Join me as I celebrate the 50^th show of Meeples & Miniatures â the podcast about Miniature Wargames & Strategy Boardgames â with a packed programme of gaming goodness!

I revisit World War I, with another look at WW1 minis in 28mm that you may have missed (I know I did!) and I also review Stout Hearts & Iron Troopers, the new scenario pack from Too Fat Lardies.

My in-depth review this month is of the new Napoleonic wargame Waterloo, designed by Martin Wallace

There is also a large number of reviews in the show, including products from Wargames Illustrated, HLBS Co, Knuckleduster, Spartan Games and Gripping Beast.

Download the show and join in the fun!

Welcome to the much-delayed review of Salute 2009. Join me as I discuss the show with Jere Koskela, Henry Hyde and Colin Hagreen.

Welcome to episode #1 of View from the Veranda (VftV).

VftV is a spin off from the Meeples & Miniatures podcast, and features Neil Shuck in conversation with Henry Hyde, editor of Battlegames magazine.

In each show, we take one or two subjects as our theme, and simply âhave a chatâ about the wargaming hobby, with these subjects in mind.

In this first episode, we discuss some of the contents of the latest issue of Battlegames magazine, and also chat about why historical wargaming doesnât seem to be as popular as sci-fi and fantasy gaming.

So, pull up a chair and join us on the Veranda!

Show 49 of Meeples & Miniatures â the podcast about Miniature Wargames & Strategy Boardgames â is now available to download.

Following on from playing the recently released Through the Mud and the Blood WWI skirmish rules at Salute, this show has an in-depth review of these great new rules from Too Fat Lardies, and I also discuss a couple of options for figures you can use with the game.

Other reviews include the re-launched Miniature Wargames magazine, and I also review the new Campaign Book, Volume 1 for Memoir â44.

Finally, I take a few minutes to discuss why Iâm an historical miniatures gamer, and why itâs such a great part of the wargaming hobby.

Enjoy the show!

Just a âquickâ show before Salute!

In this show, I am joined by Jere Koskela, and we discuss various gaming subjects, including:

            The new releases from Privateer Press for Warmachine & Hordes

            Using Elves in Uncharted Seas (or how not to use them!)

            Successors â a board wargame from GMT Games

            Using different undercoats when painting miniatures

We also discuss our imminent appearance at Salute, and launch a new competition.

In packed and varied show this month, I chat about my recent visit to the Hammerhead show, and review the latest releases for Impetus and Uncharted Seas.

Iâm joined again by Henry Hyde, and we discuss the latest issue of Battlegames magazine, Trafalgar from Warhammer Historical and the recent sale of Wargames Illustrated.

Finally, I chat to Colin Hagreen, one of the South London Warlords club, about the logistics of organising Salute.

Enjoy the show!

This is the first of the new format monthly editions of the Meeples & Miniatures Podcast, and itâs a bit of a monster.

Iâm very pleased to welcome two new co-hosts to the podcast, in the shape of Dave Luff and Jere Koskela.

As well as Dave and Jere, the show has two new sections.

The first is âView from the Verandaâ, where I discuss various Miniature wargameârelated subjects with Henry Hyde of Battlegames magazine. In the premiere episode, we look back at how Battlegames magazine has moved forward in the past year or so, and take a look forward at a couple of things to come.

The second section is âThe Painting Shedâ. Iâve had several requests from listeners to include a hobby section about painting on the show, so we begin a series of articles looking at all the techniques surrounding painting miniatures. Today we concentrate on preparation.

In addition to our new sections, some of the old favourites remain. We have two in-depth reviews, as we take a close look at Memoir â44 and Canvas Eagles. We also spend some time talking about the games we have been playing in the last month or so.

Finally, I announce the results of the Gutshot Competiton.

Enjoy the show!

