In-Person: New product alert from TableFlips, the long awaited Memory Eraser 3000. Feel guilty about leaving your family to play a four hour board game instead of building quality time with your kids? Memory Eraser 3000 has your back. Just look at the small blue light and press the button and
Ep 9 eoisode: New product alert from Table Flips, the long-awaited Memory Eraser three thousand. Feel guilty about leaving your family to play a four hour board game instead of building quality time with your kids? Memory Eraser 3000 has your back. Just look at the small blue light and press the button and
In-Person: what four hour game? It never happened.
Ep 9 eoisode: what four hour game. It never happened. Wow, my guilt has melted away. Feel like wondrous creatures will never end. Just make a light adjustment to the memory eraser and
In-Person: Feel like wondrous creatures will never end. Just make a light adjustment to the memory eraser, and now that three hour game only took one hour.
Ep 9 eoisode: Now that three-hour game only took one hour. Wow. Maybe Wonders Creatures is not that bad. Nah, it's still bad. Yeah, should have erased that whole game. It's not too late. It can't fix a bad game, but the memory eraser can make you forget that your best friend betrayed you in Nemesis and
In-Person: Yeah, should have erased that whole game. It's not too late. It can't fix a bad game, but the memory eraser can make you forget that your best friend betrayed you in Nemesis and
Ep 9 eoisode: we all die? I guess those pesky aliens got us this time. Are you still having trouble?
In-Person: Are you still having trouble with that one friend who has refused to work on their AP? Their turns turning a filler game into the main event of the night? Memory Eraser three thousand has got your back. Looks like you forgot to invite them.
Ep 9 eoisode: Returns turning a filler game into the main event of the night? Memory Eraser 3000 has got you back. Looks like you forgot to invite them. Wow, we played more than one board game tonight? Now that's a good game night. Thanks, Memory Eraser 3000.
In-Person: Warning. Memory Eraser three thousand
Ep 9 eoisode: Your research view
In-Person: does not make you a better gamer or a better person. It will just help you create the memory you wished you had. In fact, others will still judge you and all around view you as a horrible person every time you use this product. Happy gaming.
Ep 9 eoisode: We'll still judge you and all around view you as a horrible person every time you use this product. Happy gaming. Welcome to Table Flips, a podcast by two grown men who spend more time organizing gaming components than any other area of their lives. On this week's episode, we'll be discussing the games that have been hitting our table. Then we'll be calling another game, followed by flipping some more tables.
In-Person: Welcome to Table Flips, a podcast by two grown men who spend more time organizing gaming components than any other area of their lives. On this week episode, we'll be discussing the games that have been hitting our table. Then we'll be calling another game, followed by flipping some more tables.
Ep 9 eoisode: We will conclude this episode with our featured review of Rising Sun by Eric Lang.
In-Person: We will conclude this episode with our featured review of Rising Sun by Eric Lang. Does the sun still rise in this game or should we let it set and wave farewell?
Ep 9 eoisode: Does the sun still rise on this game, or should we let it set and wave farewell? Well, this week, Travis and I were not big war gamers. We both enjoy some war games, but we're not your typical all-out wargamer type of gamer. I used to play some historical miniature wargaming in high school. I really like Psyche Gehara, and I'm holding on to a few GMT games that I hope to play at some point in the future. Yeah, I want various blocks.
In-Person: Well, this week Travis and I were not big war gamers. We both enjoy some war games, but we're not your typical all out war gamer type of gamer. I used to play some historical miniature war gaming in high school. I really like psychicara, and I'm holding on to a few GNT games that I hope to play at some point in the future. Yeah, I've once various block encounter war games in my days, but I usually find that war games
Ep 9 eoisode: Games.
In-Person: lack Replayability for me, unless I have truly invested interest in the subject matter. one of those games I will always hold on to is Hammer of the Scots. but even then, it's hard for me to justify holding on to some more games I played several times, like Twilight Struggle. this one, one of the games we played this week, it's a game I've held on to for nearly two decades now. That's
Ep 9 eoisode: this one, one of the games we played this week, it's a game I've held on to for nearly two decades now. That's Maneuver, designed by Jeff Hoarder and published by GMT Games in 2008. now Maneuver is not
In-Person: Maneuver, designed by Jeff Horger and published by GMT Games in 2008. now Maneuver is not.
Ep 9 eoisode: a heavy hitter in terms of a war game. I find it similar to the Command and Color series. what makes Maneuver interesting to me is its modularity and being able to quickly jump into it. the game is set in Napoleonic era. They're
In-Person: A heavy hitter in terms of a war game. I find it similar to the Command and Color series. what makes Maneuver interesting to me is its modularity and being able to quickly jump into it. the game is set in Napoleonic era. There are eight nations each that each have a unique deck of 60 cards. these cards feature specific units, leaders, a unique combination of special actions that kind of reflect how that nation would battle in that era.
Ep 9 eoisode: Nations each that each have a unique deck of 60 cards. These cards feature specific units, leaders, a unique combination of special actions that kind of reflect how that nation would battle in that era. The game has a procedural setup. One player will choose two of the nations, the other picks the nation they want. The other player will choose the Turing boards to use, which are each divided into a 4x4 grid of squares.
In-Person: The game has a procedural setup. One player will choose two of the nations. The other picks a nation they want. The other player will choose the Turing boards to use, which are each divided into a four by four grid of squares. And then the other player will choose which side of the square they want to start on. And then the players will place their eight units on the back two rows of their side of the square.
Ep 9 eoisode: And then the other player will choose which side of the square they want to start on. And then the players will place their eight units on the back two rows of their side of the square. you draw a hand of cards and then you battle. Each turn you will move a unit and then can attack with a unit if you have that particular unit card in your hand. This could be an assault, a volley, or sometimes the infantry units will be displayed as artillery and you
In-Person: you draw a hand of cards and then you battle. Each turn you will move a unit and then can attack with a unit if you have that particular unit card in your hand. This could be an assault, a volley, or sometimes the infantry units will be displayed as artillery and you can do a bombard attack with a a square of range. attackers and defenders will play cards for support, generate an attack defense value.
Ep 9 eoisode: Square range. Attackers and defenders will play cards for support, generate an attack-defense value. The cards will provide a number of six, eight, or ten-sided dice that you roll to determine an additional attack modifier. And as an attacker, you're hoping to get two, three, or four times the value of the defender roll to inflict damage and retreats, or better, yet eliminate the unit completely.
In-Person: the cards will provide a number of six, eight, or ten-sided dice that you roll to determine an additional attack modifier. And as an attacker, you're hoping to get two, three, or four times the value of the defender roll to inflict damage and retreats, or better, yet eliminate the unit completely.
Ep 9 eoisode: Units that take hits are flipped over, and if they take two hits, they are eliminated. The goal is to either eliminate five opposing units, or if each player goes through their deck,
In-Person: Units that take hits are flipped over, and if they take two hits, they are eliminated. The goal is to either eliminate five opposing units, or if each player goes through their deck,
Ep 9 eoisode: the player who controls or influences more squares on their opponent's side is the victor. You can use your leader cards in your hand to command adjacent units to the battle. So some of the strategies in maneuver is to move your units around other enemy units to get a favorable battle stereo where you have a unit and leader cards in your hand.
In-Person: Player who controls or influences more squares on their opponent's side is the victor. Now you can use your leader cards in your hand to command adjacent units to the battle. So some of the strategies in maneuver is to move your units around other enemy units to get a favorable battle scenario where you have the unit and leader cards in your hand to add as much damage as possible. Now, as I said, it reminds me of command and colors, except I like this one more because the board seems big for the units.
Ep 9 eoisode: To add as much damage as possible. As I said, it reminds me of Command and Colors, except I like this one more because the board seems big for the units. So you can actually explore opportunities to outflank your opponent and use terrain bonuses to get the most leverage in battle. I also appreciate that you aren't reenacting a battle, especially since most battles that are remembered were one-sided.
In-Person: So you can actually explore opportunities to outflank your opponent and use terrain bonuses to get the most leverage in battle. I also appreciate that you aren't reenacting a battle, especially since most battles that are remembered were one sided and
Ep 9 eoisode: perhaps have a great battle tactic that generated a victory for the underdog and that never seems to be supported by the setup or the rules and command and colors. Instead you generate your own board position with each game.
In-Person: perhaps had a great battle tactic that generated a victory for the underdog. And that never seems to be supported by the setup or the rules and command and colors. Instead, you generate your own board position with each game.
Ep 9 eoisode: So those are my two problems with command and colors that are fixed with maneuver. That also reminds me of Tigris and Euphrates a little bit for one specific mechanic and that is each turn you can discard as many cards as you want to sculpt your hand.
In-Person: So those are my two problems with command and colors that are fixed with maneuver. That also reminds me of Tigris and Euphrates a bit for one specific mechanic, and that is each turn you can discard as many cards as you want to sculpt your hand. So like Tigris and Euphrates, it is the manipulation of your hand state that is the real game. So for the modularity and easy setup and some very crafty hand manipulation, maneuver will continue to stay in my collection.
Ep 9 eoisode: So like Tigers and Euphrates, this is the manipulation of your hand state that is the real game. So for the modularity and ease of setup and some very crafty hand manipulation, maneuver will continue to stay in my collection. You know, when you pull this out, Travis, I was a little concerned. You know, the production, it's it's not much with this game. It's a GMT, right? Yeah.
In-Person: G right.
Ep 9 eoisode: there's a few floppy terrain boards to form a grid, a handful of counter tokens, and cards that were stuck together because they probably hadn't seen the light of day for
In-Person: And cards that were stacked together because they probably hadn't seen the latte for a few years. Just a few. But I was pleasantly surprised. This game is really a hand management game. you want to set up your troops and then make sure you get the cards you want in your hand when you need them. Sometimes that means focusing on one side of the battle you don't want to, just to buy time to get the cards you need to make the push that you want to make. I like your comparison with Tigers and Euphrates. The game went
Ep 9 eoisode: a few years. But I was pleasantly surprised. This game is really a hand management game. you want to set up your troops and then make sure you get the cards you want in your hand when you need them. Sometimes that means focusing on one side of the battle you don't want to, just to buy time to get the cards you need to make the push that you want to make. I like your comparison with Tigers and Euphrates. The game went, you know, just a tattoo long for me for what it was, but nothing terrible. It was
In-Person: You know, just a tad too long for me for what it was, but nothing terrible. It was an enjoyable experience and it went down to the line, if I remember correctly. Yeah, most games do. I was close to eliminating
Ep 9 eoisode: An enjoyable experience and it went down to the wire, if I remember correctly.
In-Person: you but we still we ran out of our deck, so it went to the basically the tiebreaker.
Ep 9 eoisode: So it went to the basically the tiebreaker. The tiebreaker of the points. And that that was that was a nell biter right there. Now the game given you do have dice, so you could set it up as perfectly as you want and just not get the dice roll and still just not get the outcome you want. But again, it's a war game. You got to take those chances and roll the luck of the die. Yeah. So that was maneuver by GMT Games. next up,
In-Person: The game, given we do have dice, so you could set it up as perfectly as you want and just not get the dice roll and still just not get the outcome you want. But again, it's a war game, you gotta take those chances and roll a little luck in the die. Yeah, so that was Maneuver by GMT Games. next up, Blake, we played General
Ep 9 eoisode: Blake, we played general.
In-Person: Orders, Sengoku Judai, designed by Trevor
Ep 9 eoisode: Designed by Trevor Bennett.
In-Person: Benjamin and David Thompson and published by Osprey Games in twenty twenty five.
Ep 9 eoisode: In 2025. Let's take a moment of silence for Osberry Games. You and me both enjoyed Matura a lot. this this is definitely not Matura, but it could find its audience, I believe. There's people out there that I think will like this.
In-Person: You and me both enjoy Matura a lot. this this is definitely not Matura, but it could find its audience, I believe. There's people out there that that I think like this.
Ep 9 eoisode: Basically, it's a re-theme of General Orders World War II from 2023. This new one takes place during Japan's
In-Person: Basically it's a re theme of General Orders World War Two from twenty twenty three. This new one takes place during Japan's
Ep 9 eoisode: Sengoku period. This is a short two-player worker placement war game. I thought the idea of a worker placement war game sounded clever, so I wanted to try it. The whole game is played over four rounds, and you're either trying to take over your opponent's headquarters or hold certain key positions by the end of the fourth round.
