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Published — 08. Dezember 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Nokosu Dice Review | The Trick-Taking Grail I’ve Chased for Years

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
08. Dezember 2025 um 01:58

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I’ve been chasing Nokosu Dice for years—and it finally hit the table. This clever trick-taking game blends cards and dice in a way that feels instantly familiar, then hits you with a delicious twist: you’re not just trying to win tricks… you’re trying to win the right number of tricks, but your bid might change as the round progresses. In this review, I’ll explain how it plays, what makes it special, and whether this long-time grail game was actually worth the hype.

If you love trick-taking games, quirky Japanese designs, and tense “just one more point” decisions, Nokosu Dice is a fascinating little gem.

00:00 Intro
00:28 Play Count & Complexity
00:43 Victory Conditions & How It Plays
05:20 Skills
07:27 Final Thoughts
13:07 Contact & Socials



#BoardGames #TrickTaking #BrainsOnGames #BoardGameReview #TabletopGames #CardGames #DiceGames #JapaneseBoardGames #Engames #GrailGame
Published — 02. Dezember 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Tag Team Review | No-Shuffle Deckbuilding Meets Auto-Battler Chaos

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
02. Dezember 2025 um 18:01

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Tag Team is a fast, feisty 2-player dueling game from Le Scorpion Masqué that mashes up deckbuilding with an auto-battler twist: you never shuffle your Fight Deck. Instead, you draft cards and slot them into exact positions, trying to engineer the perfect sequence while your tag-team fighters trade blows automatically. In this review, I’ll cover how it plays, what makes the no-shuffle system so clever, who it’s best for, and the skills it flexes at the table.

If you’ve been looking for a quick head-to-head game with big “Aha!” moments, sneaky timing, and satisfying counterplay, Tag Team brings the chaos in about 15 minutes.

00:00 Intro
00:23 Play Count & Complexity
00:38 Victory Conditions & How It’s Played
05:10 Skills
06:45 Final Thoughts
13:32 Contact & Socials


#BoardGames #TabletopGaming #BrainsOnGames #BoardGameReview #TwoPlayerGames #CardGames #Deckbuilding #StrategyGames #LeScorpionMasque #AutoBattler
Published — 25. November 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Saltfjord Board Game Review | Dice-Driven Fishing Euro in 3 Tight Rounds

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
25. November 2025 um 18:00

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In this video, I review Saltfjord, a medium-heavy Euro from Aporta Games where you’re running a Norwegian fishing village in the late 19th century. You’ll be drafting dice to fire off powerful row/column actions on your player board, upgrading resources, completing crate orders, investing in technology tracks, and pushing your fishing boat deeper into the fjord for big points.

I’ll walk through how Saltfjord plays, what the dice-driven grid system feels like at the table. I’ll also talk about complexity, who this game is best for, and the kinds of cognitive skills it can help players practice.

In this video:
• Overview of the theme
• How the dice drafting and grid activation work
• Crates, tech tracks, fishing, and retiring to taverns
• Final thoughts: who will love Saltfjord and who might bounce off it

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Complexity & Victory Conditions
00:50 Play Count
01:33 How It’s Played
05:55 Cognitive Skills Practiced
08:11 Final Thoughts
14:09 Contact & Socials

If you enjoy board game reviews that focus on both gameplay and the skills practiced through play, consider subscribing and checking out the other videos on the channel.

#Saltfjord #BoardGames #BrainsOnGames #Tabletop #BoardGameReview #AportaGames #EuroGame #FishingGame #DiceDrafting #EngineBuilding
Published — 18. November 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Ink Board Game Review | A Gorgeous Tile-Laying Puzzle of Color & Combos

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
18. November 2025 um 18:00

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Dive into Ink, a stunning tile-laying board game where colour, creativity, and clever timing collide. In this review, I take a close look at how Ink blends strategic placement, area building, and cascading objectives into one of the most visually striking puzzle games of the year.

If you enjoy games like Cascadia, Azul, or Calico, Ink might be your next favourite. With its growing “painting,” smart bottle-management system, and powerful bonus actions, this one delivers huge combo moments and a ton of replay value.

