Shuffle your decks and throw your dice, it’s time to see our favourite tabletop games from PAX Aus 2024!
PAX Australia 2024 has come to a close once again and as we return to our normal lives we can look back at the amazing games that were featured over three days of fun. That’s what we’re set to do today as we count down my top 10 tabletop games that made their appearance at PAX. Just a little disclaimer before we dive in, this list will feature games we haven’t seen before or at least ones we haven’t had the opportunity to talk about. Find out what we were super excited to see in our Top 10 Tabletop Games at PAX!
Top 10 Tabletop Games at PAX – Honourable Mention: Frayed Ally by Button Fox
Whilst I did just say there wouldn’t be any returning games on the list, I have to give a shout out to Frayed Ally, which we covered last year. This isn’t Frayed Ally’s first showing at PAX, however this time around they secured one of the top spots as an Indie Showcase winner! Successfully backed on Kickstarter, Frayed Ally will be out for full release soon. You can check out our review from their last appearance here! And You can pre-order Frayed Ally by going to their website here!
10. Fight With Spirit by Storybrewers
Some of you might have seen this coming as this isn’t the first time Storybrewers has appeared on our Top 10 from PAX and not even their first time being part of the PAX Indie Showcase. Being well versed in the art of writing unique and interesting short, story-driven TTRPGs such as Good Society: a Jane Austen RPG or last year’s Saltfish & Almanacs, Storybrewers brings the heat this year with Fight with Spirit: A Sports Drama RPG. Inspired by the stories in sports anime and high school movies, you can play as a team as you fight for victory against your rivals while also dealing with your characters’ drama off and on the field.
Storybrewers always bring amazing ideas to life that many would not have even considered. Full of art that evokes images of teen dramas and stories that I’m sure we’ve all thought about at least once. If you told me 5 years ago I’d be excited for a TTRPG about sports over themes of cyberpunk and sorcery, I’d tell you you’re crazy. If you’re keen to be in your own teen sports drama, head on over here to grab a copy!
9. Nimbus by Neural Forge
Do you enjoy abstract strategy games? Well I’ve got the game for you! Nimbus by Neural Forge evokes memories of chess while looking like a straightforward elemental Chinese checkers. The goal of the game is to move your pieces around the board depending on the mode the piece is set to and try to take your opponent’s Nimbus piece.
A game of strategy and skill, no two games are the same as each piece can move differently between turns. It also doubles, quite nicely, as a centrepiece on a coffee table as well as a conversion starter. Each piece is made in house and they’re constantly in production so you’ll be sure to get brand new pieces. If you’re interested in picking up a copy, head on over to their website here.
8. Survival of the Fattest by Dirty Rascal Games
Who doesn’t love little woodland creatures? Survival of the Fattest lets you take up the role of a critter trying to bulk up for Winter. Each creature has their own tricks to play to get ahead and their own strategies to play with. Find food and use it to make recipes for in game bonuses and final victory points!
Honestly what drew me to the game were the miniatures that come with the game. Each critter has their own mini that can be customised and played with. After that I stayed for the fun gameplay that was both strategic but easy to pick up. If you want to get your own copy of Survival of the Fattest head on over to their website and grab a copy!
7. Dirty Laundry by Quokka Games
If you’ve been here a while you’ll remember I wrote a review for Quokka Game’s previous game Boba Master which was a winner for last year’s PAX Indie Showcase. This year the brothers over at Quokka Games were showing off their newest title – Dirty Laundry. Each Quokka game is fun to play and they pack so much in such tiny boxes.
Dirty Laundry is a game to see who can get their washing done the fastest. A game of strategy and sabotage where each card drawn could get you squeaky clean or send your opponents out to dry. Just be wary of red socks that’ll ruin your whites. Fun and fast paced, you can pick up your copy of Dirty Laundry here.
6. Cultivaria by Test Pit Games
We all love games that involve growing a civilisation but what if it could be more accurate? Created by a team of archaeologists, Cultivaria sets out to do just that. In Cultivaria you will lead a community of people from the deep human past by harvesting and cultivating plants and animals to face the challenges of an evolving world.
I think what drew me to Cultivaria most was not just the concept, but the design as well. All the art is hand drawn and looks absolutely stunning while also giving off a rustic look. While the game isn’t out yet you can sign up here to be kept in the loop of how it is progressing or follow their Instagram to check out some more of the amazing artwork.
5. The $core by Tin Star Games
It’s time to get the band back together for one last score, or to be more precise, The $core. This game is a fast paced collaborative story with no GM. The aim of the game is to act out a story as if you were in a classic heist movie and pull off a specific heist that’s decided at the start of the session. Much like with other story telling games, everyone makes their character with their chosen attributes and has to play that role for the rest of the game. Using cards to set the scene, the game moves as fast as the imagination of the players and can even be finished in just 18 minutes.
