Episodes

12h ago

In Episode 280 we look back at last year's list of games we wanted to get played and then we discuss the games that are top of mind we hope to get to try over the next year. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Last Year's Top 5 we wanted to play in 2025 (and how we did) 02:21 Civolution 05:40 Joyrides: Survival of the Fastest 06:08 Wroth 06:32 SETI: Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence 09:58 Dune: War for Arrakis 10:48 Windmill Valley 12:21 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 13:46 Endeavor: Deep Sea 15:18 Resafa 16:05 Andromeda's Edge / Rock Hard: 1977 17:26 World Order 18:47 Wondrous Creatures 19:44 Rats of Wistar 21:35 Power Vaccuum 22:40 Top 5 Games we want to play in 2025 22:40 Coming of Age 25:04 Primacy: A Coyote and Crow Card Game 29:31 Eternal Decks 34:12 Echoes of Time 38:55 Lords of Baseball 41:33 Everdell: Silverfrost 43:54 Burn the Fort 48:57 Rise and Fall 52:08 Ants 54:15 Rebuilding Seattle ... And More If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Dec 15

In Episode 279 we give our hot take review on Ada's Dream covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We cover a poll on Multi-player Solitaire board games and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Lords of Vegas, Ticket to Ride, and Nokosu Dice. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll: How do you feel about 'Multi-player Solitaire' Games? 15:19 Ada's Dream Description 18:06 Gameplay and Mechanisms 38:58 Production and Theme 48:51 Final Thoughts 1:00:42 Lords of Vegas 1:06:13 Ticket to Ride 1:08:11 Nokosu Dice If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

Dec 8

In Episode 278 we discuss the top 5 games that each of us thinks will be a big hit for families of all types (family gatherings, gaming with kids, etc.) Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Top 5 Family Board Games 07:50 Flip 7 10:55 Skull 14:39 Cheeky Monkey /Can't Stop / Viking See-Saw 20:39 Sushi Go 23:13 No Thanks 27:28 Camel Up / Hot Streak 31:22 King of Tokyo 34:44 Balderdash 38:31 Ticket to Ride 42:45 Unlock / Exit (Escape Room in a Box Games) 49:31 Dino Battle: Logical Game 52:38 Robot Quest Arena / My Little Scythe 57:31 Quacks 1:00:51 Survive the Island 1:06:02 Return to Dark Tower / Slay the Spire 1:10:55 Honorable Mentions: Crokinole, Tripole, Love Letter, Kingdomino, Bot Factory 1:14:40 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Dec 1

In Episode 277 we discuss why and how we rate board games on BGG and run through each of the rating levels, how they're described on BGG, and provide samples of our ratings at each level. We also discuss a poll about rating board games on BGG. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Poll Time: Do you rate games on BoardGameGeek? 7:42 BGG Ratings Topic Introduction 9:40 1 - Awful Defies Game Description 15:34 2 - Very Bad, Won't Play Ever Again 19:30 3 - Bad, Likely Won't Play This Again 23:24 4 - Not So Good, But Could Play Again 27:51 5 - Mediocre, Take It Or Leave It 32:34 6 - OK, Will Play If In The Mood 38:05 7 - Good, Usually Willing To Play 42:47 8 - Very Good, Enjoy Playing And Would Suggest It 47:59 9 - Excellent, Very Much Enjoy Playing 53:27 10 - Outstanding, Will Always Enjoy Playing 57:32 Final Thoughts If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Nov 24

In Episode 276 we give our hot take review on Joy Ride: Survival of the Fastest covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We cover a poll on board game convention attendance and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Stroganov and Origin Story and a future take on Otter Chaos. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:28 Poll: How many board game conventions did you attend in the last twelve months? 11:10 Joyride: Survival of the Fastest Description 13:43 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:08 Production and Theme 34:46 Final Thoughts 44:45 Stroganov 51:09 Origin Story 1:09:24 Future Take: Why I Otter, An Otter Won, Otter Chaos If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

Nov 17

In Episode 275 we return to the mailbag and answer a bunch of our listener's board game related questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 1:31 What are some of your go-to games for groups that have varying levels of gamers? 9:55 What are the parts of this hobby that annoy you the most? 13:16 What do you think are the biggest omissions from BGHT feature reviews? 17:36 What is your most played board game (in person)? 21:27 How do you decide between the urge to play something you know you like versus the obligation to play something new? 27:07 Are there groups of family or friends you don't bring out games for or to? 30:40 What are your forever games? 36:09 Which games make you feel clever? 46:12 Can you detail your current game groups? 55:53 Do you have any house rules you use? 58:55 Words of advice for a weekend gaming event inspired by BGHT cons? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Nov 10

In Episode 274 we give our hot take review on Galactic Cruise covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We cover a poll on board game productions and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Demoniac, Rebirth, Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein, and Thurn and Taxis. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Which production element is more likely to get you excited about a board game? 06:36 Galactic Cruise Description 09:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms 36:14 Production and Theme 41:43 Final Thoughts 48:15 Demoniac 52:53 Rebirth 1:00:20 Thurn and Taxis 1:05:33 Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein 1:14:02 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

Nov 3

In Episode 273 we discuss competition and specifically what we think is healthy competition. We also discuss a poll about cheating in tabletop games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll Time: Have you ever experienced intentional cheating when playing a tabletop game? 5:59 Competition: General Thoughts 9:19 What creates healthy competition? 18:48 How has our competitiveness evolved over time? 29:41 How do different games illicit a different competitiveness in you? 49:02 How does your preferred competition level influence your preferred game choices? 54:05 Final Thoughts If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Oct 27

In Episode 272 we discuss the top 5 board game designers that are represented on our game shelves. 01:02 Corrections (Creature Comforts and Distilled: Cask Strength) 06:32 Poll: How does it make you feel when a reviewer messes up a rule? 12:25 Top 5 Board Game Designers on our Shelves 16:54 Cole Wehrle (Pax Pamir 2nd Edition, Arcs, John Company 2nd Edition) 19:26 Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, The Fox Experiment) 20:58 Adam Kwapinski (Lords of Hellas, Lords of Ragnarok, Nemesis) 22:44 Bruno Cathala (Sea Salt & Paper, Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth, Cyclades: Legendary Edition) 23:53 Prospero Hall (Pan Am, Top Gun: The Board Game, Horrified) 25:44 Eric Lang (Blood Rage, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Rising Sun) 29:12 Tim Eisner (March of the Ants, Wonderland's War) 32:23 Paul Dennen (Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Legacy, Dune: Imperium - Uprising) 35:19 Vladimir Suchy (Underwater Cities, Pulsar 2849, Woodcraft) 38:11 John Perry (Hot Streak, Air Land & Sea, Spots) 40:57 Simone Luciani (Annunaki: Dawn of the Gods, Barrage, Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Rats of Wistar) 43:24 Jamey Stegmaier (Tapestry, Viticulture, Scythe, Vantage, Origin Story) 44:47 Stefan Feld (Castles of Burgundy, Marrakesh, Notre Dame, Civolution) 48:23 Reiner Knizia (Modern Art: The Card Game, Royal Visit, High Society, The Quest for El Dorado, Rebirth) 51:42 Jamey Stegmaier (Tapestry, Viticulture, Expeditions, Red Rising) 53:35 Rob Daviou (Cthulhu: Death May Die, Pandemic Legacy, Return to Dark Tower, Thunder Road: Vendetta) 56:34 Simone Luciani (Darwin's Journey, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Nucleum, Tzok'in: The Mayan Calendar, Etherstone) If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Oct 20

In Episode 271 we give our hot take review on Cosmic Frog covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also talk about some games that have been on our tables including Creature Comforts, That Time You Killed Me, and March of the Ants. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Cosmic Frog Description 02:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:24 Production and Theme 30:55 Final Thoughts 36:06 Creature Comforts 49:05 That Time You Killed Me 54:41 March of the Ants 1:06:22 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

Oct 13

In Episode 270 we take a look at three retro board games that got us into the hobby with mini reviews of each - D&D Computer Labyrinth Game, Solarquest, and Guillotine. We also discuss a poll topic on how important it is that board games are 'fun' and whether fun is a useful term when discussing or reviewing board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Poll Time: Is 'Fun' important to you when playing board games AND is fun a useful term to use when discussing board games. 11:58 Retro Board Games 15:42 Dungeons & Dragons Computer Labyrinth Game 30:50 Solarquest 47:19 Guillotine If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Oct 6

In Episode 269 we discuss all of the games (and many expansions) played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Government Camp, Oregon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Obsession: Characters Expansion 10:51 Terraforming Mars: Prelude 14:26 Pan Am 18:30 Barrage 21:23 Distilled: Cask Strength AND Africa and Middle East Expansion 28:36 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 32:42 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 36:55 Blood Rage: Gods of Asgard 43:50 Rant! - Blood Rage: Valhalla 52:53 CampCon Final Thoughts 56:29 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

Sep 29

In Episode 268 we give our hot take review on The Game Makers covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a listener question on best 2 player mid-weight Euro style games, and then we talk about some games that have been on our tables including Age of Comics, Pagan: Fate of Roanoke, and Arborea. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Patreon Question: Best mid-weight Euro game at 2 players? 10:38 The Game Makers Description 12:49 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:05 Production and Theme 26:25 Final Thoughts 45:00 Age of Comics: The Golden Years 53:14 Arborea 54:48 Pagan: Fate of Roanoke 1:02:33 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

Sep 22

In Episode 267 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Government Camp, Oregon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 06:02 The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 10:44 Hot Streak 16:21 Tycoon: India 1981 25:42 Cascadia 27:34 Scoville 2nd Edition 33:36 Darwin's Journey 40:02 Wroth 44:06 Wonderland's War 48:20 Vantage 1:03:37 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Sep 15

In Episode 266 we discuss mechanisms and board games that were inspired by the theme they represent. Dave Beck (designer of Distilled and Luthier) also joins us for the discussion and gives us a sneak peak at the upcoming Distilled expansion, Distilled: Cocktails. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Distilled: Cocktails 15:14 Theme Driven Mechanisms 17:25 Obsession 19:39 Woodcraft 21:35 Captain Sonar 28:25 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory 36:14 Wingspan, The Fox Experiment 37:33 Viticulture, Scoville 40:23 Western Legends 45:08 Baseball Highlights 2045, Barrage 49:35 Nemesis, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 51:33 Android: Netrunner 54:43 Flamme Rouge, Heat: Pedal to the Metal If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Sep 8

In Episode 265 we review and discuss the Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy expansion. We also discuss what we look for in expansions and what usually makes great expansions for us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy 20:13 Hot Topic: What We Look for in Board Game Expansions If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Sep 1

In Episode 264 we give our hot take review on Stupor Mundi covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on 'Take That' in board games, Chris gives us his 5 year anniversary cocktail segment, and then we talk about some games that have been on our tables including District Noir, and The Lord of Rings: Fate of the Fellowship. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:21 Poll Time: How do you feel about 'Take That' in multiplayer board games? 09:15:Board Game Giveaway Winner Announced 10:30 Stupor Mundi Description 11:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 36:02 Production and Theme 45:36 Final Thoughts 50:08 5 Year Anniversary Cocktail 54:48 Azul and District Noir 1:01:27 The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Aug 25

In Episode 263 we celebrate 5 years of the Board Game Hot Takes Podcast! Friend of the Show, Leanne, hosts an exciting board game and podcast quiz show for our hosts. Then we all (as well as several listeners) look back at some of the best episodes and moments from the last 263 episodes. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:55 5th Anniversary Quiz 03:21 Round 1: Spiel de Jahres winners in the style of Poetry for Neanderthals 11:44: Listener Choice - Episode 197 - Top 5 Games We Suck At 12:18 Round 2: Podcast History Trivia 23:20 Listener Choice - Episode 109 - Clans of Caledonia 23:56 Round 3: Formative Games 29:40 Listener Choice - Episode 90 - Great Western Trail and Episode 99 - Top Board Games of All Time 2022 Edition (1-10) 30:55 Round 4: Favorite Games Based on Bad Reviews on BGG 38:50 Listener Choice - BGHT Con Episodes 39:41 Round 5: Review Episodes in Style of Just One 48:35 Round 6: Favorite Games Since 2020 57:55 Top 3 Episodes that Best Represent the BGHT Podcast 58:22 Leanne #3 - Episode 216 - 5 Formative Games - The Games that Made Us Fall In Love With the Board Game Hobby 58:52 Chris #3 - Episode 46 - Kemet: Blood and Sand 1:03:18 Adam #3 - Episode 92 - Unanimous Takes 1:04:55 Tim #3 - Episode 214 - Board Game Topicpalooza 1:06:13 Leanne #2 - Episode 259 - Confessions of a Casual Board Gamer 1:08:12 Chris #2 - Episode 175 - Top 5 Games We Want To Play In 2024 1:12:05 Listener Choice - BGHT Con Episodes 1:12:41 Adam #2 - Episode 145 - SedonaCon Coverage Part 2 1:14:42 Tim #2 - Episode 199 - Hot Topic - You're Just Not My Type 1:16:41 Leanne #1 - Episode 100 Listener Top 20 Board Games 1:22:26 Chris #1 - Episodes 194 and 195 - BigBear Con Coverage 1:25:53 Adam #1 - Episode 190 - Top 5 Desert Island Games (Runners Up - Episode 108 - Top 10 Board Games that Should be Made Into Movies and Episode 185 - Wrong Hot Takes ) 1:29:21 Chris Honorable Mentions - Episode 53 - Aquatica and 1 Year Anniversary and Episode 71 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar and Episodes 165, 167, 169, 171 - Board Games as Stories 1:31:17 Tim #1 - Episode 158: Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

Aug 18

In Episode 262 we give our hot take review on Moon Colony Bloodbath covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on buying games without researching them and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Modern Art, Toy Battle, and Forest Shuffle. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Have you ever bought a game when you were in a store without knowing anything about it before seeing it on the shelf? 08:37 Moon Colony Bloodbath Description 11:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 23:53 Production and Theme 31:08 Final Thoughts 36:55 Modern Art 44:57 Toy Battle 48:44 Forest Shuffle 1:00:11 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Aug 11

In Episode 261 we wrap up the 2025 countdown of our 40 favorite Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:26 Chris #10 Terraforming Mars 07:20 Adam #10 Chaosmos 10:42 Tim #10 Grand Austria Hotel 13:44 Chris #9 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 18:45 Adam #9 - Wonderland's War 20:43 Tim #9 - Pulsar 2849 21:53 Chris #8 - Distilled 26:00 Adam #8 - Smartphone, Inc. 28:34 Tim #8 - Everdell 34:16 Chris #7 - Barrage 38:02 Adam #7 - Dune: Imperium 40:38 Tim #7 - Terraforming Mars 41:05 Chris #6 - Gaia Project 43:43 Adam #6 - Dune 47:25 Tim #6 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 48:18 Chris #5 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 49:59 Adam #5 - Baseball Highlights: 2045 53:20 Tim #5 - Dune: Imperium 54:53 Chris #4 - Dune: Imperium 56:04 Adam #4 - Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory 58:53 Tim #4 - Castles of Burgundy 1:00:03 Chris #3 - Darwin's Journey 1:03:53 Tim #3 - Lorenzo il Magnifico 1:07:12 Chris #2 - Tapestry 1:10:14 Adam #2 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 1:11:59 Tim #2 - Gaia Project 1:13:03 Chris #1 - Star Realms 1:18:23 Adam #1 - Azul 1:21:04 Tim #1 - Darwin's Journey 1:23:56 - Runners Up If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

Aug 4

In Episode 260 Rolling Reggie joins us to talk about some of our favorite board games that use dice and why we love the dice mechanisms in those games. You can find Reggie's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@rolling.reggie Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:45 Top 5 Board Games with Dice 07:00 Spots 10:28 Dice Miner 13:47 Wroth 17:26 Troyes 22:14 Castles of Burgundy 27:03 Sentient 30:28 Rajas of the Ganges 33:33 The White Castle 37:16 Dice Throne 42:30 Tiletum 46:31 Lords of Vegas 49:57 Arcs 53:40 Crystal Palace 57:27 Sagrada 1:00:53 Dune: War for Arrakis 1:05:40 Honorable Mentions: Gang of Dice, Civolution, Fantastic Factories, Bang: The Dice Game, Sky Team If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jul 28

In Episode 259 our guest host, Danielle, answers our questions about her tastes, preferences, and feelings about the board gaming hobby as a casual board gamer. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Definition of a Casual Board Gamer 05:30 Thinking About Board Games 10:21 Buying/Looking For New Games 17:10 Learning New Games 32:45 Board Game Complexity 33:09 Board Game Conventions 36:00 Board Game Annoyances 47:03 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jul 21

In Episode 258 we continue the 2025 countdown of our 40 favorite Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Chris #20 Obsession 04:18 Adam #20 Stockpile 05:42 Tim #20 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 06:53 Chris #19 - La Granja 08:44 Adam #19 - Battle for Rokugan 09:58 Tim #19 - Fromage 12:20 Chris #18 - A Feast for Odin 15:33 Adam #18 - Star Wars Rebellion 16:55 #18 - Clank! Catacombs 19:51 Chris #17 - Kanban EV 23:12 Adam #17 - Gaia Project 24:28 Tim #17 - Endeavor: Deep Sea 26:09 Chris #16 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 28:16 Adam #16 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 29:19 Tim #16 - Blood Rage 33:26 Chris #15 - Pan Am 36:12 Adam #15 - The Expanse Board Game 37:25 Tim #15 - The Voyages of Marco Polo / Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan 39:27 #14 - Blood Rage 40:32 #14 - Fractal 45:07 Tim #14 - Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 47:41 Chris and Tim #13 - Agricola 1:19:07 Adam #13 - Frozen Frontier 53:58 Chris #12 - 7 Wonders Duel 55:39 Adam #12 - Pan Am 57:15 Tim #12 - Tapestry 1:00:08 Chris #11 - Azul 1:02:20 Adam #11 - Sol: Last Days of a Star 1:03:28 Tim #11 - Arc Nova If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jul 14

In Episode 257 Mark Johnson from the Boardgames To Go podcast joins us to discuss Tigris & Euphrates covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on which modern era our favorite games were from and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Tycoon: India 1981 and Castles of Tuscany. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Poll Time: What Timeframe was your #1 Favorite Board Game Published Within? 03:39 Intro to Mark Johnson and Board Games To Go 06:48 Tigris & Euphrates Description 09:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:21 Production and Theme 32:39 Final Thoughts 28:28 Tycoon: India 1981 50:41 Castles of Tuscany If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jul 7

In Episode 256 we continue the 2025 countdown of our 40 favorite Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:54 Chris #30 Outlive 05:09 Adam #30 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 08:22 Tim #30 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 12:58 Chris #29 - The Guild of Merchant Explorers 16:17 Adam #29 - SpaceCorp: 2025-2300AD 18:29 Tim #29 - Scythe 21:37 Chris #28 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 26:14 Adam #28 - Scout 28:29 #28 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 33:31 Chris #27 - Cascadia 37:27 Adam #27 - Shamans 40:29 Tim #27 - Revive 44:50 Chris #26 - Viticulture Essential Edition 49:19 Adam #26 - Inis 52:56 Tim #26 - Azul 55:20 Chris #25 - Thunder Road: Vendetta 58:21 Adam #25 - Biohack 1:02:34 Tim #25 - Tichu 1:05:29 Chris #24 - Pirates of Maracaibo 1:10:38 Adam #24 - Skull 1:13:19 Tim #24 - Space Base 1:17:01 Chris #23 - Wonderland's War 1:19:07 Adam #23 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 1:21:16 Tim #23 - Rising Sun 1:22:47 Chris #22 - Clank! In! Space! 1:26:15 Adam #22 - Marrakesh 1:31:41 Tim #22 - Woodcraft 1:34:09 Chris #21 - Teotihuacan: City of Gods 1:38:40 Adam #21 - Terraforming Mars 1:40:43 Tim #21 - Sea Salt & Paper If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jun 30

In Episode 255 we start the 2025 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Favorite Games of All Time - How we made our lists 07:25 Chris #40 Rats of Wistar 11:01 Adam #40 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 13:16 Tim #40 The Castles of Tuscany 14:49 Chris #39 - Wingspan 16:44 Adam #39 - Rebirth 18:18 Tim #39 - Le Havre 19:51 Chris #38 - Smartphone, Inc. 22:03 Adam #38 - On Mars 24:30 Tim #38 - Thunder Road Vendetta 26:23 Chris #37 - Revive 28:56 #37 - Beyond the Sun 30:15 Tim #37 - Boast or Nothing / Best of Neapolitan 32:03 Chris #36 - Keyflower 34:41 Adam #36 - Voidfall 36:47 Tim #36 - Star Realms 38:13 Chris #35 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 41:11 Adam #35 - Tycoon: India 1981 44:54 Tim #35 - Wonderland's War 45:52 Chris #34 - Nemesis 49:30 Adam #34 - Revive 50:54 Tim #34 - Viticulture: Essential Edition 52:00 Chris #33 - Heat: Pedal to the Metal 54:57 Adam #33 - Xenon Profiteer 56:15 Tim #33 - Slay the Spire: The Board Game 58:00 Chris #32 - Scythe 59:24 Adam #32 - Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition 1:01:37 Tim #32 - Clans of Caledonia 1:02:31 Chris #31 - Cthulhu Wars 1:05:08 Adam #31 - Hot Streak 1:09:31 Tim #31 - Anachrony If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jun 23

In Episode 254 we discuss games that end a little too quickly. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:14 Race for the Galaxy 07:23 Newton 09:57 Pirates of Maracaibo 14:10 Mycelia 19:14 Fantasy Realms / Marvel Remix 22:11 Biohack 24:36 Smartphone, Inc. 27:46 Near and Far 37:17 Distilled 42:01 Robot Quest Arena 44:12 Woodcraft / Pulsar 2849 47:13 Thunder Road: Vendetta 53:26 Sol: Last Day of a Star 56:21 Architects of the West Kingdom 59:26 Gaia Project / Agricola 1:03:37 Honorable Mentions: Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods, Keyflower 1:05:52 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

Jun 16

In Episode 253 we give our hot take review on Inis covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on gamer types and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Modern Art, Cribbage, and Bomb Busters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll Time: What type of board gamer do you consider yourself? 08:09 Inis Description 11:50 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:04 Production and Theme 32:39 Final Thoughts 44:27 Modern Art and Cheeky Monkey 51:16 Cribbage 1:00:11 Bomb Busters 1:09:32 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jun 9

In Episode 252 we discuss our favorite wooden figures (meeples) in board games. We also answer a listener's question on which games are great for asynchronous play on Board Game Arena. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Great (and not so great) async BGA games - Lost Ruins of Arnak, Ark Nova, Tapestry, Revive, Harmonies, Gaia Project, Through the Ages, Blood Rage, Rats of Wistar, Azul, La Granja 11:30 5 Favorite Meeples 19:40 Royal Visit 21:50 Scoville 25:07 Everdell 27:19 Survive the Island 30:25 Root 33:03 Power Vacuum 35:41 Wondrous Creatures 37:57 Circadians: Chaos Order 40:37 Charterstone 43:30 On Mars 45:47 Golem 49:05 Glen More II: Chronicles 49:58 Aqua Garden 52:07 Merchants of the Dark Road 55:02 Gentes Deluxified Edition 57:47 Honorable Mentions: Arcs, Teotihuacan: City of Gods, Parks, Meepile, Luthier, Bonfire If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jun 2

In Episode 251 we give our hot take review on Dinogenics covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on favorite publishers and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Masters of Renaissance, Cyclades: Legendary Edition, Endeavor: Deep Sea, and Finspan. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:53 Poll Time: When you listen to board game reviews what are you most interested in hearing about? 07:54 Dinogenics Description 10:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:31 Production and Theme 35:28 Final Thoughts 40:46 Master of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico - The Card Game 47:04 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 48:41 Endeavor: Deep Sea 55:45 Finspan 1:01:05 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

May 26

In Episode 250 we discuss the top 5 board game publishers that are represented on our game shelves. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:52 Top 5 Publishers On Our Game Shelves 06:44 Dire Wolf (Clank! Legacy, Clank! In Space, Dune: Imperium - Uprising) 08:54 Wehrlegig Games (Pax Pamir 2nd Edition, John Company 2nd Edition) 10:47 CMON Games (Blood Rage, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Rising Sun) 12:57 AEG (Cascadia, Calico, Let's Go To Japan) 17:17 Eagle-Gryphon Games and (Baseball Highlight 2045, Xenon Profiteer, On Mars, Clockwork Wars) - Buffalo Games (Planted, Oh No! Volcano) 18:51 Garphill Games (Architects of the West Kingdom, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Legacy of Yu) 22:30 Wise Wizards Games (Star Realms, Star Realm: Rise of Empire, Hero Realms, Robot Quest Arena) 25:13 Cosmodrome Games (Smartphone, Inc., Frozen Frontier, Aquatica) 25:52 GMT Games (Dominant Species, SpaceCorp: 2025-2300AD, A Gest of Robin Hood) 30:35 REPOS Production (7 Wonders, 7 Wonders Duel, Just One, Fun Facts, Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth) 32:07 Awaken Realms (Nemesis, This War of Mine, Lords of Ragnarok, Tainted Grail, Great Wall, Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition) 37:04 Roxley Games (Brass: Birmingham, Radlands, Dice Throne, Skyrise) 38:51 Stonemaier Games (Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest, Scythe, Viticulture, Tapestry, Apiary, Red Rising, Wingspan, My Little Scythe, Pendulum, Expeditions) 44:12 Fantasy Flight Games (Battle for Rokugan, Star Wars Rebellion, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Android Netrunner, Arkham Horror: CCG) 48:26 CGE (T'zolkin: The Mayan Calendar, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Codenames, Pulsar 2849, Under Falling Skies) 50:28 Final Thoughts If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

