Board Games
My Most Anticipated Games Launching in 2022!
This is a good time to set a few predictions for the year. Based on the data I currently have (which will change as the months carry on), here are the Most Anticipated games that will/could launch in 2022.
Honorable Mentions
These are games that just missed the cut. Links in the descriptions if you want to dive deeper into the honorable mentions. And with that, enjoy!
- Bedeville Carnival is a creepy carnival game that will be crowdfunded on Gamefound.
- Ceres is a sci-fi worker placement game.
- Jiangnan: Life of Gentry is a worker placement and bag-building game set in Ming Dynasty China.
- Shinjuku is a reskinning of the 2019 release by the same name. Think Japanese railroads.
- Royal Hospital is a card-drafting, income-producing game.
- Dom Pierre is an economic, farming game about sparkling wine.
- Even though I couldn’t see myself ever backing it, I will mention Marvel Zombies as it will probably be the most-backed campaign of 2022.
And now that those have been taken care of, let’s get down to business!
#10 Tindaya
“Dare to Survive.” Or so we are warned. Tindaya is an adventure game with the soul of a Eurogame! Players will lead different tribes in a world ruled by gods and natural disasters. The representation of aboriginal people is better in this game compared to some in the past where the locals were no more than cannon fodder for invaders from abroad. Tindaya will crowdfund on Gamefound.
#9 Spring & Autumn: Story of China
Like Jiangnan, this one also comes to Kickstarter after canceling their Gamefound campaigns prematurely. This 4X game features the historical period in China often referenced in literature, movies, and games as the 3 Kingdoms period.
Many famous Chinese Generals and important figures are represented in this game where players will have a chance to control the fate of ancient China. The game looks fun and the miniatures look amazing!
#8 La Granja: Deluxe Master Set
An updated and upgraded version of the beloved farming classic. The deluxe version will feature brand new artwork, redesigned multi-layer player boards, upgraded components, metal coins, a modular expansion — with additional expansion content by Stefan Feld himself! Plus new promo cards!
It’s gonna be a hit, I can see it now.
#7 Solar 175
This one I’m reaching at and hoping it’s going to be a home run despite not delving too deeply into the nuts and bolts of it. From what I can see, the theme and mechanics look intriguing and have me interested enough to place it firmly on this list. “Corporations compete in this dark dystopia, what are you willing to do to win?” That is the tagline the publisher gives us, which is both eerie and cryptic.
A Euro-Legacy game with bag-building, area control, and worker placement. You had me at bag-building. = )
#6 Micro Dojo: Clan Loyalty
Probably the best bang for your buck that was available in 2021 — the original Micro Dojo was a lean, mean, thinky machine! It fits in your front pocket but still has some moments that need to be carefully sequenced if you want get the edge on your opponent.
The Clan Loyalty expansion will add a new board, new characters, and new components to this micro-favorite of 2021!
#5 Mombasa
Mombasa, a classic game loved for its excellent mechanical integration and ability to give gamers a good time, is getting a much-anticipated reimagining in 2022. African-Colonialism, especially the colonization of South Africa (leading to Apartheid) and of African cities like Mombasa, is something many designers want to get away from. That’s why I am really excited to see the designer working hard on retheming this game.
I don’t know the details yet, but based on the mechanics and the designer I’m sure this will continue to be a big hit.
#4 Sankokushin: Five Sacrifices
It’s a massive, narrative-driven, cooperative adventure. Players will explore, fight, and interact with NPCs like never before. In Sankokushin, “time matters”. If you don’t do side quests/main quests in a certain period bad things can happen and you will miss stuff. Hopefully this will make the game not only be very replayable but also like a living world that moves whether the heroes are coming or not. Move on a grid, roll-dice, interact with NPCs to make meaningful decisions, and stare at the beautiful miniatures!
This is perhaps too much wishful thinking on my part, but we’ve all been waiting a very long time for this one. I know it’s projected for 2023, but there is certainly a chance that the publisher will want that holiday gift money and release it before Christmas. We can hope, can’t we? I will certainly be taking a very long look at Sankokushin.
#3 Outsider/Gaijin
This beauty is FINALLY coming to Gamefound. I’ve been hungry for more information for over a year! Brought to us by Awaken Realms Lite, “Outsider” looks like it’s going to be something special. Aside from the name controversy, everything looks to be coming along just fine.
“A cyberpunk adventure board game, with a post-apocalyptic vibe.” I’m curious exactly what is going to make this game “lighter” than a typical Awaken Realms game? I think the scenarios being independent of a campaign are a part of it but I’m not completely sure yet.
The gameplay takes place in both cyberspace and in the streets of futuristic Japan where an evil AI is out to destroy all humans. There’s going to be combat, body grafted enhancements, hacking, cool equipment, and amazing art and miniatures.
I would really love to do some testing with a prototype and write about it, but that’s up to AR. = )
#2 Final Girl Series 2
I’m still kicking myself for not seeing the greatness from the first Final Girl campaign, but luckily Series 2 is fast approaching. These look like such fun and thematic sets of solo adventures! I love the 80s slasher theme and tropes, and also their incorporation within a dice- and card-heavy, “random” style game.
Series 1 recently reached backers and Facebook board game groups have been flooded with Final Girl photos ever since. Series 2 will explore themes similar to what we’ve seen in movies like Alien, the Thing, creepy people in the countryside, a crazy hospital, and werewolves!
#1 Unconscious Mind
This is probably not a surprise to any of you who’ve read the praise I’ve had for the soon to be fulfilled Endless Winter, which was one of my top backs of 2021!
From what I can tell, the theme, mechanics, artwork, and creative team are in place for U.M. and I have nothing but high hopes for this one! “Through dreams, Freud’s followers delve into their patients’ unconscious minds.”
What does it promise? Worker placement, engine building, multi-use cards, and action programming. “…master therapeutic techniques, establish a practice, and grow your clientele…” as a follower of the great Dr. Freud. I am also hoping I get a prototype of this game so I can show you guys what exactly what it has in store for us, but let’s wait and see what happens. = )
There you have it! Those are my choices…for now. Please let me know which games you’re excited about in 2022, even ones I might not have listed. 2022 will be another great year for board gaming.
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