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 base diversions surprise the Rabble. Discussed: Spirit Island, Coffee Rush, Akropolis, Kingdomino, Memoir '44, Votes for Women, Captain Sonar, Battleship, Vale of Eternity, Winners' Circle, Pandemic, Just One, Bang the Dice Game, Kodama, Halls of Hegra, Maquis, Catan, Too Many Bones, Sky Team, Next Station London, innovations that become commonplace, balance, exploiting the strategy less traveled by, board game baristas, boardless games, variable turn order, knowable quantities, simple games that allow for expertise, private metas, the relativity of game weight, the appeal of aggressive games, playing the bad guy, meeting your friends' board game dads, self-discovery through gaming, being too cool, novelty deflation, childish games, floppers, accidental cheating, simultaneous turns, player interaction, asymmetry in coops, war themes in Euros, acclimating to heavy games, the value of lavish productions, productions that punch above their weight, and how to talk to Kayden about the Punchboard Cathedral podcast. Music by Alba and the Mighty Lions and Kenan. Wonder aloud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.