May 19

In Episode 249 we give our hot take review on Finspan covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on favorite publishers and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Sol: Last Days of a Star, Galactic Cruise, and Pirates of Maracaibo. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll Time: Do you have favorite publishers? 09:53 Finspan Description 12:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:29 Production and Theme 38:34 Final Thoughts 42:59 Sol: Last Days of a Star 47:09 Galactic Cruise 54:39 Pirates of Maracaibo If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

May 12

In Episode 248 we discuss all of the games played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Phoenix, AZ. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Gaia Project (with The Lost Fleet) 14:50 Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods 28:36 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 33:24 Stockpile 40:07 Darwin's Journey (with Fireland Expansion) 49:50 Dune: Imperium Uprising (with Bloodlines and Immortality) 57:39 Dungeon Fighter 1:01:34 Biohack 1:09:34 Wandering Towers 1:13:53 Final Thoughts If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

May 5

In Episode 247 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Phoenix, AZ. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:59 Finspan 08:41 Clank! Catacombs (with Lairs and Lost Chambers) 13:42 Rebirth 19:10 Rebel Princess 26:26 Power Vacuum 32:30 Flip 7 39:01 Sky Team 43:55 Frozen Frontier 51:16 Thunder Road: Vendetta 1:02:10 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 1:13:05 Crokinole If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Apr 28

In Episode 246 we look at the games that we feel obligated to play but aren't really excited about. The mandatory assignments that we've missed. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 The unfortunate required coursework of the board game hobbyist 04:33 Twilight Imperium 4th Edition 06:11 Tigris and Euphrates 10:40 The Crew: Deep Sea, The Crew, The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game 13:19 Food Chain Magnate 15:58 Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game 20:47 Caverna: The Cave Farmers 22:41 Puerto Rico 25:25 Concordia, Lisboa 29:55 Android: Netrunner, Magic: The Gathering 36:11 Blood on the Clocktower 37:58 Terra Mystica 40:52 Civilization 43:18 Commands and Colors: Ancients 46:00 Gloomhaven, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, Frosthaven 52:44 Diplomacy 54:59 Final Thoughts and Honorable Mentions: Cosmic Encounter, The Great Zimbabwe, Mage Knight, Slay the Spire: The Board Game If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Apr 21

In Episode 245 we give our hot take review on Pirates of Maracaibo covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on Legacy Games and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Davy Jones' Locker: The Kraken Wakes, Great Western Trail: El Paso, and Crystal Palace. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll Time: How do you feel about legacy games? 14:00 Golden Geek Nomination! 16:01 Pirates of Maracaibo Description 20:00 Gameplay and Mechanisms 37:04 Production and Theme 42:40 Final Thoughts 49:31 Davy Jones' Locker: The Kraken Wakes 1:00:09 Great Western Trail: El Paso 1:05:22 Crystal Palace If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Apr 14

In Episode 244 we discuss the huge number of changes that have been happening to the Board Game Geek Top 100 and what this means for the hobby. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:23 BGG Top 100 Changes 11:02 Games that have recently moved onto the list 31:56 Games that have recently left the list 39:57 What these changes mean for the hobby If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Apr 7

In Episode 243 we give our hot take review on the latest expansion for Dune: Imperium, Bloodlines, covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game and discuss what we think is the best way to play Dune: Imperium now between all of the expansions, modules, and multiple standalone games available. We also talk about some games that have been on our tables including Brian Boru and Clank! Catacombs - Lairs and Lost Chambers. We also discuss a poll on average weekly board game time. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Poll Time: On average how many hours of actual tabletop gameplay do you have per week? 05:14 BGG Golden Geek Awards 06:34 Dune: Imperium - Bloodlines 08:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:49 Production and Theme 31:36 Final Thoughts 35:17 The Best way to play Dune: Imperium now. 44:54 Brian Boru 50:55 Clank! Catacombs - Lairs and Lost Chambers If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Mar 31

In Episode 242 Steph Hodge joins us to discuss our top 5 quirky mechanisms in board games. You can find Steph's blog here: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/3802/all-the-meeples-of-the-rainbow and her videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamersteph Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 05:12 Top 5 Quirky Mechanisms 08:11 Marrakesh 11:24 Time of Empires 14:00 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia 17:34 Truffle Snuffle 19:25 Keyper 22:00 Viscounts of the West Kingdom 24:50 Trotofant 27:45 Redwood 30:31 Black Orchestra 34:10 Argo 37:13 Once Upon a Line 39:23 Greedy Kingdoms 42:58 The Faceless 45:35 Piazza Rabazza 48:24 Dungeon Petz 52:49 Honorable Mentions: Picture Perfect, Dungeon Fighter, Canvas, Captain Sonar, Turing Machine, Treasure Island, Bullet Heart, Mord Im Arosa If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Mar 24

In Episode 241 we each talk about 3 board games that we've played recently including Windmill Valley, Zoo Vadis, The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-taking Game, Captain Sonar and many more. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:54 No Thanks 09:52 Zoo Vadis 22:12 Black Orchestra 32:37 Captain Sonar 41:35 Torchlit 49:51 Windmill Valley 58:44 Power Vacuum 1:07:11 Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods 1:21:10 The Fellowship of the Rings: Trick-Taking Game 1:27:25 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Mar 17

In Episode 240 we discuss board games that have gotten a facelift. New productions, 2nd editions, and similar topics. We also discuss a poll about leaving game groups. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll Time: Have you ever left a game group? 10:54 Board Games That Get Facelifts 13:45 Recent Examples - Castles of Burgundy, La Granja, Brass, Kemet, Cyclades, Irish Gauge, Ethnos, Acquire, Yokohama 20:33 How we feel about this - Terraforming Mars, Agricola, Great Western Trail, The Castles of Burgundy, Mosaic, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 30:50 What would we want out of Agricola refresh - Agricola: Dead Harvest 40:14 What Makeovers Do We Want - Gaia Project, Beyond the Sun, Le Havre, Quacks of Quedlinburg, The Expanse, Forbidden Stars 47:55 Are big refreshes a problem because of price? - Agricola, Marrakesh, Foundations of Rome, Foundations of Metropolis, Eclipse If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Mar 10

In Episode 239 we each talk about 5 board games that we love but can run a little longer than they should. We also discuss a poll on publicly discussing your board game interests. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Poll Time: How public are you about your board game love? 12:08 Games we enjoy that can outstay their welcome 12:28 Trailblazer: The Arizona Trail 15:51 Kabuto Sumo 19:57 Tapestry 25:30 Lords of Xidit 29:37 Dominant Species 34:09 Final Girl 37:27 Star Wars: Outer Rim 41:38 Star Wars: Rebellion 44:22 Harmonies 49:43 Aquatica 55:20 Wonderland's War 58:16 Starship Captains 1:02:52 Chimera Station 1:05:43 Battlestar Galactica 1:09:39 Auztralia 1:14:10 Final Thoughts If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Mar 3

In Episode 238 we each talk about 5 board games that have the types and level of player interaction that we really like. We also discuss a poll on whether complexity and price should have a correlation. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Poll Time: Do you correlate complexity with price? 14:02 Player Interaction 19:52 Parks (Agricola) 25:35 Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Carnegie) 30:31 Clans of Caledonia (Gaia Project) 34:35 My Little Scythe (Wolves, Gaia Project, Sol: Last Days of a Star) 40:01 Stockpile (Pan Am, Lancaster, Modern Art) 45:24 Nidavellir (Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest) 48:54 Great Wall (Lancaster) 53:10 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 56:44 Troyes 1:01:00 Carcassonne (Barrage, Terraforming Mars) 1:07:44 Baseball Highlights 2045 (Blood Rage, Magic: The Gathering) 1:12:31 Rebirth (Tigris and Euphrates, Samurai, Blue Lagoon) 1:17:17 Fractal (Rising Sun, Blood Rage, Dune, Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy, Battle for Rokugan) 1:25:34 Bruxelles 1893 (Lancaster, Barrage) 1:30:33 Final Thoughts If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Feb 24

In Episode 237 we give our hot take review on SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We announce some board game giveaways and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Dinosaur Island, Stockpile, Guild of Merchant Explorers, and Architects of the West Kingdom: Age of Artisans. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Patreon Board Game Giveaways 02:50 SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Description 04:25 Gameplay and Mechanisms 18:42 Production and Theme 25:49 Final Thoughts 37:21 Dinosaur Island 44:46 Stockpile 53:40 Guild of Merchant Explorers 55:18 Architects of the West Kingdom: Age of Artisans If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Feb 17

In Episode 236 we discuss the decisions you make around setting up a game to make it the best possible experience for your game group including things like changes you make after random setup steps, how you pick asymmetric factions, and what expansions you add in. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Curating board game setup If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Feb 10

In Episode 235 we give our hot take review on The Guild of Merchant Explorers covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on how tariffs might impact board game buying habits and we discuss some games that have been on our table including Skyrise, Black Forest, Belaad, Oh No Volcano, and Slay the Spire. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll: If the percentage of prices on board games increase by double digits due to tariffs how much would that change your buying habits? 07:26 The Guild of Merchant Explorers Description 09:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 21:15 Production and Theme 27:32 Final Thoughts 32:42 Skyrise and Black Forest revisited 37:42 Belaad: The Land of Swords and Quills 46:32 Oh no, Volcano! 50:51 Slay The Spire: The Board game If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Feb 3

In Episode 234 we look back at some hidden gems from 2015-2019. We each name a game that doesn't get discussed much anymore from each of these years and talk about why they deserve more attention. We also discuss some our listeners board game highlights from 2024 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Listeners Top Picks from 2024 06:28 Top 5 Overlooked Games (2015-2019) 09:20 2015 - Chaosmos 12:20 2015 - Cthulhu Realms 16:17 2015 - Deep Space D6 20:07 2016 - Bloc By Bloc 23:01 2016 - Imhotep 27:03 2016 - Kingdomino 30:39 2017 - A Handful of Stars 33:44 2017 - Outlive 35:35 2017 - Godfather: Corleone's Empire 39:48 2018 - Space Corp: 2025-2300AD 42:51 2018 - Disney Villainous 49:16 2018 - Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig 51:50 2019 - Dreamscape 54:26 2019 - Chocolate Factory 57:17 2019 - Wavelength If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jan 27

In Episode 233 we give our hot take review on Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss board game restaurants, pubs, and cafes and then discuss some games that have been on our table including Kanban EV, Troyes, and Shasn Azadi. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Discussion: Board Game Pubs 08:33 Shackleton Base Description 11:33 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:37 Production and Theme 38:53 Final Thoughts 44:24 Kanban EV 49:15 Troyes 54:46 Shasn: Azadi If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jan 20

In Episode 232 we take a look back at 2024 and discuss some of the great (and no so great) games we played last year. Some of them were even published last year. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 3:20 Biggest Surprises in 2024 11:59 Biggest Disappointments in 2024 21:28 Best New to Us in 2024 36:23 Best Production Published in 2024 45:36 Lookback at Best Games of 2023 47:37 Best Games of 2024 1:05:25 Most Played Games of 2024 1:14:07 Board Game Revelations 1:20:18 2024 BGG Rankings Forecast 1:29:12 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jan 13

In Episode 331 we give our hot take review on Rats of Wistar covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We share poll results on buying games with the intent to sell them at a higher price and then discuss some games that have been on our table including Frozen Frontiers, Rebel Princess, and Dune: Imperium. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll: Have you ever bought a game with the intention of flipping it, either for selling or trading it? 13:05 Rats of Wistar Description 15:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:30 Production and Theme 38:50 Final Thoughts 42:54 Frozen Frontier 45:25 Rebel Princess 50:32 Dune: Imperium If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jan 6

In Episode 230 we return to the mailbag and answer a bunch of our listener's board game related questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 1:03 What draws you to boardgames and what do you get most of your hobby? Why do you play boardgames. 8:48 What are your thoughts on thumbing down people on Board Game Arena? 17:13 What games or mechanisms have tiers that you can find in games at light, mid-weight, and heavy weights? 27:41 Do you ever consider board games as works of art? 41:37 What games do you often refuse to play because it's too much work to pack up when you're done playing? 47:48 Best crowdfunding success stories? 55:44 Where do you hear about new games and how do you choose what you're going to review? 1:03:21 How many hours a week do you commit to the podcast? 1:11:54 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Dec 30, 2024

In Episode 229 we look back at the games we played once for the first time in 2024. Great games and we want to play them more. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 1:58 Luthier 4:06 Lancaster 5:05 Clockwork Wars 6:18 Marrakesh 8:49 Dune: Imperium Uprising 6 Player 11:12 Hallertau 12:59 Dune 16:58 Biohack 19:06 Walnut Grove 21:32 Unconscious Mind 25:07 Ceres 27:33 Black Forest 28:19 Thunder Road: Vendetta 31:53 March of the Ants 33:51 Endeavor: Deep Sea 38:05 Runners Up (Xenon Profiteer, Mosaic, Mille Fiori, Tokaido Duo) 41:37 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Dec 23, 2024

In Episode 228 we look back at last year's list of games we wanted to get played and then we discuss the games that are top of mind we hope to get to try over the next year. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Last Year's Top 5 we wanted to play in 2024 (and how we did) 00:56 Millennium Blades 05:41 Orleans 08:22 Turing Machines 09:38 Trickerion: Legends of Illusions 10:28 Splendor 12:30 Fractal 14:24 Creature Comforts 16:05 Kanban EV 18:09 Clockwork Wars 19:05 Oathsworn; Into the Deepwood 20:54 Cosmic Frog 22:09 Shogun 22:37 Apiary 24:33 Bonfire / Merlin / Marrakesh 26:12 John Company: 2nd Edition 00:56 Millennium Blades 27:17 Top 5 Games we want to play in 2025 27:55 Civolution 29:44 Joyride: Survival of the Fastest 34:16 Wroth 37:12 SETI: Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence 38:57 Harmonies 43:45 Dune: War for Arrakis 49:42 Windmill Valley 51:11 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 53:10 Endeavor: Deep Sea 56:09 Resafa 58:54 Andromeda's Edge / Rock Hard: 1977 1:00:57 World Order 1:05:11 Wondrous Creatures 1:06:57 Rats of Wistar 1:11:03 Power Vacuum If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Dec 16, 2024

In Episode 227 we give our hot take review on Fromage covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We share poll results on including expansions when you play your favorite games and then discuss some games that have been on our table including Let's Go! To Japan, Flip 7, Azul: Summer Pavilion, and Barrage: Duel. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll: If a board game you love has an expansion, how likely are you to include one when playing? 07:45 Fromage Description 09:33 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:34 Production and Theme 26:54 Final Thoughts 30:25 Let's Go! To Japan and Flip 7 36:03 Azul: Summer Pavilion 41:40 Barrage: Duel 47:51 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Dec 9, 2024

In Episode 226 we conclude our adventures at BGGCon in Dallas. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:54 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory 10:37 Black Forest 25:48 Dune 44:40 Skyrise 52:25 Can't Stop 57:53 Unconscious Mind 1:09:50 Stamp Swap 1:14:07 Final Thoughts 1:24:20 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Dec 2, 2024

In Episode 225 we continue the journey through our experience at BGGCon in Dallas that we started on last week's episode. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:39 Let's Go To Japan 06:08 Lancaster 15:18 Dune Imperium Uprising 3v3 32:01 Enemy Anemone 34:17 BGHT Meetup (Flip 7 and That's Not a Hat) 42:53 Capital Lux II 45:35 Flip 7 48:00 Glory to Rome 54:56 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Nov 25, 2024

In Episode 224 we recount our experience at BGGCon in Dallas. Since this was Chris and Adam's first big game convention we discuss expectations, apprehensions, and excitement leading up to it and then we cover our first couple days of gaming and shenanigans. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 05:50 BGGCon 2024 - Expectations, Apprehensions, and Excitement 10:45 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy: Seekers and Outcasts Expansions 17:20 Things in Rings 25:12 Underwater Cities (Fail!) 27:23 Everdell: Farshore 36:35 Robot Quest: Arena 40:54 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 50:37 Surfosaurus: MAX 54:10 Le Havre 1:00:47 SCOUT If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Nov 18, 2024

In Episode 223 we discuss player counts. Which genres and games are best at each player count and which player counts we like the best. We also discuss a poll on listener's average player counts at game night. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Poll: How big is your average player count on game night? 05:50 Feature Discussion - Player Counts If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Nov 11, 2024

In Episode 222 we give our hot take review on Let's Go To Japan covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Looot, Frozen Frontiers, and The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Let's Go To Japan Description 02:58 Gameplay and Mechanisms 19:10 Production and Theme 29:11 Final Thoughts 33:41 Looot 39:41 Frozen Frontiers 49:11 The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Nov 4, 2024

In Episode 221 we take a look at several games that have voting mechanisms or a theme based around voting. We also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Stamp Swap, Flamecraft, and Frozen Frontier. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 05:07 Top 3 Games with Voting 05:12 Werewords 10:19 Godspeed 15:06 Balderdash 18:27 Votes for Women 22:11 Blood on the Clocktower 27:11 The King's Dilemma 30:17 Lancaster 34:57 Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition 40:27 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 44:42 Stamp Swap 56:35 Flamecraft 1:05:26 Frozen Frontier 1:11:33 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Oct 28, 2024

In Episode 220 we take a look at games that offer outsized gameplay decisions for their relatively small set of rules. We also share our plans for BGG Con and where listeners can find us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 BGG Con 02:50 Games with Small Ruleset and Big Decision Space 07:24 Welcome To... 10:45 Capital Lux 2 13:32 Tapestry 17:35 Carcassonne 20:35 Skyrise 23:40 Turing Machine 26:42 Tiny Towns 30:06 Mycelia 33:55 7 Wonders Duel 38:05 Istanbul 40:44 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 45:09 Architects of the West Kingdom 48:24 Cascadia 50:37 Smartphone, Inc. 53:09 Calico 1:00:17 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Oct 21, 2024

In Episode 219 we give our hot take review on Harvest covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on where your board game collection is in your house. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Unconscious Mind, Star Realms: Rise of Empire, and Apiary: Expanding the Hive. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:19 Poll: Is your board game collection displayed publicly in your house? 07:38 Harvest Description 09:07 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:04 Production and Theme 30:01 Final Thoughts 35:06 Unconscious Mind 43:59 Star Realms: Rise of Empire 51:46 Apiary: Expanding the Hive If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Oct 14, 2024

In Episode 218 we discuss the top incoming crowdfunded board games that each of us are excited to receive. We also take a look back at last year's list to see what's been delivered and how they hit for us as well. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:19 Look back at 2023 Crowdfund episode 02:25 Wolves 03:54 Wonderland's War: Shards of Madness 05:53 Biohack 06:54 Star Realms: Rise of Empire 07:58 Cthulhu Death May Die: Fear of the Unknown 11:13 Galactic Renaissance 13:23 Teotihuacan: City of Gods Deluxe Master Set 16:04 Arcs 17:39 Star Tycoon 19:02 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3 22:40 Witchcraft! 23:41 Ceres 26:15 The Fox Experiment 27:21 Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs 28:57 Frozen Frontier 30:52 Top Upcoming Crowdfunded Games 33:55 Hyperspace 37:17 Red Dust Rebellion 40:25 March of the Ants Evolved Edition 43:25 Obsession: The Characters Expansion 45:21 Mycelia 48:33 Thunder Road Vendetta - Maximum Chrome 51:33 Unconscious Minds 54:17 Dawn of Madness 59:36 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 1:02:13 Dune: War for Arrakis 1:05:11 Final Thoughts - State of Crowdfunding 1:31:50 BlueSky If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Oct 7, 2024

In Episode 217 we give our hot take review on March of the ants covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Boop and Tapestry Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:19 March of the Ants Description 05:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:43 Production and Theme 33:25 Final Thoughts 37:21 boop. 41:27 Tapestry If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Sep 30, 2024

In Episode 216 we get nostalgic about the board games that sucked us into the hobby. We also discuss a poll about whether you still play the first game that got you into board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Do you still regularly play the board game that introduced you to the board game hobby? (7 Wonders, Ticket to Ride, Wingspan, Euphoria) 12:47 Guillotine (Magic: The Gathering) 17:46 SolarQuest (Tri-ominos, Mr. Big Mouth, Monopoly) 21:14 D&D: Computer Labyrinth Game, The Dark Tower 27:07 Dominion 30:32 Conquest of the Empire (Miles Borne) 33:50 Axis & Allies (Risk) 36:50 King of Tokyo 40:18 Tripoley (Kingmaker) 44:03 Catan 47:43 Lost Cities 50:32 Scrabble (Race for the Galaxy, Memoir '44, Boggle) 55:21 Scythe (Cthulhu: Death May Die, Blood Rage) 59:12 Five Tribes (Agricola) 1:02:39 Terraforming Mars 1:06:35 A Feast for Odin 1:09:43 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Sep 23, 2024

In Episode 215 we give our hot take review on River of Gold covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on feelings about the huge amount of games being published. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Tikal, KMG, and Gems of Iridescia. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Does the huge number of board games available make you happy or stress you out? 05:30 River of Gold Description 06:00 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:17 Production and Theme 26:39 Final Thoughts 32:57 Tikal 37:25 KMG 41:54 Gems of Iridescia If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Sep 16, 2024

In Episode 214 we dive deep on a whole bunch of our listener's board game queries. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Is there a point in a game where you should call it quits? 7:25 What are games you might enjoy more if the publisher added, removed, or changed one thing? 16:08 What games are you jealous of players experiencing for the first time? 30:58 Do good gamers make good game designers and vice versa? 36:32 Do you think you'll outgrow the hobby or slow down your current interests? 50:16 How much time do you spend playing games each week and are you playing them with friends or family? 55:58 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Sep 9, 2024

In Episode 213 we discuss our top 5 filler board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Top 5 Filler Games 06:54 Ticket to Ride: San Francisco 10:23 Pass the Pigs 16:22 Kingdomino 20:14 Imhotep 23:23 The Mind 28:43 Fantasy Realms 34:24 Can't Stop / Mountain Goats 38:40 Azul 42:47 Coloretto 45:25 7 Wonders Duel 52:20 Sea Salt & Paper 57:34 Onitama 59:49 Star Realms 1:07:04 Fantastic Factories 1:12:52 Strike 1:16:08 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Sep 2, 2024

In Episode 212 we give our hot take review on Tikal covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on whose games you're playing. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Fractal: Beyond the Void, and 7 Wonders Duel. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Whose boardgames are you most often playing? 09:37 Tikal Description 10:36 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:48 Production and Theme 29:55 Final Thoughts 38:00 Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig 49:05 Fractal: Beyond the Void 52:53 7 Wonders Duel 56:24 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Aug 26, 2024

In Episode 211 we've gone back to the mailbag and answered our listener's questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:07 What mechanisms do each of you gravitate towards? 6:16 What are your feelings on board games becoming video games and vice versa? 15:48 What makes a good rulebook to you? 25:41 What games would you take on a trip that are appropriate to play outside? 30:33 What tactics have you used to get a non-gamer into board game night? 39:27 Describer your ideal 3 course board game meal. 48:17 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Aug 19, 2024

In Episode 210 we give our hot take review on Daybreak covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on quarterbacks in co-op games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Cat in the Box, and 7 Wonders Duel, and give a future take on Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Who's the quarterback when playing co-op games in our game group? 08:24 Daybreak Description 10:22 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:57 Production and Theme 33:35 Final Thoughts 39:35 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 49:45 Cat in the Box 55:27 7 Wonders Duel and Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth 1:01:21 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Aug 12, 2024

In Episode 209 we discuss the Board Game Geeks Top 20 games. We also discuss a poll on whether you've been influenced to buy a game because it was high up on that ratings list. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll: Do you think a board game being in the Board Game Geek Top 20 ever influenced your decision to buy it? 07:35 Feature Discussion - Board Game Geek Top 20 Games. 58:24 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Aug 5, 2024

In Episode 208 we discuss some of our biggest annoyances that some publishers do in regards to the production, components, or presentation of their board games. We look at games that have these problems but also games that we think solved those issues. We also discuss a poll on whether a past production issue would turn us off from future games by that publisher. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Poll: Has a production or component issue ever made you hesitate in buying another game from that publisher? 11:50 Top 3 Board Game Production Pet Peeves 13:50 Boring or non-thematic first player tokens (Discussed: Nucleum, Boonlake, Pan Am. Wingspan/Wyrmspan, Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Dune: Imperium, Dinosaur Island) 20:03 Bad rulebooks (Discussed: Kemet: Blood and Sand, Bitoku, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Trellis, One Deck Galaxy, Arcs, Smartphone, Inc., Inis, Tainted Grail, This War of Mine) 28:34 Game boxes are too small (Discussed: Great Wall, Lords of Hellas, Blood Rage, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Return to Dark Tower, Lords of Ragnarok) 36:57 Paper thin player boards (Discussed: Terraforming Mars, Underwater Cities, Pan Am, Apiary, Tapestry) 42:44 Lack of diverse representation in art (Discussed: Hansa Teutonica, Grand Austria Hotel, Skyrise, Royal Visit, My Father's Work, Abducktion) 49:15 Repetitive Card Artwork (Discussed: Capital Lux 2: Generations, Nidavellier, Revive, Tapestry, Star Realms, Shamans) 55:48 Molded inserts that make setup or teardown harder (Discussed: Great Western Trail: 2nd Edition, Lords of Waterdeep, Apiary, Expeditions, Dwellings of Eldervale, Cat in the Box, Wonderland's War, Brass: Birmingham) 1:02:24 Production obstructs function (Discussed: Voidfall, Arcs, Smartphone, Inc., Trekking the World, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn, Trouble, Tacocat 1:09:26 Excessive Card Tucking (Discussed: One Deck Galaxy, Terraforming Mars, Revive, Expeditions, La Granja, Lacrimosa, Space Base, Aquatica) 1:17:30 Runner Ups (Discussed: Voidfall, Magic: The Gathering, Scythe, Carcassone, Baseball Highlights 2045, Star Realms) 1:21:56 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Jul 29, 2024

