Jeroen van der Valk
Netherlands
Gouda
Zuid Holland
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In spite of being quite enthousiastic last year of our two-day trip, we went for only one day this year. Last year the second day seemed somewhat superfluous. That, combined with not so much free time off work left for this year, led to this decision. It worked out well, in retrospect, though I still feel I'm looking for a good rhythm to get through the fair in a good way. This is my third year running, and I'm still finding my footing.
From the outskirts of Rotterdam, it was a two-and-a-half hour drive to Essen that started on an early Thursday morning. Just after ten o'clock we arrived at the entrance "Ost", with no queues at the ticket booth or at the doors. The queue at the cash machine was there, a permanent fixture at the fair. My wallet was already full, and I didn't have to get extra cash during the day. StarCraft: The Board Game had a part to play in this, more on that later.
Hall 12 hasn't changed in the past three years. Quickly marching past or through the MB stand, we hit the first shops to see what was available and at which prices. I wasn't overly excited by the stuff I saw lying around. Stacks of games like Oregon, Saba: Palast der Königin, Ming Dynasty, Hamburgum and of course Cuba were prevalent. These games were widely played at the tables around the fair, and the floor of the Kosmos stand was littered with Der goldene Kompass games in progress. It all didn't immediately do very much for me, and besides, I was focused on my list.
On our way to 2F Spiele we stopped at another shop that always has some good deals (the one with closed walls and the cardgames on revolving stands), where I picked up my first game and my first non-list good deal: Elasund: The First City of Catan for 10 euros. I've had half an eye on this game since its release, but never played it. I was hoping for a good price last year, but it didn't drop below 22 euros then. So, I was quite happy with that one.
We then headed to 2F for the Power Grid: The New Power Plant Cards. I also picked up Power Grid: Benelux/Central Europe which I had played once, but didn't own yet. By the way, crowds were indeed very respectable. Walking around was pretty easy for the most part. Some narrower hallways (for instance in hall 9) did clog up, sometimes by people who apparantly think that the middle of such a hallway is a good place to catch up with old friends. No matter, it was minimal on the Thursday.
We passed through the fair at an easy amble, and after Queen games we split up for different reasons for a short while. I headed into hall 9, where some of my listed games were ready and waiting for pick-up. First up was Lookout Games, where there was some hustle and bustle. I bought a copy of their hefty Agricola for 35 euros, threw a quick glance at the two small tables where the game was being explained and played, and quickly moved on. When I passed by in the afternoon, I noticed that the large stack of copies of the game had whittled down to nothing. No surprise to see it high on the Fairplay list today. I ran through a few turns solo this evening, and I think I made a good choice.
Just a few steps down was Z-Man games and my preordered copy of 1960: The Making of the President. Another hefty box, my big shopping bag was now quickly filling up. FRED Distribution was opposite, so I scooted in there looking for Railways of Europe. It is the only game on my list I didn't come home with. I think it was Sean Brown, if I read his nametag right, that explained that the container containing both Through the Ages (more on that later) and Rails of Europe had been ready for shipping, but was now being held to test components for lead contamination. Sean expected the games to be available in December or January.
Somewhat disappointed, I caught up with my travel companions at the Gipf stand, where they played a short game of DVONN. One of them also bought TZAAR, after going outside first to get some money from the cash machine. During his money run, the two of us made the rounds at the All Games stand. Besides the listed The Pillars of the Earth Expansion Set, my second (and last) good deal of the day presented itself: Byzantium for 16 euros.
Shopping bag and backpack now filled to bursting, we headed to the entrance to first meet up with some other friends (only found one though), after which we headed to the lunchroom. The thing I was most looking forward to at Essen was the humungous gyros sandwhiches, but they didn't have them this year! So I went for a healthy salad instead... Afterwards we hiked back to the car to unload and get ready for the second half of the day.
I headed for Vendetta first to pick up my preordered copy of Steam over Holland. I was pleasantly surprised by the sturdy bookcase style box. We then looked for some good deals at the Gardenia (?) stand, where one of us spotted Thebes for 19 euros. He already had bought a copy earlier for 26 euros, but I hadn't and still had it on my list, so I was one happy puppy. I didn't make too much fun of him, because I remember getting screwed (relatively speaking) on Um Reifenbreite two years ago and not liking the feeling.
I completed my list with Race for the Galaxy at Rio Grande, and was all in all very pleased with my findings. I must say that walking around I found Cuba to look the most impressive, just by its components and artwork. One of us picked that up, and I hope to get a play in tomorrow, though I have some trepidation because of the noted similarities to some other classics.
For the rest of the afternoon we sauntered around. I picked up some nice dice at Chessex in hall 6 for Paths of Glory and Empire of the Sun. I hadn't remembered it from last year, but there was a stand opposite Chessex that sold wargames in abundance, from GMT Games, MMP, Columbia and the Fantasy Flight plastic fantastic big box games. Around that time or maybe shortly before I'd spotted a StarCraft: The Board Game box sticking out of a backpack somewhere. After calling support, I headed to the Fantasy Flight stand, having missed it completely in the morning when I was in hall 9. Good thing, perhaps, because I saved 75 euros on one of a hundred copies Fantasy Flight had shipped to Essen. I would have gone way over budget if I'd been in time.