00:00   Intro

08:30   Rumblings â Dominion, Uncharted Seas, Twilight Struggle

37:45   In-Depth Review â Memoir â44

97:20   Competition

101:40  View from the Veranda â Latest news on Battlegames magazine, with Henry Hyde 

137:30  Review â Canvas Eagles

167:00  The Painting Shed â Preparing models

193:10  Closing Comments

Show 45 of Meeples & Miniatures â the podcast about Miniature Wargames & Strategy Boardgames â is now available to download.

Review of 2008 â Part II

In this, the second of my shows which look back at 2008, you are in for a bit of an aural treat as I am joined by special guest Henry Hyde, editor of Battlegames Magazine. Together, we discuss several of the major events of the year in the miniatures gaming hobby.

I hope you enjoy the show!

Show 43 of Meeples & Miniatures â the podcast about Miniature Wargames & Strategy Boardgames â is now available to download.

Well, after some delay due to the holiday period, the next show is here, and hopefully it has been worth waiting for.

The main feature of this show are the âNutsâ rules from Two Hour Wargames. Not only do I review the rules themselves, but also the brand new Campaign Book âPieper at the Gatesâ, which was released just before Christmas.

I also discuss a few bits of news,and chat about playing Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game and Duel in the Dark:Baby Blitz

I hope you enjoy the show!

00:00   Intro 03:00   Rumblings â Battlestar Galactica & Duel In The Dark: Baby Blitz 18:00    News 25:30   In-Depth Review â Nuts, from Two Hour Wargames       75:15    Review â Pieper At The Gates â Nuts Campaign Book 96:30   Looking Ahead â The next year @ Meeples & Miniatures 102:00  Closing Comments

Other reviews include:

Battlelore: For Troll and Country

Flashing Blade Miniatures (28mm Crusaders, 40mm Romano-British, 40mm Cacadores)       

Uncharted Seas Tokens from Litko Areosystems

Uncharted Seas Sea Monsters  

I also discuss feedback from my previous discussion on the differences between UK and US gaming culture.

The show, as well as containing the usual mix of comment and chat about gaming, contains not one, but two in-depth reviews.

First up is Uncharted Seas, the new fantasy naval game from Spartan Games. I take a detailed look at the rules, plus I review some of the current ship models and accessories available for this game.

Secondly, since it was almost Halloween when I recorded this show, I examine Ambush Z, the new zombie combat game from Ambush Alley Games.

In between these two reviews, I take some time out to discuss what I think are some of the differences between UK and US gaming culture

The show features the usual mix of gaming news and comment.

During the show, I chat about A Touch of Evil, the new horror boardgame from Flying Frog Productions, as well as giving an in-depth review of the historical miniatures rules Basic Impetus & Impetus, from Dadi & Piombo

As an added bonus, the show also features details of a competition to win one of two copies of the Gutshot rules.

For my rules review, I look at the supernatural skirmish rules Occult Wars, from Stealthy Spider Publishing.

All this, plus the usual gaming news and comment.

I take an in-depth look at not one, but two games this time.

First of all, I look at a new game from Crosscut Games â Galactic Emperor â a game of political and military conquest in the far off reaches of space.

Following on from that, I also review Secrets of the Third Reich â the new Weird War II game from West Wind Productions. 

This along with the usual gaming news, plus a look back at the Manorcon Boardgames convention.

My review this time is of the Skirmish Wargame Patrol: WWII, from Pacific Sky Games. This is a game which allows you to recreate the day-to-day activities of a World War II Infantry squad in a campaign setting

All this, plus the usual discussion of news items, games, rules and miniatures â plus some listener feedback.

00:00    Intro

04:00    Rumblings â Gaming news & views

32:30    Rules Review: Patrol WWII

53:30    Getting Started in Miniature Wargaming: Hybrid Games

85:45    Mailbag â Listener Feedback

95:20    Closing comments

My review this time is of the boardgame Duel in the Dark â a game which recreates the British night bombing campaign of 1943 over Germany.

Finally, I announce the winner of the Polemos Napoleonic competition.

