Review of 2021

Episode 155 – Review of 2021 a.k.a. Recording at the fag-end

New year, new you and new podcast. The lads go over the year that was, 2021, with all its trials, tribulations and great gaming moments.

Earthdawn

Episode 116 – Earthdawn
(aka God’s Own Game)

Let’s wind back the clock to where the stories of this podcast began, it’s 1994 and the lads are talking Earthdawn. Cult classic, D&D Done Right, post-apocalyptic fantasy, the history of Shadowrun even – call it what you will. The boys gives you all you need to know on their oft-mentioned favourite game from yesteryear. What is the Step System? What makes Dwarves different? How do magic items become Legendary? Bathe yourselves in an hour of nostalgia and misty-eyed reminiscing of one of the finest games in the back catalogue.

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Roleplaying Games of the 70s

Episode 99 – Roleplaying Games of the 70s
(a.k.a Watership Down Scarred Me For Life)

Simpler times, halcyon days? Baz and Gaz take a trip down memory lane and go through some of the very first RPGs from D&D in 1974, to Bushido on the cusp of the veritable explosion of product in the 80s. Even the venerable and wizened hosts aren’t old enough to be buying the games as they came out, so conversation is sometimes mere impressions of the heady days at the cradle of gaming, but don’t worry dear listeners, the 80s will be along soon for a double episode!

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition

Episode 98 – Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition
(a.k.a Show Us Your Two-Tailed Comet)

‘So, what are you here for? Adventure? Maybe. Gold? Probably. Justice? Ha, that’s a flexible term! What’s that I see in your eye, that pious gleam? Oh, you want to do the right thing. So long as it’s well enough paid, entertaining, and fits with your political views. Eh, close enough, you’ll do, come inside and I’ll tell you about the job.’

So begins the intro of WFRP 4e, a grim world of perilous of adventure – Baz and Gaz are long time fans and walk through the latest iteration giving sage insights, wistful comments on older editions and generally getting excited about how pretty it is.

2018 In Review

Episode 89 – 2018 In Review
(aka A Lot of People Give a Monkeys About This)

It’s that time of the year again – another one survived! Baz and Gaz and go through the games of the year, themes and what’s hot right now in the industry. A sojourn through the upcoming games as well – discussion on why the new Savage Worlds might be more anticipated the Pathfinder 2 – and the proliferation of second editions, sequels and franchises.

Ennies Nominee Review

Episode 75 – Ennies Nominee Review

The gremlins got into the sound engine again this week and it’s all gone a bit tinny. Never mind, the content is still golden! Maybe electrum. The lads discuss the Ennie Awards happening at Gen Con weekend. What’s with the nominees, the process, the missing games? All is far grist for the mill – get the expert opinion on this year’s entries while the GenCon masses cast their vote.

Dungeons and Dragons

Episode 70 – Dungeons and Dragons
(a.k.a. There’s this new game called D&D)

There’s a new hwatness on the streets that you may not have heard of. It’s called Dungeons & Dragons and has loads of editions apparently. Who knew? Baz and Gaz have managed a couple of sessions (after finally making a save versus paralysis), and what’s more have been on the same side of the DM screen for once. Baz patiently talks a sceptical Gaz through the joys of the Player’s Handbook and they finish off with a score out of five scimitars for the game. Join them on a magical journey, and discover the legality of Owlbears, how to fall down a mountain and how to turn a Halfling into Robin Hood.

One shot play: Kingsburg

Attended LemurCon last weekend and had a great time playing all kinds of one shots. there’s plenty of blog fodder in the weekend, but I wanted to start with something a little unusual for round these parts; a board game.

Smart Party Founder Member Simon has been getting his board gaming groove on for quite a while now. He has a weekly club night dedicated to the things, and a healthy collection to call on. Between him and Smart Party Quartermaster G2 I doubt there’s many games they don’t have. We’ve traditionally used board games as fillers between RPG sessions, or for when the party isn’t at full muster. This time round I got to sit in on a game I’d never encountered before, Kingsburg.

Furnace 2010 Con Report

Furnace is an “All About the Games” roleplaying convention in Sheffield that caters for 80 passionate souls, all keen on their widely diverse taste in games and you can get to play all manner of things in this great little con taking place in a sandstone army barracks. All my games were run in the cells. Nice.

The Kraken – A Gaming Vacation

Only vaguely prepared – as frankly I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, and packing hippy left-field Indie games after all – I headed out on the strange and wonderful adventure that is The Kraken. Tuesday I headed off with a stop at Lemur’s house that evening to play games and break the journey to Stansted airport. We played a few hands of Dominion, which has always been highly rated by anyone I’ve talked to and it was indeed a great little game. This would prove important later in the week when I’d got to Germany.