

So Very Wrong About Games
Pickaxe
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 11, 2021 • 1h 8min
#168: Video Games vs. Board Games Market Differences
From Wikipedia: "Mark Sinclair (born July 18, 1967), known professionally as Vin Diesel, is an American actor and filmmaker. One of the world's highest-grossing actors, he is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise.Diesel began his career in 1990 but struggled to gain roles until he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the short film Multi-Facial (1995). This attracted the attention of Steven Spielberg, who was developing Saving Private Ryan (1998), and re-wrote elements of the film to allow Diesel to appear in a supporting role. Diesel subsequently voiced the titular character in The Iron Giant (1999) while gaining a reputation as an action star after headlining the Fast & Furious, XXX, and The Chronicles of Riddick film franchises." 01:20 AYURIS: Black Angel (Sébastien Dujardin, Xavier Georges, & Alain Orban, Pearl Games, 2019)Games Played Last Week:03:08 -Vengeance: Roll and Fight Episode 1 (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2021)[EDIT: Vengeance: Roll & Fight is on Kickstarter as of now, until May 31st 2021)07:46 -Aquatica: Cold Waters (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2020)11:30 -Excavation Earth (Gordon Calleja, Dávid Turczi, & Wai Yee, Mighty Boards, 2021)18:28 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)19:09 -Daimyo: Rebirth of an Empire (Jérémy Ducret, La Boîte de Jeu, 2021)25:30 -Mage Knight Board Game (Vlaada Chvátil, WizKids, 2011)28:43 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)30:36 -The King's Dilemma (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2019)31:51 -Takenoko (Antoine Bauza, Matagot, 2011)News (and why it doesn't matter): 34:10 Mindclash announces Voidfall35:30 Games Workshop's Gaunt's Ghosts36:06 Richard Halliwell, designer of Space Hulk, passed away36:38 Shipping costs from China skyrocket37:53 Prospero Hall's Fast & Furious: Highway Heist38:57 Topic: Market Differences: Video Games vs. Board GamesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 4, 2021 • 1h 4min
#167: The Red Cathedral
Fun fact: The Red Cathedral isn't really a cathedral at all, it's a sobor, which isn't really the same thing. Also fun fact: Unsurprisingly, Mark is wrong to say that Fenrir will swallow the moon at the end of the world, as that is patently absurd. Fenrir swallows the sun, which makes perfect sense. Except, of course, for renditions where Fenrir's children Skoll and Hati swallow the moon and sun respectively. I guess we'll have to wait and see who got it right. We value editorial rigour here at SVWAG. Games Played Last Week:01:57 -Veangeance: Roll and Fight Episode 1 (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2021)06:30 -Blood Rage: Promos Box (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2019)10:09 -Nidavellir: Thingvellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)12:03 -Whale Riders: The Card Game (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)13:57 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)16:26 -Lancaster (Mathias Cramer, Queen Games, 2011)20:44 -Cubitos (John D. Clair, AEG, 2021)22:37 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)24:52 -Cacao (Phil Walker-Harding, ABACUSSPIELE, 2015)25:47 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)28:43 -Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2018)News (and why it doesn't matter): 30:00 (Other) Golden Geek Winners34:42 Witchstone from Reiner Knizia35:20 D&D Monopoly...?35:42 My Father's Work on Kickstarter36:35 Stationfall from Matt Eklund on Kickstarter37:16 Take Mark's Siege of the Citadel Dark Legion pledge!Link: https://forms.gle/52vHVkc66Gx7aSEt537:51: Feature Game: The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 27, 2021 • 1h 24min
#166: Tempo
Knizia reference, check; Kant reference, check; Shakespeare reference, check (albeit subtle); Scott Pilgrim reference, check (albeit a gimme); Macross reference, check; Letterkenny reference... wait, this must be a mistake. Where's the Letterkenny reference? This is no way to try to win a Golden Geek.01:58 AYURIS: Edge of Darkness (John D. Clair, AEG, 2019) Games Played Last Week:03:38 -Scott Pilgrim Miniatures the World (Erica Bouyouris, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)07:53 -Red Rising (Alexander Schmidt & Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2021)13:13 -In a Grove (Jun Sasaki, Oink Games, 2011)16:13 -Moon Adventure (Jun Sasaki, Oink Games, 2021)19:43 -Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)20:55 -Galaxy Hunters (Daniel Alves, IDW Games, 2021)23:15 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)25:21 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)27:38 -Abandon All Artichokes (Emma Larkins, Gamewright, 2020)30:57 -The Magnificent (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2019)36:34 -Claustrophobia 1643 (Croc & Laurent Pouchain, Monolith, 2019)40:12 -Merv: Heart of the Silk Road (Fabio Lopiano, Osprey Games, 2020)45:04 -Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2018)46:32 -Dunaïa (Thomas Dupont, BLAM !, 2021)News (and why it doesn't matter): 51:23 CGE revisits Galaxy Trucker52:36 Hurlyburly54:07 TTCombat and Ostrich riders 54:39 Warhammer Quest: The Cursed City and Games Workshop gaslighting56:41 Tyrants of the Underdark reprint57:12 Hidden Leaders on Kickstarter57:21 More Hellboy on Kickstarter57:38 Needy Cat Games' Myth and Goal 58:26 Topic: TempoAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 20, 2021 • 1h 4min
#165: Dominant Species: Marine
The trajectory of spin-offs seems indelibly tied to aquatic environments, so perhaps we ought to accept the inevitable and begin planning for "SVWAG of the Depths" wherein our hosts play games and then talk about them while entirely submerged. Imagine what effect it will have on most dexterity games! Only Chip Theory Games' offerings will emerge unaltered. Sound quality will perforce suffer, as no doubt will the hosts' lungs, but no one said art was going to be easy.Games Played Last Week:01:26 -Formula Dé (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Eurogames, 1997)01:44 -Automobiles (David Short, AEG, 2016)02:00 -Cubitos (John D. Clair, AEG, 2021)12:45 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999) 16:38 -Hallertau (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2020)20:39 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)25:00 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)27:04 -The Magnificent (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2019)30:18 -Champions of Midgard (Ole Steiness, Grey Fox Games, 2015)31:14 -The King's Dilemma (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2019)36:32 -Conspiracy: Abyss Universe (Bruno Cathala & Charles Chevallier, Bombyx, 2019)News (and why it doesn't matter): 38:02 Marvel United X-Men, sans Gambit (so far)39:39 Frostpunk: Surprise billing40:56 Classics going out of print prompting media navel-gazing[EDIT: A previous version of the episode falsely attributed the Euro Classics line to Plaid Hat instead of Z-Man Games. We apologize for the error.]44:59 Stream of The Magnificent 04/24, 10:30 AM EST45:16 Feature Game: Dominant Species Marine (Chad Jensen, GMT Games, 2021)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 13, 2021 • 1h 17min
#164: Probability
Important Macross news! Mark will ruthlessly exploit any and all chances to mention Macross, and so he shoehorns in a quote from a Macross property so he can talk about Macross. He can then mention his mention of Macross in the episode description, in a move called Meta-cross. There's some stuff about board games too, I guess.01:51 AYURIS: Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Warcry (Uncredited, Games Workshop, 2019) Games Played Last Week:04:22 -After the Empire (Evan Halbert & Ryan Mauk, Grey Fox Games, 2021)12:47 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020) 16:18 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)21:22 -Black Rose Wars: Sator Box (Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2020)27:26 -Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2021)37:47 -Haiclue (Will Leaf, Tiger Board Games, 2019)38:46 -Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game (Alex Tune & Joe Vargas, Jasco Games, 2021)News (and why it doesn't matter): 44:40 15th annual Golden Geek Awards nominations are open on BGG47:51 Mighty Boards' Vengeance: Roll and Fight!48:37 Let's Make a Bus Route dice game49:06 Safe Battle: sound check[EDIT: Mark mistakenly conflates the Tokyo Game Market with TGS, which are different events. We apologize for the error.]49:53 Warhammer Underworlds "Starter Set?"51:56 Topic: ProbabilityAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 6, 2021 • 1h 4min
