エピソード

  • Episode 382: Container, Dogfight: 1917, Moonrollers, Southeast Game Exchange

    Episode 382: Container, Dogfight: 1917, Moonrollers, Southeast Game Exchange
    2026/07/28
    00:01:00 Intro00:06:45 Southeast Game Exchange00:14:45 Quick Hits00:16:00 Guerre Eclair00:19:00 Tap 400:25:00 Crits & Tricks00:32:00 Traveluencer00:36:00 Taste Buds00:41:30 Portal Games00:43:15 Dogfight: 191700:43:30 Container01:09:30 Miniature Market01:11:00 Moonrollers01:17:00 Outro Welcome back to the podcast blog, tabletop fans! Today, we’re diving into a lineup that spans high-flying dogfights, historical blitzkriegs, and economic struggles. If you love razor-thin margins and tactical positioning, you’ll want to look at Dogfight 1917 and Guerre Éclair. Dogfight 1917 drops you straight into the skies over the Western Front, where every maneuver card forces you to anticipate your rival’s path to line up that perfect shot. Meanwhile, Yasushi Nakaguro’s Guerre Éclair condenses the 1940 Fall of France into a tense, card-driven duel of deception and momentum. The German player pushes armored breakthroughs with hidden operational plans while the Allies scramble to hold fragile defenses, delivering deep strategic tension in a crisp 45 minutes. For players who prefer fighting over profit margins, Container delivers incredible table presence. Container remains the undisputed king of closed-economy board games, where players produce goods, set dockside prices, and operate shipping vessels. Because every price, purchase, and subsidy is entirely player-driven, a single miscalculated shipment can trigger a hilarious, full-blown economic recession at your table. On the lighter side when just need to roll dice, Moonrollers brings the sleek sci-fi universe of Moonrakers into a fast-paced push-your-luck dice chucker. Captains roll dice to fulfill crew contracts, juggling hazardous bonus points against the very real danger of busting and walking away with nothing. This game provides the necessary dice manipulation that we expect in our push-your-luck games. Thanks for listening, we really do appreciate the support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 22 分
  • Episode 381: Realm of Reckoning and Devious

    Episode 381: Realm of Reckoning and Devious
    2026/07/14
    00:01:00 Intro00:04:00 SWU in Vegas00:06:00 New Game Store00:08:15 Which is better?00:11:15 The Vale of Eternity00:14:00 Pagan00:15:00 July 4th Gaming00:23:30 Portal Games00:24:30 Realm of Reckoning00:24:00 IV Studio – Tend00:45:30 Devious00:51:45 Miniature Market00:52:30 Summer Movie Thoughts Realm of Reckoning sharpens its identity as an area‑control showdown built on tight timing and escalating tension. The simultaneous card play is the engine that keeps everyone leaning forward—every reveal forces you to decide whether you’re shoring up your economy or muscling into position before a Reckoning reshapes the board. That push‑and‑pull between long‑term planning and immediate tactical pressure gives the game its pulse. Factions rise, collide, and retreat in a rhythm that feels both dramatic and cleanly mechanical, creating turns where a single decision can swing the entire map. You wrap a session already replaying key moments in your head, plotting what you’ll try on your next run through its volatile world. Devious looks disarmingly simple at first, but that’s part of the trick. As players draw, flip, and react, the hidden layers of bluffing and timing begin to reveal themselves. Set collection becomes a delicious gamble—you want just enough cards to score well, but every additional draw risks a bust, especially since the pile you’re pulling from was set by your opponents. That tension turns every flip into a moment of doubt and second‑guessing: is this really the best card available, or did someone bury something better to lure me into overreaching? The result is a fast, mischievous game where the table’s collective psychology matters just as much as the cards in your hand. Thanks for listening and be sure to join our Discord server to keep the conversation going Buy Me a Moon Pie Sponsors “RDTN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 1 分
  • Episode 380: Obsession, Bomb Busters, Lincoln, El Grande and Top 3 Lord of the Rings Games

    Episode 380: Obsession, Bomb Busters, Lincoln, El Grande and Top 3 Lord of the Rings Games
    2026/06/30
    00:01:00 Intro00:04:00 Moving the Kids00:10:15 AI in Board Games00:16:30 Obsession00:20:15 Bomb Busters00:23:30 El Grande00:25:00 Neuroshima Hex00:28:30 Miniature Market00:30:00 Our Top 3 LOTR Games00:30:00 Lincoln00:53:30 Portal Games00:55:00 Guild Wars 301:03:30 Outro Even though our regular game night has been on pause for a few weeks, we still managed to squeeze in some great plays with family and friends. Marty kicked things off with Bomb Busters, a title getting a lot of well‑deserved praise. The way he described it reminded me a bit of Hanabi—that same feeling of relying on your teammates to guide you toward the right moves. There’s something deeply satisfying about working together toward a shared victory, especially when the puzzle finally clicks. He also finally got Obsession to the table, a game that’s been floating around one his radar for a while. I’ll admit it’s one I wasn’t familiar with, but that’s hardly surprising given how many games slip past me. Marty had some thoughtful pros and cons, but even with those caveats, it still sounds like something I’d love to try on a future game night, there’s a charm to that Victorian engine‑building vibe that’s hard to resist. And of course, El Grande continues to shine as a perfect introduction to area control, teaching new players the tension and timing that make the genre sing. Every cube, every power card—it all matters. Lincoln, on the other hand, offers a lean, card‑driven take on the American Civil War, capturing momentum, attrition, and asymmetry in a way that feels brisk yet thoughtful. If it weren’t for a few rulebook hiccups, this would’ve been one of those plays that makes you wonder why it took so long to get it to the table in the first place. Thanks for listening and until next time, keep rolling dice and taking names. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 9 分
  • Episode 379: Zombie Princess, Chang’an, Comic Book Boom w/Chaz Marler

    Episode 379: Zombie Princess, Chang’an, Comic Book Boom w/Chaz Marler
    2026/06/16
    00:01:15 Intro 00:06:30 Chaz is back! 00:09:45 ⁠Fun collaboration⁠ 00:12:00 How has gaming changed over the years 00:40:00 ⁠Miniature Market⁠ 00:41:00 New Review System 00:47:00 ⁠Chang’an ⁠00:58:00 ⁠Zombie Princess⁠ 01:05:00 ⁠Portal Games⁠ 01:06:00 ⁠Comic Book Boom⁠ 01:17:30 Outro with Chaz In this episode, Marty is joined by Chaz Marler from ⁠Game Night Picks⁠. They talk about all the different ways the table top industry has changed over the past 10 years from content creation, to games, to the community. Marty and Tony review some new games using their new format. Shorter, more concise and with a numerical rating. Let us know your thoughts on the new format over on our ⁠Discord ⁠Channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 39 分
  • Episode 378: Castelnuovo 1539, Rebuilding Chicago, Toy Battle

    Episode 378: Castelnuovo 1539, Rebuilding Chicago, Toy Battle
    2026/06/02
    00:01:15 Intro00:06:30 Gencon 2026 Update00:10:30 Quartermaster General: WWII00:15:00 Moon Colony: Bloodbath00:20:15 Star Wars Unlimited Update00:21:45 Portal Games00:23:30 Rebuilding Chicago00:41:30 Castelnuovo 153900:55:30 Miniature Market00:56:30 Toy Battle01:01:30 Pragmata01:04:30 R-Type Dimensions III01:09:00 Sektori01:10:00 Outro For history fans who enjoy thoughtful, asymmetric challenges, Castelnuovo 1539 offers a compelling take on the “last stand” style of wargame. Blending classic conflict simulation with Euro‑style area control, this two‑player design places you with the Spanish defenders doing everything they can to slow an advancing Ottoman siege. The Spanish side isn’t trying to win outright so much as hold firm and make every step costly, creating a tense, measured experience where each decision carries real weight. With custom card decks and hidden wooden blocks shaping the flow of play, the game builds a steady, immersive pressure without ever feeling overwhelming. Shifting to a much lighter tone, Rebuilding Chicago and Toy Battle trade battlefield grit for creativity and quick, satisfying play. As the standalone follow‑up to Rebuilding Seattle, Rebuilding Chicago invites up to five players to reshape neighborhoods and guide a growing population after the Great Fire of 1871. It’s a warm, engaging tile‑laying puzzle with plenty of room for clever planning. And if you’re looking for something breezy to wrap up a game night, Paolo Mori’s Toy Battle delivers a delightful 15‑minute burst of abstract strategy. With charming toy‑themed troops and whimsical double‑sided maps like the Volcanic Jungle or City of Clouds, it pairs simple rules with just enough tactical bite to leave everyone smiling. We’re truly disappointed that we won’t be able to host the Strike tournament at Gen Con this year. It’s always a highlight for us, and we’ll miss the energy, laughter, and chaos that only Gladiators in an Arena, I mean, a bowl of dice can create. Thanks for listening and a special guest joins us for our next episode, assuming he is on his best behavior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 14 分
  • Episode 377: Diplomacy - The Golden Blade, Luz, Fruit Island, Altay - Seafarers, Brave & Bold

    Episode 377: Diplomacy - The Golden Blade, Luz, Fruit Island, Altay - Seafarers, Brave & Bold
    2026/05/19
    00:01:15 Intro00:05:45 Mother’s Day Games00:11:30 Skyjo, Skyjo, Skyjo00:12:30 Wits & Wagers Challenges00:16:30 Summer Movie Update00:20:15 Portal Games00:21:00 Diplomacy: The Golden Blade00:35:00 Fruit Island00:38:15 Brave & Bold00:51:30 Miniature Market00:52:35 Altay: Seafarers01:06:45 Luz01:12:15 Ewin Desk01:17:15 The Floor If your gaming group thrives on trick-taking but wants something that completely flips the genre on its head, Luz maybe it. This clever card game from IELLO forces you to play with a reverse hand—meaning everyone else at the table can see your cards, but you are left entirely in the dark about your own exact values. And even with a blind hind, you must predict exactly how many tricks you will win or take a safe bet to limit your points won. For those who believe true friendship is only forged in the fires of mutual betrayal, Renegade Game Studios’ Diplomacy: The Golden Blade delivers the ultimate test. This iteration strips away the classic board and map, transforming the legendary grand strategy experience into a fast-paced card game. What it gains in speed, it may not bring home the tension that you feel when playing the original. But be honest, if you love Diplomacy, but don’t have five hours, then this might be one to consider. Fruit Island is a casual strategy game by the legendary designer Reiner Knizia that balances accessible mechanics for all ages. Set on a quiet jungle island, players step into the fast-moving shoes of monkeys racing to harvest as much exotic fruit while avoiding a gorilla that wants what you have worked so hard for. If you are enjoying those games where you are going against some in a straight up slugfest, then DC: Brave & Bold by Resurrection Games may be something to check out. Instead of a dice pool with random likes like games before, this is a bag builder with chits and the only thing stopping you from pulling them out is your determination. This one is coming out later this year, but if going to Gen Con, be sure to schedule some time for a demo. Altay: Seafarers expands the horizon of civilization-building, taking the core deck-building and area-control mechanics of Ares Games’ Altay: Dawn of Civilization and casting them out into deep, uncharted waters. This expansion introduces a brand-new “Forgotten Sea” board, rules for shipbuilding, and naval combat that injects mobility to the map. It introduces the Waterfolk faction, a magical, ocean-dwelling faction that can manipulate actions and navigate the waves without needing ships at all. If you enjoyed Altay and find it on the table often, be sure to check out this expansion. Thanks for listening LuzDiplomacy: The Golden BladeFruit IslandBrave & BoldAltay: Seafarers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 28 分
  • 2026 Summer Movie Preview: Screening, Streaming or Steaming:

    2026 Summer Movie Preview: Screening, Streaming or Steaming:
    2026/05/05
    00:01:00 Intro00:05:00 Let’s Get to the Picks01:03:00 Draft Time01:13:00 Outro Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting movie seasons in years, with big‑name directors, long‑awaited sequels, and the triumphant return of theatrical event‑going. And to celebrate that return, we’ve brought in some familiar voices to help us break down the upcoming releases. For those new to the show, here’s how we do things. Every movie gets one of three calls. First, if it’s worth your hard‑earned dollars and absolutely demands the full theatrical experience, we’ll tell you to go SCREEN it. If it’s a solid watch but doesn’t need the booming speakers and giant screen, then it’s better to STREAM it at home. And finally, there are those unfortunate titles that miss the mark so badly they’re nothing more than a big, old pile of STEAM — and those should be avoided altogether. Either way, it’s clear the studios are making a serious push to get us back into theaters, and this summer’s lineup shows they’re not holding anything back. We’d love to hear from you. So, tell us which movies we missed and what should be on our radar. Jump into the conversation over in our Discord and let us know what you’re planning to SCREEN, STREAM, or is a pile of STEAMing stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 18 分
  • Episode 376: Rising Cultures, Frenzy Falls, Got Five, and a bunch of Taste Buds

    Episode 376: Rising Cultures, Frenzy Falls, Got Five, and a bunch of Taste Buds
    2026/05/05
    00:01:15 Intro00:05:15 Ascension: LOTR00:07:45 Straight to LOTR Stuff00:11:30 Intro to Harder Games00:17:15 Round Up Error00:20:30 New Contest00:21:30 Taste Buds00:37:30 Portal Games00:38:45 Frenzy Falls00:44:30 Rising Cultures01:04:00 Miniature Market01:05:15 Got Five00:11:15 E-Win Desk01:15:45 SWU Report Out Whether you’re in the mood for the high-stakes chaos of a spilling pool, the grand strategy of rising civilizations, or the quiet tension of a deduction puzzle, we got it covered in this lineup of games for this episode. First up is Frenzy Falls where players play cards face-down into “Pools,” trying to raise the water level. Once a pool hits a value of 10, it “spills over.” The player with the most influence in that pool at that exact moment snags the points. Rising Cultures is next on the table and this asymmetric “Civ-in-a-box” experience is designed specifically for two players. You pick from four civilizations either Rome, Egypt, Persia, or the Abbasid Caliphate. The thing we love in this game is the multi-use cards: every card in your hand can be used for resources, military power, building structures, or deploying leaders. You have to decide which path is worth sacrificing the others in order to gain victory over your opponent. Since each civilization has its own unique deck, the game feels completely different every time you swap roles. It’s a tight, 45-minute battle of wits. Finally, we got a game that shows the strengths and weaknesses of the RDTN crew. You have five tiles on a rack facing away from you. You can see everyone else’s tiles, but not your own. By asking questions like “Where would this tile fit in my sequence?” or “Do I have a tile with this many dots?”, you narrow down the possibilities. The tension is high because you can guess at any time, but if you’re wrong once, you’re out. It’s incredibly satisfying when the logic finally clicks and you can confidently shout, “Got Five!”, which I never got to experience Thanks for listening and don’t forget about the contest over in the Discord server. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 23 分