New Releases: December 2020
A lot of fantastic games came out this year, and we have been keeping our finger on the pulse of this stream of new games in order to keep our stock of modern hobby tabletop games fresh with all the hottest releases! This list will help anyone who needs to do some last minute holiday shopping for the board gamer in their life, or for anyone who needs to treat themselves after surviving this difficult year.
Some of these games are of a higher complexity and are geared more towards those of you already familiar with modern games. If you’re looking for recommendations of simpler games that are fun for the whole family, check out our Holiday Gift Guide: 2020 Edition!
Pandemic Legacy: Season 0
Ages: 14+
Players: 2-4
Est. Length: 45-60 Minutes
Design: Rob Daviau, Matt Leacock
Illustration: Dan Gerlach, Monica Helland
Publisher: Z-Man Games, Inc.
Designed as a prequel, Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 does not require you to have completed Season 1 and Season 2 before diving into this Cold War spy thriller. As in the first two Pandemic Legacy games, each time you play brings new cards, rules, and conditions that affect future games. Each alias you create will gain contacts and other assets to execute your plans more smoothly. And, of course, the CIA will be watching and evaluating your performance in the field. Work together with your fellow agents to prevent this new bio-threat — the fate of the world depends on it. Can you save humanity once again?
—description from the publisher
Star Wars: Unlock
Ages: 10+
Players: 1-6
Est. Length: 60-90 Minutes
Design: Cyril Demaegd, Jason Little
Illustration: Mercedes Opheim
Publisher: Space Cowboys
Unlock! is a co-operative card game inspired by escape rooms that uses a simple system which allows you to search scenes, combine objects, and solve riddles. Play Unlock! to embark on great adventures, while seated at a table using only cards and a companion app that can provide clues, check codes, monitor time remaining, etc.
Star Wars: Unlock! uses the Unlock! game system to send you on three new adventures full of ships, droids, and action!
—description from BoardGameGeek
My City
Ages: 10+
Players: 2-4
Est. Length: 30 Minutes
Design: Reiner Knizia
Illustration: Michael Menzel
Publisher: KOSMOS
My City is a competitive legacy game in which you develop a city on your own playing board through the ages.
The game consists of 24 episodes, beginning with the development of a city in its early preindustrial stages and progressing through industrialization. During each game, players customize their experience by adding elements to their personal boards and adding cards to the game. Players' choices and action made during one session of gameplay carry over into the next session, creating a personalized gaming experience.
—description from BoardGameGeek
Catan: 25th Anniversary Edition
Ages: 14+
Players: 2-8
Est. Length: 15 Minutes
Design: Klaus Teuber
Illustration: MIchael Menzel
Publisher: Catan Studio
Celebrate 25 years of Catan! Catan: 25th Anniversary Edition contains the Catan base game, the Catan: 5-6 Player Extension, the Helpers of Catan scenario, special iridescent anniversary wood pieces and dice, resource card sorting trays, and card sleeves.
Dragomino
Ages: 5+
Players: 2-4
Est. Length: 15 Minutes
Design: Bruno Cathala, Marie Fort, Wilfried Fort
Illustration: Maëva da Silva, Christine Deschamps
Publisher: Blue Orange Games
The big moment has arrived. You have been named "dragon trainer", and you have the chance to meet them on a mysterious island. But you are not the only trainer sent to these lands. Who among you will discover the most baby dragons?
The Kingdomino family is expanding with Dragomino, a version for children who are going to go in search of dragon eggs.
—description from the publisher
Scooby Doo: Betrayal at Mystery Mansion
Ages: 8+
Players: 3-5
Est. Length: 25-50 Minutes
Design: Banana Chan, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Brian Neff
Publisher: Avalon Hill Games, Inc.
Based on the award-winning Betrayal at House on the Hill board game, Betrayal at Mystery Mansion is the mash-up fans have been clamoring for!
Play as Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, or Fred as you explore the mansion and its grounds, finding clues, encountering strange occurrences, and maybe even catching sight of a monster!
Betrayal at Mystery Mansion contains 25 new haunts based on popular episodes and movies from the Scooby-Doo oeuvre, with different monsters, items, events, and locations each time you play.
—description from the publisher
Marvel Champions
Ages: 14+
Players: 1-4
Est. Length: 45-90 Minutes
Design: Michael Boggs, Nate French, Caleb Grace
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Do you ever have that desire to be a super hero in the Marvel universe? Well, thanks to the Marvel Champions board game, you can do exactly that. This is a cooperative game that allows you to play with 1 - 4 players competing against a villain from within that universe.
This is a card game that is mid-weight in its complexity. There are quite a few rules to navigate, but with the abundance of online resources, you'll have plenty of help getting up to speed and ready to play your first game. It plays well at all player counts, and the amount of time it takes will increase with each additional player. [Read More]
Editor’s Note: Okay this one technically came out last year, but new content for this game came out this year so we’re counting it!
All of these games, and many more, are available for purchase right now at Hitherto*. Games, as well as the rest of our merchandise, can be purchased online for curbside pickup on our Online Store.
We also have a large demo collection in the back of the store, if you’d like to try them before you buy.
If you love any of these games and would like to find others like them, just ask one of our team members for a recommendation!
We wish you all a safe and wonderful holidays and New Year. Happy Gaming!
*Subject to availability
