Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group #227 Living Up To The Hype
Dec 30, 2024
Ben and Jordan dive into the latest board game hype, dissecting new releases and their standing. They discuss the engaging Shackleton Base and how it tries to live up to expectations. Gaia Project: The Lost Fleet rekindles enthusiasm, while Harmonies offers a quick puzzle experience. Ben praises Saltfjord’s design, but questions its depth. The dynamic reveal of Men-Nefer exceeds predictions, and they explore the thematic strength of Red Dust Rebellion. Fans of Lord of the Rings get a treat with inventive trick-taking mechanics and a fresh approach in Endeavor: Deep Sea.
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First Impressions Need Revisit
- Board game awards and "best of" lists are best done twice: an early impression and a later revisit after more plays.
- Ben and Jordan argue many games need multiple plays to evaluate meaningfully, so delay final judgments until spring.
New Year's 1822 Dream Derailed
- Ben planned an 1822 New Year's marathon but friends' plans forced a pivot to dinner, losing the gaming dream.
- He uses this to illustrate how social life often blocks ambitious game nights.
Hype Framing For Early Reviews
- Ben and Jordan frame the episode around whether new releases "meet, exceed, or fall short" of hype.
- They emphasize these are early impressions, not definitive reviews, because repeat plays matter.