In Episode 293 we each cover 5 board games that integrate animals themes.

We also discuss a poll on packing board games when travelling on a plane.

00:00 Introduction

03:50 Poll Time: How do you pack board games when travelling via airplane

11:40 15 Great Animal Themed Games

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 292 we give our hot take review on two board game expansions - Viticulture: Bordeaux and Revive: Call of the Abyss

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

0:35 Viticulture: Bordeaux

0:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms

19:36 Production and Theme

21:29 Final Thoughts

28:03 Revive: Call of the Abyss

28:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms

39:04 Production and Theme

40:33 Final Thoughts

45:29 News and Listener Shoutout

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 291 we look back at some hidden gems from 2020-2024. We each name at least one game that doesn't get discussed much anymore from each of these years and talk about why they deserve more attention.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:49 Top 5 Overlooked Board Games (2020-2024)

05:00 2020 - Whistle Mountain (Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers, The Castles of Tuscany, Star Wars Unlock, Mariposas)

10:22 2020 - Godspeed

11:23 2020 - New York Zoo

15:20 2021 - Viking See-Saw (Boon Lake, Mille Fiori, Messina 1347)

21:26 2021 - Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy

25:42 2021 - The Emerald Flame

27:33 2021 - That Time You Killed Me

33:18 2022 - Vagrantsong (Sea Salt & Paper, Woodcraft, Creature Comforts, Paperback Adventures)

39:49 2022 - Mosaic: A Story of Civilization

41:47 2022 - Age of Galaxy

42:37 2022 - Aeon Trespass Odyssey

44:29 2022 - Three Sisters

48:45 2023 - Imperial Miners (Pirates of Maracaibo, Rats of Wistar, Surfasaurus Max)

53:56 2023 - Fractal, Robot Quest Arena

56:35 2023 - Europa Universalis: The Price of Power

59:28 2023 - Sea Dragons

1:03:33 2024 - Lone Wolves (Let's Go To Japan, Fromage, Rebirth, Windmill Valley, Flip 7, Captain Flip, Invincible: The Hero Building Game, Stamp Swap, Spring Cleaning)

1:08:50 2024 - Frozen Frontier, Biohack

1:10:08 2024 - Reforest, Looot

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 290 we discuss board game strategy, how we approach it, and why we care about strategy when we're playing board games.

We also discuss a poll about discussing strategy after a play.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:25 Poll Time: Do you discuss the strategy of your play after finishing a game?

12:05 Board Game Strategy

12:38 How do you approach strategy on a first play of a board game?

17:15 What's your approach for getting better at board game strategy after your first play?

24:57 Is getting better at strategy important to you?

32:35 Are there any games you feel you're the best you'll ever be?

37:29 Are there any games you aren't good at and don't know how to get better?

46:08 If you aren't getting better at strategy in a game does that game become less fun for you?

52:54 Have you every looked for strategy tips online for a game?

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 289 we give our hot take review on Dewan covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Speakeasy, Saltfjord, and Ape Town.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:41 Dewan Description

02:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms

18:40 Production and Theme

23:55 Final Thoughts

28:25 Speakeasy

37:25 Saltfjord

45:06 GameCon at House on the Hill (Portland Metro Area)

47:53 Ape Town

57:53 Listener Shoutout

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 288 we dive into the mailbag in search of our listener's best board game related questions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

2:14 Theme that doesn't exist that you'd like to see in a game?

12:28 What are your once a year games?

20:02 What is the best deal you've ever scored on the secondary market and what is your most regrettable board game purchase?

29:53 Thoughts on ordering a game outside of the U.S.A?

34:35 Most promising board game designers to look out for?

41:47 What does a typical productions schedule for an episode look like?

50:07 Do you feel like your preference for playing complex board games is affected by the mental load you have in life?

54:30 Do you manage to pull 4 Azul tiles out of the bag every single time?

55:40 Do we pay too little for board games?

