Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 317 we give our hot take review on Wondrous Creatures covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on discovery vs. mastery and also discuss some games that have ALMOST been on our table including World Order and Distilled: Cocktails. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Poll Time: Which do you enjoy most about enjoying board games - Discovery or Mastery? 10:20 Wondrous Creatures Description 12:28 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:07 Production and Theme 37:12 Final Thoughts 44:39 World Order 51:32 Distilled: Cocktails If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 316 we play and discuss many of our favorite party games and you can play along with us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:37 Balderdash 11:04 Wavelength 18:05 Green Team Wins 22:59 Skull 27:18 Poetry for Neanderthals 31:12 Scattergories 35:57 Flip 7 39:57 Hot Streak 43:59 Heads Up! 48:58 Mad Gab 53:48 Scattergories: Categories 56:17 Subjective 1:01:33 Wits and Wagers 1:04:31 Challengers! 1:10:41 Codenames If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 315 we discuss our top 3 resource economies in board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Beat The Expert Contest Winners 04:43 Top 3 Resource Economies in Board Games (Brass: Birmingham, Clans of Caledonia) 13:12 Tinner's Trail 19:33 Power Grid 24:02 Modern Art 28:05 Keyflower 34:51 Creature Comforts 40:58 Smartphone, Inc. 44:58 M.U.L.E. The Board Game 51:19 Arborea 56:33 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 314 we give our hot take review on Entropy covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on how other people's experience at the game table impacts you and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Pokemon Modern Art, Wavelength, and Duel of Meloch. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Does another player's bad experience impact your enjoyment of a board game 09:00 Beat the Experts Contest Update 11:50 Entropy Description 13:45 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:54 Production and Theme 41:06 Final Thoughts 51:36 Pokemon Modern Art 53:26 Wavelength 58:32 Duel of Meloch 1:10:17 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 313 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also catch listeners up on the BGHT Beat The Expert Contest. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 08:52 Dawn of Madness 24:18 Trio / nana 29:23 Wingspan Pocket 48:17 Sanibel 46:30 Mister Diamond 51:07 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo 1:01:22 Stationfall 1:10:37 Dominant Species 1:14:46 Railroad Tiles If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 312 we conclude the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Tournament of Champions Contest Update 03:25 Ark Nova 06:17 Azul 08:14 Pan Am 12:33 The Castles of Burgundy 16:27 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 19:23 Star Realms 23:41 Grand Austria Hotel 27:06 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 29:16 Terraforming Mars 32:11 Nucleum 36:37 Pan Am 37:31 Blood Rage 39:54 Civolution 42:50 Smartphone, Inc. 45:33 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 48:12 Everdell 50:37 Wonderland's War 52:28 Gaia Project 55:29 Agricola 57:13 Sol: Last Days of a Star 1:02:44 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 1:05:28 Clank! Catacombs 1:08:20 Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory 1:10:31 Distilled 1:15:18 Gaia Project 1:17:31 Dune: Imperium 1:20:25 Darwin's Journey 1:25:56 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 1:30:19 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 1:33:54 Tapestry If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 311 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Contest Announcement 05:10 Underwater Cities 08:33 Tycoon India 1981 11:03 Luthier 16:00 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 19:50 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 22:31 Speakeasy 26:18 Blood Rage 29:05 The Expanse Board Game 32:45 Echoes of Time 35:55 Cthulhu: Death May Die 41:06 Blood Rage 42:02 Endeavor: Deep Sea 44:32 Darwin's Journey 47:12 Lords of Vegas 49:16 Teotihuacan: City of Gods 53:16 Lost Ruins of Arnak 56:53 Dune: War for Arrakis 58:40 La Granja 1:02:33 The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 1:05:26 Stockpile 1:08:21 Obsession 1:12:31 Wonderland's War 1:14:18 Baseball Highlights: 2045 1:16:47 Agricola 1:19:52 Terraforming Mars 1:21:24 Gaia Project 1:23:41 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 1:27:05 Tichu 1:29:54 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 1:31:21 Lost Ruins of Arnak If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 310 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Le Havre 04:10 Shamans 07:02 Wonderland's War 09:22 Emberleaf 11:54 Tag Team 14:56 Azul 18:22 Marco Polo II: In The Service of the Khan 21:19 Emberleaf 23:44 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 27:28 Sea Salt & Paper 30:05 Frozen Frontier 33:36 Thurn & Taxis 37:00 Tapestry 40:22 Barrage 43:00 Reforest 45:50 Pirates of Maracaibo 48:10 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 50:47 Civolution 53:16 Moon Colony Bloodbath 55:36 Battle for Rokugan 58:07 Ark Nova 1:01:55 Scythe 1:05:41 Dune 1:08:20 Scythe 1:09:32 Endeavor: Deep Sea 1:11:58 Terraforming Mars 1:14:27 7 Wonders Duel 1:17:27 Revive 1:19:47 Fractal 1:22:41 Barrage If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 309 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Reforest 03:42 Ada's Dream 05:53 Rats of Wistar 08:57 March of the Ants - Evolved Edition 11:33 Brass: Birmingham 14:26 Yokohama 17:36 Thunder Road: Vendetta 22:30 Reforest 23:28 Crokinole 25:52 Rebirth 27:37 Echoes of Time 29:07 A Feast for Odin 33:27 Rising Sun 35:00 Biohack 36:43 Revive 39:10 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 42:50 Soothsayers 46:02 Godspeed 49:16 Stupor Mundi 53:40 Robot Quest Arena 54:29 Splendor: Duel 58:22 Clans of Caledonia 1:02:18 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 1:03:45 Thunder Road: Vendetta 1:06:06 Boast or Nothing 1:08:11 Survive the Island 1:11:27 Outlive 1:15:44 Keyflower 1:18:54 SpaceCorp: 2025-2300AD 1:22:33 Clank! In! Space! If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

In Episode 308 we start the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 41-50. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Anachrony 06:31 Spirit Island 09:44 Let's Go To Japan 13:56 Harmonies 16:12 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game 17:32 Maracaibo 20:31 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 22:02 Masters of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico The Card Game 24:19 Biohack 27:05 Azul 28:51 Pax Pamir 2nd Edition 30:50 Cascadia 33:45 Woodcraft 36:10 Speakeasy 37:53 Emberleaf 42:39 The White Castles Duel 44:55 Revive 47:30 The Guild of Merchant Explorers 50:48 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game 53:51 Xenon Profiteer 55:08 Nemesis 1:00:16 Voidfall 1:02:41 Star Wars: Rebellion 1:03:59 Robot Quest Arena 1:06:41 Slay the Spire: The Board Game 1:11:39 High Society 1:12:49 Smartphone, Inc. 1:15:51 Tzolk'in The Mayan Calendar 1:17:54 Age of Galaxy 1:19:57 Cthulhu: Death May Die If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

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 Introduction 1:30 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, Darwin's Journey, Obsession, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Tapestry, Formaggio, Captain Flip, Sea Salt & Paper, The White Castle Duel, Boast or Nothing, Dune: War for Arrakis, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire, Unicorn Fever) 07:47 What game's production and art has impressed you the most over the last 6 months? (Echoes of Time, Speakeasy, Dune: War for Arrakis) 13:28 What was your biggest surprise and biggest disappointment? (Steam Power, Reforest, The Old King's Crown, Earthborne Rangers, Aquaria, Tag Team, Amalfi: Renaissance) 22:36 What has been your most reliable introductory board game? (Flip 7, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco, Azul, Subjective, Lords of Vegas, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire ) 28:50 Which 10+ years old title did you first discovery this year? (Thurn and Taxis, Parade, Medici: The Card Game, Biblios) 33:50 What's currently at the top of your wishlist? (Dawn of Madness, Everdell: Emerland, Entropy) 38:22 What's a creator, podcast, or channel that made your year better? (Punchboard Cathedral, Winner's Bias, Board Game Hangover) 45:00 What's your favorite episode you've created this year? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

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 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Kingmaking Decision 07:56 Amalfi: Renaissance Description 09:47 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:27 Production and Theme 25:41 Final Thoughts 32:37 Unicorn Fever 39:10 Dawn of Madness Unboxing Thoughts 43:32 Parade If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 305 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 2:28 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 years? 33:34 Has having the podcast taught us anything we didn't know about ourselves? 36:41 What legacy game would we want to play next? 42:25 What are some tips for teaching a complex game without a 30 minutes rules explanation? 48:35 If there's a game that your fellow hosts need a head start on what would it be? 51:54 What is one board game you'd like to see made into a movie or show? 56:53 If you can invite one guest onto the podcast, who would it be and what would you ask them? 1:01:10 What's your favorite game mechanic written in the form of a haiku or limerick? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

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 Madness. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Anthromorphic Animals? 09:11 Emberleaf Description 11:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:27 Production and Theme 39:44 Final Thoughts 47:48 Dawn of Madness 50:56 Dune: War for Arrakis 1:04:27 Blueprints 1:11:25 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 Spring 12:42 Coming of Age 24:15 Underwater Cities: Data Era 28:23 The White Castle Duel 34:58 SETI: Space Agencies 39:02 Moon Colony Bloodbath 40:37 Encyclopedia 44:14 Lacrimosa 44:49 Vantage 46:46 Formaggio 50:01 Everdell: Silverfrost 57:01 The Gang 1:01:59 Lightning Train If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠

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 Introduction 00:37 Poll Time: How many games do you get played in your regular game sessions? 07:55 Emberleaf 17:38 Off With Their Heads! 25:35 Tag Team 34:04 Postcards 41:30 Euphoria: Essential Edition 54:46 Soothsayers 1:03:44 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠⁠

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 Introduction 02:53 Poll Time: How many board games do you own that are rated over 4.0 weight on Board Game Geek? 12:43 Speakeasy Description 14:10 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:55 Production and Theme 37:33 Kanban EV Description 39:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms 51:56 Production and Theme 55:40 Final Thoughts 1:08:56 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 300 we reflect on doing the show for so long and share tons of our favorite clips from the history of the show. If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 299 we discuss all of the games played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering in San Diego, California. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Stroganov 12:14 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 23:19 Boast or Nothing 29:15 Grand Austria Hotel 40:44 Mule: The Board Game 53:03 Echoes of Time 59:41 Nokosu Dice 1:07:03 Burn the Fort 1:14:35 River Rush 1:30:43 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

In Episode 298 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in San Diego, California. If you enjoy the show, please vote for Board Game Hot Takes for best podcast in the annual Board Game Geek Golden Geek Awards here: BoardGameGeek Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:53 Ayar: Children of the Sun 14:40 Captain Flip 17:57 Lords of Vegas 28:15 Endeavor: Deep Sea 33:13 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 40:25 Origin Story 45:15 Civolution If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