Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group
A podcast about board games and friendship, following a real-life board game group. Each week, the hosts provide an in-depth look at the board gaming hobby, including news, reviews, and more.
Episodes
#258 - Generosity at the Table
Ben, Trey, and Paul break down recent plays of Railway Boom and Dogs of War.Then the trio launches into the discussion for this week: what does generosity look like at game night, and how do we aspire to be generous?
#257 Sorcery: Contested Realm
Matt and Jordan are joined by David and Corluka to discuss the indie TCG, Sorcery: Contested Realm. Is it the greatest thing to happen to TCG's since early MTG? Or is it just another (VERY) pretty face? How To Play Sorcery: Contested Realm (with Matt and Jordan): https://youtu.be/0voIN8W3CrU?si=o24xvuSmpCdY69W1
#256 Nippon Zaibatsu
Ben, Jordan, and Paul convene in their coziest garb to talk about the coziest game of a very cozy 2026: Nippon Zaibatsu! Well, cozy except for all the vicious area control and internal sobbing. We're talking about all the changes to the OG Nippon from 2015, and Jordan has a very specific and deserved beef to share. Plus, Tenby, The Treasure Ship of Zheng He, QE, and [insert spooky music] So
#255: Feya's Swamp
Matt, Paul and Jordan put on their wetsuits and dive into Feya's Swamp. Do you see what I did there? Dive into. Wetsuits. That's right, it's a swamp joke, ya'll.
#254 Stupor Mundi
Ben, Trey, & Paul review the 2025 game Stupor Mundi0:00:00 IntroductionShackleton Base: Below. Within. Above. KeysideThe VibeDetective ClubAuf Teufel komm raus (Cabbages & Curses)Terraforming Mars00:51:50 Game Review: Stupor MundiDiscord link: https://discord.gg/9e7QvC9S (good for only 7 days)- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Instagram
#253 Star Trek: Captain's Chair
Matt and Paul review the asymmetric heavy deck building game Star Trek: Captain's Chair as well as discuss the differences between CC and the Imperium series.
#252 March of the Ants
Ben, Trey, and Paul review the 2025 reimplementation of March of the Ants: Evolved Edition0:00:00 Introduction0:03:35 Stupor Mundi0:14:31 Kingdom Crossing0:27:47 AgricolaGood Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die00:35:51 Game Review: March of the Ants: Evolved Edition- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Instagram
#251 Clans of Caledonia: Industria
Trey, Tom, and Jordan review the 2025 expansion Clans of Caledonia: Industria.0:00:00 IntroductionYear of the SerpentGood Luck, Have Fun, Don't DieYoutube - Play it Again channel00:08:22 Game Review: Clans of Caledonia: IndustriaTerra MysticaAge of InnovationGaia Project: The Lost Fleet- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Instagram
#250 Top 10 Board Games of 2025
On a very special episode of Game Brain, Matthew, Ben, Trey, Paul and Jordan come together to take you through their Top Ten board games of 2025.
#249 Tales of the Arthurian Knights
Ben, Trey, and Paul review the 2024 narrative-driven game "Tales of the Arthurian Knights." Paul says it's not even a game. Could it possibly be good? (yes) Also recent plays of "March of the Ants," "Indonesia 3rd Edition," and "Secret Hitler."00:00 - Intro11:08 - March of the Ants, Evolved Edition27:37 - Indonesia, 3rd Edition41:39 - 18Chesapeake43:3
#248: Ayar: Children of the Sun
Ben, Trey, and Jordan discuss the new action selection minigame speculation bonanza Ayar: Children of the Sun. Plus discussion of Agent Avenue, Twilight Imperium Thunder's Edge, Silos, and A Place for All My Books.00:00 - Intro / Traitors9:20 - Silos18:46 - Agent Avenue31:36 - Pacts35:36 - A Place for All My Books44:11 - Twilight Imperium Thunder's Edge57:49 - Ayar: Children of the Sun
#247: Old King's Crown
Matt and Jordan review Old King's Crown, the impressive lane battling asymmetric card flipping game from first time designer Pablo Clark.
