This week Shelley and I join the ancient Roman medical society and try to treat patients and impress Galen in

Galenus by Harry-Pekka Kuusela from ION Game Design

and then we try out a new version of an older title

Pollen by Dr. Reiner Knizia from Allplay

a solid retheming of the 2009 Samurai The Card Game

Remember you can support the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR

check out our extensive list of games for sale (with more coming over the next couple of weeks!):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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Shelley and I get in some games with the guys, checking out

Ecos: First Continent by John D. Clair from AEG

and

Garden Guests by Stephen Glenn from Van Ryder Games

Sponsor 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:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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Shelley and I check out a couple of trick takers originally from Japan

First we discuss Gossip Trip Trix by Maeda Jay from Mashika

then we try to avoid paradoxes in

Cat in the Box Deluxe Edition by Muneyuki Yokouchi from Bezier Games

Remember you can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames

OR

Check out our extensive list of games for sale and get a cool game that no longer fits on our shelves, but belongs on your table:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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Shelley and I check out the new dogs and New Tricks available in the expansion to

Dog Park by Lottie and Jack Hazell from Birdwood Games

then we try a small-box 2-player card game

Air, Land, and Sea by Jon Perry from Arcane Wonders

Sponsor 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:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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This week it's all about small box games.

The first, quick title for 1-2 players is

Autumn by Maria and Enrique Blasco from Devir

then we try one of those small games that play like their bigger brothers in

1923 Cotton Club by Pau Carles from Looping Games

Make sure to sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR

help us make room for new games by supporting the podcast and getting some great titles for your own table here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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As promised, Shelley and I get one of last week's big games back to the table with it's recent expansion for a discussion of what that adds in

Revive + The Call of the Abyss Expansion by Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Ostby, Eilif Svensson and Anna Wermlund from Aporta Games

then we got a great and beautiful mancala-based game on the table with

Amritsar by David Heras Pino from Ludonova

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Shelley and I get two HEAVY games to the table this week, re-visiting

Revive by Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Ostby, Eilif Svensson and Anna Wermlund from Aporta Games

Scholars of the South Tigris by Shem Phillips and SJ MacDonald from Renegade Game Studios and Garphill Games

Support the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR

check out the extensive list of games we have for sale that belong on your table!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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Shelley and I play two games that provide variety through various player boards:

The Gig by Robb Smigielski, Lewis Shaw, Jamie Gray, and Dann May from Braincrack Games

and

Apiary by Connie Vogelmann from Stonemaier Games

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Shelley and I get two heavier games to the table this week. First up is a sequel to a worker placement/deck builder we've enjoyed in the past:

Dune Imperium: Uprising by Paul Dennen from Dire Wolf and Legendary

then we create cool 3-ring binder books, collect resources and perform actions in

Books of Time by Filip Glowacz from Board&Dice

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Shelley and I work together to build Orleans' cathedral in the cooperative family game

The Cathedral of Orleans by Wolfgang Dirscherl, Markus Müller, and Reiner Stockhausen from dlp games and Matagot

then we compete to capture the most genies while collecting resources in

Djinn by Benjamin Schwer from Hall Games and Pegasus Spiele

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Shelley and I add the Marine Worlds Expansion to

Ark Nova by Mathias Wigge from Feuerland Spiele and Capstone Games

and then roll dice to build canals and ship goods in

Heart of Venice by Yuko Y from JrnyCat

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This week Shelley and I get snooty as we buy painting to hang on our crowded wall in

Art Society by Mitch Wallace from Mighty Boards

the go prehistoric as we wander across various landscapes in

Footprints by Eilif Svensson, Asmund Svensson and Geir Andre Wahlquist from Chilifox Games

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After our Top 10 Games last week, it's time to reveal some of our disappointments of the year...and also suggest OTHER games by many of the designers that you should play instead.

The Fox Experiment (play Wingspan)

Mosaic

Glades (play Keythedral)

Spellbook (play Sushi Go...or get a pack of cards and play Rummy!)

Atiwa (play Agricola)

Railway Book (play Yokohama)

Trekking Through History (play Trekking the National Parks)

Stack n Stuff

Orichalcum

Rauha

Bonsai

And our best gaming experience (to end on a positive note) involved playing flowerpower out on our deck.

