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: Prelude1 - 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.de
Video reviews for Just One
Codenames
2 - 8 Players
15 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!14€ at.de
Dixit: Anniversary
3 - 6 Players
60 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
😕 Questionable price23€ at.de
Video reviews for Dixit: Anniversary
Scythe: The Rise of Fenris
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Scythe: The Rise of Fenris1 - 5 Players
75 - 150 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: medium
😕 Questionable price51€ at.de
Gloomhaven
Nominated for 21 awards and won 10.
More details for Gloomhaven1 - 4 Players
60 - 120 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: hard
👍 Good price!133€ at.de
Video 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 Crime1 - 4 Players
60 - 90 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Chronicles of Crime
Sagrada
Nominated for 10 awards.
More details for Sagrada1 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!28€ at.de
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition1 - 6 Players
20 - 30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!24€ at.de
Downforce
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Downforce2 - 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.de
Video reviews for ICECOOL2
Champions of Midgard
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Champions of Midgard2 - 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 Sintra2 - 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 Belratti3 - 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 Edition1 - 6 Players
20 - 30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!23€ at.de
Architects of the West Kingdom
Nominated for 15 awards and won 4.
More details for Architects of the West Kingdom1 - 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: Noir1 - 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.de
Clank!: 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 Game1 - 5 Players
120 - 180 Minutes
16+ years old
Complexity: medium
🔥 Great price!30€ at.de
Video reviews for Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Concordia Venus
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Concordia Venus2 - 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 Circus2 - 5 Players
45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!32€ at.de
Near and Far
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Near and Far2 - 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 Norwegians1 - 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.de
Video reviews for Word Slam Midnight
Spyfall 2
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Spyfall 23 - 12 Players
15 Minutes
13+ years old
Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!20€ at.de
Video reviews for Spyfall 2
7 Wonders: Armada
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for 7 Wonders: Armada3 - 7 Players
40 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: medium
💸 Too expensive!55€ at.de
Video reviews for 7 Wonders: Armada
Spirit Island
Nominated for 11 awards and won 1.
More details for Spirit Island1 - 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.de
Root
Nominated for 23 awards and won 13.
More details for Root2 - 4 Players
60 - 90 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: hard
👍 Good price!50€ at.de
Reef
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Reef2 - 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 North2 - 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.de
Video 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 Deluxe2 - 7 Players
30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!11€ at.de
Isle of Skye: Druids
2 - 5 Players
60 - 75 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!18€ at.de
Video 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.de
Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition1 - 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.de
Video 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.de
The 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 Island2 - 5 Players
45 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!41€ at.de
Video reviews for Treasure Island
Imhotep: The Duel
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Imhotep: The Duel2 Players
30 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!12€ at.de
Video 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 Family3 - 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.de
Monolith Arena
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Monolith Arena2 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.de
Video 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 Nagaraja2 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 Gods1 - 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 Punto2 - 4 Players
20 Minutes
7+ years old
Complexity: very easy
Gingerbread House
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Gingerbread House2 - 4 Players
30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!28€ at.de
Video reviews for Gingerbread House
Coimbra
Nominated for 9 awards.
More details for Coimbra2 - 4 Players
60 - 90 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: medium
😕 Questionable price40€ at.de
Exit: 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.de
Planet
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Planet2 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Planet
Shadows: Amsterdam
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Shadows: Amsterdam2 - 8 Players
20 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!26€ at.de
Haste 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 Drive2 - 4 Players
10 - 30 Minutes
13+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!15€ at.de
A Tale of Pirates
2 - 4 Players
30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!14€ at.de
Pulsar 2849
Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.
More details for Pulsar 28492 - 4 Players
60 - 90 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: medium
😕 Questionable price45€ at.de
The Color Monster
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for The Color Monster2 - 5 Players
25 Minutes
3+ years old
Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!24€ at.de
Video 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.de
Video reviews for Concordia: Venus (Expansion)
Gùgōng
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Gùgōng1 - 5 Players
60 - 90 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: medium
💸 Too expensive!55€ at.de
Video reviews for Gùgōng
Piepmatz
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Piepmatz2 - 4 Players
20 - 40 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price13€ at.de
Patchwork Express
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Patchwork Express2 Players
10 Minutes
6+ years old
Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price18€ at.de
Video reviews for Patchwork Express
Fool!
4 - 8 Players
15 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!11€ at.de
Video reviews for Fool!
Hostage Negotiator
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Hostage Negotiator1 Players
20 Minutes
13+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!25€ at.de
Curli Kuller
Nominated for 2 awards.
Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2009
Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2009
More details for Curli Kuller2 - 4 Players
20 Minutes
5+ years old
Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!23€ at.de
Colt 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.de
Ex Libris
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Ex Libris1 - 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.de
Video 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.de
Video reviews for Micropolis
Iron Curtain
2 Players
20 - 30 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!14€ at.de
Colt 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.de
NEOM
1 - 5 Players
45 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: medium
😕 Questionable price25€ at.de
Colt Express: Bandits – Tuco
2 - 5 Players
30 - 60 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
Carcassonne: Safari
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Carcassonne: Safari2 - 5 Players
35 Minutes
7+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!27€ at.de
Video 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' War2 Players
30 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!15€ at.de
Colt 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 Honga2 - 5 Players
45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!23€ at.de
Magic Maze Kids
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Magic Maze Kids2 - 4 Players
15 - 25 Minutes
5+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.de
Video 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 Folk1 - 7 Players
30 - 210 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: hard
😕 Questionable price28€ at.de
Video reviews for Caverna: The Forgotten Folk
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