Hooked On Geek

Stephanie and Greg say goodbye in the final episode of Hooked on Geek and then close with a book segment (22:20).  Enjoy! Thank you for listening.

After discussing our holidays including some shows and movies we have been enjoying recently as well as gift giving in December we discuss our 10x10 challenge for 2020 (7:02) as well as our 10x10 plans for 2021.  We spend some time recapping 2020.  We then make a big announcement (33:25).  We end the episode with another book segment (42:42).  Enjoy!

Welcome to episode 108 where you can expect a lot of lively game discussion primarily about Escape Room: The Game, but more specifically Escape Room: The Game - The Magician (2:37) an expansion scenario as well as Fossilis (12:44) and Century: Golem Edition - An Endless World.  We also close with another book segment (26:02). Enjoy!

This week we discuss something else besides tabletop games that Stephanie is hooked on as well as giving you another book segment (17:13). Enjoy!

Before we get to the gift guide (13:28) we discuss a Kickstarter campaign for an expansion to one of our favorite worker placement games (3:40) that will be ending soon as well as a show that is fun for the whole family. We end the podcast this week with another book segment (46:41). Enjoy!

Fresh off a fun livestream (listen for the details) where Stephanie played Tattoo Stories we begin this episode by discussing this creative party game.  We then discuss The Castles of Tuscany (7:12), Ohanami (22:32), and Deckscape: The Mystery of Eldorado (33:10).  We then end with Stephanie's book segment (45:04). Enjoy!

The episode where Stephanie apologizes, invents a new type of gaming (or does she?), and then ends with a book segment (28:00) and so much more.

Welcome to number 103 in the Hooked on Geek saga, this week we give a few more details regarding For Sale Autorama (3:00), as well as discussing a soon to be released game called Lost Ruins of Arnak (8:08) and Aqualin (21:38).  We end with a book segment (26:38).  Download and listen for all of that as well as all the normal shenanigans you have come to expect from us!  Enjoy!

Welcome to episode 102 and boy oh boy do we a show for you! We discuss four games in quite some detail, starting with Stay Cool (4:28), then For Sale Autorama (12:19), which is soon to be on Kickstarter, and then Furnace (18:10), and Calico (32:02).  It's October which means we are all about horror movies right now and we have one that we think is a real crowd pleaser that we really want to recommend that we discuss (41:19) before getting into Stephanie's book segment (47:02). Enjoy!

We are getting caught up with two of the newest entries in the Inka and Markus Brand designed series of games know as Exit: The Game. The Stormy Flight and Theft on the Mississippi are compared and contrasted in this episode (1:16) as well as the dexterity game Menara (11:58). Episode 101 also includes another book segment (22:30). Enjoy!

Listen in as we let you peak behind the curtain as we discuss plans for the podcast going forward, oh, and a book segment (32:30) of course.

This week Greg starts off the episode with a little touchstone talk. What does that mean? Why? Listen to find out. Next The Mind Extreme is discussed (12:17) and then secondly, Second Chance (19:00). Next up is the latest Dominion expansion, Menagerie (24:15). Stephanie then delivers her book segment and Stephanie and Greg end the episode with a discussion of the book by Iain Reid and the movie directed by Charlie Kaufman of the same name, I'm Thinking of Ending Things. Enjoy the show!

This week we unearth the lost episode of Hooked on Geek recorded a few months ago in April of 2020 but never released.  In it you will hear what we were playing during the lock down. Listen in the beginning as we introduce the episode with some trepidation and then enjoy the lost episode (8:09).  Should we left never released it?  You be the judge.

Expect a departure this week as there is very little game talk.  After just a little small talk we jump into recommending two podcasts before getting into the meat of the episode this week, our deep dive in the Ari Aster film, Midsommar (15:44).  Now, be warned, we do spoil the movie somewhat, so you may want to watch this horror masterpiece first.  Your choice.  We then end with Stephanie's book segment (1:02:46).  Even if you skip the deep dive enjoy roughly 30 minutes of new content this week!

