Gen Con 2024, the annual gaming convention, brought together gamers, designers, and publishers for a weekend of excitement and new releases. This year’s event showcased a wide array of games, from light family games to heavy strategy titles. As a seasoned attendee of Gen Con, I had the opportunity to explore many of the new games on offer and here are my top 10 favorites from the convention.
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Rock Hard 1977: Rock Hard 1977 by Devir stood out as the best game at Gen Con. Designed by Jackie Fuchs, a former member of the Runaways, this game immerses players in the world of 1977 rock music. Balancing fame, gigs, and the temptations of the era, players navigate the challenges of the music industry in a worker placement game with a unique theme and mechanics.
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River of Gold: Asmodee’s River of Gold is a light Euro game set in the Legend of the Five Rings universe. Players collect resources and build along a river, delivering goods to customers and strategically moving their ships. With quick turns and simple choices, this game offers engaging gameplay for all levels of players.
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Let’s Go! to Japan: Let’s Go! to Japan from Alderac captures the essence of traveling in Japan, with players planning a trip to Tokyo and Kyoto. Designed by Josh Wood, this game combines set collection mechanics with time management, as players try to make the most of their seven-day journey. The beautiful artwork adds to the thematic experience of exploring Japan.
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Little Alchemists: Czech Games‘ Little Alchemists is a lighter version of the popular game Alchemists. With seven chapters introducing new rules and twists, this game offers a midweight experience with a companion app for tutorials and storytelling. Perfect for players looking for a strategic but accessible game.
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Faraway: Pandasaurus‘ Faraway has garnered attention for its innovative gameplay where players lay cards in reverse order. As travelers exploring a path, players must plan their moves carefully to navigate the consequences of their actions. While the iconography may be complex, the gameplay itself is engaging and strategic.
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Nova Roma: 25th Century’s Nova Roma combines worker placement, area control, and contract fulfillment in a game set in Byzantium. Players compete to build the city, utilizing a unique action selection mechanism that adds depth to the gameplay. With variable strategies and player interactions, Nova Roma offers a rich gaming experience.
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Tower Up: Monolith/Pegasus‘ Tower Up is a simple yet strategic game of tower building and scoring. Players place tower pieces on the board, aiming to create tall towers with matching colors for maximum points. With fast turns and interactive gameplay, Tower Up is a great addition to any game night.
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Life in Reterra: Avalon Hill’s Life in Reterra is a tile-laying game with variable sets of buildings and cards, offering high replayability. Players draft terrain tiles to create their tableau, focusing on building terrain areas and aligning symbols for bonus points. With strategic decisions and diverse gameplay options, Life in Reterra provides a satisfying gaming experience.
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Vale of Eternity: Renegade Games‘ Vale of Eternity is a light card-drafting game where players summon magical creatures and manage their card limits. With a focus on resource management and card effects, players compete to earn points and emerge victorious. The game’s quick pace and competitive elements make it a great choice for casual and experienced gamers alike.
- Fairy Ring: Asmodee’s Fairy Ring is a light family game with strategic depth. Players navigate a tableau of mushroom cards, strategically placing their fairy tokens to score points and outmaneuver opponents. With engaging gameplay and interactive mechanics, Fairy Ring offers a fun and challenging experience for players of all ages.
Overall, Gen Con 2024 showcased a diverse range of games, from thematic experiences to strategic challenges. With innovative mechanics and captivating themes, these top 10 games stood out among the crowd, offering something for every type of gamer. Whether you’re a fan of worker placement, tile-laying, or card drafting, there was a game for everyone at this year’s convention.