As much as I love video games and trust myself, I've played over 8,000 hours of games. path of exile And over 10,000 pokemon The franchise is very real, and the board game is also my unconditional love. Whether it's a party game or a game like dungeons and dragons It's closer to a tabletop than anything else, and even a board game. Elden RingThere is a lot to love in everyone. One of my favorite board games (that I rarely play) is: rootA video game version was also released a few years ago.
That probably says something about my taste in board games. If not, I hope this list of the best new or upcoming titles I've put together will. Spoiler: Fan dungeons and dragons The campaign, dice-rolling shenanigans, and Dungeon Master screen have something to note, but so do fans. Red Dead Redemption 2Superhero comics, etc.
10 Co-op Horror Board Games That Are Scarier Than Most Video Games
This board game is the perfect pastime for a spooky night out with friends, and it's easily scarier than some video games.
western legend stories
Building on the success of the sandbox western legends, western legend stories It deepens the Wild West experience with episodic storytelling and a dynamic frontier town that evolves as you play. Build your own legend through exploration, village building, and tactical decision-making. It stands out from the 2026 lineup with its mix of open-world freedom and narrative progression, perfect for campaign-style play and board games like: Red Dead Redemption 2.
Core Mechanism:
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Open world exploration and action choices
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Episode narrative progression
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Sandbox gameplay and strategy planning driven by player choice
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Different paths to victory
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Genre: Narrative Adventure
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Balance the critic average
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Brass: Pittsburgh
Parts that received favorable reviews brass series, Brass: Pittsburgh Bringing 19th-century British industrial strategy experience to the heart of America's steel capital. Expect deep resource management, fierce competition, and a strategic rail network as hallmarks of the industry. brass legacy. If you loved Brass: BirminghamThis iteration upgrades that blueprint with new maps and thematic variations.
Core Mechanism:
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Building an economic network (railway, oil, steel)
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Resource Management and Market Timing
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Strategic space expansion
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Interactive Eurogame strategy
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Genre: Eurogame
floe
floe Players are challenged to guide their brave characters across the icy archipelago, exploring uncharted territories, facing dangerous situations, and completing heroic quests. Unique movement systems and resource progression make every session tactically rewarding. The arctic theme is not often used in tabletop games, and it seems to combine environmental survival with strategic depth. If you enjoy the same game Everdell, floe It might be right up your alley.
Core Mechanism:
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Modular Map Navigation
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Action programming or movement planning
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Resource Management in Hostile Terrain
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Intermediate strategy progress
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Genre: Subject
Red Dog Junction
A frontier-themed title generating initial buzz among enthusiasts, the game appears to emphasize tactical positioning and narrative tension in a lawless settlement. if you like the same games Warhammer 40K: Space Marine It's mixed with raw science fiction from decades ago. Red Dog Junction You may only scratch the itch. But beyond some early previews, not much is known about the game.
Core Mechanism:
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Scenario-based encounters
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Tactical Board Movement
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Various character roles
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Worker placement similar to a large spaceship
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Genre: (Probably) Worker Placement/Eurogame
Japan: Zaibatsu
classic euro games japan In 2026 it returns: Japan: Zaibatsuis a reimagined edition commemorating the game's 10th anniversary with deeper strategy, richer components, and expanded gameplay options, including a new solo mode and upgraded mechanics. japan Its clever economic strategy and the tension between local control/majority and resource management have earned it a devoted following.
Core Mechanism:
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Regional majority and influence over Japanese controlled areas
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Worker placement with limited worker options
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Engine building with factories and rail network to produce goods
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Genre: Eurogame
Crits and Tricks
One of the most exciting hybrid designs scheduled for 2026 Crits and Tricks It appears poised to unite two traditionally separate tabletop experiences: classic trick-taking card play and unpredictable role-playing games. Considering the premise of taking a class of your choice on a quest, this could be the perfect game for: dungeons and dragons If you want to give board games a chance. However, details are lacking at the moment.
Core Mechanism:
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Trick-taking card game using dice rolling mechanism
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Draft a Quest
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Special scoring conditions that occur during tricks
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Variable card effects that change round dynamics
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Genre: Strategy Card Game
small group of people
If you like cozy games like Stardew Valley With cute art, small group of people That may be exactly what it is, but it's the board game version. The game is a points-based game that still retains the classic worker placement elements, with a board made to look like a map with small villages that you can move around while adventuring as a hero and collecting more cards along the way. Resources and cards are the core of the game, the latter giving you points at the end of the game.
Core Mechanism:
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Collect cards to gain new abilities and victory points.
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Resource Optimization
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Board interaction and table building
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Genre: Building Tableau
Grendel: A Game of Crime and Mayhem
It's probably one of the most visually striking titles in the 2026 lineup. Grendel: A Game of Crime and Mayhem Adapts Matt Wagner's cult comic property to asymmetrical tabletop conflict. Players take on radically different roles with very different board presences, from criminal masterminds to law enforcement or rival factions, each with distinct win conditions and mechanical advantages. The faction consists of four factions, including Grendel, the werewolf Argent, the police, and the Mafia, all fighting for control of New York City. This is something fans of superhero Marvel comics know by heart.
Core Mechanism:
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asymmetric force capabilities
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Local control and territorial influence
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Expand resource-centric power
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Each game is different from the others due to forces, asymmetrical forces, and player decisions.
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Genre: Thematic, Area Control
