Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 291 we look back at some hidden gems from 2020-2024. We each name at least one game that doesn't get discussed much anymore from each of these years and talk about why they deserve more attention.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:49 Top 5 Overlooked Board Games (2020-2024)05:00 2020 - Whistle Mountain (Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers, The Castles of Tuscany, Star Wars Unlock,...

In Episode 290 we discuss board game strategy, how we approach it, and why we care about strategy when we're playing board games. We also discuss a poll about discussing strategy after a play.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:25 Poll Time: Do you discuss the strategy of your play after finishing a game?12:05 Board Game Strategy12:38 How do you approach strategy on a first play of a board game?17:15...

In Episode 289 we give our hot take review on Dewan covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Speakeasy, Saltfjord, and Ape Town.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:41 Dewan Description02:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms18:40 Production and Theme23:55 Final Thoughts28:25 Speakeasy37:25 Saltfjord45:06...

In Episode 288 we dive into the mailbag in search of our listener's best board game related questions.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction2:14 Theme that doesn't exist that you'd like to see in a game?12:28 What are your once a year games?20:02 What is the best deal you've ever scored on the secondary market and what is your most regrettable board game purchase?29:53 Thoughts on ordering a game outside...

In Episode 287 we give our hot take review on Forest Shuffle and Reforest and cover the gameplay and production of both and then discuss which we preferred.We also discuss a poll on separating resource components when setting up a game and then discuss some recent plays of Fibbage and Super Motherload.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:22 Poll Time: Separating Resources8:27 Forest Shuffle...

In Episode 286 we cover 5 board game expansions each that are (almost) mandatory.00:00 Introduction01:45 Board game expansions we won't play without03:31 Look back at Top 5 Board Game Expansions from Episode 4710:17 Roll Player - Monsters and Minions15:02 Agricola - Belgium, France, Gamer's Deck, etc.19:43 Radlands - Cult of Chrome22:05 Thunder Road: Vendetta - Choppe Shoppe24:36 Blood Rage -...

In Episode 285 we give our hot take review on The Old King's Crown covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We talk about the BGG Hall of Fame inductee, For Sale, and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Reforest, Biblios, and Subjective.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:21 BGG Hall of Fame: For Sale05:40 The Old King's Crown...

In Episode 284 we give our hot take review on Echoes of Time covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We cover a poll on motivations to engage with the board game hobby and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Sanctuary and Fearsome Floors and a first look at some games that have recently arrived including Chaosmos: The Temple and...

In Episode 284 we take a look back at 2025 and discuss some of the great (and no so great) games we played last year. Most of them were even published last year.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction2:27 Biggest Surprises in 2025 (Dead Cells, Hot Streak, Slay the Spire: The Board Game)16:45 Biggest Disappointments in 2025 (Wroth, Scoville 2nd Edition, SETI: Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence)25:04...

In Episode 282 we discuss the current state of the hobby and if it's the best it's ever been. Are we in peak board gaming? Where do we go from here? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community:...