Vantage Board Game, Solo Gaming Trends & Key Highlights from Gen Con 2025

Gen Con 2025 has wrapped up, and what a remarkable four days it was. With over 72,000 passionate tabletop enthusiasts in attendance, this year’s convention was a testament to how far the board game industry has evolved—and a preview of where it’s headed next.

If you couldn’t make it, or simply want a comprehensive recap, here’s a detailed look at the biggest games, trends, and the standout title that everyone is talking about: Vantage, the groundbreaking cooperative board game from Stonemaier Games that’s redefining narrative gameplay.

Solo Board Games Take Center Stage at Gen Con 2025

One of the most significant trends from this year’s convention was the undeniable rise of solo board gaming. What started as a niche has now become a dominant part of the tabletop world. Developers are not just adapting games to support solo modes—they’re designing entire experiences with one player in mind.

Why This Matters
Solo-focused design reflects a growing demand for immersive, flexible gameplay that doesn’t require group scheduling. The success of earlier titles like Final Girl laid the foundation, but Gen Con 2025 confirmed that solo-first games are now mainstream.

Notable Solo Games from the Convention:

• Hercules and the 12 Labors: A tense, escalating solo card-and-dice game based on Greek mythology.

• Ace of Spades: A clever, puzzle-driven experience created specifically for solo players.

Whether you're an experienced solo gamer or just curious about the format, now is an ideal time to explore one-player games.

Top Board Game Releases from Gen Con 2025

It’s difficult to narrow down the best of Gen Con 2025, but the following titles stood out both for innovation and player reception:

Waddle
A fast-paced strategy game with charming penguin artwork. Don’t be fooled by its playful look—this game offers deep tactical decision-making.

Mystic Curling Club
A dexterity-based game where fantasy meets sport. Players take on the role of spellcasting witches competing in magical curling matches.

Vegas Strip
A bluffing and betting game set in a stylized Las Vegas underworld. Strategy, deceit, and quick thinking are essential.

Sanctuary: An Arc Nova Game
A streamlined version of Arc Nova, designed to be faster and more accessible while retaining the depth that made the original a modern classic.

Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game
A faithful adaptation of the popular video game. This cooperative title captures the tension and unpredictability of rogue-lite gameplay in a tabletop format.

Sky Team: Turbulence
A high-stakes cooperative game where players act as co-pilots working together to handle emergencies mid-flight. Simple to learn, but filled with suspense.

VANTAGE: The Breakout Game of Gen Con 2025

What Is Vantage?
Vantage is a cooperative open-world narrative board game from Stonemaier Games, designed by Jamey Stegmaier and team. Players take on the role of crash survivors on an uncharted alien planet. From there, the goal is to explore, survive, and uncover the mysteries of the world—each from their own unique perspective.

Unlike traditional campaign games, Vantage offers a complete narrative experience in a single 2–3 hour session. However, the world is persistent, meaning future sessions build on past decisions, allowing players to dive deeper over time—without the burden of a long-term campaign.

Why Vantage Stands Out

• Narrative Depth Without Campaign Fatigue
  Each session delivers a self-contained story arc. However, repeated plays reveal a richer, evolving world.

• First-Person Exploration Mechanics
  Players explore the world through unique vantage points. Each location card presents distinct action choices, such as “help” or “observe,” with outcomes driven by a branching narrative system.

• Consequences Over Failure
  There are no failed rolls or dead ends. Instead, every action has consequences paid through resources like health, morale, or stamina—keeping gameplay tense while ensuring the story continues.

• Flexible Player Count
  The game supports 1 to 6 players, though many agree the ideal experience is with 1 to 4 players for tighter pacing and narrative engagement.

Vantage Board Game: Pros and Considerations

What We Liked:

• Exceptional storytelling and worldbuilding

• Open-ended exploration with meaningful player choices

• Complete story arcs in each session

• High replayability with over 800 locations and more than 900 narrative outcomes

• Equally satisfying for solo and small-group play

Potential Drawbacks:

• Some action options can be thematically vgue for new players

• Larger groups may encounter pacing issues or downtime

• Narrative-heavy gameplay may not appeal to every gamer—but this title could change minds

Is Vantage Worth the Hype?

In short—absolutely. If you enjoy cooperative play, rich storytelling, or solo board games that offer true depth and immersion, Vantage is a must-play. It’s already being recognized as a Game of the Year contender and could influence narrative game design for years to come.

Final Thoughts on Gen Con 2025

Gen Con 2025 exceeded expectations in every way. From the rise of thoughtfully designed solo games to bold, genre-defining titles like Vantage, it’s clear the tabletop industry is in a new golden age.

Whether you’re a narrative gamer, a solo strategist, or just someone looking for their next favorite title, this year’s convention delivered something for every type of player.

If You Only Pick Up One Game from Gen Con 2025:
Make it Vantage.