Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group

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.

The hosts dive into a first look at Age of Innovation, discussing its compelling mechanics and ties to Terra Mystica. They share insights from community game nights, highlighting the appeal of simple games for newcomers. The conversation shifts to the chaos and fun of social deduction games like Dead Last. As they explore new titles, they dissect the modular gameplay in Age of Innovation, emphasizing customization and strategic elements. The episode wraps with varied first impressions, hinting at a promising future for this innovative game.