https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/first-player-token--4791927enGamesCopyright Derek Bruffhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/bc6fd1b743adfc4f5776ae2ef5d78ca0.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/first-player-token--4791927Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:23:53 +0000Derek BruffDerek Brufffeeds@spreaker.coma short podcast for folks who enjoy playing board games with family and friendsfalse978759fb-0252-5954-be25-d050a34493f5episodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/68-hollywood-1947--68491744Episode Links:Buy Hollywood 1947 on Amazon.Listen to my interview with Travis Hancock about Bristol 1350.Music:"Open Road," "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>Buzzsprout-18161189Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we make some movies while accusing our friends and coworkers of being communists in Hollywood 1947.Hollywood 1947 is the latest entry in the Dark Cities line from Façade Games publisher and designer Travis Hancock and artist Sarah...Episode Links:Buy Hollywood 1947 on Amazon.Listen to my interview with Travis Hancock about Bristol 1350.Music:"Open Road," "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>1285false68fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/unmatched-2025-tournament-part-1--68012612Episode Resources:Buy Unmatched sets on Amazon.Listen to our 2023 review of Unmatched.Music:"Open Road," Purple Planet Music"Field of Heroes," Tabletop AudioSend us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>Buzzsprout-17955030Sat, 04 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIt just was over two years ago when we covered the game system called Unmatched here on the podcast. In Unmatched by Restoration Games, two players battle, each with a different hero that has their own unique deck of 30 cards for attack and...Episode Resources:Buy Unmatched sets on Amazon.Listen to our 2023 review of Unmatched.Music:"Open Road," Purple Planet Music"Field of Heroes," Tabletop AudioSend us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>2231false67fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/66-sky-team--67660042Episode Links:Buy Sky Team on Amazon.Music:"Open Road" by Purple Planet.
Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>Buzzsprout-17801216Sun, 07 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we work together to find out just how hard it is land an airplane in Sky Team. Sky Team is a 2023 game designed by Luc Rémond with art by Eric Hibbeler and Adrien Rives published by Montreal-based Scorpion Masqué. Sky Team is a...Episode Links:Buy Sky Team on Amazon.Music:"Open Road" by Purple Planet.
Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>1236false66fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/65-wingspan-2025--67212702Episode Links:Wingspan Fan Art Pack from Stonemaier GamesWingspan component upgrades from Meeple SourceMy photos from the High Island, TX, tripWingspan expansions from Stonemaier GamesMusic:"Open Road," "Sunbeam" by Purple Planet.
Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>Buzzsprout-17597133Fri, 01 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we grab our binoculars and our field guides to go birdwatching in Wingspan. Wingspan is a 2019 game designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and published by Stonemaier Games. Most days, if you ask me what my favorite board game is, I'll tell...Episode Links:Wingspan Fan Art Pack from Stonemaier GamesWingspan component upgrades from Meeple SourceMy photos from the High Island, TX, tripWingspan expansions from Stonemaier GamesMusic:"Open Road," "Sunbeam" by Purple Planet.
Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>1639false65fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/64-mr-cabbagehead-s-garden--66816894Episode Links:·       Mr. Cabbagehead’s Garden print and play·       GeekMarket for secondhand copies of Mr. Cabbagehead’s Garden ·       The Maiden in the Forest print and play·       The Draugr at the BoardGameGeek store·       The Draugr on the Apple App StoreMusic:"Open Road" by Purple Planet.Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>Buzzsprout-17410887Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we plant a prize-winning vegetable garden while dodging tedious neighbors in Mr. Cabbagehead’s Garden. Mr. Cabbagehead's Garden is a solo game designed by Todd Sanders first released in 2016 as a print-and-play and later published by...Episode Links:·       Mr. Cabbagehead’s Garden print and play·       GeekMarket for secondhand copies of Mr. Cabbagehead’s Garden ·       The Maiden in the Forest print and play·       The Draugr at the BoardGameGeek store·       The Draugr on the Apple App StoreMusic:"Open Road" by Purple Planet.Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>698false64fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/63-challengers--66354431Episode Links:

