RDG Tabletalk

This week we settle back into our routine after a brief hiatus and catch up on what's new, including some of the games we've been playing lately. We also touch on a hot topic in the world of aliens as scientists seem to be mysteriously disappearing before diving into the main discussion: are board game reviews too positive? We share the role of reviewers in the hobby, how Royal Dachshund Games app...

This week we kick things off with Spill the Beans with Bean as we talk about Awaken Realms’ newly announced Concordia Special Edition and Board & Dice revealing their upcoming Duel game. Then we climb into our review of Mountain Goats, discussing our two player experience and why it kept reminding us of the classic push your luck gameplay found in Can’t Stop. To wrap things up, we put each oth...

This week we take a trip down memory lane and talk about the oldest games we remember playing growing up. Then we dive into Àiyé  and explore how it uses the mancala mechanism in a way that caught our attention at the table. We discuss what makes the game stand out, where it surprised us, and whether it deserves a spot in your collection. To wrap things up, Emily and Emerson put each other on the...

This week’s episode is all about Folded Space inserts and how much of a difference they can make at the table. We talk through how they impact setup, gameplay, and teardown, plus which games really need an insert and which ones already got it right. Along the way, we throw in some Moira Rose impressions and take a closer look at Emerson’s growing baggie collection… is it organization or is it a pr...

This week, we review Emberleaf and talk about why this cozy woodland game stood out to us. First, we spill the beans with Bean and chat about a few current events in the hobby. Then, we talk Emberleaf and break down our experience around the campfire. Finally, we put on our completely unqualified marketing hats and attempt to invent catchy taglines for board games… well, we thought they were catch...

This week, we review the stunning deduction game Veiled Fate, no accusations required. We kick things off by asking which games look amazing but totally flop at the table, then dive into why this one stands out in a crowded genre and whether IV Studio deserves its own shelf in every collection. Along the way, we share some cardboard confessions...Emerson did what?! Finally, we wrap things up with...

This week, we fully embrace the chaos and talk about why we do what we do. We share how Royal Dachshund Games came to be, why podcasting lets us finally have endless board game conversations without a caption limit, and shout out friends who inspired Emerson to take on a new challenge in 2026. We also applaud Emily’s massive technical glow-up (she now likes comments on purpose), while noting she s...

Does AI have a place in the board gaming hobby? In this episode, we dig into the pros and cons of AI’s growing influence- from game design and generated art, to its impact on artists and the community as a whole. We talk consumer responsibility, “voting with your money,” crediting original creators, and somehow, eventually, end up asking the most important question of all: what candy bar did Charl...

Are price hikes and “fake” discounts becoming the new normal? We kick off today’s episode by calling out misleading sales and debating whether holiday deals actually save you money anymore— or just look good on a tag. Then, we hit the table with two Reiner Knizia designs: Iliad and Ichor, to explore a classic board game question: symmetry or asymmetry? We break down how each game approaches player...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Santorini (2nd Edition), the elegant, abstract strategy game that pairs simple rules with deep, tactical decision-making. We discuss some of the matches we played, how the iconic god powers shaped each match, and whether the game still holds up as a must-play for both casual and competitive players. Is Santorini a timeless classic or does it show its age?...

Spiel Essen 2025 hit hard… and so did our FOMO. In this episode, we break down everything we assume went down in Germany this year, share the standout titles that had us drooling from afar, and make a bold promise: we’re finally attending a board game convention in 2026! Emerson faces a board-game-con quiz, we revisit the games that fueled our envy, and yes… we genuinely debate whether you can get...

In this episode, we discuss Kalypso, a survival focused tile-drafting game wrapped in gorgeous, atmospheric art. We explore how its holdfast system is either a successful risk or an epic fail, why its solo, co-op, and competitive modes all genuinely shine, and how this design confidently weathers any storm thrown its way.    Huge thanks to @InsideUp Games for sending us a review copy! All thoughts...

If you’ve ever wanted a game to judge your multitasking skills, Tianxia has officially entered the chat. We explore how its action timing, resource webs, and layered scoring tracks create meaningful decisions from start to finish. We break down the game’s pacing, interaction, and overall design to help you decide if this crunchy puzzle is your kind of challenge. Huge thanks to @Board & Dice fo...

We’re taking our turns among the stars in this celestial episode! Twinkle Twinkle (and its How I Wonder & Extraterrestrials mini expansions) brings open drafting, clever turn order decisions, and satisfying pattern building to the table. We share our favorite moments, discuss what makes this constellation-creating puzzle shine, and debate whether it’s more thinky than twinkly. Huge thanks to @...

Saddle up your camels— we’re heading Through the Desert! We take a close look at the original game plus the Bazaar expansion to see how the new content shakes things up. We also compare the Allplay edition to the Z-MAN Games edition— from production quality to color palettes to overall usability. One’s pastel, one’s neon… and we absolutely have thoughts. Are you team pastel or neon?  Huge thanks t...

Not every game has to be new to be great! In this episode, we chat about titles that have proven their staying power, explore what earns a game its rightful place in a collection, and even dream about which ones might still be around decades from now. Oh— and brace yourself when we talk about how many games are released each year. Spoiler: it’s wild.

There’s a whole world of board gaming beyond Monopoly and Battleship—and we’re here to help you explore it! In this episode, we share our go-to gateway games: the ones that are easy to teach, fun to play, and perfect for introducing new players to the fundamentals of modern board gaming. From simple mechanics to clever themes, these games show just how creative and exciting the hobby can be.

Welcome to the first episode of RDG Tabletalk! You might know us from Instagram as Royal Dachshund Games, but now we’re taking our love of board gaming beyond the grid and into your earbuds. In this debut episode, we chat about how we got into the hobby, the board game that started our obsession, and why this space means so much to us.