King Of The Dice: Your Crown Is Lonely And It's Your Fault!
You made it: you’re finally the King! You sit content in your castle and look out over your wonderful kingdom. Green meadows, high mountains and clear rivers stretch as far as your eyes can see... but one thing is missing from your kingdom: citizens! Nobody's home. You're a king seating on a comfy throne with zero subjects to rule.
What do you do? You do what any desperate monarch would do. You start shouting about the merits of your kingdom to whoever wants to listen. Rich snobs, grumpy dwarves, crazy gnomes, orcs who just want a hug, fairies, sorcerer's apprentices, basically anyone with a pulse. The catch? The good citizens are not easily convinced. They want proof. They want dice. Your dice, because you are the King of the Dice!
On your turn you roll six dice, up to three times, keeping whatever you like between rolls. Land the combo a citizen card asks for, and they pack their bags and move in with you. Some want pairs, some want colors, some want a run of numbers, some just want you to roll low or high enough. Nail it and sometimes you even unlock a whole new village to go with your new neighbor. Miss? That's rough, but you don't have the time to sulk. You grab a penalty card instead, lose a citizen from the lineup, and move on with your dignity slightly dented.
It all wraps up the moment one piles runs dry. Then everyone counts their points, well we do, don’t worry about it, and the kingdom with the most points wins bragging rights.
King of the Dice is mean enough to make you yell at a six-sided die like it personally betrayed you. Which, let's be honest, it probably did.
https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=kingofthedice
We would like to thank Nils Nilsson, the game designer, and the good people from Habermaass GmbH & Co. KG, the publisher, for rolling the dice with us and letting us add their game to the platform. We are also glad that habermassdevelopment rolled this great BGA port: thank you!
This was your Wednesday release.
Remember that a kingdom is only as good as the dice that built it! Take care and pay fair…
Paladins of the West Kingdom: The Kingdom Awaits
The Kingdom is in trouble. Despite recent efforts to develop the city, outlying townships are still under threat from outsiders. Vikings are sweeping across the land, taking everything they can get their hands on. Saracen scouts are probing the borders, and the Byzantines are never far behind. Villages need protection, faith needs restoring, and the King's patience is wearing thin.
And guess who's been handed the job of saving the day? You. Well, you and a handful of paladins. Welcome to Paladins of the West Kingdom! No pressure…
Set around 900 AD, in West Francia, this deep strategic adventure puts you in charge of gathering workers, recruiting useful townsfolk, and building a reputation worthy of the King's attention. You'll have seven rounds to make your mark. Build outposts and fortifications, commission monks and confront outsiders to achieve your goals.
Each round, and there are seven of them, you'll choose a Paladin to lend a hand and gather workers from the Tavern to complete the King’s Orders. It’s fast-paced but you can make it even faster with Criminals. They can be surprisingly useful, acting as wild workers. But each one brings a Suspicion card and when the Inquisition kicks in, you might get in trouble…
You'll need to balance your resources, plan your engine, and keep an eye on your rivals as everyone competes for the best opportunities. Complete the King's Orders, build your reputation, and squeeze every last Victory Point out of your seven rounds.
So, sharpen your swords, recruit your crew, and try to keep your conscience clean. The kingdom needs heroes. Preferably solvent ones.
https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=paladins
We would like to thank S.J. Macdonald and Shem Phillips, the game designers, as well as the architects from Garphill Games, for letting us add their game to BGA. And let’s take a moment to thank TagGerr for the platform’s version.
This was your Monday release.
Stay vigilant, guard your reputation, settle your debts before the Inquisition comes knocking. Take care and play fair…
Answer the Call of Board Game Afterwork
Another week, another stack of new games on the table!
From the depths of the Amazon rainforest to neon-lit worlds, monster-filled encounters and uncharted seas, discover five games and expansions ready to take your next adventure to a whole new level.
Here we go!
Nature - Amazon Rainforest Expansion
Discover the mysteries of the rainforest, where surprises are concealed behind every leaf in the canopy. Defend against predators with deadly Poisonous skin, use Powerful Jaws to take down larger prey, or evolve Climbing to access fruit high in the trees. The Amazon Rainforest Module for Nature is now live on Board Game Arena! NorthStar Game Studio is running a contest to celebrate. More details here. Thanks to Dominic Crapuchettes, the game designer, NorthStar Game Studio, the publisher, and BanBan for the BGA port.