Buy Challengers! on Amazon.Buy Challengers! Beach Cup on Amazon.Music:"Open Road" and "Rise of the Superhero" by Purple Planet.Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>Buzzsprout-17237866Sun, 01 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, I play capture the flag with seven of my friends in Challengers! Challengers! is 2022 game for 2 to 8 players designed by Johannes Krenner and Markus Slawitscheck and published by Z-Man Games with art by Jeff Harvey. It’s a little...Episode Links:

Buy Challengers! on Amazon.Buy Challengers! Beach Cup on Amazon.Music:"Open Road" and "Rise of the Superhero" by Purple Planet.Send us a textPodcast Links: Order a First Player Token coffee mug. Visit the First Player Token website. Join the FPT Facebook group. Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky. Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.]]>786false63fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/parks-encore--66097075
See my photos of Parks, First Edition.Learn more about Parks, Second Edition.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:“Open Road,” “Sunbeam,” and “Summer in Paradise,” https://www.purple-planet.com/.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-17157924Thu, 15 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffOur last episode on second editions of the games Santorini and Tortuga 1667 reminded me about another second edition of a family favorite game that’s out now: Parks designed by Henry Audubon and published by Keymaster Games. We covered the first...
See my photos of Parks, First Edition.Learn more about Parks, Second Edition.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:“Open Road,” “Sunbeam,” and “Summer in Paradise,” https://www.purple-planet.com/.Send us a text]]>1258falsebonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/62-back-to-the-island-s--65820558Links:Pre-order Santorini: Pantheon Edition from Roxley Games.Buy Tortuga 1667: Deluxe Edition from Facade Games.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept" by Purple Planet. "Pirates!" by Tabletop Audio.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-17077127Thu, 01 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we go back to the island in second editions of podcast favorites Santorini and Tortuga 1667! Santorini: Pantheon Edition takes the original Santorini and its “Golden Fleece” expansion and presents them in a new package with revised...Links:Pre-order Santorini: Pantheon Edition from Roxley Games.Buy Tortuga 1667: Deluxe Edition from Facade Games.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept" by Purple Planet. "Pirates!" by Tabletop Audio.Send us a text]]>994false62fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/61-black-orchestra--65289418Links:Buy Black Orchestra on Amazon.Listen to the Immersed episode about Black Orchestra.Read about The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix.Learn about the Black Orchestra expansion, Resistance.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-16898512Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we conspire together to take out one of the worst evils of the 20th century in Black Orchestra! Black Orchestra is a 2016 cooperative game for 1 to 5 players designed by Phillip duBarry with art by Lucas Soriano published by Tabletop...Links:Buy Black Orchestra on Amazon.Listen to the Immersed episode about Black Orchestra.Read about The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix.Learn about the Black Orchestra expansion, Resistance.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>825false61fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/60-knarr--64641718Links:

Buy Knarr on Amazon.3D print your own Knarr insert.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road" by Purple Planet. "Vikings" by Tabletop Audio.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-16712189Sat, 01 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we sail the high seas on our Viking ships to establish trading routes and not pillage in Knarr! Knarr is a 2023 game designed by Thomas Dupont with art by Antoine Carrion published in the US by Pandasaurus Games. Knarr celebrates the...Links:

Buy Knarr on Amazon.3D print your own Knarr insert.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road" by Purple Planet. "Vikings" by Tabletop Audio.Send us a text]]>536false60fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/59-keep-the-faith--64431660Links:Support Keep the Faith’s crowdfunding effort before March 6, 2025.Listen to a longer cut of my conversation with Greg Loring-Albright on the Intentional Teaching podcast.Throw a few bucks at the Intentional Teaching Patreon to hear a few more clips of my talk with Greg.Listen to Liz Davidson’s conversation with Greg on her Beyond Solitaire podcast.Learn more about Greg Loring-Albright on his professional website.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-16629936Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we work together to tell the story of how a religion changes over the centuries in… Keep the Faith! Keep the Faith is a storytelling game for 2 to 5 players about religions in transition. Each player represents a sect within a...Links:Support Keep the Faith’s crowdfunding effort before March 6, 2025.Listen to a longer cut of my conversation with Greg Loring-Albright on the Intentional Teaching podcast.Throw a few bucks at the Intentional Teaching Patreon to hear a few more clips of my talk with Greg.Listen to Liz Davidson’s conversation with Greg on her Beyond Solitaire podcast.Learn more about Greg Loring-Albright on his professional website.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>1225false59fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/58-everdell-duo-first-play--64117327
Everdell Duo is a quality two-player game that feels like the original, with worker placement and resource collection and card combos, but with a simpler, faster, and more competitive experience.

