The Innkeeper's Table

Sometimes, a game doesn't need a fancy story or illustrations or any sort of theme. For some games, gameplay is everything.

In this episode, the Innkeepers are taking a look at abstract strategy games—games where it's just the players, the pieces, and the board between them. Some of these games go WAAAAY back.

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Do you have a favorite abstract strategy game? We'd love to hear about it! What Top 3 list would you like us to try in the future? We'd love to know that, too! Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com.

Who was the mysterious woman about whom many of Shakespeare's sonnets are written? In this episode, Dylan tells Bill about a game about that very question. And not only is the theme interesting and unique—it's made specifically for solo play.

How shall we play it? Let us count the ways...

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Have you ever played Black Sonata? What was your experience like? What similar games would you suggest? And what games would you like us to spotlight in future episodes? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com.

Do you like maps? Do you like moving little dudes around on those maps? Then you probably like Dudes On a Map games! These are games where you're moving units around, conquering territories, and making strategic plays to defeat your denemies. In this episode, Dylan and Bill break down their favorite games in this genre.

Dude.

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What are your favorite Dudes On a Map games? What Top 3 list would you like The Innkeepers to take on in the future? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

With the cold spell that's been sweeping the United States lately, we thought it might be a good idea to discuss a cozy game all about making nice, warm quilts!

Have you played Patchwork? What did you think of it? What game would you like us to spotlight next? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com.

There's just something satisfying about starting with a very basic deck of cards (or pool of dice, or bag of tokens, etc...) in a game, then gradually building it to be a powerful collection of tools. In this episode, Dylan and Bill discuss their favorite games that use this simple but elegant mechanic.

Do you enjoy deckbuilders? What are some of your favorites? What Top 3 list would you like us to make in the future? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Bring Your Own Book is a game that feels like it's flown under many people's radar, so we wanted to give it some love.

Have you ever played Bring Your Own Book? We'd love to hear some of your funny experiences with it! What games would you like us to spotlight in the future? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Many gamers have that list of games they've bought but, somehow, still haven't ever gotten to the table, and the innkeepers are definitely no exception! In this episode, as we come to the end of 2023, Bill and Dylan list the top three games on their "shelves of shame" that they're really hoping to finally get to the table in 2024!

What games are you hoping to get off your shelf of shame soon? What Top 3 list would you like us to make next? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Technically, Unlock is a series of games, but since they all follow the same mechanics, and you can only play each game once, we figured it was best to cover them as a unit!

Do you enjoy the Unlock series? Have you tried any other "Escape the Room" style games? What are your favorites? And what game do you think we should spotlight next? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Bill and Dylan discuss their top picks when it comes to "gateway games" or "welcoming games"—the games that work well for people who are just barely discovering how deep the hobby gaming rabbit hole goes.

What's your favorite game in this category? Is there a specific Top 3 list you'd like us to make? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Dylan and Bill spent last weekend at a small local convention. In this episode, they discuss the convention, some of the games they played, and how things went overall.

Do you have a board game convention that you enjoy? We'd love to hear your convention stories! Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

We've got a convention this weekend, so this week's episode will be just a little bit late! Stay tuned!

It's the end of the world as we know it! (So how do you feel?)

Bill pitches the  independently-publushed game Doomlings from Doomlings, LLC to Dylan.  It's a fun, casual card game where players are trying to guide an amorphus species of critters from the Dawn of Life all the way through the End of the World. And it's adorable!

Have you had a chance to try out Doomlings? What did you think of the game? What game would you like us to spotlight on an upcoming episode? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

October's come! The time for fright!

But are there spooks on Gaming Night?

Can gamers seek, if they are bold,

For games to make the blood run cold?

In this week's episode, the spooky season has come to the Inn! Dylan and Bill discuss their Top 3 games to play in October, when you're looking for a creepy atmosphere.

What's your favorite game to play around Halloween? What Top 3 list would you like us to do next? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Y'know what board games could use more of? Quantum Theory! But let's make it a classic trick-taking game!

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Okay, so this is the game that no one asked for, but ended up being a great concept. What color is the card in your hand? It's never truly certain until you play it!

Do you have a game you'd like us to spotlight? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

We talk a lot about games... But what about the places you buy them?

In this episode, Dlyan and Bill turn the Top 3 list a tad askew and discuss the top three things they think any good game store should have.

What do you look for in a game store? What Top 3 list should we do next? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

It's been ten years since it came out, but Sushi Go is still a great game, earning its place as a classic in the hearts of many gamers. In this episode, Bill and Dylan discuss Sushi Go, as well as its successor, Sushi Go Party.

Do you have a game you'd like us to spotlight? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Can't we all just get along?

Sometimes, you want to play a game, but you're not necessarily in a competitive mood. Cooperative games have got you covered! In this episode, Bill and Dylan talk about their favorite three cooperative games.

What are your favorite co-op games? What other Top 3 lists would you like our innkeepers to create? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Dylan tells Bill about a game he enjoys playing with his kids: Similo. A quick setup, quick teach, and quick play, Similo is a great breadstick game that takes the children's game Guess Who to the next level, incorporating a variety of popular characters and making the game enjoyable for all ages.

Do you have a game you'd like the Innkeepers to spotlight? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Dylan and Bill talk about their favorite three games that are based on previously-existing intellectual properties.

What are your favorite games based on an IP? Are there any Top 3 lists you'd like to hear us make? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!

Hooray! Dylan's back! And he's ready to talk board games!

In this episode, Bill tells Dylan about a game he's played that Dylan hasn't had an opportunity to get to the table yet. Picture Perfect mixes aspects of spacial reasoning, memory, and a little bit of deduction in a fun, Roaring '20s-themed photo op.

Do you have a game you'd like the Innkeepers to spotlight? Let us know at innkeeperstablepodcast@gmail.com!