Board Game Hot Takes

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283 episodes

1 day ago

We tell you how a board game experience felt - just minutes after we finish playing. Three unique points of view. No non-game nonsense.

Games

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All content for Board Game Hot Takes is the property of Board Game Hot Takes and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

We tell you how a board game experience felt - just minutes after we finish playing. Three unique points of view. No non-game nonsense.

Games

Leisure

Episodes (20/283)

Board Game Hot Takes

Hot Topic: Are We In Peak Board Gaming?

In Episode 282 we discuss the current state of the hobby and if it's the best it's ever been. Are we in peak board gaming? Where do we go from here?

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

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1 day ago

1 hour 2 minutes 12 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Top 5 Games We Only Played Once in 2025

In Episode 281 we look back at the games we played once for the first time in 2025. Great games and we want to play them more.

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

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1 week ago

51 minutes 40 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Top 5 Board Games We Want To Play in 2026

In Episode 280 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

02:12 Last Year's Top 5 we wanted to play in 2025 (and how we did)

02:21 Civolution

05:40 Joyrides: Survival of the Fastest

06:08 Wroth

06:32 SETI: Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence

09:58 Dune: War for Arrakis

10:48 Windmill Valley

12:21 Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth

13:46 Endeavor: Deep Sea

15:18 Resafa

16:05 Andromeda's Edge / Rock Hard: 1977

17:26 World Order

18:47 Wondrous Creatures

19:44 Rats of Wistar

21:35 Power Vaccuum

22:40 Top 5 Games we want to play in 2025

22:40 Coming of Age

25:04 Primacy: A Coyote and Crow Card Game

29:31 Eternal Decks

34:12 Echoes of Time

38:55 Lords of Baseball

41:33 Everdell: Silverfrost

43:54 Burn the Fort

48:57 Rise and Fall

52:08 Ants

54:15 Rebuilding Seattle

1:00:33 Unicorn Fever

1:03:20 Sanctuary

1:09:03 Speakeasy

1:12:42 Ayar: Children of the Sun

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

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

2 weeks ago

1 hour 15 minutes 36 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Ada's Dream

In Episode 279 we give our hot take review on Ada's Dream covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We cover a poll on Multi-player Solitaire board games and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Lords of Vegas, Ticket to Ride, and Nokosu Dice.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:25 Poll: How do you feel about 'Multi-player Solitaire' Games?

15:19 Ada's Dream Description

18:06 Gameplay and Mechanisms

38:58 Production and Theme

48:51 Final Thoughts

1:00:42 Lords of Vegas

1:06:13 Ticket to Ride

1:08:11 Nokosu Dice

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

3 weeks ago

1 hour 15 minutes 41 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Top 5 Family Games

In Episode 278 we discuss the top 5 games that each of us thinks will be a big hit for families of all types (family gatherings, gaming with kids, etc.)

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

02:12 Top 5 Family Board Games

07:50 Flip 7

10:55 Skull

14:39 Cheeky Monkey /Can't Stop / Viking See-Saw

20:39 Sushi Go

23:13 No Thanks

27:28 Camel Up / Hot Streak

31:22 King of Tokyo

34:44 Balderdash

38:31 Ticket to Ride

42:45 Unlock / Exit (Escape Room in a Box Games)

49:31 Dino Battle: Logical Game

52:38 Robot Quest Arena / My Little Scythe

57:31 Quacks

1:00:51 Survive the Island

1:06:02 Return to Dark Tower / Slay the Spire

1:10:55 Honorable Mentions: Crokinole, Tripole, Love Letter, Kingdomino, Bot Factory

1:14:40 Listener Shoutout

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

4 weeks ago

1 hour 16 minutes 24 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Hot Topic: Our BGG Ratings

In Episode 277 we discuss why and how we rate board games on BGG and run through each of the rating levels, how they're described on BGG, and provide samples of our ratings at each level.

We also discuss a poll about rating board games on BGG.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:29 Poll Time: Do you rate games on BoardGameGeek?

