Ours, Played

We're finally back! This summer was a challenging one, and we are thrilled to be at the mic and recording again. During our months away, we had the chance to try out some competitive games (we know - not our usual). But these four competitive board games all share elements of our favorite cooperative games. Join us as we find co-op within competition in these casual competitive games. In this episode we cover:A special dedication to our late listener and biggest fan, Rob's momBailey confusing several of the games Rob's been playing, and doubling down thinking she's rightFinding the co-op qualities in competitive games Game Details:Name: Machi KoroPublisher: GroundingYear: 2012Name: PiepmatzPublisher: Lookout GamesYear: 2018Name: AzulPublisher: Plan B GamesYear: 2017Name: Sushi Go!Publisher: GamewrightYear: 2013Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.

Spring may have sprung, but we head to the frozen north for this episode! Join us as we adventure through a co-op game unlike any other - the educational, inspiring, and culturally-diverse, Never Alone, by Upper One Games.In this episode we cover:The irony of deliberately sitting on a game review, only to be delayed in publishing by a sinus infectionBailey's getting a big head over her YouTube skillsIntroducing, World Games - culturally rich games for a global audience A win for diversity in gamingGame Details:Name: Never AloneWe played it on: PCAlso available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Series X|S, Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: Upper One Games - the first indigenous-owned game company in the USYear: 2014Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with Never Alone, we recommend Bailey's recommendationExplore other Inupiat/Inuit stories from cultural organizations - we'll include some links in the show notesNative Languages of the Americas: Inuit Legends, Myths, and StoriesEskimo Folk-TalesRob's recommendationSticking with the educational theme - find a documentary to watch! Something about climate change or the fishing industry if you want to align it with some of the issues facing the Inupiat people.

Who says you need the controller to have fun? There's tons of co-op to be found in single-player games! We've wanted to do an episode like this for over a year, and the release of the latest Souls game gave us the perfect opportunity. Join us in our inaugural Co-Op Co-Pilot episode featuring the open-world dark fantasy hit, Elden Ring, by FromSoftware.In this episode we cover:10 years together - and Souls games are at our coreCo-Op Co-Pilot mythbustingBailey's Dark Souls voice acting debutAll the Elden Ring we can talk about without spoilersGame Details:Name: Elden RingRob's playing it on: PCAlso Available on: PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X & OneDeveloper: FromSoftwareYear: 2022 (Brand-spankin' new at the time of recording)Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.

TW: War and ViolenceOver there! Over there! Threats rain from the sky and danger looms all around our heroes. Can friendship triumph over the trials of war? Join these two Yanks as we hope to survive the perils of No Man's Land in the moving cooperative World War One card game, The Grizzled, published by Sweet Games.In this episode we cover:The Bloodborne and Parks and Recreation crossover we've always wantedUnlearning a Match 3 mechanicFinding fun in the futility of warWhat is simple, may not be easy. In fact, it may have a 10% win rate.Game Details:Name: The GrizzledMedium: Board GameDeveloper: Sweet GamesYear: 2015Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with The Grizzled, we recommend:Bailey's recommendationSoft Cinnamon Cookies, from Foods that will Win the War and How to Cook Them (1918) C. Houston Goudiss and Alberta Goudiss1 cup molasses2 tablespoons fat½ cup boiling water1 cup flour1 teaspoon soda½ teaspoon ginger2 tablespoons cinnamon⅛ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon of clovesMix molasses, fat, and boiling water. Sift dry ingredients. Add the liquid. Add enough more flour (about four cups) to make dough stiff enough to roll out. Cut and bake about 15 minutes in moderately hot oven.Rob's recommendationWatch 1917 (2019), dir. Sam MendesDrink a French 751 ounce gin1/2 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed1/2 ounce simple syrup3 ounces Champagne (or other sparkling wine)Garnish: lemon twistAdd the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.Strain into a Champagne flute.Top with the Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Our Trine adventure continues! Join us as we jump between 2 and 3D, try to coin a new phrase for a gaming mechanic, and discover the magic of flight in Trine 3 and Trine 4, developed by Frozenbyte. In this episode we cover:Rob can't stop playing monster-catching gamesBeating Pokemon as a life milestoneThe drama of an unfinished game - Frozenbyte's Trine 3 AMAWright Bros. moments in Trine 4Our 2022 Gaming New Year's ResolutionsGame Details:Name: Trine 3 and Trine 4We played them on: PCAlso Available on: Nintendo Switch, Xbox and Xbox One, Playstation 3 and 4Developer: FrozenbyteYear: 2015 and 2019Post Trine 3 Frozenbyte Reddit AMA Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.

