Board Game Hot Takes

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

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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

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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

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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

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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 Introduction
03:08 Board Games as Stories - Climax
08:15 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
11:55 Baseball Highlights 2045
15:38 Blood Rage
18:10 Rising Sun
21:10 Wonderland's War
23:53 Can't Stop
25:40 My Father's Work
29:59 Sol: Last Days of a Star
32:33 Clank!
36:46 Heat: Petal to the Metal, Downforce
41:18 Dune: Imperium
45:11 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
47:50 Cryo
53:03 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 Introduction
00:35 Poll Question: Skipping Game Night Based on the Game
09:11 Board Game Etiquette Discussion
31:30 The Castles of Burgundy Double Take
44:02 Oath: Chronicles of Empires and Exile
53:59 Challengers
57:12 Pulsar 2849
1:01:09 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 Introduction
03:38 Board Games as Stories
12:27 Pan Am
16:56 Space Base
22:38 Auztralia
25:52 Anachrony
28:43 Brass: Birmingham
31:56 Final Girl
35:43 Marrakesh
38:41 Ankh: Gods of Egypt
42:33 Star Wars: Rebellion
45:55 Revive
50:20 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory
54:56 Root
58:55 Orleans
1:02:31 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 Introduction
00:56 Nucleum Description
04:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms
22:40 Production and Theme
28:14 Final Thoughts
31:00 Viticulture Wine Crate (Review Copy provided by the Publisher)
36:20 Tacocat Spelled Backwards
42:53 Vagrantsong
49:58 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 Introduction
00:21 Board Games as Stories
06:33 Cthulhu: Death May Die
10:17 Inis
15:25 Agricola
18:25 Distilled
22:28 Battle for Rokugan
26:08 Res Arcana
29:54 Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
33:59 Azul
39:57 Voidfall
44:56 Obsession
49:43 Spades (and Hearts)
53:41 Terraforming Mars
56:40 Nemesis
1:02:24 Barrage
1:05:22 Gaia Project
1:08:50 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 Introduction
00:27 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 Description
10:14 Gameplay and Mechanisms
30:42 Production and Theme
38:13 Final Thoughts
43:00 Best Candy on the Block
47:03 After Us
52:22 Barcelona
57:10 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 Introduction
01:02 Robot Quest Arena
09:56 Woodcraft
17:29 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland
22:10 Downforce
26:37 Nemesis
35:00 My Father's Work
39:32 Distilled
52:40 Viticulture w/ Tuscany
59:25 Motor City
1:03:09 Outlive
1:06:34 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 Introduction
01:51 How do we plan and organize BGHTCon?
10:08 The Quacks of Quedlinburg
15:36 Cat in the Box
19:28 Terraforming Mars
25:36 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
31:52 Lords of Ragnarok
41:55 Wingspan w/ Oceania Expansion
44:25 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set
49:10 The Battle for Rokugan
56:07 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 Introduction
02:38 Poll: Do you have any incoming crowdfunded board games that you haven't received but regret backing?
10:31 Look back at 2022 Crowdfund episode
10:48 Ra
11:25 Red Dust Rebellion
11:59 Distilled
12:30 Wayfarers of the South Tigris
13:10 One Deck Galaxy
13:43 Voidfall
16:20 Star Realms: Rise of Empires
16:32 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies
17:10 Arcs
17:43 Lords of Ragnarok
18:37 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set
20:00 Skyrise
21:03 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3
21:25 Dawn of Madness
23:43 Wolves
25:02 Wonderland's War: Shards of Madness
26:47 Envelopes of Cash
27:39 Biohack
30:30 Star Realms: Rise of Empire
32:07 Cthulhu: Death May Die - Fear of the Unknown
34:54 Galactic Renaissance
37:19 Teotihuacan: Deluxe Master Set
39:43 Arcs
41:01 Star Tycoon
44:37 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3
47:22 Witchcraft!
48:51 Ceres
53:35 The Fox Experiment
56:12 Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs
58:16 Frozen Frontier
1:00:46 Final Thoughts
1:09:19 Tycoon: India 1981
1:31:50 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 Introduction
00:23 3 year anniversary! Listener's favorite episodes
08:18 Expeditions Description
17:10 Gameplay and Mechanisms
34:27 Production and Theme
40:00 Final Thoughts
47:36 Lancaster
53:39 Lords of Ragnarok
56:31 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 Introduction
00:27 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 Description
11:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms
32:51 Production and Theme
41:45 Final Thoughts
50:03 Amun-Re
50:29 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 Introduction
00:24 Poll: Do you pay attention to board games that are announced or released at GenCon?
07:13 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory Description
10:39 Gameplay and Mechanisms
32:47 Production and Theme
38:39 Final Thoughts
43:41 Welcome To The Moon
52:08 Robot Quest Arena
57:21 Patchwork Doodle