In Episode 207 we give our hot take review on Luthier covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on publisher/designer behavior influencing your interest in buying games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Arcs: The Blighted Reach Expansion, Poetry for Neanderthals, and Sail. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Poll: Do the personalities (good or bad), political stances, or past business practices (good or bad) of a publisher or designer influence your willingness to buy a game? 11:50 Luthier Description 14:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms 32:19 Production and Theme 39:10 Final Thoughts 47:15 Poetry for Neanderthals 51:14 Arcs: The Blighted Reach Expansion 1:00:58 Sail 1:06:40 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Jul 22, 2024

In Episode 206 we're joined by Arwen from the Cardboard Time Podcast to discuss the reasons that we decide to buy games. We discuss a poll on how much thought you put into a game before purchasing it. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:45 Poll: How much thought do you put into your choice to purchase a board game? 09:24 Why do we buy games? 10:13 Interactive puzzle 14:16 Easy teach with strong decision space 18:12 I've played it, I LOVE it, and I have a group to play it with 22:14 Captivating system 27:34 Mechanically or thematically unique 31:15 The best version of a mechanism 34:27 Unique or novel 37:58 Accessibility 46:09 Intriguing and deeply discounted 50:22 Speed Round Questions 1:05:54 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Jul 15, 2024

In Episode 205 we revisit our hot takes on Arcs covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on traveling with games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Captain Flip, Architects of the West Kingdom, and A Gest of Robin Hood. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Poll: When you travel on vacation, how many games do you bring with you? 08:24 Arcs Description 10:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:01 Production and Theme 42:50 Final Thoughts 49:58 Captain Flip 53:29 Architects of the West Kingdom 56:25 A Gest of Robin Hood If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Jul 8, 2024

In Episode 204 we conclude the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:29 Chris #10 Apiary 07:13 Adam #10 Battle for Rokugan 11:30 Tim #10 The Castles of Burgundy 13:25 Chris and Tim #9 Agricola 18:08 Adam #9 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 21:37 Chris #8 - Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 23:54 Tim #8 - Pulsar 2849 26:20 Adam #8 - Sol: Last Days of a Star 29:31 Chris #7 - A Feast for Odin 33:48 Adam #7 - Shamans 37:32 Tim #7 - Tapestry 40:04 Chris #6 - Voidfall 44:09 Adam #6 - The Expanse Board Game 39:32Tim #6 - Cyclades 52:24 Chris #5 - Tapestry 55:51 Adam #5 - Gaia Project 59:20 Tim #5 - Lorenzo Il Magnifico 1:02:10 Chris #4 (Adam #3) - Dune: Imperium Uprising / Dune: Imperium 1:04:56 Adam #4 - Arcs / Brian Boru 1:11:40 Tim #4 - Nucleum 1:15:09 Chris #4 - Gaia Project 1:18:51 Tim #3 - Everdell 1:21:03 Chris #2 - Distilled 1:24:55 Adam #2 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 1:26:42 Tim #2 - Dune: Imperium 1:28:06 Chris #1 - Pan Am 1:31:33 Adam #1 - Fractal: Beyond the Void 1:35:35 Tim #1 - Gaia Project / Age of Innovation

Jul 1, 2024

In Episode 203 we continue the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:34 Chris #20 La Granja 03:58 Adam #20 Voidfall 06:32 Tim #20 Sea Salt & Paper 08:08 Chris #19 Darwin's Journey 11:28 Adam #19 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition / Arcs 15:09 Tim #19 - Tichu 16:01 Chris #18 - Blood Rage 18:28 Adam #18 - Baseball Highlights 2045 22:22 Tim #18 - The Voyages of Marco Polo / Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan 23:44 Chris #17 - Thunder Road: Vendetta 26:29 Adam #17 - Barrage 29:35 Tim #17 - Clank! Catacombs 30:52 Chris #16 - Obsession 33:46 Adam #16 - Marrakesh 37:11 Tim #16 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 37:56 Chris #15 - Azul 39:47 Adam #15 - Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 43:37 Tim #15 - Ark Nova 45:07 Chris #14 - Teotihuacan: City of Gods 48:22 Adam #14 - Wonderland's War 49:42 Tim #14 - Thunder Road: Vendetta 51:45 Chris #13 - Marrakesh 53:04 Adam #13 - Cat in the Box 55:34 Tim #13 - Le Havre 56:18 Chris #12 - Barrage 57:35 Adam #12 - Pan Am 59:55 Tim #12 - Blood Rage 1:01:15 Chris #11 - Maracaibo 1:04:37 Adam #11 - Smartphone, Inc. 1:07:05 Tim #11 - Terraforming Mars

Jun 24, 2024

In Episode 202 we continue the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Chris #30 Wolves 03:33 Adam #30 Star Wars: Rebellion 05:23 Tim #30 Grand Austria Hotel 08:56 Chris #29 Godspeed 12:24 Adam #29 - Blood Rage 13:55 Tim #29 - Rising Sun 15:21 Chris #28 - Yokohama 18:43 Adam #28 - Beyond the Sun 22:42 Tim #28 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 24:52 Chris #27 - Ark Nova 30:19 Adam #27 - Age of Galaxy 33:05 Tim #27 - Underwater Cities 36:12 Chris #26 - Terracotta Army 38:52 Adam #26 - Revive 40:05 Tim #26 - Boast or Nothing 43:00 Chris #25 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 47:10 Adam #25 - Godspeed 47:48 Tim #25 - Architects of the West Kingdom 50:14 Chris #24 - Wonderland's War 54:32 Adam #24 - Dune 48:35 Tim #24 - Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 1:02:48 Chris #23 - Terraforming Mars 1:06:09 Adam #23 - Patchwork 1:09:37 Tim #23 - Apiary 1:12:10 Chris #22 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 1:12:51 Adam #22 - Haggis 1:14:53 Tim #22 - Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest 1:18:02 Chris #21 - Kanban EV 1:20:56 Adam #21 - Terraforming Mars 1:21:36 Tim #21 - Wonderland's War

Jun 17, 2024

In Episode 201 we start the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Top Games of All Time - How we made our lists 08:44 Chris #40 Battle for Rokugan 10:57 Adam #40 Brass: Birmingham 12:54 Tim #40 Rajas of the Ganges 14:47 Chris #39 - Castles of Burgundy 16:55 Adam #39 - Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game 20:22 Tim #39 - Voidfall 21:28 Chris #38 - Nidavellir 26:32 Adam #38 - Apiary 27:30 Tim #38 - Marrakesh 29:11 Chris #37 - Fractal: Beyond the Void 31:22 Adam #37 - Rising Sun 33:55 Tim #37 - Scythe 36:12 Chris #36 - The Quacks of Quedlinburg 39:21 Adam #36 - It's a Wonderful World 41:37 Tim #36 - Viticulture: Essential Edition 43:43 Chris #35 - Robot Quest Arena 46:03 Adam #35 - Capital Lux 2: Generations 48:03 Tim #35 - Space Base 50:30 Chris #34 - Smartphone, Inc. 52:10 Adam #34 - SpaceCorp 2025 - 2300 AD 55:21 Tim #34 - Sky Team 58:56 Chris #33 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 1:01:02 Adam #33 - Xenon Profiteer 1:02:29 Tim #33 - Revive 1:04:50 Chris #32 - Woodcraft 1:08:18 Adam #32 - Glory to Rome 1:11:24 Tim #32 - Battle for Rokugan 1:12:32 Chris #31 - Heat: Pedal to the Metal 1:15:56 Adam #31 - Star Tycoon 1:20:52 Tim #31 - Star Realms

Jun 10, 2024

In Episode 200 we provide our hot take review of D.E.I.: Divide et Impera covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss making the podcast after 200 episodes. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Hallertau and Kanban EV and a Future Take on Founders of Reyvick. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:08 Discussion: Episode 200! 05:58 D.E.I.: Divide et Impera Description 07:53 Gameplay and Mechanisms 17:08 Production and Theme 23:51 Final Thoughts 28:43 Hallertau 37:30 Future Take: Founders of Reyvick 42:39 Kanban EV If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

Jun 3, 2024

In Episode 199 we talk about types of games that don't get us excited... but we also reflect on why that is and talk about some games in those genres that have worked or might work for us. We also discuss a related poll on genres or types of board games that are an immediate turn off. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Are there any genres or types of board games that are an automatic turn off? 02:56 Game types that we're not into 05:47 Skirmish Games (Guards of Atlantis II, Warhammer 40K, Heroclix, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game, Battletech) 10:50 Team Games/Cooperative Games (Cerebria: The Inside World, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Star Wars: Rebellion, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Sky Team, Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Codenames, Rush Out) 19:18 Collectable Card Games (Magic: The Gathering, Wonders of the First, Disney Lorcana, Star Wars Unlimited, Mindbug, Star Realms) 28:14 Party Games (Trivial Pursuit, Apple to Apples, Codenames, Challengers!, Skull, Just One, So Clover, Green Team Wins, Balderdash, El Grande, Libertalia) 38:45 Multi-player Solitaire (Hallertau, Nucleum, Bruxelles 1893, Wingspan, 43:20 Negotiation Games (John Company, Rising Sun, Dune, Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition, Diplomacy, Chinatown, Poker, Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy) 50:47 Message Games (Daybreak, Doubt is our Product, This War of Mine, Meltwater: A Game of Tactical Starvation) 54:17 Wargames (Maria, Twilight Struggle, Undaunted) 1:00:23 Abstract Games (Mandala, Cascadia, Azul, Sagrada, Project L) 1:02:03 Trick Taking Games (Shamans, Cat in the Box, Brian Boru: High King of Ireland, Skull King, Lettertricks, Euchre, Spades, Boast or Nothing. 1:05:39 Listener Shoutout

May 27, 2024

In Episode 198 we each discuss our top 5 board games that have a small footprint on the table. We also discuss a poll on whether the footprint of a game influences your purchase. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Does the footprint of a board game on the table have an impact on whether you'll purchase a game? 07:26 Top 5 Small Footprint Games 09:14 Skull 12:42 Age of Galaxy 16:08 For Sale 19:15 High Society 22:06 Watergate 25:30 Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers 28:34 Five Three Five 33:21 Calico 37:48 Sea Salt & Paper 38:53 Patchwork 44:29 Disney Villainous 48:55 Sky Team 56:20 Shamans 59:27 Star Realms, Hero Realms, Cthulhu Realms 1:03:44 Haggis 1:07: Runners Up (Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Shards of Infinity, Cat in the Box, Cafe, Azul, Hissy Fit) 1:14:18 Listener Shoutout

May 20, 2024

In Episode 197 we each discuss our top 5 board games that we really like but can't seem to win. We also discuss a poll on whether you've bought board games because of an award. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Have you ever purchased a board game because it won a prominent award? 04:45 Top 5 Games We Suck At 07:46 Tapestry 10:32 Space Base and Nidavellir 14:42 Barrage 18:32: Apiary 20:17 The Castles of Burgundy 22:50 The Voyages of Marco Polo and Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan 25:54 Underwater Cities 28:40 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 32:44 Dune 35:35 Ark Nova 41:14 Yokohama 42:35 Pan Am 44:15 Agricola 48:02 Clank! Legacy 50:00 Runners Up (Battle for Rokugan, Skyrise, Rising Sun) 54:28 Listener Shoutout

May 13, 2024

In Episode 196 we provide our hot take review of Biohack covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on buying expansions sight unseen. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Camel Up, Le Havre, and Skyrise. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Question: Are there any games you would buy an expansion for without knowing anything about them? 08:33 Wyrmspan Giveaway Winner 09:26 Biohack Description 11:09 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:41 Production and Theme 41:41 Final Thoughts 44:58 Camel Up 49:38 Le Havre 57:05 Skyrise 1:03:34 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

May 6, 2024

In Episode 195 we discuss the second half of our semi-annual BGHT convention. 3 gamers, 5 days, 16 games played. In this episode we discuss 8 of those games including several that were new to us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Revive 06:20 Starship Captains 13:31 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 16:27 Marvel Remix 19:10 Voidfall 35:10 Galactic Renaissance 45:57 Marrakesh 50:31 Pan Am 55:22 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

Apr 29, 2024

In Episode 194 we discuss the first half of our semi-annual BGHT convention. 3 gamers, 5 days, 16 games played. In this episode we discuss 8 of those games including several that were new to us. We kick off the episode off with a poll on how long you can game without burnout. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Poll: How many hours can you play board games straight before you get burned out and need a break? 07:37 BGHT Big Bear Con 08:06 Dune: Imperium 12:01 Sea Salt & Paper 13:31 Pulsar 2849 19:52 Apiary 25:00 Fractal: Beyond the Void 34:51 The Quest for El Dorado 40:50 Xenon Profiteers 46:31 Godspeed 52:15 Listener Shoutout 53:08 Retraction If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

Apr 22, 2024

In Episode 193 we provide our hot take review of Orleans covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on favorite board games based on French cities and then we discuss some board games on our table including Galactic Renaissance, The Vale of Eternity, and Wolves. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Question: Which board game based on a French city is your favorite? 04:57 Orleans Description 07:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:19 Production and Theme 34:24 Final Thoughts 38:36 Galactic Renaissance 46:00 The Vale of Eternity 52:18 Wolves 55:05 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

Apr 15, 2024

In Episode 192 we each discuss our top 5 board games that use the worker placement mechanism in a very unique or interesting way. We also discuss a poll on what to do with components after you upgrade them. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: If you upgrade components for a board game, what do you do with the replaced components? 10:16 Top 5 Unique Worker Placement Games 11:57 Lost Ruins of Arnak 16:25 Raiders of the North Sea 19:47 Bus and Dominant Species 23:32 Come Together (Great Wall) 27:52 Lorenzo Il Magnifico 32:10 Anachrony 35:03 Terracotta Army 38:16 The Godfather: Corleone's Empire 42:47 Architects of the West Kingdom 45:40 Chimera Station (Godspeed, Darwin's Journey) 50:32 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia 56:50 Star Wars: Rebellion 1:00:06 Pendulum 1:06:34 Underwater Cities 1:09:21 Ceres 1:14:28 Runners Up (Argent: The Consortium, Cryo, Dwellings of Eldervale, Whistle Mountain) 1:15:55 Listener Shoutout

Apr 8, 2024

In Episode 191 we provide our hot take review of Maracaibo covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on investigating card decks before playing games and then we discuss some board games on our table including Starship Captains, Sagnir, and Djinn. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Question: When introduced to a board game that contains cards, at what point do you look through the deck to see distribution? 08:15 Maracaibo Description 10:07 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:02 Production and Theme 26:22 Final Thoughts 35:35 Starship Captains 42:47 Sagnir 47:03 Djinn If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

Apr 1, 2024

In Episode 190 Connie Vogelmann (designer of Apiary and Wyrmspan) joins us as our guest host as we each discuss our top 5 Desert Island Board Games. We also discuss a poll on how less games might impact our play habits. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:08 Poll: If you only had 5 board games (of your choice) available forever do you think you'd still play board games as frequently as you do? 09:33 Top 5 Desert Island Games 12:40 Azul 15:08 Cribbage 16:27 Ark Nova 19:15 Dune: Imperium 22:00 The Resistance: Avalon 26:33 Sea Salt & Paper 28:30 Fractal: Beyond the Void 32:07 Gloomhaven 35:23 Clank! Catacombs 39:47 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 43:32 Stationfall 44:48 A Feast for Odin 47:10 Welcome to the Moon 49:15 Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition 51:28 Blood Bowl 55:16 Age of Innovation 1:01:10 Runner Ups (Capital Lux 2, Xia: Legends of a Drift System, Decrypto, Werewords, Codenames, Voyages of Marco Polo, Grand Austria Hotel, Skull, Just One, Fun Facts) 1:04:50 Listener Shoutout

Mar 25, 2024

In episode 189, we take a deep dive into Board Game Arena and discuss games that we think are best on that online platform and games that are way better on a physical table. We also discuss a listener poll about how frequently you take turns on online board game platforms and give a huge shoutout to our BGA Community. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:00 Poll: How frequently do you take turns on async games on BGA (or other online platforms)? 09:48 Board Game Arena (Top 3 we prefer on BGA and Top 3 We prefer in person) 13:26 Ark Nova 19:00 Keyflower 22:48 7 Wonders 25:42 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 32:05 Tapestry 39:03 Terraforming Mars, Agricola 43:50 Blood Rage 46:02 Tichu, Haggis, 6 Nimmt, Libertalia 49:16 La Granja 52:19 Blood Rage 53:28 Cerebria: The Inside World 55:44 Wonderland's War 57:42 Woodcraft 59:21 Lords of Ragnarok, Lords of Hellas, The Great Wall, Nemesis 1:03:20 BGHT BGA Community Shoutout

Mar 18, 2024

In Episode 188 we each discuss our top 5 favorite player boards in board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:44 Baseball Highlight 2045 05:00 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 10:00 Lacrimosa (Red Cathedral, White Castle) 14:48 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 17:10 Distilled 21:02 Marrakesh (Orleans, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Russian Railroads) 25:45 Planet Unknown 27:49 Cthulhu: Death May Die 35:21 La Granja 39:57 My Father's Work 43:22 Carnegie 47:40 Voidfall 51:57 Mechanica 58:34 Scythe 1:04:05 Terraforming Mars, Calico, Fractal: Beyond the Void, Nucleum 1:09:00 Listener Shoutout

Mar 11, 2024

In episode 187, we answer more listener questions in a second mailbag episode. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:13 What are some common complaints about board games that you see as a positive? 08:16 What changed that made art and theme less important to you? What is part of board gaming that you feel a certain way about but suspect you're wrong? Could you take Klemens Franz in single combat? 16:01 How did each of you get into board games? Which do you prefer - Nerd or Geek? Do you keep track of your plays, how and why? 21:30 How do you cope with FOMO? 26:28 What's the ideal way to tell someone you didn't enjoy gaming with them and don't want to anymore? 36:58 Listener Shoutout 39:25 What was your favorite game to play with a young kid?

Mar 4, 2024

In Episode 186 we provide our hot take review of Clockwork Wars covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on the loss of entire board game collections and then we discuss some board games on our table including Trickerion: Legends of Illusion, Lucky Numbers, and Knarr. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Question: If you lost your entire board game collection, what percentage would you re-acquire? 06:15 Clockwork Wars Description 07:27 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:02 Production and Theme 35:16 Final Thoughts 40:33 Trickerion: Legends of Illusion 51:23 Lucky Numbers 54:30 Knarr 1:00:52 Listener Shoutout

Feb 26, 2024

In Episode 185 we each discuss our biggest mistakes, at least regarding our first impressions on board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll: How often does your first impression of a game hold up after more plays? 7:55 El Grande 10:53 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 13:46 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans 16:19 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar and Teotihuacan: City of Gods 19:00 Sol: Last Days of a Star 23:14 Red Rising 25:59 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 28:10 Anachrony 32:22 Star Wars: Outer Rim 34:15 Dungeon Petz 36:54 Quacks of Quedlinburg 39:26 Dominion 42:27 Gaia Project 47:08 Ethnos 51:10 Runner Ups 54:35 Listener Shoutout

Feb 19, 2024

In Episode 184 we provide our hot take review of Thunder Road: Vendetta covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a question on games that were frustrating to punch and sort and then we discuss some board games on our table including Glory to Rome, Concordia, and Newton. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Question: Which game led to the most frustrating or painful experience you've had punching and sorting a board game? 08:50 Thunder Road: Vendetta Description 11:00 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:31 Production and Theme 29:46 Final Thoughts 33:14 Glory to Rome 41:49 Concordia 44:08 Newton 47:45 Listener Shoutout

Feb 12, 2024

In Episode 183 we each discuss our top 5 game boards as well as discussing a listener poll about what makes a great game board. We conclude the conversation discussing a couple of game boards that have some very confounding choices in their design. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Poll: What makes a great game board? 12:19 Nunami and Raas: A Dance of Love 16:39 Barcelona 20:22 Pax Pamir 2nd Edition 21:42 Pan Am 25:05 Godspeed 27:31 Smartphone, Inc. 28:50 The Great Wall 32:00 Viscounts of the West Kingdom 36:11 Scythe 37:55 Merchants of the Dark Road 40:58 Evacuation 45:27 Tzolk'in the Mayan Calendar 48:18 Trickerion: Legends of Illusion 51:33 Empires of the Void II 54:22 Windward 56:31 Underwater Cities 57:55 Beyond the Sun 1:00:42 Listener Shoutout

Feb 5, 2024

In Episode 182 we provide our hot take review of Architects of the West Kingdom covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on cancellations on game night and then we discuss some board games on our table including *Distilled: Africa & Middle East Expansion, *Distilled: Cask Strength Expansion, and Guards of Atlantis II. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: What do you do when everyone cancels on game night at the last moment? 07:45 Architects of the West Kingdom Description 08:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:21 Production and Theme 30:04 Final Thoughts 34:26 Distilled: Africa & Middle East Expansion and Distilled: Cask Strength Expansion 44:51 Guards of Atlantis II *These expansions were provided as review copies by the publisher

Jan 29, 2024

In Episode 181 we look back at the games we played in 2023 and talk about our biggest hits, and biggest misses in 2023. This includes games that were published in 2023 but also games that were new to us in 2023. We also talk about our Board Game Revelations - the things that changed gaming for us over the last year. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 2023 Awards 01:56 Biggest Surprises in 2023 - Yokohama, Age of Innovation, Frosthaven, Cyclades: Legendary Edition, Vagrantsong, Tichu, Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory, Fractal: Beyond the Void, Turing Machine, Apiary, Heat: Pedal to the Metal, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Motor City 15:06 Biggest Disappointments in 2023 - Lords of Ragnarok, Expeditions, Voidfall 22:14 Best New To Us in 2023 - Distilled, The Battle for Rokugan, Cat in the Box, Downforce, Revive 27:42 Best Productions Published in 2023 - Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum, The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition, Robot Quest Arena, Apiary, Expeditions, Lords of Ragnarok 34:32 Look Back at Best Game Published in 2022 - Wonderland's War 37:08 Best Games Published in 2023 - Robot Quest Arena, Nucleum, Sea Salt & Paper, Dune: Imperium Uprising, Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 47:42 Most Played Games of 2023 - Azul, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization, Tapestry, Obsession, Ark Nova, Azul, Can't Stop, Sea Salt & Paper, Star Realms, Beyond the Sun, Barrage, Star Realms 55:19 Board Game Revelations in 2023 1:02:00 2023 Board Game BGG Ranking Speculations - Nucleum, Apiary, Distilled, Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory, Darwin's Journey, Earth, Age of Innovation, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Frosthaven, The White Castle, Sky Team, The Witcher: The Old World, Forest Shuffle, Thunder Road: Vendetta, Kutna Hora, Stationfall, Evacuation, Dune: Imperium Uprising, Bloodstones, Envelopes of Cash

Jan 22, 2024

In Episode 180 we provide our hot take review of Wyrmspan* covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also provide some detailed comparisons with Wingspan, both the difference in mechanisms and the difference in our opinions on them We discuss a poll on fantastical vs. real-world themes in board games and then we discuss some board games on our table including Sol: Last Days of a Star, Mind MGMT, and Turing Machine. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Poll: In general, do you prefer board games to have a real-world theme or a fantastical theme? 07:33 Wyrmspan Description 08:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:57 Production and Theme 39:54 Final Thoughts 48:17 Sol: Last Days of a Star 55:23 Mind MGMT 62:37 Turing Machine 66:11 Listener Shout-out * Review copy provided by publisher

Jan 15, 2024

In Episode 179 we provide our hot take review of Turing Machine covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on fun in board games and then we discuss some board games on our table including Ceres, Clank! Legacy, and Tichu. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Poll: Is 'Fun' an important aspect of a board for you when you purchase it or consider playing it? 10:23 Turing Machine Description 13:04 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:10 Production and Theme 31:09 Final Thoughts 37:01 Ceres 44:30 Clank! Legacy 50:45 Tichu 58:30 Listener Shout-out

Jan 8, 2024

In episode 178, we discuss some hobby specific terms and how our definitions may vary from their original meaning. We also give examples of board games where those definitions are relevant (and also some examples where they aren't). We kick the conversation off by discussing a listener poll related to board game terminology. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Poll Time: Do you use terminology when teaching or discussing board games that you don't ever use in other areas of your life? 04:42 Worker Placement (A Feast for Odin, Anachrony, Barrage, Orleans, Agricola, Apiary, Architects of the West Kingdom) 17:08 4X (Scythe, Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy, Space Empires 4X, Twilight Imperium, Fractal: Beyond the Void, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization) 30:28 Area Control (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Scythe, Wonderland's War, El Grande) 37:49 Engine Building (It's a Wonderful World, Terraforming Mars, Anachrony, Fractal: Beyond the Void, Scythe, Space Base) 44:06 Euro (Trajan, Gaia Project, Viticulture, Catan, A Feast for Odin)

Jan 2, 2024

In Episode 177 we provide our hot take review of Apiary covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Clank! Legacy, Fractal: Beyond the Void, and Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Apiary Description 1:54 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:15 Production and Theme 27:51 Final Thoughts 33:09 Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated 39:07 Fractal: Beyond the Void 48:50 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies 58:38 Listener Shout-out

Dec 25, 2023

In Episode 176 we each discuss our top 5 board games that we only played once in 2023. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:34 Robot Quest Arena 04:04 Egizia: Shifting Sands 07:57 Darwin's Journey 12:12 Revive 13:56 Evacuation 15:32 Ticket To Ride: San Francisco 19:52 Battle for Rokugan 21:48 Boast or Nothing 25:46 The Quacks of Quedlinburg 28:02 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 29:29 Pulsar 2849 30:55 Cat in the Box 33:25 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory 37:48 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 40:19 Challengers!