Late - but look! It's another Ours, Played Bundle Episode! We join Amadeus, Pontius, and Zoya on a grand adventure. Much like our heroes' plans are interrupted by the will of the Trine, we've put together an unplanned bundle ep as we explore Trine and Trine 2, developed by Frozenbyte.POD UPDATE: As Rob's grad school program kicks into high gear, we will be scaling back to one ep a month. If we feel we can do more, we will! But we want to make sure we have enough time to get to know the games we play and put out quality content while navigating his final semesters in school. We love this show and are so grateful to you for sticking with us through this busy time in our lives.In this episode we cover:An utterly insane 3 weeks of home repair disasters and a close call on the roadRob is 1,000 years old in Halo-playing yearsThe 20-minute-rule in gaming or, cutting bait and moving on“Anti-Hero Co-op,” or, “Abandon Your Wife”Game Details:Name: Trine and Trine 2We played them on: PCAlso Available on: Nintendo Switch, Xbox and Xbox One, Playstation 3 and 4Developer: FrozenbyteYear: 2009 and 2011Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with Trine and Trine 2, we recommend:Bailey's recommendationWatch all five Mythica movies (2014 - 2017)! These fantasy-packed (and delightfully campy, at times) adventure films pair perfectly with our trio of heroes. All are available on Prime Video.Rob's recommendationGreenback 1.5 oz gin¾ oz creme de menthe ½ oz fresh lime juice 2-3 oz club soda (optional) Shake gin, creme de menthe, and lime juice. Strain into ice filled old fashioned glass. Top with club soda as desired. To fit Trine, garnish with one of those little sword toothpicks and a lime wedge. 

Ready to dance for your feline captors? Look for us on the island stage in this week's episode. We revisit and finally conquer one of our first co-op games, BattleBlock Theater by The Behemoth.In this episode we cover:The very clear and important difference in world vs chapter of the gameYou can't reset the past, and that is ok (preferable, even)Theme music as a litmus test of Behemoth humorThe appeal of Kitty Litter Box cakeGame Details:Name: BattleBlock TheaterWe played it on: PCAlso Available on: Xbox 360 and Xbox OneDeveloper: The BehemothYear: 2013Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with BattleBlock Theater, we recommend:Bailey's recommendationCupcake cats (cat-cakes?)Select your favorite cupcake recipe (boxed or from scratch!). Bake as directed - the flair will come in the decorating.Got any leftover halloween candy? Set aside some mini chocolate bars - the square ones will work best.Cut them in half to make 2 triangles - these will become your ears.Place them towards the top of each cupcake, point up.Bonus - take a chocolate chip (or m&m) and place in the center as a nose.Rob's recommendationFoghorn2 ounces dry gin1/2 ounce lime juice4 ounces ginger beer, or ginger aleLime wedge, for garnishGin and lime juice in ice filled old fashioned glass. Top with ginger beer or ginger ale and stir. Garnish with lime wedge and enjoy! Spoilers - if you give one to your friend and they don't respond…. Dump them overboard! 

We're back with another Gloomcravens episode! This week, we start the main Jaws of the Lion campaign scenarios and get pulled into our first side quest. Venture with us as we split the party (what?!?) and enjoy a special guest appearance by our four-legged co-host.Spoiler Alert - this ep will cover introductory scenarios 6 and 21 in the game, so we do include general descriptions of what occurs in the scenario book. If you are at all concerned about spoilers in this long-term campaign, please play before listening.Game Details:Name: Gloomhaven Jaws of the LionMedium: Board gameDeveloper: CephalofairYear: 2020Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Theme Song Credits: "Oppressive Gloom" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Quick! We've finally gotten a break in Rob's busy work schedule to get to the card table and continue our Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion campaign. The wait was worth it for us to dive back into the world of mystery and monsters as we conclude the introductory scenarios and look ahead to starting Jaws of the Lion in earnest.Spoiler Alert - this ep will cover introductory scenarios 4 and 5 in the game, so we do include general descriptions of what occurs in the scenario book. If you are at all concerned about spoilers in this long-term campaign, please play before listening.Game Details:Name: Gloomhaven Jaws of the LionMedium: Board gameDeveloper: CephalofairYear: 2020Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Theme Song Credits: "Oppressive Gloom" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Look at that! Cheers to one year in podcasting. Laugh with us as we look back on a year in covering co-op gaming through pointless stats, favs vs flops, and what we've learned about ourselves as individual gamers and as a pair.Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.

Clear the card table and the bookshelf - we've got to make room for this game. An impulse buy has led to new gems in our board game collection and library. Tune in as we clear our minds and steel our resolve in the cooperative limited communication card game, Embers of Memory: A Throne of Glass Game, published by Osprey Games and based upon the bestselling series by Sarah J. Maas.In this episode we cover:Two trips to the auto repair shop are decidedly not better than oneActually reading the source material is a good way to avoid spoilersOur hope that our listeners are very nice people… or at least tolerable Game Details:Name: Embers of Memory: A Throne of Glass GameMedium: Board GamePublisher: Osprey GamesYear: 2019Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with Embers of Memory, we recommend:Bailey's RecommendationRead the books! Sounds obvious, huh? Take it from us as newcomers to the series, you will get more out of the game by reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Bailey is already hooked!Rob's recommendationPlay this while watching or listening to something else! The solitaire-like pace and limited communication allow you to play while splitting your attention

Creative, unique, and shrouded in mystery, Moon Hunters by Kitfox Games is unlike other games we've covered. Tune in as we study up for a personality test game and struggle to determine if the results are reflective of the game or of ourselves.In this episode we cover:Longing to be ambushed by enemiesThe irony of a Dark Souls fan wishing for more in-game explanationA solution to character envyGame Details:Name: Moon HuntersWe played it on: PCAlso available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Developer: Kitfox GamesYear: 2016Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with Moon Hunters, we recommend Bailey's recommendationListen to They Might Be Giants “The Mesopotamians” - the final song in their album The ElseShout out to Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh!Rob's recommendationStar cocktail 1.5 oz apple brandy 1.5 oz sweet vermouth 3 dashes peychaud's bitters2 dashes simple syrup Lemon twist garnish Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, stir, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass 

Sun's up and the clock is ticking - it is time to get to work. And boy, we have never enjoyed chores this much! Join us as we gush about our agricultural exploits, romantic foibles with NPCs, and confusing James Taylor for Uncle Iroh in Stardew Valley by ConcernedApe.In this episode we cover:How well clapping comes across on microphones Soulslike farming simulators The objectively correct order of the seasons Is Stardew Valley worth breaking up over? Game Details:Name: Stardew ValleyWe played it on: Nintendo SwitchAlso available on: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PCDeveloper: ConcernedApe and publishing by ChucklefishYear: 2016Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Ours, Played Date NightSpirit of the game is getting to know the small town and be a part of it sooooo…. Bailey's recommendationVisit a local farmers' marketRob's recommendationVisit a local brewery or distillery - vaccinated, outdoors, masked and distanced as needed! Shout out Fulltilt brewing and Baltimore Spirits company