Subjects and games covered include 15mm Modern figures, Gaming on VASSAL, Sharp Practice, Impetus, Last Night On Earth: Growing Hunger, Unspeakable Words and Mausen.

Enjoy the Show!

Following on from this, I review the scenario book âDay of the Rangerâ? from Ambush Alley Games, which allows you to take part in various events surrounding Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu in 1993.

As well as reviewing the scenario book, I also discuss what other resources you might want to have a look at for this operation, and also what miniatures you may want to use if you were playing the scenarios.

Actually, Part 1 of the show is now available. Iâve recorded lots of material for this show, so much so that Iâve had to split the show into two parts.

In Part 1 (available now) I chat about the recent Society of Ancients Battle Day, and some of my preparations leading up to it.

I also talk about my current search for a set of rules to game Ancients with, which includes a mini-review of âField of Gloryâ and my initial thoughts on Warmaster Ancients and Basic Impetus.

Coming in Part 2 (available later this week) will be in depth reviews of the Boardgame âShogunâ and the Wargames Scenario pack âDay of the Rangerâ

Finally, there is a new prize competition to enter, in which you can win a copy of the Polemos Napoleonic rules.

For my review this time, I'm looking at the Dr Who Micro-universe CMG.

Finally, I discuss my initial thoughts on painting 6mm figures, along with paint and brushes.

Show Notes:

04.45 - Rumblings: Gaming news
• 18.35 - Hammerhead Report
• 35.10 - Review: Dr Who Micro-universe
• 46.55 - Painting: Musings about painting 6mm figures, paint and brushes.
• 55.25 - Closing comments

Hope you enjoy the show.

In this show, I look at the new expansion for Battlelore â Scottish Wars. I also review the boardgame Ca$h & Gun$ and itâs first expansion Yakuzas.

In particular, Iâm looking at skirmish gaming in large scale â 40mm to be exact â and specifically gaming in the late 18^th and early 19^th Century, incorporating the American War of Independence, the French Indian War and the Napoleonic War.

I review the rules Black Powder Battles in depth, plus I look at some other, free (or at least very cheap), skirmish rules that you may want to consider for this period.

Finally, I look at the broad range of 40mm figures that are available, whether it be Napoleonics from the likes of Sash & Saber or Perry Miniatures, French Indian War from HLBS or American War of Independence from Front Rank Figurines, to name but a few.

Therefore, Iâve decided to produce a show with the material Iâve got so far. This means that this show is somewhat lite on wargaming content, as the main material I have left out are the rules and figure reviews. However, donât depair! These reviews will be produced in their own show in a week or so.

So, what can you expect to find in todayâs show?

• A chat about the current performance of my Romans in a Commands & Colors: Ancients campaign.
• Reviews of the boardgames Masons and Cloud 9.
• The highlights of some of the latest monthly Wargames publications.
• Listener feedback.

This show is my âGame Review Of 2007â, in which I discuss my favourite Boardgames, Wargames and Figure ranges of last year.

I also look forward to 2008, and talk about a slight change in direction for the podcast.

I also announce the results of a couple of competitions.

I also do a âmini reviewâ of Litko Areosystems gaming tokens.

• 00:00 - Intro

   

• 05:45 - Rumblings â Chat about recent gaming

   

• 10:30 - Boardgame Ballyhoo: Reiner Knizia's Kingdoms

   

• 21:25 - Competition â SGSBOG rules

   

• 23:30 - Boardgame Ballyhoo: Space Hulk

   

• 53:20 â Feedback

   

• 60:00 â Closing comments

Enjoy the show!

I review the games:

Doctor Who Uno

BGFW Scenario & Terrain Packs

Songs of Blades and Heroes

and I look at gaming with plastic & paper miniatures.

Finally, there is some listener feedback.

