Hot Game Magnet: Board game reviews

2020 is all wrapped up, and so it time for us to wrap up all of our favorite games from the year and pick our best game of 2020! We played a ton of great games so it wasn't easy, but we narrowed it down to our top five. In this episode we talk about those five games and decide which one is number one!

I Think what I love about euro games is that no matter what the theme is the game can be fun. I have zero interest in trains, but the kids and I can't get enough of ticket to ride: first journey! Why is this game so much fun? because it's really really well designed. easy to learn, simple to play, but with depth of strategy that even a 6 year old can grasp.

Time for our last round up of kickstarter campaigns for the year of 2020! We found a few games that look like they might be winners, but only time will tell.

We keep finding new types of games and mechanics that we haven't played before. Pendulum by Stonemaier games uses a unique version of the timed round mechanic, in which all players must carefully time their actions to benefit from the movements of three differently timed sand timers. What at first looks like a game of frantic play turns out to be a game of carful calculation.

What gives a game staying power? Werewolves of Miller's Hollow is a game that has been around in one form or another for decades, or maybe even longer! It seems like it may be too old to be fun, but like the werewolf on the full moon, it just keeps coming back!

Today I speak with Matt Carlson from Wandersquares: The Underwood Tunnels. Matt is the soul creator, marketer and designer of this cool new family friendly RPG. To be honest I haven't ever played an RPG, but this game is so cute I had to find out more. Matt has generously provided his print and play on the Kickstarter page, so you really have no excuse to not check it out. The WanderSquares Kickst...

In this episode we speak with Jason Washburn from Talon Strike Studios, about his latest game Shadow Network: a game about spies. We cover everything from game play, to how the game came about and what to expect from Talon Strike in the future.

It's Almost November but that doesn't mean we don't have time to covet all the many games now available to back on kickstarter right now in October!

Everybody knows the best part about being a scout is achieving merit badges. In Camp Pinetop by Talon Strike Studios we find out how much fun that really is, and you can do it at home, or while your camping if you want.

In this week's episode I speak with Juli Bierwirth from Distant Rabbit Games, Mantis Falls. This was their first game and it launched on Kickstarter earlier this year, and made over $180,000! In this interview we discuss the game, and the Kickstarter. Juli is very honest and forthcoming with her information- so I hope you all learn something- even if it's just- 'hey yeah, social deduction games sh...

Raccoon Tycoon with the Fat Cat expansion created by Glenn Drover and Forbidden Games. Is this our new favourite game about adorable woodland creatures competing ruthlessly for domination? It could very well be.

SIlly Shapes is the gateway game I was looking for to introduce my kids to gaming, as well youth that insist on playing U-no-what. In this episode I interview Benjamin Lannen, the creator behind Silly Shapes, a fun family game which integrates multiple game mechanics to create a mashed up fun party game. We discuss how the game came, all the mechanics and what to expect from his up and coming Kick...

It's time again to round up the best and most interesting games on kickstarter and beyond. We really enjoy doing our kickstarter roundups, because even though we can't always by every game we want it's good fun to learn about them and discuss.

In this week's episode I speak with Brian Fisher from Kickstarter game Boss Babe. This game is different than anything we've ever seen before. It isn't so much a game, it's more like a statement against multi-level marketing companies, and how they have taken a hold of some of our nearest and dearest. It's funny and it's satire and it's not at all heavy. I'm not sure if Brian is a genius or has ju...

In this episode of Hot Game Magnet we interview the guys who made Syndicate, a 4x game where you get to play as a mafia organisation in the year 3105. A very specific year in the future because that's when organised crime challenges "The Sovereign". Greg and Josh tne creators of Syndicate leave nothing out! They explain everything from their creative process, the mechanics of the game, and how to...

In this week's episode we talk with Jackson Wood from Tokyo Sidekick about their current Kickstarter. Tokyo Sidekick is a cool game that uses Japanese comics in a cooperative game where you play as a character and a sidekick. The two can compliment each other giving you a unique game every time. The components look super slick and this game is straight out of Japan but nothing like we've ever seen...

In today's episode we discuss the latest CMON game to arrive at our place: Marvel United. It's a fun cooperative game where you get to be your favourite super hero, fighting against a super villain- or even just a glorified side character. We discuss everything nothing is held back in this review/ gossip session about what is going on with this game. Marvel United is fun and more. We backed the Ki...

It's time for a kickstarter roundup! We talk about 4 games that are currently up on kickstarter for funding. There are of course many more but these are the ones we thought looked most interesting.

In this episode of Hot Game Magnet we speak with Haplo Da Biggs creator of the Backyard Cricket Dice Game. This game is unique in its marketing and design and will give you an insight into a uniquely Australian game. In this interview we cover everything from how the game was created to how it is marketed and sold, how to play the game and how you can get your own copy. If you're interested in the...

Soft Poached Hedgehogs is an up and coming card game involving you being a hedgehog Chef trying to add ingredients to bake enough recipes to win the game. Today I talk with the creator, Suzette Conrad who is currently in the early stages of development. It involves all the competitiveness of a great game coupled with cute woodland artwork and slightly 'questionable humour'. We talk about all the s...

In today's episode I interview Nalin Chuapetcharasopon, founder of Meeple Marketing, and ask her how someone would go about marketing a board game ready for Kickstarter. This is such as loaded subject as there is so much out there and it is difficult to know where to start. Nalin breaks it down for us and shows how simple it really can be to get your board game out there and ready to launch.

Today's episode is very special because it's our 50th episode. Also, it is our very first interview. Today we talk with creator and comic Ray Cashman about his up and coming Power Slam card game. The artwork is high action with a cheesy 80's 90's pro wrestling feel. The game is easy to pick up and has a unique pin mechanic. When Justin and Alison met first met in Japan we used to watch hours of pr...

In this episode of Hot Game Magnet we discuss our new favourite game Black Angel. This game from Pearl Games has been on our shelf since Christmas, but we have only just got it out. Black Angel the board game is a hand management worker placement game. You are playing as an AI on a space ship: the Black Angel. In the far flung future all of humanity is being ferried to our new planet. There are 4...

Three for the price of 1! This week we discuss what's hot on on our game table this past week, what's hot on Kickstarter right now, and HotGameMagnets hot new game Push Poo!

Sometimes its nice to play a game that's all about the endeavour to push the limits of what humanity can achieve in science and exploration. Most importantly, it's nice to do it better than your opponents. Godspeed, by Pandasaurus games; a game that's not so much about achieving greatness on an alien world as it is about doing it first and for the glory of your chosen nation.