Top Ten Most Anticipated Games for 2025 - with Mike DiLisio

[@SmoothGummi]

You mentioned that you like Pickup and Deliver, did you try Mistwind? Gorgeous game and a cool action selection system. I was surprised that Wendy was the only one who reviewed it (besides Sam in the Northwest Annex) Also, really surprised by your #1. I’m a Kickstarter backer and feel like I’m the only one talking about it.

[@WhiteBandicoot]

Really looking forward to Wroth. I know it's divisive but I love the colour and it's mine and the groups first foray into area control games so will be nice to have a simple one to delve into that can be easily taught. The dice drafting and different factions look like it will be fun and interesting with lots of player interaction.

[@GleasonE]

I backed Corps of Discovery after you previewed it- I’m also excited for this to come in!

[@ObsidianKnight90]

I'm looking forward to several Solo Board Game of the Month games (The Cursed Castle, Mech Bunny, and Small Time Heroes) as well as Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era which should be delivering soon.

[@tabletalkreviews]

Looks like it's gonna be another good year of games!

[@MeganDixon-vi8xe]

Storm Raiders arrived at my house 2 days ago- excited to play :)

[@SmoothGummi]

@@MeganDixon-vi8xe Snap. Where are you from!?

[@MeganDixon-vi8xe]

New Zealand and you?

[@SmoothGummi]

@@MeganDixon-vi8xe Ah, no wonder :) I’m waiting patiently in the US

[@MeganDixon-vi8xe]

@@SmoothGummi won't be long :)

[@scottfrench7466]

I’m really looking forward to Ultimion in the Oniverse line of games

[@thaalmor8451]

Salami is definitely the one I’m waiting for 😄

[@CamObscura88]

Neat list! Somehow we have no overlap. Elder Scrolls, Dice Throne Missions, Wastelandia, Deep Regrets, One Hit Heroes, DCeased, Power Vaccuum, TMNT Unmatched, Sea Beasts, and of course I Made You a Mixtape are top of my list!

[@bruceschwering5919]

Power vacuum is great

[@kuiperkineticliterature7586]

I’m always interested in trying new games by younger up-and-coming designers, which is why my most anticipated new games of 2025 are Ratzia, Nyakuza, Botswana, Money!, and Merchants of Amsterdam. Cult of the new!

[@alansingh8890]

Well played.

[@CAPITALR]

a great list!

[@michaelbaxter7452]

It is sad that even when these games come out it will still take long to get to specific countries

[@bruceschwering5919]

Sweetland looks great. Love to try it if the table could handle two people.

[@MrJmarzetti]

Hey Mike, I just saw a 2025 release teased recently you may have put lower on your ranking, Furnace Duel ...an official 2 player Furnace game. There is not much on BGG about it yet, but I am very intrigued!

[@2532robh1]

Rebuilding Chicago is on my list.

[@PieInSkyGuy]

What would happen if Mike D was sitting on a crowded train with one empty seat next him. Suddenly Shem Phillips and Reiner Kinizia stroll past. Does Mike D A.) blushing with excitement offers Reiner the seat? B.) Offers it to Shem? C.) Stands up and offers the seats to both? Getting Got, he heads to the standing section confident he’s honored the Gods properly?

[@WilliamOfUrnge]

I REALLY want to play Sweet Lands and now I'm curious about Emberleaf... Super pumped for Zoo & More!

[@tiagomarques9822]

I am kind of surprised that Santorini: Riddle of the Sphinx doesn’t show up in your list. It’s delivering now, and I’m really looking forward to play this solo puzzly version of Santorini (as well as the Pantheon Deluxe Edition of the original game.

[@coolworld8039]

Because it has one of the most ridiculous names ever. It is like saying "Hawai: Legend of Mount Everest". If you use the name of the aegean island for profit at least share some truth about it.

[@tiagomarques9822]

@ I believe there are plenty of ridiculous names out there, and that a ridiculous name (if you wish to call it that) does not a bad game make.

[@coolworld8039]

I do not see where I mentioned something about the game play. If you use the name of the famous island you might as well provide some accuracy. Otherwise name it something else. The name is ridiculous and the models of the buildings are fictional and cheap representation. Do not let me start on other things as the grass around the buildings. They have taken the top parts of churches, the blue tops that are from churches are heavily connected to the people and the country. They have used them altered in the models, as the top of regular buildings. It is like taking the top of the pyramids of Egypt and putting some regular apartments for the rest of the building. Garbage.

