76. Board Game Retreat 2026

On this episode of Hidden Gems, join your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, and Jason Yanchuleff 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-rivalsSend us Fan MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 & Banter00:25:56 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game00:49:07 Seas of Strife01:05:21 Puerto BananaSend us Fan MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 & Banter00:30:52 Christmas Trivia00:47:25 Tetrix (Mosaics)01:07:42 R. Eco.01:34:27 Roll Through the AgesMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Trivia: "Everlasting Yule", Home for the Holidays; "Pizzicato Dance", Howard Harper-Barnes; "A Holly Jolly One", Arthur BensonTetrix: "Virtual" - AGSTR. Eco: “Absolutely Sure”, North SphereRoll Through the Ages: “New Civilization”, Wendel SchererSend us Fan MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 & Banter00:22:46 Abandon Ship00:45:00 Alchemist01:09:39 Age of ComicsMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Abandon Ship: “Little Sailor”, LeimotiAlchemist: “With Every Note”, Etienne RousselAge of Comics: “On the Bike”, Golden Age RadioSend us Fan MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 I00:05:52 Intro & Banter00:26:05 Halloween Trivia Game Show00:46:10 Sketch: Chapter II00:52:30 Igor01:27:43 Sketch: Chapter III01:34:25 Wicked Witches Way02:09:15 Sketch: Chapter IV02:15:27 Run, Fight or DieBGG GEEK LIST:https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/289922/hidden-gems-podcast-game-ratingsSTORY CREDITS (Sketch):"I Is For Ice": Iain Rob Wright (with permission)MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS - courtesy of https://epidemicsound.comI 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" - KikoruHidden Gems Intro Theme - "Spooky Gems", Travis Lockey, Royalty FreeGame Show Theme - "Trail of Crumbs", Martin LandstromIgor - "Uninvited Guests", Etienne RousselWicked Witches Way - "The Friendly Ghost", Arthur BensonRun, Fight or Die - "Zombie Raiders", Wave SaverSend us Fan MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden 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 & Banter00:31:32 Amazona01:00:17 Pergamon01:36:21 SalamancaMUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com):Amazona: “Jungle Awakening”, Rune DalePergamon: “A King's Ransom”, Bonnie GraceSalamanca: “Imber”, Christoffer Moe DitlevsenSend us Fan MailFOLLOW US:Email: [email protected]: https://patreon.com/hiddengemspodcastBGG Guild #: 3874Discord: https://discord.gg/bakZ332pupHidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff. and Bill Arney in Raleigh, NC.