Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com The best place on earth for nerds. Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:10:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cropped-nerds_head_thumb2-100x100.png Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com 32 32 All the podcasts from NerdsonEarth.com, under one umbrella. We create short run podcasts for nerds, covering D&D, Marvel, Starfinder, and more! You vote for your favorite shows and they just might get a second season. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth false episodic Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth jason.sansbury@nerdsonearth.com podcast All the podcasts from NerdsonEarth.com, the best place on Earth for nerds. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/noe-podcast-logo.png https://nerdsonearth.com/blog/ Farming in Iceland: Reviewing the Reykholt Board Game https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/02/reykholt-board-game-review/ Thu, 14 Feb 2019 13:00:01 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=22637

Reykholt is the new board game from Uwe Rosenburg. Who knew a game about farming in Iceland could be so wonderful?

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The board game Reykholt released on February 6, but I have been playing a review copy for several weeks now. But–although I have a ton to say about the game–I want to keep this review very short.

Why a short review? Well, it’s a wonderful game, so why mince words? I want to simply offer a very few words so you can stop reading and start playing.

Reykholt Board Game Basics

Reykholt is a board game for 1-4 players about farming tomatoes, lettuce, or carrots on Iceland. It was designed by board gaming legend Uwe Rosenberg.

Players can take actions by selecting from an array of options on a central game board. These options allow players to seed new vegetables in greenhouses that ultimately allows them to achieve a greater and greater variety of vegetables, which they then turn in to move upwards along the scoring track.

Why I love the Reykholt Board Game

The Reykholt board game isn’t over-wrought; it’s slick and streamlined. The gameplay is engaging and enjoyable. If you like medium-weight “engine building” board games, then strongly consider the game.

It’s also beautifully crafted. It’s not a theme a person would imagine they’d enjoy, but enjoyable it is. The beautiful artwork helps it come alive, while little touches like cardboard vegetable crates give the game a sense of mirth and delight.

My one criticism is that the 2-player variant can feel a little thin. While flipping the game board over to restrict a 2-P game to a more limited number of options does keep the game balanced, it also makes it feel too restrictive in my opinion. A 2-P game is over just as it feels like it is getting going.


That’s it; that’s all I’ve got. Reykholt is a wonderful medium-weight board game! That’s the message I have for you, so let’s not belabor the point. Plus, it made my best-of list. So just go get the game!

Reykholt is available via Amazon, direct from Renegade Game Studios, or better yet, ask for it at your Friendly Local Game Shop (FLGS).

[Disclosure: Renegade Game Studios sent Nerds on Earth a copy of Reykholt in exchange for an honest review.]

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The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 19 https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/02/the-fortunes-untold-podcast-episode-19/ Thu, 07 Feb 2019 08:01:58 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=22666

Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time.

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Wait… They had books for your phone back in the 90s? And your address was in it?! Mikey and Jack’s hunt for the matagot leads them to the town librarian’s house in the final episode of our review of Kids on Bikes.

If you liked what you heard about Kids on Bikes, you can find it at the Renegade Games website: https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/kids-on-bikes or check out our initial review of the setting.


Fortunes Untold is a show where a group of gamers get together and review different table-top RPGs. But we don’t just tell you about the games, we show you how they play. We’ll try out the rules, we’ll test drive the setting, and at the end of the adventure we’ll hand out Experience Points and see if the system levels up.

We take the crits so you don’t have to.

(Disclosure: Renegade Game Studios supplied us with a copy of the Kids on Bikes: Strange Adventures setting book in exchange for an honest review.)

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Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth 19 19 full false 1:06:38
Terror Below: Board Game LIVE on Kickstarter NOW https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/02/terror-below/ Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:07:42 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=22454

Terror Below is LIVE on Kickstarter Now! LINK There have been strange rumblings in the wide open spaces of the Nevada desert. But it weren’t no earthquake. No, it was them Worms burrowing through the sands. W.O.R.M.s they call ‘em: Weapons of Remote Massacre. The Kickstarter campaign for Terror Below is live NOW! Pledge today […]

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Terror Below is LIVE on Kickstarter Now! LINK

There have been strange rumblings in the wide open spaces of the Nevada desert. But it weren’t no earthquake. No, it was them Worms burrowing through the sands. W.O.R.M.s they call ‘em: Weapons of Remote Massacre.

The Kickstarter campaign for Terror Below is live NOW! Pledge today to discover what stretch goals lurk below the surface and join the Facebook group to plan your attack with other eager Egg hunters.

