Spiel Essen 2026, known also simply as Essen, is one of the largest tabletop gaming fairs in the world. I already had a pleasure to attend that type of event in 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 and every time that was time very well spent. So there was no doubt – I had to come again, this time for the sixth time!
Before the fair I prepared my traditional Spiel Essen 2026 – Wargames Preview, listing the conflict titles I wanted to check. As always, the fair itself verified those plans – some games I managed to see, some I did not, and several great discoveries came completely out of the blue. While the memories are still fresh, I would like to share my experiences. Again, two intense, exhausting but very happy days!
Live report from my 1st day in Essen:
Report from my 2nd day in Essen:
Same as last year, I decided to come for Friday & Saturday. Two full days of playing games, visiting booths, meeting friends, fellow content creators, publishers and designers – and of course walking kilometers between the huge halls full of boardgames. That formula worked great for me again.
The downside was that this year I was not accompanied by any of my regular colleagues – no Clio, no Andy, nor Kuba G. But we stayed in contact so I was able to update them on my experiences and findings almost live 🙂
What would be the best way to describe experiences from the fair? List the games I had a chance to play or familiarize with, describe great discussions and share general impressions! Let us thus jump into the report.
DAY ONE – FRIDAY
The first day was really intense. And it is not only about the games played (four larger sessions), but also about the number of booths visited, talks had, titles discovered and plans discussed.
Twilight Struggle: 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Edition from GMT Games
A true highlight of the day – a short meeting with Jason Matthews and a presentation of the anniversary edition of Twilight Struggle. Revamped graphics, all the optional cards in one box, the Turn Zero module and an alternative situation in Japan after WWII – this will be epic! The game looks great and the conversation with the designer was very interesting and insightful.
Beasts & Diplomacy from Dragon Dawn Productions
I started the fair with Beasts & Diplomacy, designed by Mike Kribel – and it was a complete surprise. A very clever tableau builder with beautiful graphics and tons of ways to score points. And fast to play too – definitely liked it!
Neither King Nor God from Sound of Drums
Then there was a visit to friends from Sound of Drums. Last year I played the small pilot edition; this time I had a chance to check the full version of Neither King Nor God. We will have a 5th player (Spain), diplomacy and the Ottoman threat – but the game is still playable in a reasonable time!
The Great Escape from Sound of Drums
What I was really looking forward to at the Sound of Drums booth was a game close to my heart. The Great Escape tells the story of the incredible historical events which took place in Stalag Luft III, on Polish soil, during WWII. The title is now on Gamefound and is already funded – so if you want to learn more, check the project page.
Carta Imperia: Rise of Rome from Guntower Games
Another surprising discovery – a true work of love. In Carta Imperia Mike Ibeji put all his knowledge and passion for Ancient Rome into a very approachable design. You can see it is not only a well thought-through game, but also one made with deep knowledge of the era. Inspiring and worth checking!
II World War 1939-1945 from NAC Wargames
It is always fun to check new games at the NAC Wargames booth – and there were several interesting titles there this year. They are now starting a new series of lighter wargames, which you can explain in 22 minutes max! The best example is World War II, a fairly light take on that conflict for 2 or 3 players, covering Europe and North Africa from the outbreak of the war until mid-1945. It is a tense struggle of the Western Allies, the USSR and Germany – where only one player wins!
Dust in the Wind from PHALANX
An engrossing western-style game with great tactical combat? Yes, this is Dust in the Wind! I really had a lot of fun playing the full first scenario and learning this design. It will be a cooperative campaign game with character development. Great campaign and super tactical fights – Srdjan, bravo!
Neuroshima Hex from Portal Games
The day finished with a play of the always cool, enjoyable and beautiful Neuroshima Hex – the classic in a brilliant edition. That was a good way to finish a long, exhausting but happy gaming day!
DAY TWO – SATURDAY
My second day of Essen Spiel was as intense as the first one and brought many discussions, plays and – simply – walks across the huge halls full of boardgames. In detail it looked like this:
Assault Red Horizon 41: Revised Edition from Assault Games
The first meeting of the day was with Wolfgang from Assault Games – and of course we did the traditional photo! My Dear Friend is preparing quite a few additions for his system. Among them is something extremely helpful for the fans and new adepts: a digital app to learn Assault Red Horizon 41. Looking forward to it!
Timespan from Capstone Games
The second stop was with Timespan – hailed as the new civilization game and one of the three most wanted titles of the fair. A very clever design which you can truly play in 90-120 minutes, with a great engine for developing, gaining technologies, culture, points and upgrades. Hats off.
One caveat: there is zero negative interaction (yes, zero). On top of that, the peace track is one of the more important mechanics for victory. Do you like solitaire-style games? Then go for it – it is great, and I mean it, especially when playing with people who do not like being attacked. But if you are looking for a Civilization-type experience, skip it.
Kart from Leder Games
Then I managed to join a play of Kart, the racing game from Leder Games – a crazy ride downhill, using all means possible to be first and of course doing stunts for your adoring fans. Sure, if you dent your opponents’ karts, that is an additional bonus! A solid, funny, even exciting game. Personally, I prefer Charioteer from master Calkins – but again, it is not a bad game, I simply know a better one.
Sword of Rome from Nuts! Publishing
Then a visit to the French friends from Nuts! Publishing. They may make colorful games and quite a few Euros – but you have to give it to them, they bet strongly on war titles. The best example: did you know they will publish a new Sword of Rome? The classic from GMT, with new, beautiful presentation and numerous scenarios, so you do not have to play only the two-day campaign. That looks like a very interesting option!
Diables from Salt & Pepper Games
A quick stop at Salt & Pepper Games to check their newest games and say hello. As always, super positive and crazy people, with new titles – Diables looks interesting and of course has a very cool theme. I always keep my fingers crossed for them: a very small (two-person) team doing a lot of good work. Will be back for more for sure!
An Infamous Traffic: Second Edition from Buried Giant Studios
Then I had a real pleasure to meet Cole Wehrle and attend the demo game of An Infamous Traffic – his game about the opium trade in the 19th century, currently on Kickstarter. It will be a new, revamped edition of a very cool boardgame. Great title, super presentation and meeting with the designer. Love the mechanics!
Lords of Heaven from PHALANX
I am a sucker for all Crusades-related games. That is why I played Lords of Heaven with such joy. We played the First Crusade scenario and it was a very balanced session. A very interesting, tense but relatively short wargame with several scenarios – it has potential, some interesting mechanics and beautiful components. Glad to see it hitting the shelves soon! I will write a First Impressions article about it, where you will find more information.
FROM MY PREVIEW LIST
Not everything from my preview list made it to the table. But one title from it did come home with me:
1943: Race to Rabaul from PHALANX
A new game from Volko Ruhnke, in which the Allies race for Rabaul and fight the Japanese as much as each other (and the clock). I picked up 1943: Race to Rabaul in Essen but did not have a chance to play it during the fair. If you want to learn more about it, check my earlier Intro to 1943: Race to Rabaul. More to come soon!
SUMMARY
As you can see from what you could read above, I enjoyed my sixth visit to Spiel Essen enormously. Overall, I consider the fair incredibly successful – interesting, and a chance to meet many acquaintances and friends. Two days after which I was exhausted but also exhilarated and satisfied. Not only from the experiences, but also from the haul I managed to bring home:
Will I come next year? Well, I guess I have no other option… See you at Essen Spiel 2027!