Board Game Hot Takes

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...

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 Blo...

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: Legend...

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 Gam...

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...

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 htt...

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 Bria...

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...

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 Fel...

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, Yoko...

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:...

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...

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...

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.patr...

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:...

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...

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 B...

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...

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 eve...

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-weig...

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: Vendett...

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...

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 boa...

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...

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, pleas...