Love board games? Let’s talk boardgames, lots of board gaming (and a few RPGs). Tabletop Bellhop, your cardboard concierge, is here to answer your gaming and game night questions, helping you make your game nights better with tabletop game reviews and advice.
This episode we answer a question from a long time fan who’s wondering if board games would be better off being digital. We talk about the non-con games we’ve been playing (there’s a lot) and finish off with two reviews: The Artemis Odyssey and Cursed Empire: Heroes of Thargos
Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 269, was recorded on April 4th, 2025. Join us live on Wednesdays at 8 PM EST at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop
For detailed show notes with links to everything we talk about in this episode: https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep294/
Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.
(00:00:00) Checking in
(00:01:50) Ask the Bellhop
(00:41:52) A Word From Our Sponsor
Get the Easter Escapade, Holiday Hijinks #8 in time for Easter!
You can get it on sale direct from Grand Gamers Guild where you can use our coupon code BELLHOP to save an extra 10%
https://grandgamersguild.com/products/the-easter-escapade-holiday-hijinks-8
(00:43:17) The Bellhop’s Tabletop
(01:50:03) The Game Room – The Artemis Odyssey
Check out our reviews of other games in the Artemis series: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=the%20artemis
Check out our The Artemis Odyssey Unboxing https://youtu.be/k23Hkv_x-3w
Pick up the Artemis Odyssey Deluxe Edition direct from Grand Gamers Guild which is currently on sale!
https://grandgamersguild.com/products/artemis-odyssey
You can always use our code BELLHOP to save 10% when shopping directly from Marc.
(02:12:24) The Game Room – Cursed Empire: Heroes of Thargos
Learn more about Cursed Empire https://www.cursedempire.com/
Pick up Heroes of Thargos https://amzn.to/42ndlHY
Heroes of Thargos Resources (Deck lists, etc) https://www.cursedempire.com/heroesofthargos
(02:34:52) Closing the Doors
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This episode we answer a question from a long time fan who’s wondering if board games would be better off being digital. We talk about the non-con games we’ve been playing (there’s a lot) and finish off with two reviews: The Artemis Odyssey and Cursed Empire: Heroes of Thargos.
If you’d like to watch the (slightly less edited) video version of this recording you can jump to the bottom of the post.
Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. Using these links costs you nothing extra and helps us offset the cost of producing this show. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the games mentioned in this podcast were provided by publishers as review copies.
— Ask The Bellhop: Are some board games better off as video games? — [00:01:50]
- Oros
- Civilization
- Board Game Arena
- Hanabi
- Gloomhaven
- Gloomhaven Digital
- Terraforming Mars
- Terraforming Mars Digital
- Castles of Burgundy
- Castles of Burgundy on BGA
- Carcassonne on BGA
- Carcassonne Digital
- Teotihuacan
- Weather Machine
- The Crew
- The Crew on BGA
- Power Grid
- Point Salad
- Point Salad on BGA
- Point Salad App
- Terra Mystica
- Terra Mystica on BGA
- Tapestry
- Tapestry on BGA
- Play BlackBox Online
- Small World
- Small World 2 Digital
- Star Realms Digital
- Ascension Digital
- Tabletop Simulator
- Ticket to Ride Digital
- Eclipse Second Dawn for the Galaxy Digital
Send your questions to questions@tabletopbellhop.com.
— A Word From Our Sponsor, Grand Gamers Guild —
Order now and get the Easter Escapade, Holiday Hijinks #8, just in time for the big egg hunt!
Check out our various Holiday Hijinks Reviews to see why we love this cooperative puzzle game series.
The Eastern Escapade is currently on sale in all formats, Physical, Print on Demand or in a Bundle with both versions. The sale ends after Easter weekend.
Shop directly from Grand Gamers Guild where you can use our coupon code BELLHOP to save an extra 10%
— The Bellhop’s Tabletop — [00:43:17]
What we’ve been playing lately:
- The Mind
- Flip 7
- Skull King
- Panda Royale
- Adventure Party The Role-Playing Party Game
- Tales of the Arabian Nights
- Harmonies
- Hive
- Sherlock Solitaire
- The Artemis Odyssey
- Heroes of Thargos
- Targi Expansion
- Survive the Island
- Smug Owls
- Sandbag
- Trash Talk
- Blank Slate
- Curses and Covens
- Touche
- Klask
- Earth
- Sinoda
- Architects of Amytis
- Beer and Bread
- Maki Master
- Sushi Dice
- Star Explorer
- Oros
— The Artemis Odyssey Review — [01:50:03]
An update to the classic Bruno Faidutti and Serge Leget game Ad Astra with improved gameplay and better components. A great next step game with similarities to classic resource management games like CATAN.
- Check out our reviews of other games in the Artemis series
- Check out our The Artemis Odyssey Unboxing
- Pick up the Artemis Odyssey Deluxe Edition direct from Grand Gamers Guild which is currently on sale!
- Remember you can always use our code BELLHOP to save 10% when shopping directly from GGG.
— Cursed Empire: Heroes of Thargos Review — [02:12:24]
Don’t let the 50 page rulebook scare you. This is a quick to learn dueling card game featuring some interesting mechanics we’ve never seen before.
- Learn more about Cursed Empire
- Pick up Heroes of Thargos
- Heroes of Thargos Resources (Deck Lists, Story Mode, etc)
—Support our efforts—
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- Check out our Patreon.
- Shop Tabletop Bellhop merch.
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2 Responses
I am generally done playing games on computers. I don’t have a problem playing a solitaire game on the computer, but any game where another actual player or players are taking part, I won’t play that way anymore. The interaction that takes place at a table, face to face, even in games without big player interaction, far exceeds the interaction of people online. If it’s not a person acting like a pill online, as so many people are prone to do these days, it’s one of those things where any chats online distracts you from the actual game instead of just entertaining banter you can do face to face.
Even when I play a solitaire game online, 99% of the time I am playing a game that doesn’t exist as a physical board game. That doesn’t dissuade me from playing a solitaire board game on the table instead of getting on to the computer.
To each their own regarding online/digital board games, but they are not for me. I am also one who is not a fan of app-driven board games. I like my games free from electronics.
Hey Phil,
I’m with you for the most part. The only advantage digital gives me is the ability to play with people I would normally play with at the table when we can’t be together in person. It’s a case of something is better than nothing for me.
As for preferring video games, that’s only for games that don’t have a board game version. You just can’t get games like Star Wars Outlaws in tabletop form.
Thanks for the comment!
Moe T