Fromage

Video i1Vq9bCkVqc playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive

video_pk 62162 · mention_pk 154694

Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Engaging drafting and simultaneous action system
Deep engine-building potential with multiple cheese types
Pacing that blends resource management with route building

Cons

Complex setup and rule interpretation
Some mechanics may be confusing without a second read

Thematic elements

Resource management and production of cheese through drafting and routing to fulfill orders
Cheese-making village with markets and shops
Competitive strategy with drafting and simultaneous actions

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

drafting — Players pick one option and pass the rest to the opponent to shape strategy.
Order fulfillment and bonuses — Completing orders yields points and bonuses; some tiles grant extra actions.
set collection / route scoring — Building cheese structures to create routes for scoring points.
Simultaneous action selection — Players select actions each turn, then resolve them; drafting influences available options.
Simultaneous Actions — Players select actions each turn, then resolve them; drafting influences available options.
Variable scoring by structures and venues — Points are awarded for number and arrangement of structures and venues, with bonuses.
worker placement — Cows act as workers placed on spots to gain resources or perform actions.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Hi Jared it's too early for cheese
this is fromage it just came out this week
it's a simultaneously action selection game
every structure that you build you're getting a point for

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video zFfAtGKS4eA Unknown Channel game_review at 0:02 sentiment: positive

video_pk 61778 · mention_pk 154425

Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Deep, strategic, and incredibly charming
Beautiful artwork by Beth Soil
High-quality components and beautifully functioning cards/markers
Variety of choices each turn; every turn feels meaningful
Cozy aesthetic with thoughtful depth; highly rewarding

Cons

Rolling rights can be repetitive
Not the fastest game to teach; many moving parts; easy to forget things until scoring
New players may benefit from a walkthrough

Thematic elements

hiking, foraging, gifting, community
outdoor hiking/foraging environment with gift-giving elements
cozy, thoughtful, strategic

Comparison games

Roland Wright

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

card drafting — After resolving dice and bonuses, players draft a new card for their tableau.
Dice rolling — Players roll dice each turn; the green die (center) is forced into the chosen group; other dice form groups by matching faces or are placed singly.
Dice rolling and grouping — Players roll dice each turn; the green die (center) is forced into the chosen group; other dice form groups by matching faces or are placed singly.
Endgame scoring — After 13 rounds, players tally points from icons, cards, journey tiles, and gift bonuses.
Gift cards and gifts — Players choose a group to complete a gift that may require specific numbers, colors, or quantities of dice.
Hiking map exploration — Singleton dice are used to explore paths on a hiking map to gain resources and bonuses.
Pantry cards and dice-driven tableau — Matching dice are used to mark jars and gain bonuses for completing rows and columns on pantry cards.
Time log modification — Time log allows modifying dice to influence outcomes.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This game is deceptively meaty.
The small box hides a lot of depth, so new players might need a walkthrough the first time.
What stands out in Forage is just how fresh it feels.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video C8SAQwDrdvw Let's Table It general_discussion at 12:26 sentiment: positive

video_pk 61771 · mention_pk 154412

Click to watch at 12:26 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Deluxe production quality and components
Crunchy, varied mini-games with high replay potential
Nice evolution of strategy with different inserts

Cons

Shorter than remembered
Some players may find the puzzle more luck-influenced at times

Thematic elements

resource management, area majority, and multiple mini-games
Cheese-themed production and workshop with rotating workflow
crunchy, modular mini-games with a central turntable mechanic

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

area majority / worker placement — Place workers (represented by cheese tokens) to gather resources and score.
multi-use resources / building plans — Resources can be spent to build or to acquire new plans; variability across inserts.
rotating turntable / rotating tableau — Turn the board 90 degrees to access different mini-games each round.
worker placement — Place workers (represented by cheese tokens) to gather resources and score.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This is the only game that we like to fight about.
The kids request it anytime we pull it off their shelves to play two-player, which is how we would prefer to play this game.
It's brutal when you play four players.
The premise is actually really interesting where it's based on an actual scientific experiment.
It's not a real deep game, but it's still really enjoyable.
Rolling Heights is sticking around for now.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 04aJI9oFNns Get into Games on Air top_10_list at 45:21 sentiment: positive

video_pk 61678 · mention_pk 154334

Click to watch at 45:21 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

The podcast life chooses you.
The content gods that making all the content.
Pub Meeple is a website that you can link your board game collection.
Return to Dark Tower is uh I want to play this game more often than we do.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video bFfO7K7l8oA Danielle's Channel game_review at 0:00 sentiment: positive

video_pk 60873 · mention_pk 153303

Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Relaxing and puzzle-like
Modular boards and draftable structures
Accessible solo mode (level 1) with potential for a campaign across four levels
Charming cheese theme and tactile components