In-Person: Sengoku period. This is a short two-player worker placement war game. I thought the idea of a worker placement war game sounded clever, so I wanted to try it. The whole game is played over four rounds, and you're either trying to take over your opponent's headquarters or hold certain key positions by the end of the fourth round. The board is like most war games, a map of a lot of hexes, a small map, and you take actions by placing your commanders, which are these little wooden cylinder pieces on
Ep 9 eoisode: The board is like most war games a map of a lot of hexes, a small map, and you take actions by placing your commanders, which are these little wooden cylinder pieces, on these different hexes on the board. Each hex has one or two actions on them. through this, you might be able to move your troops into a hex or bombard someone from that hex if you have boats or a siege engine.
In-Person: These different hexes on the board. Each hex has one or two actions on them. Through this, you might be able to move your troops into a hex or bombard someone from that hex if you have boats or a siege engine.
Ep 9 eoisode: Once a commander is in a hex, that hex can't be activated till the next turn.
In-Person: Once a commander is in a hex, that hex can't be activated till the next turn.
Ep 9 eoisode: You can also put your commanders on one sideboard, which will give you reinforcements, fleets, or action cards that will give you bonuses for certain actions, like plus two units for reinforcements or roll an extra die when attacking. It was a fun game for what it is. The worker placement aspect was interesting.
In-Person: You can also put your commanders on one sideboard, which will give you reinforcements, fleets, or action cards that will give you bonuses for certain actions, like plus two units for reinforcements or roll an extra dye when attacking. It was a fun game for what it is. The worker placement aspect was interesting. today. There were some strategy elements for deciding what areas you want to focus on.
Ep 9 eoisode: There were some strategy elements with deciding what areas you want to focus on. Do I want to get the strategic locations if this game goes all the way, or do I want to go for the headquarters? Supply, that's the crucial element in this game. And you can really try to handicap someone advancing by just cutting off their supply, which gives this game some depth in a very light package. It was intriguing but definitely not Matora. What are your thoughts, Travis?
In-Person: Do I want to get the strategic locations if this game goes all the way, or do I want to go for the headquarters? Supply that's the crucial element in this game. And you can really try handicap someone advancing by just cutting off their supply, which gives this game some depth in a very light package. It was intriguing but definitely not matura. What are your thoughts, Travis? Yeah, I thought the idea was a lot more interesting
Ep 9 eoisode: Yeah, I thought the idea was a lot more interesting.
In-Person: than the execution. I I like the idea of
Ep 9 eoisode: Yeah, I did.
In-Person: having the worker placement spots on the map, but there weren't many interesting combos to be made out of this mechanic. It rarely came into play that I wanted to take an action in a hex that was already taken, and it was non existent that I would
Ep 9 eoisode: rarely came into play that I wanted to take an action in a hex that was already taken and it was non existent that I
In-Person: really do multiple actions within the same hex. particularly egregious, there were potentially game breaking bonuses given to the player that controlled certain hexes on the board, which imbalanced the game in a very unsatisfying way. And overall the game
Ep 9 eoisode: Now particularly egregious, there were potentially game-breaking bonuses given to the player that controlled certain hexes on the board, which imbalanced the game in a very unsatisfying way. And overall the game, I didn't think was just very dynamic. The supply action flirted with each player getting most, if not all, units on the board. But the battle system couldn't act fast enough to make the board state change in a way that was interesting. Also, you didn't have that many actions each round.
In-Person: I didn't think was just very dynamic. The supply action flirted with each player getting most, if not all, units on the board. but the battle system couldn't act fast enough to make the board state change in a way that was interesting. Also, you didn't have that many actions each round, and half of them were going to be more or less devoted to the action board to basically assure that the board state stayed fairly static. if I were
Ep 9 eoisode: And half of them were going to be more or less devoted to the action board to basically assure that the board state stayed fairly static. If I were designing this game with the worker replacement war game mechanic, which is novel for sure, I would try and combine the lesser-used actions on the board with the reinforced embark and card draw actions on the main board. So now you have to really think about what hexes you needed to capture to get the better actions and have to use the actions on the map in a crafty way.
In-Person: Designing this game with the worker placement war game mechanic, which is novel for sure. I would try and combine the lesser used actions on the board with the reinforce embark and card draw actions on the main board. So now you have to really think about what X's you needed to capture to get the better actions and have to use the actions on the map in a crafty way to reinforce yourself or get boats on the board. in summary, I I just think the game delivers on a
Ep 9 eoisode: To reinforce yourself or get boats on the board. mean in summary, I I just think the game delivers on a reasonably quick light working, but it just didn't hold my attention past our initial play.
In-Person: reasonably quick light war game, but it just didn't hold my attention past our initial play.
Ep 9 eoisode: Completely agree. I think this might be upcoming coal soon. that was General Order Single U Jedi by Oscre Games.
In-Person: that was General Orders and Goku Jedi, by Osprey Games.
Ep 9 eoisode: Next up is Flame Craft Duels, designed by Many Vega and published by Cardboard Academy 2025. Now, I don't know about you, Travis, but I played Flamecraft when it came out. I was sold on the Cute Dragons, and I got the whole decked out upgraded game. I played it once. It was definitely not for me. It was another one of those games where I felt like it didn't know what it wanted to be. Is this a family game for young kids or for gamers? And it was in this weird in-between where I couldn't play with my kids yet, with their ages, and it was just too light for the gaming group. great components, but blah.
In-Person: Now, I don't know about you, Travis, but I played Flamecraft when it came out. I was sold on the Cube of Dragons, and I got the whole deck out upgraded game. I played it once. It was definitely not for me. It was another one of those games where I felt like it didn't know what it wanted to be. Is this the family game for young kids or for gamers? And it was in this weird in-between where I couldn't play with my kids yet, with their ages, and it was just too light for the gaming group. great components, but blah.
Ep 9 eoisode: On the gameplay. Yeah.
In-Person: On gameplay. Yeah, I only played Flamecraft solo, by borrowing a friend's copy. I just wanted to see if I mean the the components are great. Went to see if I could get my kids kinda interested in it, but I realized very quickly that the game
Ep 9 eoisode: Realised very quickly that the game
In-Person: with more players would just not improve very much. It almost seemed unfinished to me. I I tried tried to see if I could get that to that place, but it just
Ep 9 eoisode: it almost seemed unfinished to me. I I tried tried to see if I could get that to that place, but it just I don't think my kids would have liked it and it just wasn't interesting enough for me or and I felt it would be kind of a little too complex for my kids. I don't I don't understand where the hype is with it. There are plenty of dragon mini games out there to not have to resort to flame craft. And so I heard
In-Person: I don't think my kids would have liked it and it just wasn't interesting enough for me or and I felt it would be kinda a little too complex for my kids. I don't I don't understand where the hype is with it. There are plenty of dragon mini games out there to not have to resort to flame craft.
Ep 9 eoisode: about flame craft duel And again, the components look great. I heard it was a completely different game. And it is. It was available to play on a vacation trip to a beach, so I tried it. It's basically a tile-playing game with cute dragons. Every time you play a tile, you activate it based on what color it is. The activation allows you to typically draw and place another tile or move previously placed tiles around. You then look at your two scorecards you have and check to see if you can score.
In-Person: completely different game and it is. It was available to play on a vacation trip to a beach, so I tried it. It's basically a tile playing game with cute dragons. Every time you play a tile, you activate it based on what color it is. The activation allows you to typically draw and place another tile or move previously placed tiles around. You then look at your two scorecards you have and check to see if you can score. The scorecards show a certain pattern of tiles you need to make.
Ep 9 eoisode: The scorecards show a certain pattern of tiles you need to make. If you see that pattern on the board, then you score it, and then draw more scorecards. If not, then it's the other player's turn. Very simple game. It didn't feel like there was much strategy to the game, because you could always move tiles around and easily score something. The only rule was you could not stack more than three tiles on top of one another. So late in the game it got a little tight.
In-Person: If you see that pattern on the board, then you score it. And then draw more scorecards. If not, then it's the other player's turn. Very simple game. It didn't feel like there was much strategy to the game, because you can always move tiles around and easily score something. The only rule was you could not stack more than three tiles on top of one another. So late in the game it got a little tight, so I might only score one or two scorecards instead of both each round.
Ep 9 eoisode: So I might only score one or two scorecards instead of both each round. There was just not much to it. The box for the game is cute. It's very overproduced. But yeah, I have no desire to play it again. And you didn't play this with me. When you said you were going to review this, I was a bit confused on the title. It's Flamecraft Duels D-U-A-L-S, not duels do.
In-Person: There was just not much to it. The box for the game is cute. It's very overproduced. But yeah, I have no desire to play it again. Hey and you didn't play this with me. When you said you were gonna review this, I was a bit confused on the title. It's Flamecraft Duels D U A L S, not Duels D U E L S. As it's not a two player game, it's two to four players, right?
Ep 9 eoisode: It's two to four players, right? I really thought it was just a two player game. Is it two to four? I think it is two to four my gosh, this would not be full. But I guess the duels do A L S is because some of the tiles have dual colors. Yes, and they can use one or two different powers, yeah.
In-Person: I think it is two to four. But I guess that the duels do A L S is because some of the tiles have dual colors. Yes. Okay. Use one or two different powers. okay. Yeah, either way it's confusing. Your your description reminded me of an old game I played quite a few times from Leo Colovini called Masons. Have you played Masons?
Ep 9 eoisode: Your your description reminded me of an old game I played quite a few times from the Ocola Lovini called Masons. Have you played Masons? No, I haven't. Yeah, it's a it's a game where the players generate a shared board of walls and towers and houses and then they try to score cards in their hand for how much the board state reflects their cards. that's an older older game. I think in general the hobby is kind of move past those kinds of games. Or it just uses this mechanic in more interesting ways, like a recent favorite Super Moonie.
In-Person: Yeah, it's a it's a game where the players generate a shared board of walls and towers and houses and then they try to score cards in their hand for how much the board state reflects their cards. this old older game. I think in general the hobby is kind of move past those kinds of games. Or just uses this mechanic in more interesting ways, like a recent favorite, Stuper Mundi. there are also games where you make a personal board that reflects scoring conditions that you draw in your hand, like
Ep 9 eoisode: There are also games where you make a personal board that reflects scoring conditions that you draw on your hand, like
In-Person: A filler favorite Reef. Have you played Reef? No. Yeah. There's a much poorer version of this called Gingerbread House. obviously Flamegraph Duels is a lighter game, but I think this monk mechanic in its simplest form just wouldn't really be engaging too much anymore.
Ep 9 eoisode: filler favorite reef. Have you played Reef? No. Yeah. There's a much poorer version of this called Gingerbread House. obviously Flame Craft Duels is a lighter game, but I think this one mechanic in its simplest form just wouldn't really be engaging too much anymore. And so that was Flamecraft Duels, designed by Minnie Vega and published by Cardboard Academy in twenty twenty five. Now it's time to flip some tables. Blink. Travis, I don't know where you truly sit with this,
In-Person: Now it's time to flip some tables. Blake? I don't know where you truly sit with this.
Ep 9 eoisode: but money and board games. In other words, games that are heavily economic focused, 8X, Indonesia, or even I know you secretly love them, a good Martin Wallace game like Brass Birmingham. Travis, do you typically like to use money in those games, or do you like to supply your own? To put it another way, when playing a crunchy game,
In-Person: In other words, games that are heavily economic focused, 18X, Indonesia, or even I know you secretly love them, a good Martin Wallace game like Brass Birmingham. Travis, do you typically like to use money in those games? Or do you like to supply your own? To put it another way, when playing the crunchy game, do you want to play with paper money and cardboard? Or do you like some weight to your money? A little clickety plank. Now, personally
Ep 9 eoisode: Do you want to play with paper money and cardboard, or do you like some weight to your money? A little clickety clink. Now, personally, I can go both ways. First, I hate, I despise paper money. Some games do it well with almost like plastic type paper money, like the great cube game from Capstone? I think the currency was checks, it was called the Estates.
In-Person: I could go both ways. First, I hate. I despise paper money. Some games do it well with almost like plastic type paper like the great cube game from Capstone. I think the currency was checks. It was called the estates. But they were plastic. It was fun. if you give me paper money, like in Food Chain Magnet, then it's out the door. No way. I don't mind.
Ep 9 eoisode: But they were plastic. It was fun. If you give me paper money, like in Food Chain Magnet, then it's out the door. No way. I don't mind thick cardboard coin money, not my favorite, but I will use it. The ones in South Sayers, they were horrible. The thickness was almost okay, but they were so bland. Now, I'm not also the player that has to have poker chips. I enjoy poker chips. I like them more than paper money.
In-Person: Thick cardboard coin money, not my favorite, but I will use it. The ones in Soothsayers, they were horrible. The thickness was almost okay, but they were so bland. Now, I'm not also the player that has to have poker chips. I enjoy poker chips. I like them more than paper money.
Ep 9 eoisode: I will use them. I enjoyed the iron sides from brass. I got them in my deluxe copy of brass. It works well in that game. Now,
In-Person: I will use them. I enjoy the iron sides from brass. I got them in my deluxe copy of brass. It works well in that game. Now
Ep 9 eoisode: my go-to type of money is thematic money. I want the money to match the game and pull me more into that game, not creating a thematic disconnect. And Travis, I think you do this beautifully with your copy of Great Western Trail. Tell them about that real quick.
In-Person: My go-to type paper money is thematic money. I want the money to match the game and pull me more into that game, not creating a thematic disconnect. And Travis, I think you do this beautifully with your copy of Great Western Trail. Tell them about that real quick. Yeah, well, I I actually got some I took what they call it's culls.
Ep 9 eoisode: Yeah, well I I've actually got some I quite call them calls that
In-Person: They're original coins from the turn of the century, but they're coins that were collected but have, worn quite considerably. So I didn't spend a whole lot of money getting them, but I have pennies and nickels and dimes from like the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds for that game. And that's beautiful. That's a perfect example.
Ep 9 eoisode: Pennies and nickels the late 1800s and early 1900s for that game. And that's beautiful. That's a perfect example of thematic money. I do this with or I did this with Soothsayers. I threw out the coin trash and I got some old pirate-looking money cheap on Amazon, and it fits with the fortune-telling vibe of the game. Now the new Nippon game has some of the best currency in the world that I have seen. The deluxe components are
In-Person: And it fits with the fortune-telling vibe of the game. Now, the new Nippon game has some of the best currency in the world that I have seen. The deluxe components are
Ep 9 eoisode: Bright and colorful and pulls you into the setting of the game. That is something that I feel like a lot of publishers miss. Good currency in a game helps set the setting and escapes into the theme. Yeah,
In-Person: bright and colorful and pulls you into the setting of a game. That is something that I feel like a lot of publishers miss. Good currency in a game helps set the setting and escapes into the theme. Yeah, in in a game with cardboard money, if there's a metal coin substitute, I may replace it with
Ep 9 eoisode: in a game with cardboard money, if there's a metal coin substitute, I may replace it.
In-Person: metal coins depending on how much I love the game. But I will say I'm
Ep 9 eoisode: Woohoo.
In-Person: about to flip a table on those people that have to use their poker chips for every game. Even those games of paper money.
Ep 9 eoisode: Mm-hmm.
In-Person: I I do have a set of poker chips as of last year, because my son wanted to
Ep 9 eoisode: Someone
In-Person: play poker. I've never gone out of the way to buy poker chips because I can't stand the money in a game. I have also no problem with paper money in a game.
Ep 9 eoisode: I have also no problem with paper money in the game. If you replace the paper money with poker chips, what are you saving? You still have to have that one guy with a case of poker chips, handing out chips to the players, and then usually those sets have either strange denominations or they don't have enough chips, so you're constantly making change. You're not saving any time or energy.
In-Person: If you replace the paper money with poker chips, what are you saving? You still have to have that one guy with the case of poker chips handing out chips to the players. And then usually those sets have either strange denominations or they don't have enough chips. So you're constantly making change. You're not saving any time or energy.
Ep 9 eoisode: It's just for those people who have to constantly play with their pieces during a game so they can make clanking noises to bite off their ADHD.
In-Person: It's just for those people who have to constantly play with their pieces during a game so they can make clanking noises to fight off their ADHD.
Ep 9 eoisode: When I play Power Grid, I play with the paper money. Maybe it's the Gen X in me, but it takes me back to the games I played in my youth. It also allows you to more easily hide your money in a shirt pocket or in a stack, especially games like Power Grid where money is secret and you have player screen. So I think we have opposing table flips.
In-Person: When I play Power Grid, I play with the paper money. maybe it's the Gen X in me, but it takes me back to the games I played in my youth. It also allows you to more easily hide your money in a shirt pocket or in a stack, especially in games like Power Grid where money is secret and you have no player screen. So I think we have opposing table flips, no paper money Blake, and me who wants people to stop talking about their iron clays. They sound like stuffy, pretentious aristocrats.
Ep 9 eoisode: No paper money Blake and me who wants people to stop talking about their iron plays. They sound like stuffy, pretentious aristocrats.
In-Person: Hm yeah, so I'm I'm gonna play with my iron clays. I just need messing around with paper.
Ep 9 eoisode: yeah, so I'm gonna play with my iron plays. I just hate messing around with paper money. It's hard to separate, it sticks together. All of a sudden you notice you have three twenties, and you're supposed to only have one. Do you really have three or was it one? Who knows? Stupid paper money. Give me that clickety clank. And so I tell you what, you out there, let us know what y'all think. Check out our Instagram, our Facebook. Do you use paper money? Or do you upgrade? Let me preface. If the game is worth it, what do you do?
In-Person: Do you use paper money? Or do you upgrade? Let me preface if the game is worth it, what do you do?
Ep 9 eoisode: Now on to Cole of the Week. The moment in our show where we take time to purge our soul. Travis.
In-Person: now on to Cole of the Week. The moment in our show where we take time to purge our soul. Travis,
Ep 9 eoisode: What are you calling this week? for my call I have to say goodbye.
In-Person: what are you calling us? For my call, I have to say goodbye to Orloy, the Prague Astronomical Clock, published by
Ep 9 eoisode: Mm-hmm.
In-Person: DeVere Games in 2025. This was
Ep 9 eoisode: That's
In-Person: a Tough one. I still think this is a well-constructed game. I just think it's too broad and it's too long for the payoff. I played another four-player game a couple weeks ago, and it was a little over three hours. I mean, nothing you do in the game is that monumental to earn a three-plus hour price tag. the pain in this game was made worse by the fact that it was a foregone conclusion about halfway through the game that another player had the victory locked up. There's also
Ep 9 eoisode: I played another four-player game a couple weeks ago, and it was a little over three hours. I mean nothing you do in the game is that monumental to earn a three plus hour price tag. the pain in this game was made worse by the fact that it was a foregone conclusion about halfway through the game that another player had the victory locked up. There's also too much of your destiny decided by the player before you return order without much ability to pivot.
In-Person: Too much of your destiny decided by the player before you in turn order without much ability to pivot. You take a number of actions that are suboptimal because you can't move that wheel far enough to do what you really want to or to get into any cycle. In this game, the player before me was constructing the clock a lot. So I was left with breaking my clock or taking, you know, like a level one sculptor action that just wasn't interesting. It was just more frustrating than fun.
Ep 9 eoisode: You take a number of actions that are suboptimal because you can't move that wheel far enough to do what you really want to or to get into any cycle. In this game, the player before me was constructing the clock a lot. So I was left with breaking my clock or taking, you know, like a level one sculptor action that just wasn't interesting. It was just more frustrating than fun. I think with the game design need was just a little bit of editing.
In-Person: I think what the game design needed was just a little bit of editing. It needs like two entire play areas just cut right off, I think. in Orloy's case, I think this would be easy to do. I mean just just wait for Orloy Express. Where it's, you know, just sixty percent of that game. I'm sure they're coming down with
Ep 9 eoisode: It needs like two entire play areas just cut right off, I think. in Orlay Space, I think this would be easy to do. I mean just just wait for Orloy Express. Yeah, where it's you know just sixty percent of that game. I'm sure they're coming out with the rolling right next week. Yeah, Orloy.
In-Person: the roll and run. Yeah, Orloy the Rollin' Rate. Or the Roll or Orloy Royal Ryan. I if Orloy made it to BGA, I would definitely play it.
Ep 9 eoisode: If or if I made it to BGA, I would definitely play it. I I guess is as I see it, it's a turn-based online game. So it really is too bad. It's a pretty game. I like the action and selection with the deviations. There's just too much piled on in this game.
In-Person: I I because as it's as I see it, it's a turn based online game. It really is too bad. It's a pretty game. I like the action selection with the deviations. There's just too much piled on in this game.
Ep 9 eoisode: And Travis, I have the perfect idea for you. You should just take the board from the game and frame it and just hang it up in your game room. That art is just
In-Person: In your game. That art is
Ep 9 eoisode: so much fun. But I agree with you. I agree with the call. I remember that clock being frustrating. it gave you ways to mitigate it, but you were still really at the mercy of the player before you. I remember when I played just thinking, well, if that person moves just two more spaces, then I'm done for. Good call, but I really do vote for you framing it. Yeah, how about I just make fifty dollars and sell it? There you go.
In-Person: being frustrating. it gave you ways to mitigate it, but you were still really at the mercy of the player before you. I remember when I played just thinking, well, if that person moves just two more spaces, then I'm done for. Good call, but I really do vote your frame that Yeah, how about I just make fifty dollars and sell it?
Ep 9 eoisode: But if it's almost worth fifty dollars that art in itself.
In-Person: No. I'd rather have fifty dollars.
Ep 9 eoisode: It's so that was our call of the week.
In-Person: Orloy the Prague Astronomical Clock.
Ep 9 eoisode: next up is our featured review, Rising Sun, designed by Eric Lang and published by Cool Mini or Not, now Simon, in 2018. Now, I have never been blown away by Eric Lang before. I enjoyed Blood Rage. I'm not a Blood Rage groupie. I enjoyed Ankh. I really appreciated the innovative design.
In-Person: next up is our featured review, rising sun, designed by Eric Lang and published by Pool Mini or not now Simon in 2018. Now, I have never been blown away by Eric Lang before. I enjoyed Blood Rage. I'm not a Blood Rage groupie. I enjoyed on. I really appreciated the innovative design.
Ep 9 eoisode: of the merge mechanic where the two players with the lowest score have to merge to become one player. But Travis, the sun is indeed still rising in rising sun. We've discussed my little
In-Person: Of the merge mechanic where the two players with the lowest score have to merge to become one player. But Travis, the sun is indeed still rising sun. Yeah, we've discussed my loathing of area control, dude on a map games. I never said I hated them all, but I usually find them to be a table random mess. Now for a game like this to succeed, it has to give me something more than throwing minis in an area and having some overwrought
Ep 9 eoisode: I never said I hated them all. I usually find them to be a table random mess. But for a game like this to succeed, it has to give me something more than throwing minis in an area and having some overwrought battle mechanic to decide victory. You need some sort of some sort of intrigue or some good solid mechanics built around how you get minis on the board, how they move around, how battles are decided. I was a very very early adopter of Blood Rage. I had everything for that game.
In-Person: Battle mechanic to decide victory. You need some swarm some sort of intrigue or some good solid mechanics built around how you get minis on the board, how they move around, how battles are decided. I was a very very early adopter of Blood Rage. I had everything for that game. but I and the pla players I played with just hated it. The drafting your hand, I felt was meant to give players just some illusion of control. but I was not duped. Now Ankh.
Ep 9 eoisode: but I and the pla players I played with just hated it. The drafting your hand I felt was meant to give players just some illusion of control. but I was not duped. Now I know we played with war and I ended up being merged. I just felt it didn't matter. I mean it was a cool mechanic in theory, but it just didn't actuate. Now Rising Stone on the other hand, that's a different story.
In-Person: I know we played before and I ended up being merged. But I just well it didn't matter. I mean it was a cool mechanic in theory, but it just didn't actuate. Now Rising Sun on the other hand, that's a different story.
Ep 9 eoisode: In this game, you're trying to lead your clan to victory.
In-Person: game you're trying to lead your clan to victory.
Ep 9 eoisode: Everyone is assigned a different clan with special powers. The main board is divided into eight regions
In-Person: Everyone is assigned a different clan with special powers. The main board is divided into eight
Ep 9 eoisode: that you will be battling over. Throughout the game, you'll be placing out your troops, building strongholds, and moving your pieces around before you battle it out at the end of each season. The game lasts four seasons, and each season has five phases. First, you set up for the season. Then you have a tea ceremony, Travis. This is a very important part of the game. It truly is the time.