Sickness cannot stop Ours, Played; all it can do is delay it for a while. We're back from our summer colds and ready for true love and high adventure in the cooperative match-3 board game with true to life minis in The Princess Bride Adventure Book Game published by Ravensburger.In this episode we cover:How colds hit harder after a year of isolationOur Discord debutMiracle cures for board game minisThe complexity of the Fire Swamp level (we're not thinking of building a summer home there, though)Game Details:Name: The Princess Bride Adventure Book GameFormat: Board GamePublisher: RavensburgerYear: 2020Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to follow the show and connect with us on Discord, Twitter, and Instagram.Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with The Princess Bride Adventure Book Game, we recommendBailey's recommendationWatching the 1987 movie, The Princess Bride, of course!Reading Carey Elwes's (Wesley) book, As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess BrideRob's recommendationVodka Martini - the original colorless, odorless poison! 2 oz good Vodka ½ oz dry vermouth Lemon twistStir liquid ingredients over ice, strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with Lemon Twist.

The game room is nearly set up, so it is time to return to the table top! Join us at the tabletop in the next installment of our miniseries as we continue to explore Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion by Cephalofair.Spoiler Alert - this ep will cover scenarios 2 and 3 in the game, so we do include general descriptions of what occurs in the scenario book. If you are at all concerned about spoilers in this long-term campaign, please play before listening.Game Details:Name: Gloomhaven Jaws of the LionMedium: Board gameDeveloper: CephalofairYear: 2020Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayedTheme Song Credits: "Oppressive Gloom" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We put one foot in front of the other and managed to beat a game and get an episode out on time despite our move! That was no small….feet. Partner up and join our team of helper bots as we bobble through 3D puzzle platforming challenges in NExT Studios’ Biped.In this episode we cover:Our short careers as speedrunnersSacrificing marital and in-game harmony for laughsOur recommendations for the Biped sequelGame Details:Name: BipedWe played it on: PC Also Available on: Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: NExT StudiosYear: 2020Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayedOurs, Played Date NightTo pair with Biped, we recommend Bailey’s recommendationSummer is coming, and I'm looking forward to baking in our new kitchen. I’m recommending a dessert that has two prominent flavors, so, I’m suggesting homemade strawberry lemonade bars.IngredientsCrust½ cup of butter (room temp)¼ cup of sugar1 ½ cups of flour¼ tsp of vanilla extractA pinch of saltFilling1 cup of fresh lemon juice1 tsp lemon zest¾ cups of diced strawberries1 ¼ cups of sugar4 large eggs¼ cup of flour½ tsp of baking powderA pinch of saltPowdered sugar (for dusting)Instructions (Crust)Preheat the oven to 350 degrees FLine baking pan with parchment paperIn a bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffyAdd flour and salt and continue beating until dough formsBake in the oven for 18 mins or until edges are golden brownInstructions (Filling)In a blender, add lemon juice, lemon zest, diced strawberries, and sugar, blend until smoothAdd eggs and blend againAdd flour, baking powder, and pinch of salt and blend for another 15 secondsPour mixture on crust and bake in the oven for 35-40 minsLet cool completelyDust with powdered sugarRob’s recommendationLeft hand1 1/ 2 ounces bourbon3/ 4 ounce sweet vermouth3/ 4 ounce Bruto Americano2 dashes Xocolatl Mole BittersCherries, for garnishAll mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain and garnish with cherriesRight Hand2 oz rum 1 oz sweet vermouth 1 oz campari 2 dashes mole bittersAll in mixing glass with ice, stir, strain, orange twist garnish