In Episode 157 we each discuss our top 5 favorite board games including asymmetric player powers.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:58 Discussion on Asymmetric Player Powers
09:49 Top 5 games with asymmetric player powers.
09:56 The Expanse Board Game
12:28 Champions of Midgard and Dune: Imperium
14:47 Circadians: Chaos Order
18:09 Ankh: Gods of Egypt
20:35 Dwellings of Eldervale and Revive
23:05 Robot Quest Arena
26:35 Dune
32:00 Frosthaven / Gloomhaven and Cthulhu: Death May Die
34:57 Barrage
37:54 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
40:52 Everdell and Lost Ruins of Arnak
43:41 Gaia Project
46:13 Spirit Island
49:29 Ark Nova and Planet Unknown
52:01 The Voyages of Marco Polo
55:11 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 Introduction
00:26 Poll: How do you feel about large box versions of your favorite games?
09:59 The Voyages of Marco Polo Description
11:09 Gameplay and Mechanisms
30:42 Production and Theme
38:58 Final Thoughts
47:02 Trellis
49:52 First Look: Expeditions and Robot Quest Arena
54:51 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 Introduction
00:27 Poll: Do you store your board games horizontal or vertical?
05:14 Cyclades: Legendary Edition Description
07:27 Gameplay and Mechanisms
22:28 Production and Theme
28:16 Final Thoughts
37:40 Arkham Horror: The Board Game
44:25 Yokai Septet
48:35 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 Introduction
00:32 Poll: Have you ever thought about designing a board game?
07:24 Wolves Description
09:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms
26:35 Production and Theme
41:30 Final Thoughts
52:11 Patchwork Doodle and Ticket to Ride: San Francisco
57:22 Ankh: Gods of Egypt
59:48 Draftosaurus
1:03:46 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 Introduction
00:42 Poll: What's the longest single play you've had in a board game?
06:17 Danielle and Sarah's Top 5 Games
06:45 Danielle #5 - Welcome To...
08:55 Sarah #5 - Dune: Imperium
11:45 Danielle #4 - The Quacks of Quedlinburg
15:30 Sarah #4 - Abducktion
20:54 Danielle #3 - Clank! Catacombs
24:52 Sarah #3 - Trekking the World
29:00 Danielle #2 - Sea Salt & Paper and Fantastic Factories
32:40 Sarah #2 - Smartphone, Inc.
36:15 Danielle #1 - The Castles of Burgundy
41:32 Sarah #1 - SCOUT
44:50 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 Introduction
00:42 Top Games of All Time
03:21 Tim #10 The Castles of Burgundy
05:26 Adam #10 Blood Rage
07:20 Chris #10 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
10:55 Tim #9 Agricola: Revised Edition
13:06 Adam #9 Barrage
15:50 Chris #9 Terraforming Mars
19:02 Tim #8 Ark Nova
21:14 Adam #8 Rising Sun
24:47 Chris #8 Ark Nova
27:45 Tim #7 Wonderland's War
31:23 Adam #7 Star Wars Rebellion
33:53 Chris #7 Teotihuacan: City of Gods
36:26 Tim #6 Terraforming Mars
38:43 Adam #6 Ankh: Gods of Egypt
41:57 Chris #6 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy
44:02 Tim #5 Tapestry
47:36 Adam #5 Baseball Highlights 2045
50:09 Chris #5 Barrage
51:56 Tim #4 Dune: Imperium
53:09 Adam #4 Smartphone, Inc.
54:59 Chris #4 Blood Rage
56:05 Tim #3 Blood Rage
57:41 Adam #3 Wonderland's War
48:47 Chris #3 Tapestry
1:01:50 Tim #2 Gaia Project
1:04:25 Adam #2 Dune: Imperium
1:05:23 Chris #2 Gaia Project
1:06:23 Tim #1 Everdell
1:10:41 Adam #1 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy
1:12:44 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 Introduction
00:47 Poll: How important is balance to you in a board game?
08:09 Top Games of All Time
08:22 Adam #20 Capital Lux 2: Generations
10:06 Chris #20 Viticulture Essential Edition
13:12 Tim #20 Beyond the Sun
15:42 Adam #19 Abducktion
18:39 Chris #19 Agricola
21:16 Tim #19 La Granja
23:13 Adam #18 Shamans
25:21 Chris #18 Obsession
28:14 Tim #18 Distilled
30:11 Adam #17 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
32:37 Chris #17 Lacrimosa
35:00 Tim #17 Barrage
39:00 Adam #16 Beyond the Sun
40:16 Chris #16 Revive
42:49 Tim #16 Revive
45:47 Adam #15 Gaia Project
47:57 Chris #15 Nemesis
51:43 Tim #15 Paperback Adventures
56:01 Adam #14 The Expanse Board Game
59:25 Chris #14 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
1:00:08 Tim #14 Clank! Catacombs
1:02:53 Adam #13 Pax Pamir: 2nd Edition
1:05:36 Chris #13 La Granja
1:07:16 Tim #13 Lost Ruins of Arnak
1:08:46 Adam #12 Inis
1:11:06 Chris #12 Distilled
1:13:01 Tim #12 Underwater Cities
1:15:28 Adam #11 Azul
1:18:50 Chris #11 Dune: Imperium
1:22:18 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 Introduction
00:50 Poll: Do you seek out game stores or when you travel to no cities?
09:03 Top Games of All Time
09:15 Chris #30 Star Wars: The Deck Building Game
13:19 Tim #30 Frosthaven
16:20 Adam #30 Sol: Last Days of a Star
18:50 Chris #29 Clank! In! Space!
22:22 Tim #29 Magic: The Gathering
25:53 Adam #29 Ghosts of Christmas
28:36 Chris #28 Rap Godz
31:38 Tim #28 Rajas of the Ganges
33:23 Adam #28 Star Realms
35:22 Chris #27 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles
39:23 Tim #27 Lorenzo Il Magnifico
40:44 Adam #27 Robotech Reconstruction
43:27 Chris #26 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans
45:46 Tim #26 Pan Am
47:32 Adam #26 Shards of Infinity
50:15 Chris #25 Outlive
52:44 Tim #25 Rising Sun
55:28 Adam #25 Trekking the World
57:18 Chris #24 Yokohama
49:47 Tim #24 Anachrony
1:02:10 Adam #23 Anachrony
1:04:21 Chris #23 Smarphone, Inc.
1:06:45 Tim #23 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy
1:10:28 Adam #24 Age of Galaxy
1:12:58 Chris #22 Golem
1:15:22 Tim #22 Yokohama
1:16:20 Adam #22 Downforce
1:18:14 Chris #21 Lost Ruins of Arnak
1:21:48 Tim #21 Outlive
1:24:30 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 Introduction
01:14 Poll: How do you express your board game love in public?
09:18 Top Games of All Time
15:20 Tim #40 and honorable mentions - Tiletum, Woodcraft, Darwin's Journey, Arkham Horror: The Card Game
19:25 Adam #40 and honorable mentions - Dune, La Granja, Air, Land, and Sea, Sentient, Distilled, High Society
22:56 Chris #40 and honorable mentions - Cthulhu: Death May Die, Root, Imhotep, Nidavellir, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Darwin's Journey
26:05 Tim #39 - Star Realms
28:36 Adam #39 - Planted: A Game of Nature and Nurture
30:35 Chris #39 - Scythe 32:50 Tim #38 - Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest
36:38 Adam #38 - Mosaic: A Story of Civilization
39:50 Chris #38 - Can't Stop
44:00 Tim #37 - Cthulhu: Death May Die
46:12 Adam #37 - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland
47:49 Chris #37 - Final Girl
50:08 Tim #36 - SCOUT
51:34 Adam #36 - SCOUT
52:32 Chris #36 - Space Base
55:27 Tim #35 - Res Arcana
57:10 Adam #35 - Terraforming Mars
58:56 Chris #35 - Terracotta Army
1:02:14 Tim #34 - Paladins of the West Kingdom
1:04:45 Adam #34 -  Brass: Birmingham
1:05:54 Chris #34 - Downforce
1:09:07 Tim #33 - Viticulture Essential Edition
1:10:45 Adam #33 - Can't Stop
1:11:49 Chris #33 - Azul
1:14:44 Tim #32 - Teotihuacan: City of Gods
1:17:15 Adam #32 - Lacrimosa
1:18:26 Chris #32 - Pan Am
1:21:06 Tim #31 - Near and Far
1:23:21 Adam #31 - Revive
1:24:41 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 Introduction
00:41 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 Description
10:03 Gameplay and Mechanisms
33:55 Production and Theme
39:08 Final Thoughts
44:25 Darwin's Journey Themed Cocktail
47:28 Abducktion
59:53 Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
1:08:10 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 Introduction
00:45 Poll: Have you ever attended a board game night without knowing anyone there?
09:34 Heat: Petal to the Medal Description
11:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms
25:58 Production and Theme
29:37 Final Thoughts
33:46 Downforce Description
33:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms
47:08 Production and Theme
50:37 Final Thoughts
56:55 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 Introduction
00:41 Poll: How do you most commonly put your board game components back in their boxes?
08:57 Revive Description
11:08 Gameplay and Mechanisms
30:21 Production and Theme
36:40 Final Thoughts
44:12 Akropolis
48:55 Ra
58:52 Skull
59:54 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 Introduction
00:40 Poll: Have you considered getting a board game related tattoo?
08:54 SedonaCon
10:04 Wonderland's War
14:31 Pan Am
23:32 Endless Winter: Paleoamericans
30:24 Gaia Project
36:24 Skull
41:51 Rising Sun
49:39 Distilled
56:39 Dune: Imperium
1:05:00 Imperium: The Contention
1:13:48 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game
1:18:15 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 Introduction
00:48 Poll: Have you ever replaced a game because the components were worn out?
07:11 SedonaCon
10:45 Clank! Catacombs
17:17 Smartphone, Inc.
23:44 Scout
32:35 Teotihuacan: City of Gods
37:56 Tyrants of the Underdark
45:30 Yokohama
53:07 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 Introduction
00:40 Topic: How do you feel about IP based board games?
06:55 Top 5 IP we want in board games
08:10 The Expanse
12:35 The Stand
16:10 Perdido Street Station
19:11 Mass Effect
23:10 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
27:01 Severance
29:41 Life in Medieval Times
31:40 Ultima
35:26 The Dragonriders of Pern
38:27 Jurassic Park
43:10 Tales from the Loop
48:07 Paper Mario
51:10 The Culture Series
54:24 Coyote and Crow
58:35 The Shawshank Redemption
1:01:17 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 Introduction
00:41 Poll: What's your favorite type of game night?
04:57 Board Game Geek Golden Geek Awards.
09:15 2-Player Game
15:47 Artwork and Presentation
23:17 Cooperative Game
26:57 Expansion
33:12 Innovative
40:11 Party Game
43:18 Print and Play
44:58 Solo Game
47:44 Thematic Game
52:03 War Game
53:42 Best Board Game Podcast
57:56 Best Board Game App
1:02:02 Light Game of the Year
1:05:05 Medium Game of the Year
1:09:50 Heavy Game of the Year
1:15:50 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 Introduction
00:39 Poll: Do you avoid trying certain board games because of your experience with that designer's other games?
10:51 Scythe Description
13:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms
28:57 Production and Theme
35:21 Final Thoughts
40:51 Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum
48:31 Frosthaven
1:07:15 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 Introduction
00:28 Poll: Do you think board game awards influence your interest in board games?
04:40 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization Description
06:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms
24:53 Production and Theme
30:18 Final Thoughts
33:31 Galactic Renaissance
36:26 Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Catacombs, and Clank! Legacy 2
38:46 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 Introduction
00:25 Poll: How do you feel about nature as a game theme?
08:32 Earth Description
11:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms
23:45 Production and Theme
33:40 Final Thoughts
38:46 Scout
46:15 Votes for Women
59:50 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 Introduction
01:50 Poll: Have you ever culled a board game from your collection and then regretted it?
08:31 10 Games Getting Culled
10:03 Hansa Teutonica Big Box
12:39 Dice Realms
17:35 One Deck Galaxy
20:18 The Castles of Burgundy: The Card Game
23:49 18Ireland
26:40 A Feast for Odin
30:05 Snowdonia: Deluxe Master Set
33:06 Wayfarers of the South Tigris
36:43 Undaunted: Normandy
39:37 Lords of Waterdeep
44:31 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 Introduction
04:55 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 Description
13:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms
29:15 Production and Theme
33:12 Final Thoughts
37:37 A Taste for Wine and Murder
42:22 Pioneer Rails
50:02 Motor City
1:01:24 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:
<30 Minutes - 24.5%
30-90 Minutes - 58.3%
>90 Minutes - 2.6%
Depends on the Opponent - 14.6%