Pick a fighter in the neon-soaked streets of the future, chain your fist and kicks combo, zero your opponent’s health bar before they blink. Neon Reign is a fast-paced arcade brawl for 1 or 2 players where gloating is highly encouraged. Two thumbs up for Aaron Hein and Manny Trembley, the game designers, as well as the Neon Knight Games’ team and let’s not forget Kayvon & Mogri for their BGA adaptation.
Attack your opponents to steal their cards. Defend against players who target you. Collect enough cards to declare victory. Survive and be the last player standing! Wreck them before they wreck you. Everything else is just bragging rights. A tip of the hat to Tabbassum Qumer, the game designer, to Iconiq Studios, the publisher, and to Kayvon & Mogri for the BGA version.
The Arctic Ocean is nearly ice-free, and a group of homeless white bears has climbed aboard the black bears' isle. Cute bears, cutthroat island. The ice is gone, the real estate is tiny, and nobody's sharing. Whoever's bear sits on top owns the rock... until the island sinks beneath them. Adorable chaos, no mercy. Let’s raise our glass, no ice, to Yi-Ching Chen, the game designer, to HEYBYE GAMING, the publisher, and to Richardzenn for the BGA port.
Five nations, one lawless port, zero rulers in 7th Sea: City of Five Sails. Just docks, duels, and daggers hidden behind pretty smiles. Assassinate the leader, seize the city, or out-scheme everyone to the top; the city doesn't care how you win, only that you do. We salute Tom Brown, Robert Croy, Case Kiyonaga, Case Lopez and Chris Medico, the game designers, as well as the Pine Box Entertainment’s crew and Eddie Mittelstedt (aka BugShop) for the BGA adaptation.
Let’s not forget Point City and Rivals that were released on Monday and Wednesday!
Next week's lineup is already brewing. In the meantime, take care and play fair…
Rivals: Seek and destroy!
The year is 3229, and mankind has conquered the Milky Way, but the threat of conflict between clans is very real. The future of humanity is at stake and there's only one way to save your clan and your skin: win. Welcome to Rivals!
To prevent an all-out war, the Network, the supreme political council, has created the Wildtech: an ever-changing arena where each clan sends its champion, an Ashak, to fight for its future.
You are one of these champions. Your mission? Survive and claim victory. But don't get too comfortable: the Wildtech is constantly shrinking, and the ground beneath your feet can disappear at any moment!
Move across the arena, explore new tiles, collect crystals and resins, and use them to build up your abilities. Discover new cards, upgrade your deck, and get rid of the ones holding you back. The right combination can turn an ordinary Ashak into a formidable weapon…
You’ll want to make your opponents’ lives as difficult as possible: launch physical, psychic or explosive attacks, hack enemy drones, raise shields and use special abilities. Just try to stay one step ahead.
There are two ways to win: be the last Ashak standing or be the first to score 5 Rivals Points. Eliminate an opponent, negotiate with a sponsor or gather enough resources. Every route to victory is worth considering, and every turn could change the outcome of your fight.
Your clan is counting on you. The Wildtech is waiting. What will it take to become its champion?
https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=rivals
Thanks to Léonard Ebel, Sami Jaafar, Baptiste Roux and Maxime Schio, the masterminds behind the Wildtech, and to Unkind Games, the clan bringing the game to life, for letting us welcome their arena to ours. And thanks to LeSteffen for making the BGA port happen!
This was your Wednesday release.
The Wildtech is waiting. Your opponents are ready. Your clan is counting on you. Take care and play fair.
Point City: Build it, Shape it, Own it!
There was a time when it was fun to build something out of nothing: a blanket fort, a carton box spaceship, a tree house… There was an “I made it myself” rush, where what mattered was that it was truly yours and that it was yours. You know the feeling.
Point City brings that feeling back. Watch your metropolis grow, card by card, turn by turn. You're laying down roads, markets, and civic buildings that all connect and work together. Every card you draft matters. Every building you construct opens new doors for what comes next. It's a satisfying momentum, the same kind rush you had when your blanket fort was complete.
But the tension is real: the market is shared and that card you had your eye on can be grabbed by another player, putting your progress in jeopardy. Should you take the safe pick, or gamble on the unknown top card of the draw pile? Should you flip a row of resources hoping for something better, or play it safe with what's already there? These small decisions add up fast, and the tension rises as high as your skyscrapers.
