TOP board games of 2025

The year 2025 was absolutely fantastic for the world of board and card games. We saw long-awaited video game adaptations, sophisticated strategies (not just) from Czech authors, and hidden family treasures. The selection was huge and the quality of titles took another step up, so whether you're a veteran spending hours at the table or just looking for quick fun with a beer, last year delivered plenty of joy for every type of player.

To make sure you don't get lost in the flood of new releases, we've selected the best board games of 2025 that passed through our hands at imago last year. For better clarity, we've divided the games into categories – from epic experiences and cooperative hits to ideal pieces for two or the whole family. Come take a look at our favorites that should definitely not be missing from your collection.

For seasoned players

SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

👥 Players: 1–4 ⏳ Playtime: 40 - 160 min

SETI by Czech author Tomáš Holek is one of the most pleasant surprises of last year. This extensive EURO game offers broad tactical options, beautiful production including a unique rotating board, high replayability, and polished mechanics that even demanding players will appreciate. In SETI, you search the nearby universe for signs of life and send probes to planets and moons. When contact with an alien civilization occurs, new abilities and mechanics come into play. It's a top-tier game with an interesting theme.

ARCS: Conflict & Collapse in the Reach

👥 Players: 2–4 ⏳ Playtime: 60 - 160 min

You'll also head into space in ARCS. This time as one of several races fighting others for highly valuable victory points. Combat, expansion, research, and plenty of opportunities to mess with others await you. While ARCS doesn't bring any groundbreaking new mechanics, it combines existing ones in such a fresh way that it feels new. It's a beautiful tactical experience with clear rules that definitely belongs among the best you can try.

The Witcher: Path of Destiny

👥 Players: 1–5 ⏳ Playtime: 45 - 90 min

If you're a fan of The Witcher, this new release will instantly capture your heart. The Witcher: Path of Destiny isn't a complex strategy, but a beautifully crafted card game where you relive famous book stories. The gameplay is accessible and relies on clever card drafting and symbol combinations. It's a visual gem ideal for moments when you want atmosphere without long rule-studying.

Cooperative games

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. – The Board Game

👥 Players: 1–4 ⏳ Playtime: 120 - 180 min

If the mysterious Zone calls to you, the board game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a bullseye. This cooperative game forces you to think about every step because ammo is scarce and noise attracts death. Tense sneaking, throwing bolts into anomalies, and a thick atmosphere that won't let you go await you. Thanks to a sophisticated scenario system, it won't get old anytime soon.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

👥 Players: 1–4 ⏳ Playtime: 30 - 150 min

Slay the Spire is a textbook example of how to bring a digital hit to the table. It keeps the addictive gameplay, adds cooperation, and smart card-upgrading mechanics. Together you climb the spire, tune your decks, and strategize against monsters. It's fast, smart, and extremely fun.

Dorfromantik: Sakura

👥 Players: 1–6 ⏳ Playtime: 30 - 90 min

Dorfromantik: Sakura takes you to a Japanese landscape full of cherry blossoms. Cooperative tile-laying, a new campaign, and beautiful production make this game a perfect relaxing experience. An ideal choice for calm gaming with family or a partner.

For casual players and families

The Sims: The Board Game

👥 Players: 2–5 ⏳ Playtime: 45 - 90 min

The Sims as a board game is an ideal family game and a great gift for fans. Accessible rules, familiar themes, and quick explanations make it a perfect choice for non-gamers and casual play.

Carcassonne 2025

👥 Players: 2–5 ⏳ Playtime: 30 - 70 min

Carcassonne is an ageless classic and an ideal gateway into the world of board games. Simple rules, clever tactics, and endless variability make it a mandatory piece of equipment for every household.

Asterix & Co.

👥 Players: 2–4 ⏳ Playtime: 25 - 45 min

Asterix & Co. is a fast card game ideal for travel or families with children. Trivial rules, familiar illustrations, and light teasing of opponents guarantee fun for everyone.

For two players

Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

👥 Players: 2 ⏳ Playtime: 20 min

This is a dream come true for anyone who spent more time in taverns playing cards in The Witcher 3 than killing monsters. Gwent is finally out as a full-fledged physical game and it's a blast. It's a duel game for two players where you have to win two out of three rounds. It's not just about card strength, but mainly about bluffing and clever tactics to force your opponent to waste their best units. If you love the feeling of throwing a spy on the table or changing the weather, you must have this. It's fast, addictive, and faithful to the source material. More in the review on our blog.

Battle of the Five Armies

👥 Players: 2 ⏳ Playtime: 90 - 240 min

If you're looking for a proper epic experience, Battle of the Five Armies is a must for every Tolkien fan. This asymmetric strategy puts you in charge of the Free Peoples or the Orc hordes. It's a thick tactical battle where every maneuver and the abilities of heroes like Gandalf or Thorin matter. If you love War of the Ring but want something that gets straight into the action and has a slightly faster pace, this will completely absorb you. You could cut the atmosphere at the table with a knife! More in the review on our blog.

The White Castle: Duel

👥 Players: 2 ⏳ Playtime: 20 - 40 min

If you're looking for a strategic hit purely for two, The White Castle: Duel will thrill you. This standalone new release takes the best of the big original and condenses it into a ruthless clan duel for influence in the Japanese court. Don't be fooled by the small box; inside hides a very smart game where every die and every move matters. It's intense, visually stunning, and ideal for couples who like to rack their brains at the table without having to sit there for half a day.

Expansions worth it

Heat: Tunnel Vision

Do you have the base Heat at home? Then you simply need this expansion. Tunnel Vision adds two new tracks, Japan and Mexico, and most importantly, the ability to play with up to seven people! The races are now even more tense thanks to more aggressive bots and new upgrades. If you want more adrenaline on the track, don't hesitate.

7 Wonders Duel: Agora

Do you have 7 Wonders Duel at home? The Agora expansion takes it to the next level. New characters with unique abilities join the fight to help you turn the tide of battle. It brings more tactics and replayability without unnecessarily complicating the game. For fans of the base game, it's a must.

Flamecraft: Academy

If you've already explored the base Flamecraft, Academy is the next mandatory stop. The expansion adds young dragons that you must train to unlock their powerful abilities. The new round board also changes strategy and rewards, so you have to hustle more. With a bunch of new dragons and caves, the game pleasantly increases in complexity and offers new challenges.

author Karel Krajča