Obviously, I haven’t tested all the new games released in French in Quebec this year. Far from it. I still have a few left to put to the test.
That said, I’ve tried really, really many of them (I’m at around 115, and counting…) in order to recommend the most interesting of them to you each week in this weekly column. Today, I’m choosing only 10 to establish this distinguished, personal and highly subjective list of my favorite games of 2024.
Every Sunday in December, I published a new fun list of games grouped into various categories. Read to find the titles you will like!
So let’s go with my favorite board games among those released in French in Quebec in 2024, presented in no particular order. Please note that they are not all available in stores at the time of writing these lines.
Carpenters of the North Sea — Second Wave
The completely redesigned reissue of North Sea Carpenters has given birth to a brilliant game of cards and resources, great solo. This optimization puzzle invites you to collect iron and wood and then recruit workers to build a fleet of ships in the Viking era. To get there, you must make the most of the six small cards and the meager loot you have in hand. I love the challenge of this excellent game in which we enjoy doing a lot with very little. For 1 to 5 intermediate-advanced players aged 14 and over. Duration: 45 to 80 minutes. Price: $85
*****
Trekking Through History
Even before it came out, I knew I was going to love it Trekking Through History! This colorful and intuitive game takes you back in time to relive great moments in human history. To do this, you carefully collect and align event cards from the past, in chronological order. This light, satisfying, informative and time-free game deserves to be in the collection of all game enthusiasts, history buffs and families in general. For 1 to 4 beginner-intermediate players aged 10 and over. Duration: 30 to 60 minutes. Price: $50
*****
The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth
Duel for Middle Earth is a true masterstroke, a lesson in playful elegance. Variation of the classic 7 Wonders Duel suitable for sauce Lord of the Ringsthis game exclusively for two players makes you choose cards (using a sublime selection mechanic), build known locations and expand your armies across Middle-earth. Beautifully illustrated by master Vincent Dutrait, it is simply perfect for pairs of players of all levels. For 2 intermediate players aged 10 and over. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes. Price: $45
*****
The board game World Wonders (Asmodee Canada)
World Wonders
If you like the history and architecture of Antiquity, World Wonders is probably for you. First, it’s worth it just for the look. Indeed, it proposes building small wonders of the world “in 3D” (think of the Parthenon, the pyramids of Giza and Machu Picchu, etc.) in the heart of an ancient city. You get there through an ingenious system of purchasing buildings, whose shapes are reminiscent of pieces of Tetris. An engaging tour de force in which every trick is rewarded! For 1 to 5 intermediate players aged 10 and over. Duration: 45 to 75 minutes. Price: $60
*****
Faraway
In eight short turns, the rapid Faraway forces you to make captivating and impactful decisions in highly dynamic games. The principle is very simple: you choose and play eight cards from left to right. Then, at the end of the game, you score their points in reverse order, if you have respected the conditions of the chosen cards. Really easier said than done! I love this amazing concept that requires you to plan backwards. Easy to learn, this colorful and timeless card game provides a pleasantly counterintuitive challenge. For 2 to 6 beginner-intermediate players aged 10 and over. Duration: 15 to 30 minutes. Price: $30
*****
Unmatched Adventures: Untold Chronicles
The amazing Unmatched Adventures: Untold Chronicles takes over the competitive fighting game system Unmatched to make it an exciting cooperative version in which players face strange creatures together. Together, up to four surprising heroes (including Nikola Tesla!) compete with the Butterfly Man or Martians. This game of formidable quality, colorful and highly thematic surprises in a beautiful way with a clever variation of its proven recipe. And now you can play it solo too! For 1 to 4 intermediate players ages 9 and up. Duration: 20 to 60 minutes. Price: $85
*****
The board game Dune Imperium: Insurrection (Lucky Duck Games)
Dune Imperium: Insurrection
The epic Dune Imperium: Insurrection immerses us in the world of the film Dune: Part Twoby Quebec filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. It is a ruthless fight for control of the planet Arrakis, for control of the spice Melange and for the defense of the Fremen people. This card game and placement of worker figurines on the board takes up the essentials of its predecessor (Dune Imperium “basic”). In addition, it adds new characters, spies, contracts and — above all! — sandworms that can turn the tide of a game. Insurrection quickly aroused the same passion that I already had for its predecessor. For 1 to 4 (or 6) advanced players aged 13 and over. Duration: 60 to 120 minutes. Price: $100
*****
Harmonies
The cute one Harmonies is a delightful treat intended for those who like games that are both smart and light. Here, you shape natural landscapes by stacking small colored wooden tokens, with the aim of attracting wild animals. However, you must choose wisely the territories you build and the beasts you invite there in order to maximize your points. Quickly learned and quickly played, this charming puzzle truly has the power to appeal to all audiences. For 1 to 4 beginner-intermediate players aged 10 and over. Duration: 30 to 45 minutes. Price: $50
*****
The River of Gold
The River of Gold was a pleasant surprise for me. Behind its serious, solemn and complicated appearance, its gleaming bodywork reveals well-oiled mechanics that are much simpler than they appear. Each round – friendly and rich in rewards – goes at a brisk pace. Simple (but never childish) actions make sense, the objectives to aim for are clear and the pleasure of achieving a good success is often felt. Without forgetting the tray with a noble and distinguished design, prettily decorated with a shimmering golden river. For 2 to 4 intermediate-advanced players aged 14 and over. Duration: 60 to 90 minutes. Price: $65
*****
The board game Birds of Paradise (Origames)
Birds of Paradise
Bird watching has never been so quick and fun! In Birds of Paradiseyou photograph birds with multicolored plumage nestled in your tree. You have three actions per turn to attract them from the clearing or the jungle, take their portrait, add your photos to your notebook and publish your works. Easy to understand and enriched with superb drawings by a biologist and illustrator, Birds of Paradise takes you into a delightful and immersive ornithological world. Another nice surprise for the year 2024! For 1 to 5 beginner-intermediate players aged 12 and over. Duration: 30 to 60 minutes. Price: $60
HEARTBREAKING HONORABLE MENTIONS…
What heartbreaking choices I had to make to put together the list above! So much so that other excellent games among my favorites were unable to find a place there. Never mind, I’ll give you a few words…
- Boop: Who would have thought that a feline war for dominance over a comforter would be so adorable and full of tension? For two players, Boop is a clever fusion of checkers and tic-tac-toe in a full contact formula!
- Windmill Valley: A few more games and he undoubtedly earned a place in my official list. Plant tulips in the Netherlands, build windmills and turn gears to choose your actions; what candy!
- Wyrmspan: A variation of the famous avian card game Wingspanthis time with dragons. A great success which rivals its ancestor in mastery.
- Norbois Strongholds: My favorite single player game this year. Behind his childish drawings hides a fascinating game of tricks… in solitaire!
- Path of Civilization: Game after game, this card and board game that develops your own civilization seduced me with its dynamic turns and multiple strategies.
And you, what are your favorite games of 2024? Tell us which ones and why in the comments section at the bottom of this article.
Note: these games were provided free of charge for our tests by the distributors Asmodee Canada, ÎLO, Pierre Belvédère and Randolph, who did not receive any right to review the content of this article.