We're back! It's been awhile and we begin by discussing our unplanned hiatus. We then go into some in-depth discussions of recent gaming including Smartphone Inc. with the Status Update 1.1 (11:04), Time Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project (24:00), and Wildlands with the Map Pack 2 - The Fall of the Dark House (37:21). Next up, Stephanie's book segment (51:31)! We end with a sneak peak of our next episode (1:09:50) and a big announcement (1:12:32)! Don't miss a single second of ep. 96 of Hooked on Geek!

This time on Hooked on Geek Stephanie interviews Greg about his break from the rat race to spend a few days at Dice Tower West in Las Vegas as well as informing him of her shenanigans while he was gone.  He discusses what games were played the most, which games stood out, as well as some favorites he got to teach and more.  The show ends with a book segment (23:40). Enjoy!

After getting caught up on our lives including Stephanie's obsession with a certain sugary treat we get down to business with our first game up for discussion this episode, Q.E. (7:50), we then discuss Caylus 1303 (13:51) and Nova Luna (27:10).  We then end with a book segment (35:15). Enjoy all this and all of the shenanigans you have come to love from Hooked on Geek!

We begin episode 93 discussing the sad event of 2019 that lead to the delay of this episode as well as our most played games of 2019 and our goals and plans going forward in 2020 including 10X10s and the purpose of them. We then spend a few minutes on Oscar talk and our take on the top ten movies of 2019 (20:30). Not content with just one top ten this episode we then launch into what is arguably the meat of episode 93, our top 10 games of 2019 lists (49:32). We end with a book segment (1:22:58). Enjoy!

In between Stephanie's Peppermint cravings we cover a lot of ground in this episode!  We review 3 games in considerable depth including The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine (4:00), Fantastic Factories (22:30), and Chocolatiers (32:43).  We also review the new Noah Baumbach movie (37:22) and Stephanie guides us through a robust book segment (45:00). You can expect all this and much more. Enjoy!

Before we get to the gift guide (28:35) we discuss what we have been playing recently, a number of older titles come up but in regards to games never discussed on any prior episodes before, we take some time to go over Imhotep: The Duel (4:30), Mandala (8:56), and Conspiracy: Abyss Universe (18:45).  After the gift guide we review the new Rian Johnson movie, Knives Out (52:06).  We then end with another book segment (59:25). Enjoy!

This has been a big geek week, find out what we mean by that as we open the show discussing the week that was and keep listening for our review of one of the latest Knizia games, Aristocracy (7:58). We also discuss Jetpack Joyride (16:08). After that we review the new film, Parasite, in theaters now (24:04). We then get to Stephanie's book segment (35:00) and a big announcement regarding the future of Hooked on Geek (43:06). Enjoy!

After recounting some Twitter drama we discuss a Kickstarter, Lovelace & Babbage (2:55). We also discuss the game Firenze, by Gugong and Hansa Teutonica designer, Andreas Steding (10:38). This slightly older title leads us to the push and pull of wanting to play brand new games but also the tried and true favorites (15:30). What is your ideal ratio of learning new games to playing favorites? We end with a book segment that contains some thoughts on the Flanagan film, Doctor Sleep (31:15). Enjoy!

We begin with some fun Halloween shenanigans and then launch into a discussion of War of The Worlds: The New Wave (13:45). After that we discuss Exit: The Game - The House of Riddles (26:38). Stephanie then gives some book recommendations perfect for this spooky time of year with her book segment (31:32). Enjoy!

It's been a little rough around here.  Gaming has taken a backseat as Stephanie has been sick, but what we have found ourselves doing, is geeking out about Halloween Horror and we spend this episode discussing what to stream this month to get you in the Halloween spirit.  Some top picks, some obscure choices as well, for those of you who think you have seen it all!  Enjoy, and then also, don't miss another book segment (33:06)!

After discussing why we missed releasing an episode last Monday Greg discusses RinCon, a game convention located in Tucson, Arizona (10:16) which leads Stephanie and Greg to discussing the different types of game convention attendees. What kind of attendee are you and what do your convention choices say about you? We also discuss some games we have been playing recently including Bumuntu (23:49) and Clip Cut Parks (30:22).  We end the show this week with a book segment (35:14). Enjoy!

