Hot Game Magnet: Board game reviews

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

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

In this week's episode I speak with Juli Bierwirth from Distant Rabbit Games, Mantis Falls. This was their first game and it launched on Kickstarter earlier this year, and made over $180,000! In this interview we discuss the game, and the Kickstarter. Juli is very honest and forthcoming with her information- so I hope you all learn something- even if it's just- 'hey yeah, social deduction games should work for only 2 people!' 

SIlly Shapes is the gateway game I was looking for to introduce my kids to gaming, as well youth that insist on playing U-no-what. In this episode I interview Benjamin Lannen, the creator behind Silly Shapes, a fun family game which integrates multiple game mechanics to create a mashed up fun party game. We discuss how the game came, all the mechanics and what to expect from his up and coming Kickstarter in October. This game has been thoroughly thought out, play tested and is SUPER fun. If you're interested check out his game at https://www.facebook.com/silly.shapes. 

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

In this week's episode I speak with Brian Fisher from Kickstarter game Boss Babe. This game is different than anything we've ever seen before. It isn't so much a game, it's more like a statement against multi-level marketing companies, and how they have taken a hold of some of our nearest and dearest. It's funny and it's satire and it's not at all heavy. I'm not sure if Brian is a genius or has just tripped too far down a rabbit hole, but this game might be just the gateway game that some of you all need to channel your energy from talking about shampoo to joining our board game table. The branding is slick and the punch line is on, so if you are looking to introduce someone special to a lifestyle of social interaction check this out. And if you're not interested, I suggest you listen anyway, as this is the edgiest show I've done. 

In this episode of Hot Game Magnet we interview the guys who made Syndicate, a 4x game where you get to play as a mafia organisation in the year 3105. A very specific year in the future because that's when organised crime challenges "The Sovereign". Greg and Josh tne creators of Syndicate leave nothing out! They explain everything from their creative process, the mechanics of the game, and how to have a super successful Kickstarter despite initial hiccups. If you are interested in backing Syndicate (yes there's still time) this episode is a must!

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

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

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

Soft Poached Hedgehogs is an up and coming card game involving you being a hedgehog Chef trying to add ingredients to bake enough recipes to win the game. Today I talk with the creator, Suzette Conrad who is currently in the early stages of development. It involves all the competitiveness of a great game coupled with cute woodland artwork and slightly 'questionable humour'. We talk about all the success and struggles Suzette is facing with getting her game to market. Soft Poached Hedgehogs is currently available for PnP. So you too can get this freshly baked treat.

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

Today's episode is very special because it's our 50th episode. Also, it is our very first interview. Today we talk with creator and comic Ray Cashman about his up and coming Power Slam card game. The artwork is high action with a cheesy 80's 90's pro wrestling feel. The game is easy to pick up and has a unique pin mechanic. When Justin and Alison met first met in Japan we used to watch hours of professional wrestling on tv as it was the only thing on that was in English, so Power Slam card game's theme really resonates with us. If you are feeling nostalgic too for some ring side action the Kickstarter is launching July 27, 2020.

In this episode of Hot Game Magnet we discuss our new favourite game Black Angel. This game from Pearl Games has been on our shelf since Christmas, but we have only just got it out. Black Angel the board game is a hand management worker placement game. You are playing as an AI on a space ship: the Black Angel. In the far flung future all of humanity is being ferried to our new planet. There are 4 AI's, representing different nations, competing to be the best at ushering said humanity to our new planet. The AI's job is to protect the sleeping remnants of humanity, making sure they arrive safely and protecting them from 3 different alien threats. The AI that does the best job, wakes up their faction first thus making them the ruler of the world. In this episode we discuss the art, the replay-ability, the components and anything else we can think of. This game is super photogenic, super fun and super crunchy. For more info listen to find out what we thought of it. 

Cyberpunk 2077: Gangs of Night City is a competitive game in which 1 to 4 players take on the role of ruthless gangs vying for control of the underground in the glittering hellhole that is Night City. Clash with other Gangs in the meat or on the Net, as your enterprising band of toughs seeks to gain dominance over the criminal underworld that rules the streets. Only the boldest will be remembered, and your Street Cred will pave your way to the top. This week in our special outdoor tropical edition of HotGameMagnet we talk about one of my top favorite games of 2024. Cyberpunk 2077: Gangs of Night City is a gritty futuristic slugfest of underworld crime and street level dominance. Control is fleeting and life is cheep. We loved the theme, art and color of this game. We were also very impressed by the amount of replayability that comes from the many modular elements as well as a very clever mission system. This is one of those games that so far my main gripe is that we don't have the time to play it more.  

It's been a long hiatus since our last episode but we are back and excited to bring you our latest boardgame reviews!  This week we talk about a game that is already a strong contender for my game of the year, Tokyo Highway Rainbow City! This game is based on Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway known for its distinctive metropolitan structure. Tokyo Highway has a unique design with no board and no game board spaces. Players compete to build roads across each other's highway and to place their cars. A unique architectural 3-dimensional space will be created on the table following the simple building guidelines. This fun and clever design is something we've come to expect from Japanese Game maker Itten games. Some of there previous titles include Crash Octopus and the fun brick series. These are all games that are worth checking out, and if you get the chance to grab one you should take it. They are not always easy to get, outside of Japan. We also have a good talk about two other games we played this week. Blokus and hand to hand wombat. Listen until the end if you would like to know how we felt about these games as well.  

Century: Golem Edition is a re-themed version of Century: Spice Road set in the world of Caravania. In Century: Golem Edition, players are caravan leaders who travel the famed golem road to deliver crystals to the far reaches of the world. We recently had the opertunity to play this popular reimplementation of Century: Spice Road from Plan B games.  We had the chance to play more than a few games at the time but we chose to play Century: Golem more because it's a very fun game. The Mechanics, which are exactly the same as Century: Spice Road, are well designed and elegent. The theme and components are what took the game a step above for us. It's beautifully illustrated and well crafted with colorful "gems" and great inserts for easy set up. Having played it we love it, but is it worthy of a spot in our collection? Listen to our Century: Golem Edition Review to find out.

When visiting the North of Britannia in 122 AD, the Roman Emperor Hadrian Augustus witnessed the aftermath of war between his armies and the savage Picts. In a show of Roman might, he ordered a wall to be built that would separate the Pict tribes from the rest of England. Grand in its design, the wall stretched 80 Roman miles, from coast to coast. In the game, Hadrian's Wall from garphill games and Bobby Hill with art by Sam Phillips, it's your job to spend 6 years building and improving a 1-mile section of the impressive megastructure. each year you receive resources which you must spend wisely to make your mile castle prosper and repel the pictish attacks. Although it is an intimidating game out of the box it is quick to learn and forgiving despite its complexity. If you enjoy games such as Dinosaur Island Roar and Write, or Raiders of Scythia this game might just be the perfect addition to your collection. 

This week we talk about and do our Marvel Dice Throne Review. We've been playing this one for a few weeks after I found it on sale in EB Games. I've kind of wanted this one for a while because I've heard good things about Dice Throne, and I like Marvel stuff. Alison was not so keen on the Marvel stuff, but it is fun to compare the mechanics between this and similarly themed Games.  In Marvel Dice Throne, you become one of eight of Marvel's most famous heroes, including Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Loki, Thor, Doctor Strange, and Miles Morales Spider-man! We actually only played with Scarlet Witch, Loki, Thor, and Miles Morales Spider-man since the other four characters are sold seperately. That bieng said, we have had plenty of fun with just them. Is Marvel Dice Throne fun? Absolutely. Is it better than the other Marvel themed games that we have played? Listen to our Marvel Dice Throne Review to find out what we thought.

Wow! 2023 is already almost over. The Holidays are on, and the new year is just around the corner. It has been a great year for us at HotGameMagnet. We got to play so many fantastic games. In fact, if i had any complaint it's just that we didn't have enough time to play every game all of the time. I guess that's somewhat unrealistic. Actually, I have another complaint. It was really hard to go through all the games that we played this year and pic only a few favorites. Let alone our top game of 2023! It took us a while but we managed to narrow down the list to a few absolute dynamite selections. These games were jsut amazing, but we can only pic one game of the year each. I wonder if you can guess which was my favorite.  Listen now to find out!