The announcements for Spiel des Jahres have now been announced with the winners across the three categories being named. The big winner was Dorfromantik: The Board Game, a wonderful tile-laying game based on the hit PC game of the same name.

Dorfromantik: The Board Game // Pegasus Spiele

In this cooperative tile-laying game, you and your friends will be working together to lay down tiles and build an idyllic landscape on the tabletop. As you go, you'll be faced with new challenges which you'll need to complete in order to make the most points.

Dorfromantik: The Board Game - Gameplay // Pegasus Spiele

As you go through the game you'll unlock new tiles which will give you new puzzles to try and solve and challenges to complete. The better you go in successive games, the more bonus tiles you unlock from sealed boxes meaning there is a reason to keep pushing for that next high score. Because the game can be played by a variety of age groups and experience levels, it makes sense that Dorfromantik came out on top and won the Spiele des Jahres.

Kennerspiel des Jahres Winner - Challengers!

Winning the second category, the Kennerspiel des Jahres, was Challengers! from the folks at Z-Man Games.

Challengers! // Z-Man Games

The Kennerspiele des Jahres is focused on more enthusiast-level games and Challengers! feels like a great match for that. The game sees you assembling the greatest team that you can in order to capture the flag before your opponents.

Challengers! - Gameplay // Z-Man Games

With seventy-five different characters to choose from that allow you to dive into all sorts of different combinations of powers, you'll have loads of reasons to come back and see if your next plan will nab you that win. Games are played over a seven-round tournament where you'll qualify for the final by having the most fans. Those final two players then duke it out to see who comes out on top and claims that sweet victory.

Kinderspiele des Jahres Winner - Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo's Treasure

The children's game of the year went to Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo's Treasure which is a younger twist on the great deduction game, Mysterium.

Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo's Treasure // Libellud

In this cooperative game, you're spending the night in a mansion hoping to get your hands on some glorious treasure. Much like with Mysterium, you'll be looking at a series of cards as a team which will illustrate which location holds the treasure!

Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo's Treasure - Gameplay // Libellud

You'll be guided by one of your team who will have their hands on a neat tambourine. Guiding your friends with the sound of the instrument, you'll hopefully make sure that your friends make it to the treasure and get out with all of the booty! I really like the changes here which keep the vibe of Mysterium but make it much more engaging and interactive for younger gamers. I reckon I'd quite like a go at this myself too!

Some worthy winners across all three categories. Make sure to check out your board game stores and see if you can get your hands on these!

Which one(s) will you be picking up?