Gen Con Preview: Rock Hard 1977, Evenfall and More Games to Watch

The most useful takeaway from Roll Dice Take Names Episode 328 is its range: the hosts’ Gen Con preview moves from an accessible game about Marie Curie to heavier choices such as Evenfall and Rock Hard 1977. Between those ends sit a middleweight pick, a cooperative Star Wars game and a deduction title for players who want to exercise their reasoning. That spread gives listeners a practical starting point when deciding which games to seek out at the convention.

A shortlist for different tables

The episode’s brief recommendations are organized around the kind of experience a group might be after. For a lighter entry, the hosts point to In the Footsteps of Marie Curie. Players looking for more weight can consider Evenfall or Rock Hard 1977. The hosts place River of Gold in the middle, while The Mandalorian Adventures fills the cooperative slot. For a puzzle that puts deduction to work, they suggest Kronologic.

That framing is handy for a convention visit, where time and attention are limited. Rather than treating every new title as a contender for every table, listeners can begin with the group’s appetite for complexity and cooperation. A lighter game may suit a broad range of players; a heavier one can be a better match for a group ready to settle in. The episode doesn’t give rules explanations or detailed play impressions in its accompanying notes, so these categories are best read as a shortlist, not a substitute for learning how each game works.

What the episode covers

The timestamps show that the Gen Con picks sit within a wider conversation. The hosts begin with an introduction and a mention of SFGE, then turn to the Arkham Horror RPG and Restoration: TMNT. A segment called Taste Buds follows, along with a visit to Portal Games.

The later discussion gives more time to the featured games. The Mandalorian Adventures comes up at 20:37, followed by Kronologic at 32:00. After a stop at Miniature Market, the hosts discuss Rock Hard 1977 at 39:32. The remaining picks include In the Footsteps of Marie Curie, Evenfall, Open Season and River of Gold, with segments for Gametoppers and an E-Win Chair along the way. The full rundown also includes a discussion of what to get at Gen Con.

Choosing what to try

For listeners planning their convention schedule, the list works best as a set of prompts. Start with the kind of session your group wants: a cooperative outing, a deduction challenge, or a game with more heft. Then use the episode’s timestamps to jump to the relevant discussion and hear the hosts’ impressions before deciding what to try. The brief description doesn’t give player counts, play times, prices, designers or publishers, so those details should be checked against the individual game listings before making plans.

The mix also points to a useful way to approach a convention preview: keep room for different energy levels. A table may want a substantial game one moment and a lighter option the next. Having a few choices across that range makes a shortlist more useful than focusing on a single style, especially when the convention floor offers far more to explore than any one episode can cover.

The hosts call these selections only a small part of what Gen Con has to offer and say they’ll share more favorites from their visit. For now, the clearest takeaway is to match the game to the table: try Marie Curie for the lighter end, consider River of Gold for a middleweight option, and look toward Evenfall or Rock Hard 1977 when the group wants something heavier. Cooperative and deduction minded players have their own starting points in The Mandalorian Adventures and Kronologic.