Episode notes
In Episode 317 we give our hot take review on Wondrous Creatures covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on discovery vs. mastery and also discuss some games that have ALMOST been on our table including World Order and Distilled: Cocktails. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Poll Time: Which do you enjoy most about enjoying board games - Discovery or Mastery? 10:20 Wondrous Creatures Description 12:28 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:07 Production and Theme 37:12 Final Thoughts 44:39 World Order 51:32 Distilled: Cocktails If you enjoy the…
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Board Game Hot Takes
Board Game Hot Takes · Leisure & Travel · English
We tell you how a board game experience felt - just minutes after we finish playing. Three unique points of view. No non-game nonsense.
More from Board Game Hot Takes All episodes →
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E322 · 12 Oct 2026 · 57 minNew
Hot Topic - When are Epic Games Worth It?
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
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E321 · 5 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Bus
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…
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E320 · 28 Sep 2026 · 54 min
Hot Topic - Board Game Collecting
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
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E319 · 21 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 19 min
Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo
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…
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E318 · 14 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Our Spirit Games, Grail Games, Most Gifted Games, and More - Mailbag #9
In Episode 318 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 What's your Spirit Game? 04:39 Have you ever sold or traded a game away but later decided you wanted it back in your collection? 10:07 What games are just dumb fun? 15:03 Are there any games you'd like to see get a digital implementation? 19:39 What are your most gifted games? 24:57 What game was reimplemented wrong and the original was much better? 30:39 What is the first favorite happy moment in board gaming that comes to mind? 36:10 Will we ever attend another public…
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E316 · 31 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 18 min
Top 5 Party Games
In Episode 316 we play and discuss many of our favorite party games and you can play along with us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:37 Balderdash 11:04 Wavelength 18:05 Green Team Wins 22:59 Skull 27:18 Poetry for Neanderthals 31:12 Scattergories 35:57 Flip 7 39:57 Hot Streak 43:59 Heads Up! 48:58 Mad Gab 53:48 Scattergories: Categories 56:17 Subjective 1:01:33 Wits and Wagers 1:04:31 Challengers! 1:10:41 Codenames 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…
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E315 · 24 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Top 3 Resource Economies in Board Games
In Episode 315 we discuss our top 3 resource economies in board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Beat The Expert Contest Winners 04:43 Top 3 Resource Economies in Board Games (Brass: Birmingham, Clans of Caledonia) 13:12 Tinner's Trail 19:33 Power Grid 24:02 Modern Art 28:05 Keyflower 34:51 Creature Comforts 40:58 Smartphone, Inc. 44:58 M.U.L.E. The Board Game 51:19 Arborea 56:33 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky:…
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E314 · 17 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Entropy
In Episode 314 we give our hot take review on Entropy covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on how other people's experience at the game table impacts you and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Pokemon Modern Art, Wavelength, and Duel of Meloch. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Does another player's bad experience impact your enjoyment of a board game 09:00 Beat the Experts Contest Update 11:50 Entropy Description 13:45 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:54 Production and Theme 41:06 Final Thoughts…
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E313 · 10 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 19 min
Super Mini-Review Party!
In Episode 313 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also catch listeners up on the BGHT Beat The Expert Contest. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 08:52 Dawn of Madness 24:18 Trio / nana 29:23 Wingspan Pocket 48:17 Sanibel 46:30 Mister Diamond 51:07 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo 1:01:22 Stationfall 1:10:37 Dominant Species 1:14:46 Railroad Tiles 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:…
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3 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 42 min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2026 Edition (1-10)
In Episode 312 we conclude the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Tournament of Champions Contest Update 03:25 Ark Nova 06:17 Azul 08:14 Pan Am 12:33 The Castles of Burgundy 16:27 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 19:23 Star Realms 23:41 Grand Austria Hotel 27:06 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 29:16 Terraforming Mars 32:11 Nucleum 36:37 Pan Am 37:31 Blood Rage 39:54 Civolution 42:50 Smartphone, Inc. 45:33 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 48:12 Everdell 50:37 Wonderland's War 52:28 Gaia Project 55:29 Agricola 57:13 Sol: Last Days of a…
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