Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 310 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:43 Le Havre04:10 Shamans07:02 Wonderland's War09:22 Emberleaf11:54 Tag Team14:56 Azul18:22 Marco Polo II: In The Service of the Khan21:19 Emberleaf23:44 Heat: Pedal to the Metal27:28 Sea Salt & Paper30:05 Frozen Frontier33:36 Thurn & Taxis37:00...

In Episode 309 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:41 Reforest03:42 Ada's Dream05:53 Rats of Wistar08:57 March of the Ants - Evolved Edition11:33 Brass: Birmingham14:26 Yokohama17:36 Thunder Road: Vendetta22:30 Reforest23:28 Crokinole25:52 Rebirth27:37 Echoes of Time29:07 A Feast for Odin33:27 Rising Sun35:00...

In Episode 308 we start the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 41-50.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction03:50 Anachrony06:31 Spirit Island09:44 Let's Go To Japan13:56 Harmonies16:12 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game17:32 Maracaibo20:31 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization22:02 Masters of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico The Card Game24:19 Biohack27:05 Azul28:51 Pax Pamir 2nd...

In Episode 307 we reflect on the year of 2026 in board gaming at this mid point to talk about some of our favorite (and most disappointing) board games and experiences so far.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction1:30 Which game do you want to take on a 2nd date after your first play in 2026? (Speakeasy, Off With Their Heads, Ada's Dream)4:33 Which games hit the table more than any other this year? (Azul,...

In Episode 306 we give our hot take review on Amalfi: Renaissance covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We discuss a poll on kingmaking and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Unicorn Fever and Parade and Chris covers his first impressions after unboxing Dawn of Madness.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:22 Poll Time: Kingmaking...

In Episode 305 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction2:28 For what game do you prefer the digital implementation? What game do you refuse to play digitally?11:48 At what point do you decide to buy a game?20:52 How often do you get nostalgia for games you haven't played in many years?26:32 Are there any goals for the pod over the next 5...

In Episode 304 we give our hot take review on Emberleaf covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We discuss a poll on anthropomorphic animals in board games and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Dune: War for Arrakis and Blueprints and Chris discusses his excitement about finally receiving (after 8 years) his crowdfunded Dawn of...

In Episode 303 Tim discusses all of the games played during his recent weekend at BGGCon in Dallas.We also discuss a poll related to making friends at board game conventions.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll Time: Have you ever made friends at a board game convention?09:28 BGGCon Spring12:42 Coming of Age24:15 Underwater Cities: Data Era28:23 The White Castle Duel34:58 SETI: Space...

In Episode 302 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also discuss a poll on how many games you get played in an average session.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:37 Poll Time: How many games do you get played in your regular game sessions?07:55 Emberleaf17:38 Off With Their Heads!25:35 Tag Team34:04 Postcards41:30 Euphoria: Essential Edition54:46 Soothsayers1:03:44 Listener...

In Episode 301 we feature two games by Vital Lacerda: Speakeasy and Kanban EV. We also discuss a poll on heavy games and include our final thoughts on heavy games in general and whether Vital Lacerda is a designer we want to revisit.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:53 Poll Time: How many board games do you own that are rated over 4.0 weight on Board Game Geek?12:43 Speakeasy Description14:10...