417Gamer Podcast Episode 37: The One with Card Games

·1 hr 17 min·5 clips

Rick argues that not every game with cards belongs in the card-game category.

1. Hobby Gaming Network's 417 Gamer Podcast episode 37 centers on card games and four recent plays: Azul Duel, Archeology the Card Game, Trailblazers, and A Gentle Rain. 2. Rick hosts with Andrea, and both say David Stansfield could not record because of house issues before episode 38. 3. The episode asks what counts as a card game, what card formats the hosts prefer, and which seven card games they would rank highest. 4. Rick and Andrea start with Azul Duel from Next Move Games and identify Michael Kiesling as the designer of the original Azul. 5. They compare Azul Duel to Splendor Duel, Queen's Garden, and the base Azul, then say Azul Duel is too fiddly for introductory gamers. 6. Archeology the Card Game comes up after a dinner with steaks, tri-tip, and grilled corn at friends' house. 7. Rick says they brought River Valley Glassworks and Scout, while Andrea says their friends had never played trick-taking games like spades or hearts. 8. The hosts describe Archeology the Card Game as a Phil Walker-Harding design from Z-Man Games, released in 2016, about drafting artifact cards in the Egyptian desert. 9. They explain the money-and-set-building push-pull, including sarcophagus cards worth four bucks and market cards that can be bought or drafted. 10. Rick also names the robber and sandstorm as take-that effects that can steal cards or clear out half a hand. 11. Trailblazers is presented as a pocket-sized game with art reminiscent of Parks and half-size square cards. 12. Andrea says players build water pathways, hiking trails, kayak loops, and biking trails while completing goal cards such as looping trails around camps. 13. Rick compares Trailblazers to what he wanted Curious Cargo to be, and both hosts like that cards can be covered or partially overlapped. 14. A Gentle Rain is described as a solo or cooperative puzzle by Kevin Wilson from Incredible Dream Studio. 15. The hosts explain that players match flower colors on tile edges and complete circled divots to bloom flower discs. 16. Rick calls A Gentle Rain a difficult puzzle and notes the score depends on how many tiles remain after all discs are placed. 17. The tone stays conversational and comparative, with Rick and Andrea frequently interrupting each other to clarify rules, trade opinions, and name other games. 18. The format mixes review, category debate, and a ranked countdown, with a sponsor-style Moon City Con announcement inserted before the topic discussion. 19. Listeners who enjoy board-game taxonomy, small-box card games, and light-to-midweight reviews will get the most from this episode. 20. Listeners who want only one-game deep dives or heavy narrative structure will probably skip it.

As heard by us

A clear look at recent plays and the practical strengths and limits of card games.

Episode 37 stays on card games, opening with Rick and Andrea noting David's absence because of things happening at his house. From there they move through four recent plays: Azul Duel, Archeology the card game, Trailblazers, and A Gentle Rain.

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Why you'd press play

You want a warm card-game hangout with practical table opinions.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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