The holidays are the time when friends, family, and loved ones gather together and enjoy each other’s company. Whether it’s hosting parties or simply welcoming visitors throughout the season, it’s always a good idea to organize activities to keep everyone entertained. Board games are one of the best options because they take little time to set up and it doesn’t take long before everyone is laughing and having a good time together.
There are thousands of board games, Monopoly And Hint to more challenging and strategic games like Risk And Catania. The year 2024 has brought some great new games, making them not only perfect for the holiday season, but also for gift giving.
Talisman Fifth Edition and Talisman Alliances Expansion (Avalon Hill)
List Price: $59.99, Promo Price: $48.70 (18% off!)
Avalon Hill’s Talisman Fifth Edition brings players to a land of magic and adventure, pitting them against each other in a strategic race for the Crown of Command and a chance to defeat the game’s deadliest enemy: the Elder Dragon. Perfect for ages 12 and up, this six-person game comes with a game board, character figures and cards, over 100 adventure cards, and much more.
Talisman alliance expansion: Retail price $33.99
The very first Talisman The Fifth Edition Alliances expansion brings new adventures, heroes, trials, and cooperative gameplay. Players can now team up to complete trials that reveal epic new pieces of the game.
Queen By Midnight: Quarter Past is a standalone expansion
Retail price: $39.99
Critical roleDarrington Press has become a major player in the tabletop gaming space. With this superb standalone sequel to Queen at midnightthe hit deck-building board game that pits players against each other in battle royale style, four new princesses enter the arena, but only one will take the crown. Queen By Midnight: Past quarter not only introduces new princesses, but also a two-player ruleset that makes it even easier to dive in and start the game for the crown.
For the Queen, the second edition gives an epic game a facelift
Retail price: 24.99
While For the Queen may not be a new game, Darrington Press has re-released it in 2024 with all new queen cards, questions and the most convenient portable packaging. The fact that you can pick it up and take it with you makes this world-building RPG easy to play anywhere, whatever the season. In addition, for the holidays, the Critical role the store is currently running a special offer Queen Trio Packwhich includes the base game for Queen at midnightTHE Queen By Midnight: Past quarter expansion, and For the Queen for only $94.48 (regular price $134.97).
Star Trek Buffer Time (Modiphius)
Retail price: $20.80
Modiphius is undoubtedly one of the most notable names in tabletop gaming, and for good reason. Adapting many fan-favorite franchises, one of the company’s most notable tabletop card games in 2024 comes straight from the Lower Decks of the epic galaxy-exploring sci-fi franchise, Star Trek. Perfect for ages 14 and up, Star Trek: Lower Decks Buffer Time is a game for 2 to 6 players. Over the course of 20 to 40 minutes, players must look for ways to have a little fun while on duty before the bridge crew realizes they’re having fun on the job.
Heroes of Barcadia is the perfect party drinking game
Base Game Edition List Price: $60.00
Rollacrit Heroes of Barcadia It may not be new in 2024, but the company’s successful 2024 Kickstarter campaign for the game’s first expansion pack makes this one a must-have for holiday parties looking to get drunk during their adventure. This tile game for 2-6 players places the heroes on an epic quest to save all of Barcadia’s drinks, which have been stolen and hidden in a monster hoard. This game is reserved for players aged 21 and over.
Gnome Hollow is a peaceful tile-building adventure
Retail price: $49.99
OP games Hollow Gnome debuted at Gen Con 2024 and received major praise for its stunning aesthetic and fun premise. Hollow GnomePlayers strive to build and harvest gardens of mushrooms and flowers, all in the hopes of cultivating enough magic to protect their home hidden in the hollow from prying eyes for another year. Perfect for 2 to 4 players aged 12 and up, Hollow Gnome takes approximately 45 minutes to play, making it the perfect game for holiday tables this season.
Tell a story together in Oh Captain, My Captain!
List Price: $19.99 Special Price: $18.28 (9% off!)
Collaborative storytelling RPGs can seem intimidating to those who have never played them before, so they may not seem like the best option for a holiday get-together. World-building RPGs like Oh Captain, my Captain! from RPG creator James D’Amato are the perfect gateway to fantasy TTRPGs for beginners. Not only is this game designed to be played quickly, but it also serves as a great introduction to the ins and outs of group world and story building.
Dark Deeds thrives on suspense and suspicion
Retail price: $45.50
There’s nothing more fun than playing the role of evil minions, and in Modiphius Dark deeds, 2-5 players ages 14 and up turn to the seedy side, stealing, committing brutal acts of violence, and betraying anyone who dares get in their way. All in the name of their secret boss, the greatest rewards are served to the most successful servant, while the vilest punishments will be meted out to those who fail their master. This game takes about an hour to complete, making it the perfect addition to party tables.
Rebuilding a new world in life in Reterra
List price: $29.99 Target retail price: $14.99 (50% off!)
When it comes to post-apocalyptic world games, Life in Reterra is actually one of the more peaceful versions of this theme. Perfect for 2 to 4 players aged 10 and up, it’s up to each player to build their own community using terrain tiles. The more the community prospers as it grows, the closer a player gets to victory. Easy enough for young players, it’s the perfect game for family holiday get-togethers to keep the kids busy and have fun.