Imagine a booth at Gen Con 2024 buzzing with excitement — familiar faces from classic board games making surprise comebacks, new artwork catching your eye, and enthusiastic designers sharing big plans. That’s exactly what Restoration Games delivered this year, staying true to their signature formula: blending nostalgic fan-favorites with fresh, modern twists.
Known for reviving hits like Return to Dark Tower and Fireball Island, the game studio rolled out an ambitious slate of upcoming titles that tap directly into the heart of geek culture. And whether you grew up clutching Aliens VHS tapes or you only recently discovered the joys of tabletop gaming, there’s probably something here that’ll get your dice rolling.
Let’s take a closer look at the highlights.
Ali: Sci-Fi Horror Reborn
One of the buzziest announcements was the reveal of Ali, a love letter to the cult sci-fi board game Aliens: This Time It’s War (1989). While it’s not an official license (due to rights issues), the influence is crystal clear — think dark corridors, tactical teamwork, and a constant, creeping dread.
This updated version is being co-created by Sean McCoy, the mind behind Mothership, alongside Restoration’s own Justin D. Jacobson. The goal? To create a game that captures the same sweaty-palmed intensity while introducing modern mechanics and a stylish new design. Players (1–4 of them) will face off against a reactive AI, forced to make split-second decisions to keep their squad alive on a haunted alien ship.
Restoration calls it a ”reimagining,” not a remake. That means they’re not just dusting off the old rulebook — they’re building something thrilling and new from the ground up.
Hellboy: The Board Game – Restoration Edition
Next up is Hellboy, a collaboration with Mantic Games that breathes fresh life into the demon-punching, monster-slaying skirmish game inspired by Mike Mignola’s iconic comic series.
This Restoration Edition keeps the core experience fans love — fast-paced tactical gameplay and smart AI enemies — but streamlines the rules, refines the scenarios, and polishes the graphics for a smoother, more accessible experience. Love it for the lore? You’ll be glad to know the art is staying true to Mignola’s signature dark, moody style.
Set to launch via Kickstarter in 2025, this version will also include both new and previously released material, with full support planned for existing expansions — no fan left behind.
Expeditions in the Dark Tower
If you were drawn into the eerie charm of Return to Dark Tower, there’s more adventure on the way.
Expeditions in the Dark Tower isn’t a sequel so much as a bold reinvention. It lives in the same magical world but introduces new characters, scenarios, and gameplay. And yes, that iconic, tech-driven tower centerpiece returns in all its glowy, ominous glory — only this time, it does even more.
With design heavyweights Brian Neff and Isaac Childres (Gloomhaven) at the helm, the game leans even deeper into narrative exploration, character-building, and meaningful player choices. Expect an emphasis on story-driven gameplay, branching paths, and a level of player agency that could turn each campaign into a saga of its own.
You won’t need to have played Return to Dark Tower to dive in — this is a standalone experience.
Beyond the Big Three
The flood of announcements didn’t stop there. Restoration showed off even more projects in the works:
- Clue: Legacy – Partnering with Hasbro, they’re working on a campaign-based take on the classic whodunit. The same team that gave us Betrayal Legacy is behind the design, so expect mystery, evolution, and surprises around every corner.
- The Omega Virus: Rebooted – After a modest crowdfunding campaign, this update to the 90s sci-fi game is heading to retail in 2025. Expect a balanced difficulty curve and a sharp new look.
- Board Game Arena Integration – Restoration isn’t just thinking about your game shelf — they’re heading online, too. Both Return to Dark Tower and Fireball Island will be hitting BGA in 2024–2025, giving digital players a chance to jump into the action, no setup required.
Not Just Nostalgia
At its core, what Restoration Games is doing feels less like recycling and more like renaissance. They’re not just selling memories — they’re updating beloved game worlds for a new era, inviting both lifelong fans and curious newcomers to the table.
Bringing in stars like Sean McCoy and Isaac Childres speaks volumes about their commitment to blending indie innovation with mainstream polish. Meanwhile, taking on IPs like Hellboy shows they’re ready to walk the tricky line between faithful adaptation and inventive design.
Catching Up: What’s Coming and When?
Hyped yet? Here’s a quick guide:
- Ali – Tense co-op space horror adventure. Arriving 2025.
- Hellboy: Restoration Edition – Streamlined tactical combat. Kickstarter in 2025.
- Expeditions in the Dark Tower – Narrative-driven fantasy questing with iconic tower tech. Targeting 2025.
And on the horizon:
- Clue: Legacy
- The Omega Virus: Rebooted
- Digital versions of Fireball Island and Return to Dark Tower on Board Game Arena
The Bottom Line
Restoration Games is once again showing us that the past has plenty of life left in it — when it’s done right. Whether you’re stalking xenomorphs in Ali, uncovering ancient evil in the Dark Tower, or reigniting your fandom with Hellboy, there’s one thing that’s crystal clear: the classics are back, and they’ve never looked better.
So, which world will you step into first?