#246: Game Brain Holiday Gift Extravaganza
Ben and Paul are here to save your holiday season! Need a game to buy for that special someone? Or even that UNspecial someone? We have some ideas for you. Plus, some strategies for how to teach games to the most stubborn, unfocused, and downright difficult people of all time: your family.00:00 - Intro04:00 - Recent Plays04:12 - Food Chain Magnate17:17 - Ito22:36 - Ayar, Shinjuku, and Tag Team26:
Solo Mode #10: Kingdom Death Simulator
Matty introduces you to the neat world of Kingdom Death on your compooter.Watch the pod on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q3Bf7JYMhJQCheck the game out here: https://shop.kingdomdeath.com/
#245 BGG.CON 2025
Matt, Ben, Trey, Tom and Jordan travel to Dallas, Texas for BGG.CON 2025 and don't see the sun for four entire days. Many games were played, all were enjoyed. Well, almost all.
#244 Speakeasy
Ben, Trey, and Paul review the new Vital Lacerda board game Speakeasy.Plus, recent plays of The Old King's Crown and Night Soil.00:00 - Intro03:55 - The Old King's Crown11:16 - Night Soil18:40 - 18Cuba19:20 - Speakeasy
Solo Mode #9: 10 Favorite Solo Modes Since the Last Solo Mode
It's been two years since the last Solo Mode! How did that happen? Who cares! Stop harping on it. Let's move past it with love and kindness. Anyhoo here are the 10 Best solo modes I've played since the last Solo Mode Episode. Which was two years ago. We know, Jesus, get over it.
#243: Fate of the Fellowship
Matt, Trey and Jordan take a look at Matt Leacock's Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship, discuss multiplayer co-ops and dive into this year's Essen crop. You can also watch this whole episode live on our Youtube channel!https://youtu.be/IbkiM4ZLdNg
#242: Oranges & Lemons
Ben and Paul do a deep dive review on the cozy, classic-feeling worker placement game Oranges & Lemons. Plus, recent plays of Cargo Empire, Spicy, Fromage, Kites, Ito, and Guards of Atlantis II.00:00 Intro04:08 Kites09:35 Cargo Empire15:49 Guards of Atlantis II28:02 Spicy34:56 Fromage39:50 Ito48:19 Review game - Oranges & Lemons
#241: Trains + Mascots
Ben and Jordan check in on some recent game sessions - some short, some long, and some VERY long. Ben has some things to say about hot new games Lightning Train and Shinjuku. Jordan then shares some impressions about 1817 and Defense of Procyon III. Plus, an epic breakdown of another epic Twilight Imperium session, and we wrap things up with the game that maybe made us happiest: Hot Streak.Be s
#240: Revitalizing Game Night
Ben and Paul talk about recent plays of Eclipse, Scape Goat, and 23 Knives. Plus, the two explore the question: what happens if game night becomes stale? 00:00 Intro04:50 Eclipse13:56 Land & Freedom17:28 Scape Goat32:39 Man-Eating House38:31 Gadget Trick42:15 Age of Innovation44:10 Ito47:08 23 Knives59:42 Dune / Discussion topic: how to revitalize game night
#239: Transgalactic Fails, Battles, and Uprisings
Matt is back on the pod for a very big rundown of some noteworthy game sessions: some amazing, others not so much. Matt, Jordan, and Ben are going around the horn with a chunky board game roundup.00:00 Intro03:12 Daggerheart18:01 Fiasco21:08 Transgalactica30:03 Corps of Discovery / Manifest Destiny36:55 Oranges & Lemons45:27 Toy Battle52:56 Nusfjord01:01:10 Dune Imperium Uprising01:10:31 Inno
#238: Moon Colony Bloodbath + Endeavor Deep Sea
Ben, Paul, and Trey discuss first impressions of two big games: Moon Colony Bloodbath and Endeavor Deep Sea. Somehow, we all got mad at each other in each game. Fun!We also chat about recent game plays of Dune Imperium and Wavelength, and extra bonus: the return of Games on the Brain!00:00 Intro00:57 Game Rooms08:05 Dune Imperium21:44 Wavelength33:49 Ito41:37 Landmarks of the Lost Atlas51:40 Orang
#237 Asian Tigers
Ben, Paul, and Jordan go deep on the color-coded agony machine that is Asian Tigers. Plus, chatter about Ito, We All Take From the River, and Elder Scrolls.00:00 Intro05:21 Elder Scrolls12:59 Ito33:13 Rail on the Hill38:19 Founders of Gloomhaven41:55 Mr. Pai Pai44:17 Gibberers53:06 We All Take From The River01:05:53 Guards of Atlantis, Land and Freedom updates01:07:33 Asian Tigers review
#236 Galactic Cruise
Ben, Trey, and Jordan review the 2025 space tourism game Galactic Cruise. Plus initial impressions of Molly House, Gibberers, and Land and Freedom. Jordan also gives an update on 5 v 5 Guards of Atlantis, and Trey has fresh thoughts on Dune Imperium, Keyflower, and Avalon.
