Bandido

Video E2I2JfN6w34 Allies or Enemies Top 100 List at 22:22 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Addictive, quick sessions
Fits large groups well

Cons

Table hog due to space needs

Thematic elements

Cooperative heist puzzle with a criminal in the center
Jailbreak / bandit capture scenario
fast-paced, puzzle-like

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Card-driven tunnel building — Players choose cards to lay out tunnels and trap the bandido.
Cooperative / competitive table-tilling — Players work together to trap the Bandido while competing for points.
Cooperative Game — Players work together to trap the Bandido while competing for points.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

and this is how we're doing it
these are just at this current period of time
it's not the top 100 games that are out there these are just the 100 games that we're enjoying playing right now
feel free to share your list as we go through we would love to see it
it's almost guaranteed to fail like your ship gets torn apart
it's mean but no one gets their feelings here because it's so obviously mean and it's so like fun mean

References (from this video)

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Video H-ZHprQqvuU Allies or Enemies Top 10 List at 3:40 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Addictive and fast-paced
Great fit for families and quick sessions
High replayability in short bursts

Cons

Can be quite cutthroat for some groups
Some players may prefer longer strategic planning

Thematic elements

Cooperative/competitive card play to trap a criminal
Criminal pursuit in a sprawling map
snappy and tense

Comparison games

Clank!
Lock Down

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

pattern matching on cards — Each turn players play a card whose lines must match the lines on the adjacent cards to progress along a map.
rapid play and short rounds — Fast turns create quick, repeatable sessions with escalating tension.
Real-Time — Fast turns create quick, repeatable sessions with escalating tension.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

one player chooses a card and says any word or words that might relate to it
every answer feels kind of right and every card is inherently interesting
it is all kind of zen and people get so wrapped up in the pictures and the guessing that it is rare that anybody gets too serious about the score
flip a card then everyone draws the tetra shape on their maps
the rules are simple
you all play it once all the time
the lines on one card need to match the lines on the other
this is an ultra fast and ultra messy card game
the art is adorable look at those guys
draft asaurus which plays up to five all the fun of drafting but with the cool tactile pieces shaped like dinosaurs
survive escape atlantis

References (from this video)

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Video tFQovidi5mU Allies or Enemies Top 100 List at 5:09 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Sleek, approachable design
Cooperative tension with clear objectives

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

card-driven path construction — Tunnels are added or blocked via cards, shaping players' options.
Cooperative Game — Players work together to close tunnels and guide Bandido's escape path.
cooperative puzzle — Players work together to close tunnels and guide Bandido's escape path.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

We are celebrating our second anniversary of our channel so we are doing our top 100 of all time.
It's a really smart dice placement game where your dice are slowly moving up every turn until they retire and new dice start moving around the track.
Meadow is super smart as a tableau builder with a simple, elegant arrow system.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video QUaj0wkcMAc Watch It Played News at 10:21 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

New Stephen Feld game in the Cities line.
Features racing elements and dice.
Host is 'unreasonably excited' about it.

Cons

none

Thematic elements

An expedition to discover the diverse landscape of Napole, sketching animal illustrations, trading local goods, and visiting temples.
Napole, with its temple cities.

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Dice Rolling — Each player uses three of their five dice to gain resources and move.
Movement — Players move around the landscape boards.
Set Collection — Gaining points in different ways, potentially by collecting sets of illustrations or goods.
Trading — Players trade with cities and local goods.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

happy New Year everyone we have two player remakes exciting gamelines being extended and a new city revealed
this is your board game news
there's apparently an actual ring to wear for the ring bearer and something very interesting is that the cards in your hand are partly visible to you and partly visible only to the other players as other players can play cards from your hand
I'm unreasonably excited about this one it's a straight up new game in the line with racing elements and dice to use so I can't wait to see what else it has in store

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video vUwlKrYhtNs Get into games Discussion at 41:34 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Small footprint, quick to learn
Good for mixed groups and non-gamers

Cons

Can become chaotic with many players

Thematic elements

thief and block-off exits
jail/caper escape

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

cooperative deduction — players work together to block exits from the jail.
Hand Management — cards dictate the blocking and path control.
hand-management — cards dictate the blocking and path control.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's not tranquil I'd say six by six grid
it's a really satisfying little puzzle
the ecosystem theme comes across best in this version

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 1rCWr8MJN0k Board Gaymes James Discussion at 3:37 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

unknown
Bandit-themed
unknown

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

unknown — Not described in transcript

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's time to log these all into BGG, and we will see you next time.
the trump changes based off of the phases of the moon
Has English rules, but it's in Japanese.
I won that by pulling a duck out of a hat.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video i1LxHnepexk kovray Playthrough at 0:42 sentiment: mixed

