Meeple Escape Archives - Coastal Board Gamers

Meeple Escape 2026

Zac Hampson — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:47:06 +0000

Despite numbers being down compared to previous years, Meeple Escape 2026 went off without a hitch. Meeple’s extended hours compared to our regular CBG events allowed many long-haul games were brought to the table this year, including Western Legends with every expansion, John Company, Galactic Cruise and 1846: The Race for the Midwest.

Several smaller games were also brought to the table. Zac decided the bring out the latest expansion of Heat: Pedal to the Metal, Rocky Roads, to the table. However, an unfortunate four on a stress card at a critical corner caused an early spin out leaving him far behind the other racers and unable to catch up, giving him his first “did not finish” of his racing career.

Tragedy Looper was another game played, an Anime themed game combing a murder mystery with a time travel loop and all the confusing and mysterious mechanics of both genres. While Zac and Tim put in a valiant effort to avert disaster despite their unfamiliarity with the game, the experienced mastermind behind the events got the upper hand and won out in the end.

On Sunday a quick game on Funfair was played between Zac and Josh, so Josh could complete his Meeple Challenge. Despite Zac actually deciding to build rides as opposed to several movie theatres this game and winning the critics choice award for the most themes featured, it fell just short of outscoring Josh’s own theme park that fulfilled several blueprint cards.

Congratulations to the winners of our various prize draws, we hope you enjoy your new games.

Comments from Vandoon

Rode in the door Friday afternoon chaps dusty and hat low on the brow. Others gathered on the plain and the tumble weeds cleared as dinner was served. After a fine repast Everyone gathered their mounts and headed off to our game of Western Legends. There was one among us that was just too legendary and left us in the dust. Eleanor took the crown. Many different paths were taken, Some spent all day in the saloon playing poker others took to droving herds of cattle to market. Some even took to more nefarious paths however the landholder won out.

I retired for the evening.

The sun broke over a lovely day and all the excited gamers reared their sleepy heads. After a filling breakfast I set out to make my fortune in India. 6 families formed The John Company to bring riches back to England and retire our relatives in the comfort they deserved. We all set out with good intentions however the Natives and poor management caused our undoing. After a mere 2 years the company failed and we were all sacked. India went about its business, and we moved on to other games.

I thought I might try my hand in the industrial revolution and joined a game of Brass Birmingham. A game I quite enjoy. Everyone had a great time however industry must not be my thing as I managed to tie for last. I noticed a theme here, trounced out on the open plain, crashed the company ending with a negative score and last in a game I am comfortable with.

Feeling like I needed a change I took on World Order. Playing as the benevolent USA I proceeded to roll tanks across the board and shake my fists at the other impudent nations. Unfortunately, I was almost lapped coming 99 points behind the lead country. World domination is not my thing. I took my leave and got some rest knowing the next day I would run a rocket ship tour company providing joy to all my passengers.

Another day took shape and I began running the tour company. I had a slow start and others had rockets built and tours running before I made my first launch. I began to catch up but was just too late. The tourists had fun as did I however I again managed to tie for last.

The weekend drew to a close and we said our farewells.

It truly was great to see everyone again and I only wish I could have played more games with more people. I always want to get to the table with the friendly people that I don’t see often enough. I look forward to next year. The big question is always what games I can play and with whom. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

Lynden Says…

I played 5 games during the camp. Saturday morning a group of us played John company We failed the company in the second round of the game. Causing the game to finish much earlier, most of us finishing on a negative score.

Saturday evening, I was in a game hosted by Justin, a new attendee to the camp, it was a very competitive game with a race to get each of the milestones. It was a fairly close scoring game with Maddie winning on $415, second place Sam $356, third place Lynden $280, fourth place Justin $160, fifth place Casual traveler $124 From Lynden

Chris says…

I didn’t actually play as many games as I thought as the one on Saturday was a long game.

Highlights for me were playing Heat on Friday with some expansions. That’s always a fun game. On Saturday I got my new Kickstarter Luthier to the table for a 6-hour game. All about buying items to make and sell Music instruments to composers and other famous people. It was great to finally have a 4 player game.

It was also good to play Condottiere after a long time. A battle to take over Italy on what seems like one of the smallest player boards out there.

Finally after a few games of Skull and The Crew Deep Sea the day was ended with a great game of Thunder Road. For my first ever game I ended up almost going out and destroying my cars after only a couple of rounds, I redemed myself once the fires were out though.

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Meeple Escape 2025

Carl Niezen — Sun, 25 May 2025 10:47:11 +0000

What a fantastic Weekend! Meeple Escape 2025 was a great success and thanks to all those that attended! Let’s also thank the Meeple Escape Team for all their hard work to put together such a wonderful event.

With over 100 games played spread over 55 different titles there was something for everyone. Excluding the Play-to-Wins, Kings & Assassins was the most played game of the event, followed closely by Bomb Basters.

The longest game played was, without a doubt, Here I Stand. The game of religion and politics running at 10 hours for 3 rounds of a 9-round game! The game was called due to there not being enough time with other gaming commitments.

If you want to try that “big game” with people, Meeple Escape is the place to do it! Food is taken care of, drinks and snacks are delivered table side. Might we suggest next time you start Friday night and NOT book in any other games, then you might finish!

Here is what some of our attendees had to say about the event;

“Playing Axis and allies for the first time was great and the whole point of a weekend away is to play the long games. 3 games is all I had time to play.” – Lyndon

“Had an awesome weekend cramming in a bunch of fantastic games. Got to teach more than learn, but I love teaching so that was cool.” – Jimmy

“Thanks everyone for the fantastic weekend! I have now preordered SETI and look forward to playing it again at CBG as soon as it arrives. Thanks for the teach Vandoon and for introducing me to this amazing game.” – Mel

“While I only played 4 games I look at all of them trying to decide what was my highlight. I guess just being there with all the cool people.” – Vandoon

While I had several highlights of the event one had to be playing speed Land-Vs-Sea with Nic. Let me set the scene: There were 20min or so before dinner, Nic and I were standing in the middle of the gaming venue. There sat Land-Vs-Sea, the days Play-to-Win. All set up and calling to us. We sat down, Nic had played a few times that day and went into the 5min teach. We played for 10min or so having a wonderful time, Nic playing land and I sea. A few cheeky tile placements and I had managed to gain a small lead.

Then it all changed. The Host wandered over to remind us dinner was in 5 minutes. We decided we could finish after dinner. Then Penny, the MC of the event, came over and asked us to make sure we pack the game up fully and bring it to her for the draw at dinner! It was here the game WAS ON! Nic exclaimed, don’t think just place! We spent the next 5 minutes playing the quickest and most intense game of Land-Vs-Sea played that day! If it was legal it was placed. No thought was given to best placement for points or blocking the other player. We raced though those stacks of tiles, one after the other. Oakley joined us as a second set of eyes to confirm tile placement rules were maintained. We finished that game and we were both out of breath!

We carefully packed up the game and delivered it to Penny in time for the draw.

Congratulations Jesse! We hope your games of Land-Vs-Sea are as memorable, but maybe a little more relaxing than ours.

Here is a list of the Meeple Escape 2025 prize winners and their bounty!

Early Bird
Christopher: Windmill Valley

Door Prize
Sam: Wyrmspan

Play-To-Wins
Keith: 7 Wonders Dual

Jesse: Land-Vs-Sea

Judson: Pollen

10 x 10
Zac: Cyro

Meeple Escape Challenge
Eleanor: Gnome Hollow

If you missed out on the fun this year, don’t worry, Meeple Escape 2026 might be the one for you! Tickets go on sale in January 2026 and the event will be held 29^th-31^st of May!

So make sure you mark your calendar now and don’t miss out on Meeple Escape 2026!

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Meeple Escape 2022

Carl Niezen — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 07:53:48 +0000

What a successful weekend. Meeple Escape 2022 was full of amazing moments and memories. With 50 games played and over 190 titles to choose from it really was a turn out event. The committee and I would like to thank you all for attending.

We had several repeated games, with Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle and Nidaviller making it to the table the most. Along with several long games like Kanban EV and Ark Nova.

Some key game moments;

Narelle: Petrichor
“I controlled the wind and pushed Katy’s rain cloud to turn her 12 points into a shared 16 for both of us. And as I told her 16 points is better than 12!!!”

Tim: The Red Cathedral
“When building The Red Cathedral – Alex, Dave and I were in a very polite but ruthless battle for domination of the towers. Master builder Alex was on top FTW”

Congratulations Alex!

Carl: Container

“Haydn flooding the market with his cheap goods in Container, but still we all denied Mike the 1 Pink container he needed!”

Several extra long, event games made it to the table in all their glory.

Firefly was called early with a joint victory between Haydn and Josh with both players very close to winning!

BSG had an exciting nail biter at the end. After some cheaky cylon shenanigans, the humans successfully made it to Kabal and victory.

Here are all the games that made it to the table at this years event.

Ark Nova
Hansa Teutonica
Petrichor
Canvas
Organ Attack
Sushi Go
Century: A new road
Love Letter
7 Wonders Architects
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
Nidaviller
Container
Pax Pamir
Bohnanza
Scythe
Isle of Cats
Railroad Ink
Azul: Queen’s Garden
The Rise of the Gnomes
Western Legends
Pipeline
Battlestar Galactica
Sagrada
Red Cathedral
Bananagrams

Firefly
Azul: Summer Pavillion
San Juan
Funfair
Architect’s of the West Kingdom
Paladins of the West Kingdom
Century: Spice Road
A Fake Artist
Evolution
Cascadia
Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig
Dungeons and Dragons
Lost Ruins of Arnak
Guillotine
Dice Ninja
Viticulture
Gloomhaven
Root
Kanban EV
Everdell
XO
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
Food Chain Magnate
Just One

What a list! Let’s see if next year we can double it!

From all the Committee at Coastal Board Gamers we would like to say thank you for attending Meeple Escape 2022.

We hope to see you all again next May!

May 26th-28th 2023

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