We get into the Halloween spirit a little early with Exit: The Game - The Haunted Roller Coaster, how does it stack up to the other games in the Exit series (1:44)? We discuss and quite frankly, debate, Belratti (8:32). We end with a book segment (21:23). Enjoy!  

0:44 Hypothetical Question 5:07 Stephanie gets quizzed, you get to play along 16:34 Stephanie and Greg discuss Exit: The Game - The Catacombs of Horror 22:03 Stephanie and Greg discuss The Artemis Project 29:37 Freshly renamed book segment? Enjoy!

An experiment. Yet again.

This week we recap Greg's time at The Dice Tower Retreat, review Tapestry by Stonemaier Games (14:48) and include another one of Stephanie's book segments (27:56). Enjoy!

After catching up we discuss some games we have been playing lately, including Muse (7:37), Pharaoh's Gulo Gulo (10:31), and Lockup: A Roll Player Tale (15:05). We then transition into our Top 5 Tiny Box Games (22:49) and end with Stephanie's book segment (50:15). Enjoy!

Join the lonely ghost host on her birthday while she talks about her favorite 11 books of all time. 

Stephanie begins this episode looking ahead at a unreleased game that has caught her attention, but why? After that discussion, we spend some time discussing some of the games we have been playing recently, including Tonari (4:34), Shobu (17:26) and Tribes: Dawn of Humanity (23:11) as we continue to bring our thoughts on new Gen Con releases to you, our listeners. We then transition to a somewhat extended book segment that leads us down some interesting conversational paths (37:56). Enjoy!

Sure Gen Con is barely behind us and sure we didn't technically go to Gen Con, but that hasn't stopped us from playing many Gen Con releases early over the last few months and we choose to spotlight our top 5 games that we are the most excited about now; games we have played that we want to tell you about so you can make informed decisions when it comes to picking up new games in the coming months. After that we review Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (37:01). We end with a book segment (51:17). Enjoy! 

Hooked on Geek listeners have been treated to many reviews of Gen Con releases over the last few months and we start the show recapping a lot of those titles among other topics. We continue with our thoughts on some more Gen Con releases including Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein (10:28), Filler (24:19), and Hats (30:08).  We end the show with another book segment (36:51). Enjoy!

Right away Greg finds himself recommending a podcast as part of the top of the show banter, then a Tandem Gaming session is discussed (2:44) as well as a few games currently on Kickstarter, On The Rocks (12:05) and Smartphone Inc. (17:52). We also discuss the Matagot release, Bahamas (7:19). After that Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood (26:04) is discussed, the new Tarantino movie starring Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio, and so very many more. We end with Stephanie's book segment (41:39).

Today is the day! Not just new Hooked on Geek episode day, but the day the Spiel Des Jahres is announced! The German game of the year, the biggest award in tabletop gaming! We recorded this not knowing who won yet of course and we give our thoughts and predictions. Also, tune in to hear this week's book segment (34:03). Enjoy!

Stephanie launches into upfront shenanigans, we then jump into a discussion of the latest Shards of Infinity expansion, Shadow of Salvation (4:07) which will be available at Gen Con, but Greg played early at Dice Tower Con. We also discuss Terrors of London (10:15). We move on to some thoughts on Undo: Blood in the Gutter (24:38). We also review the movie Midsommar, the new effort from Ari Aster, the acclaimed director of Hereditary (32:39). We end with an unusual book segment (44:06), or do we? Enjoy!

Stephanie and Greg spend the first roughly 30 minutes discussing the previous week and what games have been getting to the table recently including a few Dice Tower Con highlights, including Point Salad (13:04), Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Carlton House & Queen's Park (7:13), UnMatched: Battle of Legends (20:00) and Dungeon Academy (23:30). We then proceed on to the book segment for this week (31:36) and also give a podcast recommendation (37:05). Enjoy!

We jump right in this week after just a couple of minutes of what has been going on in our lives with our first impressions of Tricky Tides (2:45), as well as our review of Pipeline (7:22). We then jump into our top 5 for this week, the games we most wish we could get the other to play more often (19:04). We end with our book segment (48:43). Enjoy!

"Tune in" to hear us discuss Escape Room: The Game - Jumanji (6:16), Century: A New World (15:24) and Gunkimono (23:14). This week we also end with another book segment (30:15). Enjoy!

