The new year is upon us, and with it comes the promise of brand-new board games for our weekly game nights. This is the time of year when releases are slim as publishers are gearing up to have their latest and greatest titles ready for the upcoming convention season. So what games do we have our eyes on this year? Glad you asked! The BGQ Team gathers to list out the games we are most looking forward to playing this year.<\/p>\n
The new year is upon us, and with it comes the promise of brand-new board games for our weekly game nights. This is the time of year when releases are slim as publishers are gearing up to have their latest and greatest titles ready for the upcoming convention season. So what games do we have<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[3970,3971,77],"class_list":{"0":"post-4430","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upcoming-games","8":"tag-anticipated","9":"tag-board","10":"tag-games"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4430"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4437,"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4430\/revisions\/4437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beteja.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n<\/em>Hegemony distinguished itself as a spectacularly interactive Eurogame experience that was so immersively thematic that it could be considered an academic simulation of class-interactions within a modern democratic government framework. As unique and engaging as Hegemony was, however, it also possessed several logistical drawbacks: (1) the need for 4-players for the full experience, (2) excessively long playtime at 4-player, and (3) the drastic asymmetry of the 4 factions made teaching rather onerous. Now, the same team is debuting its latest title, World Order. World Order promises to be a similarly thematic and educational experience, but this time focused on international relations, specifically those between the USA, Russia, China, and the EU in 2010. While the cards and starting alliances for each faction are asymmetric, the basic gameplay options are the same, which should make this title a much simpler teach. Furthermore, the 2-player variant seems like it should be more viable, allowing potential for a 90-minute experience that is much more likely to get tabled. Featuring deck-building and area control, World Order seems like a fun Eurogame experience debuting at a perfect time for anyone desiring to better understand the importance of NATO and international relations. Other highly anticipated 2026 games include: Niraya, Brass Pittsburgh, Ashes Blackout Protocol, Timespan, and Ringyo<\/p>\n2-4 Players \u2022 Ages 14+ \u2022 120-180 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Dawn of Madness<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>So, the core game of Dawn of Madness has been available since last year (2025), but most functionality of the game is still in transit to the US and other hubs for delivery this year. I myself haven\u2019t gotten to play it yet since I opted for one-wave shipping. The game tells multiple survival horror narratives and utilizes an interesting and flavorful psychological resource system behind player actions. As a precursor to Deep Madness, I am excited to get my all-in copy in a few more months!<\/p>\n1-4 Players \u2022 Ages 14+ \u2022 90-120 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Moytura<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>Undaunted and War Chest designers, Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, are collaborating again to bring new life into the area control space by creating a two-player game that functions like a five-player game. By having a \u201cthird player\u201d manage three different factions, a two-player game can have the drama and pomp of a larger player-count title. I\u2019m nervous to see exactly how burdensome the control of the \u201cthird player\u201d will be, but I trust these designers to bring new life to a crowded genre while also putting a new spin on the idea.<\/p>\n2 Players \u2022 Ages 12+ \u2022 45 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Cyberpunk: Legends<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>If a publisher makes a game with a cyberpunk theme, chances are I\u2019ll play it. It\u2019s one of my favorite themes, especially if it\u2019s set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077. At Gen Con last year, I was able to demo this cooperative card game and loved it (oddly enough, the person doing the demo looked just like Johnny Silverhand\u2026). But the game drops players into Night City years before the events from the video game, and can be played as either a campaign or in a roguelike deck-building mode. The game was easy to learn, and I really enjoyed the mechanics that encouraged cooperation with your fellow edgerunners. It had almost an Arkham Horror LCG feel to it, which is a win in my book.<\/p>\n1-4 Players \u2022 Ages 14+ \u2022 90-120 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
The Danes<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>First of all, this is a crowdfunding campaign that is set to launch this year (2026). Which we all know means none of us will see it until 2029 at the earliest. Is it disingenuous to stick a game that we can only preorder on here? Not if that game is The Danes! Gernot K\u00f6pke, designer of the fabulous Norwegians expansion, er, patch, for A Feast for Odin, returns with a standalone sequel that has been nearly a decade in the making. The box will be enormous. Will the sandbox be sandier? Will the peas be pea-ier? Will livestock finally be a viable strategy to win? I can\u2019t wait to find out.<\/p>\n1-4 Players \u2022 Ages 12+ \u2022 90-180 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Western Legends Stories<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>Like many of my picks, last year\u2019s selection of Rogue Angels was delayed, and though I\u2019m not picking it again, I\u2019m still amped for it. Fairy Tale, in all its cuteness, is my runner-up for most anticipated, falling just behind another narrative game in Western Legends Stories. The authentic western theme (sorry, Shadows of Brimstone) is fascinating and unique in my collection, as I\u2019m expecting a taming of the Wild West story with replay value depending on choices made. The gameplay seems fairly streamlined with a focus on story, which could make this accessible. The automa mode means I can play this solo, greatly improving the chances I\u2019ll play it. And I love the thematic components like poker chips, poker cards, evocative art, and tokens.<\/p>\n1-5 Players \u2022 Ages 14+ \u2022 90 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Star Trek: Captain\u2019s Chair Expansions<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>We love Captain\u2019s Chair, and we cannot wait for the expansions. More Star Trek is always a great thing, and we\u2019re excited to see all the new captains, ships, and crew that the Boldly Go and Second Contact sets bring to the table. All games would be better if they had a Star Trek theme. Kanban? Better. War for the Ring? Better. Wingspan? Better. Castles of Burgundy? Even better.<\/p>\n1-2 Players \u2022 Ages 14+ \u2022 60-120 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Endeavor Deep Sea: Uncharted Waters<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>As far as I am concerned, Endeavor: Deep Sea is pretty perfect as a game. I loved everything about it when I first played. At the time, I would have said that nothing was needed to make this game better. Then I saw Uncharted Waters, which adds new specialists and new journal cards, which will add a little variety. Okay, I love this game enough that I would get it for that alone. But there are also even deeper ocean cards to explore, more scenarios, and most importantly, new Goal and Setback cards for solo play.\u00a0 Solo play and co-op play also get mode cards to add new challenges. That all combines to put Endeavor Deep Sea: Uncharted Waters at the very top of my Must Have list.<\/p>\n1-5 Players \u2022 Ages 14+ \u2022 45-90 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
The Great Library<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>It\u2019s been a while, Vital. After the excellence that is Lisboa (and to a degree, Kanban EV), I\u2019ve not connected deeply with one of your release themes and\/or mechanisms. Here, with The Great Library, I\u2019m back on board and ready to embrace analysis paralysis again. With this upcoming release, Lacerda\u2019s philosophy doesn\u2019t seem to be changing too drastically. And yet, reviewing this design, with its interlocking systems and its use of time as a resource, I\u2019m intrigued. I may even say that it feels quite streamlined for something that at first glance looks daunting on the table. The setting is also great\u2014scholars building the world\u2019s knowledge center in the third century B.C. Now, while there\u2019s no way to stop the disasters and neglect that will await the titular structure in the days to come, here\u2019s to hoping that Vital has continued to use his own renown to improve upon mechanisms to make this system ignite. Just keep the flame far away from the parchment. Please.<\/p>\n1-4 Players \u2022 Ages 14+ \u2022 100-180 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Everdell Emerland<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>Honestly, I\u2019m not sure that I need another Everdell game, but every time I see something for the newest entry in the series, a little bell of excitement rings in my head. Returning to this world of cozy critters feels almost nostalgic now. Emerland takes place in a jungle, previously home to an ancient civilization that left ruins behind. Players are still building up cities and preparing for the seasons, but new to this game are Archaeologists who can investigate the ruins. Whether this standalone game will be unique enough from the other Everdells remains to be seen, but I can\u2019t help but be excited to find out.<\/p>\n1-4 Players \u2022 Ages 10+ \u2022 30-120 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Pirates of the High Teas<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>I was scrolling through pages and pages of upcoming releases when this little treasure of a game caught my eye. Pirates of the High Teas is about pirates competing to serve their captain the most delicious afternoon tea. I don\u2019t really need to say anything else, but after doing a little research, I was also intrigued by the design behind the fun theme. The game utilizes a worker placement and action programming mechanism, as well as set collection, as players combine dishes to serve their captain the tastiest high tea. While I wasn\u2019t fortunate enough to back this one on Kickstarter, I do hope I\u2019ll get the chance to play it at some point this yeaaarrr!<\/p>\n1-4 Players \u2022 Ages 8+ \u2022 30-45 minutes<\/em><\/h4>\n
Honor\u2019s End<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>Among the games I\u2019m most looking forward to this year, Honor\u2019s End by Max Anders, Zac Dixon, and Austin Harrison, with art from Glenn Thomas, rises to the top. It ticks some important boxes: cooperative team coordination, deck-building, tactical depth, a light narrative campaign, and long-term progression mechanics. I\u2019m intrigued by the game\u2019s promise to balance cooperative play and address the alpha-player phenomenon. The previews of the art and design show a beautifully streamlined presence that pairs well with what appears to be a lively and synergistic gameplay experience. And, with a solo option, all the better!<\/p>\n1-4 Players \u2022 Ages 12+ \u2022 90-120 minutes \u2022 $50<\/em><\/h4>\n
StarCraft: Tabletop Miniatures Game<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em>From the very first WarCraft in the 90s, I\u2019ve been a player of most Blizzard games. WarCraft, Diablo, World of WarCraft, Overwatch, you name it. That includes StarCraft. Since I enjoyed what Archon Studios did with Masters of the Universe Battleground, I\u2019ve been eagerly anticipating their take on a StarCraft minis game ever since it was announced almost a year ago. Details are still somewhat scarce, but it sounds like they are taking great care with the IP, and the game will feature both large armies of Protoss (or as I prefer to call them, Bro-toss), Terran, and Zerg, as well as iconic heroes like Kerrigan, Raynor, and Bro-tanis. There will be elements of base-building, like you\u2019d expect from an RTS, though at the moment, it sounds like buildings will just be represented by cards. The Terran and Zerg will be available first in a starter set, with Protoss available as their own expansion. Releases are kicking off in the spring and continuing throughout the year. The only downside so far is that it does sound like it will be very pricey. The 1000 pt vs 1000 pt Terran vs. Zerg starter box will be $200, and the Protoss starter box will be another $100. Ouch.<\/p>\n2 Players \u2022 Ages 12+ \u2022 60-120 minutes \u2022 $50<\/em><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"