We're So Board!

In this episode, we found an order of druids attempting to learn the greatest secrets of the ancient oak tree.  We climb it's branches and visit temples to show our devotion in this worker placement game.  Listen to find out  how Rachel broke the game and why we backed it in the first place!Game Info:1-4 Players60-90 Minute PlaytimeAges 14+Board Game Geek EntrySocial Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterTwitch

In this episode, we're getting warm and cozy with a nice cup of tea as collect flavorful ingredients and tasty addons in Chai.  This is an order fulfilment game where different types of tea shops are competing to serve the most customers and brew the highest quality tea.  There may even be a few famous cameos that drop in for a drink.  Listen to find out why we're all just kids waiting to get our allowance and how many episodes we have left before Y2K23.Game Info:1-5 Players20-60 Minute PlaytimeAges 8+Board Game Geek EntrySocial Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterTwitch

Today we are joined by our friend and game creator Niall Crabtree of Crab Studios to discuss bluffing and deception games.  We talk about the history and aspects of our favorite games that encourage us to lie to each other.  Listen to find out who is always the traitor and when they aren't, who they always suspect. You'll also be able to learn about our guest's Nordic inspired bluffing game that is now available.http://www.niallcrabtree.com/

In this episode, we venture into the Miskatonic University Museum to seal away an ancient one before they destroy the world!  We're collecting clues, solving puzzles, and killing monsters.  This dice chucking co-operative game gives you an easy and quick setup while offering a lot of replay-ability through its tough adventures.  Listen to find out how many hours are in a day and where Jake's shameless ability to win leads him.Game Info:1-8 Players90 Minute PlaytimeAges 13+Board Game Geek EntrySocial Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterTwitch

In this episode, we're sewing together quilts and trying to fill in as much of it as possible!  However, the patches don't come in standard shapes so making your quilt quickly starts to feel like a puzzle.  This 2-person Tetris-like game offers many different themes, including one for Halloween!  So listen to find out why Rachel wants to catch 'em all and how Jake is going to bring competitive shape matching to your favorite sports station!Game Info:2 Players15-30 Minute PlaytimeAges 8+Board Game Geek EntrySocial Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterTwitch

In this episode, we take to the high seas as mariner ocean creatures.  We're vying for control of the local islands as the Bluefin Squadron and Mollusk Union or bootlegging our way to the top as true pirate smugglers.  This asymmetrical dice rolling and area control game offers a Root-lite experience that's easy to learn and difficult to master.  Listen to find out who the most seaworthy player is and why scissors and pocket watches are piratey.Game Info:1-4 Players90-120 Minute PlaytimeAges 13+Board Game Geek EntrySocial Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterTwitch

In this episode, we take on the role of Medieval pharmacists prescribing potions to balance the humors (black bile, yellow bile, blood, and phlegm) of the local townsfolk.  We're talking to the creator of the game, Charlie McCarron, to understand all the love that went into the making of this game.  From the delightfully intricate scenes taking place all around town to the hidden musical scores found on all bard cards, this deception and deduction game is full of all the right fun for the spooky season!  Keep an eye out for it as it hits shelves this October.Charlie McCarron InstagramGame Info:1-6 Players45-60 Minute PlaytimeAges 10+Board Game Geek EntrySocial Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterTwitch

In this episode, we become Loa or guardian spirits of an island where invading colonists have come to settle these undisturbed lands.  We take on aspects of nature to instill fear, destroy cities and towns, and incite riots from the peaceful locals to help take the land back from these invaders.  This complex co-operative game has a lot to offer with many spirits and adversaries across several expansions.  Listen to find out Jake's favorite way to destroy invaders and Rachel's plan for office team building.Game Info:1-4 Players90-120 Minute PlaytimeAges 13+Board Game Geek EntrySocial Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterTwitch

Today we have some special friends join us on our journey through feudal japan! Emma and Tilly from the Geek Squared Show are discussing the zen experience of playing Tokaido! In this episode we discuss this wonderful game and describe our own journeys from Kyoto to Tokyo. Full disclosure we did play an electronic version of this as Emma and Tilly aren't exactly local here! Listen to this special episode to find out what kind of challenges and hilarious events occur as a result of using the infamous TableTop Simulator!Game Info:2-5 Players45 Minute PlaytimeAges 8+THE GEEK SQUARED SHOWInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thegeeksquaredshow/emailthegeeksquaredshow@gmail.comSupport the show and fund the chaos!    Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/geeksquaredshow)

In this episode, we become creepy mad scientists trying to complete the experiments left behind by our father.  This story-driven worker placement game offers 3 starting scenarios and 8 different endings per scenario that are driven by your decisions throughout the game.  You could end up in a bloody post-apocalyptic world  or one driven by science and knowledge, and everything in between!  Listen to find out why you should limit your trips to the town graveyard and what kind of crazy experiments you can undertake!Also, join our giveaway!Game Info:2-4 Players180 Minute PlaytimeAges 14+Board Game Geek EntrySocial Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterTwitch

In this episode we talk about our experience at GenCon 2022, the largest gaming convention in North America.  It was our first time attending and it did not disappoint!  There were so many games to play, so many things to buy, and so much love for board games to share!  Listen to find out who got lost searching for games and who searched high and low for an out-of-print game!Also, join our giveaway!GenCon Stats Article

In this episode, we're either relaxing in our garden or going to war over the flowers in Lotus by Renegade Games Studio.  This quick and simple card game about building flowers one petal at a time could make you feel either, depending on how you play.  The "take that" mechanics and Love Me Not mini expansion can definitely feel more cut throat if you want them to.  Listen to find out which way we're leaning and what Jake's real opinion is on "take that".

In this episode, we review the little heard of game Guild Master.  We're building up our guild structures and trying to make the best teams to go out into the world and fulfill all those adventurer contracts!  The person who builds the most fame will claim the title of Guild Master!  Listen to find out why Jake prefers playing with only 2 people and how Rachel needs to roll all the dices!

In this episode we review the new and popular Euro game, Ark Nova.  We're putting on our zoo uniforms and rolling up our sleeves to get dirty building animal enclosures, partnering with other zoos and universities, and participating in wildlife conservation projects.  Listen to find out who can't stop talking about some other game and who spent DAYS (!?) reading the rule book!

This is the third episode in our Short and Sweet series! In this episode our hosts take on the highly praised, award winning game; Azul! We compete to see who can create the nicest spanish tile artwork while also avoiding dropping the tiles on the floor. Also listen to this episode to find out whether or not Jake is learning how to behave during a teaching game!

In this episode we interview Jamey Stegmaier from Stonemaier Games to answer the burning questions the community has.  He tells us about what his day to day job looks like and what advice he has for other game designers/developers.  Listen to find out what Jamey is willing to throw in for our Viticulture giveaway winner and whether or not you can expect a Big Bird card in Wingspan. 

In this episode we are making and selling "Grown Up" grape juice, aka wine! We're discussing Viticulture; an amazing Stonemaier Game about making and selling wines. We also would like to announce our newest giveaway!! Listen to this episode to find out how you can win your very own copy of Viticulture! This week we also find out who's Mama and Papa set them up for success!

In this episode, we're getting down and dirty with the war of the woods in Root.  This asymmetric area control game offers different woodland critters the opportunity to protect, take back, or liberate their homeland.  Each faction has a very unique play style that gives players different ways to experience the game.  Listen to find out what's Jake's favorite faction is and how sometimes more rulebooks is not necessarily better.Got Socials?

In this week's episode we're excited to be talking to the co creator of Lander, a new game that will be on kickstarter later this year! (link below) This game sounds like a lot of fun! It's got some elements that might remind you of some of your favorite games but is unlike anything you've played before! Find out why we are excited to back this project and listen to find out what makes this game Rachel proof!https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/intrepidgames/lander-after-the-crash?ref=discovery

It's a podcast takeover!  The hosts of The Geek Squared Show are here to talk about Love Letter!  They're competing for the attention of the princess in this fast-paced card game.  Listen to find out how these lovable geeks try to bluff their way to the top but sometimes forget what they were doing.THE GEEK SQUARED SHOWInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thegeeksquaredshow/emailthegeeksquaredshow@gmail.comSupport the show and fund the chaos!    Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/geeksquaredshow)

In this episode Chris, from The Charity Boardgamer, joins us to talk about all things cooperative games!  We break down co-op games into sub-categories and discuss examples that fit in each.  It turns out there's a lot of games out there with cooperative elements and it was difficult to limit the conversation to an hour.  Listen to find out who's back hurts from carrying us so much and who just loves to rain down chaos!CBG Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCharityBoardgamerCBG Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thecharityboardgamer

In this very special episode we're celebrating our 1 year anniversary!!! What better way to do that with ANOTHER giveaway!! Listen to our episode to find out all the ways you can enter, for FREE! What are we giving away you ask? Well, we're giving away a copy of today's episode: Dune: Imperium!! Tune in to also hear us totally butcher words and phrases from Frank Herbert's masterpiece series and which one of us played as a spice addict!

In this episode, Rachel and Jake fall head over heals in Fog of Love.  This two-player game attempts to recreate a romantic comedy with players acting out sweet, serious, or dramatic scenes in a relationship as they try to navigate making themselves and their partner happy.  The game ends with the romantic couple either meeting or failing their destinies but either way, hopefully it was a fun ride!  Listen to find out who has jiggly legs and where Patrick Swayze fits into the equation.

In this episode Rachel and Jake are collecting jewels and gems as traders in Splendor!  This quick paced game has us building a collection and attracting nobles.  This is the second episode in our new short and sweet series where games can be played in 45 minutes or less.  Listen to find out Jake's patented strategy to almost always win!

In this episode, we're strapping into our hiking shoes, grabbing the camera, and visiting some PARKS!  This game has players controlling two hikers on scenic hiking trails as they gather gear and resources to visit national parks all around the United States.  The beautiful art sets players at ease and the theme makes it feel more like a relaxing journey than a competitive game.  Listen to find out how we really let time get away from us on this game and how it turns out how aesthetic is actually really important to Jake, in games and elsewhere in life!

We're back from the holidays! With New Years just behind us, we wanted to try something new! This episode Red Panda, from the Youtube channel Rest and Reason, has joined us to discuss Dice Chuckers! We're looking at a whole genre of board games this week and discussing our experiences with a few of them. Tune in to find out which of these games we'd recommend to you and your game group; we'll also find out which of us died at the beginning of King of Tokyo and had to twiddle their thumbs while everyone else finished the game!Rest and Reason: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKnrbcrzcJq98oNj7o-QpBA

In this episode, we're gearing up and getting ready to smash some heads in the zombie apocalypse!  This game has players controlling survivors of the zombie apocalypse living in a colony and attempting to  make it another day by whatever means necessary.  The lives of these people are in our hands and we're probably going to lose!  Listen to find out if Jake's loud searching technique was fruitful and why Rachel was forced to get up at 2am to record!

Join us this episode to an alternate version of 1920's Europe just after The Great War as we discuss the highly acclaimed Scythe from Stonemaier Games. We share with you what makes this game so popular and why people are raving about it! Also this week listen to find out which of us took this game a little too seriously and almost ended up sleepin' on the couch.

In this episode we start with humble beginnings, turning wheat into bread or milk into cheese.  This dice rolling card game has players building up a cute little town and racing to complete major landmarks while snagging opponents in your adorable family restaurant.  Listen to find out why the journey is better than the destination and why statistics is probably not your friend.

In this episode we're getting our hands dirty and building a new Frankenstein monster from scratch!  This game provides players with a variety of opportunities to obtain body components that can be slapped together into a gruesome new creature.  Listen to find out who is a murdering psychopath and who refuses to sacrifice their humanity to win.TRIGGER WARNING: This episode talks about dark ideas, including violence to humans and animals.  We do our best to not get graphic but the nature of the game requires that we discuss these things.  It's OK to skip this episode if you don't feel up to it.  We'll see you next time.  :)

We're kickin' off the spooky season with a family friendly game full of frightful fiends!  This week we play Horrified, the creepy cooperative game from Ravensburger games!  Listen to this episode to find out which of us isn't sure what Dracula is and which of us hordes all the in-game items.

In this episode, Rachel and Jake duke it out on a galactic scale.  Unlikely partners team up to prove their skills to the universe in this king of the hill battle royale.  Listen to hear how cab people taste and what isn't even in its final form!Back this project on Gamefound at: https://gamefound.com/projects/draft/2cnyqaknpq9j5vt0icam0feweot?refcode=G5L3tjfmtEu56XkCq3ac-Q

In this episode Rachel and Jake mosey on down to Texas for some nerdy good times.  We describe our experiences at ReaperCon 2021 where nerds of all kinds are invited to come paint miniatures, play tabletop games, and just let their geek flag fly.   We're also having another giveaway!  Listen to find out how you can enter to win a copy of Jack Dire's Gatefall.

