I have already shared my most anticipated wargames of 2026; now it is time to turn to a more general board game wish list. These titles will appeal to a much broader audience than hardcore grognards 🙂, including RPGs, Eurogames, and even lighter conflict games. Naturally, these are my personal picks, and with so many other projects currently in development, I am sure many of you would suggest different additions. I warmly encourage you to share your own choices in the comments section.

Summary of 2025 and look into the 2026:
The Boardgames Chronicle most often played games of 2025
The Boardgames Chronicle in 2025 – analysis
New to me in 2025
My top anticipated wargames of 2026

1. Away Team: The Voyages of the Pandora by GMT Games

Away Team: The Voyages of the Pandora is a game of exploring alien worlds in distant star systems. You command the Pandora, an interstellar survey ship on its voyages of discovery. Each voyage sends Pandora to a different star system where you assemble away teams from the ship’s crew and equipment to explore planets, moons and other sites of interest, with the following directives:

  • Locate exo-life forms, and document them;
  • Collect exo-DNA, vital to human adaptation to life in the stars;
  • Identify & survey environments suitable for human settlement;
  • Search for intelligent life and alien cultures;
  • Don’t get killed 🙂

Away Team has three modes of play. The solitaire campaign game provides an epic inter-connected narrative experience for one player across seven star systems; providing over 80 hours of play time, exploration, and plot-twists. The solitaire star system game provides one player with a repeatable play experience commanding one Pandora voyage to a single star system. You set the experience level of your crew and the danger level of each voyage. The 2-player game puts players in command of competing away teams from Pandora in a voyage to a single star system, also a repeatable play experience.

Publishers page

It is not a secret that I am big fan of Joh Butterfield creations. D-Day series, Enemy Action games, Downfall, or – thematically connected to Away Team and bellowed by my kids – SpaceCorp. All of them are among my favorites. So, when I heard about another space-related title from this author I immediately jumped for it.

What we are getting here is not a simple game, where you play and finish the session (although there is such a mode). We are getting a great campaign which you will be able to play for many, many hours to come. According to latest GMT Updates, we are really getting closer so 2026 looks realistic. Can’t wait!

More on the title:

2. For the Gods by Mighty Boards

As a seafaring builder in ancient Greece, in For the Gods! you’ll navigate the archipelago, constructing towering monuments to the gods and vying for control of sacred islands. For the Gods! is a strategic area control game in which every stone shapes your path to victory. The rules are simple: Sail the seas to establish new temples or elevate existing ones. Along the way, collect God stones and unleash their divine powers at the right moment. With twelve unique God powers, each game offers fresh strategies and dynamic gameplay, ensuring high variability.

From publisher page

David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin are exceptionally prolific designers. At Essen, I had the opportunity to learn and play a full game of their upcoming Kickstarter title (and an interview should be published soon on my blog!). Judging by the prototype components shown above, For the Gods! might appear to be a pure Eurogame – that is not entirely the case.

While direct conflict is limited, tension is very much present: you can contest control of islands where opponents have built their temples in order to claim victory points for the tallest structures. It is definitely a title I am eagerly anticipating.

More on the title:

3. Hunt for Blackbeard by Fort Circle

Hunt for Blackbeard is a two-player boardgame that portrays the effort in 1718 by the colony of Virginia and the Royal Navy to track down the notorious pirate Blackbeard (Edward Thatch) as he sought refuge in colonial North Carolina. It features the historical events, places, and personages involved in Blackbeard’s demise 300 years ago, and the real-world challenges of “golden-age” piracy and pirate hunting.

One player takes the role of Blackbeard and the other the pirate hunters. Blackbeard seeks to commit acts of piracy or to enjoy a pirate’s life while remaining free. The hunters try to discern Blackbeard’s plans to thwart his piracy. The game may end in a battle in which either the hunters capture Blackbeard or the pirate wins by seizing a hunters’ ship as his prize!

Publishers Page


I have always had a soft spot for pirate-themed games. I am fully aware that their romanticized portrayal in popular culture is far removed from the brutal and opportunistic reality of historical pirates, yet I still greatly enjoy playing such titles.

