Send us a text The banter continues! There are plenty of games left to cover from the fabled board game retreat weekend. Join your hosts Chris Alley, Ken Cantrell and Jason Yanchuleff as they dive into more of the titles we got to on the trip. FOLLOW US: Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.com Web: https://hiddengems.games Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast Instagram: @hiddengems.games Facebook: @hiddengemsboardgamepodcast Twitter: @hiddengemsboard YouTube: https://www.y...

Send us a textNew year, new show format! Every so often, we'll take a break from reviewing games to just talk about more stuff we've been into lately. In this inaugural "Extended Banter" episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey treat you with the usual personal updates and then spend some time reflecting on the games we got to play, both new and old, at our game group's annual Board Game Retreat earlier this month.FOLLOW US:Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gmail.comWeb...

Send us a textTwas the day before Christmas, and all round the world, the gamers awaited, the adults, boys, and girls. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but no brief, tiny games have yet been stuffed there. When what to my wondering ears should appear, came a new Christmas episode full of gems, joy, and cheer!FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Intro & Banter00:30:52 Christmas Trivia00:47:25 Tetrix (Mosaics)01:07:42 R. Eco.01:34:27 Roll Through the AgesMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidem...

Send us a text"A" is for... alchemist? Another series begins! Will we ever finish it? Who knows! but this episode we start our alphabetically-themed episodes with the letter "A". Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they dig for more gems.FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Intro & Banter00:22:46 Abandon Ship00:45:00 Alchemist01:09:39 Age of ComicsMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Abandon Ship: “Little Sailor”, LeimotiAlchemist: “With Every Note”, Etienne Rousse...

Send us a textIt's time for another cheesy skit, more Halloween trivia from Chris and a bunch of horrifying takes on a bunch of dusty, spooky games. What could be scarier?! Join the full crew: Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and Cameron Lockey as they bring you three ghoulish reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2024 episode of Hidden Gems!FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Sketch: Chapter I00:05:52 Intro & Banter00:26:05 Halloween Trivia Game...

Send us a textIn this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney jump back into the delightful world of Dorra, exploring three more games by this esteemed designer.FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Intro & Banter00:31:32 Amazona01:00:17 Pergamon01:36:21 SalamancaMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Amazona: “Jungle Awakening”, Rune DalePergamon: “A King's Ransom”, Bonnie GraceSalamanca: “Imber”, Christoffer Moe DitlevsenFOLLOW US:Email: hiddengemsboardgamepodcast@gma...

Send us a textAre the claims on the game box about playtime length accurate? In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley and Cameron Lockey hold things down while Bill and Jason are away on vacation as they put three games claiming to take 30 minutes or less to the test and share their thoughts on these unusual, forgotten, and underappreciated games.FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Intro & Banter00:35:09 Cities01:01:59 Great Wall of China01:35:07 Nyet!MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Citi...

Send us a textThe Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2011! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another bunch of award-nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions!FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Intro & Banter00:37:42 Mondo01:06:18 Uluru01:27:57 Sun, Sea & SandMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Mondo: “The Call of the Wild”, Victor Lund...

Send us a textIt's summer in NC and that means sweltering heat, sweet tea and lots of travel. The guys have been all over the place, but have finally returned to the table for more gaming. Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they take on a trio of gem candidates from revered duo of designers Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling.FEATURED GAMES:00:00 Intro & Banter00:31:10 Einauge sei Wachsam!00:56:33 Asara01:24:54 MaharajaMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound...

Send us a textWill the supply of game designs from Reiner Knizia ever run out? It's doubtful, so the guys have much more exploring to do of the designer's epic catalog. We bring you part IV of that exploration. Will we find more gems? Or are these games lesser-known for a reason? They can't all be good... right? Find out on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff.FEATURED GAMES:00:00 Intro & Banter00:33:17 F.I.T.S.00:57:49 Zombiegeddon01:27:13 QinMUSIC (c...

Send us a textChris is back from Asia, so what better way to welcome him back to the crew than covering 3 possible gems from Asian designers? Find out how they fare along with the latest banter topics on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff.FEATURED GAMES:00:00 Intro & Banter00:37:13 Chronicle01:00:55 Dadaocheng (2nd Edition)01:28:58 Airship CityMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Chronicle: “We Are Giants”, Silver MapleDadaocheng: “What Lao ...

Send us a textWhile the cat's away... Chris is traveling the globe this episode, so Jason has free reign over the game selections. Will his recent streak of mediocre contributions to the gem lineup continue? Or will digging deep into the library produce some new favorites? Join Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and newcomer Ken Cantrell as they investigate 3 more possible gems.FEATURED GAMES:00:00 Intro & Banter00:25:11 Feudality00:57:03 Campanile01:20:50 QuebecMUSIC (courtesy of https://epide...

Send us a textFantasy is a theme that has exploded into popularity in the past 30 years or so. It has had an impact on books, movies, TV, video games, and not least, board games. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey celebrate their enjoyment of the genre and review three fantasy-themed games.FEATURED GAMES:00:00 Intro & Banter00:46:38 Gargon01:13:52 Lost Legends01:53:55 DragonstrikeMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Gargon: "On ...

Send us a textWhat is it about Stefan Feld that keeps us coming back for more? In this latest episode pulled from some lesser known titles of his vast catalog, join your regular hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they welcome guest host Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table to chat about a new crop of 3 potential gems.FEATURED GAMES:00:00 Intro & Banter00:33:02 Roma00:59:01 Pillars of the Earth: Builder's Duel01:32:33 Forum TrajanumMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Roma: “Bat...

Send us a textMake sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions before you fly the friendly skies with the Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they soar through a new trio of games. Will the guys first attempt at the "two-and-a-new" format fly or end up grounded? Find out if any new gems are to be had on this latest, airline-themed episode.FEATURED GAMES:00:00 Intro & Banter00:41:45 Blue Skies01:13:14 Jet Set01:40:29 Sky TeamMUSIC (co...

Send us a textWe're approaching the end of another year, and that means it's time for a little Christmas cheer! Have a holly jolly, merry little Christmas with the whole Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out 3 stocking stuffer-sized games. Will they be gems or lumps of coal? Find out on this, our final episode of 2023!FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Intro & Banter00:43:36 Kryptos01:09:50 Fzzzt!01:37:42 Twinkle St...

Send us a textThe Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2012! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions!FEATURED GAMES:00:00 Intro & Banter00:27:19 Kulami00:50:21 Miss Lupun01:14:56 Kingdom BuilderMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Kulami: “T Minus 5”, Farrell WootenM...

Send us a textScares are aplenty in this year's special Halloween edition of Hidden Gems! Will poor Dean survive a night at the Kurtz's? Will Jason and Cameron do better on Chris' torturous Halloween-themed trivia game show? And, most importantly, will we find any more gems? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and Cameron Lockey as they bring you three fresh reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2023 episode of Hidden Gems!FE...

Send us a textCastle building in the Scottish highlands, spicy peppers and a game about, well... Watch out for the smelly stuff on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they step around three poo-tential gems from publisher Zoch Verlag.FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Intro & Banter00:30:03 Kalimambo00:49:04 Scharfe Schoten01:17:48 Kilt CastleMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Kalimambo: "Bwamu", Balafola SuediScharfe Schoten: “Pots and...

Send us a textWords with sheep, network building in the islands (also with sheep) and a vicious abstract (not so much about sheep). This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff take on the good and the baa-aa-ahd of three titles by designer Marcel-André Casasola Merkle.FEATURED GAMES:00:00:00 Intro & Banter00:29:51 Attribute00:48:55 Santa Cruz01:16:56 AttikaMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Attribute: "Cows on the Loose (60s Pop Version)", Magnus Ri...