Hello board game fans! Happy New Year! As we enter 2024, the excitement for new game releases is buzzing. Big names like Stonemaier and Kosmos have teased us with exciting announcements, fueling our anticipation for fresh tabletop experiences. Reiner Knizia himself has three games on the way. Let’s jump right in and check out the top 5 board games coming in 2024 that have us super excited this year! (games ordered by expected release date)

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#5

Description

You are an amateur dracologist in the world of Wyrmspan, a place where dragons of all shapes, sizes, and colors roam the skies. Excavate a hidden labyrinth you recently unearthed on your land and entice these beautiful creatures to roost in the sanctuary of your caves.

During a game of Wyrmspan, you will build a sanctuary for dragons of all shapes and sizes. Your sanctuary begins with 3 excavated spaces—the leftmost space in your Crimson Cavern, your Golden Grotto, and your Amethyst Abyss. Over the course of the game, you will excavate additional spaces in your sanctuary and entice dragons to live there, chaining together powerful abilities and earning the favor of the Dragon Guild.

Wyrmspan is inspired by the mechanisms of Wingspan, though its 16+ unique elements make Wyrmspan a standalone game (not compatible with Wingspan).

– Publisher Description

Why We Are Excited

When I first heard about this announcement, I had to double-check my calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1st. To my surprise, the game is very much real. Wingspan has been a constant favorite in our household, giving us a growing interest in birds. I’m excited about the prospect of a slightly weightier game compared to its predecessor. While hoping for more player interaction, I wouldn’t be shocked if it remains predominantly a solitairy gaming experience.

Check out our review of Stonemaier’s Expeditions.

#4

Description

Since the dawn of time, humanity has sought new ideas, forever developing them into newer concepts. Their genius made them stand out from the other animals. Each invention is a veritable evolutionary step. Humans’ use of tools surpasses all others, making Homo Sapiens technologists since before historical records were invented.

Inventions follows humanity’s most noteworthy innovations and places the power of these technological developments in your hands to evolve your societies over the ages.

In Inventions, cards simulate these new concepts. They are the ideas that eventually become inventions. Once they are invented, they can be shared with the world, and everyone involved in the process spreads exciting news. You can even share with other societies, boosting the inventions’ efficacy.

Inventions is a tactical game that revolves around long-term strategy. Each society’s progress will be measured in Ingenuity Points (IP). The player with the most IP has the strongest society and wins the game.

– Publisher Description

Why We Are Excited

The theme and concept of this game immediately caught our attention. The game board’s captivating design adds to its beauty. The blend of competition and collaboration to bring inventions to life is a feature we particularly love.

#3

Description

It’s the 21st Century and Catan is at a crossroads. Long gone is the agrarian society of the island’s Viking ancestors. Today’s Catanians need energy to keep society moving and growing, but pollution is wreaking havoc on the island.

You must decide: Invest in clean energy resources or opt for cheaper fossil fuels, potentially causing disastrous effects for the island?

CATAN – New Energies is a brand new standalone game that is rooted in classic CATAN mechanics of harvesting, trading, and building. New gameplay elements including power plants, energy tokens, and environmental events add new strategies and stories to a familiar foundation. 

Beautiful art by Ian O’Toole brings players from the age of the Vikings into the present day with a striking new rendering of the island of Catan.

– Publisher Description

Why We Are Excited

Catan has often served as the entry point to board gaming for many, including myself. I played it extensively before exploring more contemporary titles. Nowadays, it mostly rests on the shelf, gathering dust. The prospect of New Energies revitalizing Catan is exciting. I crave the nostalgia but with an added layer of strategic decision-making. The new mechanics seem intriguing, making it a bit weightier than its predecessor—exactly what I hope for in a fresh take on Catan.

#2

Description

Long ago, the Reach thrived. But our ancestors failed us, and I fear we’re no better. As we wrestle over the galaxy’s edge, can we break the cycle? Can we build something new?

Arcs is a sharp sci-fi strategy game for 2–4 players, set in a dark yet silly universe. Ready yourself for dramatic twists and turns as you launch into this galactic struggle.

• Seize the initiative: Take actions with multi-use cards. Copy the leader, pivot to new tactics, or take the initiative for next round. Timing is everything.
• Declare ambitions: In each game, you define the objectives that everyone competes over to win.
• Crush your foes: Amass your navy for battle, plan your strategy with three kinds of dice, then roll them all at once to resolve the battle in a flash.

Each game contains a hundred wooden ships and agents, 18 custom engraved dice, a beautiful six-panel board, and tons of cards with over 60 pieces of unique art.

– Publisher Description

Why We Are Excited

The asymmetrical gameplay of Root and similar titles such as Hegemony has captivated our gaming group. Anything emerging from Leder Games, especially if it’s designed by Cole Wehrle, instantly grabs our attention. The prospect of asymmetrical space battles coupled with a campaign is almost too good to be true. We are eagerly anticipating the moment when this hits our gaming table.

#1

Description

In his first year as king of Persia, Cyrus the Great issued a decree in writing to the Israelite exiles living under his rule:

The God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem. Any of his people may go up to Jerusalem in Judah to build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel. And in any place where survivors may now be living, the people of Persia are to provide them with silver, gold, goods, livestock, and offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem – Ezra 1:2-4 (paraphrased).

Decades later, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes reign, the king noticed a sadness in his cupbearer, Nehemiah. When asked why he looked so ill, Nehemiah replied:

May the king live forever! Why should I not look sad when the city of my ancestors lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? If it pleases you, and if I have found favor in your sight, let me go to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I may rebuild it – Nehemiah 2:3-5 (paraphrased).

The aim of Ezra and Nehemiah is to be the player with the most Victory Points (VP) at the game’s end. Points are gained primarily by building the temple, rebuilding the city walls and gates, and by teaching the Torah to the returning exiles. Players may also seek to develop their land, travel to settlements outside the city walls, or stoke the altar’s fire to keep it burning day and night. The prophets, Haggai and Zechariah will be doing their part to keep the people focused on what is most important.

Over 3 weeks (Rounds), players will be using their hand of cards, workers, and resources to do their part in rebuilding the great city of Jerusalem. After 6 days of work, there will be a Sabbath day of rest. Food will be needed, and the week’s work will be reflected upon. The game will end after the 3rd Sabbath has been completed.

– Description from Designer

Why We Are Excited

I’m excited about the prospect of a Biblical-themed game that goes beyond the typical animal-stacking on Noah’s Ark. This game seems poised to become one of the best in the genre, offering a chance to experience Biblical stories through complex rules and competitive gameplay. It’s intriguing to think about how many youth pastors might be drawn to it, perhaps without realizing just how weighty and strategic the game truly is. The blend of spirituality and sophisticated gaming mechanics is certainly a unique and enticing combination.

What board games are you most excited for in 2024? Let us know in the comments.