Just Play – Details, episodes & analysis

In a world where there are over 100,000 board games it only takes a special few to make a difference.  In this episode JP takes us through his top 10 games that made him fall in love with the hobby.

IN THIS EPISODE
- In our "Just Played" segment JP talks about why it's important to be careful in waking up eternals in Eternal Decks by Tricktakers Games and managing workers in a dystopian future can be tough when they get too intelligent in Euphoria by Stonemaier Games
- At the "Centre of the table" JP takes us through his journey of 10 core games which has helped cement his love for the hobby
- We take a look at the the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" including Lands of Evershade, Dark Pact, Rolling Deep, Eternal Decks (again!!) and World Order

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/B9GBxCJh_2s

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Opening
00:00:21 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:01:46 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED
00:02:27 - Eternal Decks
00:12:11 - Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia
00:19:24 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE - Top 10 games that made me love tabletop
00:20:56 - No. 10 - XCOM: The Board Game
00:24:11 - No. 9 - Mansions of Madness 1st Edition
00:26:59 - No. 8 - Star Wars Rebellion
00:30:14 - No. 7 - Scythe
00:32:34 - No. 6 - Lorenzo Il Magnifico
00:35:17 - No. 5 - On Mars
00:37:22 - No. 4 - Anachrony
00:39:30 - No. 3 - Game of Thrones: 2nd Edition
00:41:58 - No. 2 - Imperium Classics
00:46:43 - No. 1 - Too Many Bones
00:50:58 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT
00:56:41 - PHASE E: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY
00:58:23 - PHASE F: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway
License code: AOBEG4AFXALEPGNZ

Welcome to a brand new board gaming podcast called Just Play.  I'm your host JP and your "Player Two" guiding you through the hobby.  Whether that's talking about the latest hotness, the golden oldies or the joys of board gaming.  Grab yourselves a chair, sit back and relax and...Just Play.

IN THIS EPISODE
- We learn more about the host JP and introduces new listeners to the show
- JP talks about why the Whose Turn Is It Anyway Podcast had stopped and why he's gone solo
- The new podcast structure is brought to life
- We want to thank all new listeners and returning listeners from the Whose Turn Is It Anyway Podcast for coming along this journey

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/sXBPsw0VMSg

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Welcome to the Just Play podcast
00:01:29 - Welcome new listeners
00:06:23 - Welcome back Whose Turners
00:11:17 - Breaking down the podcast structure
00:16:04 - Just Play...with others

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway
License code: AOBEG4AFXALEPGNZ

JP returns from a rather sweaty weekend in the Netherlands...no not like that, board gaming in 30+ degree heat of course.  Every year Dávid Turczi hosts an invite only retreat for friends, family, developers, testers and this is my second year attending.  So will I'll divulge any industry secrets, well no because NDA is a real thing but I did get a lot of games played so what an excuse to talk about them.

IN THIS EPISODE
- JP talks more about the event and the fun journeys driving to the Netherlands
- I joined a variety of content creators including Paul Grogan from Gaming Rules!, Mark Dainty from Not Bored Gaming and Asaf from EZBoardGames
- I talk about the following games including:
Andromedas Edge by Cardboard Alchemy
Slay the Spire by Contention Games
Leviathan Wilds by Moon Crab Games
Cat In The Box by Bézier Games
The Defense of Procyon III by PSC Games
Recall by Alion Games
World Order by Hegemonic Project Games
Clans of Caledonia

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcJr_buxLWU

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:18 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:00:40 - PHASE B: JUST PLAY WITH OTHERS - Netherlands Gaming Retreat
00:01:49 - Who attended the event?
00:03:28 - What was the place like and why was it sweaty?
00:05:04 - The journey to the Netherlands
00:06:17 - Secret games that I can't talk about...seriously JP
00:07:01 - PHASE C: JUST PLAYED AT THE EVENT
00:07:23 - Andromedas Edge
00:12:46 - Slay the Spire
00:18:08 - Leviathan Wilds
00:25:34 - Cat In The Box
00:28:15 - The Defense of Procyon III
00:35:17 - A quick aside for Star Trek Captains Chair
00:35:56 - Recall
00:40:21 - World Order
00:46:58 - Clans of Caledonia
00:51:42 - PHASE D: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway
License code: AOBEG4AFXALEPGNZ

