2024 has come to an end and as we head into a new year, we thought would be fun to look back at our team’s top picks from the past year. Some were new and some were standbys that we wanted to share with you. Read on to learn more.
The Team
Andrée-Anne: Marketing and Communications Manager, Asmodee Canada. She’s constantly learning about new and exciting games. And she’s already looking forward to introducing her daughter to the world of games.
Julie: Accounting Technician, Next Move Games, passionate about fantasy worlds, with a particular fondness for The Lord of the Rings.
Christopher: Account Manager, Asmodee Canada. He’s a father of two and loves light games.
Emily: Communications and PR Specialist, writer, translator extraordinaire, and grammar pro. Mom of two boys and artist at heart.
Eugénie: Graphic Designer, Asmodee Canada, multi-talented artist and game-lover.
Ian: Assistant Sales Manager, Amodee, Canada. Passionate about games, microbrews, and heavy music, this die-hard collector finds happiness around the gaming table, among good company.
Maxime: Graphic designer extraordinaire, quick as a flash. Father of two wonderful children.
Olivier: Account Manager, Asmodee Canada, lover of Star Wars, miniatures, and all things organized gaming, he’s a real enthusiast!
Tommy: Marketing Manager, Next Move Games, Pokémon fan, and singer. Dad of an incredible collection of Funko Pop and Harry Potter stuff!
Anh-Tú: Game Developer, Next Move Games, passionate about all board games but more specifically deck builders.
Alexandra: Graphic Designer, Next Move Games, talented and creative artist, passionate about video games.
Jean-François: Head of Studio, Next Move Games. Dad of a wonderful daughter. Loves hiking and anything in nature.
Sonia: Marketing Coordinator, Asmodee Canada, board game lover, and mom of three.
Pierre-Olivier: Game Developer, Next Move Games. He combines problem-solving with inventiveness, whether he’s designing game mechanics or tackling the challenges of bouldering.
Isabelle: Marketing Director, Asmodee Canada, ski fanatic, and lover of long hikes in the forest.
Sylvie: A digital marketing specialist and new mom!
Mélina: Event coordinator extraordinaire and mom to a happy little girl.
The Games
Harmonies
Age: 10+ / Players: 1-4 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Anh Tú, Alexandra, Pierre-Olivier, Tommy, Mélina, Emily, Jean-François, Eugénie, Olivier, and Maxime’s Choice!
The Game
In this new board game, combine reflection, strategy, and creativity with involvement and the joy of creating your most beautiful landscape to welcome animals.
Harmonies is more than a game; it’s an invitation to build, explore, and dream.
At the heart of the game Harmonies captivates with its innovative mechanics: 3D landscape creation, tile placement, and pattern development. Each decision impacts the ecosystem you create, offering a deep and satisfying gaming experience.
What the Team Thinks
Anh Tú: “Charming material and beautiful illustrations for a theme that everyone can relate to. I was enchanted by its simplicity, without its lack of depth. It will appeal to young and old alike.”
Alexandra: “Cute animal cards. What else do you need!”
Pierre-Olivier: “Choose tiles and place them strategically on your board to create animal habitats. I’m already convinced. What’s more, you can choose which animals will move into the habitats on your board. Each animal card is unique, and among all the cards there’s one with otters. Well, there’s also the fact that you want to keep replaying the game to experiment with the different ways of scoring points with habitats, blocking your opponents by taking the habitats they need and seeing all the different illustrations on the cards. Did I mention there are otters? A very easy recommendation. A classic to put in your game collection. I’d go so far as to say it’s a must-have for all animal, strategy, and, above all, otter fans!
Mélina: “The harmonies, the quality of the components, the beauty of the artwork, the gameplay… it’s easy to play again and again! Fun for two and solo too!”
Emily: “I really love the theme and the strategy you have to use to attract different animals to your environments.”
Eugénie: “This game was illustrated by Maëva Da Silva, an illustrator I greatly admire. But once I’d bought the game for its cover, I had to play. What a promising game, I thought to myself on my first try. The mechanics of tile placement really appeal to me, and knowing that the strategy is simple but varied is what keeps me hooked. What’s more, it’s easy to learn, which is perfect for those around me who, let’s face it, are a bit picky.”
