Top 10 Anticipated Games In 2025

10. Adventures in Neverland

This is another story game, but Adventures in Neverland sounds interesting to me. The downside is that it has 110 ratings and it’s low. But that’s just as likely because it exceedingly late. So another one where it’s crowdfunding and we’ll see if it comes out this year or if it comes out at all. But this theme feels like it should be more approachable than say something like a lot of other games on this list. But I’m putting this one at #10 because it has that extremely long delay and if/when it does come out, will it be available outside of those who backed it?

9. Vantage

This is one that I’m really glad that I stumbled across. Vantage is a game about exploring a planet in an open world setting but in first person perspective. I want to know how that goes because it sounds like it could be really cool. And it is Stonemaier games, so maybe I had heard of it before and forgot it, but the idea is just a fascinating one.

The element that keeps it lower on my list is that it is a Stonemaier game. I like some of the stuff from that company, but they often are so focused on being smooth and ideal mechanically that they lose some soul. If Vantage can keep that soul and sense of wonder which exploring a planet should have, then I’m in.

8. Valheim: The Board Game

Valheim is another one that I see from time to time pop up on crowdfunding or late pledging. I think I even get notifications for it still. But I like the sound of this game. It is a cooperative survival game where you need to work together. Is that highly unique, it certainly isn’t. But is it a fun idea for a game, it is one that I like. It is also a mission based game versus a campaign based game. I hope that it’ll work well that way and feels thematic in nature. You are able to make a campaign, but it’s not the main mode. So possibly a good chance to play some thematic and leveling one offs.

7. The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game

This one I already have pre-ordered, but it wasn’t a crowdfunding game, so it can make the list. This is a cooperative trick-taking game. I like trick-taking games a lot. And to find a theme that I love, that is even better. While I like The Crew, this theme is more interesting. And, The Dice Tower streamed a play of the game for their Winter Spectacular. So if you want to see how the game plays, there is video out there. I also appreciate that the game is narrative in that the characters and goals for each section fit where you are in the book. I expect two more to come out in this series.

6. Deathtouched

I’m not 100% sure if this is called Deathtouched or USS Freedom. And yes, they are extremely different names. But this is a sandbox space game where you explore new worlds, meet aliens, and generally do what I love for a massive game. You play a three year quest over a series of games and the campaign is replayable which is always good. I like that I see more of these big epic campaign games coming out that are set in space. I like fantasy, but I also love my sci-fi and space stories. And space is an amazing spot for those sandbox style games.

Note, this is another one of those crowdfunding games that got hurt by 2020 and delays and troubles around then. So I hope it is going to come out because I want to play it. How I might get it, I don’t know though.

5. Railroad Tiles

I like Railroad Ink a lot, in particular Railroad Ink Challenge. So when Horrible Guild announced that they were doing a tile game, I was certainly interested. However, this one I didn’t back on crowdfunding. I want to play the game still, though. Because I think a game like Railroad Ink is great and also ripe for a tile version of it. It makes sense because that is about what you are doing in the game. Draw, draft, or buy a tile, however it works, I think it sounds like a lot of fun. And I enjoy route building as well, so give me more of that.

4. Emberleaf

From the designer and company that brought you City of Kings, Isle of Cats and more we have Emberleaf. This is one that I might end up late pledging if I can. I almost backed it when it was on crowdfunding. But the game is interesting because of this idea of card dancing. This idea is about how you play out cards onto a flow of cards and as you trigger cards and they move, how they interact with other cards. The system looks fun, and the artwork and theme are great too for what should be a pretty mechanically interesting game.

3. Malhya: Lands of Legends

This is one that was on crowdfunding this past year. I suspect it might not even come out in 2025, but it’s one that I’m most certainly interested in as it’s the style of game I like. The tagline even is something I like, choose your own path and explore the lands of Malhya, that sounds great. So this is going to be a big campaign and adventure game. The world looks good from the artwork and I’m very curious to know what the story is going to be.

2. Odalin: Dungeons of Doom

Yet another fantasy dungeon crawl game. Do I need more of them? The answer is no. But I want more of them and it is the type of game that I like a lot. Odalin is one that I almost backed on crowdfunding. And I think I may look into late pledging it. The game play looked interesting, and of course it is a theme and type of setting that I like. It is also a desert fantasy setting which is different than your normal wooded European feeling fantasy setting. So that is sounding fun to me as well.

1. Diablo: The Board Game

I expect this is not going to come out in 2025. I am not sure it is even one that has hit crowdfunding yet. And I believe it is supposed to go to crowdfunding. But for me, this a a game where I want it because of the theme. I am not that hard core into Diablo, I played the 3rd one some and I need to play it more. I also need to play the 4th.

But I like the theme and setting for the game. And it’s cooperative and narrative driven with either campaign or missions. So it is something that I like. And I hope that it gives you that loot grabbing feel and then leveling up and fighting hordes of monsters.

2025 Outlook

I see a lot of really good looking games coming. And the great thing is that games will be announced to throughout the year. There is always a flurry of announcements two months or so before Gen Con and then the same for Essen. So if you like other types of games, more euro focused or something like that, there is going to be a lot for you as well.

And I know that I pick a lot of big games. I love my epic campaign and story driven experiences. But even I don’t have room for a ton of them. So I also like to find small games. And while there aren’t that many on the list, I know I buy a number every year to add to my collection. So I know, even if they aren’t the most anticipated, that there are going to be a lot of great small games too.

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Top 10 Anticipated Crowdfunding Games

10. Grimcoven

Let’s start with Awaken Realms and a game that is just about to go live by the time this article is coming out. In fact, it might have, and I can’t wait for this one. It is a boss battling game where you are hunters who tap into powers to defeat monsters. But tapping into powers can make you monstrous in nature yourself. So how do you not give into that dark side while leveling up and defeating a monster?

Now that might all sound like a campaign to you, but the fun thing is that it’s not. It is a thematic boss battler that you play a one off. You still get to level up your character in the battle, but no needing to plan on playing the game for weeks on end. Instead you can just pull it off the shelf, grab your hunter and start fighting.

Back now.

9. Avatar: The Journey of Aang

I want a fun Avatar game and this one looks like it. A cooperative game where you need to help Aang get all his powers in line because if you go too slow the comet will come and Fire Lord Ozai might be too powerful to defeat. It isn’t a give campaign game, but it is going to provide story as it goes along. Which I like that about it because it makes it more accessible for me to play with people who just like Avatar and are maybe less into board games.

8. Edgeguard

Now we’re coming to a campaign game. I got to demo this one and do a bit of coverage on it when it was on crowdfunding the first time. The game is fun, it’s a good straight forward campaign game with dice chucking, leveling, weapons, and really all that you would want. Did it stand out as something that is highly unique, not really, but it stood out because it was solid and familiar feeling. I’m not sure when this coming back to crowdfunding but I can’t wait.

7. West Story: A Town Building Game

Next up we have something smaller again. An old west game where you aren’t fighting bandits but instead you’re making your town and trying to have the best town possible. It is going to be that sort of engine building and tableau building that I definitely find interesting. And it is probably going to be one of the cheaper games on this list because it isn’t going to come with a ton of minis for it.

6. StarDriven: Gateway

Next up is StarDriven Gateway, and I’m not going to say too much about this one. Why, because I’ll be saying more about it leading into GenCon and I already talked some about it with the Feast and the GenCon events that I signed up for. So I get to demo this one and I’ll really get to know if it is a game for me.

5. Skytear Horde Campaign

This list has a few campaign games on it and a few expansions on it. This one is both. Skytear Horde is a game that I like a lot. It’s a very good solo tower defense game, or two player. And I like the energy management of the game as you try and figure out how to keep the horde from overtaking your troops and taking down your base.

This is going to offer a mini campaign. So I like that about it, maybe a game I can sit down in an evening and play all three connected games or one that I can stream over a few weeks. One I want to get back to the table soon.

4. Odalin

Next we have Odalin. It’s a dungeon crawler in a dark desert fantasy setting. That element is different, it’s not the typical European setting. But what will it offer that is different. Dragori games, though, has a good track record so I’m definitely hopeful for this one. I do need to know what price point this one is coming in at, because there  is another big game that might steal the funds from this one that we’ll talk about coming up.

3. Ascension Legends

Next up is Ascension Legends. I like Ascension a lot as a deck building game. It isn’t all that complex and Ascension Legends is just going to offer another box of stuff and another jumping in point. My main question, or the question I’m asking myself, is do I need more of Ascension. It is already a game that I own a fair amount for it. And it does hit the table still with good ease, but do I need more?

2. The 7^th Citadel

You might think, I already have that game. And y es, you are right. You can see how my Drums of Desolation play through is going. But The 7^th Citadel is coming back for those who missed it. And if you are like me, it is coming back with more threats that you can add into your game. That is going to open up even more replayability in the game. And I think even now with the Drums of Desolation there are certainly things that I could do a whole lot better. So I’m excited to see what new stuff will be added.

Back it now.

1. Lands of Evershade

And this truly is my #1. I am so excited for Lands of Evershade. This is a giant RPG and board game experience from Awaken Realms. I love their massive story games. ISS Vanguard is one that I want to get back to. And I beat everything in the original Tainted Grail. And I won’t lie, I’m very tempted to get back Etherfields to experience that one. But Evershade look amazing and I’m really curious to see what all the game is going to have. Because the RPG elements, I’m curious to see how they’ll manage to create a story  that doesn’t just seem like a choose your own adventure.

Final Thoughts

First off, no honoable mention, it’s shocking. There are some that I could put on an honorable mention, but 10 is a lot. That’s a lie, here are some of them just with no details what so ever. Also catching my attention:

• HEXPlore It: The Mountains of Godai
• Flames of Fafnir
• Agemonia Reprint/New Heroes
• Dragonbond Quest

That’s enough for now. And while I’m expecting those most of all the ones I’ve mentioned will come out this year, who knows. Some of them might be pushed back. I just expect with the Awaken Realms or any of them that were part of the Gamefound Feast, we’ll be seeing those on crowdfunding in 2024. Is there any that stands out to you as a must back? Or any crowdfunding games I missed that I should checkout?

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March Gamefound 2024 Feast Event

Go On Board: Cyberpunk 2077

A cooperative game set in the Cyberpunk 2077 world. I’m curious about this because Go On Board has made some fun games. This one definitely looks more interesting than the CMON one to me. Though, I am curious about that one as well. For me, this one that I’m going to follow. I also plan to dive into it as more information comes out. It’s an action adventure game, which I like, and, like I said, cooperative.

But Cyberpunk, for me, is a game, video game, that I am not that familiar with. But it’s supposed to surpass what is in The Witcher Old World. It has a campaign, which, we know I like them. For me a concern, there is a real time element to it, I need to see what it is.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/go-on-board/cyberpunk-2077-the-board-game?ref=search

Skytear Horde

This is a reprint of a game that I really enjoy. I already went in on the “big box”. Is this going to fit in the big box, what do I need to know about this one. I want to get my new stuff and play that. But they are introducing something that I want. It’s going to be a campaign game now. It’s a few games, so as a solo experience, it’s going to be a shorter campaign. By campaign, more it’s probably strung together games.

Yup, this is going to be a hard one for me to pass on. I like that element of having a campaign, and there is going to be levelling up, which is something that I’m always there for. It’s supposed to be a rogue-like experience, so probably like a Slay the Spire. The previous one is coming in May, this one will launch after it.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/skytear/skytear-horde-campaigns?ref=search

Rock Manor Games: StarDriven Gateway

I enjoy what Rock Manor games does, so, great, I’m going to be interested in another one. It’s going to be a space exploration, completing missions, possibly pick-up and deliver. How it’s trying to differentiate itself from other games in that you need to really manage your crew. It is, I believe going to be competitive, but there is a solo option. There are going to be different scenarios that you can play, but it’s going to have different goals. And some of the scenarios are going to be cooperative as well, which is interesting. I think it sounds like an interesting twist, and a dangerous game for me, because I’ll want to check it out.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/mike/stardriven-gateway?ref=search

Mindbug

It’s going to be a continuation of Mindbug, Mindbug is a game that I own, but I need to play. This is the first one where it doesn’t interest me that much. And that’s mainly because I don’t know if it’s a game for me. There are elements that sound quite intriguing, but it isn’t one that stands too intriguing to me. Mainly, will it be something that I want to keep playing as mainly a two player game. I own too many two player card games to play, several of them TCG’s, Mindbug gives me that feel.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/marvin-hegen/mindbug-battlefruits?ref=search

Dragori Games: Odalin – Dungeons of Doom

It’s a dungeon crawler, is this whole Feast just for me or mainly for me? I need to get my Tanares Adventures and try that to see if it’s a company that I want to checkout more of their games. This one looks very cool and sounds fun. One of the elements that they talk about in the game is how you can get a lot of items. It’s going to be a campaign game, but with some random dungeons and play it as a one off. And you might want to go back and farm or go back to one to find a secret passage. It’s another big dungeon crawl campaign, so of course I want it.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/dragori-games/odalin-dungeons-of-doom?ref=search

Moon Crab Games – Leviathan Wilds

This is a reprint and expansion of the game. It’s mainly, I think a solo game. And the game itself looks really intriguing. However, it’s not one that I believe has delivered, from the sounds of it. I think that it might be one that I really enjoy. But I’m not going to be jumping into quite yet. But as an experience of the game, I expect it to be one that I’d enjoy.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/moon-crab-games/leviathan-wilds-second-printing?ref=search

Phalanx Games – Hannibal and Hamilcar

I know nothing about this game, but it’s not a new one. I think I’ve seen a bit about it, it’s about 25 years old. For me, this doesn’t really feel like a game that I’d enjoy. There are probably some extra fancy stuff, but not that interesting for me. It’s going to be split into two boxes after they had put in one box. And, since there are minis, it’s time to make it fancy with some metal minis.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/phalanx/hannibal-and-hamilcar?ref=search

Quined Games – Stupor Mundi

Another historically themed game, and it’s going to be a strategy game. This is a euro game that is going to be leaning into that beige look. For me, it’d be a try before I buy, not that it might not be a good game, but it’s hard for me to judge a lot of these games without playing them. I find that I like them, but which ones get played the most, it’s tough. But it sounds like a fairly interactive game, it’s not going to be a solo, you do your own thing euro game.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/quined-games/stupor-mundi?ref=search#/section/project-story

Metis Creative – Historica Arcanum: Cults of London

This is a company that mainly has done RPG’s, but it takes their RPG setting. This is an asymmetric deck building game. I don’t think I’d have thought it was going to be like that. The aesthetic looks very intriguing. It’s a competitive game, though, which isn’t a bad thing. But it sounds like it’s going to be a highly social game, kind of that backstabbing feel. Which, I worry, might mean that it is a take that sort of game, which isn’t what I’m really looking for. If it’s not too much backstabbing, it might work, but from the sound of it, I don’t love it. I like the setting, though.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/metis-creative/historica-arcanum-cults-of-london?ref=search

Bad Crow – Avatar: The Journey of Aang

It’s a cooperative journey of a game, I am super excited. I love Avatar, my wife loves it more than I do. Is this going to be a game that we can really dive into, I hope so. Man alive, this is an exciting announcement for me. I also wonder it’s going to be with the story that has existed. It takes a little bit to get to how it plays. It does sound like it’s going to be the main story of the show. And the players are going to be training Aang, helping him to get ready.

That itself sounds fun, as you learn new things and become better as being a bender. Plus then there are going to be press your luck elements that are going to be the different challenges that you do. It has a solo mode as a 1-4 player cooperative game. But there is a competitive mode as well, which is interesting, but probably one that I wouldn’t play too much.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/companyofheroes/avatar-the-journey-of-aang-?ref=search

Final Thoughts

And that’s all of the games. This is truly a feast from Gamefound. For me, a few of them standout. Avatar: The Journey of Aang is probably my top one. It’s an IP that I really enjoy. It isn’t my favorite, but it is up there in terms of shows that I’ve seen. Likewise, more Skytear Horde sounds fun, Cyberpunk 2077, Odalin, and StarDriven Gateway all sound like they do things that I’d very much enjoy.

Let me know if any of these sound like games that you’d love to back or find out more about?

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