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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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:...

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...

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 Introduction00:42 Poll: What's the longest single play you've had in a board game?06:17 Danielle and Sarah's Top 5 Games06:45 Danielle #5 -...

In Episode 152 we finish the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:42 Top Games of All Time03:21 Tim #10 The Castles of Burgundy05:26 Adam #10 Blood Rage07:20 Chris #10 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar10:55 Tim #9 Agricola: Revised Edition13:06 Adam #9 Barrage15:50 Chris #9 Terraforming Mars19:02 Tim #8 Ark Nova21:14 Adam #8 Rising Sun24:47 Chris #8 Ark Nova27:45 Tim #7 Wonderland's War31:23 Adam #7 Star Wars Rebellion33:53 Chris #7...

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 Introduction00:47 Poll: How important is balance to you in a board game?08:09 Top Games of All Time08:22 Adam #20 Capital Lux 2: Generations10:06 Chris #20 Viticulture Essential Edition13:12 Tim #20 Beyond the Sun15:42 Adam #19 Abducktion18:39 Chris #19 Agricola21:16 Tim #19 La Granja23:13 Adam #18 Shamans25:21...

In Episode 150 we continue the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. We also discuss a poll on looking for game stores when travelling. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:50 Poll: Do you seek out game stores or when you travel to no cities?09:03 Top Games of All Time09:15 Chris #30 Star Wars: The Deck Building Game13:19 Tim #30 Frosthaven16:20 Adam #30 Sol: Last Days of a Star18:50 Chris #29 Clank! In! Space!22:22 Tim #29 Magic: The Gathering25:53 Adam #29 Ghosts...

In Episode 149 we start the countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. We also discuss a poll on expressing your board game love in public. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:14 Poll: How do you express your board game love in public?09:18 Top Games of All Time15:20 Tim #40 and honorable mentions - Tiletum, Woodcraft, Darwin's Journey, Arkham Horror: The Card Game19:25 Adam #40 and honorable mentions - Dune, La Granja, Air, Land, and Sea, Sentient, Distilled, High...

In Episode 148 we provide our hot take review of Darwin's Journey covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about receiving board games with missing or damaged components. Chris provides a Darwin's Journey themed cocktail and then we discuss some board games on our table including Abducktion and Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:41 Poll: Have you ever opened a new copy of a board...

In Episode 147 we provide our hot take reviews of Heat: Petal to the Medal and Downforce covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also compare the two and discuss which we liked more. We also discuss a poll about attending game nights without knowing anyone there. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:45 Poll: Have you ever attended a board game night without knowing anyone there?09:34 Heat: Petal to the Medal Description11:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms25:58...

In Episode 146 we provide our hot take review of Revive covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss a poll about storing board game components. Then we discuss some board games on our table and future takes including Akropolis, Ra, Skull, Smartphone, Inc., and My Father's Work. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:41 Poll: How do you most commonly put your board game components back in their boxes?08:57 Revive Description11:08 Gameplay and...