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:
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
Just One
- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!15€ at
.deVideo reviews for Just One
Codenames
- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!14€ at.deDixit: Anniversary
- 3 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
😕 Questionable price23€ at.deVideo reviews for Dixit: Anniversary
Scythe: 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
😕 Questionable price51€ at.deGloomhaven
Nominated for 21 awards and won 10.
More details for Gloomhaven- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: hard
👍 Good price!133€ at.deVideo reviews for Gloomhaven
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...
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
Sagrada
Nominated for 10 awards.
More details for Sagrada- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!28€ at.deRailroad 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
💸 Too expensive!24€ at.deDownforce
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Downforce- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
ICECOOL2
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!19€ at.deVideo reviews for ICECOOL2
Champions of Midgard
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Champions of Midgard- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ 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
Video reviews for Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra
Belratti
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Belratti- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 - 45 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Complexity: very 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
💸 Too expensive!23€ at.deArchitects of the West Kingdom
Nominated for 15 awards and won 4.
More details for Architects of the West Kingdom- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 80 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Video reviews for Architects of the West Kingdom
Chronicles of Crime: Noir
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Chronicles of Crime: Noir- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Chronicles of Crime: Noir
Stone Age: Anniversary
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price61€ at.deClank!: The Mummy's Curse
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ 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
🔥 Great price!30€ at.deVideo reviews for Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
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
Meeple Circus
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Meeple Circus- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!32€ 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
Video reviews for Near and Far
Kingdomino: Age of Giants
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Kingdomino: Age of Giants
A 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
Word Slam Midnight
- 3 - 99 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 18+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!13€ at.deVideo reviews for Word Slam Midnight
Spyfall 2
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Spyfall 2- 3 - 12 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!20€ at.deVideo reviews for Spyfall 2
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
💸 Too expensive!55€ at.deVideo reviews for 7 Wonders: Armada
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
Chronicles of Crime: Welcome to Redview
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Chronicles of Crime: Welcome to Redview
Carpe Diem
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: medium
💸 Too expensive!30€ at.deRoot
Nominated for 23 awards and won 13.
More details for Root- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: hard
👍 Good price!50€ at.deReef
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Reef- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
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
Spirits of the Forest
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Spirits of the Forest
Twin It!
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Twin It!- 2 - 6 Players
- 5 - 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!15€ at.deVideo reviews for Twin It!
Monster-Bande
- 2 - 8 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Monster-Bande
Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig
- 2 - 7 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Heckmeck Deluxe
🔥 Deal: 13% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!More details for Heckmeck Deluxe- 2 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!11€ at.deIsle of Skye: Druids
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!18€ at.deVideo reviews for Isle of Skye: Druids
Escape Room: The Game – Secret Agent
- 3 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 16+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!11€ at.deMage Knight: Ultimate Edition
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition- 1 - 5 Players
- 150 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: extreme
Dale of Merchants
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Dale of Merchants
Mythos Tales
- 1 - 10 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!33€ at.deVideo reviews for Mythos Tales
Mole Rats in Space
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Dale of Merchants 2
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Dale of Merchants 2
Explorers of the North Sea
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Impact: Battle of Elements
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
😕 Questionable price23€ at.deThe North Sea Runesaga
- 2 - 4 Players
- 180 - 240 Minutes
- 12+ 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
👍 Good price!41€ at.deVideo reviews for Treasure Island
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
Shifty Eyed Spies
- 4 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Shifty Eyed Spies
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
Video reviews for Word Slam Family
Claim 2
- 2 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!10€ at.deMonolith Arena
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Monolith Arena- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.deVideo reviews for Monolith Arena
Spring Meadow
- 1 - 4 Players
- 15 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Spring Meadow
Trans Europa & Trans Amerika
- 2 - 6 Players
- 25 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Nagaraja
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Nagaraja- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Teotihuacan: City of Gods
Nominated for 15 awards and won 2.
More details for Teotihuacan: City of Gods- 1 - 4 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: hard
Video reviews for Teotihuacan: City of Gods
Punto
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Punto- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Gingerbread House
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Gingerbread House- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!28€ at.deVideo reviews for Gingerbread House
Coimbra
Nominated for 9 awards.
More details for Coimbra- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: medium
😕 Questionable price40€ at.deExit: The Game – The Haunted Roller Coaster
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Smash Up: Oops, You Did It Again
- 2 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 14+ 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
Video reviews for Planet
Shadows: Amsterdam
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Shadows: Amsterdam- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!26€ at.deHaste Worte? Das Würfelspiel
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Jump Drive
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Jump Drive- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 - 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!15€ at.deA Tale of Pirates
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!14€ at.dePulsar 2849
Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.
More details for Pulsar 2849- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: medium
😕 Questionable price45€ at.deThe Color Monster
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for The Color Monster- 2 - 5 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 3+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!24€ at.deVideo reviews for The Color Monster
Concordia: Venus (Expansion)
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Concordia: Venus (Expansion)- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: medium
😕 Questionable price30€ at.deVideo reviews for Concordia: Venus (Expansion)
Gùgōng
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Gùgōng- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: medium
💸 Too expensive!55€ at.deVideo reviews for Gùgōng
Piepmatz
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Piepmatz- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price13€ at.dePatchwork Express
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Patchwork Express- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price18€ at.deVideo reviews for Patchwork Express
Fool!
- 4 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!11€ at.deVideo reviews for Fool!
Hostage Negotiator
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Hostage Negotiator- 1 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!25€ at.deCurli 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!23€ at.deColt Express: Bandits – Ghost
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Speed Cups⁶
- 2 - 6 Players
- 6+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!20€ at.deEx Libris
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Ex Libris- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Video reviews for Ex Libris
Knapp Daneben!
- 1 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!5€ at.deVideo reviews for Knapp Daneben!
Brain Connect
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Micropolis
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price32€ at.deVideo reviews for Micropolis
Iron Curtain
- 2 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!14€ at.deColt Express: Bandits – Django
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Das Maß aller Dinge
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Farben
- 3 - 5 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Farben
Blöde Kuh
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!7€ at.deNEOM
- 1 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: medium
😕 Questionable price25€ at.deColt Express: Bandits – Tuco
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Carcassonne: Safari
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Carcassonne: Safari- 2 - 5 Players
- 35 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!27€ at.deVideo reviews for Carcassonne: Safari
Soviet Kitchen Unleashed
- 1 - 6 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 12+ 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
👍 Good price!15€ at.deColt Express: Bandits – Belle
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Honga
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Honga- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!23€ at.deMagic Maze Kids
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Magic Maze Kids- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.deVideo reviews for Magic Maze Kids
Village Attacks
- 1 - 5 Players
- 30 - 180 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Complexity: medium
Video reviews for Village Attacks
Caverna: The Forgotten Folk
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Caverna: The Forgotten Folk- 1 - 7 Players
- 30 - 210 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: hard
😕 Questionable price28€ at.deVideo reviews for Caverna: The Forgotten Folk
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