USD ($)
EUR (€)
This week we’re bringing you a list of the hottest new games seen at Gen Con to make sure you didn’t miss out on some incredible releases, sold-out indies, and the top titles for the coming year.
I’ve picked some of my favourites from the new titles that had attendees talking, and we’ll be keeping an eye on their shipping statuses to let you know when stocks return!
Photosynthesis by Blue Orange Games
Photosynthesis sold out with over a thousand copies on hand at GenCon 2017. We already ear-marked Photosynthesis in our top most anticipated games at GenCon for its elegant and understated approach to resource management, but in case you missed it here’s how a unique design and uncluttered gameplay captured something special for attendees:
Photosynthesis is a brand new game from Blue Orange Games where up to four players plant seedlings and compete to absorb the most sunlight to grow their trees far above the canopy. When they reach the end of their cycle the trees can be harvested for victory points, but players have to be tactical about where they choose to grow: striving for the richest soil and trying not to be caught in the shade.
Photosynthesis is designed around the life cycle of the trees, and as the sun moves around the board players have to compete to reach the most light. Yet despite the relaxing theme and soft visual style the game looks set to be considerably competitive, and experimenting with different tactics and planning ahead will be vital if you want the sun to shine on your efforts.
Tactical challenges balanced with a clear concept, stunning aesthetic simplicity and straightforward mechanics mean it’s no wonder that Photosynthesis stole the show at Gen Con.
Ex Libris by Renegade Games
Renegade Games launched their own ‘bestseller’ in Ex Libris, where players compete for the title of Grand Librarian by curating the rarest and most esteemed of library collections. Ex Libris won attention with it’s beautiful art style at attention to detail, with 152 book cards each bearing over 500 unique book titles. Up to four players compete to create the most extraordinary library, each with their own secret focus in mind, sending their personal assistants after the most lucrative leads.
However players need to stay wary of the Mayor’s Official Inspector if they have any hope of impressing, and with banned books and alphabetical filing systems to juggle it’s going to be a close competition for the prestigious title of Grand Librarian.
Who will hunt down the rarest of tomes, and whose scrolls will turn to dust? Ex Libris seems to have us all scrambling for a copy.
Go Nuts for Donuts by Daily Magic Games
Go Nuts for Donuts is the product of another Kickstarter board game success story which had Gen Con attendees salivating for more. Similar to games like Sushi Go, Go Nuts for Donuts is based around the idea of the ever-coveted donut box: sitting, tempting you, in office meeting rooms and party buffets everywhere – but who will get their sticky hands on the donut they wanted?
Up to six players can compete to eat as many donuts as possible, combining cards and using special actions to score the most points. Jelly Filled donuts score more points for being collected together, meanwhile Red Velvets let you pick any donut from the discard pile for the price of a single point at the end of the game, and so on.
Each card features deliciously adorable art, and the unique abilities for each donut go a long way to give this game some strategic fun that your family could enjoy. Go Nuts for Donuts isn’t reinventing the wheel but it’s not stale either, so with mouth-watering art and short and sweet gameplay it might just be worth the risk of setting your stomach rumbling.
Century: Spice Road by PlanB Games
Century: Spice Road released in the US back in June, and has been giving Splendor a run for it’s money in the collect-and-trade resource management game market. PlanB’s newest game brings players to barter and trade their way to victory in the exotic bazaars of the spice road. Players take on the role of caravan merchants, trading cubes, coins, and cards to attain the rarest of spices with easy-to-grasp turn actions which reveal real depth as you continue to play.
With gorgeous art from Fernanda Suárez and piles of colourful cubes which arrive packed in their own spice bowls, Century: Spice Road delivers on quality as well as appearance. Century: Spice Road has pitched itself as part of a trilogy of games, each standalone yet also compatible with one another to create a trifecta of trading and cultural history.
PlanB have explained their plans as “each title is set in different centuries, from the 15th to the 17th, and depicts the major trading systems and routes of these eras”. It’s an ambitious and appealing idea, and if the Century Trilogy can deliver on the same quality of beautiful art and seamless gameplay we’re sure this won’t be the only year PlanB drum up excitement at Gen Con.
Helen Jones is a writer, journalist and games enthusiast, you can read more of her stuff @BarnacleDrive on Twitter or follow her blog StoryFirst.