Links:

Preorder Everdell Duo from the publisher.

See my photos of Everdell Duo.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road" by Purple Planet. "Forest: Day" by Tabletop Audio.

Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-16524844Sat, 01 Feb 2025 08:00:00 +0000Derek BruffToday we have a FIRST PLAY review of Everdell Duo, a 2025 game designed by James and Clarissa Wilson with art by Andrew Bosley and Enggar Adirasa, published by Tabletop Tycoon. The game is a two-player version of the popular 2018 game Everdell, a game...
Everdell Duo is a quality two-player game that feels like the original, with worker placement and resource collection and card combos, but with a simpler, faster, and more competitive experience.

Links:

Preorder Everdell Duo from the publisher.

See my photos of Everdell Duo.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road" by Purple Planet. "Forest: Day" by Tabletop Audio.

Send us a text]]>599false58fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/57-kariba--63532466
Kariba is about animals gathering around an African watering hold, so the cards are all elephants and giraffes and zebras and meerkats and such. Players take turns playing cards from their hands to the watering hole in the middle of the table, with larger animals chasing off smaller ones. Kariba is my favorite game to bring to family gatherings when (a) I know there will be young kids there, especially pre-readers and (b) I don’t have much space in my luggage, since it comes in a very small box.

Links:

See my photo of Kariba.

Buy Kariba on Amazon.

Watch a watering hole in the Namib Desert.

See Felix Kindelán's Instagram.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-16322827Wed, 01 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we gather around an African watering hole to see who can chase away the most animals in Kariba! Kariba is about animals gathering around an African watering hold, so the cards are all elephants and giraffes and zebras and meerkats...
Kariba is about animals gathering around an African watering hold, so the cards are all elephants and giraffes and zebras and meerkats and such. Players take turns playing cards from their hands to the watering hole in the middle of the table, with larger animals chasing off smaller ones. Kariba is my favorite game to bring to family gatherings when (a) I know there will be young kids there, especially pre-readers and (b) I don’t have much space in my luggage, since it comes in a very small box.

Links:

See my photo of Kariba.

Buy Kariba on Amazon.

Watch a watering hole in the Namib Desert.

See Felix Kindelán's Instagram.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>606false57fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/56-dead-of-winter--63091167
In Dead of Winter, a 2014 game designed by Isaac Vega and Jonathan Gilmour with art by Fernanda Suarez, players take on the role of survivors of a zombie apocalypse, trying to find the resources they need to fend off zombies and hunger and cold and the occasional fellow survivor. Dead of Winter is a semi-cooperative game, in that you’re mostly working together to beat the game, but each player has personal objectives that might get in the way.

Dead of Winter was the game that helped me appreciate the world of board gaming beyond Settlers of Catan, and it was my favorite game for several years. I'm happy to help celebrate its tenth anniversary with this episode, which features comments on the game from me, the teenager, and the toddler.

I didn't have time to mention the expansions for Dead of Winter in the episode, but there are two: The Long Night, which adds more characters and scenarios and three optional modules to the game, and Warring Colonies, which you can use to pit two colonies against each other in what can be an 11-player game. I played that one once, and it was a bit much, but The Long Night is a great addition to the base game.

Links:

See my photos of Dead of Winter.

Buy Dead of Winter on Amazon.

