The best games presented at the Spiel 2014 game fair in Essen, Germany 2025
Are you looking for a good new game? We have compared all the games presented at the game fair "Spiel 2014" in Essen and listed the top100.
Game fair in the German city of Essen
The International Game Days "SPIEL", often called the Essen Game Fair or Essen 2014 after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day board game fair that is also open to the public. In 2014, the Spiel'14 game fair was held from October 16-19 (Thursday through the following Sunday) at the Messe Essen exhibition center in Essen, Germany. Many new games are released at the fair every year, especially (but not exclusively) European-style board games.
More info about game fair "Spiel" is available at official game website.
SPIEL'14 - the biggest game fair in the world
The first time the fair took place was in 1983 at the Volkshochschule Essen. With 832 exhibitors from 41 nations, 58,000 m² of exhibition space and 158,000 game-loving visitors, Spiel'14 was once again the world's largest trade fair for board games in 2014.
Did we forget a game that was presented at Spiel'14?
If we have forgotten a game that was presented at Spiel 2014? Then write to us at tibi+brettspiele@cephea.de.
Spiel-Messe Essen from other years
The Essen Game Fair has been held since 1983, we have listed for you both across all game years and by year separately at the bottom of the page.
If you are looking for the best new games in general, we have another list for you: The Best New Games 2025.
List with the top100 new releases of Spiel'14:
Patchwork
Patchwork is a two-player game where you compete to create the most beautiful and high-scoring patchwork quilt on your personal 9x9 game board.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.
More details for Patchwork- 2 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Patchwork
Dixit: Daydreams
More details for Dixit: DaydreamsAn 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.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Sushi Go!
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!
Nominated for 9 awards and won 2.
More details for Sushi Go!- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Star Realms
Star Realms is a fast-paced, deck-building card game set in the vastness of space. Designed by renowned game creators, it combines the excitement of deck-building with the strategic depth of combat trading card games.
Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.
More details for Star Realms- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Onitama
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.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.
More details for Onitama- 2 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak- 3 - 10 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a renowned tile-placement game set in the picturesque landscape of Southern France. This game is beloved for its simplicity, depth, and the beautiful mosaic players create on the table.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 6.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2001
More details for Carcassonne- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Carcassonne
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
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.
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for One Night Ultimate Werewolf- 3 - 10 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Pandemic: On the Brink
Pandemic: On the Brink is an expansion for the popular cooperative board game Pandemic. This expansion adds new dimensions to the base game, offering additional challenges and variability in gameplay.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Pandemic: On the Brink- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Loony Quest
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.
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Loony Quest- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Loony Quest
Ca$h 'n Guns: Second Edition
Ca$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.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Ca$h 'n Guns: Second Edition- 4 - 8 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Ca$h 'n Guns: Second Edition
Spyfall
Spyfall immerses players in a unique party game experience where they step into the intriguing roles of spies, navigating through various scenarios to decipher their surroundings. In this engaging game, participants aim to uncover the spy in their midst while the spy endeavors to blend in and discern the secret location.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.
More details for Spyfall- 3 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Spyfall
Tales & Games: The Hare & the Tortoise
The Hare & the Tortoise offers a unique spin on the classic fable through a card-driven betting game where players wager on the outcomes of an animal race. This game combines strategy, luck, and deduction as players manage their hands and place their bets on various creatures, each with distinct movement abilities influenced by the cards played.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Tales & Games: The Hare & the Tortoise- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Witness
More details for WitnessWitness is a unique cooperative board game designed for exactly four players, based on the intriguing universe of the Belgian comic series Blake and Mortimer by Edgar P. Jacobs. The game revolves around solving mysteries through a clever yet challenging communication system where players can only share information in a very restricted manner.
- 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Witness
Hanabi
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.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2013
More details for Hanabi- 2 - 5 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Mascarade: Expansion
More details for Mascarade: ExpansionThe masquerade starts anew! Will you succumb to the charm of the courtesan or the spells of the necromancer?
