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Meeples & Wine: Dodging Worms and Sipping Reds in Terror Below

Hey there, Meeples & Wine fans! It’s Michael and Suzy, your go-to duo for board game reviews tailored for couples, always with a glass of something tasty in hand. Got a game or wine you think we should try? Shoot us an email at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or leave a message at (707) 572-5282 or via our Speakpipe. Let’s jump into this week’s episode!

We’re kicking things off with a bold pour of Dearly Beloved I Thee Red 2023, a red blend from Lodi, California. This wine’s got serious autumn vibes with its Dia de Los Muertos-inspired bottle art. Crafted from a mix of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Tannat, and Tempranillo, it’s bursting with dark cherry, plum, and spicy vanilla oak aromas, plus flavors of blueberry, black currant, and toasted vanilla bean. It’s perfect for sipping solo or pairing with aged cheeses, roasted meats, or pasta with a hearty red sauce. We’ll check back later to see how it’s evolved since we popped the cork!

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: Terror Below from Renegade Game Studios. Designed by Mike Elliott (known for Marvel Dice Masters and Thunderstone Quest) with art by Eric Hibbeler (Sky Team), this game has a 6.7/10 rating on BoardGameGeek and a light 1.94/5 complexity, playable by 1-5 players. In Terror Below, you’re racing through the Nevada desert, collecting Worm Eggs, delivering them for bounties, and maybe even hunting giant W.O.R.M.s (Weapons of Remote Massacre) if you’re feeling brave. The catch? Moving fast attracts those vicious underground worms, so strategy is key!

Here’s how it plays: your goal is to hit 20 Victory Points first by collecting and delivering Eggs, completing bounties, or slaying worms. Each turn, you play a Vehicle card to distract a worm, moving its Target token to keep it off your tail. Then, you spend Action Points to move your pawn, clear rubble, pick up Eggs, or deliver them to Locations for points. Special card abilities add some flair, and you refill your hand to three cards at the end. Between turns, worms might attack, dropping Eggs and Rubble—or worse, catching you in a fight. If you’re armed with Weapon or Item cards, you can hunt the worm for a VP or bounty; if not, your Leader might bite the dust and you’ll respawn with a new one. It’s a wild mix of action points, dice rolling, grid movement, and pick-up-and-deliver mechanics with variable player powers for extra spice. Oh, and there’s a Hidden Cache Expansion if you want more chaos!

Before we sign off, we’re hyped about some upcoming games we found on crowdfunding. Check out Dice Throne Vanguard on Kickstarter and Trenchcoat Raccoons: A Chaotic, Fail-Forward Heist RPG by OneShot TPK on Gamefound. Next week, we’ll be diving into another game—stay tuned for details!

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know what you want us to play or sip next at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or via (707) 572-5282 or Speakpipe. That’s all for now—keep sipping, gaming, and loving those game nights. See you next time on Meeples & Wine! Buh-Bye!