We discuss our experience regarding logging plays (24:39), also recent plays of Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures (6:24), Welcome to Dino World (12:24), and we compare original Finca to the new edition (17:30). We end with a book segment (35:54). Check out ep. 70 for all this, the regular shenanigans you expect, and more! Also, we tell you about a local (Phoenix) 24 hour gaming marathon that you can attend for charity. Check out @g3gamenight on twitter for details.

We're back! We start with small talk including discussing our hiatus and then transition into impressions of the Spiel Des Jahres nominations (5:18). Next we give some final thoughts on Game of Thrones (7:55). Stephanie has seen Avengers: Endgame and we discuss the blockbuster (10:56). We discuss games including Time Stories: Madame (19:23), Escape Tales: The Awakening (26:06), and Revolution of 1828 (32:44). Greg then reviews the movie, Booksmart (38:35). We end with a book segment (42:01)!

This week we spoil the movie event of 2019, Avengers: Endgame, no no no, I'm kidding, we don't spoil it. Or do we?! No, seriously, we don't, it's safe for you to listen. Before Avengers: Endgame talk (28:43) we discuss twist endings in media as Stephanie dives into her book segment (18:47). In the book segments she issues a challenge... We discuss several games including Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra (12:13), Haven (8:38) and our latest tandem gaming in which we played Carpe Diem, Glux, & Red7. Enjoy!

We begin episode 67 by briefly discussing playing unpublished prototypes. We also discuss several games including Tattoo Stories (2:02), The Quest for El Dorado expansion, Heroes & Hexes (10:55), Tales & Games: Jack & the Beanstalk (18:58) and three games we played in Tandem, Gingerbread House, Pinata, and Drop It. We discuss the movie Dumbo (34:10) which Stephanie saw with family and end with another book segment (40:36).

An experiment. Again

Episode 65 begins with the exploration of a hypothetical that Greg asks Stephanie as well as some time spent discussing the recent local gaming convention, Arizona Game Fair. We also discuss Sidereal Confluence (9:04), Go Nuts for Donuts (13:37), Tales & Games: Aladdin & the Magic Lamp (17:36), and a current kickstarter, Nerd Words: Science (24:11). We review and discuss the latest Stephen King adaptation in theaters now, Pet Sematary (34:36) and end with another book segment (43:13). Enjoy!

We're back and we're excited to share with you our thoughts on several games including Chronicles of Crime: Noir (6:03), Axio (11:32), Copenhagen (15:10) and Tiny Towns (20:17) as well as our reactions to a few recent movies we have seen, specifically Captain Marvel (26:12) and Us (33:32).  We end with Stephanie's book segment (42:50).  Enjoy!

We have been traveling! We attended Dice Tower West in Vegas and a local event on the other side of town, G3: Garage Game Gathering, that started small apparently but has developed into a regular event with dozens of Arizona gamers and we discuss our gaming experiences at those events including Stephanie's thoughts, finally, of Smartphone Inc. (18:07). Besides our travel tales she also discusses a unique play of Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective (39:39). We end with another book segment (42:49). Enjoy!

We packed a lot into a slightly shorter package this week. We discuss Spirit Island (3:22), Tikal (13:38) and Dude (17:26) as well as the normal shenanigans, poppycock and claptrap you have come to expect from Hooked on Geek.  We end with another book segment about a ghost story... Enjoy (see, even this description is shorter this week)!

After some riveting up front nonsense, including some excitement about the upcoming convention, Dice Tower West in Las Vegas, we dive right into some game talk. We start with our first impressions of the brand new expansion for Euphoria, Ignorance is Bliss (6:36), followed by Campaign Trail (14:17), and ending with us revisiting Blue Lagoon (22:10).  We end the show with another book segment (27:02). Enjoy!

Inspired by disparate reactions to Escape Plan in our game group we find ourselves delving into what makes a game objectively better, if that is a thing (16:04), as well as ego in gaming. We also review Push (4:13) and a previously reviewed title, Raccoon Tycoon in more detail (11:57). We end the show with a book segment (34:18). Listen for these discussions and segments and all the nonsense in between you have come to expect from Hooked on Geek. Enjoy!