Olivier: “The surprise hit of the year. Harmonies represents the perfect family game. Easy to learn, hard to master. This game will be remembered for years to come.”
Maxime: “Harmonies is visually stunning. Apart from its very pretty visuals, it’s a game full of strategy, but overall very simple; you take habitat pieces and place them on your board to attract as many animals as possible. I really enjoyed this game, where you have to create habitats for different types of animals, while creating a 3D landscape, even if I don’t always win!”
The Lord of the Rings – Duel for Middle-earth
Age: 10+ / Players: 2 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Julie, Anh Tú, and Alexandra’s choice
The Game
A dark rumour rises from Mordor. The Eye turns to Middle-earth. The hour has come. The Fellowship is reunited. The Heroes prepare for battle. In Duel for Middle-earth, you’ll have to choose sides. Play as the Fellowship of the Ring, prevent the Enemy from gaining ground and destroy the One Ring. Or play as Sauron and send your Nazgûls after Sam and Frodo, spreading your hordes over enemy cities.
What the Team Thinks
Julie: “I was already a fan of 7 wonders duel but now combined with my favorite theme… Let’s just say I was very excited for this one and I was not disappointed!”
Anh Tú: “A little gem that lets us rediscover 7 Wonders Duel, but this time in a world of The Lord of the Rings. The tension is built up over 3 ages (following the trilogy of books), and features different stakes in the saga, each of which can lead to victory.”
Fairy Ring
Age: 8+ / Players 2-4 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Emily, Christopher, Tommy, and Mélina’s choice
The Game
Join the magical circle and let your fairy take you to a world of wonders!
Discover Fairy Ring, the board game that welcomes the whole family to guide fairies and develop a village of enchanting mushrooms.
What the Team Thinks
Emily: “I love the theme. Playing it feels like magic!”
Christopher: “Beautiful materials and colours. Collecting points even when it’s not your turn is cool! A thematic mix of nature and fantasy, attractive and dynamic mechanics, and interesting replayability.”
Mélina: “Fairy Ring is magnificent, and very fun in its mechanics. The mechanics and drafting add an element of challenge and chance to the game. The components and artwork are 10/10, and the addition of the objective variant makes the game more interesting when played several times.”
Pikit
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Christopher’s choice
The Game
Pikit is a game full of surprises, where luck, low blows, and good timing all come together.
Roll the dice, play your cards, and draw from the deck! The concept of PIKIT shines with simplicity yet the game itself is full of surprises! This new, quick and fun game transports players to an epic universe inhabited by imposing Kaijū and impressive Mecha.
Designed to captivate the tactical minds and lovers of twists, PIKIT promises great moments of entertainment, strategy, and interaction.
What the Team Thinks
Christopher: “My 10-year-old daughter’s favorite game this year, and I’ve lost count of the number of times she’s played it. A simple but effective and addictive card game. A fun theme combining Kaijû and Mecha. The equipment and storage are well thought-out. The felt at the bottom of the game box, which serves as a dice track, won us over.”
Play Nine
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-6 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Andrée-Anne and Eugénie’s choice
The Game
Play Nine is the golf themed card game that is perfect for a casual game night. Just like your golf swing, there’s plenty of chance in this golf game with a mix of strategic elements that’ll have your group entertained for hours. With easy-to-learn instructions, you’ll have the whole group playing in no time.
What the Team Thinks
Andrée-Anne: “It’s a simple game that reminds us of the pre-iPhone era, when we’d go to Grandma’s cottage and our rainy-day activity options would oscillate between knitting, making muffins or playing Skip-Bo. It’s the perfect game to take camping, the games are quick and easy, and the fate holds unexpected surprises. I also love the fact that there’s a mobile app… When one of us is away, my boyfriend and I call each other and log on to the app. The game is an excuse to spend time talking, even from a distance!”
Eugénie: “Play Nine, because once our brains are tired from all kinds of strategic games, we sometimes need something more relaxing. Something simple. This game was taught to me by a 7-year-old, and it’s really accessible to the whole family. Perfect for keeping us company we’re sipping a drink in a microbrewery. Since it’s a card game, we take it with us everywhere.
Star Wars™: Unlimited
Age: 12+ / Players: 2 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Olivier, Maxime, Alexandra, Tommy, and Sylvie’s choice
The Game
Enter a galaxy of endless possibilities in Star Wars: Unlimited!
