Cliff Notes – 10 incredible new tabletop games for you to play in summer 2025
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Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet – Destined Rivals: This set reintroduces Trainer’s Pokémon mechanics, featuring iconic duos and a nostalgic throwback to the Gym Heroes era, with high rarity collectibles included.
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Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy: A crossover that brings beloved Final Fantasy characters into Magic’s gameplay, offering stunning artwork and thematic synergies, perfect for both newcomers and fans.
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Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team: Typhon: This box set introduces asymmetric forces in a claustrophobic setting, enhancing tactical gameplay with customizable units and new terrain features.
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Disney Lorcana – Reign Of Jafar Set 8: The latest set introduces new characters and mechanics, solidifying Lorcana’s status as a competitive trading card game with a focus on nostalgia and evolving gameplay.
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Citizen Sleeper: Spindlejack: A free, print-and-play solo RPG set in the Citizen Sleeper universe, offering a kinetic experience with tactical movement and randomised challenges.
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Finspan: The third entry in the Wingspan series, this game explores marine ecosystems with accessible mechanics and stunning artwork, appealing to both casual and strategic players.
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Star Wars Unlimited – Jump To Lightspeed: This set shifts gameplay to space combat, introducing new card types and mechanics that enhance tactical depth while maintaining the Star Wars flair.
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The Lord Of The Rings: Fate Of The Fellowship: A co-op strategy game that builds on the Pandemic system, featuring narrative mechanics and resource management as players protect havens from shadow troops.
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Assassin’s Creed Animus: A narrative-driven tabletop game where players navigate historical eras, employing strategic stealth and unique mechanics tied to legendary assassins.
- Star Wars: Battle Of Hoth: A fast-paced board game designed for two to four players, featuring scenario-driven missions and familiar characters, promising cinematic nostalgia and tactical gameplay.
Pokémon TCG is in for a hot summer (The Pokémon Company)
GameCentral looks at the most exciting new summer tabletop releases, including adaptations of Final Fantasy, Assassin’s Creed, and Citizen Sleeper
The tabletop games industry has become an unlikely victim of Trump’s tariff trade war. Just after it was recovering from Covid supply chain issues it now sees itself hit with manufacturing issues and an uncertain future. It’s so bad that board game developer CMON has already shut up shop and Stonemaier, famous for the hugely successful Wingspan, is suing the Trump administration. Meanwhile Cephalofair, developer of fan favourite Gloomhaven, can’t even get their product on to the shelves, as it’s stuck in China.
While I don’t expect any empty shelves at the UK Games Expo this month, there’s definitely panic in the air. Although one company that doesn’t seem to be too concerned is Games Workshop, who have always manufactured most of their products in the UK – although accessories and terrain for your favourite Warhammer army might become harder to find in the future.
After everyone got into it during lockdown, the tabletop industry was riding a huge boom, with recent industry projections of the market doubling to around £20 billion by 2030. But US tariffs have left the industry reeling and could see the price for tabletop games around the world rise significantly.
Despite the doom and gloom there’s plenty of exciting new products already out this year and many more on the way from massive brands such as Pokémon and Disney, as well as new Kickstarters that you can print yourself, thereby completely bypassing any manufacturing issues.
There’s also never been a better time to support your local board game shop or Dungeons & Dragons club, as their overheads rise, so here’s a selection of games you might find on their shelves right now and those coming soon, that I’m excited to play during the summer break.
Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy
Square Enix’s iconic Final Fantasy franchise is stepping onto the cardboard battlefield with Magic: The Gathering, and the result is as gloriously nostalgic as it is mechanically exciting. The Universes Beyond initiative brings beloved characters, summons, and settings into Magic’s gameplay, with Cloud Strife leading the charge.
The Final Fantasy Starter Kit offers two pre-constructed 60 card decks, packed with flavour and function and perfect for newcomers attracted by the sight of a Chocobo or Moogle. Each deck includes five rares, a foil mythic legendary, deck boxes, and digital codes for Magic: The Gathering Arena. But the real draw? The cards themselves. They are stunning.
