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On this episode of Hidden Gems, join your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, and Bill Arney as they dig into four classic re-releases from Play For Keeps Games — Reel Rivals (a re-implementation of El Caballero), Gheos, Mexica, and Bridges of Shangri La. Fair warning: these are all take-that games with a mean streak, so expect a few friendships to be tested along the way. Check out the Kickstarter campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/playforkeeps/bridges-of-shangri-la-gheos-reel-rivals Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

It's May and we're finally back to report on our 2026 Annual Board Game Retreat (from back in February)! We had a great time and played tons of games, so in this episode Chris, Jason, Bill and Cameron report on what they played - the good, the bad, and the crazy! Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

On this episode of Hidden Gems, join your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they dig into three games that were definitely not from the crew's board game weekend. What have they been up to during the recent "snowpocalypse"? FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:25:56 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game 00:49:07 Seas of Strife 01:05:21 Puerto Banana Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

When, what to my wondering ears should appear, but another Christmas Spectacular with the Hidden Gems team is here!  Wow, it's been a bit hasn't it? Well sit down with your warm milk and nutmeg and rejoin your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they reunite for another Christmas episode. We'll catch you up on where we've been and our thoughts for the future of the show. Merry Christmas! Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

The banter continues! There are plenty of games left to cover from the fabled board game retreat weekend. Join your hosts Chris Alley, Ken Cantrell and Jason Yanchuleff as they dive into more of the titles we got to on the trip.  Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

New year, new show format! Every so often, we'll take a break from reviewing games to just talk about more stuff we've been into lately. In this inaugural "Extended Banter" episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey treat you with the usual personal updates and then spend some time reflecting on the games we got to play, both new and old, at our game group's annual Board Game Retreat earlier this month. Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

Twas the day before Christmas, and all round the world, the gamers awaited, the adults, boys, and girls. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but no brief, tiny games have yet been stuffed there. When what to my wondering ears should appear, came a new Christmas episode full of gems, joy, and cheer! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:30:52 Christmas Trivia 00:47:25 Tetrix (Mosaics) 01:07:42 R. Eco. 01:34:27 Roll Through the Ages MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Trivia: "Everlasting Yule", Home for the Holidays; "Pizzicato Dance", Howard Harper-Barnes; "A Holly Jolly One", Arthur Benson Tetrix: "Virtual" - AGST R. Eco: “Absolutely Sure”, North Sphere Roll Through the Ages: “New Civilization”, Wendel Scherer Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

"A" is for... alchemist? Another series begins! Will we ever finish it? Who knows! but this episode we start our alphabetically-themed episodes with the letter "A". Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they dig for more gems. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:22:46 Abandon Ship 00:45:00 Alchemist 01:09:39 Age of Comics MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Abandon Ship: “Little Sailor”, Leimoti Alchemist: “With Every Note”, Etienne Roussel Age of Comics: “On the Bike”, Golden Age Radio Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

It's time for another cheesy skit, more Halloween trivia from Chris and a bunch of horrifying takes on a bunch of dusty, spooky games. What could be scarier?! Join the full crew: Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and Cameron Lockey as they bring you three ghoulish reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2024 episode of Hidden Gems! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Sketch: Chapter I 00:05:52 Intro & Banter 00:26:05 Halloween Trivia Game Show 00:46:10 Sketch: Chapter II 00:52:30 Igor 01:27:43 Sketch: Chapter III 01:34:25 Wicked Witches Way 02:09:15 Sketch: Chapter IV 02:15:27 Run, Fight or Die BGG GEEK LIST: https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/289922/hidden-gems-podcast-game-ratings STORY CREDITS (Sketch): "I Is For Ice": Iain Rob Wright (with permission) MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS - courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com I Is For Ice Score:    "Arbitrary Treatment" - Prozody    "Antagonist" - Spectacles Wallet and Watch    "An Obsession" - Dayon    "The Cost of Fear" - Jon Björk    "Mind Reading" - Edward Karl Hanson    "Dead Bodies" - Experia    "Rain G'azing" - Red Dictionary    "You Are Not Afraid" - Jon Björk    "Incandescence" - Silver Maple    "Impasse" - Silver Maple    "Closure of Things" - Cobby Costa    "Colossal Terror" - Jon Björk    "Strange Interference" - Cobby Costa    "Lost in Space" - Cobby Costa    "I Hear Voices" - Experia    "Mystery Potion" - Kikoru Hidden Gems Intro Theme - "Spooky Gems", Travis Lockey, Royalty Free Game Show Theme - "Trail of Crumbs", Martin Landstrom Igor - "Uninvited Guests", Etienne Roussel Wicked Witches Way - "The Friendly Ghost", Arthur Benson Run, Fight or Die - "Zombie Raiders", Wave Saver Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney jump back into the delightful world of Dorra, exploring three more games by this esteemed designer. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:31:32 Amazona 01:00:17 Pergamon 01:36:21 Salamanca MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Amazona: “Jungle Awakening”, Rune Dale Pergamon: “A King's Ransom”, Bonnie Grace Salamanca: “Imber”, Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

Are the claims on the game box about playtime length accurate? In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley and Cameron Lockey hold things down while Bill and Jason are away on vacation as they put three games claiming to take 30 minutes or less to the test and share their thoughts on these unusual, forgotten, and underappreciated games. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:35:09 Cities 01:01:59 Great Wall of China 01:35:07 Nyet! MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Cities: “The Cafes of Paris”, Joe E. Lee Great Wall of China: “The Road to Tibet”, Karl Hanson Nyet!: “Pest March”, Jon Bjork Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2011! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another bunch of award-nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:37:42 Mondo 01:06:18 Uluru 01:27:57 Sun, Sea & Sand MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Mondo: “The Call of the Wild”, Victor Lundberg Uluru: “The Red Soil”, Saira Ridley Sun, Sea & Sand: “Turtle Beach”, Oakwood Station Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

It's summer in NC and that means sweltering heat, sweet tea and lots of travel. The guys have been all over the place, but have finally returned to the table for more gaming. Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they take on a trio of gem candidates from revered duo of designers Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:31:10 Einauge sei Wachsam! 00:56:33 Asara 01:24:54 Maharaja MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Einauge sei Wachsam!: “Over Dark Waters”, Bonnie Grace Asara: “El Khalil”, Rymdklang Soundtracks Maharaja: “Ganges Blues”, Banaras Baba & Kolkata Kid Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

Will the supply of game designs from Reiner Knizia ever run out? It's doubtful, so the guys have much more exploring to do of the designer's epic catalog. We bring you part IV of that exploration. Will we find more gems? Or are these games lesser-known for a reason? They can't all be good... right? Find out on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:33:17 F.I.T.S. 00:57:49 Zombiegeddon 01:27:13 Qin MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): F.I.T.S.: “My Children”, Martin Klem Zombiegeddon: “Zombie Front Line”, Mantell Qin: “Hiding Shadows”, Josef Falkensköld Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.

Chris is back from Asia, so what better way to welcome him back to the crew than covering 3 possible gems from Asian designers? Find out how they fare along with the latest banter topics on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:37:13 Chronicle 01:00:55 Dadaocheng (2nd Edition) 01:28:58 Airship City MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Chronicle: “We Are Giants”, Silver Maple Dadaocheng: “What Lao Tse Told Me”, Christian Andersen Airship City: “Covering New Grounds”, Jon Björk Send us Fan Mail FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Patreon: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcast BGG Guild #: 3874 Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pup Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.