2,018 Games I'm Excited for this Year! (Just kidding- I only wrote about 6)

Article by Jillian Schmett


Hey Everyone!!
2018 is officially upon us, and I have spent the week trying to turn the accidental 7s I keep writing at the end of all my dates into 8s, and also checking out upcoming board game releases for the year. When I decided to compile a list of games I’m excited to see come out, I had a few in mind, but while researching I’m afraid this blog entry may have ended up being a very expensive one for us, since my wishlist has now grown quite a bit! (Sorry in advance to my husband, who graciously funds this habit of ours).
A couple of the games on this list are Kickstarters, but some are not. They also aren’t in any particular order, as some of them I still don’t know enough about to fairly gauge just how badly I neeeed them in my collection.

Welcome To: By Benoit Turpin and published by Blue Cocker Games. This game intrigued me for the fact that it falls into the “roll & write” category (although without the rolling, think Avenue and Kokoro style), which is one of my favorites. The theme is also a plus for me, as it focuses on building “the best new town” in 1950s America, and I have an affinity for vintage things-circa 1950s style especially.

Dice Settlers: By David Turczi and published by NSKN Games. I love rolling dice, pool building, and resource gathering/management and this game checks all of those boxes. Area control isn’t my favorite mechanism but it is implemented in a lot of games that I love so I’m still really excited to check this one out.

The Rise of Queensdale: by Inka & Markus Brand and published by Alea, Ravensburger. I don’t know much about this game at all except that it’s a legacy game featuring dice management designed by the same husband and wife design partners that brought us the Exit the Game series. That’s all I need to know and for now I’m sold!

Western Legends: by Herve Lemaitre and published by Kolossal Games. OK so this is one that I’ve been watching for a while and cannot wait to see launch on Kickstarter. An open-world/sandbox game that incorporates action point allowance, pick up & deliver, wagering, and press your luck, that allows you to play as famous historical figures in the wild west. I’ve felt there is a hole in my collection that could only be filled by a really good western themed game for quite some time now and I really think this will be the one to finally fill it! Oh, and can’t forget to mention the minis!

Obsession: by Dan Hallagan and published by Kayenta games. I actually already backed this one on Kickstarter and cannot wait to get it! Another theme I love, the game takes place in Victorian England and has you using card drafting, deck/pool building, tile placement, and worker placement to improve your family’s estate. Hosting events such as fox hunts and grand balls will increase your standing among the other great families. This game is right up my alley and I think it will be one of my favorites this year!

Guardians Call: by James Hudson and published by Druid City games. This is another one I have backed and am really looking forward to. A bluffing and deduction game for 2-5 players is intriguing to me because my normal player count is 2 so that usually rules out deduction games for us. Druid City is quickly making a name in the industry for having top-of-the-line components and art and I can’t wait to see this one on my table!

What upcoming games are you excited for? Leave me a comment and let me know!