00:00 Intro
00:29 Complexity & Play Count
02:10 Victory Conditions & How It Plays
07:46 Skills
08:35 Final Thoughts
14:30 Contact & Socials



#BoardGames #TabletopGaming #BrainsOnGames #InkBoardGame #BoardGameReview #KasperLapp #FinalScoreGames #TileLaying #StrategyGames #AbstractGames #FamilyBoardGames #PuzzleGames #BoardGameCommunity #LearnToPlay
Published — 15. November 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games
Published — 11. November 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Ludicon 2025 Recap: I Challenged a World Champion … Guess the Game!

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
11. November 2025 um 18:00

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A tour of Montreal’s board-game convention—demos, prototypes, friendly chaos—and a tense showdown against a world champion. Drop your guess before you hit the reveal chapter!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:30 What Is Ludicon?
04:23 Asmodee Correction: the Lego game is Brick Like This)
07:16 Randolph & Scorpion Masqué
11:32 Mystery Challenge (no spoilers)
12:25 The Match vs. a World Champion
17:57 Contact & Socials

Highlights & Notes
• Packed demo tables and a welcoming learn-to-play crews.
• Friendly tournament energy and lots of casual games all weekend.
• The match against the champion was my highlight of the con.

First-Timer Tips
• Book demos early; popular tables fill fast, but there are multiple copies of many games.
• Bring a small daypack: water bottle and protein bar or other snacks (no food or drinks are available on-site)
• Schedule “walk the floor” laps between games to discover hidden gems.
• Budget time for social games—you’ll meet great people.

Credits
• Event: Ludicon 2025 (Montreal, QC)
• Big thanks to Alain Fragman and all of the organizers, volunteers, and the designers/publishers who taught games on camera.
• World Champion: name withheld here to avoid spoilers—check the pinned comment after you’ve watched!

Filming Gear
Shot handheld on iPhone 17 Pro Max and DJI Osmo Pocket 3 with DJI Mic 3.

Work With Me
Brains On Games reviews how play builds thinking skills. For review inquiries or previews: brian@brainsongames.ca


#Ludicon2025 #MontrealBoardGames #BrainsOnGames #BoardGameConvention #BoardGameVlog #WorldChampion #MysteryGame #Tabletop #BoardGamesCanada
Published — 05. November 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Exploding Kittens Made a Sword-Fighting Game?! #boardgames #brainsongames #podcast

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
05. November 2025 um 21:00

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Get ready to duel without the danger! In Let’s Hit Each Other With Fake Swords from Exploding Kittens, players grab foam swords, draw action cards, and swing for hilarious victory. It’s fast, physical, and full of laughter — the perfect party game for families and friends who don’t mind looking ridiculous.

In this quick review, I’ll show how the game plays, what makes it so funny, and why it’s one of the most absurd games Exploding Kittens has ever made.

#ExplodingKittens #BrainsOnGames #BoardGames #PartyGame #TabletopGames #FunnyGames #CardGames #FamilyGameNight #QuickReview #GameShorts
Published — 03. November 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Origin Story Review | Superhero Trick-Taking with an Engine-Building Twist

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
03. November 2025 um 18:01

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In Origin Story from Stonemaier Games, players craft their own superheroes in a clever blend of trick-taking and engine-building gameplay. Over five rounds, you’ll develop powers, reveal your backstory, and decide whether to play as a hero or villain—each with its own scoring twist.

Whether you’re a fan of superhero board games, innovative card mechanics, or just love Stonemaier’s elegant designs, Origin Story offers a fast, thematic experience packed with smart decisions.

🎲 Publisher: Stonemaier Games
👥 Players: 1–5 | ⏱️ 45 minutes | 👶 Ages 14+

00:00 Intro
00:27 Complexity & Play Count
01:16 Victory Conditions
01:32 Trick-Taking + Engine-Building
04:33 Skills
05:58 Final Thoughts
12:40 Contact & Socials

#OriginStory #BoardGameReview #BrainsOnGames #StonemaierGames #TrickTakingGame #EngineBuilding #SuperheroBoardGame #CardGame #TabletopGames #BoardGameCommunity
Published — 27. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Pop Art Board Game Review | Build a Masterpiece of Color and Strategy

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
27. Oktober 2025 um 17:00

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Step into the vibrant world of the 1960s art scene with Pop Art — the fast, colorful card game from Road to Infamy Games!

In this video, Brian from Brains On Games reviews Pop Art, where players layer Foregrounds and Backgrounds to create a stunning 3x3 gallery of prints. Every combination of color and composition earns you Pop points, and only the most visually harmonious artist will impress the critics!

Learn how this drafting and placement game blends strategy, creativity, and color theory into a clever experience that plays fast and looks fantastic on the table.

The campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/roadtoinfamy/popart

👀 In this video:
00:00 Intro
00:15 Play Count & Complexity
01:04 Victory Conditions & How to Play
05:09 One Turn
05:34 Skills
06:52 Final Thoughts
11:07 Contact & Socials

Whether you’re a fan of Sushi Go!, Calico, or just love games that look gorgeous while flexing your brain, Pop Art is worth hanging in your collection.

👉 Subscribe for more board game reviews and insights on the skills practiced through play.



#PopArt #BoardGameReview #BrainsOnGames #RoadToInfamyGames #CardGame #BoardGames #TabletopGaming #ColorStrategy #FamilyGames #DraftingGame #PatternBuilding #ArtGame
Published — 21. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

General Orders: Sengoku Jidai Review | Osprey Games Brings Elegant Strategy to Feudal Japan

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
21. Oktober 2025 um 18:00

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Command your forces in Feudal Japan! In General Orders: Sengoku Jidai from Osprey Games, two rival generals face off in a tense, tactical battle of positioning and timing. Designed by David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin (the duo behind Undaunted), this compact strategy game delivers deep decisions in a small package.

Each turn is a mind game — will you seize key locations, control supply lines, or outguess your opponent’s next move? General Orders: Sengoku Jidai combines area control, worker placement, and bluffing into a beautifully streamlined wargame experience.

🎲 Publisher: Osprey Games
🕒 Play Time: Around 30 minutes
👥 Players: 2
💡 Complexity: Medium-light strategy

If you enjoy tight two-player strategy games with elegant mechanics and historical flavor, General Orders: Sengoku Jidai deserves a spot on your radar.

00:00 Intro
00:08 Play Count & Complexity
00:46 Victory Conditions & Gameplay
04:50 Skills
07:02 Final Thoughts
12:32 Contact & Socials

#GeneralOrders #SengokuJidai #OspreyGames #BoardGames #StrategyGames #Wargames #BrainsOnGames #DavidThompson #TrevorBenjamin #FeudalJapan #TabletopGaming #BoardGameReview #eurogames
Published — 18. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

New Releases from #KarmaGames, the Clans of Caledonia People! #boardgames

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
18. Oktober 2025 um 18:01

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Karma Games is back! Discover Clans of Caledonia: Industria, Thiefdom, and Millenia: Tracks of Time — three new strategy hits from the creators of Clans of Caledonia.

🏭 Build your empire in Industria
🗝️ Master stealth in Thiefdom
⏳ Shape history in Millenia

#ClansOfCaledonia #Thiefdom #BrainsOnGames #Millenia #KarmaGames #BoardGames #StrategyGames #EuroGames

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Audio comes from the #djimic3 , with Strong noise cancelling. My neighbour was mowing his lawn during the recording!
Published — 14. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Ayar: Children of the Sun Review | Osprey Games

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
14. Oktober 2025 um 18:01

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Balance the Sun and Moon in Ayar: Children of the Sun (Osprey Games) — a myth-driven euro where your final score is the lower of two tracks. In this review, I cover how Ayar works, what makes its Day/Night rhythm sing, and where the strategy lives.

What’s inside
• Overview
• How turns flow: Step → Move Ayar → Place Tambo → Perform Activity → End-of-turn checks
• The 4 activities
• Timing
• Final thoughts: who will love it, who won’t

Why it stands out
• Dual-track tension: Suns accrue; Moons pop — balance or bust
• Interlocking spatial and timing puzzles (weaving grid, lake islands, temple rows)
• Strong production by Ian O’Toole and a ruleset that rewards planning

Credits
Publisher: Osprey Games
Designers: Fabio Lopiano & Mandela Fernández-Grandon
Artist: Ian O’Toole

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:20 Play Count & Complexity
01:13 Victory Conditions & Gameplay
05:49 One Turn
06:37 Skills
08:23 Final Thoughts
17:48 Contact & Socials

Support the channel:
Subscribe for more board game reviews focused on how games build skills through play.