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:23 Poll: Preferred length of 2-player game?
5:23 Air, Land, & Sea Description
08:25 Gameplay and Mechanisms
14:01 Production and Theme
16:38 Final Thoughts
16:13 Radlands Description
20:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms
27:17 Production and Theme
29:35 Final Thoughts
31:13 Star Wars: The Deck Building Games Description
34:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms
42:28 Production and Theme
45:58 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

In Episode 97 we start the countdown of our top 30 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30.

We also discuss a poll on luxury versions of board games.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Poll: Luxury Board Games
12:52 Top Games of All Time
18:28 Tim #30 - Res Arcana
21:24 Adam #30 - Nemesis
23:03 Chris #30 - Pan Am
25:17 Tim #29 - Cthulhu: Death May Die
29:47 Adam #29 - SpaceCorp 2025-2300 AD
32:50 Chris #29 - Aquatica
35:41 Tim #28 - Codenames
38:49 Adam #28 - Terraforming Mars
41:14 Chris #28 - This War of Mine
44:10 Tim #27 - Underwater Cities
45:45 Adam #27 - Ghosts of Christmas
48:12 Chris #27 - Watergate
50:36 Tim #26 - Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest
53:53 Adam #26 - Sentient
57:05 Chris #26 - Wingspan
59:08 Tim #25 - Great Western Trail
61:00 Adam #25 - Air, Land, and Sea
63:08 Chris #25 - Rap Godz
65:34 Tim #24 - Outlive
68:17 Adam #24 -  Sol: Last Days of a Star
70:50 Chris #24 - Viticulture
73:14 Tim #23 - Anachrony
76:17 Adam #23 - Battle for Rokugan
78:15 Chris #23 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
81:14 Tim #22 - 7 Wonders Duel
84:01 Adam #22 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
86:42 Chris #22 - Cthulhu: Death May Die
89:54 Tim #21 - Arcs
92:41 Adam #21 - Shards of Infinity
95:50 Chris #21 - Scythe
98:14 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 96 we take a look at the top 100 games on Board Game Geek 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 the Golden Age of hobby board games.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Poll: Golden Age of board games
015:11 Board Game Geek Top 100 games that we want to play
22:44 Chris #5 - Rising Sun
24:50 Adam #5 - Kanban EV
25:55 Tim #5 - Rising Sun
28:05 Chris #4 - Grand Austria Hotel
30:17 Adam #4 - The Crew: Quest for Planet Nine
32:56 Tim #4 - Kanban EV
34:14 Chris #3 - Food Chain Magnate
37:28 Adam #3 - Barrage
41:05 Tim #3 - Robinson Crusoe - Adventures on the Cursed Island
42:52 Chris #2 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game
44:14 Adam #2 - War of the Ring (Second Edition)
46:15 Tim #2 - Mechs Vs. Minions
48:35 Chris #1 - Twilight Struggle
51:28 Adam #1 - Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition)
52:58 Tim #1 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game
56:03 Board Game Geek Top 100 games that we don't want to play
56:24 Chris #5 - The Crew: Quest for Planet Nine
57:35 Adam #5 - Robinson Crusoe - Adventures on the Cursed Island
58:43 Tim #5 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
59:37 Chris #4 - Clans of Caledonia
1:04:46 Adam #4 -  The 7th Continent
1:05:00 Tim #4 - Mansions of Madness (Second Edition)
1:06:59 Chris #3 - Concordia
1:09:43 Adam #3 - Kingdom: Death Monster
1:12:35 Tim #3 - Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
1:15:15 Chris #2 - Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition)
1:16:43 Adam #2 - Maracaibo
1:18:40 Tim #2 - Food Chain Magnate
1:19:48 Chris #1 - Gloomhaven
1:23:06 Adam #1 - Caverna: The Cave Farmers
1:25:47 Tim #1 - Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition)

In Episode 95 we provide our hot take review of Arcs covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about hyped board games and then we discuss some games on our table including Biblios and Now or Never (solo).

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Poll: Hyped Board Games
06:40 Arcs Gameplay Description
09:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms
33:55 Production and Theme
40:30 Final Thoughts
51:04 Biblios
57:10 Now or Never (solo)
1:06:33 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 94 we provide our hot take review of Nemesis covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about sleeving cards in games and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week.  Then we discuss some games on our table including Planet Unknown and Ghosts of Christmas.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:40 Poll: Sleeving Cards in Board Games
12:40 Nemesis Gameplay Description
16:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms
47:42 Production and Theme
54:20 Final Thoughts
1:02:30 Themed Cocktail of the Week
1:05:30 Planet Unknown
1:14:26 Ghosts of Christmas

In Episode 93 we provide our hot take review of Golem covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about best time of day to play board games and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week.  Then we discuss some games on our table including Tetris: The Card Game, Tinner's Trail, Carcassonne, and Crusaders: Thy Will be Done.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Poll: Favorite time of day to play games
06:02 Golem Gameplay Description
07:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms
27:28 Production and Theme
38:07 Final Thoughts
47:00 Themed Cocktail of the Week
50:39 Tetris: The Card Game
54:09 Tinner's Trail
58:37 Carcassonne
1:01:40 Crusaders: Thy Will be Done
1:10:00 Listener Shoutouts

In Episode 92 we take a look back at the games we've played together over the last several years and discuss the ones where we think our opinions were unanimous and consider the common elements that may make games work (or not work) for all of us.  We also discuss a poll on whether the size of a board game's box may influence your decision to acquire it.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Poll: Box Sizes
07:15 Unanimous Takes
08:18 Marvel United
09:49 Windward
12:39 Whistle Mountain
14:35 Samurai
16:50 Vindication
18:05 Origin of Species
20:43 Capital Lux II
21:32 Merchants of the Dark Road
23:33 Wonderland's War
25:20 Shamans
27:54 Anachrony
29:20 Voidfall
32:27 Smarphone, Inc.
34:50 Gaia Project
36:54 Blood Rage
38:25 Dune: Imperium
41:22 La Granja, Welcome To..., Azul, Cascadia
42:49 Root
44:39 Wrap Up
50:53 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 91 we discuss all 14 games that we played at BGHT PDXCon over 4 days.  We also discuss a poll on selling games that you blinged out.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:51 Poll: Selling games that you upgraded
07:34 Viscounts of the West Kingdom
14:16 Tapestry (w/ Plans and Ploys and Arts and Architecture)
21:00 Return to Dark Tower
34:28 Keyflower
36:22 Wonderland's War
41:22 The Great Wall
55:37 Tzolk'in (w/ Tribes and Prophecies)
1:00:25 Clank! In! Space!
1:03:32 Nemesis
1:22:15 Lost Ruins of Arnak (w/ Expedition Leaders)
1:25:09 Azul: Queen's Garden
1:32:14 Blood Rage
1:36:00 Final Thoughts

In Episode 90 we provide our hot take review of Great Western Trail covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about frequency of scheduled game nights.  Then we discuss some games on our table including Fallout Shelter and we give our future takes on Viticulture World.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:49 Poll: Game night frequency
06:33 Great Western Trail Gameplay Description
08:05 Gameplay and Mechanisms
24:36 Production and Theme
27:23 Final Thoughts
31:54 Fallout Shelter
39:24 Viticulture World

In Episode 89 we provide our hot take review of Wonderland's War covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about backing games on Kickstarter when you know it will be available in retail and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week.  Then we discuss some games on our table including Diplomacy and Viscounts of the West Kingdom and Tim gives his ranking on the entire West Kingdom trilogy and we give our future takes on Maglev Metro and its new expansion and on Septima.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Poll: Backing Kickstarters that will go to retail
09:22 Wonderland's War Gameplay Description
11:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms
29:38 Production and Theme
38:13 Final Thoughts
45:53 Themed Cocktail of the Week
49:38 Diplomacy
54:38 Viscounts of the West Kingdom
1:06:52 West Kingdom Trilogy Ranking
1:09:35 Maglev Metro and Maps expansion
1:12:58 Septima

In Episode 88 we discuss our top 3 controversial mechanisms in board games.  These are mechanisms that seem to be well loved, sometimes even by our co-hosts, or heavily used but we don't like them at all.  We share some specific games that use those mechanisms and talk about why they don't (or sometimes do) work for us.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:50 Poll: Controversial Mechanisms
08:26 #3 Tim - Negotiation (Chinatown, Catan, Inis, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy)
15:03 #3 Chris - Trick Taking (Brian Boru, Libertalia, Shamans, Spades, Hearts, The Crew, Oh Hell)
23:35 #3 Adam - Deck Milling (Terraforming Mars, Ark Nova, Everdell, Wingspan)
30:08 #2 Tim - Set Collection (Ethnos, Ticket to Ride, Wayfarers of the South Tigris, Champions of Midgard, 7 Wonders, Ra, Sushi Go)
37:12 #2 Chris - Pickup and Deliver (Merchants of the Dark Road, My Little Scythe, Clank!, Now or Never, Wasteland Delivery Service)
42:20 #2 Adam - Lose if you spend the most (Q.E., High Society)
44:35 #1 Tim - Player Determined Endgame (Ark Nova, Terraforming Mars, Scythe, Dune: Imperium, Anachrony, Beyond the Sun)
53:15 #1 Chris - Social Deduction / Hidden Traitor (One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Shamans, Battlestar Galactica, Love Letter, Coup)
1:01:38 #1 Adam - Dice Placement / Dice Mitigation (Wayfarers of the South Tigris, Euphoria, Castles of Burgundy)
1:05:49 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 87 we provide our hot take review of El Grande covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about in-game vs. endgame scoring and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week.  Then we discuss some games on our table including Magic Maze and Gizmos and give our future take on Nightmare Cathedral.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:37 Poll: In-game vs. Endgame Scoring
09:42 El Grande Gameplay Description
12:57 Gameplay and Mechanisms
31:00 Production and Theme
31:55 Final Thoughts
35:03 Blood Rage Tangent
38:21 Themed Cocktail of the Week
42:13 Magic Maze
48:57 Gizmos
54:55 Nightmare Cathedral

In Episode 86 we provide our hot take review of Wayfarers of the South Tigris covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about unnecessary game boards and Chris provides his themed cocktail of the week.  Then we discuss some games on our table including Under Falling Skies, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization, and Return to Dark Tower.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Poll: Unnecessary Game Boards
06:08 Wayfarers of the South Tigris Gameplay Description
09:59 Gameplay and Mechanisms
28:53 Production and Theme
32:52 Final Thoughts
41:37 Themed Cocktail of the Week
46:04 Under Falling Skies
55:10 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
1:00:28 Return to Dark Tower

In Episode 85 we provide our hot take review of Anachrony covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about learning games and then we discuss some games on our table including Paladins of the West Kingdom, Praga Caput Regni, Rolling Realms, and Res Arcana.  We also give our future takes on Motor City and Solar 175.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Poll: Learning Games
09:00 Anachrony Gameplay Description
10:46 Gameplay and Mechanisms
29:42 Production and Theme
37:09 Final Thoughts
47:05 Paladins of the West Kingdom
53:05 Praga Caput Regni
1:05:36 Rolling Realms
1:08:52 Res Arcana
1:12:40 Motor City
1:22:24 Solar 175

In Episode 84 we discuss our top 5 favorite action selection mechanisms in board games.

We also discuss poll results on bag building vs. deck building.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Poll: Deck Building vs. Bag Building
05:34 Action Selection Mechanisms
09:08 #5 Chris - Tapestry
12:56 #5 Adam - The Expanse Board Game
15:34 #5 Tim - Underwater Cities
19:07 #4 Chris - Pendulum
23:22 #4 Adam - Dominant Species
26:59 #4 Tim - Scythe
30:57 #3 Chris - Pan Am
34:29 #3 Adam - Smartphone, Inc.
37:07 #3 Tim - Orleans and Paladins of the West Kingdom
43:02 #2 Chris - Clank!
46:50 #2 Adam - Star Wars: Rebellion
50:00 #2 Tim - Bonfire
53:19 #1 Chris - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
56:35 #1 Adam - Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy
1:00:27 #1 Tim - Ark Nova

In Episode 83 we provide our hot take review of The Isle of Cats covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about favorite number and length of games for an ideal game night, Chris provides a themed cocktail for The Isle of Cats, and then we discuss some games on our table including A Feast for Odin and Rolling Realms and give our future take on Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:01 Poll: Number and Length of Games for an Ideal Game Night
07:29 The Isle of Cats Gameplay Description
10:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms
26:52 Production and Theme
35:16 Final Thoughts
40:13 Themed Cocktail of the Week
44:17 A Feast for Odin
52:48 Rolling Realms
1:03:00 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies

In Episode 82 we provide our hot take review of Brian Boru: High King of Ireland covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll about things that motivate you to look closer at a game and consider buying it, Chris gives us his famous themed cocktail segment, and then we discuss some games on our table including Tapestry: Arts and Architecture and Now or Never.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Poll: What motivates you to consider buying a game
09:57 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland Gameplay Description
12:20 Gameplay and Mechanisms
27:03 Production and Theme
31:15 Final Thoughts
38:31 Themed Cocktail of the Week
42:06 Tapestry: Arts and Architecture
49:10 Checkers
51:42 Now or Never

In Episode 81 we provide our hot take review of Libertalia covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game and then we discuss what we think of the changes in the updated and newly released version of the game, Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest.  

We're joined by Riley Stock, the host of the Board Game Community Show podcast.

We discuss a poll related to favorite types of board game reviews and then we discuss some games on our table including Cartographers and It's a Wonderful Kingdom and a future take on Voices in My Head.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:19 Poll: Favorite Type of Board Game Reviews
05:08 Libertalia Gameplay Descriptions
06:54 Gameplay and Mechanisms
19:33 Production and Theme
26:16 Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest Differences
39:38 Final Thoughts
44:08 Cartogrophers
51:19 It's a Wonderful Kingdom
58:47 Voices in My Head

In Episode 80 we discuss our top 3 favorite combat mechanisms as well as our top 2 least favorite combat mechanisms.

