The best games presented at the Spiel 2006 game fair in Essen, Germany 2025

Ticket to Ride: USA 1910 is an expansion for the award-winning Ticket to Ride board game. This expansion enhances the original game with new cards and additional ways to play, offering a richer and more varied experience.

Ave Caesar is a race game set in ancient Rome, where players maneuver chariots around the Circus Maximus using cards. The track design includes challenging elements like bottlenecks and lane restrictions, reminiscent of modern racing games like Detroit-Cleveland Grand Prix and Daytona 500. Players must complete three laps and make a strategic stop to 'Hail Caesar' before crossing the finish line. The game balances light strategy with the need for careful planning, especially when navigating corners.

Taluva is a strategic board game set on an emerging South Sea island, where players compete to settle the land amidst the constant threat of volcanic eruptions. Each player must skillfully navigate the dynamic landscape, strategically placing tiles and buildings to expand their settlements while contending with the volatile natural environment.

Mr. Jack is a captivating two-player board game that delves into the mystery and intrigue surrounding the infamous Jack the Ripper. This game involves a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase set in a historical context, requiring strategic thinking and deduction.

The first expansion introduces new elements to the game. It includes figures for two additional players, four new tiles for the track, and a representation of Flixxy, the bird. Additionally, there are four discs numbered +1 to +4, ten worm tiles, and an action die.

Neumond is the first expansion, requiring the base game to play. It includes 36 event cards and introduces five new villager roles: the Idiot, the Elder, the Bagpiper, the Scapegoat, and the Rescuer. The expansion also offers nine new variants with playing suggestions, such as playing in the dark while holding a candle to each player’s face, or having werewolves infect civilians instead of eating them.

Power Grid: Benelux/Central Europe adds a compelling layer of strategy and regional flavor to the classic Power Grid experience. By introducing maps of Benelux and Central Europe, this expansion not only diversifies the geographical backdrop but also integrates unique rule adjustments that mirror the energy landscapes of these regions.

Notre Dame is a strategic board game set in 14th century Paris, where players assume the roles of heads of influential families vying for prosperity and reputation around the iconic Notre Dame cathedral.

Yspahan is a strategic board game set in 1598, during the period when Yspahan became the capital of the Persian empire. Players take on the roles of merchants in this flourishing city, aiming to maximize their gains through shrewd trading and development. The game stands out for its unique combination of dice-driven actions and multiple paths to victory.

Lifeboats thrusts players into the aftermath of a maritime disaster, challenging them to navigate the treacherous waters of negotiation and survival. This game, also known by the German title 'Rette Sich Wer Kann' ('Each Man for Himself'), is renowned for its intense player interactions and strategic depth. The objective is straightforward yet fraught with peril: guide one of six lifeboats to safety on distant islands, with only one boat advancing each turn based on collective player votes.

BattleLore is a strategic board game that creatively blends historical and fantasy elements, set against the backdrop of a Medieval Europe Uchronia during the Hundred Years War.

Traders of Osaka (previously known as Traders of Carthage) transports players to the historic trade routes between Osaka and Edo, Japan. In this strategic economic game, players take on the role of merchants aiming to deliver precious cargo while navigating the perils of piracy and competitive trade. The game artfully combines set collection mechanics with a dynamic market system and a unique shipping track that simulates the journey of goods to their destination. Players must balance the acquisition of goods, managing their hand of cards for payment, and timing their market purchases to maximize profit and achieve victory.

The Pillars of the Earth, inspired by Ken Follett's bestselling novel, is a strategy board game set in the early 13th century, centered around the construction of a grand cathedral in England. This game, part of the Kosmos line of literature-based games, challenges players to contribute to the cathedral's construction while vying for victory points.

Players take on the role of pirates trying to reach their hideout on Tortuga after escaping from prison. They must navigate through jungles and seas while competing against other pirate crews, aiming to be the first to hoist the Jolly Roger flag and claim victory. The game features action management, where players can advance their pirates, hinder opponents, and sail between islands.

Set in the Perry Rhodan universe, players assume the role of traders transporting goods between planets. They can also carry passengers for additional profit and invest in upgrades for their spaceships. The gameplay involves strategic card actions, including loading and unloading goods, with the aim of accumulating victory points to win.

A new mayor is needed for Quietville, a city plagued by frequent disasters, including an erupting volcano, alien invasions, and a mutated dinosaur. Candidates must demonstrate their leadership by managing parts of the city while avoiding damage from these calamities. The player who can build and protect the wealthiest neighborhood will be elected as the new mayor.

Players take on the role of notorious pirates aboard the Santy Anno, a fearsome ship sailing the Caribbean seas. After a night of revelry, they forget where their ship is and who their captain is. The first three players to board will become captain and first officers, while latecomers will have to clean the decks.

The Princes of Florence transports players to the Renaissance era, where they take on the roles of heads of influential families in Florence. The goal is to gain prestige by attracting the greatest artists and scholars to their palaces.

Claim your land in these gold-rich hills! Roll the dice to stake your territory, steal claims from others, or double your own for a permanent hold. Keep rolling to claim more land, but beware—bad rolls can cost you everything. At the end, the player with the largest connected area of claimed fields wins.

Kabale und Hiebe is a fast-paced card game where wizards, dragons, kings, and princesses vie for glory. Players use their royal households to create problems for opponents and employ clever tricks to outsmart them. The game lasts six rounds, with players revealing gate cards and playing influence cards to gain the upper hand. After the final round, players compare their scores or can calculate points based on sets of symbols to determine the winner.

Shogun immerses players in the tumultuous Sengoku or "Warring States" Period of Japan, where each player, as a Daimyo, vies for dominance over the provinces of the Japanese islands.

Relikt invites players on an adventurous treasure hunt! Ride through the jungle on an elephant, face dangerous challenges, and collect valuable gems. As treasure seekers, players strive to find the most precious treasures while passing cursed items to their opponents. The player with the most valuable treasures at the end wins.

Players lead a group of thieves in a quest to secure the best loot in well-guarded palaces of Baghdad. They must navigate the watchmen and use their cards strategically to outsmart their opponents. The first player to collect four treasures wins the game.

Arkadia is a strategic board game centered around the construction of the city and castle of Arkadia. Players take on the roles of builders, utilizing cards, workers, and neutral workers to erect houses and develop the city, intertwined with the growing castle at its heart.

The goal is to build the most successful underground lines and score the highest points. Points can be collected by connecting lines to various destinations on the board and allowing passengers to travel between stations.

Take it to the Limit is an expanded version of the original game. The boards are larger, featuring 64 game stones in four colors, divided into "Moon" and "Sun" stones, along with bonus tiles. Players can choose between the challenging "Nexus" board for a longer game or the quicker "Orchid" board for a faster, different experience.

Players take on the role of fishermen aiming to catch the most valuable fish and sell them at the best prices. With limited storage space for the catch, they must think strategically about when to bring fish to market. Fulfilling specific wishes can enhance sales value and provide extra storage, making careful planning essential.

Players take on the role of passengers in a carriage racing toward the Castle of the Devil, each part of a secret society without knowing friends from foes. Each player belongs to one of two secret factions and has a unique secret role with special abilities. To win, factions must collectively gather three specific artifacts by uncovering allies and locating the artifacts among other players' secret items through trades or duels.

Players aim to score the most victory points over five rounds, with scoring occurring after the 1st, 3rd, and 5th rounds. Using eight dice displaying six building symbols, players roll three dice each turn to collect symbols for buildings. The player with the highest roll chooses between two buildings or a building and a special token providing additional bonuses, while the second-best player receives the remaining option. Victory points are awarded based on majorities in building categories, similar to the original game.

Factory Fun is a dynamic and engaging board game where players take on the role of factory managers, aiming to construct the most efficient and profitable manufacturing plant. Through strategic placement of machines and careful management of resources, players connect inputs and outputs to optimize their production lines. The challenge intensifies as the factory floor becomes increasingly crowded with machinery, making the puzzle of connecting all components without unnecessary expense more complex.