Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group

By Game Brain

What's Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group about?

A podcast about Board Games and friendship, and a real life board game group! Join us every week for an in-depth look at the board gaming hobby, including board game news, reviews and much, much more.

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Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group episodes:

05.29.2024
#215: El Burro
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...
05.13.2024
#214: Salton Sea
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.
05.07.2024
#213: Beware the Fun Sponge
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...
04.30.2024
#212: 2024 Golden Geek Predictions
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...
04.15.2024
#211 Space Games!!
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...
04.01.2024
#210: Finger Etiquette and Games
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,...
03.25.2024
#209: Second Wind Games
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...
03.18.2024
#208: Let's Go To Japan
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...
02.26.2024
#207: Exploring Root, Agonizing in Cuzco
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 -...
02.11.2024
#206 Thunder Road: Vendetta
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 -...
01.29.2024
#205: How to Choose a Game for Game Night
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?...
01.22.2024
The Best Boardgames of 2023!
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...
01.08.2024
#203 Dude, Where's My Keshi?
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...
12.18.2023
#202: Evacuation
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 [email protected]:51:10 Game Review: EvacuationThe games of...
12.11.2023
#201: Kutna Hora: The City of Silver
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.
12.04.2023
#200 Our 200th Episode Extravaganza!
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...
11.27.2023
Solo Mode #8: Earthborne Rangers and the Co-Op LCG Renaissance
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.
11.13.2023
#199: Chatting with Ken Kuhn of GMT Games
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...
10.30.2023
#198: The White Castle
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:...
10.16.2023
#197 First Look at Nucleum
Tom and Elder talk about their early play(s) of Nucleum, and other recent games of note.
10.09.2023
#196: Direct Aggression
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...
09.25.2023
#195: Voidfall Preview
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...
09.18.2023
#194 The Rich and The Good
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...
09.11.2023
#193 Great Western Trail: New Zealand
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...
08.28.2023
#192 Aegean Sea
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
08.14.2023
#191 Matt's Back, and He's Excited
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...
08.07.2023
#190 Age of Innovation: A First Look
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:...
07.31.2023
#189: Amsterdam
07.24.2023
#188 Big Games, Bigger Feelings
07.04.2023
Solo Mode #7: The Greatest Solo Mode I've Ever Played
06.19.2023
#187 THE TRICK TAKING EPISODE
Matt, Jordan, and Dmitry are joined by our friend David to do a deep dive on trick-taking card games.0:00:00 IntroductionIntro to David0:07:10 Defining terms and the genreTrick-takersShedders and Climbers0:13:00 Our history with card gamesHeartsBullshitBridge0:21:45 The game that made us...
06.05.2023
#186 War of the Ring: The Card Game
Matt and Trey are joined by the newest member to our podcast, Jordan Sayyah, to review The War of the Ring: The Card Game0:03:00 Intro to JordanJSaysYeah on Discord0:08:00 Games we played this weekAge of SteamNanaStartupsInside Job0:30:00 Review: ...
05.29.2023
#185 Games On Our Brains, May 2023
Tom, Trey, and Ben talk about everything from the Spiel des Jahres, to gaming in Japan, to all their recent discoveries.Iki1880: China Bug Council of BackyardiaNokosu DiceVoodoo PrinceOrleans: Trade & IntrigueTortuga 1667 FindorffFuture Review: War of the Ring: The...
05.22.2023
#184 Wayfarers of the South Tigris
Trey and Elder review Wayfarers of the South Tigris.0:00:00 Introduction0:02:13 Games on the BrainGalactic Starcuiser closesWoodcraftGenotype 0:20:45 Review: Wayfarers of the South TigrisScholars of the South Tigris- Find Etamar at kirbooloni.com- Game Brain Facebook Group- Twitter- ...
05.01.2023
#183 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory
Tom and Ben talk about our recent Golden Geek Nomination and deconstruct the special sauce that makes Hegemony so great!
04.17.2023
#182 Tragedy Looper
Tom, Ben, and Trey circle back to the review the new edition of Tragedy Looper.0:00:00 Introduction0:04:00 Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition0:12:10 HegemonyThe Cost0:38:00 Great Western Trail: Agentina0:49:20 Fast Sloths0:59:05 Foundations of RomeRa1:09:10 Tragedy Looper: New TragediesBGG First EditionWhiz Kids Pre-order- ...
04.10.2023
#181: Games Vs. Puzzles
Tom, Ben, and Dmitry discuss game night drama, whether or not they'll ever receive Hegemony, and the difference between games and puzzles.
03.27.2023
#180: Our TOP Board Games of 2022!
Tom, Matt, Trey and Ben gather to reveal their Top 5 Games of 2022!0:00:00 Introduction0:05:40 Games we played this weekRed CathedralStationfallBarrage: The Nile AffairBoonlakeBlack Angel0:32:20 Top Games of 2022LacrimosaDeal with the DevilGuards of Atlantis IIReady Set Bet56:30 Weather MachineMosaic: A...
03.13.2023
#179 The Red Cathedral + Contractors
Ben, Trey, Elder, and Paul discuss the 2020 game The Red Cathedral and its 2022 expansion The Red Cathedral: Contractors.00:02:40 - Ramen Fury00:07:01 - Scholars of the South Tigris00:13:30 - Hegemony00:19:27 - Tzolkin00:20:26 - Robotech Reconstruction00:38:23 - Woodcraft00:43:40 - Imperial...
03.06.2023
#178 A First Look At Stationfall
02.27.2023
#177 The Blanket Episode
Ben lost power in the great LA blizzard of 2023, but just because his house was dark didn't mean the podcast had to be. And so Ben and Paul bravely wrapped themselves in blankets and churned out an episode...
02.13.2023
#176: Mosaic A Story of Civilization
Ben, Tom, and Trey deep dive Mosaic: A Story of Civilization and discuss what makes a civ game... a civ game? Plus, recent plays of Dune and Cosmic Frog.
01.30.2023
#175 Horseless Carriage First Impressions
Trey gets it in gear with Tom and Dmitry and their first impressions of Splotter's Horseless Carriage. 0:00:00 Introduction0:06:45 Traitors Talk0:21:10 Games on the BrainDmitry's 5x5 List: Tichu, Barrage, Indonesia, Panamax, AutobahnMosaicWestern EmpiresThrough the AgesNations Trey's 5x5 List: Mosaic, Autobahn,...
01.23.2023
#174 The Joy of Splotter
Talking about our favorite Splotter games in anticipation of "Horseless Carriage." Plus, The Traitors, which blends social deduction party games with reality TV.
01.16.2023
#173 Lords of Vegas
Ben and Paul talk about Lords of Vegas as well as fairness and games and the new reality series "The Traitors."00:00:00 - Intro00:03:55 - The Traitors00:17:47 - Fairness + Winning Discussion00:47:41 - Vast: The Mysterious Manor00:53:56 - Weather Machine 01:01:19...
01.09.2023
#172 Back from Break!
We're back from a busy holiday season, and we have games to talk about: Woodcraft, Imperial Steam, Wayfarers of the South Tigris, and Matt's first ever game of Twilight Imperium!
12.19.2022
#171: Tiletum
Tom, Candice, and Ben talk about Tiletum. Plus, Candice tells us all about the games she played and people she met from five back-to-back conventions!
12.12.2022
#170: Autobahn
Ben, Trey, and Dmitry discuss the 2022 game, Autobahn. Plus, recent plays of Deal with the Devil, Lacrimosa, and Atiwa. Plus, they discuss a recent piece in the New York Times about strategy games.
12.05.2022
Solo Mode #6: The State of Solo Modes in 2022
Matt discusses the state of the solo mode in 2022 by looking at the solo modes from this season's top Essen games.
11.21.2022
Bats and Turkeys
Ben, Tom, and Paul chat about recent plays of Atiwa, Tiletum, Fracis Drake, and Maria. Plus, recommendations for good games to play at Thanksgiving.