- 2 - 13 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Mascarade: Expansion
Tichu
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.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Tichu- 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Orléans
Orléans is a strategic board game set in medieval France, where players compete to gain supremacy through trade, construction, and science by assembling a diverse following of characters like farmers, merchants, knights, and monks.
Nominated for 12 awards and won 4.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015
More details for Orléans- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Colt Express
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.
Nominated for 18 awards and won 8.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2015
More details for Colt Express- 2 - 6 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Coconuts Duo
More details for Coconuts DuoCoconuts Duo is a standalone expansion for the dexterity game where players use their monkey catapults to throw coconuts into cups, claim them, and place them on their boards. By stacking a pyramid of six cups, players can win the game and claim the title of Monkey King, but they must watch out for the new powerful magic cards that the other player can use. It can be played as a tense two-player game with ten new special magic cards or combined with the original game for up to six players.
- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Coconuts Duo
Snake Oil
Snake Oil offers a refreshing twist on party games, where creativity, quick thinking, and persuasive skills reign supreme. Players transform into cunning salespeople, concocting bizarre products from a random assortment of word cards to pitch to various "customers" drawn from a deck of unique character cards. The aim is not just to sell a product but to tailor the pitch to the whims and needs of an ever-changing clientele, ranging from pirates to zombies.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Snake Oil- 3 - 10 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala
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.
Nominated for 14 awards and won 5.
More details for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 - 80 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala
Beasty Bar
More details for Beasty BarBeasty 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.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Pandemic: The Cure
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.
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Pandemic: The Cure- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Qwixx Mixx
More details for Qwixx MixxQwixx 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.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Diamonds
Diamonds offers a unique twist on traditional trick-taking card games. Instead of merely collecting cards, players are vying for "Diamond Crystals," represented by actual acrylic crystals included in the game. This game stands out with its innovative "Suit Actions" that come into play when players cannot follow suit or win tricks.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Diamonds- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Red7
Red7 is a fast-paced and innovative card game that combines simplicity with strategic depth. The game revolves around a unique mechanic where the rules and the objectives can change dynamically throughout the game.
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Red7- 2 - 4 Players
- 5 - 30 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
Arcadia Quest
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Arcadia Quest- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Abyss
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.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.
More details for Abyss- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Inis
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.
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Inis- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Inis
Machi Koro
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.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2015
More details for Machi Koro- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Machi Koro
Castles of Mad King Ludwig
Castles of Mad King Ludwig is a creative and strategic tile-laying game where players construct an opulent castle for King Ludwig II of Bavaria. This game combines architectural planning with economic strategy.
Nominated for 14 awards and won 4.
More details for Castles of Mad King Ludwig- 1 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Rory's Story Cubes: Intergalactic
More details for Rory's Story Cubes: IntergalacticRory's Story Cubes is a fun game that sharpens your mind and stimulates your imagination. The Intergalactic expansion adds 3 new dice with 18 space-themed symbols, including aliens. This expansion can be played on its own or combined with the original game, aiding in creative problem solving, language learning, and storytelling. Players roll the dice and spin a tale from the actions depicted.
- 1 - 10 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Terra
More details for TerraTerra is a trivia-based party game that marries the thrill of geographical discovery with the fun of educated guessing. A spiritual successor to Friedemann's FAUNA, this game shifts the focus from animals to a wide array of geographic information, challenging players to approximate answers to questions about landmarks, historical events, and natural wonders. With a dual-sided board featuring both Metric and Imperial measurements and 300 diverse topics across oversized cards, Terra invites players to venture guesses on everything from the length of the Golden Gate Bridge to the number of sculptures on Easter Island.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
King of New York
King of New York is a fast-paced, standalone board game designed by Richard Garfield, which builds upon the ideas of its predecessor, King of Tokyo. Players step into the roles of giant monsters vying for supremacy in the bustling metropolis of New York City. The objective is to be the first to accumulate 20 victory points (VPs) or to be the last monster standing in this thrilling city-destroying battle.