Terror Below is a game of government experiments gone wild in the Nevada desert. The faster you move, the more vibrations you make, attracting the attention of the vicious Worms underground. Navigate the difficult terrain to collect valuable Worm Eggs and deliver them to Locations around town to claim bounties. If you’re feeling lucky, collect items and weapons to go hunt ‘em.

Grab your gun, grab your dog, and hop into your dusty ol’ pickup truck. Above all else, don’t forget to watch out for… the Terror Below!

GAME DETAILS: Terrow Below

Designer: Mike Elliott

Artist: Eric Hibbeler

Number of Players: 2-5

For Ages: 10+

Playing Time: 45-60 minutes

MSRP: $45.00

Kickstarter dates: Feb 5th-Feb 27th

Terror Below is the latest from Renegade Game Studios. Again, here is the link to the Kickstarter.

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The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 18 https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/01/the-fortunes-untold-podcast-episode-18/ Thu, 31 Jan 2019 13:01:14 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=22445

Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time.

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Jack and Mikey have solved the mystery of the hardware store vandal… sort of. What’s a lutin? What’s a matagot? What is its evil plan? And what time is Mom getting back from work?!

If you liked what you heard about Kids on Bikes, you can find it at the Renegade Games website: https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/kids-on-bikes or check out our initial review of the setting.


Fortunes Untold is a show where a group of gamers get together and review different table-top RPGs. But we don’t just tell you about the games, we show you how they play. We’ll try out the rules, we’ll test drive the setting, and at the end of the adventure we’ll hand out Experience Points and see if the system levels up.

We take the crits so you don’t have to.

(Disclosure: Renegade Game Studios supplied us with a copy of the Kids on Bikes: Strange Adventures setting book in exchange for an honest review.)

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 18 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth 18 18 full false 58:07
The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 17 https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/01/fortunes-untold-podcast-episode-17/ Thu, 24 Jan 2019 13:19:33 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=22215

Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time.

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Mikey and Jack head out to the Fort to see if they can solve the mystery of who’s vandalizing Mitzi’s Hardware, but are the woods outside of Sharon Hollow safe to explore?  Join us this week as we continue our review of “Kids on Bikes” by Renegade Games. Kids on Bikes is a collaborative storytelling role-playing game about small towns and big adventures!

If you liked what you heard about Kids on Bikes, you can find it at the Renegade Games website: https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/kids-on-bikes or check out our initial review of the setting.


Fortunes Untold is a show where a group of gamers get together and review different table-top RPGs. But we don’t just tell you about the games, we show you how they play. We’ll try out the rules, we’ll test drive the setting, and at the end of the adventure we’ll hand out Experience Points and see if the system levels up.

We take the crits so you don’t have to.

(Disclosure: Renegade Game Studios supplied us with a copy of the Kids on Bikes: Strange Adventures setting book in exchange for an honest review.)

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 17 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth 17 17 full false 1:13:02
The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 16 https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/01/fortunes-untold-podcast-16/ Thu, 17 Jan 2019 06:01:41 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=22061

Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time.

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 16 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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It’s 1993, William “Jack” Jackson and his little brother Mikey are stuck in Sharon Hollow, MI where nothing interesting ever happens. Or so they think… Join us this week as we begin our review of “Kids on Bikes” by Renegade Games. Kids on Bikes is a collaborative storytelling roleplaying game about small towns and big adventures!

If you liked what you heard about Kids on Bikes, you can find it at the Renegade Games website: https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/kids-on-bikes or check out our initial review of the setting.


Fortunes Untold is a show where a group of gamers get together and review different table-top RPGs. But we don’t just tell you about the games, we show you how they play. We’ll try out the rules, we’ll test drive the setting, and at the end of the adventure we’ll hand out Experience Points and see if the system levels up.

We take the crits so you don’t have to.

(Disclosure: Renegade Game Studios supplied us with a copy of the Kids on Bikes: Strange Adventures setting book in exchange for an honest review.)

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 16 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth 16 16 full false 1:23:25
The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 15 https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/01/the-fortunes-untold-podcast-episode-15/ Thu, 10 Jan 2019 15:20:23 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=21909

Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time.

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Episode 15: Overlight Part 4 (Subscribe on iTunes)
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So close! The Skyborn almost broke Shatu Hak out of prison, but nothing ever goes off without a hitch. Can Kyrus and T’haucli defeat the Warden and his goons or is the home court advantage too much for them to overcome?

