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...
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 180
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 ...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 179
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? 0...
Jan 08, 2024•58 min•Ep. 178
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...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 177
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...
Dec 25, 2023•45 min•Ep. 176
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: ...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 175
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 t...
Dec 11, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 175
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?...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 173
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 S...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 172
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...
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 171
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 3...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 170
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...
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 169
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 T...
Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 168
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 Vi...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 167
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 ...
Oct 16, 2023•53 min•Ep. 166
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 ...
Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 165
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 ...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 164
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...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 163
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 ...
Sep 18, 2023•59 min•Ep. 162
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...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 161
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 ...
Sep 04, 2023•59 min•Ep. 160
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 sa...
Aug 28, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 159
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...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 158
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 ...
Aug 14, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 157
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...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 156
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: Legen...
Jul 31, 2023•57 min•Ep. 155
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...
Jul 24, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 154
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 D...
Jul 17, 2023•50 min
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...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 22 min
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...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 26 min