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for King of New York- 2 - 6 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Medieval Academy
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Medieval Academy- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Black Fleet
Black Fleet sets you in the bustling Caribbean, captaining merchant ships, pirate vessels, and even Navy ships, each with their own quest for glory and fortune. This tactical card-driven game mixes strategy with a dash of luck as you navigate different ship types to achieve your goals.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Black Fleet- 3 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Speed Cups²
More details for Speed Cups²Players 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.
- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Alien Frontiers
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.
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Alien Frontiers- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Pick-a-Seal
More details for Pick-a-SealPick-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.
- 1 - 5 Players
- 10 - 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Small World: Royal Bonus
More details for Small World: Royal BonusSmall World: Royal Bonus is a mini-expansion featuring three races (Fauns, Igors, and Bush Men) and three special abilities (Water Spirit, Monster, and Fireball). Initially released for Kickstarter backers of the digital version, it will be available in retail as of November 2014.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 80 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Small World: A Spider's Web
More details for Small World: A Spider's WebKleine 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.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 80 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Kobayakawa
More details for KobayakawaKobayakawa is a game of bluffing and deduction. Players start with four tokens and must decide whether to stay in the game or fold after revealing their cards. The goal is to have the highest total value from your card and the current Kobayakawa, with the game ending after seven rounds, and the player with the most tokens declared the winner.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
Bee Alert
More details for Bee AlertSix 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.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 4+ years old
- Immediately playable
Manila
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.
Nominated for 7 awards.
More details for Manila- 3 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Six Making
More details for Six MakingSix 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.
- 2 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Kamisado Max
More details for Kamisado MaxPlayers 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.
- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Nations: The Dice Game
More details for Nations: The Dice GameNations: The Dice Game is a fast-paced, dice-driven game that captures the essence of civilization-building. Designed for 1-4 players, it condenses the expansive experience of the original Nations board game into a more streamlined and quicker format, ideal for players looking for a shorter playtime without sacrificing strategic depth.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Nations: The Dice Game
Smash Up: Monster Smash
More details for Smash Up: Monster SmashSmash 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.
- 2 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Anno Domini: Wissenschaft & Forschung
More details for Anno Domini: Wissenschaft & ForschungEach 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.
- 2 - 8 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Carcassonne: Gold Rush
More details for Carcassonne: Gold RushCarcassonne: 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.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 35 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Carcassonne: Gold Rush
Luchador! Mexican Wrestling Dice
A fast-paced, physically intense dice game for 2 to 4 players, it is set in the world of professional Mexican wrestling, or "Lucha Libre." Players start with health points and roll dice to reduce their opponent’s strength to zero for a knockout or pin them to win. Each player uses their own set of wrestling dice to attempt attacks and counters, with special conditions for double hits and team play.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Luchador! Mexican Wrestling Dice- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Coup: Rebellion G54
More details for Coup: Rebellion G54Coup: 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.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dungeon Fighter: Stormy Winds
More details for Dungeon Fighter: Stormy WindsPlayers 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.
- 1 - 6 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Voodoo
More details for VoodooAncient 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.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Col-Or-Form
Colors and shapes are arranged in a 3x3 card layout. Players use their symbol cards to change the layout, aiming to match the specified tasks related to colors or shapes. The player who collects the most symbols from the task cards wins, but the simultaneous play creates a colorful challenge as task cards can be flipped in players' minds.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Col-Or-Form- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Nosferatu
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.
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More details for Nosferatu- 4 - 10 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Lost Legacy
More details for Lost LegacyLost 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.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Hamsterbacke
More details for HamsterbackeIn the challenging card game, players aim to collect as many sets of cards as possible while also retaining them and gaining extra points from other players. However, those who are too greedy may find themselves left behind. The winner is the player with the most points at the end.