Packin’s takin’ up our time,  we’re stressed and wanna shout. Life’s boxed up in cardboard ‘cuz we’re…..movin’ out. Not sure if Billy Joel inspired this co-op game, but in this episode, we blur the lines of reality and gaming by playing the hilariously frantic moving simulator, Moving Out, by DevM Games and SMG Studio while also packing for our real life move. Don’t just stand there - everything’s gotta go! In this episode we cover:The benefits of children’s educational games played by adultsFarts. Yes, really.  Which part of speech is fart. Again, yes, really.  The efficiency of chucking possessions rather than carefully moving themGame Details:Name: Moving OutWe played it on PC.Also available on: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: DevM Games, SMG Studio. Published by Team17 (same folks who bring you Overcooked and Overcooked 2)Year: 2020Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayedOurs, Played Date NightTo pair with Moving Out, we recommend moving out of your home - just kidding!Home decor shows - there’s a million of them out there, but two that got me through getting ready to move were Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and Get Organized with the Home Edit - both on Netflix!Moving liquor and beer is a pain… so our suggestion is just drink whatever is left. For us that was tequila, pineapple juice and a lime wedge. It gets the job done.

The Wizard of Oz gave the Cowardly Lion courage, and in this episode, we muster up our own bravery to finally start our campaign in the epic adventure board game named for the king of the forest. Join us at the tabletop in the first part of our miniseries as we begin to explore Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion by Cephalofair.Spoiler Alert - this ep will cover the first scenario in the game, so we do include general descriptions of what occurs in the scenario book. If you are at all concerned about spoilers in this long-term campaign, please play before listening.Game Details:Name: Gloomhaven Jaws of the LionMedium: Board gameDeveloper: CephalofairYear: 2020Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayedTheme Song Credits: "Oppressive Gloom" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Step right up, young wizards - think you have what it takes to master the Chaos Trials? As it turns out, it takes quite a lot. Come join us as we battle our way through dungeons of elemental enemies and frantically search for the health-potion-bestowing relic merchant in Wizard of Legend by Contingent99.In this episode we cover:The fact that ice is also water   How anthropomorphized objects soften the blow of losing  Cooperative capitalism vs deceptive advertising     Marriage interrupting time for video games   Game Details:Name: Wizard of Legend Medium: We played on PC, also available on Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch Developer: Contingent 99Released: May 2018Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayedOurs, Played Date NightTo pair with Wizard of Legend, we recommend:Playing Big Book of MadnessWe thought we’d pair one element-slinging wizard game with another. This one is tabletop, however.Check out our previous episode on BBOM.Delayed Blast Fireball Delayed blast fireball straight from the D&D cookbook:1.5 cups bourbon ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes 5 cinnamon sticks broken in half¼ cup packed light brown sugar ⅓ cup hot water Fill glass jar with bourbon, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon, shake and sit for 5 days. Shake once per day. After infusing, combine brown sugar and water and strain bourbon into the mixtureEnjoy neat or as a part of another whiskey cocktail that could benefit from some heat! 

Extra extra, read all about it! We’re bringing you the latest in Ours, Played news in our first ever Patch Notes episode. We’re super excited to announce some new content ideas, and we can’t wait to share them with you.Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayed

We look to the sea - a spunky young guitarist, and her feline first mate for company. Come aboard our ship as we care for the souls of the nearly-departed in the whimsical, deeply emotional, and ultimately triumphant cooperative resource management video game, Spiritfarer, by Thunder Lotus. In this episode we cover:The burgeoning genre of grieving simulators Drunk sawmill operation. Seriously. How many times is too many times to tease your spouse and co-host in one episodeGame Details:Name: SpiritfarerWe played it on: PCAlso Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation4, Xbox OneDeveloper: Thunder LotusYear: 2020Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayedOurs, Played Date NightTo pair with Spiritfarer, we recommend:Restorative yoga and/or guided meditationCharon1oz. Vodka 1oz. Cherry Brandy1oz. Orange Juice Shake on ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Dice, dice, baby. You won’t need the whole dining room table for this one, but you’ll definitely want to break out the dice trays! Descend down the monster and trap-laden floors with us in this miniature cooperative dice pool board game.In this episode we cover:The real life dangers of virtual sea travel Too many dice can spoil the broth, but that’s not the American wayRob’s inability to ever use the correct singular/plural of dice or dieBailey’s inability to ever use roguelite or roguelike correctly Ikea’s guerilla support of our board gaming addictionGame Details:Name: One Deck DungeonWe played it as a board gameAlso Available as a video game on PCPublisher: Asmadi GamesYear: 2016Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayedOurs, Played Date NightTo pair with One Deck Dungeon, we recommend Watching Xena: Warrior PrincessWatching The Dungeon Master (aka Ragewar)

