

Board Game Hot Takes
Board Game Hot Takes
We tell you how a board game experience felt - just minutes after we finish playing. Three unique points of view. No non-game nonsense.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 11min
Top 5 Board Games with Dice
In Episode 260 Rolling Reggie joins us to talk about some of our favorite board games that use dice and why we love the dice mechanisms in those games.You can find Reggie's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@rolling.reggieTimestamps:00:00 Introduction04:45 Top 5 Board Games with Dice07:00 Spots10:28 Dice Miner13:47 Wroth17:26 Troyes22:14 Castles of Burgundy27:03 Sentient30:28 Rajas of the Ganges33:33 The White Castle37:16 Dice Throne42:30 Tiletum46:31 Lords of Vegas49:57 Arcs53:40 Crystal Palace57:27 Sagrada1:00:53 Dune: War for Arrakis1:05:40 Honorable Mentions: Gang of Dice, Civolution, Fantastic Factories, Bang: The Dice Game, Sky TeamIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jul 28, 2025 • 50min
Confessions of a Casual Board Gamer
In Episode 259 our guest host, Danielle, answers our questions about her tastes, preferences, and feelings about the board gaming hobby as a casual board gamer. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:05 Definition of a Casual Board Gamer05:30 Thinking About Board Games10:21 Buying/Looking For New Games17:10 Learning New Games32:45 Board Game Complexity33:09 Board Game Conventions36:00 Board Game Annoyances47:03 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jul 21, 2025 • 1h 6min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2025 Edition (11-20)
In Episode 258 we continue the 2025 countdown of our 40 favorite Board Games of all time with choices 11-20.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:10 Chris #20 Obsession04:18 Adam #20 Stockpile05:42 Tim #20 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth06:53 Chris #19 - La Granja08:44 Adam #19 - Battle for Rokugan09:58 Tim #19 - Fromage12:20 Chris #18 - A Feast for Odin15:33 Adam #18 - Star Wars Rebellion16:55 #18 - Clank! Catacombs19:51 Chris #17 - Kanban EV23:12 Adam #17 - Gaia Project24:28 Tim #17 - Endeavor: Deep Sea26:09 Chris #16 - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar28:16 Adam #16 - Ankh: Gods of Egypt29:19 Tim #16 - Blood Rage33:26 Chris #15 - Pan Am36:12 Adam #15 - The Expanse Board Game37:25 Tim #15 - The Voyages of Marco Polo / Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan39:27 #14 - Blood Rage40:32 #14 - Fractal45:07 Tim #14 - Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King47:41 Chris and Tim #13 - Agricola1:19:07 Adam #13 - Frozen Frontier53:58 Chris #12 - 7 Wonders Duel55:39 Adam #12 - Pan Am57:15 Tim #12 - Tapestry1:00:08 Chris #11 - Azul1:02:20 Adam #11 - Sol: Last Days of a Star1:03:28 Tim #11 - Arc NovaIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jul 14, 2025 • 1h 1min
Tigris & Euphrates
In Episode 257 Mark Johnson from the Boardgames To Go podcast joins us to discuss Tigris & Euphrates covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We discuss a poll on which modern era our favorite games were from and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Tycoon: India 1981 and Castles of Tuscany.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:45 Poll Time: What Timeframe was your #1 Favorite Board Game Published Within?03:39 Intro to Mark Johnson and Board Games To Go06:48 Tigris & Euphrates Description09:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms28:21 Production and Theme32:39 Final Thoughts28:28 Tycoon: India 198150:41 Castles of TuscanyIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 42min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2025 Edition (21-30)
