Episodes

Listen to us jabber on about games you’ve probably never heard of and may never play but, really, you should try.

Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 61. Amazing Fantasy

Fantasy is a theme that has exploded into popularity in the past 30 years or so. It has had an impact on books, movies, TV, video games, and not least, board games. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey celebrate their enjoyment of the genre and review three fantasy-themed games.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 60. More Stefan Feld Games with Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table

What is it about Stefan Feld that keeps us coming back for more? In this latest episode pulled from some lesser known titles of his vast catalog, join your regular hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they welcome guest host Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table to chat about a new crop of 3 potential gems.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 59. Taking Flight with Two and a New

Make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions before you fly the friendly skies with the Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they soar through a new trio of games. Will the guys first attempt at the "two-and-a-new" format fly or end up grounded? Find out if any new gems are to be had on this latest, airline-themed episode.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 58. Christmas Special 2023

We're approaching the end of another year, and that means it's time for a little Christmas cheer! Have a holly jolly, merry little Christmas with the whole Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out 3 stocking stuffer-sized games. Will they be gems or lumps of coal? Find out on this, our final episode of 2023!

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 57: Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2012 Edition

The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2012! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions!

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 56: Halloween Spectacular: 2023

Scares are aplenty in this year's special Halloween edition of Hidden Gems! Will poor Dean survive a night at the Kurtz's? Will Jason and Cameron do better on Chris' torturous Halloween-themed trivia game show? And, most importantly, will we find any more gems? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and Cameron Lockey as they bring you three fresh reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2023 episode of Hidden Gems!

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 55: Publisher Spotlight: Zoch Verlag

Castle building in the Scottish highlands, spicy peppers and a game about, well... Watch out for the smelly stuff on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they step around three poo-tential gems from publisher Zoch Verlag.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 54: Designer Spotlight: Marcel-André Casasola Merkle

Words with sheep, network building in the islands (also with sheep) and a vicious abstract (not so much about sheep). This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff take on the good and the baa-aa-ahd of three titles by designer Marcel-André Casasola Merkle.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 53: In Honor of Klaus Teuber

In this special episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey review three Roman-themed games including one requested by one of our Patreon Gem Miners.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 52: Ave Caesar!

In this special episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey review three Roman-themed games including one requested by one of our Patreon Gem Miners.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 51: So Hidden It’s Unranked

It only took us fifty episodes to finally get serious about how hidden our gems are! In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney dig up three games from Chris's beneath the floor boards of Chris's game room so hidden, BGG doesn't even know about them. Tune in to find out what they are.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 50: Audience Choice

We're FINALLY back! On this special 50th episode of Hidden Gems, all your hosts, Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey gather to celebrate the occasion by reviewing three games chosen by our incredible audience, finally give away a copy of Strasbourg, and talk more than you've ever wanted about our favorite video games.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 49: Designer Spotlight on Günter Burkhardt

There was fairly gushing praise from all the HG crew for 2 out 3 games from designer Stefan Dorra going way back to our 7th episode -- where Chris even gave out a notable two 6-ratings! And then there was Tonga Bonga ... at least Bill liked it! What will the guys think of another triumvirate of games from the same esteemed designer? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff to find out!

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 48: Designer Spotlight on Stefan Dorra

There was fairly gushing praise from all the HG crew for 2 out 3 games from designer Stefan Dorra going way back to our 7th episode -- where Chris even gave out a notable two 6-ratings! And then there was Tonga Bonga ... at least Bill liked it! What will the guys think of another triumvirate of games from the same esteemed designer? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff to find out!

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 47: The Lord of the Rings

"In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered...doom was near at hand" In this episode of Hidden Gems, fantasy lovers and hosts Chris Alley and Cameron Lockey take on games with a beloved theme: Lord of the Rings.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 46: The Giants of Easter Island

Need a bit of sun and sand to kick off the new year this cold January? Also, who knew there were so many board games with the Easter Island moai as a theme? Catch some rays and find out more about these mysterious statues in this episode with your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out three new promising gems with Easter Island-themes.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 45: Christmas Special 2022

Need a bit of sun and sand to kick off the new year this cold January? Also, who knew there were so many board games with the Easter Island moai as a theme? Catch some rays and find out more about these mysterious statues in this episode with your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out three new promising gems with Easter Island-themes.

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 44: Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2013 Edition

The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2013! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions!

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 43: Tigris & Euphrates?

What's happening on Hidden Gems? A review for a game in the top 200, almost 100?! With Cameron and Bill out, have Chris and Jason finally lost their minds and reverted to reviewing the hotness? Find out on this latest episode when the guys check out one title far down the rankings and another not quite so much -- are there gems to be found?

Read More
Cameron Lockey Cameron Lockey

Episode 42: Halloween Spectacular 2022

It's time for another SPOOKY edition of Hidden Gems! Get ready to enjoy more audio theatre, a Halloween-themed trivia game show, and more spooky stories. Your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey also bring you three fresh reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2022 episode of Hidden Gems!

Read More