We also discuss poll results on player counts and discuss favorite player counts.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Poll: Player Counts
05:51 Favorite Combat Mechanisms - Lords of Hellas
8:05 #3 Tim - Dwellings of Eldervale
13:20 #3 Adam - Inis
16:35 #3 Chris - Fractal: Beyond the Void
20:44 #2 Tim - Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy
26:48 #2 Adam - Battle for Rokugan
29:37 #2 Chris - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
36:10 #1 Tim - Dune: Imperium
45:45 #1 Adam - Ankh: Gods of Egypt
51:35 #1 Chris - Blood Rage
56:51 Least Favorite Combat Mechanisms
57:28 #2 Tim - Star Wars: Rebellion
1:01:45 #2 Adam - Cthulhu Wars
1:06:37 #2 Chris - Scythe
1:13:44 #1 Tim - Root
1:18:10 #1 Adam - Path of Light and Shadow
1:20:52 #1 Chris - Risk: Legacy
1:26:20 Final Thoughts on Combat:  AuZtralia, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Mage Knight, Magic: The Gathering, Star Realms, Maria, Forbidden Stars
1:32:20 Listener Shout Out 

In Episode 79 we provide our hot take review of the expansion for Dune: Imperium, The Rise of Ix, covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to favorite interactions types.

Then we discuss some games on our table including Cryo and some future takes on Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum and Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Poll: Favorite Type of Interaction in Board Games
13:02 Dune: Imperium - The Rise of Ix
16:37 Gameplay and Mechanisms
38:52 Production and Theme
44:16 Memorable Moments
48:28 Final Thoughts
51:25 Cryo
58:56 Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum
1:04:28 Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest
1:10:28 Listener Shout-out

In Episode 78 we provide our hot take review of La Granja covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to thematic sci-fi IP based board games.

Chris presents a La Granja themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Blood Rage, Gaia Project, Pan Am, Ra, and Nidavellir.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:17 Poll: Thematic Sci-fi IP based games
08:24 La Granja Game Description
11:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms
26:42 Production and Theme
31:40 Memorable Moments
34:59 Final Thoughts
38:48 Themed Cocktail of the Week
40:57 Blood Rage and Gaia Project
44:31 Ra
50:47 Nidavellir
55:50 Pan Am
57:57 Listener Shout-out

In Episode 77 we provide our hot take review of Brass: Birmingham covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to board game bonuses.

Chris presents a Brass themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Ark Nova, Abandon All Artichokes, Art Decko, and Radlands and we give our future take of Legacy of Yu.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:34 News and Poll: Board Game Bonuses
08:10 Brass: Birmingham Description
10:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms
33:11 Production and Theme
37:40 Memorable Moments
43:14 Final Thoughts
47:25 Themed Cocktail of the Week
51:07 Ark Nova
53:50 Abandon All Artichokes
56:42 Art Decko
1:01:31 Radlands
1:02:19 Legacy of Yu

In Episode 76 we look back at the games we played in 2021 and talk about our biggest hits, and biggest missed in 2021.  This includes games that were published in 2021 but also games that were new to us in 2021.  We also talk about our Board Game Revelations - the things that changed gaming for us over the last year.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
3:23 Biggest Surprises in 2021
3:37 Chris - Keyflower, Gaia Project
7:00 Adam - Shamans
8:50 Jen - Camel Up
12:28 Tim - Smartphone, Inc., Shamans, The Expanse: The Board Game
15:06 Biggest Disappointment in 2021
15:34 Chris - Windward, AuZtralia
19:27 Adam - Cerebria, Outlive
22:03 Jen - Rajas of the Ganges
24:09 Tim - The Path of Light and Shadow, Obsession
25:19 Best New To Us in 2021
26:34 Chris - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
28:51 Adam - Smartphone, Inc.
30:52 Jen - Isle of Cats
34:09 Tim - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Paladins of the West Kingdom
36:48 Best Components of 2021
36:59 Chris - The Great Wall, Return to Dark Tower
40:00 Adam - Oath
41:40 Tim - Hadrian's Wall, Terraforming Mars: Big Box, Red Rising
48:27 Best Game of 2021
48:38 Chris - Cascadia
49:30 Jen - Cascadia
51:01 Adam - Ankh: Gods of Egypt
54:23 Tim - Ark Nova, Cascadia
58:16 Most Played Game of 2021
58:30 Chris - Welcome To..., Azul, Tapestry, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Terraforming Mars, Star Realms
1:00:07 Adam - Dune: Imperium
1:01:22 Jen - Quacks of Quedlinburg
1:04:44 Tim - Lost Ruins of Arnak, Quacks of Quedlinburg
1:06:50 Board Game Revelations in 2021

In Episode 75 we provide our hot take review of Merchants of the Dark Road covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to what makes legacy games feel special.

Then we discuss some games on our table including Azul, Tzolk'in, The Great Wall, Abyss, Seasons.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Poll: What makes a legacy game special?
11:45 Merchants of the Dark Road Description
13:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms
26:47 Production and Theme
31:33 Memorable Moments
39:50 Final Thoughts
44:35 Azul strategy discussion
52:31 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar - Double Take
56:40 Great Wall First Impressions
1:02:10 Abyss
1:04:07 Seasons

In Episode 74 we provide our hot take reviews of Welcome To... and Azul covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the games and we discuss a poll related to ideal board game playtimes.

Chris provides a Welcome To... themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Viticulture, Charterstone, and Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Poll: Board Game Playtimes
11:12 Welcome To... Description
13:04 Gameplay and Mechanisms
20:20 Production and Theme
23:30 Memorable Moments
26:48 Final Thoughts
30:30 Azul Description
32:17 Gameplay and Mechanisms
38:42 Production and Theme
43:45 Memorable Moments
47:55 Final Thoughts
55:10 Cocktail of the Week
58:36 Viticulture
1:00:16 Catan Junior
1:03:09 Charterstone
1:12:17 Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun

In Episode 73 we provide our hot take review of Ark Nova covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to board game strategy guides.

Then we discuss some games on our table including Targi, Viticulture, Welcome To..., Happy Little Dinosaurs, and Just Desserts.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:22 News and Poll: Board Game Strategy Guides
08:46 Description
10:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms
25:53 Production and Theme
35:57 Memorable Moments
39:14 Final Thoughts
44:56 Happy Little Dinosaurs
46:52 Welcome To...
48:38 Just Desserts
49:23 Viticulture
50:36 Targi

In Episode 72 we discuss the top 5 games we want to play but haven't gotten around to... yet.  We also look at our lists from last year and review whether we played them and how they landed for us.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction

Last Year
4:27 #5 Chris Last Year - Godspeed
6:00 #5 Jen Last Year - Rajas of the Ganges
7:00 #5 Tim Last Year - Res Arcana
8:25 #5 Adam Last Year - Fossilis
9:54 #4 Chris Last Year - Cthulhu Wars: Duel
10:54 #4 Jen Last Year - Whistle Stop
12:23 #4 Tim Last Year - Obsession
14:18 #4 Adam Last Year - Xia: Legends of a Drift System
15:45 #3 Chris Last Year - Dwellings of Eldervale
17:03 #3 Jen Last Year - Pan Am
17:40 #3 Tim Last Year - Manhattan Project: Energy Empire
18:09 #3 Adam Last Year - Canvas
18:52 #2 Chris and Adam Last Year - Imperium: The Contention
21:13 #2 Jen Last Year - Pandemic
22:40 #2 Tim Last Year - Concordia
23:44 #1 Chris Last Year - Disney: Villainous
25:33 #1 Jen Last Year - Castles of Tuscany
26:26 #1 Tim Last Year - Trajan
26:51 #1 Adam Last Year - Dune: Imperium

This Year
28:10 #5 Chris - Azul
30:00 #5 Jen - Welcome To...
32:04 #5 Tim - Tyrants of the Underdark / The Quest for El Dorado
34:57 #5 Adam - Cryo
36:32 #4 Chris - Rising Sun
40:18 #4 Jen - Kokopelli
42:44 #4 Tim - Rolling Realms
44:40 #4 Adam - Barrage
46:19 #3 Chris - Nemesis
48:15 #3 Jen - Viticulture
53:27 #3 Tim - Sleeping Gods
54:44 #3 Adam - Organism
56:36 #2 Chris - Radlands
59:21 #2 Jen - Catan
1:02:43 #2 Tim - Ark Nova
1:04:53 #2 Adam - Reef Encounter
1:06:34 #1 Chris - Golem
1:09:14 #1 - Jen - Calico
1:12:14 #1 - Tim - Clans of Caledonia
1:14:20 #1 - Adam - Brian Boru: High King of Ireland

In Episode 71 we provide our hot take review of Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to storing game expansions.

