ArchivesThe Game Table Podcast
Here at The Game Table Podcast, we explore a wide variety of tabletop games, including board games, card games, role-playing games, and more. We give you a brief overview of each game, explain the basics of how to play, and share our opinions to help you decide if it’s a good fit for your gaming table. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a tabletop game enthusiast, we’re here to help guide you through the exciting world of tabletop gaming.

Rebel Princess Deluxe Edition – A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews

in A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews on December 12, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Rebel Princess Deluxe Edition - A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews

00:00 / 22:44

It’s Anna’s turn to jump into the fray of The Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews as she sits down at the Featured Table to review Rebel Princess Deluxe Edition – the somewhat sassy reimplementation of the classic trick taking game of Hearts.

Links for Rebel Princess Deluxe Edition Catalog

Interested in purchasing? https://amzn.to/4gt1hKt
Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Publisher: Bezier Games
Designer: Daniel Byrne, José Gerardo Guerrero, Kevin Peláez, Tirso Virgós
Artists: Alfredo Cáceres

BGG Game Link

How to Play: Before You Play

Links for The Game Table Podcast

‘How to Play’ Music Background:
Song: Inspiring Cinematic Ambient
Artist: Lexin_Music – Aleksey Chistilin

Have questions or want to connect?
Check out our website: thegametablepodcast.com
Email us at thegametablepodcast@gmail.com
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Rebel Princess Deluxe Edition Description from the Publisher

Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and many other legendary princesses are celebrating a five-day party. The Prince Charmings, who have not been invited, will try to infiltrate the ball to propose marriage to the girls. As a princess, you have to avoid marriage proposals and remain single and independent after the celebrations.

Rebel Princess takes place over five rounds, representing the five days of a party, and each round has a special rule that makes each game totally different. The general mechanisms are those of trick-taking games, in which each player plays a numbered card into each trick, following one of the four suits in the game. The player with the highest number of the suit that started the trick takes all the cards of that trick — but that’s not necessarily good as players want to avoid taking cards with Prince Charmings, who each bring one marriage proposal, aside from the enchanted frog who brings five proposals. The player with the fewest marriage proposals after five rounds wins.

Importantly, each player assumes the role of a different princess and has a special ability that they can use once per round. Compared to the original edition, Rebel Princess Deluxe Edition features:

A new “Rebel of the Ball” mechanism to allow players to catch up if they are falling too far behind
Two new Princesses and six new Round cards
Princess cards upgraded to thick punchboard tiles
Round cards upgraded to Tarot-sized cards with rules text on each card
Balance tweaks to existing rules, rounds, and princesses

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

The Game Table Podcast is an exploration of various board, card, and tabletop games. Hosted by Ian Mansfield and Jared Snyder, this podcast offers listeners a comprehensive look at different games, providing overviews, insights on gameplay, and personal thoughts to help you decide if a game is right for your table.

Each episode delves into a specific game, discussing its mechanics, strategies, and overall experience. Whether it’s a family-friendly game like “Once Upon a Castle” or a more strategic title like “Apiary,” we bring our enthusiasm and expertise to the table. We also share tips, reviews, and sometimes even the history behind the games they feature.

Listeners can expect a mix of humor, detailed analysis, and genuine passion for gaming, making it a perfect companion for both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike. We also encourages community interaction through our website, social media, and Discord.

Seers Catalog – A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews

in A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews on December 11, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Seers Catalog - A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews

00:00 / 29:38

The celebration continues with Seers Catalog – the next card game on the list of our week of Bezier card game reviews. Ian sits down at the Featured Table to discuss all of the latest and greatest items that you NEED to protect yourselves against the werewolves in this ALMOST card shedding game.

Links for Seers Catalog

Interested in purchasing? https://amzn.to/4 1qCd2I
Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Publisher: Bezier Games
Designer: Taylor Reiner
Artists: Rob Loukotka and Christine Mitzuk

BGG Game Link

How to Play: Before You Play

Links for The Game Table Podcast

Jared on BGG
Ian on BGG

Seers Catalog Description from the Publisher

The latest edition of the Seers Catalog has everything you need for stopping werewolves. Can you limit yourself to the essentials in time to save the village?

