Guide
Five Games, All Unboxed, None Played YetSPIEL Essen 2026: our haul
Our SPIEL Essen 2026 haul: Drillers, -60°, Night at the Zoo, Karak: Labyrinth and Take Time. What they are, and how each one ended up in our bag.
All games
GuideEight Halls, One Day, Zero Time to Discover Anything NewSPIEL Essen 2026
SPIEL Essen 2026, just the two of us: big, loud, packed. Which halls are worth it, the best moment of the day and what we'd do differently next year.
GuideYes. Sometimes. When, and Why Not?Letting kids win at board games
Should you let kids win at board games? No study has ever tested it. What research knows anyway, why secretly losing is tricky and what we do at bedtime.
Guide9 Card Games That Actually Work With TwoThe best 2 player card games
The best 2 player card games from our own shelf: true duels, quick pocket games and a co-op adventure, plus an honest word on what falls flat with two.
GuideThe Ferret First. Kängusaurus Rex Never.Mindbug through the eyes of our 10-year-old
Our 10-year-old explains her favorite and least favorite Mindbug cards: why she loves sneaky creatures and can't stand the big wipe-out cards.
- Card gameTwo-player
One Card Face Up, One Face Down. Which Do You Take?Agent Avenue
Agent Avenue is a quick bluffing duel from the makers of Mindbug. Why it works so well for two, plays from age 6, and still doesn't quite match Mindbug.
- Card gamePartyFamily
My Wife Bluffs, and I See It InstantlyCockroach Poker
Cockroach Poker is bluffing with bugs. Why it gets funnier as kids get older, sometimes tips over with little ones, and works best with three to five.
- Card gameParty
A Game Where You're Allowed to LieCoup
Coup is pure bluffing: two hidden cards, five roles, one lie after another. Why I love it, my wife hates it, and why it's not a kids' game.
- Card gameFamily
Two Minutes of Rules, and the Youngest Actually WinsFlip 7
Flip 7 takes two minutes to explain, and our youngest wins without help. Who this push-your-luck card game is for, and who should skip it.
- StrategyFamily
A Different Kingdom Every TimeKingdom Builder
Kingdom Builder was one of our first Spiel des Jahres winners. Why this family strategy game is still on our shelf, and what pinches about one card per turn.
- Card gameFamily
The Mermaid Takes the King, and the Table Goes WildSkull King
Skull King was one of our first hobby games, and it works with 6-year-olds. Why this bidding trick-taking game keeps coming back to our table in waves.
Card gameLove Letter, but the Highest Card Doesn't Always WinStar Wars: Jabba's Palace
Jabba's Palace adds factions, new effects and shifting win conditions to the Love Letter formula. What the Star Wars version does differently.
- Card gamePartyKids
Everyone Has Fun, I LoseTaco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: five words, one pile, lots of chaos. Why our kids beat me at it, and which groups it really works for.
- Card gamePartyFamily
"I Was Sure You Were a Guardian!"Tempel des Schreckens (Temple of Terror)
Tempel des Schreckens is the bluffing game we went looking for as a kid-friendly alternative to Coup. Why our older daughter plays it with her friends.
GuideFour Boxes. Which One Do You Start With?Mindbug
Mindbug First Contact, Beyond Evolution, Beyond Eternity or King of Tokyo? What sets the boxes apart, and which one we'd start with.
Card gameTwo-playerThe Meanest Mindbug BoxMindbug: Beyond Eternity
Beyond Eternity adds Boost and abilities that work from the discard pile. Why it's the most confrontational Mindbug box for us, and why it gets a 10/10.
Card gameTwo-playerEvolve, or More Creatures? Every Choice Hurts.Mindbug: Beyond Evolution
Beyond Evolution adds Actions and creatures that evolve in three stages. Why the constant trade-off works so well, and why the box gets a 10/10 from us.
Card gameTwo-playerThe Simplest Box. Still 10 out of 10.Mindbug: First Contact
Mindbug: First Contact is the base set of the card duel: simpler, clearer, a little rawer. Why it's our pick to start with, and why it gets a 10/10.
Card gameTwo-playerNot Another King of Tokyo, and That's GoodMindbug x King of Tokyo
Mindbug x King of Tokyo adds dice, energy and Power cards to the card duel. Why it isn't King of Tokyo, and why it still scores a 9/10 at our table.
