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 Cla...
Nov 28, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 120
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...
Nov 21, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 119
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...
Nov 14, 2022•59 min•Ep. 118
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...
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 117
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, Tu...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 116
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...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 115
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 i...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 114
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...
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 113
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 14:1...
Oct 03, 2022•2 hr 33 min•Ep. 112
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 ...
Sep 26, 2022•2 hr 47 min•Ep. 111
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...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 110
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 ...
Sep 12, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 109
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 - Coyo...
Sep 05, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 108
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:...
Aug 29, 2022•2 hr 36 min•Ep. 107
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 Mechani...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 106
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 ...
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 105
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...
Aug 08, 2022•2 hr 38 min•Ep. 104
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 Game...
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 103
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...
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 12 min
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:...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 101
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...
Jul 11, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 100
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 ...
Jul 04, 2022•1 hr 20 min
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 -...
Jun 27, 2022•2 hr 38 min•Ep. 98
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 #...
Jun 20, 2022•2 hr 39 min•Ep. 97
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 ...
Jun 13, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 96
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...
Jun 06, 2022•1 hr 9 min
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 54:2...
May 30, 2022•1 hr 22 min
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...
May 23, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 93
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...
May 16, 2022•53 min•Ep. 92
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...
May 09, 2022•2 hr 41 min