In-Person: You'll be placing out your troops, building strongholds, and moving your pieces around before you battle it out at the end of each season. The game lasts four seasons, and each season has five phases. First, you set up for the season. Then you have a tea ceremony, Travis. This is a very important part of the game. It truly is the time
Ep 9 eoisode: You sip whatever drink you're drinking at game night and chat.
In-Person: you sit whatever drink you're drinking at game night and chat.
Ep 9 eoisode: You examine the board and you see who you want to ally with. Most of the time you want to ally with someone. You can promise certain things, but you don't have to keep those promises. If you don't ally with someone, then you're gonna miss out on a few bonuses that can hurt. After everyone decides who they want to ally with, then we move into the political phase where the person with the highest
In-Person: You examine the board and you see who you want to ally with. Most of the time you want to ally with someone. You can promise certain things, but you don't have to keep those promises. If you don't ally with someone, then you're gonna miss out on a few bonuses that can hurt. After everyone decides who they want to ally with, then we move into the political phase, where the person with the
Ep 9 eoisode: Highest honor will go first and grab four political mandates off the top of the deck and choose one to play.
In-Person: highest honor will go first and grab four political mandates off the top of the deck and choose one to play.
Ep 9 eoisode: When played, everyone gets to do an action, but if the person choosing the mandate is allied with someone, then they get to do a bonus action with that mandate. These bonuses are very crucial, but if the person choosing the political mandates finds no reason to be allied anymore, they can choose the betray mandate.
In-Person: When played, everyone gets to do an action, but if the person choosing the mandate is allied with someone, then they get to do a bonus action with that mandate. These bonuses are very crucial. But if the person choosing the political mandates finds no reason to be allied anymore, they can choose the betray mandate,
Ep 9 eoisode: Ending the alliance, stabbing their partner in the back and go off alone. Yeah, that's the first reason why.
In-Person: ending the alliance, stabbing their partner in the back, and go off alone. And this is the first reason why Rising Sun is the best of this trilogy and why it sticks around in my collection.
Ep 9 eoisode: Sticks around in collection. The tea ceremony just gives you so much to consider away from the board. It just throws in so many wrinkles that have.
In-Person: The T ceremony just gives you so much to consider away from the board. It just throws in so many wrinkles that have to be evaluated in every round. Through playing the mandates, you will position your armies, you're gonna build sanctuaries, have a chance to buy cards that give you monsters to place on the board or give you special powers. Yeah, and in this game the monsters are easy to acquire and use if
Ep 9 eoisode: Through playing the mandates, you will position your armies, you're gonna build sanctuaries, have a chance to buy cards that give you monsters to place on the board or give you special powers. Yeah, and in this game, the monsters are easy to acquire and use a.
In-Person: you want them, which I feel is a significant upgrade from Blood Rage. Fact, we had a few monsters that weren't taken because the other cards were so good. Again, another balanced trade-off presented to the players that causes so much angst in the decisions made. Then at the end of the season, depending on player account, a handful of regions will battle it out. Now, this is a fun mechanic, so at the beginning of each season, you will know which regions will go to
Ep 9 eoisode: The other cards were so good. Again, another balanced trade-off presented to the players that causes so much angst in the decisions made. Then at the end of the season, depending on player account, a handful of regions will battle it out. Now, this is a fun mechanic, so at the beginning of each season, you will know which regions will go to war and in what order. You will place your battle board behind your player screen.
In-Person: You will place your battle board behind your player screen.
Ep 9 eoisode: you will take your money and bid on four different auctions. You can bid on Sapuku and kill all your troops for points. you can bid on taking hostages and take another player's troops off the map and still a victory point. You can bid on hiring Ronin,
In-Person: you will take your money and bid on four different auctions. You can bid on Sapuku and kill all your troops for points. You can bid on taking hostages and take another player's troops off the map and sell a victory point. You can bid on hiring Ronan.
Ep 9 eoisode: which are reinforcements that you can add to the region, and finally you can bid on Imperial Poets and score victory points for all.
In-Person: Which are reinforcements that you can add to the region. And finally, you can bid on imperial bullets and score victory points for
Ep 9 eoisode: All the deaths that happen in this battle. Once everyone is done bidding on these four choices, everyone in the battle lifts their player board and reveals what they bid on. You go in order. So first you see if anyone is killing all their troops, then you see if anyone's taking hostages, and so forth and so forth.
In-Person: all the deaths that happen in this battle. Once everyone is done bidding on these four choices, everyone in the battle lifts their player board and reveals what they bid on. You go in order. So first you see if anyone is killing all their troops. Then you see if anyone's taking hostages, and so forth and so forth.
Ep 9 eoisode: And right before you enact Imperial Poets, you play out the battle and you see who has more force in a region. That person wins. Everyone else dies.
In-Person: And right before you enact Imperial Poets, you play out the battle and you see who has more force in the region. That person wins. Everyone else dies.
Ep 9 eoisode: And then you enact Imperial Poets. The winner will take the War Province token for the in-game points. Now here's the twist. If you won the battle, all the coins you use to bid on the battle board is split between the losers in the battle. This is what makes this game so special.
In-Person: And then you enact Imperial Poets. The winner will take the war province token for the in-game points. Now here's the twist. If you won the battle, all the coins you use to bid on the battle for is split between the losers in the battle. This is what makes this game so special.
Ep 9 eoisode: I love auction games and have no problem with a hidden silent auction. This game is for hidden silent auction.
In-Person: I love auction games and have no problem with a hidden silent auction. This game is four hidden silent auctions in every battle. it sounds like it could be a mess, but what works here is that you have a good idea of
Ep 9 eoisode: But what works here is that you have a good idea.
In-Person: what the other players are looking to do in each battle. You also know exactly how much money they have at all times, as well as how many Ronin they can hire. So you can really brain out some crafty finesses
Ep 9 eoisode: Also, know exactly how much money they have at all times, as well as how many Ronin they can hire. So you can really bring out some crafty finesses.
In-Person: and coups with the battle action mechanic. After four seasons you add up your in-game score.
Ep 9 eoisode: And after four seasons, you add up your in-game scoring, and that's rising sun. I enjoy how strategic and tactical this game is. I came into this game thinking it was going to be as swingy as Blood Rage, or that the monsters would be overpowered, making this game too open where it didn't matter how you planned out your strategy. I was wrong.
In-Person: Strategic and tactical this game is. I came into this game thinking it was going to be as swingy as Blood Rage, or that the monsters would be overpowered, making this game too open where it didn't matter how you played out your strategy. I was wrong. The balance might not be perfect, but it's definitely close enough for me. The tea ceremony part, where you decide who you want to ally with, makes for fun negotiations that is really critical to the gameplay.
Ep 9 eoisode: The balance might not be perfect, but it's definitely close enough for me. The tea ceremony part, where you decide who you want to ally with, makes for fun negotiations that is really critical to the gameplay. You need to find someone who you can work with and trust so that you will get those bonuses on the mandate cards. There were so many times when I almost decided to betray with the mandate card. Understanding when that can be the most beneficial play.
In-Person: You need to find someone who you can work with and trust so that you will get those bonuses on the mandate cards. There were so many times when I almost decided to portray with the mandate card. Understanding when that could be the most beneficial play
Ep 9 eoisode: made for some really crunchy, crucial decision making.
In-Person: made for some really crunchy, crucial decision making.
Ep 9 eoisode: At one point I knew that if I didn't see a certain mandate card that I wanted to make sure that the other allies wouldn't be able to play, then I was for sure going to portray that turn. Yeah, our latest game I actually backstabbed my
In-Person: me say that again. At one point I knew that if I didn't see a certain mandate card that I wanted to make sure that the other allies wouldn't be able to play, then I was for sure going to portray that turn. Yeah, our latest game, I actually backstab my ally without having to portray them. So that was awesome. he was the dragonfly, so he spread out over the board. but I was Fox Clan, so I got to play one remaining Bushy in each area that I had no pieces in. So I competed with him in each area where he was alone, but I had the higher honor. So we didn't kill each other and I ended up winning each of those battles.
Ep 9 eoisode: So I competed with him in each area where he was alone, but I had the higher honor. So we didn't kill each other, and I ended up winning each of those battles. I also enjoyed how the battles played out. The bidding mechanic on the different actions like Sapuku taking hostages or hiring Ronin was a fun take on battling.
In-Person: The bidding mechanic on the different actions like Sokoku, taking hostages, or hiring run, was a fun take on battling.
Ep 9 eoisode: These actions can greatly affect the battle outcome.
In-Person: These actions can greatly affect the battle outcome.
Ep 9 eoisode: One time I was completely winning in majority, and I forgot to bid on the take hostage action.
In-Person: One time I was completely winning in majority and I forgot to bid on the take hostage action.
Ep 9 eoisode: So Travis was able to take one of my monsters hostage that completely changed the battle to his favor.
In-Person: So Travis was able to take one of my monsters hostage that completely changed the battle to his favor. time.
Ep 9 eoisode: Or you might know you can't win the battle, so you focus on gaining points through Seppaku or Imperial Poets. Many times focusing on just the points is a smart play during the battles. Travis, we played with four, and that was a good player count. Playing with five sounds fun. Does it play higher? Could you see that working too? I have played this with
In-Person: Or you might know you can't win the battle, so you focus on gaining points through Sephiro or Imperial Phoenix. Many times focusing on just the points is the smart play during the battles. Travis, we played before, and that was a good player count. Playing with five sounds fun. Does it play higher? Did you see working too? I have played this with five players. it's probably the optimally jerky way to play. wherein one player will not be able to make an alliance. giving players more incentive to negotiate. I think you can play with six also. I don't know if I would ever do that. I mean the board would be very crowded and hard to parse. I know they have a big giant
Ep 9 eoisode: Big giant.
In-Person: playmat for this, but I fe I like boards as opposed to playmats. I think the board works for the four or five player game. I don't know if it would work for the six player game. It just seems like having all six players in one battle would be tough to bid for.
Ep 9 eoisode: I think the board works for the four or five player game. I don't know if it will work for the six player game. It just seems like having all six players in one battle would be tough to bid for. Yeah, I can see that. And Travis, I'm really racking my brain right here to find something negative
In-Person: Something negative.
Ep 9 eoisode: that I don't like. I think this game is playable with the base retail version, but the Kickstarter with the upgrades makes this game shine.
In-Person: I think this game is playable with the base retail version, but the Kickstarter with the upgrades makes this game shine
Ep 9 eoisode: And fun to play. The artwork is beautiful, the sculpts are great, you even have a lot of replayability with the different seasoned cards that add different monsters and powers. The game is not even too long. I heard it could be a four to five hour game, and I wouldn't like that, but I think we got this game down
In-Person: and fun to play. The artwork is beautiful, the sculpts are great. You even have a lot of replayability with the different season cards that add different monsters and powers. The game is not even too long. I heard it could be a four to five hour game, and I wouldn't like that, but I think we got this game down.
Ep 9 eoisode: in three hours. It's not bad for such an epic game. It had a big table presence, so you definitely need the space for this game.
In-Person: In three hours. It's not bad for such an epic game. It had a big table presence, so you definitely need the space for this game.
Ep 9 eoisode: Now I wouldn't pull this out all the time, but I thoroughly enjoyed this classic. Would you say is this old enough to be a classic? Well, it will be a
In-Person: Now I wouldn't pull this out all the time, but I thoroughly enjoyed this classic. Would you say is this old enough to be a classic? Well, it will be if it isn't now. it's from twenty eighteen.
Ep 9 eoisode: Two.
In-Person: but we are talking about it in a featured review, so that counts for something. I think my only negative is that Without the Kami or season cards that change the honor track, that honor track only changes with Seppuku and so can feel a bit hampering at the outset as you have no way to really change your position in honor. now the game does give you monsters that thrive when you have low honor, so that's a nice touch. I do appreciate that I have the full Kickstarter of this with all the extras. I really don't see how you'd want to
Ep 9 eoisode: I do appreciate that I have the full Kickstarter as well, the extras. I really don't see how you want to play.
In-Person: play without them.
Ep 9 eoisode: So rising sun, you just
In-Person: You just
Ep 9 eoisode: keep on shining because the dawn is not approaching anytime soon. And that's it for table flips. Thank you for joining us. Now get out there and play some games. Bye.
