Shows
Better Buildings For HumansOn the Cutting Edge of Glass Innovation with Patrick Flannery - Ep. 27Patrick Flannery is a journalist with Glass Canada Magazine. He has his finger on the pulse of the glass and glazing industry and he pulls no punches when he talks about the state of that industry. Joe and Patrick enjoy a lively discussion about topics like the 30% window to wall ratio and the general micromanagement of design through modern codes. Patrick also gets us up to speed on the many actions the industry is taking to reduce embodied carbon as well as operating carbon and of course, the actions being taken to improve occupant comfort, health and safety.
2024-03-1338 min
Hoex RadioA hour with Patrick Flannery , ST. MadnessA hour with Patrick Flannery , ST. Madness On 18th February 2023 we drove to Simpelveld , The Netherlands to meet Patrick Flannery. He is the MasterMind behind ST.Madness and Prophet & The Cowboys of Apocalypse. In a very special place, the International Butler Academy we spoke about this very beautiful place , ST.Madness , The Prophet , The Future , retirement, the beginning with Elvis and of course his wife and manager Margie . We played a few songs and taken a lot pictures.This Podcast is in EnglishNow this Special episode is online in o...
2023-03-1256 min
Two Wood for a WheatB-sides 15. Wild SpaceCollect the best crew of animals for your spaceship in Wild Space, our feature game this week. Also find out how Tony foils hunters on his property and whether Mitch can fill a cart to gain free shipping. Time Stamps:0:39 Putting together a free shipping cart2:15 Resurgence3:45 Ankh3:52 Beautiful Mt. Airy Lodge5:42 Crossbows and perfume9:02 PAX Unplugged9:31 Tiny Towns9:45 Wormholes10:06 Jury duty12:19 FEATURE REVIEW - Wild Space43:10 Witchstone43:25 World Series of Board Games, Decision Space43:45 iTunes review contest
2021-11-1546 minTwo Wood for a Wheat76. Subastral & When Art Makes the GameHere we have the Van Goghs, works by Monet, and the many works of... Sobel? It's board games where the artwork makes the game. But first, it's the follow up to Stellar, Subastral by Renegade Game Studios. 01:33 Root03:55 Crash Octopus04:07 An interlude by Ankh04:59 Tasty Humans05:25 Monster Expedition, Kingdomino, Subastral06:19 Rising Sun, Draftosaurus07:50 One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Secret Hitler, Deception in Hong Kong, Resistance10:05 Just some sarcasm10:36 Mystery of the Abbey11:07 FEATURE REVIEW Subastral14:29 Mandala, Lost Cities27:31 Calico27:56 FEATURE DISCUSSION When art makes the...
2021-11-081h 05Two Wood for a WheatB-sides 14. Dune: House SecretsFrank Herbert's Dune arrives in theatres and on our gaming tables. Is this story based game a polished thrill ride or a cheap cash grab? Listen and find out. Time Stamps:1:24 TEN1:40 Witchstone & Wild Space2:05 Aquatica4:18 FEATURE REVIEW: Dune House Secrets
2021-11-0152 minTwo Wood for a Wheat75. Dollars to Donuts & Happy GamesThink happy thoughts... think happy thoughts... think hungry thoughts... because today it's Dollars to Donuts and Happy Games! We review Crafty games' and the Flatout Design studio's Dollars to Donuts, a delicious tile layer about matching donut halves and satisfying the insatiable need for these tasty circles. Then it's happy games, those that put a smile on our face when we play them or think about them.02:44 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition, Everdell03:43 Tapestry, Don't Get Got06:47 Murder in the Light07:20 Cryptid07:39 Wild Space, Blood Rage12:26 FEATURE REVIEW Dollars to Donuts21:48...
2021-10-2548 minTwo Wood for a WheatB-Sides 13. Concordia Digital EditionTony's Dad has trouble at the Casino, and Mitch and Tony review the new digital edition of one of the most beloved eurogames ever made. Does the implementation justify its hefty price tag? Listen and find out.4:32 Magic: the Gathering4:40 Smores5:05 Mumblety-Peg5:50 Dollars to Donuts6:02 Blood Rage7:11 FEATURE REVIEW - Concordia Digital Edition
2021-10-1835 minTwo Wood for a Wheat74. Merv The Heart of the Silk Road & Uncovering Games of 2020 in 2021Travel with us to the silk road, the internet of the ancient world. We review Merv: The Heart of the Silk Road. Then it’s our best games of 2020 that we only played in 2021. Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxListen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogs01:31 Viscounts of the West Kingdom, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Architects of...
2021-10-111h 03Two Wood for a WheatB-sides 12. TENWe review TEN, a push your luck auction game which is the latest puzzly filler from Flatout Games and AEG. Does it measure up to the legacy of Point Salad and Calico? Mitch and Tony disagree.Time Stamps:0:35 Forgotten Waters1:21 Concordia (digital version)6:21 Merv7:30 FEATURE REVIEW - TEN
2021-10-0434 minTwo Wood for a Wheat73. Forgotten Waters & Essen Most Anticipated GamesArrrrre ya ready kids? Get ready for Forgotten Waters, the silly swashbuckling pirate game that's a cannon full of goofs. Then we explore our top 10 most anticipated games from Essen Spiel but somehow talk about 90 games. Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxListen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogs04:51 Antike II 05:54 Risk06:47 Blood Rage07:04 Magic...
2021-09-271h 37Two Wood for a WheatB-sides 11. Summoner Wars 2nd EditionPlaid Hat Games' flagship dueling game has returned 12 years after its initial release with a new edition. Is this the same game with minor changes, or does it take big strides forward? We discuss the changes, the online version, and who exactly this game is for.0:43 Forgotten Waters1:12 Magic the Gathering - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms4:00 Dice Tower Retreat (and why we weren't there)6:39 Tyrants of the Underdark8:58 Ten9:19 Project L9:53 Feature Review - Summoner Wars 2nd Edition
2021-09-2047 minTwo Wood for a Wheat72. Project L & Why Bad Luck Makes Us MadI think if shapes had religion, they'd worship Project L. Come and see if this tile-laying engine-builder is worthy of your praise.Then, we figure out why bad luck makes us so damn mad (so mad!). Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxListen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogs03:42 Ankh05:37 Rising Sun07:21 Kemet07:49 Frosthaven08:19...
2021-09-1349 minTwo Wood for a WheatB-sides 10. Juicy Fruits (and other nonsense)Did the 1999 Cleveland Indians have the greatest offense in baseball history? And in a world which, depending on where you live, is either burning or drowning, we talk about what matters most: the Capstone Games release of the slide puzzle family game Juicy Fruits.8:49 Tainted Grail9:01 Wingspan10:40 Forgotten Waters11:50 FEATURE REVIEW - Juicy Fruits
2021-09-0635 minTwo Wood for a Wheat71. Cascadia & Nature-Themed GamesAfter reviewing Cascadia, I think we're all moving to Oregon. Join us for the varied microclimates of the Pacific Northwest and the joys of laying down river, mountain, and forest tiles. Then stick around for our discussion of nature-themed games. Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvqux06:32 Point Salad07:40 Terraforming Mars: Ares...
2021-08-3047 minTwo Wood for a WheatB-sides 9. Gaia Project Digital ReviewJordan Nach joins Mitch and Tony to review the new digital implementation of the heavy euro classic Gaia project. Does it work for beginners (Mitch)? Does it work for veteran players (Jordan and Tony)? How many insults can Jordan throw at Tony? Listen and find out.0:38 Cascadia1:00 Exit: the Enchanted Forest2:18 Champions of Midgard4:21 Lorenzo Il Magnifico4:50 Carnival of Monsters, Point Salad4:59 Shipshape5:54 Jump Drive6:11 Santa Monica6:49 FEATURE REVIEW: Gaia Project on Steam14:44 A beginner's perspective38:58 Gaia Project vs. Terra Mystica
2021-08-2347 minTwo Wood for a WheatB-sides 8. Meadow and the Idealized CountrysideHave we actually discovered that mythical creature of the boardgaming landscape, the relaxing game? We review Meadow and find out. Warning: excessive amounts of flora and fauna trivia are included.1:47 Rajas of the Ganges: the Dice Charmers2:56 Iberian Gauge6:58 Wingspan7:40 Magic the Gathering - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms9:55 Gaia Project 10:07 Cascadia10:36 FEATURE REVIEW - Meadow
2021-08-1639 minTwo Wood for a Wheat70. Imperium: Classics & Deck Builders on SteroidsToday we're reviewing the hot new deckbuilder Imperium: Classics. Will this supercharged deckbuilder last a thousand years on our shelves or will it fade into history?Then, with this newest wave of deckbuilders times another mechanism, we're discussing deckbuilders on steroids. Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxJoin the Two Wood for...
2021-08-0852 minTwo Wood for a WheatB-Sides 7. Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice CharmersWe review the roll and write version of Inka and Markus Brand's acclaimed eurogame. Cardboard elephants, tyrannical cyborg dogs, colonoscopies and weddings abound.Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxJoin the Two Wood for a Wheat Guild! https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/39133:07 Res Arcana3:50 Clank!4:15 Magic the Gathering (Dungeons & Dragons)
2021-08-0242 minTwo Wood for a Wheat69. MicroMacro: Crime City & Oddball MechanismsWhat's black and white but red all over? It's MicroMacro: Crime City! A bloody game of murder, intrigue, and... cuteness? Strain your eyes, and you may just learn whether this game is for you. By the way, it's pronounced Shpeel dez Jahr-izz. And it's what this game won! Then it's a collection of some of our favorite oddball mechanisms. Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogs...
2021-07-2639 minTwo Wood for a WheatB-Sides 6. Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria and an Interview with Designer Stan KordonskiyWe review Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria, the new dice drafting euro from Stan Kordonskiy (Dice Hospital, Rurik: Dawn of Kiev, Lockup, Old West Empresario, Endless Winter) and then interview him about his design philosophy.Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxJoin the Two Wood for a Wheat Guild! https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/3913
2021-07-1957 minTwo Wood for a Wheat68. Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition & the Right Length for a BoardgameToday we're joined by Mitch from the B-Side to review Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition. Can Mitch withstand the verbal onslaughts in defense of this iteration of his favorite game?Then, we find out the exact right length for a game (it's one hour and five minutes).Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvqux...
2021-07-121h 05Two Wood for a WheatB-Sides 5. Café - engine building and card covering for coffee lovers.Grow, dry, roast, and finally deliver coffee beans in this long-awaited card covering import from Portugal. And enjoy our new B-side segment on why we are reviewing each game.Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxJoin the Two Wood for a Wheat Guild! https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/39130:24 Ulm7:40 NEW SEGMENT...
2021-07-0548 minTwo Wood for a Wheat67. AuZtralia, Hit Z Road, and Overused ThemesIt's a Martin Wallace zombie double feature! Featuring AuZtralia and Hit Z Road. Do these games fall flat or do they rise like the dead back to our tables? Then, along those lines, it's a discussion of overused themes.Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxJoin the Two Wood for a Wheat...
2021-06-281h 14Two Wood for a WheatB-Sides 4. Trails of Tucana & Push Your Luck GamesWe review a classic roll (well, flip) and write, and examine push your luck games and how this might be the most important mechanism we've ever discussed.1:02 Dune: Imperium1:34 Red Rising2:22 Gaia Project3:54 Magic: The Gathering4:31 FEATURE REVIEW - Trails of Tucana27:05 FEATURE DISCUSSION - Push Your Luck Games29:11 Can't Stop, The Quacks of Quedlinberg29:48 Port Royal30:16 Can't Stop32:02 Sea of Clouds35:20 Ticket to Ride36:02 Clank!38:47 Dead of Winter40:17 Gloomhaven42:38 Dungeons & Dragons47:56 Blood Rage48:59 The Voyages of Marco PoloListen...
2021-06-2150 minTwo Wood for a Wheat66. Hadrian's Wall & Comboriffic GamesIn the words of the Fixx, one thing leads to another. Today we talk about comborific games where we chain together actions. We also discuss the very combo-laden game Hadrian’s Wall. Thanks for tuning in!Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts: tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxJoin the Two Wood for a Wheat Guild! https://boardgamegeek.com/gu...
2021-06-141h 01Two Wood for a WheatB-Sides 3. Cryo & How Games Feel Different with Different PlayersWe review the new space sabotage worker placement game, and look how a game can feel completely different when played with different players.
2021-06-0752 minTwo Wood for a Wheat65. Empyreal: Spells & Steam & Kickstarter BloatOn this bloated episode of Two Wood for a Wheat, we're reviewing the extremely large box that's been sitting on my shelf. It's Trey Chambers' Empyreal: Spells & Steam. Do train games and magic malevolent powers wet your whistle? Then it's the most excessive Kickstarter campaigns, components, and all around useless things that nobody asked for but millions of people paid for. We discuss Kickstarter bloat. Thanks for listening!Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/36gzg2hy...
2021-05-311h 17Two Wood for a WheatB-Sides 2. Fairy Tale Inn & Old Mechanisms Which Live on TodayTony and Mitch review Fairy Tale Inn, Paolo Mori's vicious little take on Connect Four, and look at mechanisms from old games which inspired newer designs.
2021-05-241h 00Two Wood for a Wheat64. Marvel United & Great ExpectationsFinally, Charles Dickens and the Marvel Universe are together at last. Ebenezer Scrooge uses time travel to explore alternate universes. Oliver Twist uses super speed to take the final bowl of porridge. Dr. Manette spends years of non-existence, only to return later to a changed world. Marvel: United may make us believers in cooperative play or it may turn to dust on our shelves. We're also discussing how expectations shift our enjoyment of board games. Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google...
2021-05-171h 01Two Wood for a WheatB-Sides 1. The Lost Ruins of Arnak & the Worst Human Beings in the WorldLike the great Beatles albums of yesteryear, today we introduce Two Wood for a Wheat B-Sides, a collection of special guests and topics delivering you more content. Today Mitch Manzella joins Tony to talk Lost Ruins of Arnak and the absolute worst, cruelest, most despicable people in the entire world and how they found their way into the board gaming hobby.
2021-05-1048 minTwo Wood for a Wheat63. Red Rising & a Return to Gaming IRL with Board Boy CampbellToday we're joined by Board Boy Campbell to review Stonemaier's latest mana from heaven, Red Rising. Will this card combo game dethrone classic filler Fantasy Realms?Then there's hope in our eyes as we see our first ventures out into post-COVID gaming, including the games that will make up our perfect game day and our expectations for a return to gaming in real life.Check out more Board Boys at https://theboardboys.com/Listen to more episodes of Two Wood for a Wheat on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google...
2021-05-031h 07Two Wood for a Wheat62. Overboss & ReplayabilityBe your own boss, dad said. Make your own decisions, dad said. Well dad, today I finally did it. Today I'm not only my own boss, today I'm an Overboss. And I don't event have to pay self-employment tax. Today it's Aaron Mesburne and Kevin Russ' Overboss, a pixelated followup by designer of beloved tile-layer Calico. Then it's the aspects of a game that make us bring it out 20, 30, 40, 50 times to play. What makes a game replayable?We're a very relistenable podcast! Find more of us at:Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr...
2021-04-1959 minTwo Wood for a Wheat61. Hallertau & Favorite ResourcesMore farming! Four grains! Hallertau is a veritable cereal box of tensions! Play it! But love it? We'll see.Then, what's the point of all these grains, these bits and bobs? We list our top 5 favorite resources in all of board games. This was way more fun than I thought it would be. Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvqux
2021-04-051h 04Two Wood for a Wheat60. Gods Love Dinosaurs & Counterintuitive GamesI bet you didn't know that in an unknown era of prehistoric history, tigers could only eat frogs, dinosaurs could only eat turtles, and the gods above competed across grand continents to make the most of their favorite carnivorous tyrants. It's Gods Love Dinosaurs on the review-platter today, and we're serving up juicy them up like juicy dino-burgers. Can this three-tier, pseudo ecological tile-layer hold up? Then it's unintuitive games, those that zig when you think they'll zag.Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/36...
2021-03-2252 minTwo Wood for a Wheat59. Cloudage & Production Pet Peeves, or Production 'Do's and 'Don't'sToday we hang with Mr. Pfister, or at least we make nice with his design pedigree, as we review Cloudage, a strange mash-up between Pfister's lite push-your-luck fare and his heavy deterministic euros. Does this comingling of randomness and strategy work? Find out!Then, as if we're inspired by Cloudage's stickers, rulebook, orange sherbert color palette, and cloudy card sleeves, we discuss our production pet peeves. Or, in more optimistic terms, our production 'Do's and 'Don't's. Thanks for listening!Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts...
2021-03-081h 10Two Wood for a Wheat58. Renature & 2021 Most Anticipated GamesToday on Two Wood for a Wheat it's Renature, the domino laying game by classic duo Kiesling and Kramer. This game may look innocent, but it plays as slimy as a swampbottom. Then it's our most anticipated games of 2021! The games we're most excited to play and review this year. Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvqux02:05 Abyss
2021-02-221h 04Two Wood for a Wheat57. Praga Caput Regni & Best Games of 2020Today on Two wood for a wheat, we say goodbye to 2020 by expressing our favorite games of this magical hobby.But first, we review Praga Caput Regni, the extremely intricate euro puzzle by Underwater Cities designer vladimir suchy. And with this episode, we say goodbye to 2020, a year surprisingly full of amazing games and plays. We detail the best ones of this memorable year. But first, we review Vladimir Suchy's Praga Caput Regni, a mind-bending and enigmatic puzzle of a thing, so large that you can slip into it for hours. Happy 2021!...
2021-02-081h 13
Demise of the PodcastEpisode 56 - Good Country People by Flannery O'ConnorPatrick reads and discusses Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People."
2021-02-0759 minDemise of the PodcastEpisode 55 - A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'ConnorPatrick reads and analyzes Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find."
2021-01-3156 minTwo Wood for a Wheat56. My City & Games We Missed in 2020On this episode of two wood for a wheat, we're reviewing My City, a loving legacy devotion to tile laying games by the Dr. Reiner Knizia. Then, we imagine the games that we would have loved had we played them in 2020. Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvqux07:57 High Society09:29 My City10:46 Oceans13:20 Alhambra13:37...
2021-01-251h 06Two Wood for a Wheat55. Dune: Imperium & Gaming in the Time of COVIDWhile you're waiting for the belated release of Denis Villeneuve $165,000,000 Dune movie, soothe yourself with our review of Dune: Imperium for free!Tony and I also try to rewrite Love in the Time of Cholera for 2020 as gaming in the time of COVID. Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvqux02:37 Kanban: EV03:59 Tekhenu06:24 Imperial Struggle06:42...
2021-01-1158 minTwo Wood for a Wheat54. Beyond the Sun and What're You Lookin AtToday we climb a tech tree to travel Beyond the Sun. Dennis K. Chan focuses an entire game around the usually-ancillary tech tree to develop something very unique. Then we discuss where the majority of our attention is during a game. A game board can sprawl across half a dozen areas, and sometimes our focus is across all of them. We explore games that overfocus on one part, overproduce parts that don't get enough attention, and talk about where the game is really played. Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheat...
