Burky and Badger's Board Game Babble Show · Kevin Burkhardsmeier & Barry Doublet

Woods of Evergreen 2014 - 2nd round

·42 min·3 clips

Burky and Badger dive into 2014's board games, revealing why one host finds it amazing while the other struggles with unplayed gems.

King Berky and Badger host this episode of their board game show, joined by regular contributors Kabuki Ken and Trent Turner. They revisit board games from 2014 that they believe still stand the test of time. The hosts each share personal picks from that year's releases. Berkey's first selection is Alexander Pfister's push-your-luck card game Port Royal, where players act as pirates buying characters and confronting ships. His second choice is the programming and area control game Lords of Xidit, set in the Seasons universe, where players collect followers to defeat monsters across three scoring phases. Berkey's third pick is Paolo Mori's worker placement game Dogs of War, which involves influencing noble houses with faction workers and hidden agendas. Badger's first pick is the two-player abstract strategy game Onitama, which uses a 5x5 grid and moving cards that players swap. His second selection is the deck-building game Star Realms, a two-player game where players use faction cards to reduce an opponent's authority. Badger's third choice is the chaotic programming game Colt Express, where players as bandits program moves on a 3D train to collect loot and shoot rivals. An interesting insight is that Berkey rates Lords of Xidit a 10 on BoardGameGeek despite its elimination mechanic where a player can be out after the first scoring phase. Badger notes Onitama's production quality includes a neoprene mat and a box designed for display, not shelf storage. The hosts reveal that playing these episodes often reminds them of good games they own but have never played, like one of Badger's 2014 purchases. The episode includes promotional segments for sponsors Arcane Wonders, highlighting their new Call of Duty board game, and Game Toppers, teasing an upcoming Kickstarter for new gaming table maps. Berkey mentions that the Colt Express game would look perfect on Game Toppers' new Old West-themed gaming mat. The tone is conversational and lighthearted, filled with friendly banter and inside jokes between the hosts. The style is informal and enthusiastic, focusing on personal nostalgia and shared gaming experiences. This episode would appeal to board game enthusiasts interested in retrospective reviews and timeless game design. Listeners who prefer news about upcoming releases or dislike casual, meandering discussions might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A loose 2014 tabletop check-in that makes Lords of Zidit easy to listen to.

This 2014 tabletop revisit asks a simple question: which games still hold up. Berky and Badger keep it loose and playful, with Deer Day jokes, a Kabuki Ken shout-out, and enough side chatter to make the conversation feel like a long hangout instead of a tidy recap.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a 2014 board-game revisit with programming talk, scoring pressure, and royal banter.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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