Essen SPIEL ’18 Live Blog – Thursday

Welcome to the first day of Essen SPIEL ’18 here in lovely Germany! We’re here at the Mythic Games stand who have been gracious hosts for us this weekend.

We are going to be checking in with them and looking into each of their games including Solomon Kane, Joan Of Arc and also their new game; Reichbusters: Projekt Vril.

Make sure to check out all of our videos over the next few days AND comment to win prizes on some of our videos too!

We’ve explored the Forbidden Island and Forbidden Desert, now it’s time to take to the skies!

We continue the survival adventures as we take a look at Matt Leacock’s Forbidden Sky from Gamewright.

A lot of you will have played these games yourself as they are a great gateway game for both younger gamers and the old veterans looking for a new window into tabletop gaming.

As quite the fan of dinosaurs when I saw this game pop up at the press event yesterday I just had to take some snaps and have a better look at the game.

Jurassic Snack has you playing as Diplodocus who are trying to eat more goodies than the other team. However, all is not safe in the dinosaur kingdom as you can also call in the T-Rex to hunt down your opponents and stop them enjoying a nice, safe meal!

Each grass token has a special ability that you will reveal when you eat it and they are randomly dropped onto the board making it different each time you play…AND this game comes with some of the coolest game figures!

Ryan was able to stop off with the minds behind Concept Kids here at Essen SPIEL ’18 and even took part in a little demonstration.

Concept is a great game all about trying to convey a word or idea through the use of icons and pictures. It can be quite the brain teaser and the kids game gets them started that little bit earlier.

You can play along with Ryan in this video and see if you get it before him!

As we mentioned in the introduction to today’s Live Blog, we’re here at the Mythic Games stand at Essen SPIEL ’18.

They are showing off a few of their games here including Joan Of Arc, Solomon Kane and their newest big project called Reichbusters: Projekt Vril.

We’ll be catching up with them later to find out more about the game but if you’re coming to Essen SPIEL ’18 over the next few days make sure to call in at Hall 2 F113.

As an evolution of games like Codenames continues we see Le Scorpion Masque coming out with Decrypto. This game has you trying to not only hint to your friends on your team what the code is they are trying to call out but make sure that the opposing team doesn’t guess what you’re doing!

Comment To Win A Copy Of Decrypto!

This game seems easy at first but it becomes a real brain teaser as you get going with it, diving into the intricate puzzle of words where you’re trying to not trip up your friends.

We personally see this as a great next step over a game like Dixit or Codenames if you want a new social deduction game in your collection.

7 Wonders Armada takes the format of 7 Wonders, a nice gateway game which introduces many different initial concepts in board gaming, and adds a whole new layer to it as you go trading on the high seas.

Players will now be able to not only interact with their neighbours but also set sail across the seas to interact with people across the other side of the tabletop.

This adds a whole new dynamic into the game, developing it into one of adventure and exploration as well as one of warfare and culture that we’ve seen before.

Crazy Pawn Games are ready to unleash Xenomorphs upon Essen, as they show off their game Aliens: Hadley’s Hope.

Comment To Win A Copy Of Aliens: Hadley’s Hope

The game seeks to recreate the tense, claustrophobic feel that made the Alien movies so good and bring many iconic elements of the films to the table.

Comment below to be in with a chance to win Aliens: Hadley’s Hope.

Pandasaurus Games have talked about Nyctophobia with us before on the website but it’s great to see that the game is coming together nicely right now.

This game has you playing blinded (using those snazzy glasses) whilst the murdering crazy man will be chasing you around the woods.

You will have to feel your way through the woods which can be ever-changing and see if you can survive…this is an awesome new concept that we’d love to find out more about.

We stop in with Drawlab to talk about Witless Wizards which has only just come off Kickstarter. Ryan has a chat with the folks behind the game and talks about what this is all about.

Comment To Win A Copy Of Witless Wizards

This game is a humorous jump into the world of magic where you are trying to remember just what spells you can cast as a poor old man!

It’s quirky, full of magical awesomeness and well worth diving into.

We have stopped in with CMON and are talking to the one and only Eric Lang about one of his new games, Death May Die, which has you delving into a world of Cthulhu madness and more. The game, as you might imagine, looks superb and comes with brilliant miniatures and a stunning level of art direction.

Win A Copy Of Gizmos

We also stop in to talk about another of their new games, Wacky Races, which I’m sure will be a favourite with many of you who enjoyed the cartoon back in the day.

The folks at Brain Games have done some awesome games in the past including, as many of you know, Ice Cool. One of their newest games is Pyramid Of Pengqueen which continues with the idea of a Hunter (the Mummy) and a bunch of Treasure Hunters!

The penguin treasure hunters will be rushing forth trying to avoid the Mummy in a crazy chase to grab some goodie before being spooked!

The almost ‘Battleship’ style looking set-up makes this a great game of cat and mouse…or penguin and errr…undead penguin.

Ryan got a chance to talk with the folks behind Everdell which features all manner of wonderful woodland creatures.

Come and learn more about what this game is all about from Starling Games and maybe give this one a look yourself. I love the fact that it comes with this awesome big 3D tree!

Every year at Essen Spiel, gamers from all over the world come along to try their hand at some of the fantastic games on display.

The place is crowded and everyone is having a good time playing the latest and greatest in tabletop gaming.

Hot off the success of their Kinderspiele des Jahres winner Dragon’s Breath, HABA are at Essen Spiel showing off their game Luxantis.

Comment To Win A Copy of Dragon’s Breath

Luxantis is an interesting family game, utilising LEDs built into the board to send your players on a fantasy adventure.

Games Workshop have brought all their games with them to Essen Spiel and take us through some of the activities people can take part in at their stand.

As well as their main, tabletop games, Games workshop have three board games on display. Heading out for wide retail release in Germany and America, these games let you play on the fields of Blood Bowl, fight Necrons as a Space Marine, or evade the eye of Sauron in a quest for the One Ring.

At Essen Spiel, lots of new games are on display. Some are brand new versions of old favourites, while others are hitting the table for the first time.

What games are you keeping an eye out for?

Board and Dice have launched their latest game The Awakening at Spiel 2018.

Comment To Win A Copy Of Escape Tales: The Awakening

The game takes players through the story of a father trying to save his daughter from a mysterious coma. But as you delve deeper into game your choices could lead the story down some interesting paths.

Warcradle are busy demoing Wild West Exodus, as well as their upcoming game Dystopian Wars, with some fantastic tables showing how both worlds intertwine.

Comment To Win A WWX Forlorn Hope Posse Set

It’s great to see how these games are developing and shaping the world in parallel to one another. It’s particularly exciting to see Dystopian Wars take float with the new miniatures Warcradle have made for the game.

Essen Spiel has tons of activities going on, including loads aimed at kids and families.

We stop in with iello and talk about one game which is a fantastic look back at retro video gaming. 8BitBox is a fantastic set of four different games which allows you to see if you’re any better with your cardboard and chits than you were with a joystick.

Win A Copy Of 8BitBox

It’s time to stop in with Robin and learn more about the game so you get to see what it’s like ahead of winning yourself a copy!