7 must-buy board games in 2023

Now that 2023 is here, it’s time to look forward to the future board games that will be released or arriving in the year ahead.

Every game on this list has something about it that makes it worth celebrating, whether it be that it is the next installment of a famous series, linked to a notable IP, made by a skilled creator, or loaded with fun gameplay mechanics.

Here are seven of the most anticipated, must-buy board games in 2023, including a number of new series making their debut.

Horseless Carriage

Published by Splotter, a Dutch board game publisher, Horseless Carriage is a board game for three to five players that challenges players to create the largest automotive empire they can during the 19th century.

Since the switch from horse-drawn to automobiles is still in its early stages and the public is unsure about the safety of these new innovations, players must take on the role of budding businessmen and convince potential customers of the benefits of horseless carriages despite their skepticism.

Horseless Carriage is available now (Shopee/Splotter) at a retail price of €84 (S$119).

7 Wonders: Edifice

A highly-anticipated expansion to the famous 7 Wonders — 7 Wonders: Edifice maintains the same level of complexity and play time while introducing a new strategic element to the game’s gameplay. Buildings that players construct for their civilizations can be finished to win rewards.

Since this new expansion is cooperative, players must work together to build the structures. Players can choose to disregard them and construct their cities on their own, although doing so will result in penalties if others manage to complete their structures first.

7 Wonders: Edifice is available for pre-order at US$29.99 (S$39.40).

Hollywood 1947

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Hollywood 1947, true to its name, is a social deduction and light strategy game set in 1947 during the golden age of Hollywood. Players are set to work in a small production company in Hollywood.

However, the studio is believed to be home to spies who secretly insert “un-patriotic” themes into the films. Will players have enough time to produce enough movie masterpieces before the studio is closed? Or will they be accused of it themselves and be expelled from the industry?

Hollywood 1947 is now available to be backed on Kickstarter and will be delivered worldwide in December 2023.

Arborea

Fans of Studio Ghibli, get excited! Arborea, a beautiful new board game revolving around woodland spirits has arrived. Players are referred to as Patron Spirits, and are tasked with restoring and enhancing the landscape around them.

In order to entice the magical creatures of the earth to return to this once-burgeoning area and dwell in it, the goal is to build thriving ecosystems around the village.

Arborea is now available to be backed on Kickstarter and will be delivered worldwide in October 2023.

Pollen

Players are encouraged to create a lush garden of beautiful blooms in order to attract helpful pollinators to their favourite flowers in this abstract tile-laying game.

They have to lay tiles in the right spots so that the insects pollinate their flowers instead of their opponents’. At the end of the game, players can stand a chance to show off the best garden.

Pollen is available for pre-order at US$39, and the estimated shipping date is in April 2023.

Fit to Print

Each participant in the tile-laying game Fit to Print assumes the position of editor-in-chief of a small-town newspaper. It is their responsibility as editor-in-chief to gather news items, images, and advertisement space, and to organise them into a fair and engaging front page for the readers.

The first page is the individual player board, and each of these components is a tile. Players will arrange these tiles in accordance with a set of rules over the course of three rounds in an effort to collect the most points.

At US$29, Fit to Print is available for pre-order now.

Gussy Gorillas

A strange group of gorillas known as the Gussy Gorillas works to keep one another looking presentable and well-groomed. These apes clean each other’s fur by removing dirt and other debris from all areas.

In this type of monkey business, reciprocation is expected and rewarded! In order to gain the esteem of their fellow primates and receive the golden banana of triumph, a player must acquire the most diverse and exotic collection of groomed products.

Gussy Gorillas is now available to be backed on Kickstarter and will be fulfilled worldwide in December 2023.

There is no shortage of options, whether you’re looking for a new family favourite or something to spice up your upcoming party with friends. The days when Monopoly was the most intriguing item on the menu are long gone. Play away!

This article was first published in Geek Culture.

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