GuideFour New Games, Four Honest VerdictsBerlin Brettspiel Con 2026
Four games we played at Berlin Brettspiel Con 2026: Trash Poker, Moon Colony Bloodbath, Beasts & Diplomacy and Whirly Derby. Honest takes from our family.
Guide12 km on Foot, Eight Boxes of LootOur First SPIEL Essen (2024)
My wife's first SPIEL Essen: one day, 12 km of walking, a hall of games from Asia, and a haul of eight boxes. What we bought and how it turned out.
- Guide
Don't Grab the Wrong BoxWhich Everdell Should You Buy? Everdell, Duo or Silverfrost
Everdell, Everdell Duo or Silverfrost? Which box fits your table, your kids and your player count, plus where Pearlbrook comes in. Our honest take.
Card gameFamilyReally Good, but Its Little Sibling Is Better7 Wonders
7 Wonders (Second Edition) is a quick, beautiful drafting game for 3 to 7. We tried it because we love 7 Wonders Duel. Here's how they compare.
Card gameTwo-playerA Whole Civilization in Half an Hour7 Wonders Duel
7 Wonders Duel packs a whole civilization into 30 minutes for two. Why it beats the big 7 Wonders for us, how it works with kids, and where it stings.
KidsCo-opWe Never Warmed Up to Andor. Our Daughters Did.Andor Junior
We never really got into Legends of Andor. Our daughters adore Andor Junior. Why the kids' version works so well and where it gets repetitive.
StrategyCard gameA Trick-Taker? Only at First Glance.Arcs
Arcs by Cole Wehrle turns a humble trick-taking game into a space war. Why it blew us away, why three players is perfect, and who should stay clear.
StrategyThe Box Says 14+, Our Table Says 10Ark Nova With a 10-Year-Old
The box says 14+. We played Ark Nova with our 10-year-old anyway: how we taught it, how long it took and which kids it's really for.
Card gameCo-opHorror With HomeworkArkham Horror: The Card Game
Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a co-op horror story where every card matters. Our honest take on the theme, the rules load and the expansion rabbit hole.
Tile-layingFamilyPrettier Than the Original, Until the Glass BreaksAzul: Stained Glass of Sintra
Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra is the prettiest Azul and simple enough for our 6-year-old. What we like, why broken glass hurts, and which Azul to pick.
- Strategy
A Glorious Death, and Still Mixed FeelingsBlood Rage
Blood Rage is a Viking area-control game where dying gloriously can win you points. Our honest first impression, plus what we hear in the community.
Tile-layingFamilyBarely Any Interaction. That's the Point.Cascadia
Cascadia is a beautiful, peaceful tile-laying puzzle that's perfect for a slow Sunday morning for two. Our take, how it compares to Harmonies, and more.
Card gameFamilyA Cute Apocalypse, an Annoying ScoreDoomlings
Doomlings is a cute, chaotic card game about surviving the apocalypse. Why we love it, why scoring is a mess, and whether Imaginary Ends is worth it.
KidsTile-layingThe One Kids' Game We Enjoy OurselvesDragomino
Dragomino is our 6-year-old's absolute favorite and a kids' game I genuinely enjoy. Why it works from age 4–5, and how you can quietly steer who wins.
StrategyA Slog to Teach. Then 10 out of 10.Dune: Imperium – Uprising
Dune: Imperium – Uprising is hard to teach, rough with beginners and fantastic once it clicks. Why it's a 10/10 for us, and why three is the magic number.
Card gameYour Cards Have to Travel Through Time FirstEchoes of Time
Echoes of Time makes your cards wait in line before they work. Easy to learn, quick to play and great with two. Our verdict, plus what we hear in the community.
StrategyA Cozy Classic. Is Pearlbrook Worth It?Everdell
Everdell is one of our favorite games: cozy city building, snowballing combos, and a two-player catch. Our honest verdict, plus Pearlbrook.
Card gameTwo-playerThe Catch With Everdell Duo, and Why We Don't CareEverdell Duo
Everdell Duo is faster, meaner and more direct than the original with two players. The components? Less great. Our honest verdict, plus what others say.
StrategyEverdell With the Gloves OffEverdell Silverfrost
Everdell Silverfrost buries the cozy original under snow, giants and a 3D mountain. Why it might be our favorite Everdell, and who should start elsewhere.
Card gamePartyJust Don't Draw the Wrong CatExploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is a fast, silly card game about not drawing the wrong cat. Why it still works, where it bites, and how it plays with kids.
