Best games released at SPIEL 2014 in Essen 2026

An expansion for Dixit, this set adds 84 new cards. In each round, a player becomes the storyteller, selecting a card and creating a narrative or association related to it. Other players then choose cards from their hands to match the storyteller's theme, and voting determines which card was originally played. Points are awarded based on votes received, and the game concludes after a set number of rounds, with the player amassing the most points declared the winner.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak is a standalone expansion to the popular social deduction game One Night Ultimate Werewolf. Designed for 3-7 players, Daybreak offers a quick, engaging experience where everyone gets a hidden role with a special ability. In the span of just one in-game morning, players must deduce who among them is a werewolf, with the game's outcome hinging on uncovering at least one werewolf.

Sushi Go! is a dynamic, fast-paced card game set in a sushi restaurant. Players aim to grab the best sushi combinations as they come around. It's all about strategy, from picking the perfect sushi rolls to collecting sashimi sets. Boost your scores with wasabi-flavored nigiri, and don't forget to load up on pudding by the end!

Immerse yourself in the world of Onitama, a dynamic two-player abstract game offering perfect information and a randomized starting setup on a 5x5 board. Both participants begin the game with five pawns each, strategically placing the main pawn at the board's center.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a dynamic and fast-paced game for 3-10 players that brings the excitement and deduction of werewolf stories to your tabletop. This game is all about quick thinking, bluffing, and trying to outsmart your friends.

Loony Quest is a vibrant and imaginative drawing game set in the fantastical land of Arkadia, where players embark on an adventurous quest to win a royal tournament and claim the throne of an heirless king. The game stands out with its unique blend of drawing challenges and video game-inspired mechanics, making it a delightful experience for players of all ages.

Ca$h 'n Guns: Second Edition is an action-packed board game that combines strategy, bluffing, and a touch of luck, capturing the essence of classic gangster movie showdowns. In this game, players are members of a gangster band, aiming to outsmart each other in a bid to end up with the most loot after eight intense rounds.

Tichu is an intriguing partnership card game that combines elements of Zheng Fen with traditional card play. It stands out as a strategic and competitive game, requiring players to be both tactically astute and keenly aware of their partner's actions. Typically played by four players in partnerships, the game is a race to get rid of all cards in hand, while aiming to score points.

Hanabi, named after the Japanese word for "fireworks," invites players to collaboratively create the perfect fireworks display. In this cooperative game, the goal is to arrange cards on the table in the correct order to achieve a stunning pyrotechnic spectacle. However, there's a catch - players must hold their cards so that they are visible only to their teammates. To succeed, you'll need to provide hints to your fellow players about the numbers and colors of their cards, working together to avoid mistakes and complete the fireworks show before running out of cards.

Colt Express is a fast-paced, action-packed board game set in the Wild West, where players take on the roles of bandits attempting to rob a moving train.

Qwixx gemixxt includes two new score sheet blocks for use with Qwixx. The rules remain unchanged as players aim to mark off numbers from left to right. However, one block features colors distributed across the number rows, while the other presents numbers in a non-numeric order.

Machi Koro is a light and fast-paced city-building board game, where players take on the role of mayor of a small town, striving to develop it into a thriving city.

Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala is a strategy board game set in the mystical land of Naqala. Designed by Bruno Cathala, it puts a unique spin on the traditional German-style worker placement games.

Beasty Bar takes the party to the animal kingdom with a twist on the classic card game format. Picture this: animals decked out in their finest, queuing up to get into the exclusive Beasty Bar nightclub. But not all will make it past the bouncer. In this competitive and cheeky game, players use their animal cards, each boasting unique abilities to shuffle the queue's order. Your goal? Outwit your opponents to get your animals through the door, with a mix of strategy and luck determining who gets to dance the night away and who's left out in the cold.

Abyss plunges players into a deep-sea realm of power struggles, where they aim to ascend the throne and rule the underwater city. This game intertwines development, combination, and collection strategies in a captivating underwater setting.

Pandemic: The Cure is a dice-based adaptation of the popular Pandemic board game. It offers a quicker setup and playtime while retaining the core theme of disease control and teamwork.

