S3E41 - River of Gold

Hail, Society! The Golds may sit at the top of the hierarchy, but there’s room for everyone to scheme, manoeuvre, and climb the social ladder. This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas enter the world of Red Rising, the fast-paced card game from Stonemaier Games inspired by Pierce Brown’s bestselling science-fiction series.A little lighter and quicker than our usual fare, Red Rising more than makes up for it with high player interaction, spectacular card combinations, and plenty of opportunities to turn the tables on your rivals. Every card played opens the door to new possibilities, and building the perfect combination is an immensely satisfying part of the experience. But what really makes this game shine is its theme. The world of Red Rising absolutely drips from the cards and gameplay, bringing the colours, characters, and ruthless social hierarchy of the Society to life.Never fear if you haven't read the books! There's plenty here to enjoy without knowing your Golds from your Reds. But if you're already a fan of Pierce Brown's universe, you'll find even more to love than a Rose Pink.So choose your colour, gather your allies, and remember: the Society rewards the ambitious. Hail Reaper!

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas travel back to ancient Rome for Trajan, an oldie but a goodie that still has plenty to offer modern euro gamers. At the heart of the game is its brilliant action selection mechanism, where every move sets up possibilities for what comes next and turning that little tray of pieces becomes a tactical puzzle all its own.There are plenty of systems to explore, and Thomas loves the variety of ways to build your position and score points. Jordan finds some of those systems a little more disconnected, a reminder of Trajan’s place in the history of the euro game. But when it comes down to actually playing the game, both hosts have a great time navigating the tactical possibilities and making the most of every turn.So dust off your caligae and join us as we revisit a classic that proves an older game can still bring plenty of fun to the table.

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas turn their attention to Tapestry, Stonemaier Games’ bold and brilliant take on the civilization-building board game. Rather than following the familiar path of traditional civilization games, Tapestry charts its own course, delivering a wonderfully distinctive experience that just seems to hit all the right notes.From developing your civilization across multiple tracks to watching your society evolve over time, there’s something special about the way Tapestry brings its systems together. And then there’s the production! Even in the base game box, the components feel truly premium, making this one gorgeous package from the moment you open the lid.Sometimes a game is simply wonderful, and Tapestry is one of those games. Join us as we explore what makes this unique civilization-building experience such a standout!

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas explore The Guild of Merchant Explorers, a light strategy board game about charting new territories, building trade routes, and expanding your influence across a beautifully illustrated world.With approachable rules and a relaxed pace, The Guild of Merchant Explorers offers an engaging experience without demanding a heavy strategic commitment. There are interesting decisions to make as you plot your routes and decide how to expand, but the game keeps things streamlined enough that you can sit back, enjoy the journey, and let the adventure unfold.Sometimes you don't need a sprawling, brain-melting euro. Sometimes you just want to explore, make some clever choices, and have a cozy time at the table.

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas set sail down the River of Gold! With simple rules that belie a surprising amount of depth, this is a game that gets you playing quickly without leaving the strategic thinking at the dock.And what a beautiful game it is. The production is absolutely gorgeous, the gameplay is fast and engaging, and the theme is right up our alley. River of Gold manages to pack plenty of interesting decisions into a streamlined package, making it easy to learn, quick to play, and surprisingly satisfying to master.So grab your boat, chart your course, and get ready to see what treasures await along the River of Gold!

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas step into the arena with Duel of Meloch, the newest release from Stonemaier Games!Imagine taking the DNA of Scythe and Expeditions, shrinking it down to an ambitious head-to-head duel, and setting two players loose in a race to accomplish competing objectives. If you know those games, Duel of Meloch feels wonderfully familiar while still bringing fresh gameplay into a two-player space. The design is clever, the gameplay is remarkably smooth, and the ability to mix and match components with its Stonemaier siblings adds a serious dose of value.But there’s one question we can’t escape: as a stand-alone game, does Duel of Meloch have what it takes to earn a permanent place on the shelf, or is its greatest strength being part of the bigger1920+ universe? Let the duel begin!

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas delve into Golem, a wonderfully intricate euro where ancient magic, precious marbles, and a whole lot of very important decisions come together.At the heart of the game is a fascinating action selection system that constantly asks you to weigh three competing considerations: which colour of marble you take, which action you perform, and how powerful that action will be. Getting one thing you want often means giving up something else, making every turn an exercise in finding the most satisfying compromise.And that's only the beginning. Golem weaves its interconnected systems together into a challenging strategic puzzle where choices in one area ripple through the rest of your game. It's demanding without being punishing, rewarding careful planning while still giving you plenty to chew on as your plans unfold.For Jordan and Thomas, Golem is exactly the sort of crunchy euro they love: clever mechanisms, interconnected systems, and just enough brain-bending decision making to make every marble count.

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas dive beneath the waves with Endeavor: Deep Sea, an uplifting game of exploration, marine research, and conservation. And while there may be plenty of ocean to explore, there certainly isn't an endless supply of actions, so making the most of every opportunity is key!With limited action points, careful planning is essential, but Endeavor: Deep Sea rewards players who can also adapt when the underwater landscape changes. A new discovery, a shifting board state, or an unexpected opportunity can turn your carefully laid plans into something even better.One of the highlights is building your tableau of specialists, assembling a talented team whose unique abilities help shape the direction of your expedition. As your specialists grow in number and capability, so does your ability to pursue the discoveries and conservation efforts that matter most.Thoughtful planning, tactical adaptability, satisfying tableau building, and a wonderful sense of exploration make Endeavor: Deep Sea a game that gives Jordan and Thomas plenty to love. So grab your research gear, assemble your crew, and let's see what wonders are waiting beneath the waves!

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas check passengers in, prepare excursions, and try to build the most successful luxury vacation company in Galactic Cruise. Beneath its cheerful theme of interstellar tourism lies a richly deep euro game packed with interconnected systems, rewarding engine building, and meaningful decisions at every turn.The hosts discuss how Galactic Cruise manages to earn its hefty BGG weight rating without ever feeling quite as overwhelming as the numbers suggest. That's largely thanks to the game's excellent thematic integration. Nearly every action feels intuitive because it aligns so naturally with what you're trying to accomplish. Need more tourists? Better destinations? A bigger ship? The mechanisms and theme work hand in hand, making even complex decisions feel logical and purposeful.What really stood out was how quickly the game's many moving parts began to click. As the company grows and your plans become more ambitious, the game reveals a satisfying depth that rewards careful planning without constantly sending players back to the rulebook.It's a big game with big decisions, but one whose theme does a remarkable amount of heavy lifting. By the end, our hosts found themselves less concerned with managing mechanisms and more concerned with running the galaxy's premier cruise line.

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas launch into the stars with Last Light by Roy Cannaday and Grey Fox Games, a lightning-fast 4X adventure where the fate of the galaxy can change in the blink of an eye. Expand your empire, explore the unknown, exploit precious resources, and prepare for the inevitable clash as rival civilizations race toward the last light in the universe.The hosts discuss how Last Light delivers the grand feel of a sprawling 4X game without demanding an entire day to play. Beneath its approachable rules lies a surprisingly meaty strategic experience, where tactical positioning, careful timing, and clever planning all play a vital role. Every decision feels meaningful, yet the game never loses its brisk pace.For anyone looking to capture the excitement of conquering a galaxy in a single evening, Last Light shines brightly. It's fast, strategic, wonderfully accessible, and proof that epic space empires don't always need epic play times.