7:42 BGG Ratings Topic Introduction

9:40 1 - Awful Defies Game Description

15:34 2 - Very Bad, Won't Play Ever Again

19:30 3 - Bad, Likely Won't Play This Again

23:24 4 - Not So Good, But Could Play Again

27:51 5 - Mediocre, Take It Or Leave It

32:34 6 - OK, Will Play If In The Mood

38:05 7 - Good, Usually Willing To Play

42:47 8 - Very Good, Enjoy Playing And Would Suggest It

47:59 9 - Excellent, Very Much Enjoy Playing

53:27 10 - Outstanding, Will Always Enjoy Playing

57:32 Final Thoughts

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

1 month ago

1 hour 1 minute 47 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Joyride: Survival of the Fastest

In Episode 276 we give our hot take review on Joy Ride: Survival of the Fastest covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We cover a poll on board game convention attendance and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Stroganov and Origin Story and a future take on Otter Chaos.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:28 Poll: How many board game conventions did you attend in the last twelve months?

11:10 Joyride: Survival of the Fastest Description

13:43 Gameplay and Mechanisms

26:08 Production and Theme

34:46 Final Thoughts

44:45 Stroganov

51:09 Origin Story

1:09:24 Future Take: Why I Otter, An Otter Won, Otter Chaos

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

1 month ago

1 hour 13 minutes 58 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Annoyances, Omissions, and More - Mailbag Episode #6

In Episode 275 we return to the mailbag and answer a bunch of our listener's board game related questions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

1:31 What are some of your go-to games for groups that have varying levels of gamers?

9:55 What are the parts of this hobby that annoy you the most?

13:16 What do you think are the biggest omissions from BGHT feature reviews?

17:36 What is your most played board game (in person)?

21:27 How do you decide between the urge to play something you know you like versus the obligation to play something new?

27:07 Are there groups of family or friends you don't bring out games for or to?

30:40 What are your forever games?

36:09 Which games make you feel clever?

46:12 Can you detail your current game groups?

55:53 Do you have any house rules you use?

58:55 Words of advice for a weekend gaming event inspired by BGHT cons?

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

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamehottakes

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

1 month ago

1 hour 6 minutes 45 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Galactic Cruise

In Episode 274 we give our hot take review on Galactic Cruise covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We cover a poll on board game productions and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Demoniac, Rebirth, Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein, and Thurn and Taxis.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:20 Poll: Which production element is more likely to get you excited about a board game?

06:36 Galactic Cruise Description

09:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms

36:14 Production and Theme

41:43 Final Thoughts

48:15 Demoniac

52:53 Rebirth

1:00:20 Thurn and Taxis

1:05:33 Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein

1:14:02 Listener Shoutout

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

1 month ago

1 hour 17 minutes 33 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Hot Topic: Healthy(?) Competition

In Episode 273 we discuss competition and specifically what we think is healthy competition.

We also discuss a poll about cheating in tabletop games.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:29 Poll Time: Have you ever experienced intentional cheating when playing a tabletop game?

5:59 Competition: General Thoughts

9:19 What creates healthy competition?

18:48 How has our competitiveness evolved over time?

29:41 How do different games illicit a different competitiveness in you?

49:02 How does your preferred competition level influence your preferred game choices?

54:05 Final Thoughts

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

2 months ago

56 minutes 59 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Top 5 Board Game Designers on Our Shelves

In Episode 272 we discuss the top 5 board game designers that are represented on our game shelves.

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

2 months ago

58 minutes 45 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Cosmic Frog

In Episode 271 we give our hot take review on Cosmic Frog covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also talk about some games that have been on our tables including Creature Comforts, That Time You Killed Me, and March of the Ants.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:29 Cosmic Frog Description

02:41 Gameplay and Mechanisms

26:24 Production and Theme

30:55 Final Thoughts

36:06 Creature Comforts

49:05 That Time You Killed Me

54:41 March of the Ants

1:06:22 Listener Shoutout

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

2 months ago

1 hour 9 minutes 4 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Retro Board Games

In Episode 270 we take a look at three retro board games that got us into the hobby with mini reviews of each - D&D Computer Labyrinth Game, Solarquest, and Guillotine.

