Board Gamers Anonymous

It's that time again; we take a deep dive into the best games currently listed on BoardGameGeek's hotness list, plus we have fresh new reviews and previews: Question of the Week: Let's talk expansions: what new elements added to a game have the best chance to wow you and enter rotation? (e.g. asymmetry, new cards, the dreaded 5th player) Acquisition Disorders: A Song of Ice & Fire Tactics, TOKYO HIGHWAY Rainbow CityAt the Table Reviews: Barcelona, Scarface 1920If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we're looking at the top 100 thematic games as listed on BoardGameGeek.com. Which ones deserve to be ranked so high and which would we drop lower? Find out in a full rundown of the top 100 listing on BGG. Question of the Week: What's your favorite thematic game and why?Acquisition Disorder: Steam Power, EVE: War for New Eden, Conan by Monolith: Red Nails Expansion and Versus ModeAt the Table Review: Oranienburger Kanal, Undaunted: NormandyIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Over the last 10+ years, we've reviewed a lot of games. Hundreds of experiences, many of which we really enjoyed. But every now and then, a game hits just wrong, and we can't help but give it our dreaded "burn" rating. This week, we're taking a look back at some of these duds, and discussing why they fell flat for us. For those eager to hear more negative reviews, this is for you! Acquisition Disorders: Meeple Inc., G.I. JOE Battle for the Arctic Circle, Powered by Axis & Allies & Axis & Allies Anniversary EditionAt the Table Reviews: Apiary, TriquetaIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We run through our favorite games of 2023, with our top 10 games of the year and awards for:Best Digital ImplementationBest Family GameBest Strategic GameplayOverlooked GemBest KickstarterBest 2.0 ReleaseBest Solo GameBest ExpansionIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The new year is here and we have a list of the 50 (give or take) most anticipated games of the upcoming year. It's our supersized, mega-acquisition disorder!If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we're taking a look back at the year that was 2023, with a rundown of the games we played, the ones that didn't come out (and some that will never come out), and our overall thoughts of the year as a whole. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We're back with another episode of hot takes, looking at the games that people may not be as generally positive on but that we love. Plus reviews of Horrified: Greek Monsters and Hexarchy. Acquisition Disorders: Fief England - Alliances, Treachery, And Power, StormgateAt the Table Reviews: Horrified: Greek Monsters, HexarchyIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we're looking at some of the truly great games out there that just don't click for us and discuss what about them doesn't work (and if either of us disagrees). Question of the Week: What's a game that completely upended your expectations (good or bad)? How so?Acquisition Disorders: Nucleum: Australia, Star Realms Deluxe Colonial Collection, Adventure Time Card Wars 10th AnniversaryAt the Table Review: Junk DrawerIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Another PAX Unplugged has come and gone, and we're discussing all the cool things we saw, did, and played over the three-day gaming weekend in Philadelphia. Games discussed:- Defenders of the Realm 2.0- Dune Imperium: Uprising- Undergrove- Cascadia Flip and Roll and Write Games- Evacuation- Nucleum- Star Wars Unlimited- Evil Corp.- Nautilus Island- In the Footsteps of Darwin- CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives- House of CatsIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We asked and you answered! This week we've constructed the top 10 games of 2023 according to the listeners. Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey and congratulations to Omar, who won a game as part of that contest. Join us for a rundown of these ten, plus a bit of a rant from Anthony on the spiraling of crowdfunding for classic games, and reviews of some recent (and not-so-recent) games.* Acquisition Disorders: DCeased, KELP - Shark vs. Octopus* At the Table Reviews: Imperial Miners, Skip-Bo, Disney The Muppet Christmas Carol: Spirit of Giving GameIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's that time of year again. Games and gifts and gifts that are games! Check out our 2023 holiday gift guide, complete with 20 different games, accessories, and apps that you can gift to yourself or a gamer friend for the holiday season. Additionally, we chat about the direction of crowdfunded upgrades to classic games and what it will take to make us back Food Chain Magnate on Gamefound, plus our question of the week: "If a group of lions is a pride and a group of crows is a murder, what should we call a group of meeples?"Contest: Make sure to enter our Listeners' Top Games of 2023 contest, now live here:https://gleam.io/wbmri/listeners-top-games-contest If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https

