Board Games and Thematic Depth, Discussing Meaningful Themes in Board Games
Channel: Tabletop Bellhop
Date: 2023-04-02

In this podcast segment the guys talk about thematic depth in board games. They talk about board game theming, how to make themes more important in games and highlight games that do it right and games that miss the mark. 

This show is one segment from The Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Ep 203, Thematic Depth, find the full episode here: https://youtu.be/n_VQ6Oj-lxY

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00:00 Intro and question:

“Are there board games that pick a time in history or a region for the aesthetic that are actually good?”

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Links and games mentioned:

01:24 Talking Thematic Depth in Games
Monopoly https://amzn.to/3K5XSCO
Star Wars Monopoly Episode One Collector's Edition https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147772198/Star-Wars-Monopoly---Episode-I-Collectors-Edition?awid=1091
Chess (Star Wars!) https://amzn.to/3zpY2jB

05:37 Mechanics Should Drive Theme and Vice Versa
Court Review https://tabletopbellhop.com/game-reviews/court/
Episode 202 https://youtu.be/pVuJ79Rx2Y8

08:43 What is a Pasted on Theme?

14:07 Deeply Thematic Games Are Hard to Find
Blood Bowl https://amzn.to/3nzP54B
Lords of Waterdeep https://amzn.to/3KnZNnH

15:40 Using Themes Appropriately 

17:34 Looking at Thematic Depth in Specific Games
Gunkimono https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147735698/Gunkimono?awid=1091
Isle of Skye https://amzn.to/40MSI5K
Rise of Augustus https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147525672/Augustus?awid=1091
Gorinto https://amzn.to/43cKOVh
Attika  https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147341780/Attika?awid=1091
US Telegraph https://amzn.to/3nzM9VD
Clans of Caledonia https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147694850/Clans-of-Caledonia?awid=1091
Freedom the Underground Railroad https://amzn.to/3U71Hwq
The Belgian Beers Race https://grandgamersguild.com/products/belgian-beers-race
Revolution of 1828 https://amzn.to/3KBPqwV
Twilight Struggle https://amzn.to/3m49kak
Nyctophobia https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147733878/Nyctophobia---The-Hunted?awid=1091
Shadows in the Forest https://amzn.to/3G6GzjN
Hammer of the Scotts https://amzn.to/3U1AlHQ
Julius Caesar https://amzn.to/3lZ0lqH

32:55 Are There Rules Specific to the Theme?
Fire in the Lake https://amzn.to/3zoO7dY
Root https://amzn.to/3KsvLzm
The Red Burnose Algeria 1857 https://hitemwithashoe.com/product/the-red-burnoose-algeria-1857/
DC Deck-building Game  https://amzn.to/3MbgNPu
Draconis Invasion https://www.draconisinvasion.com/en-ca
Hellbringer https://hellbringergame.com/

37:00 Summary Wrapping Up  

Send your gaming or game night questions to questions@tabletopbellhop.com or visit TabletopBellhop.com and click on Ask The Bellhop.

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