Listen to "Bringing Dead of Winter to Life" on the Quarter to Three podcast.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:“Winter Wonder" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-16175077Sun, 01 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we fight zombies and frostbite and maybe stab our friends in the back in Dead of Winter! In Dead of Winter, a 2014 game designed by Isaac Vega and Jonathan Gilmour with art by Fernanda Suarez, players take on the role of survivors...
In Dead of Winter, a 2014 game designed by Isaac Vega and Jonathan Gilmour with art by Fernanda Suarez, players take on the role of survivors of a zombie apocalypse, trying to find the resources they need to fend off zombies and hunger and cold and the occasional fellow survivor. Dead of Winter is a semi-cooperative game, in that you’re mostly working together to beat the game, but each player has personal objectives that might get in the way.

Dead of Winter was the game that helped me appreciate the world of board gaming beyond Settlers of Catan, and it was my favorite game for several years. I'm happy to help celebrate its tenth anniversary with this episode, which features comments on the game from me, the teenager, and the toddler.

I didn't have time to mention the expansions for Dead of Winter in the episode, but there are two: The Long Night, which adds more characters and scenarios and three optional modules to the game, and Warring Colonies, which you can use to pit two colonies against each other in what can be an 11-player game. I played that one once, and it was a bit much, but The Long Night is a great addition to the base game.

Links:

See my photos of Dead of Winter.

Buy Dead of Winter on Amazon.

Listen to "Bringing Dead of Winter to Life" on the Quarter to Three podcast.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:“Winter Wonder" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>985false56fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jonathan-chaffer-designer-interview--62579086
Links:Back the newest Holiday Hijinks games on Kickstarter.

Order the original Holiday Hijinks games from Game Gamers Guild.

See Jonathan Chaffer's full list of designed games.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept," and "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-16028527Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this bonus episode, I share an extended cut of my recent interview with Jonathan Chaffer, designer of the Holiday Hijinks series of 18-card escape room games. Jonathan had a lot to say about the design constraints he faced in creating these games,...
Links:Back the newest Holiday Hijinks games on Kickstarter.

Order the original Holiday Hijinks games from Game Gamers Guild.

See Jonathan Chaffer's full list of designed games.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept," and "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>1320falsebonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/55-holiday-hijinks--62498223
Holiday Hijinks is a line of 18-card holiday-themed escape room games designed and illustrated by Jonathan Chaffer and published by Grand Gamers Guild. Each one offers the cooperative puzzle solving of an escape room in just 18 cards. There are nine games in the series currently, with names like The Cupid Crisis, The Turkey Trial, and The Groundhog Gambit. The newest Holiday Hijinks games -- The Leprechaun Larceny, The New Year Nightmare, and The Krampus Caper -- are now crowdfunding on Kickstarter, along with a collector's box that stores all 12 games. 

This episode features an interview with Holiday Hijinks designer and illustrator Jonathan Chaffer. What does it take to pack this much escape room fun in 18 cards? Will the Holiday Hijinks series run out of holidays? Jonathan pulls back the curtain on this clever game series in his interview.

Links:Back the newest Holiday Hijinks games on Kickstarter.

Order the original Holiday Hijinks games from Game Gamers Guild.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept," and "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-15988672Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we save Christmas and a lot of other holidays from potential catastrophe in Holiday Hijinks!  Holiday Hijinks is a line of 18-card holiday-themed escape room games designed and illustrated by Jonathan Chaffer and published by Grand...
Holiday Hijinks is a line of 18-card holiday-themed escape room games designed and illustrated by Jonathan Chaffer and published by Grand Gamers Guild. Each one offers the cooperative puzzle solving of an escape room in just 18 cards. There are nine games in the series currently, with names like The Cupid Crisis, The Turkey Trial, and The Groundhog Gambit. The newest Holiday Hijinks games -- The Leprechaun Larceny, The New Year Nightmare, and The Krampus Caper -- are now crowdfunding on Kickstarter, along with a collector's box that stores all 12 games. 

This episode features an interview with Holiday Hijinks designer and illustrator Jonathan Chaffer. What does it take to pack this much escape room fun in 18 cards? Will the Holiday Hijinks series run out of holidays? Jonathan pulls back the curtain on this clever game series in his interview.

Links:Back the newest Holiday Hijinks games on Kickstarter.

