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How Do You Tell a Superman Story . . . Without Superman?

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 13d

This a a wonderful video about one of my favorite Superman stories (written by @kurtbusiek.bsky.social)... but you should go find the trade paperback of Superman: Secret Identity and read it before watching this.

Steve Shives @steveshives.bsky.social · 13d

NEW VIDEO! How Do You Tell a Superman Story . . . Without Superman? youtu.be/gsfCcw_uzzE

YouTube video by Steve Shives

youtu.be

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 13d

I hear you. I’m going to have to pick & choose with the commons.

Heroscape: “Knowing is half the battle”

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 13d

My latest post on the Opinionated Gamers site is a VERY extensive preview of the Heroscape releases coming February - May of 2026. I not only cover @renegadegamestudios.com RenegadeCon but also salt in a good bit of my own commentary. Enjoy!

#boardgames

opinionatedgamers.com/2025/10/07/h...

Good grief. The Embers of War Heroscape releases just arrived on my doorstep this week… and then the Renegade Game Studios team decided to open the veritable floodgates with information about…

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 16d

It’s probably the most difficult AI I play with… but when I’m iffy about what it would choose, I just choose whatever would be worst for me.

Solotober - My Top 20 for 2025

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 16d

The 1 Player Guild on BoardGameGeek votes each October for their favorite solo #boardgames... and I turned my entry into a Geeklist for all to enjoy.

boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/364...

Each October, the 1 Player Guild (1PG) votes on the top 20 solo games - here's my two cents. (Extensive commentary courtesy of my solo gaming recaps over on the [url=https://opinionatedgamers.com/?s=s...

boardgamegeek.com

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 20d

September gaming… a good bit of solo play plus multiple BGA async tournaments. And the chance to try some oddball new stuff thanks to my son and some good friends.

Rocket Man: Galactic Cruise Solo

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 21d

My latest review on the Opinionated Gamers site - the splendid Galactic Cruise.

#boardgames

opinionatedgamers.com/2025/09/30/r...

I’m not going to bury the lede here – I’m enjoying the heck out of playing Galactic Cruise as a solo game. And since I started with a sly newspaper/journalism reference in the first sentence …

Flamme Rouge: The Expansions

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 23d

Age yourself w/a movie you saw in a theater as a kid.

My first movie(s) were Jungle Book and Charlie the Lonesome Cougar as a double feature.

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 24d

My latest review on the Opinionated Gamers site - this time, I'm examining the three expansions for the cycling game Flamme Rouge. My main focus is on the newest expansion: Grand Tour.

#boardgames

opinionatedgamers.com/2025/09/27/f...

It’s hard for me to believe that I wrote my initial review of Flamme Rouge (the cycling game) back in 2017. That’s right – eight years ago. (For those of you who can’t be bo…

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 25d

I like it a lot as solo or 2-player when you add in the By the Lake expansion.

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 13

He is, isn't he? Perhaps one could think about the mac'n "cheese" as the extended time of goblin fighting one must wade through to reach the precious treasure of King Tillamook.

Yea, many songs of glory are sung in the halls of Tillamook over bowls of his delicious desserts. :-)

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 13

Nashville - April ‘24

#MyPLMornings

Solo Gaming 2025: The First Eight Months

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 8

The Ravens once more manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory... dang, it was fun to watch.

I say that as a long-suffering Titans fan who had three fantasy players in the 41-40 craziness last night.

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 8

It's early September... so that means that it is time for my solo gaming recap from the first 8 months of 2025 over on the Opinionated Gamers site.

#boardgames

opinionatedgamers.com/2025/09/08/s...

I’ve been writing these solo gaming reports since March of 2020… yes, early on in the pandemic. This new era of well-designed automata and solo modes for multiplayer games, coupled with excell…

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 7

Additionally, I find something really emotionally satisfying about physically playing a game: shuffling cards, moving pieces, seeing it all spread out in front of you.

And, yes, that includes the process of setting up a game with lots of components - it's kind of a zen-like experience for me. 3/3

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 7

But the cognitive load of multiple screens to see my personal hand, drafting rows, board positions, etc. on more complicated games is overwhelming and not enjoyable.

I do wonder if that's a function of getting older and my short term memory being a tad more limited. 2/3

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 7

My work involves a lot of time in front of a computer screen - thus playing a solo board/card game is a welcome respite.

I would agree that some board/card games are best on computer (BGA does great work here - esp. in games with complicated scoring mechanics). 1/3

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 6

If I remember correctly, he introduced y'all to me as "your gaming grandfather."

Dadgum smart-aleck whippersnapper. Get off my lawn. :-)

Tenpenny Parks: Innovations / Winter Lights & Spooky Nights

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 6

I enjoyed Tenpenny Parks a lot... so I'm very interested in the upcoming KS from @thunderworksgames.bsky.social to add both variety and some additional depth to the game. (Plus, a way to store all of it together.)

thunderworksgames.com/products/ten...

Two exciting expansions for the Tenpenny Parks board game! Bring fresh, innovative entertainment to your theme park, and celebrate the holidays with spooky rides and holly-jolly fun for all.

thunderworksgames.com

Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · Sep 6

Wait a minute. I think we have a mutual gamer friend who owns way too many cool woodworking & 3D printing toys.

I was his youth minister back in the 90s!!!