RDTN Episode 271: Ark Nova, The Thing and Six More Games

Ark Nova and The Thing give RDTN Episode 271 two big table experiences to unpack. The hosts enjoyed seeing what Ark Nova’s buzz was about, though its length at four players didn’t suit one of them. The Thing, meanwhile, starts with rules that seem simple and reveals more details as players run into them. The episode also makes room for a lighter family-game pick: Ole Guacamole, where finding a word connection is only half the fun.

Ark Nova takes time and table space

The hosts played Ark Nova at their annual BooBQ, alongside another game that also took up plenty of time and table space. They describe themselves as late to Ark Nova, but say they understand why people have been talking about it. That’s a useful distinction for anyone weighing a first play: the episode’s reaction is positive about the game’s appeal, while still recognizing that a long session can be a poor fit for a particular group.

One host says they’d pass on playing Ark Nova with four people again because the session ran longer than they personally enjoy. They’re clear that this is a matter of taste, not a claim that the game shouldn’t be played at that count. For groups considering it, the practical takeaway is to think about how much table time everyone wants to give the session, especially when the gathering includes another substantial game. The episode doesn’t offer a play-time estimate, so it’s best read as a firsthand note about this group’s experience rather than a general timing promise.

That kind of distinction is part of what makes a game-night report useful. A game can land well and still ask more time than some players want to spend in one sitting. If your group likes a sprawling table presence and is happy to settle in, the hosts’ enthusiasm about understanding the buzz may be encouraging. If you’re fitting games around a busy gathering, their four-player experience is a reminder to make room in the schedule.

The Thing rewards attention to its small rules

The Thing’s rules are the episode’s clearest caution for new players. At first, the game can look straightforward; then particular situations bring extra details into play. The hosts use the Flamethrower as an example. It may sound like a simple weapon for burning something, but players need to know how many gas cans go on it, what happens when it’s used against the Thing, and how setting a building on fire works.

Testing another player is another action that needs to be understood. These details can make an early explanation feel less simple than expected, particularly if the group is learning while playing. A practical approach is to pause on the Flamethrower and testing rules before the first moment that calls for them. It gives everyone a shared reference point and can keep a tense turn from becoming a rules lookup.

Once those details are familiar, the hosts describe the heart of the experience as players shouting at one another and accusing each other of being an alien. That social friction is the draw: the suspicion works best when everyone understands what actions and tools can do. The rules overhead may take patience up front, but it supports the table talk that follows.

Ole Guacamole turns word links into a family challenge

For a family gathering, the hosts recommend Ole Guacamole. Its appeal, as they describe it, comes from trying to choose a word that will trip up the next person when they attempt to link it. The word doesn’t need to be obscure or elaborate. “Car” is their example: it offers so many possible connections that a player may get stuck sorting through ideas and checking whether the one they want to say is allowed.

That makes the fun less about showing off a huge vocabulary and more about watching someone hesitate under the pressure of too many plausible answers. A familiar word can be a better prompt than a rare one because everyone can see several routes forward. The host’s description suggests a good fit for a casual gathering where players enjoy quick verbal challenges and the table can laugh along when someone second-guesses a connection.

The episode says Ole Guacamole was under $15 at Miniature Market and suggests it as a way to get an order over that store’s free-shipping threshold. That price is tied to the hosts’ mention, so check the linked listing for current details. Their central recommendation is about the play experience: a small prompt can create a surprising amount of indecision.

Episode rundown

The recording opens with an introduction, then moves through Taste Buds, an RDTN update and a segment titled “Bridal Show: Candles.” The game discussions include Ole Guacamole, Black Angel, Cult of the Deep, Ark Nova, The Thing, Virtu and Splendor Duel. The rundown also points to Miniature Market, Game Toppers, Portal Games and Ultra Pro, along with an Oceans digital version and Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef.

The timestamps below follow the episode listing. Its final two entries place Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef before the outro, even though the outro timestamp appears earlier.

00:00:33 Intro
00:11:10 Taste Buds
00:14:00 RDTN Update
00:18:22 Bridal Show: Candles
00:21:45 Ole Guacamole
00:24:54 Black Angel
00:28:20 Cult of the Deep
00:32:20 Miniature Market
00:33:20 Game Toppers
00:34:12 Ark Nova
00:52:51 The Thing
01:00:54 Portal Games
01:02:30 Virtu
01:20:22 Splendor Duel
01:34:20 Ultra Pro
01:35:56 Oceans Digital Version
01:40:05 Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef
01:38:51 Outro

The hosts close by thanking listeners as the show approaches its 10th year. Episode 271 leaves players with a few concrete things to consider: set aside ample time for Ark Nova, learn The Thing’s small rules before suspicion takes over, and bring Ole Guacamole when the group wants a lively word challenge. The episode’s appeal lies in those contrasting table moods, from a long shared session to a quick idea that can leave everyone searching for the next connection.