Cons

Requires substantial table space
Iconography and components can be a bit confusing at times
Scoring can become intricate with longer play or campaign modes

Thematic elements

Array
Cheese market / artisanal dairy production
informative

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

area majority — Control of a quadrant yields customers and points
card drafting — Draw order cards and act to fulfill them by placing cheese
Card Drafting / Card Draw — Draw order cards and act to fulfill them by placing cheese
Resource management — Gather and allocate resources (grapes, cows, cheese, jam) to fulfill orders and score
Rondel — A rotating action dial that reveals actions each turn
Roundel — A rotating action dial that reveals actions each turn
worker placement — Assign workers to actions in quadrants to perform tasks and manage resources

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

"this is such a relaxing game"
"I think it's such a lovely relaxing game"
"this is a pretty interesting type of rondelle worker placement type game"
"I love games that take up less table space"
"the solo mode is not anything too complex by any means"

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video x6JvMOqacos Unknown playthrough at 0:04 sentiment: positive

video_pk 60884 · mention_pk 153311

Click to watch at 0:04 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Simple and approachable for solo play
Clear, intuitive overlap/dice mechanic
Accessible through straightforward scoring

Cons

May feel shallow or short on depth after multiple plays
Early optimization can be tricky; dense decision space may emerge later
Potentially limited replay variety if played solo repeatedly

Thematic elements

Array
forest foraging
explanatory/analytic

Comparison games

Orchard
Grove

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Compound Scoring — final score is the sum of die values minus mice penalties and minus split-area bonuses
dice placement — placing dice on overlapped areas to represent scores and trigger further actions
Pattern Matching / Area Matching — matching backgrounds and areas to maximize overlaps and activate scoring
Score Calculation — final score is the sum of die values minus mice penalties and minus split-area bonuses
tile placement — cards are overlapped to form scoring areas and to determine dice placement

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

in this game you're going to be trying to find the most optimal way to overlap these cards
this is pretty neat because this would work with this entire area
it's just a really simple type of game
definitely not the best play
to score you'll add up the value of the dice and then subtracting any mice
I've definitely compacted it too much for me to find a great place for me to put this

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 3sARQEA9Qwo CA Couple rules_teach at 0:06 sentiment: positive

video_pk 60339 · mention_pk 152763

Click to watch at 0:06 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Clear demonstration of setup and play flow
Rotating board introduces dynamic planning
Varied scoring through quadrants, shelves, structures, and regions
Thematic coherence with cheese production and aging

Cons

Potential learning curve due to many interacting rules
Reliance on rotating phases may affect table flow for new players

Thematic elements

Cheese production, aging, and market competition
Cheese market / cheese-forage setting with rotating boards and quadrants
tutorial-driven explanation with thematic flavor commentary

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

aging/aging tokens for cheese (bronze/silver/gold) — Cheese tokens have an age that determines return timing.
end-game trigger: place all 15 cheese tokens — End condition when a player places 15 tokens, then final scoring ensues.
Influence Points — Influence regions to gain special customer tokens with varying points.
milking livestock and bonus cheese — Livestock tokens unlock bonus cheese tokens usable on actions.
orders and complete one per cheese token — Order cards require cheese types and AG value to complete.
region influence and customer tokens — Influence regions to gain special customer tokens with varying points.
resource gathering from quadrants by numbers — Assign workers to numbers to gain resources; numbers determine return time.
rotating board (90° clockwise) each round — Board orientation changes access to spaces, altering strategy.
Simultaneous worker placement — All players place workers at the same time to gain resources or cheese.
structure tokens and shelf-based scoring — Structures unlock abilities, and shelves grant bonuses and end-game scoring.
worker placement — All players place workers at the same time to gain resources or cheese.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's a simultaneous worker placement game where you'll place cheese in your workers to gain resources and points
the catch is that the board spins each round
end of the game you'll score each group of adjacent cheese
Beastro in the Beastro you'll score points for each plate with your cheese token

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video mstPKYgFgSM Board Game Sanctuary top_50_list at 1:47 sentiment: positive

video_pk 50887 · mention_pk 139792

Click to watch at 1:47 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

thematic richness tied to cheese culture
timing-driven decisions feel meaningful
rotating-board structure creates dynamic choices