Players can enjoy Speed Cups² with just two participants, or use it as an expansion for Speed Cups, allowing for up to six players. Each player receives a set of five plastic cups in different colors and aims to recreate the colored patterns shown on the flipped cards using their cups. The first player to successfully mimic the sequence rings a bell to claim the card, and then the next round begins with a new card. In this version, players must arrange their cups in various types of stacks, not just horizontally and vertically.

Pick-a-Seal features similar gameplay to Pick-a-Polar Bear, but without the two variants. It supports 2-5 players in a single game and up to eight when combined.

Arcadia Quest is an engaging, campaign-based board game where players lead guilds of heroes on a quest to overthrow a vampire lord and take back the city of Arcadia. It's a competitive yet cooperative game, filled with strategic battles against both other players and game-controlled monsters.

Each set consists of 336 cards featuring a historical event on one side and the year, often with a specific date, on the other. The theme of this edition revolves around historical events in science and research, and it can be played solo or mixed with other sets. Players receive nine cards and must place their card in chronological order relative to the existing ones, challenging the sequence if they believe it's incorrect. The first player to run out of cards wins.

Medieval Academy is a strategic drafting and board movement game that transports players to a vibrant medieval setting where they assume the roles of squires aiming to earn their knighthood. The game is designed to be accessible to families while still offering enough depth to engage more seasoned gamers, making it a "family+" game.

Inis invites players to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Celtic history and lore, vying for the esteemed title of King of the Island. Rooted in strategic depth and Celtic mythology, the game offers a unique blend of victory conditions and gameplay dynamics.

Six colored plastic bees are hidden under six beehives, and players initially know the locations of the bees. On each turn, the active player draws a card and follows specific actions based on whether it's a bee card or a bear card. The first player to collect four beehives wins the game, or if the cards run out, the player with the most beehives wins.

Ancient sorcery, dark omens, and endless curses await as players become adept practitioners of Egyptian dark magic, followers of the undead druidic arts, or arcane wizards performing Voodoo rituals. Prepare for the greatest conflict of black magic ever, as the Voodoo tournament begins.

Six Making, also known as Sixth, is an abstract strategy game for two players that challenges them to build chess pieces. Players take turns placing their own pieces as pawns on the board or moving existing pieces. The objective is to create a stack of six or more pieces of the player's color on top, and the first player to achieve this wins the game.

Players aim to win from a limited set of prize cards by navigating a circular track, typically consisting of 21 spaces. A player rolls 1-3 dice each turn to determine movement, but must keep the total rolled at or below 7 to advance. Landing on another player's piece requires them to carry it, influencing how many dice must be rolled, while the top piece owner determines the stakes, leading to potential removals from the board. The player collecting the most valuable prize cards at the end wins.

Players aim to be the first to move one of their octagonal "dragon" towers to the opposite side of the 10x10 board. Towers move in straight lines or diagonally forward, but must follow the color of the square that their opponent moved to in the previous turn. Players will need to navigate around both their own and their opponent's towers, as blocked paths can hinder their movements.

Kleine Welt: Ein Spinnennetz is a mini-expansion that introduces three new races (Ice Witches, Skags, and Slingers) along with three special abilities (Impersonators, Lava, and Soul Touch). It comes with a plastic organizer for storing all the tokens and badges, and it accommodates additional Small World expansions. The expansion also includes leader tokens for the new races.

In 1887, a vampire awakens and seeks to quench his thirst for blood. Brave men and women unite to destroy him while thwarting the plot of his loyal servant, Renfield.

Carcassonne: Gold Rush marks the second installment in the "Carcassonne: Around the World" series, transporting players to the rugged landscapes of 19th-century America during the height of the gold rush era. This iteration of the beloved Carcassonne franchise retains the core mechanics of tile placement and feature scoring while introducing a thematic twist that captures the spirit of exploration, competition, and fortune-seeking that defined the period.

Lost Legacy is an official spin-off that includes two sets of 16 cards: The Spaceship and Flying Garden. Players can use either set or combine them in different ways to change the available powers. It is a game of risk, deduction, and luck for 2-4 players, where each round involves drawing, playing a card, executing its effect, and guessing the location of the "Lost Legacy" card.