Sure, we’ve had one Player, yes, but what about Second Player? In this episode of Ours, Played, we band together with the Fellowship on their quest to destroy the one ring - one brick at a time. Bash, break, and build your way through Middle Earth with all your favorite characters and lighthearted Lego fun in Lego: The Lord of the Rings by Traveller’s Tales.In this episode we cover:The importance of hitting record to… actually record audio The objective value of the elderlyHow to take cool LOTR monsters and make them boring AF The things we do for loving the original IPGame Details:Name: Lego: The Lord of the RingsWe played it on: PCAlso Available on: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Developer: Traveller's TalesYear: 2012Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayed. NEW! We’re now Steam Curators. Follow us on Steam for quick thoughts on what we’ve been playing.Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with Lego: The Lord of the Rings, we recommend Watching the The Lord of the Rings movies, of course! Extended editions if you are superfans like we are.The Fellowship of the RingThe Two TowersThe Return of the KingFrench Gimli-et ...er….Gimlet2 Oz Gin1.5 oz elderflower liqueur (St. Germain).5 oz lime juice Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge (or if you haven’t gone grocery shopping in a while like me, use the dehydrated lime wheels you’ve been storing).

She’s hot and he’s cold. She jumps and he rolls. She swims as he glides; true love they will find. (Ok - enough with the Katy Perry remix). Get close to your Player 2 and join us as polar opposites become close companions in this beautifully illustrated, cooperative puzzle platformer, Degrees of Separation by Moondrop.In this episode we cover:Figuring out who needs to be where in order to do whatScarves: Magical keys to doors OR emo boy fashion staplesDoes it count as beating the game if you accidentally missed a whole level?Rob’s incredibly high standards for unlocking levels in games. Game Details:Name: Degrees of SeparationWe played it on: PCAlso Available on: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: MoondropYear: 2019Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayedOurs, Played Date NightTo pair with Degrees of Separation, we recommend:Love Potion⅓ cup Vodka¼ cup Peach Schnapps 1 cup Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice (or preferred red juice) Pour all ingredients into a swing top bottle, gently swirl to incorporate, and refrigerate until serving. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with Strawberry and raspberry on the rim. Braided Heart LoafIngredients1 package of dry yeast0.25 cup (50 g) warm water1 tsp. (4.2 g) sugar2 cups (400 g) milk0.5 cup (100 g) sugar0.5 cup (100 g) shortening2 tsp.(2.1 g) salt2 beaten eggs7 cups (1400 g) of flourBaking Instructions Add 1 tsp. of sugar to warm water; dissolve yeast into waterScald milk, and then add the 0.5 cup sugar, salt, and shortening. Stir to combine, then take off of the heat and cool until lukewarm.Add the yeast mixture to the milk mixture; stir in the eggs.Start adding the flour a little at a time, stirring to blend in.When dough is too thick to stir by hand, dump on a floured board and knead until smooth and elastic.Put dough into a greased bowl, cover and set in a warm place to rise until double in size.Remove from the bowl and place on a surface for shaping. Punch down dough and divide into 6 equal parts.Roll each part into a rope about 24 inches (60 cm) long.Use 3 ropes and make braid; repeat with the other 3 ropes.On a large pizza pan or tray, shape a heart, (Each rope will he half of the heart). Wet ends of water and work together.Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.Preheat the oven to 350 F (176 Celsius) degrees.Bake until bread is brown (about 50 mins). Set to cool before enjoying.

