Gather your meeples and shuffle the deck because it’s time to talk about board games. While the rest of the world is busy arguing over the merits of AI and whether pineapple belongs on pizza (it does, and I’ll die on that hill), I’m here to talk about and focus on one of my biggest loves: tabletop gaming.
While 2025 is still in its early days, the year is already shaping up to be fantastic for anyone who loves rolling dice, flipping cards, and fighting over rules with friends and family.
This year is especially strong for those who love video games because some fire adaptations are heading our way. From cooperative adventures that test friendships more than Monopoly ever could to strategy games that will have your brain doing mental gymnastics, this year’s lineup is already making my shelf space feel inadequate.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer who knows the difference between worker placement and area control or someone who loves a good game of Catan on a Saturday night (yes, Cody, we know you always win the longest road), there’s something here for everyone.
So, pull up a chair, grab some snacks and let’s dive into the board games releasing in 2025 that I absolutely can’t wait to unbox!
Azul Duel
Players: 2
Mechanics: Drafting; Set Collection; Tile placement
Azul, one of my favourite games on my shelf, is back, and this time, it’s all about outsmarting your opponent in a stunningly beautiful game for two.
Now, I know what you’re thinking—regular Azul already plays so well at two. And while it does, Azul also never misses, so I just know that whatever Duel has in store is going to be amazing.
In this version, players take turns drafting tiles from a central market and strategically placing them to create dazzling patterns on their own boards – much like its regular counterpart.
However, Duel introduces new mechanics that ramp up the player interaction, ensuring you’re not just focused on your board but also scheming against your opponent.
Judging from pictures I’ve seen, the gorgeous components and head-to-head gameplay are sure to make this a must-play for any Azul fan—or anyone who loves tile-laying games with a competitive edge.
Cyberpunk 2077: The Board Game
Players: 1-4
Mechanics: Cooperative; Tactical; Card Based
Grab your cybernetics and dive into the neon-soaked streets of Night City in this tabletop adaptation of Cyberpunk 2077.
With a mix of action, intrigue, and tough moral choices, it’s basically your own customisable dystopian adventure. Designed as a scenario-driven game, players take on the roles of mercenaries navigating Night City, completing missions, and making impactful decisions that shape the story.
Expect a blend of exploration, resource management, and tactical combat, all wrapped in a narrative-driven package that screams Cyberpunk.
I’m excited to see how it captures the game’s rich storytelling while letting us (hopefully) avoid falling through the floor mid-heist.
Don’t Starve: The Board Game
Players: 1-4
Mechanics: Cooperative
Just like in the video game, survival is the name of the game here, but this time, it’s on your dining table instead of your computer screen.
Gather resources, build structures, and do your best not to get eaten by a grue – or worse, each other.
This cooperative survival game throws players into a hostile world where they must work together to stay alive while managing hunger, sanity, and the encroaching darkness.
Each player controls a unique character with special abilities, and together, you’ll face challenging events, unpredictable weather, and monstrous threats.
The charmingly creepy art style and tense, nail-biting gameplay have me itching to dive into this nightmarish adventure—preferably with someone else to blame when we all inevitably starve.
Final Girl: Season Three
Players: 1
Mechanics: Hand management; Dice Rolling; Pick-up and deliver
The scream queen of solo gaming is back! Final Girl returns with new scenarios, new killers, and even more ways to terrify yourself with just a few cards and dice.
In this highly thematic game, you play as the titular final girl, trying to survive a horror movie scenario while outwitting a deadly villain.
Each turn, you’ll manage your resources, perform actions, and make life-or-death decisions as the killer relentlessly stalks you.
Season Three introduces new settings, unique villains, and expanded gameplay mechanics that promise to make each session even more terrifyingly immersive.
The combination of clever gameplay and spine-chilling storytelling has made this series a personal favourite, and I can’t wait to see what fresh horrors await my poor, doomed protagonist.
Iliad
Players: 2
Mechanics: Tile-placement; Strategy
Epic battles, cunning heroes, and the wrath of the gods—Iliad promises to turn ancient Greek myths into a tactical board game masterpiece.
Players will draft powerful heroes, lead armies, and call upon the gods to claim glory in this epic strategy game.
Balancing military strength with political cunning is key, as alliances shift and the gods’ favour can turn the tide of battle.
Whether you’re using Achilles to dominate the battlefield or sneaking a Trojan horse into your opponent’s plans, the depth of strategy and mythological flavour promises a game as timeless as the story it’s based on.
Who wouldn’t want to reenact one of the greatest tales ever told—this time, with meeples?
The Last of Us: Escape the Dark
Players: 1-5
Mechanics: Cooperative; Dice Rolling; Narrative; Push your luck
Get ready to dive back into the hauntingly beautiful world of The Last of Us, now with dice and cards to guide your journey.
Part of the Escape the Dark series, this cooperative game has players navigating a bleak, post-apocalyptic world while making tough survival decisions.
Each player takes on the role of a beloved character from the series, using unique abilities to overcome challenges and work together to reach safety.
Expect narrative-heavy gameplay emphasising atmospheric exploration and teamwork, making every choice feel like life or death.
I’m incredibly excited to see how the game blends the emotional weight of The Last of Us with the tense gameplay of Escape the Dark. Plus, any excuse to hang out with Joel and Ellie again is fine by me.
And there you have it – a lineup of 2025’s most exciting board games that already have my wallet trembling in fear and my shelf space crying for mercy.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some Kickstarter campaigns to refresh … for research purposes, of course.