This was my first visit to Essen, so I thought it would be a good
idea to write up a report about it:
I had booked up quite early in the year (about May I think) and so I
managed to get a cheap flight and a hotel half way between the Messe
exhibition halls & Essen city centre.
Day 1: Got to the exhibition quite early so I could look around and
maybe to get talking to some of the people in the queue. The doors
opened at 9 and then we had to stay in the foyer until the
exhibition opened at 10. This, I'm told, is quite normal.
I had already put together a shopping list, and I went in search of
those items. The exhibition is quite bewildering, being spread over
about twelve rather large halls, so it would be quite a search. The
first item on my list was "Antike". I played this several months
before we played it at the club. I had looked in all the London
games shops for it, to no avail. There were plenty available at
Essen, though. My copy is roughly the same as that played at the
club. The boats have larger sails (less likely to get broken).
The "meeple" people have gone and are replaced by people with
crested helmets. I haven't unwrapped the cards yet, so I don't know
if these are the same. The same stand was also selling "Imperial".
This is by the same designer and also features the "Rondal". But
there the similarities end. "Imperial" is set in 1860's europe and
features a Diplomacy type map. Players are investors who invest in
countries to take control of them. Control can switch if a heavier
investment comes about. Anyway, I brought that one as well (and got
some money off for buying two games).
Day 2: Brought two games today: Gloria Mundi & Ra
"Gloria Mundi" is set during the last days of the Roman empire. The
Goths are coming from the north and are heading for Rome, destroying
everything in their path. The players are Roman senators attempting
to escape south to Carthage, before the Goths reach Rome.
"Ra" is a Reiner Knizna game where you need to score points during
the three phases of the game: Old kingdom, Middle kingdom & New
kingdom.
The best part of the day (for me) was meeting the guys from Golden
Laurel Entertainment. This is a new company (Canadian) with a new
game. The game "Galactic Destiny" is due to go on sale January 2007,
but they had the prototype available to play. The game is set in a
spiral galaxy. The idea is to capture ten sectors or hold all five
political positions. The game features diplomacy, politics,
corruption, back-stabbing etc. Great fun to play and may appeal to
Twilight Imperium fans. (If you want to know more about this game, I
have a publicity pack available).
Day 3: Went sightseeing in Cologne. Cathedral, museums, Rhine cruise
etc. But you want to read about board games, so lets go straight to
day 4 ---->
Day 4: The last day of the fair and also a Sunday. And what do we do
on Sunday? We play games. Well, that was the intention anyway. I
wanted to play some of the games I had brought so that I could see
how they were played. Unfortunately I could'nt find a spare game
(not quite true - if I had waited long enough I'm sure I would have
got a game). So I settled for sitting in on a game and just
watching. Glad I did, it sorted out some rules questions I had.
Brought two games: Space Dealer & Klingon Border. Space Dealer is a
fast paced game involving sand timers & space ships. The whole game
lasts exactly half an hour (using some form of timer). Its for up to
four players (or eight players if two sets are used). Klingon Border
is a cut down version of Star Fleet Battles with simplified rules.
Overall impression of Essen: Very good but can be expensive if
buying a lot of games. Look out for special deals and take a big,
empty suitcase with you. Check your airlines baggage allowance
rules. Avoid the Saturday as it is very busy. If you can only do two
days do the Thursday and Friday (the quietest days).
The show is actually two shows in one, a games show and a comics
show. The comics show features comics, graphic novels, collectable
card games and live action role playing. This is all tucked away at
the back of the building, so is easily avoided if your interest is
just in board games.
I am now saving up for my next Essen.