As a fan of both heist movies and collaborative storytelling, this game really appealed to me from the get go. What’s even better is the end of the session might even end in failure, leaving a team member behind, but this just sets the game up for the sequel in your next session! If you’re looking to get the band back together, head on over here to pick The $core up and see if you can make the next Oceans movie!
4. Potion Society by The Murmuring Mystic
If fantasy is more your style, then Potion Society is just the thing to bring out your inner apothecary or alchemist. The goal of the game is to make your own potions using the communal cauldrons in the middle of the table. But be warned – potion making can be a delicate balance. Each potion made will give points and the person with the most points at the end is the winner.
Again, the art drew me to Potion Society as well as the gameplay itself. The art makes me think of a fantasy cookbook. While the game can be on the longer side, it’s a game I’d be more than happy to sit down and play with some friends. Potion Society isn’t out yet but it’s currently live on Kickstarter. If you’re interested in helping support this charming game, head on over and give them some love!
3. Blasphemy by Tres Gatitos Games
We turn our attention from whimsy and fantasy to the horrors of the Lovcraftian variety. This is a game about betting and collecting monsters to serve as your army against a dark Old One. What really drew me to Blasphemy, besides my love of cosmic horror, was the peripheral that was on display. The woodcraft dark eye and tentacles really brought me in and grabbed my attention. I love a game that offers more than just a board and cards. Games that feature physical pieces or set design are a show of the detail that went into creating the game. While Blasphemy is just a prototype right now, you can follow the creators at their Instagram for more info and any developments for the game.
2. Treacherous Tides by Board and Sorcery
A game about betrayal and gold, Treacherous Tides is a pirate themed game where everyone takes the role of a captain. However, there can only be one captain in charge of a ship, you see. With each round every player is trying to mutiny the captain and take over which is all done with a roll of the dice. Roll higher than the captain and you can take their gold and their ship. At the end of 3 voyages the treasure is counted but be careful, the value of the treasure isn’t known at first and you might have a come-from-behind win.
No skill is needed with Treacherous Tides, it’s all about luck. Luck and negotiation, just be wary of backstabbers. Something really interesting about Treacherous Tides is that it’s going to be the first game in a series where your leader can be part of another theme! If you’re keen to get your hands on some booty, head on over here to get your hands on a copy! Even better, The developer has given us a code for $10 off to the first 40 people who use it. Head on over and use the code WALKTHEQUALBERT to get your hands on some booty!
1. Hunted by a God by Hard Fun Games
Now we come to my favourite game that made its first appearance at PAX. Hunted by a God is an asymmetric, every man for himself game. You take control of one of the four factions that has come to a, supposedly, uninhabited world to mine resources. Although you must be careful, as with the dwarves of Moria, if you delve greedily and too deep you will awaken an ancient God of the planet. It’s then a race against the clock to collect as many resources as you can and get out before you become a snack for the cranky Old One that you just awoke.
I mentioned before that a game with peripherals is an easy way to my heart and Hunted by a God comes with some truly epic miniatures including a rather large one for the God itself. The playmat/board gives off the sci-fi feeling of a map from a far flung future and while it’s a little daunting to look at first, you can see the love and attention that went into every piece. Talking to the developer Paul Bedford and hearing that the game has been in development for 6 years and seeing the current stage, you can tell a lot of hard work and dedication has gone into its creation. This is also a game that will take the longest to play as you can possibly sit down to play for about two hours before a game is complete! I know the saying “a quick game is a good game” but sometimes you need to sit down for a long epic session with your mates.
It’s for all of this that I say Hunted by a God was my favourite tabletop game that made its appearance at PAX. Unfortunately, I can’t say the game is available as it’s still in the testing stage but it’s getting closer to the final product release. If you want to follow along and be kept informed about where the game’s at head on over here and show them some love! Or jump into the Facebook group for a more personalised experience.
Top 10 Tabletop Games at PAX – Conclusion
So that’s it folks, that’s my top 10 Tabletop games from PAX Aus 2024. But that’s only my top 10, there were so many games at PAX I got to check out and had to cut from the list, yet there was probably a few that I didn’t get to see. I’m looking forward to seeing all the games from PAX and especially the ones from the PAX rising section grow in the future and I can’t wait to get my hands on these awesome games myself!
If you like any of the above games, please leave a comment below or join the chat on the official Qualbert Discord. To find out more about other tabletop games, be sure to check our reviews for more.