Cons

potentially steep learning curve due to rotation rules
may be heavier on downtime for some groups

Thematic elements

cheese production and regional cheese bonuses
cheese-centric table presence with rotating board
thematic, tactile engine-driven

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

rotation / multi-round timing — board rotation creates new mini-game dilemmas and resource timing decisions
worker placement — players place workers to gain resources; board rotates to shift options

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

board games are tactile they're made to be played with
it's such a thematically rich fun experience
this game is about attracting different types of birds into your habitat
I love word games because not only do they represent a lot of IDs that we have in everyday life
the tension points of the trail ... there's weather that plays into it

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video t1kCOB7dpuU Unknown Channel top_10_list at 20:23 sentiment: positive

video_pk 42414 · mention_pk 128763

Click to watch at 20:23 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Intuitive once learned; easy to teach
Rotating wheel mechanic is stylish and communicative

Cons

Requires clear visual cues due to rotation and sectoring

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

returning workers with facing cue — Workers return to you when facing you again, with time tracked per rotation.
Rotating board — Board rotates after everyone places, giving a new sector to play into.
Simultaneous worker placement — All players place workers in their own cheese wheel sector simultaneously.
worker placement — All players place workers in their own cheese wheel sector simultaneously.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Everything about the design of this game is obvious. It's so intuitive how it works.
Simultaneous worker placement. Simultaneous.
I think that's a key identifier of a truly innovative game.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video DBveL_yUoQM War Game Garden top_10_list at 37:33 sentiment: positive

video_pk 40027 · mention_pk 120998

Click to watch at 37:33 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

great weight for a mid-weight game
tight, replayable puzzle

Cons

solo mode not highlighted

Thematic elements

cheese types and process
cheese production on a farm
playful and tactile

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

live livestock / resources — use animal tokens to generate resources and points
Resource management — use animal tokens to generate resources and points
Simultaneous action selection — players choose actions in parallel to optimize cheese production
Simultaneous Actions — players choose actions in parallel to optimize cheese production

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Creature Caravan is absolutely wonderful
these expansions add a little bit more player interaction which I think is absolutely amazing
I think this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing games I've played
Beyond the Sun is space-themed
Fromage is truly just a really great game
MOS: Dawn of the Bronze Age is absolutely wonderful

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video cXCIPTanxMI Roto Runs playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive

video_pk 39737 · mention_pk 119940

Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Zen, fast-paced, and accessible feel that remains strategic rather than purely reactionary
High replayability through evolving board state, a mix of tokens, and a variety of objectives
Strong solo mode that preserves tension and decision depth even without human opponents
Clear, tactile foraging theme with tangible goals (storage, gifting, exploring) that map well to dice
Elegant use of time as a resource that compounds decisions across rounds
The rolling-rights/bingo structure streamlines play without sacrificing depth
Author team with a proven track record (FlatOut Games) delivering a polished design ethos

Cons

Prototype components and rulebook contain typos or placeholders that will be cleaned up in final production
Some players may crave deeper crunchy decisions or longer tactical permutations
Seasoned players may find the pace too brisk if they chase multiple objectives simultaneously

Thematic elements

foraging, gathering, preserving forgeables, and sharing or storing the harvest
Pacific Northwest forest during a foraging expedition
bingo-style rolling with journey tiles and two-sided cards; solo mode mirrors multiplayer

Comparison games

Point City
Point Salad
Verdant
Dollars to Donuts
Public Market
Point Galaxy

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

card crafting — Forgeables can be jarred or bottled; gifting cards create opportunities and end-game bonuses.
Dice rolling — Each round uses eight dice that are rolled, then grouped by symbol, with a center special die, to determine available actions.
Dice rolling and grouping — Each round uses eight dice that are rolled, then grouped by symbol, with a center special die, to determine available actions.
Jarring, bottling, and gifting processes — Forgeables can be jarred or bottled; gifting cards create opportunities and end-game bonuses.
Row/column and set-completion scoring — Completing rows, columns, or specific sets (e.g., jars, storage items) yields points and sometimes extra actions or time.
Starter/goal cards and journey tiles — Each round reveals a journey tile; players use starter cards and objective cards, which are two-sided, to drive scoring paths.
Three core actions per round — Players choose to explore, store/gift, or jar/can forgeables to advance objectives.
Time as a resource — Time is used to buy more actions, acquire extra dice, or unlock bonuses; timing is central to strategy.
Two-player/solo parity with round-cycling — Solo play simulates the pressure of competing against other players by tracking a fixed number of rounds and time-based goals.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Time is the most valuable resource in this game.
This is zen. You know, this is zen.
One of my favorites that the three have ever done.
It plays fast and it feels smart.
A bingo style game that’s zen and replayable.
This rolling-rights experience is so elegant—fast, approachable, and surprisingly strategic.
I would rate this among the top collaborations from these designers; it’s a standout rolling rights title.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video HT8cncAJJ6w Board Game Garden top_10_list at 9:40 sentiment: positive

