Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group

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?

Chris Bussey, a seasoned video game producer, joins the conversation to explore the space-themed board game SETI and shares insights from an intense marathon session of 1817. The trio discusses the game's innovative mechanics, such as scanning for alien species and the strategic tempo of gameplay. Chris also shares his thoughts on Railways of the Lost Atlas and highlights the importance of early income in engine building. The hosts recommend SETI for its stunning design and expansion potential, comparing it favorably to Terraforming Mars.

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.

The hosts dive into their favorite games of 2024, sharing awards like Best New Game and Biggest Disappointment. Highlights include the engaging mechanics of 'Black Forest' and the family-friendly fun of 'Let's Go to Japan.' They rave about 'Red Dust Rebellion' for its rich storytelling and 'Harmonies' as a must-try filler. Amidst technical issues, they address recent LA fires and support a GoFundMe. With community input, they celebrate 2024 as a strong year for gaming, full of surprises and deep designs that create lasting memories.

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!

Ben and Jordan dive into the latest board game hype, dissecting new releases and their standing. They discuss the engaging Shackleton Base and how it tries to live up to expectations. Gaia Project: The Lost Fleet rekindles enthusiasm, while Harmonies offers a quick puzzle experience. Ben praises Saltfjord’s design, but questions its depth. The dynamic reveal of Men-Nefer exceeds predictions, and they explore the thematic strength of Red Dust Rebellion. Fans of Lord of the Rings get a treat with inventive trick-taking mechanics and a fresh approach in Endeavor: Deep Sea.

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.