Board Game Homies

In Episode 65, we review Clans of Caledonia and its recent and only expansion, Clans of Caledonia: Industria. But, first! We chat about what is bringing us joy: Cascadia: Alpine Lakes, ASHES: Blackout Protocol, and The White Castle: Bōeki. Clans of Caledonia, published by Karma Games, is perhaps a perfect game. A mid-to-heavy game with a variable economic market, thematic mechanics and gameplay (including distilling whiskey!), and delightful thinking space. Over the course of five rounds, players take turns and pass once they have run out of money and options. All players produce basic resources and have the opportunity to refine their goods using any bakeries, distilleries, or cheese dairies they have built. Players then receive victory points based on the scoring tile of the current round, and then the cycle begins again. Clans of Caledonia: Industria adds more of what we already love (contracts, clans, shipping tiles, round goals, and map tiles), thoughtful mini expansions (market dice, farmer’s markets, additional end game scoring tiles, and contract refill board), and the largest module of them all: the train map with delivery bonuses to explore throughout the game and milestones to strive for and achieve before your opponents. Did we mention this game is perfect? It is. (Just maybe don’t ask Reed… 👀) Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 64, we review Container published by Allplay. But, first! We chat about what is bringing us joy…and anti-joy: Haggis, Marrakesh, Trajan, and Sausage Sizzle! Container is a closed economy game for 3-5 players: build factories to produce and store containers while building warehouses to store and sell containers. The catch? You can’t sell your own containers, and everyone sets their own prices. A fairly simple game with complexity created by the individuals sitting around the table. How cheap are your friends? Can you find a way to capitalize on Reed’s big payout? Will you let Angela play and win using the same strategy from the last game? How many loans are you willing to take??? Do we like making our own market? The group may be divided, but they all agree on primarily only purchasing from Becky’s warehouses. 💅 Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 63, we review Recall published by Pegasus Spiele. But, first! We chat about what is bringing us joy: Hanami, Tiny Mountain Goats, playing games at Reed’s house, and Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Trick-taking Game. Recall is a deep strategy and action selection game for 1-4 players that plays over 13 rounds. Coming from the designers of and one of the artists of Revive, Recall is heavily influenced by Revive’s mechanics, look, and feel. We didn’t go into this episode planning on comparing Recall to Revive, but it was difficult to talk about Recall without recalling its predecessor. 👀 Recall, Revive, both? We’ve got varying opinions on this one. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

FINALLY! We discuss our individual top 10 games of all time (part 2) in Episode 62! Angela has been resisting this episode since the beginning of Board Game Homies–but we’ve finally convinced her we’ve played enough games to warrant this episode. For our top 10's, we go around the table and each of us share our game for that number. Then, we have some shock and awe, talk a bit about the games, and definitely get judgy. In this episode, we cover #5-#1! What’s your list? Who are you most aligned with? Opposite of?? Who are you inviting to Monday Lunch games? Let us know @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies 02:12 - Intro with a tiny Recap 05:06 - #5 15:41 - #4 25:56 - #3 37:44 - #2 50:06 - #1

FINALLY! We discuss our individual top 10 games of all time (part 1) in Episode 61! Angela has been resisting this episode since the beginning of Board Game Homies–but we’ve finally convinced her we’ve played enough games to create our lists and record this episode. For our top 10's, we go around the table and each of us share our game for that number. Then, we have some shock and awe, talk a bit about the games, and definitely get judgy. We’ve split this episode into two parts, so we’ll be back for 5-1! 00:25 - Introduction, Sassing, and How We Approached Our Lists 08:42 - #10 12:59 - #9 19:07 - #8 27:15 - #7 35:48 - #6 Someone at the table cheats immediately, and it’s definitely not Reed. (eyes) Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 60, we review Carnegie designed by Xavier Georges and published by Quined Games. But, first! We chat about what is bringing us joy: Let’s Go! To France, Dragonarium, Zombie Princess x2, Hanami, The Old King’s Crown, and Senet Magazine. Carnegie is inspired by the writings of Andrew Carnegie, an industrialist and philanthropist. Xavier Georges, the designer, acknowledges the complicated and controversial realities of Carnegie’s life and work and has been clear this game focuses on the positive aspects of Carnegie’s life. Evoking this, players work to build up their businesses in order to donate their fortunes to invest in projects connected to education, human rights, welfare, and health. In this game, money is necessary to hire additional employees, produce goods, invest in transport technology, and build transport chains across the United States, but it is critical to continually make donations throughout the game as opportunities are limited and it is the primary way to gain victory points. Although this game is very thematic, the mechanics and related decision spaces draw you in for a very enjoyable play. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 59, we talk about a number of games we have played recently or are excited about! This episode has a mix of smaller and lighter games that we are unlikely to review on the pod; it’s basically an extended joy game episode. Buckle up, we’ve been busy! Stars are added to the games we’re excited about but haven’t played yet: 02:06 Moon Colony Bloodbath 09:36 Three Sisters 14:42 Becky’s long story about Tend* 17:05 Duel for Cardia 21:20 Tag Team* 22:19 Hot Streak* 22:44 A Wild Venture 25:08 Toy Battle 28:11 Vantage (Some spoilers–sorry!) 35:47 Chasing Shadows 40:21 VIVO 43:58 Slambo! 48:13 Yokai Septet 49:38 Ra: Traders 53:40 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 56:50 Becky’s long setup story about her cousin & grandma to finally get to: 58:57 Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza That one time Angela didn’t know Becky’s grandma was dead @ link in bio or wherever you listen to podcasts! Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 58, we review Feya’s Swamp published by Grail Games and designed by Helge Ostertag and Anselm Ostertag. But, first, we chat about what is bringing us joy: Carcassonne, Gillean learning new games every weekend, Sweetlands, and a deck of cards. Feya’s Swamp is a worker placement game for 2-4 players who each lead a clan of swamp dwellers vying to be the most prosperous in the area. Through building settlements, adventuring in nearby abandoned temples, and stocking up and trading fish, players make this swamp a home for future generations. Most importantly though, who will be the most present in the songs of their descendants? Overall, most of the homies enjoyed this game, and folks are happy it is on Gillean’s shelf. Becky again wonders if most medium weight games are mid. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 57, we review Luthier published by Paverson Games and designed by Dave Beck and Abe Burson. But, first, we chat about what is bringing us joy: Becky’s new year’s resolution update, Zenith, Angela’s new year’s resolution update (including Unmatched Adventures: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Root. Luthier takes place in the height of classical music in Western Europe with 1-4 families of artisans eager to pursue prestige by satisfying patron’s requests for instruments, performances, and instrument repairs. By keeping your patrons happy through building instruments, performing different styles of music, and repairing instruments, they reward you with gifts, but if you take too long to complete their requests, they will abandon you and speak poorly of your family, decreasing your prestige. The player who gains the most prestige points wins the game. The homies are captivated by this game, but there’s still something about it that may see it out of Gillean’s collection sooner than later. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 56, we take a break from reviewing games and instead bring in the silliness and the sass with some board game trivia. Play along with us and bonus points to you for catching any of the wrong answers our host boldly asserts. XD Categories include: Name the Game from this Weird Description, Name All the Games in the Series, Old School Games, Components and Rules, Crunchy Factor, Year of Release, and Top 100 on BGG. But, don’t worry! We still chat about what is bringing us joy: Knarr, The Clank! Master Thief Edition!, Ra: Traders, and Recall. We’re a goofing and a gabbing, and we hope you have fun too! Connect with us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 55, we review Speakeasy by Vital Lacerda! But, first, we chat about what is bringing us joy: 3 Chapters, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, Skull King, and Lisboa. Speakeasy is a game for 1-4 mobsters vying for control across the many districts of Manhattan implemented by Lucky Luciano. Accumulate the most money as you build up your speakeasy empire to maximize payouts from Lucky Luciano, avoid cops and other mobsters, and, of course, cook the books every chance you get. Like all of Lacerda’s games, Speakeasy is rich with thematic rules and gameplay and is further enhanced by Ian O’Toole’s stunning art and graphic design. We admit we’re a bit obsessed with Lacerda games, but this game does vary in each of our rankings of the Lacerda games we’ve played. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In Episode 54, we review Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon published by Pandasaurus! But, first, we chat about what is bringing us joy: New Brass tins, Brass: Pittsburgh, Dune Imperium - Uprising 6 player, and Ahoy. Shackleton Base is a worker placement game for 1-4 players. Players each lead a space agency that is contributing to building a base in the Shackleton crater of the Moon. Build structures, collect resources, and sell your science soul to the three major corporations sponsoring the mission. It’s the right amount of thinky. All four homies are over the moon about this game! Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

Episode 53 is Part 2 of our annual board game weekend vacation! We discuss our planning, the things we ate, and all of the games we played (and didn’t play.) We recommend starting with Episode 52: The Homies Go to the Beach. 22 games with 33 plays over the course of 5 days-PART 2! Games in this episode: Sea Salt & Paper Railroad Tiles The Vale of Eternity The Hobbit: There and Back Again Revive Bus Barenpark Acquire Daybreak Capital Lux 2 The Magic Shop Tenby Clank!: Catacombs Botswana Skull King Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In episode 52, we walk through our annual board game weekend vacation and discuss our planning, the things we ate, and all of the games we played (and didn’t play.) 22 games with 33 plays over the course of 5 days-PART 1! Games in this episode: Castles of Burgundy Brass Birmingham Goblin Vaults Clank! Catacombs with the Underworld expansion Sea Salt & Paper Botswana Shackleton Base PS! Board game convention with a World Series of Board Game qualifier in Bozeman, Montana this May: https://www.rooks-con.com/ Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In episode 51, we review Galileo Galilei published by Pink Troubadour and Captstone Games. But first! We chat about what is bringing us joy: Bottle Imp, Wondrous Creatures, Evacuation, and Board Game Homie weekend at the beach. Galileo Galilei is a Euro-style game for 1-4 players where players take on the role of historical astronomers looking to the night sky for celestial objects while navigating the Inquisition as their suspicions rise with each astronomer’s discovery, lecture, and written work. The science, history, and mechanics blend elegantly in this game, and all four homies agree it is worthy of space on the shelf (especially if you’re a science nerd.) Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In episode 50, we review Wondrous Creatures by Bad Comet Games. But first! We chat about what is bringing us joy: Eternal Decks, Reed’s new board game shelf, and Irish Gauge. Wondrous Creatures is a whimsical and adorable game for 1-4 players. Each player manages a crew to explore the uncharted island in order to gather resources to attract the many wondrous creatures to their own reserve. This is a big deck game with many tags and various card types that all work together to help players complete achievements and, ultimately, score the most points. Three of the four homies have mixed feelings about this game especially due to the length of the game play, but one homie was enchanted enough (and convinced) to buy this game from Gillean during the recording of this episode. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In episode 49, we look back on our 2025 board game resolutions and look forward to the year ahead with new resolutions and 2026 predictions and by reflecting on lessons learned, surprises, and disappointments. In 2025… …we all thought we would play more games with our partners, …most of us planned to spend less money on board games (someone said no purchasing for the whole year!!), …two of us hoped to play 100 percent of our collection, …one of us vowed to create a trick taker collection. In 2026… New goals. New games. Bold predictions. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies -------- Board game shelf design created by Jenna Rose from The Board Game Garden. Check out " My 2026 Board Game Journal! | Goals, challenges, statistic tracking & more! " on YouTube! Bird Game Homies poster created by HummingBelle!

For episode 48, Angela secretly analyzed, ranked, and combined our individual top 10 lists to create our cumulative TOP 10 New-to-Us Games We Played in 2025. We react to and chat about each game in our top 10, and then we move into rapid-fire questions to share our favorite themes, our biggest game surprises, games we’re ready to toss out the window while on the freeway, and much, much more. This episode is then wrapped up by visiting our listeners', followers' and friends’ favorite games of 2025! Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In episode 47, we discuss our top new-to-us trick takers played in 2025; we played so many new trick takers this past year, they needed their own episode! We start with a cumulative top 5 (the points are made up, but, don’t worry, Angela created multiple tiebreakers this time), and then we roll into rapid(ish)-fire topics to share our individual opinions on best themes, interesting mechanics, games we didn’t vibe with, and more. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies

In episode 46, we review two expansions: The White Castle: Matcha published by Devir and Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy published by Stonemaier Games. But, first! We chat about what is bringing us joy: Yokai Septet, 12 Chip Trick, Sausage Sizzle!, and Galileo Galilei. The White Castle: Matcha introduces the tea ceremony to the game and a new means to influence the court with new members of your clan: Geishas. This includes taking actions in order to proceed along the Path of Tea; progress far enough along this path, and your Geisha will earn a spot in the Tea House, granting your clan additional influence within the court of Himeji. This expansion incorporates a suite of new game spaces, cards, player boards, and workers. However, one of the pivotal changes that Angela isn’t a huge fan of is the addition of another die, bringing the total actions a player takes from three in the base game to four in a round. Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy introduces more of everything from the base game, from caverns, to dragons, to guilds, to objectives. However, the most appealing changes (in our homie opinions) are the addition of the round tracker and fledgling dragons. When a player passes out of a round, they get a choice of bonuses to take into the next round, rather than the flat 6 coins you previously got in the base game. Fret not, as there is still an option for those 6 coins if you get there early enough, but the others provide resources and one fewer coin, which may be just what you need to entice that dragon. As for the fledglings, they are a fifth type of dragon that lack any abilities from the start but can transform with enough care from your trainer (often in the form of providing different resources.) They also increase in score the more you attract to your caves. Two worthy expansions! Listen in to find out who these expansions are for and if you need to add to cart. Get to know us @ https://lnk.bio/BoardGameHomies