We also discuss a poll topic on how important it is that board games are 'fun' and whether fun is a useful term when discussing or reviewing board games.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:44 Poll Time: Is 'Fun' important to you when playing board games AND is fun a useful term to use when discussing board games.

11:58 Retro Board Games

15:42 Dungeons & Dragons Computer Labyrinth Game

30:50 Solarquest

47:19 Guillotine

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

2 months ago

1 hour 1 minute 55 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

BGHT CampCon Recap Part 2 (8 Games Discussed... and a Rant!)

In Episode 269 we discuss all of the games (and many expansions) played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Government Camp, Oregon.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:24 Obsession: Characters Expansion

10:51 Terraforming Mars: Prelude

14:26 Pan Am

18:30 Barrage

21:23 Distilled: Cask Strength AND Africa and Middle East Expansion

28:36 Dune: Imperium - Uprising

32:42 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King

36:55 Blood Rage: Gods of Asgard

43:50 Rant! - Blood Rage: Valhalla

52:53 CampCon Final Thoughts

56:29 Listener Shoutout

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

3 months ago

59 minutes 48 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

The Game Makers

In Episode 268 we give our hot take review on The Game Makers covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a listener question on best 2 player mid-weight Euro style games, and then we talk about some games that have been on our tables including Age of Comics, Pagan: Fate of Roanoke, and Arborea.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:43 Patreon Question: Best mid-weight Euro game at 2 players?

10:38 The Game Makers Description

12:49 Gameplay and Mechanisms

28:05 Production and Theme

26:25 Final Thoughts

45:00 Age of Comics: The Golden Years

53:14 Arborea

54:48 Pagan: Fate of Roanoke

1:02:33 Listener Shoutout

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

3 months ago

1 hour 4 minutes 31 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

BGHT CampCon Recap Part 1 (8 Games Discussed)

In Episode 267 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in Government Camp, Oregon.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

06:02 The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth

10:44 Hot Streak

16:21 Tycoon: India 1981

25:42 Cascadia

27:34 Scoville 2nd Edition

33:36 Darwin's Journey

40:02 Wroth

44:06 Wonderland's War

48:20 Vantage

1:03:37 Listener Shoutout

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

3 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes 8 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Theme Driven Mechanisms

In Episode 266 we discuss mechanisms and board games that were inspired by the theme they represent.

Dave Beck (designer of Distilled and Luthier) also joins us for the discussion and gives us a sneak peak at the upcoming Distilled expansion, Distilled: Cocktails.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Distilled: Cocktails

15:14 Theme Driven Mechanisms

17:25 Obsession

19:39 Woodcraft

21:35 Captain Sonar

28:25 Hegemony: Lead Your Class To Victory

36:14 Wingspan, The Fox Experiment

37:33 Viticulture, Scoville

40:23 Western Legends

45:08 Baseball Highlights 2045, Barrage

49:35 Nemesis, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles

51:33 Android: Netrunner

54:43 Flamme Rouge, Heat: Pedal to the Metal

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

3 months ago

59 minutes 50 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy and What We Want in Expansions

In Episode 265 we review and discuss the Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy expansion.

We also discuss what we look for in expansions and what usually makes great expansions for us.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:50 Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy

20:13 Hot Topic: What We Look for in Board Game Expansions

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

Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205

Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd

4 months ago

59 minutes 27 seconds

Board Game Hot Takes

Stupor Mundi

In Episode 264 we give our hot take review on Stupor Mundi covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We discuss a poll on 'Take That' in board games, Chris gives us his 5 year anniversary cocktail segment, and then we talk about some games that have been on our tables including District Noir, and The Lord of Rings: Fate of the Fellowship.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:21 Poll Time: How do you feel about 'Take That' in multiplayer board games?

09:15:Board Game Giveaway Winner Announced

10:30 Stupor Mundi Description

11:01 Gameplay and Mechanisms

36:02 Production and Theme

45:36 Final Thoughts

50:08 5 Year Anniversary Cocktail

54:48 Azul and District Noir

1:01:27 The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship

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