Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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It's May and we're finally back to report on our 2026 Annual Board Game Retreat (from back in February)! We had a great time and played tons of games, so in this episode Chris, Jason, Bill and Cameron report on what they played - the good, the bad, and the crazy!

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Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

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On this episode of Hidden Gems, join your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they dig into three games that were definitely not from the crew's board game weekend. What have they been up to during the recent "snowpocalypse"?

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00:00 Intro & Banter
00:25:56 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game
00:49:07 Seas of Strife
01:05:21 Puerto Banana

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

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The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2011! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another bunch of award-nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions!

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00:00 Intro & Banter
00:37:42 Mondo
01:06:18 Uluru
01:27:57 Sun, Sea & Sand

MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):
Mondo: “The Call of the Wild”, Victor Lundberg
Uluru: “The Red Soil”, Saira Ridley
Sun, Sea & Sand: “Turtle Beach”, Oakwood Station

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

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It's summer in NC and that means sweltering heat, sweet tea and lots of travel. The guys have been all over the place, but have finally returned to the table for more gaming. Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they take on a trio of gem candidates from revered duo of designers Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling.

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00 Intro & Banter
00:31:10 Einauge sei Wachsam!
00:56:33 Asara
01:24:54 Maharaja

MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):
Einauge sei Wachsam!: “Over Dark Waters”, Bonnie Grace
Asara: “El Khalil”, Rymdklang Soundtracks
Maharaja: “Ganges Blues”, Banaras Baba & Kolkata Kid

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

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Will the supply of game designs from Reiner Knizia ever run out? It's doubtful, so the guys have much more exploring to do of the designer's epic catalog. We bring you part IV of that exploration. Will we find more gems? Or are these games lesser-known for a reason? They can't all be good... right? Find out on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff.

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00 Intro & Banter
00:33:17 F.I.T.S.
00:57:49 Zombiegeddon
01:27:13 Qin

MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):
F.I.T.S.: “My Children”, Martin Klem
Zombiegeddon: “Zombie Front Line”, Mantell
Qin: “Hiding Shadows”, Josef Falkensköld

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

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Chris is back from Asia, so what better way to welcome him back to the crew than covering 3 possible gems from Asian designers? Find out how they fare along with the latest banter topics on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff.

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00 Intro & Banter
00:37:13 Chronicle
01:00:55 Dadaocheng (2nd Edition)
01:28:58 Airship City

MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):
Chronicle: “We Are Giants”, Silver Maple
Dadaocheng: “What Lao Tse Told Me”, Christian Andersen
Airship City: “Covering New Grounds”, Jon Björk

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

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While the cat's away... Chris is traveling the globe this episode, so Jason has free reign over the game selections. Will his recent streak of mediocre contributions to the gem lineup continue? Or will digging deep into the library produce some new favorites? Join Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and newcomer Ken Cantrell as they investigate 3 more possible gems.

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00 Intro & Banter
00:25:11 Feudality
00:57:03 Campanile
01:20:50 Quebec

MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):
Feudality: “Medieval Feast”, Trabant 33
Campanile: “At the Sicilian Market”, Trabant 33
Quebec: “The Adventure Begins”, Philip Ayers
Editor's Note: "Light Dance", Ennio Mano

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

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Fantasy is a theme that has exploded into popularity in the past 30 years or so. It has had an impact on books, movies, TV, video games, and not least, board games. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey celebrate their enjoyment of the genre and review three fantasy-themed games.

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00 Intro & Banter
00:46:38 Gargon
01:13:52 Lost Legends
01:53:55 Dragonstrike

MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):
Gargon: "On a Bird's Wing" - Jon Bjork 
Dragonstrike: "Valley of Drakes" - Dragon Tamer

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

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What is it about Stefan Feld that keeps us coming back for more? In this latest episode pulled from some lesser known titles of his vast catalog, join your regular hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they welcome guest host Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table to chat about a new crop of 3 potential gems.

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00 Intro & Banter
00:33:02 Roma
00:59:01 Pillars of the Earth: Builder's Duel
01:32:33 Forum Trajanum

MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):
Roma: “Battle Sword”, Phoenix Tail
Pillars of the Earth: “Sacral Message”, Cercles Nouvelles
Forum Trajanum: “Arriving in Ancient Rome”, Kikoru

FOLLOW DANIEL: @thegametable

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC. 

Send us Fan Mail

Make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions before you fly the friendly skies with the Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they soar through a new trio of games. Will the guys first attempt at the "two-and-a-new" format fly or end up grounded? Find out if any new gems are to be had on this latest, airline-themed episode.

FEATURED GAMES:
00:00 Intro & Banter
00:41:45 Blue Skies
01:13:14 Jet Set
01:40:29 Sky Team

MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):
Blue Skies: “Street Groovin'”, Grip City Cronies
Jet Set: “Vacay”, Riverworn
Sky Team: “Epic Voyage”, Dream Cave

FOLLOW US:
Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast
BGG Guild #: 3874
Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.