Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 297 we discuss how board games trigger dopamine and name our top 5 games loaded with dopamine hits. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction Top 5 Dopamine Loaded Board Games 05:57 Endeavor: Deep Sea 9:02 No Thanks 11:43 Champions of Midgard, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy, Arcs, Star Wars Rebellion 16:00 Nippon: Zaibatsu 19:48 Sol: Last Days of a Star 22:32 Kanban EV, Barrage, Tapestry 26:18 Slay the Spire: The Board Game 28:15 Tycoon: India 1981 30:53 Can't Stop, Quacks, Wonderland's War 35:35 Grand Austria Hotel 37:38 Dune, Fractal, Glory to Rome, Blood Rage 43:45 Rebirth 45:25 Brass: Birmingham, Steam Power 49:06 Motor City, Darwin's Journey, Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers, Cribbage 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 296 we talk through our real-time nominations for the 2025 boardgamegeek.com Golden Geek Awards. If you enjoy our show and would like to support us by nominating us for Best Board Game Podcast you can do that here: https://boardgamegeek.com/goldengeek Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:05 Above and Below: Haunted 04:57 Ada's Dream 06:53 Ape Town 08:35 Aquaria 09:32 Ayar: Children of the Sun 11:03 Clank! Catacombs - Underworld 12:44 Dark Heists 14:26 Dewan 15:55 Dune: Imperium - Bloodlines 17:28 Echoes of Time 18:56 Eternal Decks 19:46 Etherstone 20:12 Everdell Duo 20:40 Finspan 22:08 Fliptoons 23:23 Galactic Cruise 25:47 Gems of Iridescia 27:11 Great Western Trail: El Paso 28:07 Hot Streak 30:15 Hyperspace 31:17 Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship 32:54 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: the Trick Taking Game 33:40 Luthier 34:50 No Loose Ends 35:50 Iliad 36:53 Lost Ruins of Arnak: Twisted Paths 37:44 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 39:36 Quorum 40:11 Scoville: 2nd Edition 41:32 SHASN: AZADI 42:36 Steam Power 43:52 Moon Colony Bloodbath 45:10 The Old King's Crown 46:33 Origin Story 47:23 Sea Salt & Paper: Extra Pepper 48:31 Speakeasy 50:28 Stupor Mundi 52:26 Toy Battle 53:02 Tycoon: India 1981 55:04 Vantage 57:30 Wroth 59:34 Best Board Game Podcast Category 59:58 Chris' News 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 295 we give our hot take review on Endeavor: Deep Sea covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We talk about the games we'll be playing at our bi-annual (or semi-annual) BGHT Con and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Captain Flip, Endless Space 2, and Earthborne Rangers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 BGHT SandyCon Excitement Chat (M.U.L.E, Stroganov, Kanban E.V., Speakeasy, March of the Ants, Echoes of Time, Lords of Vegas, Civolution, Aquaria, Endeavor: Deep Sea, Beyond the Horizon) 7:50 Endeavor: Deep Sea Description 10:47 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:27 Production and Theme 37:21 Final Thoughts 41:23 Captain Flip 45:22 Endless Space 2 53:46 Earthborne Rangers 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 294 we invite board game designer, Andy Schwarz, on to discuss his experience with self-publishing a game and he shares lessons learns, tips and tricks, and some real financial numbers. You can read Andy's blog post covering some of the discussed topics here: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3215750/an-analysis-of-what-it-costs-to-self-publish-a-gam 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 293 we each cover 5 board games that integrate animals themes. We also discuss a poll on packing board games when travelling on a plane. 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Poll Time: How do you pack board games when travelling via airplane 11:40 15 Great Animal Themed Games 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 292 we give our hot take review on two board game expansions - Viticulture: Bordeaux and Revive: Call of the Abyss Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 0:35 Viticulture: Bordeaux 0:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 19:36 Production and Theme 21:29 Final Thoughts 28:03 Revive: Call of the Abyss 28:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 39:04 Production and Theme 40:33 Final Thoughts 45:29 News and Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 291 we look back at some hidden gems from 2020-2024. We each name at least one game that doesn't get discussed much anymore from each of these years and talk about why they deserve more attention. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Top 5 Overlooked Board Games (2020-2024) 05:00 2020 - Whistle Mountain (Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers, The Castles of Tuscany, Star Wars Unlock, Mariposas) 10:22 2020 - Godspeed 11:23 2020 - New York Zoo 15:20 2021 - Viking See-Saw (Boon Lake, Mille Fiori, Messina 1347) 21:26 2021 - Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy 25:42 2021 - The Emerald Flame 27:33 2021 - That Time You Killed Me 33:18 2022 - Vagrantsong (Sea Salt & Paper, Woodcraft, Creature Comforts, Paperback Adventures) 39:49 2022 - Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 41:47 2022 - Age of Galaxy 42:37 2022 - Aeon Trespass Odyssey 44:29 2022 - Three Sisters 48:45 2023 - Imperial Miners (Pirates of Maracaibo, Rats of Wistar, Surfasaurus Max) 53:56 2023 - Fractal, Robot Quest Arena 56:35 2023 - Europa Universalis: The Price of Power 59:28 2023 - Sea Dragons 1:03:33 2024 - Lone Wolves (Let's Go To Japan, Fromage, Rebirth, Windmill Valley, Flip 7, Captain Flip, Invincible: The Hero Building Game, Stamp Swap, Spring Cleaning) 1:08:50 2024 - Frozen Frontier, Biohack 1:10:08 2024 - Reforest, Looot 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 290 we discuss board game strategy, how we approach it, and why we care about strategy when we're playing board games. We also discuss a poll about discussing strategy after a play. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll Time: Do you discuss the strategy of your play after finishing a game? 12:05 Board Game Strategy 12:38 How do you approach strategy on a first play of a board game? 17:15 What's your approach for getting better at board game strategy after your first play? 24:57 Is getting better at strategy important to you? 32:35 Are there any games you feel you're the best you'll ever be? 37:29 Are there any games you aren't good at and don't know how to get better? 46:08 If you aren't getting better at strategy in a game does that game become less fun for you? 52:54 Have you every looked for strategy tips online for a game? 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 289 we give our hot take review on Dewan covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Speakeasy, Saltfjord, and Ape Town. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Dewan Description 02:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms 18:40 Production and Theme 23:55 Final Thoughts 28:25 Speakeasy 37:25 Saltfjord 45:06 GameCon at House on the Hill (Portland Metro Area) 47:53 Ape Town 57:53 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 288 we dive into the mailbag in search of our listener's best board game related questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 2:14 Theme that doesn't exist that you'd like to see in a game? 12:28 What are your once a year games? 20:02 What is the best deal you've ever scored on the secondary market and what is your most regrettable board game purchase? 29:53 Thoughts on ordering a game outside of the U.S.A? 34:35 Most promising board game designers to look out for? 41:47 What does a typical productions schedule for an episode look like? 50:07 Do you feel like your preference for playing complex board games is affected by the mental load you have in life? 54:30 Do you manage to pull 4 Azul tiles out of the bag every single time? 55:40 Do we pay too little for board games? 1:00:18 Does your family life suffer as a result of your board game hobby? 1:07:58 How old are we? 1:10:25 Listener Shoutout 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 287 we give our hot take review on Forest Shuffle and Reforest and cover the gameplay and production of both and then discuss which we preferred. We also discuss a poll on separating resource components when setting up a game and then discuss some recent plays of Fibbage and Super Motherload. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Separating Resources 8:27 Forest Shuffle Description 9:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:14 Production and Theme 28:11 Reforest Description 29:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms 41:32 Production and Theme 46:24 Final Thoughts - Forest Shuffle and Reforest 58:56 Hot Streak, Fibbage, and Flip 7 1:01:10 Super Motherload 1:07:15 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 286 we cover 5 board game expansions each that are (almost) mandatory. 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Board game expansions we won't play without 03:31 Look back at Top 5 Board Game Expansions from Episode 47 10:17 Roll Player - Monsters and Minions 15:02 Agricola - Belgium, France, Gamer's Deck, etc. 19:43 Radlands - Cult of Chrome 22:05 Thunder Road: Vendetta - Choppe Shoppe 24:36 Blood Rage - Kickstarter Exclusive Monsters 29:04 Stockpile - Continuing Corruption 31:04 The Castles of Burgundy - Trade Routes 34:51 Obsession - Upstairs, Downstairs 38:36 Chaosmos - The Temple 42:16 Downforce - Danger Circuit, Wild Ride 46:07 Tapestry - Plans and Ploys 50:20 Gaia Project - The Lost Fleet 53:13 Fantastic Factories - Manufactions 55:12 Dune: Imperium - Rise of Ix 59:33 March of the Ants: Evolved Editions - Predators and Prey 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 285 we give our hot take review on The Old King's Crown covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We talk about the BGG Hall of Fame inductee, For Sale, and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Reforest, Biblios, and Subjective. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:21 BGG Hall of Fame: For Sale 05:40 The Old King's Crown Description 08:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:50 Production and Theme 38:52 Final Thoughts 46:20 Echoes of Time 48:22 Reforest 53:06 Dead Cells 54:25 Biblios 58:53 Subjective 1:04:25 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 284 we give our hot take review on Echoes of Time covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We cover a poll on motivations to engage with the board game hobby and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Sanctuary and Fearsome Floors and a first look at some games that have recently arrived including Chaosmos: The Temple and Speakeasy. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:21 Poll: What is your primary motivation for being a part of the board gaming hobby? 09:18 Echoes of Time Description 10:57 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:08 Production and Theme 37:26 Final Thoughts 47:00 Sanctuary 56:06 Recent Arrivals: Chaosmos: The Temple and Speakeasy 59:51 Fearsome Floors 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 284 we take a look back at 2025 and discuss some of the great (and no so great) games we played last year. Most of them were even published last year. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 2:27 Biggest Surprises in 2025 (Dead Cells, Hot Streak, Slay the Spire: The Board Game) 16:45 Biggest Disappointments in 2025 (Wroth, Scoville 2nd Edition, SETI: Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence) 25:04 Best New to Us in 2025 (Lords of Vegas, Thurn and Taxis, Crokinole, Nokosu Dice) 30:23 Best Production Published in 2025 (Hot Streak, March of the Ants Evolved Edition, Stupor Mundi) 36:51 Lookback at Best Games of 2024 (Unconscious Mind, Fromage, Civolution) 40:35 Best Games of 2025 (March of the Ants Evolved Edition, Luthier, Moon Colony Bloodbath) 48:40 Board Game Resolutions 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 282 we discuss the current state of the hobby and if it's the best it's ever been. Are we in peak board gaming? Where do we go from here? 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 281 we look back at the games we played once for the first time in 2025. Great games and we want to play them more. We briefly look at last year's list and see how we did. 00:00 Introduction 04:24 Last Year's List 04:34 Luthier 05:04 Marrakesh 05:21 Dune 06:12 Unconscious Mind 07:25 Thunder Road: Vendetta 08:27 Lancaster 09:44 Dune: Imperium Uprising (6 Player) 09:53 Biohack 10:01 Ceres 10:39 March of the Ants 11:36 Clockwork Wars 12:38 Hallertau 12:55 Walnut Grove 15:01 Black Forest 15:42 Endeavor: Deep Sea 16: 32 Top 5 Games We Only Played Once in 2025 16:44 Moon Colony Bloodbath 20:14 Modern Art 23:45 Crokinole 27:56 Chaosmos 30:51 Frozen Frontier 32:30 Rebirth 34:34 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 36:27 Stroganov 39:35 SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence 41:17 Crystal Palace 43:57 Ada's Dream 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 280 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 02:12 Last Year's Top 5 we wanted to play in 2025 (and how we did) 02:21 Civolution 05:40 Joyrides: Survival of the Fastest 06:08 Wroth 06:32 SETI: Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence 09:58 Dune: War for Arrakis 10:48 Windmill Valley 12:21 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 13:46 Endeavor: Deep Sea 15:18 Resafa 16:05 Andromeda's Edge / Rock Hard: 1977 17:26 World Order 18:47 Wondrous Creatures 19:44 Rats of Wistar 21:35 Power Vaccuum 22:40 Top 5 Games we want to play in 2026 22:40 Coming of Age 25:04 Primacy: A Coyote and Crow Card Game 29:31 Eternal Decks 34:12 Echoes of Time 38:55 Lords of Baseball 41:33 Everdell: Silverfrost 43:54 Burn the Fort 48:57 Rise and Fall 52:08 Ants 54:15 Rebuilding Seattle 1:00:33 Unicorn Fever 1:03:20 Sanctuary 1:09:03 Speakeasy 1:12:42 Ayar: Children of the Sun 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 279 we give our hot take review on Ada's Dream covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We cover a poll on Multi-player Solitaire board games and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Lords of Vegas, Ticket to Ride, and Nokosu Dice. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll: How do you feel about 'Multi-player Solitaire' Games? 15:19 Ada's Dream Description 18:06 Gameplay and Mechanisms 38:58 Production and Theme 48:51 Final Thoughts 1:00:42 Lords of Vegas 1:06:13 Ticket to Ride 1:08:11 Nokosu Dice 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 278 we discuss the top 5 games that each of us thinks will be a big hit for families of all types (family gatherings, gaming with kids, etc.) Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Top 5 Family Board Games 07:50 Flip 7 10:55 Skull 14:39 Cheeky Monkey /Can't Stop / Viking See-Saw 20:39 Sushi Go 23:13 No Thanks 27:28 Camel Up / Hot Streak 31:22 King of Tokyo 34:44 Balderdash 38:31 Ticket to Ride 42:45 Unlock / Exit (Escape Room in a Box Games) 49:31 Dino Battle: Logical Game 52:38 Robot Quest Arena / My Little Scythe 57:31 Quacks 1:00:51 Survive the Island 1:06:02 Return to Dark Tower / Slay the Spire 1:10:55 Honorable Mentions: Crokinole, Tripole, Love Letter, Kingdomino, Bot Factory 1:14:40 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 277 we discuss why and how we rate board games on BGG and run through each of the rating levels, how they're described on BGG, and provide samples of our ratings at each level. We also discuss a poll about rating board games on BGG. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Poll Time: Do you rate games on BoardGameGeek? 7:42 BGG Ratings Topic Introduction 9:40 1 - Awful Defies Game Description 15:34 2 - Very Bad, Won't Play Ever Again 19:30 3 - Bad, Likely Won't Play This Again 23:24 4 - Not So Good, But Could Play Again 27:51 5 - Mediocre, Take It Or Leave It 32:34 6 - OK, Will Play If In The Mood 38:05 7 - Good, Usually Willing To Play 42:47 8 - Very Good, Enjoy Playing And Would Suggest It 47:59 9 - Excellent, Very Much Enjoy Playing 53:27 10 - Outstanding, Will Always Enjoy Playing 57:32 Final Thoughts 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 276 we give our hot take review on Joy Ride: Survival of the Fastest covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We cover a poll on board game convention attendance and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Stroganov and Origin Story and a future take on Otter Chaos. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:28 Poll: How many board game conventions did you attend in the last twelve months? 11:10 Joyride: Survival of the Fastest Description 13:43 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:08 Production and Theme 34:46 Final Thoughts 44:45 Stroganov 51:09 Origin Story 1:09:24 Future Take: Why I Otter, An Otter Won, Otter Chaos 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 275 we return to the mailbag and answer a bunch of our listener's board game related questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 1:31 What are some of your go-to games for groups that have varying levels of gamers? 9:55 What are the parts of this hobby that annoy you the most? 13:16 What do you think are the biggest omissions from BGHT feature reviews? 17:36 What is your most played board game (in person)? 21:27 How do you decide between the urge to play something you know you like versus the obligation to play something new? 27:07 Are there groups of family or friends you don't bring out games for or to? 30:40 What are your forever games? 36:09 Which games make you feel clever? 46:12 Can you detail your current game groups? 55:53 Do you have any house rules you use? 58:55 Words of advice for a weekend gaming event inspired by BGHT cons? 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 274 we give our hot take review on Galactic Cruise covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We cover a poll on board game productions and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Demoniac, Rebirth, Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein, and Thurn and Taxis. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Which production element is more likely to get you excited about a board game? 06:36 Galactic Cruise Description 09:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms 36:14 Production and Theme 41:43 Final Thoughts 48:15 Demoniac 52:53 Rebirth 1:00:20 Thurn and Taxis 1:05:33 Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein 1:14:02 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 273 we discuss competition and specifically what we think is healthy competition. We also discuss a poll about cheating in tabletop games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll Time: Have you ever experienced intentional cheating when playing a tabletop game? 5:59 Competition: General Thoughts 9:19 What creates healthy competition? 18:48 How has our competitiveness evolved over time? 29:41 How do different games illicit a different competitiveness in you? 49:02 How does your preferred competition level influence your preferred game choices? 54:05 Final Thoughts 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 272 we discuss the top 5 board game designers that are represented on our game shelves. 01:02 Corrections (Creature Comforts and Distilled: Cask Strength) 06:32 Poll: How does it make you feel when a reviewer messes up a rule? 12:25 Top 5 Board Game Designers on our Shelves 16:54 Cole Wehrle (Pax Pamir 2nd Edition, Arcs, John Company 2nd Edition) 19:26 Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, The Fox Experiment) 20:58 Adam Kwapinski (Lords of Hellas, Lords of Ragnarok, Nemesis) 22:44 Bruno Cathala (Sea Salt & Paper, Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth, Cyclades: Legendary Edition) 23:53 Prospero Hall (Pan Am, Top Gun: The Board Game, Horrified) 25:44 Eric Lang (Blood Rage, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Rising Sun) 29:12 Tim Eisner (March of the Ants, Wonderland's War) 32:23 Paul Dennen (Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Legacy, Dune: Imperium - Uprising) 35:19 Vladimir Suchy (Underwater Cities, Pulsar 2849, Woodcraft) 38:11 John Perry (Hot Streak, Air Land & Sea, Spots) 40:57 Simone Luciani (Annunaki: Dawn of the Gods, Barrage, Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Rats of Wistar) 43:24 Jamey Stegmaier (Tapestry, Viticulture, Scythe, Vantage, Origin Story) 44:47 Stefan Feld (Castles of Burgundy, Marrakesh, Notre Dame, Civolution) 48:23 Reiner Knizia (Modern Art: The Card Game, Royal Visit, High Society, The Quest for El Dorado, Rebirth) 51:42 Jamey Stegmaier (Tapestry, Viticulture, Expeditions, Red Rising) 53:35 Rob Daviou (Cthulhu: Death May Die, Pandemic Legacy, Return to Dark Tower, Thunder Road: Vendetta) 56:34 Simone Luciani (Darwin's Journey, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Nucleum, Tzok'in: The Mayan Calendar, Etherstone) 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 271 we give our hot take review on Cosmic Frog covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also talk about some games that have been on our tables including Creature Comforts, That Time You Killed Me, and March of the Ants. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Cosmic Frog Description 02:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:24 Production and Theme 30:55 Final Thoughts 36:06 Creature Comforts 49:05 That Time You Killed Me 54:41 March of the Ants 1:06:22 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 270 we take a look at three retro board games that got us into the hobby with mini reviews of each - D&D Computer Labyrinth Game, Solarquest, and Guillotine. We also discuss a poll topic on how important it is that board games are 'fun' and whether fun is a useful term when discussing or reviewing board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Poll Time: Is 'Fun' important to you when playing board games AND is fun a useful term to use when discussing board games. 11:58 Retro Board Games 15:42 Dungeons & Dragons Computer Labyrinth Game 30:50 Solarquest 47:19 Guillotine 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 269 we discuss all of the games (and many expansions) played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Government Camp, Oregon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Obsession: Characters Expansion 10:51 Terraforming Mars: Prelude 14:26 Pan Am 18:30 Barrage 21:23 Distilled: Cask Strength AND Africa and Middle East Expansion 28:36 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 32:42 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 36:55 Blood Rage: Gods of Asgard 43:50 Rant! - Blood Rage: Valhalla 52:53 CampCon Final Thoughts 56:29 Listener Shoutout 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 268 we give our hot take review on The Game Makers covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a listener question on best 2 player mid-weight Euro style games, and then we talk about some games that have been on our tables including Age of Comics, Pagan: Fate of Roanoke, and Arborea. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Patreon Question: Best mid-weight Euro game at 2 players? 10:38 The Game Makers Description 12:49 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:05 Production and Theme 26:25 Final Thoughts 45:00 Age of Comics: The Golden Years 53:14 Arborea 54:48 Pagan: Fate of Roanoke 1:02:33 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 267 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Government Camp, Oregon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 06:02 The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 10:44 Hot Streak 16:21 Tycoon: India 1981 25:42 Cascadia 27:34 Scoville 2nd Edition 33:36 Darwin's Journey 40:02 Wroth 44:06 Wonderland's War 48:20 Vantage 1:03:37 Listener Shoutout 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 266 we discuss mechanisms and board games that were inspired by the theme they represent. Dave Beck (designer of Distilled and Luthier) also joins us for the discussion and gives us a sneak peak at the upcoming Distilled expansion, Distilled: Cocktails. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Distilled: Cocktails 15:14 Theme Driven Mechanisms 17:25 Obsession 19:39 Woodcraft 21:35 Captain Sonar 28:25 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory 36:14 Wingspan, The Fox Experiment 37:33 Viticulture, Scoville 40:23 Western Legends 45:08 Baseball Highlights 2045, Barrage 49:35 Nemesis, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 51:33 Android: Netrunner 54:43 Flamme Rouge, Heat: Pedal to the Metal 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 265 we review and discuss the Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy expansion. We also discuss what we look for in expansions and what usually makes great expansions for us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy 20:13 Hot Topic: What We Look for in Board Game Expansions 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 264 we give our hot take review on Stupor Mundi covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on 'Take That' in board games, Chris gives us his 5 year anniversary cocktail segment, and then we talk about some games that have been on our tables including District Noir, and The Lord of Rings: Fate of the Fellowship. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:21 Poll Time: How do you feel about 'Take That' in multiplayer board games? 09:15:Board Game Giveaway Winner Announced 10:30 Stupor Mundi Description 11:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 36:02 Production and Theme 45:36 Final Thoughts 50:08 5 Year Anniversary Cocktail 54:48 Azul and District Noir 1:01:27 The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 263 we celebrate 5 years of the Board Game Hot Takes Podcast! Friend of the Show, Leanne, hosts an exciting board game and podcast quiz show for our hosts. Then we all (as well as several listeners) look back at some of the best episodes and moments from the last 263 episodes. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:55 5th Anniversary Quiz 03:21 Round 1: Spiel de Jahres winners in the style of Poetry for Neanderthals 11:44: Listener Choice - Episode 197 - Top 5 Games We Suck At 12:18 Round 2: Podcast History Trivia 23:20 Listener Choice - Episode 109 - Clans of Caledonia 23:56 Round 3: Formative Games 29:40 Listener Choice - Episode 90 - Great Western Trail and Episode 99 - Top Board Games of All Time 2022 Edition (1-10) 30:55 Round 4: Favorite Games Based on Bad Reviews on BGG 38:50 Listener Choice - BGHT Con Episodes 39:41 Round 5: Review Episodes in Style of Just One 48:35 Round 6: Favorite Games Since 2020 57:55 Top 3 Episodes that Best Represent the BGHT Podcast 58:22 Leanne #3 - Episode 216 - 5 Formative Games - The Games that Made Us Fall In Love With the Board Game Hobby 58:52 Chris #3 - Episode 46 - Kemet: Blood and Sand 1:03:18 Adam #3 - Episode 92 - Unanimous Takes 1:04:55 Tim #3 - Episode 214 - Board Game Topicpalooza 1:06:13 Leanne #2 - Episode 259 - Confessions of a Casual Board Gamer 1:08:12 Chris #2 - Episode 175 - Top 5 Games We Want To Play In 2024 1:12:05 Listener Choice - BGHT Con Episodes 1:12:41 Adam #2 - Episode 145 - SedonaCon Coverage Part 2 1:14:42 Tim #2 - Episode 199 - Hot Topic - You're Just Not My Type 1:16:41 Leanne #1 - Episode 100 Listener Top 20 Board Games 1:22:26 Chris #1 - Episodes 194 and 195 - BigBear Con Coverage 1:25:53 Adam #1 - Episode 190 - Top 5 Desert Island Games (Runners Up - Episode 108 - Top 10 Board Games that Should be Made Into Movies and Episode 185 - Wrong Hot Takes) 1:29:21 Chris Honorable Mentions - Episode 53 - Aquatica and 1 Year Anniversary and Episode 71 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar and Episodes 165, 167, 169, 171 - Board Games as Stories 1:31:17 Tim #1 - Episode 158: Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 262 we give our hot take review on Moon Colony Bloodbath covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on buying games without researching them and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Modern Art, Toy Battle, and Forest Shuffle. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Have you ever bought a game when you were in a store without knowing anything about it before seeing it on the shelf? 08:37 Moon Colony Bloodbath Description 11:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 23:53 Production and Theme 31:08 Final Thoughts 36:55 Modern Art 44:57 Toy Battle 48:44 Forest Shuffle 1:00:11 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 261 we wrap up the 2025 countdown of our 40 favorite Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:26 Chris #10 Terraforming Mars 07:20 Adam #10 Chaosmos 10:42 Tim #10 Grand Austria Hotel 13:44 Chris #9 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 18:45 Adam #9 - Wonderland's War 20:43 Tim #9 - Pulsar 2849 21:53 Chris #8 - Distilled 26:00 Adam #8 - Smartphone, Inc. 28:34 Tim #8 - Everdell 34:16 Chris #7 - Barrage 38:02 Adam #7 - Dune: Imperium 40:38 Tim #7 - Terraforming Mars 41:05 Chris #6 - Gaia Project 43:43 Adam #6 - Dune 47:25 Tim #6 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 48:18 Chris #5 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 49:59 Adam #5 - Baseball Highlights: 2045 53:20 Tim #5 - Dune: Imperium 54:53 Chris #4 - Dune: Imperium 56:04 Adam #4 - Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory 58:53 Tim #4 - Castles of Burgundy 1:00:03 Chris #3 - Darwin's Journey 1:03:53 Tim #3 - Lorenzo il Magnifico 1:07:12 Chris #2 - Tapestry 1:10:14 Adam #2 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 1:11:59 Tim #2 - Gaia Project 1:13:03 Chris #1 - Star Realms 1:18:23 Adam #1 - Azul 1:21:04 Tim #1 - Darwin's Journey 1:23:56 - Runners Up 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 260 Rolling Reggie joins us to talk about some of our favorite board games that use dice and why we love the dice mechanisms in those games. You can find Reggie's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@rolling.reggie Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:45 Top 5 Board Games with Dice 07:00 Spots 10:28 Dice Miner 13:47 Wroth 17:26 Troyes 22:14 Castles of Burgundy 27:03 Sentient 30:28 Rajas of the Ganges 33:33 The White Castle 37:16 Dice Throne 42:30 Tiletum 46:31 Lords of Vegas 49:57 Arcs 53:40 Crystal Palace 57:27 Sagrada 1:00:53 Dune: War for Arrakis 1:05:40 Honorable Mentions: Gang of Dice, Civolution, Fantastic Factories, Bang: The Dice Game, Sky Team 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 259 our guest host, Danielle, answers our questions about her tastes, preferences, and feelings about the board gaming hobby as a casual board gamer. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Definition of a Casual Board Gamer 05:30 Thinking About Board Games 10:21 Buying/Looking For New Games 17:10 Learning New Games 32:45 Board Game Complexity 33:09 Board Game Conventions 36:00 Board Game Annoyances 47:03 Listener Shoutout 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 258 we continue the 2025 countdown of our 40 favorite Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Chris #20 Obsession 04:18 Adam #20 Stockpile 05:42 Tim #20 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 06:53 Chris #19 - La Granja 08:44 Adam #19 - Battle for Rokugan 09:58 Tim #19 - Fromage 12:20 Chris #18 - A Feast for Odin 15:33 Adam #18 - Star Wars Rebellion 16:55 #18 - Clank! Catacombs 19:51 Chris #17 - Kanban EV 23:12 Adam #17 - Gaia Project 24:28 Tim #17 - Endeavor: Deep Sea 26:09 Chris #16 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 28:16 Adam #16 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 29:19 Tim #16 - Blood Rage 33:26 Chris #15 - Pan Am 36:12 Adam #15 - The Expanse Board Game 37:25 Tim #15 - The Voyages of Marco Polo / Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan 39:27 #14 - Blood Rage 40:32 #14 - Fractal 45:07 Tim #14 - Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 47:41 Chris and Tim #13 - Agricola 1:19:07 Adam #13 - Frozen Frontier 53:58 Chris #12 - 7 Wonders Duel 55:39 Adam #12 - Pan Am 57:15 Tim #12 - Tapestry 1:00:08 Chris #11 - Azul 1:02:20 Adam #11 - Sol: Last Days of a Star 1:03:28 Tim #11 - Arc Nova 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 257 Mark Johnson from the Boardgames To Go podcast joins us to discuss Tigris & Euphrates covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on which modern era our favorite games were from and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Tycoon: India 1981 and Castles of Tuscany. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Poll Time: What Timeframe was your #1 Favorite Board Game Published Within? 03:39 Intro to Mark Johnson and Board Games To Go 06:48 Tigris & Euphrates Description 09:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:21 Production and Theme 32:39 Final Thoughts 28:28 Tycoon: India 1981 50:41 Castles of Tuscany 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 256 we continue the 2025 countdown of our 40 favorite Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:54 Chris #30 Outlive 05:09 Adam #30 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 08:22 Tim #30 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 12:58 Chris #29 - The Guild of Merchant Explorers 16:17 Adam #29 - SpaceCorp: 2025-2300AD 18:29 Tim #29 - Scythe 21:37 Chris #28 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 26:14 Adam #28 - Scout 28:29 #28 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 33:31 Chris #27 - Cascadia 37:27 Adam #27 - Shamans 40:29 Tim #27 - Revive 44:50 Chris #26 - Viticulture Essential Edition 49:19 Adam #26 - Inis 52:56 Tim #26 - Azul 55:20 Chris #25 - Thunder Road: Vendetta 58:21 Adam #25 - Biohack 1:02:34 Tim #25 - Tichu 1:05:29 Chris #24 - Pirates of Maracaibo 1:10:38 Adam #24 -  Skull 1:13:19 Tim #24 - Space Base 1:17:01 Chris #23 - Wonderland's War 1:19:07 Adam #23 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 1:21:16 Tim #23 - Rising Sun 1:22:47 Chris #22 - Clank! In! Space! 1:26:15 Adam #22 - Marrakesh 1:31:41 Tim #22 - Woodcraft 1:34:09 Chris #21 - Teotihuacan: City of Gods 1:38:40 Adam #21 - Terraforming Mars 1:40:43 Tim #21 - Sea Salt & Paper 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 255 we start the 2025 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Favorite Games of All Time - How we made our lists 07:25 Chris #40 Rats of Wistar 11:01 Adam #40 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 13:16 Tim #40 The Castles of Tuscany 14:49 Chris #39 - Wingspan 16:44 Adam #39 - Rebirth 18:18 Tim #39 - Le Havre 19:51 Chris #38 - Smartphone, Inc. 22:03 Adam #38 - On Mars 24:30 Tim #38 - Thunder Road Vendetta 26:23 Chris #37 - Revive 28:56 #37 - Beyond the Sun 30:15 Tim #37 - Boast or Nothing / Best of Neapolitan 32:03 Chris #36 - Keyflower 34:41 Adam #36 - Voidfall 36:47 Tim #36 - Star Realms 38:13 Chris #35 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 41:11 Adam #35 - Tycoon: India 1981 44:54 Tim #35 - Wonderland's War 45:52 Chris #34 - Nemesis 49:30 Adam #34 -  Revive 50:54 Tim #34 - Viticulture: Essential Edition 52:00 Chris #33 - Heat: Pedal to the Metal 54:57 Adam #33 - Xenon Profiteer 56:15 Tim #33 - Slay the Spire: The Board Game 58:00 Chris #32 - Scythe 59:24 Adam #32 - Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition 1:01:37 Tim #32 - Clans of Caledonia 1:02:31 Chris #31 - Cthulhu Wars 1:05:08 Adam #31 - Hot Streak 1:09:31 Tim #31 - Anachrony 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 254 we discuss games that end a little too quickly. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:14 Race for the Galaxy 07:23 Newton 09:57 Pirates of Maracaibo 14:10 Mycelia 19:14 Fantasy Realms / Marvel Remix 22:11 Biohack 24:36 Smartphone, Inc. 27:46 Near and Far 37:17 Distilled 42:01 Robot Quest Arena 44:12 Woodcraft / Pulsar 2849 47:13 Thunder Road: Vendetta 53:26 Sol: Last Day of a Star 56:21 Architects of the West Kingdom 59:26 Gaia Project / Agricola 1:03:37 Honorable Mentions: Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods, Keyflower 1:05:52 Listener Shoutout 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

