Summary: <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Back the Comeback is a movement to encourage people to get back into their friendly local game (and comic) stores. We’re joined by <a href="http://www.thefamilygamers.com/episode-159-portal-gaming-podcast/">Brandt Sanderson</a> who works at The Portal game store in Manchester, Connecticut.<br> <br> <br> <br> First, some facts about 197 – <br> <br> <br> <br> * <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Papelbon">Jonathan Papelbon</a>, MLB closing pitcher, gave up 197 earned runs in his career.* <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Eckersley">Dennis Eckersley</a>, MLB relief pitcher (with the highest Wins Above Replacement statistic) had 197 wins in his career. * United Nations Security Council Resolution 197 recommended that the Republic of Zambia be admitted.* 197 is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_number">“Keith” number</a>.<br> <br> <br> <br> A quick message from our sponsor: If you’d like to have a free conversation to help you understand how to do some due diligence on a charity before making a donation, go to <a href="http://firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers">firstmovefinancial.co</a>m/familygamers and schedule a 15 minute phone call.<br> <br> <br> <br> What We’ve Been Playing<br> <br> <br> <br> Brandt has around 200 plays of Marvel Champions. Wow!<br> <br> <br> <br> A lot of two player dueling card games. Build a deck and play it over and over.<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.thefamilygamers.com/abandon-all-artichokes/">Abandon All Artichokes</a> – a great game to play with kids.<br> <br> <br> <br> Liberation of Rietburg – remarkably accessible. Much easier (and faster) than the Legends of Andor. The characters you can play have a surprising amount of differentiation.<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.thefamilygamers.com/animal-kingdoms/">Animal Kingdoms</a><br> <br> <br> <br> Pictures (recreate photos with various materials – and everyone plays simultaneously! <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/284108/pictures">Board Game Geek has more info</a>) Highly recommended for playing with kids.<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.thefamilygamers.com/draftosaurus-review/">Draftosaurus</a> – still loving it!<br> <br> <br> <br> L.L.A.M.A. – not a favorite.<br> <br> <br> <br> Castle Panic – it’s been a while, but it’s so good!<br> <br> <br> <br> Piratatak (by DJECO) – very luck-dependent, so kids like it, but it can be very short or very long.<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.thefamilygamers.com/tiny-towns/">Tiny Towns</a> – one of many that our kids have been itching to play lately (including Draftosaurus and Castle Panic)<br> <br> <br> <br> Metro X (now published by Gamewright) – Anitra has been playing a LOT and introducing it to the rest of the family. A flip and write game that we’ll be reviewing soon. Highly recommended as a travel game.<br> <br> <br> <br> KOI (by Smirk & Dagger) – the more Anitra plays it, the better she likes it. A lot of randomness here.<br> <br> <br> <br> Ticket to Ride: Japan map – with bullet trains! Interesting strategies involved. (We also discuss the Stay At Home map – <a href="http://www.thefamilygamers.com/episode-196-remote-gaming/">mentioned last week</a> – and the UK map.)<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.thefamilygamers.com/ingenious-game/">Ingenious</a> – where Anitra came in last, behind a six-year-old, modeling how to be a <a href="http://www.thefamilygamers.com/4-ways-sore-loser/">good loser</a>!<br> <br> <br> <br> Back the Comeback<br> <br> <br> <br> How can we support our friendly local game stores?<br> <br> <br> <br> (Disclaimer: Brandt can only speak for his employer,
