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Just Play

Just Play

Written by: Jonathan (JP) Parnaby
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Welcome to Just Play, your board gaming podcast. You host JP acts as your Player Two to guide you through the hobby, whether thats talking about games played at the table, chatting with guests in the industry or covering conventions. Pull up a chair, relax and...Just Play.

© 2026 Just Play
Episodes
  • Episode 2: Please don't touch the mechanisms
    Jun 17 2026

    Welcome the Board Game Mechanism Museum, you've got your ticket, come on in and take a look around as I talk about my favourite mechanisms that I particularly enjoy in gaming. Just remember though to not touch the exhibits.

    IN THIS EPISODE
    - In our "Just Played" segment JP tried to become Unstoppable, a card crafting game by Renegade Studios and tries a different take on the 4x genre in March of the Ants by Weird City Games
    - At the "Centre of the table" JP talks about some of his favourite mechanisms from board games which are so good they ought to be in a museum
    - We take a look at the the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" including Terraria: The Board Game, LOTR Fate of the Fellowship, Lands of Evershade, Rolling Deep and Feya's Swamp

    LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
    Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/kyfBA9vXjC8

    CHAPTERS
    00:00:00 - OPENING
    00:00:24 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
    00:01:49 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED
    00:01:56 - Unstoppable
    00:09:25 - March of the Ants: Evolved Edition
    00:16:21 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE - Please don't touch the mechanisms
    00:17:35 - Hand Management in Concordia
    00:19:08 - Dice Drafting in Coimbra
    00:21:24 - The Combat System in Arcs
    00:23:43 - Aim Board in Apex Legends
    00:25:37 - Powering Up Cards in Civ New Dawn
    00:26:51 - Tile Placement & Activation in Glen More II
    00:28:15 - Card Shedding in Anno 1800
    00:29:48 - Deck Shift Management in Revive
    00:31:12 - Secret Action Selection in Coloma
    00:32:29 - Analogue Point & Click in Cantaloop
    00:35:01 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT
    00:40:07 - PHASE E: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY
    00:41:43 - PHASE F: THE LAST PLAY

    Get in touch with the show

    Support the show

    GET IN TOUCH
    Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
    Discord - Join us on Discord

    INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
    Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
    https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway
    License code: AOBEG4AFXALEPGNZ

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Just Play With Others: Netherlands Board Game Retreat 2026
    Jun 10 2026

    JP returns from a rather sweaty weekend in the Netherlands...no not like that, board gaming in 30+ degree heat of course. Every year Dávid Turczi hosts an invite only retreat for friends, family, developers, testers and this is my second year attending. So will I'll divulge any industry secrets, well no because NDA is a real thing but I did get a lot of games played so what an excuse to talk about them.

    IN THIS EPISODE
    - JP talks more about the event and the fun journeys driving to the Netherlands
    - I joined a variety of content creators including Paul Grogan from Gaming Rules!, Mark Dainty from Not Bored Gaming and Assaf from EZBoardGames
    - I talk about the following games including:
    Andromedas Edge by Cardboard Alchemy
    Slay the Spire by Contention Games
    Leviathan Wilds by Moon Crab Games
    Cat In The Box by Bézier Games
    The Defense of Procyon III by PSC Games
    Recall by Alion Games
    World Order by Hegemonic Project Games
    Clans of Caledonia

    LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
    Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcJr_buxLWU

    CHAPTERS
    00:00:00 - OPENING
    00:00:18 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
    00:00:40 - PHASE B: JUST PLAY WITH OTHERS - Netherlands Gaming Retreat
    00:01:49 - Who attended the event?
    00:03:28 - What was the place like and why was it sweaty?
    00:05:04 - The journey to the Netherlands
    00:06:17 - Secret games that I can't talk about...seriously JP
    00:07:01 - PHASE C: JUST PLAYED AT THE EVENT
    00:07:23 - Andromedas Edge
    00:12:46 - Slay the Spire
    00:18:08 - Leviathan Wilds
    00:25:34 - Cat In The Box
    00:28:15 - The Defense of Procyon III
    00:35:17 - A quick aside for Star Trek Captains Chair
    00:35:56 - Recall
    00:40:21 - World Order
    00:46:58 - Clans of Caledonia
    00:51:42 - PHASE D: THE LAST PLAY

    Get in touch with the show

    Support the show

    GET IN TOUCH
    Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
    Discord - Join us on Discord

    INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
    Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
    https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway
    License code: AOBEG4AFXALEPGNZ

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Just Play With Others: UK Games Expo 2026 (Feat. NinjaGeek Games)
    Jun 6 2026

    Con-Crud is a real thing but you know what, it's worth it when you've attended the UK Games Expo 2026. JP is joined by Mark Monk from @NinjaGeekGames where they break down the show, the games they've played, the people they've met and the wicked awesome (thanks Mark) time they had.

    DISCLAIMER!!! For those watching on video Mark's video / audio has a slight delay which will be resolved in future guest episodes as JP has learnt his lesson.

    IN THIS EPISODE
    - JP & Mark catch-up around their journeys into the NEC Birmingham and find out that Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers have nothing to worry about.
    - We break down our experiences over Thursday to Sunday and talk about games, games, games, people and more games

    GAMES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Flip 7 / Flip 7 with a Vengeance by The Op Games
    The Thing: Infection Outpost 31 by Mondo Games
    Song of the Wildkin by Boken Games
    Paths Unknown Series by Raybox Games
    Almighty by Keen Bean Games
    Drillers by Czech Games Edition
    Codenames: Critical Role Adventures by Czech Games Edition
    Wroth & Wreck by Chip Theory Games
    Too Many Bones 2.0 by Chip Theory Games
    Sublime Dark by Hall or Nothing Productions
    Trouble on the Tempus by Minor Disaster Games
    Railway Porters by Saachi & Saachi
    Tally Up by Messy Table Games
    A Carnivore Did It by Horrible Guild
    Thief's Market by PickPocket Games
    Kryptothera: The Cryptid Pursuit by NoctiLux Games
    Prague: Unseen by Albi Games
    Tenby by Mighty Boards
    War of Whispers by Starling Games
    Snowdonia Gran Tour by Naylor Games
    Time Troopers by Molinarius Games
    Whisperwood by Cardboard Alchemy

    LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
    Check out Mark's channel right here - https://www.youtube.com/@NinjaGeekGames
    Becky's Cheesy Bangers Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2GB4D1yA8G2qehCSAOZ27o?si=5Itu0f0rRiyUg2XyX_GmcwEPISODE&nd=1&dlsi=996ec348f8654010

    CHAPTERS
    00:00:00 - OPENING
    00:00:24 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
    00:03:33 - PHASE B: JUST PLAY WITH OTHERS - UK Games Expo 2026
    00:06:41 - Day 0 - THURSDAY - Press Event
    00:07:01 - PHASE C: JUST PLAYED AT THE EVENT
    00:12:20 - Flip 7 , Cabanga, Things In Rings
    00:13:37 - The Thing: Infection Outpost 31
    00:14:38 - DAY 1 - FRIDAY & Song of the Wildkin
    00:19:41 - Paths Unknown Series
    00:22:58 - Almighty
    00:29:05 - Drillers
    00:31:50 - Codenames: Critical Role Adventures
    00:34:13 - Wroth & Wreck
    00:37:57 - Too Many Bones 2.0
    00:40:55 - Sublime Dark
    00:44:15 - Trouble on the Tempus
    00:49:58 - Sanctuary
    00:51:38 - Flip 7: With a Vengence
    00:53:39 - DAY 2 - SATURDAY & Hegemony: Shadows of Authority
    00:59:20 - Meet & Greets then Railway Porters
    01:03:32 - Tally Up, A Carnivore Did It & Thief's Market
    01:08:04 - Kryptothera & Stoke Me A Clipper!!!
    01:10:39 - Prague: Unseen
    01:15:18 - Tenby
    01:20:13 - War of Whispers & Heat: Mario Kart
    01:23:47 - DAY 3 - SUNDAY & Snowdonia Grand Tour
    01:29:43 - Catching up with Mindclash Games
    01:32:03 - Time Troopers
    01:34:17 - Whisperwood
    01:41:59 - PHASE D: UKGE PURCHASES & WRAP UP
    01:52:07 - PHASE E: THE LAST PLAY

    Get in touch with the show

    Support the show

    GET IN TOUCH
    Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
    Discord - Join us on Discord

    INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
    Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
    https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway
    License code: AOBEG4AFXALEPGNZ

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 53 mins
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