It's Gen Con time! Publishers from all around the world are coming together to show off the newest board games releasing this year. And we've rounded up just a few of the most exciting ones!

Escape Plan - Eagle-Gryphon Games

Having been funded in 10 minutes on Kickstarter, Escape Plan is definitely going to be one of the highlights on the show floor. Taking place after a huge bank heist, the cops are narrowing down the locations of the thieves in the city, so players must manoeuvre their way around the city, picking up the most loot from the heist.

Oceans: An Evolution Game - North Star Games

Announced as in development in March last year, information has been slowly emerging from North Star Games about the sequel to Evolution. Attendees will be able to play through a demo of Oceans on the show floor and explore the almost alien ecosystem within.

City of Gears - Grey Fox Games

Get your worker placement hat on and be sure to put a cog on it for good measure. From Grey Fox Games, players race to claim ownership of the ruins of a clockwork city. As their automatons place gears everywhere, players can also upgrade their factory to give them bonuses over their opponent in the race for prestige and steampunk glory.

Holding On: The Troubled Life of Billy Kerr - Hub Games

One of the most unique narrative-led games comes from Hub Games as they show off Holding On at Gen Con this year. It's a cooperative game for 1-4 players where, as part of the nursing staff, players must attend to the medical needs of Billy Kerr in his final days and help him confront the three biggest regrets of his life...

Endeavor: Age of Sail - Burnt Island Games

After an impressive Kickstarter at the beginning of the year, Endeavor: Age of Sail updates the original game in a variety of ways to deliver plenty of empire building action to players. With Burnt Island Games showing off the new exploit system on the show floor, you might not want to miss this one!

Gloomhaven: Forgotten Cities - Cephalofair Games

Have you done the impossible and exhausted all of the content in your copy of Gloomhaven? (If you have, that's truly inhuman...well done!) If so, Cephalofair Games have your back, because they are demoing the first expansion to Gloomhaven at Gen Con this year. The expansion includes 20 new scenarios, one new character and a whole host of new items so make sure to stop by on the show floor.

Chronicles of Crime - Lucky Duck Games

Prepare your senses for when you approach Lucky Duck Games on the show floor because you might have to get your VR on to look at the fascinating Chronicles of Crime. After another spectacular showing on Kickstarter, the game uses an app on your phone to take you through one of several murder cases, requiring you and your friends to solve them in the quickest time possible.

One Night Ultimate Super Villains - Bézier Games

Capes on my friends (or not, if you're Edna Mode), because Bézier Games are taking their popular werewolf franchise to Shady Grove where heroes and villains are duking it out. I love social deduction games then this might be a great one to look out for on the show floor to introduce to your kids. Their Kickstarter has just recently gone live if you are hoping to grab a copy.

It's a strong year for the hobby as we move into the second half of 2018!

What games are you most excited to check out at Gen Con this year?