I am always excited when I am starting to write this article. I am checking my pre-orders, verifying latest newsletters from my favorite publisher and simply look into future to check what great wargames it will bring.

On the other hand, that is always a very difficult article for me to write. So many new publications, announcements, titles, designers or even publishers. What to choose for a relatively short list of titles I am anxiously waiting for in 2024? And how to avoid temptation of putting too many on the list- or worse, getting them all!

Again, I think I did a pretty decent job by limiting my wish-list to just eight titles. It is a pretty broad list, containing two-player and multiplayer titles, recent conflicts (three titles on WWII) or very ancient ones (like SPARTA or Total War). All of this you can find below – enjoy!

Summary of 2023 and look into the 2024:
The Boardgames Chronicle most often played games of 2023
The Boardgames Chronicle in 2023 – analysis
New to me – 2023

1) The Other Side of the Hill from NAC Wargames 

The Other Side of the Hill is a boardgame that simulates the effects that this struggle for power within the German High Command had on the development of the Second World War. Up to four players represent military leaders cooperating and competing as they manage Germany’s wartime strategy. To win, they must vie for Prestige by advancing the careers of their favored Army and Army Group commanders, grabbing their share of victories while the early-war pickings are easy, then avoiding responsibility for battlefield disasters as the Soviets and the Western Allies solidify and push back.

Players will pursue hidden objectives to dominate the German Officer Corps on behalf of Interest Groups such as the technically-minded Professionals, a traditionalist Old Guard, or anti-Nazi Dissidents—all while Allied aircraft bombard Germany’s war industry and Allied armies press in on every front. As in history, players must reconcile contradictory roles. The German General Staff’s job is to hold the Allies off, but each clique’s priorities can subvert any collective strategy. And beware: a player may in secret be sabotaging the war effort!

NAC Wargames Page

I am really looking forward to this very interesting title – not only as a wargame, but also lesson in history. The topic is not easy – we do a deep dive into the Nazi machine of conquest, but at the same time look more into the internal politicking, bickering and struggle for power than pure military aspect. This is a very important study showing how totalitarian regimes can function and keep all parties in check. Do not be mislead – there is zero justifying of atrocities or crimes; still, if you want to understand how mafia-like country functions, you need to get into details.

That one is definitely my Top 1 among all titles here – not only due to great gameplay, interesting mechanics but also because it moves our hobby forward and is not afraid of touching very difficult topics. Can’t wait t see it!

More about game:

2) Seljuk: Byzantium Besieged, 1068-1071 from GMT Games 

Anatolia, 1068. Romanos Diogenes has assumed the imperial throne of the Eastern Roman Empire. Ferocious armies of Seljuk Turks are on the doorstep, ravaging the border cities of the East and sending yearly raids and campaigns into Roman lands. Beset by political intrigue in Constantinople and assuming command of a fragile military, Romanos has only a short time to assemble the largest Roman army in over a century to drive off the forces of the Sultan Alp Arslan before the Empire collapses.

Seljuk—Volume VI in Volko Ruhnke’s Levy & Campaign series—brings players into the challenges of medieval logistics and maneuver across Asia Minor during the clash between Orthodox Christian and Muslim power in the lead-up to the climactic Battle of Manzikert. Players will assume the role of either the Eastern Romans or Seljuk Turks as they seek to make their mark on this historic land. Asymmetric victory objectives and new and unique additions to the Levy & Campaign system mean a dynamic game of cat and mouse between these two great powers.

GMT page

Yes, yes 🙂 – I a big fan of Volko Ruhnke creations and in this case – Levy & Campaign system. With each installment – thanks to cooperation of series author with young, enthusiastic designers – we are always getting a very fresh and innovative title, which while keeping to the system general rules, brings a lot of novelty. Can’t wait to see first position which will feature Byzantium!

More about game:

3) The Halls of Montezuma from Fort Circle Games

Following the annexation of Texas by the United States in December 1845, war between the United States and Mexico became inevitable. From 1846-1848, the two countries fought a bloody and bruising war culminating in Mexico surrendering significant territory to the United States.

The Halls of Montezuma tasks two players to recreate this pivotal war in American and Mexican history. As the United States, you will be tasked with taking California and invading Mexico while facing mounting political opposition at home. As Mexico, you will be forced to fight a defensive war of attrition against the better trained and led American troops.

Publisher Page

This game is in works for some time but in the end getting the final shape. I am really looking forward to see continuation of the “Marines” series by Kevin Bertram and their another noticeable involvement in history. This also gives me an insight into part of history I was oblivious to – and you know, for me as much as mechanics, historical context and theme are extremely important. Hope to see this published in 2024!

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4) Total War: ROME: The Board Game from PSC

Total War: ROME – The Board Game captures the essence of the video game and allows up to four players to play as the leaders of Rome, Carthage, Greece, and Gallo-Germania, covering the time period from 250 BCE to 50 BCE. The base game can be played in under three hours, with planned expansions that will allow players to dive deeper into managing battles emulating the video game further.

PSC page

I love Total War Video Games franchise – played extensively Shogun, Rome, Imperial or Napoleon. So when I learned about the project – while suspicious at first as with every Digital to Analog transformation there is a huge risk of “overdoing” the game – I went through materials and decided this is really promising title. There is a good balance of what can be presented on board and calculated / coped with by players as in comparison to the computer game. When I am writing this post, the game already went through pretty tumultuous period but now is on track to be finally published in 2024! I am sure it is worth waiting!

More about game:

5) SPARTA!: Struggle for Greece from Plague Island Games 

In SPARTA! command Athenians or Spartans in a battle to rule the Greek world. Achieve dominance and control valuable regions that grant unique benefits – be it the wealth of Sicily, the fleets of Corinth, or alliances with larger cities like Thebes or Syracuse to provide fresh recruits for battle. You might even rally the Persians and Macedonians to your side.

March armies and sortie fleets to raid enemy territories. Siege valuable cities, and engage your foes in fierce battles. Steel your nerves when you enter the fray of battle, as it is bloody and swiftly resolved using an elegant card-based system. Lead your forces with legendary characters such as Pericles and Cleon. Each leader has a unique ability, be it combat prowess or cunning diplomacy. Characters may become experienced— flipping the leader to their upgraded form with a more powerful ability. Balance diplomacy, economy, and military might in this card-driven game of historic conflict! The Splendor Of Greece Is Yours For The Taking!

Campaign Page

Before I back any new wargame on Kickstarter, I am doing pretty thorough research – including what other fellow bloggers write about particular position. This was exactly the case with Sparta! – a pretty interesting and nicely designed 1-2 player title. When the campaign was launched, that title seemed as most complete but on the other hand – the deepest in strategy and tactical dimension (well, KS games sometimes try to hide it shallowness with… beautiful components and plastic figures!). Hope to get it soon!

More about game:

6) Rebel Fury from GMT Games

Rebel Fury, Volume I of the Civil War Heritage Series, uses the low-complexity Gettysburg system featured in C3i Magazine #32. The Battles featured are Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Chancellorsville, and Fredericksburg (solitaire). Several of the battles are linkable, covering the entire Chickamauga-Chattanooga campaigns.

This design features a new system on Civil War combat akin to the old SPI Blue and Gray Quads. Each game in Rebel Fury is quick-set-up, quick-playing, and deeply interactive. The density of counters in each scenario is low, allowing you to see and experience the big picture of the battle. Rebel Fury places you, the player, in the role of the Army Commander (Lee, Burnside, Hooker, Bragg, Rosecrans, Grant). You maneuver your army to find the enemy’s flanks, concentrate your forces for an attack, and determine where to commit your artillery assets.

GMT Games Page

I admit, my collection of American Civil War games is pretty small so whenever there is some interesting titles in works I am curiously observing it. Here I had no doubt – I love Mark Herman creations and quality of GMT products, so decided to go for this title. What also convinces me is that we are getting here multiple scenarios and it has potential for a larger system!

More about game:

7) The Battle of Khalkhin Gol from Princeps Games

The Battle of Khalkhin Gol is a medium level wargame covering the WW2 border clash between Japan and the USSR at the very dawn of this global conflict in 1939. The Battle of Khalkhin Gol is one of the least covered conflicts in the wargame world, so we thought it would be a good idea to offer you a new approach, new unique mechanics and more artistic look of the design than wargames have in general.

The Battle of Khalkhin Gol is a game for one to two players. If played in two players, one player controls Japan, while the other player controls the USSR. The game uses unique battle resolving mechanisms from ‘Freezing Inferno’, the previous game of Princeps Games studio, successfully funded on Kickstarter last year.

Princeps Games page

I had a blast with Freezing Inferno from Princeps Games – really liked the game mechanics, solo system and beautiful components. So it was natural that I backed the newest project of this publisher – The Battle of Khalkhin Gol. But there is another reason here too – connected to my interest in history. This engagement is little known in the West, but it took place between May and September 1939 (yes, when World War II in Europe was already raging) and included approximately total of 100 thousand soldiers with wide use of Air Power! Also, it played an important part in subsequent Japanese conduct in World War II – namely, deciding on the naval rather than Land strategy.

I am very curious about that game and hope to see it published soon!

More about game:

8) Assault Sicily 43 – Gela Beachhead from Assault Games

Mediterranean sea, southwest coast of Sicily island. It was the early morning of 10 July 1943 when the first landing craft dropped their ramps at Gela and the first units of US Rangers set their boots on Italian soil. Together with the British and Canadian units that had landed further east, the Western Allies launched an unprecedented landing operation to push open the gate to Fortress Europe. This operation, called Husky, was the beginning of the end of the Italian army as an ally of the German Wehrmacht. It was the additional front, long demanded by Stalin, and thus brought the necessary relief of the Eastern Front.

Assault Sicily 43 is the second volume in a planned series of tactical level wargames in which players lead historical units into battle during the landing and airborne operations around Gela Beachhead in July 1943. Americans, Italians and Germans fight bitterly for the backdoor Sicily as a launchpad for the invasion of the continent.

Campaign Page

During the Essen 2023 fair I had a pleasure to meet Wolfgang Klein and familiarize myself with the Assault System. That is such an innovative Tactical Combat System – and believe me, after so many years and playing so many systems in that genre, I am fully aware how that sounds. When you add the beautiful components, random scenario generator as well as thematic campaigns – you had receipt for a success. Thus I had no hesitation in supporting the second part of the game, Assault Sicily 43! We should see it in 2024.

More about game:

Conclusion

The above eight games in reality only scratch the surface of what will await us in 2024. The wargaming industry – while not a boardgames mainstream – is definitely picking up the speed recently. The number of titles published is so wide that there is no chance to play or even familiarize with them all. Still, in this variety I hope above list will help you navigate a bit!

And what are yours most anticipated games of the current year?