Cloud channels Final Fantasy 7’s environmental and emotional themes, with equipment-focused synergies that feel spot-on. Stiltzkin the Moogle is a flavourful support piece for donation strategies and the terrifying Tonberry arrives with Deathtouch and First Strike, which is fitting for a creature that’s haunted players for decades.
With gorgeous full art treatments by amazing artists such as Takahashi Kazuya and Yoshitaka Amano, underpinned by clever mechanical call backs, this crossover is more than fan service, it’s a lovingly crafted bridge between two gaming giants that’s bound to fly of the shelves.
£15.99 on Amazon – releases June 13
Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team: Typhon
There’s a possible future where Games Workshop is the final tabletop company left standing, as they dodge tariffs and take down licence infringers like a particularly vicious swarm of tyrranids. You too can act out this future in Kill Team: Typhon, which delivers the chaos of Warhammer 40,000 in a claustrophobic, subterranean brawl between flesh-rending Tyranid Raveners and a desperate Adeptus Mechanicus Battleclade.
The latest Kill Team box looks stunning and turns up the tension with asymmetric forces: a lean, elite brood of Raveners – deadly melee predators that can tunnel through terrain – versus a jury-rigged Mechanicus strike team, built from repurposed servitors and guided by a technoarchaeologist scouring ancient relics.
But this isn’t Helldivers 2. The Raveners can be customised into deadly variants like the Tremorscythe and Felltalon, each armed with bio-engineered weapons designed for close-quarters carnage. On the other side, the Mechanicus bring massed, lobotomised firepower: breachers, gunners, medics, and overseers to allow for some tactical coordination.
Also included are Hormagaunts, the swarming Tyrranids shock troops and new Tyranid-infested terrain – always the standout feature of these kill team boxes, in my opinion, and perfect for narrative or larger 40K battles. Typhon embraces Kill Team’s strength: cinematic asymmetry and high stakes.
Price TBA – releases June
Scalpers are going to love this (The Pokémon Company)
Pokémon Trading Card Game Scarlet & Violet – Destined Rivals Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box
This red and black box is going for gangbusters on eBay, before it’s even supposed to be out. The Scarlet & Violet Destined Rivals set reintroduces the beloved Trainer’s Pokémon mechanic, but now with a twist where players can align with iconic duos like Arven’s Mabosstiff and Ho-Oh ex or Cynthia and Garchomp ex. Or fall in with Team Rocket under Giovanni’s command, fielding heavy hitters like Mewtwo ex.
It’s a rich throwback to the Gym Heroes era, with cards that spotlight specific trainer and pokémon bonds, each emblazoned with the trainer’s name. The expansion includes 83 cards branded under Team Rocket, 17 new Pokémon ex cards (10 of which are Trainer’s Pokémon ex), and a trove of high rarity collectibles: 23 illustration rares, 11 special illustration rares, and six hyper rare gold-etched cards.
But the pre-launch hasn’t been all Sunflora and Jigglypuffs. Since its full reveal on March 24, pre-orders have sparked a frenzy amongst scalpers, with sellouts and early store hiccups are already marring the rollout. Still, between the nostalgia bait and villainous charm, Destined Rivals is shaping up to be one of 2025’s hottest trading card releases.
RRP £54.99 – releases May 30
Finspan
One game I just can’t put back on the shelf at the moment is Finspan; who’d of thought fish could be so much fun? Since Wingspan took flight in 2019, it’s become a modern classic: part art piece, part engine builder, and a benchmark for gateway games. Finspan, the third entry in the series, swaps feathers for fins, inviting players to explore marine ecosystems across oceanic zones in a beautifully illustrated, medium-lightweight game that last about 45 minutes.
Mechanically, Finspan is more accessible than Wingspan, thanks to forgiving resource generation and a gentler deck structure. Strategic depth is still there, whether you chase high value fish, go wide with schools, or balance both. It’s more of a solo puzzle, and less about blocking opponents, which might suit more casual groups. Replayability is strong, and with one to five player support it scales well.
The art is stunning, and the fish facts make you feel like a would-be marine biologist. But I missed the funny components (no birdhouse dice tower), so this is missing some of that Wingspan magic. Finspan is a fantastic entry point to the series and an accessible and fun addition to the franchise. It’s not as perfect as Wingspan, but it swims confidently in its own current. Could we see whale and crustacean expansions? I hope so.
RRP £41.99 – available now
Star Wars Unlimited – Jump To Lightspeed
While you might have missed the Star Wars Celebration in Japan last month, and be bereft over the end of Andor Season 2, don’t worry – there are plenty of alternatives for Star Wars fandom. Fantasy Flight Games is revving its hyperdrive with Jump To Lightspeed, the fourth set for trading card game Star Wars Unlimited. A dramatic shift from previous ground-focused releases, this set propels players into orbit, with an emphasis on space combat and a host of gameplay refinements.
Headlining the release are two new Spotlight Decks, each featuring a classic rivalry, such as Han Solo vs. Boba Fett. These 50-card preconstructed decks introduce Pilots, a brand-new card type that changes how space units operate. Pilots can be deployed to enhance ships with improved health and damage dealing abilities, offering fresh tactical depth.
The set also debuts the Piloting keyword, a hyperspace mechanic, and five special rarity cards per deck, including one new Leader per Spotlight release. It’s a sleek continuation of Unlimited’s mission, with deep strategy wrapped in Star Wars flair.
Fantasy Flight isn’t just releasing a new set; they’re effectively entering year two of the game with a soft reboot, that smartly rebalances and refreshes. For new and returning players, the standalone Spotlight Decks offer a refined on-ramp into the meta, while the stellar art and fan favourite make this one of the best sci-fi trading card games around.
RRP: £34.99 – available now
An indie tabletop game adapting an indie video game (Jump Over the Age)
Citizen Sleeper: Spindlejack
I was gutted I didn’t manage to nab some physical Cycles of the Eye Data-Cloud dice from Lost in Cult, before they sold out, so I was ecstatic to see the shadow drop of Citizen Sleeper: Spindlejack, especially as it’s completely free.
It’s a lean, solo tabletop role-player set in the neon-drenched corridors of the Far Spindle, part of the Citizen Sleeper universe. Released on May 5th (aka Citizen Sleeper Day), it’s a print-and-play experience that trades dense narrative for kinetic delivery runs and tactical movement through a crumbling space station.
Inspired by Kadet, the courier from Citizen Sleeper 2, Spindlejack casts you as one of the eponymous daredevils: airbike mounted messengers who dodge cargo haulers and urban decay to deliver sensitive payloads in a haunted, half-dead network. The draw? Not just the cryo or reputation, but the thrill, the competition, and the culture.
Using your 10 six-sided dice, a pencil, and some printed sheets you’ll chart courses across randomly generated intersections, upgrade your bike, and edge toward Spindlejack legend status. Designed by Gareth Damian Martin, with stylish, gritty art from Guillaume Singelin, this is a tight, systems-focused dive into a beloved sci-fi setting.
No campaign scheduling. No group required. Just you, your dice, and the Spindle’s rusted arteries. For fans of Citizen Sleeper or those craving a focused, atmospheric solo experience, Spindlejack is a no-brainer. DIY or DIE.
Available now
Disney Lorcana has become a certified hit (Ravensburger)
Disney Lorcana – Reign Of Jafar Set 8 and Illumineer’s Quest: Palace Heist
The internet has been on fire with the announcement that forthcoming Lorcana sets are to include Darkwing Duck and The Goofy Movie cast, emphasising that Disney Lorcana has become something of a juggernaut since its 2023 debut, captivating collectors and competitive players with a blend of nostalgic charm and evolving mechanics – judging scandals aside.