#235 Civolution
Stefan Feld's epic kitchen sink game Civolution was one of the biggest releases of 2024. With an hour teach, a million mechanics, and a wild theme, does this beast crumble under its own weight or triumph in maximalist glory? Ben, Paul, and Jordan discuss.Plus, the three weigh in on the March Meepleness Bracket and share thoughts on recent plays of Guards of Atlantis II, Galactic Cruise, and
Table Scraps 03: Playing the Pity Card and The Truth About Sushi
It's two episodes for the price of one. Come join for a double header of Table Scraps. First, Ben and Paul talk about what pity cards you can and can't play at game night: the "bad day" card, the "I've been out of town" card, and so many more.Then we get down to the real pressing questions: if games were sushi, what sushi would they be? Be sure to subscribe t
#233 SETI
Ben, Trey, and special guest Chris dive deep with the rotating space hotness SETI. Plus, talk about a marathon session of 1817.00:00 Intro12:10 181725:09 Railways of the Lost Atlas30:50 Whistle Mountain33:04 SETI
#232: Men-Nefer
In this episode of Game Brain, Ben and Paul dive deep into the ancient world with a full review of Men-Nefer, exploring its mechanics, strategy, and whether it’s an classic Egyptian Euro (oxymoron?) in the making. But that’s not all—we also break down Mind MGMT, Serenissima, and DroPolter, dissecting the mind games, economic battles, and dexterity highjinks within these standout titles. Plus, we
Table Scraps 02: What If I'm Late For Game Night?
Ben and Paul talk about punctuality and game night: what do you do when you're running late? When is it okay to run late? What do we owe those who are late? And what about showing up too early? It's all about timing and game night.
#230: Best of 2024
Matt, Paul, Trey, Tom, Jordan, and Ben convene to discuss their top games of the year. Plus, awards in categories such as "Best New To Me Game," "Biggest Disappointment," and "Best Expansion."We had a variety of audio issues in this episode; so apologies in advance for the not amazing sound quality. Drew Conley Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-drew-dcon-re
#229 2024 Navel-Gazing
Ben and Paul discuss their favorite gaming sessions of 2024. Then, in advance of a future Game Brain top 10 episode (or something in that mold), Ben shares his favorite non-top 10 games of last year, specifically #25-#11. This list will make some listeners angry, and Ben apologizes in advance.Please help our friend Drew recover from the devastating wild fires here in Los Angeles. Find his GoFund
Table Scraps 01: How to Get a Famous Lady to Play Games With You
Welcome to Table Scraps, a new board game chat show here at Game Brain. We'll be posting these eps from time to time, and if the tech gods are kind to us, there will even be a video component.Today Ben and Paul chat about the sort of games Anna Scott (not a real person), Barack Obama, and Erin Brockovitch would enjoy, and then they explore how to get someone like Jennifer Lawrence to play Ca
#227 Living Up To The Hype
The new hotness has flooded the marketplace, and Ben and Jordan are here to make sense of it. Which new releases live up to the hype, exceed it, and fall short of it? We cover a lot of ground; so buckle up!00:00 Introduction11:22 Kraftwagen: Age of Engineering13:00 Stress Botics14:48 Unconscious Mind16:47 Landmarks18:08 Shackleton Base21:00 Gaia Project: The Lost Fleet25:44 Harmonies31:19 Age of R
#226 Shackleton Base
Ben and Paul deep dive the new area control, tableau-building, moon-exploiting, corporation-pleasing game "Shackleton Base." They also discuss new hotness Civolution as well as Fromage and Men-Nefer. Ben also offers up some family game suggestions for the holidays - all while attempting labored "Wicked" puns.