Con-Crud is a real thing but you know what, it's worth it when you've attended the UK Games Expo 2026.  JP is joined by Mark Monk from @NinjaGeekGames where they break down the show, the games they've played, the people they've met and the wicked awesome (thanks Mark) time they had.

DISCLAIMER!!! For those watching on video Mark's video / audio has a slight delay which will be resolved in future guest episodes as JP has learnt his lesson.

IN THIS EPISODE
- JP & Mark catch-up around their journeys into the NEC Birmingham and find out that Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers have nothing to worry about.
- We break down our experiences over Thursday to Sunday and talk about games, games, games, people and more games

GAMES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Flip 7 / Flip 7 with a Vengeance by The Op Games
The Thing: Infection Outpost 31 by Mondo Games
Song of the Wildkin by Boken Games
Paths Unknown Series by Raybox Games
Almighty by Keen Bean Games
Drillers by Czech Games Edition
Codenames: Critical Role Adventures by Czech Games Edition
Wroth & Wreck by Chip Theory Games
Too Many Bones 2.0 by Chip Theory Games
Sublime Dark by Hall or Nothing Productions
Trouble on the Tempus by Minor Disaster Games
Railway Porters by Saachi & Saachi
Tally Up by Messy Table Games
A Carnivore Did It by Horrible Guild
Thief's Market by PickPocket Games
Kryptothera: The Cryptid Pursuit by NoctiLux Games
Prague: Unseen by Albi Games
Tenby by Mighty Boards
War of Whispers by Starling Games
Snowdonia Gran Tour by Naylor Games
Time Troopers by Molinarius Games
Whisperwood by Cardboard Alchemy

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Check out Mark's channel right here - https://www.youtube.com/@NinjaGeekGames
Becky's Cheesy Bangers Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2GB4D1yA8G2qehCSAOZ27o?si=5Itu0f0rRiyUg2XyX_GmcwEPISODE&nd=1&dlsi=996ec348f8654010

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:24 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:03:33 - PHASE B: JUST PLAY WITH OTHERS - UK Games Expo 2026
00:06:41 - Day 0 - THURSDAY - Press Event
00:07:01 - PHASE C: JUST PLAYED AT THE EVENT
00:12:20 - Flip 7 , Cabanga, Things In Rings
00:13:37 - The Thing: Infection Outpost 31
00:14:38 - DAY 1 - FRIDAY & Song of the Wildkin
00:19:41 - Paths Unknown Series
00:22:58 - Almighty
00:29:05 - Drillers
00:31:50 - Codenames: Critical Role Adventures
00:34:13 - Wroth & Wreck
00:37:57 - Too Many Bones 2.0
00:40:55 - Sublime Dark
00:44:15 - Trouble on the Tempus
00:49:58 - Sanctuary
00:51:38 - Flip 7: With a Vengence
00:53:39 - DAY 2 - SATURDAY & Hegemony: Shadows of Authority 
00:59:20 - Meet & Greets then Railway Porters
01:03:32 - Tally Up, A Carnivore Did It & Thief's Market
01:08:04 - Kryptothera & Stoke Me A Clipper!!!
01:10:39 - Prague: Unseen
01:15:18 - Tenby
01:20:13 - War of Whispers & Heat: Mario Kart
01:23:47 - DAY 3 - SUNDAY & Snowdonia Grand Tour
01:29:43 - Catching up with Mindclash Games
01:32:03 - Time Troopers
01:34:17 - Whisperwood
01:41:59 - PHASE D: UKGE PURCHASES & WRAP UP
01:52:07 - PHASE E: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway
License code: AOBEG4AFXALEPGNZ