The best games presented at the Spiel 2013 game fair in Essen, Germany 2024

Crokinole is a traditional action and dexterity game that has been enjoyed for generations. Played on a circular wooden board, it combines skill, strategy, and a touch of luck.

In Love Letter, you must compete with other suitors to deliver a romantic letter to Princess Annette, who has secluded herself in the palace.

Dixit: Origins (also known as Dixit 4) is a captivating expansion to the award-winning Dixit game, renowned for its creative and whimsical gameplay. This expansion introduces 84 new cards adorned with surreal and imaginative artwork that enriches the core game, providing fresh inspiration for the storytellers and adding to the game's vast replayability.

Embark on a journey of bluffing and suspense with Skull & Roses. This game is the epitome of strategic cunning, where every move unfolds in the minds of the players. Each participant starts by placing a face-down card, gradually revealing them one by one. The thrill escalates as players confidently claim the ability to uncover cards adorned only with roses. But beware, as opponents can challenge and bid to reveal even more cards. The highest bidder must then courageously unveil the specified number, hoping for a bed of roses and not the dreaded skull. Successfully navigating this bluffing showdown requires a poker face and unwavering eye contact, with victory hinging on two successful challenges.

Las Vegas is a lively, dice-based game that combines luck, strategy, and the joy of thwarting your opponents. Developed by Stefan Brück at alea, it's designed to be an easy and interactive game, full of schadenfreude moments.

Coconuts is a lively dexterity game inspired by the "Monkey King" character from Chinese mythology. In this engaging and playful game, players take turns launching coconuts towards cups positioned in the center of the play area. Successfully landing a coconut in a cup allows you to stack it on your board. Even more strategically, if you land a coconut in an opponent's cup, you can claim it and move it to your board. The game also features "Monkey King Magic" cards, which add a twist by allowing players to disrupt their opponents' shots in various ways. The first player to build a pyramid of six cups on their board is the winner.

Qwixx is a fast-paced and engaging dice game that involves all players actively, regardless of whose turn it is. It combines simple mechanics with a need for strategic decision-making, making it a fun and interactive game for all involved.

BANG! The Dice Game transports players to the U.S. wild west, where the classic confrontation between the law and outlaws unfolds with an added threat of Indian attacks. This dice game adaptation retains the essence of the original Bang! card game while introducing new dynamics and challenges.

Coup: Reformation is an engaging expansion to the popular game Coup: City State. This expansion from La Mame Games introduces additional cards and exciting new rules for factions and team play, enriching the original game's bluffing and strategy elements. Designed to increase tension and interaction, especially in games with four or more players, it also expands the game's capacity to accommodate up to ten players.

Concordia is a peaceful yet strategic board game set in Roman times, focusing on economic development and expansion. It is designed for 2-5 players aged 13 and up.

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.

King of Tokyo: Halloween is an exciting expansion to the popular King of Tokyo game. It brings a spooky twist to the city-smashing monster battles, perfect for Halloween or any fans of horror-themed fun.

Takenoko is a charming board game set in the Japanese Imperial court, revolving around the care of a giant panda gifted by the Chinese Emperor. Players, as court members, are tasked with managing a bamboo garden for the panda.

In Concept, the challenge is to convey words using a network of icons. A pair of players, seated as neighbors, collaborate to select a word or phrase that others must deduce. Working in tandem, they strategically place markers on the available icons on the game board.

Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters, also known as Geister, Geister, Schatzsuchmeister!, is an award-winning cooperative board game where players embark on an eerie adventure to collect treasures from a haunted house.

In Terror in Meeple City (formerly known as Rampage), players step into the roles of colossal monsters, hungry for destruction and chaos in the heart of Meeple City. The objective is simple: create mayhem by demolishing buildings and devouring innocent meeples, all in a race to become the most fearsome monster of them all.

Zombie Dice 2: Double Feature is an expansion to the popular game Zombie Dice, adding a cinematic twist with three new thematic dice that enhance gameplay and offer fresh challenges. This expansion is cleverly divided into two thematic "movies," each introducing unique characters and mechanics, and can be combined for an even more engaging gameplay experience.

Dominion: Guilds is a clever and engaging expansion to the widely beloved deck-building game, Dominion. This expansion, the eighth addition to the series, introduces players to the bustling world of guilds, where artisans from various professions—ranging from the whimsical to the essential—hone their crafts and vie for dominance. With a humorous nod to the complexities of the economy and job market, Guilds adds depth and variety to the Dominion universe through its thematic focus on guild membership, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of masterpieces.

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.

Blueprints is a creative and strategic board game where players take on the role of architects. The objective is to skillfully use colored dice to construct three distinct structures from blueprints. Each die color offers different benefits, adding a layer of strategy to the building process.

Battle Sheep, formerly known as Splits, is a light-hearted yet strategic board game where players aim to spread their flock of sheep across the pasture to occupy the most territory. The game is known for its simple rules, quick gameplay, and fun theme, making it a great choice for families and casual gamers.

Ticket to Ride Map Collection: Volume 4 - Nederland adds an innovative twist to the classic Ticket to Ride gameplay, focusing on the picturesque landscapes and intricate waterways of the Netherlands. This expansion not only brings a fresh geographical setting to the game but also introduces new strategic elements that significantly impact how players approach the game.

Carcassonne: South Seas brings the classic tile-laying charm of the original Carcassonne to a vibrant, tropical setting. This standalone game, the first in the "Carcassonne Around the World" series, offers players the task of building island landscapes filled with inviting seas and lush islands. Instead of the traditional cities, roads, and fields, players work to gather bananas, shellfish, and fish, trading these resources for points with various traders. The familiar mechanics of placing tiles and meeples blend seamlessly with this refreshing maritime theme, offering both seasoned Carcassonne fans and newcomers a delightful new variant to explore.

Mascarade is a bluffing and strategy card game that revolves around hidden identities and tactical actions. Players engage in a masquerade, taking on various roles to gain coins and outwit their opponents.

Suburbia Inc elevates the city-building experience of the original Suburbia game, inviting players to explore new horizons as city planners of growing boroughs. The incorporation of your town isn't just a matter of paperwork; it opens the door to innovative development strategies and opportunities. This expansion introduces unique borders, over a dozen new buildings, and additional game mechanics like Bonuses for income boosts and Challenges to enhance your reputation. These elements combine to deepen the strategic depth of the game, offering fresh ways to grow your urban landscape.

CATAN, formerly known as The Settlers of Catan, is a highly acclaimed and award-winning strategy board game where players aim to become the dominant force on the island of Catan. The game is renowned for its appeal to both experienced gamers and newcomers to the board game hobby.

Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game is a creative and interactive game where players collaboratively weave a fairy tale story. Using cards that depict common fairy tale elements, one player takes on the role of the Storyteller, steering the narrative toward their desired ending, while others interject to redirect the story and become the new Storyteller. The objective is to play all your cards and conclude with your "Happy Ever After" ending.

Martian Dice offers a light-hearted and engaging dice game where you play as Martians on a mission to abduct Earth's inhabitants. The goal is simple: collect as many Chickens, Cows, and Humans as possible while avoiding the planet's military defenses. It's a game of risk, reward, and strategy packaged in quick, fun turns perfect for family game night or as a warm-up for a longer gaming session.

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.

Trains is a strategic deck-building board game that combines railway development with elements of capitalist competition. Set against the backdrop of the industrial revolution and the subsequent railway boom, players take on the roles of capitalists managing private railway companies in Japan. The game offers a fascinating blend of historical railway development and modern strategic gameplay.

"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.

Ricochet Robots offers a unique blend of puzzle and game, challenging players to find efficient solutions in a dynamic board setup. The game features a modular board representing a room filled with walls and targets, where the main objective is to maneuver color-coded robots to their corresponding targets using the least number of moves possible.

CV is a dice and card game that explores the intriguing concept of life's possibilities and choices. Players get to create a narrative for their character, guiding them through various stages of life, from early adulthood to old age. The game combines elements of strategy and chance, allowing players to craft a unique life story for their character based on the decisions they make and the paths they choose.