In Episode 256 we continue the 2025 countdown of our 40 favorite Board Games of all time with choices 21-30.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:54 Chris #30 Outlive05:09 Adam #30 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland08:22 Tim #30 Cyclades: Legendary Edition12:58 Chris #29 - The Guild of Merchant Explorers16:17 Adam #29 - SpaceCorp: 2025-2300AD18:29 Tim #29 - Scythe21:37 Chris #28 - Lost Ruins of Arnak26:14 Adam #28 - Scout28:29 #28 - Cthulhu: Death May Die33:31 Chris #27 - Cascadia37:27 Adam #27 - Shamans40:29 Tim #27 - Revive44:50 Chris #26 - Viticulture Essential Edition49:19 Adam #26 - Inis52:56 Tim #26 - Azul55:20 Chris #25 - Thunder Road: Vendetta58:21 Adam #25 - Biohack1:02:34 Tim #25 - Tichu1:05:29 Chris #24 - Pirates of Maracaibo1:10:38 Adam #24 - Skull1:13:19 Tim #24 - Space Base1:17:01 Chris #23 - Wonderland's War1:19:07 Adam #23 - Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization1:21:16 Tim #23 - Rising Sun1:22:47 Chris #22 - Clank! In! Space!1:26:15 Adam #22 - Marrakesh1:31:41 Tim #22 - Woodcraft1:34:09 Chris #21 - Teotihuacan: City of Gods1:38:40 Adam #21 - Terraforming Mars1:40:43 Tim #21 - Sea Salt & PaperIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 12min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2025 Edition (31-40)
The hosts kick off a countdown of their top board games, delving into choices ranked from 31 to 40. They share thoughts on games like 'Rats of Wistar' and 'Mosaic: A Story of Civilization,' highlighting gameplay mechanics and personal experiences. The conversation reflects on the joy of board gaming and the evolution of preferences over time. They contrast cooperative and competitive games, showcasing titles like 'Tycoon: India 1981' and 'Nemesis.' Listeners gain insights into the emotional impact and strategic elements that make these games memorable.

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 8min
Top 5 Games That End Too Soon
In Episode 254 we discuss games that end a little too quickly.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction03:14 Race for the Galaxy07:23 Newton09:57 Pirates of Maracaibo14:10 Mycelia19:14 Fantasy Realms / Marvel Remix22:11 Biohack24:36 Smartphone, Inc.27:46 Near and Far37:17 Distilled42:01 Robot Quest Arena44:12 Woodcraft / Pulsar 284947:13 Thunder Road: Vendetta53:26 Sol: Last Day of a Star56:21 Architects of the West Kingdom59:26 Gaia Project / Agricola1:03:37 Honorable Mentions: Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods, Keyflower1:05:52 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 12min
Inis
In Episode 253 we give our hot take review on Inis covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We discuss a poll on gamer types and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Modern Art, Cribbage, and Bomb Busters.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:25 Poll Time: What type of board gamer do you consider yourself?08:09 Inis Description11:50 Gameplay and Mechanisms26:04 Production and Theme32:39 Final Thoughts44:27 Modern Art and Cheeky Monkey51:16 Cribbage1:00:11 Bomb Busters1:09:32 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jun 9, 2025 • 1h 5min
Our Favorite Meeples
In Episode 252 we discuss our favorite wooden figures (meeples) in board games.We also answer a listener's question on which games are great for asynchronous play on Board Game Arena.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:20 Great (and not so great) async BGA games - Lost Ruins of Arnak, Ark Nova, Tapestry, Revive, Harmonies, Gaia Project, Through the Ages, Blood Rage, Rats of Wistar, Azul, La Granja11:30 5 Favorite Meeples19:40 Royal Visit21:50 Scoville25:07 Everdell27:19 Survive the Island30:25 Root33:03 Power Vacuum35:41 Wondrous Creatures37:57 Circadians: Chaos Order40:37 Charterstone43:30 On Mars45:47 Golem49:05 Glen More II: Chronicles49:58 Aqua Garden52:07 Merchants of the Dark Road55:02 Gentes Deluxified Edition57:47 Honorable Mentions: Arcs, Teotihuacan: City of Gods, Parks, Meepile, Luthier, BonfireIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 3min
Dinogenics
In Episode 251 we give our hot take review on Dinogenics covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.We discuss a poll on favorite publishers and then talk about some games that have been on our tables including Masters of Renaissance, Cyclades: Legendary Edition, Endeavor: Deep Sea, and Finspan.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:53 Poll Time: When you listen to board game reviews what are you most interested in hearing about?07:54 Dinogenics Description10:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms26:31 Production and Theme35:28 Final Thoughts40:46 Master of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico - The Card Game47:04 Cyclades: Legendary Edition48:41 Endeavor: Deep Sea55:45 Finspan1:01:05 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd