Board Game Hot Takes

Latest Episodes:

BGHT Portland Con 2023 Part 2 Coverage (10 Games Discussed) Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

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

BGHT Portland Con 2023 Part 1 Coverage (8 Games Discussed) Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

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 Wingspan w/ Oceania Expansion
44:25 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set
49:10 The Battle for Rokugan
56:07 Listener Shoutout

Top 5 Incoming Crowdfunded Board Games 2023 Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

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
12:30 Wayfarers of the South Tigris
13:10 One Deck Galaxy
13:43 Voidfall
16:20 Star Realms: Rise of Empires
16:32 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies
17:10 Arcs
17:43 Lords of Ragnarok
18:37 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set
20:00 Skyrise
21:03 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3
21:25 Dawn of Madness
23:43 Wolves
25:02 Wonderland's War: Shards of Madness
26:47 Envelopes of Cash
27:39 Biohack
30:30 Star Realms: Rise of Empire
32:07 Cthulhu: Death May Die - Fear of the Unknown
34:54 Galactic Renaissance
37:19 Teotihuacan: Deluxe Master Set
39:43 Arcs
41:01 Star Tycoon
44:37 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3
47:22 Witchcraft!
48:51 Ceres
53:35 The Fox Experiment
56:12 Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs
58:16 Frozen Frontier
1:00:46 Final Thoughts
1:09:19 Tycoon: India 1981
1:31:50 Listener Shoutout

Spirit Island Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

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 Production and Theme
40:00 Final Thoughts
47:36 Lancaster
53:39 Lords of Ragnarok
56:31 Listener Shout-out

Expeditions Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

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 same universe as a previous game that you liked by that publisher or designer?
08:18 Expeditions Description
11:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms
32:51 Production and Theme
41:45 Final Thoughts
50:03 Amun-Re
50:29 Pax Pamir (2nd Edition)
52:38 Castles of Burgundy Deluxe Edition

Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

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 Class To Victory Description
10:39 Gameplay and Mechanisms
32:47 Production and Theme
38:39 Final Thoughts
43:41 Welcome To The Moon
52:08 Robot Quest Arena
57:21 Patchwork Doodle

Top 5 Games with Asymmetric Player Powers Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

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
37:54 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
40:52 Everdell and Lost Ruins of Arnak
43:41 Gaia Project
46:13 Spirit Island
49:29 Ark Nova and Planet Unknown
52:01 The Voyages of Marco Polo
55:11 Honorable (or other) Mentions: Wonderland's War, Scythe, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Star Wars: Rebellion

The Voyages of Marco Polo Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

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 Voyages of Marco Polo Description
11:09 Gameplay and Mechanisms
30:42 Production and Theme
38:58 Final Thoughts
47:02 Trellis
49:52 First Look: Expeditions and Robot Quest Arena
54:51 Marrakesh

Cyclades: Legendary Edition Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

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: Legendary Edition Description
07:27 Gameplay and Mechanisms
22:28 Production and Theme
28:16 Final Thoughts
37:40 Arkham Horror: The Board Game
44:25 Yokai Septet
48:35 The Voyages of Marco Polo vs. Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan

Wolves Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

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 Mechanisms
26:35 Production and Theme
41:30 Final Thoughts
52:11 Patchwork Doodle and Ticket to Ride: San Francisco
57:22 Ankh: Gods of Egypt
59:48 Draftosaurus
1:03:46 Cat in the Box

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