Order the original Holiday Hijinks games from Game Gamers Guild.Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "The Concept," and "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.Send us a text]]>1126card games,escape rooms,family games,game night,games,holidays,tabletopfalse55fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/54-finca--62175910
In Finca, players take on the role of farmers at harvest time on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Move your farmers around the windmill to generate resources, collect colorful chunky fruit tokens, deliver fruit strategically around the island with your donkey cart... That's Finca in a nutshell. It's easy to teach, has beautiful art and components, and ramps up nicely to a very tense ending.

Finca is one of the older games we've covered here on the podcast, having first been published in 2009 in Germany. It had been out of print for a while, but Pandasaurus Games recently issued a new edition with updated art and streamlined rules. In this episode, I talk with Raina Huang, marketing manager at Pandasaurus games, about the new edition.

Links:

See my photos of the original edition of Finca.

Buy the new edition of Finca from Amazon.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:“Open Road” and "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.

Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-15843833Tue, 01 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we load up our donkey carts with fruit to deliver around the island in Finca! In Finca, players take on the role of farmers at harvest time on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Move your farmers around the windmill to generate...
In Finca, players take on the role of farmers at harvest time on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Move your farmers around the windmill to generate resources, collect colorful chunky fruit tokens, deliver fruit strategically around the island with your donkey cart... That's Finca in a nutshell. It's easy to teach, has beautiful art and components, and ramps up nicely to a very tense ending.

Finca is one of the older games we've covered here on the podcast, having first been published in 2009 in Germany. It had been out of print for a while, but Pandasaurus Games recently issued a new edition with updated art and streamlined rules. In this episode, I talk with Raina Huang, marketing manager at Pandasaurus games, about the new edition.

Links:

See my photos of the original edition of Finca.

Buy the new edition of Finca from Amazon.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:“Open Road” and "Summer in Paradise" by Purple Planet.

Send us a text]]>780board games,family games,finca,game night,games,mallorca,pandasaurus,tabletopfalse54fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/53-sirens--61228526
This episode features an interview with Sirens designer Art Casey (from the floor of Gen Con 2024) and some color commentary with my fascinating wife Emily!

Links:

Buy Sirens on Amazon.

Get notified when the Kickstarter for Kalahari is launched.

Check out some ancient Greek pottery: Example 1, Example 2.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "Summer in Paradise," and "Sunbeam" by Purple Planet. Send us a text]]>Buzzsprout-15674601Sun, 01 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffToday we have a FIRST PLAY review of Sirens, a 2024 game for two players designed by Art Casey with illustrations by Gabi Naftaly and published by Envy Born Games. In Sirens, players take on the role of the sirens of Greek myths, those creatures whose...
This episode features an interview with Sirens designer Art Casey (from the floor of Gen Con 2024) and some color commentary with my fascinating wife Emily!

Links:

Buy Sirens on Amazon.

Get notified when the Kickstarter for Kalahari is launched.

Check out some ancient Greek pottery: Example 1, Example 2.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:"Open Road," "Summer in Paradise," and "Sunbeam" by Purple Planet. Send us a text]]>1218board games,card games,games,greek,mythology,sirens,tabletopfalse53fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/52-tir-na-nog--61049503
Today we’ll take a look at Tír na nÓg, a 2024 game for designed by Isaac Shalev and Jason Slingerland and published by Grand Gamers Guild. In Tír na nÓg, we journey into a world of Celtic myths and come back with amazing stories. Coincidentally, I recently journeyed into the world of Gen Con, North America’s biggest board game convention, I have come back with amazing stories, one of 
which is an interview with Isaac Shalev, one of the designers of Tír na nÓg.

Links:Pre-order Tír na nÓg by September 5, 2024.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:“Open Road” and “Summer in Paradise” by Purple Planet. 


Send us a Text Message.]]>Buzzsprout-15591409Fri, 16 Aug 2024 07:00:00 +0000Derek BruffUsually when I review and recommend a board game here on the podcast, I’ve played that game at least ten times. That way I know the game well and I know it has some staying power. That means I usually review older games, but I like to play new games,...
Today we’ll take a look at Tír na nÓg, a 2024 game for designed by Isaac Shalev and Jason Slingerland and published by Grand Gamers Guild. In Tír na nÓg, we journey into a world of Celtic myths and come back with amazing stories. Coincidentally, I recently journeyed into the world of Gen Con, North America’s biggest board game convention, I have come back with amazing stories, one of 
which is an interview with Isaac Shalev, one of the designers of Tír na nÓg.