In-Person: anytime soon. And that's it for Table Flips. Thank you for joining us. Now get out there and play some games. Bye. Bye.
Ep 9 eoisode: New product alert from Table Flips, the long-awaited Memory Eraser three thousand. Feel guilty about leaving your family to play a four hour board game instead of building quality time with your kids? Memory Eraser 3000 has your back. Just look at the small blue light and press the button and
In-Person: what four hour game? It never happened.
Ep 9 eoisode: what four hour game. It never happened. Wow, my guilt has melted away. Feel like wondrous creatures will never end. Just make a light adjustment to the memory eraser and
In-Person: Feel like wondrous creatures will never end. Just make a light adjustment to the memory eraser, and now that three hour game only took one hour.
Ep 9 eoisode: Now that three-hour game only took one hour. Wow. Maybe Wonders Creatures is not that bad. Nah, it's still bad. Yeah, should have erased that whole game. It's not too late. It can't fix a bad game, but the memory eraser can make you forget that your best friend betrayed you in Nemesis and
In-Person: Yeah, should have erased that whole game. It's not too late. It can't fix a bad game, but the memory eraser can make you forget that your best friend betrayed you in Nemesis and
Ep 9 eoisode: we all die? I guess those pesky aliens got us this time. Are you still having trouble?
In-Person: Are you still having trouble with that one friend who has refused to work on their AP? Their turns turning a filler game into the main event of the night? Memory Eraser three thousand has got your back. Looks like you forgot to invite them.
Ep 9 eoisode: Returns turning a filler game into the main event of the night? Memory Eraser 3000 has got you back. Looks like you forgot to invite them. Wow, we played more than one board game tonight? Now that's a good game night. Thanks, Memory Eraser 3000.
In-Person: Warning. Memory Eraser three thousand
Ep 9 eoisode: Your research view
In-Person: does not make you a better gamer or a better person. It will just help you create the memory you wished you had. In fact, others will still judge you and all around view you as a horrible person every time you use this product. Happy gaming.
Ep 9 eoisode: We'll still judge you and all around view you as a horrible person every time you use this product. Happy gaming. Welcome to Table Flips, a podcast by two grown men who spend more time organizing gaming components than any other area of their lives. On this week's episode, we'll be discussing the games that have been hitting our table. Then we'll be calling another game, followed by flipping some more tables.
In-Person: Welcome to Table Flips, a podcast by two grown men who spend more time organizing gaming components than any other area of their lives. On this week episode, we'll be discussing the games that have been hitting our table. Then we'll be calling another game, followed by flipping some more tables.
Ep 9 eoisode: We will conclude this episode with our featured review of Rising Sun by Eric Lang.
In-Person: We will conclude this episode with our featured review of Rising Sun by Eric Lang. Does the sun still rise in this game or should we let it set and wave farewell?
Ep 9 eoisode: Does the sun still rise on this game, or should we let it set and wave farewell? Well, this week, Travis and I were not big war gamers. We both enjoy some war games, but we're not your typical all-out wargamer type of gamer. I used to play some historical miniature wargaming in high school. I really like Psyche Gehara, and I'm holding on to a few GMT games that I hope to play at some point in the future. Yeah, I want various blocks.
In-Person: Well, this week Travis and I were not big war gamers. We both enjoy some war games, but we're not your typical all out war gamer type of gamer. I used to play some historical miniature war gaming in high school. I really like psychicara, and I'm holding on to a few GNT games that I hope to play at some point in the future. Yeah, I've once various block encounter war games in my days, but I usually find that war games
Ep 9 eoisode: Games.
In-Person: lack Replayability for me, unless I have truly invested interest in the subject matter. one of those games I will always hold on to is Hammer of the Scots. but even then, it's hard for me to justify holding on to some more games I played several times, like Twilight Struggle. this one, one of the games we played this week, it's a game I've held on to for nearly two decades now. That's
Ep 9 eoisode: this one, one of the games we played this week, it's a game I've held on to for nearly two decades now. That's Maneuver, designed by Jeff Hoarder and published by GMT Games in 2008. now Maneuver is not
In-Person: Maneuver, designed by Jeff Horger and published by GMT Games in 2008. now Maneuver is not.
Ep 9 eoisode: a heavy hitter in terms of a war game. I find it similar to the Command and Color series. what makes Maneuver interesting to me is its modularity and being able to quickly jump into it. the game is set in Napoleonic era. They're
In-Person: A heavy hitter in terms of a war game. I find it similar to the Command and Color series. what makes Maneuver interesting to me is its modularity and being able to quickly jump into it. the game is set in Napoleonic era. There are eight nations each that each have a unique deck of 60 cards. these cards feature specific units, leaders, a unique combination of special actions that kind of reflect how that nation would battle in that era.
Ep 9 eoisode: Nations each that each have a unique deck of 60 cards. These cards feature specific units, leaders, a unique combination of special actions that kind of reflect how that nation would battle in that era. The game has a procedural setup. One player will choose two of the nations, the other picks the nation they want. The other player will choose the Turing boards to use, which are each divided into a 4x4 grid of squares.
In-Person: The game has a procedural setup. One player will choose two of the nations. The other picks a nation they want. The other player will choose the Turing boards to use, which are each divided into a four by four grid of squares. And then the other player will choose which side of the square they want to start on. And then the players will place their eight units on the back two rows of their side of the square.
Ep 9 eoisode: And then the other player will choose which side of the square they want to start on. And then the players will place their eight units on the back two rows of their side of the square. you draw a hand of cards and then you battle. Each turn you will move a unit and then can attack with a unit if you have that particular unit card in your hand. This could be an assault, a volley, or sometimes the infantry units will be displayed as artillery and you
In-Person: you draw a hand of cards and then you battle. Each turn you will move a unit and then can attack with a unit if you have that particular unit card in your hand. This could be an assault, a volley, or sometimes the infantry units will be displayed as artillery and you can do a bombard attack with a a square of range. attackers and defenders will play cards for support, generate an attack defense value.
Ep 9 eoisode: Square range. Attackers and defenders will play cards for support, generate an attack-defense value. The cards will provide a number of six, eight, or ten-sided dice that you roll to determine an additional attack modifier. And as an attacker, you're hoping to get two, three, or four times the value of the defender roll to inflict damage and retreats, or better, yet eliminate the unit completely.
In-Person: the cards will provide a number of six, eight, or ten-sided dice that you roll to determine an additional attack modifier. And as an attacker, you're hoping to get two, three, or four times the value of the defender roll to inflict damage and retreats, or better, yet eliminate the unit completely.
Ep 9 eoisode: Units that take hits are flipped over, and if they take two hits, they are eliminated. The goal is to either eliminate five opposing units, or if each player goes through their deck,
In-Person: Units that take hits are flipped over, and if they take two hits, they are eliminated. The goal is to either eliminate five opposing units, or if each player goes through their deck,
Ep 9 eoisode: the player who controls or influences more squares on their opponent's side is the victor. You can use your leader cards in your hand to command adjacent units to the battle. So some of the strategies in maneuver is to move your units around other enemy units to get a favorable battle stereo where you have a unit and leader cards in your hand.
In-Person: Player who controls or influences more squares on their opponent's side is the victor. Now you can use your leader cards in your hand to command adjacent units to the battle. So some of the strategies in maneuver is to move your units around other enemy units to get a favorable battle scenario where you have the unit and leader cards in your hand to add as much damage as possible. Now, as I said, it reminds me of command and colors, except I like this one more because the board seems big for the units.
Ep 9 eoisode: To add as much damage as possible. As I said, it reminds me of Command and Colors, except I like this one more because the board seems big for the units. So you can actually explore opportunities to outflank your opponent and use terrain bonuses to get the most leverage in battle. I also appreciate that you aren't reenacting a battle, especially since most battles that are remembered were one-sided.
In-Person: So you can actually explore opportunities to outflank your opponent and use terrain bonuses to get the most leverage in battle. I also appreciate that you aren't reenacting a battle, especially since most battles that are remembered were one sided and
Ep 9 eoisode: perhaps have a great battle tactic that generated a victory for the underdog and that never seems to be supported by the setup or the rules and command and colors. Instead you generate your own board position with each game.
In-Person: perhaps had a great battle tactic that generated a victory for the underdog. And that never seems to be supported by the setup or the rules and command and colors. Instead, you generate your own board position with each game.
Ep 9 eoisode: So those are my two problems with command and colors that are fixed with maneuver. That also reminds me of Tigris and Euphrates a little bit for one specific mechanic and that is each turn you can discard as many cards as you want to sculpt your hand.
In-Person: So those are my two problems with command and colors that are fixed with maneuver. That also reminds me of Tigris and Euphrates a bit for one specific mechanic, and that is each turn you can discard as many cards as you want to sculpt your hand. So like Tigris and Euphrates, it is the manipulation of your hand state that is the real game. So for the modularity and easy setup and some very crafty hand manipulation, maneuver will continue to stay in my collection.
Ep 9 eoisode: So like Tigers and Euphrates, this is the manipulation of your hand state that is the real game. So for the modularity and ease of setup and some very crafty hand manipulation, maneuver will continue to stay in my collection. You know, when you pull this out, Travis, I was a little concerned. You know, the production, it's it's not much with this game. It's a GMT, right? Yeah.
In-Person: G right.
Ep 9 eoisode: there's a few floppy terrain boards to form a grid, a handful of counter tokens, and cards that were stuck together because they probably hadn't seen the light of day for
In-Person: And cards that were stacked together because they probably hadn't seen the latte for a few years. Just a few. But I was pleasantly surprised. This game is really a hand management game. you want to set up your troops and then make sure you get the cards you want in your hand when you need them. Sometimes that means focusing on one side of the battle you don't want to, just to buy time to get the cards you need to make the push that you want to make. I like your comparison with Tigers and Euphrates. The game went
Ep 9 eoisode: a few years. But I was pleasantly surprised. This game is really a hand management game. you want to set up your troops and then make sure you get the cards you want in your hand when you need them. Sometimes that means focusing on one side of the battle you don't want to, just to buy time to get the cards you need to make the push that you want to make. I like your comparison with Tigers and Euphrates. The game went, you know, just a tattoo long for me for what it was, but nothing terrible. It was
In-Person: You know, just a tad too long for me for what it was, but nothing terrible. It was an enjoyable experience and it went down to the line, if I remember correctly. Yeah, most games do. I was close to eliminating
Ep 9 eoisode: An enjoyable experience and it went down to the wire, if I remember correctly.
In-Person: you but we still we ran out of our deck, so it went to the basically the tiebreaker.
Ep 9 eoisode: So it went to the basically the tiebreaker. The tiebreaker of the points. And that that was that was a nell biter right there. Now the game given you do have dice, so you could set it up as perfectly as you want and just not get the dice roll and still just not get the outcome you want. But again, it's a war game. You got to take those chances and roll the luck of the die. Yeah. So that was maneuver by GMT Games. next up,
In-Person: The game, given we do have dice, so you could set it up as perfectly as you want and just not get the dice roll and still just not get the outcome you want. But again, it's a war game, you gotta take those chances and roll a little luck in the die. Yeah, so that was Maneuver by GMT Games. next up, Blake, we played General
Ep 9 eoisode: Blake, we played general.
In-Person: Orders, Sengoku Judai, designed by Trevor
Ep 9 eoisode: Designed by Trevor Bennett.
In-Person: Benjamin and David Thompson and published by Osprey Games in twenty twenty five.
Ep 9 eoisode: In 2025. Let's take a moment of silence for Osberry Games. You and me both enjoyed Matura a lot. this this is definitely not Matura, but it could find its audience, I believe. There's people out there that I think will like this.
In-Person: You and me both enjoy Matura a lot. this this is definitely not Matura, but it could find its audience, I believe. There's people out there that that I think like this.
Ep 9 eoisode: Basically, it's a re-theme of General Orders World War II from 2023. This new one takes place during Japan's
In-Person: Basically it's a re theme of General Orders World War Two from twenty twenty three. This new one takes place during Japan's
Ep 9 eoisode: Sengoku period. This is a short two-player worker placement war game. I thought the idea of a worker placement war game sounded clever, so I wanted to try it. The whole game is played over four rounds, and you're either trying to take over your opponent's headquarters or hold certain key positions by the end of the fourth round.