- 3 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Among the Stars
Welcome to the universe of Among the Stars, a galaxy scarred by war but now united in the face of an imminent danger. In this captivating board game, players find themselves as leaders of various alien races, tasked with the monumental mission of constructing space stations. These stations serve as hubs for trade, diplomacy, and defense, essential for the survival of all.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Among the Stars- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Mahé
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.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Mahé- 2 - 7 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Flash Point: Fire Rescue – Honor & Duty
More details for Flash Point: Fire Rescue – Honor & DutyEhre und Pflicht is an expansion that features a double-sided game board, depicting a plane fire on one side and a subway station disaster on the other. It includes several new game tokens and detailed instructions for using these new materials. The first edition available through Kickstarter offers a new specialist card and a unique attic and basement layout, which won't be included in the retail version.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Quartermaster General
Quartermaster General is a dynamic board game that immerses players in the strategic military operations of the Second World War. Representing major powers from the Axis and Allied teams, players must effectively manage their forces through careful use of cards and maintain supply lines to sustain their military efforts. The objective is to maximize victory points, either by controlling key supply spaces or by successfully executing strategic card-driven maneuvers.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Quartermaster General- 2 - 6 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Quartermaster General
BANG! The Valley of Shadows
More details for BANG! The Valley of ShadowsBANG! 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.
- 4 - 7 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Royals
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.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Royals- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Valley of the Kings
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Valley of the Kings- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
GembloQ
More details for GembloQGemblo 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.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Imperial Settlers
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.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.
More details for Imperial Settlers- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Imperial Settlers
Conan
Conan is an asymmetric, semi-cooperative board game set in Robert E. Howard's universe, where players take on the roles of Conan and his companions, or the Overlord controlling opposition forces. The game, emphasizing Howard's original stories, features various scenarios and maps with diverse objectives. Players engage in strategic battles using a unique energy gem system for actions, while the Overlord manages units with a sliding tile board. Each scenario offers a distinct adventure with an approximate one-hour playtime.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Conan- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Conan
Cthulhu Wars
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.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for Cthulhu Wars- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Cthulhu Wars
Sun Tzu
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Sun Tzu- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Chopstick Dexterity MegaChallenge 3000
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Chopstick Dexterity MegaChallenge 3000- 1 - 3 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America
More details for Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North AmericaPower Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America is a standalone game in the Power Grid universe, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the original Power Grid game. This deluxe edition boasts a double-sided game board featuring maps of Europe and North America, newly designed wooden components, and a completely new deck of power plants, including some that use natural gas. The game also introduces an enhanced two-player experience called “Against the Trust” and new overview cards for resource refills.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Evolution
Evolution is a dynamic board game that simulates an ecosystem where players adapt their species to survive in a changing environment. The game emphasizes strategic adaptation, where players must develop their species with various traits to secure food and protect themselves from predators.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Evolution- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Evolution
Irish Gauge
More details for Irish GaugeIrish Gauge is a compelling board game set against the picturesque backdrop of Ireland, embodying the essence of stock-based, cube-rail games that have become a signature of Winsome Games. As part of the esteemed 2014 Essen Set, this game invites players to immerse themselves in the competitive world of railway development and investment during the golden age of rail.
- 3 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Coal Baron
"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.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Coal Baron- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Coal Baron
Yay!
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013
More details for Yay!- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dark Tales
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Dark Tales- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Saint Petersburg (Second Edition)
More details for Saint Petersburg (Second Edition)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.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Saint Petersburg (Second Edition)
Abracada...What?
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!
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Abracada...What?- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Easy to learn
Room 25: Season 2
More details for Room 25: Season 2The famous show is back for a new season, introducing two new characters: the Adventurer and the Psychopath. In this expansion, every character has a unique ability, and players can perform an extra action in a turn thanks to an adrenaline boost. The complexity of the game has increased with the addition of new rooms, challenging players even further.
- 1 - 8 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Quint-X
More details for Quint-XThe game board in Quint-X consists of five interlocking squares, with a central square and one square at each of the four corners, all featuring an X-hole pattern that mirrors the arrangement of the squares. In the first round, a player places a marble in any hole, but thereafter, they must place a marble in the field corresponding to the position of the hole where the previous player placed their marble, allowing for flexible placement within that square. To win, players must either completely fill a field with their marbles, have the majority of marbles in three of the five fields when all fields are full, or have all their marbles on the board at the start of their turn.