Show Notes:

00:00 - Intro

01:45 - Rumblings â Scimitar Gaming Group @ Halloween

11:19 - Boardgame Ballyhoo: Doctor Who Uno, Battleground Fantasy Warfare Scenario and Terrain Packs

28:17 - Rules Ruminations â review of Songs of Blades & Heroes

47:54 - Competition â SGSBOG rules

49:18 â Miniature Musings â Talking about Paper and Plastic Miniatures

63:00 â Feedback

73:20 â Closing comments

Enjoy the show!

As well as this, I chat about some recent games that I've played and bought, respond to some listener feedback and annouce the winner of the THW 5150 competition.

Hope you enjoy the show!

• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:22 - Rumblings: I chat about some of the latest Wargames magazines, talk about some new wargames rules I've bought, give a couple of ideas of games for Halloween, and talk about the new 'Scottish Wars' expansion for Battlelore.
• 17:05 - Boardgame Ballyhoo: I review "Last Night On Earth, The Zombie Game' from Flying Frog Productions
• 31:20 - Competition - The results of the 5150 competition, plus a new prize up for grabs.
• 33:46 - Rules Ruminations - I review "Six Gun Sound - Blaze Of Glory" from Two Hour Wargames
• 51:00 - Miniature Musings - I look at the HLBS Co 'Old West' range, ideal for gaming 'Six Gun Sound' with.
• 60:10 - Feedback - I response to your email
• 70:50 - Closing comments

In today's show, I interview Andy & Wendy Cooper of West Wind Productions. We chat about Andy's background, his time with Old Glory, how West Wind came about and the latest figure ranges - including "Secrets of the Third Reich" and the all new "Samurai" range!

I hope that you enjoy the show.

My Father-in-law, Peter Charles Langley, died yesterday (21st September) after a short illness.

His passing leaves a huge hole in our lives, and we will missing him terribily.

As part of the coverage of the Partizan show, I recorded several interviews, which are in the show. These include:

• The Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company

   

• Bolt Action Miniatures

   

• Graven Images

   

• Henry Hyde, editor of Battlegames magazine.

   

The Boardgame review this month looks at the new expansions for the âBattleloreâ game;  'Goblin Marauders' and 'Hundred Years War' from Days of Wonder.

On the miniature wargames front, I review the sci-fi skirmish rules '5150' by Two Hour Wargames.

And finally there are the results of the first Meeples & Miniatures prize competition, and I give details of a new prize giveaway.

I hope that you enjoy the show.

And don't forget that you can still enter the prize competition to win a copy of the 'Warrior Heroes' miniature wargames rules.

• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:06 - Rumblings - a look at what has been going on in my gamin life recently
• 09:54 - Boardgame Ballyhoo. An review of the latest Battlelore expansions from Days of Wonder
• 23:14 - Rules Ruminations. I review 'Warrior Heroes' by Two Hour Wargames.
• 52:23 - Miniatures Musings. I take a look at the sci-fi figures that are produced by eM-4 Miniatures
• 60:30 - Closing comments

Due to a slight communication problem, the competition details were delayed in being updated on the TwoHourWargames website - my fault, I published before Ed was ready!

This has now been corrected, so what you are looking for on the THW website is now there!

Many apologies again!

Regards
Neil.

Plus, I give details of the first Meeples & Miniatures prize competition.

Enjoy the show!

I thought that now would be a good time to start a text blog to complement my podcast, so look out for more many more entries of the 'text' variety in the near future...

Anyway, arrived back at work to find the latest Battlelore packs: 'Goblin Skirmishers' and 'Dwarven Battalion' sat on my desk - so I'm looking forward to getting those home tonight.

I'm starting to record episode 17 of the podcast this week - it will concentrate on gaming in a fantasy setting. I'm hoping to publish it at the weekend (11th August) but that may be pushing it a bit...

I then review the Sci-Fi gang combat game 'Combat Zone', and also look at the figures produced by eM-4 Miniatures.

• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:00 - Rumblings.
• 08:39 - Boardgame Ballyhoo. An overview of the boardgames 'Colosseum' and 'Fire & Axe: A Viking Saga'.
• 27:02 - Rules Ruminations. I review 'Combat Zone' by eM-4 Miniatures.
• 42:47 - Miniatures Musings. I take a look at the sci-fi figures that are produced by eM-4 Miniatures
• 50:15 - Closing comments

Enjoy the show!

I review the boardgame 'Ave Caesar' - a game about chariot racing and the miniatures game 'Red Sand, Blue Sky', which is about Gladatorial combat.

Following this, I take a brief look at what figures are available for gaming Gladiators.

Enjoy the show!

Follow this link for the show notes:

www.meeplesandminiatures.co.uk

In this show, I review the games 'Pylos' and 'Wings Over Suez', and give some thoughts on Vapour Trails model aircraft.

I also issue a challenge to play me at Kreta and Samurai online using the MaBi Web website.

Enjoy the show!

Neil.

In show 13, I talk about my recent visits to two gaming shows: Partizan, and UK Games Expo 2007.

Partizan is a miniature wargaming show, whilst UK Games Expo is more of a US style gaming convention.

Foloowing on from that, I review the card game âSymboticaâ, by Andrew Sage, which was released at UK Games Expo and finish with a review of âChain Reaction 2â from two Hour Wargames.

Enjoy the show!

Neil.

The Show:

00:00 - Intro

05:07 - Rumblings. On this show, I talk about my recent visits to Partizan and UK Games Expo

05:27 â Partizan

24:50 - UK Games Expo

37:30 - Boardgame Ballyhoo. This time, I review the card game 'Symbotica'

46:38 - Wargames Rules Ruminations. A review of the rules 'Chain Reaction 2'.

61:55 - Closing comments

The Links

Partizan Wargames Show

Perry Miniatures

The Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company

Hasslefree Miniatures

Flashing Blade Miniatures

Tumbling Dice

Occult Wars

Graven Images

UK Games Expo

Mongoose Publishing

Fast Mindstalkers

Polarity

Gigamic Games

Andrew Sage Art & Entertainment

Two Hour Wargames

Apologies for the delay in posting episode 13...unfortunately a case of real life getting in the way. The episode is recorded, and I'm currently finishing the editing process, so the podcast should be published this coming weekend.

Regards,

Neil.

Finally, a look at the figure range that accompanies the Vanguard rules.

I hope that you enjoy the show!

00:00 Intro

03:50 Rumblings - Battlelore: Call to Arms

15:25 Boardgame Ballyhoo - Havoc: The Hundred Years War

26:20 Rules Ruminations - Vanguard: Men At Arms

50:10 Musings about Miniatures - Vanguard: Men At Arms

60:00 Closing comments

Rumblings - I discuss anything that has recently caught my attention in the world of boardgames and miniature wargames.

Boardgame Ballyhoo - I review a boardgame that I have recently played

Wargames Rules Ruminations - I review one or more sets of rules for wargaming with miniatures. This is usually themed for a particular period/genre each week.

Musings about Miniatures - I review a range of figures. These are usually figures that can be used with the rules reviewed in the 'Ruminations' section of the show.

In this, episode 11 of the Meeples & Miniatures podcast, the main topic is wargaming the Vietnam war. I discuss two rulesets for gaming the conflict: "Charlie Company" & "FNG", and then review what miniatures can be used to game this conflict in 28mm.

The Show:

00:00 - Intro

02:00 - Rumblings. This week I discuss news of releases from North Star, HLBS, Tumbling Dice and Hasslefree.

08:00 - Boardgame Ballyhoo. This time, I review the boardgame 'Hive'.

12:25 - Wargames Rules Ruminations. Review of rules for wargaming Vietnam with miniatures.

13:40 - Review of 'Charlie Company' by RAFM

25:25 - Review of 'FNG' by Two Hour Wargames

43:40 - Musings about Miniatures. 28mm figures and vehicles for gaming Vietnam.

64:00 - Closing comments

I hope that you find the show useful, informative and entertaining.

Enjoy!

Neil.

