As the doors to Essen Spiel opened today, 3rd of October, it felt like a pilgrimage to the holy land of board gaming. Every year, thousands of board game fans, publishers, designers, and collectors flock to this legendary convention in search of the next big game, and 2024 is proving no different. In fact, we at BoardGamesLand.com can confidently say that this year’s kickoff felt even more energized than usual. Maybe it was the long-awaited return of in-person events, or maybe it was just the sheer number of highly anticipated games showcased. Either way, one thing is for certain—Essen Spiel 2024 is off to a roaring start.
Halls Packed with Pure Board Game Bliss
With seven massive halls filled to the brim, every inch of Messe Essen was packed with games, publishers, players, and eager fans waiting to dive into the latest releases. From indie designers with passion projects they’ve nurtured for years to major publishers with highly polished new entries, the convention was an overwhelming sensory overload in the best way possible. We couldn’t resist wandering through each hall, soaking in the electric atmosphere and the literal walls of board games around us.
But let’s be honest, if you’ve been to Essen Spiel before, you know it’s easy to feel lost among the sea of titles, demos, and booths. Yet, as we navigated our way through the convention on Day 1, one game hall stood out in particular.
Hall 3 is Like a Treasure Trove of Kickstarter Gold
While each hall had its charm, Hall 3 is our top pick. Why, you ask? Well, it was the hub for some of the most exciting and soon-to-be-published Kickstarter games. It’s clear that many of these games are poised to make waves in the months to come. There was a tangible buzz in the air as gamers previewed games that would be launching just days after the convention, giving everyone that ‘exclusive sneak peek’ feeling.
Hall 3 had everything from expansive, high-stakes strategy games to quirky, quick-to-play card games—enough to cater to all types of gamers. But what caught our eye the most was the sheer innovation on display. This hall was brimming with creativity, bold mechanics, and daring themes. You could almost see the gears turning in every designer’s mind as they explained their latest passion project. It’s no surprise that Hall 3 was constantly crowded, with eager backers lining up to see what these upcoming Kickstarter campaigns had to offer.
Among the games that immediately caught our attention were Tidal Blades: Banner Festival, Nightfall, and Moonrakers: Titan Edition. But even these fan favorites paled in comparison to the real star of the day, a game we had been itching to try since its announcement.
Our Highlight of Day 1 Was Black Forest
If there’s one thing we are certain about after Day 1 of Essen Spiel, it’s this: Black Forest is an instant classic in the making. For the uninitiated, Black Forest is the latest Euro-style worker placement game from Uwe Rosenberg and his collaborator Tido Lorenz. And let us tell you, it absolutely delivered. We were fortunate enough to snag a demo early in the day, and our expectations were exceeded in every way possible.
The game brings back the famous dials that Uwe Rosenberg originally introduced in Glass Road, but with a fresh new twist that fits perfectly into the game’s deep and engaging mechanics. We walked away from the Black Forest demo deeply impressed, and we are already itching for the official release. It’s clear that Rosenberg and Lorenz have crafted a game that is both deep and accessible, offering layers of strategy without overwhelming new players. We are predicting this one will be favorite for years to come.
Wrapping Up
As we wrapped up our first day at Essen Spiel 2024, one thing was abundantly clear: board gaming is alive and thriving. The sheer energy of the crowd, the excitement of players trying new games, and the passion of designers pitching their projects are all testaments to how incredible this hobby is.
From the seven jam-packed halls to the countless booths showcasing games for all tastes, Day 1 set the bar sky-high. While Hall 3 stole the show with its Kickstarter treasures, there’s still so much more to explore in the coming days. We’re looking forward to diving deeper into more demos, meeting even more creators, and, of course, bringing you the inside scoop on all the hottest games.
Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews and updates from Essen Spiel 2024—this is just the beginning!
