Always, when I start to draft that particular article, I am getting pretty excited. Who in our hobby does not love info about new and upcoming titles! I am checking my pre-orders, verifying latest newsletters from my favorite publishers and simply looking into the future, trying to predict what great wargames it will bring.

At the same time, this is always a pretty difficult material for me to complete. Why, you may ask? Well, 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 2025? And how to avoid temptation of putting too many on the relatively compact list?

Choices everywhere. Still, I think I did a pretty decent job by limiting my wish-list to just ten titles (well, that number grows every year, could not resist…). It is a pretty broad selection, containing solitaire, two-player and multiplayer titles, recent conflicts or very ancient ones. All of this you can find below – enjoy!

Summary of 2024 and look into the 2025:
The Boardgames Chronicle most often played games of 2024
The Boardgames Chronicle in 2024 – analysis
New to me – 2024

1) 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

I am a big fan of Volko Ruhnke creations and in this case – Levy & Campaign system. With each installment in the series, thanks to a great cooperation of the system author and young, enthusiastic designers, we are getting some new, fresh and innovative titles. Those, while keeping to the system general rules, brings usually a lot of novelty. And now, I simply can’t wait to see the first position which will feature Byzantium!

More about game:

2) Twilight Struggle: 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Edition from GMT Games

We cannot think of a better way to commemorate the Cold War, this vital piece of world history, than with our freshest and richest version of Twilight Struggle to date. We invite you to relive an era with the words uttered by one of its most iconic statesmen: “Now the trumpet summons us again, not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are – but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle” – John F. Kennedy

Twilight Struggle 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Edition adds even more beauty and play options to the original game. Here are some of the additions you’ll see in this new Edition: A brand new game box by the incomparable Terry Leeds; A double sided map with a new Terry Leeds map on the front and the familiar Deluxe Edition Mark Simonitch map on the back; The Turn Zero and Alternative Space Race variants included; A new alt-history scenario, “Red Sun Rising” with new cards; A collection of promotional cards including the Kickstarter Promo Packs #1 and #2 and a selection of promo cards from foreign editions of Twilight Struggle; A background booklet including retrospective essays from the designers.

GMT Page

I simply could not pass on this. My old, sturdy and used-up copy of Twilight Struggle – played umpteen times – definitely justifies purchase of this new edition. And we are getting so many new elements – from graphical representation, to add-ons and optional rules – that this it will be a great, refreshing comeback to fantastic classic!

More about game:

3) Coast Watchers: Allied Field Intelligence in the South Pacific, 1942-1943 from GMT Games

Coast Watchers takes you into the World War II South Pacific’s struggle between Allied intelligence teams and Japanese security forces. Standup blocks hide coastwatching stations, guerrillas, refugees, and stranded Allied crew. Facedown counters hide the buildup of Japanese forces, which the coastwatchers seek to observe and report to headquarters. Other counters show where Japanese patrols are searching for coastwatchers or go into and get drawn from cups to run Japanese searches and Allied delivery missions.

Each side has Mission cards. Allied Missions assign side tasks to the coastwatchers. Japanese Missions lay out secret military objectives for victory points, including air and sea operations against which the coastwatchers are to warn Allied forces. By hunting coastwatchers while building up military readiness and guiding operations, the Japanese player seeks to slip through the enemy intelligence net. Players also draw Asset cards: special abilities to augment actions and perhaps add victory points.

GMT Page

A moment ago I was discussing a refreshed version of a great classic. Now I am touching on something completely new, innovative and – knowing Volko – which can turn into another game series! Just look what happened with COunter INsurgency or Levy & Campaign systems and how they flourished.

It will be interesting to try this asymmetric game, which can be played as separate scenarios or mini-campaigns. I am also looking forward to solo mode. Of course, as any historical game, that would allow me to learn about events and period of history I had a minimal knowledge about. Can’t wait!

More about game:

4) Cuius Regio: The Thirty Years War from GMT Games

In May 1618, two imperial regents of the Habsburg Empire, along with their secretary, were thrown from the window of the council room in Prague Castle for violating an agreement that protected Protestant religious rights. The act, known as the Defenestration of Prague, marked the beginning of 30 bloody years of warfare—the Thirty Years War. Cuius Regio explores the operational military aspects of this pivotal period in European history and focuses on the maneuvers and battles that shook Europe for three decades.

The game includes scenarios covering the Bohemian Revolt, the Danish intervention, the Swedish intervention, the French intervention, and a Thirty Years War campaign of 31 turns lasting from 1618 to 1648. Each scenario has a unique character, and the game can be played in as little as an hour and a half (for a short scenario) or can be a multi-session game for the full campaign.

GMT page

Quite honestly, my number of games for XVII century is pretty minimal (only Berestechko 1651), and ones about Thirty Years War equals to zero (thankfully, Kuba has Wallenstein, which is however pretty abstract although funny to play).

That is why when I heard that Paco Gradaille is designing game about this period, I was immediately intrigued. His take on Levy & Campaign system was excellent (see Plantagenet) and I will be looking for that spark of designer genius also in this title. Should be fun!

More about game:

5) Army of the Potomac: Campaigns of 1862 and 1864 from GMT Games

Army of the Potomac: Campaigns of 1862 and 1864 is the second volume in the Civil War Heritage series and the follow-up game to the innovative and acclaimed Rebel Fury. Army of the Potomac uses the same core rules as Rebel Fury, so players familiar with Rebel Fury will be able to jump right into the action. Each battle in Army of the Potomac 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.

Army of the Potomac covers the battles of Spotsylvania II, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and the entire Seven Days battle (McClellan vs Lee), including the prelude Seven Pines (McClellan vs Johnston) when Johnston’s wounding brought Lee into the command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Each battle places you, the player, in the role of the Army Commander (Grant, McClellan, Lee, Johnston). 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 Page

I simply could not pass also on this title. Having so much fun while playing Rebel Fury, it was a no-brainer. Even more interesting battles of American Civil War, some new mechanics and system rules, beautiful maps, separate set of counters for each and every scenario – that is exactly what I hope to get. And of course Mark Herman, one of my favorite wargames designers!

More about game:

6) Congress of Vienna from GMT Games

Congress of Vienna (CoV) is a diplomatic Strategy CDG for one to four players. It is based on Churchill, the superb, award-winning Mark Herman design. It allows players to become the main characters of the dramatic, titanic struggle between the struggling Napoleonic Empire and the coalition of Russia, Austria, and Great Britain (with their Prussian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Swedish allies).

The game starts after Napoleon’s disastrous 1812 retreat from Moscow, covering the decisive years of 1813 and 1814. The abstract game map involves a strategic theatre portraying Europe from the Iberian Peninsula to the boundaries of Poland and Prussia. It also includes the secondary front of Italy, an area for depicting maritime warfare and the British/American War of 1812. This game by designer Frank Esparrago and developer Dick Sauer (with much appreciated input from Mark Herman) has been created to be played as both a diplomatic and strategic military conflict without losing the taste of the Napoleonic era’s great battles.

GMT Games Page

This is definitely a very long awaited and pretty overdue title. I believe it hit my “top anticipated wargames of the year” list at least couple of times. Hopefully, this is for the last time!

I have high hopes here – mechanics similar to Churchill, exciting moments of the Napoleonic Era (just after disastrous 1812 and the Russian Campaign), military, political and diplomatic aspects – really, looks like a great combination!

More about game:

7) One Hour World War II from Worthington Publishing

This is a quick-playing strategic level game covering World War Two from 1940 to 1945 for 2-5 players. Players command Nations, divided into Allied and Axis sides. Each turn represents a year, during which every Nation will conduct Actions and Responses based on the options on the various Nation Sheets – including those of the enemy.

At the end of each turn, either side may lose Political Will (PW) based on the difference in controlled Victory Spaces between the two sides. Either side may win by forcing the enemy to reach 0 PW, or by having the highest PW total at the end of the game. Alternatively, either side may win by taking two enemy Capitals.

Kickstarter page

This is another game which is fresh from the Crowdfunding campaign. We worked with Clint a lot on his previous design – Werwolf – and since then I am closely following his projects. The One Hour World War II really draw my attention – especially once I learned all the details of it from the great interview with the designer.

Possibility to play a quick, up to 5 players, strategic level game immediately got my attention. And as campaign proved to be successful within few initial hours – I believe many more wargamers felt this too. Can’t wait to get my copy!

More about game:

8) Battle Commander: Volume I from Sound of Drums

Battle Commander is a new wargame system whose intent is to replay historical 18th-19th century battles. It features a fresh framework focused on providing two key play aspects: command decisions and playability. Eventually, the system is planned to expand into other similar eras, such as the American Civil War.

It uses a granular cube-pull activation system for all game phases (player movement, combat, rally, card draws, etc.) and in interactive Combat system using Event cards. No Dice! There will be six Battles per volume, more or less in chronological order, that’ll cover the Napoleonic wars from start to finish. A series about the American Civil War is also in the works.

Campaign Page

That game intrigued me from the start – an esteemed designer – Carl Paradis, a Napoleonic theme, a completely new system and gorgeous components from Sound of Drums. Could not wish for more!

And when I learned more about mechanics – you can too from the interview with the designer – I was sure I would like to give it a try. If successful and well-received, that could be a first installment in what seems to be a very promising series!

More about game:

9) 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 my copy arriving soon!

More about game:

10) Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field, Oct 23-26 1942 from Dan Verssen Games (DVG)

Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field is Game #5 in the Valliant Defense Series! It is based heavily on the popular Pavlov’s House model. The game puts the player in command of the 1st Marine Division and the Cactus Air Force in the decisive land battle in the Pacific War that ended the Imperial Japanese expansion.

Kickstarter page

I could not pass on another installment in Valiant Defense system. Especially one which for the first time takes us to the Pacific! Vincent Cooper did a tremendous job of using the great David Thompson system mechanics into completely new theater of operations. He explained the details and changes in the interview I had a pleasure to run with him.

And when you combine this with astonishing graphics of Nils Johansson, you are getting and incredibly looking, engrossing and brutal solitaire experience. I am really looking forward to play this game!

More about game:

Conclusion

Honestly, the above ten games only scratched the surface of what will await us in 2025 as far as our hobby is concerned. The wargaming industry – while definitely not a boardgames mainstream – is obviously picking up the speed recently. The number of titles published is so wide that there is no chance to play or even familiarize with all of them. So I hope that the above selection will be inspiration for the Dear Readers!

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