OBG 586: Review-a-palooza
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In this special 'Review-a-Palooza' episode of On Board Games, hosts Eric Dewey and Steve Chivers reflect on their recent 12-night BGG at Sea cruise through Australia and New Zealand, celebrating the incredible blend of stunning scenery, rich cultural experiences, and a vibrant community of board gamers. They highlight the cruise’s unique balance of sea days, immersive land excursions—including visits to Hobbiton, the WIDA workshop, and the Antarctic Center—and the joy of playing over 300 games in a dedicated gaming space with fellow enthusiasts. The episode centers on a lively, detailed review of 14 games played during the cruise, ranging from fast, accessible titles like Panda Royale and Vivo to deeper, more strategic experiences such as Eternal Decks and Nemesis. The hosts share candid reactions, from enthusiastic green lights for games like Kokeshi and Ticket to Ride Markland to thoughtful yellow lights for games with strong mechanics but scoring or pacing issues, like Forest Shuffle and Lightspeed Arena. The episode concludes with heartfelt appreciation for the community, the cruise organizers, and the transformative power of shared gaming experiences.
Board game cruises offer a unique blend of travel, community, and gaming that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Games with simple mechanics and high replayability—like Panda Royale and Vivo—shine in casual, time-constrained settings.
Games with strong narrative and emergent storytelling, like Nemesis and Eternal Decks, create unforgettable experiences despite complexity.
Scoring systems that require manual calculation can detract from the fun, even in otherwise enjoyable games.
The best gaming experiences often come from shared moments, not just the games themselves—community and connection matter most.
The BGG at Sea Cruise Experience
“If there was no board games, would have been probably the best cruise I've been on. It was cruising through the sounds was just like magic.”
Review-a-Palooza: The Games
“I could literally play this with anybody. There is no barrier to entry for that game except for a little bit of maths.”
Deep Dives: Eternal Decks and Nemesis
“It's not heavy. Well, I guess you can make it hard, but it is very thinky. You really need to be aware of what's happening, who's got what's happening around you.”
The Good, the Bad, and the Yellow
“It was one of those games where it was like, oh, it's over. I was like, that was cute. And that edge has now been scratched.”
Closing Thoughts and Community
“We played a ton of. And the reason is because it's quick and easy and fun.”
“I'm like, there's no way he's getting out of this. I've got this in the bag. And then he gets a card that allows him to throw a smoke bomb down an alley in another way and they all run off chasing the smoke bomb and he just strolls on into home base and gets out in one roll. I'm like, come on.”
“It's not heavy. Well, I guess you can make it hard, but it is very thinky. You really need to be aware of what's happening, who's got what's happening around you.”
“If there was no board games, would have been probably the best cruise I've been on. It was cruising through the sounds was just like magic.”
Host
Guest
Steve Chivers
person
Eric Dewey
person
BGG at Sea
other
Panda Royale
media
Nemesis
media
Kokeshi
media
Moon Colony Bloodbath
media
Animal Rescue Team
media
Hobbiton
place
Eternal Decks
media
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