Chris discusses the Tzolk'in themed cocktail that wasn't and then we discuss some games on our table including Praga Caput Regni and the games we've been playing on Board Game Arena.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Poll: Storing Board Game Expansions
08:21 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar Description
10:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms
25:12 Production and Theme
29:52 Memorable Moments
34:55 Final Thoughts
39:25 Themed Cocktail of the Week
44:25 Board Game Arena
49:09 Praga Caput Regni

In Episode 70 we provide our hot take review of Keyflower covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to buying games that we first played online.

Chris provides a Keyflower themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Cascadia, Welcome To..., and Obsession.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Poll: Buying games after trying them online
08:25 Keyflower Description
10:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms
25:24 Production and Theme
33:17 Memorable Moments
41:41 Final Thoughts
48:38 Themed Cocktail of the Week
53:24 Obsession
54:39 Cascadia
59:30 Welcome To...

In Episode 69 we provide our hot take review of Root covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss a poll related to asymmetric board games.

Chris provides a Root themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Risk: Legacy, Azul, and Unsettled.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:29 Poll: Asymmetric Game Play
06:46 Root
08:49 Gameplay and Mechanisms
30:25 Production and Theme
43:55 Memorable Moments
49:26 Final Thoughts
57:46 Themed Cocktail of the Week
1:02:36 Azul
1:04:43 Risk: Legacy
1:12:28 Unsettled

In Episode 68 we discuss some of the reasons we cull board games from our collections and list 5 games that are leaving and why they aren't going to be sticking around.

We also discuss poll results on how frequently board games are culled.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Poll discussion around culling games
9:17 #5 Adam - Space Corp - 2025-2300AD
12:35 #5 Chris - Calico
15:15 #5 Tim - Wingspan
20:41 #4 Adam - Irish Gauge
22:35 #4 Chris - Lords of Hellas
26:27 #4 Tim - It's a Wonderful World / Maracaibo
29:36 #3 Adam - Android: Netrunner
33:48 #3 Chris - This War of Mine
35:54 #3 Tim - Empires of the Void II
39:02 #2 Adam - On Mars
43:11 #2 Chris - Marvel United
47:10 #2 Tim - Paper Dungeon
49:40 #1 Adam - Spirit Island
54:15 #1 Chris - Twisted Fables
58:20 #1 Tim - Fort
59:43 Culling Final Thoughts

In Episode 67 we provide our hot take review of Ankh: Gods of Egypt covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss our big 'renaming' and related poll results.

Chris provides an Ankh themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Keyflower, Bonfire, and Brian Boru: High King of Ireland.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Poll: Name Change?
04:21 Ankh: Gods of Egypt Description
06:20 Gameplay and Mechanisms
32:34 Production and Theme
39:38 Memorable Moments
43:38 Final Thoughts
49:17 Themed Cocktail of the Week
52:36 Keyflower
1:00:27 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland
1:05:51 Bonfire

In Episode 66 we provide our hot take review of Russian Railroads covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we discuss some poll results around abstract games.  

We then discuss some games on our table including Royal Visit, Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition, and Patchwork: Halloween Edition and then give our future takes on Age of Galaxy and the Arts and Architecture expansion for Tapestry.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Poll: Do you like abstract games
04:00 Russian Railroads Description
06:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms
20:56 Production and Theme
25:41 Memorable Moments
28:54 Final Thoughts
34:00 Royal Visit
37:24 Patchwork: Halloween Edition
38:37 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition 1:21:57
45:02 Age of Galaxy
49:13 Tapestry: Arts and Architecture

In Episode 65 we provide our hot take review of Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss a big change coming for Board Game Hot Takes and ask for your input.

We then discuss some games on our table including Paladins of the West Kingdom and the expansion for My Little Scythe - Pie in the Sky and then give our future takes on Brian Boru: High King of Ireland and Wayfarers of the South Tigris.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Big Changes Coming
05:00 Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy
07:36 Gameplay and Mechanisms
30:37 Production and Theme
40:17 Memorable Moments
46:48 Final Thoughts
51:56 Paladins of the West Kingdom
1:04:35 My Little Scythe: Pie in the Sky
1:21:57 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland
1:25:12 Wayfarers of the South Tigris

In Episode 64, we discuss the next 8 games that were played at TimCon where Tim, Adam, Chris, and Steve got together for 5 days of non-stop gaming!  We also discuss our biggest disappointments and biggest surprises out of the 22 games played from the entire weekend.

Games covered include Smartphone, Inc., Samurai, Tapestry, Cerebria, Shamans, Outlive, Anachrony, and The Mind.

Follow along as we share the TimCon Championship scoring for the weekend and announce the Champion!

Part 1 was released last week so if you haven't listened to that yet, go check it out!

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:57 Smartphone, Inc.
04:45 Samurai
11:07 Tapestry
15:36 Cerebria
24:13 Shamans
33:05 Outlive
41:41 Anachrony
49:07 TimCon 2021 Champion Announced!
49:45 The Mind
50:17 Games we missed
52:31 Biggest Disappointments
53:22 Biggest Surprises
 

In Episode 63, we discuss the first 14 games that were played at TimCon where Tim, Adam, Chris, and Steve got together for 5 days of non-stop gaming!

Games covered include Glen More II: Chronicles, Shards of Infinity, Gaia Project, High Society, Cubitos, Dominant Species, The Bridges of Shangri-La, Kabuto Sumo, The Expanse Board Game, Cascadia, Terraforming Mars, Aquatica, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy, and Scythe.

Follow along as we share the TimCon Championship scoring for the weekend.

Part 2 will be coming next week!

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:55 Glen More II: Chronicles
04:26 Shards of Infinity
08:26 Gaia Project
10:16 High Society
13:55 Cubitos
15:50 Dominant Species
22:18 The Bridges of Shangri-La
26:06 Kabuto Sumo
28:44 The Expanse Board Game
37:58 Cascadia
41:57 Terraforming Mars
49:01 Aquatica
55:51 Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy
1:06:22 Scythe

In Episode 62 we provide our hot take review of Robotech: Reconstruction covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss where we buy board games and some related poll results.

Chris provides a Robotech themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Azul and Glen More II and future takes on Azul: Queen's Garden and Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Poll: Upgrading board game components
04:40 Robotech: Reconstruction Description
07:50 Gameplay and Mechanisms
27:09 Production and Theme
45:42 Memorable Moments
53:51 Final Thoughts
1:01:13 Themed Cocktail of the Week
1:06:14 Azul
1:09:50 Azul: Queen's Garden
1:10:30 Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy
1:12:30 Glen More II: Chronicles

Bonus episode!  In Episode 61 we provide our hot take review of Fractal: Beyond the Void covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  

Then we compare Fractal: Beyond the Void to Voidfall (another epic 4x space game on Kickstarter right now) and discuss which one we preferred and which one each of us plans to back on Kickstarter.  If you want to hear our full thoughts on Voidfall, you can find our review in episode 60.

Sorry for the minor audio quality issues with Chris' audio track.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Fractal: Beyond the Void Description
03:37 Gameplay and Mechanisms
28:39 Production and Theme
36:10 Memorable Moments
42:00 Final Thoughts
44:20 Comparison to Voidfall

In Episode 60 we provide our hot take review of Voidfall covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game (as well as whether we plan to back it on Kickstarter).  We also discuss upgraded board game components and some related poll results.

Then we discuss some games on our table including The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged and Crimes in History: H. H. Holmes' Murder Castle.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Poll: Upgrading board game components
07:13 Voidfall Description
10:17 Gameplay and Mechanisms
43:19 Production and Theme
55:36 Memorable Moments
1:02:12 Final Thoughts
1:12:33 The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged
1:15:52 Crimes in History: H. H. Holmes' Murder Castle

In Episode 59 we provide our hot take review of Furnace covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss traveling with board games and some related poll results.

