The best games presented at the Spiel 2015 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 2015" 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 2015 after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day board game fair that is also open to the public. In 2015, the Spiel'15 game fair was held from October 08 to 11 (Thursday to the following Sunday) on the grounds of Messe Essen 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'15 - the biggest game fair in the world
The first time the fair took place was in 1983 at the Volkshochschule Essen. In 2015, Spiel'15 was once again the world's largest trade fair for board games, with 910 exhibitors from 41 nations, nearly 1,000 new launches and 162,000 game-loving visitors.
Did we forget a game that was presented at Spiel'15?
If we have forgotten a game that was presented at Spiel 2015? 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 listed separately by year at the bottom of the page.
If you are looking for the best new games in general, we have another list for you that is always up to date: The Best New Games 2025.
List with the top100 new releases of Spiel'15:
KLASK
KLASK is a magnetic, fast-paced table-top game that combines elements of air hockey and foosball, offering a unique and exciting gameplay experience.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.
More details for KLASK- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong offers a riveting game of deduction and deception designed for 4-12 players, providing an immersive experience in approximately 20 minutes.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Deception: Murder in Hong Kong- 4 - 12 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Star Realms: Colony Wars
Colony Wars is an engaging standalone deckbuilding game in the Star Realms series, offering both an individual gaming experience for two players and an expansion to the original Star Realms for up to four players.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Star Realms: Colony Wars- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Karuba
Karuba is a tile-laying race game that combines strategy with a touch of luck, as players navigate their explorers through a dense jungle to reach temples and collect treasures. Each player's decision-making skills are put to the test as they create paths and vie to be the first to explore the riches of Karuba.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
โญ๏ธ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2016
More details for Karuba- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Celestia
Celestia is a reimagined version of Cloud 9, where players join an adventurous journey through the mythical cities of Celestia to gather treasures. It's a game of risk, strategy, and decision-making, set in a whimsical and perilous airspace.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Celestia- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Celestia
Virus!
Virus! is a fast-paced and competitive card game where players race to stop a pandemic by isolating a healthy body. The game is a blend of strategy and sabotage, as players work to protect their own organs while attempting to infect their rivals' organs. The use of tactical card play makes Virus! an engaging game for players looking for a mix of strategy and interaction.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Virus!- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Qwinto
More details for QwintoQwinto offers a refreshing twist on the roll-and-write genre, engaging players in a simultaneous play experience where quick thinking and strategic number placement are key to victory. In this game, players race to fill out their scoresheets with ascending numbers in three colorful rows, while navigating the constraints of overlapping columns and avoiding duplicates to maximize their scores.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Potion Explosion
Potion Explosion is a fun and engaging game for 2 to 4 players, created by Horrible Games and designed by Lorenzo Silva, Andrea Crespi, and Stefano Castelli. The game combines strategy and pattern recognition in a magical potion-brewing setting.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.
More details for Potion Explosion- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Potion Explosion
Dr. Eureka
Dr. Eureka is a fast-paced, dexterity-based board game that challenges players to become the quickest and most precise scientist in the laboratory. Designed for players with a keen sense of logic and a steady hand, this game puts your problem-solving and fine motor skills to the test.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Dr. Eureka- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Champions of Midgard
Champions of Midgard is a Viking-themed board game that blends worker placement mechanics with dice rolling for combat. The game is set in a Norse harbor town besieged by mythical creatures, and players lead Viking clans to defend it and earn glory.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Champions of Midgard- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Crossing
More details for CrossingPlayers collect gemstones while making simultaneous decisions. When choices collide, not everyone gets what they want, and luck won't always protect you from others' greed. By bluffing and strategizing, you aim to gather more gems than your opponents by selecting cards that hold different amounts of gemstones, but you can only claim the gems if you're the sole player on a card.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Raptor
Raptor is an engaging, card-driven board game that offers a blend of tactical maneuvers and strategic planning, set in a thrilling scenario where science clashes with nature.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Raptor- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Raptor
The 7th Continent
In the early 20th century, your fate binds you to the newly discovered seventh continent, haunted by a malevolent curse since your last expedition. The 7th Continent, a captivating solo or cooperative "choose-your-own-adventure" exploration board game, beckons you to chart your course. Choose a character and commence your journey alone or alongside fellow explorers. Drawing inspiration from the Fighting Fantasy book series, unravel the mysteries of this untamed land through a diverse array of terrain and event cards.
Nominated for 17 awards and won 2.
More details for The 7th Continent- 1 - 4 Players
- 5 - 1000 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Unusual Suspects
Unusual Suspects (Insoliti Sospetti in Italian) flips the traditional detective game on its head by focusing not on the appearance of the criminal, but rather on their habits and behaviors. This unique approach challenges players to think differently about how they deduce the identity of the culprit, making for a fascinating and often humorous investigative experience.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Unusual Suspects- 3 - 16 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ 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
The Ladybug's Costume Party
In each round, players spin the spinner on the board. If it points to one of the eight ladybugs, the player can move that ladybug to visit others. Each ladybug figure has a magnet in its nose, allowing them to swap places if they "like" each other. If they do not get along, the turn ends. Once a ladybug collects five different colored points, it is ready for the ball and is removed from the game. Players win when all ladybugs are ready. If the spinner lands on a smaller leaf, the player cannot move ladybugs and must advance ants instead. If all seven ants board the ship, the players lose.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
โญ๏ธ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2002
More details for The Ladybug's Costume Party- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 4+ years old
- Immediately playable
Rush & Bash
Rush & Bash is a fast-paced game set in the same world as Vudรน, GodZ, and the Super Fantasy series. Players take turns playing cards from their hand, which grant optional special effects and movement values in a straight line. There are two types of cards, and players draw them based on their position on the racetrack, ensuring a balanced and uncertain game until the end. A championship mode allows for customization of cars and multiple races, while the modular board features twelve unique terrains with various effects and obstacles, including bridges, volcanoes, and wild creatures.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Rush & Bash- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Mafia de Cuba
Mafia de Cuba sets players in Havana, 1955, where they find themselves among don Alessandro's "faithful" henchmen at a pivotal moment. The game begins as the Godfather leaves his prized cigar box, laden with diamonds hidden beneath a layer of cigars, in the care of his associates while he attends to urgent matters. This box becomes the center of intrigue, as players decide whether to betray the trust placed in them or remain loyal to the mafia's code.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Mafia de Cuba- 6 - 12 Players
- 10 - 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Mafia de Cuba
Game of Trains
Players are responsible for their own train lines, arranged in descending order at the start of the game. The objective is to rearrange the train cars in ascending order before anyone else. On their turn, players can either draw a card from the deck to replace one in their train line or use a revealed card from the center to activate a special ability, such as swapping or removing cards. Players take turns until someone successfully arranges their train line in order and wins.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Game of Trains- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Game of Trains
Watson & Holmes
More details for Watson & HolmesPlayers take on the role of aspiring detectives following in the footsteps of Doctor Watson, working with Sherlock Holmes to solve a series of unpublished cases drawn from his diaries. By visiting various locations, players gather clues while competing against each other to deduce the mystery before anyone else. The game combines logic and deduction, with each player aiming to immerse themselves in the Victorian world to uncover the truth and achieve victory.
- 2 - 7 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Watson & Holmes
Adventure Land
King Agamis rules from his castle in a land filled with rich cities, expansive forests, and rugged mountain ranges. Beneath the mist, dangers lurk, challenging only the bravest adventurers. Players must move strategically and bravely confront eerie creatures to earn the king's favor, with three adventure scenarios available based on player age and experience.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
More details for Adventure Land- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Adventure Land
Best Treehouse Ever
Players dream of building the best treehouse in the world. In this game, they compete to create impressive spaces while ensuring their tree remains standing. Over the course of three rounds, players strategically add rooms using card play and spatial thinking, keeping an eye on their opponents' designs to maximize their points. The player with the most extraordinary treehouse at the end wins!
