The Broken Meeple - a UK Board Games blog and podcast that reports on board and card games. Reviews, Top 5/10 lists, or just anything that's on my mind! One thing is for sure - I don't hold back and will speak my mind!
In addition to this podcast I have a YouTube channel that showcases review videos and Top 10 lists. Please feel free to check them out!
Broken Meeple Podcast 142 - Essen Spiel Preview 2026
Broken Meeple Podcast 142 - Essen Spiel Preview 2026
LONGEST EPISODE EVER! :-)
In this episode after my quick updates, I give an extensive first impressions rant on the Realm of Reckoning board game from IV Studios which shall we say..........didn't impress me much and was subject to controversial "free speech interventions" by the BGG Facebook team.
Then it's all about Essen 2026. I talk about my plans, the hall layout, tips for newcomers and drivers and then I go through the first page of "hot thumb" board games for Essen from the BGG Preview list and see if ANYTHING can lift my excitement up.............hmmmm........
Timestamps:
00:00 - General Updates
11:48- Realm of Reckoning First Impressions
37:37- Essen Preview 2026 (The Convention)
01:00:19 - Essen Preview 2026 (The Hot Games List)
***************************************
SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1
***************************************
Related Content
Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI
Episode 140- I'm Back Baby! ► https://youtu.be/mLf5RBlS9Dg
Episode 141 - Where's the Excitement Gone? ►https://youtu.be/uGYvDdhYs_8
***************************************
Who Am I?
One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.
The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).
I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!
***************************************
#brokenmeeple #essen #spiel #conventions #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames
***************************************
Useful Links
Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple
Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple
Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple
Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.
30 Aug 2026
Broken Meeple Podcast 141 - Where's the Excitement Gone?
Broken Meeple Podcast 141 - Where's the Excitement Gone?
Back to business as usual - quick update on health and the channel and industry with a couple of behind the scenes aspects to how this channel stays afloat.........barely.
Then a review of Wingspan Pocket - not a game I got a copy of obviously but my friend has it and it's been played enough times to give it my thoughts and final rating.
Then a discussion point about the fact that people are starting to drop out of the industry and whether it's down to the simple fact that games just aren't as exciting any more?
Timestamps:
00:00 - Health, Channel, Patreon, Industry
16:06- Wingspan Pocket Review
29:14- Where's the Excitement Gone?
***************************************
SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1
***************************************
Related Content
Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI
Episode 140- I'm Back Baby! ► https://youtu.be/mLf5RBlS9Dg
Episode 139 - What's Hurting Conventions? ►https://youtu.be/dmgvJ7ASiPk
***************************************
Who Am I?
One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.
The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).
I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!
***************************************
#brokenmeeple #essen #wingspan #conventions #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames
***************************************
Useful Links
Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple
Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple
Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple
Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.
16 Aug 2026
Broken Meeple Podcast 140 - I'm Back Baby!!
Broken Meeple Podcast 140 - I'M BACK BABY!!
I'm back everybody!! Sort of! I'm still recovering from my recent appendectomy surgery and thank you for everyone who sent me positive messages wishing me well. But I'm well enough to get a rudimentary podcast together and let you know how things are going and what my plans are!
In normal fashion I will also rip Tiny Epic Quest apart for the borefest that it is. And then mention how my taste in solo games has changed and what I'm doing with my collection.
Timestamps:
00:00 - My Appendix Surgery Saga
20:23- Upcoming Videos and Conventions
31:30 - Tiny Epic Quest
42:01 - Solo Tastes and Collection Downsizing
***************************************
SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjyHBcq…ub_confirmation=1
***************************************
Related Content
Welcome To My Channel (Who I Am) ► youtu.be/kgznPr5F3HI
Episode 137 - Longform vs Shortform ► https://youtu.be/jM6L-H94mX8
Episode 139 - What's Hurting Conventions? ►https://youtu.be/dmgvJ7ASiPk
***************************************
Who Am I?
One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.
The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).
I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!
***************************************
#brokenmeeple #goldengeek #bgg #ukge #conventions #honestreviews #top100 #top10 #boardgames #meeple #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames
***************************************
Useful Links
Become a Patreon ► www.patreon.com/TheBrokenMeeple
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/thebrokenmeeple
Twitter ► twitter.com/TheBrokenMeeple
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/thebrokenmeeple
Podcast ► @luke-hector-broken-meeple
Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
6,037,549
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.0 / 5
20 ratings
Spotify
4.1 / 5
26 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
