Board Game Hot Takes

Latest Episodes:

Eric Lang Trilogy Double Take (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt) Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 113 we revisit Eric Lang's troops-on-a-map trilogy with our Double Take reviews of Blood Rage, Rising Sun, and Ankh: Gods of Egypt and then we rank the trilogy.

We also discuss a poll about intro version of popular heavy games, and then we discuss some games on our table including John Company, Beyond the Sun, and Caverna: The Cave Farmers.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:21 Poll: Do you want to see more intro versions of popular heavier games?
12:15 Eric Lang Trilogy Double Take
13:31 Blood Rage
23:20 Rising Sun
33:05 Ankh: Gods of Egypt
45:10 Trilogy Ranking
54:05 John Company
58:27 Beyond the Sun
1:00:45 Caverna: The Cave Farmers

Top 5 Incoming Crowdfunded Board Games 2022 Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 112 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 Kickstarter vs. Gamefound.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:26 News
01:51 Poll: Kickstarter vs. Gamefound
08:27 Look back at 2020 Crowdfund episode
09:04 Dawn of Madness
11:25 Hyperspace and Cthulu Wars: Daemon Sultan
11:43 Sweet Mess
12:17 Frosthaven
14:17 2021 Crowdfund Episode Scorecard
14:35 Artisans of Splendent Vale
16:01 CoraQuest
17:12 Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection
21:21 Hyperspace
22:23 One Deck Galaxy
23:30 Age of Galaxy
23:21 They Live: Assault on Cable 54
24:39 Canvas
25:22 Paperback Adventures
25:56 Chaosmos: The Temple
28:02 Distilled
28:46 Now or Never
29:59 Shasn Azadi
31:56 Robot Quest Arena
33:05 Everdell: Newleaf and Mistwood
35:36 Fractal: Beyond the Void
37:55 Great Wall
40:21 Top 5 Incoming Crowdfund Games 2022
42:33 Ra
44:06 John Company 2nd Edition
44:53 Red Dust Rebellion
47:57 Distilled
50:03 Wayfarers of the South Tigris
51: 20 Legacy of Yu
52:01 One Deck Galaxy
53:56 Voidfall
58:47 Star Realms: Rise of Empires
1:03:55 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies
1:06:17 Arcs
1:10:25 Lords of Ragnarok
1:13:48 La Granja Deluxe Master Set
1:15:54 Skyrise
1:18:00 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3
1:26:35 Final Thoughts - Motor City, Castles of Burgundy Special Edition, Age of Galaxy
1:31:50 Listener Shoutout

BGHT LongCon Coverage - 18 Games Discussed Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 111 we discuss all 18 games that we played at BGHT LongCon over 5 days. We also discuss a poll on win percentages in your group and discuss why Tim can't seem to win a game at BGHT conventions.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:47 News
01:35 Poll: How much do you win compared to the people you play against
18:44 Dune: Imperium (w/ Rise of Ix)
22:39 Radlands
26:25 Champions of Midgard (w/ Dark Mountains and Valhalla)
32:38 Ghosts of Christmas
36:37 Star Wars: Outer Rim
39:12 Ark Nova
44:49 Barrage (w/ Leeghwater Project)
50:15 Eric Lang Trilogy Preview (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt)
52:30 Shamans
56:42 Tapestry (w/ Plans and Ploys and Arts and Architecture)
1:03:16 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
1:14:34 Terraforming Mars (w/ Prelude)
1:19:25 Age of Galaxy
1:27:50 Star Realms
1:30:27 Lorenzo Il Magnifico
1:36:25 Lost Ruins of Arnak
1:40:14 Final Thoughts
1:45:24 Listener Shoutout

The Fox Experiment Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 110 we provide our hot take review of The Fox Experiment covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss a poll about buying expansions, and then we discuss some games on our table including Arkham Horror: The Card Game (and the experience of buying expansions for it), Boonlake, and Barrage, a future take on They Live: Assault on Cable 54 and then discuss Petersen Games' disappointing crowdfunding campaigns for Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan and Hyperspace.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Poll: If you like a game are you likely to buy expansions for it?
12:32 The Fox Experiment Gameplay Description
14:19 Gameplay and Mechanisms
28:44 Production and Theme
36:35 Final Thoughts
40:12 Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Expansion Follow-up)
47:42 Barrage
51:31 Boonlake
1:03:24 Future Take: They Live: Assault on Cable 54
1:06:37 Walk of Shame: Petersen Games - Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan and Hyperspace
1:11:17 Listener Shoutout

Clans of Caledonia Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 109 we provide our hot take review of Clans of Caledonia covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss a poll about games that surprised you in a good way, and then we discuss some games on our table including Blood Rage, Arkham Horror LCG, and Cafe and discuss some future takes including The Fox Experiment, Astra, and Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Poll: Have you ever ending up loving a game that you though you would hate?
09:02 Clans of Caledonia Gameplay Description
11:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms
26:44 Production and Theme
31:00 Final Thoughts
35:49 Themed Cocktail of the Week
39:20 Blood Rage
41:36 Arkham Horror: The Card Game
39:55 Cafe
53:08 Future Take - The Fox Experiment
55:07 Future Take - Astra
56:27 Future Take - Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection

Top 10 Board Games That Should Be Made Into Movies Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 108 we discuss our top ten board games that we would love to see turned into movies.

