Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 297 we discuss how board games trigger dopamine and name our top 5 games loaded with dopamine hits. Timestamps:00:00 IntroductionTop 5 Dopamine Loaded Board Games05:57 Endeavor: Deep Sea9:02 No Thanks11:43 Champions of Midgard, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy, Arcs, Star Wars Rebellion 16:00 Nippon: Zaibatsu19:48 Sol: Last Days of a Star22:32 Kanban EV,...

In Episode 296 we talk through our real-time nominations for the 2025 boardgamegeek.com Golden Geek Awards. If you enjoy our show and would like to support us by nominating us for Best Board Game Podcast you can do that here: https://boardgamegeek.com/goldengeekTimestamps:00:00 Introduction04:05 Above and Below: Haunted04:57 Ada's Dream06:53 Ape Town08:35 Aquaria09:32 Ayar: Children of the...

In Episode 295 we give our hot take review on Endeavor: Deep Sea covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We talk about the games we'll be playing at our bi-annual (or semi-annual) BGHT Con and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Captain Flip, Endless Space 2, and Earthborne Rangers.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:22 BGHT SandyCon...

In Episode 294 we invite board game designer, Andy Schwarz, on to discuss his experience with self-publishing a game and he shares lessons learns, tips and tricks, and some real financial numbers.You can read Andy's blog post covering some of the discussed topics here: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3215750/an-analysis-of-what-it-costs-to-self-publish-a-gamIf you enjoy the show, please consider...

In Episode 293 we each cover 5 board games that integrate animals themes.We also discuss a poll on packing board games when travelling on a plane.00:00 Introduction03:50 Poll Time: How do you pack board games when travelling via airplane11:40 15 Great Animal Themed GamesIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky:...

In Episode 292 we give our hot take review on two board game expansions - Viticulture: Bordeaux and Revive: Call of the AbyssTimestamps:00:00 Introduction0:35 Viticulture: Bordeaux0:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms19:36 Production and Theme21:29 Final Thoughts28:03 Revive: Call of the Abyss28:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms39:04 Production and Theme40:33 Final Thoughts45:29 News and Listener ShoutoutIf you...

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...