The Fifth Meeple Board Game Podcast

We usually don’t give the exact number of plays, but if we feel we haven’t played it enough to make a full conclusion, we’ll call that out. Typically, though, if that’s the case, we’re not reviewing it. So if it happens on our show, it’s usually just one of us who missed a series of play sessions.

That’s awesome!

The Tesseract has arrived! I saved the planet this time, but I’ll be jacking up the difficulty factor next time so prepare for the end of the world as we know it…. (But blame @smirkanddagger.bsky.social if it happens.)

#boardgames #games #tabletop

We played some Magical Athlete by @cmyk.games this weekend! This is a fun racing experience for a roll and move game. If you like Camel Up, Hot Streak, or Ready Set Bet, you should give this one a close look!

This will be in a future battle episode for sure!

#games #boardgames

Love Rebirth—both sides. Theme is a bit odd but I enjoy every minute when playing.

Love this game! When it all starts going south, the fun ramps up.

Cascadia by @flatoutgames.bsky.social and @alderaceg.bsky.social solo scenario 19. I satisfied the elk and hawk requirements but scored 99 vs the required 100! Such a great game and I absolutely love the solo scenarios.

#boardgames #games #tabletopgames

Thanks for mentioning us, Reggie! Looking forward to your podcast!

I think your comment about the amount of work is spot on. It’s a mini-job to put things out regularly, especially if you care about quality. And getting engagement or seen can be tough. I put a video out a few days ago that turned out great—5 likes. How many videos are in my future? Likely none.

LOL. I always think I sound like a nerd, so maybe that’s a good thing?

Hey, Everyone! I had to put my shelf together before taking my shelfie, so I decided to have a little fun with it. I present to you: The Making of a Shelfie!

#games #boardgames #shelfie #tabletopgames

I just tried Xenon Profiteer by @eaglegryphon.bsky.social and it’s checking all my engineering nerd boxes—plus it’s a really good game! Looking forward to sharing this with my podmates soon. Thanks to @boardgamehottakes.bsky.social for bringing this to my attention!

#games #boardgames #nerd #Xe

Played Shackleton Base by Sorry We Are French yesterday. I came in worrying I wouldn’t like it but left looking forward to my next visit to the crater.

#boardgames #tabletopgames #games #moon

This is my pre-shelfie! I have a few questions for those that use Kallax shelves for their games.

1) Have you left out one or more vertical slats to allow for storing larger games? Any issues?

2) Did you anchor to the wall?

#boardgames #games #tabletopgames #tabletop #podcast

Played Luthier by Paverson Games the other night. Really enjoyed the theme & the multi-step puzzle. But, it took 3 hours and I experienced a ton of downtime.

For those with multiple games under their belt, what has the average playtime been?

#boardgames #games #tabletopgames #music #orchestra

Recently received Baseball Highlights 2045 by @eaglegryphon.bsky.social as a gift—been on my wish list for quite some time. Really enjoyed the first series & likely will buy the Bases Loaded edition. ⚾️ Family Bonus—my wife offered to play this one. She’s on deck!

#games #boardgames #baseball

Hot Streak by CMYK is an absolute riot, having us yelling at the cards and laughing the whole game through. Daniella appears to have the biggest problem as she won both games—plus a lifetime supply of cheese biscuits. 😅

#games #boardgames #tabletopgames #baseball #podcast

Got in our first game of Spectacular by Chilifox Games. I did not do well LOL! There’s a lot packed into what at first appears to be an innocent little game! I’m very much looking forward to several more plays before we cover this on the podcast.

#boardgames #games #dice #dicegames

In our mini Episode 60, we give our thoughts on Reiner Knizia’s Rebirth by @mightyboards.bsky.social . “No one provokes me with impunity!”

#boardgames #games

Railroad Ink Challenge (Shining Yellow Edition) by Horrible Guild is definitely more thinky than the Deep Blue Edition I’m more familiar with, even without the expansion dice. Which edition I should try next?

P.S. Thought we had a tie here until I realized the right map has a scoring error. #games

Really enjoyed this game, though I felt differently than you guys on the production. Tons and tons of fun, though. In addition to our regular plays, David and I played a co-op game of this (work together to try to get to Event 13) at Origins. He made it to 12; I squeaked by to reach 13.

I’ve been lied to! One of my favorite polkas taught me that In Heaven, There Is No Beer. Then, Pete pulls this baby out! Heaven & Ale by Eggertspiele. Who’s drinkin’ what I’m pourin’?

#boardgames #tabletopgames #games #beer #polka

Episode 59 is out there giving you “Summon to Believe in”! It’s Res Arcana vs The Vale of Eternity in our Battle of the Funnest Showdown.

#boardgames #games #tabletopgames

My go-to Gateway Game is Cascadia. Also an inviting theme, but actions are relatively simple: “On your turn, take a pair, and build toward these goals”. Player interaction is present but indirect. Basic goals you can ramp up later. Quick learn, quick play. And you built something when you’re done.

I don’t think Wingspan should be considered a Gateway Game. While the theme is inviting, the mechanisms for a true non-gamer are relatively complex. It’s a lot to try to absorb and sequence correctly.

Went diving with the group last night, exploring the unknown in Endeavor: Deep Sea by @burntislandgames.bsky.social . Love the modular board, different scenarios, specialists … that give such variation from game to game. Haven’t tried it co-op yet but I hear it’s tough!

#boardgames #games #ocean

The truth is out there … and we’re looking for it in SETI! I absolutely love this game. Theme, mechanisms, production—it checks all the boxes for me. A Prelude-like expansion that shortens the play time a bit is maybe all I could ask. Well done @czechgames.com !

#boardgames #games #aliens #UFO

Scored this 23-point salad with my daughter today en route to a 4-star review from the critics. Risks pay off—only sometimes—in the Salad Shop.

Straw is a relatively simple push your luck card game that I have a lot of fun with. Originally published by @alderaceg.bsky.social but out of print now, you need to balance how much weight you keep in your hand vs what you put on the camel. But don’t break his back!

#games #cardgames #boardgames

Agreed. I have this and have only brought it out once or twice. Other versions are better.