video_pk 36721 · mention_pk 110244

Click to watch at 9:40 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Unique worker-return mechanic linked to cheese orientation
Innovative use of circular board for worker management

Cons

Potentially on the heavier side for casual players

Thematic elements

Cheese crafting and regional cheese-making culture
Cheese production, circular/maze-like board
Puzzly, optimization-focused

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

mini-games — Quadrants on the board introduce mini-games that yield points.
worker placement — Workers are placed around a circular cheese-board; returning workers requires navigating a cheese-arrow mechanic.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

the worker placement in Nova Roma is so cool.
Federation... it is such a fantastic game.
Darwin's Journey is absolutely fantastic.
Barcelona is my favorite currently from Danny Garcia.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 9oukA3_e49M Board Game Garden top_10_list at 10:42 sentiment: positive

video_pk 34572 · mention_pk 102979

Click to watch at 10:42 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Fun theme and satisfying gameplay
Accessible while still providing strategic choices

Cons

Prefers some player interaction; simultaneous play can reduce interaction for some players

Thematic elements

Food production and simultaneous play
Cheese-making with a circular board and quadrants
Competitive simultaneous action with scoring by quadrant

Comparison games

Various simultaneous drafting games

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Resource management — Manage cheese and related scoring markers.
Simultaneous action selection — All players act at once, selecting actions in parallel.
Simultaneous Actions — All players act at once, selecting actions in parallel.
tile/board drafting — Draft tiles and place cheese to score in quadrants.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Explorers of Neoria is my number 10. It is a wonderful, very unique game where basically you are taking out or drawing these different little chunky bits from a bag.
I really love that decision of do I want to just take one from the board that I know exactly what the color is or do I take out too randomly from the bag and hope for another color that maybe I would prefer.
River of Gold... there are three simple actions that you can do. You can sail, you can build, or you can deliver.
This is a fantastic game. I will say that I think I'm pretty good at this game.
Nova Roma has such a cool action selection worker placement mechanism.
Minos Dawn of the Bronze Age... the dice drafting worker placement shines in this game.
Wondrous Creatures is fantastic.
Skyrise. There is fantastic player interaction.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video _mnKbsa0aGs Board Game Garden general_discussion at 31:23 sentiment: positive

video_pk 34109 · mention_pk 101549

Click to watch at 31:23 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

compact, travel-friendly
great puzzle to play solo

Cons

can be light on narrative for some players

Thematic elements

simple, portable puzzle
nine-card solitaire set in a harvesting theme trilogy
puzzle-centric

Comparison games

Forever Home
Cascadia

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Compound Scoring — Restrictions on overlapping same types to maximize dice pips.
nine-card solitaire with dice — Shuffle nine cards, create overlaps, and place dice for scoring; chain of rounds for additional play.
stacking/overlap scoring — Restrictions on overlapping same types to maximize dice pips.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Hadrian's Wall is my favorite game of all time
I love the theme, it warms my heart
The end of the first chapter broke my heart
Portals is an abstract strategy game

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video lulG1L9-Cxs Tantrum House game_review at 0:50 sentiment: positive

video_pk 33504 · mention_pk 99658

Click to watch at 0:50 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

forms the baseline for comparison with Formagio
a source of variability when combined with Formagio (as a pairing)

Cons

not as fully detailed in this segment; overall evaluation is anchored to Formagio

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Formagio

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

the tension in this game is good
you keep taking turns until someone places their last piece of cheese
it's a standalone expansion to Formage
the platinum aging ... takes four turns to get back to you
eight regions you can mix and match for your score
you could get lots of resources or a really good cheese with a higher aging, but you have to wait
the seasons add a tiny extra way to get bonuses

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video xwfKsxZoi3g Attackers playthrough at 0:19 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 33375 · mention_pk 99166