3...2…1... We have liftoff! Our mission in search of the mysterious Planet 9 begins. Don your pressurized spacesuit and turn off your comms as communication is limited in this cooperative trick-taking card game, The Crew, published by Kosmos Games. In this episode we cover:Our AI teammate trying to kill usWhether or not 52 pickup is actually a card game Defining the exact moment that talking in a limited communication becomes cheatingGame Details:Name: The Crew - The Quest for Planet NineMedium: Board GamePublisher: Kosmos GamesYear: 2020Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with The Crew, we recommend:Space Junk Cookies (an out-of-this-world take on the Kitchen Sink Cookie)Ingredients2 tbs.(34 g) canola oil1 cup (201 g) butter (softened)1.5 tsp. (6 g) baking soda1 cup (201 g) brown sugar2 tbs. (34 g) cornstarch 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar2 eggs3.25 (650 g) cups of flour1 tsp. (4.2 g) salt 2 tsp. (8.4 g) vanilla1-2 cups (200 - 400 g) chopped Milky Way bars1 cup (201 g) chopped pretzels1 cup (201 g) chopped walnutsBaking InstructionsCream together butter, oil, and sugars until light and fluffyAdd eggs, vanilla, and salt until combinedAdd baking soda, cornstarch and half of the flour. Mix only until combined.Add chopped Milky Way bars, pretzels, and walnuts.Chill dough for 1 hour.Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 Celsius)Drop heaping spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.Bake for 7-8 mins or until the tops are golden brown.Remove from the oven and let cool on pan for 2 mins.Transfer to the cooling rack before enjoying.Venus:2 oz gin1 oz cointreau ¼ oz simple syrup Dash Peychaud’s bitters 6 Raspberries Shake all ingredients (Raspberries too!) over ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with remaining raspberriesConnect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayed

All aboard! Train’s leaving the platform - but wait! We still need to build the track. Grab your tickets and meet us at the station as we frantically lead our locomotive through puzzling pixelated landscapes in Unrailed! by Indoor Astronaut.In this episode we cover:A cooperative board game announcement that has us (Rob) super hyped The acceptable level of emphasis for pronouncing exclamation pointsThe similarities of being a railway worker and a line cook Introducing….Ours, Played Date Night!Game Details:Name: Unrailed!We played it on: PCAlso Available on: Xbox, PlayStation 4, Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: Indoor AstronautYear: 2019Ours, Played Date NightTo pair with Unrailed!, we recommend:Drinking a Dynamite1 oz Gran Marnier or other orange liqueur such as Cointreau½ oz Cognac2 dashes angostura bitters 1 oz orange juiceCombine all ingredients in a chilled champagne flute or cocktail glass and top with champagne Watching The Darjeeling Limited (2007)Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayed

Smiles, everyone! Life on the island sure is swell thanks to our own, Mr. Sunshine! Or so some might want you to believe. Join us as we jump, kick, and roll our way into revolution in the puzzle adventure game, Pikuniku, by Sectordub. Plus, we explore finding opportunities for co-op within single-player game modes.In this episode we cover:Whether or not it is ok to willfully buy into government coverups if it’s profitable The performance enhancing properties of whiskey for puzzle platformers The one surefire strategy for tricking your partner into enjoying gaming Game Details:Name: PikunikuWe played it on: PCAlso Available on: Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Developer: SectordubYear: 2019Connect with us!To stay up to date with the show, talk to us about what we have been playing, or even suggest a new game, we encourage you to subscribe and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @oursplayed

Focus, breach mages! For The Nameless approaches, and the fate of the city of Gravehold is in your hands. Join us as we build up our decks and pray that the turn order is in our favor, so that we may drive back the vicious nemeses and their hoards of minions. Game Details:Name: Aeon’s End: Second EditionMedium: Board GamePublisher: Indie Boards and CardsYear: 2017More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

Surprise! It’s time for an Ours, Played bonus episode. In our first holiday special, we’re asking you to help us find what to play on game night. Listen as we highlight the co-op games that are at the top of our wish lists this year, and let us know which game should find its way under our tree.Wish List Games:GloomhavenThe Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle EarthThe Princess Bride Adventure Book GameSpiritfarerStuffed FablesUnrailed!More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