Chris provides a Furnace themed cocktail and then Tim goes deep on his experience with Cerebria: The Inside World.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Poll: Travelling with board games
05:26 Furnace Description
07:32 Gameplay and Mechanisms
28:12 Production and Theme
35:46 Memorable Moments
40:02 Final Thoughts
43:22 Themed Cocktail of the Week
48:26 Cerebria: The Inside World

In Episode 58 we discuss our top 5 incoming board game Kickstarters.

First, we discuss poll results on board game Kickstarters that haven't been delivered yet. 

Then we take a look at our top 5 incoming Kickstarters from last year (discussed in episode 6) and score them with a VERY SCIENTIFIC scoring method.

Finally, we look at our current top 5 incoming Kickstarters and discuss why we backed them and why we're excited about them.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:57 Poll: Undelivered Crowdfunded Game Count
7:06 2020 Kickstarter Scorecard
10:05 #5 Adam - High Frontier 4 All
11:09 #5 Chris - Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection
14:23 #5 Tim - It's a Wonderful World: Ascension
16:22 #4 Adam - Valhallamas
17:20 #4 Chris and Tim - Terraforming Mars: Big Box
18:42 #3 Adam - Imperium: The Contention
19:10 #3 Fossilis
20:09 #3 Frosthaven
21:33 #2 Adam - Capital Lux 2
23:09 #2 Chris - Return to Dark Tower
25:30 #2 Tim - Glen More II: The Highland Games
26:13 #1 Adam - Canvas
27:05 #1 Chris - Dawn of Madness
29:03 #1 Tim - Dwellings of Eldervale
30:37 2020 Scorecard Final Results
33:31 2021 Top 5 Incoming Board Game Kickstarters
33:57 #5 Chris - Hyperspace
36:14 #5 Tim - Artisans of Splendent Vale
40:32 #5 Adam - Cora Quest
41:36 #4 Chris - Canvas
43:20 #4 Tim - One Deck Galaxy
45:45 #4 Adam - They Live: Assault on Cable 54
48:03 #3 Chris - Distilled
49:38 #3 Tim - Paperback Adventures
51:45 #3 Adam - Chaosmos: The Temple
55:53 #2 Chris - Robot Quest: Arena
58:48 #2 Tim - Now or Never
1:00:33 #2 Adam - SHASN: AZADI
1:04:20 #1 Chris - The Great Wall
1:07:28 #1 Tim - Everdell: Newleaf and Mistwood and Complete Collection
1:12:20 #1 Adam - Fractal: Beyond the Void
1:18:39 Random Segue - Unconscious Mind
1:19:10 Kickstarter Final Thoughts

In Episode 57 we provide our hot take review of 7 Wonders covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also have a Battle of the Board between Gaia Project and Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy and discuss poll results on these 2 games.

Then we discuss some games we've been playing this week in our On The Table segment including This War of Mine, Kabuto Sumo, and Flamme Rouge and we look at some games that have our attention in our Future Takes segment including The Spill, and Shasn: Azadi.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Battle of the Board Poll: Gaia Project and Eclipse
07:18 7 Wonders Description
09:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms
25:28 Production and Theme
35:43 Memorable Moments
40:18 Final Thoughts
44:24 This War of Mine
57:26 Kabuto Sumo
1:02:29 Flamme Rouge
1:07:50 The Spill
1:13:37 Shasn: Azadi

In Episode 56 we provide our hot take review of Rococo covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss shelves of shame and poll results around this topic.

Then we discuss some games we've been playing this week in our On The Table segment including Nunami, Viticulture: Visit from the Rhine Valley, and Shamans and we look at some games that have our attention in our Future Takes segment including Earth Rising, Fractal: Beyond the Void, and This War of Mine.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Poll: Shelf of Shame size
09:40 Rococo Description
14:07 Gameplay and Mechanisms
39:45 Production and Theme
46:36 Memorable Moments
54:50 Final Thoughts
1:10:15 Cocktail of the Week
1:06:27 Isle of Cats
1:10:32 Nunami
1:18:10 Shamans
1:22:33 Viticulture: Visit from the Rhine Valley
1:28:37 Earth Rising: 20 Years to Transform Our World
1:29:11 Fractal: Beyond the Void
1:31:54 This War of Mine

In Episode 55 we provide our hot take review of Cascadia covering the mechanisms, the production, notable moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game and we make a lot of comparisons to a similar tile drafting and placement game by Flatout Games: Calico.  We also discuss different types of card games and poll results around this topic.

Then we discuss some games we've been playing this week in our On The Table segment including Battle for Rokugan, One Deck Dungeon, and Watergate and we look at some games that have our attention in our Future Takes segment including Nemesis, One Deck Galaxy, and the Dragon Prince: Battlecharged.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Poll: Favorite Type of Card Game
11:04 Cascadia Description
13:06 Gameplay and Mechanisms
24:07 Production and Theme
29:22 Memorable Moments
37:33 Final Thoughts
42:23 Cocktail of the Week
47:07 Battle for Rokugan
50:35 One Deck Dungeon
1:09:22 Watergate
1:19:19 Nemesis
1:24:35 One Deck Galaxy
1:25:31 Dragon Prince: Battlecharged

In Episode 54 we discuss solo board gaming and our picks for the top 5 solo board games.

Tim and Adam list off our top 5 solo games of all time and Chris discusses the top 5 solo games he thinks might get him into solo gaming.  We also discuss poll results around solo gaming.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Poll: Do you solo game?
8:51 #5 Tim - Underwater Cities
10:14 #5 Adam - Space Corp - 2025-2300AD
12:05 #5 Chris - This War of Mine
16:17 #4 Tim - Cthulhu: Death May Die
19:23 #4 Adam - Baseball Highlights: 2045
20:35 #4 Chris - Nemesis
26:43 #3  Tim - One Deck Dungeon
29:25 #3 Adam - Dune: Imperium
32:08 #3 Chris - Cthulhu: Death May Die
33:07 #2 Tim - Everdell
36:26 #2 Adam - Imperium: The Contention
38:36 #2 Chris - Return to Dark Tower
40:27 #1 Tim - Lost Ruins of Arnak
43:54 #1 Adam - Pax Pamir - 2nd Edition
46:23 #1 Chris - Dawn of Madness
49:17 Honorable Mentions - Smartphone, Inc., Nemo's War, Under Falling Skies, Gaia Project, Scythe, Tapestry, Mage Knight

Episode 53 is our 1 year anniversary episode!

we provide our hot take review of Aquatica covering the mechanisms, the production, noteworthy moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss poll results around re-buying games when a new edition is released.

Finally, we celebrate our 1 year anniversary by telling our origin story.  We talk about how the podcast got started and then each of our 5 hosts tell you how they got started with board games and answer a bunch of rapid fire questions about their board game past and present.

Thank you for listening for the last year!

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Poll: Re-buying games
06:36 Aquatica Description
09:37 Gameplay and Mechanisms
12:55 Production and Theme
17:45 Standout Moments
21:22 Final Thoughts
25:45 BGHT Origin Story
38:12 Jen Gaming Background
43:22 Tim Gaming Background
49:24 Adam Gaming Background
54:37 Steve Gaming Background
1:00:59 Chris Gaming Background
1:05:49 Rapid Fire Questions

In Episode 52 we provide our hot take review of Windward covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss our favorite premium board game components and discuss poll results around this topic.

Chris provides a Windward themed cocktail recipe then we discuss some games we've been playing this week including The Bears and The Bees, Qwirkle, and Shards of Infinity and some games we're excited about including Nunami, Earthborne Rangers, and Earth Rising: 20 Years to Transform our World.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Poll: Premium Board Game Components
10:14 Windward Description
12:39 Gameplay and Mechanisms
40:44 Production and Theme
47:50 Standout Moments
43:33 Final Thoughts
1:04:00 Cocktail Of The Week: Grog
1:07:30 The Bears and the Bees
1:09:11 Nunami
1:11:34 Earthborne Rangers
1:13:55 Earth Rising: 20 Years to Transform our World
1:16:28 Quirkle
1:17:05 Shards of Infinity

In Episode 51 we provide our hot take review of Smartphone, Inc. covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss overused themes in board games and discuss poll results around this topic.

