Board Game Hot Takes

Latest Episodes:

Top 5 Gateway Games and Terraforming Mars Double Take Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 33 we discuss our top five games that are great for introducing people into the board game hobby.

We also offer a Double Take review on Terraforming Mars and give our thoughts on how it has held up since our original review back in episode 1.

Top 5 Board Game Reviewers and Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy Double Take Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 32 we talk about board game reviews and what works and doesn't work with our unique format of looking at games and then we then list our Top 5 Board Game Reviewers and why we love them.

We also offer a Double Take review on Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy and give our thoughts on how it has held up since our original review back in episode 12.

Timestamp:
00:00 Introduction
00:57 Discussion on Board Game Reviews
20:58 Top 5 Board Game Reviewers
45:12 Double Take - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

Rajas of the Ganges Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 31 we provide our hot take review of Rajas of the Ganges covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss some recent plays including Quacks of Quedlinburg, look at what's included in the recent expansion for Parks: Nightfall, and discuss Stellaris: Infinite Legacy which leads to the discussion of Kickstarters that don't provide a rulebook during the crowd funding campaign and a rant about some bad board game behavior.

Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Rajas of the Ganges Description
01:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms
11:45 Production
20:43 Memorable Moments in Gameplay
29:51 Final Thoughts
35:13 Quacks of Quedlinburg
42:00 Endogenesis
43:17 Stellaris: Infinite Legacy
46:54 Parks: Nightfall

Top 5 Board Game Art and James Wilson Everdell Interview Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 30 we talk to James Wilson, the designer of Everdell, about the new expansions for the game: Newleaf and Mistwood. We talk to him about pitching board games to publishers, his process for expansion design, and much more. James also shares some details of lost Everdell expansions that will never get published.

Tim, Adam, and Chris also talk about our top 5 art in board games. Each of us covers 5 games where we love the art direction and why it speaks to us.

Timestamp:
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Frosthaven Giveaway Details
01:15 James Wilson - Designer of Everdell - Interview
48:57 Top 5 Art in Board Games

Red Rising Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 29 we provide our hot take review of Red Rising covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss some drama around the Terraforming Mars: Big Box Kickstarter and question whether we should have held out for the Ares Expedition instead.

00:00 Introduction
00:41 Listener Shout-out
01:22 Red Rising Description
02:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms
33:18 Production
45:02 Memorable Moments in Gameplay
49:21 Final Thoughts
56:39 Terraforming Mars: Big Box Expansion and Ares Expedition

Beyond the Sun Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 28 we provide our hot take review of Beyond the Sun covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss some board games that we've been playing or are looking forward to including Jet Set, Whistle Stop, Red Rising, and CoraQuest:

00:00 Introduction
00:45 Listener Shout-out
01:45 Beyond the Sun Description
02:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms
25:46 Production
33:53 Memorable Moments in Gameplay
40:58 Final Thoughts
44:30 Jet Set
46:01 Whistle Stop
51:18 Red Rising
57:50 CoraQuest

Everdell Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 27 we provide our hot take review of Everdell covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also provide a brief comparison of each of the Everdell expansions and recommend our favorite.

We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Imperium: The Contention and Cryo.

00:00 Introduction
00:38 Listener Shout-out
02:50 Everdell Description
04:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms
20:19 Production
34:35 Memorable Moments in Gameplay
39:18 Final Thoughts
42:22 Everdell Expansion Comparison
48:15 Imperium: The Contention
50:37 Cryo

What Makes A Board Game Fun and Red Rising Interview Feb 15, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 26 we talk to Jamey Stegmaier and Alex Schmidt, the designers of Red Rising, about their new game, blending theme and mechanisms, intellectual property, foil cards and failed designs.

Tim, Adam, and Chris also talk about what makes games fun for us. Each of us covers 4 characteristics that create fun in games and give several examples of games that bring the fun through each of those characteristics.

00:00 Introduction
01:24 Red Rising Interview
28:23 What Makes a Board Game Fun

Trekking the World Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 25 we provide our hot take review of Trekking the World covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also have a detailed conversation on the new mechanisms added in the latest expansion for Wingspan: Oceania.

We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Imperium: The Contention and Red Rising.

00:00 Introduction
01:01 Trekking the World Description
02:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms
18:40 Production
29:40 Memorable Moments in Gameplay
32:38 Final Thoughts
38:44 Imperium: The Contention
39:47 Wingspan: Oceania
46:45 Red Rising

Godspeed Feb 01, 2021

Show notes

In Episode 24 we provide our hot take review of Godspeed covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Dune: Imperium, Ultimate Railroads, Canvas, and Beyond the Sun.

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