#163: Bullet♥︎
A great man once said that he thought bullets should cost five thousand dollars. As we are not currently playing a game of SHASN, we here at SVWAG will demur on weighing in on hot-button political issues at this time. Suffice to say that while there is another raging controversy about whether one should address cost in the context of board games criticism, Bullet♥︎ does not cost five thousand dollars. Games Played Last Week:02:05 -Nidavellir: Thingvellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)04:48 -Gùgōng: Pànjūn (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2020)09:50 -A Billion Suns: Interstellar Fleet Battles (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Games, 2021)15:01 -Star Trek: Alliance – Dominion War Campaign (Josh Derksen & Thomas M. Gofton, WizKids, 2021)20:12 -SHASN (Zain Memon, Memesys Culture Lab, 2021)28:11 -The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)31:44 -Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2020)[EDIT: An earlier version of this episode implied that Merv was designed by Andreas Steding, when in fact it was designed by Fabio Lopiano. We apologize for the error.]News (and why it doesn't matter): 35:37 The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged36:19 Unmatched System gets Deadpool et al, because Marvel is all-consuming37:35 Reiner Knizia: The Siege of Runedar, Witchstone, Blue Moon reprint38:47 KS roundup: Longshot roll and write, googley-eyed dice39:33 Mythic Battles: Ragnarok40:56 Level 99 Games Expansions: Bullet Orange and Empyreal reprint42:05 Little Plastic Train Company42:38 The shame of Biblios spawns For the King (and Me)43:24 Feature Game: Bullet♥︎ (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 30, 2021 • 1h 11min
#162: Whining
No, not winning, that is emphatically not on the docket today. Today we inveigh against whining, which is a form of meta-whining; what the Brits call "recursive whinging" or the French language names "le grand boo-hoo." Given that the hosts engage in this degenerate, despicable behaviour, this is very much an issue of do as we say, not as we say when whining. Perhaps this is more complicated than I first suspected.01:16 AYURIS: Sol: Last Days of a Star (Ryan Spangler & Sean Spangler, Elephant Laboratories, 2017)Games Played Last Week:03:55 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2008)07:30 -Hard City (Adam Kwapiński & Marek Raczyński, Hexy Studio, 2020)12:09 -Tajuto (Reiner Knizia, Super Meeple, 2019)16:09 -Medici (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 1995)19:30 -The Search for Planet X (Matthew O'Malley & Ben Rosset, Renegade Game Studios, 2020)26:26 -Blackout: Hong Kong (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2018) 31:06 -The Shores of Tripoli (Kevin Bertram, Fort Circle Games, 2020)35:42 -Shadows: Amsterdam (Mathieu Aubert, Libellud, 2018)40:31 -Dice Forge (Régis Bonnessée, Libellud, 2017)News (and why it doesn't matter): 41:33 Joseph McCullough's Silver Bayonet43:55 Blacklist Games' Lasting Tales45:03 https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/3236, https://www.twitch.tv/soverywrongaboutgames46:02 "Lot" on Kickstarter--each game unique47:44 FlickFleet Box of Flicks 249:08 Topic: WhiningAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 23, 2021 • 1h 6min
#161: Faiyum