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Best Treehouse Ever- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Stellar Conflict
More details for Stellar ConflictStellar Conflict is a fast-paced space combat game featuring real-time elements set in the Among the Stars universe. Players assume the role of an alien race engaging in a space battle, each commanding their own fleet and selecting ships based on the size of the conflict. The game includes a setup phase and a combat phase, where players utilize their ships' unique abilities to destroy enemy vessels and achieve objectives, ensuring high replayability.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Carcassonne: Star Wars
More details for Carcassonne: Star WarsCarcassonne: Star Wars edition takes the cherished mechanics of the classic Carcassonne tile-placement game and propels them into the vast universe of Star Wars, infusing the game with familiar themes and the epic struggle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. This edition adapts the traditional rules to fit the Star Wars setting, transforming roads into Trading Routes navigated by Merchants, cities into Asteroid Fields explored by Explorers, and cloisters into Planets conquered by Conquerors, while eschewing the farming aspect of the original game.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 35 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Carcassonne: Star Wars
Automobiles
More details for AutomobilesAutomobiles is a refreshing take on the deck-building genre, offering players the thrill of racing encapsulated in a strategy game where cubes replace the traditional cards. In this innovative design, players take on the roles of race car drivers, each aiming to cross the finish line first by smartly assembling a collection of cubes that represent various aspects of their racing team and vehicle.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Carcassonne: Over Hill and Dale
More details for Carcassonne: Over Hill and DaleCarcassonne: Over Hill and Dale offers a pastoral twist to the classic Carcassonne formula, inviting players into a serene world of farming and agriculture. As a standalone game in the Carcassonne series, this edition shifts the focus from constructing medieval landscapes to managing bucolic farms. Players become farmers, tasked with caring for animals and cultivating a variety of crops to provide for the people. This game replaces the traditional cities and castles with fields of fruits and vegetables, introducing new strategies around collection and land management.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 35 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Easy to learn
One Night Ultimate Vampire
As night falls, vampires descend upon a sleepy little town, slowly turning villagers into more vampires. The villagers have special powers and are eager to eliminate this sinister threat. This fast-paced game for 3-10 players assigns each participant a unique role, such as the wicked vampire or the well-meaning Cupid. The goal is to identify the vampire among them to secure victory. The game can also be combined with other titles in the series.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for One Night Ultimate Vampire- 3 - 10 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Beasty Bar: New Beasts in Town
More details for Beasty Bar: New Beasts in TownBeasty Bar: New Beasts in Town is the first standalone expansion of the 2014 card game. Players can enjoy it alone or combined with the original game in a challenging two-round draft.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Brick Party
More details for Brick PartyPlayers build with plastic bricks under wacky conditions, such as blindfolded or using only one hand. Each round introduces a new special rule and different partners, keeping the game fresh and exciting. The game includes 36 plastic blocks and 165 cards featuring various shapes to construct.
- 2 - 9 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
Oh My Goods!
Oh My Goods!, initially known as Royal Goods, immerses players in the role of European artisans during the Middle Ages, focusing on the production and trade of various goods.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Oh My Goods!- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Bloody Inn
The Bloody Inn transports players to 1831 France, in the small village of Peyrebeille, where a family of devious farmers runs an inn with a dark secret. This card game involves strategy, cunning, and a dash of morbid humor as players aim to become wealthy by unsavory means.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for The Bloody Inn- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for The Bloody Inn
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
Thunderbirds
More details for ThunderbirdsPlayers take on the role of International Rescue, a secret organization dedicated to saving lives in a high-octane world filled with disasters. Set in 2065, they operate advanced vehicles designed to tackle various emergencies while thwarting the schemes of the villain "The Hood." Working together, players collaborate with iconic characters and machines to conduct rescue missions and save those in peril.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Thunderbirds
Gold West
More details for Gold WestIn Gold West, players dive into the role of prospectors during the Gold Rush, aiming to outmaneuver their rivals and build the most prosperous mining empire. This game blends resource management and area control, demanding strategic foresight and meticulous planning. Players must juggle their resources, represented by a unique supply track system, to refine materials and secure victory points.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Treasure Hunter
Treasure Hunter is a fast-paced and strategic drafting game where players become adventurers in search of valuable treasures over the course of five thrilling rounds. The game cleverly combines elements of strategy, luck, and foresight as players select from a hand of cards to assemble their team of treasure hunters, all while navigating the ever-changing opportunities and pitfalls presented by the treasures themselves.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Treasure Hunter- 2 - 6 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Portal of Heroes
More details for Portal of HeroesThe portals of Molthar have opened, taking players into a world of folklore and fairy tales. By collecting magical beads and exchanging them for powerful character cards, players aspire to gather twelve power insignias to ultimately save Molthar and win the game.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Joraku
More details for JorakuJoraku is an old Japanese term meaning "to go to Kyoto," particularly relevant during the Sengoku period when local warlords, the Daimyo, marched their armies to Kyoto to protect the Shogun and the Emperor. Players command their armies, outsmarting opponents with tactical card play to gain control of territories and build prestige. The game lasts three rounds, with the player earning the most reputation points ultimately declaring victory.
