Unravel mysteries in Alchemists, a brain-burning deduction game where players mix ingredients, publish theories, and bluff their way to academic fame. With a clever app-driven system, strategic risk-taking, and cutthroat competition, this game is pure magic. Todd, David, and Paul share our ideas about why this game is so good. Give us a listen!
In It’s a Wonderful World, you’ll draft cards, build an empire, and race to optimize your resource engine before your rivals. With sharp strategy, tight decisions, and stunning art, this game delivers pure drafting bliss. David, Greg, and Todd talk about this 2019 game from La Boîte de Jeu. Give us a listen!
Embark on a fantasy rail-building adventure in Iron Dragon! Use crayons to draw tracks across treacherous lands, from scorching deserts to icy tundras, with the help of foremen and ships. Greg, Paul, and Todd discuss this train game that deserves a reprint!
Experience the thrill of high-stakes horse racing in Ready Set Bet! This fast-paced party game combines real-time betting with strategy and luck, creating electrifying moments as players wager on unpredictable races. Megan, Paul, and Todd discuss how well this game has shown with our group. Give us a listen!
Step into the world of Android: Netrunner, a gripping cyberpunk card game of strategy, bluffing, and asymmetrical gameplay. Will you hack the corp's secrets as a daring Runner or protect your assets as a ruthless Corporation? Dive into tense battles of wit and deception! David, Paul, and Todd talk about a longtime favorite of ours that literally keeps coming back again and again.
Wyrmspan is based upon the popular game Wingspan, where players act as dracologists, building sanctuaries to attract dragons. Through strategic card play and resource management, players excavate caves, entice dragons, and explore their habitats. It has stunning artwork, and a dynamic Dragon Guild system for strategy enthusiasts and dragon lovers alike. In this episode Megan, Paul, and Todd discuss whether these are the "dragony" dragons! We also talk about peanut butter cups. Give us a listen!...
Darwin's Journey is a complex worker-placement Eurogame in which players recall Charles Darwin's memories of his adventure through the Galapagos islands, which contributed to the development of his theory of evolution. Al, Paul, and Todd explore its myriad depths in this episode. Give us a listen!
In Space Station Phoenix players start with the best production engine they will ever have and proceed to break it down part by part. David, Paul, and Todd take an in-depth look at this unique game. Give us a listen!
Mysterium is a cooperative board game where players take on the roles of psychics attempting to solve a murder mystery. In this episode Megan, David, and Todd are attuned to one another. Mostly. Give us a listen! Additionally, here is the teaching aid for The Mysteries of Harris Burdick that was mentioned during the show: https://mrsgraveswebsite.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/6/8/12686140/the_mysteries_of_harris_burdick.pdf
Race for the Galaxy is a card game where players build space civilizations by developing tech, settling planets, and managing resources to earn victory points. Fast-paced rounds and diverse card combos create strategic opportunity as players race to expand their empires!
Beyond the Sun is a space civilization game in which players collectively decide the technological progress of humankind at the dawn of the Spacefaring Era, while competing against each other to be the leading faction in economic development, science, and galactic influence. In this episode Todd, Greg, and Paul talk about one of our current favorites. Give us a listen!
Modern Art is an auction-based board game designed by Reiner Knizia. Players act as art dealers, trying to buy and sell paintings to earn the most money by the end of the game. In this episode David, Paul, and Todd try to earn the most value for their holdings. Give us a listen!
Clans is a classic board game set in prehistoric times, where players compete to unite nomadic tribes into settled communities. In this episode Megan, David, and Todd try to surreptitiously score for their secret societies. Give us a listen!
Anno 1800 is a board game set during the Industrial Revolution. Players develop their islands by building industries, upgrading ships, and managing resources to meet the needs of their growing populations. In this episode Greg and Paul try to help Todd appreciate the finer aspects of this videogame-turned-boardgame. Give us a listen!
Thebes is a board game where players become archaeologists exploring Europe and the Middle East to uncover ancient artifacts. The game revolves around time management, as each action, such as traveling, researching, or digging, costs weeks. Players collect knowledge on different civilizations, which helps them during excavations. The goal is to gather the most valuable artifacts by the end of the game. David, Paul, and Todd dig into this classic from 2007. Give us a listen!
In Forest Shuffle players collect various flora and fauna cards to create the most harmonious forest ecosystem. The game features multi-use cards and a clever "clearing" mechanic that is reminiscent of older games. We recorded this episode on little sleep and were a bit punchy by the end. Give us a listen!
Carcassonne is an award-winning game where players place tiles with a piece of French landscape on it, and claim features with Meeples! In this episode Greg, Megan, and Todd try to steal each other's farms while discussing this seemingly simple yet absolutely cutthroat classic. Give us a listen!
Paul and Todd become 19th-century tycoons, balancing business growth and philanthropy in Carnegie by Xavier Georges and published by Quined Games! Give us a listen!
Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a cooperative experience where players step into the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft. Players take on the roles of investigators tasked with uncovering eldritch mysteries and battling cosmic horrors. In this episode David, Paul, and Todd try to cling to their sanity while discussing this monstrous title. Give us a listen!
Players take on the roles of corporations competing to transform and colonize the Red Planet in Terraforming Mars! In this episode Al, Paul, and Todd try to science their way through this popular game. Give us a listen!
El Grande is set in medieval Spain. Players take on the roles of powerful nobles vying for control over regions by deploying their caballeros (knights) strategically. Using a unique action selection system and area majority, players compete to influence the different regions of Spain. David, Paul, and Todd tilt with this beloved OG gamer favorite. Give us a listen!
Step into the glamorous world of Victorian England with Obsession, a strategic board game by Dan Hallagan. In this episode Megan, Paul, and Todd try to improve their own family's social standing at the others' expense, and possibly with the help of a certain useful Shelby. Give us a listen!
In Saint Petersburg players build a bustling city, recruit characters, and outwit rivals. In this episode Greg, Paul, and Todd learn that without effort, you won't even pull a fish out of a pond. Give us a listen!
Cascadia combines tile placement and pattern building to create harmonious ecosystems. In this episode Todd, David, and Megan talk about this popular game. We also have a contest to see who could come up with the best animal puns. Give us a listen!
Agricola punishes players with the challenges of managing a family farm in the 17th century. It is a cutthroat worker placement game, balancing resources and family growth. In this episode David, Paul, and Todd reap the consequences of allowing it to lie fallow for years. Give us a listen!
In Ark Nova players manage zoos by building enclosures, acquiring animals, increasing reputation, and performing conservation projects. In this episode Todd, David, and Paul talk about what might very well be the last zoo game you'll ever need!
In this episode Todd, Greg, and Paul talk about the granddaddy of all deck building games, Dominion! We are joined by the designer Donald X. Vaccarino, and we even get some early information about the upcoming expansion Rising Sun!
It's the last night of 2023 (or the first morning of 2024), and what better game to usher in the new year than One Night Ultimate Werewolf! Megan and Todd suspect each other during this episode, and we even recorded the entire crew playing this popular party game. Give us a listen!
In Lost Ruins of Arnak, players explore a mysterious island through deck building and worker placement. In this episode Todd, David, and Paul dig deep into this popular adventure-themed game. Give us a listen!
Ticket to Ride is a family favorite board game that has players building train networks across the country. Megan, Paul, and Todd talk about trains, Christina Aguilera, and Brittney Spears. Give us a listen!
