Every year when Essen rolls around I go through the same process: piqued interest, an effort to not get carried away by it, and eventual giving in to the excitement. Even though I know a lot of the heavy-hitters are released at other times during the year (like Nuremburg), Essen still has more interest. That's because there are many more publishers, large and small, with many more titles. Some will have a lot of buzz before the show, some will get sort of a "hidden gem" reputation (that I often feel is forced), and several others won't get much attention at all in the nearterm, only to have it build slowly later. Essen is fun as a spectator sport.
A couple years ago we would place a big order to Germany to get these games. Now more than ever are being released here in America in English language editions. Also, the Euro-Dollar exchange rate is still lousy, taking much of the fun out of these orders. We'll still place one for the games that aren't being translated or imported, plus some of the inevitable post-Essen blowout sale titles. (Last year everyone seemed to be selling Giganten for about 12 Euro, for instance.)
When does Essen start, anyway? I don't think it's quite yet, but it must be close. Just enough time for me to list the games I'm excited about (or at least interested in) before the more informed opinions start streaming in. To do this I'm of course using the amazing Essen Preview put together by the folks at Gamefest. No more piping Spielbox-Online through a machine translator to try to make sense of the German game news. Yea! I'm going to have to place another game order with Gamefest.com as a thank-you.
Favorites
Im Auftrag des Königs -- I have a weakness for Adlung games, and usually find at least one keeper every Essen. Nothing really jumps out at me from the list of new titles this year, not like other years with good descriptions or established designers. This is the only one that looks promising in 2004.
Geschenkt -- Ah yes, the quirky or innovative card game. These are the sorts of games that fall through the cracks of the various translator-publishers.
Der Untergang von Pompeji (The Sinking of Pompeii) -- After Carcassonne and Die Fugger, I'm willing to go on Klaus-Jürgen Wrede's name alone. (Of course, there's some danger in that, like last year's Yellowstone Park from Uwe Rosenberg.) A good theme and some tile-laying mechanics also help seal the deal for me.
Die Weinhändler -- A compact little card game of auctions & set collecting from the designer team that brought us Santiago. I can't see why this wouldn't be worth a try.
Metallurgie -- Ooh, cool theme, mechanics that could work, and nice graphics on the box. That's enough for me to try a card game.
Seasim -- I was recently on the fence about tracking down a copy of the generally-unappreciated Visjes. So I'm delighted that a new & improved version is now available.
Farfalia -- It was interesting to read the author's story of this game's development by the publisher.
Letter Poker, Lucca, Out! and Wordfinger -- I'm charmed by the idea of these little one-card giveaway games from da Vinci. I wonder how I can get them?
Mystery Train -- The promotional micro-expansion for Ticket to Ride. Why not?
Ice Cream -- Designed by a friend, and with an especially family-friendly theme.
Carcassonne: The City -- Can't wait! This is the game I'm most excited about seeing. I love the deluxe treatment for a favorite game.
Wings of War: Watch Your Back -- We've had fun with the first set, so the next one is an automatic purchase.
Reef Encounter -- Not sure how this will play, but the theme and limited number of copies sucked me in.
High Bohn Plus -- The only Bohnanza expansion I really enjoyed, I've just been waiting for an English version.
Maybes
Sole Mio! -- I always liked the idea of Mamma Mia more than I enjoyed the game itself. I don't see why I'd need a sequel/expansion. But like I said, maybe. It's cheap & small, which certainly works in its favor.
Razzia -- In general I like the idea of card game versions of board games. If they'd done a straight translation here, I'd be all over it. But I don't like this retheming (Uberplay's is worse), and if what I heard is true about "disaster tiles" being removed from the game I won't like it at all.
Tanz der Hornochsen -- Here's a board game version of a card game. I don't care for this development path nearly so much, but 6 Nimmt is so charming I may give this a chance.
Abracadabra -- As a little card game from a publisher showing promise, this should just about be an automatic purchase for me. If the theme were different, it might be. I've had enough monster & magic themes to last me a lifetime.
Kablamo -- Has the potential to be this year's Bang! (no pun intended)
Piranha Pedro -- Very nearly a must-buy for me on the strength of Annawerk design team, but I wasn't fond of Attika or Attribut, so I'll hold off. (I really enjoy Verrater, Meuterer, and Lift Off.) Plus now I've played it on BSW, and I think it may even be too light for me.
Akaba -- A delightful theme and game equipment (a "puffer" to scoot flying carpets about the board), but I'll wait to hear if there's any gameplay going on in this dexterity game. The good ones have it, the bad ones don't.
Carcassonne: Die Katharer and The Count of Carcassonne -- I've got everything else so far (gold box plus last year's Spy & Scout micro expansion). Might as well get these, too, when I get a chance.
Im Schatten des Kaisers (Shadow of the Emperor) -- Last year my wife and I toured the part of Europe that had these Electors, so the theme hits home.
Presidential Election -- I can certainly have fun with the theme, but especially between now and the real election . . . no way to get the game that quickly, and in any case I'm happy to play Mr. President.
Ozeanien -- Seems like this would be a lock for me, since I'm such a fan of Entdecker. However, I've played with this online, and it feels just like a little scoring puzzle using Entdecker tiles, without the enjoyment of the larger game.
Candamir -- I used to think I liked most everything that Teuber did, but have since found that wasn't true. I like exploration games, but was glad I held off on Anno 1503. This is definitely a wait-and-see.
In 80 Tagen um die Welt -- I'd like to try it first, but from all accounts this is an attractive, light, nicely produced boardgame. The sort of family-friendly game that wins Spiel des Jahre awards. That's what I like.
Black Molly -- To be honest, I'm mostly interested because of the name alone (my daughter's name). I wasn't impressed with Atta's Ants.
Goldbrau -- I think I want this, except that I already know someone in my local group that owns it.
Struggle of Empires -- Actually, the Martin Wallace games I've played have only been okay. The ones I prefer are the lighter ones, like Way Out West and perhaps La Strada. Definitely not the train games. I'm not at all sure about this one, as much as I like the subject matter.
Karrabik -- Sounds promising, but I'll wait to try it on BSW first.
Other comments
Mall World -- Looks kind of interesting, thanks to Mik's writeup on Brett & Board, but I know others in my local gaming circles will get it, so I'll wait & see.
Pitchcar Mini -- A neat idea, but I've already shelled out enough money and shelfspace for my own Carabande and Action Set.
I love the little Haba games that come in tins, but they're hard to get over here. The American mail order shops don't import them, and neither do the German shops list more than a couple.
Friedrich -- As interesting as this is, there's no sense spending the bucks to import a 3+ hour wargame when I've got other choices already.
I'm curious about all of the lavishly produced Ludoart games, but I wonder who will really buy & play them. I traded away my own copy of Marracash last year, so I don't foresee spending huge bucks on an all-wooden version.
I say I appreciate what publisher Phalanx is doing, but I've yet to put my money where my mouth is. Part of it is that they haven't really made these light wargames light enough for me. I already knew A House Divided could go a little long, and I tend to avoid Berg's games. Now here's something on WW1 from Ted Racier, but I'm just starting to play Dunnigan's old WW1 from S&T Magazine. That Heart of Africa title looks to be more innovative in its subject, at least.
Just a quick comment: the first three games pictured in 'Rick Thornquist's setup day part one'immediately caught my attention. I know nothing about these games, but each of the pictures made me sit up and say "oooooh!"
Revolution: The color scheme appealed to me for some reason -- sophisticated yet not intimidating, but then I look at bit closer and saw all the charts on the board, which made me fear that the game may be a bit too 'hodge-podge' for me. But I'm still eager to find out more about it.
Ins Innere Afrikas: Again, the color scheme, and the old world style map. It would be great if it was an exploration game, but I guessing it might be more of an area of influence deal. Still, very appealing to look at.
Sea Sim: probably a kids game, but look at those great little schools of fish! And the shape of the board is interesting.
Of course, I'll look into each of these games more deeply as the days go one, but I'm liking what I'm seeing so far.
I just saw that you had something to say about SeaSim. Glad to know it's good game.
Posted by: Mike Mayer at October 21, 2004 09:44 AMRight, I don't think SeaSim will be a kids game. In fact, I doubt it's all that light. You can check out the BGG entry for Ocean/Visjes, the predecessor to SeaSim.
Posted by: Mark Johnson at October 21, 2004 10:04 AM