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 Eternal Decks. 00:00 Introduction 02:01 Meeple Madness analysis 30:50 Guards of Atlantis II...

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 to Table Scraps on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@table-scraps 00:00 Intro 01:29 Playing the Pity Card...

Ben, Trey, and special guest Chris dive deep with the rotating space hotness SETI. Plus, talk about a marathon session of 1817. 00:00 Intro 12:10 1817 25:09 Railways of the Lost Atlas 30:50 Whistle Mountain 33:04 SETI

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 check in on The Traitors on Peacock—what does this season tell us about our gaming hobby? 02...

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.

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-rebuild-after-eaton-fire-loss

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 GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/bce5bc67 Every little bit helps. 00:00:00 Int...

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 Catan. Because it could happen!

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 Introduction 11:22 Kraftwagen: Age of Engineering 13:00 Stress Botics 14:48 Unconscious Mind 16:47 Landmarks 18:08 Shackleton Base 21:00 Gaia Project: The Lost Fleet 25:44 Harmonies 31:19 Age of Rail: South Africa 40:51 The Yellow House 45:07 Pariahs 48:45 Asian Tigers 52:08 Fromage...

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.

Matt and Jordan return to the world of miniature wargaming to get you up to speed on all of their recent adventures.

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 Gadget Trick1:21:10 Gaia Project: The Lost Fleet2:13:20 Outro - Find Etamar at kirboolo...

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

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 - What we bring to the game table1:56:25 Outro - Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com -&...

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 OrizonSpectacularRebirth0:21:10 Jordan recounts the great 2024 betrayal of Twilight Imperium 4th Ed.0:32:25 other Ga...

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 - Intro 09:19 - Distilled 23:08 - Rise & Fall 44:03 - Railways of the Lost Atlas 56:16 - 18RoyalGorge 58:59 - Kutna Hora 01:01:42 - Things in Rings 01:05:55 - Windmill Valley

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 Valley 00:21:36 - Fields of Arle 00:29:56 - Blades in the Dark 00:43:45 - Plantagenet 00:49:09 - Pagan 00:55:54 - Gest of Robin Hood 00:56:26 - Oranenburger K...

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: Railways of the Lost Atlas - Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com - Game Brain Facebook Group - Instagram

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/@OptimalPlay - Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com - Game Brain Facebook Group - Insta...

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.