RDG Tabletalk

This week we’re heading to the zoo for a look at Sanctuary: An Ark Nova Game…but is it really Ark Nova?

We kick things off by talking about our own experiences visiting the zoo, although it quickly becomes pretty obvious that one of us enjoys the zoo a LOT more than the other. Maybe that has something to do with who ended up liking Sanctuary more 👀

Then, we introduce our newest segment, Royal Reviews, where we read one of our 1st listener’s review. After that, we dive into Sanctuary and take a closer look at just how much of Ark Nova is actually hiding inside this box. Some elements are blatantly Ark Nova, while other changes make Emerson wonder if this could have been its own game entirely, and possibly even more successful without the Ark Nova IP attached to it.

Listen closely, Emily has a hot take of her own that manages to catch Emerson completely by surprise. We wrap things up with some strategic tips from Emerson and try to answer the big question: Is Sanctuary simply a streamlined Ark Nova, or is there a game here that deserves to stand on its own?

Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed hanging out with us, make sure to follow the podcast, leave us a review, and share it with your favorite game night crew. 

Looking to connect? Send us an email at: [email protected]

This week we're talking all things Planet Unknown and its expansion, Supermoon. We kick things off by discussing the game's Kickstarter success before sharing our theories as to why this space themed game has become a favorite for so many gamers while missing the mark for others. From simultaneous turns and asymmetric player powers to consistent play times and endless replayability, we share our experiences, compare how differently we approached the game, and discuss whether Supermoon is worth adding to your collection. To wrap things up, we see if Emily can identify board game publishers from nothing more than their logos. Spoiler alert...uh, she was confident.

This week we settle back into our routine after a brief hiatus and catch up on what's new, including some of the games we've been playing lately. We also touch on a hot topic in the world of aliens as scientists seem to be mysteriously disappearing before diving into the main discussion: are board game reviews too positive? We share the role of reviewers in the hobby, how Royal Dachshund Games approaches criticism, and why overhyping products can damage trust between creators and consumers. From Instagram algorithms and genuine engagement to maintaining publisher relationships while staying honest with our audience, we discuss the responsibility that comes with sharing opinions in a hobby we love.

This week we kick things off with Spill the Beans with Bean as we talk about Awaken Realms’ newly announced Concordia Special Edition and Board & Dice revealing their upcoming Duel game. Then we climb into our review of Mountain Goats, discussing our two player experience and why it kept reminding us of the classic push your luck gameplay found in Can’t Stop. To wrap things up, we put each other to the test with a board game mechanics themed mini game and quickly realize we may not know as much as we thought we did. 🎲🐐

Huge thanks to @AllPlay for sending us a review copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

This week we take a trip down memory lane and talk about the oldest games we remember playing growing up. Then we dive into Àiyé  and explore how it uses the mancala mechanism in a way that caught our attention at the table. We discuss what makes the game stand out, where it surprised us, and whether it deserves a spot in your collection. To wrap things up, Emily and Emerson put each other on the spot through multiple rounds of “This or That?” in this week’s RDG mini game.

Huge thanks to @MoonSagaWorkshop for sending us a review copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

This week’s episode is all about Folded Space inserts and how much of a difference they can make at the table. We talk through how they impact setup, gameplay, and teardown, plus which games really need an insert and which ones already got it right. Along the way, we throw in some Moira Rose impressions and take a closer look at Emerson’s growing baggie collection… is it organization or is it a problem?

Huge thanks to @FoldedSpace for sending us a some review copies! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

This week, we review Emberleaf and talk about why this cozy woodland game stood out to us. First, we spill the beans with Bean and chat about a few current events in the hobby. Then, we talk Emberleaf and break down our experience around the campfire. Finally, we put on our completely unqualified marketing hats and attempt to invent catchy taglines for board games… well, we thought they were catchy... did you?

Huge thanks to @CityofGames for sending us a review copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

This week, we review the stunning deduction game Veiled Fate, no accusations required. We kick things off by asking which games look amazing but totally flop at the table, then dive into why this one stands out in a crowded genre and whether IV Studio deserves its own shelf in every collection. Along the way, we share some cardboard confessions...Emerson did what?! Finally, we wrap things up with a very important mystery: was it Colonel Mustard...in the bathtub...with the toaster???

This week, we fully embrace the chaos and talk about why we do what we do. We share how Royal Dachshund Games came to be, why podcasting lets us finally have endless board game conversations without a caption limit, and shout out friends who inspired Emerson to take on a new challenge in 2026. We also applaud Emily’s massive technical glow-up (she now likes comments on purpose), while noting she still refuses to learn a game without her trusty, noble husband nearby.

Some gaming friends we'd like to shoutout and you can find on Instagram are:

@spaghettiandmeeples

@saraalwaysloses

@bettermoodboardgames

@timchuon

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @royal_dachshund_games for more board game content. Want to collaborate or just say hi? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

Does AI have a place in the board gaming hobby? In this episode, we dig into the pros and cons of AI’s growing influence- from game design and generated art, to its impact on artists and the community as a whole. We talk consumer responsibility, “voting with your money,” crediting original creators, and somehow, eventually, end up asking the most important question of all: what candy bar did Charlie Bucket buy with his winning golden ticket?