If you liked what you heard about Overlight, you can find it at the Renegade Games website: https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/overlight/


Fortunes Untold is a show where a group of gamers get together and review different table-top RPGs. But we don’t just tell you about the games, we show you how they play. We’ll try out the rules, we’ll test drive the setting, and at the end of the adventure we’ll hand out Experience Points and see if the system levels up.

We take the crits so you don’t have to.

(Disclosure: Renegade Game Studios supplied us with a copy of the rulebook in exchange for an honest review.)

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 15 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth 15 15 full false 53:52
The Top 7 Board games of 2018 https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/01/the-top-7-board-games-of-2018/ Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:09:24 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=21695

Nerds on Earth contributor Clave shares his 7 top board games of 2018.

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An estimated 4,000 board games were released in 2018. I, uh, you know didn’t play all of them obviously. But, by the grace of Odin, I was able to play a healthy many. So here our my 7 favorite board games from 2018, reflecting the games that are likely to stay in my collection for years to come.

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The River

You won’t find The River on many year-end lists, as the general consensus is that it’s been a commercial flop. But I enjoy it, although the reason why might sound like faint praise.

Expectations were high for the game. Published by Days of Wonder–a company that only releases one game a year and is known for huge hits–The River had a high bar to clear. Alas, it didn’t. It’s a fine game, but not the smashing success that it needed to be to meet expectations.

But I enjoy it because I’ve already been able to introduce several people to the hobby by taking them on a journey down The River. While it’s not the tight-tuned strategy game that long time board gamers demand, The River is easy to teach and has an agreeable theme that is good for casual or new players. That’s something that is always high on my list.

Zombicide: Green Horde

Zombicide: Green Horde is just more of the big, dumb fun that started with Zombicide years ago and about $20 million dollars worth of Kickstarter funds later. But while Zombicide: Green Horde will feel familiar to old school Zombicide fans, it also brought some fresh elements to 2018.

Green Horde has the same modular board system as the original Zombicide and all the sequels. The overall premise is the same as well: a few survivors are thrust into a scenario against a zombie horde.

But Green Horde takes the re-theming of Zombicide: Black Plague and dials it up. It’s now set in a medieval fantasy setting, rather than present day. So, survivors are wizards and stuff. And the zombies? Well, they are a Green Horde of orcs.

Did we need another sequel to Zombicide? Heck no. But it’s a load of fun and one I’ve enjoyed breaking out for various buddies, who have all enjoyed it immensely. And isn’t that what we want from board games?

Rise of Tribes

Rise of Tribes is a civ-style board game from Breaking Games. It is set in ancient prehistoric times, among a new land with plentiful lakes, mountains, forests, and an occasional volcano. Players control a tribal faction in those prehistoric times that is looking to grow, move, gather, and lead their people in order to develop their civilization.

There is a lot of game packed into the really slick mechanic that is rolling two dice, then placing them on the event board. A die is placed on the left, which slides the dice that are already present to the right.

Civ-style games have a reputation for being boorish, overly complicated, and soooooooo loooooong. Rise of Tribes is streamlined and elegant. It’s a civ game that plays in under an hour, which may be the greatest invention outside of bronze or the wheel.

Reykholt

This is a game that just slid under the wire for 2018 and it wouldn’t have made my list except that I must’ve been thinking about growing vegetables in Iceland over the winter break.

The Reykholt board game is designed by Use Rosenberg, the famed creator of Agricola and Caverna, among many others. But whereas those other Rosenberg games can trend a little heavier, Reykholt is a mid-weight game.

It’s good fun, despite a theme that entails growing vegetables in Iceland. Who knew tomatoes, lettuce, or carrots could provide 45-60 minutes of entertainment for 1-4 players? But it certainly does.

It’s also a lovely game. The little wooden vegetables are sharp. The cards have just enough flavor on them to make you maybe, just maybe, wonder if becoming a farmer on Iceland might be for you. But the included cardboard vegetable crates are the real delight. I nearby began a petition that all board games should have kitschy little details like that.

Pioneer Days

A board game has about 8 pages worth a rulebook before my narcolepsy and/or attention deficit kicks in. To be clear, I like heavier games with 30 page rulebooks, but there better be a ton of payoff if I’m investing a ton of time. The 2-4 player Pioneer Days from Tasty Minstrel Games has an 8-page rulebook exactly. What’s more, it delivers more than 8 pages worth of game!

If you’ve ever died of dysentery while playing the old Oregon Trail video game, then you get the basic idea of Pioneer Days. Players are leading a wagon train out west and it takes you four weeks to get to your homestead. Along the way you’ll interact with townsfolk, drive cattle, and gather equipment. But watch out because disasters like storms, famine, raids, and disease can strike!

