RDTN Episode 142: Space Base, Shards of Infinity and Council of 4

Episode 142 of RDTN spends time on three games with very different table rhythms: Space Base, Shards of Infinity and Council of 4. The discussion ranges from a luck driven dice engine to a much anticipated deck builder and a game that can delight one moment and bog down the next. The useful question running through the episode is what kind of experience each title offers once it reaches the table.

Space Base keeps the table involved

For dice fans, Space Base looks like the most immediate recommendation in the episode. The hosts describe it as a light engine builder built around luck, with enough activity to keep everyone following the action through the end. It isn’t presented as a puzzle that asks players to calculate every move; its appeal is the steady anticipation of a roll and what that result might set in motion.

That style puts it in the conversation with Machi Koro and other approachable dice games. The comparison is a useful starting point for players who enjoy watching a simple system grow, though the episode frames Space Base on its own terms: a fun, luck based engine builder that keeps the whole group engaged. Players looking for a demanding strategic workout may want something different. Those who like dice, visible progress and shared table energy could find this one a good fit.

The episode’s enthusiasm also points to what makes this kind of game work socially. A player’s turn can matter to everyone watching, so the table stays connected even when one person is making the main decision. That creates momentum without requiring a complex rules discussion at every step. For a group that wants lively turns and a welcoming entry point, that’s a meaningful strength.

Shards of Infinity arrives with high expectations

Shards of Infinity comes with a built-in fan’s perspective. The host names designer Justin Gary and publisher Stone Blade Entertainment, admits to being biased, and mentions having 18 games of Ascension underway on the iPad. That anticipation makes the episode’s reaction more interesting: the discussion doesn’t simply confirm the excitement, and listeners are told to expect some surprises in the group’s overall thoughts.

The practical drawback at the time of recording was availability. The host says the game was out of stock and that Stone Blade understood the problem and was working toward a resolution with Ultra Pro. That’s the status described in the episode, rather than a promise about when more copies would arrive. Anyone trying to track down the game should treat restocking as the next thing to watch.

The episode also gives Shards of Infinity a dedicated discussion point at 16:20, followed by a segment on support for the game at 22:41. Those timestamps give listeners a direct route to the main conversation. For deck building fans, the draw here is both the game itself and the chance to hear how it lands with people who already know and enjoy Ascension. The episode’s caveat is clear: enthusiasm going in doesn’t guarantee a unanimous verdict.

Council of 4 rewards a race mindset

Council of 4 gets a more divided response. The host sees appealing elements alongside problems, and describes a lasting love and frustration with the game. That mixed reaction is useful for prospective players: there’s enough here to keep the game in rotation, but the rough spots are part of the experience rather than a minor footnote.

The episode cites a 7.2 average rating on BoardGameGeek from more than 1,000 ratings. That figure is offered as evidence that the game has found an audience, not as a guarantee that every group will enjoy it. Nate’s advice in the Scurry Report is to approach Council of 4 as a race. That framing may help players recognize the pressure and pace the design is aiming for. If the table expects a slower game focused on extended deliberation, the experience could feel disappointing instead.

Analysis paralysis is the other concern raised. The host hopes that it will ease with time or that players can find a way to reduce it. For groups considering the game, the practical takeaway is to keep the race in view and pay attention to how long choices are taking. The episode doesn’t claim that this solves the issue; it presents the tension as part of what players should weigh before choosing Council of 4.

More from the episode

The three game discussions sit inside a broader episode that also wanders through lawn care. The host jokes about wanting a new mower to reclaim weekends for board games, with mowing season in the Charlotte area typically stretching from early April into November. A warm, wet fall can push that chore even closer to Thanksgiving. It’s a relatable detour, and the show soon returns to tabletop news and conversation.

The segment list also points to discussion of Fireball Island, Street Fighter, the Secret Cabal, Portal Games, Miniature Market, an Age of Rivals contest and The Broken Token. The episode’s timestamps make it easy to jump between those topics and the longer game reviews.

For listeners choosing where to focus, the game segments offer three distinct reasons to tune in: Space Base for lively dice driven turns, Shards of Infinity for a fan’s candid reaction to a long awaited deck builder, and Council of 4 for a closer look at a game whose pace and decision time can shape the whole experience. The discussion is most useful when it connects a game’s appeal to the kind of table that will enjoy it.

Episode guide

• Intro — 00:37
• Hidden Meaning — 03:20
• Marty Struggles — 4:40
• Fireball succeeds — 5:23
• Street Fighter KS — 7:30
• Secret Cabal KS — 9:22
• Mowing — 9:45
• Back to Secret Cabal — 14:30
• Shards of Infinity — 16:20
• Portal Games — 21:25
• Support for Shards of Infinity — 22:41
• Scurry Report – Council of 4 — 26:21
• Clean up — 58:10
• Space Base — 1:00:00
• Miniature Market — 1:05:28
• Age of Rivals Contest — 01:06:29
• You are Responsible — 1:10:27
• The Broken Token — 1:15:45