In-Person: Sengoku period. This is a short two-player worker placement war game. I thought the idea of a worker placement war game sounded clever, so I wanted to try it. The whole game is played over four rounds, and you're either trying to take over your opponent's headquarters or hold certain key positions by the end of the fourth round. The board is like most war games, a map of a lot of hexes, a small map, and you take actions by placing your commanders, which are these little wooden cylinder pieces on
Ep 9 eoisode: The board is like most war games a map of a lot of hexes, a small map, and you take actions by placing your commanders, which are these little wooden cylinder pieces, on these different hexes on the board. Each hex has one or two actions on them. through this, you might be able to move your troops into a hex or bombard someone from that hex if you have boats or a siege engine.
In-Person: These different hexes on the board. Each hex has one or two actions on them. Through this, you might be able to move your troops into a hex or bombard someone from that hex if you have boats or a siege engine.
Ep 9 eoisode: Once a commander is in a hex, that hex can't be activated till the next turn.
In-Person: Once a commander is in a hex, that hex can't be activated till the next turn.
Ep 9 eoisode: You can also put your commanders on one sideboard, which will give you reinforcements, fleets, or action cards that will give you bonuses for certain actions, like plus two units for reinforcements or roll an extra die when attacking. It was a fun game for what it is. The worker placement aspect was interesting.
In-Person: You can also put your commanders on one sideboard, which will give you reinforcements, fleets, or action cards that will give you bonuses for certain actions, like plus two units for reinforcements or roll an extra dye when attacking. It was a fun game for what it is. The worker placement aspect was interesting. today. There were some strategy elements for deciding what areas you want to focus on.
Ep 9 eoisode: There were some strategy elements with deciding what areas you want to focus on. Do I want to get the strategic locations if this game goes all the way, or do I want to go for the headquarters? Supply, that's the crucial element in this game. And you can really try to handicap someone advancing by just cutting off their supply, which gives this game some depth in a very light package. It was intriguing but definitely not Matora. What are your thoughts, Travis?
In-Person: Do I want to get the strategic locations if this game goes all the way, or do I want to go for the headquarters? Supply that's the crucial element in this game. And you can really try handicap someone advancing by just cutting off their supply, which gives this game some depth in a very light package. It was intriguing but definitely not matura. What are your thoughts, Travis? Yeah, I thought the idea was a lot more interesting
Ep 9 eoisode: Yeah, I thought the idea was a lot more interesting.
In-Person: than the execution. I I like the idea of
Ep 9 eoisode: Yeah, I did.
In-Person: having the worker placement spots on the map, but there weren't many interesting combos to be made out of this mechanic. It rarely came into play that I wanted to take an action in a hex that was already taken, and it was non existent that I would
Ep 9 eoisode: rarely came into play that I wanted to take an action in a hex that was already taken and it was non existent that I
In-Person: really do multiple actions within the same hex. particularly egregious, there were potentially game breaking bonuses given to the player that controlled certain hexes on the board, which imbalanced the game in a very unsatisfying way. And overall the game
Ep 9 eoisode: Now particularly egregious, there were potentially game-breaking bonuses given to the player that controlled certain hexes on the board, which imbalanced the game in a very unsatisfying way. And overall the game, I didn't think was just very dynamic. The supply action flirted with each player getting most, if not all, units on the board. But the battle system couldn't act fast enough to make the board state change in a way that was interesting. Also, you didn't have that many actions each round.
In-Person: I didn't think was just very dynamic. The supply action flirted with each player getting most, if not all, units on the board. but the battle system couldn't act fast enough to make the board state change in a way that was interesting. Also, you didn't have that many actions each round, and half of them were going to be more or less devoted to the action board to basically assure that the board state stayed fairly static. if I were
Ep 9 eoisode: And half of them were going to be more or less devoted to the action board to basically assure that the board state stayed fairly static. If I were designing this game with the worker replacement war game mechanic, which is novel for sure, I would try and combine the lesser-used actions on the board with the reinforced embark and card draw actions on the main board. So now you have to really think about what hexes you needed to capture to get the better actions and have to use the actions on the map in a crafty way.
In-Person: Designing this game with the worker placement war game mechanic, which is novel for sure. I would try and combine the lesser used actions on the board with the reinforce embark and card draw actions on the main board. So now you have to really think about what X's you needed to capture to get the better actions and have to use the actions on the map in a crafty way to reinforce yourself or get boats on the board. in summary, I I just think the game delivers on a
Ep 9 eoisode: To reinforce yourself or get boats on the board. mean in summary, I I just think the game delivers on a reasonably quick light working, but it just didn't hold my attention past our initial play.
In-Person: reasonably quick light war game, but it just didn't hold my attention past our initial play.
Ep 9 eoisode: Completely agree. I think this might be upcoming coal soon. that was General Order Single U Jedi by Oscre Games.
In-Person: that was General Orders and Goku Jedi, by Osprey Games.
Ep 9 eoisode: Next up is Flame Craft Duels, designed by Many Vega and published by Cardboard Academy 2025. Now, I don't know about you, Travis, but I played Flamecraft when it came out. I was sold on the Cute Dragons, and I got the whole decked out upgraded game. I played it once. It was definitely not for me. It was another one of those games where I felt like it didn't know what it wanted to be. Is this a family game for young kids or for gamers? And it was in this weird in-between where I couldn't play with my kids yet, with their ages, and it was just too light for the gaming group. great components, but blah.
In-Person: Now, I don't know about you, Travis, but I played Flamecraft when it came out. I was sold on the Cube of Dragons, and I got the whole deck out upgraded game. I played it once. It was definitely not for me. It was another one of those games where I felt like it didn't know what it wanted to be. Is this the family game for young kids or for gamers? And it was in this weird in-between where I couldn't play with my kids yet, with their ages, and it was just too light for the gaming group. great components, but blah.
Ep 9 eoisode: On the gameplay. Yeah.
In-Person: On gameplay. Yeah, I only played Flamecraft solo, by borrowing a friend's copy. I just wanted to see if I mean the the components are great. Went to see if I could get my kids kinda interested in it, but I realized very quickly that the game
Ep 9 eoisode: Realised very quickly that the game
In-Person: with more players would just not improve very much. It almost seemed unfinished to me. I I tried tried to see if I could get that to that place, but it just
Ep 9 eoisode: it almost seemed unfinished to me. I I tried tried to see if I could get that to that place, but it just I don't think my kids would have liked it and it just wasn't interesting enough for me or and I felt it would be kind of a little too complex for my kids. I don't I don't understand where the hype is with it. There are plenty of dragon mini games out there to not have to resort to flame craft. And so I heard
In-Person: I don't think my kids would have liked it and it just wasn't interesting enough for me or and I felt it would be kinda a little too complex for my kids. I don't I don't understand where the hype is with it. There are plenty of dragon mini games out there to not have to resort to flame craft.
Ep 9 eoisode: about flame craft duel And again, the components look great. I heard it was a completely different game. And it is. It was available to play on a vacation trip to a beach, so I tried it. It's basically a tile-playing game with cute dragons. Every time you play a tile, you activate it based on what color it is. The activation allows you to typically draw and place another tile or move previously placed tiles around. You then look at your two scorecards you have and check to see if you can score.
In-Person: completely different game and it is. It was available to play on a vacation trip to a beach, so I tried it. It's basically a tile playing game with cute dragons. Every time you play a tile, you activate it based on what color it is. The activation allows you to typically draw and place another tile or move previously placed tiles around. You then look at your two scorecards you have and check to see if you can score. The scorecards show a certain pattern of tiles you need to make.
Ep 9 eoisode: The scorecards show a certain pattern of tiles you need to make. If you see that pattern on the board, then you score it, and then draw more scorecards. If not, then it's the other player's turn. Very simple game. It didn't feel like there was much strategy to the game, because you could always move tiles around and easily score something. The only rule was you could not stack more than three tiles on top of one another. So late in the game it got a little tight.
In-Person: If you see that pattern on the board, then you score it. And then draw more scorecards. If not, then it's the other player's turn. Very simple game. It didn't feel like there was much strategy to the game, because you can always move tiles around and easily score something. The only rule was you could not stack more than three tiles on top of one another. So late in the game it got a little tight, so I might only score one or two scorecards instead of both each round.
Ep 9 eoisode: So I might only score one or two scorecards instead of both each round. There was just not much to it. The box for the game is cute. It's very overproduced. But yeah, I have no desire to play it again. And you didn't play this with me. When you said you were going to review this, I was a bit confused on the title. It's Flamecraft Duels D-U-A-L-S, not duels do.
In-Person: There was just not much to it. The box for the game is cute. It's very overproduced. But yeah, I have no desire to play it again. Hey and you didn't play this with me. When you said you were gonna review this, I was a bit confused on the title. It's Flamecraft Duels D U A L S, not Duels D U E L S. As it's not a two player game, it's two to four players, right?
Ep 9 eoisode: It's two to four players, right? I really thought it was just a two player game. Is it two to four? I think it is two to four my gosh, this would not be full. But I guess the duels do A L S is because some of the tiles have dual colors. Yes, and they can use one or two different powers, yeah.
In-Person: I think it is two to four. But I guess that the duels do A L S is because some of the tiles have dual colors. Yes. Okay. Use one or two different powers. okay. Yeah, either way it's confusing. Your your description reminded me of an old game I played quite a few times from Leo Colovini called Masons. Have you played Masons?
Ep 9 eoisode: Your your description reminded me of an old game I played quite a few times from the Ocola Lovini called Masons. Have you played Masons? No, I haven't. Yeah, it's a it's a game where the players generate a shared board of walls and towers and houses and then they try to score cards in their hand for how much the board state reflects their cards. that's an older older game. I think in general the hobby is kind of move past those kinds of games. Or it just uses this mechanic in more interesting ways, like a recent favorite Super Moonie.
In-Person: Yeah, it's a it's a game where the players generate a shared board of walls and towers and houses and then they try to score cards in their hand for how much the board state reflects their cards. this old older game. I think in general the hobby is kind of move past those kinds of games. Or just uses this mechanic in more interesting ways, like a recent favorite, Stuper Mundi. there are also games where you make a personal board that reflects scoring conditions that you draw in your hand, like
Ep 9 eoisode: There are also games where you make a personal board that reflects scoring conditions that you draw on your hand, like
In-Person: A filler favorite Reef. Have you played Reef? No. Yeah. There's a much poorer version of this called Gingerbread House. obviously Flamegraph Duels is a lighter game, but I think this monk mechanic in its simplest form just wouldn't really be engaging too much anymore.
Ep 9 eoisode: filler favorite reef. Have you played Reef? No. Yeah. There's a much poorer version of this called Gingerbread House. obviously Flame Craft Duels is a lighter game, but I think this one mechanic in its simplest form just wouldn't really be engaging too much anymore. And so that was Flamecraft Duels, designed by Minnie Vega and published by Cardboard Academy in twenty twenty five. Now it's time to flip some tables. Blink. Travis, I don't know where you truly sit with this,
In-Person: Now it's time to flip some tables. Blake? I don't know where you truly sit with this.
Ep 9 eoisode: but money and board games. In other words, games that are heavily economic focused, 8X, Indonesia, or even I know you secretly love them, a good Martin Wallace game like Brass Birmingham. Travis, do you typically like to use money in those games, or do you like to supply your own? To put it another way, when playing a crunchy game,
In-Person: In other words, games that are heavily economic focused, 18X, Indonesia, or even I know you secretly love them, a good Martin Wallace game like Brass Birmingham. Travis, do you typically like to use money in those games? Or do you like to supply your own? To put it another way, when playing the crunchy game, do you want to play with paper money and cardboard? Or do you like some weight to your money? A little clickety plank. Now, personally
Ep 9 eoisode: Do you want to play with paper money and cardboard, or do you like some weight to your money? A little clickety clink. Now, personally, I can go both ways. First, I hate, I despise paper money. Some games do it well with almost like plastic type paper money, like the great cube game from Capstone? I think the currency was checks, it was called the Estates.
In-Person: I could go both ways. First, I hate. I despise paper money. Some games do it well with almost like plastic type paper like the great cube game from Capstone. I think the currency was checks. It was called the estates. But they were plastic. It was fun. if you give me paper money, like in Food Chain Magnet, then it's out the door. No way. I don't mind.