In Episode 253 we give our hot take review on Inis covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on gamer types and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Modern Art, Cribbage, and Bomb Busters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll Time: What type of board gamer do you consider yourself? 08:09 Inis Description 11:50 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:04 Production and Theme 32:39 Final Thoughts 44:27 Modern Art and Cheeky Monkey 51:16 Cribbage 1:00:11 Bomb Busters 1:09:32 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 252 we discuss our favorite wooden figures (meeples) in board games. We also answer a listener's question on which games are great for asynchronous play on Board Game Arena. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Great (and not so great) async BGA games - Lost Ruins of Arnak, Ark Nova, Tapestry, Revive, Harmonies, Gaia Project, Through the Ages, Blood Rage, Rats of Wistar, Azul, La Granja 11:30 5 Favorite Meeples 19:40 Royal Visit 21:50 Scoville 25:07 Everdell 27:19 Survive the Island 30:25 Root 33:03 Power Vacuum 35:41 Wondrous Creatures 37:57 Circadians: Chaos Order 40:37 Charterstone 43:30 On Mars 45:47 Golem 49:05 Glen More II: Chronicles 49:58 Aqua Garden 52:07 Merchants of the Dark Road 55:02 Gentes Deluxified Edition 57:47 Honorable Mentions: Arcs, Teotihuacan: City of Gods, Parks, Meepile, Luthier, Bonfire 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 251 we give our hot take review on Dinogenics 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 Masters of Renaissance, Cyclades: Legendary Edition, Endeavor: Deep Sea, and Finspan. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:53 Poll Time: When you listen to board game reviews what are you most interested in hearing about? 07:54 Dinogenics Description 10:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:31 Production and Theme 35:28 Final Thoughts 40:46 Master of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico - The Card Game 47:04 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 48:41 Endeavor: Deep Sea 55:45 Finspan 1:01:05 Listener Shoutout 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 250 we discuss the top 5 board game publishers that are represented on our game shelves. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:52 Top 5 Publishers On Our Game Shelves 06:44 Dire Wolf (Clank! Legacy, Clank! In Space, Dune: Imperium - Uprising) 08:54 Wehrlegig Games (Pax Pamir 2nd Edition, John Company 2nd Edition) 10:47 CMON Games (Blood Rage, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Rising Sun) 12:57 AEG (Cascadia, Calico, Let's Go To Japan) 17:17 Eagle-Gryphon Games and (Baseball Highlight 2045, Xenon Profiteer, On Mars, Clockwork Wars) - Buffalo Games (Planted, Oh No! Volcano) 18:51 Garphill Games (Architects of the West Kingdom, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Legacy of Yu) 22:30 Wise Wizards Games (Star Realms, Star Realm: Rise of Empire, Hero Realms, Robot Quest Arena) 25:13 Cosmodrome Games (Smartphone, Inc., Frozen Frontier, Aquatica) 25:52 GMT Games (Dominant Species, SpaceCorp: 2025-2300AD, A Gest of Robin Hood) 30:35 REPOS Production (7 Wonders, 7 Wonders Duel, Just One, Fun Facts, Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth) 32:07 Awaken Realms (Nemesis, This War of Mine, Lords of Ragnarok, Tainted Grail, Great Wall, Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition) 37:04 Roxley Games (Brass: Birmingham, Radlands, Dice Throne, Skyrise) 38:51 Stonemaier Games (Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest, Scythe, Viticulture, Tapestry, Apiary, Red Rising, Wingspan, My Little Scythe, Pendulum, Expeditions) 44:12 Fantasy Flight Games (Battle for Rokugan, Star Wars Rebellion, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Android Netrunner, Arkham Horror: CCG) 48:26 CGE (T'zolkin: The Mayan Calendar, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Codenames, Pulsar 2849, Under Falling Skies) 50:28 Final Thoughts 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 Finspan Description 12:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:29 Production and Theme 38:34 Final Thoughts 42:59 Sol: Last Days of a Star 47:09 Galactic Cruise 54:39 Pirates of Maracaibo 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 Bloodlines and Immortality) 57:39 Dungeon Fighter 1:01:34 Biohack 1:09:34 Wandering Towers 1:13:53 Final Thoughts 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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: Legendary Edition 1:13:05 Crokinole 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 246 we look like 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 designer 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 Game 13:19 Food Chain Magnate 15:58 Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game 20:47 Caverna: The Cave Farmers 22:41 Puerto Rico 25:25 Concordia, Lisboa 29:55 Android: Netrunner, Magic: The Gathering 36:11 Blood on the Clocktower 37:58 Terra Mystica 40:52 Civilization 43:18 Commands and Colors: Ancients 46:00 Gloomhaven, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, Frosthaven 52:44 Diplomacy 54:59 Final Thoughts and Honorable Mentions: Cosmic Encounter, The Great Zimbabwe, Mage Knight, Slay the Spire: The Board Game 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 feel about legacy games? 14:00 Golden Geek Nomination! 16:01 Pirates of Maracaibo Description 20:00 Gameplay and Mechanisms 37:04 Production and Theme 42:40 Final Thoughts 49:31 Davy Jones' Locker: The Kraken Wakes 1:00:09 Great Western Trail: El Paso 1:05:22 Crystal Palace 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 Brian Boru and Clank! Catacombs - Lairs and Lost Chambers. We also discuss a poll on average weekly board game time. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Poll Time: On average how many hours of actual tabletop gameplay do you have per week? 05:14 BGG Golden Geek Awards 06:34 Dune: Imperium - Bloodlines 08:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:49 Production and Theme 31:36 Final Thoughts 35:17 The Best way to play Dune: Imperium now. 44:54 Brian Boru 50:55 Clank! Catacombs - Lairs and Lost Chambers 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 Truffle Snuffle 19:25 Keyper 22:00 Viscounts of the West Kingdom 24:50 Trotofant 27:45 Redwood 30:31 Black Orchestra 34:10 Argo 37:13 Once Upon a Line 39:23 Greedy Kingdoms 42:58 The Faceless 45:35 Piazza Rabazza 48:24 Dungeon Petz 52:49 Honorable Mentions: Picture Perfect, Dungeon Fighter, Canvas, Captain Sonar, Turing Machine, Treasure Island, Bullet Heart, Mord Im Arosa 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 Fellowship of the Rings: Trick-Taking Game 1:27:25 Listener Shoutout 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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, Yokohama 20:33 How we feel about this - Terraforming Mars, Agricola, Great Western Trail, The Castles of Burgundy, Mosaic, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 30:50 What would we want out of Agricola refresh - Agricola: Dead Harvest 40:14 What Makeovers Do We Want - Gaia Project, Beyond the Sun, Le Havre, Quacks of Quedlinburg, The Expanse, Forbidden Stars 47:55 Are big refreshes a problem because of price? - Agricola, Marrakesh, Foundations of Rome, Foundations of Metropolis, Eclipse 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 25:30 Lords of Xidit 29:37 Dominant Species 34:09 Final Girl 37:27 Star Wars: Outer Rim 41:38 Star Wars: Rebellion 44:22 Harmonies 49:43 Aquatica 55:20 Wonderland's War 58:16 Starship Captains 1:02:52 Chimera Station 1:05:43 Battlestar Galactica 1:09:39 Auztralia 1:14:10 Final Thoughts 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 (Gaia Project) 34:35 My Little Scythe (Wolves, Gaia Project, Sol: Last Days of a Star) 40:01 Stockpile (Pan Am, Lancaster, Modern Art) 45:24 Nidavellir (Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest) 48:54 Great Wall (Lancaster) 53:10 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 56:44 Troyes 1:01:00 Carcassonne (Barrage, Terraforming Mars) 1:07:44 Baseball Highlights 2045 (Blood Rage, Magic: The Gathering) 1:12:31 Rebirth (Tigris and Euphrates, Samurai, Blue Lagoon) 1:17:17 Fractal (Rising Sun, Blood Rage, Dune, Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy, Battle for Rokugan) 1:25:34 Bruxelles 1893 (Lancaster, Barrage) 1:30:33 Final Thoughts 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Patreon Board Game Giveaways 02:50 SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Description 04:25 Gameplay and Mechanisms 18:42 Production and Theme 25:49 Final Thoughts 37:21 Dinosaur Island 44:46 Stockpile 53:40 Guild of Merchant Explorers 55:18 Architects of the West Kingdom: Age of Artisans 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 server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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.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