Click to watch at 0:19 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

engaging central dice selection mechanism
thematic flavor of foraging, gifting, and preservation paired with abstract mechanics
elegant, smooth integration of multiple card types (pantry, gift, exploration)
journey tiles introduce a light race-like dynamic that still allows broad participation
solo mode with achievements provides a structured progression and replayability
easy to teach and quick to play once the rules are understood

Cons

solo scoring can feel unforgiving against high target thresholds (e.g., 50 points)
the game can feel solitary in solo mode, with interaction largely limited to the journey tile timing
lots of options and planning can be thinky and potentially overwhelming mid-game
the player’s performance in this run felt underwhelming, which may color the perceived neatness of the system

Thematic elements

foraging, gifting, preservation
Pacific Northwest foraging and gifting in a seasonal landscape
abstract puzzle with a light thematic frame

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

erasable card surfaces — cards can be written on with erasable markers and later erased to reuse components in future sessions
journey tiles / evolving objectives — round-by-round journey tiles are revealed that grant in-round effects and end-of-round benefits once activated
Multi-use cards — cards can be written on with erasable markers and later erased to reuse components in future sessions
Roll-and-write / dice drafting — players roll a set of dice and select groups to activate actions; dice faces determine which resources or rewards are available
set collection — players collect jars of different colors and other ingredients to meet card prerequisites and end-game goals
set collection / resource management — players collect jars of different colors and other ingredients to meet card prerequisites and end-game goals
solo mode with achievements — a single-player scoring track with achievement cards that provide soft progression and variable end conditions
tableau building — players build and expand a personal tableau using pantry, gift giving, and exploration cards across rounds
three action types per round (store, explore, gift) — dice actions are divided into storing for cabinets, exploring to cross off expiration cards, and crafting gifts
time as a resource and end-of-round sequencing — time icons are spent to perform actions; rounds progress as journey tiles are activated and then discarded

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

That's like I think the worst game of forage I have played yet.
I enjoy the theme.
The central dice selection mechanism is really nice and the game feels elegant once you know the rules.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video IwuuICu5jAg Cal, a couple that loves to play board games general_discussion at 6:19 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 32987 · mention_pk 97795

Click to watch at 6:19 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

thematic flavor and whimsy
quick play and accessible
great party-title potential

Cons

less established mechanics may feel simple
availability and exact edition details vary

Thematic elements

cheese, playfulness, dining culture
abstract, cheese-themed board game
light, casual strategy with humor

Comparison games

Cascadia

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

tile/area control alignment — players draft or place cheese-themed tiles to score points based on layout.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Sleeping Gods.
Not a game.
I believe he got nine out of 10.
Paladins.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video rrW3d3JKa3U Board Games for One game_review at 3:02 sentiment: positive

video_pk 31491 · mention_pk 92759

Click to watch at 3:02 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

strong artwork and theme integration
clever rotating-board mechanic
fast, approachable core loop with depth

Cons

learning curve due to rotating quadrants
theme-to-mechanic alignment can feel opaque at first

Thematic elements

cheese production, aging, and delivery
a cheese-growing crearyy with rotating quadrants and side activities for each player
whimsical, food-focused

Comparison games

Flamecraft

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

board rotation / rotating quadrants — the main board rotates after each turn, shifting available actions and timing
Simultaneous Actions — everyone acts in parallel and then resolves through the rotating mechanic
Simultaneous Play — everyone acts in parallel and then resolves through the rotating mechanic
worker placement — three pawns per player activate actions across four quadrants

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This is like the Super Smash Brothers kind of. I know, I know.
If you're a heavier gamer and you don't like, you know, people messing with your plans, you'll hate this.
This was absolutely beautiful. I love how well it moved.
The goddess made me do it.
I would buy it.
Moon Colony Bloodbath... engine destroying game, sick sense of humor

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video sp_aL1IBnzM Unknown playthrough at 0:41 sentiment: positive

video_pk 29065 · mention_pk 85502

Click to watch at 0:41 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Satisfying dice-drafting with strong combo potential
Dry-erase components enable repeated play without setup cost
High variability from journeys, cards, and potential expansions
Beautiful art and thematic cohesion; strong puzzle feel
Good fit for solo play and for at-table interaction during non-solo play

Cons

Can be complex for new players
Dice luck can slow progress in some rounds

Thematic elements

foraging, pantry building, and exploration
Pacific Northwest foraging
dice-drafting and puzzle-like solo/multiplayer

