RDTN Episode 129: Azul and London Lead a Wide-Ranging Game Chat

Episode 129 puts two tabletop games at the center of a broad return to the show’s familiar mix: play, talk, and wander into other interests along the way. Azul gets a short introduction, while the re-implementation of Martin Wallace’s London earns a longer discussion. The hosts’ read is that London needs repeated plays before its many facets come into focus, so they give it more room than a five-minute overview can offer.

That difference in airtime sets up the episode well. A brief introduction can give listeners a first impression of a game, but a title with several interacting aspects may need more conversation before its appeal becomes clear. The hosts say they couldn’t fit London into their short format; their recommendation is simple: try it if you get the chance, and allow for more than one play when forming an opinion. The source doesn’t spell out the game’s rules or explain which parts take the most time to appreciate, so the discussion is best approached as an invitation to explore rather than a rules summary.

Azul gets the short introduction

Plan B Games showed the hosts Azul at Gen Con and asked them to keep the reveal quiet at the time. The episode now shares a “5 Minute Initiative” about the game. That segment gives Azul the compact treatment: a quick chance to hear about a title that the hosts had already encountered in person, without suggesting that the episode offers a full review.

The source doesn’t describe Azul’s turn structure, components, player count, play time, or price. There’s no basis here for a detailed account of how a round works or what strategies players might favor. What the episode does establish is the game’s place in the show: it’s one of two featured titles, and its short segment stands apart from the longer conversation about London. Listeners looking for a first mention can start at 58:33, the timestamp listed for Azul.

London gets room to breathe

Osprey Games let the hosts try a re-implementation of Martin Wallace’s London. They describe the game as having enough different aspects to exceed the five-minute format, and say it will take multiple plays to appreciate fully. That’s a useful expectation to bring to a discussion of a complex game: the first session can reveal the shape of an experience, while later plays may clarify how its parts fit together.

Episode 129’s London segment begins at 39:51. The timestamp guide lists Portal Games at 57:35 before Azul at 58:33, though it doesn’t explain the topics covered in that intervening portion. The hosts’ comments remain the clearest account of their experience: London deserves more time than a quick introduction allows, and they hope listeners get an opportunity to play it. That recommendation is measured rather than sweeping; it points to the value of spending time with the game, not a claim that every group will respond to it in the same way.

A listening guide beyond the featured games

The episode’s time guide ranges well beyond Azul and London. It opens with an introduction at 00:30, then lists Codenames: Duet at 13:10, a Restoration Games contest at 14:50, and “Drama on Vacation” at 18:53. PAX Unplugged follows at 21:55, with “Gaming is growing” at 23:24. Food and nostalgia also enter the mix: stroopwafles are listed at 25:46, and the SNES Classic at 27:31.

The later markers cover more tabletop topics and show notes, including “Brave New World” at 29:30, Toys “R” Us at 31:30, Grey Fox customer service at 33:16, and the L5R RPG at 35:20. The guide then lists a 2018 vacation at 37:10 and The Broken Token at 39:05, shortly before the London discussion. Later entries include Dream On by CMON at 1:04:55, “No Gift for You” at 1:11:00, RWBY Combat at 1:12:00, “What is that on your face” at 1:14:38, and Funagain at 1:17:21. The outro is marked at 1:03:45, before those final listed segments.

Those timestamps make the show easier to navigate, but the source doesn’t provide descriptions for most of the listed topics. Treat them as signposts rather than a complete account of each conversation. For game-focused listeners, the clearest route is to use the markers for London and Azul, then branch out if the surrounding discussions catch your interest.

Episode 129’s most useful takeaway is its contrast in scale: Azul receives a quick introduction, while London prompts the hosts to argue for repeated plays and a longer look. If you’re curious about London, give it time at the table; if you want the shorter first impression of Azul, jump to 58:33.