#225: Sprue'd Up! #2
Matt and Jordan return to the world of miniature wargaming to get you up to speed on all of their recent adventures.
#224 Gaia Project: The Lost Fleet
Ben, Trey, and Paul go deep on The Lost Fleet, a hot new expansion for Gaia Project.Plus, initial impressions from fresh Essen releases SETI, Asian Tigers, and Shackleton Base.0:00:00 Introduction0:09:45 SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence0:30:15 Asian Tigers0:44:50 La Famiglia: The Great Mafia War0:46:15 Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon1:03:05 Captain Flip1:03:35 The Gang1:18:15
#223: Sprue'd Up! #1
Join Matt and Jordan for the first episode of "Sprue'd Up!", an occasional Game Brain offshoot about two euro gamers taking their first steps into the world of miniature wargaming. Star Wars: ShatterpointWarhammer 40,000: Kill Team
#222 Dazed and Enthused
Ben, Trey, and Paul explore the importance of enthusiasm at the game table. Plus, recent plays of KCaloria, Zoo Tycoon, and Trey's first ever game of Twilight Imperium 4th Ed....0:00:00 Introduction0:04:27 kCaloria First ImpressionsWe All Take From the River0:16:20 Zoo Tycoon First Impressions0:38:50 Further Twilight Imperium 4th Ed. discussion 3 of a Kind1:22:35 Episode Topic: Enthusiasm -
#221: Rise & Fall
Matt, Jordan, and Trey track the rise and fall of Jordan's relationship with Paul. We also review Rise and Fall!0:00:00 Introduction0:03:50 True Confessions: Mini PaintingCoraQuestHeroscapeWarhammer: Kill TeamStar Wars: Shatterpoint0:14:05 Matt's Essen Most WantedAsian TigersCivolutionBlack ForestJoyrideAndromeda's EdgeShackleton Base: A Journey to the MoonSaltfjordPhoenix New Orizo
#220: Windmill Valley
Ben, Tom, and Paul do a deep dive on the midweight, gear-turning Euro Windmill Valley. Plus, early impressions of Rise & Fall, some hot takes on Distilled, and flop sessions of Lost Atlas and Things in Rings.00:00 - Intro09:19 - Distilled23:08 - Rise & Fall44:03 - Railways of the Lost Atlas56:16 - 18RoyalGorge58:59 - Kutna Hora01:01:42 - Things in Rings01:05:55 - Windmill Valley
#219: Gamechella 2024
Ben and Paul talk about recent plays of Windmill Valley, Blades in the Dark, and Fields of Arle. Plus, a gaming weekend in Palm Springs leads to hot takes on Things in Rings, Wilmot's Warehouse, Hollywood 1947, Forrest Shuffle, and Plantagenet, among others. Oh, and Covid too, but that's a minor wrinkle.00:07:31 - Windmill Valley00:21:36 - Fields of Arle00:29:56 - Blades in the Dark00:
#218: Railways of the Lost Atlas
Ben, Trey, and Paul deep dive the new 18xx innovator "Railways of the Lost Atlas." Also, the three discuss recent plays of "Terraforming Mars: Prelude 2,” "Pampero,” and “Twilight Imperium, 4th Edition.”0:00:00 Introduction0:04:08 Terraforming Mars: Prelude 20:16:12 Twilight Imperium 4th Ed0:36:50 Pampero0:53:05 Concordia: Balearica1:01:00 Age of Innovation1:11:45 Game Review:
#217: ARCS
Matt and Jordan are joined by friend-of-the-pod Drew Conley to review inarguably the biggest board game release thus far of 2024: ARCS by Cole Wehrle and Leder Games. 0:00:00 IntroductionCascaderoSlay the Spire0:28:30 Game Review: ArcsWehrlegig GamesFind Drew at https://www.drewconleycomposer.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@theboardgamecomposerFind more Jordan at https://www.youtube.com/@Optimal
#216: Catching The Wave
Ben, Trey, and Paul talk about catching the game wave. What happens when you ride it, what happens when you miss it, and what happens when you try to start your own. Plus, plays of Arcs, 1930: The Golden Age of Airlines, and Nucleum: Australia.