2020-12-281h 02Two Wood for a Wheat53.5. Dwellings of EldervaleOn this bonus episode of Two Wood for a Wheat, Tony reviews The Dwellings of Eldervale, a euro worker placement game with a throughline of ameritrash themes and mechanisms.Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr on Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/36gzg2hyRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvqux
2020-12-2315 minTwo Wood for a Wheat53. Curious Cargo & New York Zoo & the Greatest Race GamesALL THE CRITIQUES. TIMES 2. CAPSTONE BOARDGAME MAYHEM DOUBLE FEATURE.FIRST BOARD GAME: Curious Cargo, a two player tactical game of tile laying and truck driving adventure. They deliver! And then they Receive!SECOND BOARD GAME: New York Zoo, Uwe's sexed-up time track tile laying game. Whose zookeeper can stuff the most animals into the same space?AND THENThe Greatest Race Games, what makes for an incredible race game (not racing!) as players vie to finish!Find out on today's episode of Two Wood for a Wheat!Listen to more episodes on Spreaker...
2020-12-141h 20Two Wood for a Wheat52. Castles of Tuscany & ReimplementationsOn today's episode of Two Wood for a Wheat, we review Stefan Feld's the Castles of Tuscany, the semi-sequel to the evergreen game Castles of Burgundy. Will this little brother hold up? Then it's our feature discussion on board game reimplementations -- the successes of our favorite games in the market and among fans.Listen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatOr visit our website: http://twowood4awheat.com/Read Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsLeave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvqux
2020-11-301h 13Two Wood for a Wheat51. Marco Polo 2 & Number of PlaysMarco.... Polo.... Marco.... Polo...On today's episode of Two Wood for a Wheat, we wander across the Mongol empire, searching for efficiencies, hidden player powers, and precious jade. How does Simone Luciani and Danielle Tascini's sequel hold up to the original Marco Polo? Find out from a novice and a 50+ play veteran. We then discuss what's the right number of plays -- to understand how a game works, to know if you like a game, to review a game. And if you love a game, how many plays will you get out of it?Listen to...
2020-11-161h 09Two Wood for a Wheat50. Tekhenu & Essen Top 10I always liked the number fifty. Imagine five ice cream cones. Then imagine five ice cream cones 10 times.On our fiftieth episode, we review the formidable dice drafting game by Italian designers Danielle Tascini and David Turczi, Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun. To continue in our thread of bad board game titles, this roughly translates to Obelisk: Obelisk of the Sun. We really bring balance in our opinions of the game. Then we each look at our 10 most anticipated games coming out of Essen Spiel Digital.Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com...
2020-11-021h 24Two Wood for a Wheat49. Calico & What's in a NameI have never seen such a fantastical theme. Cats that desire order over chaos, patterns over randomness, and who can see in reds and pinks. Today we're reviewing Calico, a powerful tile-laying pattern-matching game in a small box. After that, it's the strength of our favorite and least favorite board game names. Which ones perfectly capture the essence of these games and which junk them up with their garbage words. Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen to more episodes...
2020-10-191h 20Two Wood for a Wheat48. Nova Luna & the Soul of a GameThe leaves are falling, the PSL girls have awoken from their summer chrysalis into their winged-ugg boot form, and it's cold enough that I no longer feel guilty staying inside playing board games all day. By the light of the full moon, we're reviewing the Spiel-nominated Nova Luna, a time track tile-laying game reimplemented by the brilliant Uwe Rosenberg. Then, just in time for spook-tober, we discuss what gives board game its soul. That's right, Euro games have souls too!Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog...
2020-10-0558 minTwo Wood for a Wheat47. Mariposas & Variable ScoringEvery spring, the danaus plexippus butterfly, also known as the monarch, migrates north to lay the next generation on milkweed plants. It does this until it makes its way as far from Mexico to Canada. Then a 'super-generation' that lives as long as eight months makes its way back to Mexico to overwinter in oyamel fir trees which create a bubble of temperate air for them to live in. Who says board games can't teach you something?Today on Two Wood for a Wheat, we review Elizabeth Hargrave’s big box follow-up to Wingspan. It’s Mariposas, a colorful natu...
2020-09-2146 minTwo Wood for a Wheat46. High Rise & Time TracksNow's your chance to imbibe in dreams of corruption from the safety of your gaming table. We review Gil Hova's High Rise, a tension-filled time track game punctuated by its point-filled skyscrapers.We also discuss time tracks, and their simple tensions make for some of the roughest decisions in board games.Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatVisit our website: http://twowood4awheat.com/4:05...
2020-09-0745 minTwo Wood for a Wheat45. Parks & the New Essential Intro GamesWho needs an intro when you have intro games? Today we review Parks, the gloriously beautiful light strategy game that supports our nation's national park system. Is it anything more than a pretty face? Does it hide a 2 million year old supervolcano inside of it? We'll find out.We also talk the best intro games for the modern era. And for some reason a significant number of them look edible. Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen to more episodes...
2020-08-2450 minTwo Wood for a Wheat44. Legacy of Dragonholt & the Story of a Game ArcStory time! Gather 'round the fire, children. Today we'll learn of an intrepid adventurer who fights for the villagers of Dragonholt using cunning, strength, or skill. And you're the hero! We review Legacy of Dragonholt, a choose-your-own-adventure story set in a high fantasy world. Does this game save our souls or leave us wanting for choice?We also talk about the story that a great game arc can lead us through, the dramatic tension that they create or the furthering of thematic integration. Listen to us on Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-wood-for-a-wheat/id1447901771
2020-08-1046 minTwo Wood for a Wheat43. Scooby-Doo: Escape from the Haunted Mansion & First PlaysLike, zoinks, Scoob, it's time for another episode of Two Wood for a Wheat!Today we're reviewing the Scooby Doo-themed escape room, Scooby Doo: Escape from the Haunted Mansion. Did we chow down on Usaopoly title like some comically oversized sandwich, or are we running in fear for our lives?We also talk about the lingering effects of first plays of board games, how they change our feeling towards all futures plays. Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen...
2020-07-2750 minTwo Wood for a Wheat42. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion and Underused MechanismsI remember my first love. She was always the life of the party, constantly kept me guessing, and had more tuck boxes than you could shake a stick at. Today we return to Gloomhaven with Jaws of the Lion. It's the same beast in a smaller box. We take a very deep look at what makes this game stand out and whether it holds up to its very significant weight. How does it land with players new to Gloomhaven? Will it inspire the same love in veteran players of the big box? We also discuss board game mechanisms...