Seers Catalog is an almost-shedding card game in which each player tries to get rid of almost all of the cards in their hand. Each round, players have a unique set of artifacts that give them asymmetric abilities to help manage their hand of cards. When one player runs out of cards, the round is scored: Each card is worth -1, but if you have five or fewer cards in your hand, the lowest value on those cards is worth positive points! However, once you have five or fewer cards, you can no longer voluntarily pass, so holding on to a high-value card near the end of the round hoping for a big payout can result in total failure.

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

Xylotar – A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews

in A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews on December 10, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Xylotar - A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews

00:00 / 20:59

Next on the list of our week of Bezier card game reviews is the deductive trick tacking game, Xylotar! Jared sits down at the featured table to take a look.

Links for Xylotar

Interested in purchasing? https://amzn.to/41qCd2I
Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Publisher: Bezier Games
Designer: Christopher Wray
Artists: Davi Comodo

BGG Game Link

How to Play: Triple S Games

Links for The Game Table Podcast

Jared on BGG
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Xylotar Description from the Publisher

In the card game Xylotar, you’ve found the long lost xylotar schematics from the instrument originally designed by Bobby McColdsnap and Keifer Basset. This unique musical device was based on both xylophone and synthesizer technology in the mid 80’s. and was created as an alternative to the keytars of the era.

Without knowing exactly how it should work, play until you discover the sweetest sounds. The player who scores the most points has found the perfect balance of 80’s synthesizer rock and modern carimba-style melodies. Only then can you mass produce the xylotar, succeeding in your goal of achieving moderate commercial success!

In this trick-taking game players know only the colors of their cards and their relative order. Use deduction and observation to figure out the value of your cards, then bid to try to gain extra points.

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

Silver – A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews

in A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews on December 9, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Silver - A Week of Bezier Card Game Reviews

00:00 / 25:26

Ian kicks off our week of Bezier Card Game Reviews with the social deduction, memory, and hand management game, Silver!

Links for Silver

Interested in purchasing one of the games in the Silver lineup?
Silver: https://amzn.to/3Zuirk6
Coin: https://amzn.to/4fbFPc7
Dagger: https://amzn.to/3D70Sz6
Bullet: https://amzn.to/4g5tQ0L
Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Pre-order:
Eye: https://beziergames.com/collections/all-games/products/silver-eye
Fang: https://beziergames.com/collections/all-games/products/silver-fang
Collector’s Edition: https://beziergames.com/collections/all-games/products/silver-collectors-edition-gold-pledge

Publisher: Bezier Games
Designer: Ted Alspach
Artists: Jason Boles, Andrey Gordeev, T. B. (II)

BGG Game Link

How to Play: Play the Game HQ

Links for The Game Table Podcast

Jared on BGG
Ian on BGG

Silver Description from the Publisher

Your village has been overrun by savage werewolves, which are represented by the number on each of the cards that make up your village. To get rid of these fanged fiends faster than the neighboring villages, use your residents’ special abilities and your powerful secret weapon: a silver amulet.

Call for a vote when you think you have the fewest werewolves, but be careful; everyone else gets one more turn to save their own village first…

Silver is a fast and engaging traditional card game with a werewolf twist! Everyone starts the game with five face-down cards, with everyone being able to see two cards of their choice. Cards are numbered 0-13, with the number showing how many werewolves the character on that card attracts, and each character (number) has a different special power.

On a turn, you draw the top card of the deck or discard pile, then either discard it to use the power of the card (but only if it came from the deck), discard it without using the power (ditto), or replace one or more of your face-down cards with this card; you can replace multiple cards only if they bear the same number, and you must reveal the cards to prove this, being penalized if you’re wrong.

Silver can be played as a standalone game or combined with Silver Bullet or other Silver decks. Each version of the game has different card abilities.

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth – A Two-Top Review

in Two Top Review on December 4, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth - A Two-Top Review

00:00 / 31:42

Guest hosts, Josh and Kelli, sit down at the two-top table and take a look at the 2 player card drafting game, Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth, published by Repos Productions.