This week, we're looking at another collection of mechanics based on a single component: the meeple! Check out 15+ unique uses of meeples and how they represent the hobby as a whole.* Acquisition Disorders: Cargo Empire, Calimala* At the Table Reviews: Raiders of the North Sea, EvolutionIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thanks to Ryan for the suggestion on this week's topic! We're looking at different ways dice have been used as a mechanic in board games with 15 different takes (and representative games) from the hobby. * Question of the Week: Ouija is a _______ game* Acquisition Disorders: Cities, Star Trek: Into the Unknown* At the Table: Tichu, Terraforming Mars The Dice Game, Herstory, Pop in the BoxIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we're looking at the best trick (not treat) taking games for the Halloween season. Which small box, quick fun games should you bring to the table (or hand out) on Halloween this year? Question of the Week: What game is sneaky in its complexity, offering a lot more depth (or barriers) than you'd expect based on the artwork, presentation, or publisher?Acquisition disorder - Through the Desert, Keep the Heroes Out: Boss BattlesAt the Table reviews - World WondersIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we take a look at the sequel games that have launched their way up the BoardGameGeek Top 100 list, becoming, at least numerically, better versions. It's not a top 10, because there are 11. Find out how they iterated and changed their own formula and became more popular games. Question of the Week: What's your favorite board game production? Not necessarily best artwork or miniatures (though that may be your answer), but the best overall production of a game, from flavor text in the rulebook to table presence or even box design?Acquisition Disorders: World Order, Obsession: Character Expansion (with Metal Coins)At the Table Reviews: Forest Shuffle, Crown of EmaraIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can also support the show by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Image credit: “Wyjdz

This week, Chris welcomes special guests Chris from Board Games for the Better and Game Master Dave to talk games, the upcoming Tabletop Charity Game Day on November 4, and much more!Acquisition Disorders: Metal Gear Solid The Board Game, Twilight Imperium 4th Edition (BGA), The Night Cage: Shrieking HollowAt the Table Reviews: Tokaido Duo, Advance Civilization (Avalon Hill), Endless Winter: PaleoamericansLearn more about Chris and Board Games for the Betterhttps://boardgamesforthebetter.org/https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com/tabletop-charity-game-day-2023/Game Master Davehttps://gamemastergames.com/fatdog/https://gamemastergames.com/octacon/If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPri

This week, we look from afar at the hotness from Essen Spiel 2023, talking about the games that sold out, the games that hit the BGG hotness, and all the things we're interested in tracking down for ourselves in a few months when they reach the US. Question of the Week: What should be a mandatory addition to the side of game boxes (along with player count and length)? Acquisition Disorders: Rats of Wistar, Gamefold: The First Folding Table Designed for GamingAt the Table Reviews: Voidfall, Age of Innovation, Namiji: Deluxe EditionIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We take a look back at the last 10 years and the games we named "best of the year" in each of those years, then discuss if those selections have changed since then. Some years remain strong, others change substantially. Find out which games we're still playing. Acquisition disorders: Haggis, Mycelia | The Strategic Mushroom GameAt the Table reviews: Voidfall impressions, Masters of the Universe: The Board Game – Clash for EterniaIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we're talking the BGG hotness as of the end of September. Which games are hot and why? Always a fun discussion. Plus Anthony discusses the process of unpacking and learning Voidfall (it's a lot!) Acquisition Disorders: Evacuation, Flock Together - An Asymmetric Cooperative GameAt the Table Reviews: Race to the Raft, Heat: Pedal to the MetalIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we're talking about all those Roman Empire games we can't get out of our heads, plus a discussion of the Terraforming Mars AI controversy, and an announcement for upcoming NJ gaming goodness. Acquisition Disorders: Fromage, One Page WarAt the Table Reviews: Moon, Bullet♥︎, Ra (Deluxe Edition)If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy