Squarriors: The Card Game and Curious Beasts Red Blend

Squarriors Featured
~ MeeplesandWine

Meeples & Wine Episode Recap: Curious Beasts and Squarriors

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

In this week’s episode, Michael and Suzy dove into the darkly whimsical pairing of the Curious Beasts Red Blend 2021 wine and the post-apocalyptic card game Squarriors. While both offerings boast intriguing packaging, they revealed some challenges beneath the surface.

Wine Highlights:
The duo sampled Curious Beasts, a gothic-themed red blend with bold flavors of cherry, plum, and a hint of oak and pepper. Its standout feature? A dramatic bottle design featuring skeletons in festive hats and violins. However, the wine’s origin remains as mysterious as its label; with the winery appearing inactive since 2018. While Michael described it as a great “burger and pizza wine,” the couple agreed its sweeter notes wouldn’t pair well with richer meals like lamb chops. If you’re drawn to eye-catching bottles, this one’s for you—but don’t expect to find it easily.

Game Review: Squarriors
The episode also explored the card game Squarriors, a mashup of Magic: The Gathering mechanics with a dystopian squirrel-filled universe. Set in a world where animals have gained sentience after humanity’s fall, the game combines deck-building, dice rolling, and tactical combat.

Michael picked this up at a bargain from Half Price Books but discovered it’s an abandoned project, with little online support or updates since its 2017 release. While Suzy admired the stunning card art, the couple found the rules incomplete and gameplay overly complex for newcomers. With no expansions or active fan base, Squarriors remains a niche curiosity for collectors rather than a game-night staple.

Final Thoughts:
Michael and Suzy ended the show by reflecting on the eerie parallel between the wine and game: both are visually captivating but haunted by the specter of abandonment. While they enjoyed the experience, these might not be first picks for your next gathering.

Check out the links below for more details:

  • Learn about Squarriors on its BoardGameGeek page.
  • Discover the (brief) history of Curious Beasts Wine on wine directory sites.
  • And don’t miss Michael’s GameFound highlight: Christmas Rolls, a festive roll-and-write game launching soon!

Tune in next week as they sip, strategize, and share more gaming and wine adventures! 🍷🐿️

Welcome to Meeples and Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023, hosted by Michael and Suzy, where they review board and tabletop games for couples. They explore how well games play with two players, their fun factor, complexity, and whether they might “destroy the marriage.” Each episode also includes a thematic wine, beer, or drink tasting to accompany the game.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

Alice’s Garden and 2023 Protea Dry Rosé

76 Alicesgarden
~ MeeplesandWine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

In this episode of “Meeples & Wine,” we review the 2023 Protea Dry Rosé from Anthonij Rupert Wyne and the board game Alice’s Garden, and talk of how freaking big a Protea can get (image below!)

King Protea 450px

We also have a twofer for the Last Call, with Knitting Circle by FLATOUT GAMES and Dice Throne Outcasts + Adventures Unchained which are set to complete on Fri, December 13 2024 and Mon, November 18 2024, respectively. So get on that if you want some great new games!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon

75 Buffy The Vampire Slayer
~ MeeplesandWine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

Meeples & Wine: Buffy and the Devil’s Cellar!

Welcome back to Meeples & Wine, where Michael and Suzy bring you the latest in board game reviews for couples—alongside a delicious glass of wine! In this episode, we dive into the world of both vampire slaying and Chilean wine. We’re tasting Casillero del Diablo’s Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its bold cherry and blackcurrant notes with a hint of vanilla, perfect for pairing with grilled meats and mature cheeses. With medium body and marked tannins, this wine unfolds a story as rich as the legend behind its name: “The Devil’s Cellar.”

On the board game front, we’re taking on the supernatural forces of Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. With a versatile lineup of beloved characters like Buffy, Spike, Willow, and Angel, players battle it out using unique abilities, whether it’s Buffy’s iconic cartwheel kick or Willow’s foray into black magic. With a BGG rating of 7.6 and a complexity of 2/5, this action-packed game plays well with two to four players, offering a great mix of strategy and fandom. Will Unmatched: Buffy prove to be a relationship builder or a couch sleeper? Tune in for our “Fun Score” and “Couch Score” ratings to find out!

To wrap things up, we explore the evolution of our wine over time and highlight a new Kickstarter find—an upcoming Discworld RPG by Modiphius. Don’t forget to follow us on social media, drop us a voicemail, or reach out via email at meeplesandwine@gmail.com. And remember, sharing is caring—so pass on Meeples & Wine to a friend!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

The Hunger and Vampire Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon

The Hunger Featured
~ MeeplesandWine

Hello, Meeples and Wine listeners! This week, we sunk our teeth into The Hunger, a vampire-themed deck-builder by Richard Garfield. In the game, you play as vampires hunting humans to gain points, but there’s a catch: you need to make it back to your castle before sunrise, or you’ll burn to ash! It’s a fun push-your-luck experience where you must balance collecting points with your race against time.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

We paired the game with a bottle of Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, which was a solid hit with its smoky, oaky flavor and rich notes of plum and mocha. The game was great for two players, but we both agreed it would be even better with a few more friends to compete against. We also touched on the expansion, Hunger: High Stakes, which adds werewolves and vampire hunters into the mix, making the game even more intense.