In this fast-paced, easy-to-learn trading card game, players face off in exciting head-to-head battles full of iconic Star Wars characters.
What the Team Thinks
Olivier: “Star Wars Unlimited! The game has been a hit with players, retailers, and collectors. FFG hit a home run with this game!”
Maxime: “It’s a game that hooked me from the start, even before I’d tried it for the first time. After my first game, I wanted to play it again and again. The accessibility of this card game is probably what I like most and what appealed to me most, being the first card game of its kind I’ve ever played. Anyone can play it, and its mechanics of one action on our part, then one action on the opponent’s part makes this game dynamic and full of different strategies each time you play.”
Alexandra: “Game is so fun that I keep playing even though I have a 100% losing streak. Also this TGC doesn’t have any traps or counterspells to cancel your actions.”
Sylvie: “My group of friends loves collectible card games! What’s more, the Star Wars theme, the very interesting mechanics and the possibility of playing in “Twin Suns” mode are big advantages! You really can play UNLIMITED ;)”
Forest Shuffle
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-5 / Duration: 45-60 minutes
Ian, Eugénie’s, and Andrée-Anne’s choice
The Game
Forest Shuffle, a beautifully illustrated, strategic card game for nature lovers and set collection enthusiasts. During the game, players compete to plant the most valuable trees and provide an environment where wildlife will flourish, creating an ecologically balanced habitat.
What the Team Thinks
Ian: “Greenery, animal fur and flying species, but above all, very satisfying massive point combos.”
Eugénie: “Forest Shuffle, because I’m a big fan of strategic and animal games. The very idea that in a game I win via different ways, through an accumulation of cards, makes me really enthusiastic because I am very competitive. Our forest grows as the game progresses, and the clearing empties often, allowing a variety of choices throughout the turns.”
Andrée-Anne: “In Forest Shuffle, I loved the realism of the illustrations, but above all the rapidly multiplying series of combos. Calculating points at the end of the game always reveals surprises, and the new mobile app to help with the counting speeds things up (or at least helps validate my victories against my boyfriend!).
Ticket to Ride: Legacy – Legends of the West
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-5 / Duration: 45-60 minutes
Sonia’s Choice
The Game
Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West finally gives you the chance to step into the story of your favorite train game. You will embark on a journey across twelve games, managing your own North American railway company to wealth and fortune in a campaign full of adventures.
What the Team Thinks
Sonia: “By far the coolest Legacy I have done so far and the quality of story, components and Ticket to Ride-iness is fantastic. Full of surprises, and I love to open boxes to discover every new plot twist inside.”
Skull
Age: 10+ / Players: 3-6 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Isabelle’s choice
The Game
Skull is a quick and tense bluffing game that subtly mixes risk-taking and tactical decisions. Be bold, take risks! With its simple rules, original design, and fun-filled gameplay, Skull will quickly become a staple of your game nights.
What the Team Thinks
Isabelle: “Well, it’s not new, but it’s MY game of the year for evening entertainment and a little gameplay with friends while you wait for dinner! It’s fast and fun.”
MLEM: Space Agency
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-5 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Sylvie’s Choice
The Game
MLEM: Space Agency is a family board game where you step into the shoes of fearless captains of cosmic expeditions. But hold on, these aren’t your ordinary explorers – they’re cats! These intrepid felines have long conquered the Earth with their unmatched bravery, and now they’ve set their sights on conquering the entire cosmos.
What the Team Thinks
Sylvie: “Not only is MLEM a magnificent game in terms of its components, its cats-in-space theme, and its colors, but it also offers a “push your luck” aspect that we love so much with the dice rolls! We’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve shouted ‘To the catosphere!’ while playing this game! We always bring it out on our game nights.”
Let’s Hit Each Other with Fake Swords
Age: 7+ / Players: 3-6 / Duration: <15 minutes
Julie’s choice
The Game
Whether you’re a fan of knights, pirates, or ninjas, or just want to hit your friends and family, this is the game for you! Let’s Hit Each Other with Fake Swords is easy to learn, fast to play, and hilarious to watch. Bring it to your outdoor events, family game nights or anywhere else you need to settle disputes between adults.
What the Team Thinks
Julie: “In my family we are all fans of Exploding Kittens and everything they have done. It was a no brainer that we were going to play this one a lot.”
