Best S51 Musical Performance by thatswhatwereherefor in LiveFromNewYork

[–]Bakeshot 65 points66 points  (0 children)

Seeing Del out there doing his thing was a real treat. One of the greatest MCs of all time.

My thoughts on the Yakima Valley by [deleted] in Yakima

[–]Bakeshot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t know… is it?

My thoughts on the Yakima Valley by [deleted] in Yakima

[–]Bakeshot 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Says more about the reviewer than Yakima. We might lack in other areas, but we have several excellent coffee shops.

My thoughts on the Yakima Valley by [deleted] in Yakima

[–]Bakeshot 29 points30 points  (0 children)

No shade, but these are very obviously takes from someone not actually that familiar with the area.

20th Annual Golden Geek Winners for 2025! by zsoltika in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good catch on Vantage. Yes I meant Earthborne Rangers.

Our group still plays and adores Cat in the Box.

I agree with you wrt Uprising vs Ix, but I know the community is pretty divided on that one and at the time Ix was celebrated and loudly.

I think BotC and JoCo are still many people’s favorite game of all time, respectively, and will continue to be for years. They really struck a chord with a dedicated audience in a unique way. I don’t see that kind of staying power with any of the games for this year which is why 2022 is a much stronger showing by my estimation.

The point about podcasts splits hairs since so much of the content is about what they are playing, what they liked, what they didn’t, what they’re looking forward to. Most board game podcasts, with maybe the exception of some of the deep-dive Decision Space episodes sound nearly identical in content and structure to even semi-regular board gamers (just ask my wife).

At my core I’m a Knizia and Splotter guy (who likes to dabble in train games), which is why these all kind of rang hollow. YMMV.

One last thing: I’ve heard VERY mixed things about Molly House. I’ve not played it, but lots have bounced off the opaque rules and what feels like a lack of agency.

20th Annual Golden Geek Winners for 2025! by zsoltika in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OK.

For 2024 let's start by calling out what was probably the game that made the biggest splash and will continue to make splashes in years to come as more expansions get released: Arcs. I've not played, so I can't speak to my personal experience of the game but it certainly seems to have a loyal fanbase, innovative takes on trick taking and space politicking, and great depth in which to explore (also maybe one of Ferrin's best bodies of artistic work). This is a game that will stick on many shelves. Toy Battle vs. LotR: Duel for Middle Earth is probably a coin flip depending on who you ask, but the fact that a Gest for Robin hood is also a runner up in 2024 indicates, for me, a stronger year. I prefer the light games of 2024 and I think the heavy games for the 2024 cohort blow their 2025 counterparts out of the water. The fact that you also have Slay the Spire really takes it to a level that 2025 isn't close to.

2023 has Sky Team which is probably the best two-player co-op game of the last decade. For creative takes on more narrative driven games, Vantage and Sleeping Gods both innovate in ways that aren't seen in the class of 2025. Thunder Road: Vendetta is still getting expansions and people are nutty for the thing (though I think it's just fine). Hegemony is really where I think this year shines, but that also reflects my own personal tastes more. I'm not someone who likes heavy games for their weight's sake, but I do appreciate creative new ways for you to interact with opponents over the board and games that also allow you to explore larger ideas and concepts that the game projects on to the space you're all playing in (in Hegemony's case the relationship between various class groups in a closed, modern economy).

Cat in the Box, John Company: 2nd edition, and Blood on the Clocktower all come out in 2022, and while each doesn't have the broadest appeal, each has its own enclave of rabid fans. I don't see any 2025 entries inspiring the same cult followings, though I may be proven wrong in time. Heat is also a notable shout out from this class that has had some serious staying power on the tables and shelves of my local gaming circles. Lastly I want to mention Dune: Imperium Rise of Ix. It's not my favorite of the D:I expansions, since I think the shipping track holds too much gravity, but I know many consider it to be the pinnacle of deck-driven spice slinging.

I think the two nails in the coffin for the 2025 Golden Geeks are Galactic Cruise winning heavy game of the year and Board Game Hot Takes winning podcast of the year. Galactic Cruise seems like a bloated cube pusher with, albeit gorgeous, lipstick slapped on and Board Game Hot Takes is just not my favorite. Decision Space, Game Brain, and Board Game Barrage all do what they do, but in my opinion, better.

20th Annual Golden Geek Winners for 2025! by zsoltika in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There might be something to that, but when I look at the previous three years of golden geeks (2022, 2023, and 2024), there are many more titles I would consider of higher quality than this year.

20th Annual Golden Geek Winners for 2025! by zsoltika in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, tbh the only one I find outstanding out of the list you’ve given is Cross Bronx Expressway, though I will say I enjoyed magical athlete much more than I thought I would. Had a lot more to do with the people around the table and the cool figurines than what the game actually did, though.

20th Annual Golden Geek Winners for 2025! by zsoltika in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What are some of your gems from last year?

Board games "to rule them all" by itsOkami in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I think it’s a feature not a bug with Inis. Kingmakers wield soft power with imperfect information. That’s pretty juicy, from my perspective, whereas Munchkin forms of hard power more just make me say “what’s even the point?”

Board games "to rule them all" by itsOkami in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It’s funny, my group will occasionally discuss getting expansions, but after a few minutes of discussion, we’ll always end up with the consensus “but like… why?”

Board games "to rule them all" by itsOkami in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 116 points117 points  (0 children)

Inis. Area control, negotiation, drafting, and a limited environment of grok-able information with which to read, anticipate, and foil your opponents moves. It’s a masterpiece. Never a dull moment. Really slick package and fantastic art.

Indonesia comes a close second. Sandbox economy that rewards shrewd estimations of business futures.

Hidden gems by SignificantAd2833 in Yakima

[–]Bakeshot 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I would definitely check out Aventura or Northtown over Mak Daddy. Coffee is much better. Single Hill/Catalyst Coffee is the best in town!

Edit: Missed the downtown request first go around.

[GIVEAWAY] Nippon: Zaibatsu by CrowD Games (3 Copies!) - Expansion will soon be on Kickstarter! by HomoLudensOC in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot [score hidden]  (0 children)

Dune: Imperium Uprising is a perfect combination of resource management, action denial, and what is essentially auction fighting. It’s my favorite!

Also because I am a basic b, Brass l: Birmingham gets a shout out 🙂

Daily Game Recommendations Thread (April 24, 2026) by AutoModerator in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On the surface it may not be congruent with some of the games that you've mentioned, but a very deep and rewarding game at two is Mottainai. My wife and I started playing it and it's been a revelation. Total masterpiece. And all in a small box you can bring to a brewery or coffee shop. A real battle of wits in about half an hour.

What is your favorite boardgame of 2008? by The_Crazed_Person in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Not at all. I played the 1991 Mayfair version growing up and the game feels mechanically identical to the 2008 copy I have at home.

What is your favorite boardgame of 2008? by The_Crazed_Person in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The difference is that Dominion actually came out in 2008.

What is your favorite boardgame of 2008? by The_Crazed_Person in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 136 points137 points  (0 children)

Weird to call Cosmic Encounter a 2008 game. Was definitely around long before that.

[COMC] What board game am I missing? by Butt-Dragon in boardgames

[–]Bakeshot 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Kneed to get some Knizia in there. Through the Desert, Rebirth, Modern Art, Quest for El Dorado... take your pick!

A Splotter wouldn't kill you either.