Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 308 we start the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 41-50. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Anachrony 06:31 Spirit Island 09:44 Let's Go To Japan 13:56 Harmonies 16:12 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game 17:32 Maracaibo 20:31 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 22:02 Masters of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico The Card Game 24:19 Biohack 27:05 Azul 28:51...

In Episode 307 we reflect on the year of 2026 in board gaming at this mid point to talk about some of our favorite (and most disappointing) board games and experiences so far. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 1:30 Which game do you want to take on a 2nd date after your first play in 2026? (Speakeasy, Off With Their Heads, Ada's Dream) 4:33 Which games hit the table more than any other this year?...

In Episode 306 we give our hot take review on Amalfi: Renaissance covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on kingmaking and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Unicorn Fever and Parade and Chris covers his first impressions after unboxing Dawn of Madness. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Kingmaking D...

In Episode 305 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 2:28 For what game do you prefer the digital implementation? What game do you refuse to play digitally? 11:48 At what point do you decide to buy a game? 20:52 How often do you get nostalgia for games you haven't played in many years? 26:32 Are there any goals for the pod over t...

In Episode 304 we give our hot take review on Emberleaf covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on anthropomorphic animals in board games and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Dune: War for Arrakis and Blueprints and Chris discusses his excitement about finally receiving (after 8 years) his crowdfunded Dawn of Ma...

In Episode 303 Tim discusses all of the games played during his recent weekend at BGGCon in Dallas. We also discuss a poll related to making friends at board game conventions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll Time: Have you ever made friends at a board game convention? 09:28 BGGCon Spring 12:42 Coming of Age 24:15 Underwater Cities: Data Era 28:23 The White Castle Duel 34:58 SETI: Space A...

In Episode 302 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also discuss a poll on how many games you get played in an average session. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll Time: How many games do you get played in your regular game sessions? 07:55 Emberleaf 17:38 Off With Their Heads! 25:35 Tag Team 34:04 Postcards 41:30 Euphoria: Essential Edition 54:46 Soothsayers 1:03:44...

In Episode 301 we feature two games by Vital Lacerda: Speakeasy and Kanban EV. We also discuss a poll on heavy games and include our final thoughts on heavy games in general and whether Vital Lacerda is a designer we want to revisit. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:53 Poll Time: How many board games do you own that are rated over 4.0 weight on Board Game Geek? 12:43 Speakeasy Description 14:10 G...

In Episode 300 we reflect on doing the show for so long and share tons of our favorite clips from the history of the show. 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 ser...

In Episode 299 we discuss all of the games played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering in San Diego, California. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Stroganov 12:14 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 23:19 Boast or Nothing 29:15 Grand Austria Hotel 40:44 Mule: The Board Game 53:03 Echoes of Time 59:41 Nokosu Dice 1:07:03 Burn the Fort 1:14:35 River Rush 1:30:43 Listen...

In Episode 298 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in San Diego, California. If you enjoy the show, please vote for Board Game Hot Takes for best podcast in the annual Board Game Geek Golden Geek Awards here: BoardGameGeek Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:53 Ayar: Children of the Sun 14:40 Captain Flip 17:57 Lords of Veg...

In Episode 297 we discuss how board games trigger dopamine and name our top 5 games loaded with dopamine hits. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction Top 5 Dopamine Loaded Board Games 05:57 Endeavor: Deep Sea 9:02 No Thanks 11:43 Champions of Midgard, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy, Arcs, Star Wars Rebellion 16:00 Nippon: Zaibatsu 19:48 Sol: Last Days of a Star 22:32 Kanb...

In Episode 296 we talk through our real-time nominations for the 2025 boardgamegeek.com Golden Geek Awards. If you enjoy our show and would like to support us by nominating us for Best Board Game Podcast you can do that here: https://boardgamegeek.com/goldengeek Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:05 Above and Below: Haunted 04:57 Ada's Dream 06:53 Ape Town 08:35 Aquaria 09:32 Ayar: Children of the...

In Episode 295 we give our hot take review on Endeavor: Deep Sea covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We talk about the games we'll be playing at our bi-annual (or semi-annual) BGHT Con and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Captain Flip, Endless Space 2, and Earthborne Rangers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 BGHT Sand...

In Episode 294 we invite board game designer, Andy Schwarz, on to discuss his experience with self-publishing a game and he shares lessons learns, tips and tricks, and some real financial numbers. You can read Andy's blog post covering some of the discussed topics here: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3215750/an-analysis-of-what-it-costs-to-self-publish-a-gam If you enjoy the show, please con...

In Episode 293 we each cover 5 board games that integrate animals themes. We also discuss a poll on packing board games when travelling on a plane. 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Poll Time: How do you pack board games when travelling via airplane 11:40 15 Great Animal Themed Games If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: http...

In Episode 292 we give our hot take review on two board game expansions - Viticulture: Bordeaux and Revive: Call of the Abyss Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 0:35 Viticulture: Bordeaux 0:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 19:36 Production and Theme 21:29 Final Thoughts 28:03 Revive: Call of the Abyss 28:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 39:04 Production and Theme 40:33 Final Thoughts 45:29 News and Listener Shout...

In Episode 291 we look back at some hidden gems from 2020-2024. We each name at least one game that doesn't get discussed much anymore from each of these years and talk about why they deserve more attention. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Top 5 Overlooked Board Games (2020-2024) 05:00 2020 - Whistle Mountain (Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers, The Castles of Tuscany, Star Wars Unloc...

In Episode 290 we discuss board game strategy, how we approach it, and why we care about strategy when we're playing board games. We also discuss a poll about discussing strategy after a play. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll Time: Do you discuss the strategy of your play after finishing a game? 12:05 Board Game Strategy 12:38 How do you approach strategy on a first play of a board ga...

In Episode 289 we give our hot take review on Dewan covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Speakeasy, Saltfjord, and Ape Town. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Dewan Description 02:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms 18:40 Production and Theme 23:55 Final Thoughts 28:25 Speakeasy 37:25 Saltfjord 45...

In Episode 288 we dive into the mailbag in search of our listener's best board game related questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 2:14 Theme that doesn't exist that you'd like to see in a game? 12:28 What are your once a year games? 20:02 What is the best deal you've ever scored on the secondary market and what is your most regrettable board game purchase? 29:53 Thoughts on ord...

In Episode 287 we give our hot take review on Forest Shuffle and Reforest and cover the gameplay and production of both and then discuss which we preferred. We also discuss a poll on separating resource components when setting up a game and then discuss some recent plays of Fibbage and Super Motherload. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Separating Resources 8:27 Forest Shuffle Descri...

In Episode 286 we cover 5 board game expansions each that are (almost) mandatory. 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Board game expansions we won't play without 03:31 Look back at Top 5 Board Game Expansions from Episode 47 10:17 Roll Player - Monsters and Minions 15:02 Agricola - Belgium, France, Gamer's Deck, etc. 19:43 Radlands - Cult of Chrome 22:05 Thunder Road: Vendetta - Choppe Shoppe 24:36 B...

In Episode 285 we give our hot take review on The Old King's Crown covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We talk about the BGG Hall of Fame inductee, For Sale, and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Reforest, Biblios, and Subjective. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:21 BGG Hall of Fame: For Sale 05:40 The Old King's Crow...

In Episode 284 we give our hot take review on Echoes of Time covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We cover a poll on motivations to engage with the board game hobby and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Sanctuary and Fearsome Floors and a first look at some games that have recently arrived including Chaosmos: The Temple and Spe...