If you love spooky deck-builders, we definitely recommend giving this one a try, especially with some vampire wine on the side! More info on the wine here.

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Fire Tower and Toasted Head Chardonnay

Fire Tower
~ MeeplesandWine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

In this episode, we review Fire Tower and taste Toasted Head 2022 Chardonnay, along with the Last Call Kickstarter “Wild Imaginary West”.

00:00 Welcome to Meeples and Wine
00:24 Meet Your Hosts: Michael and Susie
00:47 Contacting Meeples and Wine
01:02 The Voicemail Debate
02:13 Today’s Game: Fire Tower
02:39 Wine Tasting: Toasted Head Chardonnay
08:41 Fire Tower: Game Overview
12:04 Fire Tower: Game Mechanics
16:42 Fire Tower: Strategy and Gameplay
21:04 Fire Tower: Special Cards and Roles
22:25 Winning Strategies for Shadow of the Wood
22:47 Champion of the Wood: Special Abilities
23:34 Fire Tower: Rising Flames Expansion
25:23 Playing Fire Tower with Two Players
26:11 Balancing Offense and Defense
27:51 Fun Score and Relationship Impact
29:17 Final Thoughts on Fire Tower
32:35 Wild Imaginary West RPG
41:06 Meeples and Wine: Where to Find Us

Apollo and Blueberry Spaceship Box Cider

Apollo
~ MeeplesandWine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

Greetings! This week Michael and Suzy play Apollo: A Game Inspired by NASA Moon Missions, by Buffalo Games, and also holds our record for the longest game title to date! Choose your role as either the team of Astronauts or Mission Control as you attempt to successfully either orbit the Earth in the Gemini II mission pack or make it to the moon and back in the Apollo! This won’t be easy, as every turn you must handle systems breaking down, succeeding in your mission level goals and managing to get some experiments done while floating through the black! You can pick up Apollo at our Amazon Associates link HERE!

We also sample Blueberry Spaceship Box, from Superstition Meadery in Arizona. This dark, sparkling cider is a mix of fresh blueberries and granny smith apples, a dark and tart beverage that goes great with the hot summer sun!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

3000 Scoundrels and 3 Rein Never Tame Red

3000 Scoundrels
~ MeeplesandWine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

This week we review Unexpected Games’ 3000 Scoundrels, a futuristic wild-west shootout of bluffing and misdirection! In this game you and up to three more of your friends play rival leaders vying to gather as much of the technology left behind by the mysterious “Traveler” who has just disappeared. Gather your posse together by joining the trait and transparent job cards to create new Scoundrels to hire, will you have a Corrupt Printer, Filthy Dog, or Helpful Banker? Play your poker hand to gain cash, scout the tech loaded safes, and then steal them, but be careful, if you get caught bluffing you’ll lose reputation in town!

If you’d like to pick this one up you can follow our Amazon Associates link to 3000 Scoundrels HERE!

(We do get a little cash on this, and you get a great game!)

Img 20240716 204048

We also sample Aldi’s 3 Rein Red Blend from Colombia Valley, Washington!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Flock Together and La Vieille Ferme Rosé

Flock Together
~ MeeplesandWine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

Welcome to Meeples and Wine! This week Michael and Suzy play Flock Together from Sea Cow Games, taste La Vieille Ferme Rosé, and test out two new microphones! (Let us know how you think it sounds!) Yes, in this week’s game we take on the role of two chickens trying to survive three seasons against the elements and the predators that surround our coop, as Madame Chickovski and Cluckerberry Finn we go claw to toe against such villians as Professor Moleiarty, Chicksune and Cleopoultra!

Flock Together 1

We also taste La Vieille Ferme Rosé, a fruity light wine for hot days, and attempt a cocktail with it also, with mixed results.

Our Final Call is the Scented Realms Kickstarter, a scent based system to get just a little more depth and immersement to your tabletop games!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Shadows Amsterdam and The Phillip Marlowe Gimlet

Shadows Amsterdam
~ MeeplesandWine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

This week Michael and Suzy play Shadows Amsterdam, from Libellud games, an abstract clue giving game where players guide their teams across the map to discover clues, avoid the police, and find their client before their opponents do (or the timer completes!) That’s our Amazon Associates link up there, if you use it we will get some cash from it!

Instead of a wine, we taste a mixed drink this week, the Phillip Marlowe Gimlet. This sweet tart drink made of Bombay Gin and Rose’s Lime Juice, with roots going back to the 1800s!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

Dark Tomb: Bloodthorn Island and The Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc

68 Dark Tomb 2 Crypts Of Aurelian
~ MeeplesandWine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Amazon Music | RSS | More

This week Michael and Suzy play the second game from their Kozz games Kickstarter, Dark Tomb: Bloodthorn Island! It’s the follow up to the first game, Crypts of Aurelian. This time around, though, it’s got a BOAT! We also taste The Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc, a 100% Sauv Blanc from New Zealand!

68 Dark Tomb 2

Be sure to check out our Kickstarter Last Call, Imperial Borders, HERE!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/