Anyone who lost an evening (or twelve) to Hercules and the 12 Labors has a new myth to tackle. Envy Born Games is launching Jason and the Argonauts on BackerKit on 7 May, a standalone solo dice-and-card game that sails the Argo across the Aegean in pursuit of the Golden Fleece.
Looking for board gamers near you? Browse local communities and find your next game night.
Find events near youIt's built in the same family as Hercules and the 12 Labors, the publisher's solo hit that pulled strong reviews and a loyal following on BoardGameGeek. The DNA is the same (dice rolling, dice manipulation, hand management), with a boss-battler structure built around mythological encounters. Expect harpies, the clashing Symplegades, the brass-footed bulls of Colchis and Hera meddling at every turn.
You play Jason, commanding the Argo and the legendary roster: Heracles, Atalanta, Orpheus, the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) and the rest of the Avengers-assemble lineup that gives the myth its flavour. The launch is part of BackerKit's Pocketopia 2026, the platform's annual showcase for portable, easy-to-learn tabletop games kicking off 7 May. Last year's Pocketopia pulled in over $972K across 60+ creators, and 2026 is shaping up larger with 50-plus pocket-format projects.
Run game nights? Backseat Gamer handles RSVPs, waitlists, date polling, and game voting so you can focus on playing.
Start organising for freeSolo gaming has had a real surge in 2026, with everything from Fallout: Wasteland Wanderer to the 20 Strong system proving that single-player tabletop is no longer an afterthought. Mythological theming travels well in this corner of the hobby. Hercules and the 12 Labors landed precisely because the labours are bite-sized, replayable boss fights with strong narrative hooks, and Jason's voyage offers similar structure with a different feel.
If you're after something to throw in your bag for hotel-room evenings or quiet nights in, Envy Born's Pocketopia entry is worth a look on launch day. The campaign page is already live for follows ahead of the 7 May go-live.
Sources: BackerKit | Envy Born Games | Pocketopia 2026