Ep 9 eoisode: But they were plastic. It was fun. If you give me paper money, like in Food Chain Magnet, then it's out the door. No way. I don't mind thick cardboard coin money, not my favorite, but I will use it. The ones in South Sayers, they were horrible. The thickness was almost okay, but they were so bland. Now, I'm not also the player that has to have poker chips. I enjoy poker chips. I like them more than paper money.
In-Person: Thick cardboard coin money, not my favorite, but I will use it. The ones in Soothsayers, they were horrible. The thickness was almost okay, but they were so bland. Now, I'm not also the player that has to have poker chips. I enjoy poker chips. I like them more than paper money.
Ep 9 eoisode: I will use them. I enjoyed the iron sides from brass. I got them in my deluxe copy of brass. It works well in that game. Now,
In-Person: I will use them. I enjoy the iron sides from brass. I got them in my deluxe copy of brass. It works well in that game. Now
Ep 9 eoisode: my go-to type of money is thematic money. I want the money to match the game and pull me more into that game, not creating a thematic disconnect. And Travis, I think you do this beautifully with your copy of Great Western Trail. Tell them about that real quick.
In-Person: My go-to type paper money is thematic money. I want the money to match the game and pull me more into that game, not creating a thematic disconnect. And Travis, I think you do this beautifully with your copy of Great Western Trail. Tell them about that real quick. Yeah, well, I I actually got some I took what they call it's culls.
Ep 9 eoisode: Yeah, well I I've actually got some I quite call them calls that
In-Person: They're original coins from the turn of the century, but they're coins that were collected but have, worn quite considerably. So I didn't spend a whole lot of money getting them, but I have pennies and nickels and dimes from like the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds for that game. And that's beautiful. That's a perfect example.
Ep 9 eoisode: Pennies and nickels the late 1800s and early 1900s for that game. And that's beautiful. That's a perfect example of thematic money. I do this with or I did this with Soothsayers. I threw out the coin trash and I got some old pirate-looking money cheap on Amazon, and it fits with the fortune-telling vibe of the game. Now the new Nippon game has some of the best currency in the world that I have seen. The deluxe components are
In-Person: And it fits with the fortune-telling vibe of the game. Now, the new Nippon game has some of the best currency in the world that I have seen. The deluxe components are
Ep 9 eoisode: Bright and colorful and pulls you into the setting of the game. That is something that I feel like a lot of publishers miss. Good currency in a game helps set the setting and escapes into the theme. Yeah,
In-Person: bright and colorful and pulls you into the setting of a game. That is something that I feel like a lot of publishers miss. Good currency in a game helps set the setting and escapes into the theme. Yeah, in in a game with cardboard money, if there's a metal coin substitute, I may replace it with
Ep 9 eoisode: in a game with cardboard money, if there's a metal coin substitute, I may replace it.
In-Person: metal coins depending on how much I love the game. But I will say I'm
Ep 9 eoisode: Woohoo.
In-Person: about to flip a table on those people that have to use their poker chips for every game. Even those games of paper money.
Ep 9 eoisode: Mm-hmm.
In-Person: I I do have a set of poker chips as of last year, because my son wanted to
Ep 9 eoisode: Someone
In-Person: play poker. I've never gone out of the way to buy poker chips because I can't stand the money in a game. I have also no problem with paper money in a game.
Ep 9 eoisode: I have also no problem with paper money in the game. If you replace the paper money with poker chips, what are you saving? You still have to have that one guy with a case of poker chips, handing out chips to the players, and then usually those sets have either strange denominations or they don't have enough chips, so you're constantly making change. You're not saving any time or energy.
In-Person: If you replace the paper money with poker chips, what are you saving? You still have to have that one guy with the case of poker chips handing out chips to the players. And then usually those sets have either strange denominations or they don't have enough chips. So you're constantly making change. You're not saving any time or energy.
Ep 9 eoisode: It's just for those people who have to constantly play with their pieces during a game so they can make clanking noises to bite off their ADHD.
In-Person: It's just for those people who have to constantly play with their pieces during a game so they can make clanking noises to fight off their ADHD.
Ep 9 eoisode: When I play Power Grid, I play with the paper money. Maybe it's the Gen X in me, but it takes me back to the games I played in my youth. It also allows you to more easily hide your money in a shirt pocket or in a stack, especially games like Power Grid where money is secret and you have player screen. So I think we have opposing table flips.
In-Person: When I play Power Grid, I play with the paper money. maybe it's the Gen X in me, but it takes me back to the games I played in my youth. It also allows you to more easily hide your money in a shirt pocket or in a stack, especially in games like Power Grid where money is secret and you have no player screen. So I think we have opposing table flips, no paper money Blake, and me who wants people to stop talking about their iron clays. They sound like stuffy, pretentious aristocrats.
Ep 9 eoisode: No paper money Blake and me who wants people to stop talking about their iron plays. They sound like stuffy, pretentious aristocrats.
In-Person: Hm yeah, so I'm I'm gonna play with my iron clays. I just need messing around with paper.
Ep 9 eoisode: yeah, so I'm gonna play with my iron plays. I just hate messing around with paper money. It's hard to separate, it sticks together. All of a sudden you notice you have three twenties, and you're supposed to only have one. Do you really have three or was it one? Who knows? Stupid paper money. Give me that clickety clank. And so I tell you what, you out there, let us know what y'all think. Check out our Instagram, our Facebook. Do you use paper money? Or do you upgrade? Let me preface. If the game is worth it, what do you do?
In-Person: Do you use paper money? Or do you upgrade? Let me preface if the game is worth it, what do you do?
Ep 9 eoisode: Now on to Cole of the Week. The moment in our show where we take time to purge our soul. Travis.
In-Person: now on to Cole of the Week. The moment in our show where we take time to purge our soul. Travis,
Ep 9 eoisode: What are you calling this week? for my call I have to say goodbye.
In-Person: what are you calling us? For my call, I have to say goodbye to Orloy, the Prague Astronomical Clock, published by
Ep 9 eoisode: Mm-hmm.
In-Person: DeVere Games in 2025. This was
Ep 9 eoisode: That's
In-Person: a Tough one. I still think this is a well-constructed game. I just think it's too broad and it's too long for the payoff. I played another four-player game a couple weeks ago, and it was a little over three hours. I mean, nothing you do in the game is that monumental to earn a three-plus hour price tag. the pain in this game was made worse by the fact that it was a foregone conclusion about halfway through the game that another player had the victory locked up. There's also
Ep 9 eoisode: I played another four-player game a couple weeks ago, and it was a little over three hours. I mean nothing you do in the game is that monumental to earn a three plus hour price tag. the pain in this game was made worse by the fact that it was a foregone conclusion about halfway through the game that another player had the victory locked up. There's also too much of your destiny decided by the player before you return order without much ability to pivot.
In-Person: Too much of your destiny decided by the player before you in turn order without much ability to pivot. You take a number of actions that are suboptimal because you can't move that wheel far enough to do what you really want to or to get into any cycle. In this game, the player before me was constructing the clock a lot. So I was left with breaking my clock or taking, you know, like a level one sculptor action that just wasn't interesting. It was just more frustrating than fun.
Ep 9 eoisode: You take a number of actions that are suboptimal because you can't move that wheel far enough to do what you really want to or to get into any cycle. In this game, the player before me was constructing the clock a lot. So I was left with breaking my clock or taking, you know, like a level one sculptor action that just wasn't interesting. It was just more frustrating than fun. I think with the game design need was just a little bit of editing.
In-Person: I think what the game design needed was just a little bit of editing. It needs like two entire play areas just cut right off, I think. in Orloy's case, I think this would be easy to do. I mean just just wait for Orloy Express. Where it's, you know, just sixty percent of that game. I'm sure they're coming down with
Ep 9 eoisode: It needs like two entire play areas just cut right off, I think. in Orlay Space, I think this would be easy to do. I mean just just wait for Orloy Express. Yeah, where it's you know just sixty percent of that game. I'm sure they're coming out with the rolling right next week. Yeah, Orloy.
In-Person: the roll and run. Yeah, Orloy the Rollin' Rate. Or the Roll or Orloy Royal Ryan. I if Orloy made it to BGA, I would definitely play it.
Ep 9 eoisode: If or if I made it to BGA, I would definitely play it. I I guess is as I see it, it's a turn-based online game. So it really is too bad. It's a pretty game. I like the action and selection with the deviations. There's just too much piled on in this game.
In-Person: I I because as it's as I see it, it's a turn based online game. It really is too bad. It's a pretty game. I like the action selection with the deviations. There's just too much piled on in this game.
Ep 9 eoisode: And Travis, I have the perfect idea for you. You should just take the board from the game and frame it and just hang it up in your game room. That art is just
In-Person: In your game. That art is
Ep 9 eoisode: so much fun. But I agree with you. I agree with the call. I remember that clock being frustrating. it gave you ways to mitigate it, but you were still really at the mercy of the player before you. I remember when I played just thinking, well, if that person moves just two more spaces, then I'm done for. Good call, but I really do vote for you framing it. Yeah, how about I just make fifty dollars and sell it? There you go.
In-Person: being frustrating. it gave you ways to mitigate it, but you were still really at the mercy of the player before you. I remember when I played just thinking, well, if that person moves just two more spaces, then I'm done for. Good call, but I really do vote your frame that Yeah, how about I just make fifty dollars and sell it?
Ep 9 eoisode: But if it's almost worth fifty dollars that art in itself.
In-Person: No. I'd rather have fifty dollars.
Ep 9 eoisode: It's so that was our call of the week.
In-Person: Orloy the Prague Astronomical Clock.
Ep 9 eoisode: next up is our featured review, Rising Sun, designed by Eric Lang and published by Cool Mini or Not, now Simon, in 2018. Now, I have never been blown away by Eric Lang before. I enjoyed Blood Rage. I'm not a Blood Rage groupie. I enjoyed Ankh. I really appreciated the innovative design.
In-Person: next up is our featured review, rising sun, designed by Eric Lang and published by Pool Mini or not now Simon in 2018. Now, I have never been blown away by Eric Lang before. I enjoyed Blood Rage. I'm not a Blood Rage groupie. I enjoyed on. I really appreciated the innovative design.
Ep 9 eoisode: of the merge mechanic where the two players with the lowest score have to merge to become one player. But Travis, the sun is indeed still rising in rising sun. We've discussed my little
In-Person: Of the merge mechanic where the two players with the lowest score have to merge to become one player. But Travis, the sun is indeed still rising sun. Yeah, we've discussed my loathing of area control, dude on a map games. I never said I hated them all, but I usually find them to be a table random mess. Now for a game like this to succeed, it has to give me something more than throwing minis in an area and having some overwrought
Ep 9 eoisode: I never said I hated them all. I usually find them to be a table random mess. But for a game like this to succeed, it has to give me something more than throwing minis in an area and having some overwrought battle mechanic to decide victory. You need some sort of some sort of intrigue or some good solid mechanics built around how you get minis on the board, how they move around, how battles are decided. I was a very very early adopter of Blood Rage. I had everything for that game.
In-Person: Battle mechanic to decide victory. You need some swarm some sort of intrigue or some good solid mechanics built around how you get minis on the board, how they move around, how battles are decided. I was a very very early adopter of Blood Rage. I had everything for that game. but I and the pla players I played with just hated it. The drafting your hand, I felt was meant to give players just some illusion of control. but I was not duped. Now Ankh.
Ep 9 eoisode: but I and the pla players I played with just hated it. The drafting your hand I felt was meant to give players just some illusion of control. but I was not duped. Now I know we played with war and I ended up being merged. I just felt it didn't matter. I mean it was a cool mechanic in theory, but it just didn't actuate. Now Rising Stone on the other hand, that's a different story.
In-Person: I know we played before and I ended up being merged. But I just well it didn't matter. I mean it was a cool mechanic in theory, but it just didn't actuate. Now Rising Sun on the other hand, that's a different story.
Ep 9 eoisode: In this game, you're trying to lead your clan to victory.
In-Person: game you're trying to lead your clan to victory.
Ep 9 eoisode: Everyone is assigned a different clan with special powers. The main board is divided into eight regions
In-Person: Everyone is assigned a different clan with special powers. The main board is divided into eight
Ep 9 eoisode: that you will be battling over. Throughout the game, you'll be placing out your troops, building strongholds, and moving your pieces around before you battle it out at the end of each season. The game lasts four seasons, and each season has five phases. First, you set up for the season. Then you have a tea ceremony, Travis. This is a very important part of the game. It truly is the time.