Links for Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth

Interested in purchasing? https://amzn.to/3Zuirk6
Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Publisher: Repos Productions
Designer: Antoine Bauza and Bruno Cathala
Artists: Vincent Dutrait

BGG Game Lin k

How to Play: Watch It Played

Links for The Game Table Podcast

Jared on BGG
Ian on BGG

Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth Description from the Publisher

A dark rumour rises from Mordor. The Eye turns to Middle-earth. The hour has come. The Fellowship is reunited. The Heroes prepare for battle. Will you play as the Fellowship of the Ring to defend the free races and destroy the One Ring? Or will you play as Sauron and pursue Frodo and Sam while deploying your hordes to the gates of the enemy cities? The destiny of Middle-earth is in your hands!

A game plays over 3 successive chapters that unfold similarly.
On your turn, strengthen your Skills, hoard your treasure, stretch your presence across Middle-earth, rally Races to your cause, or advance the Quest of the Ring.

Turn Overview

In each chapter players take cards from a display of face-down and face-up cards arranged at the start of a round. A player can take a card only if it’s available, that is not partially covered by any other cards. Players can either play the card, paying its cost and placing it in their play area, obtaining its benefit, or discard the card and take as many coins from the reserve as the current chapter.

Players can also take a Landmark tile from one of the faceup tiles, paying its cost placing it in their play area. They will be able to immediately place a Fortress pawn on the corresponding region of the central board and benefit from its other effects.

Victory Conditions

Immediately win the game by fulfilling one of the 3 victory conditions:

Quest of the Ring

For the Fellowship: If Frodo and Sam reach Mount Doom, they destroy the One Ring and you immediately win the game.
For Sauron: If the Nazgûl catch Frodo and Sam, they seize the One Ring and you immediately win the game.

Support of the Races

If any player gathers 6 different Race symbols on their Green cards, they rally the support of the Races of Middle-earth and immediately win the game

Conquering Middle-earth

If a player is present in all 7 regions (with a Fortress and/or at least 1 Unit), they dominate Middle-earth and immediately win the game. If none of these three victory conditions are achieved by the end of chapter 3, the player who is present in the most regions of Middle-earth (with a Fortress and/or at least 1 Unit) wins the game. In case of tie, share the victory.

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

Classic & Gateway Games I’m Thankful For – A Featured Table Review

in Featured Table Review on November 27, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Classic & Gateway Games I'm Thankful For - A Featured Table Review

00:00 / 36:37

Jared sits down at the Featured Table without a co-host to discuss some of the classic and gateway games in the board gaming hobby that he is thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Links of Classic & Gateway Games from the Discussion

Links for The Game Table Podcast

Have questions or want to connect?
Check out our website: thegametablepodcast.com
Email us at thegametablepodcast@gmail.com
Check out our Linktree for easy access to find us online!
Follow us on Instagram
Join the conversation on Discord: https://discord.gg/ZYKF3wdenJ
Check us out on Boardgamegeek

Jared on BGG
Ian on BGG

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

Fortify – A Kid’s Table Review

in Kid's Table Review on November 20, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Fortify - A Kid's Table Review

00:00 / 20:00

Faith and Jared sit down at the Kid’s table and take a look at the real time head to head dice placement push your luck water balloon chucking board game, Fortify, by Barrel Aged Games.

Links for Fortify Board Game

Interested in purchasing? https://amzn.to/49zBU7F
Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Publisher: Barrel Aged Games
Designer: Jason Mack and Caleb Zwar
Artists: Kendall Hale and Matt Sanz

BGG Game Lin k

How to Play: Barrel Aged Games

Links for The Game Table Podcast

Jared on BGG
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Fortify Board Game Description from the Publisher

It’s a hot summer and you see a new family just moved in across the street and you know what that means, boxes! You round up your friends and a giant bag of water balloons. You quickly split into teams, start stacking boxes, and fill your water balloons because everyone knows its time to Fortify!

Use the variety of boxes (Cards) to create a closed wall around your Base. The larger you make it the more friends can fit inside. The more friends you have the faster you can build or the more water balloons (Dice) you can toss at your opponent’s fort. Roll well and land your water balloons on boxes, rival friends, and ultimately their base to claim the day and the pride of the neighborhood!

