Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 323 we're joined by board game designer Connie Vogelmann to discuss our top 3 board games we wish we'd designed. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:56 Connie tells us about Tideward and Weaverbirds 12:16 Top 3 board games we wish we'd designed 15:26 Baseball Highlights 2045 19:04 The Gang 23:05 Dominion 26:27 Glass Road / Black Forest 33:03 Smartphone, Inc. 36:34 It's a W...

In Episode 322 we discuss epic (big, long) board games. How do you define an epic game? Are they worth the time investment? What games do you consider epic games? How often do you want to be playing them? 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...

In Episode 321 we give our hot take review on Bus covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on Duel Games and then discuss some games on our table including Ostia, Gunsen, and Jisogi: Anime Studio Tycoon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:17 Poll Time: How do you feel about Duel games? 12:12 Bus Description 14:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:01...

In Episode 320 we discuss the board game collecting as a part of the hobby. Do we consider ourselves collectors? What makes an interesting collection? Why do board games make good (or bad) collections? 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 Are...

In Episode 319 we give our hot take review on Gunsen COLON The Battle for Toshi Ranbo covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on whether its okay to concede in a 2-player game and then discuss some games on our table including Ants, World Order, and Origin Story: Heroes and Villains. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Is it acce...

In Episode 318 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 What's your Spirit Game? 04:39 Have you ever sold or traded a game away but later decided you wanted it back in your collection? 10:07 What games are just dumb fun? 15:03 Are there any games you'd like to see get a digital implementation? 19:39 What are your most gift...

In Episode 317 we give our hot take review on Wondrous Creatures covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on discovery vs. mastery and also discuss some games that have ALMOST been on our table including World Order and Distilled: Cocktails. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Poll Time: Which do you enjoy most about enjoying board games - D...

In Episode 316 we play and discuss many of our favorite party games and you can play along with us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:37 Balderdash 11:04 Wavelength 18:05 Green Team Wins 22:59 Skull 27:18 Poetry for Neanderthals 31:12 Scattergories 35:57 Flip 7 39:57 Hot Streak 43:59 Heads Up! 48:58 Mad Gab 53:48 Scattergories: Categories 56:17 Subjective 1:01:33 Wits and Wagers 1:04:31 Challenger...

In Episode 315 we discuss our top 3 resource economies in board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Beat The Expert Contest Winners 04:43 Top 3 Resource Economies in Board Games (Brass: Birmingham, Clans of Caledonia) 13:12 Tinner's Trail 19:33 Power Grid 24:02 Modern Art 28:05 Keyflower 34:51 Creature Comforts 40:58 Smartphone, Inc. 44:58 M.U.L.E. The Board Game 51:19 Arborea 56:33 Ec...

In Episode 314 we give our hot take review on Entropy covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on how other people's experience at the game table impacts you and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Pokemon Modern Art, Wavelength, and Duel of Meloch. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Does another pl...

In Episode 313 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also catch listeners up on the BGHT Beat The Expert Contest. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 08:52 Dawn of Madness 24:18 Trio / nana 29:23 Wingspan Pocket 48:17 Sanibel 46:30 Mister Diamond 51:07 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo 1:01:22 Stationfall 1:10:37 Dominant Species 1:14:46 Railroad Tiles If you enjoy the sho...

In Episode 312 we conclude the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Tournament of Champions Contest Update 03:25 Ark Nova 06:17 Azul 08:14 Pan Am 12:33 The Castles of Burgundy 16:27 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 19:23 Star Realms 23:41 Grand Austria Hotel 27:06 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 29:16 Terraforming Mars 32:11 Nucleum 36:...

In Episode 311 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Contest Announcement 05:10 Underwater Cities 08:33 Tycoon India 1981 11:03 Luthier 16:00 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 19:50 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 22:31 Speakeasy 26:18 Blood Rage 29:05 The Expanse Board Game 32:45 Echoes of Time 35:55 Cthul...

In Episode 310 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Le Havre 04:10 Shamans 07:02 Wonderland's War 09:22 Emberleaf 11:54 Tag Team 14:56 Azul 18:22 Marco Polo II: In The Service of the Khan 21:19 Emberleaf 23:44 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 27:28 Sea Salt & Paper 30:05 Frozen Frontier 33:36 Thurn & Taxis 37:...

In Episode 309 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Reforest 03:42 Ada's Dream 05:53 Rats of Wistar 08:57 March of the Ants - Evolved Edition 11:33 Brass: Birmingham 14:26 Yokohama 17:36 Thunder Road: Vendetta 22:30 Reforest 23:28 Crokinole 25:52 Rebirth 27:37 Echoes of Time 29:07 A Feast for Odin 33:27 Ri...

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...