In Episode 222 we give our hot take review on Let's Go To Japan covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Looot, Frozen Frontiers, and The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Let's Go To Japan Description 02:58 Gameplay and Mechanisms 19:10 Production and Theme 29:11 Final Thoughts 33:41 Looot 39:41 Frozen Frontiers 49:11 The Lord of the...

In Episode 221 we take a look at several games that have voting mechanisms or a theme based around voting. We also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Stamp Swap, Flamecraft, and Frozen Frontier. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 05:07 Top 3 Games with Voting 05:12 Werewords 10:19 Godspeed 15:06 Balderdash 18:27 Votes for Women 22:11 Blood on the Clocktower 27:11 The King's Dilemma 30:17 Lancaster 34:57 Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition 40:27 Hegemony: Lead Your...

In Episode 220 we take a look at games that offer outsized gameplay decisions for their relatively small set of rules. We also share our plans for BGG Con and where listeners can find us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 BGG Con 02:50 Games with Small Ruleset and Big Decision Space 07:24 Welcome To... 10:45 Capital Lux 2 13:32 Tapestry 17:35 Carcassonne 20:35 Skyrise 23:40 Turing Machine 26:42 Tiny Towns 30:06 Mycelia 33:55 7 Wonders Duel 38:05 Istanbul 40:44 Brian Boru:...

In Episode 219 we give our hot take review on Harvest covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on where your board game collection is in your house. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Unconscious Mind, Star Realms: Rise of Empire, and Apiary: Expanding the Hive. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:19 Poll: Is your board game collection displayed publicly in your house? 07:38 Harvest Description 09:07...

In Episode 218 we discuss the top incoming crowdfunded board games that each of us are excited to receive.  We also take a look back at last year's list to see what's been delivered and how they hit for us as well. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:19 Look back at 2023 Crowdfund episode 02:25 Wolves 03:54 Wonderland's War: Shards of Madness 05:53 Biohack 06:54 Star Realms: Rise of Empire 07:58 Cthulhu Death May Die: Fear of the Unknown 11:13 Galactic Renaissance 13:23 Teotihuacan:...

In Episode 217 we give our hot take review on March of the ants covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Boop and Tapestry Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:19 March of the Ants Description 05:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 27:43 Production and Theme 33:25 Final Thoughts 37:21 boop. 41:27 Tapestry If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at...

In Episode 216 we get nostalgic about the board games that sucked us into the hobby. We also discuss a poll about whether you still play the first game that got you into board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll: Do you still regularly play the board game that introduced you to the board game hobby? (7 Wonders, Ticket to Ride, Wingspan, Euphoria) 12:47 Guillotine (Magic: The Gathering) 17:46 SolarQuest (Tri-ominos, Mr. Big Mouth, Monopoly) 21:14 D&D: Computer Labyrinth...

In Episode 215 we give our hot take review on River of Gold covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on feelings about the huge amount of games being published. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Tikal, KMG, and Gems of Iridescia. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Does the huge number of board games available make you happy or stress you out? 05:30 River of Gold Description 06:00 Gameplay and...

In Episode 214 we dive deep on a whole bunch of our listener's board game queries. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Is there a point in a game where you should call it quits? 7:25 What are games you might enjoy more if the publisher added, removed, or changed one thing? 16:08 What games are you jealous of players experiencing for the first time? 30:58 Do good gamers make good game designers and vice versa? 36:32 Do you think you'll outgrow the hobby or slow down your current...

In Episode 213 we discuss our top 5 filler board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Top 5 Filler Games 06:54 Ticket to Ride: San Francisco 10:23 Pass the Pigs 16:22 Kingdomino 20:14 Imhotep 23:23 The Mind 28:43 Fantasy Realms 34:24 Can't Stop / Mountain Goats 38:40 Azul 42:47 Coloretto 45:25 7 Wonders Duel 52:20 Sea Salt & Paper 57:34 Onitama 59:49 Star Realms 1:07:04 Fantastic Factories 1:12:52 Strike 1:16:08 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please...

In Episode 212 we give our hot take review on Tikal covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on whose games you're playing. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Fractal: Beyond the Void, and 7 Wonders Duel. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Whose boardgames are you most often playing? 09:37 Tikal Description 10:36 Gameplay and Mechanisms 26:48 Production...

In Episode 211 we've gone back to the mailbag and answered our listener's questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:07 What mechanisms do each of you gravitate towards? 6:16 What are your feelings on board games becoming video games and vice versa? 15:48 What makes a good rulebook to you? 25:41 What games would you take on a trip that are appropriate to play outside? 30:33 What tactics have you used to get a non-gamer into board game night? 39:27 Describer your ideal 3 course board...