Dec 18, 2023

In Episode 175 we discuss the top 5 games we want to play in 2024. We also review last years' lists and look back on the games we got played. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction Last Year 1:02 #5 Adam Last Year - Paperback Adventures 2:45 #5 Tim Last Year - Welcome to the Moon 3:41 #5 Chris Last Year - Twilight Imperium 4th Edition 4:35 #4 Adam Last Year - Forbidden Stars 5:05 #4 Tim Last Year - Scout 5:40 #4 Chris Last Year - Mariposa 6:24 #3 Adam Last Year - Imperial 2030 7:26 #3 Tawantinsuyu: The Inca Empire 7:59 #3 Chris Last Year - Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods 9:38 #2 Adam - Battle for Rokugan 10:46 #2 Tim Last Year - Revive 12:09 #2 Chris Last Year - Chaos in the Old World 13:45 #1 Adam Last Year - Pessoa 14:21 #1 Tim Last Year - Marrakesh 15:31 #1 Chris Last Year - My Father's Work This Year 18:40 #5 Tim - Millennium Blades 22:01 #5 Chris - Orleans 24:39 #5 Adam - Turing Machine 28:02 #4 Tim - Trickerion: Legends of Illusion 30:23 #4 Chris - Splendor 32:31 #4 Adam - Fractal: Beyond the Void 35:19 #3 Tim - Creature Comforts 37:01 #3 Chris - Kanban EV 41:44 #3 Adam - Clockwork Wars 44:04 #2 Tim - Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood 46:22 #2 Chris - Cosmic Frog 50:46 #2 Adam - Shogun 52:33 #1 Tim - Apiary 54:37 #1 - Chris - Bonfire/Merlin 58:26 #1 - Adam - John Company 2nd Edition

Dec 11, 2023

In Episode 174 we provide our hot take review of Dune: Imperium - Uprising covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on the quantity of published board games and then we discuss some board games on our table including Clank! Legacy Acquisitions Incorporated, Inis, Exit Advent Calendar: The Mystery of the Ice Cave, and The Quest for El Dorado. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll: What do you think about the amount of hobby board games that are being published each year? 13:28 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 14:21 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:05 Production and Theme 40:06 Final Thoughts 45:25 Clank! Legacy Acquisitions Incorporated 47:21 Inis 53:03 Exit The Game Advent Calendar: The Mystery of the Ice Cave 57:59 The Quest for El Dorado

Dec 4, 2023

In episode 173, we answer listeners questions in our first ever mailbag episode. Then we discuss some games that have been on our table including Ark Nova: Marine Worlds, Planet Unknown, Azul, and Agricola. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:52 What games or mechanisms have we switched our opinion on? 08:16 What are our thoughts on updated versions or sequels to games? 21:09 What are some of our other hobbies and do they tie back to board games? 26:21 If we could retheme a game, what would it be? 34:21 What makes a good rules teacher or teach? 42:53 What do we think of Tabletop Simulator vs. Board Game Arena 50:37 Planet Unkown 55:59 Ark Nova: Marine Worlds 1:03:14 Azul 1:04:55 Agricola 1:09:15 Listener Shoutout

Nov 27, 2023

In Episode 172 Tim discusses his 5 days spent at BGG Con 2023 including tips about attending a con, con experiences and many games played. We also discuss a poll about favorite gaming experiences. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:54 Poll Question: If you've ever attended a board game convention, what was your favorite part? 20:04 Sea Salt & Paper 21:22 Matryoshka 23:42 Evacuation 32:00 Voidfall 39:54 Nucleum 44:04 Dune: Imperium w/ Rise of Ix and Immortality 45:51 Fun Facts 48:51 Word Slam Family 49:38 Challengers! 51:06 Outlive 52:03 Summoner Wars 54:25 Age of Innovation 55:50 Ricochet Robots 58:25 Letter Jam 1:01:33 Federation 1:03:39 Clank! Catacombs 1:05:09 Scythe 1:09:34 Arboretum 1:12:10 Kutna Hora: The City of Silver 1:17:30 BGG Con Final Thoughts 1:25:20 Listener Shoutout

Nov 20, 2023

In Episode 171 we conclude our series about how board games can use the same structure as a story and give you a similar arc. In this fourth part we talk about games that have a great conclusion. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Board Games as Stories - conclusion 04:20 Lacrimosa 06:40 Keyflower 10:29 Star Wars: Rebellion 14: 30 Paperback Adventures 18:49 Charterstone 24:36 Dune 28:42 Everdell 30:35 Scythe 32:15 Cascadia 36:58 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 41:22 Frosthaven 45:58 Return to Dark Tower 49:15 Shamans 53:07 Fantasy Realms 58:00 Tapestry 62:52 Dune: Imperium 1:05:45 Listener Shoutout

Nov 13, 2023

In Episode 170 we provide our hot take review of Age of Innovation covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on gaming with your partner/spouse and then we discuss some board games on our table including Trekking Through History, Marvel Champions, and Heat: Pedal to the Metal. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Poll: Is your partner/spouse part of your regular gaming group 09:30 Age of Innovation Description 10:44 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:06 Production and Theme 38:18 Final Thoughts 43:19 Trekking Through History 49:37 Marvel Champions 55:31 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 58:49 Listener Shout-out

Nov 6, 2023

In Episode 169 we continue our series about how board games can use the same structure as a story and give you a similar arc. In this third part we talk about games that have a great climax. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:08 Board Games as Stories - Climax 08:15 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 11:55 Baseball Highlights 2045 15:38 Blood Rage 18:10 Rising Sun 21:10 Wonderland's War 23:53 Can't Stop 25:40 My Father's Work 29:59 Sol: Last Days of a Star 32:33 Clank! 36:46 Heat: Petal to the Metal, Downforce 41:18 Dune: Imperium 45:11 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 47:50 Cryo 53:03 Pax Pamir: Second Edition 57:18 Scythe 1:01:33 Final Thoughts (Cthulhu: Death May Die, Frosthaven, Gloomhaven, Arkham Horror: The Card Game, Dune, Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Star Realms, Shards of Infinity, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game) 1:06:14 Listener Shoutout

Oct 30, 2023

In Episode 168 we look at some recommended tips for game night etiquette and discuss whether those work for us. We also re-visit the Castles of Burgundy and discuss how some games make it hard to revisit them and then we look at some games that have been on our table including Oath: Chronicles of Empires and Exile, Challengers, Pulsar 2849, and The White Castle. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:35 Poll Question: Skipping Game Night Based on the Game 09:11 Board Game Etiquette Discussion 31:30 The Castles of Burgundy Double Take 44:02 Oath: Chronicles of Empires and Exile 53:59 Challengers 57:12 Pulsar 2849 1:01:09 The White Castle

Oct 23, 2023

In Episode 167 we continue our series about how board games can use the same structure as a story and give you a similar arc. In this second part we talk about games that do the 'build-up' or development well. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:38 Board Games as Stories 12:27 Pan Am 16:56 Space Base 22:38 Auztralia 25:52 Anachrony 28:43 Brass: Birmingham 31:56 Final Girl 35:43 Marrakesh 38:41 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 42:33 Star Wars: Rebellion 45:55 Revive 50:20 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory 54:56 Root 58:55 Orleans 1:02:31 Final Thoughts (Spirit Island, Smartphone, Inc., Nemesis, Terraforming Mars, Lost Ruins of Arnak) 1:05:56 Listener Shoutout

Oct 16, 2023

In Episode 166 we provide our hot take review of Nucleum covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. Then we discuss some board games on our table including the Viticulture Wine Crate, Tacocat Spelled Backwards, and Vagrantsong. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:56 Nucleum Description 04:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:40 Production and Theme 28:14 Final Thoughts 31:00 Viticulture Wine Crate (Review Copy provided by the Publisher) 36:20 Tacocat Spelled Backwards 42:53 Vagrantsong 49:58 Listener Shout-out

Oct 9, 2023

In Episode 165 we kickoff a series about how board games can use the same structure as a story and give you a similar arc. In the first part we talk about games that do the 'Intro' well. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:21 Board Games as Stories 06:33 Cthulhu: Death May Die 10:17 Inis 15:25 Agricola 18:25 Distilled 22:28 Battle for Rokugan 26:08 Res Arcana 29:54 Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon 33:59 Azul 39:57 Voidfall 44:56 Obsession 49:43 Spades (and Hearts) 53:41 Terraforming Mars 56:40 Nemesis 1:02:24 Barrage 1:05:22 Gaia Project 1:08:50 Listener Shoutout

Oct 2, 2023

In Episode 164 we provide our hot take review of Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll related to what makes a civilization game. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Best Candy on the Block, After Us, and Barcelona. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Poll: Are there certain aspects that are necessary to call a game a civilization game? 07:51 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization Description 10:14 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:42 Production and Theme 38:13 Final Thoughts 43:00 Best Candy on the Block 47:03 After Us 52:22 Barcelona 57:10 Listener Shout-out

Sep 25, 2023

In Episode 163 we discuss the second half of our semi-annual BGHT convention. 4 gamers, 5 days, 18 games played. In this episode we discuss 10 of those games including several that were new to us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:02 Robot Quest Arena 09:56 Woodcraft 17:29 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 22:10 Downforce 26:37 Nemesis 35:00 My Father's Work 39:32 Distilled 52:40 Viticulture w/ Tuscany 59:25 Motor City 1:03:09 Outlive 1:06:34 Final Thoughts

Sep 18, 2023

In Episode 162 we discuss the first half of our semi-annual BGHT convention. 4 gamers, 5 days, 18 games played. In this episode we discuss 8 of those games including several that were new to us. We kick it off by discussing what goes into planning a successful gaming weekend. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:51 How do we plan and organize BGHTCon? 10:08 The Quacks of Quedlinburg 15:36 Cat in the Box 19:28 Terraforming Mars 25:36 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 31:52 Lords of Ragnarok 41:55 Wingspan w/ Oceania Expansion 44:25 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set 49:10 The Battle for Rokugan 56:07 Listener Shoutout

Sep 11, 2023

In Episode 161 we discuss the top 5 incoming crowdfunded board games that each of us are excited to receive. We take a look back at last year's list to see what's been delivered and how they hit for us as well. We also discuss a poll on crowdfunding regrets. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:38 Poll: Do you have any incoming crowdfunded board games that you haven't received but regret backing? 10:31 Look back at 2022 Crowdfund episode 10:48 Ra 11:25 Red Dust Rebellion 11:59 Distilled 12:30 Wayfarers of the South Tigris 13:10 One Deck Galaxy 13:43 Voidfall 16:20 Star Realms: Rise of Empires 16:32 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies 17:10 Arcs 17:43 Lords of Ragnarok 18:37 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set 20:00 Skyrise 21:03 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3 21:25 Dawn of Madness 23:43 Wolves 25:02 Wonderland's War: Shards of Madness 26:47 Envelopes of Cash 27:39 Biohack 30:30 Star Realms: Rise of Empire 32:07 Cthulhu: Death May Die - Fear of the Unknown 34:54 Galactic Renaissance 37:19 Teotihuacan: Deluxe Master Set 39:43 Arcs 41:01 Star Tycoon 44:37 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3 47:22 Witchcraft! 48:51 Ceres 53:35 The Fox Experiment 56:12 Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs 58:16 Frozen Frontier 1:00:46 Final Thoughts 1:09:19 Tycoon: India 1981 1:31:50 Listener Shoutout

Sep 4, 2023

In Episode 160 we provide our hot take review of Spirit Island covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also celebrate our 3 year anniversary of the podcast by sharing some of our listener's favorite episodes. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Lancaster and Lords of Ragnarok. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:23 3 year anniversary! Listener's favorite episodes 08:18 Expeditions Description 17:10 Gameplay and Mechanisms 34:27 Production and Theme 40:00 Final Thoughts 47:36 Lancaster 53:39 Lords of Ragnarok 56:31 Listener Shout-out

Aug 28, 2023

In Episode 159 we provide our hot take review of Expeditions covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about whether games set in the same universe as other games you like will get you excited. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy, Pax Pamir: Second Edition, and Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Poll: How do you feel about games set in the same universe as a previous game that you liked by that publisher or designer? 08:18 Expeditions Description 11:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms 32:51 Production and Theme 41:45 Final Thoughts 50:03 Amun-Re 50:29 Pax Pamir (2nd Edition) 52:38 Castles of Burgundy Deluxe Edition

Aug 21, 2023

In Episode 158 we provide our hot take review of Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about watching new releases around conventions. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Welcome to the Moon, Robot Quest Arena, and Patchwork Doodle. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll: Do you pay attention to board games that are announced or released at GenCon? 07:13 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory Description 10:39 Gameplay and Mechanisms 32:47 Production and Theme 38:39 Final Thoughts 43:41 Welcome To The Moon 52:08 Robot Quest Arena 57:21 Patchwork Doodle

Aug 14, 2023

In Episode 157 we each discuss our top 5 favorite board games including asymmetric player powers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Discussion on Asymmetric Player Powers 09:49 Top 5 games with asymmetric player powers. 09:56 The Expanse Board Game 12:28 Champions of Midgard and Dune: Imperium 14:47 Circadians: Chaos Order 18:09 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 20:35 Dwellings of Eldervale and Revive 23:05 Robot Quest Arena 26:35 Dune 32:00 Frosthaven / Gloomhaven and Cthulhu: Death May Die 34:57 Barrage 37:54 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 40:52 Everdell and Lost Ruins of Arnak 43:41 Gaia Project 46:13 Spirit Island 49:29 Ark Nova and Planet Unknown 52:01 The Voyages of Marco Polo 55:11 Honorable (or other) Mentions: Wonderland's War, Scythe, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Star Wars: Rebellion

Aug 7, 2023

In Episode 156 we provide our hot take review of The Voyages of Marco Polo covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about large box editions of games. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Trellis and Marrakesh and some first looks at games that just arrived including Expeditions and Robot Quest Arena. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Poll: How do you feel about large box versions of your favorite games? 09:59 The Voyages of Marco Polo Description 11:09 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:42 Production and Theme 38:58 Final Thoughts 47:02 Trellis 49:52 First Look: Expeditions and Robot Quest Arena 54:51 Marrakesh

Jul 31, 2023

In Episode 155 we provide our hot take review of Cyclades: Legendary Edition covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about storing board games horizontally or vertically. Then we discuss some board games on our table Arkham Horror, Yokai Septet, The Voyages of Marco Polo, and Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Poll: Do you store your board games horizontal or vertical? 05:14 Cyclades: Legendary Edition Description 07:27 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:28 Production and Theme 28:16 Final Thoughts 37:40 Arkham Horror: The Board Game 44:25 Yokai Septet 48:35 The Voyages of Marco Polo vs. Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan

Jul 24, 2023

In Episode 154 we provide our hot take review of Wolves covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about thinking about designing board games. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Patchwork Doodle, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Draftosaurus, and Cat in the Box. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Poll: Have you ever thought about designing a board game? 07:24 Wolves Description 09:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:35 Production and Theme 41:30 Final Thoughts 52:11 Patchwork Doodle and Ticket to Ride: San Francisco 57:22 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 59:48 Draftosaurus 1:03:46 Cat in the Box

Jul 17, 2023

In Episode 153 Tim and Adam's partners, Danielle and Sarah, join the show to discuss their top 5 games. Please excuse the lower quality audio and some background noise due to the unique recording space we were in for this episode. We also discuss a poll on Twitter and our Facebook group about the longest board game you've played. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Poll: What's the longest single play you've had in a board game? 06:17 Danielle and Sarah's Top 5 Games 06:45 Danielle #5 - Welcome To... 08:55 Sarah #5 - Dune: Imperium 11:45 Danielle #4 - The Quacks of Quedlinburg 15:30 Sarah #4 - Abducktion 20:54 Danielle #3 - Clank! Catacombs 24:52 Sarah #3 - Trekking the World 29:00 Danielle #2 - Sea Salt & Paper and Fantastic Factories 32:40 Sarah #2 - Smartphone, Inc. 36:15 Danielle #1 - The Castles of Burgundy 41:32 Sarah #1 - SCOUT 44:50 Honorable Mentions: Everdell, The Lost Ruins of Arnak, Cafe, Azul, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Wonderland's War, Planted, Radlands, Othello

Jul 10, 2023

In Episode 152 we finish the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Top Games of All Time 03:21 Tim #10 The Castles of Burgundy 05:26 Adam #10 Blood Rage 07:20 Chris #10 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 10:55 Tim #9 Agricola: Revised Edition 13:06 Adam #9 Barrage 15:50 Chris #9 Terraforming Mars 19:02 Tim #8 Ark Nova 21:14 Adam #8 Rising Sun 24:47 Chris #8 Ark Nova 27:45 Tim #7 Wonderland's War 31:23 Adam #7 Star Wars Rebellion 33:53 Chris #7 Teotihuacan: City of Gods 36:26 Tim #6 Terraforming Mars 38:43 Adam #6 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 41:57 Chris #6 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 44:02 Tim #5 Tapestry 47:36 Adam #5 Baseball Highlights 2045 50:09 Chris #5 Barrage 51:56 Tim #4 Dune: Imperium 53:09 Adam #4 Smartphone, Inc. 54:59 Chris #4 Blood Rage 56:05 Tim #3 Blood Rage 57:41 Adam #3 Wonderland's War 48:47 Chris #3 Tapestry 1:01:50 Tim #2 Gaia Project 1:04:25 Adam #2 Dune: Imperium 1:05:23 Chris #2 Gaia Project 1:06:23 Tim #1 Everdell 1:10:41 Adam #1 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 1:12:44 Chris #1 Wonderland's War

Jul 3, 2023

In Episode 151 we continue the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. We also discuss a poll on how important balance is in board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Poll: How important is balance to you in a board game? 08:09 Top Games of All Time 08:22 Adam #20 Capital Lux 2: Generations 10:06 Chris #20 Viticulture Essential Edition 13:12 Tim #20 Beyond the Sun 15:42 Adam #19 Abducktion 18:39 Chris #19 Agricola 21:16 Tim #19 La Granja 23:13 Adam #18 Shamans 25:21 Chris #18 Obsession 28:14 Tim #18 Distilled 30:11 Adam #17 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 32:37 Chris #17 Lacrimosa 35:00 Tim #17 Barrage 39:00 Adam #16 Beyond the Sun 40:16 Chris #16 Revive 42:49 Tim #16 Revive 45:47 Adam #15 Gaia Project 47:57 Chris #15 Nemesis 51:43 Tim #15 Paperback Adventures 56:01 Adam #14 The Expanse Board Game 59:25 Chris #14 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 1:00:08 Tim #14 Clank! Catacombs 1:02:53 Adam #13 Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition 1:05:36 Chris #13 La Granja 1:07:16 Tim #13 Lost Ruins of Arnak 1:08:46 Adam #12 Inis 1:11:06 Chris #12 Distilled 1:13:01 Tim #12 Underwater Cities 1:15:28 Adam #11 Azul 1:18:50 Chris #11 Dune: Imperium 1:22:18 Tim #11 Scythe

Jun 26, 2023

In Episode 150 we continue the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. We also discuss a poll on looking for game stores when travelling. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Poll: Do you seek out game stores or when you travel to no cities? 09:03 Top Games of All Time 09:15 Chris #30 Star Wars: The Deck Building Game 13:19 Tim #30 Frosthaven 16:20 Adam #30 Sol: Last Days of a Star 18:50 Chris #29 Clank! In! Space! 22:22 Tim #29 Magic: The Gathering 25:53 Adam #29 Ghosts of Christmas 28:36 Chris #28 Rap Godz 31:38 Tim #28 Rajas of the Ganges 33:23 Adam #28 Star Realms 35:22 Chris #27 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 39:23 Tim #27 Lorenzo Il Magnifico 40:44 Adam #27 Robotech Reconstruction 43:27 Chris #26 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans 45:46 Tim #26 Pan Am 47:32 Adam #26 Shards of Infinity 50:15 Chris #25 Outlive 52:44 Tim #25 Rising Sun 55:28 Adam #25 Trekking the World 57:18 Chris #24 Yokohama 49:47 Tim #24 Anachrony 1:02:10 Adam #23 Anachrony 1:04:21 Chris #23 Smarphone, Inc. 1:06:45 Tim #23 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 1:10:28 Adam #24 Age of Galaxy 1:12:58 Chris #22 Golem 1:15:22 Tim #22 Yokohama 1:16:20 Adam #22 Downforce 1:18:14 Chris #21 Lost Ruins of Arnak 1:21:48 Tim #21 Outlive 1:24:30 Adam #21 Pan Am

Jun 19, 2023

In Episode 149 we start the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. We also discuss a poll on expressing your board game love in public. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Poll: How do you express your board game love in public? 09:18 Top Games of All Time 15:20 Tim #40 and honorable mentions - Tiletum, Woodcraft, Darwin's Journey, Arkham Horror: The Card Game 19:25 Adam #40 and honorable mentions - Dune, La Granja, Air, Land, and Sea, Sentient, Distilled, High Society 22:56 Chris #40 and honorable mentions - Cthulhu: Death May Die, Root, Imhotep, Nidavellir, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Darwin's Journey 26:05 Tim #39 - Star Realms 28:36 Adam #39 - Planted: A Game of Nature and Nurture 30:35 Chris #39 - Scythe 32:50 Tim #38 - Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest 36:38 Adam #38 - Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 39:50 Chris #38 - Can't Stop 44:00 Tim #37 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 46:12 Adam #37 - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 47:49 Chris #37 - Final Girl 50:08 Tim #36 - SCOUT 51:34 Adam #36 - SCOUT 52:32 Chris #36 - Space Base 55:27 Tim #35 - Res Arcana 57:10 Adam #35 - Terraforming Mars 58:56 Chris #35 - Terracotta Army 1:02:14 Tim #34 - Paladins of the West Kingdom 1:04:45 Adam #34 - Brass: Birmingham 1:05:54 Chris #34 - Downforce 1:09:07 Tim #33 - Viticulture Essential Edition 1:10:45 Adam #33 - Can't Stop 1:11:49 Chris #33 - Azul 1:14:44 Tim #32 - Teotihuacan: City of Gods 1:17:15 Adam #32 - Lacrimosa 1:18:26 Chris #32 - Pan Am 1:21:06 Tim #31 - Near and Far 1:23:21 Adam #31 - Revive 1:24:41 Chris #31 - The Fox Experiment

Jun 12, 2023

In Episode 148 we provide our hot take review of Darwin's Journey covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about receiving board games with missing or damaged components. Chris provides a Darwin's Journey themed cocktail and then we discuss some board games on our table including Abducktion and Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Poll: Have you ever opened a new copy of a board game to find out components are missing or misprinted? 07:21 Darwin's Journey Description 10:03 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:55 Production and Theme 39:08 Final Thoughts 44:25 Darwin's Journey Themed Cocktail 47:28 Abducktion 59:53 Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island 1:08:10 Listener Shoutout

Jun 5, 2023

In Episode 147 we provide our hot take reviews of Heat: Petal to the Medal and Downforce covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also compare the two and discuss which we liked more. We also discuss a poll about attending game nights without knowing anyone there. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Poll: Have you ever attended a board game night without knowing anyone there? 09:34 Heat: Petal to the Medal Description 11:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:58 Production and Theme 29:37 Final Thoughts 33:46 Downforce Description 33:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 47:08 Production and Theme 50:37 Final Thoughts 56:55 Listener Shoutout

May 29, 2023

In Episode 146 we provide our hot take review of Revive covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about storing board game components. Then we discuss some board games on our table and future takes including Akropolis, Ra, Skull, Smartphone, Inc., and My Father's Work. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Poll: How do you most commonly put your board game components back in their boxes? 08:57 Revive Description 11:08 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:21 Production and Theme 36:40 Final Thoughts 44:12 Akropolis 48:55 Ra 58:52 Skull 59:54 Smartphone, Inc. 1:01:38 My Father's Work

May 22, 2023

In Episode 145 we wrap up our discussion of BGHT SedonaCon - our semi-annual gaming weekend. We cover 10 of the games we played that weekend and discussed the rest on part 1 last week. We also discuss a poll on getting a board game related tattoo. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Poll: Have you considered getting a board game related tattoo? 08:54 SedonaCon 10:04 Wonderland's War 14:31 Pan Am 23:32 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans 30:24 Gaia Project 36:24 Skull 41:51 Rising Sun 49:39 Distilled 56:39 Dune: Imperium 1:05:00 Imperium: The Contention 1:13:48 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game 1:18:15 Final Thoughts

