Board Game Hot Takes – Details, episodes & analysis

In Episode 212 we give our hot take review on Tikal covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll on whose games you're playing. We also discuss some games that have been on our table including Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Fractal: Beyond the Void, and 7 Wonders Duel.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:20 Poll: Whose boardgames are you most often playing?

09:37 Tikal Description

10:36 Gameplay and Mechanisms

26:48 Production and Theme

29:55 Final Thoughts

38:00 Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig

49:05 Fractal: Beyond the Void

52:53 7 Wonders Duel

56:24 Listener Shoutout

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In Episode 211 we've gone back to the mailbag and answered our listener's questions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:07 What mechanisms do each of you gravitate towards?

6:16 What are your feelings on board games becoming video games and vice versa?

15:48 What makes a good rulebook to you?

25:41 What games would you take on a trip that are appropriate to play outside?

30:33 What tactics have you used to get a non-gamer into board game night?

39:27 Describer your ideal 3 course board game meal.

48:17 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 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

In Episode 202 we continue the 2024 countdown of our top 40 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:47 Chris #30 Wolves

03:33 Adam #30 Star Wars: Rebellion

05:23 Tim #30 Grand Austria Hotel

08:56 Chris #29 Godspeed

12:24 Adam #29 - Blood Rage

13:55 Tim #29 - Rising Sun

15:21 Chris #28 - Yokohama

18:43 Adam #28 - Beyond the Sun

22:42 Tim #28 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar

24:52 Chris #27 - Ark Nova

30:19 Adam #27 - Age of Galaxy

33:05 Tim #27 - Underwater Cities

36:12 Chris #26 - Terracotta Army

38:52 Adam #26 - Revive

40:05 Tim #26 - Boast or Nothing

43:00 Chris #25 - Lost Ruins of Arnak

47:10 Adam #25 - Godspeed

47:48 Tim #25 - Architects of the West Kingdom

50:14 Chris #24 - Wonderland's War

54:32 Adam #24 -  Dune

48:35 Tim #24 - Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King

1:02:48 Chris #23 - Terraforming Mars

1:06:09 Adam #23 - Patchwork

1:09:37 Tim #23 - Apiary

1:12:10 Chris #22 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar

1:12:51 Adam #22 - Haggis

1:14:53 Tim #22 - Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest

1:18:02 Chris #21 - Kanban EV

1:20:56 Adam #21 - Terraforming Mars

1:21:36 Tim #21 - Wonderland's War

In Episode 112 we discuss the top 5 incoming crowdfunded board games that each of us are excited to receive.  We take a look back at last year's list to see what's been delivered and how they hit for us as well.

We also discuss a poll on Kickstarter vs. Gamefound.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:26 News
01:51 Poll: Kickstarter vs. Gamefound
08:27 Look back at 2020 Crowdfund episode
09:04 Dawn of Madness
11:25 Hyperspace and Cthulu Wars: Daemon Sultan
11:43 Sweet Mess
12:17 Frosthaven
14:17 2021 Crowdfund Episode Scorecard
14:35 Artisans of Splendent Vale
16:01 CoraQuest
17:12 Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection
21:21 Hyperspace
22:23 One Deck Galaxy
23:30 Age of Galaxy
23:21 They Live: Assault on Cable 54
24:39 Canvas
25:22 Paperback Adventures
25:56 Chaosmos: The Temple
28:02 Distilled
28:46 Now or Never
29:59 Shasn Azadi
31:56 Robot Quest Arena
33:05 Everdell: Newleaf and Mistwood
35:36 Fractal: Beyond the Void
37:55 Great Wall
40:21 Top 5 Incoming Crowdfund Games 2022
42:33 Ra
44:06 John Company 2nd Edition
44:53 Red Dust Rebellion
47:57 Distilled
50:03 Wayfarers of the South Tigris
51: 20 Legacy of Yu
52:01 One Deck Galaxy
53:56 Voidfall
58:47 Star Realms: Rise of Empires
1:03:55 Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies
1:06:17 Arcs
1:10:25 Lords of Ragnarok
1:13:48 La Granja Deluxe Master Set
1:15:54 Skyrise
1:18:00 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3
1:26:35 Final Thoughts - Motor City, Castles of Burgundy Special Edition, Age of Galaxy
1:31:50 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 111 we discuss all 18 games that we played at BGHT LongCon over 5 days.  We also discuss a poll on win percentages in your group and discuss why Tim can't seem to win a game at BGHT conventions.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:47 News
01:35 Poll: How much do you win compared to the people you play against
18:44 Dune: Imperium (w/ Rise of Ix)
22:39 Radlands
26:25 Champions of Midgard (w/ Dark Mountains and Valhalla)
32:38 Ghosts of Christmas
36:37 Star Wars: Outer Rim
39:12 Ark Nova
44:49 Barrage (w/ Leeghwater Project)
50:15 Eric Lang Trilogy Preview (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh: Gods of Egypt)
52:30 Shamans
56:42 Tapestry (w/ Plans and Ploys and Arts and Architecture)
1:03:16 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
1:14:34 Terraforming Mars (w/ Prelude)
1:19:25 Age of Galaxy
1:27:50 Star Realms
1:30:27 Lorenzo Il Magnifico
1:36:25 Lost Ruins of Arnak
1:40:14 Final Thoughts
1:45:24 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 110 we provide our hot take review of The Fox Experiment covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss a poll about buying expansions, and then we discuss some games on our table including Arkham Horror: The Card Game (and the experience of buying expansions for it), Boonlake, and Barrage, a future take on They Live: Assault on Cable 54 and then discuss Petersen Games' disappointing crowdfunding campaigns for Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan and Hyperspace.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Poll: If you like a game are you likely to buy expansions for it?
12:32 The Fox Experiment Gameplay Description
14:19 Gameplay and Mechanisms
28:44 Production and Theme
36:35 Final Thoughts
40:12 Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Expansion Follow-up)
47:42 Barrage
51:31 Boonlake
1:03:24 Future Take: They Live: Assault on Cable 54
1:06:37 Walk of Shame: Petersen Games - Cthulhu Wars: Daemon Sultan and Hyperspace
1:11:17 Listener Shoutout

