Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 286 we cover 5 board game expansions each that are (almost) mandatory.00:00 Introduction01:45 Board game expansions we won't play without03:31 Look back at Top 5 Board Game Expansions from Episode 4710:17 Roll Player - Monsters and Minions15:02 Agricola - Belgium, France, Gamer's Deck, etc.19:43 Radlands - Cult of Chrome22:05 Thunder Road: Vendetta - Choppe Shoppe24:36 Blood Rage - Kickstarter Exclusive Monsters29:04 Stockpile - Continuing Corruption31:04 The Castles of Burgundy - Trade Routes34:51 Obsession - Upstairs, Downstairs38:36 Chaosmos - The Temple42:16 Downforce - Danger Circuit, Wild Ride46:07 Tapestry - Plans and Ploys50:20 Gaia Project - The Lost Fleet53:13 Fantastic Factories - Manufactions55:12 Dune: Imperium - Rise of Ix59:33 March of the Ants: Evolved Editions - Predators and PreyIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 285 we give our hot take review on The Old King's Crown covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We talk about the BGG Hall of Fame inductee, For Sale, and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Reforest, Biblios, and Subjective.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:21 BGG Hall of Fame: For Sale05:40 The Old King's Crown Description08:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms33:50 Production and Theme38:52 Final Thoughts46:20 Echoes of Time48:22 Reforest53:06 Dead Cells54:25 Biblios58:53 Subjective1:04:25 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 284 we give our hot take review on Echoes of Time covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We cover a poll on motivations to engage with the board game hobby and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Sanctuary and Fearsome Floors and a first look at some games that have recently arrived including Chaosmos: The Temple and Speakeasy.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:21 Poll: What is your primary motivation for being a part of the board gaming hobby?09:18 Echoes of Time Description10:57 Gameplay and Mechanisms27:08 Production and Theme37:26 Final Thoughts47:00 Sanctuary56:06 Recent Arrivals: Chaosmos: The Temple and Speakeasy59:51 Fearsome FloorsIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 284 we take a look back at 2025 and discuss some of the great (and no so great) games we played last year. Most of them were even published last year.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction2:27 Biggest Surprises in 2025 (Dead Cells, Hot Streak, Slay the Spire: The Board Game)16:45 Biggest Disappointments in 2025 (Wroth, Scoville 2nd Edition, SETI: Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence)25:04 Best New to Us in 2025 (Lords of Vegas, Thurn and Taxis, Crokinole, Nokosu Dice)30:23 Best Production Published in 2025 (Hot Streak, March of the Ants Evolved Edition, Stupor Mundi)36:51 Lookback at Best Games of 2024 (Unconscious Mind, Fromage, Civolution)40:35 Best Games of 2025 (March of the Ants Evolved Edition, Luthier, Moon Colony Bloodbath)48:40 Board Game ResolutionsIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 282 we discuss the current state of the hobby and if it's the best it's ever been. Are we in peak board gaming? Where do we go from here? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 281 we look back at the games we played once for the first time in 2025. Great games and we want to play them more. We briefly look at last year's list and see how we did.00:00 Introduction04:24 Last Year's List04:34 Luthier05:04 Marrakesh05:21 Dune06:12 Unconscious Mind07:25 Thunder Road: Vendetta08:27 Lancaster09:44 Dune: Imperium Uprising (6 Player)09:53 Biohack10:01 Ceres10:39 March of the Ants11:36 Clockwork Wars12:38 Hallertau12:55 Walnut Grove15:01 Black Forest15:42 Endeavor: Deep Sea16: 32 Top 5 Games We Only Played Once in 202516:44 Moon Colony Bloodbath20:14 Modern Art23:45 Crokinole27:56 Chaosmos30:51 Frozen Frontier32:30 Rebirth34:34 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire36:27 Stroganov39:35 SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence41:17 Crystal Palace43:57 Ada's DreamIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 280 we look back at last year's list of games we wanted to get played and then we discuss the games that are top of mind we hope to get to try over the next year.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:12 Last Year's Top 5 we wanted to play in 2025 (and how we did)02:21 Civolution 05:40 Joyrides: Survival of the Fastest06:08 Wroth06:32 SETI: Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence09:58 Dune: War for Arrakis10:48 Windmill Valley12:21 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth13:46 Endeavor: Deep Sea15:18 Resafa16:05 Andromeda's Edge / Rock Hard: 197717:26 World Order18:47 Wondrous Creatures19:44 Rats of Wistar21:35 Power Vaccuum22:40 Top 5 Games we want to play in 202622:40 Coming of Age25:04 Primacy: A Coyote and Crow Card Game29:31 Eternal Decks34:12 Echoes of Time38:55 Lords of Baseball41:33 Everdell: Silverfrost43:54 Burn the Fort48:57 Rise and Fall52:08 Ants54:15 Rebuilding Seattle1:00:33 Unicorn Fever1:03:20 Sanctuary1:09:03 Speakeasy1:12:42 Ayar: Children of the SunIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 279 we give our hot take review on Ada's Dream covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We cover a poll on Multi-player Solitaire board games and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Lords of Vegas, Ticket to Ride, and Nokosu Dice.