13 Days Review Leads an Episode of Convention News and Tabletop Finds

The clearest reason to tune in to episode 119 is its look at 13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, a two-player game the hosts describe as simple to learn yet deep enough to reward a closer look. Their comparison to the scale of Twilight Struggle is secondhand: they haven’t played Twilight Struggle themselves. Still, their enthusiasm for 13 Days comes through, along with a practical heads-up that players may want to keep BoardGameGeek nearby for rules questions.

That review sits within a broad convention-season catch-up. The episode moves between games the hosts have played, events they’ve attended, food, and plans for upcoming coverage. For listeners choosing where to spend their time, the segment guide below gives a route through the conversation, while the review near the end offers a focused reason to stay for the full show.

Old games, fresh discoveries

International Tabletop Day, held on April 29, gave the hosts a reason to bring classic games back to the table. Their point is a useful one for any collection: a game that’s been gathering dust may still offer an enjoyable night, and returning players can discover a rule interaction or situation they missed before. Familiarity doesn’t guarantee that every corner of a game has been explored.

That experience also sets a welcoming tone for the episode. Rather than treating new releases as the only games worth discussing, the hosts make room for rediscovery. It’s a reminder to revisit something already on the shelf before deciding what should come next.

CMON Expo and a shared spotlight

Marty returned to CMON Expo in Atlanta. He saw some of the newest games on offer, though limited quantities meant access to those games could be a challenge. He still came away calling the experience a good one, with the food and the contents of the swag bag singled out as highlights.

The discussion also looks ahead to The Godfather, which the source says was due out at the end of June. It was set to be the first featured game in Tabletop Showcase, a week-long series of media content organized around one game. The participating outlets named in the episode are Watch It Played, The Secret Cabal, Drive Thru Review, Pair of Dice Paradise, and Board Game Replay. More details were available through the Tabletop Showcase site.

For people tracking the convention conversation, the episode also includes segments on Origins plans, CMON Expo, Council of Four, and Ethnos. These are short stops in a varied discussion, rather than extended reviews. The guide also points to a segment on Passport and Rule & Make, and another on The Broken Token.

A wide-ranging table talk

Beyond the convention floor, the hosts revisit International Tabletop Day from both Tony’s and Marty’s perspectives, talk about games including Attack on Titan: The Last Stand, and touch on Sharazad and Element. Other topics include player-count complaints, a “Gloomhaven Remorse” segment linked to the Gloomhaven second printing, and a discussion connected to Tabletop Showcase.

Food threads through the show as well. The segment list opens with Gaming Gastronomy, includes Chaz trying grits, and returns to food late in the episode. The hosts also mention Marty visiting Rich’s, flying squirrels, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Acquisitions Incorporated. It’s a conversational mix, with the timestamps helping listeners jump directly to the subjects they follow.

The final stretch shifts toward PAX Unplugged, with an interview featuring Matt Morgan, then circles back to 13 Days. Anyone following the event can find more at the PAX Unplugged site. The episode also points listeners to Portal Games and Funagain.

Episode guide

• 00:35 — Intro
• 1:12 — Gaming Gastronomy
• 4:25 — Origins plans
• 5:33 — CMON Expo highlights
• 7:10 — Council of Four
• 9:23 — Ethnos
• 11:15 — CMON swag bag
• 12:45 — Chaz tries grits
• 14:44 — International Tabletop Day with Tony
• 18:36 — International Tabletop Day with Marty
• 19:05 — Attack on Titan: The Last Stand
• 21:12 — Marty at Rich’s
• 30:59 — Flying squirrels
• 31:24 — Gloomhaven Remorse
• 33:53 — Tabletop Showcase
• 36:19 — Passport and Rule & Make
• 38:11 — Guardians of the Galaxy thoughts
• 40:13 — Sharazad and Element
• 42:08 — Player-count complaints
• 44:03 — The Broken Token
• 45:12 — Matt Morgan on PAX Unplugged
• 1:06:25 — The Gauntlet is thrown
• 1:08:14 — Acquisitions Incorporated
• 1:11:08 — Back to food
• 1:11:57 — Final PAX Unplugged mention
• 1:14:58 — 13 Days review
• 1:19:43 — Portal Games
• 1:20:11 — Outro
• 1:23:03 — Funagain

The episode also mentions a listener contest tied to the opening-weekend box-office draw for Wonder Woman, with entries due May 31. For game-night purposes, though, the lasting takeaway is simpler: revisit a classic, and give 13 Days a look if you want a compact two-player game with more depth than its straightforward pitch might suggest.