Are price hikes and “fake” discounts becoming the new normal? We kick off today’s episode by calling out misleading sales and debating whether holiday deals actually save you money anymore— or just look good on a tag.

Then, we hit the table with two Reiner Knizia designs: Iliad and Ichor, to explore a classic board game question: symmetry or asymmetry? We break down how each game approaches player balance, decision-making, and tension, and why those differences can completely change the way a game feels. If you enjoy thoughtful strategy, clever design choices, and a bit of tabletop debate, this episode is for you!

Huge thanks to @BitwewingGames for sending us review copies! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Santorini (2nd Edition), the elegant, abstract strategy game that pairs simple rules with deep, tactical decision-making. We discuss some of the matches we played, how the iconic god powers shaped each match, and whether the game still holds up as a must-play for both casual and competitive players. Is Santorini a timeless classic or does it show its age? Let’s find out!

Spiel Essen 2025 hit hard… and so did our FOMO. In this episode, we break down everything we assume went down in Germany this year, share the standout titles that had us drooling from afar, and make a bold promise: we’re finally attending a board game convention in 2026! Emerson faces a board-game-con quiz, we revisit the games that fueled our envy, and yes… we genuinely debate whether you can get through a convention center’s security with a microwave... (Don’t ask why. Just go with it.)

If you couldn’t make it to Essen either, this episode is basically your emotional support recap. Let’s unpack the FOMO together.

In this episode, we discuss Kalypso, a survival focused tile-drafting game wrapped in gorgeous, atmospheric art. We explore how its holdfast system is either a successful risk or an epic fail, why its solo, co-op, and competitive modes all genuinely shine, and how this design confidently weathers any storm thrown its way.

Huge thanks to @InsideUp Games for sending us a review copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

If you’ve ever wanted a game to judge your multitasking skills, Tianxia has officially entered the chat. We explore how its action timing, resource webs, and layered scoring tracks create meaningful decisions from start to finish. We break down the game’s pacing, interaction, and overall design to help you decide if this crunchy puzzle is your kind of challenge.

Huge thanks to @Board & Dice for sending us a review copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

We’re taking our turns among the stars in this celestial episode! Twinkle Twinkle (and its How I Wonder & Extraterrestrials mini expansions) brings open drafting, clever turn order decisions, and satisfying pattern building to the table. We share our favorite moments, discuss what makes this constellation-creating puzzle shine, and debate whether it’s more thinky than twinkly.

Huge thanks to @allplay for sending us these review copies! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

Saddle up your camels— we’re heading Through the Desert! We take a close look at the original game plus the Bazaar expansion to see how the new content shakes things up. We also compare the Allplay edition to the Z-MAN Games edition— from production quality to color palettes to overall usability. One’s pastel, one’s neon… and we absolutely have thoughts. Are you team pastel or neon?

Huge thanks to @allplay for sending us these review copies! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

Not every game has to be new to be great! In this episode, we chat about titles that have proven their staying power, explore what earns a game its rightful place in a collection, and even dream about which ones might still be around decades from now. Oh— and brace yourself when we talk about how many games are released each year. Spoiler: it’s wild.