Best Kickstarter Board Games Right Now (2024)

Yearning for a tabletop adventure that doesn't involve bankrupting your loved ones on Boardwalk? Welcome to the thrilling world of Kickstarter board games, where innovation meets cardboard and creativity explodes in a flurry of dice and delightful miniatures. Forget the mass-produced monotony of retail shelves – here, passionate designers are crafting unique experiences that will have you strategizing, storytelling, and maybe even sculpting the occasional dragon meeple (because who doesn't love a good meeple?).

This guide is your portal to the hottest Kickstarter board games currently setting the crowdfunding scene ablaze. So, grab your credit card (responsibly, of course!), dust off your game table, and prepare to embark on a journey through the wildest, wackiest, and most wonderful tabletop game concepts the internet has to offer.

The Witcher: Old World

If you're looking for a deep, immersive board game experience set in the world of The Witcher, then The Witcher: Old World might be for you. This Kickstarter success promises action-packed adventure, tough choices, and unique mechanics, and it mostly delivers.

Don't be intimidated by the mountain of cards, boards, and counters – at its core, the goal is simple: be the first Witcher to snag four trophies. These trophies come from slaying beasts, besting other Witchers in duels, or mastering your character's skills.

The game can be played solo or with up to five players, each controlling a Witcher from a different school. Each turn is divided into three phases: moving around the map, exploring locations and triggering events, and finally, deckbuilding.

Nemesis Lockdown

Nemesis Lockdown turns up the paranoia as you fight for survival in a monster-infested underground base on Mars. Think Alien meets The Thing - you'll question your crewmates' motives just as much as you fear the evolving alien threat. Each round brings tough decisions: will you cooperate to complete objectives, or exploit weaknesses and betray your team for personal gain?

The ever-changing environment throws its own wrenches in the plan, with hazards like fire and toxic slime adding to the chaos. Nemesis Lockdown is a tense, cinematic experience that thrives with more players, but be prepared for a learning curve. This isn't your average board game; it's a plunge into paranoia and desperate choices, perfect for those who crave a thrilling sci-fi horror adventure.

Trekking the World: A Globetrotting Board Game

Trekking the World is a board game where you become a globetrotting adventurer, collecting souvenirs and visiting famous landmarks. It's a race to become the most seasoned traveler, and you'll score points by completing souvenir sets and visiting destinations on giant map cards. These cards even have interesting facts about the locations on the back, inspiring you to travel in real life!

The game keeps things fresh with a variable setup. Each time you play, you'll draw new "Journey Cards" that change the rules in fun ways. Plus, it only takes 3 minutes to set up, so you can jump right into the adventure.

This is a sequel to their popular Trekking the National Parks game, but it's a whole new experience. The designer has taken what players loved about the first game and streamlined it for a smoother, more exciting adventure.

Down To Hell — The Board Game

Down To Hell is a board game inspired by classic hack-and-slash video games. You can choose from four unique heroes, each with their own special attacks and abilities. The game can be played cooperatively or solo, so grab your friends or go it alone as you battle your way through hordes of monsters and epic bosses.

Down To Hell isn't just a button-mashing experience. You'll need to plan your moves carefully, using a priority token system to determine turn order. The game also features a unique resource system - spend vitality points for powerful attacks, but be careful not to leave yourself vulnerable.

The modular board means every game is different. Explore uncharted territory, fight on special tiles that grant advantages or disadvantages, and discover hidden pathways. Monsters spawn constantly, keeping you on your toes, and bosses all have their own unique attack patterns to learn.

Sanctuary: The Keepers Era

Sanctuary: The Keepers Era offers a variety of ways to play, so you can find the experience that's right for you. Challenge a friend to a head-to-head duel, team up for 2v2 battles, or embark on a solo campaign to test your skills. There's even a deckbuilding mode that allows you to customize your army for ultimate strategic depth.

Choose from six different Keepers, each with their own thematic deck and special mechanics. The game uses a positional placement system, so you'll need to carefully consider where you deploy your cards to best defend your sanctuaries and attack your opponent.

Outta Our Shells: The Card Game To Get To Know Each Other

Feeling awkward at social gatherings? Wish family game nights were more engaging? Outta Our Shells is the cure for those blues! This super simple card game helps you shed your inhibitions and get to know the people around you better.

Outta Our Shells uses a unique three-deck system to create a fun and dynamic experience. The Fortune Cards set the tone and provide conversation prompts, while Question Cards help you discover new things about your fellow players with a mix of funny, thought-provoking, and personal questions. Cat or Rat Cards add a layer of playful competition, giving players choices that reveal their personalities and spark even more conversation.

FAQ

Do Kickstarter backers get money back?

Kickstarter itself doesn't offer refunds. When you pledge to a Kickstarter project, you're essentially pre-ordering the product and supporting the creator's vision. If the project reaches its funding goal, the creator is responsible for fulfilling rewards to backers. However, creators can choose whether or not to offer refunds for individual cases.

What is the success rate of Kickstarter projects?

The success rate of Kickstarter projects varies depending on several factors. However, studies show that roughly one in three projects on Kickstarter reaches its funding goal.