Then we discuss some games we've been playing this week including Imperium: The Contention, Catan: Cities and Knights, and The Isle of Cats.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:37 Poll: Overused Themes in Board Games
05:30 Smartphone, Inc. Description
07:16 Gameplay and Mechanisms
21:55 Production and Theme
29:15 Favorite Moments
34:38 Final Thoughts
40:26 Imperium: The Contention
44:08 Catan: Cities and Knights
47:42 The Isle of Cats

In episode 50 we have a discussion on game tables, which features are important to us, and our personal experience with our own tables.

We also have a conversation about our dream game night - who would be there, what we'd play, where it would be, and all of the other things that would make the perfect game night for us.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Game Tables Conversation
43:16 The Perfect Game Night
44:55 Adam's Perfect Game Night
52:45 Chris' Perfect Game Night
1:06:25 Tim's Perfect Game Night
1:22:13 Goodbye to a Friend

In Episode 49 Chris and Tim discuss the 12 games that were played over a long weekend together.  Adam hangs out to chat with us about them.

The audio isn't great on this episode due to some technical issues but stick with us because we think you'll enjoy the conversation.

00:00 Introduction
03:04 Calico
13:02 Tapestry
16:06 Red Rising
22:09 Marvel: United
32:17 Sorry!
33:43 Zombie Kids Evolution
34:51 Terraforming Mars
39:49 Pendulum
54:33 Outlive
1:06:00 Fossilis
1:14:48 Viticulture
1:18:18 Disney Villainous

In Episode 48 we provide our hot take review of Obsession covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss our favorite ways to consume board game reviews and other media and discuss poll results around this topic.

Chris provides a recipe for an Obsession themed cocktail and finally we discuss some games we've been playing including Smartphone, Inc. and Viticulture: Tuscany.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Poll: Favorite Ways to hear Board Game Reviews
05:30 Obsession Description
09:07 Gameplay and Mechanisms
30:06 Production
38:20 Favorite Moments
43:22 Final Thoughts
51:45 Cocktail of the Week: Sherry Cobbler
55:45 Smartphone, Inc.
1:01:54 Viticulture: Tuscany

In Episode 47 we discuss our picks for the top 5 board games expansions!

Tim, Chris, and Adam list off our picks for the best expansions of all time.  We discuss how we feel about expansions, why publishers might release expansions, and why these are our picks for the best expansions.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:49 Poll: Favorite Type of Game
10:13 Expansions
18:30 #5 Chris - Villainous - All Expansions
22:41 #5 Adam - Race for the Galaxy - The Gathering Storm, Rebel vs Imperium, The Brink of War
24:25 #5 Tim - Underwater Cities - New Discoveries
29:37 #4 Chris - Terraforming Mars - Hellas and Elysium
31:38 #4 Adam - Terraforming Mars - Prelude
32:33 #4 Tim - Near and Far - Amber Mines
35:30 #3 Chris - Cthulhu: Death May Die - Season 2
40:02 #3 Adam - The Expanse Board Game - Doors and Corners
44:20 #3 Tim - Orleans - Trade and Intrigue
50:25 #2 Chris - Star Realms - All Expansions
56:25 #2 Adam - Xia - Embers of a Forsaken Star
59:06 #2 Tim - Scythe - Modular Board
1:03:57 #1 Chris - Scythe - The Rise of Fenris
1:08:45 #1 Adam - Star Wars: Rebellion - Rise of the Empire
1:10:48 #1 Tim - Jamaica - The Crew
1:14:25 Honorable Mentions

In Episode 46 we provide our hot take review of Kemet: Blood and Sand covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss our favorite places to play board games and discuss poll results around this topic.

Chris provides a recipe for a Kemet: Blood and Sand themed cocktail and finally we discuss some games we've been playing including Terraforming Mars: Colonies and some games we're excited about including Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Now or Never, and Lost Ruins of Arnak: Expedition Leaders.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Poll: Favorite Places to Play Board Games
06:22 Kemet: Blood and Sand Description
09:39 Gameplay and Mechanisms
39:51 Production
44:56 Favorite Moments
51:50 Final Thoughts
59:09 Cocktail of the Week: Blood and Sand
1:06:10 Terraforming Mars: Colonies
1:08:10 Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy
1:09:10 Now or Never
1:13:35 Lost Ruins of Arnak: Expedition Leaders

In Episode 45 we provide our hot take review of Power Grid covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss board game collection sizes and some of the thoughts our listeners have about their board game collections.

We also discuss some games we've been playing including 7 Wonders: Duel, Isle of Skye, Coloretto, The Mind, and Blokus Duo and some games we're excited about including Smartphone, Inc

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Poll: Board Game Collection Sizes
13:22 Power Grid Description
15:56 Gameplay and Mechanisms
43:15 Production
48:51 Favorite Moments
52:08 Final Thoughts
54:58 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King
57:42 The Mind
1:00:36 Smartphone, Inc.
1:02:30 7 Wonders: Duel
1:04:56 Coloretto
1:06:57 Blokus: Duo

In Episode 44 we provide our hot take review of Carpe Diem covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We also discuss why dry euro games may not fit for us all and compare Carpe Diem to Stefan Feld's most popular game with some similar mechanisms: Castles of Burgundy.

We also discuss some games we've been playing including Hearts, Manila, MicroMacro: Crime City, and Hadrian's Wall and some games we're excited about including Robot Quest Arena.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:10 Carpe Diem Description
03:43 Gameplay and Mechanisms
24:29 Production
27:22 Favorite Moments
31:44 Final Thoughts
35:50 Robot Quest Arena
37:22 Hearts
40:28 MicroMacro: Crime City
44:48 Hadrian's Wall
47:06 Manila

In Episode 43 we discuss our picks for the top 10 board games OF ALL TIME!

Tim, Chris, and Adam list off our picks for the best games of all time.  We discuss how we made those picks and if there were any surprises to us on our lists.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 How we made our picks
07:25 - #10
13:49 - #9
20:16 - #8
25:46 - #7
34:47 - #6
41:10 - #5
47:59 - #4
54:30 - #3
1:00:10 - #2
1:06:19 - #1
1:15:20 - Surprises on our lists

In Episode 42 we provide our hot take review of Rap Godz covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss some games we've been playing including Dice Throne, Doughnut Drive-Thru and Terraforming Mars and some games we're excited about including Paperback Adventures and AuZtralia.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:10 Rap Godz Description
03:03 Gameplay and Mechanisms
29:02 Production
29:16 Favorite Moments
35:46 Final Thoughts
44:51 Dice Throne
47:40 Doughnut Drive-Thru
49:17 AuZtralia
51:52 Terraforming Mars
52:42 Paperback Adventures

In Episode 41 we provide our hot take review of Lost Ruins of Arnak covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.  We briefly compare Lost Ruins of Arnak and Dune: Imperium to let you know which of these deck building/worker placement games we recommend.

We also discuss some games we've been playing including Power Grid and Take 5 and some games we're excited about including Oath, Witcher: The Old World, and Elder Scrolls.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Lost Ruins of Arnak description
03:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms
21:55 Lost Ruins of Arnak vs. Dune: Imperium
27:59 Production
37:28 Exciting Moments
41:51 Final Thoughts
47:00 Oath: Chronicles of Empires and Exile
48:50 Power Grid
51:30 Take 5
54:33 Elder Scrolls
55:58 The Witcher: Old World

In Episode 40 we provide our hot take review of AuZtralia covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss some games we've been playing including Kemet: Blood and Sand and Lost Ruins of Arnak and some games we're excited about including an expansion to Beyond the Sun and Twisted Fables.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:04 AuZtralia description
04:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms
42:55 Production
51:01 Exciting Moments
57:36 Final Thoughts
1:03:44 Kemet: Blood and Sand
1:07:02 Lost Ruins of Arnak
1:12:18 Beyond the Sun: Leaders of the Exodus expansion
1:14:00 Twisted Fables