We also discuss a poll on whether food and drinks should be included at your game table.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:43 Poll: Food and Drinks at the Board Game Table
10:49 Board Games that Should Be Movies
14:50 Chris #10 - Godspeed
16:28 Adam #10 - Terraforming Mars
17:40 Tim #10 - Spirit Island
19:36 Chris #9 - This War of Mine
21:33 Adam #9 - Wingspan
22:20 Tim #9 - Root
24:20 Chris #8 - Coyote and Crow
27:32 Adam #8 - Barrage
28:49 Tim #8 - Underwater Cities
30:25 Chris #7 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
32:11 Adam #7 - Azul
34:03 Tim #7 - Near and Far
34:54 Chris #6 - Nightmare Cathedral
38:33 Adam #6 - Xenon Profiteer
41:13 Tim #6 - Outlive
44:11 Chris #5 - The Isle of Cats
47:01 Adam #5 - Xia: Legends of a Drift System
48:57 Tim #5 - Vindication
51:29 Chris #4 - Cthulhu: Death May Die
53:51 Adam #4 - La Granja
55:36 Tim #4 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game
57:35 Chris #3 - The Quiet Year
1:01:18 Adam #3 - T.I.M.E. Stories
1:02:28 Tim #3 - Anachrony
1:04:35 Chris #2 - Sleeping Gods
1:05:02 Adam #2 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt
1:06:33 Tim #2 - Golem
1:07:44 Chris #1 - AuZtralia
1:11:59 Adam #1 - Radlands
1:13:56 Tim #1 - Scythe

30 Forgotten Board Games Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 107 we discuss 30 games that haven't gotten much attention from us on the podcast over the last 2 years but that we thought were worth mentioning briefly, good or bad.

We also discuss a poll on diverse representation in board game artwork.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Poll: Does diverse representation in board game art drive purchases?
07:18 Forgotten Games
8:25 Hadara
10:16 Canvas
13:35 Carson City
15:52 Afternova
18:35 Doughnut Drive-thru
20:50 Century: Spice Road / Century: Golem Edition
24:09 Jet Set
27:19 Space Base
29:59 Champions of Midgard
33:15 Seal Team Flix
35:18 Hero Realms
39:59 Chronicles of Crime
42:50 1841: Railways in Northern Italy
48:08 Imhotep
51:36 Deep Space D-6
53:14 Hellenica: Story of Greece
56:40 Babylonia
59:11 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia
1:02:00 Sentient
1:04:46 Lords of Hellas
1:08:08 Funkoverse Strategy Game
1:10:34 The Field of the Cloth of Gold
1:12:39 Zombie Kidz Evolution
1:14:32 Hyperborea
1:16:42 Antike II
1:18:47 Cthulhu Realms
1:22:13 Paper Dungeons: A Dungeon Scrawler Game
1:23:56 Patchwork
1:27:42 Shakespeare
1:31:15 Roll Player

Age of Galaxy Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 106 we provide our hot take review of Age of Galaxy covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss a poll about bad feelings created by huge wins, and then we discuss some games on our table including Planted, Tapestry, Watergate, Expedition to Newdale, and the new expansion for Parks: Wildlife.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Poll: Has winning created bad feelings?
14:16 Age of Galaxy Gameplay Description
16:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms
42:30 Production and Theme
57:04 Final Thoughts
1:02:32 Planted
1:07:47 Tapestry
1:09:50 Watergate
1:11:30 Expedition to Newdale
1:21:53 Parks: Wildlife

Barrage Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 105 we provide our hot take review of Barrage covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss a poll about setup time, Chris provides a Barrage themed cocktail and then we discuss some games on our table including Dutch Blitz, Age of Galaxy, Bloodstones, and Notre Dame.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:37 Poll: Does setup time impact your love of games?
7:10 Barrage Gameplay Description
10:16 Gameplay and Mechanisms
29:00 Production and Theme
34:32 Final Thoughts
41:28 Themed cocktail of the week
44:48 Dutch Blitz
48:50 Age of Galaxy
58:40 Bloodstones
1:08:01 Notre Dame

Top 10 Games with Toy Factor Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

In Episode 104 we discuss our top ten favorite uses of toy factor in board games.

We also discuss a poll on attending conventions.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:42 Poll: Attending Conventions
07:12 Toy Factor in Games
11:01 Chris #10 - Mechanica
14:53 Adam #10 - Baseball Highlights 2045
17:47 Tim #10 - Splendor
19:36 Chris #9 - Windward
21:42 Adam #9 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition
23:40 Tim #9 - Lords of Xidit
26:50 Chris #8 - Scythe
30:59 Adam #8 - Xia: Legends of a Drift System
32:47 Tim #8 - Pan Am
34:39 Chris #7 - Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar
38:04 Adam #7 - Skyrise
41:02 Tim #7 - Tapestry
43:44 Chris #6 - Nemesis
47:28 Adam #6 - Wonderland's War
49:36 Tim #6 - The Great Wall
51:01 Chris #5 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
53:47 Adam #5 - Anachrony
56:03 Tim #5 - Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun
58:07 Chris #4 - Blood Rage
1:01:35 Adam #4 - Star Wars: Rebellion
1:03:41 Tim #4 - Everdell
1:06:20 Chris #3 - Fossilis
1:10:14 Adam #3 - Voidfall
1:12:25 Tim #3 - Cthulhu: Death May Die
1:15:25 Chris #2 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
1:18:43 Adam #2 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt
1:21:33 Tim #2 - Camel Up (2nd Edition)
1:24:02 Chris #1 - Return to Dark Tower
1:27:14 Adam #1 - Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy
1:29:38 Tim #1 - Dwellings of Eldervale
1:34:23 Listener Shoutout

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