The best tabletop games for Christmas 2024 – from Halo to Mass Effect-Lucy Orr-Entertainment – Metro

It’s not Mass Effect 4 but it is good (Modiphius Entertainment)

GameCentral gives some shopping advice for tabletop and trading card games this Christmas, including Lorcana and The War Of The Rohirrim.

Despite all the problems in the video games industry this year, tabletop gaming has been doing great in 2024. In fact, while it’s been years since there’s been a new Halo, Mass Effect or Worms all three are available now as board games this Christmas.

It’s a trend that looks set to continue next year, with a Diablo adaptation already announced. But as well as propping up some of gaming’s most storied franchises we’ve also got plenty of other tabletop games to recommend to you this Christmas, including some very tempting gift sets for Lorcana, Pokémon Trading Card Game, and Star Wars Unlimited.

Whether you’re shopping for seasoned gamers or family members eager to dive into something new, there’s something for everyone in the titles below. Plus, absolutely all of them are guaranteed to be more fun than a drunken game of Monopoly or Risk with your family this Christmas.

The War Of The Rohirrim – Battle Of Edoras Starter Set

The Lord Of The Rings anime movie will hit cinemas on December 13 and the day after you’ll be able to buy the Games Workshop official tie-in starter box for The Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. As if charging in to save Christmas, The War Of The Rohirrim breathes new life into a Games Workshop classic. The box contains everything you need to recreate the historic conflict between the warriors of Rohan and Dunlending hill tribes, including 56 detailed miniatures.

The Rohan side is led by Haleth and Háma, sons of Helm Hammerhand, both in mounted and on-foot versions, supported by 24 warriors. The bad guys aren’t orcs or goblins this time, but the Hill tribesmen led by the vengeance-driven Wulf and his advisor Targg, both of which are also represented by two models each, along with 24 fierce tribesmen.

Pre-order RRP – £140.00

Halo: Flashpoint

The first of our video game tabletop crossovers manages to seamlessly capture the mechanics of Microsoft’s classic first person shooter, translating them into an accessible and engaging board game. Rather than getting bogged down with defensive modifiers, the game simplifies combat by allowing attackers extra dice when defenders lack cover. This streamlined solution maintains the game’s pacing and helps make it as fast-paced as possible.

Movement is also elegantly designed, using a cube-to-cube system with true line of sight, eliminating the need for measurements but keeping positioning critical. It’s a very well-designed game, while at the same time evoking the feel of a multiplayer Halo match. Pacing is brisk, aided by back-and-forth turns and an action system that keeps everyone engaged.

Although keyword-heavy, once you’re familiar with the abilities, gameplay flows smoothly. If you’re a fan of miniature skirmish games or Halo this is an experience well worth adding to your collection, especially as it makes a perfect entry point into the genre for newbies.

Out now RRP £60.99

Mass Effect: The Board Game – Priority: Hagalaz

Set during Mass Effect 3, this board game brings players into a dungeon-crawling adventure on the Cerberus research vessel Hagalaz. Balancing co-operative strategy with narrative depth, it stands out in terms of both game mechanics and replayability. The branching campaign offers rich storytelling, with loyalty missions and the classic Paragon and Renegade paths. Each squad member – Shepard, Garrus, Liara, Grunt, and Tali – is uniquely customisable, enabling tailored combat styles and strategic teamwork.

Despite an intimidating array of miniatures, tokens, dice, and multi-layered rulebooks the gameplay flows smoothly, once you grasp the rhythm and the dice-slotting mechanic, which introduces tension and unpredictability. However, just like the video game, while multiplayer can be fun, Priority: Hagalaz shines brightest as a solo experience.

With an engaging storyline, a strong tactical challenge, and gorgeous miniatures, it’s a fantastic adaptation for both board game enthusiasts and Mass Effect fans. Fingers crossed for future expansions to further deepen this ambitious first step.

Out now RRP £39.99

Worms: The Board Game

With a super-engaging blend of fun, strategy, and luck Worms is an absolute blast, and so is the board game version. It brings Team 17’s classic franchise to life on the tabletop, perfectly capturing the chaotic charm that made the original so beloved.

While the skill-based precision of the video games is toned down, that shift enhances accessibility, making it enjoyable for younger players too. Just like the original games, it’s unpredictable, over-the-top, and deadly weapon mishaps are all part of the fun, with chaotic use of hand grenades and bazookas echoing their digital counterparts.

For fans, the familiar feel and hilarious chaos of Worms translates beautifully. It’s quickly become a favourite in my collection, for two to four players, although teaching the game to those unfamiliar with the digital series can be challenging. Hopefully, the upcoming round-timer app will speed up play for newcomers.

Out now RRP £50.00

Disney Lorcana Gateway and Azurite Sea Set 6 – Stitch Collectors Gift Set

If your family hasn’t yet fallen prey to Lorcana’s costly enchantments, Gateway is a great way to get them hooked. It uses the same game system as the Disney Lorcana trading card game, but it consists of a fixed set of two 30-card decks designed for new players. Designed with accessibility in mind, it simplifies Lorcana’s more strategic gameplay, making it approachable for newbies. This is aided by Gateway’s structured guidance quickly helping even first-timers understand its basic mechanics.

Progressive steps gradually introduce players to each core aspect of Lorcana, from basic character actions to more advanced card types, like songs and items. Mouse money is on show here as the box includes a cool playmat and premium damage tokens elevate the experience, offering a tactile and visually engaging space at a price sure to keep Father Christmas happy.

