00:01:00 Intro 00:05:00 Let’s Get to the Picks 01:03:00 Draft Time 01:13:00 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.
This week Shelley and I check out the 'official game of Essen 2025'
Fair Enough by Friedemann Friese from Skellig Games
then we cooperatively work to build a tower for cats (though we could have done it competitively too!)
Cat and the Tower by Masakazu Takizawa from Arcane Wonders
Remember you can sponor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but BELONG on your table:
There are big spiky moments that happen in the meta that is the board game hobby, and the Brass: Pittsburgh crowdfunding campaign feels like one of them. It is after all, a successor to the #1 ranked game on BGG. That's something! Enough so that it sent Mark into a bit of an existential spiral, and we're here to talk him down. Before we catch a falling Wallace, we talk about Hummingbirds, Fendo, and Soothsayers.
In episode 317 of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, Don, Chris, and Jamie dive into a discussion about components in board games. They talk about components from the early years of the hobby and how they’ve evolved over time. The fellas also discuss how their taste for lavish components has changed throughout their years in the hobby. They gush about the stuff they love and bitch about the shit they hate in... The Component Show!
This time, Julie has some news, Tom's excited for Summer, and Eric wants to play games on vacation. We discuss the various games that live in our bags, just in case there's a chance to play them. Plus, we have a new Tale of Boardgaming Horror, and a heaping helping of Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops.
Some weeks, the tabletop world feels like it’s bursting with fresh ideas, and this lineup is a perfect snapshot of that creative energy. Wispwood and Tulikko both tap into mythic forests, but they do it with completely different rhythms. Wispwood leans into cozy tension of tile placement, but each has a different method of accomplishing the end goal. Tulikko’s quick tile‑placement puzzle hits that sweet spot of “teach in a minute, replay all night,” while Wispwood invites players to strategize and consider how to best accomplish the many goals set before them to claim victory over opponents.
Then there’s Moytura, which swings the pendulum toward epic conflict and ancient legend. It’s a game that feels like so many we have played in area majority but offers something new with semi-coop play to battle the game itself to keep it from winning. Torchlit takes trick‑taking in a direction I’ve rarely seen—Bottle Imp is the closest comparison, and even that only gets you partway there. Every hand becomes a tightrope walk where winning a trick and intentionally losing one feel equally viable, equally dangerous, and equally tempting. The game constantly asks you to reassess your position: Is this the moment to take win or is surrendering the trick actually the smarter play.
Rounding out the mix is All In: Predictions, a card game that leans into a poker vibe but adds its own clever twist. Instead of relying solely on the luck of the draw, each card comes with an action that lets you manipulate the flow of the round—mitigating randomness and giving you real agency over your hand. Yet the heart of poker still beats underneath: bluffing, reading the table, and deciding when to push your luck. What really sets the game apart is the shared‑pot mechanic. Even if you don’t have the strongest hand, you can still walk away with chips by correctly predicting who does. Suddenly every reveal becomes a mini‑mind game, and every player is invested in the outcome. It’s fast, social, and full of those “I knew it!” moments that make card games sing.
The Arkham Horror LCG Investigator Decks are pre‑built, ready‑to‑play decks that spotlight a single investigator’s strengths, signature cards, and thematic playstyle. Each one offers a curated experience that shows off what makes that character tick, whether it’s clever clue‑gathering, brute‑force monster smashing, or bending the rules of reality. They’re perfect for new players who want to jump in quickly and for veterans who enjoy seeing how Fantasy Flight interprets each investigator’s identity in deck form.
Thanks for listening and be sure to get over to the Discord channel for an opportunity to win Flip 7 with a Vengeance.
Join Jules, Conor and Lauren all the games hitting their tables and faces. Conor's hot take is that the number 1 game, Brass Birmingham, is in fact - good. Jules pours sweat, tears, and mostly blood into Moon Colony Bloodbath. Lauren hasn't been playing much but is there for moral support.
Question of the Pod: What board game is most likely to turn violent?
Tell us about the game and share your stories if you have them! Twisted ankle in twister? Clocked in the head in jungle speed? Flipped a table in Monopoly? We want to hear about it!
Timestamps:
What we’ve been playing [0:02:51]
Moon Colony Bloodbath [0:44:05]
Brass Birmingham [0:51:51]
Question of the Pod [1:01:19]
Fired up [1:14:13]
SPONSORS
Our podcast is proudly sponsored by Advent Games and More Than Meeples. Advent Games is an Australian online board game store based in Sydney, NSW. http://www.adventgames.com.au/
PATREON
Hey there, BBQ fans! Guess what? We’ve got a Patreon! By joining, you’ll unlock exclusive content, gain access to a members-only section of our Discord where you can help shape the show, and so much more. Plus, your support will help us grow and bring some awesome new projects to life in 2025.
At the Board Game BBQ Podcast, we’re passionate about what we do and promise to keep the fun and shenanigans rolling. We’re so grateful for your support! Joining our Patreon is totally optional, and we ask that you don’t contribute if it’ll cause financial stress. But if you’d like to chip in from just USD$5 a month, click the link to check out our Patreon page. Thanks a million for being amazing! We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community, and you all make it special. See you at the BBQ!! https://www.patreon.com/BoardGameBBQ
This week we check out THREE games - well, one new version of an older game, along with expansions for two recent card games
Merchants of Andromeda by Reiner Knizia from Allplay
Faraway and its Under Starry Skies expansion by Johannes Goupy and Corentin Lebrat from Pandasaurus Games
Pixies and its Flower Power expansion by Johannes Goupy from Pandasaurus Games
Fun times for new visits with added cards, as well as the Allplay title which is a revamping of the classic Merchants of Amsterdam!
Remember you can support this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table:
On this adjective-riddled* episode of the Shut Up & Sit Down Podcast, Tom and Matt are sorting through approximately one standard carry-on worth of cardboard luggage!
Matt brings The Great Sea to the table - the latest Garphill excursion into ancient history. What’s in this bit of history? Mostly water, it seems. With boats on it! They’re like houses that float? You’ll get the hang of it.
Dark Pact is our second game, and feels like a deckbuilder broke free of containment, and has been growing all manner of new limbs whilst we’re not looking. Essentially a race to break the game as fast as humanly possible, it’s gotten Tom rather perplexed.
And finally - Typeset - a game designed by the monstrously talented folks at DVC Games. Just when you think you’ve seen everything in a word game, one comes along and gets you spelling ‘TOGWOF’.
Have a great week, everybody!
*Only some adjectives are present in this episode - and indeed all episodes - of the Shut Up & Sit Down Podcast.
Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Until Proven Guilty: Thirst for Justice and Taskmaster: The Escape Room. Then we talk about what's been going on the last few weeks since Dice Tower West - Ambie's trip to Taiwan and what board games she saw there, and what Crystal was able to play after she recovered from being sick. Nominate us for a Golden Geek Award here!
Anmelden
