Board Game Hot Takes

In episode 173, we answer listeners questions in our first ever mailbag episode. Then we discuss some games that have been on our table including Ark Nova: Marine Worlds, Planet Unknown, Azul, and Agricola. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:52 What games or mechanisms have we switched our opinion on? 08:16 What are our thoughts on updated versions or sequels to games? 21:09 What are some of our other hobbies and do they tie back to board games? 26:21 If we could retheme a game, what would it be? 34:21 What makes a good rules teacher or teach? 42:53 What do we think of Tabletop Simulator vs. Board Game Arena 50:37 Planet Unkown 55:59 Ark Nova: Marine Worlds 1:03:14 Azul 1:04:55 Agricola 1:09:15 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 172 Tim discusses his 5 days spent at BGG Con 2023 including tips about attending a con, con experiences and many games played. We also discuss a poll about favorite gaming experiences. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:54 Poll Question: If you've ever attended a board game convention, what was your favorite part? 20:04 Sea Salt & Paper 21:22 Matryoshka 23:42 Evacuation 32:00 Voidfall 39:54 Nucleum 44:04 Dune: Imperium w/ Rise of Ix and Immortality 45:51 Fun Facts 48:51 Word Slam Family 49:38 Challengers! 51:06 Outlive 52:03 Summoner Wars 54:25 Age of Innovation 55:50 Ricochet Robots 58:25 Letter Jam 1:01:33 Federation 1:03:39 Clank! Catacombs 1:05:09 Scythe 1:09:34 Arboretum 1:12:10 Kutna Hora: The City of Silver 1:17:30 BGG Con Final Thoughts 1:25:20 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 171 we conclude our series about how board games can use the same structure as a story and give you a similar arc. In this fourth part we talk about games that have a great conclusion. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Board Games as Stories - conclusion 04:20 Lacrimosa 06:40 Keyflower 10:29 Star Wars: Rebellion 14: 30 Paperback Adventures 18:49 Charterstone 24:36 Dune 28:42 Everdell 30:35 Scythe 32:15 Cascadia 36:58 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization 41:22 Frosthaven 45:58 Return to Dark Tower 49:15 Shamans 53:07 Fantasy Realms 58:00 Tapestry 62:52 Dune: Imperium 1:05:45 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 170 we provide our hot take review of Age of Innovation covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on gaming with your partner/spouse and then we discuss some board games on our table including Trekking Through History, Marvel Champions, and Heat: Pedal to the Metal. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Poll: Is your partner/spouse part of your regular gaming group 09:30 Age of Innovation Description 10:44 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:06 Production and Theme 38:18 Final Thoughts 43:19 Trekking Through History 49:37 Marvel Champions 55:31 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 58:49 Listener Shout-out

In Episode 169 we continue our series about how board games can use the same structure as a story and give you a similar arc. In this third part we talk about games that have a great climax. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction03:08 Board Games as Stories - Climax08:15 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar11:55 Baseball Highlights 204515:38 Blood Rage18:10 Rising Sun21:10 Wonderland's War23:53 Can't Stop25:40 My Father's Work29:59 Sol: Last Days of a Star32:33 Clank!36:46 Heat: Petal to the Metal, Downforce41:18 Dune: Imperium45:11 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy47:50 Cryo53:03 Pax Pamir: Second Edition 57:18 Scythe 1:01:33 Final Thoughts (Cthulhu: Death May Die, Frosthaven, Gloomhaven, Arkham Horror: The Card Game, Dune, Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Star Realms, Shards of Infinity, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game)1:06:14 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 168 we look at some recommended tips for game night etiquette and discuss whether those work for us. We also re-visit the Castles of Burgundy and discuss how some games make it hard to revisit them and then we look at some games that have been on our table including Oath: Chronicles of Empires and Exile, Challengers, Pulsar 2849, and The White Castle. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:35 Poll Question: Skipping Game Night Based on the Game09:11 Board Game Etiquette Discussion31:30 The Castles of Burgundy Double Take44:02 Oath: Chronicles of Empires and Exile53:59 Challengers57:12 Pulsar 28491:01:09 The White Castle

In Episode 167 we continue our series about how board games can use the same structure as a story and give you a similar arc. In this second part we talk about games that do the 'build-up' or development well. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction03:38 Board Games as Stories12:27 Pan Am16:56 Space Base22:38 Auztralia25:52 Anachrony28:43 Brass: Birmingham31:56 Final Girl35:43 Marrakesh38:41 Ankh: Gods of Egypt42:33 Star Wars: Rebellion45:55 Revive50:20 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory54:56 Root58:55 Orleans1:02:31 Final Thoughts (Spirit Island, Smartphone, Inc., Nemesis, Terraforming Mars, Lost Ruins of Arnak)1:05:56 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 166 we provide our hot take review of Nucleum covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. Then we discuss some board games on our table including the Viticulture Wine Crate, Tacocat Spelled Backwards, and Vagrantsong. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:56 Nucleum Description04:38 Gameplay and Mechanisms22:40 Production and Theme28:14 Final Thoughts31:00 Viticulture Wine Crate (Review Copy provided by the Publisher)36:20 Tacocat Spelled Backwards42:53 Vagrantsong49:58 Listener Shout-out

In Episode 165 we kickoff a series about how board games can use the same structure as a story and give you a similar arc. In the first part we talk about games that do the 'Intro' well. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:21 Board Games as Stories06:33 Cthulhu: Death May Die10:17 Inis15:25 Agricola18:25 Distilled22:28 Battle for Rokugan26:08 Res Arcana29:54 Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon33:59 Azul39:57 Voidfall44:56 Obsession49:43 Spades (and Hearts)53:41 Terraforming Mars56:40 Nemesis1:02:24 Barrage1:05:22 Gaia Project1:08:50 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 164 we provide our hot take review of Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll related to what makes a civilization game. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Best Candy on the Block, After Us, and Barcelona. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:27 Poll: Are there certain aspects that are necessary to call a game a civilization game?07:51 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization Description10:14 Gameplay and Mechanisms30:42 Production and Theme38:13 Final Thoughts43:00 Best Candy on the Block47:03 After Us52:22 Barcelona57:10 Listener Shout-out

In Episode 163 we discuss the second half of our semi-annual BGHT convention. 4 gamers, 5 days, 18 games played. In this episode we discuss 10 of those games including several that were new to us. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:02 Robot Quest Arena09:56 Woodcraft17:29 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland22:10 Downforce26:37 Nemesis35:00 My Father's Work39:32 Distilled52:40 Viticulture w/ Tuscany59:25 Motor City1:03:09 Outlive1:06:34 Final Thoughts

In Episode 162 we discuss the first half of our semi-annual BGHT convention. 4 gamers, 5 days, 18 games played. In this episode we discuss 8 of those games including several that were new to us. We kick it off by discussing what goes into planning a successful gaming weekend. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:51 How do we plan and organize BGHTCon?10:08 The Quacks of Quedlinburg15:36 Cat in the Box19:28 Terraforming Mars25:36 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy31:52 Lords of Ragnarok41:55 Wingspan w/ Oceania Expansion44:25 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set49:10 The Battle for Rokugan56:07 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 161 we discuss the top 5 incoming crowdfunded board games that each of us are excited to receive.  We take a look back at last year's list to see what's been delivered and how they hit for us as well. We also discuss a poll on crowdfunding regrets. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:38 Poll: Do you have any incoming crowdfunded board games that you haven't received but regret backing?10:31 Look back at 2022 Crowdfund episode10:48 Ra11:25 Red Dust Rebellion11:59 Distilled12:30 Wayfarers of the South Tigris13:10 One Deck Galaxy13:43 Voidfall16:20 Star Realms: Rise of Empires16:32 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies17:10 Arcs17:43 Lords of Ragnarok18:37 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set20:00 Skyrise21:03 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 321:25 Dawn of Madness23:43 Wolves25:02 Wonderland's War: Shards of Madness26:47 Envelopes of Cash27:39 Biohack30:30 Star Realms: Rise of Empire32:07 Cthulhu: Death May Die - Fear of the Unknown34:54 Galactic Renaissance37:19 Teotihuacan: Deluxe Master Set39:43 Arcs41:01 Star Tycoon44:37 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 347:22 Witchcraft!48:51 Ceres53:35 The Fox Experiment56:12 Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs58:16 Frozen Frontier1:00:46 Final Thoughts1:09:19 Tycoon: India 19811:31:50 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 160 we provide our hot take review of Spirit Island covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also celebrate our 3 year anniversary of the podcast by sharing some of our listener's favorite episodes. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Lancaster and Lords of Ragnarok. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:23 3 year anniversary! Listener's favorite episodes08:18 Expeditions Description17:10 Gameplay and Mechanisms34:27 Production and Theme40:00 Final Thoughts47:36 Lancaster53:39 Lords of Ragnarok56:31 Listener Shout-out

In Episode 159 we provide our hot take review of Expeditions covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about whether games set in the same universe as other games you like will get you excited. Then we discuss some board games on our table including Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy, Pax Pamir: Second Edition, and Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:27 Poll: How do you feel about games set in the same universe as a previous game that you liked by that publisher or designer?08:18 Expeditions Description11:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms32:51 Production and Theme41:45 Final Thoughts50:03 Amun-Re50:29 Pax Pamir (2nd Edition)52:38 Castles of Burgundy Deluxe Edition

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

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

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

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

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