Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 312 we conclude the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:40 Tournament of Champions Contest Update03:25 Ark Nova06:17 Azul08:14 Pan Am12:33 The Castles of Burgundy16:27 Ankh: Gods of Egypt19:23 Star Realms23:41 Grand Austria Hotel27:06 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition29:16 Terraforming Mars32:11 Nucleum36:37 Pan...

In Episode 311 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:47 Contest Announcement05:10 Underwater Cities08:33 Tycoon India 198111:03 Luthier16:00 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King19:50 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire22:31 Speakeasy26:18 Blood Rage29:05 The Expanse Board Game32:45 Echoes of Time35:55 Cthulhu: Death...

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...