity

#327: Game Mastery

#326: Deep Rock Galactic

#325: Collection Organization

#324: Design Pet Peeves

#323: Wilmot's Warehouse

About

Information

You Might Also Like

So Very Wrong About Games

Episodes

#330: Andromeda's Edge

#329: Replayability

#328: The Vale of Eternity

#327: Game Mastery

#326: Deep Rock Galactic

#325: Collection Organization

#324: Design Pet Peeves

#323: Wilmot's Warehouse

About

Information

You Might Also Like