In this episode, Craig is flying solo for the main review section so he talks about his two favorite games from Level 99 Games: Argent the Consortium and Pixel Tactics. Since he's solo, the games only get a quick overview and gush session, but there's enough info in there to wet your whistle for what each game is about. Also, Craig is joined by his family for a run down of a slew of games they played together, both at home and at the Malted Meeple. We hope you enjoy the episode and join us next episode for our 50th episode celebration!

Show Times:

Intro: 0:35

What the Family played: 6:57

Argent the Consortium (Lvl 99): 43:10

Pixel Tactics (Lvl 99): 56:41 

In the 48th episode of the Botch Games Podcast, Craig and will loosely tie in three games based on trees and discuss the games they've played and what they're anticipating. First, Craig is joined by Erin and Tyler to talk about the games they've played since last recording (surprise, it's not much). Craig and Will then dig into (ha) Norsaga, a competitive family tree-building game, and Arboretum, a competitive rummy-style tree path laying game. Lastly, Tyler joins Craig and Will to talk about Kodama: The Tree Spirits and Tyler's unbreakable strategy... until we break it by discovering we played one rule horrible wrong. All in all it's a great time, if not a little embarrassing...

Show Times:

Introduction/Banter: 0:35

What We Played as a Family: 10:52

Norsaga (Merromorph): 30:40

Arboretum (Z-Man): 46:25

Kodama (Action Phase): 57:45

In episode 47, we celebrate International Tabletop Day bytalkingabout our experience at the Malted Meeple board game cafein Hudson,Ohio, and the games we played throughout the day. Craigis joined byTyler and Will to discuss a small trove a games theyplayedthroughout the day, and joined by Tyler and Erin to talkabout thegames they played throughout the week. Also, Craig had ashort, butspecial interview with ITTD special guest at the MaltedMeeple, JonGilmour, the designer of Dead of Winter and Vault Wars.We hope youall got some amazing games in during InternationalTabletop Day andwe will be back in two weeks with a regularepisode!

Show Times:

Introduction: 0:35

Family Chat: 5:55

Sushi Go (Gamewright): 6:55

Tsuro (Calliope): 9:25

Timeline (Asmodee): 15:20

Mission Red Planet (Fantasy Flight): 17:55

Viticulture (Stonemaier): 20:30

International Tabletop Day!: 27:45

Stone Age (Rio Grande): 31:20

Bad Beets (Stoneblade): 35:25

Camel Up (Z-Man): 37:50

Tsuro of the Seas (Calliope): 41:40

Hey That's My Fish! (Fantasy Flight): 47:45

Le Boomb! (Mayfair): 51:45

Welcome to the Dungeon (Iello): 54:00

Special Interview with Jon Gilmour: 56:45

Wrap-Up: 1:00:45

In the 46th episode of the Podcast, Craig and Will finish out April with two of their favorite newer Fantasy Flight games in Mission Red Planet, an area control game from the Brunos, and Warhammer Quest The Adventure Card Game, which replaces every instance of Pathfinder on Craig's shelves. Also, Craih is joined by his family, as always, to discuss the games they've been playing. Lastly, The Tattered Board Podcast joins in on the FFG celebration and discusses their favorite Fantasy Flight games, including Rex. 

Show Times:

General Banter: 0:36

Family What We've Played: 11:24

iTunes reviews/Tattered Board Intro: 26:42

Tattered Board Segment: 29:42

Mission Red Planet: 46:06

Warhammer Quest: 1:04:55

In the first episode of April, which we're dedicating to Fantasy Flight Games, Craig and Will talk about the four collectible games their addicted to from FFG. After a catch up with Craig's family on what they've been playing the past two weeks, the boys dig deep into two Living Card Games (Warhammer 40,000 Conquest and Android Netrunner) and two Collectible Miniature Games (Star Wars: Imperial Assault and the X-wing Miniatures Game) and why they have become completely addicted to each of these collectible games, the ups, the downs, and whether the cost is right. We hope you enjoy the first of two Fantasy Flight Games episodes in April, as next episode we discuss Warhammer Quest the Adventure Card Game and Mission Red Planet. 

Show Times:

Friendly Banter: 0:36

Family What We've Played: 10:37

FFG LCGs (WH40k Conquest, Android Netrunner): 31:33

FFG CMGs (Imperial Assault, X-Wing): 1:00:41

In Episode 44 , Craig and Will dig deep into Chris Handy's entire first collection of Pack O Games in anticipation of the newest set which is now live on Kickstarter. They go through each game individually, looking at strengths and weaknesses before each of them lists their worst to best lists for the entire set. Also in this episode, Craig is joined by Erin and Tyler were they have a nice discussion about Dingo's Dreams (preventing Erin's alzheimer's disease) and Agricola: ACBAS (and Tyler's infatuation with raising sheep). Lastly, the cast is now a proud member Pathological Nerdcaster's Network, which you can check out at PNCN.rocks.

Show Times:

HUE: 22:50

TKO: 29:05

GEM: 32:38

FLY: 36.30

TAJ: 43:16

LIE: 49:05

SHH: 52:48

BUS: 56:35

In episode 43, Craig and Will continue their love of Above and Below by diving into more of Ryan Laukat's library. First they review Eight Minute Empire, a game which has been in Craig's collection for years, but also one he has never beaten his wife at. Next, Craig and Will dive in to Dingo's Dreams and City of Iron 2nd edition which were recently fulfilled through Kickstarter. As usual, Craig is joined by his wife, Erin, and his son, Tyler to talk about the games they played as a family. Lastly, Craig and Will answer some listener questions, emptying out the mailbag and clearing out the Twitter queue. 

Show Times:

Family Banter: 8:45

Dingo's Dreams (Red Raven): 22:00

Eight Minute Empire (Red Raven): 31:10

City of Iron Second Edition (Red Raven): 43:15

In Episode 42, Craig invites his board game apprentice, Will,  into the studio to go in depth with the 2015 release, Trickerion from Mindclash Games, a nifty worker placement with a theme that makes sense. He also catches up with his family and discusses the games they played as a family. Also, to round out the episode, Will runs through his favorite games from the early stages of his board gaming life, and surprise, they're not gateway games!

Show Times:

Family Played Games: 8:30

featuring...

Doodle Quest (Blue Orange)

One Night Ultimate Werewolf (Bezier)

Spaceteam

Pandemic Legacy (Z-Man)

Orleans (Tasty Minstrel)

Cosmic Encounter (FFG)

Trickerion (Mindclash Games): 24:00

Will's Choice: 59:00

featuring...

Lanterns (Foxtrot Games)

Blood Rage (CMoN)

Above and Below (Red Raven Games)

In episode 41, Craig is joined by his lovely wife, Erin, to discuss every iteration and expansion of her favorite game, 7 Wonders, from the base game all the way through 7 Wonders Duel! Listen to a nice breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of every expansion and what are essential additions to your base game! We hope you enjoy the episode and a deeper look into one of our family's favorite games!

Show Times:

Family Played Games Discussion: 5:30

7Wonders Base Game: 22:45

7Wonders: Leaders: 34:00

7Wonders: Cities: 38.45

7Wonders: Wonder Pack: 46:00

7Wonders: Babel: 49:00

7Wonders: Duel: 56:00

In a very special bonus episode, you get the full, unedited, 36 minute long Top 5 games of 2015 lists from Craig wife, Erin and his son, Tyler. The version in episode 40 is a mere 20 minutes long and doesn't capture the full scope of our family dynamic or the fun the Botch family has looking back at 2015 and the fun they have picking on each other. I hope you enjoy this longer version in all of it's cough-filled, shout-out riddled glory!