Rank #1: Ep 19 - Too Many Bones, The Good, The Bad & The Random
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 is your favourite unique character to play in a solo game?
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Jan 15 2021
1hr 23mins
Rank #2: Ep 18 - 2020 Revisited & The Real Reason We Love Solo Games
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 discord: https://discord.gg/DhUpgX2HmU
Listener Question: What has been your favourite solo gaming session of 2020 and what made it special?
Contact us:
email: alwaysplayeronepodcast@gmail.com
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Jan 01 2021
1hr 22mins
Rank #3: The Christmas Gameshow: Scruffy vs Norm
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!
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email: alwaysplayeronepodcast@gmail.com
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Dec 25 2020
54mins
Rank #4: Ep 17 - Robinson Crusoe & Scruffy's Dilemma
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
Listener Question: What game for you is almost perfect? A game you like playing, a game that is almost fantastic but one thing stops it being top tier. What is that game and what is the small part that lets it down?
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email: alwaysplayeronepodcast@gmail.com
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Dec 18 2020
1hr 10mins
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Rank #5: Planning Phase Ep 6 - Free Bonus Episode
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 Patrons supporting us on Patreon but for the month of December they are free to all as a gift to you lovely listeners. Enjoy the bonus material and happy holidays! We will be back in a week with another episode of Always Player One.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast
Join the discord: https://discord.gg/DhUpgX2HmU
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Dec 11 2020
34mins
Rank #6: Ep 16 - Marvel Champions & Collectable Card Games
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 show:
https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast
Join our Discord:
Listener question:
What is a game that has surprised you the most? A game you thought you wouldn't enjoy but ended up loving. Maybe it even got you interested in a whole genre you didn't expect to get into!
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Always-Player-One-113123647053523
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email: alwaysplayeronepodcast@gmail.com
Play Marvel Champions on TTS: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2221974126&searchtext=marvel+champions
Dec 04 2020
1hr 14mins
Rank #7: Ep 15 - Print and Play Special: Black Sonata
In this episode Scruffy and Norm look at the hidden movement and deduction game Black Sonata.
Listener question:
What is something you have made yourself, either a game or a gaming accessory, that you are proud of? Please send us pictures!
Support the show:
https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast
Join our Discord:
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Always-Player-One-113123647053523
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Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/always_player_one
email: alwaysplayeronepodcast@gmail.com
Print Black Sonata yourself: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/151526/black-sonata-pnp-components
To The Moon Video Game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/206440/To_the_Moon/
Nov 20 2020
59mins
Rank #8: Ep 14 - The Wretched Solo Rpg & Making a Game Personal
In this episode Scruffy and Norm look at the solo only horror RPG The Wretched. As always Scruffy and Norm share their thoughts on the game then the conversation goes to the broader topic of the different verbs board and roleplaying games asks the players to undertake and how those actions are thematically tied in with your character. They also briefly look at what level of abstraction is useful and even necessary for games. As The Wretched is a horror game they look at how the game manages to ramp up the tension and add a sense of stake through its design and components. At the heart of the episode Scruffy and Norm attempt to unpack why the Wretched led to such a personal response from both of their experiences.
Listener Question:
What is the most affecting moment you've experienced in a game?
Support the show:
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Join our Discord:
Check out Scruffy's playthrough:
Check out our Halloween Live Stream:
https://www.twitch.tv/scruffygamerlive
Check out the other Wretched style games available:
https://itch.io/jam/wretched-jam/entries
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Always-Player-One-113123647053523
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email: alwaysplayeronepodcast@gmail.com
Nov 06 2020
1hr 6mins
Rank #9: Ep 13 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition & Designing Automa Decks
In this episode Scruffy and Norm are joined by special guest Steve Schlepphorst (designer of automa decks including Garth for Great Western Trail and the official automa deck for Gugong). Together the three of them share their thoughts on Pax Pamir and specifically the automa deck that comes with the game. This topic is also explored more broadly as Steve shares his thoughts on what makes a good automa deck, why use automa decks in the first place and how you can go about designing one yourself.
Join our discord by following this link: https://discord.gg/xdPzSAG
Support the show and listen to our behind the scenes show Planning Phase when you become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast
Timestamps:
Intro and Game Description
Special Guest's introduction: 4.40
Main topic: 12:10
New question and responses from last episode: 1:08:12
Listener question: What is your best example of a solo game or AI opponent making a perfect move against you, a time you thought "how did they know?" and how did it make you feel?
Links:
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Links to Steve's references in the show:
Garth: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/151608/garth-specialized-automa-gwt-solo-play
Garth Online: https://boardgamesquad.com/automa/gwtrtn/
PP2E: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/256960/pax-pamir-second-edition/files
Brass Birmingham Mautoma: http://www.mautoma.com/mautomas/brass-birmingham
Morten's article "The Automa Approach": https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/37830/automa-approach-i-method-making-solitaire-modes-mu
Gugong: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/250458/gugng
Genotype: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/252752/genotype-mendelian-genetics-game
Oct 23 2020
1hr 17mins
Rank #10: Ep 12 - Anachrony & AI Opponents
In this episode Scruffy and Norm share their thoughts on Anachrony. They also discuss what makes a good AI opponent and nail down some of their own definitions regarding AI opponents. This episode also marks the start of the solo Mage Knight tournament over on the Always Player One Discord.
To join the Discord simply click here: https://discord.gg/Ee6cKgu
To support us on Patreon and get instant access to Planning Phase click here: https://www.patreon.com/alwaysplayeronepodcast
Listener Question:
What is your favourite automa deck?
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Always-Player-One-113123647053523
Instagram: @alwaysplayeronepodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/always_player_one
email: alwaysplayeronepodcast@gmail.com
Oct 09 2020
1hr 24mins