In Episode 109 we provide our hot take review of Clans of Caledonia covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss a poll about games that surprised you in a good way, and then we discuss some games on our table including Blood Rage,  Arkham Horror LCG, and Cafe and discuss some future takes including The Fox Experiment, Astra, and Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Poll: Have you ever ending up loving a game that you though you would hate?
09:02 Clans of Caledonia Gameplay Description
11:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms
26:44 Production and Theme
31:00 Final Thoughts
35:49 Themed Cocktail of the Week
39:20 Blood Rage
41:36 Arkham Horror: The Card Game
39:55 Cafe
53:08 Future Take - The Fox Experiment
55:07 Future Take - Astra
56:27 Future Take - Star Realms: Deluxe Nova Collection

In Episode 108 we discuss our top ten board games that we would love to see turned into movies.

We also discuss a poll on whether food and drinks should be included at your game table.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:43 Poll: Food and Drinks at the Board Game Table
10:49 Board Games that Should Be Movies
14:50 Chris #10 - Godspeed
16:28 Adam #10 - Terraforming Mars
17:40 Tim #10 - Spirit Island
19:36 Chris #9 - This War of Mine
21:33 Adam #9 - Wingspan
22:20 Tim #9 - Root
24:20 Chris #8 - Coyote and Crow
27:32 Adam #8 - Barrage
28:49 Tim #8 - Underwater Cities
30:25 Chris #7 - Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
32:11 Adam #7 - Azul
34:03 Tim #7 - Near and Far
34:54 Chris #6 - Nightmare Cathedral
38:33 Adam #6 - Xenon Profiteer
41:13 Tim #6 - Outlive
44:11 Chris #5 - The Isle of Cats
47:01 Adam #5 - Xia: Legends of a Drift System
48:57 Tim #5 - Vindication
51:29 Chris #4 - Cthulhu: Death May Die
53:51 Adam #4 - La Granja
55:36 Tim #4 - Arkham Horror: The Card Game
57:35 Chris #3 - The Quiet Year
1:01:18 Adam #3 - T.I.M.E. Stories
1:02:28 Tim #3 - Anachrony
1:04:35 Chris #2 - Sleeping Gods
1:05:02 Adam #2 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt
1:06:33 Tim #2 - Golem
1:07:44 Chris #1 - AuZtralia
1:11:59 Adam #1 - Radlands
1:13:56 Tim #1 - Scythe

In Episode 107 we discuss 30 games that haven't gotten much attention from us on the podcast over the last 2 years but that we thought were worth mentioning briefly, good or bad.

We also discuss a poll on diverse representation in board game artwork.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Poll: Does diverse representation in board game art drive purchases?
07:18 Forgotten Games
8:25 Hadara
10:16 Canvas
13:35 Carson City
15:52 Afternova
18:35 Doughnut Drive-thru
20:50 Century: Spice Road / Century: Golem Edition
24:09 Jet Set
27:19 Space Base
29:59 Champions of Midgard
33:15 Seal Team Flix
35:18 Hero Realms
39:59 Chronicles of Crime
42:50 1841: Railways in Northern Italy
48:08 Imhotep
51:36 Deep Space D-6
53:14 Hellenica: Story of Greece
56:40 Babylonia
59:11 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia
1:02:00 Sentient
1:04:46 Lords of Hellas
1:08:08 Funkoverse Strategy Game
1:10:34 The Field of the Cloth of Gold
1:12:39 Zombie Kidz Evolution
1:14:32 Hyperborea
1:16:42 Antike II
1:18:47 Cthulhu Realms
1:22:13 Paper Dungeons: A Dungeon Scrawler Game
1:23:56 Patchwork
1:27:42 Shakespeare
1:31:15 Roll Player

In Episode 106 we provide our hot take review of Age of Galaxy covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss a poll about bad feelings created by huge wins, and then we discuss some games on our table including Planted, Tapestry, Watergate, Expedition to Newdale, and the new expansion for Parks: Wildlife.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Poll: Has winning created bad feelings?
14:16 Age of Galaxy Gameplay Description
16:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms
42:30 Production and Theme
57:04 Final Thoughts
1:02:32 Planted
1:07:47 Tapestry
1:09:50 Watergate
1:11:30 Expedition to Newdale
1:21:53 Parks: Wildlife