In Episode 13, we review Wyrmspan by Stonemaier Games and discuss our first, second, and third impressions of the game. To start off the episode, we chat about what’s bringing us joy: Nucleum (x2), Revive (x2), and sharing the love of board games with others.

Set in the modern day, you are building a sanctuary for dragons by excavating caves in order to entice dragons in this tableau and engine building game. By exploring the caverns and playing cards, you gain resources, cards, eggs, and advancement on the Dragon Guild for additional benefits–make sure you are keeping an eye on end round scoring! With many similarities to Wingspan, comparisons are made throughout our discussion, and we all land in different caverns regarding our preferences. Two things we can agree on are needing answers about what kind of meat we’re using to entice our dragons and whose milk are we feeding to the hatchlings?

Let us know your thoughts on Wyrmspan (and Wingspan!) on instagram ⁠@boardgamehomies

In Episode 12, we discuss our top 5 favorite games of the summer. To start off the episode, we chat about what’s bringing us joy: Daybreak, Lisboa, Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure, Clank!: Catacombs, and Ark Nova (again?!)

Whether we’re at a brewery, grabbing lunch, or sipping lattes, these are our go-to small box games this summer:

5. Sea Salt & Paper by Bombyx

4. Deck of Cards

3. Azul Mini by Next Move Games

2. Love Letter by Alderac Entertainment Group

1. Nana by @ Mob+

In Episode 11, we review Everdell by Starling Games and discuss our first and second impressions of the game. To start off the episode, we chat about what’s bringing us joy: Splendor Duel, Wyrmspan, Hegemony, Rebel Princess, and Carcassonne.

Over the river and through the woods to Everdell we go! Beneath the Ever Tree, we curate our cities by building constructions and inviting critters to inhabit those spaces. In this worker placement and tableau building game, you play through the seasons at your own pace as you gain points through playing cards into your city and being the first to complete public objectives. Look for combos to capitalize on when bringing critters into your city and through card abilities that synergize–though be wary, you may find yourself in a loop of actions that don’t elevate your city; we’ve lost many to this affliction: Everdelling. Some say, Angela is still upstairs Everdelling, eternally stuck in second place. 

Catch a glimpse of Everdelling in action on instagram ⁠@boardgamehomies 

In Episode 10, we review Kanban EV by Eagle-Gryphon Games and discuss our first and second impressions of the game. To start off the episode, we chat about what’s bringing us joy: Euchre, trick taking games at the Portland Game Collective Convention, Root, and the hope that Becky will play more games with friends.

Working on an electric vehicle assembly line, we dedicate time to train towards certification, and we select car designs to upgrade and eventually test–all the while stocking the warehouse with necessary parts in order to then assemble cars for R&D in Kanban EV. All of this is to prepare to be evaluated by our supervisor, Sandra, as she inspects each department throughout the week and eventually schedules meetings to discuss our performance goals. We all agree this game is super thematic, AND you don’t have to be interested in middle management or cars to enjoy the play (but it's okay if you are [Angela!!])! If you enjoy big, thinky games, definitely give Kanban a try if you get the chance.

Impress Sandra and find us on instagram ⁠@boardgamehomies

In Episode 9, we discuss Losing in board gaming. To start off the episode, we chat about the games that are bringing us joy: Railroad Ink, Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig, The Castles of Burgundy, Kanban EV, and Captain Flip (plus a sticker surprise!)

Find us on instagram ⁠@boardgamehomies to see the zingers from our text thread about the games we’ve played (and lost.)

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!