Excitement builds for Spiel des Jahres
By Peter Neugebauer
Main prizes are awarded in the Game of the Year, Children’s Game of the Year and Expert Game of the Year categories. There are three nominees in each category and this year’s winners were announced on 16 July 2023. The jury also issues recommendations for a handful of games. We shine a spotlight on a few of these.
Game of the Year – three nominees
Dorfromantik from Pegasus is a cooperative campaign game. Initially, tiles of different sizes are laid to form villages, forests and meadows. The group also works to lay long rivers and train tracks. Soon, however, there are new challenges to face. A shepherd wants to gather his flock around him, a balloon wants to float above the landscape, etc. The gameplay and analysis become increasingly tricky. But landscape designers are still sure to find this game the perfect enjoyment.
– Awarded as Spiel des Jahres 2023 –
In contrast, Fun Facts from Repos, distributed by Asmodee, has extremely simple instructions and rules. Essentially, the players answer questions about themselves. And this is another cooperative game. The group tries to order their responses to a given question, which are always a number. How much would you be prepared to pay for dinner at a top restaurant? Everyone’s answers are kept secret and the players have to guess how they should be ranked. Then the answers are revealed and the players can find out how well they did. This is guaranteed to lead to discussions about everyone’s opinions – and that’s what the game is all about.
Next Station London from HCM Kinzel is a “roll & write” game, a very popular genre at this time. Each player draws four tube lines on their map of London. There are a multitude of requirements to bear in mind: lines can only cross at stations, there should be connections to outer zones, stops near tourist attractions must have more frequent connections, and much more. These challenges are dealt with in different ways and with varying degrees of success given the many requirements that must be considered. This really good planning game is somewhat let down by the lack of contrast on the map.
Hitster from Jumbo is a game on the recommendation list that is particularly worthy of mention. Songs from the last 100 years have to be guessed and put in order of release. This is sure to get everyone excited and the memories flooding back. However, a Spotify app is needed to play. The Sea Salt & Paper card game from MM-Spiele, distributed by Huch!, is a new kind of interactive collection game. The finale has a sophisticated hook that involves the players gambling on their victory. The impressive artwork features unusual origami motifs.
Expert Game of the Year – three nominees
Challengers! from 1 More Time Games, distributed by Asmodee, is a tournament game. Two players at a time go head to head and rack up successes through to the final duel between the two best combatants. Eight opponents can demonstrate their prowess at a time thanks to the four playing boards. Players can improve their hand of cards, essentially their team, from round to round in order to get to grips with their next opponent. But they too can improve their hand and sometimes counter with a surprise. A fantastic tournament atmosphere is created.
– Awarded as Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023 –
Iki from Giant Roc takes you to Japan’s Edo period. Everyone takes on the role of seller and shopper in the traders’ quarter. This creates an exciting and complex situation in which the actions taken to one player’s advantage also benefit others. The distance of travel determines the sequence of play, for a varied turn order. And the fires that repeatedly break out also destroy traders’ stalls. All players can protect themselves against this or hope for good luck. A thematically very coherent game.
Planet Unknown from Strohmann Games takes us into outer space. Each player colonises their own planet. Puzzle pieces are used to achieve good configurations. At the same time, players progress in different categories through the colours selected. Green tiles, for example, represent biological structures. Many things are intertwined. The myriad of pieces and variations ensures new challenges every time.
The two recommendations are unusual. In the Council of Shadows space adventure from Alea, energy consumption and points progress have to be borne in mind when taking actions. The players must ensure their energy marker catches up with their consumption marker on the double scoretrack. This highly unusual gameplay requires some practice. In the Mindbug monster clash from Nerdlab, the two opponents battle each other with monsters both little and large, poisonous and powerful. Twice per fight of just ten rounds, a Mindbug can be used to steal an opponent’s card. But you’ve got to get your timing right. Fantastic.
Children’s Game of the Year – three nominees
Carla Caramel from Loki, distributed by Hutter-Trade, is an ice cream seller who conjures up delicious ice cream scoops for the children waiting in line. The players work together to fill the cones according to the children’s requests. But when the sun appears in the sky, everyone has to work fast before the ice cream melts. Played using dice and with a 3D look, the game also encourages free play with small tactical considerations.
Gigamon from Mirakulus involves searching for mythical creatures. Along the proven lines of a memory game, cards are turned and pairs mean success. As each Gigamon has its own quirks, tactical possibilities open up, allowing for swapping, meddling and the capture of Gigamons. A varied game is ensured, ending when a player catches three Gigamons.
Mysterium Kids from Libellud, distributed by Asmodee, succeeds in creating an exciting game experience with a new element. A tambourine is used to make noises intended to help the players identify a card in the deck. Scratching might indicate the cat bearing her claws, while rhythmic tapping could suggest the regular back and forth of a table tennis game, etc. Creative minds are sure to do well.
– Awarded as Kinderspiel des Jahres 2023 –
Two recommendations are particularly interesting: Mein erstes Abenteuer (My first adventure) from Board Game Box is a series of currently seven books. The reader always chooses a role for themselves. They can also make decisions that influence how the tale progresses as the story wends towards its end. The adventure stories can be experienced in new ways time and again. Rutsch & flutsch! (Turtle Splash!) from Game Factory combines skilful flicking with a classic memory game. The turtle has to get down the water slide to reach where he wants to go. The better he succeeds in this, the more animal tiles the player may turn, looking for the right animals on their board. This is a successful mix of two popular game elements.
About the author
Peter Neugebauer is still a "big kid" through and through. In early childhood, his parents introduced him to board games. And games were obligatory and always welcome at Christmas and on his birthday. He didn’t stop playing, not even during his years of study or working life. Early on, he reviewed new products, initially in trade journals, then also in daily newspapers and, for almost 40 years, in industry magazines. He can’t live without playing.