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:25 Poll: How do you feel about 'Multi-player Solitaire' Games?15:19 Ada's Dream Description18:06 Gameplay and Mechanisms38:58 Production and Theme48:51 Final Thoughts1:00:42 Lords of Vegas1:06:13 Ticket to Ride1:08:11 Nokosu DiceIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 278 we discuss the top 5 games that each of us thinks will be a big hit for families of all types (family gatherings, gaming with kids, etc.)Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:12 Top 5 Family Board Games07:50 Flip 710:55 Skull14:39 Cheeky Monkey /Can't Stop / Viking See-Saw20:39 Sushi Go23:13 No Thanks27:28 Camel Up / Hot Streak31:22 King of Tokyo34:44 Balderdash38:31 Ticket to Ride42:45 Unlock / Exit (Escape Room in a Box Games)49:31 Dino Battle: Logical Game52:38 Robot Quest Arena / My Little Scythe57:31 Quacks1:00:51 Survive the Island1:06:02 Return to Dark Tower / Slay the Spire1:10:55 Honorable Mentions: Crokinole, Tripole, Love Letter, Kingdomino, Bot Factory1:14:40 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 277 we discuss why and how we rate board games on BGG and run through each of the rating levels, how they're described on BGG, and provide samples of our ratings at each level. We also discuss a poll about rating board games on BGG.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:29 Poll Time: Do you rate games on BoardGameGeek?7:42 BGG Ratings Topic Introduction9:40 1 - Awful Defies Game Description15:34 2 - Very Bad, Won't Play Ever Again19:30 3 - Bad, Likely Won't Play This Again23:24 4 - Not So Good, But Could Play Again27:51 5 - Mediocre, Take It Or Leave It32:34 6 - OK, Will Play If In The Mood38:05 7 - Good, Usually Willing To Play42:47 8 - Very Good, Enjoy Playing And Would Suggest It47:59 9 - Excellent, Very Much Enjoy Playing53:27 10 - Outstanding, Will Always Enjoy Playing57:32 Final ThoughtsIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 276 we give our hot take review on Joy Ride: Survival of the Fastest covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We cover a poll on board game convention attendance and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Stroganov and Origin Story and a future take on Otter Chaos.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction03:28 Poll: How many board game conventions did you attend in the last twelve months?11:10 Joyride: Survival of the Fastest Description13:43 Gameplay and Mechanisms26:08 Production and Theme34:46 Final Thoughts44:45 Stroganov51:09 Origin Story1:09:24 Future Take: Why I Otter, An Otter Won, Otter ChaosIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 275 we return to the mailbag and answer a bunch of our listener's board game related questions.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction1:31 What are some of your go-to games for groups that have varying levels of gamers?9:55 What are the parts of this hobby that annoy you the most?13:16 What do you think are the biggest omissions from BGHT feature reviews?17:36 What is your most played board game (in person)?21:27 How do you decide between the urge to play something you know you like versus the obligation to play something new?27:07 Are there groups of family or friends you don't bring out games for or to?30:40 What are your forever games?36:09 Which games make you feel clever?46:12 Can you detail your current game groups?55:53 Do you have any house rules you use?58:55 Words of advice for a weekend gaming event inspired by BGHT cons?If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakesJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 274 we give our hot take review on Galactic Cruise covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We cover a poll on board game productions and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Demoniac, Rebirth, Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein, and Thurn and Taxis.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:20 Poll: Which production element is more likely to get you excited about a board game?06:36 Galactic Cruise Description09:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms36:14 Production and Theme41:43 Final Thoughts48:15 Demoniac52:53 Rebirth1:00:20 Thurn and Taxis1:05:33 Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein1:14:02 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 273 we discuss competition and specifically what we think is healthy competition. We also discuss a poll about cheating in tabletop games.