In Episode 236 we discuss the decisions you make around setting up a game to make it the best possible experience for your game group including things like changes you make after random setup steps, how you pick asymmetric factions, and what expansions you add in.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:38 Curating board game setup

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In Episode 235 we give our hot take review on The Guild of Merchant Explorers covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll on how tariffs might impact board game buying habits and we discuss some games that have been on our table including Skyrise, Black Forest, Belaad, Oh No Volcano, and Slay the Spire.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:22 Poll: If the percentage of prices on board games increase by double digits due to tariffs how much would that change your buying habits?

07:26 The Guild of Merchant Explorers Description

09:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms

21:15 Production and Theme

27:32 Final Thoughts

32:42 Skyrise and Black Forest revisited

37:42 Belaad: The Land of Swords and Quills

46:32 Oh no, Volcano!

50:51 Slay The Spire: The Board game

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In Episode 234 we look back at some hidden gems from 2015-2019. We each name a game that doesn't get discussed much anymore from each of these years and talk about why they deserve more attention.

We also discuss some our listeners board game highlights from 2024

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:40 Listeners Top Picks from 2024

06:28 Top 5 Overlooked Games (2015-2019)

09:20 2015 - Chaosmos

12:20 2015 - Cthulhu Realms

16:17 2015 - Deep Space D6

20:07 2016 - Bloc By Bloc

23:01 2016 - Imhotep

27:03 2016 - Kingdomino

30:39 2017 - A Handful of Stars

33:44 2017 - Outlive

35:35 2017 - Godfather: Corleone's Empire

39:48 2018 - Space Corp: 2025-2300AD

42:51 2018 - Disney Villainous

49:16 2018 - Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig

51:50 2019 - Dreamscape

54:26 2019 - Chocolate Factory

57:17 2019 - Wavelength

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In Episode 233 we give our hot take review on Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss board game restaurants, pubs, and cafes and then discuss some games that have been on our table including Kanban EV, Troyes, and Shasn Azadi.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Discussion: Board Game Pubs

08:33 Shackleton Base Description

11:33 Gameplay and Mechanisms

31:37 Production and Theme

38:53 Final Thoughts

44:24 Kanban EV

49:15 Troyes

54:46 Shasn: Azadi

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In Episode 232 we take a look back at 2024 and discuss some of the great (and no so great) games we played last year. Some of them were even published last year.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

3:20 Biggest Surprises in 2024

11:59 Biggest Disappointments in 2024

21:28 Best New to Us in 2024

36:23 Best Production Published in 2024

45:36 Lookback at Best Games of 2023

47:37 Best Games of 2024

1:05:25 Most Played Games of 2024

1:14:07 Board Game Revelations

1:20:18 2024 BGG Rankings Forecast

1:29:12 Listener Shoutout

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In Episode 331 we give our hot take review on Rats of Wistar covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We share poll results on buying games with the intent to sell them at a higher price and then discuss some games that have been on our table including Frozen Frontiers, Rebel Princess, and Dune: Imperium.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:25 Poll: Have you ever bought a game with the intention of flipping it, either for selling or trading it?

13:05 Rats of Wistar Description

15:12 Gameplay and Mechanisms

31:30 Production and Theme

38:50 Final Thoughts

42:54 Frozen Frontier

45:25 Rebel Princess

50:32 Dune: Imperium

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In Episode 230 we return to the mailbag and answer a bunch of our listener's board game related questions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

1:03 What draws you to boardgames and what do you get most of your hobby? Why do you play boardgames.

8:48 What are your thoughts on thumbing down people on Board Game Arena?

17:13 What games or mechanisms have tiers that you can find in games at light, mid-weight, and heavy weights?

27:41 Do you ever consider board games as works of art?

41:37 What games do you often refuse to play because it's too much work to pack up when you're done playing?

47:48 Best crowdfunding success stories?

55:44 Where do you hear about new games and how do you choose what you're going to review?

1:03:21 How many hours a week do you commit to the podcast?

1:11:54 Listener Shoutout

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In Episode 229 we look back at the games we played once for the first time in 2024. Great games and we want to play them more.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

1:58 Luthier

4:06 Lancaster

5:05 Clockwork Wars

6:18 Marrakesh

8:49 Dune: Imperium Uprising 6 Player

11:12 Hallertau

12:59 Dune

16:58 Biohack

19:06 Walnut Grove

21:32 Unconscious Mind

25:07 Ceres

27:33 Black Forest

28:19 Thunder Road: Vendetta

31:53 March of the Ants

33:51 Endeavor: Deep Sea

38:05 Runners Up (Xenon Profiteer, Mosaic, Mille Fiori, Tokaido Duo)

41:37 Listener Shoutout

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In Episode 228 we look back at last year's list of games we wanted to get played and then we discuss the games that are top of mind we hope to get to try over the next year.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Last Year's Top 5 we wanted to play in 2024 (and how we did)

00:56 Millennium Blades

05:41 Orleans

08:22 Turing Machines

09:38 Trickerion: Legends of Illusions

10:28 Splendor

12:30 Fractal

14:24 Creature Comforts

16:05 Kanban EV

18:09 Clockwork Wars

19:05 Oathsworn; Into the Deepwood

20:54 Cosmic Frog

22:09 Shogun

22:37 Apiary

24:33 Bonfire / Merlin / Marrakesh

26:12 John Company: 2nd Edition

00:56 Millennium Blades

27:17 Top 5 Games we want to play in 2025

27:55 Civolution

29:44 Joyride: Survival of the Fastest

34:16 Wroth

37:12 SETI: Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence

38:57 Harmonies

43:45 Dune: War for Arrakis

49:42 Windmill Valley

51:11 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth

53:10 Endeavor: Deep Sea

56:09 Resafa

58:54 Andromeda's Edge / Rock Hard: 1977

1:00:57 World Order

1:05:11 Wondrous Creatures

1:06:57 Rats of Wistar

1:11:03 Power Vacuum

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In Episode 227 we give our hot take review on Fromage covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We share poll results on including expansions when you play your favorite games and then discuss some games that have been on our table including Let's Go! To Japan, Flip 7, Azul: Summer Pavilion, and Barrage: Duel.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:25 Poll: If a board game you love has an expansion, how likely are you to include one when playing?

07:45 Fromage Description

09:33 Gameplay and Mechanisms

20:34 Production and Theme

26:54 Final Thoughts

30:25 Let's Go! To Japan and Flip 7

36:03 Azul: Summer Pavilion

41:40 Barrage: Duel

47:51 Listener Shoutout

If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

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