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: If the percentage of prices on board games increase by double digits due to tariffs how much would that change your buying habits? 07:26 The Guild of Merchant Explorers Description 09:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 21:15 Production and Theme 27:32 Final Thoughts 32:42 Skyrise and Black Forest revisited 37:42 Belaad: The Land of Swords and Quills 46:32 Oh no, Volcano! 50:51 Slay The Spire: The Board game 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 12:20 2015 - Cthulhu Realms 16:17 2015 - Deep Space D6 20:07 2016 - Bloc By Bloc 23:01 2016 - Imhotep 27:03 2016 - Kingdomino 30:39 2017 - A Handful of Stars 33:44 2017 - Outlive 35:35 2017 - Godfather: Corleone's Empire 39:48 2018 - Space Corp: 2025-2300AD 42:51 2018 - Disney Villainous 49:16 2018 - Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig 51:50 2019 - Dreamscape 54:26 2019 - Chocolate Factory 57:17 2019 - Wavelength 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 server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 Base Description 11:33 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:37 Production and Theme 38:53 Final Thoughts 44:24 Kanban EV 49:15 Troyes 54:46 Shasn: Azadi 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 Most Played Games of 2024 1:14:07 Board Game Revelations 1:20:18 2024 BGG Rankings Forecast 1:29:12 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 ever bought a game with the intention of flipping it, either for selling or trading it? 13:05 Rats of Wistar Description 15:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:30 Production and Theme 38:50 Final Thoughts 42:54 Frozen Frontier 45:25 Rebel Princess 50:32 Dune: Imperium 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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-weight, and heavy weights? 27:41 Do you ever consider board games as works of art? 41:37 What games do you often refuse to play because it's too much work to pack up when you're done playing? 47:48 Best crowdfunding success stories? 55:44 Where do you hear about new games and how do you choose what you're going to review? 1:03:21 How many hours a week do you commit to the podcast? 1:11:54 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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: Vendetta 31:53 March of the Ants 33:51 Endeavor: Deep Sea 38:05 Runners Up (Xenon Profiteer, Mosaic, Mille Fiori, Tokaido Duo) 41:37 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 14:24 Creature Comforts 16:05 Kanban EV 18:09 Clockwork Wars 19:05 Oathsworn; Into the Deepwood 20:54 Cosmic Frog 22:09 Shogun 22:37 Apiary 24:33 Bonfire / Merlin / Marrakesh 26:12 John Company: 2nd Edition 00:56 Millennium Blades 27:17 Top 5 Games we want to play in 2025 27:55 Civolution 29:44 Joyride: Survival of the Fastest 34:16 Wroth 37:12 SETI: Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence 38:57 Harmonies 43:45 Dune: War for Arrakis 49:42 Windmill Valley 51:11 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 53:10 Endeavor: Deep Sea 56:09 Resafa 58:54 Andromeda's Edge / Rock Hard: 1977 1:00:57 World Order 1:05:11 Wondrous Creatures 1:06:57 Rats of Wistar 1:11:03 Power Vacuum 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 board game you love has an expansion, how likely are you to include one when playing? 07:45 Fromage Description 09:33 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:34 Production and Theme 26:54 Final Thoughts 30:25 Let's Go! To Japan and Flip 7 36:03 Azul: Summer Pavilion 41:40 Barrage: Duel 47:51 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 224 we recount our experience at BGGCon in Dallas. Since this was Chris and Adam's first big game convention we discuss expectations, apprehensions, and excitement leading up to it and then we cover our first couple days of gaming and shenanigans. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 05:50 BGGCon 2024 - Expectations, Apprehensions, and Excitement 10:45 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy: Seekers and Outcasts Expansions 17:20 Things in Rings 25:12 Underwater Cities (Fail!) 27:23 Everdell: Farshore 36:35 Robot Quest: Arena 40:54 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 50:37 Surfosaurus: MAX 54:10 Le Havre 1:00:47 SCOUT 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 223 we discuss player counts. Which genres and games are best at each player count and which player counts we like the best. We also discuss a poll on listener's average player counts at game night. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Poll: How big is your average player count on game night? 05:50 Feature Discussion - Player Counts 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 222 we give our hot take review on Let's Go To Japan covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Looot, Frozen Frontiers, and The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Let's Go To Japan Description 02:58 Gameplay and Mechanisms 19:10 Production and Theme 29:11 Final Thoughts 33:41 Looot 39:41 Frozen Frontiers 49:11 The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 221 we take a look at several games that have voting mechanisms or a theme based around voting. We also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Stamp Swap, Flamecraft, and Frozen Frontier. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 05:07 Top 3 Games with Voting 05:12 Werewords 10:19 Godspeed 15:06 Balderdash 18:27 Votes for Women 22:11 Blood on the Clocktower 27:11 The King's Dilemma 30:17 Lancaster 34:57 Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition 40:27 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 44:42 Stamp Swap 56:35 Flamecraft 1:05:26 Frozen Frontier 1:11:33 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 220 we take a look at games that offer outsized gameplay decisions for their relatively small set of rules. We also share our plans for BGG Con and where listeners can find us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 BGG Con 02:50 Games with Small Ruleset and Big Decision Space 07:24 Welcome To... 10:45 Capital Lux 2 13:32 Tapestry 17:35 Carcassonne 20:35 Skyrise 23:40 Turing Machine 26:42 Tiny Towns 30:06 Mycelia 33:55 7 Wonders Duel 38:05 Istanbul 40:44 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 45:09 Architects of the West Kingdom 48:24 Cascadia 50:37 Smartphone, Inc. 53:09 Calico 1:00:17 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 219 we give our hot take review on Harvest covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on where your board game collection is in your house. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Unconscious Mind, Star Realms: Rise of Empire, and Apiary: Expanding the Hive. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:19 Poll: Is your board game collection displayed publicly in your house? 07:38 Harvest Description 09:07 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:04 Production and Theme 30:01 Final Thoughts 35:06 Unconscious Mind 43:59 Star Realms: Rise of Empire 51:46 Apiary: Expanding the Hive 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 218 we discuss the top incoming crowdfunded board games that each of us are excited to receive.  We also take a look back at last year's list to see what's been delivered and how they hit for us as well. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:19 Look back at 2023 Crowdfund episode 02:25 Wolves 03:54 Wonderland's War: Shards of Madness 05:53 Biohack 06:54 Star Realms: Rise of Empire 07:58 Cthulhu Death May Die: Fear of the Unknown 11:13 Galactic Renaissance 13:23 Teotihuacan: City of Gods Deluxe Master Set 16:04 Arcs 17:39 Star Tycoon 19:02 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3 22:40 Witchcraft! 23:41 Ceres 26:15 The Fox Experiment 27:21 Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs 28:57 Frozen Frontier 30:52 Top Upcoming Crowdfunded Games 33:55 Hyperspace 37:17 Red Dust Rebellion 40:25 March of the Ants Evolved Edition 43:25 Obsession: The Characters Expansion 45:21 Mycelia 48:33 Thunder Road Vendetta - Maximum Chrome 51:33 Unconscious Minds 54:17 Dawn of Madness 59:36 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 1:02:13 Dune: War for Arrakis 1:05:11 Final Thoughts - State of Crowdfunding 1:31:50 BlueSky 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 217 we give our hot take review on March of the ants covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Boop and Tapestry Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:19 March of the Ants Description 05:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:43 Production and Theme 33:25 Final Thoughts 37:21 boop. 41:27 Tapestry 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 216 we get nostalgic about the board games that sucked us into the hobby. We also discuss a poll about whether you still play the first game that got you into board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Do you still regularly play the board game that introduced you to the board game hobby? (7 Wonders, Ticket to Ride, Wingspan, Euphoria) 12:47 Guillotine (Magic: The Gathering) 17:46 SolarQuest (Tri-ominos, Mr. Big Mouth, Monopoly) 21:14 D&D: Computer Labyrinth Game, The Dark Tower 27:07 Dominion 30:32 Conquest of the Empire (Miles Borne) 33:50 Axis & Allies (Risk) 36:50 King of Tokyo 40:18 Tripoley (Kingmaker) 44:03 Catan 47:43 Lost Cities 50:32 Scrabble (Race for the Galaxy, Memoir '44, Boggle) 55:21 Scythe (Cthulhu: Death May Die, Blood Rage) 59:12 Five Tribes (Agricola) 1:02:39 Terraforming Mars 1:06:35 A Feast for Odin 1:09:43 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 215 we give our hot take review on River of Gold covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on feelings about the huge amount of games being published. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Tikal, KMG, and Gems of Iridescia. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Does the huge number of board games available make you happy or stress you out? 05:30 River of Gold Description 06:00 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:17 Production and Theme 26:39 Final Thoughts 32:57 Tikal 37:25 KMG 41:54 Gems of Iridescia 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 214 we dive deep on a whole bunch of our listener's board game queries. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Is there a point in a game where you should call it quits? 7:25 What are games you might enjoy more if the publisher added, removed, or changed one thing? 16:08 What games are you jealous of players experiencing for the first time? 30:58 Do good gamers make good game designers and vice versa? 36:32 Do you think you'll outgrow the hobby or slow down your current interests? 50:16 How much time do you spend playing games each week and are you playing them with friends or family? 55:58 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 213 we discuss our top 5 filler board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Top 5 Filler Games 06:54 Ticket to Ride: San Francisco 10:23 Pass the Pigs 16:22 Kingdomino 20:14 Imhotep 23:23 The Mind 28:43 Fantasy Realms 34:24 Can't Stop / Mountain Goats 38:40 Azul 42:47 Coloretto 45:25 7 Wonders Duel 52:20 Sea Salt & Paper 57:34 Onitama 59:49 Star Realms 1:07:04 Fantastic Factories 1:12:52 Strike 1:16:08 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 212 we give our hot take review on Tikal covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on whose games you're playing. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Fractal: Beyond the Void, and 7 Wonders Duel. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Whose boardgames are you most often playing? 09:37 Tikal Description 10:36 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:48 Production and Theme 29:55 Final Thoughts 38:00 Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig 49:05 Fractal: Beyond the Void 52:53 7 Wonders Duel 56:24 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 211 we've gone back to the mailbag and answered our listener's questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:07 What mechanisms do each of you gravitate towards? 6:16 What are your feelings on board games becoming video games and vice versa? 15:48 What makes a good rulebook to you? 25:41 What games would you take on a trip that are appropriate to play outside? 30:33 What tactics have you used to get a non-gamer into board game night? 39:27 Describer your ideal 3 course board game meal. 48:17 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 210 we give our hot take review on Daybreak covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on quarterbacks in co-op games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Cat in the Box, and 7 Wonders Duel, and give a future take on Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Who's the quarterback when playing co-op games in our game group? 08:24 Daybreak Description 10:22 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:57 Production and Theme 33:35 Final Thoughts 39:35 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 49:45 Cat in the Box 55:27 7 Wonders Duel and Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth 1:01:21 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 209 we discuss the Board Game Geeks Top 20 games. We also discuss a poll on whether you've been influenced to buy a game because it was high up on that ratings list. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll: Do you think a board game being in the Board Game Geek Top 20 ever influenced your decision to buy it? 07:35 Feature Discussion - Board Game Geek Top 20 Games. 58:24 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 208 we discuss some of our biggest annoyances that some publishers do in regards to the production, components, or presentation of their board games. We look at games that have these problems but also games that we think solved those issues. We also discuss a poll on whether a past production issue would turn us off from future games by that publisher. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Poll: Has a production or component issue ever made you hesitate in buying another game from that publisher? 11:50 Top 3 Board Game Production Pet Peeves 13:50 Boring or non-thematic first player tokens (Discussed: Nucleum, Boonlake, Pan Am. Wingspan/Wyrmspan, Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Dune: Imperium, Dinosaur Island) 20:03 Bad rulebooks (Discussed: Kemet: Blood and Sand, Bitoku, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Trellis, One Deck Galaxy, Arcs, Smartphone, Inc., Inis, Tainted Grail, This War of Mine) 28:34 Game boxes are too small (Discussed: Great Wall, Lords of Hellas, Blood Rage, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Return to Dark Tower, Lords of Ragnarok) 36:57 Paper thin player boards (Discussed: Terraforming Mars, Underwater Cities, Pan Am, Apiary, Tapestry) 42:44 Lack of diverse representation in art (Discussed: Hansa Teutonica, Grand Austria Hotel, Skyrise, Royal Visit, My Father's Work, Abducktion) 49:15 Repetitive Card Artwork (Discussed: Capital Lux 2: Generations, Nidavellier, Revive, Tapestry, Star Realms, Shamans) 55:48 Molded inserts that make setup or teardown harder (Discussed: Great Western Trail: 2nd Edition, Lords of Waterdeep, Apiary, Expeditions, Dwellings of Eldervale, Cat in the Box, Wonderland's War, Brass: Birmingham) 1:02:24 Production obstructs function (Discussed: Voidfall, Arcs, Smartphone, Inc., Trekking the World, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn, Trouble, Tacocat 1:09:26 Excessive Card Tucking (Discussed: One Deck Galaxy, Terraforming Mars, Revive, Expeditions, La Granja, Lacrimosa, Space Base, Aquatica) 1:17:30 Runner Ups (Discussed: Voidfall, Magic: The Gathering, Scythe, Carcassone, Baseball Highlights 2045, Star Realms) 1:21:56 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 207 we give our hot take review on Luthier covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on publisher/designer behavior influencing your interest in buying games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Arcs: The Blighted Reach Expansion, Poetry for Neanderthals, and Sail. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Poll: Do the personalities (good or bad), political stances, or past business practices (good or bad) of a publisher or designer influence your willingness to buy a game? 11:50 Luthier Description 14:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms 32:19 Production and Theme 39:10 Final Thoughts 47:15 Poetry for Neanderthals 51:14 Arcs: The Blighted Reach Expansion 1:00:58 Sail 1:06:40 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 206 we're joined by Arwen from the Cardboard Time Podcast to discuss the reasons that we decide to buy games. We discuss a poll on how much thought you put into a game before purchasing it. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:45 Poll: How much thought do you put into your choice to purchase a board game? 09:24 Why do we buy games? 10:13 Interactive puzzle 14:16 Easy teach with strong decision space 18:12 I've played it, I LOVE it, and I have a group to play it with 22:14 Captivating system 27:34 Mechanically or thematically unique 31:15 The best version of a mechanism 34:27 Unique or novel 37:58 Accessibility 46:09 Intriguing and deeply discounted 50:22 Speed Round Questions 1:05:54 Listener Shoutout 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 205 we revisit our hot takes on Arcs covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on traveling with games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Captain Flip, Architects of the West Kingdom, and A Gest of Robin Hood. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Poll: When you travel on vacation, how many games do you bring with you? 08:24 Arcs Description 10:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:01 Production and Theme 42:50 Final Thoughts 49:58 Captain Flip 53:29 Architects of the West Kingdom 56:25 A Gest of Robin Hood 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 204 we conclude the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:29 Chris #10 Apiary 07:13 Adam #10 Battle for Rokugan 11:30 Tim #10 The Castles of Burgundy 13:25 Chris and Tim #9 Agricola 18:08 Adam #9 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 21:37 Chris #8 - Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 23:54 Tim #8 - Pulsar 2849 26:20 Adam #8 - Sol: Last Days of a Star 29:31 Chris #7 - A Feast for Odin 33:48 Adam #7 - Shamans 37:32 Tim #7 - Tapestry 40:04 Chris #6 - Voidfall 44:09 Adam #6 - The Expanse Board Game 39:32Tim #6 - Cyclades 52:24 Chris #5 - Tapestry 55:51 Adam #5 - Gaia Project 59:20 Tim #5 - Lorenzo Il Magnifico 1:02:10 Chris #4 (Adam #3) - Dune: Imperium Uprising / Dune: Imperium 1:04:56 Adam #4 -  Arcs / Brian Boru 1:11:40 Tim #4 - Nucleum 1:15:09 Chris #4 - Gaia Project 1:18:51 Tim #3 - Everdell 1:21:03 Chris #2 - Distilled 1:24:55 Adam #2 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 1:26:42 Tim #2 - Dune: Imperium 1:28:06 Chris #1 - Pan Am 1:31:33 Adam #1 - Fractal: Beyond the Void 1:35:35 Tim #1 - Gaia Project / Age of Innovation