Your choices shape a city that's uniquely yours. It doesn’t matter if you're chasing civic tokens, stacking permanent resources, or just trying to out-build your opponents, there's a genuine sense of ownership in what you create.
Whether you choose to learn the game, play solo or against up to 3 opponents, you’ll need to draft your cards, build your dream, and see just how far your city can grow.
https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=pointcity
We want to thank Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin and Shawn Stankewich, the game designers, as well as the Flatout Games’ team for letting us add their game to the platform. And let‘s take a minute to celebrate the work of Tchobello and their BGA port.
This was your Monday release.
It is now time to lay that first brick. Take care and play fair...
Board Game Afterwork, the post SPIEL recovery pill!
Last week, we were in Essen attending SPIEL, meeting with so many of you, and having a great time. Thank you!
Let’s be honest, we are tired after such a big fair, but… we’re still going strong and another batch of new games just hit BGA. Let’s go!
Awkward Guests: The Walton Case
You and your fellow investigators have been summoned to the Walton Mansion: Mr. Walton has been found dead in his study! Interrogate, question, examine, and search in this card game of mystery and investigation. Will you be the first to solve the mystery? Thanks to Ron Gonzalo García, the game designer, to Megacorpin Games, the publisher and Miranda89 for the port on BGA.
Chu Han is a two-player, trick-taking, climbing and shedding card game consisting of multiple hands set in ancient China. Can you outmaneuver your rival to found a new dynasty? Our gratitude goes to Thomas Lehmann, the game designer, as well as the Matagot clan, the publisher, and tchobello for the BGA version.
Conduct your own symphony of strategy by training elite musicians and curating the perfect repertoire to captivate your audience. Out-compose your rivals in this tense, rhythmic battle to earn the loudest applause in the concert hall. We bow to Sébastien Datiche and Cyrille Sellier, the game designers, to Open Your Eyes, the publisher, and to Moof for the BGA adaptation.
Let’s not forget that we had a couple of great games that were already released this week. We hope you enjoyed Take Time and Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo.
This was just this week's batch; more is coming next week. In the meantime, take care and play fair…
Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo – Draw steel, show no mercy!
Time seems to hold its breath. The tension rises as the flames, far in the distance, light up the landscape.
Welcome to Rokugan, a land of quiet beauty and fierce tension. Here, samurai live and die by a code older than memory, bound to one of seven Great Clans whose rivalries run deeper than any river.
Every alliance is fragile, every insult is remembered, and every battlefield is soaked in blood as much as in poetry. This is the world of Legend of the Five Rings, and Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo plunges you straight into it, immersion guaranteed.
The ancient stronghold of Toshi Ranbo sits at the heart of a war no one can afford to lose. You'll take on the role of daimyō for one of the seven clans: Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Scorpion, or Unicorn. Your mission is to think faster, build smarter, and sometimes fight harder than every other player at the table.
Recruit legendary heroes, draft order cards to fuel your clan's engine, build shrines and camps, and watch your handful of troops grow into a force capable of holding the field.
Gunsen is an asymmetric area-control strategy game where the paths to victory shift from game to game. Will you rush straight for Toshi Ranbo and plant your banner there, master every noble action to claim victory, forge alliances with three villages, or simply outduel a rival in one decisive clash of dice and steel?
When battle breaks out, the tension is real. So, ready to draw your katana and write your own legend?
https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=gunsen
Thank you to Ben Rosset and Matthew O'Malley, the game designers, and the Office Dog clan for bringing the Great Clans of Rokugan to tables everywhere. And thanks to LeSteffen for allowing daimyōs worldwide to fight for the fortress city on BGA.
Take Time: Time itself is testing you!
You and your friends are staring at a clock, armed with nothing but twelve face-down cards and the fragile hope that you understood each other on the BGA chat. That's Take Time, nominated for and recommended for several awards, and it's going to test you and whoever you’re playing with in the best possible way.
Take Time is a cooperative game where players work together to pass various tests, and win or lose as a team. To succeed, you must strategically play twelve cards face-down around a clock, following the special rules given for each test. The twist? Once you pick up your cards, you can't write or say another word. Nothing but the raw placement of a card to say "trust me" or "I've got this." It's communication stripped down to its purest, most nerve-wracking form.