2020-07-131h 16Two Wood for a Wheat41. Tasty Humans & Bad MechanismsWe're reviewing Pangea Games' Tasty Humans, which is essentially Tetris. With monsters. And humans in stomachs. It's a bit like that show on the Discovery Channel with the fella with the scuba tank and the snake. Except in this one they go through with it and there's no scuba tank. And more chits. There's still a snake though. Also, bad mechanisms! Or, well... bad is an overstatement. Our least favorite mechanisms. But more the ones that we don't like a lot of the time but maybe they're okay some of the time. Well, you'll see.Leave us...
2020-06-2956 minTwo Wood for a Wheat40. Mandala & Five-Player GamesOn today’s episode of Two Wood for a Wheat, we maintain equanimity while reviewing Mandala, the cut-throat two-player card game with gameplay that’s discordant to its theme. On the other end of the spectrum we discuss our best five player board games and what makes a game shine at this most awkward of numbers.Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatVisit our website: http://twowood4awheat.com...
2020-06-1549 minTwo Wood for a Wheat39. Underwater Cities New Discoveries & ExpansionsWe couldn't help ourselves. On this episode, we come back to Underwater Cities because we love it so damn much. The New Discoveries expansion adds a lot. But is it enough? Or is it too much? Or is it just enough? We figure it out. Speaking of expansions, we categorize the different types and what they do to our favorite games. For better or for worse.Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www...
2020-06-011h 13Two Wood for a Wheat38. Santa Monica & Great Games We Suck AtIn the words of DiscoverLosAngeles.com, "[w]hen one thinks of Santa Monica, the attraction of the Pier inevitably comes to mind. The Pier offers Pacific Park, a full service amusement park, combined with plenty of restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops, as well as an entertaining arcade with more than 200 games. The Pier is a must-visit Santa Monica attraction that really sets Santa Monica apart as an ideal destination for families and visitors of any age." Why someone would set a board game in this sun-bleached mare's nest, I can't say. But somehow this tableau-builder works. And maybe its...
2020-05-1845 minTwo Wood for a Wheat37. Gaia Project & Board Game ArenaWe've fully embraced our digital bodies as our souls slowly bleed into 0s and 1s. The only bit of humanity that's left is a binary expression for competitive rage. Today we review Gaia Project, a super deluxe sequel to Terra Mystica. This game probably has every right to exist on its own, like a clone that splits off from its gene donor to live a full life. We also discuss www.BoardGameArena.com with a long-standing veteran. Way back before COVID-19 was even a twinkle in the Gaia-mind's eye, this man was cranking out digital victories. We discuss the...
2020-05-041h 19Two Wood for a Wheat36. This War of Mine & Solo Games that Don't Cause Existential DreadIn the eternal words of Apocalypse Now, "The Horror. The Horror." And, in the immortal words of the Terminator, "I know now why you cry. But it's something I can never do." And of course, in the undying words of Jack Dawson, "Promise me, Rose. And never let go of that promise." Today, we understand Halloween and the Day of the Dead a little bit better as we grow more comfortable with the spirit realm. Today, we take a very serious game very seriously. Today, we review This War of Mine. This game is unfair. It's a constant fight...
2020-04-201h 05Two Wood for a Wheat35. Nemo's War & Flawed Games We LoveEver feel like the system was made to work against you? Like no matter how hard you try, the world conspires to make sure you stay under the heel of a boot? Like every warship of the Victorian era naval powers is out hunting you and your sodium-mercury battery-powered super-submarine before you can ram their imperial trading routes into oblivion? Well then Nemo's War may be the game for you!Drive the vassal states into open rebellion in this mitigation action-point allowance dice-chucker, and try not to go mad as Captain Nemo as you do it. Then listen...
2020-04-061h 24Two Wood for a Wheat34. Ecosystem & Great Games We Don't LikeWhen every day starts to feel like groundhog day, the same windows and walls of yesterday and the day before, we have a cure for you. The rich meadows of Ecosystem, bees and bears living in harmony, wolves grouping in packs, and foxes foraging in the forest. Here's an escape. And 20 games that you may love as everyone else does, but that disquiet us and leave us feeling stressed or unfulfilled -- we tell you about our top 10 great games that we don't like, and probably never will. Enjoy this episode of Two Wood for a Wheat. Leave...
2020-03-231h 08Two Wood for a Wheat33. Isle of Cats & Cute GamesIn this purrfect and awwsome episode, we discuss Isle of Cats, the new polyomino card drafting game by Frank West, paired with our feature discussion of cute games and how they get in under our defenses. Try not to get sick!Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatVisit our website: http://twowood4awheat.com/03:40 Underwater Cities: New Discoveries04:08 Trickerion10:53 FEATURE REVIEW Isle of Cats
2020-03-091h 03Two Wood for a Wheat32. Glen More II & Objectionable ThemesSometimes I look at a board game and think, "That ain't right, man."Today we look at controversial and objectionable themes in board games -- who gets to decide what's right and what's wrong to include. Hint: it's not Shut Up and Sit Down's responsibility, who we take a few shots at. We explore how a controversial or objectionable theme affects the perception of a game's merit. We also review Glen More II, a game about producing the most whiskey and sheep in Scotland. Wait, didn't we do this one already? Nope! This one has tile...
2020-02-2451 minTwo Wood for a Wheat31. Sorcerer City & Depth of PlayOn this episode of TWFAW, we do a most magical and sorceror-like activity of laying tiles. We're reviewing the real-time tile-laying game Sorceror City. This is a game with three (that's right, three!) colors of tile. If you don't think that three colors can provide enough substance to theme a game, then baby, you've never seen red, blue, and yellow on a color wheel. And, in my unending bid to enjoin Tony to love a Lacerda game, we discuss what brings depth to a game's play space. And no, it's not a 3D printed board. Is it interlocking complex...
2020-02-1043 minTwo Wood for a Wheat30. Coffee Roaster & 2020 Anticipated GamesI'm writing this on my 15th cup of coffee and the excitement is threatening to shoot through my fingers!Today we're reviewing Coffee Roaster, a game about turning beans into better beans and hoping that your coffee doesn't taste like dirt. It's also a solo game and you'll find that we're finally embracing our loneliness.We're also discussing our most anticipated games of 2020. Tony takes the fully pledged Kickstarter route, since he prefers being spoon fed his enjoyment, while I walk through the deserts of the Board Game Geek, searching through abandoned shacks covered in sand for a...