Links:Pre-order Tír na nÓg by September 5, 2024.

Order a First Player Token coffee mug.Visit the First Player Token website.Join the FPT Facebook group.Follow @firstplayertoken on Bluesky.Join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord.Music:“Open Road” and “Summer in Paradise” by Purple Planet. 


Send us a Text Message.]]>1084false52fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/51-daybreak--60890292podlove-2024-08-01t22:04:59+00:00-620e8f319658ea4Thu, 01 Aug 2024 22:20:45 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we build the technologies and societies needed to fight climate change in Daybreak!1448false51fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/50-five-games-to-start-your-collection--60570211podlove-2024-07-01t17:34:48+00:00-bba041feff8db3aMon, 01 Jul 2024 17:51:31 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we celebrate four years (and 50 episodes) of the podcast by recommending my top five games to start your board collection!1129false50fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/49-color-field--60245415podlove-2024-05-22t18:51:57+00:00-20d230ffbdef3deSat, 01 Jun 2024 09:00:57 +0000Derek BruffHere's a FIRST PLAY review of a new game that I think you might like. Color Field is a 2024 game from 25th Century Games designed by Mondo Davis with art by Peach Benitez. The game Color Field puts players in the role of painters creating these moving...719false49fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/48-raiders-of-the-north-sea--59748315podlove-2024-04-30t20:10:59+00:00-7d25faf18c009f5Wed, 01 May 2024 09:00:59 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we put on our funny Viking hats and go plundering in Raiders of the North Sea!603false48fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/47-tortuga-1667--59244891podlove-2024-03-29t05:08:32+00:00-f214449b40d79f4Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:32 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we board the Jolly Roger and steal from treasure from a Spanish galleon in Tortuga 1667!793false47fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/46-the-wolves--58887073podlove-2024-02-22t16:01:11+00:00-2d34a58022ecc66Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:00:06 +0000Derek BruffIn The Wolves, we build our packs and carve out our territory!988false46fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/45-under-falling-skies--58529968podlove-2024-01-30t03:55:35+00:00-ef06cab2ecbd75dThu, 01 Feb 2024 10:00:35 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we try to save the planet from a relentless alien invasion in Under Falling Skies!792false45fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/44-the-blood-of-an-englishman--58177721podlove-2024-01-02t22:42:25+00:00-7c2494ebc88c0d2Tue, 02 Jan 2024 22:51:24 +0000Derek BruffIn The Blood of an Englishman, we see if Jack can steal the goose that lays golden eggs from the giant at the top of the beanstalk!729false44fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/43-tennessee-game-days--57527560podlove-2023-11-06t03:06:16+00:00-629bb48f8b39040Mon, 06 Nov 2023 03:20:29 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, I try out a new format by giving very brief reviews of ten games I played at our local board game convention, Tennessee Game Days, earlier this fall!1006false43fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/42-in-vino-morte--56934289podlove-2023-09-26t03:53:26+00:00-735d340c8806ea8Tue, 26 Sep 2023 04:01:53 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we review In Vino Morte and try to figure out if our opponent put the poison in our glass or in his glass in the game!690false42fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/first-play-after-us--56601762podlove-2023-08-27t03:07:09+00:00-c3ab8348a4c243aSun, 27 Aug 2023 03:16:37 +0000Derek BruffIn this "First Play" bonus episode, we take a look at the game After Us from Pandasaurus Games. It’s a 2023 game designed by Florian Sirieix with art by Vincent Dutrait.1251falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-36-unmatched--56507836podlove-2023-08-18t02:11:56+00:00-f491d045ba51ac6Fri, 18 Aug 2023 02:23:24 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we see what happens when heroes from stories and legends battle it out in Unmatched!1087false36fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/giveaway-gartenbau-and-blazon--56233441podlove-2023-07-26t17:28:13+00:00-e5cd1254ee0a7b5Wed, 26 Jul 2023 17:33:17 +0000Derek BruffIt's the