- 3 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Fleet Wharfside
More details for Fleet WharfsideFleet Wharfside is a standalone card game that focuses on completing contracts by selecting them from the market and collecting fish from your fleet at the dock. Stories of rich catches in Ridback Bay attract traders willing to pay well for the haul.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Project: ELITE
In a post-apocalyptic setting, an alien civilization has invaded Earth. Players collaborate as part of a special operations team called "ELITE," sent on high-priority missions to protect vital objectives against the alien invaders.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Project: ELITE- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dice City
More details for Dice CityDice City is a strategic "dice-crafting" board game set in the Kingdom of Rolldovia, where players, as leaders of noble families, compete to build the most impressive city to become the new capital. The game involves tactical decision-making as players use their city's resources to construct buildings, establish armies, and open trade routes, all through an innovative dice mechanism.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Dice City
Xenon Profiteer
Xenon is a valuable noble gas found in trace amounts in the Earth's atmosphere. In Xenon Profiteer, players control their own air separation plants to distill xenon and secure profitable contracts. The game encourages players to strategically remove cards from their decks to isolate xenon while managing the challenges posed by other elements. Efficiency upgrades can be purchased to improve performance, and players can trigger the end of the game by completing contracts or installing upgrades, with the player having the most xenon points declared the winner.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Xenon Profiteer- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Xenon Profiteer
The Pursuit of Happiness
The Pursuit of Happiness is a thought-provoking board game that allows players to simulate a lifetime of choices and experiences, from birth to the twilight years. It creatively uses a worker-placement mechanism where time is the most valuable resource, offering players a chance to craft their unique life story.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for The Pursuit of Happiness- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for The Pursuit of Happiness
IKI
In IKI: A Game of EDO Artisans, players are transported to the bustling streets of historical Edo (now Tokyo), specifically the renowned Nihonbashi district. This game offers a vivid portrayal of life in Edo, where an estimated one million people, including townspeople and samurai, thrived. The vibrant shopping culture of Nihonbashi, with its array of shops selling kimonos, rice, and other goods, forms the backdrop for this immersive game.
Nominated for 4 awards.
โญ๏ธ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023
More details for IKI- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Favor of the Pharaoh
Favor of the Pharaoh immerses players in ancient Egypt, where even a humble peasant could catch the eye of the Pharaoh. This game for 2โ4 participants is all about ascending through the social hierarchy by accumulating influence, symbolized by dice and special abilities. The ultimate goal? To gain the Pharaoh's favor and win the game.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Favor of the Pharaoh- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Sheep & Thief
More details for Sheep & ThiefRaise some sheep and watch them thrive, but beware of the cunning sheep thieves. Players can play sheep cards to place sheep on the board or use sheepdog cards to herd them into their pens for safety. If a thief card is played and encounters a sheep, the thief steals it.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Sheep & Thief
Hack Trick
More details for Hack TrickA dismissed accountantโs tweet sparks an urgent race among hackers to decipher a code: either three identical digits or numbers that sum to fifteen. Players generate numbers to find a valid password while strategically marking their moves on a magical keyboard grid. The gameplay involves capturing opponentsโ markers, forcing actions, and maintaining a balance between offense and defense to ultimately secure victory.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Ponzi Scheme
Ponzi Scheme plunges players into the shadowy world of financial deception, inspired by the infamous scam run by Charles Ponzi in 1919. As ambitious fraudsters, you'll engage in the delicate art of attracting investors to fund nonexistent ventures, promising them outrageously high returns. The game becomes a balancing act of acquiring funds and managing the ever-increasing dividends owed, all while attempting to outmaneuver your fellow scammers. The objective is clear yet challenging: avoid bankruptcy at all costs and emerge as the mastermind behind the most lucrative sham corporation.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Ponzi Scheme- 3 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dragon Farkle
More details for Dragon FarkleGather your courage! The long-awaited peace of Yon has been disrupted by a wild and malevolent dragon, terrorizing locals and devouring their livestock without consent. A few aspiring heroes, including you, have taken on the challenge to slay the beast. Assemble a brave companion, gather a powerful army, and enter the Dragon Tower for treasure and glory in Dragon Farkle!
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Last Spike
Players collaborate to construct a continuous railway from St. Louis to Sacramento in The Last Spike. Each player has track tiles with specific positions and costs, and they compete to earn money through land speculation before the final spike is placed. Players lay their tiles on the board, potentially earning certificates for cities connected by the railway, while also aiming for bonuses when completing the track. The game ends when the railway is complete, and the player with the most cash wins.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for The Last Spike- 2 - 6 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Letter Tycoon
Letter Tycoon is a word game for 2-5 players. Players take turns forming a word using a hand of seven cards and a community card pool of three, earning money and stock rewards based on their word. They can buy letter "patents" to increase their earnings when others use their letters, while rarer letters come with special abilities.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Letter Tycoon- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Builders: Antiquity
More details for The Builders: AntiquityFrom the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to the Pyramids of Egypt and the Greek Parthenon, builders face a range of challenges. Players must don their foreman attire and make key decisions about hiring workers, managing resources, and purchasing tools or slaves. Completing buildings earns points based on various traits, while strategic use of workers and additional actions can lead to becoming the greatest builder of all time.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Plums
More details for PlumsThe 17th and 18th centuries were the ages of science, highlighted by the remarkable figures of Leonard Euler and Maria Sibylla Merian. Euler was a renowned mathematician known for his work on the number Pi, while Merian was a scientist, researcher, and artist famed for her detailed representations of nature. In this card game, players use fruit cards to claim points based on their strength, completing contracts for additional scoring opportunities.