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Remember to sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames

or check out our extensive list of games for sale here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

It's time for our annual countdown of our favorite games that were new to us in 2023! We always wait about a month into the next year so we can try and play as many of the big games as possible, but we still haven't gotten around to all of the possibly great games we have seen on other reviewers end-of-year lists. With that caveat, listen for our comments and our lists are below:

Doug's Honorable Mentions

In the Footsteps of Darwin by Gregory Grard & Matthieu Verdier from Sorry We Are French

Lunaris 45 by Rola & Costa from Pile Up Games

Wandering Towers by Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer from Abacusspiele

Moesteiro by Rola & Costa from Pythagoras

Doug's Top Ten

10) Revive by Helge Meissner, Kristian Ostby, Eilif Svensson, & Anna Wermlund from Aporta Games

9) Terracotta Army by Przemyslaw Formal & Adam Kwapinski from Board&Dice

8) Marrakesh by Stefan Feld from Queen Games

7) Forest Shuffle by Kosch from Lookout Games

6) Amygdala by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer from Game Brewer

5) Darwin's Journey by Simone Luciani & Nestore Mangone from ThunderGryph Games

4) House of Cats by William Attia & Kristian Ostby from Aporta Games

3) Tucana Builders by Kristian Ostby & Eilif Svensson from Aporta Games

2) The White Castle by Isra C & Shei S from Devir

1) Barcelona by Dani Garcia from Board&Dice

Shelley's Honorable Mentions

Oranienburger Kanal by Uwe Rosenberg from Spielworxx

Forest Shuffle by Kosch from Lookout Games

Wandering Towers by Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer from Abacusspiele

Earth by Maxime Tardif from Inside Up Games

Moesteiro by Rola & Costa from Pythagoras

Shelley's Top Ten

10) Terracotta Army by Przemyslaw Formal & Adam Kwapinski from Board&Dice

9) Joan of Arc - Orleans Draw & Write by Ryan Hendrickson & Reiner Stockhausen from dlp Games

8) Amygdala by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer from Game Brewer

7) Neotopia by Orlando Sa & Andre Santos from MEBO Games

6) Darwin's Journey by Simone Luciani & Nestore Mangone from ThunderGryph Games

5) Caldera Park by Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer from Deep Print Games

4) Tucana Builders by Kristian Ostby & Eilif Svensson from Aporta Games

3) House of Cats by William Attia & Kristian Ostby from Aporta Games

2) The White Castle by Isra C & Shei S from Devir

1) Barcelona by Dani Garcia from Board&Dice

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Shelley and I check out a dice placement game in

Lunaris 45 by Rola and Costa from Pile Up Games and Pythagoras

and then check out the brain and emotions in

Amygdala by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer from Game Brewer

Remember to sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames

or check out our extensive list of games for sale here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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On Shelley's birthday we have an episode of games that weren't our favorites, but might work well for you:

Kutná Hora: The City of Silver by Ondrej Bystron, Petr Caslava, and Pavel Jarosch from Czech Games Edition

and

Alpujarras by Steve Finn from Dr. Finn's Games

Remember you can subscribe to the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames

OR

Check out our extensive list of games for sale (including BOTH of the games from this episode if they haven't sold already)here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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Shelley and I get mellow with tree creation in

Bonsai by Rosaria Battiato, Massimo Borzi and Martino Chiacchiera from DV Games

then we design our own wildernesses, populating them with various animals in

Cascadia with the Landmarks Expansion by Randy Flynn, Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin, and Shawn Stankewich from Flatout Games and AEG

Remember to support the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames

or

check out our extensive list of games available for purchase at great prices here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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Shelley and I check out a couple of canine-related titles this week

The Fox Experiment by Elizabeth Hargrave and Jeff Fraser from Pandasaurus Games

and

Bark Avenue by Mackenzie and Jonathan Jungck from TerreDice Games and Good Game Publishing

Sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames

or check out our extensive list of games for sale (which includes both of the games above):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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Shelley and I simultaneously layout competing newspapers in

Fit to Print by Peter McPherson from AEG and Flatout Games

then we head to east and try to gain favor at

The White Castle by Isra C. and Shei S. from Devir

Remember to sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames

OR

Check out our EXTENSIVE list of games for sale at reasonable prices - help us out and get great games!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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Shelley and I go to the cats and dogs this week, checking out the recent releases

House of Cats by William Attia and Kristian A. Ostby from Aporta Games

and

Forever Home by Lottie & Jack Hazel from Birdwood Games

Remember to sponsor 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 here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing

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