Comparison games

Cascadia
Verdant
Calico
Point Salad
Point Galaxy
Point City

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

dice drafting — roll seven foraging dice plus a special die; group identical symbols to determine actions
dice drafting and grouping — roll seven foraging dice plus a special die; group identical symbols to determine actions
dry-erase scoring sheets — cards are dry-erase; scoring is tracked directly on the card fronts
gift giving and exploration cards — three action options per turn via pantry/exploration/gift-dice interactions; boxes filled yield bonuses
journey tiles and bonuses — journey tiles provide bonuses; players reveal/choose and gain rewards
set collection and icon scoring — collect jars and icons; complete rows/columns and journeys for points
Time as a resource — spend and track time icons to gain actions or bonuses; 20+ time is a target

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's a lovely time out foraging all in all.
I love rolling rights anyway, but I love the just how these get divided up.
it's all dry wipe baked in to you no sheets to be using.
loads of cards in each stack for variability that way.
I think we did pretty well at storing stuff in that pantry.
Beautiful art by Beth Soil.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video PFUT1cPQAzU Before You Play game_review at 40:41 sentiment: positive

video_pk 13344 · mention_pk 39132

Click to watch at 40:41 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Unique lazy Susan mechanic
Quick gameplay
Simultaneous actions
Beautiful art
Strategic depth

Cons

Less enjoyable online
Complex worker management

Thematic elements

Cheese production
Cheese-making fromagerie
Simultaneous worker placement

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Simultaneous action selection — Players choose actions at the same time
worker placement — Placing workers to make and age cheese

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

We're trying to play through as many of the games that we have in our collection from 2024 as possible
Losing in this game is not always bad

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video qbPNsPJM64g The Dice Tower unboxing at 3:46 sentiment: positive

video_pk 12899 · mention_pk 37715

Click to watch at 3:46 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

strong thematic hook
friendly for groups

Cons

none

Thematic elements

cheese tasting and social interaction
cheese-themed party game
light, party-game accessibility

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

social interaction — Players compete or cooperate through social interaction and set collection around cheese.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Hey everybody, I'm Tom Bassel. Welcome to the most boring unboxings on the planet Earth as we look at things that come into the dice tower and see what we get.
This is the Dice Tower.
I love me some more dice thrown.
Ah, it's the new allplay version of the networks prime time.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 60xj0fy-Y18 Unknown general_discussion at 1:15:22 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 11300 · mention_pk 33226

Click to watch at 1:15:22 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

fun for casual groups
simple entry point for new players

Cons

some players find it chaotic
replayability may vary

Thematic elements

cheese/casual party game
Cheese-stuffed word game (wordplay and speed) presented as fromage-themed
light, party-oriented

Comparison games

Just One

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

fast-paced play — rapid turns encourage quick thinking and banter.
word-building — players form words from randomly provided letters.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I love Bomb Busters. It is a great game.
I would play again.
Clank will test you. See how greedy you are.
I love the theming of the game.
This is cooperative; semi-cooperative in some reviews.
Lightning Train was good. I liked it a lot.
Deep Regrets is a great game. I recommend.
Fromage is awesome. Star would like it because it has simultaneous actions.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video rlfI3Q_4WIA Foster the Mele general_discussion at 11:46 sentiment: positive

video_pk 11094 · mention_pk 32639

Click to watch at 11:46 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Remy's cheese obsession is a natural match
Cheese-themed components are appealing

Cons

Rule explanations may require familiarity with cheese terms

Thematic elements

gastronomy, competition
France, cheese-making and culinary fun
playful, thematic

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

set collection / resource gathering — Gather culinary resources to craft fromage and score points
set collection / resource management — Collect cheese-related resources to craft unique fromage

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Belle loves books. It's what made her so weird according to the people in her community.
It's basically her dream.
I'm in Disney World right now, so I'm having a great time.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video TVzAXe0JiYY The Dice Tower game_review at 1:06 sentiment: positive

video_pk 10596 · mention_pk 31244

Click to watch at 1:06 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Innovative rotating-board mechanic keeps gameplay dynamic
Accessible yet with meaningful decisions for a light-to-mid-weight euro
Dry, humorous French-tinged theme with satisfying engine-building feel

Cons

Potential rinse-and-repeat feel after many plays
Expansion options could add more variety without overhauling the core