In this episode we're gettin' our Indiana Jones on and explore the Lost Ruins of Arnak.  Take a listen to go on an adventure in a land lost to time!  There are new relics to uncover,  dig sites to make discoveries at, and ancient guardians to defeat!  Also, in this episode you get to find out which of us is an unexpected cheater! 

In this episode Jake and Rachel talk about creeperz with Matt.  He is the creator of a brand new game, Finders Creeperz.  Listen to the episode and find out what happens when you as the player, release your creeper!  At the time this releases, Matt's  project is still up on Kickstarter for a few more days.  Go check it out!https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/finderscreeperz/finders-creeperz-family-friendly-franchise

In this episode, Rachel and Jake journey to the enchanted forest where all the adorable woodland creatures are building a town!  This worker placement game has players collecting resources like pebbles and resin to build constructions and attract more critters to join the the society.  Listen to find out how Jake is boycotting all our currently owned games and how Rachel is just terribly unforgiving with the rules!

In this episode, Rachel and Jake venture into the magical forest to forage for ingredients.  This game has players capturing forests, brewing potions, and training creatures to gain victory points.  Listen to find out how Jake is a pyro and how Rachel lost all her friends!

In this episode, Rachel and Jake duke it out in the combat arena of Gatefall.  One represents a fantasy world with wizards and Ogres while the other stand for the post-apocalyptic world of flamethrowers and radiation burns.  Listen to hear Rachel's mini mini rant and Jake's terrible Slavic name pronunciation.  

Woohoo!  Milestone episode!  In this episode, Rachel and Jake start watching the birds as excited enthusiasts.  This engine building game has bird watchers create a relaxing sanctuary by collecting different types of food, laying eggs, and competing for objectives related to their birds.  Listen to find out if Rachel or Jake have eaten the eggs yet! 

In this episode, Rachel and Jake blast off into outer space to visit new planets!  This travel-sized space game has players sending star ships out to gather resources like energy and culture from nearby planets or colonize them to gain victory points.  Listen to find out how Jake swallows quarters and Rachel's going to be sued by Disney!

In this episode, Rachel and Jake take to the seas to plunder valuable booty and race to bury gold in Tiny Epic Pirates!  This travel-sized pirate game drives players to attack merchant ships, pillage local towns, trade valuables for gold, and bury treasure in remote locations.  Listen to find out how Jake fears the sea storms while Rachel yawns at the royal Navy!  Yaarrr!

In this episode, Rachel and Jake talk about their crazy psychic dreams while hunting a murderer in Mysterium!  This murder mystery game has beautiful art in obscure dream-like scenes that direct players to discover a person, place, and weapon associated with the murder.  Listen to find out how well Rachel can read minds and how well Jake can speak French!

In this episode Rachel and Jake talk about their experience playing Monster Expedition.  This dice chucker takes place in the same world as Carnival of Monsters and shares the same beautiful art style.  Listen to hear the excitement of venturing into the wilderness, setting up a camp, and capturing your very own monsters!

In this episode Rachel and Jake talk with Niall Crabtree, game designer from Crab Studios, about the game design process and in general what makes for a good game.  Listen to find out what games Niall is working on, what Rachel looks for in a game, and what game Jake is looking forward to playing!

In this episode, Rachel and Jake take a close look at Five Tribes!  They look at the rules and mechanics of the game, talk about the coveted expansions , and discuss their personal experiences playing.  Listen to hear about the different strategies they try to use and commiserate about Days of Wonder not wanting your money when it comes to the expansions.Rachel and Jake were able to play with the Five Tribes expansions through Tabletop Simulator with the following mod: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1474126963

In this episode Rachel and Jake take a close look at Clank!  They look at the rules and mechanics of the game, talk about the various expansions and alternate versions, and discuss their personal experiences playing.  Listen to find out who whipped who in the last game they played and what types of decks they each try to build.

In this episode we take a close look at Betrayal at House on the Hill.  We look at the rules and mechanics of the game, talk briefly about it's history, and discuss our personal experiences playing it.  Listen to find out how Rachel got eaten in their most recent game!

In our first episode we take a close look at Settlers of Catan.  We briefly describe the rules, talk about our experiences playing the base game and a few of the expansions, and rank the game across 3 categories: easy vs. difficult, simple vs. complex, and rote vs. random.