In Episode 203 we continue the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:34 Chris #20 La Granja 03:58 Adam #20 Voidfall 06:32 Tim #20 Sea Salt & Paper 08:08 Chris #19 Darwin's Journey 11:28 Adam #19 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition / Arcs 15:09 Tim #19 - Tichu 16:01 Chris #18 - Blood Rage 18:28 Adam #18 - Baseball Highlights 2045 22:22 Tim #18 - The Voyages of Marco Polo / Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan 23:44 Chris #17 - Thunder Road: Vendetta 26:29 Adam #17 - Barrage 29:35 Tim #17 - Clank! Catacombs 30:52 Chris #16 - Obsession 33:46 Adam #16 - Marrakesh 37:11 Tim #16 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 37:56 Chris #15 - Azul 39:47 Adam #15 - Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 43:37 Tim #15 - Ark Nova 45:07 Chris #14 - Teotihuacan: City of Gods 48:22 Adam #14 -  Wonderland's War 49:42 Tim #14 - Thunder Road: Vendetta 51:45 Chris #13 - Marrakesh 53:04 Adam #13 - Cat in the Box 55:34 Tim #13 - Le Havre 56:18 Chris #12 - Barrage 57:35 Adam #12 - Pan Am 59:55 Tim #12 - Blood Rage 1:01:15 Chris #11 - Maracaibo 1:04:37 Adam #11 - Smartphone, Inc. 1:07:05 Tim #11 - Terraforming Mars

In Episode 202 we continue the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Chris #30 Wolves 03:33 Adam #30 Star Wars: Rebellion 05:23 Tim #30 Grand Austria Hotel 08:56 Chris #29 Godspeed 12:24 Adam #29 - Blood Rage 13:55 Tim #29 - Rising Sun 15:21 Chris #28 - Yokohama 18:43 Adam #28 - Beyond the Sun 22:42 Tim #28 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 24:52 Chris #27 - Ark Nova 30:19 Adam #27 - Age of Galaxy 33:05 Tim #27 - Underwater Cities 36:12 Chris #26 - Terracotta Army 38:52 Adam #26 - Revive 40:05 Tim #26 - Boast or Nothing 43:00 Chris #25 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 47:10 Adam #25 - Godspeed 47:48 Tim #25 - Architects of the West Kingdom 50:14 Chris #24 - Wonderland's War 54:32 Adam #24 -  Dune 48:35 Tim #24 - Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 1:02:48 Chris #23 - Terraforming Mars 1:06:09 Adam #23 - Patchwork 1:09:37 Tim #23 - Apiary 1:12:10 Chris #22 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 1:12:51 Adam #22 - Haggis 1:14:53 Tim #22 - Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest 1:18:02 Chris #21 - Kanban EV 1:20:56 Adam #21 - Terraforming Mars 1:21:36 Tim #21 - Wonderland's War

In Episode 201 we start the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Top Games of All Time - How we made our lists 08:44 Chris #40 Battle for Rokugan 10:57 Adam #40 Brass: Birmingham 12:54 Tim #40 Rajas of the Ganges 14:47 Chris #39 - Castles of Burgundy 16:55 Adam #39 - Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game 20:22 Tim #39 - Voidfall 21:28 Chris #38 - Nidavellir 26:32 Adam #38 - Apiary 27:30 Tim #38 - Marrakesh 29:11 Chris #37 - Fractal: Beyond the Void 31:22 Adam #37 - Rising Sun 33:55 Tim #37 - Scythe 36:12 Chris #36 - The Quacks of Quedlinburg 39:21 Adam #36 - It's a Wonderful World 41:37 Tim #36 - Viticulture: Essential Edition 43:43 Chris #35 - Robot Quest Arena 46:03 Adam #35 - Capital Lux 2: Generations 48:03 Tim #35 - Space Base 50:30 Chris #34 - Smartphone, Inc. 52:10 Adam #34 -  SpaceCorp 2025 - 2300 AD 55:21 Tim #34 - Sky Team 58:56 Chris #33 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 1:01:02 Adam #33 - Xenon Profiteer 1:02:29 Tim #33 - Revive 1:04:50 Chris #32 - Woodcraft 1:08:18 Adam #32 - Glory to Rome 1:11:24 Tim #32 - Battle for Rokugan 1:12:32 Chris #31 - Heat: Pedal to the Metal 1:15:56 Adam #31 - Star Tycoon 1:20:52 Tim #31 - Star Realms

In Episode 200 we provide our hot take review of D.E.I.: Divide et Impera covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss making the podcast after 200 episodes. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Hallertau and Kanban EV and a Future Take on Founders of Reyvick. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:08 Discussion: Episode 200! 05:58 D.E.I.: Divide et Impera Description 07:53 Gameplay and Mechanisms 17:08 Production and Theme 23:51 Final Thoughts 28:43 Hallertau 37:30 Future Take: Founders of Reyvick 42:39 Kanban EV If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

In Episode 199 we talk about types of games that don't get us excited... but we also reflect on why that is and talk about some games in those genres that have worked or might work for us. We also discuss a related poll on genres or types of board games that are an immediate turn off. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Are there any genres or types of board games that are an automatic turn off? 02:56 Game types that we're not into 05:47 Skirmish Games (Guards of Atlantis II, Warhammer 40K, Heroclix, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game, Battletech) 10:50 Team Games/Cooperative Games (Cerebria: The Inside World, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Star Wars: Rebellion, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Sky Team, Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Codenames, Rush Out) 19:18 Collectable Card Games (Magic: The Gathering, Wonders of the First, Disney Lorcana, Star Wars Unlimited, Mindbug, Star Realms) 28:14 Party Games (Trivial Pursuit, Apple to Apples, Codenames, Challengers!, Skull, Just One, So Clover, Green Team Wins, Balderdash, El Grande, Libertalia) 38:45 Multi-player Solitaire (Hallertau, Nucleum, Bruxelles 1893, Wingspan, 43:20 Negotiation Games (John Company, Rising Sun, Dune, Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition, Diplomacy, Chinatown, Poker, Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy) 50:47 Message Games (Daybreak, Doubt is our Product, This War of Mine, Meltwater: A Game of Tactical Starvation) 54:17 Wargames (Maria, Twilight Struggle, Undaunted) 1:00:23 Abstract Games (Mandala, Cascadia, Azul, Sagrada, Project L) 1:02:03 Trick Taking Games (Shamans, Cat in the Box, Brian Boru: High King of Ireland, Skull King, Lettertricks, Euchre, Spades, Boast or Nothing. 1:05:39 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 198 we each discuss our top 5 board games that have a small footprint on the table. We also discuss a poll on whether the footprint of a game influences your purchase. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Does the footprint of a board game on the table have an impact on whether you'll purchase a game? 07:26 Top 5 Small Footprint Games 09:14 Skull 12:42 Age of Galaxy 16:08 For Sale 19:15 High Society 22:06 Watergate 25:30 Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers 28:34 Five Three Five 33:21 Calico 37:48 Sea Salt & Paper 38:53 Patchwork 44:29 Disney Villainous 48:55 Sky Team 56:20 Shamans 59:27 Star Realms, Hero Realms, Cthulhu Realms 1:03:44 Haggis 1:07: Runners Up (Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Shards of Infinity, Cat in the Box, Cafe, Azul, Hissy Fit) 1:14:18 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 197 we each discuss our top 5 board games that we really like but can't seem to win. We also discuss a poll on whether you've bought board games because of an award. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Have you ever purchased a board game because it won a prominent award? 04:45 Top 5 Games We Suck At 07:46 Tapestry 10:32 Space Base and Nidavellir 14:42 Barrage 18:32: Apiary 20:17 The Castles of Burgundy 22:50 The Voyages of Marco Polo and Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan 25:54 Underwater Cities 28:40 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 32:44 Dune 35:35 Ark Nova 41:14 Yokohama 42:35 Pan Am 44:15 Agricola 48:02 Clank! Legacy 50:00 Runners Up (Battle for Rokugan, Skyrise, Rising Sun) 54:28 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 196 we provide our hot take review of Biohack covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on buying expansions sight unseen. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Camel Up, Le Havre, and Skyrise. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Question: Are there any games you would buy an expansion for without knowing anything about them? 08:33 Wyrmspan Giveaway Winner 09:26 Biohack Description 11:09 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:41 Production and Theme 41:41 Final Thoughts 44:58 Camel Up 49:38 Le Havre 57:05 Skyrise 1:03:34 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

In Episode 195 we discuss the second half of our semi-annual BGHT convention. 3 gamers, 5 days, 16 games played. In this episode we discuss 8 of those games including several that were new to us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Revive 06:20 Starship Captains 13:31 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 16:27 Marvel Remix 19:10 Voidfall 35:10 Galactic Renaissance 45:57 Marrakesh 50:31 Pan Am 55:22 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

In Episode 194 we discuss the first half of our semi-annual BGHT convention. 3 gamers, 5 days, 16 games played. In this episode we discuss 8 of those games including several that were new to us. We kick off the episode off with a poll on how long you can game without burnout. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Poll: How many hours can you play board games straight before you get burned out and need a break? 07:37 BGHT Big Bear Con 08:06 Dune: Imperium 12:01 Sea Salt & Paper 13:31 Pulsar 2849 19:52 Apiary 25:00 Fractal: Beyond the Void 34:51 The Quest for El Dorado 40:50 Xenon Profiteers 46:31 Godspeed 52:15 Listener Shoutout 53:08 Retraction If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

In Episode 193 we provide our hot take review of Orleans covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on favorite board games based on French cities and then we discuss some board games on our table including Galactic Renaissance, The Vale of Eternity, and Wolves. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Question: Which board game based on a French city is your favorite? 04:57 Orleans Description 07:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:19 Production and Theme 34:24 Final Thoughts 38:36 Galactic Renaissance 46:00 The Vale of Eternity 52:18 Wolves 55:05 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

In Episode 192 we each discuss our top 5 board games that use the worker placement mechanism in a very unique or interesting way. We also discuss a poll on what to do with components after you upgrade them. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: If you upgrade components for a board game, what do you do with the replaced components? 10:16 Top 5 Unique Worker Placement Games 11:57 Lost Ruins of Arnak 16:25 Raiders of the North Sea 19:47 Bus and Dominant Species 23:32 Come Together (Great Wall) 27:52 Lorenzo Il Magnifico 32:10 Anachrony 35:03 Terracotta Army 38:16 The Godfather: Corleone's Empire 42:47 Architects of the West Kingdom 45:40 Chimera Station (Godspeed, Darwin's Journey) 50:32 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia 56:50 Star Wars: Rebellion 1:00:06 Pendulum 1:06:34 Underwater Cities 1:09:21 Ceres 1:14:28 Runners Up (Argent: The Consortium, Cryo, Dwellings of Eldervale, Whistle Mountain) 1:15:55 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 191 we provide our hot take review of Maracaibo covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on investigating card decks before playing games and then we discuss some board games on our table including Starship Captains, Sagnir, and Djinn. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Question: When introduced to a board game that contains cards, at what point do you look through the deck to see distribution? 08:15 Maracaibo Description 10:07 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:02 Production and Theme 26:22 Final Thoughts 35:35 Starship Captains 42:47 Sagnir 47:03 Djinn If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

In Episode 190 Connie Vogelmann (designer of Apiary and Wyrmspan) joins us as our guest host as we each discuss our top 5 Desert Island Board Games. We also discuss a poll on how less games might impact our play habits. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:08 Poll: If you only had 5 board games (of your choice) available forever do you think you'd still play board games as frequently as you do? 09:33 Top 5 Desert Island Games 12:40 Azul 15:08 Cribbage 16:27 Ark Nova 19:15 Dune: Imperium 22:00 The Resistance: Avalon 26:33 Sea Salt & Paper 28:30 Fractal: Beyond the Void 32:07 Gloomhaven 35:23 Clank! Catacombs 39:47 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 43:32 Stationfall 44:48 A Feast for Odin 47:10 Welcome to the Moon 49:15 Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition 51:28 Blood Bowl 55:16 Age of Innovation 1:01:10 Runner Ups (Capital Lux 2, Xia: Legends of a Drift System, Decrypto, Werewords, Codenames, Voyages of Marco Polo, Grand Austria Hotel, Skull, Just One, Fun Facts) 1:04:50 Listener Shoutout

In episode 189, we take a deep dive into Board Game Arena and discuss games that we think are best on that online platform and games that are way better on a physical table. We also discuss a listener poll about how frequently you take turns on online board game platforms and give a huge shoutout to our BGA Community. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:00 Poll: How frequently do you take turns on async games on BGA (or other online platforms)? 09:48 Board Game Arena (Top 3 we prefer on BGA and Top 3 We prefer in person) 13:26 Ark Nova 19:00 Keyflower 22:48 7 Wonders 25:42 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 32:05 Tapestry 39:03 Terraforming Mars, Agricola 43:50 Blood Rage 46:02 Tichu, Haggis, 6 Nimmt, Libertalia 49:16 La Granja 52:19 Blood Rage 53:28 Cerebria: The Inside World 55:44 Wonderland's War 57:42 Woodcraft 59:21 Lords of Ragnarok, Lords of Hellas, The Great Wall, Nemesis 1:03:20 BGHT BGA Community Shoutout

In Episode 188 we each discuss our top 5 favorite player boards in board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:44 Baseball Highlight 2045 05:00 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 10:00 Lacrimosa (Red Cathedral, White Castle) 14:48 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 17:10 Distilled 21:02 Marrakesh (Orleans, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Russian Railroads) 25:45 Planet Unknown 27:49 Cthulhu: Death May Die 35:21 La Granja 39:57 My Father's Work 43:22 Carnegie 47:40 Voidfall 51:57 Mechanica 58:34 Scythe 1:04:05 Terraforming Mars, Calico, Fractal: Beyond the Void, Nucleum 1:09:00 Listener Shoutout

In episode 187, we answer more listener questions in a second mailbag episode. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:13 What are some common complaints about board games that you see as a positive? 08:16 What changed that made art and theme less important to you? What is part of board gaming that you feel a certain way about but suspect you're wrong? Could you take Klemens Franz in single combat? 16:01 How did each of you get into board games? Which do you prefer - Nerd or Geek? Do you keep track of your plays, how and why? 21:30 How do you cope with FOMO? 26:28 What's the ideal way to tell someone you didn't enjoy gaming with them and don't want to anymore? 36:58 Listener Shoutout 39:25 What was your favorite game to play with a young kid?

In Episode 186 we provide our hot take review of Clockwork Wars covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on the loss of entire board game collections and then we discuss some board games on our table including Trickerion: Legends of Illusion, Lucky Numbers, and Knarr. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Question: If you lost your entire board game collection, what percentage would you re-acquire? 06:15 Clockwork Wars Description 07:27 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:02 Production and Theme 35:16 Final Thoughts 40:33 Trickerion: Legends of Illusion 51:23 Lucky Numbers 54:30 Knarr 1:00:52 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 185 we each discuss our biggest mistakes, at least regarding our first impressions on board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll: How often does your first impression of a game hold up after more plays? 7:55 El Grande 10:53 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 13:46 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans 16:19 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar and Teotihuacan: City of Gods 19:00 Sol: Last Days of a Star 23:14 Red Rising 25:59 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 28:10 Anachrony 32:22 Star Wars: Outer Rim 34:15 Dungeon Petz 36:54 Quacks of Quedlinburg 39:26 Dominion 42:27 Gaia Project 47:08 Ethnos 51:10 Runner Ups 54:35 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 184 we provide our hot take review of Thunder Road: Vendetta covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a question on games that were frustrating to punch and sort and then we discuss some board games on our table including Glory to Rome, Concordia, and Newton. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Question: Which game led to the most frustrating or painful experience you've had punching and sorting a board game? 08:50 Thunder Road: Vendetta Description 11:00 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:31 Production and Theme 29:46 Final Thoughts 33:14 Glory to Rome 41:49 Concordia 44:08 Newton 47:45 Listener Shoutout

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 Edition 21:42 Pan Am 25:05 Godspeed 27:31 Smartphone, Inc. 28:50 The Great Wall 32:00 Viscounts of the West Kingdom 36:11 Scythe 37:55 Merchants of the Dark Road 40:58 Evacuation 45:27 Tzolk'in the Mayan Calendar 48:18 Trickerion: Legends of Illusion 51:33 Empires of the Void II 54:22 Windward 56:31 Underwater Cities 57:55 Beyond the Sun 1:00:42 Listener Shoutout

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 Introduction 00:30 Poll: What do you do when everyone cancels on game night at the last moment? 07:45 Architects of the West Kingdom Description 08:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:21 Production and Theme 30:04 Final Thoughts 34:26 Distilled: Africa & Middle East Expansion and Distilled: Cask Strength Expansion 44:51 Guards of Atlantis II *These expansions were provided as review copies by the publisher

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 - Yokohama, Age of Innovation, Frosthaven, Cyclades: Legendary Edition, Vagrantsong, Tichu, Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory, Fractal: Beyond the Void, Turing Machine, Apiary, Heat: Pedal to the Metal, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Motor City 15:06 Biggest Disappointments in 2023 - Lords of Ragnarok, Expeditions, Voidfall 22:14 Best New To Us in 2023 - Distilled, The Battle for Rokugan, Cat in the Box, Downforce, Revive 27:42 Best Productions Published in 2023 - Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum, The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition, Robot Quest Arena, Apiary, Expeditions, Lords of Ragnarok 34:32 Look Back at Best Game Published in 2022 - Wonderland's War 37:08 Best Games Published in 2023 - Robot Quest Arena, Nucleum, Sea Salt & Paper, Dune: Imperium Uprising, Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 47:42 Most Played Games of 2023 - Azul, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization, Tapestry, Obsession, Ark Nova, Azul, Can't Stop, Sea Salt & Paper, Star Realms, Beyond the Sun, Barrage, Star Realms 55:19 Board Game Revelations in 2023 1:02:00 2023 Board Game BGG Ranking Speculations - Nucleum, Apiary, Distilled, Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory, Darwin's Journey, Earth, Age of Innovation, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Frosthaven, The White Castle, Sky Team, The Witcher: The Old World, Forest Shuffle, Thunder Road: Vendetta, Kutna Hora, Stationfall, Evacuation, Dune: Imperium Uprising, Bloodstones, Envelopes of Cash

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 including Sol: Last Days of a Star, Mind MGMT, and Turing Machine. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Poll: In general, do you prefer board games to have a real-world theme or a fantastical theme? 07:33 Wyrmspan Description 08:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:57 Production and Theme 39:54 Final Thoughts 48:17 Sol: Last Days of a Star 55:23 Mind MGMT 62:37 Turing Machine 66:11 Listener Shout-out * Review copy provided by publisher

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 consider playing it? 10:23 Turing Machine Description 13:04 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:10 Production and Theme 31:09 Final Thoughts 37:01 Ceres 44:30 Clank! Legacy 50:45 Tichu 58:30 Listener Shout-out

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 terminology when teaching or discussing board games that you don't ever use in other areas of your life? 04:42 Worker Placement (A Feast for Odin, Anachrony, Barrage, Orleans, Agricola, Apiary, Architects of the West Kingdom) 17:08 4X (Scythe, Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy, Space Empires 4X, Twilight Imperium, Fractal: Beyond the Void, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization) 30:28 Area Control (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Scythe, Wonderland's War, El Grande) 37:49 Engine Building (It's a Wonderful World, Terraforming Mars, Anachrony, Fractal: Beyond the Void, Scythe, Space Base) 44:06 Euro (Trajan, Gaia Project, Viticulture, Catan, A Feast for Odin)

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 Thoughts 33:09 Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated 39:07 Fractal: Beyond the Void 48:50 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies 58:38 Listener Shout-out

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 30:55 Cat in the Box 33:25 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory 37:48 Cyclades: Legendary Edition 40:19 Challengers!

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 - Scout 5:40 #4 Chris Last Year - Mariposa 6:24 #3 Adam Last Year - Imperial 2030 7:26 #3 Tawantinsuyu: The Inca Empire 7:59 #3 Chris Last Year - Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods 9:38 #2 Adam - Battle for Rokugan 10:46 #2 Tim Last Year - Revive 12:09 #2 Chris Last Year - Chaos in the Old World 13:45 #1 Adam Last Year - Pessoa 14:21 #1 Tim Last Year - Marrakesh 15:31 #1 Chris Last Year - My Father's Work This Year 18:40 #5 Tim - Millennium Blades 22:01 #5 Chris - Orleans 24:39 #5 Adam - Turing Machine 28:02 #4 Tim - Trickerion: Legends of Illusion 30:23 #4 Chris - Splendor 32:31 #4 Adam - Fractal: Beyond the Void 35:19 #3 Tim - Creature Comforts 37:01 #3 Chris - Kanban EV 41:44 #3 Adam - Clockwork Wars 44:04 #2 Tim - Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood 46:22 #2 Chris - Cosmic Frog 50:46 #2 Adam - Shogun 52:33 #1 Tim - Apiary 54:37 #1 - Chris - Bonfire/Merlin 58:26 #1 - Adam - John Company 2nd Edition

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. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll: What do you think about the amount of hobby board games that are being published each year? 13:28 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 14:21 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:05 Production and Theme 40:06 Final Thoughts 45:25 Clank! Legacy Acquisitions Incorporated 47:21 Inis 53:03 Exit The Game Advent Calendar: The Mystery of the Ice Cave 57:59 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 other hobbies and do they tie back to board games? 26:21 If we could retheme a game, what would it be? 34:21 What makes a good rules teacher or teach? 42:53 What do we think of Tabletop Simulator vs. Board Game Arena 50:37 Planet Unkown 55:59 Ark Nova: Marine Worlds 1:03:14 Azul 1:04:55 Agricola 1:09:15 Listener Shoutout

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 Voidfall 39:54 Nucleum 44:04 Dune: Imperium w/ Rise of Ix and Immortality 45:51 Fun Facts 48:51 Word Slam Family 49:38 Challengers! 51:06 Outlive 52:03 Summoner Wars 54:25 Age of Innovation 55:50 Ricochet Robots 58:25 Letter Jam 1:01:33 Federation 1:03:39 Clank! Catacombs 1:05:09 Scythe 1:09:34 Arboretum 1:12:10 Kutna Hora: The City of Silver 1:17:30 BGG Con Final Thoughts 1:25:20 Listener Shoutout

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 30:35 Scythe 32:15 Cascadia 36:58 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 41:22 Frosthaven 45:58 Return to Dark Tower 49:15 Shamans 53:07 Fantasy Realms 58:00 Tapestry 62:52 Dune: Imperium 1:05:45 Listener Shoutout

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 part of your regular gaming group 09:30 Age of Innovation Description 10:44 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:06 Production and Theme 38:18 Final Thoughts 43:19 Trekking Through History 49:37 Marvel Champions 55:31 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 58:49 Listener Shout-out

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 Introduction03:08 Board Games as Stories - Climax08:15 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar11:55 Baseball Highlights 204515:38 Blood Rage18:10 Rising Sun21:10 Wonderland's War23:53 Can't Stop25:40 My Father's Work29:59 Sol: Last Days of a Star32:33 Clank!36:46 Heat: Petal to the Metal, Downforce41:18 Dune: Imperium45:11 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy47:50 Cryo53:03 Pax Pamir: Second Edition 57:18 Scythe 1:01:33 Final Thoughts (Cthulhu: Death May Die, Frosthaven, Gloomhaven, Arkham Horror: The Card Game, Dune, Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Star Realms, Shards of Infinity, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game)1:06:14 Listener Shoutout

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 Introduction00:35 Poll Question: Skipping Game Night Based on the Game09:11 Board Game Etiquette Discussion31:30 The Castles of Burgundy Double Take44:02 Oath: Chronicles of Empires and Exile53:59 Challengers57:12 Pulsar 28491:01:09 The White Castle

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 Introduction03:38 Board Games as Stories12:27 Pan Am16:56 Space Base22:38 Auztralia25:52 Anachrony28:43 Brass: Birmingham31:56 Final Girl35:43 Marrakesh38:41 Ankh: Gods of Egypt42:33 Star Wars: Rebellion45:55 Revive50:20 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory54:56 Root58:55 Orleans1:02:31 Final Thoughts (Spirit Island, Smartphone, Inc., Nemesis, Terraforming Mars, Lost Ruins of Arnak)1:05:56 Listener Shoutout

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 Introduction00:56 Nucleum Description04:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms22:40 Production and Theme28:14 Final Thoughts31:00 Viticulture Wine Crate (Review Copy provided by the Publisher)36:20 Tacocat Spelled Backwards42:53 Vagrantsong49:58 Listener Shout-out

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 Introduction00:21 Board Games as Stories06:33 Cthulhu: Death May Die10:17 Inis15:25 Agricola18:25 Distilled22:28 Battle for Rokugan26:08 Res Arcana29:54 Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon33:59 Azul39:57 Voidfall44:56 Obsession49:43 Spades (and Hearts)53:41 Terraforming Mars56:40 Nemesis1:02:24 Barrage1:05:22 Gaia Project1:08:50 Listener Shoutout

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 Introduction00:27 Poll: Are there certain aspects that are necessary to call a game a civilization game?07:51 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization Description10:14 Gameplay and Mechanisms30:42 Production and Theme38:13 Final Thoughts43:00 Best Candy on the Block47:03 After Us52:22 Barcelona57:10 Listener Shout-out

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 Introduction01:02 Robot Quest Arena09:56 Woodcraft17:29 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland22:10 Downforce26:37 Nemesis35:00 My Father's Work39:32 Distilled52:40 Viticulture w/ Tuscany59:25 Motor City1:03:09 Outlive1:06:34 Final Thoughts

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 Introduction01:51 How do we plan and organize BGHTCon?10:08 The Quacks of Quedlinburg15:36 Cat in the Box19:28 Terraforming Mars25:36 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy31:52 Lords of Ragnarok41:55 Wingspan w/ Oceania Expansion44:25 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set49:10 The Battle for Rokugan56:07 Listener Shoutout

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 Introduction02:38 Poll: Do you have any incoming crowdfunded board games that you haven't received but regret backing?10:31 Look back at 2022 Crowdfund episode10:48 Ra11:25 Red Dust Rebellion11:59 Distilled12:30 Wayfarers of the South Tigris13:10 One Deck Galaxy13:43 Voidfall16:20 Star Realms: Rise of Empires16:32 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies17:10 Arcs17:43 Lords of Ragnarok18:37 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set20:00 Skyrise21:03 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 321:25 Dawn of Madness23:43 Wolves25:02 Wonderland's War: Shards of Madness26:47 Envelopes of Cash27:39 Biohack30:30 Star Realms: Rise of Empire32:07 Cthulhu: Death May Die - Fear of the Unknown34:54 Galactic Renaissance37:19 Teotihuacan: Deluxe Master Set39:43 Arcs41:01 Star Tycoon44:37 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 347:22 Witchcraft!48:51 Ceres53:35 The Fox Experiment56:12 Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs58:16 Frozen Frontier1:00:46 Final Thoughts1:09:19 Tycoon: India 19811:31:50 Listener Shoutout

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 Introduction00:23 3 year anniversary! Listener's favorite episodes08:18 Expeditions Description17:10 Gameplay and Mechanisms34:27 Production and Theme40:00 Final Thoughts47:36 Lancaster53:39 Lords of Ragnarok56:31 Listener Shout-out

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: Special Edition. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:27 Poll: How do you feel about games set in the same universe as a previous game that you liked by that publisher or designer?08:18 Expeditions Description11:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms32:51 Production and Theme41:45 Final Thoughts50:03 Amun-Re50:29 Pax Pamir (2nd Edition)52:38 Castles of Burgundy Deluxe Edition

In Episode 158 we provide our hot take review of Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about watching new releases around conventions. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Welcome to the Moon, Robot Quest Arena, and Patchwork Doodle. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:24 Poll: Do you pay attention to board games that are announced or released at GenCon?07:13 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory Description10:39 Gameplay and Mechanisms32:47 Production and Theme38:39 Final Thoughts43:41 Welcome To The Moon52:08 Robot Quest Arena57:21 Patchwork Doodle

In Episode 157 we each discuss our top 5 favorite board games including asymmetric player powers. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:58 Discussion on Asymmetric Player Powers09:49 Top 5 games with asymmetric player powers.09:56 The Expanse Board Game12:28 Champions of Midgard and Dune: Imperium14:47 Circadians: Chaos Order18:09 Ankh: Gods of Egypt20:35 Dwellings of Eldervale and Revive23:05 Robot Quest Arena26:35 Dune32:00 Frosthaven / Gloomhaven and Cthulhu: Death May Die34:57 Barrage37:54 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy40:52 Everdell and Lost Ruins of Arnak43:41 Gaia Project46:13 Spirit Island49:29 Ark Nova and Planet Unknown52:01 The Voyages of Marco Polo55:11 Honorable (or other) Mentions: Wonderland's War, Scythe, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Star Wars: Rebellion