What's Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group about?

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Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group episodes:

#215: El Burro

#214: Salton Sea

#213: Beware the Fun Sponge

#212: 2024 Golden Geek Predictions

#211 Space Games!!

#210: Finger Etiquette and Games

#209: Second Wind Games

#208: Let's Go To Japan

#207: Exploring Root, Agonizing in Cuzco

#206 Thunder Road: Vendetta

#205: How to Choose a Game for Game Night

The Best Boardgames of 2023!

#203 Dude, Where's My Keshi?

#202: Evacuation

#201: Kutna Hora: The City of Silver

#200 Our 200th Episode Extravaganza!

Solo Mode #8: Earthborne Rangers and the Co-Op LCG Renaissance

#199: Chatting with Ken Kuhn of GMT Games

#198: The White Castle

#197 First Look at Nucleum

#196: Direct Aggression

#195: Voidfall Preview

#194 The Rich and The Good

#193 Great Western Trail: New Zealand

#192 Aegean Sea

#191 Matt's Back, and He's Excited

#190 Age of Innovation: A First Look

#189: Amsterdam

#188 Big Games, Bigger Feelings

Solo Mode #7: The Greatest Solo Mode I've Ever Played

#187 THE TRICK TAKING EPISODE

#186 War of the Ring: The Card Game

#185 Games On Our Brains, May 2023

#184 Wayfarers of the South Tigris

#183 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory

#182 Tragedy Looper

#181: Games Vs. Puzzles

#180: Our TOP Board Games of 2022!

#179 The Red Cathedral + Contractors

#178 A First Look At Stationfall

#177 The Blanket Episode

#176: Mosaic A Story of Civilization

#175 Horseless Carriage First Impressions

#174 The Joy of Splotter

#173 Lords of Vegas

#172 Back from Break!

#171: Tiletum

#170: Autobahn

Solo Mode #6: The State of Solo Modes in 2022

Bats and Turkeys

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