Steam Park is an imaginative and engaging board game where players become owners of a steam-themed amusement park. The goal is to build impressive coal-powered rides, attract a multitude of visitors, and effectively manage the park’s resources. The game stands out with its three-dimensional ride constructions and a blend of strategic planning and quick decision-making.

Rococo immerses players in the lavish Rococo era during the reign of Louis XV, where they take on the role of managing a prestigious ball. The game blends elements of deck-building and resource management, requiring players to skilfully navigate the demands of dressmaking and event planning to gain the most prestige.

Glass Road celebrates the centuries-old tradition of glass-making in the Bavarian Forest, offering a unique blend of resource management and strategy in a historical setting.

Dungeon Roll is a dice-based adventure game where players explore a fantasy dungeon, battling monsters, acquiring treasures, and ultimately facing the formidable dragon. Each player takes on the role of a hero with unique abilities and aims to amass the most experience points through their daring exploits.

Russian Railroads is a strategic board game where players compete to build the most extensive and advanced railway network in Russia. The game combines worker placement with track building and resource management elements, offering players various paths to victory.

The Builders: Middle Ages is a card game where players construct buildings by matching worker skills with building requirements. Strategic use of resources is key to earning points and money through completing buildings.

Caverna: The Cave Farmers is a worker-placement board game that builds upon the mechanics of its predecessor, Agricola. It combines farming and cave dwelling themes, where players manage a dwarf family and their expanding homestead.

Firefly: The Game is a thematic and strategic board game based on the popular Firefly television series created by Joss Whedon. The game immerses players in the universe of the show, where they take on the roles of captains of Firefly-class transport ships, navigating through space, taking on jobs, and dealing with various challenges.

Amerigo takes players on an adventurous journey with the famed explorer Amerigo Vespucci, as they discover new lands in South America, establish trading routes, and build settlements. The game stands out with its unique cube tower mechanic, which adds an element of surprise and strategy to the gameplay.

Mage Knight Board Game: The Lost Legion Expansion continues the epic saga introduced in the acclaimed Mage Knight Board Game. This expansion brings a blend of fear and hope to the world of Atlantea with the reemergence of General Volkare and his Lost Legion, introducing a new dynamic to the game with both a new Mage Knight — Wolfhawk — and a formidable foe, General Volkare himself. Designed by Vlaada Chvátil and presented by WizKids, this expansion enriches the Mage Knight universe with additional tiles, cards, and scenarios, enhancing the gameplay experience and introducing rules for up to five players.

Space Cadets: Dice Duel throws you into the midst of a frenetic space battle where teamwork and quick decision-making are key to victory. In this real-time, dice-rolling game, players split into two teams, each operating a spaceship aiming to outmaneuver and outgun their opponents. The game captures the chaos of space combat as you and your crew rush to man your stations, from generating power to firing torpedoes, all in a bid to land the crippling blow on the enemy ship.

Cthulhu Fluxx immerses players in the eerie and uncertain world of H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos, where sanity is fleeting and the risk of doom is ever-present. This iteration of the popular Fluxx card game series brings the thematic elements of cosmic horror and the supernatural into the ever-changing rules and gameplay that Fluxx fans adore. Players will navigate through the chaos, attempting to fulfill strange and shifting victory conditions while warding off madness and the disruptive influence of Creepers like Cthulhu itself.

Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar – Tribes & Prophecies expansion adds a rich layer of strategy and variability to the already complex and engaging game of Tzolk'in. By introducing individual tribes with unique abilities, players are given distinct advantages that can influence their strategy throughout the game. This thematic addition not only deepens the immersion into Mayan culture but also encourages players to explore new tactics and strategies to maximize their tribe's potential.

Francis Drake is a thrilling board game that takes players back to Plymouth Harbor in 1572, during the Elizabethan era. As aspiring captains, players engage in the strategic planning of voyages to the Spanish Main, aiming to capture the riches of the Aztec and Inca Empires. The game is a competitive race to outfit ships and set sail to claim these treasures, requiring careful decision-making and resource management.