In Episode 156 we provide our hot take review of The Voyages of Marco Polo covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about large box editions of games. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Trellis and Marrakesh and some first looks at games that just arrived including Expeditions and Robot Quest Arena. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:26 Poll: How do you feel about large box versions of your favorite games?09:59 The Voyages of Marco Polo Description11:09 Gameplay and Mechanisms30:42 Production and Theme38:58 Final Thoughts47:02 Trellis49:52 First Look: Expeditions and Robot Quest Arena54:51 Marrakesh

In Episode 155 we provide our hot take review of Cyclades: Legendary Edition covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about storing board games horizontally or vertically. Then we discuss some board games on our table Arkham Horror, Yokai Septet, The Voyages of Marco Polo, and Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:27 Poll: Do you store your board games horizontal or vertical?05:14 Cyclades: Legendary Edition Description07:27 Gameplay and Mechanisms22:28 Production and Theme28:16 Final Thoughts37:40 Arkham Horror: The Board Game44:25 Yokai Septet48:35 The Voyages of Marco Polo vs. Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan

In Episode 154 we provide our hot take review of Wolves covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about thinking about designing board games. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Patchwork Doodle, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Draftosaurus, and Cat in the Box. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:32 Poll: Have you ever thought about designing a board game?07:24 Wolves Description09:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms26:35 Production and Theme41:30 Final Thoughts52:11 Patchwork Doodle and Ticket to Ride: San Francisco57:22 Ankh: Gods of Egypt59:48 Draftosaurus1:03:46 Cat in the Box

In Episode 153 Tim and Adam's partners, Danielle and Sarah, join the show to discuss their top 5 games. Please excuse the lower quality audio and some background noise due to the unique recording space we were in for this episode. We also discuss a poll on Twitter and our Facebook group about the longest board game you've played. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:42 Poll: What's the longest single play you've had in a board game?06:17 Danielle and Sarah's Top 5 Games06:45 Danielle #5 - Welcome To...08:55 Sarah #5 - Dune: Imperium11:45 Danielle #4 - The Quacks of Quedlinburg15:30 Sarah #4 - Abducktion20:54 Danielle #3 - Clank! Catacombs24:52 Sarah #3 - Trekking the World29:00 Danielle #2 - Sea Salt & Paper and Fantastic Factories32:40 Sarah #2 - Smartphone, Inc.36:15 Danielle #1 - The Castles of Burgundy41:32 Sarah #1 - SCOUT44:50 Honorable Mentions: Everdell, The Lost Ruins of Arnak, Cafe, Azul, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Wonderland's War, Planted, Radlands, Othello

In Episode 152 we finish the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:42 Top Games of All Time03:21 Tim #10 The Castles of Burgundy05:26 Adam #10 Blood Rage07:20 Chris #10 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar10:55 Tim #9 Agricola: Revised Edition13:06 Adam #9 Barrage15:50 Chris #9 Terraforming Mars19:02 Tim #8 Ark Nova21:14 Adam #8 Rising Sun24:47 Chris #8 Ark Nova27:45 Tim #7 Wonderland's War31:23 Adam #7 Star Wars Rebellion33:53 Chris #7 Teotihuacan: City of Gods36:26 Tim #6 Terraforming Mars38:43 Adam #6 Ankh: Gods of Egypt41:57 Chris #6 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy44:02 Tim #5 Tapestry47:36 Adam #5 Baseball Highlights 204550:09 Chris #5 Barrage51:56 Tim #4 Dune: Imperium53:09 Adam #4 Smartphone, Inc.54:59 Chris #4 Blood Rage56:05 Tim #3 Blood Rage57:41 Adam #3 Wonderland's War48:47 Chris #3 Tapestry1:01:50 Tim #2 Gaia Project1:04:25 Adam #2 Dune: Imperium1:05:23 Chris #2 Gaia Project1:06:23 Tim #1 Everdell1:10:41 Adam #1 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy1:12:44 Chris #1 Wonderland's War

In Episode 151 we continue the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. We also discuss a poll on how important balance is in board games. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:47 Poll: How important is balance to you in a board game?08:09 Top Games of All Time08:22 Adam #20 Capital Lux 2: Generations10:06 Chris #20 Viticulture Essential Edition13:12 Tim #20 Beyond the Sun15:42 Adam #19 Abducktion18:39 Chris #19 Agricola21:16 Tim #19 La Granja23:13 Adam #18 Shamans25:21 Chris #18 Obsession28:14 Tim #18 Distilled30:11 Adam #17 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization32:37 Chris #17 Lacrimosa35:00 Tim #17 Barrage39:00 Adam #16 Beyond the Sun40:16 Chris #16 Revive42:49 Tim #16 Revive45:47 Adam #15 Gaia Project47:57 Chris #15 Nemesis51:43 Tim #15 Paperback Adventures56:01 Adam #14 The Expanse Board Game59:25 Chris #14 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization1:00:08 Tim #14 Clank! Catacombs1:02:53 Adam #13 Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition1:05:36 Chris #13 La Granja1:07:16 Tim #13 Lost Ruins of Arnak1:08:46 Adam #12 Inis1:11:06 Chris #12 Distilled1:13:01 Tim #12 Underwater Cities1:15:28 Adam #11 Azul1:18:50 Chris #11 Dune: Imperium1:22:18 Tim #11 Scythe

In Episode 150 we continue the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. We also discuss a poll on looking for game stores when travelling. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:50 Poll: Do you seek out game stores or when you travel to no cities?09:03 Top Games of All Time09:15 Chris #30 Star Wars: The Deck Building Game13:19 Tim #30 Frosthaven16:20 Adam #30 Sol: Last Days of a Star18:50 Chris #29 Clank! In! Space!22:22 Tim #29 Magic: The Gathering25:53 Adam #29 Ghosts of Christmas28:36 Chris #28 Rap Godz31:38 Tim #28 Rajas of the Ganges33:23 Adam #28 Star Realms35:22 Chris #27 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles39:23 Tim #27 Lorenzo Il Magnifico40:44 Adam #27 Robotech Reconstruction43:27 Chris #26 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans45:46 Tim #26 Pan Am47:32 Adam #26 Shards of Infinity50:15 Chris #25 Outlive52:44 Tim #25 Rising Sun55:28 Adam #25 Trekking the World57:18 Chris #24 Yokohama49:47 Tim #24 Anachrony1:02:10 Adam #23 Anachrony1:04:21 Chris #23 Smarphone, Inc.1:06:45 Tim #23 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy1:10:28 Adam #24 Age of Galaxy1:12:58 Chris #22 Golem1:15:22 Tim #22 Yokohama1:16:20 Adam #22 Downforce1:18:14 Chris #21 Lost Ruins of Arnak1:21:48 Tim #21 Outlive1:24:30 Adam #21 Pan Am

In Episode 149 we start the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. We also discuss a poll on expressing your board game love in public. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:14 Poll: How do you express your board game love in public?09:18 Top Games of All Time15:20 Tim #40 and honorable mentions - Tiletum, Woodcraft, Darwin's Journey, Arkham Horror: The Card Game19:25 Adam #40 and honorable mentions - Dune, La Granja, Air, Land, and Sea, Sentient, Distilled, High Society22:56 Chris #40 and honorable mentions - Cthulhu: Death May Die, Root, Imhotep, Nidavellir, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Darwin's Journey26:05 Tim #39 - Star Realms28:36 Adam #39 - Planted: A Game of Nature and Nurture30:35 Chris #39 - Scythe 32:50 Tim #38 - Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest36:38 Adam #38 - Mosaic: A Story of Civilization39:50 Chris #38 - Can't Stop44:00 Tim #37 - Cthulhu: Death May Die46:12 Adam #37 - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland47:49 Chris #37 - Final Girl50:08 Tim #36 - SCOUT51:34 Adam #36 - SCOUT52:32 Chris #36 - Space Base55:27 Tim #35 - Res Arcana57:10 Adam #35 - Terraforming Mars58:56 Chris #35 - Terracotta Army1:02:14 Tim #34 - Paladins of the West Kingdom1:04:45 Adam #34 -  Brass: Birmingham1:05:54 Chris #34 - Downforce1:09:07 Tim #33 - Viticulture Essential Edition1:10:45 Adam #33 - Can't Stop1:11:49 Chris #33 - Azul1:14:44 Tim #32 - Teotihuacan: City of Gods1:17:15 Adam #32 - Lacrimosa1:18:26 Chris #32 - Pan Am1:21:06 Tim #31 - Near and Far1:23:21 Adam #31 - Revive1:24:41 Chris #31 - The Fox Experiment

In Episode 148 we provide our hot take review of Darwin's Journey covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about receiving board games with missing or damaged components. Chris provides a Darwin's Journey themed cocktail and then we discuss some board games on our table including Abducktion and Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:41 Poll: Have you ever opened a new copy of a board game to find out components are missing or misprinted?07:21 Darwin's Journey Description10:03 Gameplay and Mechanisms33:55 Production and Theme39:08 Final Thoughts44:25 Darwin's Journey Themed Cocktail47:28 Abducktion59:53 Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island1:08:10 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 147 we provide our hot take reviews of Heat: Petal to the Medal and Downforce covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also compare the two and discuss which we liked more. We also discuss a poll about attending game nights without knowing anyone there. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:45 Poll: Have you ever attended a board game night without knowing anyone there?09:34 Heat: Petal to the Medal Description11:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms25:58 Production and Theme29:37 Final Thoughts33:46 Downforce Description33:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms47:08 Production and Theme50:37 Final Thoughts56:55 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 146 we provide our hot take review of Revive covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about storing board game components. Then we discuss some board games on our table and future takes including Akropolis, Ra, Skull, Smartphone, Inc., and My Father's Work. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:41 Poll: How do you most commonly put your board game components back in their boxes?08:57 Revive Description11:08 Gameplay and Mechanisms30:21 Production and Theme36:40 Final Thoughts44:12 Akropolis48:55 Ra58:52 Skull59:54 Smartphone, Inc.1:01:38 My Father's Work

In Episode 145 we wrap up our discussion of BGHT SedonaCon - our semi-annual gaming weekend. We cover 10 of the games we played that weekend and discussed the rest on part 1 last week. We also discuss a poll on getting a board game related tattoo. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:40 Poll: Have you considered getting a board game related tattoo?08:54 SedonaCon10:04 Wonderland's War14:31 Pan Am23:32 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans30:24 Gaia Project36:24 Skull41:51 Rising Sun49:39 Distilled56:39 Dune: Imperium1:05:00 Imperium: The Contention1:13:48 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game1:18:15 Final Thoughts

In Episode 144 we discuss our time at BGHT SedonaCon - our semi-annual gaming weekend. We cover 7 of the games we played that weekend and will discuss the rest on Part 2 next week. We also discuss a poll on replacing board games due to wear. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:48 Poll: Have you ever replaced a game because the components were worn out?07:11 SedonaCon10:45 Clank! Catacombs17:17 Smartphone, Inc.23:44 Scout32:35 Teotihuacan: City of Gods37:56 Tyrants of the Underdark45:30 Yokohama53:07 Sentient

In Episode 143 we each discuss our top 5 intellectual properties that we'd like to see turned into board games. We also discuss how we feel about the use of IP in board games. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:40 Topic: How do you feel about IP based board games?06:55 Top 5 IP we want in board games08:10 The Expanse12:35 The Stand16:10 Perdido Street Station19:11 Mass Effect23:10 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen27:01 Severance29:41 Life in Medieval Times31:40 Ultima35:26 The Dragonriders of Pern38:27 Jurassic Park43:10 Tales from the Loop48:07 Paper Mario51:10 The Culture Series54:24 Coyote and Crow58:35 The Shawshank Redemption1:01:17 Runners Up - Avatar, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dune

In Episode 142 we discuss our votes for the 2022 Golden Geek Awards and cast our votes live while recording. We also discuss a poll about which activity makes your favorite game night.Twitter Poll Results:Learn and play a new game - 60%Play a game I know well - 35.6%I hate your polls and you - 4.9% Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:41 Poll: What's your favorite type of game night?04:57 Board Game Geek Golden Geek Awards.09:15 2-Player Game15:47 Artwork and Presentation23:17 Cooperative Game26:57 Expansion33:12 Innovative40:11 Party Game43:18 Print and Play44:58 Solo Game47:44 Thematic Game52:03 War Game53:42 Best Board Game Podcast57:56 Best Board Game App1:02:02 Light Game of the Year1:05:05 Medium Game of the Year1:09:50 Heavy Game of the Year1:15:50 Listener Shoutouts

In Episode 141 we provide our hot take review of Scythe covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about whether past experience with a designer may keep you away from a game by that designer.Twitter Poll Results:I don't pay attention - 21%Yes - 40%No - 29% Then we discuss some board games on our table and future takes including Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum, Frosthaven, and They Live: Assault on Cable 54. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:39 Poll: Do you avoid trying certain board games because of your experience with that designer's other games?10:51 Scythe Description13:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms28:57 Production and Theme35:21 Final Thoughts40:51 Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum48:31 Frosthaven1:07:15 They Live: Assault on Cable 54

In Episode 140 we provide our hot take review of Mosaic: A Story of Civilization covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about how board game awards impact your interest in games.Twitter Poll Results:Yes, puts them on my radar - 62.8%Yes, I need them now - 1.3%If already interested - 13%Nah - 22.9% Then we discuss some board games on our table and future takes including Legacy of Yu, Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Catacombs, Clank! Legacy 2, and Galactic Renaissance. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:28 Poll: Do you think board game awards influence your interest in board games?04:40 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization Description06:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms24:53 Production and Theme30:18 Final Thoughts33:31 Galactic Renaissance36:26 Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Catacombs, and Clank! Legacy 238:46 Legacy of Yu

In Episode 139 we provide our hot take review of Earth covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about nature as a board game theme.Twitter Poll Results:Love it - 32%Like it if done right - 39%Variety is good - 21%Will avoid - 8% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Scout, Votes for Women, and Distilled. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:25 Poll: How do you feel about nature as a game theme?08:32 Earth Description11:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms23:45 Production and Theme33:40 Final Thoughts38:46 Scout46:15 Votes for Women59:50 Distilled

In Episode 138 we each discuss 5 games that will be leaving our collection. We talk about why these games are leaving, why they weren't getting played, and in some cases, what's replaced them on the shelves. We also discuss a poll on Twitter about regret after culling games.Twitter Poll Results:Yes, Immediately- 4.5%Yes, A While Later - 38.1%No - 34.3%I've Never Culled A Game - 23.1% Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:50 Poll: Have you ever culled a board game from your collection and then regretted it?08:31 10 Games Getting Culled10:03 Hansa Teutonica Big Box12:39 Dice Realms17:35 One Deck Galaxy20:18 The Castles of Burgundy: The Card Game23:49 18Ireland26:40 A Feast for Odin30:05 Snowdonia: Deluxe Master Set33:06 Wayfarers of the South Tigris36:43 Undaunted: Normandy39:37 Lords of Waterdeep44:31 Honorable Mentions - Long Shot: The Dice Game, Dice Throne, Furnace

In Episode 137 we provide our hot take review of Yokohama covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll on paying more than MSRP for a board game.Twitter Poll Results:Yes, Money is No Object - 11%Yes, I'd Pay a Bit More -61.3%Nope - 25.2%These Options Suck - 2.5% Then we discuss some board games on our table including A Taste for Wine and Murder, Pioneer Rails, and Motor City. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction04:55 Poll: Are there any out of print games that you'd be willing to pay more than the original retail price for?11:08 Yokohama Description13:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms29:15 Production and Theme33:12 Final Thoughts37:37 A Taste for Wine and Murder42:22 Pioneer Rails50:02 Motor City1:01:24 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 136 we provide our hot take reviews of 3 different 2-player deck dueling cards including Air, Land, and Sea, Radlands, and Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game. We also discuss a poll on preferred length for 2 player games.Twitter Poll Results:90 Minutes - 2.6%Depends on the Opponent - 14.6% Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:23 Poll: Preferred length of 2-player game?5:23 Air, Land, & Sea Description08:25 Gameplay and Mechanisms14:01 Production and Theme16:38 Final Thoughts16:13 Radlands Description20:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms27:17 Production and Theme29:35 Final Thoughts31:13 Star Wars: The Deck Building Games Description34:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms42:28 Production and Theme45:58 Final Thoughts

In Episode 135 we provide our hot take review of Distilled covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll on board game terminology. Twitter Poll Results: Mechanics - 52.4% Mechanisms - 47.6% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Sea Salt & Paper, Teotihuacan: City of Gods, and Space Base. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll: Mechanisms or Mechanics? 4:51 Distilled Description 7:23 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:43 Production and Theme 31:24 Final Thoughts 36:52 Distilled Themed Cocktail 40:36 Sea Salt & Paper 45:36 Teotihuacan: City of Gods 48:16 Space Base 53:21 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 134 we each discuss our top 5 favorite board games that are ranked with a number higher than 1,000 on  Board Game Geek 'top games of all time' list and talk about why we like them, whether we think they should be higher, and what might be keeping them that far down the rankings. We also discuss a poll on Twitter about listening to music while playing board games. Twitter Poll Results: Always- 28.9% Depends on the Game - 20.1% Depends on the Players - 20.3% Never - 30.7% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Poll: Do you listen to music while you play board games? 09:00 Top 5 games ranked higher than 1,000 on BGG. 13:49 Kabuto Sumo 15:54 Sentient 18:04 LACORSA Grand Prix Game 22:10 Asara 25:19 Trekking The World 28:31 Rap Godz 31:23 Terracotta Army 32:56 The Expanse Board Game 36:15 M.U.L.E. The Board Game 41:05 The Castles of Tuscany 43:53 Age of Galaxy 46:20 Tiki Topple 50:53 Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers 53:11 Capital Lux 2: Generations 54:45 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 59:00 Honorable (or other) Mentions: Lacrimosa, Super Skill Pinball 4cade, Mariposas, Guillotine, The Artemis Project, Top Gun Strategy Game, Godspeed, Tic-Tac-Toe