May 15, 2023

In Episode 144 we discuss our time at BGHT SedonaCon - our semi-annual gaming weekend. We cover 7 of the games we played that weekend and will discuss the rest on Part 2 next week. We also discuss a poll on replacing board games due to wear. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Poll: Have you ever replaced a game because the components were worn out? 07:11 SedonaCon 10:45 Clank! Catacombs 17:17 Smartphone, Inc. 23:44 Scout 32:35 Teotihuacan: City of Gods 37:56 Tyrants of the Underdark 45:30 Yokohama 53:07 Sentient

May 8, 2023

In Episode 143 we each discuss our top 5 intellectual properties that we'd like to see turned into board games. We also discuss how we feel about the use of IP in board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Topic: How do you feel about IP based board games? 06:55 Top 5 IP we want in board games 08:10 The Expanse 12:35 The Stand 16:10 Perdido Street Station 19:11 Mass Effect 23:10 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 27:01 Severance 29:41 Life in Medieval Times 31:40 Ultima 35:26 The Dragonriders of Pern 38:27 Jurassic Park 43:10 Tales from the Loop 48:07 Paper Mario 51:10 The Culture Series 54:24 Coyote and Crow 58:35 The Shawshank Redemption 1:01:17 Runners Up - Avatar, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dune

May 1, 2023

In Episode 142 we discuss our votes for the 2022 Golden Geek Awards and cast our votes live while recording. We also discuss a poll about which activity makes your favorite game night. Twitter Poll Results: Learn and play a new game - 60% Play a game I know well - 35.6% I hate your polls and you - 4.9% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Poll: What's your favorite type of game night? 04:57 Board Game Geek Golden Geek Awards. 09:15 2-Player Game 15:47 Artwork and Presentation 23:17 Cooperative Game 26:57 Expansion 33:12 Innovative 40:11 Party Game 43:18 Print and Play 44:58 Solo Game 47:44 Thematic Game 52:03 War Game 53:42 Best Board Game Podcast 57:56 Best Board Game App 1:02:02 Light Game of the Year 1:05:05 Medium Game of the Year 1:09:50 Heavy Game of the Year 1:15:50 Listener Shoutouts

Apr 24, 2023

In Episode 141 we provide our hot take review of Scythe covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about whether past experience with a designer may keep you away from a game by that designer. Twitter Poll Results: I don't pay attention - 21% Yes - 40% No - 29% Then we discuss some board games on our table and future takes including Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum, Frosthaven, and They Live: Assault on Cable 54. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Poll: Do you avoid trying certain board games because of your experience with that designer's other games? 10:51 Scythe Description 13:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:57 Production and Theme 35:21 Final Thoughts 40:51 Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum 48:31 Frosthaven 1:07:15 They Live: Assault on Cable 54

Apr 17, 2023

In Episode 140 we provide our hot take review of Mosaic: A Story of Civilization covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about how board game awards impact your interest in games. Twitter Poll Results: Yes, puts them on my radar - 62.8% Yes, I need them now - 1.3% If already interested - 13% Nah - 22.9% Then we discuss some board games on our table and future takes including Legacy of Yu, Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Catacombs, Clank! Legacy 2, and Galactic Renaissance. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: Do you think board game awards influence your interest in board games? 04:40 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization Description 06:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:53 Production and Theme 30:18 Final Thoughts 33:31 Galactic Renaissance 36:26 Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Catacombs, and Clank! Legacy 2 38:46 Legacy of Yu

Apr 10, 2023

In Episode 139 we provide our hot take review of Earth covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about nature as a board game theme. Twitter Poll Results: Love it - 32% Like it if done right - 39% Variety is good - 21% Will avoid - 8% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Scout, Votes for Women, and Distilled. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll: How do you feel about nature as a game theme? 08:32 Earth Description 11:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 23:45 Production and Theme 33:40 Final Thoughts 38:46 Scout 46:15 Votes for Women 59:50 Distilled

Apr 3, 2023

In Episode 138 we each discuss 5 games that will be leaving our collection. We talk about why these games are leaving, why they weren't getting played, and in some cases, what's replaced them on the shelves. We also discuss a poll on Twitter about regret after culling games. Twitter Poll Results: Yes, Immediately- 4.5% Yes, A While Later - 38.1% No - 34.3% I've Never Culled A Game - 23.1% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Poll: Have you ever culled a board game from your collection and then regretted it? 08:31 10 Games Getting Culled 10:03 Hansa Teutonica Big Box 12:39 Dice Realms 17:35 One Deck Galaxy 20:18 The Castles of Burgundy: The Card Game 23:49 18Ireland 26:40 A Feast for Odin 30:05 Snowdonia: Deluxe Master Set 33:06 Wayfarers of the South Tigris 36:43 Undaunted: Normandy 39:37 Lords of Waterdeep 44:31 Honorable Mentions - Long Shot: The Dice Game, Dice Throne, Furnace

Mar 27, 2023

In Episode 137 we provide our hot take review of Yokohama covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll on paying more than MSRP for a board game. Twitter Poll Results: Yes, Money is No Object - 11% Yes, I'd Pay a Bit More -61.3% Nope - 25.2% These Options Suck - 2.5% Then we discuss some board games on our table including A Taste for Wine and Murder, Pioneer Rails, and Motor City. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:55 Poll: Are there any out of print games that you'd be willing to pay more than the original retail price for? 11:08 Yokohama Description 13:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:15 Production and Theme 33:12 Final Thoughts 37:37 A Taste for Wine and Murder 42:22 Pioneer Rails 50:02 Motor City 1:01:24 Listener Shoutout

Mar 20, 2023

In Episode 136 we provide our hot take reviews of 3 different 2-player deck dueling cards including Air, Land, and Sea, Radlands, and Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game. We also discuss a poll on preferred length for 2 player games. Twitter Poll Results: <30 Minutes - 24.5% 30-90 Minutes - 58.3% >90 Minutes - 2.6% Depends on the Opponent - 14.6% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Poll: Preferred length of 2-player game? 5:23 Air, Land, & Sea Description 08:25 Gameplay and Mechanisms 14:01 Production and Theme 16:38 Final Thoughts 16:13 Radlands Description 20:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:17 Production and Theme 29:35 Final Thoughts 31:13 Star Wars: The Deck Building Games Description 34:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 42:28 Production and Theme 45:58 Final Thoughts

Mar 13, 2023

In Episode 135 we provide our hot take review of Distilled covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll on board game terminology. Twitter Poll Results: Mechanics - 52.4% Mechanisms - 47.6% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Sea Salt & Paper, Teotihuacan: City of Gods, and Space Base. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll: Mechanisms or Mechanics? 4:51 Distilled Description 7:23 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:43 Production and Theme 31:24 Final Thoughts 36:52 Distilled Themed Cocktail 40:36 Sea Salt & Paper 45:36 Teotihuacan: City of Gods 48:16 Space Base 53:21 Listener Shoutout

Mar 6, 2023

In Episode 134 we each discuss our top 5 favorite board games that are ranked with a number higher than 1,000 on Board Game Geek 'top games of all time' list and talk about why we like them, whether we think they should be higher, and what might be keeping them that far down the rankings. We also discuss a poll on Twitter about listening to music while playing board games. Twitter Poll Results: Always- 28.9% Depends on the Game - 20.1% Depends on the Players - 20.3% Never - 30.7% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Poll: Do you listen to music while you play board games? 09:00 Top 5 games ranked higher than 1,000 on BGG. 13:49 Kabuto Sumo 15:54 Sentient 18:04 LACORSA Grand Prix Game 22:10 Asara 25:19 Trekking The World 28:31 Rap Godz 31:23 Terracotta Army 32:56 The Expanse Board Game 36:15 M.U.L.E. The Board Game 41:05 The Castles of Tuscany 43:53 Age of Galaxy 46:20 Tiki Topple 50:53 Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers 53:11 Capital Lux 2: Generations 54:45 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 59:00 Honorable (or other) Mentions: Lacrimosa, Super Skill Pinball 4cade, Mariposas, Guillotine, The Artemis Project, Top Gun Strategy Game, Godspeed, Tic-Tac-Toe

Feb 27, 2023

In Episode 133 we feature a couple of really exciting expansions including Tapestry - Fantasies & Futures and Dune: Imperium - Immortality covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the expansions as well as our rankings of our favorite expansions for these games. We also discuss Brass: Birmingham taking the BGG #1 game of all time spot from Gloomhaven after 5 years. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Brass: Birmingham takes the BGG #1 spot from Gloomhaven 06:58 Tapestry - Fantasies & Futures 8:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms 17:57 Production and Theme 30:11 Tapestry Expansion Ranking and Final Thoughts 37:05 Dune: Imperium - Immortality 38:31 Gameplay and Mechanisms 51:45 Production and Theme 54:19 Dune: Imperium Expansion Ranking and Final Thoughts

Feb 20, 2023

In Episode 132 we provide our hot take review of A Feast for Odin covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll on if you special order games through your local game store if they don't have them in stock. Twitter Poll Results: Special Order - 21.6% Order Online - 67.6% I never shop local store - 10.8% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Capital Lux 2: Generations and In the Year of the Dragon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll: Do you special order games through your local game store if they don't have them in stock? 07:30 A Feast For Odin Description 08:56 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:18 Production and Theme 28:02 Final Thoughts 32:19 A Feast for Odin Themed Cocktail 37:20 Capital Lux 2: Generations 40:59 In the Year of the Dragon 39:33 Listener Shoutouts

Feb 13, 2023

In Episode 131 we provide our hot take review of Dungeon Petz covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll on if you feel bad or upset when hearing a reviewer saying something negative about games you love. Twitter Poll Results: Yes, they're wrong - 6.7% Depends how it's stated - 40.3% Nah, it's their opinion - 53% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Joan of Arc: Orleans Draw and Write and 7 Wonders Architects. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: Do you feel bad when a reviewer says negative things about a game you like? 07:50 Dungeon Petz 10:19 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:32 Production and Theme 26:00 Final Thoughts 29:56 Joan of Arc: Orleans Draw and Write 34:37 7 Wonders Architects

Feb 6, 2023

In Episode 130 we provide our hot take review of Endless Winter: Paleoamericans covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss one time use games (legacy, escape room, etc.) Twitter Poll Results: Love Them - 21.3% I Don't Mind - 35.4% I Prefer Not To - 31.1% Absolutely No - 12.1% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Woodcraft, Final Girl, Frosthaven, and It's a Wonderful World. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Poll: How do you feel about one time use games (Legacy, Escape Room, etc.)? 10:17 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans 12:50 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:51 Production and Theme 33:58 Final Thoughts 38:44 Endless Winter Themed Cocktail of the Week 40:45 Woodcraft 49:16 Final Girl 51:30 Frosthaven 59:05 It's a Wonderful World

Jan 30, 2023

In Episode 129 we take a look at games 101-200 on the Board Game Geek 'top games of all time' list and discuss the games on that list that we haven't played. We list the top 5 games we each want to play from that list and the top 5 games that we don't want to play from that list and discuss why some of them are interesting to us and others aren't. We also discuss a poll on where people met their gaming group. Twitter Poll Results: Games Store / Meeting - 15.4% School, University, or Work - 13.9% Existing Friends - 56.6% Social Media - 13.9% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Poll: How did you meet your game group? 05:27 BGG 101-200 games we want to play 08:31 Radlands 09:38 Village 11:05 Nations 12:42 Magic: The Gathering 14:47 Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deckbuilding Game 16:51 Stone Age 19:12 Quest for El Dorado 22:11 Forbidden Stars 24:53 Yokohama 25:35 Trickerion: Legends of Illusions 27:02 Trajan 31:40 Trickerion: Legends of Illusions 33:07 Tigris and Euphrates 36:45 BGG 101-200 games that we don't want to play 37:14 Go 40:24 Paths of Glory 43:50 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition 46:30 Village 47:44 Captain Sonar 50:26 Concordia: Venus 50:54 Azul: Summer Pavilion 53:01 A Game of Thrones: The Board Game 54:25 Dominion 57:20 Concordia: Venus 58:41 Cosmic Encounter 1:00:17 Twilight Edition Third Edition 1:01:41 Pandemic Iberia 1:06:09 Age of Steam 1:07:57 Eldritch Horror

Jan 23, 2023

In Episode 128 we look back at the games we played in 2022 and talk about our biggest hits, and biggest misses in 2022. This includes games that were published in 2022 but also games that were new to us in 2022. We also talk about our Board Game Revelations - the things that changed gaming for us over the last year. We also discuss a poll on whether there is a price point where you will always buy a game. Twitter Poll Results: No: 45.6% 25% Off: 3.7% 50% Off: 25.7% 75% Off: 24.9% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Poll: Is There a Price Point Where you Have to Buy a Board Game 06:24 2022 Awards 06:59 Biggest Surprises in 2022 - Bonfire, Barrage, Age of Galaxy, Nemesis, The Fox Experiment, Agricola, La Granja 15:06 Biggest Disappointment in 2022 - Catan, Merchants of the Dark Road, Carnegie, Ark Nova, Azul: Queen's Garden, Lorenzo Il Magnifico 23:39 Best New To Us in 2022 - Notre Dame, Barrage, La Granja 31:10 Best Published Components of 2022 - John Company 2nd Edition, Everdell: The Complete Collection, Wonderland's War 38:22 Best Game Published in 2022 - Wonderland's War, Paperback Adventures 45:06 Look Back at Best Game Published in 2021 - Ark Nova, Cascadia, Ankh: Gods of Egypt 49:48 Most Played Game of 2022 - Castles of Burgundy, Azul, Barrage, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilizations, Tapestry, Lost Ruins of Arnak 57:10 Board Game Revelations in 2022 1:04:08 Listener Shoutout

Jan 16, 2023

In Episode 127 we provide our hot take review of Chaos in the Old World covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss the best board game randomization components. Twitter Poll Results: Dice - 34.1% Cards - 40.9% Bag Pull - 24.5% Spinner - .5% Then we discuss some board games on our table including My City, A War of Whispers, and the Tapestry Natural Rubber Playmat. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: What is the best board game randomization component? 09:15 Chaos in the Old World 11:02 Gameplay and Mechanisms 36:21 Production and Theme 42:18 Final Thoughts 48:45 My City 54:59 Tapestry Natural Rubber Playmat 1:00:51 A War of Whispers

Jan 9, 2023

In Episode 126 we provide our hot take review of Sol: Last Days of a Star covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about how many times on average you get a board game played within a year after you purchase it. Twitter Poll Results: 0-1 18.1% 2-5 64.1% 6-15 15.2% 16+ 2.5% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Battlecrest, Disney Sorcerer's Arena: Epic Alliances, and Tsuro. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: How many times do you get most games played within a year after you purchase them? 11:14 Sol: Last Days of a Star board game description 13:08 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:19 Production and Theme 30:52 Final Thoughts 37:17 Battlecrest 47:39 Disney Sorcerer's Arena: Epic Alliances 57:20 Tsuro

Jan 2, 2023

In Episode 125 we discuss our top 5 board games that we only played once in 2022. These are some games we haven't mentioned much on the show but that we wish we were playing more. We also discuss a poll about board game related challenges. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Poll: Do you have any board game related challenges for 2023? 05:51 Top 5 Board Games we only played once in 2022 10:50 Golem 13:02 Messina 1347 14:12 The Fox Experiment 15:13 Circadians: Chaos Order 19:06 Terracotta Army 20:24 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 21:42 AuZtralia 23:50 Boonlake 25:03 Rising Sun 26:58 Dice Forge 29:43 Francis Drake 32:28 Lacrimosa 33:47 Arcs 37:23 Tiletum 39:20 Wonderland's War 43:29 Listener Shoutout

Dec 26, 2022

In Episode 124 we discuss the top 5 games we want to play in 2023. We also review last years' lists and look back on the games we got played. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction Last Year 2:06 #5 Chris Last Year - Azul 3:35 #5 Jen Last Year - Welcome To... 4:13 #5 Tim Last Year - Tyrants of the Underdark / The Quest for El Dorado 4:45 #5 Adam Last Year - Cryo 5:00 #4 Chris Last Year - Rising Sun 5:39 #4 Jen Last Year - Kokopelli 6:22 #4 Tim Last Year - Rolling Realms 7:20 #4 Adam Last Year - Barrage 8:34 #3 Chris Last Year - Nemesis 9:52 #3 Jen Last Year - Viticulture 11:06 #3 Tim Last Year - Sleeping Gods 11:41 #3 Adam Last Year - Organism 12:25 #2 Chris - Radlands 13:21 #2 Jen Last Year - Catan 15:04 #2 Tim Last Year - Ark Nova 15:51 #2 Adam Last Year - Reef Encounter 16:36 #1 Chris Last Year - Golem 17:18 #1 Jen Last Year - Calico 19:00 #1 Tim Last Year - Clans of Caledonia 19:20 #1 Adam Last Year - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland This Year 21:12 #5 Adam - Paperback Adventures 23:10 #5 Tim - Welcome To the Moon 25:11 #5 Chris - Twilight Imperium 4th Edition 30:36 #5 Jen - Splendor 34:36 #4 Adam - Forbidden Stars 37:05 #4 Tim - Scout 39:46 #4 Chris and Jen - Mariposa 44:27 #3 Adam - Imperial 2030 45:56 #3 Tim - Tawantinsuyu: The Incan Empire 47:35 #3 Chris - Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods 51:53 #3 Jen - Honey Buzz 55:03 #2 Adam - Battle for Rokugan 56:42 #2 Tim - Revive 59:44 #2 Chris - Chaos in the Old World 1:02:19 #2 Jen - Bora Bora / Cuzco 1:07:00 #1 Adam - Pessoa 1:09:36 #1 - Tim - Marrakesh 1:12:28 #1 - Chris - My Father's Work 1:17:08 #1 - Jen - My Lil' Everdell 1:20:56 Honorable Mentions: Fortune and Glory, Where Humans Don't Belong

Dec 19, 2022

In Episode 123 we provide our hot take review of Lacrimosa covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about preferences on leaving space for expansions in board game boxes, Chris give us a Lacrimosa themed cocktail, and then we all discuss One Deck Galaxy. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Do you prefer to leave space inside boxes for expansions or making it as compact as possible? 12:06 Lacrimosa board game description 14:21 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:27 Production and Theme 32:46 Final Thoughts 36:14 Lacrimosa themed cocktail 38:55 One Deck Galaxy

Dec 12, 2022

In Episode 122 we provide our hot take review of Tyrants of the Underdark covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about spending time with board games outside of playing them, Chris give us a Tyrants of the Underdark themed cocktail, and then we discuss some games on our table including Tiletum, Chocolate Factory, My Lil Everdell, and Sol: Last Days of a Star. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: What's your favorite way to spend time with board games other than playing them? 10:32 Tyrants of the Underdark board game description 12:23 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:20 Production and Theme 27:42 Final Thoughts 32:55 Tyrants of the Underdark themed cocktail 34:57 Tiletum 47:23 Chocolate Factory 54:49 My Lil Everdell 1:03:44 Sol: Last Days of a Star

Dec 5, 2022

In Episode 121 we provide our hot take review of Terracotta Army covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about having game nights ruined by other players, Chris give us a Terracotta Army themed cocktail, and then we discuss some games on our table including Clank! Catacombs, Draftosaurus, and Wingspan: Asia. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Poll: Do you plan to take advantage of Holiday Sales for board games? 04:07 Terracotta Army board game description 06:16 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:52 Production and Theme 25:50 Final Thoughts 29:44 Terracotta Army themed cocktail 32:16 Clank! Catacombs 39:30 Wingspan: Asia and Wingspan Nesting Box 45:30 Draftosaurus

Nov 28, 2022

In Episode 120 we discuss our top 5 board games with integrated themes. We each pick our top 5 games where the theme really shines through in the mechanisms but we also call out where it misses. We also discuss a poll on creating and strengthening relationships through board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Poll: Have you ever discovered or developed a very strong relationship through board games? 10:00 Top 5 Board Games with Integrated Themes 14:05 Wingspan 16:17 Clank! and Clank! Legacy 19:23 Golem 25:41 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 27:30 Nunami 29:44 Pan Am 32:34 Arkham Horror: The Card Game 34:21 Imhotep 36:47 Viticulture 41:18 Agricola 44:04 Root 48:06 Leaving Earth 51:04 Outlive 53:45 Final Girl 58:41 Baseball Highlights 2045

Nov 21, 2022

In Episode 119 we provide our hot take review of Teotihuacan: City of Gods covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about having game nights ruined by other players, Chris give us a Teotihuacan themed cocktail, and then we discuss some games on our table including Victorian Masterminds, Cthulhu: Death May Die, and Paperback Adventures. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Poll: Has another player ever ruined a game night for you? 11:15 Teotihuacan: City of Gods board game description 12:42 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:11 Production and Theme 38:40 Final Thoughts 46:56 Teotihuacan: City of Gods themed cocktail 50:24 Victorian Masterminds 58:24 Envelopes of Cash 59:03 Cthulhu: Death May Die 64:04 Paperback Adventures

Nov 14, 2022

In Episode 118 we provide our hot take review of Carnegie covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about where you learn about board games, Chris give us a Carnegie themed cocktail, and then we discuss some games on our table including Envelopes of Cash and Slay the Spire: The Board Game. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll: Where do you learn about board games? 4:45 Carnegie board game description 6:32 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:03 Production and Theme 30:21 Final Thoughts 37:05 Carnegie themed cocktail 40:16 Envelopes of Cash 49:40 Slay the Spire: The Board Game 56:52 Listener Shoutout

Nov 7, 2022

In Episode 117 we provide our hot take review of Cthulhu: Death May Die covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game and then discuss some of the new mechanisms that are being added for the standalone expansion Fear of the Unknown. We also discuss a poll about competitive vs. cooperative games, and then we discuss some games on our table including Everdell: Mistwood, Can't Stop, Space Empires 4X, Agricola, and Last Will and give our future takes on Slay the Spire and Aqua Garden. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Poll: Competitive vs. Cooperative? 7:57 Cthulhu: Death May Die board game description 9:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:09 Production and Theme 31:00 Final Thoughts 36:23 Cthulhu: Death May Die - Fear of the Unknown preview 42:50 Cthulhu: Death May Die themed cocktail 47:23 Everdell: Mistwood and Everdell: Complete Collection 55:32 Space Empires 4X 1:02:20 Can't Stop 1:06:00 Last Will 1:12:07 Agricola 1:14:24 Future Take: Slay the Spire The Board Game 1:19:14 Aqua Garden 1:23:55 Listener Shoutout

Oct 31, 2022

In Episode 116 we discuss our top 5 favorite board game designers. We talk about our favorite designers, the games that we've loved by them as well as some we haven't, and the games that we want to try next by them. We also discuss a poll on giving up while learning games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Poll: Have you ever given up while learning a game? 12:29 Top 5 favorite board game designers 16:03 Paolo Mori (Libertalia, Ethnos, Dogs of War) 17:21 Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, Tussie Mussie, The Fox Experiment, Mariposas) 19:12 Vladimir Suchy (Underwater Cities, Messina 1347, Praga Caput Regni, Last Will, Pulsar 2849) 21:13 Ivan Lashin (Smartphone, Inc., Furnace, Frozen Frontier) 22:22 Adam Kwapinski (Nemesis, Lords of Hellas, Lords of Ragnarok) 24:43 Bruno Cathala (Five Tribes, Jamaica, 7 Wonders Duel, Kingdomino, Cyclades) 28:29 Vlaada Chvatil (Through the Ages, Codenames, Galaxy Trucker, Mage Knight) 30:37 Simone Luciani, Daniele Tascini, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli (Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Golem, Barrage, Grand Austria Hotel, Tiletum) 35:21 Stefan Feld (Castles of Burgundy, Bonfire, Carpe Diem, Trajan, Marrakesh, Notre Dame) 39:48 David Turczi (Anachrony, Voidfall, Imperium: Legends, Imperium: Classics) 42:16 Jamey Stegmaier (Tapestry, Scythe, Viticulture, Charterstone, Red Rising) 46:12 Shem Phillips, Sam Macdonald (Architects of the West Kingdom, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Viscounts of the West Kingdom, Wayfarers of the South Tigris, Scholars of the South Tigris) 48:11 Cole Wehrle (Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition, Arcs, Root, John Company 2nd Edition) 51:02 Eric Lang ( Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Marvel United, Victorian Masterminds, Chaos in the Old World) 56:49 Paul Dennen (Clank!, Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Legacy!, Clank! Catacombs, Dune: Imperium, Eternal: Chronicles of the Throne) 1:02:10 Listener Shoutout

Oct 24, 2022

In Episode 115 we provide our hot take review of Agricola covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about re-acquiring games, and then we discuss some games on our table including Gang of Dice, Fantastic Factories, and Bitoku and give our future take on Frozen Frontier. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:24 Poll: Have you ever re-acquired a board game? 10:12 Agricola Gameplay Description 11:17 Gameplay and Mechanisms 21:08 Production and Theme 32:43 Final Thoughts 41:52 Gang of Dice 47:06 Fantastic Factories 48:55 Bitoku 55:30 Future Take: Frozen Frontier 59:20 Listener Shoutout

Oct 17, 2022

In Episode 114 we provide our hot take review of Lorenzo il Magnifico covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about scorepads vs. score trackers, and then we discuss some games on our table including Fantastic Factories, Cafe, and Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization... and Chris goes on a rant about subtitles on board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Poll: Do you prefer Scorepads or Score Trackers? 09:10 Lorenzo il Magnifico Gameplay Description 10:34 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:21 Production and Theme 31:24 Final Thoughts 35:59 Themed Cocktail of the Week 40:00 Fantastic Factories 48:32 Board game subtitles 51:14 Cafe 57:18 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 1:04:11 Listener Shoutout

Oct 10, 2022

In Episode 113 we revisit Eric Lang's troops-on-a-map trilogy with our Double Take reviews of Blood Rage, Rising Sun, and Ankh: Gods of Egypt and then we rank the trilogy. We also discuss a poll about intro version of popular heavy games, and then we discuss some games on our table including John Company, Beyond the Sun, and Caverna: The Cave Farmers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:21 Poll: Do you want to see more intro versions of popular heavier games? 12:15 Eric Lang Trilogy Double Take 13:31 Blood Rage 23:20 Rising Sun 33:05 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 45:10 Trilogy Ranking 54:05 John Company 58:27 Beyond the Sun 1:00:45 Caverna: The Cave Farmers

Oct 3, 2022

In Episode 112 we discuss the top 5 incoming crowdfunded board games that each of us are excited to receive. We take a look back at last year's list to see what's been delivered and how they hit for us as well. We also discuss a poll on Kickstarter vs. Gamefound. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 News 01:51 Poll: Kickstarter vs. Gamefound 08:27 Look back at 2020 Crowdfund episode 09:04 Dawn of Madness 11:25 Hyperspace and Cthulu Wars: Daemon Sultan 11:43 Sweet Mess 12:17 Frosthaven 14:17 2021 Crowdfund Episode Scorecard 14:35 Artisans of Splendent Vale 16:01 CoraQuest 17:12 Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection 21:21 Hyperspace 22:23 One Deck Galaxy 23:30 Age of Galaxy 23:21 They Live: Assault on Cable 54 24:39 Canvas 25:22 Paperback Adventures 25:56 Chaosmos: The Temple 28:02 Distilled 28:46 Now or Never 29:59 Shasn Azadi 31:56 Robot Quest Arena 33:05 Everdell: Newleaf and Mistwood 35:36 Fractal: Beyond the Void 37:55 Great Wall 40:21 Top 5 Incoming Crowdfund Games 2022 42:33 Ra 44:06 John Company 2nd Edition 44:53 Red Dust Rebellion 47:57 Distilled 50:03 Wayfarers of the South Tigris 51: 20 Legacy of Yu 52:01 One Deck Galaxy 53:56 Voidfall 58:47 Star Realms: Rise of Empires 1:03:55 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies 1:06:17 Arcs 1:10:25 Lords of Ragnarok 1:13:48 La Granja Deluxe Master Set 1:15:54 Skyrise 1:18:00 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3 1:26:35 Final Thoughts - Motor City, Castles of Burgundy Special Edition, Age of Galaxy 1:31:50 Listener Shoutout

Sep 26, 2022

In Episode 111 we discuss all 18 games that we played at BGHT LongCon over 5 days. We also discuss a poll on win percentages in your group and discuss why Tim can't seem to win a game at BGHT conventions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 News 01:35 Poll: How much do you win compared to the people you play against 18:44 Dune: Imperium (w/ Rise of Ix) 22:39 Radlands 26:25 Champions of Midgard (w/ Dark Mountains and Valhalla) 32:38 Ghosts of Christmas 36:37 Star Wars: Outer Rim 39:12 Ark Nova 44:49 Barrage (w/ Leeghwater Project) 50:15 Eric Lang Trilogy Preview (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt) 52:30 Shamans 56:42 Tapestry (w/ Plans and Ploys and Arts and Architecture) 1:03:16 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 1:14:34 Terraforming Mars (w/ Prelude) 1:19:25 Age of Galaxy 1:27:50 Star Realms 1:30:27 Lorenzo Il Magnifico 1:36:25 Lost Ruins of Arnak 1:40:14 Final Thoughts 1:45:24 Listener Shoutout

Sep 19, 2022

In Episode 110 we provide our hot take review of The Fox Experiment covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about buying expansions, and then we discuss some games on our table including Arkham Horror: The Card Game (and the experience of buying expansions for it), Boonlake, and Barrage, a future take on They Live: Assault on Cable 54 and then discuss Petersen Games' disappointing crowdfunding campaigns for Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan and Hyperspace. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Poll: If you like a game are you likely to buy expansions for it? 12:32 The Fox Experiment Gameplay Description 14:19 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:44 Production and Theme 36:35 Final Thoughts 40:12 Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Expansion Follow-up) 47:42 Barrage 51:31 Boonlake 1:03:24 Future Take: They Live: Assault on Cable 54 1:06:37 Walk of Shame: Petersen Games - Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan and Hyperspace 1:11:17 Listener Shoutout

Sep 12, 2022

In Episode 109 we provide our hot take review of Clans of Caledonia covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about games that surprised you in a good way, and then we discuss some games on our table including Blood Rage, Arkham Horror LCG, and Cafe and discuss some future takes including The Fox Experiment, Astra, and Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Have you ever ending up loving a game that you though you would hate? 09:02 Clans of Caledonia Gameplay Description 11:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:44 Production and Theme 31:00 Final Thoughts 35:49 Themed Cocktail of the Week 39:20 Blood Rage 41:36 Arkham Horror: The Card Game 39:55 Cafe 53:08 Future Take - The Fox Experiment 55:07 Future Take - Astra 56:27 Future Take - Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection

Sep 5, 2022

In Episode 108 we discuss our top ten board games that we would love to see turned into movies. We also discuss a poll on whether food and drinks should be included at your game table. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Poll: Food and Drinks at the Board Game Table 10:49 Board Games that Should Be Movies 14:50 Chris #10 - Godspeed 16:28 Adam #10 - Terraforming Mars 17:40 Tim #10 - Spirit Island 19:36 Chris #9 - This War of Mine 21:33 Adam #9 - Wingspan 22:20 Tim #9 - Root 24:20 Chris #8 - Coyote and Crow 27:32 Adam #8 - Barrage 28:49 Tim #8 - Underwater Cities 30:25 Chris #7 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon 32:11 Adam #7 - Azul 34:03 Tim #7 - Near and Far 34:54 Chris #6 - Nightmare Cathedral 38:33 Adam #6 - Xenon Profiteer 41:13 Tim #6 - Outlive 44:11 Chris #5 - The Isle of Cats 47:01 Adam #5 - Xia: Legends of a Drift System 48:57 Tim #5 - Vindication 51:29 Chris #4 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 53:51 Adam #4 - La Granja 55:36 Tim #4 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game 57:35 Chris #3 - The Quiet Year 1:01:18 Adam #3 - T.I.M.E. Stories 1:02:28 Tim #3 - Anachrony 1:04:35 Chris #2 - Sleeping Gods 1:05:02 Adam #2 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 1:06:33 Tim #2 - Golem 1:07:44 Chris #1 - AuZtralia 1:11:59 Adam #1 - Radlands 1:13:56 Tim #1 - Scythe

Aug 29, 2022

In Episode 107 we discuss 30 games that haven't gotten much attention from us on the podcast over the last 2 years but that we thought were worth mentioning briefly, good or bad. We also discuss a poll on diverse representation in board game artwork. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Poll: Does diverse representation in board game art drive purchases? 07:18 Forgotten Games 8:25 Hadara 10:16 Canvas 13:35 Carson City 15:52 Afternova 18:35 Doughnut Drive-thru 20:50 Century: Spice Road / Century: Golem Edition 24:09 Jet Set 27:19 Space Base 29:59 Champions of Midgard 33:15 Seal Team Flix 35:18 Hero Realms 39:59 Chronicles of Crime 42:50 1841: Railways in Northern Italy 48:08 Imhotep 51:36 Deep Space D-6 53:14 Hellenica: Story of Greece 56:40 Babylonia 59:11 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia 1:02:00 Sentient 1:04:46 Lords of Hellas 1:08:08 Funkoverse Strategy Game 1:10:34 The Field of the Cloth of Gold 1:12:39 Zombie Kidz Evolution 1:14:32 Hyperborea 1:16:42 Antike II 1:18:47 Cthulhu Realms 1:22:13 Paper Dungeons: A Dungeon Scrawler Game 1:23:56 Patchwork 1:27:42 Shakespeare 1:31:15 Roll Player

Aug 22, 2022

In Episode 106 we provide our hot take review of Age of Galaxy covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about bad feelings created by huge wins, and then we discuss some games on our table including Planted, Tapestry, Watergate, Expedition to Newdale, and the new expansion for Parks: Wildlife. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll: Has winning created bad feelings? 14:16 Age of Galaxy Gameplay Description 16:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms 42:30 Production and Theme 57:04 Final Thoughts 1:02:32 Planted 1:07:47 Tapestry 1:09:50 Watergate 1:11:30 Expedition to Newdale 1:21:53 Parks: Wildlife

Aug 15, 2022

In Episode 105 we provide our hot take review of Barrage covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about setup time, Chris provides a Barrage themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Dutch Blitz, Age of Galaxy, Bloodstones, and Notre Dame. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll: Does setup time impact your love of games? 7:10 Barrage Gameplay Description 10:16 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:00 Production and Theme 34:32 Final Thoughts 41:28 Themed cocktail of the week 44:48 Dutch Blitz 48:50 Age of Galaxy 58:40 Bloodstones 1:08:01 Notre Dame

Aug 8, 2022

In Episode 104 we discuss our top ten favorite uses of toy factor in board games. We also discuss a poll on attending conventions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Poll: Attending Conventions 07:12 Toy Factor in Games 11:01 Chris #10 - Mechanica 14:53 Adam #10 - Baseball Highlights 2045 17:47 Tim #10 - Splendor 19:36 Chris #9 - Windward 21:42 Adam #9 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition 23:40 Tim #9 - Lords of Xidit 26:50 Chris #8 - Scythe 30:59 Adam #8 - Xia: Legends of a Drift System 32:47 Tim #8 - Pan Am 34:39 Chris #7 - Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar 38:04 Adam #7 - Skyrise 41:02 Tim #7 - Tapestry 43:44 Chris #6 - Nemesis 47:28 Adam #6 - Wonderland's War 49:36 Tim #6 - The Great Wall 51:01 Chris #5 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon 53:47 Adam #5 - Anachrony 56:03 Tim #5 - Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun 58:07 Chris #4 - Blood Rage 1:01:35 Adam #4 - Star Wars: Rebellion 1:03:41 Tim #4 - Everdell 1:06:20 Chris #3 - Fossilis 1:10:14 Adam #3 - Voidfall 1:12:25 Tim #3 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 1:15:25 Chris #2 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 1:18:43 Adam #2 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 1:21:33 Tim #2 - Camel Up (2nd Edition) 1:24:02 Chris #1 - Return to Dark Tower 1:27:14 Adam #1 - Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 1:29:38 Tim #1 - Dwellings of Eldervale 1:34:23 Listener Shoutout

Aug 1, 2022

In Episode 103 we provide our hot take review of Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about buying games used and then we discuss some games on our table including Imperium: Classics, Memoir '44, and Viticulture World and then we give our future takes on Dune: Imperium - Immortality and Bloodstones. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Buying Used Games 07:06 Crusaders: They Will Be Done Gameplay Description 09:08 Gameplay and Mechanisms 23:31 Divine Influence Expansion Preview 25:43 Production and Theme 29:49 Final Thoughts 34:05 Imperium: Legends and Imperium: Classics 38:00 Memoir '44 42:47 Viticulture World 1:00:02 Dune: Imperium - Immortality 1:04:33 Bloodstones 1:06:04 Listener Shoutout

Jul 25, 2022

In Episode 102 we provide our hot take review of Rising Sun covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also look at all three games from Eric Lang's 'Troops on a Map' trilogy: Blood Rage, Rising Sun, and Ankh: Gods of Egypt and discuss our rankings of them. We discuss a poll about other whether it's acceptable to concede a game and then we discuss some games on our table including WW84 and Agricola. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Poll: Conceding Games 13:53 Rising Sun Gameplay Description 18:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms 42:07 Production and Theme 44:52 Final Thoughts 49:24 Eric Lang Trilogy Ranking 54:40 Themed Cocktail of the Week 59:35 WW84: Wonder Woman Card Game 1:02:51 Agricola 1:08:50 Listener Shoutout

Jul 18, 2022

In Episode 101 we provide our hot take review of Circadians: Chaos Order covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about other player's attitudes impacting your feelings about a game and then we discuss some games on our table including Radlands, Diplomacy, and Space Station Phoenix. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll: Does other player's attitude impact your feelings about a game 13:24 Circadians: Chaos Order Gameplay Description 16:46 Gameplay and Mechanisms 39:56 Production and Theme 49:15 Final Thoughts 55:39 Themed Cocktail of the Week 59:15 Radlands 1:07:50 Diplomacy 1:14:58 Space Station Phoenix 1:20:13 Listener Shoutout

Jul 11, 2022

Episode 100 is our listener appreciation episode where we highlight the board games that our listeners love, get to hear some of our listener's voices, and draw the winner of our giveaway from the listeners that contributed with their favorite games. We also discuss a poll on how listener's found their favorite board game podcasts. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:33 Poll: Finding Podcasts 10:21 Listener's Favorite Games (Some games mentioned briefly: Quantum, Silver, Aldr: The High Sage, World's Fair 1893, Gaia Project, Wonderland's War, Castell, Cosmic Frog, Happy Salmon, Star Realms, Inis) 17:10 #20 - Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 18:01 #19 - Marvel Champions 19:19 #18 - Great Western Trail 19:35 #17 - Anachrony 20:11 - Listener Voice: Tapestry / Wingspan 21:35 #16 - Dominion 23:16 #15 - Cascadia 24:35 #14 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game 25:28 #13 - Wingspan 28:15 #12 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 29:39 - Listener Voice: The Lord of the Rings TCG 30:45 #11 - Brass: Birmingham 33:11 #10 - Viticulture 35:00 #9 - Scythe 36:16 #8 - Ark Nova 37:02 - Listener Voice: Spirit Island 38:48 #7 - Dune: Imperium 39:26 #6 - Root 40:35 #5 - Everdell 41:56 #4 - Terraforming Mars 43:30 Listener Voice: Carcasonne 44:50 #3 - Sprit Island 48:48 #2 - Gloomhaven 51:01 #1 - The Castles of Burgundy 52:41 - BGHT compared to listeners 56:04 Listener Voice: Empires of the Void II 1:00:07 Winner Drawing

Jul 4, 2022

In Episode 99 we finish counting down our top 30 Board Games of all time with numbers 1-10. We also discuss a poll on favorite ways to learn new board games Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Poll: Learning Board Games 09:22 Top Games of All Time 09:52 Chris #10 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 12:03 Tim #10 - Wonderland's War 14:47 Adam #10 - Radlands 16:49 Chris #9 - Wonderland's War 19:18 Adam #9 - Wonderland's War 20:09 Tim #9 - La Granja 21:48 Chris #8 - Outlive 25:53 Tim #8 - Clank! 27:04 Adam #8 - Inis 30:05 Chris #7 - Dune: Imperium 32:24 Tim #7 - Gaia Project 35:07 Adam #7 - Arcs 37:52 Chris #6 - Ark Nova 39:50 Tim #6 - Ark Nova 42:02 Adam #6 - Smartphone, Inc. 44:23 Chris #5 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 46:46 Adam #5 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 47:51 Tim #5 - Castles of Burgundy 49:58 Chris #4 - Nemesis 53:33 Tim #4 - Everdell 56:20 Adam #4 - The Expanse 59:15 Chris #3 - Blood Rage 1:00:38 Tim #3 - Blood Rage 1:01:40 Adam #3 - Anachrony 1:02:40 Chris #2 - Terraforming Mars 1:06:10 Tim #2 - Tapestry 1:10:13 Adam #2 - Dune: Imperium 1:11:10 Chris #1 - Tapestry 1:14:20 Tim #1 - Dune: Imperium 1:16:40 Adam #1 - Pax Pamir (2nd Edition)

Jun 27, 2022

In Episode 98 we continue counting down our top 30 Board Games of all time with numbers 11-20. We also discuss a poll on how review copies provided from publishers impact your trust in a board game critic. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:14 Poll: Review Copies and Trust 14:01 Top Games of All Time 14:27 Adam #20 - Beyond the Sun 17:38 Chris #20 - Obsession 22:01 Tim #20 - Magic: The Gathering 26:33 Adam #19 - Star Wars: Rebellion 29:20 Chris #19 - Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 27:26 Tim #19 - Beyond the Sun 38:34 Adam #18 - High Society 40:19 Chris #18 - Gaia Project 44:05 Tim #18 - Lords of Waterdeep 47:51 Adam #17 - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 50:02 Chris #17 - Golem 53:06 Tim #17 - Rajas of the Ganges 55:13 Adam #16 - Blood Rage 56:41 Chris #16 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 59:44 Tim #16 - Near and Far 63:03 Adam #15 - Brass: Birmingham 65:41 Chris #15 - La Granja 68:01 Tim #15 - Viscounts of the West Kingdom 69:46 Adam #14 - Gaia Project 71:43 Chris #14 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 73:53 Tim #14 - Scythe 76:49 Adam #13 - Shamans 78:20 Chris #13 - Clank! In! Space! 80:06 Tim #13 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 82:34 Adam #12 - Baseball Highlights 2045 86:44 Chris #12 - A Feast for Odin 89:17 Tim #12 - Terraforming Mars 91:01 Adam #11 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 92:50 Chris #11 - Cthulhu Wars 96:15 Tim #11 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar

Jun 20, 2022

In Episode 97 we start the countdown of our top 30 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. We also discuss a poll on luxury versions of board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Poll: Luxury Board Games 12:52 Top Games of All Time 18:28 Tim #30 - Res Arcana 21:24 Adam #30 - Nemesis 23:03 Chris #30 - Pan Am 25:17 Tim #29 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 29:47 Adam #29 - SpaceCorp 2025-2300 AD 32:50 Chris #29 - Aquatica 35:41 Tim #28 - Codenames 38:49 Adam #28 - Terraforming Mars 41:14 Chris #28 - This War of Mine 44:10 Tim #27 - Underwater Cities 45:45 Adam #27 - Ghosts of Christmas 48:12 Chris #27 - Watergate 50:36 Tim #26 - Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest 53:53 Adam #26 - Sentient 57:05 Chris #26 - Wingspan 59:08 Tim #25 - Great Western Trail 61:00 Adam #25 - Air, Land, and Sea 63:08 Chris #25 - Rap Godz 65:34 Tim #24 - Outlive 68:17 Adam #24 - Sol: Last Days of a Star 70:50 Chris #24 - Viticulture 73:14 Tim #23 - Anachrony 76:17 Adam #23 - Battle for Rokugan 78:15 Chris #23 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon 81:14 Tim #22 - 7 Wonders Duel 84:01 Adam #22 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 86:42 Chris #22 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 89:54 Tim #21 - Arcs 92:41 Adam #21 - Shards of Infinity 95:50 Chris #21 - Scythe 98:14 Listener Shoutout

Jun 13, 2022

In Episode 96 we take a look at the top 100 games on Board Game Geek and discuss the games on that list that we haven't played. We list the top 5 games we each want to play from that list and the top 5 games that we don't want to play from that list and discuss why some of them are interesting to us and others aren't. We also discuss a poll on the Golden Age of hobby board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Poll: Golden Age of board games 015:11 Board Game Geek Top 100 games that we want to play 22:44 Chris #5 - Rising Sun 24:50 Adam #5 - Kanban EV 25:55 Tim #5 - Rising Sun 28:05 Chris #4 - Grand Austria Hotel 30:17 Adam #4 - The Crew: Quest for Planet Nine 32:56 Tim #4 - Kanban EV 34:14 Chris #3 - Food Chain Magnate 37:28 Adam #3 - Barrage 41:05 Tim #3 - Robinson Crusoe - Adventures on the Cursed Island 42:52 Chris #2 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game 44:14 Adam #2 - War of the Ring (Second Edition) 46:15 Tim #2 - Mechs Vs. Minions 48:35 Chris #1 - Twilight Struggle 51:28 Adam #1 - Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition) 52:58 Tim #1 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game 56:03 Board Game Geek Top 100 games that we don't want to play 56:24 Chris #5 - The Crew: Quest for Planet Nine 57:35 Adam #5 - Robinson Crusoe - Adventures on the Cursed Island 58:43 Tim #5 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon 59:37 Chris #4 - Clans of Caledonia 1:04:46 Adam #4 - The 7th Continent 1:05:00 Tim #4 - Mansions of Madness (Second Edition) 1:06:59 Chris #3 - Concordia 1:09:43 Adam #3 - Kingdom: Death Monster 1:12:35 Tim #3 - Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 1:15:15 Chris #2 - Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition) 1:16:43 Adam #2 - Maracaibo 1:18:40 Tim #2 - Food Chain Magnate 1:19:48 Chris #1 - Gloomhaven 1:23:06 Adam #1 - Caverna: The Cave Farmers 1:25:47 Tim #1 - Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition)

Jun 6, 2022

In Episode 95 we provide our hot take review of Arcs covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about hyped board games and then we discuss some games on our table including Biblios and Now or Never (solo). Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Poll: Hyped Board Games 06:40 Arcs Gameplay Description 09:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:55 Production and Theme 40:30 Final Thoughts 51:04 Biblios 57:10 Now or Never (solo) 1:06:33 Listener Shoutout

May 30, 2022

In Episode 94 we provide our hot take review of Nemesis covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about sleeving cards in games and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week. Then we discuss some games on our table including Planet Unknown and Ghosts of Christmas. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Poll: Sleeving Cards in Board Games 12:40 Nemesis Gameplay Description 16:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms 47:42 Production and Theme 54:20 Final Thoughts 1:02:30 Themed Cocktail of the Week 1:05:30 Planet Unknown 1:14:26 Ghosts of Christmas

May 23, 2022

In Episode 93 we provide our hot take review of Golem covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about best time of day to play board games and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week. Then we discuss some games on our table including Tetris: The Card Game, Tinner's Trail, Carcassonne, and Crusaders: Thy Will be Done. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll: Favorite time of day to play games 06:02 Golem Gameplay Description 07:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:28 Production and Theme 38:07 Final Thoughts 47:00 Themed Cocktail of the Week 50:39 Tetris: The Card Game 54:09 Tinner's Trail 58:37 Carcassonne 1:01:40 Crusaders: Thy Will be Done 1:10:00 Listener Shoutouts

May 16, 2022

In Episode 92 we take a look back at the games we've played together over the last several years and discuss the ones where we think our opinions were unanimous and consider the common elements that may make games work (or not work) for all of us. We also discuss a poll on whether the size of a board game's box may influence your decision to acquire it. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Poll: Box Sizes 07:15 Unanimous Takes 08:18 Marvel United 09:49 Windward 12:39 Whistle Mountain 14:35 Samurai 16:50 Vindication 18:05 Origin of Species 20:43 Capital Lux II 21:32 Merchants of the Dark Road 23:33 Wonderland's War 25:20 Shamans 27:54 Anachrony 29:20 Voidfall 32:27 Smarphone, Inc. 34:50 Gaia Project 36:54 Blood Rage 38:25 Dune: Imperium 41:22 La Granja, Welcome To..., Azul, Cascadia 42:49 Root 44:39 Wrap Up 50:53 Listener Shoutout

May 9, 2022

In Episode 91 we discuss all 14 games that we played at BGHT PDXCon over 4 days. We also discuss a poll on selling games that you blinged out. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:51 Poll: Selling games that you upgraded 07:34 Viscounts of the West Kingdom 14:16 Tapestry (w/ Plans and Ploys and Arts and Architecture) 21:00 Return to Dark Tower 34:28 Keyflower 36:22 Wonderland's War 41:22 The Great Wall 55:37 Tzolk'in (w/ Tribes and Prophecies) 1:00:25 Clank! In! Space! 1:03:32 Nemesis 1:22:15 Lost Ruins of Arnak (w/ Expedition Leaders) 1:25:09 Azul: Queen's Garden 1:32:14 Blood Rage 1:36:00 Final Thoughts

May 2, 2022

In Episode 90 we provide our hot take review of Great Western Trail covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about frequency of scheduled game nights. Then we discuss some games on our table including Fallout Shelter and we give our future takes on Viticulture World. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Poll: Game night frequency 06:33 Great Western Trail Gameplay Description 08:05 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:36 Production and Theme 27:23 Final Thoughts 31:54 Fallout Shelter 39:24 Viticulture World

Apr 25, 2022

In Episode 89 we provide our hot take review of Wonderland's War covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about backing games on Kickstarter when you know it will be available in retail and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week. Then we discuss some games on our table including Diplomacy and Viscounts of the West Kingdom and Tim gives his ranking on the entire West Kingdom trilogy and we give our future takes on Maglev Metro and its new expansion and on Septima. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: Backing Kickstarters that will go to retail 09:22 Wonderland's War Gameplay Description 11:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:38 Production and Theme 38:13 Final Thoughts 45:53 Themed Cocktail of the Week 49:38 Diplomacy 54:38 Viscounts of the West Kingdom 1:06:52 West Kingdom Trilogy Ranking 1:09:35 Maglev Metro and Maps expansion 1:12:58 Septima

Apr 18, 2022

In Episode 88 we discuss our top 3 controversial mechanisms in board games. These are mechanisms that seem to be well loved, sometimes even by our co-hosts, or heavily used but we don't like them at all. We share some specific games that use those mechanisms and talk about why they don't (or sometimes do) work for us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:50 Poll: Controversial Mechanisms 08:26 #3 Tim - Negotiation (Chinatown, Catan, Inis, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy) 15:03 #3 Chris - Trick Taking (Brian Boru, Libertalia, Shamans, Spades, Hearts, The Crew, Oh Hell) 23:35 #3 Adam - Deck Milling (Terraforming Mars, Ark Nova, Everdell, Wingspan) 30:08 #2 Tim - Set Collection (Ethnos, Ticket to Ride, Wayfarers of the South Tigris, Champions of Midgard, 7 Wonders, Ra, Sushi Go) 37:12 #2 Chris - Pickup and Deliver (Merchants of the Dark Road, My Little Scythe, Clank!, Now or Never, Wasteland Delivery Service) 42:20 #2 Adam - Lose if you spend the most (Q.E., High Society) 44:35 #1 Tim - Player Determined Endgame (Ark Nova, Terraforming Mars, Scythe, Dune: Imperium, Anachrony, Beyond the Sun) 53:15 #1 Chris - Social Deduction / Hidden Traitor (One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Shamans, Battlestar Galactica, Love Letter, Coup) 1:01:38 #1 Adam - Dice Placement / Dice Mitigation (Wayfarers of the South Tigris, Euphoria, Castles of Burgundy) 1:05:49 Listener Shoutout

Apr 11, 2022

In Episode 87 we provide our hot take review of El Grande covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about in-game vs. endgame scoring and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week. Then we discuss some games on our table including Magic Maze and Gizmos and give our future take on Nightmare Cathedral. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll: In-game vs. Endgame Scoring 09:42 El Grande Gameplay Description 12:57 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:00 Production and Theme 31:55 Final Thoughts 35:03 Blood Rage Tangent 38:21 Themed Cocktail of the Week 42:13 Magic Maze 48:57 Gizmos 54:55 Nightmare Cathedral

Apr 4, 2022

In Episode 86 we provide our hot take review of Wayfarers of the South Tigris covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about unnecessary game boards and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week. Then we discuss some games on our table including Under Falling Skies, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization, and Return to Dark Tower. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Unnecessary Game Boards 06:08 Wayfarers of the South Tigris Gameplay Description 09:59 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:53 Production and Theme 32:52 Final Thoughts 41:37 Themed Cocktail of the Week 46:04 Under Falling Skies 55:10 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 1:00:28 Return to Dark Tower

Mar 28, 2022

In Episode 85 we provide our hot take review of Anachrony covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about learning games and then we discuss some games on our table including Paladins of the West Kingdom, Praga Caput Regni, Rolling Realms, and Res Arcana. We also give our future takes on Motor City and Solar 175. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: Learning Games 09:00 Anachrony Gameplay Description 10:46 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:42 Production and Theme 37:09 Final Thoughts 47:05 Paladins of the West Kingdom 53:05 Praga Caput Regni 1:05:36 Rolling Realms 1:08:52 Res Arcana 1:12:40 Motor City 1:22:24 Solar 175

Mar 21, 2022

In Episode 84 we discuss our top 5 favorite action selection mechanisms in board games. We also discuss poll results on bag building vs. deck building. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Poll: Deck Building vs. Bag Building 05:34 Action Selection Mechanisms 09:08 #5 Chris - Tapestry 12:56 #5 Adam - The Expanse Board Game 15:34 #5 Tim - Underwater Cities 19:07 #4 Chris - Pendulum 23:22 #4 Adam - Dominant Species 26:59 #4 Tim - Scythe 30:57 #3 Chris - Pan Am 34:29 #3 Adam - Smartphone, Inc. 37:07 #3 Tim - Orleans and Paladins of the West Kingdom 43:02 #2 Chris - Clank! 46:50 #2 Adam - Star Wars: Rebellion 50:00 #2 Tim - Bonfire 53:19 #1 Chris - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 56:35 #1 Adam - Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 1:00:27 #1 Tim - Ark Nova

Mar 14, 2022

In Episode 83 we provide our hot take review of The Isle of Cats covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about favorite number and length of games for an ideal game night, Chris provides a themed cocktail for The Isle of Cats, and then we discuss some games on our table including A Feast for Odin and Rolling Realms and give our future take on Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:01 Poll: Number and Length of Games for an Ideal Game Night 07:29 The Isle of Cats Gameplay Description 10:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:52 Production and Theme 35:16 Final Thoughts 40:13 Themed Cocktail of the Week 44:17 A Feast for Odin 52:48 Rolling Realms 1:03:00 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies

Mar 7, 2022

In Episode 82 we provide our hot take review of Brian Boru: High King of Ireland covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about things that motivate you to look closer at a game and consider buying it, Chris gives us his famous themed cocktail segment, and then we discuss some games on our table including Tapestry: Arts and Architecture and Now or Never. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Poll: What motivates you to consider buying a game 09:57 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland Gameplay Description 12:20 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:03 Production and Theme 31:15 Final Thoughts 38:31 Themed Cocktail of the Week 42:06 Tapestry: Arts and Architecture 49:10 Checkers 51:42 Now or Never

Feb 28, 2022

In Episode 81 we provide our hot take review of Libertalia covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game and then we discuss what we think of the changes in the updated and newly released version of the game, Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest. We're joined by Riley Stock, the host of the Board Game Community Show podcast. We discuss a poll related to favorite types of board game reviews and then we discuss some games on our table including Cartographers and It's a Wonderful Kingdom and a future take on Voices in My Head. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Poll: Favorite Type of Board Game Reviews 05:08 Libertalia Gameplay Descriptions 06:54 Gameplay and Mechanisms 19:33 Production and Theme 26:16 Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest Differences 39:38 Final Thoughts 44:08 Cartogrophers 51:19 It's a Wonderful Kingdom 58:47 Voices in My Head

Feb 21, 2022

In Episode 80 we discuss our top 3 favorite combat mechanisms as well as our top 2 least favorite combat mechanisms. We also discuss poll results on player counts and discuss favorite player counts. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Poll: Player Counts 05:51 Favorite Combat Mechanisms - Lords of Hellas 8:05 #3 Tim - Dwellings of Eldervale 13:20 #3 Adam - Inis 16:35 #3 Chris - Fractal: Beyond the Void 20:44 #2 Tim - Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy 26:48 #2 Adam - Battle for Rokugan 29:37 #2 Chris - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 36:10 #1 Tim - Dune: Imperium 45:45 #1 Adam - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 51:35 #1 Chris - Blood Rage 56:51 Least Favorite Combat Mechanisms 57:28 #2 Tim - Star Wars: Rebellion 1:01:45 #2 Adam - Cthulhu Wars 1:06:37 #2 Chris - Scythe 1:13:44 #1 Tim - Root 1:18:10 #1 Adam - Path of Light and Shadow 1:20:52 #1 Chris - Risk: Legacy 1:26:20 Final Thoughts on Combat: AuZtralia, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Mage Knight, Magic: The Gathering, Star Realms, Maria, Forbidden Stars 1:32:20 Listener Shout Out

Feb 14, 2022

In Episode 79 we provide our hot take review of the expansion for Dune: Imperium, The Rise of Ix, covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to favorite interactions types. Then we discuss some games on our table including Cryo and some future takes on Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum and Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Poll: Favorite Type of Interaction in Board Games 13:02 Dune: Imperium - The Rise of Ix 16:37 Gameplay and Mechanisms 38:52 Production and Theme 44:16 Memorable Moments 48:28 Final Thoughts 51:25 Cryo 58:56 Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum 1:04:28 Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest 1:10:28 Listener Shout-out

Feb 7, 2022

In Episode 78 we provide our hot take review of La Granja covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to thematic sci-fi IP based board games. Chris presents a La Granja themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Blood Rage, Gaia Project, Pan Am, Ra, and Nidavellir. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:17 Poll: Thematic Sci-fi IP based games 08:24 La Granja Game Description 11:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:42 Production and Theme 31:40 Memorable Moments 34:59 Final Thoughts 38:48 Themed Cocktail of the Week 40:57 Blood Rage and Gaia Project 44:31 Ra 50:47 Nidavellir 55:50 Pan Am 57:57 Listener Shout-out

Jan 31, 2022

In Episode 77 we provide our hot take review of Brass: Birmingham covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to board game bonuses. Chris presents a Brass themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Ark Nova, Abandon All Artichokes, Art Decko, and Radlands and we give our future take of Legacy of Yu. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 News and Poll: Board Game Bonuses 08:10 Brass: Birmingham Description 10:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:11 Production and Theme 37:40 Memorable Moments 43:14 Final Thoughts 47:25 Themed Cocktail of the Week 51:07 Ark Nova 53:50 Abandon All Artichokes 56:42 Art Decko 1:01:31 Radlands 1:02:19 Legacy of Yu

Jan 24, 2022

In Episode 76 we look back at the games we played in 2021 and talk about our biggest hits, and biggest missed in 2021. This includes games that were published in 2021 but also games that were new to us in 2021. We also talk about our Board Game Revelations - the things that changed gaming for us over the last year. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 3:23 Biggest Surprises in 2021 3:37 Chris - Keyflower, Gaia Project 7:00 Adam - Shamans 8:50 Jen - Camel Up 12:28 Tim - Smartphone, Inc., Shamans, The Expanse: The Board Game 15:06 Biggest Disappointment in 2021 15:34 Chris - Windward, AuZtralia 19:27 Adam - Cerebria, Outlive 22:03 Jen - Rajas of the Ganges 24:09 Tim - The Path of Light and Shadow, Obsession 25:19 Best New To Us in 2021 26:34 Chris - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 28:51 Adam - Smartphone, Inc. 30:52 Jen - Isle of Cats 34:09 Tim - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Paladins of the West Kingdom 36:48 Best Components of 2021 36:59 Chris - The Great Wall, Return to Dark Tower 40:00 Adam - Oath 41:40 Tim - Hadrian's Wall, Terraforming Mars: Big Box, Red Rising 48:27 Best Game of 2021 48:38 Chris - Cascadia 49:30 Jen - Cascadia 51:01 Adam - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 54:23 Tim - Ark Nova, Cascadia 58:16 Most Played Game of 2021 58:30 Chris - Welcome To..., Azul, Tapestry, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Terraforming Mars, Star Realms 1:00:07 Adam - Dune: Imperium 1:01:22 Jen - Quacks of Quedlinburg 1:04:44 Tim - Lost Ruins of Arnak, Quacks of Quedlinburg 1:06:50 Board Game Revelations in 2021

Jan 17, 2022

In Episode 75 we provide our hot take review of Merchants of the Dark Road covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to what makes legacy games feel special. Then we discuss some games on our table including Azul, Tzolk'in, The Great Wall, Abyss, Seasons. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Poll: What makes a legacy game special? 11:45 Merchants of the Dark Road Description 13:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:47 Production and Theme 31:33 Memorable Moments 39:50 Final Thoughts 44:35 Azul strategy discussion 52:31 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar - Double Take 56:40 Great Wall First Impressions 1:02:10 Abyss 1:04:07 Seasons

Jan 10, 2022

In Episode 74 we provide our hot take reviews of Welcome To... and Azul covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the games and we discuss a poll related to ideal board game playtimes. Chris provides a Welcome To... themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Viticulture, Charterstone, and Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Board Game Playtimes 11:12 Welcome To... Description 13:04 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:20 Production and Theme 23:30 Memorable Moments 26:48 Final Thoughts 30:30 Azul Description 32:17 Gameplay and Mechanisms 38:42 Production and Theme 43:45 Memorable Moments 47:55 Final Thoughts 55:10 Cocktail of the Week 58:36 Viticulture 1:00:16 Catan Junior 1:03:09 Charterstone 1:12:17 Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun

Jan 3, 2022

In Episode 73 we provide our hot take review of Ark Nova covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to board game strategy guides. Then we discuss some games on our table including Targi, Viticulture, Welcome To..., Happy Little Dinosaurs, and Just Desserts. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 News and Poll: Board Game Strategy Guides 08:46 Description 10:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:53 Production and Theme 35:57 Memorable Moments 39:14 Final Thoughts 44:56 Happy Little Dinosaurs 46:52 Welcome To... 48:38 Just Desserts 49:23 Viticulture 50:36 Targi

Dec 27, 2021

In Episode 72 we discuss the top 5 games we want to play but haven't gotten around to... yet. We also look at our lists from last year and review whether we played them and how they landed for us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction Last Year 4:27 #5 Chris Last Year - Godspeed 6:00 #5 Jen Last Year - Rajas of the Ganges 7:00 #5 Tim Last Year - Res Arcana 8:25 #5 Adam Last Year - Fossilis 9:54 #4 Chris Last Year - Cthulhu Wars: Duel 10:54 #4 Jen Last Year - Whistle Stop 12:23 #4 Tim Last Year - Obsession 14:18 #4 Adam Last Year - Xia: Legends of a Drift System 15:45 #3 Chris Last Year - Dwellings of Eldervale 17:03 #3 Jen Last Year - Pan Am 17:40 #3 Tim Last Year - Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 18:09 #3 Adam Last Year - Canvas 18:52 #2 Chris and Adam Last Year - Imperium: The Contention 21:13 #2 Jen Last Year - Pandemic 22:40 #2 Tim Last Year - Concordia 23:44 #1 Chris Last Year - Disney: Villainous 25:33 #1 Jen Last Year - Castles of Tuscany 26:26 #1 Tim Last Year - Trajan 26:51 #1 Adam Last Year - Dune: Imperium This Year 28:10 #5 Chris - Azul 30:00 #5 Jen - Welcome To... 32:04 #5 Tim - Tyrants of the Underdark / The Quest for El Dorado 34:57 #5 Adam - Cryo 36:32 #4 Chris - Rising Sun 40:18 #4 Jen - Kokopelli 42:44 #4 Tim - Rolling Realms 44:40 #4 Adam - Barrage 46:19 #3 Chris - Nemesis 48:15 #3 Jen - Viticulture 53:27 #3 Tim - Sleeping Gods 54:44 #3 Adam - Organism 56:36 #2 Chris - Radlands 59:21 #2 Jen - Catan 1:02:43 #2 Tim - Ark Nova 1:04:53 #2 Adam - Reef Encounter 1:06:34 #1 Chris - Golem 1:09:14 #1 - Jen - Calico 1:12:14 #1 - Tim - Clans of Caledonia 1:14:20 #1 - Adam - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland

Dec 20, 2021

In Episode 71 we provide our hot take review of Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to storing game expansions. Chris discusses the Tzolk'in themed cocktail that wasn't and then we discuss some games on our table including Praga Caput Regni and the games we've been playing on Board Game Arena. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Storing Board Game Expansions 08:21 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar Description 10:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:12 Production and Theme 29:52 Memorable Moments 34:55 Final Thoughts 39:25 Themed Cocktail of the Week 44:25 Board Game Arena 49:09 Praga Caput Regni

Dec 13, 2021

In Episode 70 we provide our hot take review of Keyflower covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to buying games that we first played online. Chris provides a Keyflower themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Cascadia, Welcome To..., and Obsession. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: Buying games after trying them online 08:25 Keyflower Description 10:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:24 Production and Theme 33:17 Memorable Moments 41:41 Final Thoughts 48:38 Themed Cocktail of the Week 53:24 Obsession 54:39 Cascadia 59:30 Welcome To...

Dec 6, 2021

In Episode 69 we provide our hot take review of Root covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to asymmetric board games. Chris provides a Root themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Risk: Legacy, Azul, and Unsettled. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll: Asymmetric Game Play 06:46 Root 08:49 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:25 Production and Theme 43:55 Memorable Moments 49:26 Final Thoughts 57:46 Themed Cocktail of the Week 1:02:36 Azul 1:04:43 Risk: Legacy 1:12:28 Unsettled

Nov 29, 2021

In Episode 68 we discuss some of the reasons we cull board games from our collections and list 5 games that are leaving and why they aren't going to be sticking around. We also discuss poll results on how frequently board games are culled. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Poll discussion around culling games 9:17 #5 Adam - Space Corp - 2025-2300AD 12:35 #5 Chris - Calico 15:15 #5 Tim - Wingspan 20:41 #4 Adam - Irish Gauge 22:35 #4 Chris - Lords of Hellas 26:27 #4 Tim - It's a Wonderful World / Maracaibo 29:36 #3 Adam - Android: Netrunner 33:48 #3 Chris - This War of Mine 35:54 #3 Tim - Empires of the Void II 39:02 #2 Adam - On Mars 43:11 #2 Chris - Marvel United 47:10 #2 Tim - Paper Dungeon 49:40 #1 Adam - Spirit Island 54:15 #1 Chris - Twisted Fables 58:20 #1 Tim - Fort 59:43 Culling Final Thoughts

Nov 22, 2021

In Episode 67 we provide our hot take review of Ankh: Gods of Egypt covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss our big 'renaming' and related poll results. Chris provides an Ankh themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Keyflower, Bonfire, and Brian Boru: High King of Ireland. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Poll: Name Change? 04:21 Ankh: Gods of Egypt Description 06:20 Gameplay and Mechanisms 32:34 Production and Theme 39:38 Memorable Moments 43:38 Final Thoughts 49:17 Themed Cocktail of the Week 52:36 Keyflower 1:00:27 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 1:05:51 Bonfire

Nov 15, 2021

In Episode 66 we provide our hot take review of Russian Railroads covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss some poll results around abstract games. We then discuss some games on our table including Royal Visit, Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition, and Patchwork: Halloween Edition and then give our future takes on Age of Galaxy and the Arts and Architecture expansion for Tapestry. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Do you like abstract games 04:00 Russian Railroads Description 06:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:56 Production and Theme 25:41 Memorable Moments 28:54 Final Thoughts 34:00 Royal Visit 37:24 Patchwork: Halloween Edition 38:37 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition 1:21:57 45:02 Age of Galaxy 49:13 Tapestry: Arts and Architecture

Nov 8, 2021

In Episode 65 we provide our hot take review of Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a big change coming for Board Game Hot Takes and ask for your input. We then discuss some games on our table including Paladins of the West Kingdom and the expansion for My Little Scythe - Pie in the Sky and then give our future takes on Brian Boru: High King of Ireland and Wayfarers of the South Tigris. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Big Changes Coming 05:00 Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy 07:36 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:37 Production and Theme 40:17 Memorable Moments 46:48 Final Thoughts 51:56 Paladins of the West Kingdom 1:04:35 My Little Scythe: Pie in the Sky 1:21:57 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 1:25:12 Wayfarers of the South Tigris

Nov 1, 2021

In Episode 64, we discuss the next 8 games that were played at TimCon where Tim, Adam, Chris, and Steve got together for 5 days of non-stop gaming! We also discuss our biggest disappointments and biggest surprises out of the 22 games played from the entire weekend. Games covered include Smartphone, Inc., Samurai, Tapestry, Cerebria, Shamans, Outlive, Anachrony, and The Mind. Follow along as we share the TimCon Championship scoring for the weekend and announce the Champion! Part 1 was released last week so if you haven't listened to that yet, go check it out! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Smartphone, Inc. 04:45 Samurai 11:07 Tapestry 15:36 Cerebria 24:13 Shamans 33:05 Outlive 41:41 Anachrony 49:07 TimCon 2021 Champion Announced! 49:45 The Mind 50:17 Games we missed 52:31 Biggest Disappointments 53:22 Biggest Surprises

Oct 25, 2021

In Episode 63, we discuss the first 14 games that were played at TimCon where Tim, Adam, Chris, and Steve got together for 5 days of non-stop gaming! Games covered include Glen More II: Chronicles, Shards of Infinity, Gaia Project, High Society, Cubitos, Dominant Species, The Bridges of Shangri-La, Kabuto Sumo, The Expanse Board Game, Cascadia, Terraforming Mars, Aquatica, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy, and Scythe. Follow along as we share the TimCon Championship scoring for the weekend. Part 2 will be coming next week! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:55 Glen More II: Chronicles 04:26 Shards of Infinity 08:26 Gaia Project 10:16 High Society 13:55 Cubitos 15:50 Dominant Species 22:18 The Bridges of Shangri-La 26:06 Kabuto Sumo 28:44 The Expanse Board Game 37:58 Cascadia 41:57 Terraforming Mars 49:01 Aquatica 55:51 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 1:06:22 Scythe

Oct 18, 2021

In Episode 62 we provide our hot take review of Robotech: Reconstruction covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss where we buy board games and some related poll results. Chris provides a Robotech themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Azul and Glen More II and future takes on Azul: Queen's Garden and Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Upgrading board game components 04:40 Robotech: Reconstruction Description 07:50 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:09 Production and Theme 45:42 Memorable Moments 53:51 Final Thoughts 1:01:13 Themed Cocktail of the Week 1:06:14 Azul 1:09:50 Azul: Queen's Garden 1:10:30 Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy 1:12:30 Glen More II: Chronicles

Oct 14, 2021

Bonus episode! In Episode 61 we provide our hot take review of Fractal: Beyond the Void covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. Then we compare Fractal: Beyond the Void to Voidfall (another epic 4x space game on Kickstarter right now) and discuss which one we preferred and which one each of us plans to back on Kickstarter. If you want to hear our full thoughts on Voidfall, you can find our review in episode 60. Sorry for the minor audio quality issues with Chris' audio track. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Fractal: Beyond the Void Description 03:37 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:39 Production and Theme 36:10 Memorable Moments 42:00 Final Thoughts 44:20 Comparison to Voidfall

Oct 11, 2021

In Episode 60 we provide our hot take review of Voidfall covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game (as well as whether we plan to back it on Kickstarter). We also discuss upgraded board game components and some related poll results. Then we discuss some games on our table including The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged and Crimes in History: H. H. Holmes' Murder Castle. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Poll: Upgrading board game components 07:13 Voidfall Description 10:17 Gameplay and Mechanisms 43:19 Production and Theme 55:36 Memorable Moments 1:02:12 Final Thoughts 1:12:33 The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged 1:15:52 Crimes in History: H. H. Holmes' Murder Castle

Oct 4, 2021

In Episode 59 we provide our hot take review of Furnace covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss traveling with board games and some related poll results. Chris provides a Furnace themed cocktail and then Tim goes deep on his experience with Cerebria: The Inside World. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Poll: Travelling with board games 05:26 Furnace Description 07:32 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:12 Production and Theme 35:46 Memorable Moments 40:02 Final Thoughts 43:22 Themed Cocktail of the Week 48:26 Cerebria: The Inside World

Sep 27, 2021

In Episode 58 we discuss our top 5 incoming board game Kickstarters. First, we discuss poll results on board game Kickstarters that haven't been delivered yet. Then we take a look at our top 5 incoming Kickstarters from last year (discussed in episode 6) and score them with a VERY SCIENTIFIC scoring method. Finally, we look at our current top 5 incoming Kickstarters and discuss why we backed them and why we're excited about them. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Poll: Undelivered Crowdfunded Game Count 7:06 2020 Kickstarter Scorecard 10:05 #5 Adam - High Frontier 4 All 11:09 #5 Chris - Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection 14:23 #5 Tim - It's a Wonderful World: Ascension 16:22 #4 Adam - Valhallamas 17:20 #4 Chris and Tim - Terraforming Mars: Big Box 18:42 #3 Adam - Imperium: The Contention 19:10 #3 Fossilis 20:09 #3 Frosthaven 21:33 #2 Adam - Capital Lux 2 23:09 #2 Chris - Return to Dark Tower 25:30 #2 Tim - Glen More II: The Highland Games 26:13 #1 Adam - Canvas 27:05 #1 Chris - Dawn of Madness 29:03 #1 Tim - Dwellings of Eldervale 30:37 2020 Scorecard Final Results 33:31 2021 Top 5 Incoming Board Game Kickstarters 33:57 #5 Chris - Hyperspace 36:14 #5 Tim - Artisans of Splendent Vale 40:32 #5 Adam - Cora Quest 41:36 #4 Chris - Canvas 43:20 #4 Tim - One Deck Galaxy 45:45 #4 Adam - They Live: Assault on Cable 54 48:03 #3 Chris - Distilled 49:38 #3 Tim - Paperback Adventures 51:45 #3 Adam - Chaosmos: The Temple 55:53 #2 Chris - Robot Quest: Arena 58:48 #2 Tim - Now or Never 1:00:33 #2 Adam - SHASN: AZADI 1:04:20 #1 Chris - The Great Wall 1:07:28 #1 Tim - Everdell: Newleaf and Mistwood and Complete Collection 1:12:20 #1 Adam - Fractal: Beyond the Void 1:18:39 Random Segue - Unconscious Mind 1:19:10 Kickstarter Final Thoughts

Sep 20, 2021

In Episode 57 we provide our hot take review of 7 Wonders covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also have a Battle of the Board between Gaia Project and Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy and discuss poll results on these 2 games. Then we discuss some games we've been playing this week in our On The Table segment including This War of Mine, Kabuto Sumo, and Flamme Rouge and we look at some games that have our attention in our Future Takes segment including The Spill, and Shasn: Azadi. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Battle of the Board Poll: Gaia Project and Eclipse 07:18 7 Wonders Description 09:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:28 Production and Theme 35:43 Memorable Moments 40:18 Final Thoughts 44:24 This War of Mine 57:26 Kabuto Sumo 1:02:29 Flamme Rouge 1:07:50 The Spill 1:13:37 Shasn: Azadi

