Every August, Gen Con transforms Indianapolis into the living, breathing epicenter of gaming culture. Think massive convention halls overflowing with dice clattering, cosplay armor clinking, and tables stacked with everything from crunchy four-hour strategy games to ten-minute mashups about fried foods. The beauty of Gen Con has always been its mix of the bold, the bizarre, and the beautifully designed—and 2025’s previews are already delivering that exact energy.
The Two Towers: Trick-Taking Game
Trick-taking games are suddenly the cool kid at the lunch table again, and The Two Towers is leaning into that renaissance. This isn’t just “play your highest card and win.” Here, every hand is about shifting the balance of power between two great towers, giving a classic format a political tug-of-war twist.
- What to expect: Interactive, speedy rounds where bluffing and reading the table matter as much as the actual cards.
- Why it matters: It’s proof that even minimalist mechanics can carry a story, hooking both casuals and strategy lovers.
Duel for Cardia
If two-player duels are your jam, Duel for Cardia might be sliding into your wishlist. It promises asymmetry, tension, and a streamlined design that feels like a sword fight more than a math problem.
- Who it’s for: Anyone tired of two-hour strategy marathons but still craving clever back-and-forth sparring.
- The hook: A duel game that doesn’t sprawl, but still leaves space for tense tactical gambits.
Fried Potatoes
Sometimes, the biggest laughs at Gen Con don’t come from city-building epics—they come from left-field party games like Fried Potatoes. Whatever the exact mechanics are, the energy seems aimed at chaotic fun and snack-level silliness.
- The charm: Instant teach, quick play, excellent palate-cleanser between heavy strategy titles.
- The gamble: Party games live or die on their humor—if this one hits, though, it’ll be all over TikTok highlights.
Tessen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo
Old-school Tessen fans might already be sharpening their blades. This new version leans harder into samurai conflict, cranking up the speed and turning tactical choices into flashes of high-pressure intensity.
- Why it’s exciting: It adds fresh energy while carrying echoes of samurai-inspired classics.
- The vibe: Not a casual hangout game. This is all heartbeat-drum fight mode condensed into a deck of cards.
The Big Picture
Taken together, these four previews perfectly summarize what Gen Con does best:
- The Two Towers keeps tradition alive while twisting it into narrative play.
- Duel for Cardia captures the ongoing appetite for tense two-player duels.
- Fried Potatoes injects humor and accessibility into the lineup.
- Tessen brings back an old favorite with amped-up flavor.
The result? A little bit of everything—serious strategy, high-stakes dueling, laugh-out-loud weirdness, and nostalgic sword clashes. In other words, a perfect Gen Con sampler platter.
Quick Q&A
Which game has breakout potential?
Probably The Two Towers, since trick-taking is red hot right now.
Is Fried Potatoes really just a goofy party game?
Absolutely—and that’s the point. These are the kinds of games people remember shouting over at 2 a.m. in the hotel lobby.
Does Tessen connect to Legend of the Five Rings?
Not officially, but if you’ve got a soft spot for the drama of samurai epics, you’ll feel right at home.
👉 So, where are you planting your flag? Team duel? Team tower? Team potatoes? Or will you dive into samurai speed duels? Gen Con 2025 is shaping up to make choosing your table half the fun.