It is hard to believe that 2022 is here! I think most people are happy to say goodbye to 2021, and for good reasons. However, I believe 2021 was a great year for board games. So many great games have come out and are coming out. So many in fact that most all of my 2022 anticipated games are actually technically 2021 releases that either haven’t been widely distributed yet or I haven’t gotten a copy of yet.
With that in mind, I am happy to present my most anticipated games of 2022:
10. Cascadia
I have largely overlooked Cascadia over the last year simply because it looks too abstract for my taste. However, I can’t stop hearing good things about this game. So, for that reason alone I think I am going to have to break down and give Cascadia a try. Stay tuned!
9. Silver & Gold
Phil Walker-Harding is one of my favorite designers, and we have really enjoyed his latest flip and write called Super Mega Lucky Box. I am looking forward to finally getting a chance to play one of his older designs, Silver & Gold.
Many people regard this as their favorite roll and write, so I am looking forward to seeing how it lives up to that hype.
Knowing Phil, it most certainly will!
8. Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write
I love Dinosaur Island and I cannot bring myself to invest in Dinosaur World, even though it is likely a superior game. However, the roll and write game that was released alongside Dinosaur World has me intrigued.
I look forward to giving this one a go!
7. Museum: Pictura
I have no experience with the previous Museum game but when I saw they were coming out with a new version about running an art museum, I immediately placed my preorder. My wife is an art teacher and art museums are one of her favorite places to be. In addition to that, set collection is also one of her favorite mechanisms. I am really hopeful that she will love this game. Fingers crossed!
So after learning more about the game and reading that it was one of the definitive negotiation games, I knew this would be one we would have to try out as a family. I am really looking forward to getting a copy of this game!
6. 7 Wonders: Architects
There have been so many rave reviews about the new “lite” version of 7 Wonders. Many people have said it is a great welcoming family game. It appears to have amazing components with a very simply set up. That is music to my ears.
I look forward to trying this one out with the family soon!
5. Almadi
I have seen so little about this game and I am not sure why. It doesn’t appear to have had a wide release yet, but the Dice Tower reviewed it quite a while ago. Tom loved it. It is a tile placement game with shades of Alhambra, which is one of my wife and I’s favorite games to play together.
I really look forward to finding a copy and trying this one out!
4. Aqua Garden
I am really sad I missed this Kickstarter game because it has some of the most amazing wooden components I have ever seen – tropic fish. We are huge fish fans (my wife and I’s dream job was to become a marine biologist) so this game is a must have for me. Unfortunately it is extremely hard to find and unclear if it will have another Kickstarter or retail release.
Here’s hoping it gets enough buzz!
3. Maglev Metro
I’ve been smitten with this game ever since the Dice Tower reviewed it earlier this year. The components are phenomenal. I really enjoy route building games as well. However, this one seems much crunchier and I am really looking forward to trying it out.
Mind the gap!
2. The Great Wall
Mark my words – this will be the first miniature game I ever purchase. And maybe the last. This Awaken Realms game intrigued me immediately when Tom Vasel began talking about the theme. I love ancient Chinese culture, and I love a game that is competitive with cooperative elements. This game is just coming to backers in the US (and unfortunately I missed this one too).
I am biding my time for a reasonably priced used copy, but….This. Game. Will. Be. Mine.
1. Ark Nova
This game has received so many rave reviews, including a 10/10 from Tom Vasel of the Dice Tower. I immediately placed a pre-order after watching their review.
One of my favorite games of all time is Terraforming Mars, and this game looks like it will scratch that itch and more, with the highly enjoyable theme of running a zoo on top of that. I always loved playing Zoo Tycoon on the PC and am really looking forward to getting my copy of Ark Nova.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this list of the Top 10 board games I am looking forward to playing in 2022. Check back to the site later this year for an update on where I am at with this list and my thoughts on whether these games lived up to the hype.
Until then, happy gaming!