Jens' Essen 2006 Games To Watch list
Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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I recently browsed through Boardgamenews.com's Essen Preview lists, making my own list of games I thought sounded exciting. This is it!
A few comments:
- Being an old wargamer who has primarily played eurogames for the last decade or so, I still tend to prefer heavier and meatier games with strong themes over light and/or abstract games (that being said, I like Geschenkt, so go figure). For me, the right theme adds a lot to my game experience, and the wrong theme can ruin a game for me.
- The list represents not the generally most-looked forward to games of Essen (nor the limited edition collector's items), but rather the games that have caught my interest, mainly based on artwork, theme and the description of gameplay. You will therefore look in vain for the latest Age of Steam expansions (I am not a big AoS fan), Hameln, and many other highly anticipated games.
- Obviously, these are not all "Essen games", with some even being available already. The rule is that if it is on Boardgamenews.com's Essen Preview list, it's a potentially applicable for list.
- Since assembling the list, some of the games already out have seen more comments and feedback here on the 'geek. And not all of it very good, so some of these games are pretty borderline already.
Have you played any of the following games, been involved in development and/or playtesting, or are you just dying to voice your opinion, please leave a comment. 
If you think I am missing a potential gem, feel free to add it.
Update: Individual entries now marked as "Will probably buy", "Might buy", or "Probably won't buy".
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Weird-looking Cwali game where players construct factories. Looks potentially fun.
Probably won't buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Heavy-weight eurogame which is getting some nice feedback on the 'geek. Is this the next _________?
Probably won't buy.
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3.
Board Game: Imperial
[Average Rating:7.72 Overall Rank:43]
Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Europe in the age of Imperialism. The 'sister game' to last year's Antike. Sounds nice.
Might buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Fantasy questing game. Dwarfs, and lots of 'em! Update: The rules are now available on Fanpro's website at this address: http://www.fanpro.com/brettspiel/data/XorloschRules.pdf
Probably won't buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
-
Latest Blue Moon expansion. A must have.
Might buy. (Will at some point of course, but not necessarily at Essen).
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6.
Board Game: Taluva
[Average Rating:7.14 Overall Rank:242]
Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Settling your people on an ever-changing island. Terraced tile-laying a la Java. One of only two new games from Hans im Glück this year, the other being the card game Kabale und Hiebe (which, being described as "... in the tradition of Citadels" is definitely not for me).
Will probably buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
-
The lastest Settlers game. The fall of Rome, players represent Germanic tribes raiding and plundering their way to resources and victory points. Sounds great.
Might buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Tile placement, resources, nice theme, Attika-like efficiency game - all make this sound like something I might like. Present feedback is so-so, unfortunately. And will this even be available for sale at Essen?
Probably won't buy.
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9.
Board Game: Horus
[Average Rating:5.83 Overall Rank:4247]
Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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The mystery game from Mayfair. According to the page on the 'geek, this should have been out in 2004, but so far not even an image of it exists! Still, my favorite theme (Ancient Egypt!) combined with tile placement sounds like something to keep my eyes open for, if or when it is published.
Will buy if it ever gets published!
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Klaus Jürgen Wrede + game about archaeological expeditions = Potentially yummy game.
Might buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Kramer + Kiesling, resource manipulation, and area control all sounds great. But this game is out now and initial feedback isn't great. Heck, even Tom Vasel disliked the game, so the apocalypse might be right around the corner for all I know!
Have bought.
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12.
Board Game: Emira
[Average Rating:6.07 Overall Rank:2200]
Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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How 'bout that theme, eh? For the record, it doesn't bother me - and if in fact there's a decent game hidden underneath, what's not to like?
Probably won't buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
-
A new Britannia-style game is something to look forward to - potentially at least. Britannia is one of my most-played games, and one of my all-time favorites. On the other hand, Andreas Steding, the designer of Italia also made Hispania, and that I didn't like: Too long, fiddly, overwrought and overly complex for its own good.
So here's hoping Italia leans more to the "Britannia side" of the family tree.
Will probably buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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So it's got Leo Colovini as co-designer and from the description it sounds like it's more than 50% abstract exercise with pasted on theme, but it just might be a good game for all that...
And note, that's FIVE Phalanx games in a row on the list!
Might buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Re-issue of Ave Caesar. Not terribly high on my want list, but I suppose it's fun enough that grabbing a copy might not be out of order.
Probably won't buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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By Thorsten Gimmler, the designer of Geschenkt and Aton. Sounds potentially exciting.
Might buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Like Mayfair's Valley of the Kings, this is another mystery game. It's the fall of Rome. "You're a Roman statesman struggling to survive in this era of cultural decline and political chaos". Sounds great, but will it be out for Essen?
Probably won't buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
-
Medici for two players! Say no more, this game is on the list.
Might buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
-
Pseudo-abstract game of area control in ancient Ireland. Yes, theme = ancient Ireland and mechanics = area control sounds just like something Jens might like.
Might buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Given my tastes I should know better, but this latest Martin Wallace / Warfrog (Esdevium Games) release actually piques my interest. It's got "elements drawn especially from Struggle of Empires", so probably a try-before-buy for me.
Probably won't buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
-
The latest from Ystari is undoubtably worth a look. No, I found Ys only so-so and I don't care much for Caylus but I really, really like Mykerinos, so in my book Yspahan is a potential winner too. Plus, the theme is nice.
Will probably buy.
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22.
Board Game: Gheos
[Average Rating:6.61 Overall Rank:803]
Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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Tile placement game with *triangular* tiles! Looks Carcassonne'ish, but does it play even remotely like Carcassonne?
Might buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
-
Faidutti is usually not my cup of tea (sorry, Bruno) but this one sounds fun.
Probably won't buy.
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Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
-
So, Genesis is not the next E&T, despite being Knizia and looking like a rethemed E&T. The rules are 1 page. But is it 'simple and elegant' or 'simplistic and boring'?
Probably won't buy.
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25.
Board Game: Fiji
[Average Rating:5.87 Overall Rank:2749]
Jens Hoppe
Denmark
Frederiksberg
What are you, like 80?
It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.
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A Friedemann Friese game with auctions? Shrunken heads? Worth a look.
Probably won't buy.
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Laurel
Maryland