While the cat's away... Chris is traveling the globe this episode, so Jason has free reign over the game selections. Will his recent streak of mediocre contributions to the gem lineup continue? Or will digging deep into the library produce some new favorites? Join Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and newcomer Ken Cantrell as they investigate 3 more possible gems. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:25:11 Feudality 00:57:03 Campanile 01:20:50 Quebec MUSIC (courtesy of...

Fantasy is a theme that has exploded into popularity in the past 30 years or so. It has had an impact on books, movies, TV, video games, and not least, board games. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey celebrate their enjoyment of the genre and review three fantasy-themed games. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:46:38 Gargon 01:13:52 Lost Legends 01:53:55 Dragonstrike MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Gargon: "On a...

What is it about Stefan Feld that keeps us coming back for more? In this latest episode pulled from some lesser known titles of his vast catalog, join your regular hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they welcome guest host Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table to chat about a new crop of 3 potential gems. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:33:02 Roma 00:59:01 Pillars of the Earth: Builder's Duel 01:32:33 Forum Trajanum MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Roma: “Battle...

Make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions before you fly the friendly skies with the Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they soar through a new trio of games. Will the guys first attempt at the "two-and-a-new" format fly or end up grounded? Find out if any new gems are to be had on this latest, airline-themed episode. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:41:45 Blue Skies 01:13:14 Jet Set 01:40:29 Sky Team MUSIC (courtesy...

We're approaching the end of another year, and that means it's time for a little Christmas cheer! Have a holly jolly, merry little Christmas with the whole Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out 3 stocking stuffer-sized games. Will they be gems or lumps of coal? Find out on this, our final episode of 2023! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:43:36  Kryptos 01:09:50  Fzzzt! 01:37:42  Twinkle Starship MUSIC (courtesy of...

The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2012! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:27:19 Kulami 00:50:21 Miss Lupun 01:14:56 Kingdom Builder MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Kulami: “T Minus 5”, Farrell Wooten Miss...

Scares are aplenty in this year's special Halloween edition of Hidden Gems! Will poor Dean survive a night at the Kurtz's? Will Jason and Cameron do better on Chris' torturous Halloween-themed trivia game show? And, most importantly, will we find any more gems? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and Cameron Lockey as they bring you three fresh reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2023 episode of Hidden Gems! FEATURED...

Castle building in the Scottish highlands, spicy peppers and a game about, well...  Watch out for the smelly stuff on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they step around three poo-tential gems from publisher Zoch Verlag. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:30:03 Kalimambo 00:49:04 Scharfe Schoten 01:17:48 Kilt Castle MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Kalimambo: "Bwamu", Balafola Suedi Scharfe Schoten: “Pots and Pancakes”,...

Words with sheep, network building in the islands (also with sheep) and a vicious abstract (not so much about sheep). This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff take on the good and the baa-aa-ahd of three titles by designer Marcel-André Casasola Merkle. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:29:51 Attribute 00:48:55 Santa Cruz 01:16:56 Attika MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Attribute: "Cows on the Loose (60s Pop Version)", Magnus Ringblom...

We all know and love this prolific designer of the Catan series, but what lesser known (or just less talked about) gems might be hiding in his repertoire? This week, join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at three games by the late Klaus Teuber. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:39:29 Wacky Wacky West 01:06:56 Tumult Royale 01:36:22 Domaine MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Wacky Wacky West: "Full Moon Rag", Roy...

In this special episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey review three Roman-themed games including one requested by one of our Patreon Gem Miners. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:22:35 Sylla 00:51:31 Ave Caesar 01:21:39 Constantinopolis MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Sylla: "Conspiracy, Inc", Alec Slayne Ave Caesar: “Bring on the Adventure”, Raymond Grouse Constantinopolis: "Dance of the Wildcats", Deskant FOLLOW...

It only took us fifty episodes to finally get serious about how hidden our gems are! In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney dig up three games from Chris's beneath the floor boards of Chris's game room so hidden, BGG doesn't even know about them.  Tune in to find out what they are. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:21:08 Toguz Korgool 00:53:34 Conquest at Kismet 01:19:56 Stacked MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Toguz Korgool:...

We're FINALLY back! On this special 50th episode of Hidden Gems, all your hosts, Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey gather to celebrate the occasion by reviewing three games chosen by our incredible audience, finally give away a copy of Strasbourg, and talk more than you've ever wanted about our favorite video games. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:12:28 Strasbourg Giveaway 00:19:18 Top 10 Video Games Lists 01:25:34  Quo Vadis 02:02:41  Northern...

TL>DL: Episode 50 is going to be delayed for a while due to some recent and upcoming host vacation schedules. Stay tuned for our next episode coming sometime in May. In the meantime, go to https://forms.gle/jWSGLAju547spScY8 and leave your review for one of the games: Northern Pacific, Quo Vadis?, and Santiago! FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Web: https://hiddengems.games Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast Instagram: @hiddengems.games Facebook:...

In this episode, Chris (finally) takes a break, and your hosts Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey dig into three more games designed by the same guy who brought us Potato Man and Kupferkessel Co., which each brought respectively very low, and very high marks. Is there more to Mr. Burkhardt's repertoire? Tune in to find out! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:15:08  Casa Grande 00:35:33  Trump. Tricks. Game! 00:56:12  Seeland MUSIC (courtesy of...

There was fairly gushing praise from all the HG crew for 2 out 3 games from designer Stefan Dorra going way back to our 7th episode -- where Chris even gave out a notable two 6-ratings! And then there was Tonga Bonga ... at least Bill liked it! What will the guys think of another triumvirate of games from the same esteemed designer? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff to find out! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:20:39  Eselsbrücke 00:41:44  Sluff...

"In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered...doom was near at hand" In this episode of Hidden Gems, fantasy lovers and hosts Chris Alley and Cameron Lockey take on games with a beloved theme: Lord of the Rings. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:24:13  King's Gate 00:47:40  Lord of the Rings: The Cooperative Game 01:13:24  Middle Earth Quest MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Cocktail:...

Need a bit of sun and sand to kick off the new year this cold January? Also, who knew there were so many board games with the Easter Island moai as a theme? Catch some rays and find out more about these mysterious statues in this episode with your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out three new promising gems with Easter Island-themes. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro & Banter 00:27:43  Easter Island 00:45:09  Rapa Nui 01:07:21  Giants MUSIC (courtesy of...

It's that time of year again! Christmas cheer abounds in this final episode of 2022  where the whole Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff get in the Christmas spirit with 3 new potential gems. Will any of them make the cut? How will the guys do on Chris's latest holiday-themed trivia? Will Cameron treat us to another carol or two? And do I spy some gifts to be had under the HG tree? Tune in for all the festivities! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00  Intro...

The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2013! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:20:31 Trigger! 00:34:30 Mixtour 00:54:48 Yay! 01:13:20 Divinare 01:33:22 Final Ranking of Nominated Games MUSIC (courtesy of...

What's happening on Hidden Gems? A review for a game in the top 200, almost 100?! With Cameron and Bill out, have Chris and Jason finally lost their minds and reverted to reviewing the hotness? Find out on this latest episode when the guys check out one title far down the rankings and another not quite so much -- are there gems to be found? FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 20:28 The Ravens of Thri Sahashri 51:40 Tigris & Euphrates MUSIC (courtesy of...

It's time for another SPOOKY edition of Hidden Gems! Get ready to enjoy more audio theatre, a Halloween-themed trivia game show, and more spooky stories. Your hosts  Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey also bring you three fresh reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2022 episode of Hidden Gems! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Sketch - "Dr. Allée's Monster" 00:06:12 Intro & Banter 00:23:26 Halloween Trivia Game Show 00:32:50 Midnight...

Hold your breath and stick your tongue out just right, because in this episode, taking your turn is gonna require some concentration. This time, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey literally try their hands at three under-appreciated dexterity games.   FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 18:04 Riff Raff 40:06 Arch Rival 55:16 Hibachi   BGG GEEK LIST: https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/289922/hidden-gems-podcast-game-ratings FOLLOW US: Email:...

We're back with another trio of games from the renowned Reiner Knizia on this 40th episode of Hidden Gems with your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff and Bill Arney. Is the third time the charm for discovering even more gems from the prolific doctor? Or will we stumble across some duds? Tune in to find out! Featured Games: Rondo (00:18:20) Beowulf: The Legend (00:39:22) Indigo (01:12:37) Hidden Gems Geek...