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Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Cooperative Game — players work together to enclose Bandido
cooperative play — players work together to enclose Bandido

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

All thanks to Pluto.
Haha, another event. How exciting.
a break and pick up a copy of So Clover, which we actually do not have in our collection, which is great because now we can play it even more.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video jSpTNB4DDj0 BoardGameGeek Discussion at 1:11:27 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

super fun
small box form factor

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Bandida

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Tableau Building — you're making out a cooperative tableau build tableau build tableau building.
Tile Placement — cool to do a sort of little tile placement with just those small cards.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Espresso, which is for two to five players, is a very fun, very small box card game about deduction, fulfilling contracts.
Pass the Buck, a game of corporate responsibility management, designed by Carol Mertz and art by Carol Mertz as well.
It's almost an engine builder. You're trying to do some set collection. It's very interesting You have to kind of play it twice.
Holiday Hijinks are a series of 18-card escape room games.
It's a lovely roll and write in a little small box. The menu or the boards fold out and looks like a traditional Asian old red and white menu that you might see.
Neko Syndicate for one to four players. Designers Danny Garcia, artist is Jennifer Gurner. Ginnie Geener? I don't know. I'm so sorry. I don't know how to say her name. But publisher is Combo Games and 25th Century Games.
It has broken my brain a little bit, but it's also quite a quick game.
Bandido by Helvetiq. Yeah, that one's just super fun.
Super Chunky is a fast card game of cats that just want to get fat. You're racing to eat the most kibble.
Good Kitties is a much bigger It's a cooperative game with eight different missions where you are house cats who perform missions at night while your humans are asleep in order to take over the house.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 1C7zi3FczUA BoardGameBollocks Event Coverage at 9:16 sentiment: mixed

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Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

Mildly entertaining.

Cons

Stupid little game.
Might not play it again.

Thematic elements

Prison break
Jail

Comparison games

Saboteur

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

card laying — Basically, it's a card laying game. Start off with like a prisoner who's trying to break out of a jail, and you've got to lay these cards down, which are like pathways.
Cooperative — The idea is to block off all of the exit routes for the bandit guy to escape from.
Hand Management — If you run out of cards, then you lose the game.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

So, my throat is like a piece of sandpaper that I've used to wipe my ass with.
if you have been living under a [__] rock for the last 20 years, the UK Games Expo is the UK's biggest exhibition of tabletop games.
I don't know, just felt kind of lame.
So, [__] that. I'm not I'm not going to spend that much money on this dexterity game.
it was a drab looking game. Kind of like too much work for what it was.
This could quite easily have been done with a couple of tokens that you flip over. But fact that it comes with these little gimmicky dog things made it absolutely fantastic.
one of the best Dexterity games, if not the best Dexterity game that we've ever played.
it is a timeless classic that is only going to grow in stature in the future.
Birmingham is vile, but luckily for you, the NEC is nowhere near that steaming hole.
If you've never been or you turn your nose up, then you are missing out and you're a [__] idiot.
I don't give a [__] what games you picked up.
I only attack certain people. A people that use breath smells, people with BO, and people who are under 5' 3.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 8kdJiCcsR_k Board Gaymes James Discussion at 0:00 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Fast and quick to play
Small box, highly portable
Can be played solo or in a group

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Array
Urban crime scenario
Minimal

Comparison games

Bandido
Bandida

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Card placement — Players place cards to form a maze with the aim of trapping the burglar.
Cooperative Game — Players work together to prevent the burglar from escaping.
cooperative play — Players work together to prevent the burglar from escaping.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Love it.
Nice and quick.
Smallbox game.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video Ng3Ka7rgcNo Allies or Enemies Top List at 11:31 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

accessible and deceptively deep puzzle
great two-player cooperative challenge
silent communication heightens tension and fun

Cons

can become punishing if misplays occur early
may require repeated plays to master the timing

Thematic elements

cooperative pursuit and escape-like timing
Central Bandido with tunnels and a search for a quick capture
tense, silent-communication style

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Card-driven tile placement — On your turn you play a card to extend tunnels; players aim to join lanes or contain the Bandido.
hidden communication via indirect cues — Players rely on eye contact and timing rather than explicit verbal signals.
Limited Communication — Players rely on eye contact and timing rather than explicit verbal signals.
Tile Placement — On your turn you play a card to extend tunnels; players aim to join lanes or contain the Bandido.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's a date night classic for us
Escape rooms in a box
it's such a beautiful like calm game
it's a terrific tile placement game
this is the heaviest of all of the games on this list
it's a two-player only game
it's meanest game on this list
it's a modern classic
Bandido is slippery

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video lKYxCA--A_M Allies or Enemies Discussion at 13:05 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Compact box that yields a lot of gameplay
Highly replayable with evolving networks

