MN 570 March 2025 News & SaltCON Spring Review

Episode 578: Network or Route Building Games We Don’t Own Episode release date is May 14, 2025   Show Notes   This week we are at the final connection of our Network or Route building games discussion. All routes are closing in this episode. For those who may have missed it, network or route building games where players are establishing connections between points on the board or map.    For this last episode in this series, we will be looking at the larger list of top rated network or route building games according to BGG. I selected the Network or Route building Mechanic and limited that search to games that are rated with 7 stars or higher, and each of these games must have a minimum of 2000 user ratings.   So let’s get on board and punch the ticket of this discussion of network building games at the game table. Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Beer and Bread Gift of Tulips Tower Up 3000 Scoundrels Great Western Trail Ahoy Targi Stamp Swap Welcome to the Moon Living Forest Bonsai Douglas Biome Gray Knight Games Andy     Top network or route building games Concordia Concordia Venus Smartphone Yokohama The Guild of Merchant Explorers Age of Innovation Terra Mystica Gaia Project Terra Nova  Ginkgopolis Carnegie Imperial Steam Empire Builder 1846: The Race for the Midwest Clans of Caledonia Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write DinoGenics Near and Far Pipeline Framework Keyflower

Episode 577: Our Top Five Network or Route Building Games  Episode release date is May 7, 2025   Show Notes   This week we are at the middle point of our Network or Route building games discussion. Once again network or route building games mean players are establishing connections between points on the board or map.    For this episode we will be focusing on our top five games that make use of the network or route building.   So let’s return to the game table and continue the discussion of network building games at the game table.   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Douglas SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence LCGs!!! Marvel Champions Arkham Horror Lord of the Rings: Card Game Our top five Network or Route building games. Douglas In the Hall of the Mountain King Trails of Tucana Cloud City Ticket to Ride: Japan Railroad Ink Challenge Andy Empire Builder Underwater Cities Terra Mystica/Gaia Project Planet Unknown Windmill Valley Nathan Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West Planet Unknown Power Grid Looot Attika US Telegraph  

Episode 576: Network or Route Building Games Episode release date is April 30, 2025 Show Notes This week we kick off our discussion of games that involve network building. The "network building mechanic" refers to the gameplay element where players construct and expand interconnected systems, often representing transportation, communication, and resource distribution. It's about establishing links and leveraging those connections for strategic advantage. Some of the main concepts of network and route building include: Connectivity: The fundamental element of establishing links between nodes, such as locations, cities, or points of interest. These links from a network. Expansion: Players progressively expand their network, reaching new destinations and making further connections. Expansion is often tied to resource management, technology advancement, or through fulfilling objectives. Strategic advantage: A well-developed network provides: efficient resource movement, faster travel or delivery, control over locations, increased scoring opportunities, and influence over other game elements. Player interdependence: Networks can create interdependence between players, either through competition for resources and routes or through cooperative efforts. Come join us at the game table where we are going to talk about networking games, and I bet it includes more than train games.   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Clans of Caledonia Douglas Aqua: Biodiversity in the Oceans Andy That Escalated Quickly Network or Route Building Games Ticket to Ride: 10th Anniversary Ticket to Ride: Europe - 15th Anniversary Ticket to Ride: London Ticket to Ride: New York Transamerica Tsuro Carcassonne Metro Street Car Fairy Trails Thurn and Taxes On Tour Iwari Web of Power Airlines Europe Terminus Revive Next Station: London, Tokyo, Paris Get on Board: Paris & Roma, New York and London Metorunner Brass Burmingham Hansa Teutonica: Big Box Nucleum Dice Hospital: ER - Emergency Roll Tokyo Highway Maglev Metro   Games not Mentioned Douglas Smartphone Land vs Sea Catan Cloud City Andy Railways of the World Near and Far Catan Kingdom Builder Android Catan: Junior Aeroplanes: Aviation Ascendant Nathan Concordia Venus Maglev Metro Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write Takenoko Catan Terra Nova Maharaja: The Game of Palaces Building in India Free Ride Wormholes Saboteur 2 Dice Manor Sanora Globetrotting Tucana Builders The Settlers of the Stone Age Spy Connection Falconry

It is time for the SaltCON SideCast. Episode 4. This week the hosts of Meeple Nation talk about the four ways to buy, sell, and trade games during SaltCON Spring, Summer, and End of Summer Events. There are four organized options, the no ship math trade, the virtural flea market, the game swap, and the in person flea market. Come join us at the game table as we discuss and come join us at the next SaltCON event, SaltCON summer this June from the 6th through the 8th.

Episode 575: Meeple Nation April 2025 News    Show Notes    Episode release date is April 23, 2025   This week we are talking about new games, new game announcements, new game releases and we also just had our HUGG-A-Meeple gathering. We may even manage to get to some crowdfunding games too.  Come join us at the game table.   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World’s Okayest Podcast. Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights Nathan Fantastic Factories Stamp Swap Living Forest Enchanted Plumes Ready Set Bet  Feed the Kraken Next Station Douglas Yokohama Life of the Amazonia Andy Endeavor: Deep Sea   New Game Releases   Innovation: Ultimate Flamme Rouge: Grand Tour Expansion (2024) (Reprint) Arkham Horror LCG: The Drowned City Campaign Expansion Everdell Duo Elden Ring: The Board Game Spectacular (2024) (Reprint) Tiny Epic Cthulhu Lying Pirates: The Race for the Pirate Throne (Deluxe Edition) Mythicals  Crafting Cosmos Survive The Island / Monster Pack Castle Builder Mesos     New Game Announcements Stonemaier Games Email Confirmed Expansions in the works for all “-span” games Wingspan Wyrmspan Finspan For fans of the “Trailblazer” series (John Muir & Arizona) The Colorado Trail Single-Player Solitaire with great looking art Hercules and the 12 Labors Maglev Maps: Volume 2 (Maglev Metro) The Wolves: Apex Expansion Underwater Cities: Data Era Tower Up: Paradise Island Earth: Animal Kingdom (Abundance isn’t even here yet!) StarCraft Tabletop Miniatures Game (2026) For fans of Arc Nova Sanctuary For fans of Terra Mystica Terra Mystica: Fan Fictions Quacks: All-in Edition (Causing some turmoil over the art style) Heat Tunnel Vision Expansion Galactic Cruise Fantasy Realms Greek Legends The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship The Crew: Family Adventure - Marooned in Paradise Arkham Travel Guide Flash Point: Legacy of Flame How to Save the World     Crowdfunding Games Kickstarter Project L: Ultimate All-In Collection Project L All-In Plus Square One

Episode 574: Games that use movement points Episode release date is April 2, 2025   Show Notes   This week we are doing a one episode discussion of games that use movement points as a movement. What are movement points you ask? Well, movement points regulate how far a player can move their pieces during the game. For example, players are given a specific number of "points" that can be spent to move game pieces. Different spaces or terrains on the game board may cost varying amounts of movement points to enter. Players may receive a set number of movement points each turn that can be spread across multiple pieces. Those points could fluctuate depending on card draws or dice rolls.   Sometimes movement points can be part of a larger pool of actions, and movement can be part of or one of those actions.   In short, movement points provide a structured way to manage in game movement while adding a tactical element to gameplay.   So let’s make it a point to move to the game table and discuss some games.   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Meeple Nation Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Volunteer Group Flip 7 Douglas Outlive Andy Orléans   Games that use movement points Nathan Memoir ‘44 Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game Maracaibo Specter Ops Tiny Epic Pirates The Hunger Near and Far Free Ride Secrets of the Lost Station Glory Island Concordia Concordia Venus Andy Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game Maracaibo Near and Far Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Board Game Hyperborea Warrior Night Empire Builder Bardwood Grove Vanishing Planet Tiny Epic Pirates   Douglas Scythe War of the Ring: Second Edition Memoir ‘44 Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game Dinosaur World Euthia: Torment of Resurrection - Fierce Powers / Crawling Shadows Endless Winter: River & Rafts    Telanislyon Carnegie has some interesting management choices in activating departments to move workers around for various economic functions. Carnegie is definitely a good game, I think it's tough to outcompete some of the newer ones though. It was a popular blip for a sec, then kinda floated down to the lower mid of bgg pack. It's still a good game, solid 7. Maracaibo would also have a choice of action to move your ship a certain distance also for triggering spaces. Not sure if that's totally true movement points, but fairly close The only other ones I can even think of would be troop movement for war games, like War of the Ring/for Arrakis or Axis & Allies. War of the Ring is awesome! Great 2p strategy game. War for Arrakis, same designer, basically the truncated version of War of the Ring in Dune! Top games that use movement points Scythe Robinson Crusoe: Adventures of the Cursed Island War of the Ring: Second Edition Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) Twilight Imperium Concordia Memoir ‘44 Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game On Mars Maracaibo Combat Commander: Europe Advanced Squad Leader Space Empires 4X Here I stand Descent: Legends in the Dark Near and Far Clash of Cultures Carnegie Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery Triumph and Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945 My Little Scythe Hyperborea Concordia Venus Ambush Dinosaur World Specter Ops Washington’s War Merchant of Venus Lacrimosa Squad Leader Blood Bowl The Magnificent The Hunger BattleTech Tribes of the Wind Tiny Epic Pirates 3 Ring Circus  