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#AyarChildrenOfTheSun #BoardGameReview #BrainsOnGames #OspreyGames #BoardGames #Eurogame #HowToPlay #SoloBoardGames #IanOToole #FabioLopiano #Merv #Sankoré #Inca #StrategyBoardGames
Published — 10. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Doodle Disaster: The Wildest Drawing Game You Didn’t Know You Needed 🎨😂 #boardgames

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
10. Oktober 2025 um 18:01

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Think you can draw under pressure? 🎨 In Doodle Disaster by Bulldozer Games, players try to sketch prompts while everyone else guesses what on earth it’s supposed to be! 😂 Fast, frantic, and full of bad art and big laughs — the perfect party game for families and friends!

More info here: https://fulltilttoys.com

#DoodleDisaster #BrainsOnGames #DrawingGame #PartyGame #FamilyBoardGame #BoardGames
Published — 06. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Cat in 8 Review | Strategic Chaos in a Tile-Laying Board Game

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
06. Oktober 2025 um 18:00

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Cats, chaos, and clever strategy collide in Cat in 8 from Ghetti Games! 🐾 In this board game, players battle to line up 8 cats in a row while navigating shifting tiles and unpredictable Chaos Cards like Cat Fights, Cat ‘Nados, and Zoomies.

In this review, I’ll cover:
• How the game plays (tile-laying, tokens, and chaos twists)
• Victory conditions and scoring
• The unique mix of strategy and silly fun
• Skills kids and families practice while playing

If you enjoy chaotic strategy games, abstract puzzles, or just love cats, this one might be for you.

More info here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghettigames/cat-in-8-the-board-game-of-cute-cats-and-crazy-chaos?ref=duiyfm

👉 Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried Cat in 8 — would your cats approve of this game?

#CatIn8 #GhettiGames #BrainsOnGames #BoardGameReview #BoardGames #TabletopGames #TileLaying #FamilyBoardGames #StrategyGames #familygames
Published — 02. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Banana Boy vs Uni-Cone | Quick Card Game Review #boardgames #brainsongames #familygames

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
02. Oktober 2025 um 18:01

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In this fast and silly card game, players try to find matching cards by creating weird combos. I’ll show you how this quirky game plays and why it might be the perfect fit for your table.

If you’re into lighthearted memory games with a dash of silliness, Banana Boy vs Uni-Cone is one to check out.

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#BananaBoyvsUniCone #CardGame #BrainsOnGames #BoardGames #TabletopGaming #GameReview #BoardGameShorts
Published — 30. September 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Stalk Exchange Board Game Review | Plant, Trade & Grow Your Fortune

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
30. September 2025 um 18:00

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In this video, I review Stalk Exchange, a light strategy and family-friendly board game about planting flowers, trading in the market, and growing your fortune. I’ll walk through the victory conditions, show how a turn works, and highlight the skills players practice while playing.

This game is fast, fun, and clever—perfect for family nights or players looking for a short but strategic experience. It’s designed by Christopher Chan, who just joined KTBG!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:23 Play Count & Complexity
00:49 Victory Conditions & Gameplay
04:38 Skills
06:06 One Turn
07:12 Final Thoughts
11:00 Contact & Socials

Who it’s for
Families, kids, and strategy fans who want a quick market game with plenty of laughs.

Who should skip
Heavy gamers looking for complex engines, or players who prefer long, deep economic simulations.

Watch next
• Gems of Iridescia Review — Fast Gem Strategy: Mine Low, Sell High → https://youtu.be/2s_FFHTFE14
• Skill Spotlight Playlist → https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEI9gFiwqOJsZNwOVwtYCkytbRIx6DoQ7&feature=shared

#boardgames #familygaming #BrainsOnGames #StalkExchange #boardgamereview #strategy #tabletopgaming #boardgamegeek
Published — 23. September 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Gems of Iridescia Review | Fast Gem Strategy: Mine Low, Sell High

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
23. September 2025 um 18:43

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In this video, I explore Gems of Iridescia, a fast-paced family strategy game about mining gems, timing the market, and beating your rivals to the best trades. I’ll walk you through the victory conditions, show a full turn example, and highlight the skills players practice while playing.