Thematic elements

cheese crafting and trade with a dry euro flavor
Cheese production and distribution in a rotating, France-inspired cheese market
engine-building with rotating board and resource-driven scoring

Comparison games

Terraforming Mars

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

area_control_and_scoring — Majorities and adjacency influence scoring and token placement in scoring zones.
Resource management — Manage dried fruit, preserves, and cheese types to take actions and score.
resource_management — Manage dried fruit, preserves, and cheese types to take actions and score.
rotating_board — The board rotates to shuffle quadrant availability, changing viable actions and scores.
worker placement — On a turn you place workers to create cheeses and gather resources; workers return later in a turn order that loops.
worker_placement — On a turn you place workers to create cheeses and gather resources; workers return later in a turn order that loops.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I love this game.
Fromage is a fantastic game.
It's an 8.0 for me. It'd be a nine if it didn't have that kind of bug in it where it's just once you play it enough, you go, 'Okay, I'm going to do the same thing over and over.'
I love the idea of the rotating board.
Forest Shuffle is one of the best tableau builders of all time.
It's my number one nature game of all time.
I love the dry Euro vibe.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video KxvvXAOmipM Gling Anog Podcast general_discussion at 16:19 sentiment: positive

video_pk 9564 · mention_pk 28306

Click to watch at 16:19 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

very_positive

Pros

engaging combination of simultaneous action and aging strategy
high production quality and attractive components
tight, quick play that rewards foresight

Cons

topic may feel niche to non-cheese enthusiasts
some players may want deeper engine-building depth

Thematic elements

Cheese-making with aging timelines and contract goals
Cheese production and aging in a vibrant, competitive farmstead
playful, tactile, and food-inspired

Comparison games

Viticulture
Wingspan

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

aging_and_contracts — Cheeses age for different durations and can complete contracts for points
Rondel-like_action_cycle — Actions feel like a rotating wheel of options, encouraging planning
simultaneous_action_selection — Players secretly choose actions, then reveal for fast, dynamic turns
worker_placement — Workers represent batches of cheese and are used to perform actions

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's not simple, it's streamlined
you can win by communicating and collaborating
the theme is super important for me, it draws you in

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video c1Yk5l9L1Fc Foster the Mele general_discussion at 6:44 sentiment: positive

video_pk 8775 · mention_pk 90715

Click to watch at 6:44 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Light, goofy concept with broad appeal

Cons

Cheese theme may feel repetitive without fresh twists

Thematic elements

Cheese culture and variety
A cheese-tastic party game world
Pure whimsy and cheese puns

Comparison games

Clue

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Set collection / cheese variety — Players collect different cheeses to gain points and special effects.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

The weirder, the better. I love it.
It's going to be a real hit.
This is all in fun as per usual.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video Q-v8QNJzjnE Unknown top_10_list at 3:30 sentiment: positive

video_pk 8176 · mention_pk 24019

Click to watch at 3:30 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Unique theme with concrete board-cycling decisions
Accessible to new players

Cons

Theme may be niche for some players

Thematic elements

Gastronomic worker placement with production chains
Cheese-themed board game world
Lighthearted, thematic engine-building

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

board-tile interaction — Board layout and resource flow shift with placement choices.
worker placement — Place workers to gather resources and build cheese products.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

we have only 20 minutes to research and buy games
you will be able to write in the comments which game we should buy
it's accessible and not that expensive
it looks like a lot of fun
real time betting
it's a betting game where the horses run and you're betting in real time

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video ZPARv1-TfZI Unknown top_10_list at 0:42 sentiment: positive

video_pk 7197 · mention_pk 21292

Click to watch at 0:42 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Unique spinning board mechanic

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Cheese production
Cheese-making

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

worker placement — Players send workers to collect ingredients on a spinning board

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Let's talk about the hottest and most sought after games
We're going to pitch them to you so you're going to find out everything that you need to know

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video WAl-QhtneJU Unknown Channel game_review at 0:09 sentiment: positive

video_pk 6952 · mention_pk 125190

Click to watch at 0:09 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Beautiful components and art
Strong fusion of euro mechanics with thematic elements
High player interaction and strategic depth
Solo mode included
Repetition and variability provide long-term value

Cons

Learning curve and potential analysis paralysis

Thematic elements

Ascension, spell mastery, conquest, and political control through followers and relics
Fantasy world where planets align to unlock magical towers, with a mix of mythic and hybrid races and a central arc mage quest.
story-driven, strategic progression with lore-inspired flavor

Comparison games

Art Mage Ascendant (Expansion)

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

4X-inspired actions (explore, expand, exterminate, exploit) — Core loop of planetary exploration and expansion with combat.
Combat with opponent followers — Blood points can be earned by fighting opponent followers; combat influences endgame and control.
end game bonuses — When all six planets align, a new era begins and endgame scoring occurs.
Endgame timing via planetary alignment — When all six planets align, a new era begins and endgame scoring occurs.
Follower recruitment and sphere initiation — Trade relics with races to initiate followers into the corresponding sphere of knowledge, granting access to spells.
Grimoire-based spell management — All players share a common grimoire; spells are categorized as fundamental, advanced, and master, with access depending on follower placement.
Planet movement and relic gain — On your turn you move a planet and gain a relic of that type, which enables trades and follower initiation.
Resource economy and relic trading — Relics are traded to acquire followers and cast spells; they also enable interactions with races.
Resource management — Relics are traded to acquire followers and cast spells; they also enable interactions with races.
Terrain control and endgame scoring — Place followers on key terrain types to control them and score points; most points wins.
Tower promotion and spell acquisition — Promoting followers at your personal tower grants new spells; higher sphere promotions may retire others.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

the components look great
the art was fantastic
Art Mage scores an 8.5 out of 10 and if you like or are interested in the game please check out the expansion on Kickstarter art mange ascendant
you'll ascend to become the arc mage
the game is rife with tactical depth and long-term strategy though a learning curve is inevitable
small cons will be learning curve which you'll only overcome by playing the game more often

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video AsnITF-z9y8 Foster the Meatball top_10_list at 20:22 sentiment: positive

video_pk 6931 · mention_pk 20520

Click to watch at 20:22 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Beautiful design and charming theme
Solo and multiplayer scoring variety

Cons

Not everyone loves cheese-themed games; niche appeal

Thematic elements

cheese aging and artisan cheesemaking
cheese-production fantasy
whimsical, humorous

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

card-driven scoring — cards influence scoring and cheese production strategies
Compound Scoring — cards influence scoring and cheese production strategies
set collection — gather cheese resources and manage aging/production
Set collection and resource management — gather cheese resources and manage aging/production

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Spicy. So you might be like, Here, Sam. And maybe I'm giving him back some of his bloodline that he gave me back.
Root's just always going to be here. I play it every day.
Dice Town. Since we first played Dice Town and every time afterwards, I have had so much fun.
I love Dune Imperium. I think it's a perfect of a game as you can get.
Obsession is such a fantastic game and I will pump this game up as much as I can.
Mountain Goats is incredible. It's a great, quick dice game.
Red Dust Rebellion is no joke amazing.
Three Chapters is the newest game from Amigo. And I think it's going to blow up.
Crafting the Cosmos is so good. The UX is amazing.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video W2x3y1atNIM Going Analog Podcast analysis at 41:00 sentiment: positive

video_pk 4930 · mention_pk 14677

Click to watch at 41:00 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

bright art
clever time-based scoring

Cons

can be heavy for lighter players

Thematic elements

cheese production/oceanic timing

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Area management — Players influence board quadrants through workers to shape scoring.
timing/round rotation — Directs how long a cheese takes to age and scoring opportunities.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

There will be only one topic. Only one.
We wanted to do our traditional deep dive into this year the 2025 American Tabletop Award winners, nominees, and recommended games.
To prevent conflicts of interest, we ask people who have any connection to a game … to not submit any game that they have a conflict of interest with during that nomination process.
The fundamental nature of taxonomic organization, right? There is no one rule that will satisfy every single person for where a game belongs in terms of like is it a good game for people that are getting into gaming?

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video ZzbnLzZkwP8 Before You Play top_10_list at 5:31 sentiment: positive

video_pk 1574 · mention_pk 4553

Click to watch at 5:31 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Cheese theme is appealing and unique
Strong visual/art style
Simultaneous action mechanic is engaging

Cons

none

Thematic elements

cheese production and aging
Cheese-making theme on a rotating, four-slice board
light, procedural

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Rotating/mechanic aging — The cheese ages as slices rotate and players adapt actions.
Simultaneous Actions — Players act simultaneously with their cheese meeple on the rotating board slices.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

there's just so many games so little time
the art is really really nice I think the art is what drew me into it initially
I love games that Implement multiuse
you are in an Academy of sorts and you are taking your final exam
it's going to be faster to table at three players

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

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