In-Person: You'll be placing out your troops, building strongholds, and moving your pieces around before you battle it out at the end of each season. The game lasts four seasons, and each season has five phases. First, you set up for the season. Then you have a tea ceremony, Travis. This is a very important part of the game. It truly is the time
Ep 9 eoisode: You sip whatever drink you're drinking at game night and chat.
In-Person: you sit whatever drink you're drinking at game night and chat.
Ep 9 eoisode: You examine the board and you see who you want to ally with. Most of the time you want to ally with someone. You can promise certain things, but you don't have to keep those promises. If you don't ally with someone, then you're gonna miss out on a few bonuses that can hurt. After everyone decides who they want to ally with, then we move into the political phase where the person with the highest
In-Person: You examine the board and you see who you want to ally with. Most of the time you want to ally with someone. You can promise certain things, but you don't have to keep those promises. If you don't ally with someone, then you're gonna miss out on a few bonuses that can hurt. After everyone decides who they want to ally with, then we move into the political phase, where the person with the
Ep 9 eoisode: Highest honor will go first and grab four political mandates off the top of the deck and choose one to play.
In-Person: highest honor will go first and grab four political mandates off the top of the deck and choose one to play.
Ep 9 eoisode: When played, everyone gets to do an action, but if the person choosing the mandate is allied with someone, then they get to do a bonus action with that mandate. These bonuses are very crucial, but if the person choosing the political mandates finds no reason to be allied anymore, they can choose the betray mandate.
In-Person: When played, everyone gets to do an action, but if the person choosing the mandate is allied with someone, then they get to do a bonus action with that mandate. These bonuses are very crucial. But if the person choosing the political mandates finds no reason to be allied anymore, they can choose the betray mandate,
Ep 9 eoisode: Ending the alliance, stabbing their partner in the back and go off alone. Yeah, that's the first reason why.
In-Person: ending the alliance, stabbing their partner in the back, and go off alone. And this is the first reason why Rising Sun is the best of this trilogy and why it sticks around in my collection.
Ep 9 eoisode: Sticks around in collection. The tea ceremony just gives you so much to consider away from the board. It just throws in so many wrinkles that have.
In-Person: The T ceremony just gives you so much to consider away from the board. It just throws in so many wrinkles that have to be evaluated in every round. Through playing the mandates, you will position your armies, you're gonna build sanctuaries, have a chance to buy cards that give you monsters to place on the board or give you special powers. Yeah, and in this game the monsters are easy to acquire and use if
Ep 9 eoisode: Through playing the mandates, you will position your armies, you're gonna build sanctuaries, have a chance to buy cards that give you monsters to place on the board or give you special powers. Yeah, and in this game, the monsters are easy to acquire and use a.
In-Person: you want them, which I feel is a significant upgrade from Blood Rage. Fact, we had a few monsters that weren't taken because the other cards were so good. Again, another balanced trade-off presented to the players that causes so much angst in the decisions made. Then at the end of the season, depending on player account, a handful of regions will battle it out. Now, this is a fun mechanic, so at the beginning of each season, you will know which regions will go to
Ep 9 eoisode: The other cards were so good. Again, another balanced trade-off presented to the players that causes so much angst in the decisions made. Then at the end of the season, depending on player account, a handful of regions will battle it out. Now, this is a fun mechanic, so at the beginning of each season, you will know which regions will go to war and in what order. You will place your battle board behind your player screen.
In-Person: You will place your battle board behind your player screen.
Ep 9 eoisode: you will take your money and bid on four different auctions. You can bid on Sapuku and kill all your troops for points. you can bid on taking hostages and take another player's troops off the map and still a victory point. You can bid on hiring Ronin,
In-Person: you will take your money and bid on four different auctions. You can bid on Sapuku and kill all your troops for points. You can bid on taking hostages and take another player's troops off the map and sell a victory point. You can bid on hiring Ronan.
Ep 9 eoisode: which are reinforcements that you can add to the region, and finally you can bid on Imperial Poets and score victory points for all.
In-Person: Which are reinforcements that you can add to the region. And finally, you can bid on imperial bullets and score victory points for
Ep 9 eoisode: All the deaths that happen in this battle. Once everyone is done bidding on these four choices, everyone in the battle lifts their player board and reveals what they bid on. You go in order. So first you see if anyone is killing all their troops, then you see if anyone's taking hostages, and so forth and so forth.
In-Person: all the deaths that happen in this battle. Once everyone is done bidding on these four choices, everyone in the battle lifts their player board and reveals what they bid on. You go in order. So first you see if anyone is killing all their troops. Then you see if anyone's taking hostages, and so forth and so forth.
Ep 9 eoisode: And right before you enact Imperial Poets, you play out the battle and you see who has more force in a region. That person wins. Everyone else dies.
In-Person: And right before you enact Imperial Poets, you play out the battle and you see who has more force in the region. That person wins. Everyone else dies.
Ep 9 eoisode: And then you enact Imperial Poets. The winner will take the War Province token for the in-game points. Now here's the twist. If you won the battle, all the coins you use to bid on the battle board is split between the losers in the battle. This is what makes this game so special.
In-Person: And then you enact Imperial Poets. The winner will take the war province token for the in-game points. Now here's the twist. If you won the battle, all the coins you use to bid on the battle for is split between the losers in the battle. This is what makes this game so special.
Ep 9 eoisode: I love auction games and have no problem with a hidden silent auction. This game is for hidden silent auction.
In-Person: I love auction games and have no problem with a hidden silent auction. This game is four hidden silent auctions in every battle. it sounds like it could be a mess, but what works here is that you have a good idea of
Ep 9 eoisode: But what works here is that you have a good idea.
In-Person: what the other players are looking to do in each battle. You also know exactly how much money they have at all times, as well as how many Ronin they can hire. So you can really brain out some crafty finesses
Ep 9 eoisode: Also, know exactly how much money they have at all times, as well as how many Ronin they can hire. So you can really bring out some crafty finesses.
In-Person: and coups with the battle action mechanic. After four seasons you add up your in-game score.
Ep 9 eoisode: And after four seasons, you add up your in-game scoring, and that's rising sun. I enjoy how strategic and tactical this game is. I came into this game thinking it was going to be as swingy as Blood Rage, or that the monsters would be overpowered, making this game too open where it didn't matter how you planned out your strategy. I was wrong.
In-Person: Strategic and tactical this game is. I came into this game thinking it was going to be as swingy as Blood Rage, or that the monsters would be overpowered, making this game too open where it didn't matter how you played out your strategy. I was wrong. The balance might not be perfect, but it's definitely close enough for me. The tea ceremony part, where you decide who you want to ally with, makes for fun negotiations that is really critical to the gameplay.
Ep 9 eoisode: The balance might not be perfect, but it's definitely close enough for me. The tea ceremony part, where you decide who you want to ally with, makes for fun negotiations that is really critical to the gameplay. You need to find someone who you can work with and trust so that you will get those bonuses on the mandate cards. There were so many times when I almost decided to betray with the mandate card. Understanding when that can be the most beneficial play.
In-Person: You need to find someone who you can work with and trust so that you will get those bonuses on the mandate cards. There were so many times when I almost decided to portray with the mandate card. Understanding when that could be the most beneficial play
Ep 9 eoisode: made for some really crunchy, crucial decision making.
In-Person: made for some really crunchy, crucial decision making.
Ep 9 eoisode: At one point I knew that if I didn't see a certain mandate card that I wanted to make sure that the other allies wouldn't be able to play, then I was for sure going to portray that turn. Yeah, our latest game I actually backstabbed my
In-Person: me say that again. At one point I knew that if I didn't see a certain mandate card that I wanted to make sure that the other allies wouldn't be able to play, then I was for sure going to portray that turn. Yeah, our latest game, I actually backstab my ally without having to portray them. So that was awesome. he was the dragonfly, so he spread out over the board. but I was Fox Clan, so I got to play one remaining Bushy in each area that I had no pieces in. So I competed with him in each area where he was alone, but I had the higher honor. So we didn't kill each other and I ended up winning each of those battles.
Ep 9 eoisode: So I competed with him in each area where he was alone, but I had the higher honor. So we didn't kill each other, and I ended up winning each of those battles. I also enjoyed how the battles played out. The bidding mechanic on the different actions like Sapuku taking hostages or hiring Ronin was a fun take on battling.
In-Person: The bidding mechanic on the different actions like Sokoku, taking hostages, or hiring run, was a fun take on battling.
Ep 9 eoisode: These actions can greatly affect the battle outcome.
In-Person: These actions can greatly affect the battle outcome.
Ep 9 eoisode: One time I was completely winning in majority, and I forgot to bid on the take hostage action.
In-Person: One time I was completely winning in majority and I forgot to bid on the take hostage action.
Ep 9 eoisode: So Travis was able to take one of my monsters hostage that completely changed the battle to his favor.
In-Person: So Travis was able to take one of my monsters hostage that completely changed the battle to his favor. time.
Ep 9 eoisode: Or you might know you can't win the battle, so you focus on gaining points through Seppaku or Imperial Poets. Many times focusing on just the points is a smart play during the battles. Travis, we played with four, and that was a good player count. Playing with five sounds fun. Does it play higher? Could you see that working too? I have played this with
In-Person: Or you might know you can't win the battle, so you focus on gaining points through Sephiro or Imperial Phoenix. Many times focusing on just the points is the smart play during the battles. Travis, we played before, and that was a good player count. Playing with five sounds fun. Does it play higher? Did you see working too? I have played this with five players. it's probably the optimally jerky way to play. wherein one player will not be able to make an alliance. giving players more incentive to negotiate. I think you can play with six also. I don't know if I would ever do that. I mean the board would be very crowded and hard to parse. I know they have a big giant
Ep 9 eoisode: Big giant.
In-Person: playmat for this, but I fe I like boards as opposed to playmats. I think the board works for the four or five player game. I don't know if it would work for the six player game. It just seems like having all six players in one battle would be tough to bid for.
Ep 9 eoisode: I think the board works for the four or five player game. I don't know if it will work for the six player game. It just seems like having all six players in one battle would be tough to bid for. Yeah, I can see that. And Travis, I'm really racking my brain right here to find something negative
In-Person: Something negative.
Ep 9 eoisode: that I don't like. I think this game is playable with the base retail version, but the Kickstarter with the upgrades makes this game shine.
In-Person: I think this game is playable with the base retail version, but the Kickstarter with the upgrades makes this game shine
Ep 9 eoisode: And fun to play. The artwork is beautiful, the sculpts are great, you even have a lot of replayability with the different seasoned cards that add different monsters and powers. The game is not even too long. I heard it could be a four to five hour game, and I wouldn't like that, but I think we got this game down
In-Person: and fun to play. The artwork is beautiful, the sculpts are great. You even have a lot of replayability with the different season cards that add different monsters and powers. The game is not even too long. I heard it could be a four to five hour game, and I wouldn't like that, but I think we got this game down.
Ep 9 eoisode: in three hours. It's not bad for such an epic game. It had a big table presence, so you definitely need the space for this game.
In-Person: In three hours. It's not bad for such an epic game. It had a big table presence, so you definitely need the space for this game.
Ep 9 eoisode: Now I wouldn't pull this out all the time, but I thoroughly enjoyed this classic. Would you say is this old enough to be a classic? Well, it will be a
In-Person: Now I wouldn't pull this out all the time, but I thoroughly enjoyed this classic. Would you say is this old enough to be a classic? Well, it will be if it isn't now. it's from twenty eighteen.
Ep 9 eoisode: Two.
In-Person: but we are talking about it in a featured review, so that counts for something. I think my only negative is that Without the Kami or season cards that change the honor track, that honor track only changes with Seppuku and so can feel a bit hampering at the outset as you have no way to really change your position in honor. now the game does give you monsters that thrive when you have low honor, so that's a nice touch. I do appreciate that I have the full Kickstarter of this with all the extras. I really don't see how you'd want to
Ep 9 eoisode: I do appreciate that I have the full Kickstarter as well, the extras. I really don't see how you want to play.
In-Person: play without them.
Ep 9 eoisode: So rising sun, you just
In-Person: You just
Ep 9 eoisode: keep on shining because the dawn is not approaching anytime soon. And that's it for table flips. Thank you for joining us. Now get out there and play some games. Bye.
In-Person: anytime soon. And that's it for Table Flips. Thank you for joining us. Now get out there and play some games. Bye. Bye.
