#352: Ascending Empires: Zenith Edition

#352: Ascending Empires: Zenith Edition

Author: Pickaxe March 18, 2025 Duration: 1:17:27
I was donating blood while wearing my Transformers Converse shoes, and two different phlebotomists commented positively about them. "We have won the cultural argument," I said, deliberately burying the lede that demographic destiny is probably the chief cause. I suspect that the same forces explain increased societal acceptance of toys, and board games are not immune. Thank goodness! Games Played Last Week: 01:22 -Guards of Atlantis II Arcane Hero Pack (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2024) 07:56 -Creature Caravan (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2024)  10:46 -Marvel Dice Throne Missions (Gavan Brown & Nate Chatellier, Roxley, 2025) 15:55 -The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era (Josh J. Carlson, Michael Gernes, Logan Giannini, Ryan Howard, Salem Scott, and Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2025) 26:21 -Dungeon Kart (Michael Xuereb, Brotherwise Games, 2024) 30:50 -Star Trek: Captain's Chair (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, WizKids, 2025) 34:47 -Keyflower: The Merchants (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2014) 40:47 -Rush M.D. (Athony Howgego, Konstantinos Kokkinis, & Dávid Turczi, Artipia Games, 2020) News (and why it doesn't matter): 46:34 Yokohama Duel 2nd edition by Synapses Games 46:56 Helldivers II board game by Steamforged Games 49:02 New content for Inis and Tiletum 50:02 Early Registration for SVWAGCon for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag 50:41 Feature Game: Ascending Empires: Zenith Edition (Ian Cooper, Play to Z, 2024) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Mike Walker and Mark Bigney, So Very Wrong About Games digs into the world of hobby gaming with a blend of sharp critique and genuine enthusiasm. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair at a table where two knowledgeable friends are deep in conversation, dissecting everything from the latest releases to timeless classics. They believe that a bad game deserves a thorough examination just as much as a great one, applying that same level of detailed analysis to reviews, industry news, and broader gaming topics. This isn't about following trends or generating hype; it's about thoughtful discussion that respects both the listener's time and the context in which games are made and played. The dynamic between Walker and Bigney captures a fundamental truth about the hobby-that taking games seriously and having fun with them are not mutually exclusive. You'll find their approach both refreshing and deeply engaging, whether they're championing an overlooked gem or meticulously explaining why a popular title didn't work for them. Tune in to this Pickaxe-produced podcast for honest, substantive talk that treats the medium with the depth it often deserves, but rarely receives in casual conversation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

So Very Wrong About Games
Podcast Episodes
The Looming Shadow of the Golden Age of Board Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:50
This weeks guest: 5 Games 4 Doomsday Ben Maddox https://5g4d.com/ 00:00 INTRO 02:06 Moon Colony Bloodbath (Donald X. Vaccarino, Rio Grande Games 2025) 06:01 Ghost Blitz Junior (Jacques Zeimet Zoch Verlag 2018) 06:56 Paku…
Fishing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:15
This weeks Guest Charlie Theel https://playerelimination.com/ Something smells tricky 00:00 INTRO 01:01 Dark Pact (Thomas Lehmann Trick or Treat Studios 2026) 05:21 Excalibur (Manny Trembley Roxley 2026) 08:48 Don't Mess…
Night Soil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:22
What's that smell? https://spacebiff.com/ This weeks guest Dan Thurot from Space-Biff 00:00 Intro 00:45 WENDYBUXXX (Jo Kelly Miasma Corp Games 2026) 02:58 Compania (Yog Akase, Level 99 Games 2025) 05:45 Inkwell (Jasper B…
WROTH [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:40
Telling ME Calimala is good the nerve 00:00 Intro 00:58 Calimala (Fabio Lopiano Alley Cat Games2017) 04:59 Railroad Tiles (Hjalmar Hach, Lorenzo Silva Horrible Guild 2025) 08:15 Regicide Legacy (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badge…
It could have been a contender. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:02
00:00 Intro 01:25 Star Trek: Captain's Chair – To Boldly Go (Nigel Buckle, Dávid Turczi, Adam Turczi WizKids 2026) 02:53 Feya's Swamp (Helge Ostertag, Anselm Ostertag Fractal Juegos 2025) 07:07 Puerto Rico 1897: Special…
Burned [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:50
Going to have to post a guard to the studio.... Can't keep letting riff raff stroll in. (unless its the rapper) 00:00 Intro 04:03 Innovation Deluxe (Carl Chudyk Asmadi Games 2017) 07:28 Tír na nÓg (Isaac Shalev, Jason Sl…
Crowdfunding Bubble [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:23
This weeks guest Chris from Liege of Games https://www.youtube.com/c/Li%C3%A8geofGames 00:00 Intro 00:48 Torchlit (David Spalinski Allplay 2024) 03:51 The Hobbit: There and Back Again (Reiner Knizia Office Dog 2025) 06:3…
Galactic Cruise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:19
This weeks special guest Efka from No Pun Included https://www.youtube.com/c/NoPunIncluded/videos 00:00 Intro Games we played last week 01:11 Cena (A.I. Lab 2025) 04:40 Wine Cellar (Andrew Stiles 25th Century Games 2025)…
Sweet Lands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:47
This week's guest Don from The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast 00:00 INTRO Games We Played Last Week 01:52 Soothsayers (Jeff Grisenthwaite, Play to Z 2026) 05:45 Orléans (Reiner Stockhausen, DLP games 2014) 08:56 Xenology (D…
Not Lunar Rush [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:58
This week I welcome the Hungry Gamer 00:00 INTRO Games We Played Last Week 01:08 Conquest Princess: Fashion Is Power (Seppy Yoon, Peter Yang Fight in a Box 2024) 03:44 War Chest (Trevor Benjamin, David Thompson AEG 2018)…