We're your hosts, Emerson & Emily, a husband and wife team who believe victory points are a love language and every game table needs its own sausage dog tie-breaker. Here, we share reviews, hot takes, game night stories, & the ups and downs of life around the board game table.
This week we’re heading to the zoo for a look at Sanctuary: An Ark Nova Game…but is it really Ark Nova?
We kick things off by talking about our own experiences visiting the zoo, although it quickly becomes pretty obvious that one of us enjoys the zoo a LOT more than the other. Maybe that has something to do with who ended up liking Sanctuary more 👀
Then, we introduce our newest segment, Royal Reviews, where we read one of our 1st listener’s review. After that, we dive into Sanctuary and take a closer look at just how much of Ark Nova is actually hiding inside this box. Some elements are blatantly Ark Nova, while other changes make Emerson wonder if this could have been its own game entirely, and possibly even more successful without the Ark Nova IP attached to it.
Listen closely, Emily has a hot take of her own that manages to catch Emerson completely by surprise. We wrap things up with some strategic tips from Emerson and try to answer the big question: Is Sanctuary simply a streamlined Ark Nova, or is there a game here that deserves to stand on its own?
Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed hanging out with us, make sure to follow the podcast, leave us a review, and share it with your favorite game night crew.
Looking to connect? Send us an email at: royal.dachshund.games@gmail.com
27 Jul 2026
Ep. 19 Once in a Blue Moon: Planet Unknown & Supermoon
This week we’re talking all things Planet Unknown and its expansion, Supermoon. We kick things off by discussing the game’s Kickstarter success before sharing our theories as to why this space themed game has become a favorite for so many gamers while missing the mark for others. From simultaneous turns and asymmetric player powers to consistent play times and endless replayability, we share our experiences, compare how differently we approached the game, and discuss whether Supermoon is worth adding to your collection. To wrap things up, we see if Emily can identify board game publishers from nothing more than their logos. Spoiler alert...uh, she was confident.
12 Jun 2026
Ep. 18 When Great Becomes Mediocre: Board Game Reviews
This week we settle back into our routine after a brief hiatus and catch up on what’s new, including some of the games we’ve been playing lately. We also touch on a hot topic in the world of aliens as scientists seem to be mysteriously disappearing before diving into the main discussion: are board game reviews too positive? We share the role of reviewers in the hobby, how Royal Dachshund Games approaches criticism, and why overhyping products can damage trust between creators and consumers. From Instagram algorithms and genuine engagement to maintaining publisher relationships while staying honest with our audience, we discuss the responsibility that comes with sharing opinions in a hobby we love.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.7 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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