The Most Anticipated Upcoming Board Games of 2023

Board game fans are always on the lookout for the next big hit, and 2023 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for new releases.

From strategy games to cooperative adventures, there’s something for every type of gamer on this list of the most anticipated upcoming board games of 2023.

The Fox Experiment

In this game, players select foxes, breed them by rolling dice, write on cards to create pups, and get rewards for their pups. The pup cards then become the parents for the next round. The game is played over a series of rounds and is designed to test your strategy skills.

The Fox Experiment is set to be released in 2023, with the exact retail price yet to be announced (TBA). The game will be available for purchase on Kickstarter in September 2022. The game was co-designed with Jeff Fraser.

The Dark Quarter

Gameplay: In The Dark Quarter, players start by collecting clues and building up their deck of cards. These cards represent the detective’s weapons, allies, and abilities, and can be used to confront the supernatural creatures that have infiltrated the city. The investigation aspect of the game involves collecting clues and piecing together information about the creatures, in order to determine their weaknesses and find a way to defeat them.

The monster-slaying aspect of the game involves using the detective’s weapons, allies, and abilities to defeat the creatures. Players must carefully manage their resources and make strategic decisions about which creatures to confront and when. The deck-building aspect of the game adds another layer of strategy, as players choose which cards to add to their deck and how to use them to their advantage.

The Dark Quarter is designed by Lucky Duck Games, a critically acclaimed game design studio known for titles such as Chronicles of Crime, Empires of the North, and Escape Tales: The Awakening.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

Players take on the role of a hero, each with their own unique set of skills and abilities, as they navigate the treacherous Spire. They must work together to defeat monsters, collect powerful relics, and ultimately reach the top of the Spire to face the final boss.

During the game, players will build their deck by adding cards and removing cards, trying to create the best possible combination of actions and abilities. The choices they make throughout the game will have a significant impact on their journey, as the random encounters and events will keep players on their toes.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game is designed for 1-4 players, with each game taking 45-90 minutes to play. With its unique gameplay mechanics and challenging encounters, this game offers a unique and exciting experience for all players.

Forests of Pangaia

In Forests of Pangaia, players start with a small tribe and must gather resources, expand their territory, and build up their civilization, all while competing against the other players. The game features a variety of different terrains and resources, each with its own challenges and benefits, and players must navigate these to build the strongest civilization possible.

The map-building mechanic is a standout feature of Forests of Pangaia, allowing players to create and customize their own map, adding an element of unpredictability and replayability to the game. The game also features a variety of different events and challenges, from natural disasters to attacks from rival civilizations, that can impact the players’ progress and force them to adapt their strategies.

Forests of Pangaia is being developed by Pangaia Games, a new publisher that is dedicated to creating innovative and immersive board games.

The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Order

The game combines elements of deck-building, investigation, and combat, as players collect powerful spells and weapons, work together to gather information, and confront dangerous enemies and powerful bosses.

In The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Order, players start with a small deck of spells and weapons and must build up their deck by acquiring new cards from the market or by defeating enemies. The game features a variety of different spells and weapons, each with its own unique effects, and players must choose which cards to include in their deck and use them wisely to overcome the challenges they face.

The investigation element of the game involves working together to gather information and solve puzzles, using the cards in their deck to uncover clues and track down the traitor. The combat element of the game sees players facing off against enemies and powerful bosses, using their spells and weapons to defeat them and gain valuable rewards.

The branching storyline of the game gives players a choice to follow different paths and make decisions that impact the game’s outcome. The choices players make can determine which enemies they face, what rewards they receive, and ultimately, the fate of Tamriel itself.

The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Order is being developed by Chip Theory Games, a publisher well-known for its high-quality board games.

Life of Amazonia

The game combines elements of resource management, worker placement, and card drafting, as players collect resources, hire specialists, and build up their communities while balancing the needs of the forest and its inhabitants. The game features a unique card-driven mechanic, where players draft cards representing different aspects of the Amazon and its ecosystem, and use them to build their communities and take action to protect the forest.

In Life of Amazonia, players start with a limited set of resources and specialists and must collect more through various actions and events. They must carefully balance the needs of their communities with the needs of the forest and its inhabitants, as taking actions that harm the forest or its creatures will result in penalties.

The resource management element of the game involves collecting resources such as food, water, and materials, and using them to build up communities and hire specialists. The worker placement element of the game involves choosing which actions to take on each turn, such as collecting resources, building structures, or taking actions to protect the forest.

The card-driven mechanic is a unique aspect of Life of Amazonia, as players draft cards representing different aspects of the Amazon and its ecosystem, such as animals, plants, and environmental hazards. These cards are used to build up their communities and take action to protect the forest.

Life of Amazonia is being developed by Bad Comet, a publisher known for its commitment to bringing gaming to families.

East India Companies

The game combines elements of resource management, route-building, and strategic competition, as players collect resources, construct buildings and ships, and compete for control of trade routes and markets. The game features a dynamic and evolving map, as players expand their influence across the world and shape the geography of the world to their advantage.

In East India Companies, players start with a small trading fleet and limited resources and must expand their influence through trade and exploration. They must carefully balance their resources, build up their trading fleets, and establish trade routes to increase their wealth and power.

The resource management element of the game involves collecting resources such as spices, textiles, and precious metals, and using them to build up their trading fleets and establish trade routes. The route-building element of the game involves choosing which trade routes to establish and which markets to control, and competing with other players for control of the most profitable trade routes.

The strategic competition element of the game is a key aspect, as players compete for control of trade routes, markets, and resources, and try to outmanoeuvre each other to gain an advantage. The dynamic and evolving map adds another layer of strategy, as players shape the geography of the world to their advantage.

East India Companies is being developed by a team of experienced game designers and is published by a leading board game publisher.

I Would Kill Hitler: The Party Game

In I Would Kill Hitler: The Party Game , players take on the role of historical figures and must answer the question: “If you could go back in time and kill one person, who would it be?” The answers can range from the serious to the absurd, and players must use strategy and humor to convince their fellow players that their answer is the best.

The game is designed for 4-10 players and is easy to learn, with rules that can be taught in minutes. It is a fast-paced and interactive game that is perfect for parties, gatherings, and game nights.

The Shadow Planet

In The Shadow Planet, players must work together to navigate the dangerous terrain of the planet and gather valuable resources. They must manage their resources, build their equipment, and recruit crew members to help them in their mission. As they journey deeper into the planet, they will encounter various challenges, including dangerous creatures, environmental hazards, and ancient ruins.

Players must use their skills, resources, and wit to overcome these challenges and survive long enough to make it back to their spaceship. The game features a modular board, allowing for endless replayability and new challenges each time it is played.

The game is designed for 2-4 players and can be played in 60-90 minutes. It is a fast-paced and engaging experience that will challenge players’ strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Mother Tree

Gameplay

Whilst there is very little information available yet we have discovered that in “Mother Tree”, players explore and create the symbiotic relationship between mushrooms and plants. Players will be tasked with trading resources with each other to gain the game’s upper hand.

Inspiration

The game was inspired by the book “Finding the Mother Trees”, which explores the relationship between mushrooms and trees.

Release Date and Availability

No exact release date has been set for “Mother Tree”, but it is expected to be available in 2023. The retail price for the game is also yet to be announced.

These upcoming board games are sure to provide hours of entertainment and excitement for gamers of all types. Keep an eye out for their release dates, and get ready to dive into some of the most anticipated games of 2023!

Quick Facts:

Designer: Elizabeth Hargrave

Septima

Gameplay: In Septima, players must use their decks of spells to outwit their opponents and claim control of territories. They must gather resources, recruit followers, and build structures that will aid in their expansion and development. The game features a unique mechanism that allows players to cast spells and manipulate their territories to gain an advantage over their opponents.

Players must also carefully manage their decks, choosing which spells to play and when, in order to emerge victorious. The game also features different wizard classes, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, allowing players to tailor their strategy to their playstyle.