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Christmas truly is a wonderful time of year. I love it, it hasn’t always been that way for me but with a little bit more age now and a young family of my own, it really is an awesome period. I’m now a very contented person, I enjoy what I have and there isn’t too much I want for myself, but there are a few boardgames that I would absolutely love and sit very high up on a wishlist. I remember as a child dreaming about what presents (and all too often were games of some sort) I would love on that magical day, the anticipation and excitement to see if those desires would come through for me. To unwrap a game on Christmas day and get stuck into it straight away with my brothers really was awesome. I want the same going forward with my family as they grow. So here are my top 5 wishlist games for this Christmas, 2024.
Heroquest.
This one is taking me back to childhood. A game I played but never owned and that may just be why it still sits there, particularly with its huge resurgence in 2021, I really feel I need a set in my gaming collection. With a chance also to introduce the game to my family, as it is an epic adventure in the deep dungeons.
If you are not familiar with the game. Heroquest is set in a fantasy dungeon world where you take four fantasy heroes, a wizard, dwarf, elf and barbarian underground to complete a series of quests against the forces of evil.
It is a game for 2 to 5 people. 1 player always has to play the forces of evil and control these evil creatures which include, skeletons, mummies, orcs, chaos knights to mention a few. The other players divide out the heroes between them to take on the quest and defeat those evil forces.
I describe this game as an epic because that is what it is. The heroes are very strong and powerful, but they are incredibly outnumbered in the depths and do have to work together to have the best chance of succeeding.
Heroquest is a classic good vs evil game that is very competitive. It’s also somewhat a board game icon and now 35 years old as a game. I’d love a set to include on my board game shelf.
Catan 3D.
I have played Catan since 2000 and absolutely love the game. I own a set of Catan (The Settlers of Catan as an old edition) that is 20 years old I believe. It is looking so tired and dated. The cards are well worn and used and I love the set, the history contained within it. I won’t part with it easily as such and would only consider it for the 3D set.
The 3D set looks stunning. It really brings the board alive and the component quality is just exceptional. It really is a feast for the eyes, which is why if I am updating my set I could stretch to this.
Catan (for anyone unaware, and where have you been if so) is one of the pioneers of modern board games. For me it is the first board game that changed the way board games are and paved the way for all the modern board games we now enjoy as it brought that much more to the table top. It was not so scripted at all with a lot of strategy to consider as well as what your opponents are getting up to.
Catan is a fictitious island littered with different resource hexes. Players start with a small settlement, have to gather resources and build and develop to expand across the island, ultimately gaining more victory points to try and win. All players start with 2 settlements on the island (and 2 victory points) and it is the first to 10 victory points to get the win.
Catan still features regularly at home and a 3D set really would elevate the gaming experience for us. This is not just a wishlist, dream list perhaps…
Zombicide 2nd Edition Urban Legends Abomination Pack.
I have a huge love of the Zombicide board game. A game of survival, as there is no true victory. The Undead hordes just do not stop coming. The game is based on taking your team of survivors through the mission, completing the objectives and just getting out alive, for the victory. It is intense.
What I know this little expansion pack will bring is an added level of jeopardy for those survivors because these Abominations will have further enhanced abilities making them harder to stop and take down, before they get you.
Within the set are the Clown, Chupacabra, Sewer Crocodile and the Abductor. Being totally honest, none of these sound especially pleasant. The core set of the 2nd edition has 4 different types of Abomination already, all with subtle differences in their ability. Having picked up the kickstarter of this set, the creators of the game kindly threw in a few more different abominations. However I want a few more still with this pack.
This game is already tough enough. The abominations are never a push over. Randomly selecting abominations from a pile of cards and not truly knowing (in the moment of drawing the Spawn card) is tough. You spawn an abomination and you have an “oh no” moment. You then have another “oh no” when you see the severity with the abomination coming at you. It’s great, you have to enjoy the challenge, otherwise, you get eaten.
King of Tokyo - Duel.
I’m very interested in strict 2 player games these days, due to my present gaming situation. Games that have been designed purely for 2 players in a duelling format, for me, generally have a little edge to them over games that are for more players but can be played with 2 players. The balances should be better.
I also think that King of Tokyo is brilliant fun. A simple, dice rolling monster smash up game. It’s a fast paced game with plenty of action that is over quickly, meaning you can get quite a few games in a short period of time.
The dice features are still the major factor in the game. With the smashing ability. We can still gather our power cubes to purchase monster enhancements. There is a new board which has a couple of trackers on it that you can use for your new avenues to victory.
So I really want to give this latest version a try because there is a little more depth to it than destroying your opposing monsters. There are more avenues and routes to taking a victory which I really am intrigued to try out. From what I have seen, the duel games have not lost the edge of what makes King of Tokyo great. This one really would be a lovely little Christmas pick up.
Aliens - Another glorious day in the corps.
I’m really drawn to cooperative games at present. Playing games alongside friends to defeat the game has a huge appeal. The teamwork and the cooperation required for a common goal to be achieved is hugely satisfying. I also love the ALIEN theme. I watched all the old films as a late teen, it has to be one of the most frightening sci-fi creations to date. It really goes unrivalled.
For me, the greatest film in the series (even now) is ALIENS. The 2nd film in the franchise was created way back in 1986 where Ripley returns to LV426 after the first disastrous encounter. However, returning this time with marines and a different goal in mind. This game goes a long way in recreating that mission, that film and I would love to have a go at it.
From what I can see you, along with your fellow players will take on the role of the marines and have your objectives and have to fend on the onslaught of Aliens. The nerves will be jangling from the off in this game, I just know it.
The game is also published by Gale Force 9 games who have a history of creating games off the back of popular films and TV series. I’ve played the Spartacus board game and it is epic. If this game gets even slightly close to recreating the movie it will be such a treat, and most certainly not for the faint hearted.