Sep 13, 2021

In Episode 56 we provide our hot take review of Rococo covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss shelves of shame and poll results around this topic. Then we discuss some games we've been playing this week in our On The Table segment including Nunami, Viticulture: Visit from the Rhine Valley, and Shamans and we look at some games that have our attention in our Future Takes segment including Earth Rising, Fractal: Beyond the Void, and This War of Mine. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:35 Poll: Shelf of Shame size 09:40 Rococo Description 14:07 Gameplay and Mechanisms 39:45 Production and Theme 46:36 Memorable Moments 54:50 Final Thoughts 1:10:15 Cocktail of the Week 1:06:27 Isle of Cats 1:10:32 Nunami 1:18:10 Shamans 1:22:33 Viticulture: Visit from the Rhine Valley 1:28:37 Earth Rising: 20 Years to Transform Our World 1:29:11 Fractal: Beyond the Void 1:31:54 This War of Mine

Sep 6, 2021

In Episode 55 we provide our hot take review of Cascadia covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we make a lot of comparisons to a similar tile drafting and placement game by Flatout Games: Calico. We also discuss different types of card games and poll results around this topic. Then we discuss some games we've been playing this week in our On The Table segment including Battle for Rokugan, One Deck Dungeon, and Watergate and we look at some games that have our attention in our Future Takes segment including Nemesis, One Deck Galaxy, and the Dragon Prince: Battlecharged. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Poll: Favorite Type of Card Game 11:04 Cascadia Description 13:06 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:07 Production and Theme 29:22 Memorable Moments 37:33 Final Thoughts 42:23 Cocktail of the Week 47:07 Battle for Rokugan 50:35 One Deck Dungeon 1:09:22 Watergate 1:19:19 Nemesis 1:24:35 One Deck Galaxy 1:25:31 Dragon Prince: Battlecharged

Aug 30, 2021

In Episode 54 we discuss solo board gaming and our picks for the top 5 solo board games. Tim and Adam list off our top 5 solo games of all time and Chris discusses the top 5 solo games he thinks might get him into solo gaming. We also discuss poll results around solo gaming. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Poll: Do you solo game? 8:51 #5 Tim - Underwater Cities 10:14 #5 Adam - Space Corp - 2025-2300AD 12:05 #5 Chris - This War of Mine 16:17 #4 Tim - Cthulhu: Death May Die 19:23 #4 Adam - Baseball Highlights: 2045 20:35 #4 Chris - Nemesis 26:43 #3 Tim - One Deck Dungeon 29:25 #3 Adam - Dune: Imperium 32:08 #3 Chris - Cthulhu: Death May Die 33:07 #2 Tim - Everdell 36:26 #2 Adam - Imperium: The Contention 38:36 #2 Chris - Return to Dark Tower 40:27 #1 Tim - Lost Ruins of Arnak 43:54 #1 Adam - Pax Pamir - 2nd Edition 46:23 #1 Chris - Dawn of Madness 49:17 Honorable Mentions - Smartphone, Inc., Nemo's War, Under Falling Skies, Gaia Project, Scythe, Tapestry, Mage Knight

Aug 23, 2021

Episode 53 is our 1 year anniversary episode! we provide our hot take review of Aquatica covering the mechanisms, the production, noteworthy moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss poll results around re-buying games when a new edition is released. Finally, we celebrate our 1 year anniversary by telling our origin story. We talk about how the podcast got started and then each of our 5 hosts tell you how they got started with board games and answer a bunch of rapid fire questions about their board game past and present. Thank you for listening for the last year! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Poll: Re-buying games 06:36 Aquatica Description 09:37 Gameplay and Mechanisms 12:55 Production and Theme 17:45 Standout Moments 21:22 Final Thoughts 25:45 BGHT Origin Story 38:12 Jen Gaming Background 43:22 Tim Gaming Background 49:24 Adam Gaming Background 54:37 Steve Gaming Background 1:00:59 Chris Gaming Background 1:05:49 Rapid Fire Questions

Aug 16, 2021

In Episode 52 we provide our hot take review of Windward covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss our favorite premium board game components and discuss poll results around this topic. Chris provides a Windward themed cocktail recipe then we discuss some games we've been playing this week including The Bears and The Bees, Qwirkle, and Shards of Infinity and some games we're excited about including Nunami, Earthborne Rangers, and Earth Rising: 20 Years to Transform our World. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:10 Poll: Premium Board Game Components 10:14 Windward Description 12:39 Gameplay and Mechanisms 40:44 Production and Theme 47:50 Standout Moments 43:33 Final Thoughts 1:04:00 Cocktail Of The Week: Grog 1:07:30 The Bears and the Bees 1:09:11 Nunami 1:11:34 Earthborne Rangers 1:13:55 Earth Rising: 20 Years to Transform our World 1:16:28 Quirkle 1:17:05 Shards of Infinity

Aug 9, 2021

In Episode 51 we provide our hot take review of Smartphone, Inc. covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss overused themes in board games and discuss poll results around this topic. Then we discuss some games we've been playing this week including Imperium: The Contention, Catan: Cities and Knights, and The Isle of Cats. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll: Overused Themes in Board Games 05:30 Smartphone, Inc. Description 07:16 Gameplay and Mechanisms 21:55 Production and Theme 29:15 Favorite Moments 34:38 Final Thoughts 40:26 Imperium: The Contention 44:08 Catan: Cities and Knights 47:42 The Isle of Cats

Aug 2, 2021

In episode 50 we have a discussion on game tables, which features are important to us, and our personal experience with our own tables. We also have a conversation about our dream game night - who would be there, what we'd play, where it would be, and all of the other things that would make the perfect game night for us. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:50 Game Tables Conversation 43:16 The Perfect Game Night 44:55 Adam's Perfect Game Night 52:45 Chris' Perfect Game Night 1:06:25 Tim's Perfect Game Night 1:22:13 Goodbye to a Friend

Jul 26, 2021

In Episode 49 Chris and Tim discuss the 12 games that were played over a long weekend together. Adam hangs out to chat with us about them. The audio isn't great on this episode due to some technical issues but stick with us because we think you'll enjoy the conversation. 00:00 Introduction 03:04 Calico 13:02 Tapestry 16:06 Red Rising 22:09 Marvel: United 32:17 Sorry! 33:43 Zombie Kids Evolution 34:51 Terraforming Mars 39:49 Pendulum 54:33 Outlive 1:06:00 Fossilis 1:14:48 Viticulture 1:18:18 Disney Villainous

Jul 19, 2021

In Episode 48 we provide our hot take review of Obsession covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss our favorite ways to consume board game reviews and other media and discuss poll results around this topic. Chris provides a recipe for an Obsession themed cocktail and finally we discuss some games we've been playing including Smartphone, Inc. and Viticulture: Tuscany. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Poll: Favorite Ways to hear Board Game Reviews 05:30 Obsession Description 09:07 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:06 Production 38:20 Favorite Moments 43:22 Final Thoughts 51:45 Cocktail of the Week: Sherry Cobbler 55:45 Smartphone, Inc. 1:01:54 Viticulture: Tuscany

Jul 12, 2021

In Episode 47 we discuss our picks for the top 5 board games expansions! Tim, Chris, and Adam list off our picks for the best expansions of all time. We discuss how we feel about expansions, why publishers might release expansions, and why these are our picks for the best expansions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Poll: Favorite Type of Game 10:13 Expansions 18:30 #5 Chris - Villainous - All Expansions 22:41 #5 Adam - Race for the Galaxy - The Gathering Storm, Rebel vs Imperium, The Brink of War 24:25 #5 Tim - Underwater Cities - New Discoveries 29:37 #4 Chris - Terraforming Mars - Hellas and Elysium 31:38 #4 Adam - Terraforming Mars - Prelude 32:33 #4 Tim - Near and Far - Amber Mines 35:30 #3 Chris - Cthulhu: Death May Die - Season 2 40:02 #3 Adam - The Expanse Board Game - Doors and Corners 44:20 #3 Tim - Orleans - Trade and Intrigue 50:25 #2 Chris - Star Realms - All Expansions 56:25 #2 Adam - Xia - Embers of a Forsaken Star 59:06 #2 Tim - Scythe - Modular Board 1:03:57 #1 Chris - Scythe - The Rise of Fenris 1:08:45 #1 Adam - Star Wars: Rebellion - Rise of the Empire 1:10:48 #1 Tim - Jamaica - The Crew 1:14:25 Honorable Mentions

Jul 5, 2021

In Episode 46 we provide our hot take review of Kemet: Blood and Sand covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss our favorite places to play board games and discuss poll results around this topic. Chris provides a recipe for a Kemet: Blood and Sand themed cocktail and finally we discuss some games we've been playing including Terraforming Mars: Colonies and some games we're excited about including Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Now or Never, and Lost Ruins of Arnak: Expedition Leaders. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Poll: Favorite Places to Play Board Games 06:22 Kemet: Blood and Sand Description 09:39 Gameplay and Mechanisms 39:51 Production 44:56 Favorite Moments 51:50 Final Thoughts 59:09 Cocktail of the Week: Blood and Sand 1:06:10 Terraforming Mars: Colonies 1:08:10 Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy 1:09:10 Now or Never 1:13:35 Lost Ruins of Arnak: Expedition Leaders

Jun 28, 2021

In Episode 45 we provide our hot take review of Power Grid covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss board game collection sizes and some of the thoughts our listeners have about their board game collections. We also discuss some games we've been playing including 7 Wonders: Duel, Isle of Skye, Coloretto, The Mind, and Blokus Duo and some games we're excited about including Smartphone, Inc Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Poll: Board Game Collection Sizes 13:22 Power Grid Description 15:56 Gameplay and Mechanisms 43:15 Production 48:51 Favorite Moments 52:08 Final Thoughts 54:58 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 57:42 The Mind 1:00:36 Smartphone, Inc. 1:02:30 7 Wonders: Duel 1:04:56 Coloretto 1:06:57 Blokus: Duo

Jun 21, 2021

In Episode 44 we provide our hot take review of Carpe Diem covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss why dry euro games may not fit for us all and compare Carpe Diem to Stefan Feld's most popular game with some similar mechanisms: Castles of Burgundy. We also discuss some games we've been playing including Hearts, Manila, MicroMacro: Crime City, and Hadrian's Wall and some games we're excited about including Robot Quest Arena. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:10 Carpe Diem Description 03:43 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:29 Production 27:22 Favorite Moments 31:44 Final Thoughts 35:50 Robot Quest Arena 37:22 Hearts 40:28 MicroMacro: Crime City 44:48 Hadrian's Wall 47:06 Manila

Jun 14, 2021

In Episode 43 we discuss our picks for the top 10 board games OF ALL TIME! Tim, Chris, and Adam list off our picks for the best games of all time. We discuss how we made those picks and if there were any surprises to us on our lists. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 How we made our picks 07:25 - #10 13:49 - #9 20:16 - #8 25:46 - #7 34:47 - #6 41:10 - #5 47:59 - #4 54:30 - #3 1:00:10 - #2 1:06:19 - #1 1:15:20 - Surprises on our lists

Jun 7, 2021

In Episode 42 we provide our hot take review of Rap Godz covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games we've been playing including Dice Throne, Doughnut Drive-Thru and Terraforming Mars and some games we're excited about including Paperback Adventures and AuZtralia. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:10 Rap Godz Description 03:03 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:02 Production 29:16 Favorite Moments 35:46 Final Thoughts 44:51 Dice Throne 47:40 Doughnut Drive-Thru 49:17 AuZtralia 51:52 Terraforming Mars 52:42 Paperback Adventures

May 31, 2021

In Episode 41 we provide our hot take review of Lost Ruins of Arnak covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We briefly compare Lost Ruins of Arnak and Dune: Imperium to let you know which of these deck building/worker placement games we recommend. We also discuss some games we've been playing including Power Grid and Take 5 and some games we're excited about including Oath, Witcher: The Old World, and Elder Scrolls. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Lost Ruins of Arnak description 03:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 21:55 Lost Ruins of Arnak vs. Dune: Imperium 27:59 Production 37:28 Exciting Moments 41:51 Final Thoughts 47:00 Oath: Chronicles of Empires and Exile 48:50 Power Grid 51:30 Take 5 54:33 Elder Scrolls 55:58 The Witcher: Old World

May 24, 2021

In Episode 40 we provide our hot take review of AuZtralia covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games we've been playing including Kemet: Blood and Sand and Lost Ruins of Arnak and some games we're excited about including an expansion to Beyond the Sun and Twisted Fables. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:04 AuZtralia description 04:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms 42:55 Production 51:01 Exciting Moments 57:36 Final Thoughts 1:03:44 Kemet: Blood and Sand 1:07:02 Lost Ruins of Arnak 1:12:18 Beyond the Sun: Leaders of the Exodus expansion 1:14:00 Twisted Fables

May 17, 2021

In Episode 39 we discuss house rules and fan variants in board games. We talk about why people may use them, how we feel about that, and what games we've house ruled with some notable examples including Orleans, Wingspan, Scythe, Castles of Burgundy, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy, Dune: Imperium, My Little Scythe, Dice Throne, Space Base, and Champions of Midgard. We also talk about some official variants that you find in the rulebook including Res Arcana and Terraforming Mars. We then discuss some games we've been playing this week including Dice Throne and Red Cathedral, and some game we're excited about trying including High Society, First Ascent, and VoidFall. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 House Rules and Fan Variants 01:52 Removing Complexity (Dice Throne, My Little Scythe, Space Base) 08:42 Zoom Compatibility (Wingspan) 10:30 Improved Variability and Easier Intro (Orleans, Champions of Midgard) 15:20 Better Strategic Decisions (Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy, Tapestry) 20:22 Exploring Games in Different Ways (Dune: Imperium) 26:02 Official Variants (Terraforming Mars, Res Arcana) 27:45 Fixing Balance Issues (Castles of Burgundy, Scythe) 31:05 Games We're Excited About 33:06 First Ascent 35:05 Red Cathedral 35:52 Voidfall 41:28 Kemet: Blood and Sand 43:46 Dice Throne 46:20 High Society

May 10, 2021

In Episode 38 we discuss the top 10 games on boardgamegeek.com. We talk about whether we've played them, whether we want to, and how we've rated the best games of all time according to BGG user ratings. We also discuss some games that we think might make a run for the top 10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:04 - #10 Twilight Struggle 12:50 - #9 Star Wars: Rebellion 21:00 - #8 Gaia Project 26:30 - #7 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 32:20 - #6 Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion 40:46 - #5 Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition 45:08 - #4 Terraforming Mars 51:30 - #3 Brass: Birmingham 58:52 - #2 Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 1:03:37 - #1 Gloomhaven 1:07:07 - Games we think might make Top 10

May 3, 2021

In Episode 37 we provide our hot take review of The Quacks of Quedlinburg and Cubitos covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the games. We then compare the two games and discuss which is our favorite and why. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:17 The Quacks of Quedlinburg Description 03:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms 18:06 Production 21:32 Favorite Moments in Play 24:53 Final Thoughts 27:24 Cubitos Description 29:00 Gameplay and Mechanisms 39:50 Production 44:29 Favorite Moments in Play 49:25 Final Thoughts 50:47 Quacks VS Cubitos - Showdown

Apr 26, 2021

In Episode 36 we provide our hot take review of Clank! In! Space! covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss the importance of diversity and representation in the board game industry and hobby and then highlight some games that we're excited about including Boss Battles and Red Cathedral, and look at the games published by Hollandspiele Games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:23 Clank! In! Space! Description 05:56 Gameplay and Mechanisms 23:37 Production 34:20 Favorite Moments in Play 41:43 Final Thoughts 48:20 Diversity and Representation in Board Games 54:26 Boss Battle 58:17 Red Cathedral 1:02:30 Hollandspiele Games 1:06:30 BGHT Supports the Human Rights Campaign - and you can help!

Apr 19, 2021

In Episode 35 we provide our hot take review of Concordia covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some recent plays including Fox in the Forest, Omen: Reign of War, and Trekking the National Parks. We also talk about a game coming to Kickstarter soon: Fractal: Beyond the Void. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Concordia Description 02:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms 12:55 Production 18:22 Favorite Moments in Play 21:43 Final Thoughts 26:40 Omen: Reign of War 27:33 Fractal: Beyond the Void 31:05 Fox in the Forest 37:55 Trekking the National Parks

Apr 12, 2021

In Episode 34 Adam and Tim discuss 10 games that they played during their first in-person gaming session in over a year! Chris joins in to heckle us. 00:00 Introduction and discussion on gaming in person 06:05 A Feast for Odin 15:27 Canvas 23:18 Dwellings of Eldervale 30:27 Baseball Highlights: 2045 39:33 Anachrony 50:40 Anachrony: Fractures of Time 51:35 Dune: Imperium 56:50 Underwater Cities 1:01:23 Path of Light and Shadow 1:12:49 Santa Monica 1:18:10 Star Wars: Rebellion 1:27:08 Weekend Highlights

Apr 5, 2021

In Episode 33 we discuss our top five games that are great for introducing people into the board game hobby. We also offer a Double Take review on Terraforming Mars and give our thoughts on how it has held up since our original review back in episode 1.

Mar 29, 2021

In Episode 32 we talk about board game reviews and what works and doesn't work with our unique format of looking at games and then we then list our Top 5 Board Game Reviewers and why we love them. We also offer a Double Take review on Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy and give our thoughts on how it has held up since our original review back in episode 12. Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Discussion on Board Game Reviews 20:58 Top 5 Board Game Reviewers 45:12 Double Take - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

Mar 22, 2021

In Episode 31 we provide our hot take review of Rajas of the Ganges covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some recent plays including Quacks of Quedlinburg, look at what's included in the recent expansion for Parks: Nightfall, and discuss Stellaris: Infinite Legacy which leads to the discussion of Kickstarters that don't provide a rulebook during the crowd funding campaign and a rant about some bad board game behavior. Timeline: 00:00 Intro 00:40 Rajas of the Ganges Description 01:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms 11:45 Production 20:43 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 29:51 Final Thoughts 35:13 Quacks of Quedlinburg 42:00 Endogenesis 43:17 Stellaris: Infinite Legacy 46:54 Parks: Nightfall

Mar 15, 2021

In Episode 30 we talk to James Wilson, the designer of Everdell, about the new expansions for the game: Newleaf and Mistwood. We talk to him about pitching board games to publishers, his process for expansion design, and much more. James also shares some details of lost Everdell expansions that will never get published. Tim, Adam, and Chris also talk about our top 5 art in board games. Each of us covers 5 games where we love the art direction and why it speaks to us. Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Frosthaven Giveaway Details 01:15 James Wilson - Designer of Everdell - Interview 48:57 Top 5 Art in Board Games

Mar 8, 2021

In Episode 29 we provide our hot take review of Red Rising covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some drama around the Terraforming Mars: Big Box Kickstarter and question whether we should have held out for the Ares Expedition instead. 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Listener Shout-out 01:22 Red Rising Description 02:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:18 Production 45:02 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 49:21 Final Thoughts 56:39 Terraforming Mars: Big Box Expansion and Ares Expedition

Mar 1, 2021

In Episode 28 we provide our hot take review of Beyond the Sun covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some board games that we've been playing or are looking forward to including Jet Set, Whistle Stop, Red Rising, and CoraQuest: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Listener Shout-out 01:45 Beyond the Sun Description 02:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:46 Production 33:53 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 40:58 Final Thoughts 44:30 Jet Set 46:01 Whistle Stop 51:18 Red Rising 57:50 CoraQuest

Feb 22, 2021

In Episode 27 we provide our hot take review of Everdell covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also provide a brief comparison of each of the Everdell expansions and recommend our favorite. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Imperium: The Contention and Cryo. 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Listener Shout-out 02:50 Everdell Description 04:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:19 Production 34:35 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 39:18 Final Thoughts 42:22 Everdell Expansion Comparison 48:15 Imperium: The Contention 50:37 Cryo

Feb 15, 2021

In Episode 26 we talk to Jamey Stegmaier and Alex Schmidt, the designers of Red Rising, about their new game, blending theme and mechanisms, intellectual property, foil cards and failed designs. Tim, Adam, and Chris also talk about what makes games fun for us. Each of us covers 4 characteristics that create fun in games and give several examples of games that bring the fun through each of those characteristics. 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Red Rising Interview 28:23 What Makes a Board Game Fun

Feb 8, 2021

In Episode 25 we provide our hot take review of Trekking the World covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also have a detailed conversation on the new mechanisms added in the latest expansion for Wingspan: Oceania. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Imperium: The Contention and Red Rising. 00:00 Introduction 01:01 Trekking the World Description 02:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms 18:40 Production 29:40 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 32:38 Final Thoughts 38:44 Imperium: The Contention 39:47 Wingspan: Oceania 46:45 Red Rising

Feb 1, 2021

In Episode 24 we provide our hot take review of Godspeed covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Dune: Imperium, Ultimate Railroads, Canvas, and Beyond the Sun.

Jan 25, 2021

In Episode 23 we provide our hot take review on a couple of 2-player only games: Curious Cargo and Star Realms. We discuss the gameplay and mechanisms, the production, favorite moments in play, and our final thoughts. 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Curious Cargo 23:25 Star Realms

Jan 18, 2021

In Episode 22 we talk about our board game highs and lows of 2020. We discuss gaming in 2020, our highlights of the podcast so far, and give out our awards for the best games (we've played) of 2020 as well as the best games that were new to us in 2020. We also provide some details about what's coming for the podcast and how you can enter to win a copy of Frosthaven (spoiler - it's really easy). 00:00 Intro 01:15 Board Gaming in 2020 7:33 BGHT Podcast chat 14:50 Favorite Review Episodes 25:00 BGHT Podcast updates and Frosthaven Giveaway 28:17 2020 Board Game Awards 28:57 Biggest Surprises - New to Us 36:05 Biggest Disappointment - New to Us 46:57 Favorite 2020 Board Game Experience 53:55 Best Game - New to Us 1:00:57 Best 2020 Game Component 1:10:02 Best 2020 Board Game 1:15:55 Biggest Board Game Hot Take 1:26:20 Wrap... On to 2021!

Jan 11, 2021

In Episode 21 we provide our hot take review of Dwellings of Eldervale covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Anachrony, Pendulum, Parks: Nightfall Expansion, Fossilis, and Slay the Spire: The Board Game.

Jan 4, 2021

In Episode 20 we provide our hot take review of Dune: Imperium covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Trekking the National Parks and Under Falling Skies.

Dec 28, 2020

In Episode 19 we provide our hot take review of Viticulture covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Dune: Imperium and It's a Wonderful World.

Dec 21, 2020

Happy Holidays! Tim, Adam, Chris, and Jen share the top 5 games we want to play, but just haven't had the chance to. We count down the games on our wish list and talk about why we want to play them and why we haven't taken the dive... yet. If you regularly listen to our podcast for the deep dive reviews these lists will give you a good idea of what you might expect to see covered over the coming months.

Dec 14, 2020

In Episode 17 we provide our hot take reviews of Tungaru covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including High Frontier 4 All and the first expansion to Space Base - The Emergence of Shy Pluto.

Dec 7, 2020

In Episode 16 we provide our hot take reviews of Herbaceous and Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

Nov 30, 2020

In Episode 15 we provide our hot take review of Capital Lux 2: Generations covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including High Frontier 4 All, Tungaru, and Dwellings of Eldervale.

Nov 23, 2020

In Episode 14 we provide our hot take review of Whistle Mountain covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Whistle Stop, The Crew: Deep Sea Missions, and The Expanse Board Game.

Nov 16, 2020

In Episode 13 we provide our hot take review of Underwater Cities covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Whistle Mountain, Marvel United, and Beyond the Sun.

Nov 9, 2020

In Episode 12 we provide our hot take review of Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Twisted Fables, Dune: Imperium, and Dwellings of Eldervale.

Nov 2, 2020

In Episode 11 we provide our hot take review of The Castles of Burgundy covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Lost Ruins of Arnak, The Artemis Project, Tapestry, and Sweet Mess.

Oct 26, 2020

In Episode 10 we provide our hot take review of Tapestry covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also interview Gary Dworetsky, the designer of the upcoming game Imperium: The Contention.

Oct 19, 2020

In Episode 9 we provide our hot take review of Blood Rage covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Trekking the National Parks, Trekking the World, Super-skill pinball 4-cade, and Magic: The Gathering.

Oct 12, 2020

In Episode 8 we provide our hot take review of Dinosaur World covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We invite our friend Jen to guest host on this special episode that is released early so that you can hear it before the Dinosaur World Kickstarter ends. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Maracaibo. Apologies for the inconsistent audio quality with this episode.

Oct 12, 2020

In Episode 7 we provide our hot take review of Vindication covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including High Rise and Parks.

Oct 5, 2020

In Episode 6 we go off format and Tim, Chris, and Adam discuss their top 5 board game Kickstarters that they've backed and are awaiting delivery. We discuss what drove us to back them and if we're still excited to receive them.

Sep 28, 2020

In Episode 5 we provide our hot take review of Gaia Project covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Dinosaur Island, Dinosaur World, Marvel United, Fossilis, and Soulgivers.

Sep 21, 2020

In Episode 4 we provide our hot take reviews of Cthulhu Wars covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Cascadia, Castles of Tuscany, and Top Gun Strategy Game.

Sep 14, 2020

In Episode 3 we give our hot take reviews for Wingspan and Parks covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games.

Sep 10, 2020

In Episode 2 we give our hot take review for On the Origin of Species covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games.

Sep 10, 2020

In our official flagship issue we give our hot takes on the ever popular Terraforming Mars covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some things that we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games.

Sep 10, 2020

For this episode we give our hot takes on Pan Am and Space Base. This episode was a test run of our format so there are several sound quality issues but I enjoyed the conversation so we decided to share it with you - warts and all!