Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group

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 - Oranenburger 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

Drew Conley, a talented composer and longtime board gamer, joins the discussion to dive into the explosive hype surrounding ARCS, a major 2024 board game release. They explore its Kickstarter origins, evolving mechanics, and how it compares to hits like Scythe and Wingspan. Drew shares insights from his early playtesting, while the hosts debate the game’s appeal and complexity. They also highlight ARCS' unique trick-taking mechanics and its innovative storytelling, underscoring the excitement of its campaign mode and tactical gameplay.

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.