Cons

Dismantling and expansion can feel fiddly at times

Thematic elements

Cooperative network-building puzzle
Jail break/passage tunnels to trap a bandido
Witty, lighthearted

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Cooperative Game — Players cooperate to close tunnels and trap the Bandido
cooperative puzzle solving — Players cooperate to close tunnels and trap the Bandido
Sequential tunnel building — Play cards to extend or close tunnel openings

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

parade would be my number one because i love this game
this is like the best bang for your buck you're gonna find
it's an absolute blast
it's so worth it
this has been the game of the summer for us
we've played this like most nights this summer

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video qyA2RMkLRV8 The Cardboard Herald Review at 0:14 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Clever tonal device that highlights defender vs attacker skill
Engaging back-and-forth with meaningful tension as openings appear
Rich, thematic dice-lottery that remains under control through choices
Guard, armor, and rage mechanics create a tactile, ritualistic rhythm
Rising Rage expansion adds flexibility and replayability; should be included

Cons

Not for everyone; it is highly specific, aggressive, and luck-influenced
Base game could have benefited from expansion inclusion in the box
Feels heavy on luck at times and may require long sessions to realize depth

Thematic elements

Honor, mastery of weapons, and the tension between offense and defense in a one-on-one duel.
A stylized martial arts duel between two fighters, staged as a ritualized arena combat.
Tactical, ritualistic, moment-to-moment combat with fate and fortune shaping outcomes.

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Damage resolution — Damage scales with the number of hits; damage is applied after dice resolution and can reach lethal levels.
Dice pool construction — Each turn builds a pool of red and blue dice determined by played technique cards, weapons, and stances.
Drafting — Players secretly arm themselves by drafting one weapon and selecting technique cards over multiple rounds.
Endgame randomness vs control — Despite a heavy element of luck from dice, players can influence outcomes through card timing and resource management.
Hits, dodges, armor and tori — Hits accumulate and are mitigated by dodges and armor tokens; tori (rage) tokens can modify future rolls.
Rage and expansion integration — The Rising Rage expansion adds new dice and cards, increasing flexibility and strategic options.
Risk Management — Despite a heavy element of luck from dice, players can influence outcomes through card timing and resource management.
Stance/guard system — Starting guard stance, then switching guard to affect dice available for the current turn and to recover played cards.
Weapon and technique cards — Cards grant bonuses, influence hits, dodges, and dice results; they drive the core decision space.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

a head-to-head two-player dueling game featuring a cadence and sequence of play unlike any other game that I played
the dice pool is built and rolled to inflict hits and manage dodges, armor, and rage
I think this is really clever tonal device to showcasing the skill of the defender versus the skill of the attacker
this is Bushido this is a game of immediacy
the cadence and overall vibe to this game can be as short as a couple turns or as epic as a long duel
I mean Bushido is by no means a bad game without it but it gives you more of what you want without adding virtually any complexity
the expansion Rising Rage adds extra flexibility, new dice, and new techniques that improve replayability
that sort of familiarity it gives you an interior method that's really cool
the tension exists in this game because it feels meaningful
the first third of the game was spent in this ritualized fashion as you're selecting your weapon and all of your technique cards
this is still totally a dice game with a ton of luck but it feels like you're bending that luck forging your destiny
I love the cadence and overall vibe to this game it can take as little as just a couple turns or begin epic long drawn-out duel
I see no reason not to include this expansion it gives you just enough extra flexibility

References (from this video)

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Video x9vzhprSX1c Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Top List at 8:03 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Compact, great with families
Strong group appeal; tends to play well with non-gamers

Cons

May feel light for veterans looking for heavy strategy

Thematic elements

cooperative heist/escape
cooperative tunnel defense against a Bandido
team-based, light

Comparison games

Bandida

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

cooperative tile placement — Players place cards to block tunnels and shape the mine/escape routes.
Shared resource management — Team works together to prevent exits while new ones appear.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's basically a deck builder that has been stripped back to its very very core and made accessible for children
it's such a small package and you've got really quite a deep abstract strategy game in there for two players
it's frantic sort of race of observation trying to spot these minor differences
it's a trick taking game ... the great thing about adding pi to it is that you never end up with a tie
it's a roll them right game with a little bit more going on than some other examples in the genre
Bandido is such a small package with that nice helvety graphic design
it's a really good clever game neat little mechanisms fun simple
it's a great flicking game
the unique little twist here is that we're actually writing onto cards
it's a rolling right game

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Bushido & Rising Rage Review

A weekend adventure! #disneylorcana #lorcana #disney #draft #boardgames

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Bandido

Bushido & Rising Rage Review

A weekend adventure! #disneylorcana #lorcana #disney #draft #boardgames

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