PODCAST · leisure
First Player Token
by Derek Bruff
a short podcast for folks who enjoy playing board games with family and friends
Episodes
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68. Hollywood 1947
In 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 Keele. It takes the Red Scare’s Hollywood…
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Unmatched 2025 Tournament (Part 1)
It 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 defense.When we covered Unmatched here on the podcast in...
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66. Sky Team
In 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 two-player game in which players work together to…
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65. Wingspan (2025)
In 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 you it's Wingspan. It's my most played game…
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64. Mr. Cabbagehead's Garden
In 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 LudiCreations. The game is inspired by the...
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63. Challengers
In 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 hard to describe. If I said it’s a deck-building,...
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Parks (Encore)
Our 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 edition of Parks way back on episode 7 of the...
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62. Back to the Island(s)
In 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 rules and upgraded components. The teenager and…
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61. Black Orchestra
In 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 Tycoon. In Black Orchestra, players take on…
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60. Knarr
In 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 trading life of a Viking. In the game, players...
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59. Keep the Faith
In 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 fictional religion. Players collaboratively make up…
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58. Everdell Duo (First Play)
Today 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 that launched a trend in board games…
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57. Kariba
In 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 and such. Players take turns playing cards from...
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56. Dead of Winter
In 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 of a zombie apocalypse, trying to find the...
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Jonathan Chaffer (Designer Interview)
In 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, more than I could fit in last episode's review...
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55. Holiday Hijinks
In 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 Gamers Guild. Each one offers the cooperative...
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54. Finca
In 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 resources, collect colorful chunky fruit tokens…
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53. Sirens
Today 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 beautiful singing lured Odysseus’ sailors…
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52. Tír na nÓg
Usually 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, too. So here’s a FIRST PLAY review of a new…
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51. Daybreak
In this episode, we build the technologies and societies needed to fight climate change in Daybreak!
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50. Five Games to Start Your Collection
In this episode, we celebrate four years (and 50 episodes) of the podcast by recommending my top five games to start your board collection!
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49. Color Field
Here'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 pieces of nonobjective art.
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48. Raiders of the North Sea
In this episode, we put on our funny Viking hats and go plundering in Raiders of the North Sea!
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47. Tortuga 1667
In this episode, we board the Jolly Roger and steal from treasure from a Spanish galleon in Tortuga 1667!
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46. The Wolves
In The Wolves, we build our packs and carve out our territory!
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45. Under Falling Skies
In this episode, we try to save the planet from a relentless alien invasion in Under Falling Skies!
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44. The Blood of an Englishman
In 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!
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43. Tennessee Game Days
In 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!
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42. In Vino Morte
In 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!
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First Play - After Us
In 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.
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Episode 36 - Unmatched
In this episode, we see what happens when heroes from stories and legends battle it out in Unmatched!
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Giveaway - Gartenbau and Blazon
It's the first ever First Player Token board game giveaway!
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First Play - Blazon
In 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.
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Episode 35 - Royal Visit
In this episode, we battle for the honor of hosting the king in our chateaus in Royal Visit!
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Episode 34 - Isle of Skye
In this episode, we become Scottish chieftains expanding our lands in… Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King!
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First Play - Kohaku
In 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!
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Color Commentary - Mysterium
Here's an extended cut of Emily's color commentary on the game Mysterium!
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Episode 33 - Mysterium
In this episode, we work together to solve a murder in the game with no words… Mysterium!
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First Play - Power Plants
Today we have some initial impressions of the game Power Plants after a first play!
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Episode 32 - Gobblet Gobblers
In 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!
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Episode 31 - Outfoxed
In this episode, we work together to catch a sneaky, pot-pie-stealing fox in the cooperative kids game Outfoxed!
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Episode 30 - Carcassonne
In this episode, we build cities and farms and roads in the modern classic, Carcassonne!
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First Play - Gartenbau
Today we have some initial impressions of the game Gartenbau after a first play!
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Episode 29 - Bristol 1350
In 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!
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Episode 28 - Age of Ambition
In this episode, we’re going back to the space race with the upcoming new expansion, Space Explorers: Age of Ambition!
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Episode 27 - Takenoko
In 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.
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Episode 26 - Tsuro
In this episode, we review Tsuro: The Game of the Path! See whose path to enlightenment lasts the longest...
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Episode 25 - Clank!
In this episode, we review the game Clank! Go searching for dragon treasure while moving very quietly...
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Episode 22 - Splendor
Splendor, a game about collecting gems and impressing fancy people!
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Episode 13 – Sheriff of Nottingham
In this episode, we recommend a game that will have you bluffing, bribing, and smuggling: Sheriff of Nottingham.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does First Player Token have?
First Player Token currently has 61 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is First Player Token about?
a short podcast for folks who enjoy playing board games with family and friends
How often does First Player Token release new episodes?
First Player Token has 61 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to First Player Token?
You can listen to First Player Token on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts First Player Token?
First Player Token is created and hosted by Derek Bruff.
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