We’re fresh back from Gen Con 2025 and diving into all the games we demoed, playtested, or previewed on the show floor — the ones we enjoyed, admired, and ultimately didn’t bring home. Just because we didn’t buy doesn’t mean they weren’t great! From gorgeous marble abstract games to flick-happy dexterity titles, and even a surprise sit-down with Vlaada Chvátil and Tom Vasel at a Harry Potter Codenames event, this episode is packed with first impressions, design notes, and plenty of laughs. We cover 12 games in total, including: Duat – heavy marble production with ancient Egyptian flair Mystic Curling Club – dice-flicking meets curling with magical powers Codenames: Return to Hogwarts – Hogwarts houses add asymmetry Eschaton: Iconoclasm – apocalyptic deckbuilding gone co-op TowerBrix – passive-aggressive tower stacking …and more, from Galactic Cruise to Sea Beasts: A Bloody Voyage If you want board game reviews, Gen Con previews, and honest first impressions, this is your stop. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 01:35 - Duat 06:09 - Mystic Curling Club 11:22 - Code Names: Return to Hogwarts 21:39 - Eschaton: Iconoclasm 25:55 - TowerBrix 30:21 - Galactic Cruise 34:35 - Worms 37:52 - Regicide Legacy 40:41 - Psychobabble 48:19 - High Frontier 4 All 50:42 - Sea Beasts: A Bloody Voyage 52:22 - Eve: War for New Eden