For your first game, start simple. Clock 1, Chapter 1. Nail it, move to the next. Clear all four clocks in a chapter, and the next one's waiting for you.
And if you fail? That's not the end, that's the story getting good. Sit back, talk through what went wrong, figure out what you'd do differently, and go again. The best teams aren't the ones who never fail, they're the ones who come up with a better solution.
Working through the various tests is a learning process, and it can take time (bad pun intended). You'll need to know when to push through and when to step back. This means learning when it's worth retrying a failed test, and when it's better to skip it and move on. Above all, be patient. With yourselves. And with each other. In the end, you might surprise yourself with how much progress you make.
Whether you're racing through "Awakening" or chasing the mysteries of "Rebirth," Take Time rewards patience, intuition, and the quiet magic of a team that just gets it.
https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=taketime
Let’s take a minute to thank Alexi Piovesan and Julien Prothière, the game designers, as well as the good folks from Libellud for gracing us with their game. Let’s also salute the work and effort from dharf and BoucleMed for their port on BGA.
This was your Wednesday release.
Take time to enjoy this wonderous journey from start to finish! Take care and play fair…
Wait? What?? Board Game Afterwork is here!?
That means it's Fridayyy!!!
It may feel like things have come to a stop this week with the largest boardgame convention in the world happening in Germany right now, but that’s not the case for many of us, so we’re keeping the momentum going!
You can’t resist the call of the sea and have to explore the world of Catan through a series of scenarios. Embark on an epic journey and set sail into the unknown. Rough waters, pirates and dense fog won’t stop you from going after that alluring gold and those precious resources. Our thanks to Benjamin Teuber and the late Klaus Teuber, the game designers, as well as Catan, the publisher, and darhf for the BGA port.
Ahh, the Swiss Alps… The slopes are covered in snow, and the sun shines high in the sky. Everything is ready to ensure that tourists flock to your lodge. Everything? Not quite. Draft room tiles and place them on matching floors to attract guests to your lodge. Accommodate them on their preferred floors and construct amenities to keep them happy. Our gratitude goes to Peter McPherson, the game designer, PickPocket Games, the publisher, as well as Kayvon and Mogri for the BGA adaptation.
a-way
Are you ready to compete in the legendary spaceship race to the Quazarys galaxy? Begin in your own base, which, coincidently, is your opponent’s finish line. Race through solar paths, stations, directional arrows, and strange space phenomena. On this ever-changing track, clever navigation is just as vital as raw speed. We bow to Benjamin Niess, the game designer, Blue Orange, the publisher, as well as Moof for the BGA version.
We also released Luthier and Labyrinth this week but you might have seen these already.
Some of the games above can be played with two players and are a perfect fit for the BGA Battle. Have you joined a team yet?
More games are already lined up for next week and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Luthier: Stradivarius in the Making!
Imagine the smell of fresh maple filling your workshop. Outside, the streets hum with 18th-century Europe, where a single note can change history. You're a luthier, and your instruments are about to become the soul of the grandest concert halls.
In Luthier, you're building more than violins or cellos, you're crafting a legacy. You'll start with a simple workbench and a dream, but soon, the greatest composers of the era will be knocking on your door.
And here's how you make your mark.
First, win the hearts of your patrons, you need support to thrive. Take on commissions, handle repairs, and deliver masterpieces to keep them happy. But make a patron wait too long, and they'll take their funding to a rival family.
As your reputation builds, your family of artisans will expand, growing your influence. Juggle resources, master complex plans, and refine your craft to stay ahead of the competition.
Finally, seize the spotlight. It's not just about the instruments; you'll also need to show off your work through performances. The goal? Claiming a "First Chair" in the orchestra. When the music starts, your instrument needs to define the entire performance.
Whether you're tuning strings or managing your workshop's frantic pace, every decision ripples through the symphony. Grab your chisel and train your apprentices. Let's see if you have what it takes to compose a masterpiece. Will you catch the ear of royalty, or will your instruments remain in the shadows?
https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=luthier
Our thanks go to Dave Beck and Abe Burson, the game designers, as well as the team from Paverson Games for crafting the game and letting us add it to the platform. We'd also like to thank c12h22o11_ for their BGA port.
This was your Wednesday release.
May your melodies linger long after the final bow. Take care and play fair…