You’ll see why this game shines for families and light-to-mid strategy fans: quick turns, tight choices, and plenty of player interaction.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:27 Play Count & Complexity
01:26 Victory Conditions
02:30 Full Turn Example & Gameplay
05:01 Skills
06:18 Final Thoughts
11:22 Contact & Socials

Who it’s for:
Families who enjoy quick turns and clever strategy. Fans of light Eurogames with tactical resource management and market timing.

Who should skip:
Heavy gamers looking for complex engines, or players who dislike fast, interactive markets.

Watch next:
• Emberleaf Board Game Review — One Mechanism That Changes Every Turn
https://youtu.be/z_5KQLHUThA

• Math Concept Spotlight Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEI9gFiwqOJvWERq4ilvxRArQlSJFiI38&feature=shared

#boardgames #familygaming #BrainsOnGames #GemsofIridescia #boardgamereview #tabletopgaming #strategy #boardgamegeek

Note: this is a reupload after an initial posting error! Thanks to the viewer who caught it.
Published — 16. September 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Lands of Galzyr Board Game Review | Persistent Storytelling Adventure

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
16. September 2025 um 18:00

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Step into the world of Lands of Galzyr, a story-driven board game where your choices echo across sessions in a persistent adventure. In this review, I’ll explore how the game blends open-world exploration, skill checks, and branching stories with gorgeous production and a digital storybook. Whether you’re playing solo, co-operatively, or competitively, Lands of Galzyr offers an immersive experience that keeps you coming back for more.

If you’re curious about storytelling board games, legacy-style mechanics, or just want to know if this epic adventure is right for your table, this review is for you.

A new expansion is coming! You can find it here: https://snowdaledesign.fi/boardgames/dreams-and-mysteries/

00:00 Intro
00:27 Play Count & Complexity
01:27 Victory Conditions & Gameplay
05:12 One Round of Gameplay
08:10 Skills
09:21 Final Thoughts
15:56 Contact & Socials


#LandsOfGalzyr #BoardGames #BrainsOnGames #StorytellingGame #BoardGameReview #TabletopGames
Published — 09. September 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Crash & Grab Preview | Chaotic Saucer Smashing from Pull the Pin Games

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
09. September 2025 um 01:30

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Crash & Grab is the brand-new board game from Pull the Pin Games, where flying saucers collide, aliens get snatched, and chaos rules the table! In this fast-paced preview, I’ll show you how players zip around the modular board, crash into opponents, and race to collect their full alien crew before blasting off to victory.

With simultaneous movement, chain-reaction crashes, and clever energy upgrades, Crash & Grab is a mix of bumper cars in space and tactical chaos. If you love games that combine laugh-out-loud moments with sharp decision-making, this one belongs on your radar.

👾 What’s Inside:
• How to move, crash, and grab crew
• Why upgrades matter for strategy
• The skills you’ll practice while playing
• Final thoughts on this zippy, chaotic preview

More info here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/overworldgames/crash-and-grab-board-game

#CrashAndGrab #BoardGames #BrainsOnGames #PullThePinGames #TabletopGames #BoardGamePreview

00:00 Intro
00:19 Play Count, Complexity, Victory Conditions
00:59 One Full Round of Gameplay
05:27 Skills
06:41 Final Thoughts
09:45 Contact & Socials
Published — 03. September 2025 ⏭ Brains On Games

Happy Mochi + DJI Mic 3 | Sweet Game, Crisp Sound #boardgames #familygames

✇Brains On Games
Von: Brains On Games
03. September 2025 um 23:00

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Sweet game, sweet sound! In this short, I take a quick look at Happy Mochi while testing out the DJI Mic 3 for the first time. 🍡🎤 Board games meet crisp audio—perfect combo!

Thanks to the folks at #Asmodee for sending Happy Mochi for review.

#BoardGames #BrainsOnGames #DJIMic3 #HappyMochi #TabletopGaming #YouTubeShorts
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