Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 35 we provide our hot take review of Concordia covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some recent plays including Fox in the Forest, Omen: Reign of War, and Trekking the National Parks.  We also talk about a game coming to Kickstarter soon: Fractal: Beyond the Void. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Concordia Description 02:35 Gameplay and Mechanisms 12:55 Production 18:22 Favorite Moments in Play 21:43 Final Thoughts 26:40 Omen: Reign of War 27:33 Fractal: Beyond the Void 31:05 Fox in the Forest 37:55 Trekking the National Parks

In Episode 34 Adam and Tim discuss 10 games that they played during their first in-person gaming session in over a year!  Chris joins in to heckle us. 00:00 Introduction and discussion on gaming in person 06:05 A Feast for Odin 15:27 Canvas 23:18 Dwellings of Eldervale 30:27 Baseball Highlights: 2045 39:33 Anachrony 50:40 Anachrony: Fractures of Time 51:35 Dune: Imperium 56:50 Underwater Cities 1:01:23 Path of Light and Shadow 1:12:49 Santa Monica 1:18:10 Star Wars: Rebellion 1:27:08 Weekend Highlights

In Episode 33 we discuss our top five games that are great for introducing people into the board game hobby. We also offer a Double Take review on Terraforming Mars and give our thoughts on how it has held up since our original review back in episode 1.

In Episode 32 we talk about board game reviews and what works and doesn't work with our unique format of looking at games and then we then list our Top 5 Board Game Reviewers and why we love them. We also offer a Double Take review on Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy and give our thoughts on how it has held up since our original review back in episode 12. Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Discussion on Board Game Reviews 20:58 Top 5 Board Game Reviewers 45:12 Double Take - Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

In Episode 31 we provide our hot take review of Rajas of the Ganges covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some recent plays including Quacks of Quedlinburg, look at what's included in the recent expansion for Parks: Nightfall, and discuss Stellaris: Infinite Legacy which leads to the discussion of Kickstarters that don't provide a rulebook during the crowd funding campaign and a rant about some bad board game behavior. Timeline: 00:00 Intro 00:40 Rajas of the Ganges Description 01:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms 11:45 Production 20:43 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 29:51 Final Thoughts 35:13 Quacks of Quedlinburg 42:00 Endogenesis 43:17 Stellaris: Infinite Legacy 46:54 Parks: Nightfall

In Episode 30 we talk to James Wilson, the designer of Everdell, about the new expansions for the game: Newleaf and Mistwood.  We talk to him about pitching board games to publishers, his process for expansion design, and much more.  James also shares some details of lost Everdell expansions that will never get published. Tim, Adam, and Chris also talk about our top 5 art in board games.  Each of us covers 5 games where we love the art direction and why it speaks to us. Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Frosthaven Giveaway Details 01:15 James Wilson - Designer of Everdell - Interview 48:57 Top 5 Art in Board Games

In Episode 29 we provide our hot take review of Red Rising covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some drama around the Terraforming Mars: Big Box Kickstarter and question whether we should have held out for the Ares Expedition instead. 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Listener Shout-out 01:22 Red Rising Description 02:55 Gameplay and Mechanisms 33:18 Production 45:02 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 49:21 Final Thoughts 56:39 Terraforming Mars: Big Box Expansion and Ares Expedition

In Episode 28 we provide our hot take review of Beyond the Sun covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also discuss some board games that we've been playing or are looking forward to including Jet Set, Whistle Stop, Red Rising, and CoraQuest:  00:00 Introduction 00:45 Listener Shout-out 01:45 Beyond the Sun Description 02:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms 25:46 Production 33:53 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 40:58 Final Thoughts 44:30 Jet Set 46:01 Whistle Stop 51:18 Red Rising 57:50 CoraQuest

In Episode 27 we provide our hot take review of Everdell covering the mechanisms, the production, exciting moments in play, and our overall feelings of the game. We also provide a brief comparison of each of the Everdell expansions and recommend our favorite. We also discuss some things we're looking forward to this week in the world of board games including Imperium: The Contention and Cryo. 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Listener Shout-out 02:50 Everdell Description 04:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:19 Production 34:35 Memorable Moments in Gameplay 39:18 Final Thoughts 42:22 Everdell Expansion Comparison 48:15 Imperium: The Contention 50:37 Cryo

In Episode 26 we talk to Jamey Stegmaier and Alex Schmidt, the designers of Red Rising, about their new game, blending theme and mechanisms, intellectual property, foil cards and failed designs.  Tim, Adam, and Chris also talk about what makes games fun for us.  Each of us covers 4 characteristics that create fun in games and give several examples of games that bring the fun through each of those characteristics. 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Red Rising Interview 28:23 What Makes a Board Game Fun