Magic: The Gathering does Fallout (Picture: Wizards of the Coast)
GameCentral looks forward to a new year of tabletop releases, including board game versions of Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy.
2023 saw the overseas shipping crisis finally relent, so you’ll find the tabletop calendar for 2024 is even more enticing, including plenty of video game crossovers to get excited about and some fresh offerings that caught our eye at the big tabletop conventions last year, at Essen and GenCon.
So clasp your dice bags, as 2024 unveils not only a wealth of new titles but a resurgence of tabletop classics from decades past, with rejuvenated aesthetics and rules set to challenge your strategic prowess anew.
While you may already have blown your 2024 budget on the Warhammer: The Old World revamp, there’s plenty here for everyone, from starting your own dragon sanctuary in Wyrmspan to playing a host of feisty piglets in Lorcana: Inklands…
Warhammer: The Old World – Tomb Kings/Bretonnia
Square bases are back, but not as you know them. Warhammer: The Old World, or as it’s less fondly known Warhammer Fantasy Battle 9th Edition, is making a return at last and is the most highly anticipated tabletop wargame of the year. Set against the backdrop of a meticulously crafted world with deep lore, this game revisits the iconic Old World setting that fans have yearned for since its discontinuation. The resurrection of this beloved realm brings forth a wave of nostalgia and excitement, making it a must-play for those who cherish the Warhammer universe and spent too many Saturday mornings queuing outside Games Workshop in the ‘90s.
The pre-order features one of the most eagerly awaited matchups within The Old World, the confrontation between the Tomb Kings and Bretonnia – two factions that epitomise the diversity of Warhammer’s races and cultures. Veterans are drawn to the nostalgia of revisiting these classic armies, each with its unique playstyle and strategies but now with new rules and what could be questionable balance once people start playing.
For Tomb Kings enthusiasts, the gameplay centres around harnessing the mystical powers to raise legions of undead warriors and unleash devastating spells. Their meticulous planning involves outlasting opponents through attrition and exploiting the resilience of skeletal units. On the other side, Bretonnia enthusiasts revel in the chivalrous charge of knights, combining cavalry charges with well-coordinated infantry movements.
Managing the forces of magic and might makes the clash between Tomb Kings and Bretonnia a compelling and intricate tactical experience, just like putting together these armies and painting them, which is akin to a part-time job.
Pre-order now from RRP £155
Shiny pokémon are back! (Picture: The Pokémon Company)
Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet – Paldean Fates
This Valentine’s Day there’s plenty of magic in the air with the release of expansion pack Paldean Fates, which includes a spellbinding array of new cards and mechanics that will redefine your Pokémon battles, including the return of Shiny Pokémon.
There are over 100 Shiny Pokémon in this set, including shiny versions of characters like Pikachu, Tinkaton, Ceruledge, and Dondozo. The set also features Great Tusk and Iron Treads, that appear as Ancient and Future Pokemon EX, as well as new Shiny Tera Pokémon cards for Charizard, Forretress, and Espathra.
The new Mew EX card is especially cute, with its fat lines and blocky colours, but it also keeps you prepared for battle with its special ability making sure you’re always holding three cards. Gardevoir EX, a trainer favourite, can now be supported by the beautiful Moonlit Hill stadium card, which boosts its Psychic Embrace Ability. Get ready to add some sparkle to your playmat with this Shiny Treasure chest, as it’s named in Japan.
Release Date: 26th January RRP £39.99
An MMO on your tabletop (Picture: Square Enix)
Final Fantasy 14 Tabletop Role-Playing Game
It’s only a few weeks now, till the release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which will no doubt be one of the biggest video game launches of the year, but last year Square Enix let the Chocobos out the stable by uploading initial pre-order details about a ‘TTRPG’ version of the hugely popular MMO Final Fantasy 14.
This is a tabletop role-player that will let players experience Eorzea from a whole new perspective and allow you to roll characters such as a Warrior, White Mage, Dragoon, and Black Mage and create your own vision of the world as a Final Fantasy dungeon master. From what we know at the moment, it will include familiar locations and characters from the video game.
It’s going to be interesting to see how they will implement FATEs (Full Active Time Events) which are dynamic scenarios, often battles, that appear around Eorzea. But there’s also sure to be unique features and stories just for the tabletop version. It’s not yet clear what gameplay system will be used, as the images so far include custom dice six d20s and 10 d6s, suggest it won’t be compatible with current Dungeons & Dragons.
The Final Fantasy 14 TTRPG Starter Set comes with a player book, a gamemaster book that has three ready-to-go premade scenarios, premade character sheets, custom dice, an encounter map, and some very nice box art.
Release Date: May 2024 RRP £50.99
Lorcana was Disney’s biggest success of 2023 (Picture: Ravensburger)
Disney Lorcana Wave 3 – Inklands
While Disney movies are struggling at the box office, I can personally attest that is not the case with its insanely popular trading card game Lorcana. I witnessed queues around the block at the Disney Store in Oxford Street before Christmas, with players trying to get their hands on its stock of Wave Two – Rise Of The Floodborn.
Before you can say Steamboat Willie, Lorcana Wave 3 – Inklands is just around the corner and you can expect similar scenes for that. Its plan is to keep the meta fresh by introducing new characters from popular Disney properties, such as DuckTales, TaleSpin, and Treasure Planet.
Two new starter decks have also been announced, featuring Peter Pan and Donald Duck, while two new playmats will feature Stitch and Moana. I’ve fallen in love with sassy Pirate Piglet and his card ‘And I’m the Captain’. Meanwhile, fans of Minnie Mouse will be thrilled to see her taking on the mantle of Lara Croft in her card Funky Spelunker.
What makes Wave three most exciting is the brand-new element: location cards! Players can discover new landscapes as they venture across the Inklands in search of lore that was scattered by the recent flood. These locations, such as Forbidden Mountain Maleficent’s Castle, add a whole new dimension of gameplay and a fresh new spin to every deck.
Release Date: March 2024 RRP £16.99 starter pack
Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game
If you’ve played your way through the recently released Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection, and are already missing Solid Snake, tabletop experts CMON have got you covered with Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game, which promises all the same stealth action of the iconic video game franchise on your kitchen table, in between your beans and chips.
One standout mechanic is the Tactical Espionage Action system, where you must carefully you’re your movements, utilising the shadows to remain undetected. The game introduces a dynamic alert level that escalates as players are spotted or alarms triggered, adding tension and urgency to every decision. The game also features a unique radar mechanic, allowing you to track the movements of enemies and strategically position yourself for the perfect ambush.
Additionally, the inclusion of the iconic cardboard box adds an extra layer of disguise and misdirection. You can also take on the roles of additional iconic characters, such as Meryl Silverburgh and Revolver Ocelot, with their own special abilities and playstyles – adding replayability to each playthrough.
Release Date: 1st May 2024 RRP around £90
Catan is evolving again (Picture: Catan)
Catan: New Energies
It’s hard to keep up with the constant additions to the beloved Catan IP, but after last year’s Dawn Of Humankind, which had me coming over all 2001: A Space Odyssey, it makes sense to look to the future in Catan: New Energies. This latest version thrusts players into an era of innovation and progress, where the quest for sheep and wheat takes an exciting turn with the introduction of groundbreaking new mechanics.
One of the standout features in Catan: New Energies is the revolutionary Power Grid system. Now you must strategically harness the power of diverse energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal. Balancing your energy portfolio becomes a critical aspect of the game, as each source offers unique advantages and drawbacks.
Additionally, the expansion introduces a novel Invention mechanic, allowing players to unlock and implement advanced technologies and introduce efficient transportation methods to enhance resource production. You also have to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the new energy landscape. It’ sure to be on King Charles Christmas list this year.
