Board Game Hot Takes

In Episode 308 we start the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 41-50.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:50 Anachrony
06:31 Spirit Island
09:44 Let's Go To Japan
13:56 Harmonies
16:12 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game
17:32 Maracaibo
20:31 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization
22:02 Masters of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico The Card Game
24:19 Biohack
27:05 Azul
28:51 Pax Pamir 2nd Edition
30:50 Cascadia
33:45 Woodcraft
36:10 Speakeasy
37:53 Emberleaf
42:39 The White Castles Duel
44:55 Revive
47:30 The Guild of Merchant Explorers
50:48 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game
53:51 Xenon Profiteer
55:08 Nemesis
1:00:16 Voidfall
1:02:41 Star Wars: Rebellion
1:03:59 Robot Quest Arena
1:06:41 Slay the Spire: The Board Game
1:11:39 High Society
1:12:49 Smartphone, Inc.
1:15:51 Tzolk'in The Mayan Calendar
1:17:54 Age of Galaxy
1:19:57 Cthulhu: Death May Die
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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
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In Episode 306 we give our hot take review on Amalfi: Renaissance covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.
We discuss a poll on kingmaking and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Unicorn Fever and Parade and Chris covers his first impressions after unboxing Dawn of Madness.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:22 Poll Time: Kingmaking Decision
07:56 Amalfi: Renaissance Description
09:47 Gameplay and Mechanisms
20:27 Production and Theme
25:41 Final Thoughts
32:37 Unicorn Fever
39:10 Dawn of Madness Unboxing Thoughts
43:32 Parade
If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes
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In Episode 305 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
2:28 For what game do you prefer the digital implementation? What game do you refuse to play digitally?
11:48 At what point do you decide to buy a game?
20:52 How often do you get nostalgia for games you haven't played in many years?
26:32 Are there any goals for the pod over the next 5 years?
33:34 Has having the podcast taught us anything we didn't know about ourselves?
36:41 What legacy game would we want to play next?
42:25 What are some tips for teaching a complex game without a 30 minutes rules explanation?
48:35 If there's a game that your fellow hosts need a head start on what would it be?
51:54 What is one board game you'd like to see made into a movie or show?
56:53 If you can invite one guest onto the podcast, who would it be and what would you ask them?
1:01:10 What's your favorite game mechanic written in the form of a haiku or limerick?
If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes
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In Episode 304 we give our hot take review on Emberleaf covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game.
We discuss a poll on anthropomorphic animals in board games and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Dune: War for Arrakis and Blueprints and Chris discusses his excitement about finally receiving (after 8 years) his crowdfunded Dawn of Madness.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:22 Poll Time: Anthromorphic Animals?
09:11 Emberleaf Description
11:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms
31:27 Production and Theme
39:44 Final Thoughts
47:48 Dawn of Madness
50:56 Dune: War for Arrakis
1:04:27 Blueprints
1:11:25 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