The best games presented at the Spiel 2018 game fair in Essen, Germany 2021
Are you looking for a good new game? We have compared all the games presented at the game fair "Spiel 2018" in Essen and listed the top100.
Game fair in the German city of Essen
The International Spieltage SPIEL, often called the Essen Game Fair or Essen 2018 after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day board game fair that is also open to the public. In 2018, the Spiel'18 game fair was held from October 25 to 28 (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.
SPIEL'18 - the biggest game fair in the world
The first time the fair was held was in 1983 at the Volkshochschule Essen. With 1,150 exhibitors from 50 nations, nearly 1,400 new launches and 190,000 visitors, Spiel'18 was once again the world's largest trade fair for board games in 2018.
Buy board games on site, even from small publishers.
At SPIEL, board games are offered that are hard to find in retail stores - many international and small exhibitors present their products at Spiel18. While the prices for buying games at the fair are usually not much lower than in retail stores, the games are usually available earlier than in regular board game stores, come with promotional materials (usually extra cards or game pieces with a few more game mechanics, but also T-shirts and similar goodies), and it's an opportunity for passionate board game players to meet and chat with game designers, illustrators, and famous game critics.
More info about game fair "Spiel" is available at official game website.
Did we forget a game that was featured at Spiel'18?
If we forgot a game that was featured at Spiel 2018? What were your highlights of Spiel18 that are not on our list? Then write 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 generally looking for the always best game new releases, then we have another always top current list for you: The Best New Game Releases 2021.
List with the top100 new releases of Spiel'18:
Just One
3 - 7 Players
20 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!16€ at
.deVideo reviews for Just One
Terraforming Mars: Prelude
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Terraforming Mars: Prelude- 1 - 5 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Video reviews for Terraforming Mars: Prelude
Codenames
- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!15€ at.deDixit: Anniversary
- 3 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Dixit: Anniversary
Welcome To...
Nominated for 11 awards and won 2.
More details for Welcome To...- 1 - 100 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Welcome To...
Sagrada
Nominated for 10 awards.
More details for Sagrada- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Chronicles of Crime
Nominated for 12 awards and won 3.
More details for Chronicles of Crime- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Chronicles of Crime
ICECOOL2
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for ICECOOL2
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition- 1 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!15€ at.deDownforce
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Downforce- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition- 1 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!15€ at.deMeeple Circus
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Meeple Circus- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!25€ at.deScythe: The Rise of Fenris
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Scythe: The Rise of Fenris- 1 - 5 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!32€ at.deVideo reviews for Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra
Spyfall 2
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Spyfall 2- 3 - 12 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!18€ at.deVideo reviews for Spyfall 2
Gloomhaven
Nominated for 22 awards and won 10.
More details for Gloomhaven- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: hard
👍 Good price!132€ at.deVideo reviews for Gloomhaven
Champions of Midgard
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Champions of Midgard- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: medium
👍 Good price!60€ at.deTwin It!
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Twin It!- 2 - 6 Players
- 5 - 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!16€ at.deVideo reviews for Twin It!
Word Slam Midnight
- 3 - 99 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 18+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!10€ at.deVideo reviews for Word Slam Midnight
Clank!: The Mummy's Curse
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Spirits of the Forest
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Spirits of the Forest
Monster-Bande
- 2 - 8 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!16€ at.deVideo reviews for Monster-Bande
Architects of the West Kingdom
Nominated for 16 awards and won 5.
🔥 Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!More details for Architects of the West Kingdom- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 80 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: medium
🔥 Great price!60€ at.deVideo reviews for Architects of the West Kingdom
Reef
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Reef- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Escape Room: The Game – Secret Agent
- 3 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 16+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Stone Age: Anniversary
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Nominated for 14 awards and won 4.
Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2019
More details for Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game- 1 - 5 Players
- 120 - 180 Minutes
- 16+ years old
- Complexity: medium
👍 Good price!32€ at.deVideo reviews for Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Impact: Battle of Elements
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Mole Rats in Space
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Punto
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Punto- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Shifty Eyed Spies
- 4 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Shifty Eyed Spies
Concordia Venus
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Concordia Venus- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Video reviews for Concordia Venus
Carpe Diem
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!23€ at.deNear and Far
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Near and Far- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: medium
🔥 Great price!72€ at.deVideo reviews for Near and Far
Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig
- 2 - 7 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!65€ at.deShadows: Amsterdam
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Shadows: Amsterdam- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!15€ at.deChronicles of Crime: Welcome to Redview
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!22€ at.deVideo reviews for Chronicles of Crime: Welcome to Redview
Curli Kuller
Nominated for 2 awards.
Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2009
Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2009
More details for Curli Kuller- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.deKnapp Daneben!
- 1 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Knapp Daneben!
Dale of Merchants
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Dale of Merchants
Haste Worte? Das Würfelspiel
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Imhotep: The Duel
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Imhotep: The Duel- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!12€ at.deVideo reviews for Imhotep: The Duel
Claim 2
- 2 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!9€ at.dePlanet
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Planet- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!21€ at.deVideo reviews for Planet
Dale of Merchants 2
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Dale of Merchants 2
Spring Meadow
- 1 - 4 Players
- 15 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Spring Meadow
7 Wonders: Armada
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for 7 Wonders: Armada- 3 - 7 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Video reviews for 7 Wonders: Armada
The Color Monster
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for The Color Monster- 2 - 5 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 3+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!27€ at.deVideo reviews for The Color Monster
Farben
- 3 - 5 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!8€ at.deVideo reviews for Farben
Das Maß aller Dinge
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Treasure Island
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Treasure Island- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!43€ at.deVideo reviews for Treasure Island
Brain Connect
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Word Slam Family
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Word Slam Family- 3 - 99 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!10€ at.deVideo reviews for Word Slam Family
Isle of Skye: Druids
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!20€ at.deVideo reviews for Isle of Skye: Druids
Blöde Kuh
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!8€ at.deSpeed Cups⁶
- 2 - 6 Players
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Trans Europa & Trans Amerika
- 2 - 6 Players
- 25 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Cool Runnings
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Cool Runnings- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!13€ at.deMythos Tales
- 1 - 10 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Mythos Tales
Gingerbread House
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Gingerbread House- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Gingerbread House
Nagaraja
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Nagaraja- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Complexity: easy
A Tale of Pirates
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!14€ at.deThe North Sea Runesaga
- 2 - 4 Players
- 180 - 240 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!26€ at.dePatchwork Express
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Patchwork Express- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Patchwork Express
Jump Drive
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Jump Drive- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 - 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!5€ at.deHostage Negotiator
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Hostage Negotiator- 1 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Exit: The Game – The Haunted Roller Coaster
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!9€ at.deSoviet Kitchen Unleashed
- 1 - 6 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Root
Nominated for 23 awards and won 13.
More details for Root- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: hard
🔥 Great price!50€ at.dePiepmatz
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Piepmatz- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!13€ at.deX-Code
- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!11€ at.deVideo reviews for X-Code
Spirit Island
Nominated for 11 awards and won 1.
More details for Spirit Island- 1 - 4 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: hard
🔥 Great price!41€ at.deMicropolis
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Micropolis
Monolith Arena
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Monolith Arena- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!27€ at.deVideo reviews for Monolith Arena
Doodle Rush
- 3 - 6 Players
- 10 - 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Smash Up: Oops, You Did It Again
- 2 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!11€ at.deCarcassonne: Safari
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Carcassonne: Safari- 2 - 5 Players
- 35 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Carcassonne: Safari
Lighthouse Run
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!15€ at.deVideo reviews for Lighthouse Run
Magic Maze Kids
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Magic Maze Kids- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Magic Maze Kids
BiberClan
- 2 - 6 Players
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!6€ at.deIron Curtain
- 2 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!15€ at.deA Feast for Odin: The Norwegians
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: hard
Video reviews for A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians
Qwantum
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Qwantum
Ex Libris
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Ex Libris- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: medium
👍 Good price!68€ at.deVideo reviews for Ex Libris
Great Western Trail: Rails to the North
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Great Western Trail: Rails to the North- 2 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: hard
Video reviews for Great Western Trail: Rails to the North
Honga
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Honga- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Colt Express: Bandits – Ghost
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Kakerlacula
🔥 Deal: 13% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!More details for Kakerlacula- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!20€ at.deCoimbra
Nominated for 9 awards.
More details for Coimbra- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Blocky Mountains
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Blocky Mountains- 1 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
The Cousins' War
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for The Cousins' War- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Colt Express: Bandits – Django
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Gùgōng
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Gùgōng- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Video reviews for Gùgōng
Subatomic: An Atom Building Game
- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!28€ at.deColt Express: Bandits – Tuco
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Colt Express: Bandits – Belle
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
NEOM
- 1 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: medium
👍 Good price!24€ at.deFamiliar's Trouble
- 3 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!15€ at.deVideo reviews for Familiar's Trouble
Lost Cities: Rivals
- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Pulsar 2849
Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.
More details for Pulsar 2849- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: medium
👍 Good price!37€ at.de
Didn't find the game you were looking for?
We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: