Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast with Matthew Robinson and his Gaming Group

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

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.

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 Introduction02:01 March Meepleness analysis30:50 Guards of Atlantis II37:00 Galactic Cruise40:18 Eternal Decks47:02 Shatterpoint50:29 Civolution Review

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-scraps00:00 Intro01:29 Playing the Pity Card: When Guilt Almost Wins—But Not Quite42:36 If board games were sushi, what sushi would they be?

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

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?02:00 - Guards of Atlantis II03:32 - Galactic Cruise07:20 - Stroganov12:29 - Mind MGMT20:29 - Traitors31:56  - Serenissima42:40 - Landmarks44:42 - DroPolter49:43 - We Need To Talk51:28 - Hooky56:59 - Men-Nefer Review

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 Intro00:09:46 Best gaming experiences of 202400:34:24  Ben's 2024 10x5 challenge00:38:19  Ben's top games of 2024: #25-#11

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 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 Rail: South Africa40:51 The Yellow House45:07 Pariahs48:45 Asian Tigers52:08 Fromage58:47 Middle Ages1:03:41 Men-Nefer1:10:35 Red Dust Rebellion1:14:48 Saltfjord1:21:29 Fellowship of the Ring Trick Taking Game1:27:14 Lord of the Rings Duel1:29:06 Endeavor Deep Sea1:36:02 SETI1:41:14 Civolution

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 kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Instagram

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-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Instagram

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 Games on the BrainHarmoniesAnno 1800: Die Erweiterung0:36:24 Game Review: Rise & FallArchipelago-  Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Instagram

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

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 Dark00:43:45 - Plantagenet00:49:09 - Pagan00:55:54 - Gest of Robin Hood00:56:26 - Orienenburger Kanal00:59:10 - 21Moon01:10:56 - Things in Rings01:17:54 - Wilmot's Warehouse01:28:02 - Calimala01:35:08 - Forest Shuffle01:49:36 - Seers Catalogue01:53:58 - Railways of the Lost Atlas02:06:24 - Hollywood 194702:20:26 - Indonesia

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-  Instagram

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.

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

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.

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.

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 talk about recent plays of Ironwood, Galactic Cruise, Arcs, and Twilight Imperium.

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.

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.

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 Odin01:17:49 - Gold West01:19:55 - Boonlake01:22:06 - Great Western Trail: Argentina01:30:40 - Skymines01:39:48 - City of the Big Shoulders

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 kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Instagram

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: Artifacts01:43:45 - Shikoku 1889

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 GamesEvacuationThinkerThemer's reviewReviveVoidfall-  Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Instagram

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?

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: Vendetta0:34:35 12 Apiary0:37:10 11 Horseless Carriage0:43:15 10 Rats of Wistar0:46:15 9th Stationfall0:50:08 8th Earthborne Rangers0:54:50 7th White Castle0:59:05 6th Kutná Hora: The City of Silver1:03:10 5th Voidfall1:09:28 4th Nucleum1:16:05 3rd Age of Innovation1:24:45 2nd Evacuation1:33:40 1st Hegemony: Lead your class to victory-  Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Instagram

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 come...

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-  Twitter-  Instagram

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.

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 PodcastBen #3 - Red CathedralMatt #3 - Ark NovaTrey #3 - Imperial SteamTom #3 - BarrageBen #2 - Hegemony: Lead Tour Class to VictoryMatt #2 - Age of InnovationTrey #2 - War of the Ring: The Card GameTom #2 - Imperial SteamBen #1 - BarrageMatt #1 - BarrageTrey #1 - The TranscontinentalTom #1 - Pipeline-  Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Twitter-  Instagram

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. 

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!

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-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Twitter-  Instagram

Tom and Elder talk about their early play(s) of Nucleum, and other recent games of note. 

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 Road: Vendetta0:48:00 Design Topic: Directed AggressionTerraforming MarsVoidfallTrey's pillars of directed aggressionRisk 1959Diplomacy 1959Civilization 1980Axis & Allies 1981Through the Ages: A New Story of CivilizationSurvive: Escape from Atlantis!Cosmic FrogSkyminesThe Rich and the GoodDuneLords of VegasMaria Forbidden Stars-  Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Twitter-  Instagram

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

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 Rich and the Good

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 - Ark Nova: Marine Worlds-  Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Twitter-  Instagram

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

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.

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-  Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com-  Game Brain Facebook Group-  Twitter-  Instagram