Happy Holidays, Cabalists! In episode 197 the whole games here for our special Christmas episode and we celebrate by returning to an older tradition by debuting a new Christmas song parody called The Inattentive Grinch. Then the we take a look at the newest game from Filip Neduk, Sanctum from Czech Games Edition and look back at Martin Wallace's Auztralia from Stronghold Games. Then after Tony T give us a good dose of tabletop gaming news, the gang presents their Christmas Wishlists. The Inattentive Grinch 00:59:44, Sanctum Overview 01:07:11, Sanctum Review 01:12:03, Auztralia Looks Back 01:38:30, News with Tony T 01:46:36, Christmas Wishlists 02:35:54, The Founders Secret Santa 03:18:16
Hey Now Cabalists! In episode 196 the gang starts out by discussing Chris' brand new hair color and Jamie's time at BGGcon in Dallas Texas. Then the Founders get busying reviewing Cthulhu Death May Die designed by Rob Daviau and Eric Lang and published by CMON and look back at Arkham Horror 3rd Edition, Blood Bowl and Cerebria. Then, since Tony T is traveling for Thanksgiving, Steve takes over the news duties while the rest of us goof around in the background. Then finally we discuss the concept of Loss Aversion in board gaming. Cthulhu Death May Die Overview 01:00:42, Cthulhu Death May Die Review 01:05:09, Cerebria, Blood Bowl and Arkham Horror Looks Backs 01:28:45, News with Tony T 01:38:40, Loss Aversion in Board Games 02:23:47
The Founders are back for another episode chocked full of crazy gaming nonsense! Today the gang takes a look at Batman Gotham City Chronicles from Monolith Editions. Tony T goes ape hooking you up with the best gaming news in the biz while the rest of guy monkey around in teh background. Then finally the founders discuss the golden age of gaming, what games they would stock in a game store and Master Classes for board game design. Batman Gotham City Chronicles Overview 01:05:28, Batman Gotham City Chronicles Review 01:09:55, News with Tony T 01:44:41, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:29:06
In episode 194, The gang starts out by discussing Jamie's new hobby of Resin 3D printing and jump into a bunch of games we've been playing including Clank! Legacy Acquisition Incorporated, Crown of Emara, Deep Blue, Rurik: Dawn of Kiev, Ecos: The First Continent and Awkward Guests and a few games of yesteryear including Ethnos and Pursuit of Happiness. Then Don and Jamie give a feature review of the newest game from Jonny Pac Cantin, Coloma! Then Tony T throws out a full rundown of the most important tabletop gaming news of the day while the peanut gallery quacks in the background. Then finally the Founders discuss Game Terms, buzzwords and other nonsensical ways that we all talk about the games we play. Coloma Overview 01:16:10, Coloma Review 01:20:23, News with Tony T 01:52:06, Game Terms and Buzzwords Discussion 02:44:15
In episode 54, a special fifth Wednesday edition of The Secret Cabal Express, Steve, Jesko and Jamie celebrate Halloween by geeking out over the horror movies they love! And we meet a new member of the Secret Cabal monster squad, The Creeper!
In episode 53 of the Secret Cabal Express, Steve, Jamie and Chris talk about H.P. Lovecraft and The Cthulhu Mythos! We discuss the hiustory of Lovecraft and the creation of the Mythos and then talk all about our favorite the stories, games, movies, TV shows and comics inspired by Lovecraft's work.
In episode 193, The Founders celebrate Halloween talking about Halloween Games and more! Today we jump into a deep dive review of Abomination The Heir of Frankenstein from Plaid Hat Games and look back at Eschaton from Archon Games one year later. Tony T wakes up to host another amazing tabletop gaming news segment. And then the gang ends with a spine chilling Halloween themed Short Topic Extravaganza! Abomination Overview 01:10:55, Abomination Review 01:15:38, Eschaton Look Back 01:44:17, News with Tony T 01:54:43, Spooky Short Topic Extravaganza 02:29:47
In episode 192, The gang starts out by going back to some of the Short Topics from the last episode and updating with some new information followed up by something of the games we've been getting into lately. Then we jump into a deep dive review of Everdell from Chip Theory Games and look back at both Too Many Bones from Chip Theory Games and War Chest from AEG. Then after Tony T gives us a rundown of all the most important news items from around the tabletop gaming world, we have a roundtable discussion about Board Games Expansions. Everdell Overview 01:02:12, Everdell Review 01:06:46, Too Many Bones Look Back 01:32:52, War Chest Look Back 01:37:27, News with Tony T 01:41:49, Board Game Expansions Discussion 02:31:22
In episode 191 we start out by hearing about Chris' business trip to Atlantic City and talk about a bunch of games we've been playing. Then we jump right into an overview and feature review of Tzolkin The Mayan Calendar by Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini and published by Czech Games Edition. Then Tony T pins the wild meter in the red with his tabletop gaming news segment. And finally, we give you another Short Topic Extravaganza including discussion about if point salads are a bad thing, what we wanted to do when we grew up and end on what games make us the most competitive. Tzolkin The Mayan Calendar Overview 01:25:54, Tzolkin The Mayan Calendar Review 01:29:48, News with Tony T 02:02:50, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:35:26
Today we explode into the episode covering a bunch of leftover games from our Gen Con trip! Then we jump feet first into Cthulhu: A Deck Building Game and the standalone expansion, Cthulhu: Horrors in Dunwich by Wyvern Gaming and Look back at one of the best games from last year, Root from Leder Games. Tony T, as always, gives the Cabalists the best damned tabletop gaming news segment in the history of gaming. And finally the gang leaves you with a roundtable discussion about Approachability in board gaming. Cthulhu: A Deck Building Games Overview 01:13:09, Cthulhu: A Deck Building Games Review 01:17:31, Root Look Back 01:48:20, News with Tony T 01:53:38, Approachability Discussion 02:38:31
Chris and Jamie get together to talk about all of their collections today and what they collected when they are kids. They go from Funko Pops, to model cars, guitars, toys, statues and more.