Release Date: mid-2024 RRP £57
Wyrmspan
From the publishers of twitcher favourite Wingspan, in which players track down and try to attract birds to their wildlife preserves, Wyrmspan takes flight in a world of fantasy, where majestic dragons need cataloguing. The game intricately weaves together the mechanics that made Wingspan so intuitive, but Wyrmspan emphasises strategically acquiring dragon cards that synergise to create powerful combinations.
The introduction of dragon abilities and elemental affinities shake up the gameplay. Each dragon possesses unique powers, reflecting their elemental nature, with fire breathers, ice wielders, and more. The game also features a dynamic territory system, where you must compete for control of different dragon habitats.
This territorial aspect adds a fresh dimension to the gameplay, encouraging you to think not only about your own dragon sanctuary but also how to strategically navigate the shared spaces of the game board.
Release Date: Early 2024 RRP $70
Is there anything Mark Borg can’t do? (Picture: Slightly Reckless Games)
RŌNIN
Mork Borg do Blue Eyed Samurai. If you’re a fan of the gender-bending revenge saga that took Netflix by storm, why not step into the shoes of a forgotten rōnin, shinobi, or onmyōji as you and your party seek to restore their honour and defeat the forces of darkness. In this new role-playing game you and your party journey across the island of Kage no Shima, in a mash-up of Ghost Of Tsushima and Studio Ghibli, creating a unique and immersive world that is perfect for players of all levels.
The unique gameplay system is based on the tenets of bushido, and allows you to explore your honour, survival, and even resurrection, to add depth and strategy to combat and offer a range of options for role-playing and exploration.
You can use a host of weapons from katana and shuriken to matchlock pistols and steel fans against a host of supernatural creatures known as yōkai. Mork Borg’s artwork is always great and Rōnin is no different, with the rule book painted in swathes of red ink.
Release Date: Early 2024 RRP £35
Epic Encounters: Local Legends
I hate to admit it, but while everyone else is in the swing of Dry January I’m planning my Dungeons & Dragons party’s next tavern-centric scenario at The Nodding Dragon, which is sure to get messy. This unusual expansion contains details of 10 fully-realised fantasy inns to add to your campaign and is full compatible with the latest version of Dungeons & Dragons. Epic Encounters: Local Legends takes the well-loved concept of a communal meeting place and adds some spice to your dice.
One of the standout features is the tavern kit, which helps to recreate the atmosphere of lively taverns in the Forgotten Realms. From the clinking of tankards to the lively banter, the ambiance is immersive, drawing you into a world where every decision carries weight. You can use the kit to seamlessly blend strategy with narrative, offering a unique blend of role-playing and tactical challenges.
Inside the box you’ll find 10 fully-realised fantasy inns with their own booklets, 60 colourful characters to drop in, and your handy Inncounters guide book. Every tavern has a unique, favourite mini-game so why not go on your own tabletop pub crawl?
Release Date: March 27th RRP £39.99
More: Trending
Magic: The Gathering x Fallout
In this rad collaboration, Wizards of the Coast and Bethesda have joined forces to introduce the latest addition to the Universes Beyond series, with Magic: The Gathering Fallout Edition. Set in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the iconic Fallout universe, this expansion promises a fusion of the strategic depth of Magic with the post-apocalyptic aesthetic of the Fallout franchise.
One of the standout mechanics that players can look forward to is the introduction of ‘rad counters’. Similar to poison counters, rad counters represent the increasing levels of radiation exposure in the harsh wasteland. Certain cards in the set interact with these counters, turning them into powerful resources or unleashing devastating effects. There’s plenty of tension as players carefully manage the radiation levels, balancing the risk of gaining powerful abilities against the looming threat of irradiation.
Fans of the Fallout video games will be pleased to see plenty of vault dwellers, super mutants, and even the mysterious Brotherhood of Steel brought to life in the form of Magic cards. Some cards have even been given the Pip-Boy treatment, as if you’re viewing them through the icon interface.
Release Date: RRP March 8th £45 to £50
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GameCentral looks forward to a new year of tabletop releases, including board game versions of Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy.