Survive The Island
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-5 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Sonia, Emily, Christopher, and Andrée-Anne’s choice
The Game
Suspense! Adventure! Thrills! Who will make it out alive?
Your expedition to discover the treasures of the island is going great, until you suddenly hear rumblings and tremors all around. The island is now slowly sinking into the sea. That’s your cue to leave with as much loot as possible! You won’t be safe until you’re back to land. Other crews of adventurers are trying to escape as well, and they don’t seem willing to let you board the few available rafts. Flee the volcanoes and creatures lurking underwater or deep in the forests, but above all, beware of the other explorers… and remember: survival knows no rules!
What the Team Thinks
Sonia: “A really great surprise of strategy and take that! Laughed the whole game through and that is exactly what you want in a game!”
Emily: “A fun, cutthroat little game that is easy to play but keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
Christopher: “Family game, suitable for all audiences, strategy and lightness guarantee good times with family and friends! A new edition that adds Kaijû 😉 that’s the big plus of this new edition.”
Andrée-Anne: “I have to admit that I really enjoyed this simple game, which can be played quickly and in which you can choose between saving as many of your survivors as possible or… preventing your opponents from saving theirs. Vengeance and fun are the order of the day on the cursed island ;)”
Splendor Duel
Age: 10+ / Players: 2 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Isabelle’s choice
The Game
Splendor Duel is a 2-player game with unique and innovative mechanics. Confront your rival guild in a race for victory. Take Gems and Pearl from the common board, and gain royal favors and prestige!
What the Team Thinks
Isabelle: “I’m still very hooked on Splendor Duel… offers great moments of relaxation for two, and it’s perfect for holidays.”
Star Wars™: Bounty Hunters
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-6 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Maxime’s choice
The Game
In Star Wars™: Bounty Hunters, players are elite bounty hunters pursuing targets across the galaxy. Team up with the right allies and purchase the droids you need at the Jawa market. Capture the most wanted targets to become the best bounty hunter there is!
Zero-downtime gameplay: Bounty Hunters is played simultaneously by all players. Whoever has the most prestige points at the end of the game is the winner!
What the Team Thinks
Maxime: “A game combining action, strategy, observation and sabotage. I really like the fact that you pass your cards from one round to the next, so you never really know what you’re going to have in your hand, but you can outwit your opponents by taking the cards they need before they get to them.”
Captain Flip
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-5 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Mélina’s choice
The Game
Captain Flip is a game of obvious simplicity explained in less time than a cannonball shot. On your turn, draw a tile from the bag. You like it? Keep it! You don’t like it? Flip it! Then place it on your board to form your crew. Captain Flip offers an immediate, fun, and subtle gaming experience.
What the Team Thinks
Mélina: “Simple to play and understand. It’s fast, family-friendly, and has several different levels that make for interesting replayability.”
Perspectives – Blue Box
Age: 12+ / Players: 2-6 / Duration: 60-120 minutes
Anh Tú’s choice
The Game
In Perspectives, each player holds key information in the form of photographs, reports and other clues. Work together, share your information and solve the three investigations that are waiting for you to solve.
What the Team Thinks
Anh Tú: “An unusual type of investigation that requires us to make deductions based on images and a list of questions. Imagine receiving a few frames from a comic strip/graphic novel. You have to reconstruct the chronology and manage to retrace the thread of the plot. I love its originality!”
Monkey Palace
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Sylvie’s choice
The Game
A long time ago, an impressive palace was erected in the Jungle. It lay abandoned for many years, until a monkey moved in. One day the Monkey accidently removed a brick from the palace and the whole palace collapsed! Now it’s up to all of you to rebuild the Monkey Palace. Compete against each other while you help the Monkey rebuild the LEGO® Monkey Palace in this innovative and strategic building board game. The winner is the player with the most Banana Points!
What the Team Thinks
Sylvie: “LEGO® elements, a little monkey, a fun building mechanism to earn points. What more could you want? 🙂 This game is now part of our evenings out with friends and family!”
And that’s it! You now know the games that captured the hearts of the Asmodee team in 2024! We hope we’ve inspired you to try a few! And if any of them catch your eye, find it at a retailer near you by clicking here!
Wishing You a Happy and Play-Filled 2025!