In episode 189 we start out with a big announcement that will take the show to a new level of awesome! Then we go through our Gen Con 2019 retrospective featuring Steve's first impressions, scooters, sunlight killing mold and bacteria, and more. Then we dive deep into Matt Leacock's newest design, Era: Medieval Age. Then we have a double feature look back of both Thunderstone Quest and The Reckoners. Then Tony T gives us a tour through all of the board game media news while we chirp in the background. And finally, we host another Short Topic Extravaganza featuring the waning of our gaming enthusiasm, gaming with fictional and historical characters and gaming with designer commentary. Era Medieval Age Overview 01:34:43, Era Medieval Age Review 01:39:09, Thunderstone Quest Look Back 01:59:58, The Reckoners Look Back 02:07:30, News with Tony T 02:11:36, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:45:49
Hey Now Everyone! In today's episode Chris has some family things to take care of but we have Don sitting in for the show! We talk about some great games we've been playing and give you a feature review of Carnival of Monsters from the legendary designer Richard Garfield. Then Tony T takes over the mics to give you all the most important tabletop gaming news stories out there while the rest of us chirp in the background. And finally we discuss emergent narratives in board games. Carnival of Monsters Overview 01:07:31, Carnival of Monsters Review 01:12:22, Founders Update 01:39:03, News with Tony T 01:40:38, Emergent Narrative in Board Games Discussion 02:41:46
In the 50th episode of The Secret Cabal Express, the whole gang, Jamie, Tony, Chris, Steve and Don, who are rolling out to Gen Con 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana get together to discuss the shenanigans they plan on getting into at the convention, talk about Steve's first time going to Gen Con and what to expect, some advice to new convention attendees and then talk about a giant list of games releasing that they're excited about.
It's Wednesday again and the gang is back for more Cabal nonsense. Unfortunately, Jamie is still under the weather with a not so great voice but that doesn't stop the Cabal from rolling. Steve takes over the announcer role today so I hope you enjoy the temporary change. In today's episode we give feature review to Heroes of Land Air and Sea from Gamelyn Games featuring two special guest reviewer, Don and AC. Then we look back at one of our favorite games, Gaia Project from Z-Man games. After Tony T finally gets his audio equipment back up and running, give throws some wild news your way followed by another Short Topic Extravaganza including Kickstarter projects with flaws, teaching your kids to game and Love, Death + Robots. Heroes of Land Air and Sea Overview 00:55:55, Heroes of Land Air and Sea Review 01:01:01, Gaia Project Look Back 01:34:07, News with Tony T 01:43:43, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:21:25
The Founders are back in full force with a new episode of The Secret Cabal! Today the Chris, Jamie and Don take a look at Capstone Games' new economic euro, Pipeline. Then the gang gives you a double feature look back of Dinosaur Island and A Feast for Odin one year later. The latter half of the show is Tony T solid with his wildly popular tabletop gaming news segment and then Tony puts on his robes and breaks out his gavel see justice done in the Cabalist's Court where we hear the complains, argue the points and Tony T passes judgment. Pipeline Overview 01:01:00, Pipeline Review 01:5:27, Dinosaur Island 01:33:36, A Feast for Odin 01:42:06, A Message from Chris and Jamie 01:45:38, News with Tony T 01:58:44, The Cabalist's Court 02:37:55
The plague patients are joined by Aaron from Lords of the Dungeon and our good buddy Don to about Origins Game Fair froggy voices and all. Then we go back in time two weeks to join the rest of the founders and discuss what games we've been playing. The Origins gang then returns to do a feature review of Clans of Caledonia from Karma Games. Tony T storms back onto the show to give us the best damn tabletop gaming news segment of all time and the show ends with another Short Topic Extravaganza including game recommendations for high theme, high depth and low complexity, what board games would make blockbuster movies and finally what are some of the hidden gem board games we've discovered. The Founders Games Played: 00:41:32, Clans of Caledonia Overview 01:26:45, Clans of Caledonia Review 01:30:20, Founders Update 01:56:30, News with Tony T 01:59:23, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:53:09
In episode 184 the gang is back for a jam packed episode! Today we review Fantasy Flight's newest app driven board game, Lord of the Rings Journeys in Middle Earth and look back at Big Trouble in Little China one year later. Then Tony T gets down and dirty with the best damn tabletop gaming news segment in all of gaming media while the rest of us quack in the background. Then finally we have an in depth discussion about replayability in board games and what it means to us. Lord of the Rings Journeys in Middle Earth Overview 00:55:51, Lord of the Rings Journeys in Middle Earth Odyssey Review 01:00:27, Big Trouble in Little China Look Back 01:26:25, News with Tony T 01:36:40, Replayability Discussion 02:23:20