Play Games, Lose Friends – Details, episodes & analysis

Ken and Ryan give a slew of first impressions for a bunch of small-box games they've picked up and played in the last few months, and there are a couple favorites in the bunch. Ryan's absolutely hooked on Dune: Imperium's digital implementation (including the new Rise of Ix expansion) and Ken continues to place in the top of his Lorcana league. The guys also highlight their top five releases that are at Essen Spiel this year and Ken continues to amass more and more to his already massive collection!

Games Discussed

Dune: Imperium - Rise of Ix

Knarr

Faraway

The Vale of Eternity

Pikit

Aggretsuko: Work/Rage Balance

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After putting it off for far too long, the guys finally play Dune: Imperium and kick themselves for not trying it sooner. Ken shares Delta with the game group, a crowdfunded hand and resource management title from 2023, and the guys share their first impressions. Ryan's Tichu redemption arc starts, and Ken informs on the fact that they may not have been playing by the rules at all! Some interesting purchases are discussed in the backed/bought section, including some impressive discount finds by Ken, and a certain hype-train title that Ryan just couldn't ignore any longer.

Games Discussed

Dune: Imperium

Delta

Tichu

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Ken and Ryan recant the games they loved from 2023, both new releases and their personal favorites from 2023 and past years. Ken laments about lack of time for games, and Ryan pushes BGA to no avail, but has been really enjoying it himself. The guys discuss a long played list and a super solid deckbuilder of the digital variety. On to 2024 and more gaming!

Top 5 2023 Releases

Ryan

1. The White Castle
2. Sail
3. That's Not a Hat
4. Knarr
5. Forest Shuffle

• Honorable Mention - Earth

Ken

1. Disney Lorcana
2. Disney Animated
3. Expeditions
4. Star Wars: the Deckbuilding Game
5. Earth

Top 5 Games of the Year

Ryan

1. Sail
2. The White Castle
3. Scout
4. 12 Chip Trick
5. The Old King's Crown

• Honorable Mention - Tapestry

Ken

1. Forest Shuffle
2. Museum Suspects
3. 12 Chip Trick
4. Tournament Fishing
5. GI Joe Deck Building Game

Top 5 Most Anticipated Games of 2024

Ryan

1. Guards of Atlantis 2
2. Skyrise
3. Weirdwood Manor
4. Captain Flip
5. Fairy

• Honorable Mention - Arcs

Ken

1. Cities
2. The Old King's Crown
3. War Chest: Nightfall
4. The Vale of Eternity
5. Incubo

• Honorable Mention - Star Wars Unlimited

Games Discussed

• Cobalt Core
• Spicy
• Sea Salt & Paper
• Noobs in Space
• Gap
• The White Castle
• Honey Buzz
• The Game
• Forest Shuffle
• Knarr
• Go Nuts for Donuts

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The less-than-dynamic duo went to PAX Unplugged and as usual had a fantastic experience. Ken got skunked on promos but scored a whole bunch of Lorcana, and Ryan came home with all of the games on his must-buy list. Plenty of games were played over the weekend, including some notable new releases, and a few of the 2023-fulfilled Kickstarters also saw some table time. Huge thanks to the PAX folks for yet another great show!

Games Discussed

The White Castle

Scout

Spicy

Qwixx

Dungeon Raiders

9 Lives

Ringmaster

Fairy Lights

Halloween Party

Forest Shuffle

Moon

Expeditions

ICE

Cat in the Box

American Psycho: A Killer Game

Gap

Visit us at http://www.playgameslosefriends.com for more episodes, visit us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/playgameslosefriends, or on Twitter at @PGLFShow!

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It's that time of year again! The guys are heading to PAX Unplugged and have their games ready to go. Shopping lists are discussed and some new predictions are on the table as well. Ken went on an epic Black Friday shopping spree at one of his favorite stores and Ryan held off to save budget to shop on the PAX expo floor. There was some major gaming happening over the Thanksgiving holiday as well, so listen in to hear the favorites!

Games Discussed

• Just One
• Romi Rami
• That's Not a Hat
• Point City
• Disney Lorcana
• Battletech
• 12 Chip Trick
• The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
• Gosu X
• Truffle Shuffle
• Aurum
• Monsdrawsity
• District Noir
• Mage Knight
• Sail
• Knarr
• Wormholes
• So Clover
• Thunder Road: Vendetta
• Elimino

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The guys are back and reviewing two games this episode while enjoying some fine brews! Stonemaier Games was kind enough to provide the show with a review copy of Between Two Cities: Essential Edition, and a highly-anticipated Kickstarter copy of Wild Realms arrived and hit the table last game night. A deeper look into Deep Rock Galactic is discussed, Ryan finally got to play Honey Buzz, and the both fawn over a new trick taker that has them both smitten.

