The board gaming world is buzzing. Three upcoming titles—Cyberpunk 2077: The Board Game, Iliad, and Revenant—are poised to revolutionize the pastime. They are much more than rolling dice or moving pieces. They’re rich, immersive tales with innovative mechanisms and deep strategic potential. Are they the year’s most anticipated board games? Let’s look further into it.
Cyberpunk 2077: The Board Game – Real-Time Chaos in Night City
Night City is coming to invade your tabletop. As one of the most anticipated board games this year, Cyberpunk 2077: The Board Game brings the dark, neon-drenched universe of the video game to the tabletop as a real-time experience. Players take on legendary characters like V, Jackie, and Judy in an alternate history where Konpeki Plaza never got raided. Rather, players create their own legend through missions that are divided into rounds.
What makes this game special? Its real-time mechanics. Throughout each round’s action phase, combat is rolled for on dice, skill cards are played, and actions are taken. The twist is that everything occurs while under the pressure of a timer. Skills such as hacking (in terms of RAM), crafting, and brute force are all linked to a particular card that becomes more powerful as players level up their skills. The tension is palpable! Every moment counts as the clock runs down.
The cooldown period provides a respite wherein players reinforce their equipment or abilities prior to plunging once again into anarchy. And don’t forget the app integration option! It provides voiceovers and music for additional immersion. This combination of real-time action and tactical cooldowns guarantees that no two games are ever the same.
For the tabletop player who loves European-style games, Cyberpunk 2077 offers something different. It takes real-time play and meshes it with Eurogame-style strategy. It’s a bold approach that promises good things for advanced entertainment, whether you are old-timers or newbies.
Iliad – A Mythological Duel of Strategy
If you’re craving pure strategy wrapped in mythology, then the Iliad might be your next obsession. Designed by Reiner Knizia, this two-player tile-laying game pits Achilles against Hector in a battle for divine favor—or brute dominance.
The game involves symmetrical sets of tiles of power 1 through 5. Players add tiles in columns or rows to compete for success tokens that either score points or gain favor with one of five gods. The Dolos tile, representing cunning, adds a level of deceptiveness because it copies neighboring opponent tiles.
Winning is twofold: securing the support of all five gods or obtaining the highest score. The two-win requirement means tough decisions. Do you seek divine approval or destroy your opponent’s score? The pressure never ceases as each tile play alters the balance of power.
The first of Bitewing Games’ Mythos Collection, Iliad establishes the foundation for the mythological confrontations to come. Its simple yet refined design makes it an excellent choice for quick but heavily strategic play. This will surely make it a favorite among players who appreciate competitive head-to-head action. Most importantly, it is also the reason it is on our most anticipated board games of 2025 list.
Revenant – Galactic Politics Meets Worker Placement
If sprawling strategy games are your thing, Revenant delivers in spades. Set in a politically fractured galaxy, this worker placement game combines tableau building with hidden influence mechanics to build an intricate web of alliances and betrayals.
Players ally themselves with noble houses, sending improved workers (cadets) to perform actions like resource collection, ship improvements, or defending fleets against Voidborn enemies. The board is divided into sectors in which house ships vie for dominance—and victory points are based on your loyalties to said houses.
What makes Revenant unique? Its hidden influence system leaves players in doubt until the end tally. Some memberships are visible on the board, but others only become known during endgame scoring—a mechanic that introduces tension into every decision.
The game’s design encourages indirect player interaction. You cannot directly attack opposing players but can command house fleets to put enemy ships in harm’s way. This “organized chaos” creates sustained tension as allegiances shift and strategies are adapted.
Visually stunning aspects add to the experience, with double-layer boards and detailed ship designs that immerse players in its space environment. For those who prefer heavy strategy games like Voidfall, Revenant offers a faster experience without sacrificing depth.
Why Do These Most Anticipated Board Games Of 2025 Matter
These three games illustrate how board games are pushing boundaries in the realm of storytelling and mechanics. Immersive storytelling plays a vital role in this. From Night City’s gritty streets to Iliad’s mythic battlegrounds and Revenant’s interstellar conspiracies, all three games offer a deep world to lose yourself in.
New Mechanics:
- Real-time play (Cyberpunk 2077)
- Dual-win conditions (Iliad)
- Hidden influence systems (Revenant)
Strategic depth is also present. Through means of tile-laying or worker-upgrading, these games demand careful thought.
Are We Seeing A New Era for Board Games?
Are these the most anticipated board games of 2025? By scope and imagination, they definitely earn the right. Whether you’re a seasoned player or simply having a go at tabletop adventures, these games promise unforgettable experiences.
So gather your friends—or frenemies—and get ready to immerse yourself in Night City chaos, Iliad’s epic battle of gods, or Revenant’s cosmic battle of power. Which one will you vanquish first?