#215: El Burro
Tom, Trey, and Elder review El Burro. 0:00:00 IntroductionJenny Nicholson's videoStar Wars Unlimited Expansion Shadows of the GalaxyGuards of Atlantis IIBlood on the Clocktower Concordia0:31:50 Game Review: El Burro: A La Granja GamePlanta NuboLa GranjaAgraCooper IslandTroyes- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Instagram
#214: Salton Sea
Ben and Trey go deep into Salton Sea and also share initial impressions of Pax Penning and El Burro. Plus, the two revisit Heaven & Ale and chat about what they want out of a game store.
#213: Beware the Fun Sponge
Ben and Paul chat about some recent plays, including Salton Sea, and then Ben shamelessly attempts to communicate to Queen Games about his missing Marrakesh expansion. Afterwards, the two explore the importance of enthusiasm at a game table and the dangers of becoming the dreaded FUN SPONGE.
#212: 2024 Golden Geek Predictions
The 2024 Golden Geek Award nominations have just been revealed, and we're choosing faves, making endorsements, and offering sweeping predictions on which games will win. Oh and by the way, thanks to everyone who voted and nabbed us a nom! Don't worry, we're focused on the games, not shameless self-promotion (well, maybe just a little self-promotion).Plus, Ben, Jordan, and Paul tal
#211 Space Games!!
Ben and Jordan talk about recent plays of Inventions, Galactic Cruise, Twilight Imperium, Arcs, and Resist. Plus, discussion about space games — what does the concept of space bring to a game, and what makes a game a SPACE GAME (as opposed to a game set in space).Notations to come.
#210: Finger Etiquette and Games
Ben and Paul talk about recent plays of Inventions, Terraforming Mars, and City of the Big Shoulders. Then they do a deep dive about finger etiquette and games: why does it bother us, how do we address bad behavior, and what are the most common mistakes. Shots will be fired. Takes will be hot.00:00 - Intro02:33 - Inventions14:47 - Western Empires / Mega Empires23:25 - Terraforming Mars29:37 - 1
#209: Second Wind Games
Tom, Jordan, and Ben discuss games they had shrugged off but later came to love. Plus, recent plays of Imperium Horizons, Legacies, and El Grande.00:00 - Intro00:06 - Legacies26:11 - Avalon29:14 - El Grande34:14 - Franchise39:31 - Second Wind Games41:51 - Modern Art46:26 - Imperium Horizons54:37 - Dune Imperium: Uprising01:02:22 - Android: Netrunner01:08:42 - Black Angel01:14:26 - A Feat for Odin
#208: Let's Go To Japan
Trey, Ben, and Dmitry review the 2024 release Let's Go To Japan.0:00:00 IntroductionWatch What Crappens wins Best Pop Culture PodcastThe Traitors0:08:48 Games on the BrainBaseball Highlights 2045 on GamefoundStar Wars: UnlimitedTry online at Force TableNetrunner at Nullsignal.gamesKnarrMarrakeshCuzco00:51:30 Game Review: Let's Go to JapanStationfallSanta Monica- Find Etamar at kirboolon
#207: Exploring Root, Agonizing in Cuzco
Ben, Matt, and Paul sit down to talk about games they're going deep with (Root), and games that are brutalizing them (Cuzco). And everything in between.00:08:04 - Traitors & Avalon00:14:10 - Root00:39:34 - Franchise00:50:36 - Netrunner01:07:10 - Cuzco01:25:00 - Dinosaur Gauge01:29:49 - Legacies01:36:52 - Lunar01:38:00 - Tournament at Avalon, Mino Dice01:40:00 - Boon Lake: Artifacts01:43:
#206 Thunder Road: Vendetta
Special guest Jennifer Schlickbernd joins Trey to review Thunder Road: Vendetta and discuss starter modes in boardgames.0:00:00 Introduction0:02:35 Recent PlaysMerkatorArboreaPirates of Maricaibo20 StrongkCaloria launches on Kickstarter0:27:10 Game Review: Thunder Road: VendettaCar Wars (1981)Thunder Road (1986)The White Castle (2023)0:56:45 Discussion - Learning Modes in GamesEvacuationThinkerThe
#205: How to Choose a Game for Game Night
Ben and Paul discuss recent plays of Bloodstones, Bruxelles 1893, and Apiary. Then they try to figure out what's the best way for a group to select a game to play. Is it a democratic process? A dictatorial one? Or maybe just a roll of the dice.15:47 - Apiary19:22 - Horseless Carriage23:20 - Bruxelles 1893: The Belle Epoque36:03 - Bloodstones51:55 - How to choose a game?
