Board Game Hot Takes

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 Ed...

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 In...

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...

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 includin...

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 c...

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 terminolog...

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 T...

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...

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 - S...

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....

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 ot...

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 Vo...

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...

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 p...

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...

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 00:3...

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:...

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 3...

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...

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 c...

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/...

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...

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...

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!...

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: S...