The year is ending, and now is the time to hang out with our families, stay warm, and think about board games. Renegade Games had it all this year. We have big war games with Axis & Allies content., the return of old favorites, and all of the role-playing adventures one could ask for. Let’s look at what made this year so special for Renegade Games.
The Return of Robo Rally

Robo Rally is a favorite, as it is well-known for being one of the best programming board games out there. Hardcore fans of the game have been disappointed with various editions and reprints, as they either cut content or shift the visuals in a direction that doesn’t vibe with the aesthetics. The latest edition of Robo Rally is pretty close to getting it right. It looks great, allows for many players, and has tons of expansions already available with more on the way. There isn’t a better time to get into one of the most customizable and wacky programming games out there.
Tons of New Axis & Allies Content

Getting into Axis & Allies is a huge undertaking. It takes up tons of space, has an intimidating ruleset for beginners, and takes around 4 hours to complete. Still, it has one of the most passionate fanbases around and rewards those who dip their toes into its big pond. This year saw new editions of the 1941 and 1942 editions of the game. A GI Joe game that uses the Axis & Allies engine was also announced this year, promising a wild crossover for fans of both franchises in 2024.
Ex Libris

The original Ex Libris has a lot of good things going for it, but a few design choices hold it back from being a great game. The second edition looks much better, and is easier to play as a result. This game still does a lot, and won’t appeal to everyone since a lot of the mechanisms are done well, but not necessarily better than other games, but this is still a lovely time for those who have dreamed of opening their own fantasy library.
Plus, an expansion has already been released alongside the second printing, giving new options and making Ex Libris a more complete experience.
What Year Is It?!

Renegade has acquired a few great games, and Acquire is certainly one of them. This classic has never looked better with a new design, streamlined rulebook, and the same great gameplay as before. Diplomacy has also received a nice little upgrade with a great quickstart sheet in the box and some nice wooden pieces. Both classics are now more accessible than ever and still play great, so retro enthusiasts have something for everyone. If you pick Diplomancy though, say goodbye to your friends and the better part of your day. (so worth it though).
A Big Year For Big IPs

Renegade prints games for Power Rangers, My Little Pony, Transformers, and GI Joe, all of which have RPGs. This was an excellent year for fans of those franchises, with tons of content printed for all of their RPGs, including supplemental books and miniatures. Transformers is getting a collaboration with Robo Rally while GI Joe is getting an Axis & Allies game. Overall, this was a great year for these games and next year looks brighter.
What are your favorite games from Renegade this year? What do you want to pick up? Let us know in the comments below!
2 Comments
No way an Axis & Allies match takes only four hours to complete… Notorious for its long duration, it’s more like 8 to 16 hours, a truly multi-day game.
It depends on skill and which entry, right? 1941 is on the shorter side for sure. Still o might have been a little light on the estimate.