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:29 Poll Time: Have you ever experienced intentional cheating when playing a tabletop game?5:59 Competition: General Thoughts9:19 What creates healthy competition?18:48 How has our competitiveness evolved over time?29:41 How do different games illicit a different competitiveness in you?49:02 How does your preferred competition level influence your preferred game choices?54:05 Final ThoughtsIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 272 we discuss the top 5 board game designers that are represented on our game shelves.01:02 Corrections (Creature Comforts and Distilled: Cask Strength)06:32 Poll: How does it make you feel when a reviewer messes up a rule?12:25 Top 5 Board Game Designers on our Shelves16:54 Cole Wehrle (Pax Pamir 2nd Edition, Arcs, John Company 2nd Edition)19:26 Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, The Fox Experiment)20:58 Adam Kwapinski (Lords of Hellas, Lords of Ragnarok, Nemesis)22:44 Bruno Cathala (Sea Salt & Paper, Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth, Cyclades: Legendary Edition)23:53 Prospero Hall (Pan Am, Top Gun: The Board Game, Horrified)25:44 Eric Lang (Blood Rage, Cthulhu: Death May Die, Rising Sun)29:12 Tim Eisner (March of the Ants, Wonderland's War)32:23 Paul Dennen (Clank! In! Space!, Clank! Legacy, Dune: Imperium - Uprising)35:19 Vladimir Suchy (Underwater Cities, Pulsar 2849, Woodcraft)38:11 John Perry (Hot Streak, Air Land & Sea, Spots)40:57 Simone Luciani (Annunaki: Dawn of the Gods, Barrage, Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Rats of Wistar)43:24 Jamey Stegmaier (Tapestry, Viticulture, Scythe, Vantage, Origin Story)44:47 Stefan Feld (Castles of Burgundy, Marrakesh, Notre Dame, Civolution)48:23 Reiner Knizia (Modern Art: The Card Game, Royal Visit, High Society, The Quest for El Dorado, Rebirth)51:42 Jamey Stegmaier (Tapestry, Viticulture, Expeditions, Red Rising)53:35 Rob Daviou (Cthulhu: Death May Die, Pandemic Legacy, Return to Dark Tower, Thunder Road: Vendetta)56:34 Simone Luciani (Darwin's Journey, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Nucleum, Tzok'in: The Mayan Calendar, Etherstone)If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 271 we give our hot take review on Cosmic Frog covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We also talk about some games that have been on our tables including Creature Comforts, That Time You Killed Me, and March of the Ants.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:29 Cosmic Frog Description02:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms26:24 Production and Theme30:55 Final Thoughts36:06 Creature Comforts49:05 That Time You Killed Me54:41 March of the Ants1:06:22 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 270 we take a look at three retro board games that got us into the hobby with mini reviews of each - D&D Computer Labyrinth Game, Solarquest, and Guillotine.We also discuss a poll topic on how important it is that board games are 'fun' and whether fun is a useful term when discussing or reviewing board games.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:44 Poll Time: Is 'Fun' important to you when playing board games AND is fun a useful term to use when discussing board games.11:58 Retro Board Games15:42 Dungeons & Dragons Computer Labyrinth Game30:50 Solarquest47:19 GuillotineIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

In Episode 269 we discuss all of the games (and many expansions) played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Government Camp, Oregon.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:24 Obsession: Characters Expansion10:51 Terraforming Mars: Prelude14:26 Pan Am18:30 Barrage21:23 Distilled: Cask Strength AND Africa and Middle East Expansion28:36 Dune: Imperium - Uprising32:42 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King36:55 Blood Rage: Gods of Asgard43:50 Rant! - Blood Rage: Valhalla52:53 CampCon Final Thoughts56:29 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 268 we give our hot take review on The Game Makers covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We discuss a listener question on best 2 player mid-weight Euro style games, and then we talk about some games that have been on our tables including Age of Comics, Pagan: Fate of Roanoke, and Arborea.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:43 Patreon Question: Best mid-weight Euro game at 2 players?10:38 The Game Makers Description12:49 Gameplay and Mechanisms28:05 Production and Theme26:25 Final Thoughts45:00 Age of Comics: The Golden Years53:14 Arborea54:48 Pagan: Fate of Roanoke1:02:33 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 267 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Government Camp, Oregon.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction06:02 The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth10:44 Hot Streak16:21 Tycoon: India 198125:42 Cascadia27:34 Scoville 2nd Edition33:36 Darwin's Journey40:02 Wroth44:06 Wonderland's War48:20 Vantage1:03:37 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd