We’re fresh back from Gen Con 2025 and diving into all the games we demoed, playtested, or previewed on the show floor — the ones we enjoyed, admired, and ultimately didn’t bring home. Just because we didn’t buy doesn’t mean they weren’t great! From gorgeous marble abstract games to flick-happy dexterity titles, and even a surprise sit-down with Vlaada Chvátil and Tom Vasel at a Harry Potter Codenames event, this episode is packed with first impressions, design notes, and plenty of laughs.

We cover 12 games in total, including:

• Duat – heavy marble production with ancient Egyptian flair
• Mystic Curling Club – dice-flicking meets curling with magical powers
• Codenames: Return to Hogwarts – Hogwarts houses add asymmetry
• Eschaton: Iconoclasm – apocalyptic deckbuilding gone co-op
• TowerBrix – passive-aggressive tower stacking
• …and more, from Galactic Cruise to Sea Beasts: A Bloody Voyage

If you want board game reviews, Gen Con previews, and honest first impressions, this is your stop.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

01:35 - Duat

06:09 - Mystic Curling Club

11:22 - Code Names: Return to Hogwarts

21:39 - Eschaton: Iconoclasm

25:55 - TowerBrix

30:21 - Galactic Cruise

34:35 - Worms

37:52 - Regicide Legacy

40:41 - Psychobabble

48:19 - High Frontier 4 All

50:42 - Sea Beasts: A Bloody Voyage

52:22 - Eve: War for New Eden