Most Anticipated Family Games of 2024

Selecting the best games for the family to enjoy can be hectic. Depending on the size of the family and the level of  The board games are exciting, mind-challenging and a source of fun for the whole clan. The entire household also gets to bond over frenzied action as part of the fun within family board games.

With 2023 becoming one of the best years for family board games, this year promises a lot in store for us. New board games are making their debuts, upgrades are on the way, and classic versions are making a comeback. In short, 2024 has a lot to offer, and here is our list of the top family games to expect.

5. Skyrise

Skyrise is a fun board game with a Monopoly-like theme in its gameplay. However, the Skyrise concept is different as players act as visionaries, helping develop an ancient Victorian-like city. Each player’s goal is to build the best possible city by proving their brilliance in planning and execution.

As Skyrise puts it, the mayor enlists your services as visionaries to help plan and build. Each player, therefore, gets a role in the planning, building, buying and selling parts of this great city.

In reality, the upcoming game is much more about city economics and helping the mayor run it. For instance, drawing a card may mean you get to auction or buy a site for the city. Another draw could mean courting patrons to invest in parts of the city. All-in-all, Skyrise brings an interactive angle to city planning with fun till the final scores.

4. Galactic Renaissance

The Galactic Renaissance is another highly anticipated multiplayer game with a political theme centered around space exploration and colonization.

Inside the gameplay, players rely on building their deck of cards as a way to beat opponents. Each game session takes on two to six players, each controlling their character and building their team to reign supreme in the galaxy. Winning and controlling planets is a key mission since resources guarantee you more points toward your objectives.

What ensues is fun gameplay, with players aiming to explore new planets and discover lost civilizations in the universe. In essence, the game works by drawing cards, where each player takes a build-up of their deck of cards before playing.

Each card played can result in either discovering a new system or the addition of a new specialist to your team. You can also draw a card to expand your territorial influence by either building new embassies or occupying lost civilizations. Once a player reaches 30 points, they are declared the winner.

3. Undaunted 2200: Callisto

Undaunted has built a reputation as one of the finest streamlined war-board games up to this point. The game series has adopted a war-like setting revolving around a World War II setup. Inside the game, players would battle against each other in intense World War II, with each card draw determining their fate.

However, 2024 sees Undaunted reach new heights by upgrading into a science-fiction setup. The new version takes place in the Jovian Moon Base of Callisto where outer space mining takes place. Protests later erupt, with corporations and individuals fighting for control of Callisto turning into anarchy.

Your role is to play a part in the remaining population fighting for the bleak resources scattered around Callisto. Together with your crew, you also have to fight off the hired private security brought in to quell the violence. Part of this fight also includes the giant mining machines repurposed into fighting robots against the remaining population.

For each scenario, you can choose to team up with two or four players and play across the game-illustrated map. The solo mode is also an option, but it lessens your chance of survival as you will have no backup against enemies in space.

2. Age of Rail: South Africa

Another fantastic introduction to family games is Age of Rail: South Africa. As the name suggests, Age of Rail is about a cross-country train adventure where multiple players compete through cards. Players take turns collecting train cards or tickets and building routes from where they earn points.

At its core, players act as railway pioneers, expanding the train network by building railroads across the map. You can also sell your railway shares to rival investors as a means of expansion. Selling the railway shares gains you points on the scoreboard. In addition, you also receive investors’ backing, guaranteeing your railway project funding.

The goal of each player is to collect points to claim a lucrative route since it guarantees you more points. Lucrative routes help improve your train economy, earning you extra points for connecting two distant cities. Each card draw will, thus, mean you either get a chance for more cards, claim a new route, or auction your shares.

1. Captain Flip

If the whole clan is a fan of sea adventure, you would want to get them to try out Captain Flip. The game is a new entrant set to debut soon in the gaming scene, offering players a simplistic sea exploration adventure across oceans.

Inside the adventure, players lead the main characters, Captain Flip and his crew of nine, across the oceans. The crew’s adventure takes them across the vast oceans, where you lead them to explore new lands for resources. Part of the adventure also includes taking on enemy ships and plundering their coffers. Side quests could also see the hunting of secret treasures from islands on the map.

In reality, the multiplayer game features two to five players with a 20-minute playtime. Each player takes a turn drawing a tile from the bag to determine their next move on the board. If the tile suits you, you get to keep it rather than play. However, if not, you can flip your tile and use it to form part of your crew’s resources.

So what’s your take? Do you agree with our most anticipated family board games of 2024? Which of the choices can't you wait to lay your hands on? Let us know what you think through our socials here.