Show Notes
In Episode 307 we reflect on the year of 2026 in board gaming at this mid point to talk about some of our favorite (and most disappointing) board games and experiences so far. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 1:30 Which game do you want to take on a 2nd date after your first play in 2026? (Speakeasy, Off With Their Heads, Ada's Dream) 4:33 Which games hit the table more than any other this year? (Azul, Darwin's Journey, Obsession, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Tapestry, Formaggio, Captain Flip, Sea Salt & Paper, The White Castle Duel, Boast or Nothing, Dune: War for Arrakis, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire, Unicorn Fever) 07:47 What game's production and art has impressed you the most over the last 6 months? (Echoes of Time, Speakeasy, Dune: War for Arrakis) 13:28 What was your biggest surprise and biggest disappointment? (Steam Power, Reforest, The Old King's Crown, Earthborne Rangers, Aquaria, Tag Team, Amalfi: Renaissance) 22:36 What has been your most reliable introductory board game? (Flip 7, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco, Azul, Subjective, Lords of Vegas, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire ) 28:50 Which 10+ years old title did you first discovery this year? (Thurn and Taxis, Parade, Medici: The Card Game, Biblios) 33:50 What's currently at the top of your wishlist? (Dawn of Madness, Everdell: Emerland, Entropy) 38:22 What's a creator, podcast, or channel that made your year better? (Punchboard Cathedral, Winner's Bias, Board Game Hangover) 45:00 What's your favorite episode you've created this year? 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
More from Board Game Hot Takes
In Episode 323 we're joined by board game designer Connie Vogelmann to discuss our top 3 board games we wish we'd designed. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:56 Connie tells us about Tideward and Weaverbirds 12:16 Top 3 board games we wish we'd designed 15:26 Baseball Highlights 2045 19:04 The Gang 23:05 Dominion 26:27 Glass Road / Black Forest 33:03 Smartphone, Inc. 36:34 It's a Wonderful World 40:14 Blue Lagoon 44:47 Nemesis 49:56 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 52:58 Fromage 58:54 Super Motherload 1:04:08 Nexus Ops 1:12:29 Will the BGHT Hosts ever design a board 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 322 we discuss epic (big, long) board games. How do you define an epic game? Are they worth the time investment? What games do you consider epic games? How often do you want to be playing them? 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 321 we give our hot take review on Bus covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on Duel Games and then discuss some games on our table including Ostia, Gunsen, and Jisogi: Anime Studio Tycoon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:17 Poll Time: How do you feel about Duel games? 12:12 Bus Description 14:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:01 Production and Theme 33:39 Final Thoughts 38:20 Ostia 51:26 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo 55:57 Jisogi: Anime Studio Tycoon 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 320 we discuss the board game collecting as a part of the hobby. Do we consider ourselves collectors? What makes an interesting collection? Why do board games make good (or bad) collections? 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 319 we give our hot take review on Gunsen COLON The Battle for Toshi Ranbo covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on whether its okay to concede in a 2-player game and then discuss some games on our table including Ants, World Order, and Origin Story: Heroes and Villains. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Is it acceptable to concede in a 2-player game? 12:38 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo Description 14:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms 40:10 Production and Theme 44:56 Final Thoughts 52:25 Ants 1:03:37 World Order 1:11:52 Origin Story: Heroes and Villains 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