In Episode 8, we review Bruxelles 1893: Belle Époque and discuss our first, second, and third impressions of the game. To start off the episode, we chat about the games that are bringing us joy: Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island, Faraway, Ark Nova with Marine Worlds, Castles of Burgundy, and Carcassonne.

Building the first Art Nouveau buildings, we–Paul, Paul, Paul, and Victor–balance worker placement,  managing finances, and art collecting in order to build our houses, win area majorities, and increase scoring multipliers for the end game. For playing as architects, this game is a mean one, but we thoroughly enjoy this knife fight in a phone booth. 

In Episode 7, we review Kutná Hora: The City of Silver and discuss our first, second, and third impressions of the game. To start off the episode, we chat about the games that are bringing us joy: Isle of Cats, The King Is Dead: Second Edition, Faraway, and Paladins of the West Kingdom.

Developing the City of Silver through purchasing plots of land, securing building permits, and expanding the mines, we discuss the variable economic market, constructing the grand Saint (Santa) Barbara’s Cathedral, and paying taxes in this hand management and tile placement game by Czech Games Edition. Although this game makes for an enjoyable play that none of us will turn down, it has us thinking about what creates staying power in a game.

Share your thoughts about Kutná Hora: The City of Silver with us on instagram ⁠@boardgamehomies

In Episode 6, we review Ark Nova and discuss our first, second, and third impressions (and many more!) of the game. To start off the episode, we chat about the games that are bringing us joy: Expeditions: Gears of Corruption, Root, Haggis, and MLEM: Space Agency.

Gathering animals, forming partnerships, and garnering support from sponsors, we discuss building our reputation, zoo appeal, and conservation points through polyomino placement of enclosures, balancing the flow of actions, and hate drafting (aka snapping) against friends.

Our group has been obsessing over this game – it has been played solo, online, in two different houses, and at four, three, and two player counts. We love a big deck game, and it shows. 

Share your experiences and strategies on our instagram @boardgamehomies 

In Episode 5, we explore FOMO (fear of missing out), crowdfunding, and upgrades. To start off the episode, we chat about our shared joy from attending our local board game convention that hosted high score tournaments for Azul, Cascadia, and Wingspan, a two player tournament, and space to play games with strangers.

Board game tables, metal coins, and Ark Nova (oh my!)–we discuss how FOMO and coveting shows up for each of us in this hobby, and how it relates to crowdfunding. Find out which one of us is the self-proclaimed worst FOMO offender and learn our preferred upgrades from glamorous to thrifted.

Check out Reed’s perfect Ark Nova upgrade gift and a picture of Gillean coveting Ark Nova on instagram @boardgamehomies

In Episode 4, we review Harmonies and The White Castle and discuss our first, second, and third impressions of these games. To start off the episode, we chat about the games that are bringing us joy: Spire's End: Hildegard, Age of Innovation, Thunder Road: Vendetta, and Ark Nova. 

Surrounded by beautiful artwork and components, we discuss drafting tiles and building habitat patterns to attract animals to our landscapes in Harmonies, a tile drafting and placement game by Libellud, and we discuss the exacting elegance of the 9 actions of The White Castle, a resource management and worker and dice placement game by Devir. We’re all awestruck by these two games, but it’s Becky who shookith the group into silence in less than 9 seconds…

Share your thoughts about Harmonies and The White Castle with us on instagram @boardgamehomies -- we promise we won't cull anyone for disagreeing with us!

In Episode 3, we review Brass Birmingham and discuss our first, second, and twenty-third impressions of the game. To start off the episode, we chat about the games that are bringing us joy: Brass Birmingham, King of Tokyo, Splendor Duel, and Dune Imperium: Uprising.

Through the canal and rail eras of the Industrial Revolution, we discuss market variability, loans, emergent strategies, and hand management in this very thinky–yet engaging–game. We’re obsessed, and one of us (who apparently still doesn’t know ALL the rules) is so pleased to be playing so much Brass Birmingham.

Share your thoughts about Brass Birmingham with us on instagram @boardgamehomies and check out our raging coal market. 

In Episode 2, we review Wonderland’s War and discuss our first, second, and third impressions of the game. To start off the episode, we chat about the games that are bringing us joy: Wyrmspan, Revive, Bruxelles 1893: Belle Époque, Sea Salt & Paper: Extra Salt, and Tokaido.