In Episode 210 we give our hot take review on Daybreak covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on quarterbacks in co-op games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Cat in the Box, and 7 Wonders Duel, and give a future take on Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Poll: Who's the quarterback when playing co-op games in our game...

In Episode 209 we discuss the Board Game Geeks Top 20 games. We also discuss a poll on whether you've been influenced to buy a game because it was high up on that ratings list. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Poll: Do you think a board game being in the Board Game Geek Top 20 ever influenced your decision to buy it? 07:35 Feature Discussion - Board Game Geek Top 20 Games. 58:24 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at...

In Episode 208 we discuss some of our biggest annoyances that some publishers do in regards to the production, components, or presentation of their board games. We look at games that have these problems but also games that we think solved those issues. We also discuss a poll on whether a past production issue would turn us off from future games by that publisher. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Poll: Has a production or component issue ever made you hesitate in buying another game...

In Episode 207 we give our hot take review on Luthier covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on publisher/designer behavior influencing your interest in buying games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Arcs: The Blighted Reach Expansion, Poetry for Neanderthals, and Sail. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Poll: Do the personalities (good or bad), political stances, or past business practices (good...

In Episode 206 we're joined by Arwen from the Cardboard Time Podcast to discuss the reasons that we decide to buy games. We discuss a poll on how much thought you put into a game before purchasing it. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:45 Poll: How much thought do you put into your choice to purchase a board game? 09:24 Why do we buy games? 10:13 Interactive puzzle 14:16 Easy teach with strong decision space 18:12 I've played it, I LOVE it, and I have a group to play it with 22:14...

In Episode 205 we revisit our hot takes on Arcs covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on traveling with games. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Captain Flip, Architects of the West Kingdom, and A Gest of Robin Hood. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Poll: When you travel on vacation, how many games do you bring with you? 08:24 Arcs Description 10:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:01 Production and...

In Episode 204 we conclude the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:29 Chris #10 Apiary 07:13 Adam #10 Battle for Rokugan 11:30 Tim #10 The Castles of Burgundy 13:25 Chris and Tim #9 Agricola 18:08 Adam #9 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt 21:37 Chris #8 - Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy 23:54 Tim #8 - Pulsar 2849 26:20 Adam #8 - Sol: Last Days of a Star 29:31 Chris #7 - A Feast for Odin 33:48 Adam #7 - Shamans 37:32 Tim...

In Episode 203 we continue the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:34 Chris #20 La Granja 03:58 Adam #20 Voidfall 06:32 Tim #20 Sea Salt & Paper 08:08 Chris #19 Darwin's Journey 11:28 Adam #19 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition / Arcs 15:09 Tim #19 - Tichu 16:01 Chris #18 - Blood Rage 18:28 Adam #18 - Baseball Highlights 2045 22:22 Tim #18 - The Voyages of Marco Polo / Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan 23:44...

In Episode 202 we continue the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Chris #30 Wolves 03:33 Adam #30 Star Wars: Rebellion 05:23 Tim #30 Grand Austria Hotel 08:56 Chris #29 Godspeed 12:24 Adam #29 - Blood Rage 13:55 Tim #29 - Rising Sun 15:21 Chris #28 - Yokohama 18:43 Adam #28 - Beyond the Sun 22:42 Tim #28 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 24:52 Chris #27 - Ark Nova 30:19 Adam #27 - Age of Galaxy 33:05 Tim...

In Episode 201 we start the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Top Games of All Time - How we made our lists 08:44 Chris #40 Battle for Rokugan 10:57 Adam #40 Brass: Birmingham 12:54 Tim #40 Rajas of the Ganges 14:47 Chris #39 - Castles of Burgundy 16:55 Adam #39 - Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game 20:22 Tim #39 - Voidfall 21:28 Chris #38 - Nidavellir 26:32 Adam #38 - Apiary 27:30 Tim #38 - Marrakesh 29:11...

In Episode 200 we provide our hot take review of D.E.I.: Divide et Impera covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss making the podcast after 200 episodes. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Hallertau and Kanban EV and a Future Take on Founders of Reyvick. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:08 Discussion: Episode 200! 05:58 D.E.I.: Divide et Impera Description 07:53 Gameplay and Mechanisms 17:08 Production and...

In Episode 199 we talk about types of games that don't get us excited... but we also reflect on why that is and talk about some games in those genres that have worked or might work for us. We also discuss a related poll on genres or types of board games that are an immediate turn off. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Are there any genres or types of board games that are an automatic turn off? 02:56 Game types that we're not into 05:47 Skirmish Games (Guards of Atlantis...