Spiel seemed different this year compared to previous years – not good or bad different – just different.  We went for 3 days of the show as usual, stayed in the same hotel as usual, ate steak in our favourite restaurant multiple times as usual.  However, when asked what was my favourite game so far, I wasn’t able to point at one specific game which outranked the others; instead, there were lots that were very good indeed but too close to pick a single leader.

However, Spiel was the usual gaming marathon and didn’t disappoint as there were many superb games.  Whilst I can’t pick my favourite game of the show, I think think the following (in no particular order) were great.

• Merchants & Marauders
• Black Friday
• Isla Dorada
• Mille Graize
• Mord im Arosa
• Era of Inventions
• Tikal II
• Dakota
• 7 Wonders

And that’s just from the ones I’ve played so far as there are many I pre-ordered and bought unplayed that will get played over the coming weeks (like Norenberc, Inca Empire, Rio de La Plata, Stronghold Undead, and more) plus the ones friends bought too.  So many games, so little time.  I will start posting reviews of them all.

7 Wonders – I got to play 7 Wonders last night and was hoping to review it today.  7 Wonders appeared to be the most anticipated game of the show with a superb publicity wave beforehand.  Now I’ve played it I can see why it is so well-liked – it’s simple, quick and there are lots of tactical decisions to be made.  However, I’m not going to review it until I’ve played it some more and with different numbers of players so I can see more facets of it.  So far though, it certainly seems like a great game.