When I learned that one of my favorite designers, Volko Ruhnke, would be working on a game in this theme – and that it would be published by Fort Circle, a small independent studio known for beautifully produced games – it was no surprise that it climbed high on my list of most anticipated releases. Let us see who proves more cunning: Blackbeard or his hunters – hopefully as soon as 2026.

PS. I am fully aware the game is on Rally The Troops. Still, I am not playing it as I am awaiting my physical copy!

More on the title:

4. Root: The Homeland Expansion by Leder Games

Rediscover the Woodland with three brand-new factions and two new maps for Root!

Lilypad Diaspora: Scattered long ago and suppressed ever since, the Lilypad Diaspora now hopes to call the Woodland home. While they work to integrate peacefully, peace is rare in the midst of civil war. As they train their warriors, they must ensure that their desire for safety does not tip into outright aggression. With weapons at the ready, a simple misunderstanding between the Diaspora and the Woodland can flare into vicious reprisals, hardening the Diaspora’s militancy and spreading resentment against their cause.

Twilight Council: Sickened by the enduring conflict, the Twilight Council hosts assemblies to end the war, bringing together all the Woodland from the lowliest mouse-in-a-sack to the mightiest hawk with a royal claim. The assemblies emphasize political connections over pure numbers of warriors, pushing the factions away from bloody battle and toward heated debate.

Knaves of the Deepwood: Nobody really knows how this band of miscreants and ne’er-do-wells got together, but the myths are many. From the treeline they sally forth to raid barracks and baggage trains, making off with warriors in tow as hostages. Why? For ransom, that’s why. Some say they give the proceeds to the needy. Some say they spend it lavishly. Either way, their celebrations ring out through the night, from the forest depths where few dare to go. And who can fault them for spreading some good cheer?

This is an expansion. A copy of Root the board game is required to play.

Publishers Page

Another ROOT? Yes, there is always space for a good expansion to this wonderful game. The beauty of this title – and let us be honest, genius of Cole Wehrle design – is the fact how modular Root is. We are getting new factions, new maps, new card decks, new mini-add ons (like hirelings) and it all makes sense together, in umpteen combinations and variations. So yes, I am definitely looking forward to this in 2026!

More on the title:

5. Hood: Troubles in Sherwood by PHALANX

Step into a twisted version of medieval England where Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham aren’t the only ones with an axe to grind. In the strategy game HOOD: Troubles in Sherwood, four different factions clash for control over Sherwood and its riches. Play as the rebellious Outlaws, the ruthless Sheriff, the corrupt Bishop, or the scheming French Nobles — each with a unique playstyle, asymmetrical abilities, and their own path to victory. One robs the rich to give to the poor, another builds a monument to vanity, and yet another spreads titles and corruption like wildfire.

Each round, players take three actions to maneuver, attack, capture enemies, or expand their influence. The map evolves during play, unlocking new possibilities, and strategic options — but growth comes at a price! Developing your faction gives you new tools, but also opens up new possibilities for your opponents. Interaction is constant. Progress requires conflict. Victory demands control. With faction-specific upgrades and dynamic tension from start to finish, HOOD: Troubles in Sherwood is a rich game of clever plays and brutal choices.

The game is divided into turns in which the active player goes through the 5 consecutive phases listed below. After a player’s turn, the next player takes their turn, etc. What exactly players can do during these phases varies by faction.

  1. Resolve card effects
  2. Take 3 Actions
  3. Develop your Faction
  4. Pay Ransom
  5. Discard Fate Cards

The game ends after any player has achieved 25 Victory Points. The round in which this is achieved is played to its completion, and then the game ends. The player with the highest score is the winner.

Publishers Page

I had a chance to familiarize myself with this title during Essen Spiel 2025. It proved to be a cool, asymmetric and fast-playing experience with some beautiful graphics / art. Of course, my inner weakness for ROOT-like games tells here also. BGG says the game is scheduled for 2027 but I hope PHALANX will surprise us (positively 🙂 ) and we will get it still this year!

More on the title:

Summary


I realize I may be repeating myself, but it is worth stressing that – much like in the world of wargames – the list above barely scratches the surface. Each year brings such an overwhelming number of new releases that keeping track of them all, let alone playing and exploring them in depth, is simply unrealistic. Still, the titles I have highlighted would more than satisfy me if I manage to get them to the table in 2026. Which general board games are you most excited about this year?