During the Next Chapter of Lorcana livestream earlier this month, Ravensburger dropped major news. The autumn 2025 set, Fabled, will introduce Lorcana’s first ever set rotation, a sign the game is maturing into a competitive force. To support this shift, Fabled will include reprints from earlier sets, while also debuting two new rarity levels: epic and the ultra-rare Iconic.
Reign Of Jafar, the game’s eighth set, sees Jafar rise as the new central villain, corrupting Archazia’s Island and bringing a darker twist to the narrative. Familiar faces like Mulan, Stitch, Rapunzel, and Bruno return, alongside new cards and accessories, including updated sleeves and deck boxes featuring classic Enchanted artwork.
The new Illumineer’s Quest: Palace Heist PvE box expands on the beloved Deep Trouble, letting players face Jafar co-op style. Expect pre-built decks (Amethyst Amber and Ruby Steel), booster boxes, and enough lore-packed cardboard to fuel your summer break.
£16.99 starter pack – releases May 30
The Lord Of The Rings: Fate Of The Fellowship
While Finspan might be missing a dice tower, Fate Of The Fellowship more than makes up for that with a dice tower Barad-dûr. This is a one to five player co-op strategy game that builds on the Pandemic System but adds enough fresh features to feel distinct, deeper, and more precious than ever.
Players take on the roles of Fellowship members and allies, racing to protect havens from surging shadow troops and helping Frodo sneak past the Nazgûl en route to Mount Doom. Unlike previous Pandemic adaptations, Fate Of The Fellowship leans hard into narrative mechanics. You’ll juggle four resources – stealth, valour, resistance, and friendship – across a sprawling map as you battle despair and shifting objectives. Each player commands two characters, with asymmetric abilities and layered decisions every turn.
With 24 rotating objectives, a constant threat from the Eye of Sauron, and a cleverly tuned solo mode, designer Matt Leacock has crafted his richest Pandemic variant yet. I’ve seen plenty of tabletop gamers saying this will be their must-play at UK Games Expo.
RRP £69.99 – releases June 27
Assassin’s Creed Animus
Animus brings the Assassin’s Creed universe to the tabletop in a wholly fresh, narrative-driven experience. Up to four players select historical eras, each tied to a legendary assassin like Ezio or Eivor, resulting in distinct, asymmetric playstyles, unique objectives, and specialised mechanics.
Rather than a miniatures skirmish, this is a competitive, timeline-jumping adventure where players dive into ancestral memories via the titular Animus. Strategic stealth and precision matter: while one player might rush to the end, victory favours those who stay synchronised with their ancestor’s memory by completing tasks efficiently and, of course, stealthily.
While there’s still not much information about this game at the moment, Animus looks to employ modular and evolving dynamics driven by interactive card play. Players can impact each other’s timelines, which will hopefully keep the experience reactive and organic. With deep lore integration, and Ubisoft’s full support, this could the most ambitious Assassin’s Creed tabletop title yet.
Crowdfunding starts summer 2025
Some like it Hoth (Days of Wonder)
Star Wars: Battle Of Hoth
Days of Wonder, the studio behind tabletop classic Ticket To Ride, has unveiled its next major release, with Star Wars: Battle Of Hoth. Designed for two to four players, aged 8 and up, this fast-paced board game runs around 30 minutes per session and leans on the accessible, card-driven Commands & Colors system.
Players will face off as Imperial or Rebel forces across 17 scenario-driven missions, with options to escalate into campaign mode. Leader cards introduce familiar names like Vader, Luke, Leia, and Han to influence the tide of battle.
Although it should be easy to learn, concerns linger about the scope of the battlefield. A cramped board could reduce tactical play to simple dice duels, something fans of strategic depth may find frustrating. Questions also remain about unit range and movement dynamics. Still, Battle Of Hoth promises cinematic nostalgia and the potential for layered tactics, and all for a very reasonable price.
RRP: £49.99 – crowdfunding starts summer 2025
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