Each player gets a pioneer and some staring resources like cattle, medicine, wood, and silver. Then colored dice are rolled and players take turns selecting which die that want in order to take the action on the that die. The last die remaining will trigger a disaster.

Pioneer Days is a wonderful light-to-mid-weight game with a well implemented theme. It has well made components and beautiful artwork.

I first played Pioneer Days when I had friends in town. We picked it up quickly and enjoyed our turns even more as time went on. Each of us walked away from the table having enjoyed our experience. And isn’t that what you ask for in a board game?

Architects of the West Kingdom

My wife and I love worker placement games. But there is a common mechanism to worker placement games. Most start you with just a few workers, but clever strategy might allow you to “unlock” a couple more that allow to broader actions.

Architects of the West Kingdom flips this in its head. You start out with about a million workers. You are drunk with power, giddy with options, and flush with opportunity. Alas, as the game wears on, your pool of workers dwindles. And to compensate, you might need to start busting a few out of jail!

It’s a great game that is designed by Shem Phillips, who I love. And it’s illustrated by The Mico, who I also love. So, I was predetermined to enjoy Architects of the West Kingdom. But despite my pent-up enthusiasm for the game, I was still delighted by the gameplay.

Architects is a great game and easily made my best board games of 2018 list.

Everdell

Everdell is a tableau building and worker placement board game from Starling Games that also won the Nerds on Earth’s Nerdie Award for game of the year. It is set within the charming valley of Everdell, beneath the branches of a towering tree, where little forest critters are thriving. 1-4 players will lead a group of critters tasked with expanding into new territories. There are buildings to construct, characters to meet, and events to host.

It is a stunningly beautiful game, with exceptional component quality. I have an 8- and a 10-year-old daughter in my house, who go absolutely ga-ga over the game, and I admit that I am quite smitten myself.

It’s a simple game, yet has an amount of depth far beyond what a little critter would suggest. It is an exciting game, but I’d also tack on words like whimsy, mirth, and charm.

A Kickstarter recently concluded with an expansion. They already built a tree for Everdell. I can’t wait to see what the expansion will bring.

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The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 14 https://nerdsonearth.com/2019/01/the-fortunes-untold-podcast-episode-14/ Thu, 03 Jan 2019 06:01:59 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=21682

Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time.

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 14 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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Episode 14: Overlight Part 3 (Subscribe on iTunes)
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Now that Kyrus has gotten the key, the next step is to find the door it unlocks! This week our Skyborn duo hunt for the hidden location of the entrance to the Hanging Prison. But even if they find a way in, is Shatu Hak still alive to be rescued?

If you liked what you heard about Overlight, you can find it at the Renegade Games website: https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/overlight/

 


Fortunes Untold is a show where a group of gamers get together and review different table-top RPGs. But we don’t just tell you about the games, we show you how they play. We’ll try out the rules, we’ll test drive the setting, and at the end of the adventure we’ll hand out Experience Points and see if the system levels up.

We take the crits so you don’t have to.

 

(Disclosure: Renegade Game Studios supplied us with a copy of the rulebook in exchange for an honest review.)

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 14 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth 14 14 full false 54:09
The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 13 https://nerdsonearth.com/2018/12/the-fortunes-untold-podcast-episode-13/ Thu, 27 Dec 2018 18:55:30 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=21512

Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time.

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 13 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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Episode 13: Overlight Part 2 (Subscribe on iTunes)
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Kyrus and T’huacli need to keep their eyes wide shut as they maneuver through the opulent party of the debauched Matrux Karamag. Will they manage to finagle the key away undetected or will they join their friend in the cells of the Hanging Prison?
If you liked what you heard about Overlight, you can find it at the Renegade Games website: https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/overlight/

 


Fortunes Untold is a show where a group of gamers get together and review different table-top RPGs. But we don’t just tell you about the games, we show you how they play. We’ll try out the rules, we’ll test drive the setting, and at the end of the adventure we’ll hand out Experience Points and see if the system levels up.

We take the crits so you don’t have to.

 

(Disclosure: Renegade Game Studios supplied us with a copy of the rulebook in exchange for an honest review.)

The post The Fortunes Untold Podcast: Episode 13 appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Welcome to Fortunes Untold, the weekly podcast that plays through independent roleplaying games, a few sessions at a time. Renegade Game Studios – Nerds on Earth 13 13 full false 59:01