first ever First Player Token board game giveaway!123falsebonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/first-play-blazon--56121718podlove-2023-07-16t22:08:51+00:00-9c43b3064da9aeeSun, 16 Jul 2023 22:20:59 +0000Derek BruffIn this "First Play" bonus episode, we take a look at the game Blazon from 25th Century Games. It’s a 2023 game designed by Dave Conklin with art by Ian O’Toole.674falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-35-royal-visit--54215789podlove-2023-06-10t22:18:02+00:00-b3feb87caddddb1Sat, 10 Jun 2023 22:26:24 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we battle for the honor of hosting the king in our chateaus in Royal Visit!766false35fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-34-isle-of-skye--53658718podlove-2023-04-26t21:57:47+00:00-ed34deb3eabec0eWed, 26 Apr 2023 22:09:11 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we become Scottish chieftains expanding our lands in… Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King!803false34fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/first-play-kohaku--53000080podlove-2023-02-25t22:35:05+00:00-095b95d8b617861Sat, 25 Feb 2023 22:39:03 +0000Derek BruffIn this "First Play" bonus episode, we take a look at the game Kohaku from 25th Century Games, a 2020 game designed by Danny Devine with art also by Danny Devine!643falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/color-commentary-mysterium--53000913podlove-2023-01-22t20:37:56+00:00-38f52cb38592a8aMon, 23 Jan 2023 12:37:56 +0000Derek BruffHere's an extended cut of Emily's color commentary on the game Mysterium!1108falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-33-mysterium--53000442podlove-2023-01-21t22:23:52+00:00-54fd662eb88c6b6Sat, 21 Jan 2023 22:45:48 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we work together to solve a murder in the game with no words… Mysterium!1301false33fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/first-play-power-plants--53001890podlove-2023-01-07t20:46:50+00:00-ee428c993e52d8aSat, 07 Jan 2023 20:56:15 +0000Derek BruffToday we have some initial impressions of the game Power Plants after a first play!641falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-32-gobblet-gobblers--53001909podlove-2022-12-20t21:55:23+00:00-6f9da30149ebcb0Tue, 20 Dec 2022 22:02:47 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we take a look at Gobblet Gobblers, a game that you’ll want to know about if you’re tired of playing tic-tac-toe!546false32fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-31-outfoxed--53000978podlove-2022-11-20t14:33:44+00:00-9de63a211ee7ba2Sun, 20 Nov 2022 14:41:19 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we work together to catch a sneaky, pot-pie-stealing fox in the cooperative kids game Outfoxed!714false31fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-30-carcassonne--52999915podlove-2022-10-21t18:52:34+00:00-0ea8cb005be16d1Fri, 21 Oct 2022 19:05:59 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we build cities and farms and roads in the modern classic, Carcassonne!653false30fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/first-play-gartenbau--53001872podlove-2022-10-07t19:36:23+00:00-4eece8450616424Fri, 07 Oct 2022 19:49:41 +0000Derek BruffToday we have some initial impressions of the game Gartenbau after a first play!623falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-29-bristol-1350--53000438podlove-2022-09-06t19:49:40+00:00-52f5a0edfa6e82cThu, 08 Sep 2022 11:30:40 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we review Bristol 1350 and try to avoid a pandemic like it’s the 14th century by escaping the city on an apple cart!1188false29fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-28-age-of-ambition--53000065podlove-2022-07-29t14:02:48+00:00-dea87cdb9ca2144Tue, 06 Sep 2022 11:00:59 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we’re going back to the space race with the upcoming new expansion, Space Explorers: Age of Ambition!950false28fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-27-takenoko--53001886podlove-2022-07-16t14:18:06+00:00-c4026562a70c459Sat, 16 Jul 2022 14:34:21 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we have a very special guest joining us to review Takenoko, a game that teaches you what to do in the unlikely event someone gives you a panda.1318false27fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-26-tsuro--52999876podlove-2022-06-30t18:48:35+00:00-39abd0ab832a37eThu, 30 Jun 2022 18:55:53 