Alien Frontiers is a competitive board game where players vie to colonize an uncharted planet. As deep space colonists, players must skillfully manage resources, expand their fleet, research alien technology, and establish colonies to gain control of the new world.

Manila is an engaging and speculative board game for 3-5 players, centered around the bustling world of maritime trade. Players take on the role of investors, speculating on and betting against a variety of goods shipments – jade, ginseng, silk, and nutmeg – as they make their precarious journey along sea routes to Manila. The game is a blend of strategy, risk, and luck, with the fate of each shipment ultimately being decided by dice rolls.

Players take on the role of heroes delving into the secrets of air magic in this expansion. It introduces new monsters, equipment, a sorceress hero, and an ancient Greek god as the boss, along with unique room cards. Players can earn experience points and unleash powerful air spells, but they must remain cautious of the newly enhanced flying abilities of the monsters.

Chopstick Dexterity MegaChallenge 3000 is a fast-paced skill game focused on collecting the most game pieces using chopsticks to pick up objects depicted on the pieces. Players compete to retrieve items from a bowl that come in five colors and five shapes, guided by cards revealing specific items or general forms. The game features different rules for two or three players and includes a solo mode where the player has 75 seconds to arrange pieces in a grid based on shapes and colors.

Smash Up: Monster Smash adds a thrilling twist to the Smash Up universe with its inclusion of four new, terrifying factions: vampires, mad scientists, werewolves, and giant ants. This expansion not only enriches the game's thematic diversity but also introduces unique mechanics that reflect the iconic abilities and lore associated with each monster genre.

Players roll three dice on an 8x8 grid. They can write the sum of the dice in either of the two touching fields, as long as their opponent hasn't placed a higher number in an adjacent field. The game ends when one player fills a horizontal and a vertical row, with the winner being the one who occupies the most fields.

Coup: Rebellion G54 is a standalone game that evolves the successful elements of the original "Coup" into a new and exciting format. The game emphasizes strategy, deception, and survival, making it a thrilling challenge for players who enjoy bluffing and deduction.

Gemblo Q is an abstract strategy game featuring transparent colored pieces, each consisting of one to five squares. Players have identical sets of pieces in unique colors, aiming to place all their pieces on the square board. The first piece must be placed in a nearby corner, while each subsequent piece must touch the corner of an already placed piece.

BANG! The Valley of Shadows is an expansion that introduces eight new characters along with rattlesnakes, tornadoes, ruthless "Bandidos," and other threats for daring gunslingers venturing into the Valley of Shadows. The cards are based on submissions from players in the Czech Republic, with design assistance from BANG! creator, Emiliano Sciarra.

Players are challenged to spot differences in a series of five cards after a brief moment of distraction. Can anyone notice if the light in the house is on or if the boy has his hat on backwards? The first player to find the differences gets to keep the corresponding card.

Red Riding Hood and the pig family live peacefully in the village until a hungry wolf appears, eager to feast on them. Instead of giving in, they plan to trap the wolf and drive him away. In this game, the wolf player tries to eat other players to score points, while the prey players can earn points by catching the wolf. Players secretly choose cards to either rest or set a trap, and outcomes depend on their choices in a round-based system. The game concludes when a player reaches ten or more points, and the one with the most points wins.

Co-Mix is a storytelling game about comics. Players have a set of cards, each representing a different comic panel, and must quickly create a simple narrative that fits the theme of the story. The fun arises when these wild tales are shared and discussed, testing the players' imagination and creativity. This game is suitable for everyone, with inspiring illustrations that guide players in creating short, amusing stories that are sure to elicit laughter.

Valley of the Kings is a unique deck-building board game that transports players back to ancient Egypt, where they take on the roles of nobles preparing for the afterlife. The game cleverly integrates Egyptian burial customs and artifacts into its mechanics, offering a thematic and strategic experience.

Players lay down sets of animal cards to try to knock over other players' bucket pyramids. By using their hand cards, they can defend their own buckets or attack others, potentially triggering a cascade effect that topples even more buckets. The game ends when a player loses their last bucket, and the player with the most remaining buckets in their pyramid wins.

Royals is a strategic board game where players assume the roles of powerful noble houses in 17th-century Europe, competing to assert their dominance across the continent. Through skillful management of country and intrigue cards, players aim to secure influential positions and earn victory points by gaining the most influence in key territories.

Dark Tales is a card game inspired by classic fairy tales, reimagined in a dark style. The land is inhabited by disturbing creatures and sinister figures, where the interplay of cards and magical items is crucial for success. A character, event, or sword used at the right moment can determine the fate of the game, and the collected items' powers shift from game to game due to various setting cards.

The legend speaks of the enchanted Sapphire Island, shrouded in mist and magic, where wizards face the ultimate test of magical combat. Only those who survive the supernatural duels will gain great prestige and wealth.

Players take on the role of spellcasters in a family game of deduction and magic. On your turn, you attempt to cast a spell, but only the other players can see which spells you have available. Using cunning strategy and a bit of luck, you must determine the right spells to use against your opponents, but be careful not to miscast too often, or you'll lose the game!

In 506, Sun Tzu marched up the Hwai River and faced an attack from Ch'u armies led by King Shao. Outnumbered, Sun Tzu feigned retreat to trick King Shao into spreading his forces, allowing Sun Tzu to crush them in the Battle of Bai Ju. Players assume the roles of Sun Tzu or King Shao, using strategy and card play to unite China without brute force, while the game progresses through rounds of tactical decision-making.

"Coal Baron," also known as "Glück Auf" in German, is a strategic and immersive board game that plunges players into the world of coal mining. In this game, players become managers of their own coal mines, sending workers underground to dig tunnels and extract coal of varying quality to fulfill contracts.

Sushi Dice is a fast-paced dice game where players compete to complete a sushi dish first. In each round, three cards are revealed, and two players roll six dice simultaneously to match one of the dishes. If a player notices their opponent has rolled an "Igitt" symbol, they can shout "Igitt!" to make them reroll their kept dice. The first to complete a dish keeps the card, and the first player to collect 4 to 6 cards wins.

Imperial Settlers is a dynamic card game where players lead one of four distinct factions - Romans, Barbarians, Egyptians, and Japanese - to build and expand their empires. It's a game of strategy and resource management, set in a newly discovered land ripe for exploration and conflict.

Pirate Fluxx takes the ever-changing rules of the classic card game Fluxx and adds a swashbuckling pirate twist. Players navigate a sea of shifting strategies, aiming to meet the conditions of newly revealed Goal cards by collecting an assortment of thematic Keepers like Ships and Booty. Beware of hindrances like Scurvy and Shackles that can prevent victory, while Captain's Hat grants significant control over the game's flow.

Bunny splashes around in the bathtub with its two ducks when suddenly its toy disappears into the foam. Players can help the little bunny find all its bath toys by recognizing colors and symbols correctly. The instructions include various suggestions to help parents and children explore the game materials together while developing skills such as fine motor skills, concentration, and language abilities, all while having fun.

Romans Go Home! is a fast-paced and humorous card game where players represent Caledonian clans competing to conquer the greatest and most valuable Roman forts along Hadrian's Wall. The game is played over three rounds, with each player programming their warrior cards in advance to win fort cards that have unique effects. Strategic foresight is key, as players must anticipate their opponents' decisions to succeed.

Blocky Mountains is a dexterity game for 2-7 players, featuring cooperative and competitive modes, as well as solo play. Players construct 3D landscapes using large wooden blocks and then navigate a wooden character known as "the Trapper" through various obstacle courses based on randomly drawn challenge cards. Challenges range in difficulty, and players must complete them to advance toward the mountain summit while managing different tasks, including moving supplies and responding to setbacks.

Cthulhu Wars is a grand strategy board game inspired by the Cthulhu mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. This game is notable for its physical scale, featuring an array of detailed figurines representing cultists, monsters, aliens, and the Great Old Ones themselves, varying in size from about 20 mm to a towering 180 mm. Players assume the roles of different factions, each unique in its set of monsters, spell books, and special abilities.

Saint Petersburg (Second Edition) revitalizes the classic game of economic strategy and development set in the historical backdrop of the city's construction under the reign of Czar Peter the Great. This edition not only enhances the gameplay with updated mechanics and components but also introduces a variety of new modules that expand the strategic possibilities and replayability of the game.