They - are - family! Linda, John, Kevin, and Lucy! Not forgetting the rest of the Bergsons, of course. This week we were adopted by the guardians of Mount Morta to drive back the Corruption and protect our lands. Game Details:Name: Children of MortaMedium: Video GameDeveloper: Dead Mage Inc.Year: 2019More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

It can be a big and scary world out there. When we feel broken or are far from home, we are made whole by those we keep close. Come get tangled up with us in adventure, memory, and yes...yarn, in Coldwood Interactive’s adorable co-op puzzle platformer, Unravel Two.Game Details:Name: Unravel 2Medium: Video GameDeveloper: Coldwood InteractiveYear: 2018More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

We’re surrounded! Archers, knights, swordsmen - to arms! After a gaming PC snafu delayed our intended game review, we broke out another low-tech family favorite, Fireside Games’ Castle Panic. Join our ranks as we defend our castle from an onslaught of monsters, plague, and the dreaded giant boulder.Game Details:Name: Castle PanicCastle Panic The Wizard’s TowerCastle Panic Engines of WarCastle Panic The Dark TitanMedium: Board GameDeveloper: Fireside GamesYear: 2009 (base game)More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

A shadowy figure approaches you. He offers you his full protection from the terrors of the night, and all he asks for in exchange is a few hours of your time.Get ready to focus up, gather resources, and test your luck with us in Fantasy Flight’s Eldritch Horror. Keep your allies close and enemies as far away as you can if you hope to survive the mythos phase! Game Details:Name: Eldritch HorrorMedium: Board GameDeveloper: Fantasy Flight GamesYear: 2013More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

It’s an Ours, Played two-for-one special! This week we lock, load, and test our luck on hostile alien planets in Hopoo Games’ Risk of Rain 1 AND 2 in our first ever bundle episodeGame Details:Name: Risk of Rain & Risk of Rain 2Medium:Video game, PCDeveloper: Hopoo GamesYear: 2013 & 2020More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

Battlestations, L.O.V.E.R.S.! Anti-love has corrupted the universe, and it's up to us to free our space friends and bring back the love. Join us on EP 4 of Ours, Played as we navigate the playfully psychedelic cosmos of @asteroidbase’s Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime.Game Details:Name: Lovers in a Dangerous SpacetimeMedium: Video GameDeveloper: Asteroid BaseYear: 2015More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

We’ll shoot, smack, and spellcast our way through the monster-swarmed world of Chronicon - an incredibly detailed fantasy action RPG by a solo developer. Join us on our quest to max out our kill-streak and strive to find legendary-level loot.Game Details:Name: ChroniconMedium: Video game, PCDeveloper: SubworldYear: 2015More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

Put down the controllers and clear the table - we’re switching to a board game tonight. Terrifying creatures run amok in the Elementary College, and it’s up to our team of magic students to seal them back into The Big Book of Madness through our family’s favorite cooperative, deck-building, strategy game. Game Details:Name: The Big Book of MadnessMedium: Board gameDeveloper: IelloYear: 2015More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

Greetings, Knight! Grab a friend, a weapon, and the floating animal sidekick of your choice, and join us on this episode of Ours, Played as we hack and slash through the classic The Behemoth beat-em-up, Castle Crashers. We are excited to share the couple’s perspective on this fast-paced and lighthearted co-op game.Game Details:Name: Castle Crashers Medium: Video game, PCDeveloper: The BehemothYear: 2008More to “Played”:Instagram Twitter

Welcome to Ours, Played - a podcast for couples looking to find the perfect cooperative video game or board game. We believe the best cooperative games fit the players both as individuals and as a team. In this first episode, we share what we each look for in the games we play and reveal some of our favorite co-op games.The Games that Made Us - below are games that we have played throughout our lives that exemplify what we look for in games.Animal Crossing Wild WorldDark SoulsDead CellsKilling FloorOutwardPath of ExileRisk of Rain Super Mario Sunshine Yoshi’s Island DSMore to “Played”:Instagram Twitter