Episode 573: Games with Multi-Use cards we don’t own- Show Notes  Episode release date is April 2, 2025   This week wraps up our look at games featuring Multi-Use cards, focusing on highly-rated titles we haven't yet added to our collection. As a reminder, Multi-Use cards offer strategic depth by allowing a single card to serve multiple purposes. These purposes can include acting as text-based abilities, resources, life counters, or even determining player order, as well as many other options.  Come join us at the game table as we discover games with multi-use cards that we do not own.   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era Douglas Azul: Summer Pavilion Andy Aeon Trespass: Odyssey   Cory I would say that my favorite multi-use card game is the old Decipher Star Wars CCG. How your deck of cards was used as resources and life was a mechanic I really liked. I wish there were other games that used a similar mechanic. Too bad this game is long and gone. Telanislyon Blast from the past! Good game. I actually heard they were still running tournaments for this game. I also think the entire set is available for print online somewhere for free. I haven't played Disney Lorcana, but I thought the layout looked very similar to SWCCG. Sopdebop On the subject of multi use cards, I’d like to nominate SETI. Cards have 4 definite uses and can also be exchanged for other resources (free action, scan, tuck and card effect). I think that’s impressive.  I also really like the cards in windmill valley. The assistant cards can be used for ongoing game bonus OR end game bonus. There is always one initial assistant left over which doubles as the queen’s contract on the reverse too, which is neat imo.   Castle Combo Clarification Cory pointed out something I had missed when I taught Castle Combo. You can spend a key to wipe the current row of cards. Top Multi-Use Card Games Dune: Imperium Dune: Imperium - Uprising Lisboa Lewis & Clark: The Expedition La Granja Imperial Settlers Kunta Hora: The City of Silver Rune Stones Cry Havoc San Juan San Juan (Second Edition) Fantastic Factories Furnace Lacrimosa Deus  

Episode 572: Part two? or something like that. Episode release date is April 2, 2025   This week we are creating a filler bonus episode because Nathan pushed out two episodes last week and we still wanted something to release today, because we want to make sure you all have something to enjoy today. Come join us at the game table as we decide together what we are going to talk about today.   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Meeple Nation Media Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Movies, TV, Books, Work or Other Hobbies Nathan Video Setup (Meeple Nation Patrons Thank You!) Daredevil (Disney+) Umbrella Academy (Netflix) The “Bobiverse” series by Dennis E. Taylor (We Are Bob) Jumanji  Atomic Habits by James Clear Before Happiness by Shawn Achor The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor The Seven Principles for Making a Marriage Work by John Gottman Big Bang Theory Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (Big Bang Theory Spinoff Show) Neverwinter Nights Gaming Goals Andromeda’s Edge Arcs Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West  Flash Point: Legacy of Flame G.I. JOE: Operation Cobra: Wizard of Paws Spring coming Yard work is coming!! Andy Daredevil (Disney+) His Dark Materials (MAX) Star Trek the Next Generation (Paramount+ ) Reacher (Amazon Prime) The Great British Baking Show (Netflix) Kobra Kai No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover Young Sheldon (MAX) Knights of the Old Republic Spirit Island Arena: The Contest – Tanares Adventures Dungeon Universalis Conan The Hunters a.d. 1492 Gaming focus: campaign games Douglas The Wheel of Time (Amazon Prime) The Rookie (Hulu) He Who Fights with Monsters by Travis Deverell SETI  Euthia: Torment of Resurrection  Gaming Goals Shelf of Shame reduction Life of the Amazonia The Dark Quarter Teburu  

Episode 571: Games with Multi-Use cards - Show Notes Andy Episode release date is March 19, 2025   This week we kick off our discussion of games with Multi-Use cards. A fascinating mechanic that adds layers of strategic depth and decision-making, and one we love very much.  Instead of a card having only one specific function, multi-use cards can be used in different ways, offering players choices about how to best utilize them. This could involve: Playing the card for its stated effect:  Using the card as a resource:  Using the card for set collection or scoring:  Using the card to build something:  Why Use Multi-Use Cards? Increased Strategic Depth:  Reduced Luck Factor:  Greater Replayability: Thematic Immersion: Come join us at the game table.   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Meeple Nation Highlights Nathan That Escalated Quickly Poetry for Neanderthals Douglas Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era Tamashii: Chronicle of Ascend Andy Pirates of Maracaibo From the Moon Horrified: Greek Monsters   Games that use Multi-Use Cards   Gloomhaven Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion Frosthaven Jump Drive The City San Juan Race for the Galaxy Bohnanza Marvel Champions Castle Combo Expeditions Mage Knight: The Board Game Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition Star Trek: Frontiers Evenfall Isle of Trains: All Aboard

Episode 572: Our Top-Five Games with Multi-Use cards - Show Notes  Episode release date is March 26, 2025   This week we dig into our discussion of games with Multi-Use cards by hitting our top five. Just to recap, the Multi-Use cards game mechanic adds layers of strategic depth and decision-making. Something that we all love in a game.  Come join us at the game table as we reveal our top five games with multi-use cards.   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Andy Forest Shuffle with the Alpine and Woodland Edge expansions I was able to introduce Sabrina to this game as well. Douglas Aquatica with Cold Waters & Coral Reefs King of Tokyo Duel Azul Duel Nathan The Fellowship of the Rings: Trick Taking Game Gray Knight Games   Our top five pick Andy Pirates of Maracaibo  Revive Maracaibo Apiary Comet Douglas Etherfields  Arkham Horror The Card Game Endless Winter Paleoamericans  Revive  Lost Ruins of Arnak  Nathan Hadrian’s Wall The White Castle Pirates of Maracaibo 7 Wonders Duel The Quest for El Dorado Dead Cells: The Rouge-Lite Board Game