[@tiagomarques9822]

@ You said “Because (…)” in response to me being surprised at the game not being in Mike’s list. I’m sorry you feel that way about the game, but not everyone is as picky as you are about that specific part of the game, and I do believe Mike would like the gameplay, even if not the historic/cultural/architectonic accuracy. Do dislike the game as much as you want, but please don’t try to make other people feel that way just because you do.

[@coolworld8039]

Where exactly did I try to convince others about the game? Maybe you should use your own advice and let others deside for themselves. I never said to anyone do not buy, do not play or stay away from the game. I simply expressed accurate points. It is a fact that the game exploits the name of the island and cultural facts about it just for profit. Facts.

[@RynoKenny]

Thanks for this list, Mike! No trick-takers?? I’m personally excited for Eternal Decks and Torch

[@jbringas9582]

Happy New Year Mike! I too am looking forward to Sweet Lands. Is it as good solo as with multiplayer? Are the mechanics mostly the same? I’m thinking about putting in a late pledge for this as well as an order for Ostia. Thanks and may the Dice Tower have its strongest year in 2025!

[@hamakakun]

here im just excited waiting the fulfillment of ascendency and tidal blades 2.

[@timnickerson5389]

I'm looking forward to Emberleaf and Keyside

[@toddadair3651]

Looking forward to The Old King’s Crown in 2025!

[@robo3007]

I find it hard to get excited about new IPs until I've played them, but I'm really excited to get a chance to play Leviathan Wilds 2nd edition and Above and Below: Haunted!

[@therealBocaStudios]

You mean new worlds and themes..or just an IP

[@robo3007]

@@therealBocaStudios Just the IP... i.e. not a re-implementation of a game that already exists.

[@remconet]

Not a fan of IV Studios. Their games look great, but are really overpriced.

[@nshaw1299]

I call such games 'boutique games'. If a game could never be purchased due to limited availability or really high price - is it really a game?

[@MichaelAW17]

Good production comes at a price.

[@nshaw1299]

@@MichaelAW17 100$+ games aren't 'good production'. It's a pricy creation (usually also with good production). People can create pricy creations in many areas - Gaming, Clothing, Furniture... Really anything... But it's a statement that this is not for everyone even if they like it. Should games be designed, from the get-go, not to be for everyone even if they like them? (I know it's totally subjective 'when is something too pricy'... but... 100$+ for a board game is that statement for sure IMO)

[@a-c-m]

The annoying thing about it is that a lot of the money paid for their games goes into marketing. They always spam the internet with ads on KZbin or other channels. Not great knowing that we have to pay for this excessive spend with high prices for their games.

[@PieInSkyGuy]

@@a-c-mthat’s interesting to know. I happen to have the YT Red and am unaware of commercials. It does help explain the high cost of their games.

[@lystic9392]

Only two of my incoming games are on this list ^_^

[@TheErnieforss]

How did i miss storm raiders

[@Lordborg909]

LOVE seeing Arcs sitting behind you Mike. What an awesome game

[@friendofdavid1423]

Arcs was just a reskin of a hundred other games we've all seen already. The hype was fake! That's why it's presently dropping like lead in the Hot 50 on BGG. Some people love it, sure, but like me, many people think they've been had.

[@tyswu]

I want to be on your attention Mike 10:02

[@ShuffleUpandDeal32]

No trick taking games again?

[@cmtworker]

You Mean veiled fate of IV studio.

[@shayneharris9132]

Surprise of the video = The Elder Scrolls

[@yardene3426]

Fun list! But no way Floe comes out in 2025.

[@beyOndzZz]

unmatched: the witcher

[@BurntBreadIsAwesome]

Subnautica 2 and GTA 6 not being on the list

[@aherosquest4536]

Why did you leave the Dice Tower, Mike? Your presence will be missed immensely.

[@thedicetower]

I didn't leave! I'm just not in-studio as often because I moved for a period of time to Indiana for family reasons.

[@KissellMissile]

Last five years have been really weak and I think there have been very few memorable releases. I'm not convinced that lack of creativity won't continue but we shall see.

[@friendofdavid1423]

PLEEEEEEASE! No more space-themed games! For the love of God .... STOP!!!!

[@Deltium5683]

Too many light games here…Dice Tower will just not advocate for heavy games at all. Why??

[@SmoothGummi]

@@Deltium5683 They have reviewed tons of heavy games.

[@Dalethegoose]

@@SmoothGummithat being said light games are easier to get to the table, quicker play and with dice tower output there might be a bias towards light and medium weight games.