- 2 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Cyclades: Titans
Cyclades: Titans, the second expansion, introduces a new game board featuring large islands for ground attacks and the Titans from Greek legend, who can attack without Ares' assistance. Tensions have reached a boiling point in the Cyclades archipelago, centering on two major neighboring islands with six ancient Greek cities battling for supremacy.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Cyclades: Titans- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Cyclades: Titans
Concordia: Britannia / Germania
More details for Concordia: Britannia / GermaniaConcordia: Britannia Germania features a double-sided map. The Britannia map has only 23 cities across ten provinces, leading to a tight game where players start in London and Boulogne and expand from the south. In contrast, the Germania map introduces 30 cities in twelve provinces, along with additional castles, varied starting positions, and sea colonists moving along rivers, adding new options to the gameplay.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Eat Me If You Can!
More details for Eat Me If You Can!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.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Lift it!
Players try to build projects depicted on construction cards using a hook to lift blocks of various shapes. They score points for each correctly placed block and additional points for completing the structure within a time limit. As players accumulate points, they compete against each other to erect structures or explain constructions to other players, who then attempt to build based on these explanations.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Lift it!- 1 - 8 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Escape: Zombie City
More details for Escape: Zombie CityPlayers are survivors of a zombie apocalypse, hiding in a church in a city. Everything is relatively fine until a massive wave of zombies arrives, threatening their safety. The only escape involves gathering supplies, starting an old VW Microbus, and fleeing the city before it’s too late.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Co-Mix
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.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Co-Mix- 3 - 10 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Bucket King 3D
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.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Bucket King 3D- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
La Cosa Nostra
More details for La Cosa NostraPlayers take on the role of a Mafia boss, initially controlling a gang of thugs and a few businesses. They hire new gangsters to perform dirty work and collect money, while investing in various enterprises such as drug trafficking and loan sharking. Collaborating with other families can lead to big deals, but betrayal is always a risk as players negotiate, spy, and deceive one another throughout the game.
- 3 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 16+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for La Cosa Nostra
Spellcaster
More details for SpellcasterThe 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.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Fleet: Arctic Bounty
Fleet: Arctic Bounty allows players to choose which license and boat cards to use in each game, offering endless combinations and replayability. Players can mix old and new licenses to create unique experiences, while the expansion introduces over 120 new cards, including new premium and base licenses, dock cards, crewman cards, and updated rules for single and two-player variants.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Fleet: Arctic Bounty- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Stay Away!
More details for Stay Away!A group of archaeologists has mysteriously disappeared during an expedition on the resurrected island of R'lyeh. As members of a rescue team, you must investigate the site, but you soon encounter a terrifying force that seeks to destroy your team from within.
- 4 - 12 Players
- 15 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
Village: Port
More details for Village: PortWith Village Port, an expansion, you can now board your own ship and sail the seven seas. Hire captains, sell local goods, and collect foreign items. Send family members as missionaries to distant islands and dig up treasure chests, all while pursuing your own unique career path with life goal cards.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Village: Port
Doodle City
More details for Doodle CityDoodle City is a fast-paced family game centered on urban planning. Players draw a network of streets on their boards to build a city and aim to collect points for hotels, shops, and taxis while striving to avoid polluting the environment. Each round, players roll dice that determine where they can build, and points are scored based on the streets connected to buildings. The game ends when a player achieves the maximum points for hotels or shops, or loses their last tree due to pollution.
- 1 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
La Isla
La Isla is a strategic board game that immerses players in the role of explorers on an uncharted island. The objective is to capture and study various animal species, leveraging resources and scientific planning to earn points. The game combines elements of tile placement, resource management, and set collection, offering a rich and engaging experience.
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 44% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for La Isla- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Pirate Fluxx
More details for Pirate FluxxPirate 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.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 10 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Look!
More details for Look!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.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 4+ years old
- Immediately playable
Space Cadets: Dice Duel – Die Fighter
Space Cadets: Dice Duel – The Fighter introduces two new experiences for veterans, offering a fresh way to play.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Space Cadets: Dice Duel – Die Fighter- 2 - 10 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
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