2020-01-2744 minTwo Wood for a Wheat29. Maracaibo & Top Games of 2019We finish our 2019 coverage with our top 10 games of the year. We also review Euro-darling, Maracaibo, Alexander Pfister's privateering heavy-weight euro. For once, Tony and I agree on something. Happy new year, everyone!Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatVisit our website: http://twowood4awheat.com/04:33 FEATURE REVIEW - Maracaibo37:29 FEATURE TOPIC - Top 10 of 2019
2020-01-131h 24Two Wood for a Wheat28. It's a Wonderful World & 2019 Games we MissedIn which Tony and Pat sharply disagree over the hot new card drafting game, It's a Wonderful World, Pat gives first thoughts On Mars, and they both share the games they didn't play in 2019 - both the ones they wish they had and the ones they're glad they missed.Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/user/maxlongstreet/blogsListen to more episodes on Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/two-wood-for-a-wheatVisit our website: http://twowood4awheat.com/ 3:40 On Mars 8:33 Just...
2019-12-301h 21Two Wood for a Wheat27. 2018 Retrospective and Silver & GoldWe look back at our best games of 2018 in our one year anniversary episode. Is Space Base still playable? Are we eternally grateful for Rising Sun and Underwater Cities? Have we maintained any sort of editorial integrity?Also, Pat needs to vent about Tainted Grail. And we review Silver & Gold in like... 30 seconds. Which is about as long as the game lasts. And introducing our new sister podcast, Iowa Talk, where we talk all things Iowa. Leave us a review on Apple podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y2eyvquxRead Tony's blog: https://boardgamegeek.com...
2019-12-1647 minTwo Wood for a Wheat26.Why Won't You Play My Game and Azul Summer PavilionWhy won't you play my game? It's... Pipeline? It's a solid heavy economic game? There's... pipes... Yeah, okay, we can play Dune. I'll see you at 12. Also, Azul: Summer Pavilion and it's clickety clackety-ness.01:05 A Fake Artist Goes to New York01:37 Barrage03:17 Agricola05:04 Tainted Grail05:13 Gloomhaven09:47 FEATURE REVIEW Azul: Summer Pavilion25:37 FEATURE TOPIC Why won't you play my game?
2019-12-0240 minTwo Wood for a Wheat25. A Huge MistakeIn the immortal words of Gob Bluth... I've made a huge mistake. We talk on the strategic, psychological, and social pains of making a huge mistake early on in a large strategy game. Normally, this mistake can haunt you for the next two or three hours of the game, as you sit there knowing that you're going to lose. But those with a greater grasp of character can rise form the ashes and find a way to enjoy the game, and sometimes even win. No feature game this week. We're mixing up the structure for a...
2019-11-1845 minTwo Wood for a Wheat24. Paths to Victory and Paladins of the West KingdomWhat are the paths we take? Why do we labor day to day, stuck on the road we chose, with no recourse but to accept our fate? Why, for victory points, of course!Today we talk about games with multiple paths to victory and how that adds to their richness. We also review Architects... Paladins of the West Kingdom. Is this colorful new worker placement game a tactical overload or does the core puzzle pay off? Find out on this episode of Two Wood for a Wheat.02:41 Race for the Galaxy and Board Game Arena, redux03:51...
2019-11-041h 47Two Wood for a Wheat23. Overpowered and Clans of CaledoniaHey folks, sorry for the delay - we had some rough times with editing, but we are back on a regular schedule now.This week we have special guest: Jordan Nach, noted Guild Ball/Warmachine/Clans of Caledonia champion and general misanthrope.We take a deep dive into the popular heavy eurogame Clans of Caledonia and what makes it tick, and segue into the topic of games being overpowered or imbalanced. How often are balance issues in the game or just in the eye of the beholder? (Spoiler: it's often both).01:46 Star Realms02:15 521103:30 Race...
2019-10-251h 14Two Wood for a Wheat22. Moving Tracks - Essen Preview & TapestryWelcome to the new sound and the new home of Two Wood for a Wheat! Tony moved back to New Jersey and we upgraded our audio to celebrate (?). Whoever claimed a divided house cannot stand had no access to an internet connection. First we struggle to narrow down the 1,100 games previewed at Essen to just five without stepping on Kickstarter and 2nd edition landmines. Next we settle down into the fertile valley which is our Tapestry review. Does Tapestry warp the very fabric of space, time, and reality? You'll have to listen to find out. Finally...
2019-10-071h 10Two Wood for a Wheat21. Deluge - Barrage Review & New GamesWelcome to Two Wood for a Wheat. Today's episode Deluge features the Dice Tower Retreat and Simone Luciani's new game Barrage. We were unable to hold back the flow of information on games played at the Dice Tower Retreat. Tony talks an unquantifiable number of games (it's nine), including the quick and dirty Q.E., an auction game where the bets are only limited by your understanding of Latin prefixes, and the cult classic Dune, where Tony rode the Fremen clan to victory like some sort of large subterranean annelid. We finally played Barrage, a game that Tony...
2019-09-231h 01Two Wood for a Wheat20. Fallen Angel - Black Angel and GratitudeTony fought his way to the front of the GenCon thralls, pushing countless children out of his way (including some he didn't even need to) to get his hands on Black Angel. See if this oversatured dice worker placement is worth the trauma, or if it's just another fallen angel. We also talk about what we're most grateful for in board games. Why is grateful spelled the way that it is? Why is it not spelled greatful? Find out this, and more, on Two Wood for a Wheat.00:55 Barrage (almost)02:00 A Feast for Odin04:21 FEATURE...
2019-09-0938 minTwo Wood for a Wheat19. Pilfering Putrescent Parts - Abomination: The Heir of FrankensteinToday, Two Wood for a Wheat gets a little nasty when we review Abomination, the Heir of Frankenstein, a game that comes to life on the table. After that, we save your game night from the cold hands of death when we discuss how to pick which game to play. Enjoy, folks.04:36 Ishtar05:17 The Quacks of Quedlinburg06:28 Race for the Galaxy07:13 Barrage08:50 Carnival of Monsters09:55 Black Angel11:20 Tally Ho13:26 Qwirkle14:00 Amul15:07 7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon17:30 FEATURE REVIEW Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein41:31 FEATURE TOPIC Which Game?
2019-08-2655 minTwo Wood for a Wheat18. Gen Con GamesLots o' games from Gen Con. We plow through about a dozen games we played, from fillers as light as the delightful Point Salad, to the galactically heavy Black Angel. See what's coming down the pipeline...03:17 Tiny Towns05:01 Point Salad09:00 Cartographers14:00 Kingdomino: Duel18:27 Curios19:52 Walking in Burano20:52 Amul26:13 Ishtar35:20 Black Angel54:03 Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein01:02:41 Reavers of Midgard
2019-08-121h 06Two Wood for a Wheat17. Entitlement and the King's GuildWe were going to name this episode EnTITLEment but thought better of it. We hit hard on the culture that supports that feeling of entitlement on Kickstarter, the culture that rages when their 3mm wood pieces are slimmed down to 2mm or that pushes all others' boxes aside to get their game to the table. We also talk the King's Guild, a 'beer&pretzels' engine builder put out by Matthew Austin through Mirror Box Games. You know where to send the hate mail... http://twowood4awheat.com/07:00 Just One07:40 Concept08:45 Terraforming Mars10:11...
2019-07-291h 00Two Wood for a Wheat16. Worst Plays and Res ArcanaWhen you play hundreds of games and hundreds of plays of those hundreds of games, you're bound to get some bad ones. Today we look at our worst board game plays and argue about whether Res Arcana, Tom Lehman's clever new card game, makes for good plays or bad.01:28 Underwater Cities05:42 Kingsguild06:08 Tiny Towns08:04 Lorenzo il Magnifico11:03 Just One12:58 Hadara15:22 Die Tavernen im Tiefen Thal18:14 Welcome To20:52 Feature Review - Res Arcana35:14 Race for the Galaxy44:21 Feature Discussion - Worst Plays45:16 Brass Birmingham49:57 Pandemic: The...
2019-07-021h 14Two Wood for a Wheat15. Why We Play Games & Scorpius FreighterWhy do we play board games? Aren't they just mushed up dead trees with fancy stickers on top? It turns out not and they actually mean a lot to people. We examine what brought us to the strange and wonderful world of hobby board games, and review Scorpius Freighter, a game of many rondels.0:48 Tiny Towns2:44 Just One (not Welcome To)6:27 Men at Work8:17 Dogs of War13:47 Terraforming Mars 20:26 The Voyages of Marco Polo 25:09 Feature Review – Scorpius Freighter35:46 Feature Discussion – Why We Play Games63:02 Other voices – why our friends play g
2019-06-181h 09Two Wood for a Wheat14. Underwater Cities & Excruciating DecisionsWe know it's not an excruciating decision to listen to this episode, especially when we're talking about a game as good as Underwater Cities. Listen to us rave about this card play/worker placement heavy euro, and agonize about the tensest moments in board games, those created by excruciating decisions.00:28 Lords of Hellas00:47 FEATURE REVIEW: Underwater Cities29:08 FEATURE DISCUSSION: Excruciating Decisions31:23 Twilight Struggle35:54 Race for the Galaxy37:35 Blood Rage40:00 Rising Sun45:33 Food Chain Magnate48:00 7th Continent50:08 A Feast for Odin52:45 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire54:34 Just One
2019-06-0358 minTwo Wood for a Wheat13. Whiny Towns - Tiny Towns and DowntimeJust like Tiny Towns, here's a small package that's crammed with content.Tiny Towns is a 20 minute spatial planning game that has as many highs and lows as your favorite big box euro. We waste no time and launch into our discussion of Downtime, highlighting mechanics that provoke it and mechanics that save the player from it. Have a great week, everybody!01:11 Welcome To...01:49 Tiny Towns02:31 Hanabi03:12 Underwater Cities05:57 New Frontiers09:20 FEATURE REVIEW: Tiny Towns27:13 FEATURE TOPIC: Downtime29:09 Lanterns29:36 Five Tribes30:55 Root and Memoir 4432:20 Root...
2019-05-2155 minTwo Wood for a Wheat12. Old Frontiers - Race for the Galaxy, Roll, & New Frontiers Triple ReviewWe couldn't help ourselves and review just one game. Instead, we looked at Race for the Galaxy, Roll for the Galaxy, and New Frontiers, Tom Lehman's three variations on a theme.Speaking of variations, in our feature discussion, we discuss how designers reuse their core mechanics and core themes from one game to a next, including designers like Tom Lehman, Uwe Rosenberg, Michael Kiesling, Ryan Laukat, Simone Luciani, Vital Lacerda, and Vlaada Chvátil. What we've been playing: 01:26 Men at Work03:37 Carpe Diem05:34 Orléans & Rococo09:03 Tony beat Gloomhaven!FEATURE RE...
2019-04-2957 minTwo Wood for a Wheat11. Tiles & Tribulations - A Feast for Odin, the Norwegians, & Escape PlanIn the ancient Norse lands, we pillage the coasts, whale the seas, craft hammers and mail, and play tetris on the front lawn of the meade hall. Wait, what?We're talking about A Feast for Odin, Uwe Rosenberg's magnum opus. We run through the best parts of of this game and where it fails. We played it 10 times in two weeks -- King Hrothgar would be proud. Then we talk the Norwegians expansion, which goes down like a smooth glass of meade after the looser plays of vanilla Feast. Guess what though -- the game is basically a...
2019-04-1556 minTwo Wood for a Wheat10. Chartergroan - Charterstone and Color BlindnessA magical kingdom awaits, full of redundant mechanisms and empty story elements. Meet Charterstone, a legacy game that never figures out what it wants to be. We also talk to our friend John Gortat who is red-green colorblind about how inclusive board games are to the condition, the perils of Stephan Feld's designs, and how German game designers may not have learned their lesson about inclusivity. Finally, we also hit on Lorenzo il Magnifico, Clans of Caledonia and Fantasy Realms.All ShowsTwo Wood for a Wheat10. Chartergroan - Charterstone and Color BlindnessReplace...
2019-03-3046 minTwo Wood for a Wheat9. Positive Feedback - Positive & Negative Feedback Loops in BoardgamesEver wonder what it would be like to do something, then do it again but better, and do it again but still better yet? If you answered yes, then you should be listening to our episode about feedback loops. We also talk Tony's new one eyed dog (vote on this dog's name in the comments: Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. or Patches), Tony's thoughts on Fantasy Realms which is a card-drafting filler in desperate need of a sellout theme, and Pat's opinion on Western Legends that he blatantly stole from his girlfriend.01:57 Fantasy Realms03:59 Western Legends09:34 Rococo
2019-03-1346 minTwo Wood for a Wheat8. Board Game Woke - Exploring Our Bias (aka Why Pat Hates Wingspan)So. Many. Games. On this episode, we talk about every single game that we played over the last three weeks. If you ever wanted insight into the life of a board gamer, you'll find it here. Hell, you can probably estimate our sleep schedules from this. We also explore the dangers of unconscious bias when looking at boardgames. We find that everyone has some form of bias, and they add up to our unique tastes.00:15 Intro04:45 Three Weeks of Hot Takes05:22 Riverboat13:17 Newton14:49 Vegas Showdown17:04 Tyrants of the Underdark18:52 Pandemic: The...
2019-02-261h 31
Personality Bingo with Tom MoranPatrick Flannery plays Personality Bingo with Tom MoranPatrick Flannery is an actor based in Dublin. Despite his absurdly Irish name, he was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. The son of an actor, Patrick was a collegiate athlete before he became involved in the arts himself. He moved to New York City to attend Fordham University where he majored in Political Science. However, just before graduating, Patrick made the decision to pursue a career as an actor. He took classes in the Meisner technique at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and made perhaps the most impulsive decision of his life when he chose to move to...
2019-02-101h 18Two Wood for a Wheat7. Birders Anonymous - Wingspan and ObsessionEver wondered what it feels like to fly? Us too. That's why we played Wingspan 10 times in a row. Find out whether this linear engine builder stays aloft. Unfortunately for Pat, the experience felt more like being tied to a lead weight. We also interview Kelvin Ho, an ardent 18XX player who pretty much plays nothing else. Why does he do it? Why do people get obsessed? Why are trains so cool? Find out, on this week's episode of Two Wood for a Wheat. 00:15 Intro01:21 Gugong04:37 Lords of Hellas07:05 Wingspan: At Least 10 Times 27:29...
2019-02-041h 05Two Wood for a Wheat6. Grognards and Grandmas - 7th Continent & 10 Gamery-Games to Play with FamilyWe're stuffed. Full of too much turkey, tofurkey, and board games. Inspired by too much family time over break, we talk about games that we play with our families and gamers alike. And guess what: it's a top 10 list.We also talk through the 7th Continent campaign and what it means to bend the rules during solo gaming.00:15 Introductions01:48 Bending the Rules During Solo Gaming - 7th Continent08:04 Top 10 List: Grognards & Grandmas41:53 Honorable Mentions50:43 Easter Egg
2019-01-2250 minTwo Wood for a Wheat5. Originality is Overrated - Newton, Originality, and the Best Games of 20182018, What a good year. We both played between 200 and 300 games. Pat doubled the size of his collection. Tony began his 5th decade of board gaming. And we played some of the best games released so far. We run through our top 5 games of 2018.We also talk about a new love for apple-eating scientists in our review of Newton. A board game in motion tends to stay in motion, unless acted upon by victory conditions. Finally, we fight back against the dark forces of originality in our topic of the week, Originality is Overrated. 00:29 Simone Luciani's Newton
2019-01-0753 minTwo Wood for a Wheat4. Day of the Carp - Carpe Diem, Teaching Games, and Empires of the Void IISeize the day! Or seize the fish? We are not sure. Stephan Feld's Carpe Diem has got us incredibly confused. We also shine some not-so-hidden praise on Underwater Cities. Unlucky Americans though we are, we have an Essen-hookup and played an amazing game of this new favorite. We also talk through how a good teach engenders a good experience in games, and Pat showcases his upcoming appearance on a tattoo reality TV show. Finally, we have our biggest argument yet about the tactical "4x" *ahem* known as Empires of the Void II. Can this legally qualify as...
2018-12-2454 minTwo Wood for a Wheat3. Player Interaction - Architects of the West Kingdom and Expectations of Player InteractionToday on Two Wood for a Wheat, Pat & Tony talk about Player Interaction: the joys and oh-boys of a player's actions not matching your expectations. We also dive deep into the new game Architects of the West Kingdom, by Shem Phillips, shed some light on why we think the super-popular Root is actually a bad game, and talk about intentions during board games -- what to do when you've stopped caring about winning? Quote of the day: "If you don't like betrayal, then why are you playing Game of Thrones?"
2018-11-201h 02Two Wood for a Wheat2. Day of the Dead - Scythe, Rise of Fenris, Legacy Games, and TeotihuacanIn this episode of Two Wood for a Wheat, we talk about- What we DON'T like about Scythe- The emotional rollercoaster that is a Legacy Game - Our experience with the Rise of Fenris- How to recommit to a Legacy game, that's a dozen sessions long, when you realize that you won't be winning- Teotihuacan: City of Gods, our feature gameSpoilers: For those looking to avoid light spoilers from Scythe The Rise of Fenris, tune out at 21:32. Be sure to come back at 31:40 where you can hear our...
2018-10-2857 minTwo Wood for a Wheat1. Pilot - Whining, Gloomhaven, and 1st PlayerIn our first episode, we discuss Whining during a game, the importance of first player, the new Barrage kickstarter, and more!https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/craniocreations/barrageIt's our first episode so please send us your thoughts and feedback so we can make this the best Chicago-based board games podcast available. Pat
2018-10-1252 min
The Week in Geek Radio ShowArtist Brom and Game Designer Sean Patrick Flannery 2016-10-27 TWIGSkungy is out this week working hard at the House of Shock. Make sure to go see him this weekend. In his place we play our interview with Sean Patrick Flannery whom we met at Louisiana Comic Con.Our guest this week is famed artist Brom who'll be at Reading between the Wines at the Pearl Wine Co. at 3700 Orleans Ave, NOLA on Nov. 2nd at 7PM. Go to http://tubbyandcoos.com/ for more info.Top Nerd News - We dig into the reactions to the premier of Season 7 of the Walking Dead as well as other happenings...
2016-10-2856 min
Pursuing HealthPH31 Robert Porter and his coach Patrick Flannery on losing 90 pounds with CrossFit and finding the right community for youRobert Porter was a swimmer growing up and active through high school and college. As the years passed, he became more sedentary, and with his job as an insurance broker he ate a majority of his meals at restaurants. His weight slowly crept … Continued
The post 31 – Robert Porter and his coach Patrick Flannery on losing 90 pounds with CrossFit and finding the right community for you appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.
2016-06-2800 min
A Regrettable Moment of SincerityA podcast with the creator and stars of The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, Troy Duffy, Sean Patrick Flannery, and Norman ReedusHere’s a nearly 30 minute interview I did with Troy Duffy, the director of The Boondock Saints and the upcoming The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (he was also the subject of the muckraking documentary Overnight). Also in attendance were Boondock stars Sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus. Sean is very talkative, but Norman almost never interjects and is very soft-spoken. You’ll hear me address him directly about 11 minutes in by saying, “Norman, I feel like I’m ignoring you.” The topics covered in the first 2/3 are mostly about The Boondock Saints II, the casting, the gay jokes, the...
2009-10-2328 min