Spiel Essen 2024, known also simply as Essen, is the largest tabletop gaming fair in the world. I already had a pleasure to attend that type of event in 2017, 2022 & 2023 and that was time really well spent. Thus, I had little doubt to come this year again! And while the memories from 2024 fair are still fresh, I would like to share my experiences from it. Again, definitely one of the greatest, most fantastic and engaging boardgames meetings I had a chance to be part of.

Live report from my 1st day in Essen:

Report from my 2nd day in Essen:

This year I decided to arrive for Friday & Saturday. Mainly due two reasons: firstly, there is definitely more visitors during the weekend than on the first two days – so I hoped to make the most from Friday. Secondly, on Sunday the Fair is being closed earlier and some of the exhibitors leave already at noon or shortly after. Now, with hindsight, I might confirm it worked great for me.

Unfortunately, my regular company (Kuba G and Clio) were not able to join me this year. Still, when I entered the halls, the initial impact & sensation when you immerse yourself in the fair is unforgettable. All those colors of the various booths, noise of the people playing the games, large crowds standing in queues to be able to test their desired game – you are simply immersed in completely different world, world of boardgames!

What would be the best way to describe experiences from the Fairs? List the games I had a chance to play or familiarize with, describe great discussions and share general experiences. Let us thus jump into the report!

WARGAMES

While Essen features pretty broad array of games, usually focusing on EURO type, I found selection of very interesting war-related positions. Below some of the title really worth mentioning.

Operation Barclay from Salt & Pepper Games

Operation Barclay was definitely on my list of “to play during the Spiel” games. And I was not disappointed – nice gameplay, beautiful components, a bit of bluffing, a bit of guessing, good replayability. having great experiences with previous titles from Salt & Pepper Games – like The Hunt or Resist! – I quickly decided this title comes back with me home!

Total War: ROME – The Board Game from CCC Games

Many of us are waiting for this game to be finally published for many years now. First supposedly to be produced by PSC, then taken over by the group of designers and developers who were from the onset with this title; then multiple problems, hiccups and personal issues of the main designer. Many lost faith it will ever see the light.

Still, against all of this odds the game is really pretty close to be finally available. And based on the session I played during Spiel, this will be a very tasty title, which nicely balances the nostalgia of playing Total War computer game with what reasonably can be shown on the board vs the endless possibilities of computer (at least in comparison to tabletop gaming). Stay tuned – this is worth waiting for!

Assault Sicily 43 from Assault Games

Of course I could not pass on meeting Wolfgang from Assault Games – this year he was accompanied by his friends, Michael and Erich. We discussed how much the system progressed in recent years, how beautiful and functional the second installment will look like (fulfillment still this year!) and of course, we spent some time at the board playing the actual game. PS. My backer #10 copy also came back with me home and you will be able to see the material on it soon!

Battle Commander: Volume I from Sound of Drums

Just as I could not pass on meeting Wolfgang, I do not imagine Essen without talking with Uwe from Sound of Drums and planning new cooperation projects. One of the main ones will be the Battle Commander – new series of Napoleonic Wars game, designed by Carl Paradis. I already have material with designer ready, where you will be able to learn more about that intriguing title!

Arcs from Leder Games

I finally had a chance to get to the ARCS – the game had a huge popularity at Speil and it was pretty hard to find a free space at the table. Is it a mean game? Of course it is – you plan how to get the points at the expanse of opponents! Is it a good game? – well I got hooked from the start and very much liked mechanics and design! Definitely will play it a lot as a copy comes back home with me!

Battalion: War of the Ancients from Osprey Games

Battalion draw my attention before Essen and I definitely was planning to check on it. Really cool mechanics, with beautiful production and straightforward rules. I like also the number of scenarios and some unique solutions used.

Tank Clash: Western Front from Ameba games

The session of Tank Clash happened completely by coincidence. We went for coffee with Wolfgang and on our way back we spotted the area with games from Japanese publishers. One title – with tanks of course – draw our attention and we played a quick game in which my tanks prevailed over Wolfgang’s. Funny little game!

EURO / STRATEGY GAMES

I played also some of the non-wargame titles – these were strategy one, abstract ones or even titles which are great for children – sorry, but I could not come back home without such a title :). Short description below:

Babylon from Geek Attitude Games

Babylon was among the hottest games of the whole Spiel. The queues to play it were very long and you could only buy one of 75 copies every day. Still, I was fortunate – after waiting just 30 minutes 🙂 – to play it. That was definitely a blast as game is really cool, beautiful and has various scoring options. I am not so sure about replayability – still, it was fun o try it.

Diluvium from Nuts! Publishing

I went to the Nuts! Publishing stand mainly to see future designs in Rations Series (we have already two: 300: Earth & Water and Port Arthur). But I found there Diluvium (flood from Latin) – title advertised as 4X in one hour! I could not pass on it – and immediately played a full game. Well, the best summary of my impressions is the fact that a copy of this game went home with me! Really cool, small design!

HUANG from PHALANX

I am always visiting PHALANX stand when I am on Essen Spiel. This time the tradition was continued and I had a pleasure to play Huang. This is a conflict game but I put it rather in broader group of general games. We had a session with two other players and I can tell you that the flow of alliances and opposition in this title can be very fluid – depending on the moment, your previous allay can become your most sturdy enemy and vice versa. Definitely a great title!

SUMMARY

As you can see and from what you could read above, it is easy to deduct that I enjoyed my already fourth visit to Spiel Essen enormously. Two days after which I was exhausted but also exhilarated and satisfied. Not only from the experiences, but also a haul I managed to bring with me!

Would I come next year? Most probably yes – see you at Essen Spiel 2025 which will be held between 23rd and 26th of October!