1:00:18 Does your family life suffer as a result of your board game hobby?

1:07:58 How old are we?

1:10:25 Listener Shoutout

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 287 we give our hot take review on Forest Shuffle and Reforest and cover the gameplay and production of both and then discuss which we preferred.

We also discuss a poll on separating resource components when setting up a game and then discuss some recent plays of Fibbage and Super Motherload.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:22 Poll Time: Separating Resources

8:27 Forest Shuffle Description

9:52 Gameplay and Mechanisms

22:14 Production and Theme

28:11 Reforest Description

29:48 Gameplay and Mechanisms

41:32 Production and Theme

46:24 Final Thoughts - Forest Shuffle and Reforest

58:56 Hot Streak, Fibbage, and Flip 7

1:01:10 Super Motherload

1:07:15 Listener Shoutout

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 286 we cover 5 board game expansions each that are (almost) mandatory.

00:00 Introduction

01:45 Board game expansions we won't play without

03:31 Look back at Top 5 Board Game Expansions from Episode 47

10:17 Roll Player - Monsters and Minions

15:02 Agricola - Belgium, France, Gamer's Deck, etc.

19:43 Radlands - Cult of Chrome

22:05 Thunder Road: Vendetta - Choppe Shoppe

24:36 Blood Rage - Kickstarter Exclusive Monsters

29:04 Stockpile - Continuing Corruption

31:04 The Castles of Burgundy - Trade Routes

34:51 Obsession - Upstairs, Downstairs

38:36 Chaosmos - The Temple

42:16 Downforce - Danger Circuit, Wild Ride

46:07 Tapestry - Plans and Ploys

50:20 Gaia Project - The Lost Fleet

53:13 Fantastic Factories - Manufactions

55:12 Dune: Imperium - Rise of Ix

59:33 March of the Ants: Evolved Editions - Predators and Prey

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 285 we give our hot take review on The Old King's Crown covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We talk about the BGG Hall of Fame inductee, For Sale, and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Reforest, Biblios, and Subjective.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:21 BGG Hall of Fame: For Sale

05:40 The Old King's Crown Description

08:18 Gameplay and Mechanisms

33:50 Production and Theme

38:52 Final Thoughts

46:20 Echoes of Time

48:22 Reforest

53:06 Dead Cells

54:25 Biblios

58:53 Subjective

1:04:25 Listener Shoutout

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 284 we give our hot take review on Echoes of Time covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.

We cover a poll on motivations to engage with the board game hobby and then discuss some games that have been on our tables including Sanctuary and Fearsome Floors and a first look at some games that have recently arrived including Chaosmos: The Temple and Speakeasy.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:21 Poll: What is your primary motivation for being a part of the board gaming hobby?

09:18 Echoes of Time Description

10:57 Gameplay and Mechanisms

27:08 Production and Theme

37:26 Final Thoughts

47:00 Sanctuary

56:06 Recent Arrivals: Chaosmos: The Temple and Speakeasy

59:51 Fearsome Floors

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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

In Episode 284 we take a look back at 2025 and discuss some of the great (and no so great) games we played last year. Most of them were even published last year.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

2:27 Biggest Surprises in 2025 (Dead Cells, Hot Streak, Slay the Spire: The Board Game)

16:45 Biggest Disappointments in 2025 (Wroth, Scoville 2nd Edition, SETI: Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence)

25:04 Best New to Us in 2025 (Lords of Vegas, Thurn and Taxis, Crokinole, Nokosu Dice)

30:23 Best Production Published in 2025 (Hot Streak, March of the Ants Evolved Edition, Stupor Mundi)

36:51 Lookback at Best Games of 2024 (Unconscious Mind, Fromage, Civolution)

40:35 Best Games of 2025 (March of the Ants Evolved Edition, Luthier, Moon Colony Bloodbath)

48:40 Board Game Resolutions

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

Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social

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

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