Sometimes a game knows us better than we know ourselves. Rolling Reggie joins us to discuss games that subverted our expectations. Kenan tries to recreate one of his game-changing gaming experiences for friends and strangers alike. Alba greets our guest with a superfly icebreaker. Kenan takes accountability for his tile-based crimes. Then we consider some games that managed to surprise us when we thought we'd seen it all while Alba does her victory dance. Finally, we hear about what sorts of...

Can you have fun when you don't have a prayer? Kenan draws a line in the sand. Alba proselytizes for the rock gods. Kenan name-drops his Dice Tower West buddies. Then we discuss some games we enjoy even when we're losing. Well, one game we're fine losing and one we hate losing. Alba doesn't love constraints. Topics include Apistocracy, Dominion, Magic the Gathering, Go, Scythe, Tapestry, deckbuilding, deck construction, metas and determinism, variable setup, thematic integration, and...

Did you ever feel like a game was made just for you? Alba's gaming life has been a Tapestry of rich and royal hue. Kenan isn't allowed to run the icebreakers anymore. Our brainy guest Dr. Dana tells us about her puzzly Obsession, and we tell her about ports and pyramids. Needless to say, we all get stumped. Also discussed: juggling obligations in games and life, hype fatigue, why no one wants Charles, games that are sexy-ugly, the best way to learn new games, Kenan's overconfidence, rich...

What's the use in feeling bad? Kenan attempts to explain the shelf of shame to non-gamers. Alba attempts to salvage the vibes by dangling some tantalizing theoretical IP adaptations. We correct the record, discuss our ongoing flame war with our northern rivals, and recap holiday gaming (we recorded this one a while ago), discussing Jamaica, Werewolf, Pyramido, Akropolis, verticality, and downtime mitigation. Then we chat about Taverns of Tiefenthal, overly thematic language,...

We all look forward to game night, but the best game nights are the ones you look back on. Kenan tells us about a game he only played once but has been thinking about for nearly three decades. Alba breaks the ice with our guest Eli of Black Market Press (@blackmarketpress on IG), and then the trio discuss Nemesis, Alice's Garden, games-as-destinations, different types of enjoyment, and the challenges of accessibility in game design and production. Not content only to trash talk the luminaries...

Have you ever bought a game you didn't know much about, or were unlikely to actually play? What's that about? Kenan and Alba discuss Azul, Blood Rage (BLOOOOD RAAAAGE), On the Origin of Species, Unearth, Forgotten Waters, and a great many listener regrets. Plus: fake games, heartfelt apologies, a Spanish vocab lesson, and more. With intro and incidental music by Alba & the Mighty Lions and outro music by Kenan. Ramble on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can a game persuade people to have fun, even if they're in a lousy mood, even if they're morally opposed to or constitutionally incapable of fun? We welcome your new favorite gamer Sam to the show to discuss Disney Lorcana, Dune Imperium, Just One, Carcassonne, Timeline, Stay Cool, Cascadia, 7 Wonders Architects, and the great many things we've already been wrong about in our show's short run. Then we look at the games that never let you folks down. This episode's intro music is by Alba &...

There are the games we dream about, and the games we actually come home to. What's the difference? In this episode, we discuss top 10 lists, reviews and reviewers, Dune Imperium, Witchstone, Forest Shuffle, Grove, Beacon Patrol, small solo games, The Quest for El Dorado, Kingdom Builder, Splendor + Cities of Splendor, Cribbage, Forgotten Depths, trick-taking, Atiwa, the challenge of getting your faves to the table, solo modes, and more. Alba proposes some compelling titles for nonexistent...

Sometimes you make up your mind about a game before you've even played it. What's that about? Discussed: GenX, hipsters, Brass v. Gloomhaven, corporate IP's, hateration, Disney Lorcana, Wingspan, Lost Ruins of Arnak v. Dune Imperium, minimalism v. maximalism, Unmatched, Tapestry's slow burn, Concordia, learning games on BGA, Trudvang Legends, Massive Darkness 2, buying games v. investing in systems, Magic: the Gathering, hype aversion, snap judgements, eating crow, taking board games...

What is the allure of the new game? In this episode we discuss escapism, hype, pirate games, Endless Palace, Roll Player, Kingdomino, Dragomino, Ice Cool, Flamecraft, Glow, Spirit Island, Everdell, and more. Then we discuss the games that disappointed you folks, as well as those that lived up to your expectations. Outro music: Alba and the Mighty Lions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.