As for Stitch, he’s just about to make his live action debut, which is bound to hit new levels of cute overload. But for those who just can’t wait there’s an exclusive Lorcana Stitch Collector’s Gift Set that’s just hit the shelves. This shiny silver box includes an exclusive foil card, Stitch – Alien Buccaneer, plus a Stitch-themed portfolio to neatly store and display your favourite Lorcana decks.

Out now RRP: £22.99 and gift set RRP: £44.99

Star Wars Unlimited Set 3: Twilight Of The Republic

If you’re not convinced by Skeleton Crew on Disney+, but need a Star Wars fix this Christmas, look no further than Fantasy Flight Games’ latest release. This expansion is a rich, new addition to its successful trading card game series, immersing you in the intense Clone Wars era. Building on the previous Shadows Of The Galaxy set, this set offers a vast array of new features and characters, with 257 cards introducing iconic figures like Ahsoka Tano and General Grievous as playable leaders, along with new locations like Tipoca City and the Nest.

The starter set is particularly newcomer-friendly, providing two fully playable decks that let new players jump right in. With pre-built decks led by Ahsoka and Grievous, players can quickly understand key mechanics, such as the coordinate and exploit keywords. Grievous’ deck focuses on deploying expendable droid tokens to overwhelm opponents, while Ahsoka’s deck encourages tactical synergy amongst clone troopers.

For fans eager to explore beyond the starter decks, booster packs add further customisation and I was sold on the mean-looking Yoda booster cover. With major enhancements, such as token units and expanded deck-building strategies, Twilight Of The Republic deepens the gameplay and adds layers to the game’s tactics, solidifying Star Wars Unlimited as a must-have for trading card enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike.

Out now RRP £99.99

It is a perfect Christmas gift (The Pokémon Company)

Pokémon Trading Card Game: Charizard ex Super-Premium Collection

Generating enough heat to keep you Pokémon players toasty this Christmas, the Charizard ex Super Premium Collection is a must-have for trainers. The set includes a striking Charizard figure, 10 booster packs, and unique Charizard, Charmander, and Charmeleon promos with a commemorative foil finish. The Charizard figure, a standout piece, adds serious display appeal for fans looking to showcase their collection.

While it doesn’t feature the highly sought after Charizard ex Tera, the exclusive promo cards and collectible nature make it an appealing holiday gift for any Pokémon lover. However, for those purely after high value pulls, this set might not be the best buy, as there are cheaper ways to get booster packs. Yet, for the experience of opening packs with a unique, fiery display piece, this collection delivers.

Out now RRP £74.99

Build your own board game (Lego)

Lego Monkey Palace

A strategic new board game that combines Lego’s building charm with competitive gameplay for 2-4 players. You must race to rebuild the Monkey Palace by stacking blocks and arches to earn monkey credits and, ultimately, banana points. Each turn requires you to build upwards, with the challenge of balancing collaboration with just enough competition to claim victory.

The game’s design shines, from its jungle-inspired pieces to a structure that changes with each play. Gameplay is straightforward but strategic: build staircases for more points, decorate the palace with colourful blocks, and collect trophy cards like the monkey and butterfly for bonus points.

Although the rules are somewhat intricate, the setup and gameplay flow smoothly, making it easy for both newcomers and seasoned players to dive into – even if the Lego pieces are hard to manipulate with my recently broken arm. Monkey Palace is a great addition to any game night, especially for Lego fans looking for a blend of construction and friendly rivalry.

Out now RRP £42.99

It does what it says on the tin (Konami)

Yu-Gi-Oh! 25th Anniversary Tin: Dueling Mirrors

Dinosaurs or Dragons? While I might have a love/hate relationship with it’s no mana gameplay mechanic, I love the diversity of the decks in Yu-Gi-Oh! that allow for some deep storytelling. This cool Yu-Gi-Oh! tin celebrates a quarter century of duelling legacy, combining nostalgia with some of the game’s most powerful reprints.

It is essentially a best of tin that pulls together popular and sought after cards from a dozen recent booster sets, packed with high-demand cards; this release is more than a collector’s item, it’s a chance to own sought after meta staples at a stocking filler price.

Each tin includes three mega packs, which feature an array of rarities, including the coveted Quarter Century Secret Rares – a real highlight for long-time fans and competitive players. This collection brings back fan favourites from sets like Power Of The Elements and Photon Hypernova, along with updated artwork of iconic cards such as Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Dark Magician Girl.

It’s not just some cool reprints either, the tin also enriches deckbuilding by reintroducing classic spells and monsters, making it a practical addition for players and collectors this Christmas.

Out now RRP: £20.99

You will need to paint it yourself (Games Workshop)

Warhammer Da Red Gobbos A-Bomb-Inable-Snowman

Every year Da Red Gobbo is up to some festive mischief and this year’s A-bomb-inable Snowman is definitely my favourite in the series so far. The snowman is fitted with a top hat, candy cane, and explosives. Hidden in the centre of the snowman is a deadly bomb primed to put a dent in your Christmas budget. This is the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys painting Warhammer models with extra festive flair.

It’s the details that make this model and I love the alarm clock and wiring leading into the Snowman and the sidekick ‘elf with no shelf’ packing grenades into snowballs and passing them to our Christmas antihero, who’s pulling the pin with his teeth. This model is full of festive action and top of my painting queue.

Out now RRP £26.00

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