This includes the likes of Wargames Illustrated, Wargames Journal, Fictional Reality, Harbinger and many more.

I hope that you enjoy the show.

Regards

Neil.

I review Zombietown from Twilight Creations, Zombie Plague from Fortress Figures and All Things Zombie from Two Hour Wargames.

I also review some of my favourite miniatures for using with Zombie games.

For a complete list of the manufacturers websites, plus pictures of the figures discussed in the show, please visit the Meeples & Miniatures website.

I hope that you enjoy the show.

Neil

This show reviews Battleground Fantasy Warfare from YourMove Games. This review was originally recorded in 2006 - I have recorded some new material for this episode, bringing the review up to date with the latest news from this company.

I hope that you enjoy the show.

Cheers, Neil

YourMoveGames

Battleground HQ - Fantasy Warfare Fan Site

You may have noticed that there hasn't been an episode this week - sorry about that, but I've had a week off work over Easter and I've been doing several jobs around the house and spending some time with the family prior to working away from home for 3 weeks...which should give me ample time to record some shows (what else am I going to do in a hotel of an evening?)

Easter greetings to everyone, and I'll 'speak' to you soon.

Regards,

Neil.

The main part of this show is a review of the game âROBOGEARâ â along with extra comments to bring the review up to date.

In addition to this, Iâve also replied to some feedback, answering a question about the âHellboyâ range of figures from Graven Images.

I hope that you enjoy the show.

Links:

Graven Images

Russian ROBOGEAR website

In this episode, I give my thoughts on the two hybrid games which are currently popular in my gaming group: âBattleloreâ and âCommands & Colors: Ancientsâ.

I hope that you enjoy the show.

Below are the links for todayâs show. These include the full rules and first scenarios for Commands & Colors: Ancients from the GMT website, plus links to the official Battlelore website and a rules overview.

GMT Games Website

Commands & Colors: Ancients Rules (PDF)

Scenarios â Part 1

Scenarios â Part 2

Scenarios â Part 3

Scenarios â The Truceless War

Days Of Wonder

Official Battlelore Website

Battlelore Rules Overview

Links for the ranges are available below:

AT-43

Battlefield Evolution

Hope you enjoy the show!

We played this game at the Scimitar club a couple of weeks ago, so it gives this show a bot of relevance - well, sort of.

Anyway, I hope you find it interesting. More to come soon.

Regards

Neil.

All of these games are by Reiner Knizia. They are:

Poison

Mmm Brains

Tigris & Euphrates

I hope that you find the show of interest.

Cheers, Neil 

There are pictures of the show and of the models discussed in the podcast. These can be found at Earthquake's Skirmish Pages. Simply click the link and follow the menu.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Links from this show

Hammerhead Wargames Show

Flashing Blade Miniatures

Graven Images

North Star

Hasslefree Miniatures

I will be looking at publishing a new podcast early next week (w/c 12th Feb)

After reading some feedback, I think I will start producing more frequent, but shorter shows (roughly 15-20 mins length) This should cut down on my editing time and make listening to the shows easier.

Take care

Neil

I've now corrected this, and the RSS feed now appears to be working OK - many apologies for any problems this caused...I'm still a bit new to this!

Regards

Neil

 This is my first "full" podcast after doing several small pieces on the "It's time 4 games" podcast. This particular show is 30 minutes long, but I'm hoping that future shows will be somewhere nearer to 45-60 minutes.

 My home audio recording set-up is not very high tech - so I apologise if the audio quality is a little mixed

0:00 - Intro

2:20 - Wargames Diary

6:33 - Session review of "Arkham Horror" boardgame by Fantasy Flight Games

10:56 - Flashing Blade Miniatures

13:05 - 'Out of the Box' review of "Victory at Sea" by Mongoose Publishing

24:40 - Review of "6 Takes" by Amigo Games

29:10 - Closing comments

You can email me comments about the show at the following address:

 meeples.miniatures@ntlworld.com