Welcome back to the Gaming Shelf , io9 ’s roundup of tabletop gambling tidings , liberation , update , and cool crowdfunding hunting expedition — focusing on sci - fi and phantasy games , typically . These retiring dyad of weeks were really big on miniatures games — from the novel encounter dress for world-beater of War to build - it - yourself mech suits on Tiny Epic Mechs . Here are some of the highlight we spotted for the workweek .

News and Releases

Pre - orders are now available for Mantic ’s longsighted - awaitedKings of War : Vanguard . fund onKickstarterlast twelvemonth , Vanguard is a two - player miniatures game position in the same fantasy universe as Kings of warfare — only this time , it ’s a bit more accessible for new players , intend it ’s low clash instead of all - out state of war . They ’re designed to be played as one - off missions , but Vanguard is also compatible with larger B. B. King of War games .

USAopoly ’s later Harry Potter macrocosm board game , Fantastic Beasts : Perilous Pursuit , waspushed backfrom its ask August 2018 release date but is expected to follow out shortly . Players take on the function of Newt Scamander , Tina or Queenie Goldstein , or Jacob Kowalski , collecting sets of dice to assist them return all the wolf to Newt ’s grip before Muggles get wind of them . When it ’s released , it ’ll cost just under $ 30 .

Tiny Battle Publishing ’s blot out scheme gameZombie Waris currently uncommitted for pre - order . It ’s a orotund - exfoliation war biz where , on the brink of the zombie apocalypse , player take on unlike social part to attain target that are save unavowed from the others . For example , you could be act as corporation trying to protect swop center ( for their own interest ) , or as zombies looking to taint metropolis . Everybody is at endangerment of jockey the others over , and no one is dependable . Zombie War is arrange to come out later this calendar month .

Argentina’s President Javier Milei (left) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., holding a chainsaw in a photo posted to Kennedy’s X account on May 27. 2025.

For anyone wanting to summate a little class to their RPG night , I amount across this3D - publish metallic element D20 difrom Majestic Trinkets and fell in love . It ’s expensive ( almost $ 80 ) , but it ’s mathematically balanced to insure fair gameplay . And it ’s really really really pretty . The site has a clump of other mediaeval - style balanced dice , too , and they ’re also all gorgeous .

As report byThe Gaming Gang , Ares Games ’   Battlestar Galactica : Starship Battles and Lucky Duck ’s VR - integrate Chronicles of Crime have both been given November release dates . In Starship Battles , players take on the roles of both Colonial and Cylon attack aircraft to face off in dogfights and missions , relive actual fighting scenes from the TV show . account of Crimeis a criminal offense - figure out board game with several mission ; it integrates virtual world using a mobile earphone and the simple VR headset included in the game .

Expansions

WizKids is adding a clustering of Modern element to The Expanse board secret plan , which admit the Protomolecule itself . Named after a time of year two episode , Doors and Cornerscontains five new modules that can be used and unite however player opt with the primary game . Modules admit : leadership , New Tech , Resource Tokens , Variable Setup — and , of grade , the fabled Protomolecule , which add up a new scoring chance . The expansion should be available in Feburary 2019 .

The first elaboration for Reiner Knizia ’s The Quest for El Dorado adds ( in plus to new suggested single-valued function jell - ups ) a really interesting risk and advantage system to the biz . As report byDice Tower News , players can append heroes and daemon to the racing course , offering fillip , comrade , and even cutoff … but demons fall with a price , meaning you could get ill maledict .

Hell yeah , Batman Ninja . Crytptozoid ’s latest crosswalk pack centers around theBatman Ninja recreate film , which fare out earlier this year . The pack is compatible with DC Comics Deck - Building Game , Heroes Unite , Forever Evil , and Teen Titans . role player take on the role of feudal Japan - earned run average Batman , Catwoman , Red Robin , Red Hood , and Nightwing , along with supervillains who combine to form a unique ( and problematic ) challenge . As reported byDice Tower News :

William Duplessie

The Joker , The Penguin , Poison Ivy , Deathstroke and Two - Face are daimyos who battle from within gargantuan castle that fall to life story . When the fifth Super - Villain has been kill , the five castle merge to become one final monumental challenge . The circuit card backs of the Super - Villains each forge a portion of the gargantuan merged castle , with The Joker ’s nous at the top ( of track ) .

Crowdfunding

Remember how enjoyable school was any clock time your instructor let the family toy games ? That ’s the scheme behind John Coveyou ’s Genius Games , which aim to make skill topic like chemistry and biology more approachable . occasional : A Game of The Elementsis Coveyou ’s modish creation , call on the periodic board into the game board and a strategic tool . thespian endeavor to operate across the board using what the secret plan calls “ periodic trend , ” such as finding nearby elements with a unceasingly smaller nuclear mass . But part of the game is also about bring out elements , although no actual alchemy have blank space . periodical : A Game of The Elementshas already shattered its Kickstarter end , but you may still contribute and pre - regularize the secret plan until mid - October .

The recent plot in the Tiny Epic serial , Tiny Epic Mechs is an orbit - vogue PvP secret plan where thespian fight back using constructed power armour and mech suits that they build up around their graphic symbol — all of it being very midget , of course . I ’ve played other games in the franchise , like Tiny Epic Quest , and they ’re a muckle of fun . Just make certain you keep a close eye on the piece , as they ’re passing small and easy to lose . diminutive Epic Mechs has already encounter its fundraising finish , and will be onKickstarterthrough October 6 .

The Forest Hymn & Picnic is a light - hearted role - playing game that takes inspiration from The Wind In The Willows , Winnie the Pooh , and the music of the Decemberists ( okay , that last bit is a little strange ) . The secret plan takes position in the Forest Hymn , where plays can take on the roles of animals , humans , or ghosts , “ as they stumble upon trouble in the unusual woods . ” It looks like a fun and sweet - tempered purpose - playing biz with a calming nature to it . I stand for , come on , you may win a saltation contest at the county fair . The Forest Hymn & Picnic is onKickstarterthrough October 8 .

Starship Test 9

Fireforge Games is launch a newfangled mountain range of fantasy models for warfare games or role - playing hunting expedition called Forgotten World . The troupe ’s end is to fund at least six different plastic boxed sets for the Forgotten World scene , starting with the Northmen and the live all in starter set . Fireforge is also working on the phantasy principle for Forgotten World , although the figures can be used for a diversity of campaigns . Forgotten World will be onKickstarterthrough October 20 .

This is technically a family - well-disposed biz ( or at least 13 + ) , but it ’s dedicated to the friendly nontextual matter of slaying . In Kill Merlin ! , players take on the office of virtuoso striving to unseat the famous star as the most - powerful magician in the land , as Merlin has become a jerk who hoards all the beneficial magic and spell ingredient . Of course , being the good means contend with your fellow star , so be devise for a ruthless conflict for the claim of “ with child mage in the earth . ” Kill Merlin ! has already been to the full fund , and will be on Kickstarter through October 18 .

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