In Episode 133 we feature a couple of really exciting expansions including Tapestry - Fantasies & Futures and Dune: Imperium - Immortality covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the expansions as well as our rankings of our favorite expansions for these games. We also discuss Brass: Birmingham taking the BGG #1 game of all time spot from Gloomhaven after 5 years. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Brass: Birmingham takes the BGG #1 spot from Gloomhaven 06:58 Tapestry - Fantasies & Futures 8:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms 17:57 Production and Theme 30:11 Tapestry Expansion Ranking and Final Thoughts 37:05 Dune: Imperium - Immortality 38:31 Gameplay and Mechanisms 51:45 Production and Theme 54:19 Dune: Imperium Expansion Ranking and Final Thoughts

In Episode 132 we provide our hot take review of A Feast for Odin covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll on if you special order games through your local game store if they don't have them in stock. Twitter Poll Results: Special Order - 21.6% Order Online - 67.6% I never shop local store - 10.8% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Capital Lux 2: Generations and In the Year of the Dragon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll: Do you special order games through your local game store if they don't have them in stock? 07:30 A Feast For Odin Description 08:56 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:18 Production and Theme 28:02 Final Thoughts 32:19 A Feast for Odin Themed Cocktail 37:20 Capital Lux 2: Generations 40:59 In the Year of the Dragon 39:33 Listener Shoutouts

In Episode 131 we provide our hot take review of Dungeon Petz covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll on if you feel bad or upset when hearing a reviewer saying something negative about games you love. Twitter Poll Results: Yes, they're wrong - 6.7% Depends how it's stated - 40.3% Nah, it's their opinion - 53% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Joan of Arc: Orleans Draw and Write and 7 Wonders Architects. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: Do you feel bad when a reviewer says negative things about a game you like? 07:50 Dungeon Petz 10:19 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:32 Production and Theme 26:00 Final Thoughts 29:56 Joan of Arc: Orleans Draw and Write 34:37 7 Wonders Architects

In Episode 130 we provide our hot take review of Endless Winter: Paleoamericans covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss one time use games (legacy, escape room, etc.) Twitter Poll Results: Love Them - 21.3% I Don't Mind - 35.4% I Prefer Not To - 31.1% Absolutely No - 12.1% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Woodcraft, Final Girl, Frosthaven, and It's a Wonderful World. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Poll: How do you feel about one time use games (Legacy, Escape Room, etc.)? 10:17 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans 12:50 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:51 Production and Theme 33:58 Final Thoughts 38:44 Endless Winter Themed Cocktail of the Week 40:45 Woodcraft 49:16 Final Girl 51:30 Frosthaven 59:05 It's a Wonderful World

In Episode 129 we take a look at games 101-200 on the Board Game Geek 'top games of all time' list and discuss the games on that list that we haven't played. We list the top 5 games we each want to play from that list and the top 5 games that we don't want to play from that list and discuss why some of them are interesting to us and others aren't. We also discuss a poll on where people met their gaming group. Twitter Poll Results: Games Store / Meeting - 15.4% School, University, or Work - 13.9% Existing Friends - 56.6% Social Media - 13.9% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Poll: How did you meet your game group? 05:27 BGG 101-200 games we want to play 08:31 Radlands 09:38 Village 11:05 Nations 12:42 Magic: The Gathering 14:47 Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deckbuilding Game 16:51 Stone Age 19:12 Quest for El Dorado 22:11 Forbidden Stars 24:53 Yokohama 25:35 Trickerion: Legends of Illusions 27:02 Trajan 31:40 Trickerion: Legends of Illusions 33:07 Tigris and Euphrates 36:45 BGG 101-200 games that we don't want to play 37:14 Go 40:24 Paths of Glory 43:50 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition 46:30 Village 47:44 Captain Sonar 50:26 Concordia: Venus 50:54 Azul: Summer Pavilion 53:01 A Game of Thrones: The Board Game 54:25 Dominion 57:20 Concordia: Venus 58:41 Cosmic Encounter 1:00:17 Twilight Edition Third Edition 1:01:41 Pandemic Iberia 1:06:09 Age of Steam 1:07:57 Eldritch Horror

In Episode 128 we look back at the games we played in 2022 and talk about our biggest hits, and biggest misses in 2022.  This includes games that were published in 2022 but also games that were new to us in 2022.  We also talk about our Board Game Revelations - the things that changed gaming for us over the last year. We also discuss a poll on whether there is a price point where you will always buy a game. Twitter Poll Results: No: 45.6% 25% Off: 3.7% 50% Off: 25.7% 75% Off: 24.9% Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Poll: Is There a Price Point Where you Have to Buy a Board Game 06:24 2022 Awards 06:59 Biggest Surprises in 2022 - Bonfire, Barrage, Age of Galaxy, Nemesis, The Fox Experiment, Agricola, La Granja 15:06 Biggest Disappointment in 2022 - Catan, Merchants of the Dark Road, Carnegie, Ark Nova, Azul: Queen's Garden, Lorenzo Il Magnifico 23:39 Best New To Us in 2022 - Notre Dame, Barrage, La Granja 31:10 Best Published Components of 2022 - John Company 2nd Edition, Everdell: The Complete Collection, Wonderland's War 38:22 Best Game Published in 2022 - Wonderland's War, Paperback Adventures 45:06 Look Back at Best Game Published in 2021 - Ark Nova, Cascadia, Ankh: Gods of Egypt 49:48 Most Played Game of 2022 - Castles of Burgundy, Azul, Barrage, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilizations, Tapestry, Lost Ruins of Arnak 57:10 Board Game Revelations in 2022 1:04:08 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 127 we provide our hot take review of Chaos in the Old World covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss the best board game randomization components. Twitter Poll Results: Dice - 34.1% Cards - 40.9% Bag Pull - 24.5% Spinner - .5% Then we discuss some board games on our table including My City, A War of Whispers, and the Tapestry Natural Rubber Playmat. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: What is the best board game randomization component? 09:15 Chaos in the Old World 11:02 Gameplay and Mechanisms 36:21 Production and Theme 42:18 Final Thoughts 48:45 My City 54:59 Tapestry Natural Rubber Playmat 1:00:51 A War of Whispers

In Episode 126 we provide our hot take review of Sol: Last Days of a Star covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about how many times on average you get a board game played within a year after you purchase it. Twitter Poll Results: 0-1  18.1% 2-5  64.1% 6-15  15.2% 16+  2.5% Then we discuss some board games on our table including Battlecrest, Disney Sorcerer's Arena: Epic Alliances, and Tsuro. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: How many times do you get most games played within a year after you purchase them? 11:14 Sol: Last Days of a Star board game description 13:08 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:19 Production and Theme 30:52 Final Thoughts 37:17 Battlecrest 47:39 Disney Sorcerer's Arena: Epic Alliances 57:20 Tsuro

In Episode 125 we discuss our top 5 board games that we only played once in 2022.  These are some games we haven't mentioned much on the show but that we wish we were playing more. We also discuss a poll about board game related challenges. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Poll: Do you have any board game related challenges for 2023? 05:51 Top 5 Board Games we only played once in 2022 10:50 Golem 13:02 Messina 1347 14:12 The Fox Experiment 15:13 Circadians: Chaos Order 19:06 Terracotta Army 20:24 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 21:42 AuZtralia 23:50 Boonlake 25:03 Rising Sun 26:58 Dice Forge 29:43 Francis Drake 32:28 Lacrimosa 33:47 Arcs 37:23 Tiletum 39:20 Wonderland's War 43:29 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 124 we discuss the top 5 games we want to play in 2023.  We also review last years' lists and look back on the games we got played. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction Last Year 2:06 #5 Chris Last Year - Azul 3:35 #5 Jen Last Year - Welcome To... 4:13 #5 Tim Last Year - Tyrants of the Underdark / The Quest for El Dorado 4:45 #5 Adam Last Year - Cryo 5:00 #4 Chris Last Year - Rising Sun 5:39 #4 Jen Last Year - Kokopelli 6:22 #4 Tim Last Year - Rolling Realms 7:20 #4 Adam Last Year - Barrage 8:34 #3 Chris Last Year - Nemesis 9:52 #3 Jen Last Year - Viticulture 11:06 #3 Tim Last Year - Sleeping Gods 11:41 #3 Adam Last Year - Organism 12:25 #2 Chris - Radlands 13:21 #2 Jen Last Year - Catan 15:04 #2 Tim Last Year - Ark Nova 15:51 #2 Adam Last Year - Reef Encounter 16:36 #1 Chris Last Year - Golem 17:18 #1 Jen Last Year - Calico 19:00 #1 Tim Last Year - Clans of Caledonia 19:20 #1 Adam Last Year - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland This Year 21:12 #5 Adam - Paperback Adventures 23:10 #5 Tim - Welcome To the Moon 25:11 #5 Chris - Twilight Imperium 4th Edition 30:36 #5 Jen - Splendor 34:36 #4 Adam - Forbidden Stars 37:05 #4 Tim - Scout 39:46 #4 Chris and Jen - Mariposa 44:27 #3 Adam - Imperial 2030 45:56 #3 Tim - Tawantinsuyu: The Incan Empire 47:35 #3 Chris - Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods 51:53 #3 Jen - Honey Buzz 55:03 #2 Adam - Battle for Rokugan 56:42 #2 Tim - Revive 59:44 #2 Chris - Chaos in the Old World 1:02:19 #2 Jen - Bora Bora / Cuzco 1:07:00 #1 Adam - Pessoa 1:09:36 #1 - Tim - Marrakesh 1:12:28 #1 - Chris - My Father's Work 1:17:08 #1 - Jen - My Lil' Everdell 1:20:56 Honorable Mentions: Fortune and Glory, Where Humans Don't Belong

In Episode 123 we provide our hot take review of Lacrimosa covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about preferences on leaving space for expansions in board game boxes, Chris give us a Lacrimosa themed cocktail, and then we all discuss One Deck Galaxy. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Do you prefer to leave space inside boxes for expansions or making it as compact as possible? 12:06 Lacrimosa board game description 14:21 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:27 Production and Theme 32:46 Final Thoughts 36:14 Lacrimosa themed cocktail 38:55 One Deck Galaxy

In Episode 122 we provide our hot take review of Tyrants of the Underdark covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about spending time with board games outside of playing them, Chris give us a Tyrants of the Underdark themed cocktail, and then we discuss some games on our table including Tiletum, Chocolate Factory,  My Lil Everdell, and Sol: Last Days of a Star. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Poll: What's your favorite way to spend time with board games other than playing them? 10:32 Tyrants of the Underdark board game description 12:23 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:20 Production and Theme 27:42 Final Thoughts 32:55 Tyrants of the Underdark themed cocktail 34:57 Tiletum 47:23 Chocolate Factory 54:49 My Lil Everdell 1:03:44 Sol: Last Days of a Star

In Episode 121 we provide our hot take review of Terracotta Army covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about having game nights ruined by other players, Chris give us a Terracotta Army themed cocktail, and then we discuss some games on our table including Clank! Catacombs, Draftosaurus, and Wingspan: Asia. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Poll: Do you plan to take advantage of Holiday Sales for board games? 04:07 Terracotta Army board game description 06:16 Gameplay and Mechanisms 22:52 Production and Theme 25:50 Final Thoughts 29:44 Terracotta Army themed cocktail 32:16 Clank! Catacombs 39:30 Wingspan: Asia and Wingspan Nesting Box 45:30 Draftosaurus

In Episode 120 we discuss our top 5 board games with integrated themes.  We each pick our top 5 games where the theme really shines through in the mechanisms but we also call out where it misses. We also discuss a poll on creating and strengthening relationships through board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Poll: Have you ever discovered or developed a very strong relationship through board games? 10:00 Top 5 Board Games with Integrated Themes 14:05 Wingspan 16:17 Clank! and Clank! Legacy 19:23 Golem 25:41 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 27:30 Nunami 29:44 Pan Am 32:34 Arkham Horror: The Card Game 34:21 Imhotep 36:47 Viticulture 41:18 Agricola 44:04 Root 48:06 Leaving Earth 51:04 Outlive 53:45 Final Girl 58:41 Baseball Highlights 2045

In Episode 119 we provide our hot take review of Teotihuacan: City of Gods covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about having game nights ruined by other players, Chris give us a Teotihuacan themed cocktail, and then we discuss some games on our table including Victorian Masterminds, Cthulhu: Death May Die, and Paperback Adventures. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Poll: Has another player ever ruined a game night for you? 11:15 Teotihuacan: City of Gods board game description 12:42 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:11 Production and Theme 38:40 Final Thoughts 46:56 Teotihuacan: City of Gods themed cocktail 50:24 Victorian Masterminds 58:24 Envelopes of Cash 59:03 Cthulhu: Death May Die 64:04 Paperback Adventures

In Episode 118 we provide our hot take review of Carnegie covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about where you learn about board games, Chris give us a Carnegie themed cocktail, and then we discuss some games on our table including Envelopes of Cash and Slay the Spire: The Board Game. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll: Where do you learn about board games? 4:45 Carnegie board game description 6:32 Gameplay and Mechanisms 24:03 Production and Theme 30:21 Final Thoughts 37:05 Carnegie themed cocktail 40:16 Envelopes of Cash 49:40 Slay the Spire: The Board Game 56:52 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 117 we provide our hot take review of Cthulhu: Death May Die covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game and then discuss some of the new mechanisms that are being added for the standalone expansion Fear of the Unknown. We also discuss a poll about competitive vs. cooperative games, and then we discuss some games on our table including Everdell: Mistwood, Can't Stop, Space Empires 4X, Agricola, and Last Will and give our future takes on Slay the Spire and Aqua Garden. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Poll: Competitive vs. Cooperative? 7:57 Cthulhu: Death May Die board game description 9:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:09 Production and Theme 31:00 Final Thoughts 36:23 Cthulhu: Death May Die - Fear of the Unknown preview 42:50 Cthulhu: Death May Die themed cocktail 47:23 Everdell: Mistwood and Everdell: Complete Collection 55:32 Space Empires 4X 1:02:20 Can't Stop 1:06:00 Last Will 1:12:07 Agricola 1:14:24 Future Take: Slay the Spire The Board Game 1:19:14 Aqua Garden 1:23:55 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 116 we discuss our top 5 favorite board game designers.  We talk about our favorite designers, the games that we've loved by them as well as some we haven't, and the games that we want to try next by them. We also discuss a poll on giving up while learning games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Poll: Have you ever given up while learning a game? 12:29 Top 5 favorite board game designers 16:03 Paolo Mori (Libertalia, Ethnos, Dogs of War) 17:21 Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, Tussie Mussie, The Fox Experiment, Mariposas) 19:12 Vladimir Suchy (Underwater Cities, Messina 1347, Praga Caput Regni, Last Will, Pulsar 2849) 21:13 Ivan Lashin (Smartphone, Inc., Furnace, Frozen Frontier) 22:22 Adam Kwapinski (Nemesis, Lords of Hellas, Lords of Ragnarok) 24:43 Bruno Cathala (Five Tribes, Jamaica, 7 Wonders Duel, Kingdomino, Cyclades) 28:29 Vlaada Chvatil (Through the Ages, Codenames, Galaxy Trucker, Mage Knight) 30:37 Simone Luciani, Daniele Tascini, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli (Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Golem, Barrage, Grand Austria Hotel, Tiletum) 35:21 Stefan Feld (Castles of Burgundy, Bonfire, Carpe Diem, Trajan, Marrakesh, Notre Dame) 39:48 David Turczi (Anachrony, Voidfall,  Imperium: Legends, Imperium: Classics) 42:16 Jamey Stegmaier (Tapestry, Scythe, Viticulture, Charterstone, Red Rising) 46:12 Shem Phillips, Sam Macdonald (Architects of the West Kingdom, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Viscounts of the West Kingdom, Wayfarers of the South Tigris, Scholars of the South Tigris) 48:11 Cole Wehrle (Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition, Arcs, Root, John Company 2nd Edition) 51:02 Eric Lang ( Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Marvel United, Victorian Masterminds, Chaos in the Old World) 56:49 Paul Dennen (Clank!, Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Legacy!, Clank! Catacombs, Dune: Imperium, Eternal: Chronicles of the Throne) 1:02:10 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 115 we provide our hot take review of Agricola covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about re-acquiring games, and then we discuss some games on our table including Gang of Dice, Fantastic Factories, and Bitoku and give our future take on Frozen Frontier. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:24 Poll: Have you ever re-acquired a board game? 10:12 Agricola Gameplay Description 11:17 Gameplay and Mechanisms 21:08 Production and Theme 32:43 Final Thoughts 41:52 Gang of Dice 47:06 Fantastic Factories 48:55 Bitoku 55:30 Future Take: Frozen Frontier 59:20 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 114 we provide our hot take review of Lorenzo il Magnifico covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about scorepads vs. score trackers, and then we discuss some games on our table including Fantastic Factories, Cafe, and Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization... and Chris goes on a rant about subtitles on board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Poll: Do you prefer Scorepads or Score Trackers? 09:10 Lorenzo il Magnifico Gameplay Description 10:34 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:21 Production and Theme 31:24 Final Thoughts 35:59 Themed Cocktail of the Week 40:00 Fantastic Factories 48:32 Board game subtitles 51:14 Cafe 57:18 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 1:04:11 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 113 we revisit Eric Lang's troops-on-a-map trilogy with our Double Take reviews of Blood Rage, Rising Sun, and Ankh: Gods of Egypt and then we rank the trilogy. We also discuss a poll about intro version of popular heavy games, and then we discuss some games on our table including John Company, Beyond the Sun, and Caverna: The Cave Farmers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:21 Poll: Do you want to see more intro versions of popular heavier games? 12:15 Eric Lang Trilogy Double Take 13:31 Blood Rage 23:20 Rising Sun 33:05 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 45:10 Trilogy Ranking 54:05 John Company 58:27 Beyond the Sun 1:00:45 Caverna: The Cave Farmers

In Episode 112 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 Kickstarter vs. Gamefound. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 News 01:51 Poll: Kickstarter vs. Gamefound 08:27 Look back at 2020 Crowdfund episode 09:04 Dawn of Madness 11:25 Hyperspace and Cthulu Wars: Daemon Sultan 11:43 Sweet Mess 12:17 Frosthaven 14:17 2021 Crowdfund Episode Scorecard 14:35 Artisans of Splendent Vale 16:01 CoraQuest 17:12 Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection 21:21 Hyperspace 22:23 One Deck Galaxy 23:30 Age of Galaxy 23:21 They Live: Assault on Cable 54 24:39 Canvas 25:22 Paperback Adventures 25:56 Chaosmos: The Temple 28:02 Distilled 28:46 Now or Never 29:59 Shasn Azadi 31:56 Robot Quest Arena 33:05 Everdell: Newleaf and Mistwood 35:36 Fractal: Beyond the Void 37:55 Great Wall 40:21 Top 5 Incoming Crowdfund Games 2022 42:33 Ra 44:06 John Company 2nd Edition 44:53 Red Dust Rebellion 47:57 Distilled 50:03 Wayfarers of the South Tigris 51: 20 Legacy of Yu 52:01 One Deck Galaxy 53:56 Voidfall 58:47 Star Realms: Rise of Empires 1:03:55 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies 1:06:17 Arcs 1:10:25 Lords of Ragnarok 1:13:48 La Granja Deluxe Master Set 1:15:54 Skyrise 1:18:00 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3 1:26:35 Final Thoughts - Motor City, Castles of Burgundy Special Edition, Age of Galaxy 1:31:50 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 111 we discuss all 18 games that we played at BGHT LongCon over 5 days.  We also discuss a poll on win percentages in your group and discuss why Tim can't seem to win a game at BGHT conventions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 News 01:35 Poll: How much do you win compared to the people you play against 18:44 Dune: Imperium (w/ Rise of Ix) 22:39 Radlands 26:25 Champions of Midgard (w/ Dark Mountains and Valhalla) 32:38 Ghosts of Christmas 36:37 Star Wars: Outer Rim 39:12 Ark Nova 44:49 Barrage (w/ Leeghwater Project) 50:15 Eric Lang Trilogy Preview (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt) 52:30 Shamans 56:42 Tapestry (w/ Plans and Ploys and Arts and Architecture) 1:03:16 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 1:14:34 Terraforming Mars (w/ Prelude) 1:19:25 Age of Galaxy 1:27:50 Star Realms 1:30:27 Lorenzo Il Magnifico 1:36:25 Lost Ruins of Arnak 1:40:14 Final Thoughts 1:45:24 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 110 we provide our hot take review of The Fox Experiment covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about buying expansions, and then we discuss some games on our table including Arkham Horror: The Card Game (and the experience of buying expansions for it), Boonlake, and Barrage, a future take on They Live: Assault on Cable 54 and then discuss Petersen Games' disappointing crowdfunding campaigns for Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan and Hyperspace. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Poll: If you like a game are you likely to buy expansions for it? 12:32 The Fox Experiment Gameplay Description 14:19 Gameplay and Mechanisms 28:44 Production and Theme 36:35 Final Thoughts 40:12 Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Expansion Follow-up) 47:42 Barrage 51:31 Boonlake 1:03:24 Future Take: They Live: Assault on Cable 54 1:06:37 Walk of Shame: Petersen Games - Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan and Hyperspace 1:11:17 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 109 we provide our hot take review of Clans of Caledonia covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about games that surprised you in a good way, and then we discuss some games on our table including Blood Rage,  Arkham Horror LCG, and Cafe and discuss some future takes including The Fox Experiment, Astra, and Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Have you ever ending up loving a game that you though you would hate? 09:02 Clans of Caledonia Gameplay Description 11:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:44 Production and Theme 31:00 Final Thoughts 35:49 Themed Cocktail of the Week 39:20 Blood Rage 41:36 Arkham Horror: The Card Game 39:55 Cafe 53:08 Future Take - The Fox Experiment 55:07 Future Take - Astra 56:27 Future Take - Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection

In Episode 108 we discuss our top ten board games that we would love to see turned into movies. We also discuss a poll on whether food and drinks should be included at your game table. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Poll: Food and Drinks at the Board Game Table 10:49 Board Games that Should Be Movies 14:50 Chris #10 - Godspeed 16:28 Adam #10 - Terraforming Mars 17:40 Tim #10 - Spirit Island 19:36 Chris #9 - This War of Mine 21:33 Adam #9 - Wingspan 22:20 Tim #9 - Root 24:20 Chris #8 - Coyote and Crow 27:32 Adam #8 - Barrage 28:49 Tim #8 - Underwater Cities 30:25 Chris #7 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon 32:11 Adam #7 - Azul 34:03 Tim #7 - Near and Far 34:54 Chris #6 - Nightmare Cathedral 38:33 Adam #6 - Xenon Profiteer 41:13 Tim #6 - Outlive 44:11 Chris #5 - The Isle of Cats 47:01 Adam #5 - Xia: Legends of a Drift System 48:57 Tim #5 - Vindication 51:29 Chris #4 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 53:51 Adam #4 - La Granja 55:36 Tim #4 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game 57:35 Chris #3 - The Quiet Year 1:01:18 Adam #3 - T.I.M.E. Stories 1:02:28 Tim #3 - Anachrony 1:04:35 Chris #2 - Sleeping Gods 1:05:02 Adam #2 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 1:06:33 Tim #2 - Golem 1:07:44 Chris #1 - AuZtralia 1:11:59 Adam #1 - Radlands 1:13:56 Tim #1 - Scythe

In Episode 107 we discuss 30 games that haven't gotten much attention from us on the podcast over the last 2 years but that we thought were worth mentioning briefly, good or bad. We also discuss a poll on diverse representation in board game artwork. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Poll: Does diverse representation in board game art drive purchases? 07:18 Forgotten Games 8:25 Hadara 10:16 Canvas 13:35 Carson City 15:52 Afternova 18:35 Doughnut Drive-thru 20:50 Century: Spice Road / Century: Golem Edition 24:09 Jet Set 27:19 Space Base 29:59 Champions of Midgard 33:15 Seal Team Flix 35:18 Hero Realms 39:59 Chronicles of Crime 42:50 1841: Railways in Northern Italy 48:08 Imhotep 51:36 Deep Space D-6 53:14 Hellenica: Story of Greece 56:40 Babylonia 59:11 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia 1:02:00 Sentient 1:04:46 Lords of Hellas 1:08:08 Funkoverse Strategy Game 1:10:34 The Field of the Cloth of Gold 1:12:39 Zombie Kidz Evolution 1:14:32 Hyperborea 1:16:42 Antike II 1:18:47 Cthulhu Realms 1:22:13 Paper Dungeons: A Dungeon Scrawler Game 1:23:56 Patchwork 1:27:42 Shakespeare 1:31:15 Roll Player

In Episode 106 we provide our hot take review of Age of Galaxy covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about bad feelings created by huge wins, and then we discuss some games on our table including Planted, Tapestry, Watergate, Expedition to Newdale, and the new expansion for Parks: Wildlife. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Poll: Has winning created bad feelings? 14:16 Age of Galaxy Gameplay Description 16:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms 42:30 Production and Theme 57:04 Final Thoughts 1:02:32 Planted 1:07:47 Tapestry 1:09:50 Watergate 1:11:30 Expedition to Newdale 1:21:53 Parks: Wildlife

In Episode 105 we provide our hot take review of Barrage covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about setup time, Chris provides a Barrage themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Dutch Blitz, Age of Galaxy, Bloodstones, and Notre Dame. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll: Does setup time impact your love of games? 7:10 Barrage Gameplay Description 10:16 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:00 Production and Theme 34:32 Final Thoughts 41:28 Themed cocktail of the week 44:48 Dutch Blitz 48:50 Age of Galaxy 58:40 Bloodstones 1:08:01 Notre Dame

In Episode 104 we discuss our top ten favorite uses of toy factor in board games. We also discuss a poll on attending conventions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Poll: Attending Conventions 07:12 Toy Factor in Games 11:01 Chris #10 - Mechanica 14:53 Adam #10 - Baseball Highlights 2045 17:47 Tim #10 - Splendor 19:36 Chris #9 - Windward 21:42 Adam #9 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition 23:40 Tim #9 - Lords of Xidit 26:50 Chris #8 - Scythe 30:59 Adam #8 - Xia: Legends of a Drift System 32:47 Tim #8 - Pan Am 34:39 Chris #7 - Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar 38:04 Adam #7 - Skyrise 41:02 Tim #7 - Tapestry 43:44 Chris #6 - Nemesis 47:28 Adam #6 - Wonderland's War 49:36 Tim #6 - The Great Wall 51:01 Chris #5 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon 53:47 Adam #5 - Anachrony 56:03 Tim #5 - Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun 58:07 Chris #4 - Blood Rage 1:01:35 Adam #4 - Star Wars: Rebellion 1:03:41 Tim #4 - Everdell 1:06:20 Chris #3 - Fossilis 1:10:14 Adam #3 - Voidfall 1:12:25 Tim #3 - Cthulhu: Death May Die 1:15:25 Chris #2 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 1:18:43 Adam #2 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 1:21:33 Tim #2 - Camel Up (2nd Edition) 1:24:02 Chris #1 - Return to Dark Tower 1:27:14 Adam #1 - Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 1:29:38 Tim #1 - Dwellings of Eldervale 1:34:23 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 103 we provide our hot take review of Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss a poll about buying games used and then we discuss some games on our table including Imperium: Classics, Memoir '44, and Viticulture World and then we give our future takes on Dune: Imperium - Immortality and Bloodstones. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Buying Used Games 07:06 Crusaders: They Will Be Done Gameplay Description 09:08 Gameplay and Mechanisms 23:31 Divine Influence Expansion Preview 25:43 Production and Theme 29:49 Final Thoughts 34:05 Imperium: Legends and Imperium: Classics 38:00 Memoir '44 42:47 Viticulture World 1:00:02 Dune: Imperium - Immortality 1:04:33 Bloodstones 1:06:04 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 102 we provide our hot take review of Rising Sun covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also look at all three games from Eric Lang's 'Troops on a Map' trilogy: Blood Rage, Rising Sun, and Ankh: Gods of Egypt and discuss our rankings of them. We discuss a poll about other whether it's acceptable to concede a game and then we discuss some games on our table including WW84 and Agricola. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Poll: Conceding Games 13:53 Rising Sun Gameplay Description 18:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms 42:07 Production and Theme 44:52 Final Thoughts 49:24 Eric Lang Trilogy Ranking 54:40 Themed Cocktail of the Week 59:35 WW84: Wonder Woman Card Game 1:02:51 Agricola 1:08:50 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 101 we provide our hot take review of Circadians: Chaos Order covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll about other player's attitudes impacting your feelings about a game and then we discuss some games on our table including Radlands, Diplomacy, and Space Station Phoenix. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll: Does other player's attitude impact your feelings about a game 13:24 Circadians: Chaos Order Gameplay Description 16:46 Gameplay and Mechanisms 39:56 Production and Theme 49:15 Final Thoughts 55:39 Themed Cocktail of the Week 59:15 Radlands 1:07:50 Diplomacy 1:14:58 Space Station Phoenix 1:20:13 Listener Shoutout

Episode 100 is our listener appreciation episode where we highlight the board games that our listeners love, get to hear some of our listener's voices, and draw the winner of our giveaway from the listeners that contributed with their favorite games. We also discuss a poll on how listener's found their favorite board game podcasts. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:33 Poll: Finding Podcasts 10:21 Listener's Favorite Games (Some games mentioned briefly: Quantum, Silver, Aldr: The High Sage, World's Fair 1893, Gaia Project, Wonderland's War, Castell, Cosmic Frog, Happy Salmon, Star Realms, Inis) 17:10 #20 - Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 18:01 #19 - Marvel Champions 19:19 #18 - Great Western Trail 19:35 #17 - Anachrony 20:11 - Listener Voice: Tapestry / Wingspan 21:35 #16 - Dominion 23:16 #15 - Cascadia 24:35 #14 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game 25:28 #13 - Wingspan 28:15 #12 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 29:39 - Listener Voice: The Lord of the Rings TCG 30:45 #11 - Brass: Birmingham 33:11 #10 - Viticulture 35:00 #9 - Scythe 36:16 #8 - Ark Nova 37:02 - Listener Voice: Spirit Island 38:48 #7 - Dune: Imperium 39:26 #6 - Root 40:35 #5 - Everdell 41:56 #4 - Terraforming Mars 43:30 Listener Voice: Carcasonne 44:50 #3 - Sprit Island 48:48 #2 - Gloomhaven 51:01 #1 - The Castles of Burgundy 52:41 - BGHT compared to listeners 56:04 Listener Voice: Empires of the Void II 1:00:07 Winner Drawing

In Episode 99 we finish counting down our top 30 Board Games of all time with numbers 1-10. We also discuss a poll on favorite ways to learn new board games Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Poll: Learning Board Games 09:22 Top Games of All Time 09:52 Chris #10 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 12:03 Tim #10 - Wonderland's War 14:47 Adam #10 - Radlands 16:49 Chris #9 - Wonderland's War 19:18 Adam #9 - Wonderland's War 20:09 Tim #9 - La Granja 21:48 Chris #8 - Outlive 25:53 Tim #8 - Clank! 27:04 Adam #8 - Inis 30:05 Chris #7 - Dune: Imperium 32:24 Tim #7 - Gaia Project 35:07 Adam #7 - Arcs 37:52 Chris #6 - Ark Nova 39:50 Tim #6 - Ark Nova 42:02 Adam #6 - Smartphone, Inc. 44:23 Chris #5 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 46:46 Adam #5 - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 47:51 Tim #5 - Castles of Burgundy 49:58 Chris #4 - Nemesis 53:33 Tim #4 - Everdell 56:20 Adam #4 - The Expanse 59:15 Chris #3 - Blood Rage 1:00:38 Tim #3 - Blood Rage 1:01:40 Adam #3 - Anachrony 1:02:40 Chris #2 - Terraforming Mars 1:06:10 Tim #2 - Tapestry 1:10:13 Adam #2 - Dune: Imperium 1:11:10 Chris #1 - Tapestry 1:14:20 Tim #1 - Dune: Imperium 1:16:40 Adam #1 - Pax Pamir (2nd Edition)

In Episode 98 we continue counting down our top 30 Board Games of all time with numbers 11-20. We also discuss a poll on how review copies provided from publishers impact your trust in a board game critic. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:14 Poll: Review Copies and Trust 14:01 Top Games of All Time 14:27 Adam #20 - Beyond the Sun 17:38 Chris #20 - Obsession 22:01 Tim #20 - Magic: The Gathering 26:33 Adam #19 - Star Wars: Rebellion 29:20 Chris #19 - Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 27:26 Tim #19 - Beyond the Sun 38:34 Adam #18 - High Society 40:19 Chris #18 - Gaia Project 44:05 Tim #18 - Lords of Waterdeep 47:51 Adam #17 - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 50:02 Chris #17 - Golem 53:06 Tim #17 - Rajas of the Ganges 55:13 Adam #16 - Blood Rage 56:41 Chris #16 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 59:44 Tim #16 - Near and Far 63:03 Adam #15 - Brass: Birmingham 65:41 Chris #15 - La Granja 68:01 Tim #15 - Viscounts of the West Kingdom 69:46 Adam #14 - Gaia Project 71:43 Chris #14 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 73:53 Tim #14 - Scythe 76:49 Adam #13 - Shamans 78:20 Chris #13 - Clank! In! Space! 80:06 Tim #13 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 82:34 Adam #12 - Baseball Highlights 2045 86:44 Chris #12 - A Feast for Odin 89:17 Tim #12 - Terraforming Mars 91:01 Adam #11 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 92:50 Chris #11 - Cthulhu Wars 96:15 Tim #11 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar