Garrett's Games and Geekiness

Now that it's ACTUALLY 2026, we can look ack on 2025 and run through our Top 10 games that we first played in 2025. If you want to go back and listen to our list from the first 1/2 of the year, head here: EPISODE 1000: https://traffic.libsyn.com/garrettsgames/GarrettsGames1000.1.mp3 Here are our lists, including the Honorable Mentions, as well as the episode and possible video links for each game:...

Episode 1026! This week Shelley and I work with trees, both logging them and becoming stewards of the forest in Forestry by Michal Peichl from Pink Troubadour, Capstone Games, and Pegasus Spiele then we work our media accounts with cute animal photos in Paw Up by Reiner Knizia from Pegasus Spiele Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember that YOU can sponsor the podcast directly by go...

Shelley and I work to help young women come to power and influence in the late 19th and early 20th century in Kartini: From Darkness to Light by Sherria Ayuandini from ION Game Design then we head to the British Isles and hang out with the pagans in Druids of Edora by Stefan Feld from Alea and Ravensburger Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember you can support the podcast and our v...

GG&G 1024! This week Shelley and I check out two mini-box games from Allplay Llama Llama by Kaya Miyano  For the Emperor by Whitney Loraine Then check out a bigger game, which is actually the smaller cousin of Ark Nova Sanctuary by Mathias Wigge from Capstone Games and Feuerland Spiele Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember you can support the podcast and our video series (for whic...

GG&G 1023! Shelley and I build gardens and bribe dragons this week in two great family-weight games The Hanging Gardens by Gregory Grard and Matthieu Verdier from Gigamic and Please Don't Burn My Village by Simon Weinberg from Fireside Games Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember that you can support the podcast by heading over to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the exte...

This week we bring you a quick review from BGG.con of the building-placement game Dewan by Johannes Goupy and Yoann Levet from Space Cowboys then we build our respective aquariums in Aquaria by Tomas Holek from Delicious Games Remember you can support the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: h...

This week we make a quick correction of our review last week because we missed a rule in Dragonarium by Wei Chang and Kuan Chen from Wonderful World Board Games then we discuss our highlight game from BGG.con Up or Down by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling from Capstone Games and end with a BIG title from Essen Orloj: The Prague Astronomincal Clock by Paloma Pascual and Abraham Sanchez from Per...

UPDATE - WE GOT ONE RULE WRONG ON DRAGONARIUM, MAKING THE GAME HARDER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN! We SAID that you were supposed to move your assistant and ONLY place a gem on the FINAL spot where the assistant stopped. THE REAL RULE is that you place a gem on a spot in EACH COLUMN OR ROW you get to as you move. That makes the game less difficult and opens up the chances to gain more dragons, which...

This week we go exploring! First we head north and take photos of wildlife in Borealis: Arctic Expeditions by Dariusz Mindur from Lucky Duck Games (order the game directly here: https://quack.at/garretts-games-borealis ) then we head down into the depths with Captain Nemo and crew in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Alberto Millan from Looping Games You can support the podcast at www.patreon.com/ga...

This week Shelley and I build cities and fight to regain our daraven homeland. First we check out the 2-player  Timber Town by Ryan Boucher from Alley Cat Games then we go BIG as we attempt to gain the most prestige as dwarves in Covenant by German Millan from Devir You can also check out our VIDEO overview of Covenant at our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames Sponsor this podcast and...

Shelley and I check out two small-box games that provide a much bigger experience than their boxes might suggest. First up is Allplay's tableau builder released earlier this year Oddland by Dan Schumacher then we check out a brand new Essen 2025 release 1975: White Christmas by Albert Reyes  Remember you can support this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR che...

This week we're coming to you from GERMANY! If you have missed any of our numerous VIDEO posts over on YouTube, be sure to go check them out here: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames This week on the audio podcast Shelley and I check out two fun titles we got BEFORE the fair because they were the French versions: Viva Catrina by Fred Boulle and Gregory Grard from The Flying Games and  Arigato by Melody...

This week on Garrett's Games Shelley and I check out one of the latest heavier titles from Board&Dice  Tianxia by Antonio Petrelli and Daniele Tascini then we wrap up our hall by hall preview with games from Halls 6 & 7!

This week we continue our Spiel Essen Preview with a look at  March of the Ants: Evolved Edition by Tim Eisner and Ryan Swisher from Weird City Games  then delve further into the halls, checking out Halls 4 & 5! Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games - they will be in Hall 2-B510 at Spiel! You can follow along with our discussion of Essen releases and see my notes on them on this Google Doc:...

Shelley and I begin our Essen 2025 Preview this week, first checking out one of the new titles that will be available at the fair: Parks and Potions by Chris Eastridge from Moon Saga Workshop then we begin our journey through the halls, starting with Hall 2, 1/2 of which is dedicated to "Expert" titles, then head into the biggest hall, Hall 3. Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! You can...

This week Shelley and I control rival pirate ships in  Nassau by Stefan Feld from Queen Games Join head into the Lord of the Rings mythos and attempt to fulfill goals while protecting the One Ring in The Fellowship of the Ring Trick Taking Game by Bryan Bornmueller from Office Dog and finally enjoy further plays of the Essen 2024 release Spectacular by Eilif Svensson and Asmund Svensson from Chili...

This week Shelley and I get into the WAY BACK machine and play a couple of titles from the beginnings of our gaming careers Alhambra and Atlantic Star both by Dirk Henn from Queen Games and then look back at one from Spiel Essen 2024 Stephens by Rola and Costa from Pile Up Games and Capstone Games And the other games we mentioned as highlights from last year's Essen 2024: Atlantis Exodus Zero to H...

This week on Episode 1010 Shelley and I head back to the Everdell universe, and then deal with our social anxiety while settling down to a good book! Everdell Silverfrost by James A and Clarissa A Wilson from Starling Games and Tabletop Tycoon A Place for All My Books by Alex Cutler and Michael Mihealsick from Smirk and Dagger Games Thanks as always to out sponsor Bezier Games! We have VIDEO revie...

This week on Garrett's Games: Shelley and I head into the North with our mechs to deal with corruption and save previous explorers in Expeditions by Jamey Stegmaier from Stonemaier Games Then we head East and make a journey with our trusty yaks to Kathmandu by Stefan Feld from Queen Games Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games You can sponsor the the podcast directly by going to www.patreon....

On Garrett's Games this week, Shelley and I attempt to kill Hitler, and then build the universe!  First off it's Valkyrie: A Black Orchestra Game by Philip duBarry from Tabletop Tycoon Then we head out into the void of space and collect atoms to build nebulae in Crafting the Cosmos by David Gordon and TAM from Office Dog Thanks as always to Bezier Games for their support. You can sponsor the podca...

This week on Garrett's Games Shelley and I make some booze and admire a garden. First up is Floriferous by Steve Finn and Eduardo Baraf (with art by Clementine Campardou) from Pencil First Games then we play competing distillers in  Distilled by Dave Beck from Paverson Games Thanks as always to Bezier Game for their sponsorship. You can support the podcast and our video series at www.patreon.com/g...

Last week on Episode 1005, we made it through the first 6 RULES that Joe ranted about. This week we delve into Rules 7-14 with much discussion, wine, etc. As Joe Huber and Tom Lehmann lead the way!

It's Garrett's Games' Meeplefest Roundtable! This week after a quick discussion of some favorite games played, we take a deep dive into a Rules For Games list that Joe Huber fashioned on a mailing list. I couldn't let the opportunity to discuss his comments pass by, and everyone gets a chance to chime in for a lively and opinionated discussion. Let us know what you think over on BGG or any of our...

This week Shelley and I spend some time with dragons after playing a couple of cute card games. Wyrmspan by Connie Vogelmann from Stonemaier Games Boo to the Goose by Wolfgang Kramer and Mandred Reindl Zookini by Peggy Brown from Piatnik and AMIGO Thanks as always to Bezier Games for their support You can check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames Sponsor the podcast directly...

This week on Garrett's Games we check out two fun little card games from Amigo and Piatnik, then plan shrines to lost relatives First up is Double Donkey by Michael Modler from Piatnik and Amigo follow by  Zero Hero by Klaus-Jurgen Wrede and Ralf zur Linde from Piatnik and Amigo then we look to a bigger-box game with Ofrenda by Orlando Sa and Andre Santos from Osprey Games Thanks as always to our...