Episodes

  • #8: The Timer
    Nov 21 2022

    In this episode, we’ll be diving deep into a mechanic in the party game Stay Cool; the timer. How can a simple timer elevate this party game and make it one of the funnest game night experiences you'll ever have? Listen and find out! Our feature topic of the week is Party Time. Since we're highlighting our first ever party game mechanic it felt like a perfect time to look at party games in general, how they fit into a game night, and what my top 5 favorite party games are.

    Find us on Instagram @bgbreakout

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    21 mins
  • #7: Variable Scoring Times
    Nov 7 2022

    In this episode, we’ll be diving deep into a mechanic in Medieval Academy; variable scoring times. How does a simple twist on when scoring happens make such a massive strategic difference in this wonderful game? Listen and find out! Our feature topic of the week is The Banishing. For the first time ever, I’m going through my game collection and banishing some of them to make room for new arrivals. We’ll talk about the games I’m banishing and my reasoning for doing so!

    Find us on Instagram @bgbreakdown

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    24 mins
  • #6: The Alter Ego
    Oct 24 2022

    In this episode, we'll be diving deep into a mechanic in Marvel Champions; the alter ego. How does this ability to switch from super hero to secret identity add a ton of thematic goodness? And what is my shocking secret about this game? Listen and find out! Our feature topic of the week is The Wide World of Theme. Some major themes dominate the board game scene, but there are also countless numbers of strange or lesser used themes out there. What are some of the strangest themes I was able to discover? 

    We'd love to hear from you! Email aaron@bgbreakdown.com and let us know your thoughts!

    Find us on Instagram @bgbreakdown

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    26 mins
  • #5: 60MGDC - Jungle Strike
    Oct 10 2022

    Every fifth episode here at Board Game Breakdown, we do something completely different. Welcome to the 60 Minute Game Design Challenge. A completely randomized theme, a completely unedited mad dash to come up with a basic, workable board game design in 60 minutes or less. Join me and special guest Chris as we tackle a wacky and tough theme. What is Jungle Strike? And did we invent the world's first ever scale based board game? If you love mechanisms like I do, you're going to want to hear what we came up with!

    We'd love to hear from you! Email aaron@bgbreakdown.com and let us know your thoughts!

    Find us on Instagram @bgbreakdown

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • #4: Exhaustion Cards
    Sep 26 2022

    In this episode, we'll be diving deep into a mechanic in Flamme Rouge; exhaustion cards. How do these heavily thematic cards make this bike racing game feel truly epic? Listen and find out! Our feature topic of the week is Losing Well. Everyone loves to win board games, but often times we find ourselves as the loser. What can we do to make sure we're losing well?

    We'd love to hear from you! Email aaron@bgbreakdown.com and let us know your thoughts!

    Find us on Instagram @bgbreakdown

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    20 mins
  • #3: Brother Against Brother
    Sep 12 2022

    In this episode, we'll be diving deep into a mechanic in Rune Age; the Brother Against Brother card. How does this one single card completely change the atmosphere and force you to doubt your allies in this cooperative scenario? Listen and find out! Our feature topic of the week is Roll and Write. This popular genre of games is well loved, but is there a negative effect that it has on board game design overall?

    We'd love to hear from you! Email aaron@bgbreakdown.com and let us know your thoughts!
    Find us on Instagram @bgbreakdown

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    24 mins
  • #2: The Last Arrival Token
    Aug 29 2022

    In this episode, we'll be diving deep into a mechanic in Luna Capital; the last arrival token. How does this one simple mechanic completely do away with an issue that plagues so many other games? Listen and find out! Our feature topic of the week is how to be a good board game learner. A lot gets said about teaching board games, but what can we do to be better at learning board games? 

    We'd love to hear from you! Email aaron@bgbreakdown.com and let us know your thoughts!
    Find us on Instagram @bgbreakdown

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    20 mins
  • #1: The On Deck Circle
    Aug 14 2022

    It's our very first episode! Today we'll be diving deep into a mechanic from Baseball Highlights 2045; the on deck circle! Why does this mechanic make this strategic two player game so interesting? Listen and find out! Our feature topic of the week is the question, can you have too much of a good thing? In the world of board games, there's A LOT going on. A lot of board game podcasts, a lot of massive crowdfunding projects, and a lot of board games in general! Is it possible that there's TOO MUCH of this great hobby we all love? 

    We'd love to hear from you! Email aaron@bgbreakdown.com and let us know your thoughts!

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    15 mins