Don't you know who I amRemember my nameFaiyumI'm gonna live for everI'm gonna learn how to fly-clearly some song about ancient PharaohsGames Played Last Week:00:51 -Aquatica (Ivan Tuzovsky, Cosmodrome Games, 2019)05:06 -Dungeon Petz (Vlaada Chvátil, CGE, 2011)07:46 -Concordia Solitaria (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2021) 11:25 -CuBirds (Stefan Alexander, Catch Up Games, 2018)12:01 -Dragonwood (Darren Kisgen, AURUM, Inc., 2015)13:17 -Abyss (Bruno Cathala & Charles CHvallier, Bombyx, 2014)13:57 -Nidavellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)14:58 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)15:08 -Lost Ruins of Arnak (Elwen & Mín, CGE, 2020)15:49 -Bullet♥︎ (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)18:18 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020) 19:44 -Warhammer Underworlds: Direchasm (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2020)23:29 -The Shores of Tripoli (Kevin Bertram, Fort Circle Games, 2020)30:20 -Yura Yura Penguin (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-Published, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter): 31:09 Robotech: Reconstruction33:16 More Necromunda and Warhammer Underworlds34:21 Res Arcana: Perlae Imperii34:49 In-person GenCon in September35:35 Lost Cities roll-and-write36:16 As d'or goes to MicroMacro: Crime City36:45 Feature Game: Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 16, 2021 • 1h 4min
#160: Best Foot Forward
CASSIUS: Did SVWAG say any thing?CASCA: Ay, they spoke Geek.CASSIUS: To what effect?CASCA: Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' theface again: but those that understood them smiled atone another and shook their heads; but, for mine ownpart, it was Geek to me.01:54 AYURIS: Star Wars: Outer Rim (Corey Konieczka with Tony Fanchi, FFG, 2019) Games Played Last Week:03:30 -Paleo (Peter Rustemeyer, Hans im Glück, 2020)08:56 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020) 10:44 -Root: The Underworld Expansion (Patrick Leder & Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2020)13:30 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)15:50 -Dune: Imperium (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2020)17:45 -Res Arcana: Lux et Tenebrae (Thoman Lehman, Sand Castle Games, 2019)19:23 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)22:10 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)24:47 -Aquatica (Ivan Tuzovsky, Cosmodrome Games, 2019)26:42 -Flick of Faith (Paweł Stobiecki, Jan Truchanowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms Lite, 2019)29:38 -Strike (Dieter Nüßle, Ravensburger, 2012)News (and why it doesn't matter): 30:40 Jack Vasel Memorial Auction on BGG31:02 Parasocial Saturdays: Project: ELITE on March 20th, 10:30 AM EST on Twitch.31:18 Stop appropriating indigenous religious practices, CMON! "Trickster" in Zombicide.32:54 Dominant Species Marine by GMT. 33:59 www.patreon.com/svwag34:52 Topic: Putting Your Best Foot ForwardAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 9, 2021 • 1h 17min
#159: Anachrony: Fractures of Time
Round structure of Anachrony: I. Jump to the left phase.II. Step to the right phase.III. Bring your knees in tight phase.IV. Pelvic thrust phase.V. Drives you insane phase.Let's play Anachrony again! It's just...Games Played Last Week:01:25 -Barrage (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)07:49 -Argent: Summer Break (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2014)11:19 -Warhammer Underworlds: Direchasm (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2020)16:48 -Rum & Bones: Second Tide (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)20:55 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)24:06 -Yura Yura Penguin (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-Published, 2020)26:18 -Hansa Teutonica: East Expansion (Andreas Steding, Argentum Verlag, 2010)28:33 -Pictures (Christian Stöhr & Daniela Stöhr, PD-Verlag, 2019)32:41 -Project: ELITE – R.O.O.K. Team (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)35:52 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)38:38 -Pavlov's House (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2018)News (and why it doesn't matter): 40:50 Robinson Crusoe Collector's Edition on Gamefound March 23rd41:55 Trireme racing AND puns?! Greece Lightning42:46 Level 99 Games' crowdfunding: Launch 9943:59 Should there be moderation on Kickstarter comments? Mark says yes.49:06 Feature Game: Anachrony: Fractures of Time (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, Dávid Turczi, & Mindclash Games, 2020)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices