Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group

On a very special episode of Game Brain, Matthew, Ben, Trey, Paul and Jordan come together to take you through their Top Ten board games of 2025.

Ben, Trey, and Paul review the 2024 narrative-driven game "Tales of the Arthurian Knights."  Paul says it's not even a game. Could it possibly be good? (yes)  Also recent plays of "March of the Ants," "Indonesia 3rd Edition," and "Secret Hitler."

00:00 - Intro
11:08 - March of the Ants, Evolved Edition
27:37 - Indonesia, 3rd Edition
41:39 - 18Chesapeake
43:32 - Secret Hitler
1:04:44 - Tales of the Arthurian Knights review

Ben, Trey, and Jordan discuss the new action selection minigame speculation bonanza Ayar: Children of the Sun.  Plus discussion of Agent Avenue, Twilight Imperium Thunder's Edge, Silos, and A Place for All My Books.
00:00 - Intro / Traitors
9:20 - Silos
18:46 - Agent Avenue
31:36 - Pacts
35:36 - A Place for All My Books
44:11 - Twilight Imperium Thunder's Edge
57:49 - Ayar: Children of the Sun review

Matt and Jordan review Old King's Crown, the impressive lane battling asymmetric card flipping game from first time designer Pablo Clark.

Ben and Paul are here to save your holiday season! Need a game to buy for that special someone?  Or even that UNspecial someone? We have some ideas for you. Plus, some strategies for how to teach games to the most stubborn, unfocused, and downright difficult people of all time: your family.
00:00 - Intro
04:00 - Recent Plays
04:12 - Food Chain Magnate
17:17 - Ito
22:36 - Ayar, Shinjuku, and Tag Team
26:36 - The Game Brain Holiday Gifting Extravaganza!!
28:36 - Games for Monopoly lovers
34:17 - Games for Scrabble lovers (or Codenames or Scattergories)
42:18 - Games if you don't know someone's tastes
46:53 - Games you can play with someone right away
48:52 - Games to inch someone towards the hobby
52:22 - Party games!
53:21 - Stocking stuffers
55:16 - How to teach games to your family