Here we are, have your tissues ready, it's going to get emotional... The final episode. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/gAnWkYH Timestamp for listener questions: 1.32.25 Links:  Stop Somewhere Podcast: https://anchor.fm/stopsomewhere Mantis Falls: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/291847/mantis-falls Citezenmono's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/citizenmono  

In this episode Norm & Scruffy are joined once more by Kendall McKenzie to count down the top 5 solo games as chosen by our listeners. This top 5 list was made based on votes from our listeners over on our Discord server.  Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/xdPzSAG Contact us:  email: [email protected]  Reddit: always_player_one Instagram: @alwaysplayeronepodcast  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Always-Player-One-113123647053523 Scruffy, Norm and Kendall's...

The end is near!  That's right we are ending the podcast but not before we go out with a big bang. In this announcement we share the news of the podcast coming to an end, some of our reasons as to why and what you can expect from our final episode and Discord community going forward.  Listener Question: What did Always Player One mean to you?  Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/xdPzSAG Contact us:  email: [email protected] Facebook:...

In this episode we take a deep dive into The Wars of Marcus Aurelius, a game that has Norm and Scruffy completely divided. Listen as one host tears down the game while the other builds it back up. Where will you land with it? Are you more of a Scruffy or a Norm in this instance?    Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast  Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/alwaysplayerone  Join the discord: https://discord.gg/DhUpgX2HmU  Contact us:   email:...

Timestamps:  Top 5 Lists Start: 00:04:26  Listener Questions: 01:12:32 In this episode Scruffy and Norm countdown their top 5 solo board games and compare their new lists with the ones they made a year ago in episode 8.  Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/alwaysplayerone Join the discord:  https://discord.gg/DhUpgX2HmU Contact us:  email: [email protected] Facebook:...

In this episode Scruffy and Norm take a deep dive into One Deck Dungeon and its standalone expansion One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows. Together they unpack the mechanisms and try their best to work out exactly why this game is just as fun to lose as it is to win.    Timestamps:  00:03:54 description ends  01:06:30 Listener questions Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast  Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/alwaysplayerone  Join the discord:...

In this episode Scruffy and Norm spend some time looking back at their favourite games to play with each other. This bonus episode sees them cover a wide variety of games before looking ahead to the games they are most excited to play once it is safe to do so.  Spoiler Timestamps: Castles of Burgundy: 00:02:44 Cosmic Encounter: 00:12:13 War of the Ring: 00:18:58 The Mind: 00:26:12 1889: 00:34:06 Ring of Fire: 00:39.52 Quickfire Suggestions: 00:44:23 What we're excited to play...

Intro and announcements - 0:00:00 Description - 0:04:00 Main Episode - 0:06:22 Listener Questions- 1:21 In this episode Scruffy and Norm take a deep dive into one of their favourite multiplayer RPGs; Blades in the Dark. Together they share their thoughts on what about the game works well solo, what needed help from external sources and what didn't work well solo. This episode is focused on the pair putting into practice all they've learned about solo RPGs in order to make this...

Timestamps: Intro & Important Announcements: 0.00 Hello Dan: 5.24 Description Start: 6.13 Description End: 9.20 Listener Questions: 1.10.07 In this Episode Norm kicks us off with an important announcement about temporary changes to the podcast before Scruffy and Dan get to talking about 7th continent. We start by talking about the meta game, including the win loss conditions and how it feels to replay. We also cover the core mechanisms of the game and the ways they create conflict...

In this episode Scruffy and Norm dive into The Ming Voyages, together they share their thoughts on the AI, the output random elements and the decisions the game asks you to make. Scruffy then takes this a step further presenting his own piece of game theory "The Gamer's Dilemma" and how that helps explain the unique decision space The Ming Voyages is able to cultivate through a blend of open and closed information.  Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast Buy us a...

Timestamps: Game Description ends: 0.03.40 Upcoming projects and shout-outs: 1.01.23 Listener Questions: 1.09.49 In this episode we invite Brandon of Solosaurus on to talk about one of his favourite new games- Lost Ruins of Arnak. The three of us explore what makes Lost Ruins so special, it’s theme and stylistic choices, and how it empowers you as a player. We also talk about how it makes interesting changes to conventional mechanics before turning our attention to the Rival and how the...

In this episode we look at the soloable roleplaying system Scarlet Heroes. We are joined by Deborah from Geek Gamers who helps frame the discussion with her informative understanding of solo rpgs in general as well as distinguishing between different types of resources necessary for being your own GM. We cover the three different ways to play Scarlet Heroes solo and some of the distinguishing features of the playstyles on offer here and ask whether Scarlet Heroes would be good for a new...

In this episode we take a dive into the "Civitas Universe" and unpack the indie solo board game Civitas Nihilium. Civitas Nihilium is the first game in designer James Bradley's ambitious Civitas Universe Project. A cross platform project with multiple games set in the same universe including other board games, video games and a planned TTRPG. James sits down with us to discuss the game itself as well as lift the lid on the inspiration behind the all important setting for the game. James...

In this episode we are joined by Kendall McKenzie (Rollway Station designer) to unpack the randomness in Mage Knight. Mage Knight has a very healthy dose of randomness and yet is considered a game with a high skill ceiling, we look to unpack that sophisticated use of randomness as well as addressing the criticism sometimes thrown around that "Mage Knight is too lucky to be a strategy game." We unpack the different types of randomness, how they can sometimes feel, what agency the players have...

In this episode Scruffy and Norm take a look at the print and play version of Under Falling Skies. They share their thoughts on the mechanisms with a keen eye on how the game provides varying difficulty and which areas of the game provide drama.  Listener question: what is your favourite board game adaptation of a video game? Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast Join the Discord:  https://discord.gg/DhUpgX2HmU Contact us:  email:...

In this episode Scruffy and Norm are joined by Shawn Tomkin, designer of Ironsworn, to discuss the upcoming sci-fi sequel Ironsworn: Starforged. Both Scruffy and Norm have been playing Starforged using playtest files and in this special episode they look to unpack the differences from Ironsworn and hope to give you an idea of what makes this sequel special. Shawn shares his thoughts on the game's design, his inspiration behind his choices and gives some tantalizing info on what we can expect...

In this episode Scruffy and Norm unpack the pnp game Coin Tribes Revolt. Coin Tribes is a micro game inspired by the COIN series from GMT Games. Scruffy and Norm share their thoughts on the game including the best way to play solo and if they think it serves as a good entry point to larger COIN games.  Description ends 7.10 Listener question:  What game do you feel could do with a micro version? Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast Join the...

Game Description end at 8.09 In this episode Scruffy and Kendall talk about one of their favourite games to play together, Clans of Caledonia. They look at the three ways to play Clans solo, focusing mainly on the solo mode in the rulebook and the fan made automa.  Throughout they try to pin down what makes the game work so well for them solo, diving into topics of intrinsic vs extrinsic reward and what is left in place of your opponent when you take them away for a solo experience. See if...

Game Description end at 4.20  In this episode Scruffy and Norm take a look at the widely popular adventure game Too Many Bones. They share their thoughts on the gameplay, the levelling up system, the use of randomness, the innovative dice mechanisms and how the game handles things like combat, difficulty and movement. Scruffy finds himself asking "what exactly is Too Many Bones trying to test me on? And for a game with so much ambition does it ever lose focus?"  Listener question:  Who...

In this episode Norm and Scruffy take a look back at the earlier episodes of their podcast, from it’s humble beginnings to some of their favourite episodes. They also discuss some stand out play sessions in 2020 and open up to considering what makes Always Player One so special for them. And Norm surprises everyone with an end of the year list of the top 3 listener choice games for 2020, based on our discord. Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast Join the...

In this Holiday Special episode Scruffy and Norm go head to head as Kendall McKenzie hosts a unique game show style quiz. Play and laugh along with us as we find out who is the greatest podcast host! Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast Join the discord:  https://discord.gg/DhUpgX2HmU Contact us:  email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Always-Player-One-113123647053523 Instagram: @alwaysplayeronepodcast  Reddit:...

Description of game ends: 5.16 In this episode Norm and Scruffy look at the very popular survival game Robinson Crusoe and weigh in on how the game handles both thematic immersion and puzzly mechanics. Have fun listening to Scruffy struggle to make his up his mind on exactly where Robinson Crusoe succeeds and fails as a design.   Support the show:  https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast  Join the discord:  https://discord.gg/DhUpgX2HmU  Contact us:  email:...

Welcome to the Planning Phase, this is a laid back behind the scenes look at how we decide what we cover on Always Player One. You do not need to have heard the other episodes to join us for this free one.  In this episode we look ahead and chat about what we want to cover in episode 19 of Always Player One and Norm gives us all a treat with his stocking filler recommendations! We also talk about our upcoming special episodes this December. The Planning Phase is normally a show exclusive to...

In this episode Scruffy and Norm discuss Marvel Champions The Card Game and share their thoughts on how this compares to other CCGs and LCGs they have played in the past. They also re-visit multihanding solo games, something they haven't always got on with. A couple of other talking points are ones of theming, prejudice towards certain types of games and saying yes to more new experiences.  5.02 Description starts 8.10 Main topic starts Support the...