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we review Tsuro: The Game of the Path! See whose path to enlightenment lasts the longest...686false26fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-25-clank--53000417podlove-2022-03-27t20:55:16+00:00-fae4dccae7b587bSun, 27 Mar 2022 21:04:15 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we review the game Clank! Go searching for dragon treasure while moving very quietly...614false25fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-22-splendor--49079449podlove-2021-12-13t19:24:21+00:00-fec6061c17ea5a6Mon, 13 Dec 2021 19:25:25 +0000Derek BruffSplendor, a game about collecting gems and impressing fancy people!878falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-13-sheriff-of-nottingham--43496323podlove-2021-02-14t16:48:02+00:00-9017df97ef35eb0Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:55:13 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we recommend a game that will have you bluffing, bribing, and smuggling: Sheriff of Nottingham.720falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-12-icecool--43496345podlove-2021-01-16t22:35:22+00:00-42a14e2b1f04a2cSat, 16 Jan 2021 22:54:16 +0000Derek BruffWe're back with a family board game recommendation for a game that will have you cheering on cute, colorful penguins: ICECOOL.686falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-11-rocky-road-a-la-mode--43496331podlove-2020-12-18t04:28:48+00:00-81b42734f09b740Fri, 18 Dec 2020 04:36:03 +0000Derek BruffWe're back with another family board game recommendation, a game that will make you want an ice cream cone: Rocky Road a la Mode!669falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-10-gizmos--43496346podlove-2020-11-12t23:51:01+00:00-c18214d54ed11bfThu, 12 Nov 2020 23:53:27 +0000Derek BruffWe have another great family game to recommend: Gizmos. Ever want to make your own Rube Goldberg machine?572falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-9-herbaceous--43496341podlove-2020-10-09t19:21:49+00:00-ddbcea36055a77aFri, 09 Oct 2020 19:29:44 +0000Derek BruffWe have another great family game to recommend: Herbaceous. You can't help but want to collect and pot herbs as you play this relaxing game.585falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-8-wingspan--43496335podlove-2020-09-20t21:58:22+00:00-d5dbdb3f31d8488Sun, 20 Sep 2020 22:13:39 +0000Derek BruffIn Wingspan, players take on the role of bird enthusiasts, trying to collect the best birds for their wildlife preserves. It's a great game for couples, and might just turn players into birdwatchers.1268falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-7-parks--43496332podlove-2020-09-13t18:16:51+00:00-56ca8ef3de99e22Sun, 13 Sep 2020 18:48:02 +0000Derek BruffPARKS does a great job of capturing the beauty and wonder of the US National Parks, and it's a fun game for couples.1101falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-6-forbidden-island--43496348podlove-2020-08-23t18:17:01+00:00-e3576d8e73eb3b8Sun, 23 Aug 2020 18:22:55 +0000Derek BruffForbidden Island is a cooperative game where the players work together to explore a mysterious island, find its treasures, and escape before the island floods.483falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-5-deep-sea-adventure--43496326podlove-2020-08-16t20:00:43+00:00-37ed4fc23c450d4Sun, 16 Aug 2020 20:05:23 +0000Derek BruffDeep Sea Adventure is a push-your-luck game with colorful components about diving for underwater treasure.625falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-4-sushi-go--43496337podlove-2020-08-09t16:08:14+00:00-872c712657973f9Sun, 09 Aug 2020 16:18:29 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, we have another family game recommendation: Sushi Go! It is by far my favorite game about anthropomorphic sushi!668falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-2-space-park--43496338podlove-2020-07-26t04:41:26+00:00-84fe4b80adbc736Sun, 26 Jul 2020 05:01:51 +0000Derek BruffIn this episode, I have another family board game recommendation, Space Park. In Space Park players cruise around the galaxy collecting crystals and trading those crystals in for badges.564falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-1-kingdomino--43496325podlove-2020-07-20t01:20:03+00:00-4a391eee346c534Mon, 20 Jul 2020 01:28:32 +0000Derek BruffWelcome to the First Player Token podcast, a short podcast for folks who enjoy playing board games with family and friends. In this episode, we’re taking a look at a great family game called Kingdomino.427falsefull