Games Discussed

• Between Two Cities: Essential Edition
• Wild Realms
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Honey Buzz
• 12 Chip Trick
• Mercurial

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IT HAPPENED! David Thompson, of War Chest and Undaunted fame, joined Ryan and Ken to let them nerd out over David's work, and find out more about what drives him as a designer and where his love for history in gaming was born. The guys talk about another engaging game of The Old King's Crown, and have some new trick-takers in their midst to play. Ryan's wallet is opening as fast as the leaves are falling, while Ken is excited for the next Elizabeth Hargrave's title!

Check out The Old Kings Crown: Kickstarter | Web | X | Instagram

Games Discussed

• War Chest
• Undaunted: North Africa
• Witchcraft!
• Resist!
• Sniper Elite: The Board Game
• General Orders: World War II
• Battle Card: Series 1
• The Old King's Crown
• Aurum
• Happy Salmon
• Sail
• 12 Chip Trick
• Between Two Cities

Visit us at http://www.playgameslosefriends.com for more episodes, visit us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/playgameslosefriends, or on Twitter at @PGLFShow!

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Have you ever crowdfunded a game, waited over a year for fulfillment, bust the shrink once you get it, and then drool a little as you marvel at your new toy? And then promptly shelve the game and wait eagerly for your first play? Yea, we thought so, and welcome to the club. Ryan and Ken commiserate over their current top 5 games they really, REALLY want to play from those shelves, despite the constant deluge of the newest hotness. Ryan dives back into crowdfunding projects despite it all, and Ken somehow has nothing backed currently!?! The guys recap their latest play of The Old King's Crown, and further their deepening love for this upcoming hit. Listen in for more goodness and thanks for joining us!

Check out The Old Kings Crown: Kickstarter | Web | X | Instagram

Games Discussed

• The Old King's Crown
• Potion Explosion
• Trekking Through History
• Undaunted: North Africa

Ryan's Top 5

• Honorable mention: Hansa Teutonica
• War of the Ring: The Card Game
• ICE
• Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile
• Frosthaven
• Food Chain Magnate

Ken's Top 5

• Honorable mention: Ark Nova
• American Psycho: A Killer Game
• Encyclopedia
• My Father's Work
• Ahoy
• Expeditions

Visit us at http://www.playgameslosefriends.com for more episodes, visit us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/playgameslosefriends, or on Twitter at @PGLFShow!

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Ryan and Ken sit down by the castle hearth and chat with Pablo Clark from Eerie Idol Games, lead designer and artist on an upcoming Kickstarter campaign that has both very excited. Pablo shares with us his experiences in designing the game, inspirations of his unique and stunning art style, and shares some details about the upcoming campaign on October 24th, 2023 (go back it!). Ryan started backing some more games, and Ken hasn't been playing much lately... but that didn't stop him from buying and backing!

Check out The Old Kings Crown: Kickstarter | Web | X | Instagram

Games Discussed

• The Old King's Crown
• Tapestry
• Codenames: Duet
• Everdell: New Leaf
• Everdell: Mistwood
• Sea, Salt & Paper
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Vagrantsong

Visit us at http://www.playgameslosefriends.com for more episodes, visit us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/playgameslosefriends, or on Twitter at @PGLFShow!

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The guys finally sit down and hash out where on the doll the Eurogames hurt Ken. A Lorcana update helps give an inside view on the pandemonium that has been afoot, and both Ken and Ryan had some separate game time with family and friends and lots of new teaches. Ryan continues to struggle to conquer the Dark Tower, while Ken scored some sweet deals on some modern lightweight classics. Lastly, the guys tease a preview for next episode, when we interview Pablo Clark, lead designer and artist for The Old King's Crown!

Games Discussed

• Disney Lorcana
• Return to Dark Tower
• Long Shot: The Dice Game
• The Great Split
• Hungry Monkey
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Terra Mystica
• Age of Innovation
• The Old King's Crown
• Sagrada
• The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
• World of Warcraft Unshackled
• Super Mega Lucky Box
• Peacemakers: Horrors of War
• Battlecrest
• Tolerance

Visit us at http://www.playgameslosefriends.com for more episodes, visit us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/playgameslosefriends, or on Twitter at @PGLFShow!

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