I walked around the stand, looking for a demo of the game to show to one of the other guys. There was one table with the game, six people sitting around it, and one of them was reading the rulebook to explain the game. He was at the component overview then, I think they may have had a few turns by now, two days later. Anyway, I'll order the game at Spiele Offensive for 65 euros at the end of the month, like I originally intended after hearing that the game wouldn't be available at the fair.
Around that time I ran into Lajos, who told me that Czech Board Games still had a stack of Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization standing in a corner. I headed straight over, only to be told that they would be sold on Friday. I didn't understand why, and I couldn't persuade him to sell me one. Their pricelist on the wall had the game listed, but not a price on it. Quite strange, maybe someone reading this can clarify what was going on there.
The last hour we wandered around a bit. There was a small shop with all games for 5 euros, including Cosmic Encounter, Through the Desert and Lost Valley. I did the infamous Heidelberger U-turn but came up empty. Very disappointing, just like last year. We passed Queen games and Eketorp looked interesting, but mechanics seemed a bit samey. At Rio Grande a kind and knowledgeable gentleman explained If Wishes Were Fishes! to us. I had been on the lookout for a game for my daughter who is turning nine next week, and this seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Fun theme, great bits (the worms!), but also some tactical decision-making, it seemed like a good step-up to somewhat heavier fare. We played a bit this evening, and it seems to be a good choice. It was my last purchase at the fair.
However, to end a very enjoyable day there, we had to get a closer look at the Amigo girls games. So we found a cute blonde sitting at a Pirates of the Spanish Main table, let her explain the game, and then we proceeded to play a quick round. I noticed a girl quite like our host standing nearby, and asked her if that was her sister. It was actually her twin sister, so that was nice. Though she didn't join us, and we finished up quickly, we got a good impression of the stuff Amigo had on offer. Shortly after we passed by Wizards of the Coast and a siren tried to tempt us in, but the idea of having to sit through a Magic: The Gathering session trumped her call. We breezed by and headed to the exit.
We closed off the day at the Irish pub nearby with a good Kilkenny and some nachos. The others played a game of Trax. I asked the Irish waitress if it was true that Smithwicks wasn't available abroad, and she confirmed. It was only Kilkennys. She then added that the Irish living abroad didn't drink anymore anyway, which cracked us all up. Love the Irish, I do.
So, here is my Essen 2007 loot:
And my first impressions, from top to bottom:
If Wishes Were Fishes - Great game to play with my daughter, but also with non-gamers and on occasion with gamer friends.
Thebes - Played it already a few times, a must buy for 19 euros.
Steam Over Holland - Fantastic component quality, very impressed with the work there.
Race for the Galaxy - Great cards, but haven't read the rules yet. It could be quite complicated...
1960: The Making of a President - Going by component quality, this is the one I am by far most impressed with. Kosmos or Ravensburger couldn't have done it better, and having read the rules earlier, I'm sure this is a winner.
Pillars of the Earth expansion - Good deal for 12 euros I think. Expansion integrates into the main game, so no need to keep things seperate.
Byzantium - A steal for 16 euros, I'm happy to finally own this game. Almost as much wood as in Agricola!
Agricola - After reading the rules and seeing the first images here on the geek, this one shot up to the top of my must buy list. A few solo test rounds in, I think this game has a lot going for it, and I hope to get a session in tomorrow.
Elasund - For 10 euros, this is a very sweet deal. Maybe some playtime this weekend.
Funkenschlag Power Plant deck and Benelux/Central Europe - Reasonably priced expansions that really are worth their money. Nothing big or flashy, but welcome additions nonetheless.
That's all folks! 
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jvdv wrote: Race for the Galaxy - Great cards, but haven't read the rules yet. It could be quite complicated...
I played one and a half game of Race for the Galaxy, which was very high on my wishlist.
As far as I can see, the game isn't all that "heavy" gameplay-wise - there is just a lot of things you got to know. And that kept me from buying it, as I will rarely have 3-4 people with equal/sufficient experience/knowledge at hand.
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Sean Brown
United States
Carrollton
Texas
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Ok this is really beginning to weird me out. Not only have I apparently designed a game (according to BGN's preview), but I apparently work for FRED too?!?! Where's my royalties and discounts?!?!
  I'm kidding, of course, it's a different person with the same name, but it's fun to joke about.
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Johan L
United Kingdom
Buckinghamshire
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jvdv wrote: Around that time I ran into Lajos, who told me that Czech Board Games still had a stack of Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization standing in a corner. I headed straight over, only to be told that they would be sold on Friday. I didn't understand why, and I couldn't persuade him to sell me one. Their pricelist on the wall had the game listed, but not a price on it. Quite strange, maybe someone reading this can clarify what was going on there.
At the IGA ceremony on Friday, CBG explained that they were having a ballot where you could put your name on a ticket, they then had a prize draw for who got to buy a copy of TtA on Saturday.
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Jason Quintal
United States
Burlington
Massachusetts
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Hmmm. You forgot Neuroshima?
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