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

Age of Comics: The Golden Years – A Featured Table Review

in Featured Table Review on November 13, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Age of Comics: The Golden Years - A Featured Table Review

00:00 / 49:44

Ian and Jared sit down at the Featured table and take a look at the worker placement comic book publishing game, Age of Comics: The Golden Years, published by Lirius Games.

Links for Age of Comics: The Golden Years Board Game

Publisher: Lirius Games
Designer: Giacomo Cimini and Sónia Gonçalves
Artists: Laura Guglielmo

BGG Game Lin k

How to Play: Board Game Teacher

Links for The Game Table Podcast

Jared on BGG
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Age of Comics: The Golden Years Board Game Description from the Publisher

Age of Comics: The Golden Years Age of Comics: The Golden Years is a worker placement management game in which players will run a publishing company during the golden age of comics (1938-54).

In each round the players, in turn, must position 4 meeples (workers called editors). They can choose 4 out of 6 spaces, called publishing tasks. There are 6 publishing tasks in total that can be performed in any order and lead to 6 specific player actions: hire, develop, ideas, print, sales, and royalties. The game lasts 5 rounds. The objective of the game is to accumulate the highest number of fans, make money by publishing comics and create the best portfolio of comic books. There are three main ways to accumulate fans:

being the first to publish a specific genre and specializing in it;
publishing comic books with specialized creatives;
collecting orders on the map.

Throughout the game, a fan chart will track the number of fans accumulated by the comics and will award victory points based on the players’ ranking at the end of every round. In the last round, the number of fans is converted into victory points. The money accumulated is instead divided by 4.The winner is the player who scores the most victory points (VP from now on, represented by a star icon)
at the end of five rounds. VP are awarded both during and at the end of the game.

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

Neodreams – A Two Top Review

in Two Top Review on November 6, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Neodreams - A Two Top Review

00:00 / 50:31

Anna and Jared sit down at the two-top table and take a look at the economic worker placement, tableau building, dream creating game, Neodreams, published by Hobby World.

Links for Neodreams Board Game

Publisher: Hobby World
Designer: Ivan Lashin
Artists: Nick Gerts and Evgeny Zubkov

BGG Game Lin k

How to Play: N/A

Links for The Game Table Podcast

Jared on BGG
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Neodreams Board Game Description from the Publisher

In the near future, an astonishing new technology has been developed that allows the sleeping mind and machine to be connected. It is called Oneiroshunt, and with it, the business of crafting and selling dreams has become a thriving industry. For the right price, clients can learn new skills, overcome deep-seated fears, and travel to the most extraordinary locations all from the comfort of their beds.

In Neodreams, each player is the CEO of a company that is developing and using this technology, and they must expand fast to keep up with the competition. In this economic strategy game, players will deploy their Oneironauts to gather resources, craft stunning experiences, improve dreamscapes, and gain clients. The player who accumulates the most wealth once enough dreams have been created will dominate the Oneiroshunt industry for years to come!

Overview of The Game Table Podcast

Zombicide – A Featured Table Review

in Featured Table Review on October 30, 2024 January 30, 2025

The Game Table Podcast

Zombicide - A Featured Table Review

00:00 / 53:36

Jared and Ian take a look at the quick action zombie fighting horde swarming survival game, Zombicide by CMON Games Limited.

Links for Zombicide

Interested in purchasing? https://amzn.to/3ZG1iVU
Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Publisher: CMON Games Limited
Designer: Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien, and Nicolas Raoult
Artists: James Churchill and Nick John Whittle

BGG Game Lin k

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2682939/so-many-zombicide-games-are-there-a-list-for-rule

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Zombicide Description from the Publisher

Zombicide, the board game, has taken the world by storm with over two million copies sold since its release in 2012 and spawning a cult franchise of cooperative zombie slaying all over the world. In Zombicide, zombies are controlled by the game, while players take on the role of survivors who must co-operate in order to survive and thrive in a world overrun by the bloodthirsty undead. Find guns and gear to take the fight to the zombies through 25 different scenarios linked by a branching story as you pick your way through an infested city.