The Best Boardgames of 2023!
Hosts Matt, Tom, Trey, and Ben unite for our list of the best boardgames of 2023!0:00:00 Introduction0:05:10 Contest ResultsSol: Last Days of a Star0:18:35 Game Brain's Top Boardgames of 20230:20:04 T16 Great Western Trail: New Zealand0:25:20 T16 Inferno Guelphs and Ghibellines Vie for Tuscany, 1259-12610:27:30 T13 Bloodstones0:29:00 T13 Scholars of the South Tigris0:32:00 T13 Thunder Road: V
#203 Dude, Where's My Keshi?
Ben and Paul catch up on the games they played over the 2023 holiday break. Afterwards they reflect on their favorite play sessions and new-to-them games. Strangely enough, they seem to gravitate towards their favorite meltdowns, which is a commentary on something, not sure what.Games discussed include Marrakesh, Dude, K2, Age of Steam, and Manhattan Project 2: Minutes to Midnight.Timestamps to
#202: Evacuation
Trey, Tom, and Ben review Evacuation as we evacuate 2023.0:00:00 Introduction0:05:22 Recent PlaysAgricolaForbidden StarsBloodstonesManhattan Project 2: Minutes to MidnightDaybreakEnter the contest to win a copy of Sol:Last Days of a Staremail us at contact@gamebrainpod.com0:51:10 Game Review: EvacuationThe games of Vladimir Suchý- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Twitt
#201: Kutna Hora: The City of Silver
Ben, Trey, and Jordan discuss the city-building, dynamic economy game Kutná Hora: The City of Silver. Plus recent plays of Horseless Carriage, Nucleum, and more.
#200 Our 200th Episode Extravaganza!
Hosts Matt, Tom, Trey, and Ben unite for our 200th episode and revisit our favorite games from our time on the podcast.0:00:00 Introduction0:05:45 BGGCon ReportSol: Last Days of a StarTabletop NetworkDaimyo: Battle for JapanRats of WistarKutná Hora: The City of SilverApiary Space BEES!EvacuationWhite CastlekCaloria0:58:00 Other PlaysUr: 1830 BCSeptimaEvenfall1:16:05 Our Favorite Games of the Podca
Solo Mode #8: Earthborne Rangers and the Co-Op LCG Renaissance
A new Solo Mode has arrived, just in time for Matt to take you down the rabbit hole of Earthborne Rangers and the current LCG renaissance.
#199: Chatting with Ken Kuhn of GMT Games
Ben catches up with Ken Kuhn of GMT Games, who talks about his company, what's coming down the pipeline, and of course 18XX (and war games too!). They also chat about recent plays of Sky Team, Evacuation, 535, Kutná Hora, The Plum Island Horror, Arborea, and 1880.Time codes to come!
#198: The White Castle
Tom and Trey review The White Castle, discuss what makes a game "elegant," and they each give their top 10 Elegant Games. 0:00:00 IntroductionHarold & Kumar Go to White CastleBGGConTabletop NetworkRats of Wistar0:16:50 Quick Discussion of EleganceThe GalleristThunder Road: Vendetta0:25:45 Game Review: The White Castle0:56:30 Our Top 10 Elegant Games- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com-
#197 First Look at Nucleum
Tom and Elder talk about their early play(s) of Nucleum, and other recent games of note.
#196: Direct Aggression
Ben and Trey discuss direct aggression: how does it make them feel, when does it work, and how should it be managed. Plus, discussions of Coffee Traders, Voodoo Prince, and Sons of Anarchy: Men of Mayhem0:00:00 Introduction0:02:35 Games on the BrainCoffee TradersHere I StandVoodoo PrinceGreat Western Trail New ZealandLorenzo il Magnifico: The Pazzi ConspiracySons of Anarchy: Men of MayhemThunder
#195: Voidfall Preview
Ben, Candice, and Jordan discuss some early initial impressions of Voidfall, the new game from Mindclash. This is not a review - just some thoughts :) Plus, some chat about recent plays and playtests!00:02:27 - Trajan00:10:57 - Age of Innovation & Gaia Project00:15:06 - Skymines00:20:48 - Great Western Trail NZ00:27:11 - 18EUS00:33:50 - Voidfall01:19:45 - Here I Stand
#194 The Rich and The Good
Ben and Paul discuss recent plays of Oathsworn, Here I Stand, and Tortuga 1667. Then we go deeper with the 2023 English release of The Rich and the Good (formerly Hab & Gut).00:00:00 - Intro00:04:23 - Oathsworn00:26:56 - Tortuga 166700:35:16 - Age of Innovation update00:45:31 - Magnate: The First City00:56:14 - Lorenzo il Magnifico: The Pazzi Conspiracy01:05:06 - Here I Stand01:17:58 - The Ri
#193 Great Western Trail: New Zealand
Tom and Trey talk about lots of newer plays, their Strategicon weekend, and review the new Great Western Trail game: New Zealand!0:00:00 IntroductionStrategicon ReviewCrisisMCDM RPGNinja Star GamesReputationAnachronyAge of Innovation0:27:00 Tom's Essen PreviewAmong CultistsThe White CastleEvacuationReworldShipyard 2nd Ed.0:40:30 Review: Great Western Trail New Zealand1:21:05 First Thoughts -
#192 Aegean Sea
Tom, Matt, and Trey go on an epic journey to the Aegean Sea.0:00:00 IntroductionDune Imperium0:11:27 Voidfall0:29:57 Review: Aegean SeaInnovationGlory to Rome- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Twitter- Instagram
#191 Matt's Back, and He's Excited
Matt Robinson is back from his summer travels, and he's psyched to discuss his first play of Great Western Trail New Zealand. Ben follows up with revised thoughts about Skymines.Matt then previews Voidfall, and the two share their initial thoughts on Age of Innovation.Plus: CoraQuest, Lowlands, and The Rich and the Good.Timestamps to come.
#190 Age of Innovation: A First Look
Trey, Tom, and Jordan take a first look at Age of Innovation.0:00:00 Introduction0:05:00 Games on the BrainThe Crew10 Days in the USADead LastThe Barracks EmperorsSavage BowlLe PlateauTichu (again!)Iocane Productions on FacebookDisney LorcanaLast LightImperium: The ContentionReacting to the Past0:51:05 First Impressions: The Age of InnovationTerra MysticaGaia ProjectTerra NovaClans of Caledonia-
#189: Amsterdam
#188 Big Games, Bigger Feelings
Solo Mode #7: The Greatest Solo Mode I've Ever Played
#187 THE TRICK TAKING EPISODE
Matt, Jordan, and Dmitry are joined by our friend David to do a deep dive on trick-taking card games.0:00:00 IntroductionIntro to David0:07:10 Defining terms and the genreTrick-takersShedders and Climbers0:13:00 Our history with card gamesHeartsBullshitBridge0:21:45 The game that made us love card gamesNokosu DiceSchadenfreudeCat In The BoxThe CrewMü0:41:30 Our top trick-takersEuchreScout9 LivesD
#186 War of the Ring: The Card Game
Matt and Trey are joined by the newest member to our podcast, Jordan Sayyah, to review The War of the Ring: The Card Game0:03:00 Intro to JordanJSaysYeah on Discord0:08:00 Games we played this weekAge of SteamNanaStartupsInside Job0:30:00 Review: War of the Ring: The Card GameWar of the RingQuartermaster GeneralRace for the GalaxyRoll for the Galaxy- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain F
#185 Games On Our Brains, May 2023
Tom, Trey, and Ben talk about everything from the Spiel des Jahres, to gaming in Japan, to all their recent discoveries.Iki1880: China Bug Council of BackyardiaNokosu DiceVoodoo PrinceOrleans: Trade & IntrigueTortuga 1667 FindorffFuture Review: War of the Ring: The Card Game- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Twitter- Instagram
#184 Wayfarers of the South Tigris
Trey and Elder review Wayfarers of the South Tigris.0:00:00 Introduction0:02:13 Games on the BrainGalactic Starcuiser closesWoodcraftGenotype 0:20:45 Review: Wayfarers of the South TigrisScholars of the South Tigris- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Twitter- Instagram
#183 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory
Tom and Ben talk about our recent Golden Geek Nomination and deconstruct the special sauce that makes Hegemony so great!
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