A Rising Culture of Angels: Discover a Stash of Aquatic Games

Capstone Games is set to make waves in the board gaming community with the upcoming release of Rising Cultures in March 2026. This game is an exciting addition to their impressive lineup of two-player games, which includes titles such as Pagan: Fate of Roanoke, Watergate, and Suna Valo.

Designed by Aske Christiansen, known for Living Forest, and Francesco Testini, creator of Tang Garden, Rising Cultures invites players to lead their civilization to glory through clever card play. As part of Capstone’s first collaboration with the German publisher HUCH!, this game boasts elegant civilization-building mechanics within a compact setup. Players will have the opportunity to explore four unique civilizations, each featuring its own distinct playstyle and deck of cards. Impressively, the game allows two simultaneous games to be played from a single box.

Key Features of Rising Cultures

  • Release Date: March 2026
  • Players: 2
  • Designers: Aske Christiansen and Francesco Testini
  • Unique Civilization Mechanics: Four civilizations with distinct playstyles
  • Dual Gameplay: Play two games simultaneously from one box

Another exciting release in Capstone’s catalog is Aquaria, developed in partnership with the Czech publisher Delicious Games. Designed by Tomáš Holek, the creator of SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Galileo Galilei, this game challenges players to construct the most vibrant aquarium ecosystem. In Aquaria, players compete to acquire exotic species while maintaining optimal oxygen levels, as each species presents unique needs and benefits for the ecosystem. The game encourages strategic thinking and competition, making it a captivating choice for players seeking an engaging aquarium-building experience.

Key Features of Aquaria

  • Designer: Tomáš Holek
  • Gameplay: Compete to build the best aquarium ecosystem
  • Strategic Resource Management: Acquire species and maintain oxygen levels
  • Interactive Competition: Challenge friends to outdo their aquarium designs

Additionally, Tomáš Holek introduces another engaging title, Pondscape, which is a strategic card game for 2-4 players lasting approximately 30 minutes. Players will create their own vibrant pond by placing cards representing various frog species and pond environments while collecting insects. The game combines grid building with card management, adding a spatial puzzle element to pond construction.

Key Features of Pondscape

  • Players: 2-4
  • Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
  • Gameplay: Create a vibrant pond by strategically placing cards
  • Mechanics: Grid building and card management

Scott Almes, a prolific designer known for his work on the Tiny Epic series and Beer & Bread, is set to release Angel’s Share in February 2026, in collaboration with Spielworxx. This economic game immerses players in the aged whiskey market, where they must manage resources and predict price fluctuations. The game emphasizes strategic investment and resource management, as players navigate events and maintain their whiskey stock while competing against each other.

Key Features of Angel’s Share

  • Release Date: February 2026
  • Gameplay: Economic strategy focused on the whiskey market
  • Mechanics: Resource management and market speculation
  • Competitive Play: Compete to achieve the best investment returns

Lastly, the hunt for treasure continues in Pirates of Maracaibo, which has recently received a new expansion titled Pirates of Maracaibo: Bermuda Triangle. This expansion introduces treasure hunting mechanics, epic monsters, new improvement cards, and an enhanced solo experience, adding depth and excitement to the existing gameplay.

Key Features of Pirates of Maracaibo: Bermuda Triangle

  • Expansion: Pirates of Maracaibo: Bermuda Triangle
  • New Mechanics: Treasure hunting and encounters with epic monsters
  • Expanded Content: Additional improvement cards and solo experience

With these exciting new releases, Capstone Games continues to enrich the board gaming landscape, offering a variety of themes and mechanics to satisfy diverse player preferences. Whether you are building civilizations, constructing aquariums, or engaging in economic strategies, these games promise to deliver hours of entertainment.

Via BoardGameGeek Blog