- 3 - 5 Players
- 30 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Marvel Dice Masters: The Amazing Spider-Man
More details for Marvel Dice Masters: The Amazing Spider-ManPlayers collect their favorite characters like Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, and Kingpin in this game designed by the creators of Quarriors!. The starter set introduces exciting mechanics featuring the Sinister Six and allows players to assemble their own teams for epic dice battles. With over 30 heroes and villains to choose from, it promises to be a standout addition to any collection.
- 2 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Triumph & Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945
Triumph & Tragedy is a geopolitical strategy game for 3 players (also playable with 2) set between 1936 and 1945, focusing on the competition for European domination among capitalism (the West), communism (the Soviet Union), and fascism (the Axis). Players manage military, diplomatic, economic, and technological elements, aiming to achieve economic hegemony, technological supremacy, or military victory.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Triumph & Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945- 2 - 3 Players
- 240 - 360 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Kings of War
More details for Kings of WarKings of War is a miniature wargame developed by Mantic Games, designed for 28mm fantasy miniatures. Players maneuver large blocks of miniature soldiers across the battlefield, aiming for victory with simple rules that make it easy to learn and quick to play. The game features an innovative turn structure that allows the use of a timer, adding excitement and pressure to gameplay.
- 60 Minutes
- Medium difficulty
Automania
More details for AutomaniaPlayers operate a car factory to produce the most popular cars on the market. They buy tiles to modernize their factory and hire specialized workers to assist them.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Shakespeare
Shakespeare is a board game that casts players as theater managers in the bustling theater scene of London, competing to impress the Queen with a magnificent play in just one week. Players must skillfully recruit a diverse cast of characters โ from actors to craftsmen โ and make strategic decisions to prepare for the grand performance.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Shakespeare- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Shakespeare
Survive: Space Attack!
More details for Survive: Space Attack!Welcome to the pinnacle of technology and comfort, the Atlantis space station, combining the luxury of a five-star hotel with the thrill of space adventure. When the station is suddenly attacked by aliens, the crew rushes to evacuate guests while some escape in limited rescue pods and fighters, battling alien forces along the way. The game expands on the classic mechanics of Survive: Escape from Atlantis! with new features like a double-sided game board, new combat ships, laser defense turrets, and evolved alien creatures.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Council of 4
More details for Council of 4Council of 4 combines the intrigue of political strategy with the dynamism of market competition, set within a prosperous empire composed of three kingdoms. Players assume the roles of influential merchants, vying to expand their commercial empires by acquiring construction permits and establishing emporiums across key cities.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Elfenroads
More details for ElfenroadsYoung elves must pass a special test to be accepted as adults in Elfenland. They receive a map and aim to visit as many famous cities as possible using limited transport options like dragons and unicorns. The player who visits the most cities wins.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dungeon Saga: Dwarf King's Quest
More details for Dungeon Saga: Dwarf King's QuestValandor, the greatest hero, fell over a thousand years ago while fighting to protect the people around him. Now, sacred sites are defiled by the fallen wizard Mortibris and his undead minions. Only the bravest heroes dare to confront him in this adventure designed for up to five players.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 120 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Overseers
More details for OverseersTwo opposing forces have coexisted in eternal balance since the beginning of time. Players represent Overseers sent to protect the world, using their powers to manipulate human actions. The goal is to create the most dominant combination of virtues and vices to maximize victory points.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Overseers
OctoDice
More details for OctoDiceThe theme of the game is based on Aquasphere, with mechanics reminiscent of that board game. Players roll six dice (three white and three black) and choose two dice to form an action. You can expand your laboratory for bonus actions or points, while other players may choose actions from your roll to add to their own board. The game ends after each player has had six turns, and the player with the most points wins.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
7 Ronin
More details for 7 Ronin7 Ronin is an asymmetrical game for two players. One player controls a group of ninjas attacking a village defended by seven ronin controlled by the other player. The ninja player wins by occupying five of the village's ten areas, while the ronin player wins by surviving eight rounds.
- 2 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Food Chain Magnate
"Lemonade? They want lemonade? What is the world coming to? I want commercials for burgers on all channels, every 15 minutes. We are the Home of the Original Burger, not a hippie health haven. And place a billboard next to that new house on the corner. I want them craving beer every second they sit in their posh new garden." The new management trainee trembles in front of the CEO and tries to politely point out that... "How do you mean, we don't have enough staff? The HR director reports to you. Hire more people! Train them! But whatever you do, don't pay them any real wages. I did not go into business to become poor. And fire that discount manager, she is only costing me money. From now on, we'll sell gourmet burgers. Same crap, double the price. Get my marketing director in here!"
Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.
More details for Food Chain Magnate- 2 - 5 Players
- 120 - 240 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Food Chain Magnate
Among the Stars: Revival
More details for Among the Stars: RevivalA new era has begun. The alliance's efforts to revive worlds devastated during the cleansing have succeeded, and the future looks promising. Areas once abandoned are now vibrant and thriving with life.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Space Cadets: Away Missions
More details for Space Cadets: Away MissionsLong before the threat of Nemesis or the dangers of warp drives, humanity experienced a golden age of space exploration. The flourishing moon colony inspired many Earth citizens to seek their fortunes in space, with humble rockets exploring the most remote corners of the solar system. However, rumors of alien abductions surfaced, and when the invasion began, families were stolen, forcing survivors to arm themselves and fight back against the extraterrestrial menace.
- 1 - 6 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
BANG! The Duel
More details for BANG! The DuelPlayers select characters from personal decks in a two-player version of BANG!, where one deck contains lawmen and the other outlaws. Each player starts with two characters and a unique set of action cards, focusing on drawing cards for the lawman and using tricks for the outlaw. Players take turns playing cards to eliminate their opponent's characters, and the first to eliminate all of the opponent's characters wins.
- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Big Book of Madness
More details for The Big Book of MadnessThe Big Book of Madness is an immersive cooperative game where players take on the roles of magic students who have unwittingly unleashed monstrous creatures from a forbidden book. Now, they must work together to rectify their mistake and save the world from impending doom.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Piratoons
More details for PiratoonsBuild the largest, fiercest, and finest pirate ship on the high seas. Players plunder their way to fame and glory by revealing treasure in the form of boat parts and equipment at the start of each round. They bid their crew members to seize the best loot, with the highest bidder collecting the items after removing equal bids, while also watching for treacherous opportunities to thwart opponents or steal contested treasures.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Die Legenden von Andor: Chada & Thorn
More details for Die Legenden von Andor: Chada & ThornChada the archer and Thorn the fighter travel from the northern end of Silverland to the southern coast of the island, where the dwarves assist them in crossing back to Andor. They face exciting adventures and challenges along the way, but a dark enemy is in pursuit. This cooperative card game for two players allows participants to choose from four different adventures, with the placement of game pieces creating new routes and varying challenges.
- 2 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
SteamRollers
More details for SteamRollersPlayers use dice to build the best railway network and upgrade their locomotives while competing for the most lucrative cargo deliveries. Each round, a number of dice are rolled, and players select one to perform an action, such as laying track on their board or upgrading their locomotive. The game ends when half of the cities on the supply board are emptied, and players tally their points to determine the winner.
- 1 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for SteamRollers
The Gallerist
The Gallerist immerses players in the sophisticated world of art and commerce, where they take on the multifaceted role of a Gallerist, combining the responsibilities of an art dealer, museum curator, and artist manager.
Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.
More details for The Gallerist- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 150 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
CVlizations
Players take on the role of tribal leaders and are tasked with writing a life history. They select missions and decide which inventions, tools, buildings, and ideologies to develop. Gameplay revolves around action selection, where players choose two mission cards each turn, and the effectiveness of their actions depends on the choices of others. The player who collects the most happiness points by the end wins.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for CVlizations- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Vs System 2PCG: The Marvel Battles
More details for Vs System 2PCG: The Marvel BattlesPlayers choose a main character and build a deck of exactly sixty cards to aim for knocking out their opponent's character in a superhero battle. The initial set includes characters solely from the Marvel universe, but future sets may bring in other intellectual properties. While resembling the original Vs. System collectible card game, this version features a revamped combat system, different turn structure, and an updated resource system, with all cards provided in a single box instead of random distributions.
- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Tumult Royale
Tensions are high throughout the land as kings erect statue after statue while their loyal subjects starve. The peasants have had enough, and calls for a revolt are echoing. In Tumult Royale, players take on the role of royals and collect taxes from their subjects to build statues, securing their rank. Leave your people with enough goods after taxation to maintain your power, or risk the fate of the greedy. Who will build the most statues and claim victory?
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Tumult Royale- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Smash Up: Munchkin
More details for Smash Up: MunchkinPlayers combine two twenty-card decks from different factions to create a forty-card deck and compete to destroy more bases than their opponents. Each faction adds unique powers and mechanics, making every combination an exciting experience. The game features base cards with varying challenges and abilities, and players score points based on their standings when a base is destroyed.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
...and then, we held hands.
Players take on the roles of two individuals working together to achieve emotional goals and reach the center of the board. They alternate turns laying down emotion cards to move from node to node without verbal communication, needing to empathize with each otherโs situations. The game features a card mechanic that allows players to shift their "perspective," revealing new options, and success is measured by meeting in a balanced state at the center, which can be quite challenging.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for ...and then, we held hands.- 2 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Think Str8!
Players estimate, guess, and draw clever conclusions in this game. Each player has six colorful numbers displayed face down while viewing others' numbers. By rolling dice of different colors, they try to determine the sum of their hidden numbers and use bet strips to indicate their guesses, gaining points for accuracy. After several rounds, players reveal their own numbers and tally points to find the winner.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Think Str8!- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Trickerion: Legends of Illusion
Trickerion: Legends of Illusion is a competitive, Euro-style strategy board game set in a late 19th-century world infused with supernatural elements. The game revolves around rival stage illusionists vying for fame, fortune, and magical supremacy.
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Trickerion: Legends of Illusion- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 180 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Porta Nigra
More details for Porta NigraThe largest Roman city north of the Alps in the late Roman Empire was Augusta Treverorum. Players take on the roles of Roman architects working on the Porta Nigra gate, moving their master builders around a circular track to buy or build in specific locations. Careful planning is crucial, as transporting builders to distant areas is costly, and players must manage their actions based on the cards in their personal decks. Buildings are constructed on the board using 3D blocks.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 75 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Porta Nigra
Epic PVP: Fantasy
Epic PVP: Fantasy is a head-to-head card game where players select a class deck and a race deck to create unique character combinations, such as a human paladin or goblin druid. The aim is to reduce the opponent's life to zero through strategic plays incorporating attacks, blocks, and special abilities. Each round involves adding cards to an "Aggression Stack," which provides the player with options to either block incoming attacks or launch their own in the following turn.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Epic PVP: Fantasy- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
KUMO Hogosha
More details for KUMO HogoshaLong ago, the gods decided to grant the earth to humanity and retreated to live in the heavens. They established the Cloud Temple as a symbolic boundary and the home of the Stone of Balance.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 25 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Mega Civilization
More details for Mega CivilizationMega Civilization is a massive version of the legendary development game Civilization, designed for 5 to 18 players. Players lead their own civilizations, aiming to expand their culture across a board that stretches from the Mediterranean to India, covering nearly 8,000 years of history. The game focuses on balancing various cultural, economic, political, and scientific factors to achieve victory by earning the highest number of victory points through building cities and advancing civilization progress.
- 5 - 18 Players
- 360 - 720 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Mega Civilization
The Prodigals Club
More details for The Prodigals ClubThe Prodigals Club is a unique, thematic board game where players take on the roles of Victorian gentlemen striving to ruin their social reputations as thoroughly as possible. The game is a blend of strategy and satire, as players attempt to lose elections, squander their wealth, and alienate the elite of societyโall in a bid to outdo each other in self-destruction.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 40 - 100 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Nippon
Nippon is a strategic board game set during the transformative Meiji period in Japan, a time when the nation underwent a rapid transition from a feudal society to a modern industrial state. This period of Japan's history saw the end of isolation and the beginning of Western influence and technological advancement.
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Nippon- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
King Chocolate
More details for King ChocolateMoney is tied to chocolate, but it doesn't just grow on trees. Players control parts of the production chain to ensure cocoa flows through their businesses rather than those of their competitors.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Wing Leader: Victories 1940-1942
Wing Leader is an exciting new game system for large-scale air battles in World War II. Players can reenact major battles such as the Battle of Britain, Malta, and Stalingrad using a unique side-scrolling view that clearly shows altitude. Players pilot squadrons in fast-paced games lasting 90 to 120 minutes, focusing on intercepting raids and defending against marauding fighters.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Wing Leader: Victories 1940-1942- 2 Players
- 60 - 180 Minutes
- Medium difficulty
Haspelknecht: The Story of Early Coal Mining
Players take on the role of farmers exploiting coal resources in the southern Ruhr area during a time of dense forests and few roads. They gain knowledge of coal, expand their farms, and dig deeper to extract more of this valuable resource. The game features an innovative action selection mechanism and offers many paths to victory, along with high replayability through unique setup methods for development tiles.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for Haspelknecht: The Story of Early Coal Mining- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Steam Time
In the year 1899, strange phenomena are observed at places like Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Time is chaotic, and newly discovered crystals possess unusual properties that allow for the creation of fantastic machines. As industrial nations race to exploit these discoveries, they build giant steam-powered airships to travel through time and space. Explore ancient eras, search for crystals, and wisely use your crystals to gain an advantage over your competitors.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Steam Time- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Steam Time
Liguria
More details for LiguriaPlayers take on the role of merchants navigating the Ligurian Sea to discover beautiful and exotic colors. Through trade, conquest, and diplomacy, they can collect valuable prestige points. It's important to gather special colors from various ports to enhance their cathedral.
- 3 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Haleakala
More details for HaleakalaPlayers build statues on the slopes of a volcano to honor their gods. The higher the statues are built, the more points are scored, but the risk of destruction from a volcanic eruption increases as they approach the crater. By placing numbered chips on the beach, players can move a ship and trigger scoring in different sectors, allowing them to acquire cards necessary for building statues and influencing the lava's direction when the volcano erupts.
- 2 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Exoplanets
More details for ExoplanetsPlayers create their own planetary systems on the table by adding tiles to a shared star, representing various planets or moons that can protect or assist in life creation. Each tile provides different resources and has unique climatic conditions that enable life development. Players can interact by disrupting opponentsโ planets or completing objectives to earn points by the end of the game, while being aware that they are all working on a shared planetary system.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dojo Kun
More details for Dojo KunIn a mystical land, two prestigious martial arts tournaments, the White Lotus Tournament and the Black Lotus Tournament, have been held since ancient times. Players lead one of four dojosโTiger, Crane, Bear, or Cobraโtraining athletes, acquiring new training equipment, and guiding their champions to victory in the tournament. The game features two seasons, each culminating in a tournament where athletes compete based on the outcomes of dice rolls that reflect their experience levels.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Clockwork Wars
More details for Clockwork WarsClockwork Wars is an epic board game about conquest, discovery, and espionage set in an alternate universe where magic and steam-era technology collide. Players command unique races of creatures in a thrilling war, aiming to defeat their enemies and collect the most victory points over seven rounds by battling for control of resource-rich territories. Strategize by conquering villages, conducting research for new technologies, and employing espionage to outmaneuver opponents.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Ekรถ
More details for EkรถThe first player to build a palace and collect 12 victory points (VP) from constructed buildings and captured emperors wins. Players begin by randomly placing all the peasants on the game board. On their turn, players perform two phases in order: the action phase followed by the reinforcement phase. During the action phase, a single action must be performed, which can include moving to an empty space, regrouping, or attacking.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Medium difficulty
A Study in Emerald (Second Edition)
More details for A Study in Emerald (Second Edition)A Study in Emerald (Second Edition) is an intriguing board game that combines the literary worlds of Sherlock Holmes and H.P. Lovecraft, set against a historical 19th-century backdrop. This game reflects a dark, alternate reality where the Old Ones have ruled Earth for centuries, and now a secret war brews between their loyalists and a group of revolutionary Restorationists.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Signorie
Signorie is a strategic board game that transports players to the vibrant and complex landscape of 15th-century Italy, where noble families vie for power, influence, and control over the burgeoning city-states. As a Signore, or lord, of one of these prestigious families, players must navigate the tumultuous political waters of the Renaissance, leveraging their resources, influence, and strategic acumen to shape Italy's future and cement their legacy in history.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Signorie- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
My Village
More details for My VillageMy Village is a standalone board game that continues the narrative and thematic elements of the acclaimed Village series, offering players the opportunity to take control of their own village. This game stands out by introducing new mechanisms and integrating familiar elements in a way that creates a fresh, yet reminiscent gameplay experience.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for My Village
Peloponnes Card Game
More details for Peloponnes Card GameThe Peloponnese is home to powerful and proud city-states. Players guide one of these states through centuries, seeking fame and prosperity while surviving disasters. Over eight rounds, you develop your civilization by claiming new territories, building prestigious structures, and increasing your population. Can you balance the pursuit of glory with the needs of your people? The card game simplifies certain aspects of the original board game but retains a fresh strategic experience.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
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