As 2024 rolls around, I can't help but get super excited about the board games coming our way. Honestly, last year was a blast, with so many fun nights spent around the table, laughing, strategizing, and sometimes groaning in defeat. But that's all part of the fun, right? Now, I'm all geared up for this year's lineup of games that I'm dying to play and share with you!

My Wishlist for this year is more than just a bunch of games I want to buy. It's about the stories I can't wait to dive into, the challenges I'm eager to tackle with my friends and the new worlds we'll explore together. I'm on the lookout for a little bit of everything – whether it's games that get us working together, exploring vivid themes, strategizing, or just having a good laugh.

This is a pretty big list with some pretty big games, so I am sure I won't get to play them all, but hey, that is what Wishlists are made for! 

And of course, this is my personal Wishlist, so this is not a ranking of the best games, but purely a subjective selection based on my taste. So, if you think other games should be on the list - that is OK. Just let me know your favorite games in the comments below!

So, here's to the new year and all the gaming adventures it holds. I'm ready for all the dice-rolling, card-playing, and epic gaming nights that 2024 has in store. Let's make some unforgettable memories with friends and family, one game at a time. Welcome to my board game Wishlist for 2024 – from older ones to even unreleased ones! Let the games begin! 

 

My Board Game Wishlist: Older Games (up to 2022)

1. Tapestry (2019)

1-5 Players | 90-120 Mins. | Age: 12+

Theme: Civilization-building / Resource Management

Approx. price: 90-120 USD

What is Tapestry? 

Tapestry, from Stonemaier Games, is a civilization-building strategy game for 1-5 players where players advance their civilization and improve technologies, science, and other aspects to become the winner!

Why is it on my Wishlist? 

It is the civilization-building theme and aesthetics that caught my eye. Actually, Tapestry has been on my list for some time, but for some reason, I can't get myself to buy it. Some other game always beats it on the priority list.

2. Ark Nova (2021) 

1-4 Players | 90-150 Mins. | Age: 14+

Theme: Zoo-Management / Resource Management

Approx. price: 50-80 USD

What is Ark Nova?

In Ark Nova players build and manage their zoo to create the most successful zoo in the world (that is, at the playing table).

Why is it on my Wishlist?

At some point, I had this game on my radar everywhere - from BGG, to Facebook (sorry, Meta), to soc. media influencers. And it often was compared to Terraforming Mars, which is one of my favorite strategy board games (read my review here). That alone pushed it to my board game Wishlist.

3. Marvel Dice Throne (2022)

2-6 Players | 20-40 Mins. | Age: 8+

Theme: Dice-rolling & card fighting game set in Marvel Universe

Approx. price: 30-40 USD (with many expansions available)

What is Marvel Dice Throne?

In this game, players team up with one of Marvel's heroes to fight other players (can be 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3) by rolling their unique dice and using card abilities.

Why is it on my Wishlist?

I would like to have some change of pace by playing a game where my actions are made simpler by dice-rolling mechanism. And I also like the Marvel Universe.

4. Cascadia (2021) 

1-4 Players | 30-45 Mins. | Age: 10+

Theme: Puzzly tile-laying and token-drafting game; wildlife

Approx. price: 45-60 USD 

What is Cascadia?

Players alternate adding habitat tiles and wildlife tokens to their area, aiming to create large, connected habitats for scoring and placing wildlife - for maximum points. 

Why is it on my Wishlist?

To be honest, Cascadia is on my list purely because many people (mostly influencers) have recommended it as a great, relatively quick, and simple game. So, why not try it!

5. Brass: Birmingham (2018)

2-4 Players | 60-120 Mins. | Age: 14+

Theme: Resource management; Set in late 1800 England.

Approx. price: 60-80 USD 

What is Brass: Birmingham?

It is an economic strategy game that continues the legacy of "Brass." It focuses on the Industrial Revolution in Birmingham from 1770 to 1870, and players develop industries and networks to meet market demands over two eras (canal and rail) to score the most victory points. 

Why is it on my Wishlist?

Most importantly, Brass: Birmingham is on my list because it is the highest-rated game on BoardGameGeek - that alone is a strong reason to try it. But also the aesthetics and resource management mechanics fit my taste.

6. Monster Hunter World (2022) 

1-4 Players | 60-90 Mins. | Age: 14+

Theme: Co-op, set in fantasy world based on Monster Hunter video game.

Approx. price: 60-80 USD 

What is Monster Hunter World: The Board Game?

This board game adapts the popular video game into a co-op tabletop experience with choose-your-own-adventure-style gameplay for 1-4 players. Players become hunters, embarking on quests to track and slay monsters, gather resources, and craft new equipment.

Why is it on my Wishlist?

Monster Hunter World: The Board Game came to my attention when I was researching the best board games with miniatures. So, the main reason is the aesthetics. And also the co-op mechanics looks interesting.

 

My Board Game Wishlist: Recent Games (2023 or newer)

1. Divinity Original Sin (2023)

1-4 Players | 45-120 Mins. | Age: 14+

Theme: 

Approx. price: 150 USD 

What is Divinity Original Sin: The Board Game?

"Divinity: Original Sin – The Board Game" is a cooperative adventure for up to 4 players, set in the world of Rivellon, where choices in tactical combat, exploration, and character customization significantly impact the branching narrative and outcome. The game, based on the video game by Larian Studios, features an interactive Divine Atlas for exploration, various character origins, skills, and the strategic use of elemental interactions for combat.

Why is it on my Wishlist?

Divinity II, the video game, is one of my favorite games of the genre! So, when I heard that Larian was making a board game, I was very excited. So, Divinity Original Sin: The Board Game is actually one of the top games I would like to own and play, but its high price tag holds me back. For now. 

2. Hegemony (2023)

2-4 Players | 90-180 Mins. | Age: 14+

Theme: Economy/ resource management

Approx. price: 150 USD 

What is Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory?

"Hegemony" is a card-driven board game for 2-4 players that simulates a politico-economic struggle among different socio-economic groups (Working Class, Middle Class, Capitalist Class, and the State) in a fictional state, challenging players to use strategy, policy influence, and political maneuvering to advance their group's power and achieve victory, all while exploring real-world academic principles like Social-Democracy and Neoliberalism.

Why is it on my Wishlist?

This might not be among the most known board games, but recent reviews praise its economy-driven mechanics that are strongly influenced by real-life economic events. That definitely piques my interest.

3. Wyrmspan (2024)

1-5 Players | 90 Mins. | Age: 14+

Theme: Economy/ resource management

Approx. price: 150 USD 

What is Wyrmspan?

In this game, players become amateur dracologists, building sanctuaries to attract dragons of various types to their land, starting with three excavated spaces and expanding from there. It is inspired by Wingspan but featuring unique elements, involves excavating sanctuary spaces and enticing dragons, chaining abilities, and gaining favor with the Dragon Guild.

Why is it on my Wishlist?

Wyrmspan is another game by Stonemaier Games making on my Wishlist, and it is a spiritual successor to Wingspan - the most popular game by this publisher. I have not played Wingspan because its bird theme did not really interest me, but the dragon theme is something more to my taste. Also, I hear that this game improves on many aspects that were lacking in Wingspan.

4. Evacuation (2023)

1-4 Players | 60-150 Mins. | Age: 12+

Theme: Resource management; Space theme

Approx. price: 55-70 USD 

What is Evacuation?

In Evacuation, players race to move their people and factories from an old planet being destroyed by intense sunlight to a new one within four rounds. Starting with a fully functioning economy, players must strategically dismantle and relocate it, managing dwindling resources. The game involves choosing actions to maximize end-of-round bonuses and advance on the orbital track, with victory conditions based on resource production and construction achievements on the new planet.

Why is it on my Wishlist?

The idea of playing against time and separately managing resources on each planet seems like an interesting concept. Also, the space theme is a bonus.

5. Witcher: Old World (2023)

1-5 Players | 90-150 Mins. | Age: 14+

Theme: Deck construction; dark fantasy theme based on Witcher novel and video game

Approx. price: 80-100 USD 

What is Witcher: Old World?

The Witcher: Old World is a competitive board game where players become witchers, monster slayers from the universe of The Witcher franchise, set years before Geralt of Rivia's time. Players travel the Continent, engage in quests, make moral choices, fight monsters, and duel other witchers to honor their training schools. The game features deck construction with abilities and signs for combat, offering quests, battles, and dice poker to earn money, items, and skills. Victory is achieved by acquiring in-game trophies.

Why is it on my Wishlist?

The Witcher video game is among my favorite games. So, playing the board game seems fun to me, if only for its theme. But higher on my list is the upcoming game from this universe (see the next section).

 

My Board Game Wishlist: Yet to be Released

1. Witcher: Path of Destiny (2024-2025)

1-5 Players | 45-90 Mins. | Age: 14+

Theme: Card drafting; dark fantasy theme based on the Witcher novel and video game

Approx. price: TBA

What is Witcher: Path of Destiny?

The Witcher: Path of Destiny is a competitive card-building board game, set in the Witcher universe. Players assume the roles of iconic characters like Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, Vesemir, or Dandelion to retell three classic stories. Through drafting and playing action cards that leverage their unique abilities, players craft their own narrative paths, influencing the story's outcome with the aim of emerging as the hero. 

Why is it on my Wishlist?

In contrast to its sibling "The Old World," Witcher: The Path of Destiny is built for the Wither universe theme by including many of its notable characters in the board game, so this alone is the reason why I want to play it. 

2. Horizon Forbidden West: Seeds of Rebellion (2025)

1-4 Players | TBA | Age: 14+

Theme: Co-op deck building; sci-fy theme based on the video game

Approx. price: TBA

What is Horizon Forbidden West: Seeds of Rebellion?

Seeds of Rebellion is a cooperative board game for 1-4 players inspired by the video game Horizon. It transports players to the pre-Aloy Forbidden West, where they act as Marshals to quell a rising rebellion among the Tenakth clans. Players will explore, earn equipment, and face life-or-death quests in a world dominated by deadly machines, aiming to maintain peace and uncover the mysteries of the Forbidden West.

Why is it on my Wishlist?

Another board game on this list because it is based on a great video game that I like. And the miniatures is a big bonus.

3. Dragon Eclipse (2024-2025)

1-2 Players | 60-120 | Age: 12+

Theme: Collectible Adventure Game (named by the publisher); Fantasy, dragon theme

Approx. price: TBA

What is Dragon Eclipse?

Dragon Eclipse is a board game for 1-2 players set in a magical world where players uncover the secrets of a transformative eclipse, encountering, battling, and taming a variety of mythical creatures. 

Why is it on my Wishlist?

Dragons, Miniatures, and Art all look amazing in this game. Also, the 1-2 player limit for a big-box board game seems intriguing as it is rare for games of such caliber. 

4. Dying Light: The Board Game (2025)

1-4 Players | TBA | Age: TBA

Theme: Co-op survival; zombies

Approx. price: TBA

What is Dying Light: The Board Game?

Dying Light: The Board Game for 1-4 players, based on the video game series, casts players as "Runners" in the post-apocalyptic city of Villedor, fighting to survive against the "Infected." 

Why is it on my Wishlist?

The 3D-map elements, plastic figures, co-op play, upgradable skills, and zombies. Sounds cool to me!

Conclusion

As you might have noticed, a lot of my wishlised games are strongly influenced by their theme (usually around fantasy narratives), and yes, I am aware of it. 

I am a sucker for beautiful designs and fancy trinkets, like miniatures, metal coins, and that kind of stuff. But of course, it also comes with a cost (literally). 

If I were to purchase all the wishlisted games at once, the cost would be well over 1000 bucks, maybe even over 2000, if we add shipping and possible expansions, which is a great deal for board games. But these things add a lot to the immersion, so I think it is worth the cost. And I hope that one day, I will be able to create and launch a game of such caliber myself!

What top 3 board games are on your Wishlist? Let us know in the comments!

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