- Card gameFamily
It Deserved More Love From the JuryForest Shuffle
Forest Shuffle (Mischwald) has you grow a forest full of animals from a deck of cards. Why it's one of our favorites, plus the Exploration expansion.
FamilyOur First Spaceship Lasted SecondsGalaxy Trucker
Galaxy Trucker has you grab junk tiles against the clock and fly the result into meteors. Our honest take on the second edition.
Family Game NightA Charming Ghost, but You Learn the Dance FastGeistertanz
Geistertanz has a dancing ghost, a magic candle and a charming idea. In play, it gets repetitive fast. Our honest verdict on Megableu's kids' game.
Tile-layingFamilyWe Love It. It Still Rarely Gets Played.Harmonies
Harmonies is a gorgeous, quick puzzle that feels like Azul meets Cascadia. Why we love it and why it still gathers dust on our shelf.
Card gameCo-opA Little Meaner Every YearHarry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle is a co-op deck builder that gets harder year by year. Better than we expected, and a hit with our Potter fan. Our honest take.
FamilyWith Two, There's No Race. The Bots Don't Help.Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Heat: Pedal to the Metal is clever and gorgeous, but with two players the race lacks tension. Our honest first impressions and who it's for.
PartyCard gameYour Phone Becomes the DJ, Your Memory the TimelineHitster
Hitster turns your phone into a DJ and your memory into a timeline. Why we love this music party game, what you need to play, and who it's for.
PartyOne Color, One Word. Sounds Easy.Hues and Cues
Hues and Cues asks you to describe a color in one or two words. Simple, surprisingly deep, maybe not forever. Our honest take and what others say.
KidsInto the First Dungeon at Age FourKarak
Karak was our youngest's first dungeon crawler at four. Why it's one of the best kids' games we know, why adults enjoy it too, and when kids outgrow it.
KidsFor When Your Kids Outgrow KarakKarak II
Karak II takes the kids' dungeon crawler out of the dungeon and adds engine-building for ages 10+. Our honest take, plus what we hear in the community.
Co-opFamilyFinally, You Get to Be the MonsterKeep the Heroes Out!
Keep the Heroes Out! flips the dungeon crawl: you're the monsters defending your treasure. Fast, gorgeous, chaotic, and our vacation favorite.
Dice gameTwo-playerWith Two, It Beats the OriginalKing of Tokyo: Duel
King of Tokyo: Duel turns the monster dice brawl into an intense two-player tug-of-war. Why we like it more than the original at two, and what to watch out for.
FamilyWith Two, the Same Strategy Always WinsLiving Forest
Living Forest is clever and dynamic with three or four players. With two, putting out fires wins every time. Our experience, the kids' angle, and more.
Card gameTwo-player7 Wonders Duel in Mordor, and the Map DecidesThe Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth
Duel for Middle-earth takes 7 Wonders Duel to Tolkien's world. Our first games after SPIEL in Essen, the map question, and how it compares to the original.
StrategyEasy to Learn, Damn Hard to MasterLost Ruins of Arnak
Lost Ruins of Arnak mixes deck building and worker placement on a jungle island. Our first impressions, how it plays and what we hear in the community.
- Card game
Our Most-Played Game Fits in a PouchLove Letter
We've played Love Letter more than any other game, even in line for roller coasters. Why this tiny classic is always with us.
PartyThe Party Game That Tests Whether You Share a BrainMedium
Medium is a party game where two players try to say the same word at the same time. Our honest take, who it's for, and what other players say.
FamilyMy Daughter Loves It. Me? Not So Much.The Quacks of Quedlinburg
The Quacks of Quedlinburg might be our 10-year-old's favorite game. Why it's brilliant for casual players, and why I'm not much of a fan myself.
Card gameA Souvenir From Galaxy's Edge We've Never PlayedSabacc
We spotted Sabacc in a Star Wars ride queue and bought the box at Galaxy's Edge. What's inside, how it's meant to play, and what we haven't done yet.
Card gameCute Neon Animals, Ice-Cold BluffsPrey Another Day (Schnitzeljagd)
Prey Another Day, called Schnitzeljagd in German, is a 20-minute bluffing game of neon forest animals. Our verdict and how it plays.
Card gameFits in Any Bag. Plays Bigger.SCOUT
SCOUT is easy to learn, surprisingly deep and small enough for any summer bag. Our first impressions, how it plays, and where it stings.
Card gameSmall as a Sandwich, My Wife's Favorite (Plus Extra Salt)Sea Salt & Paper
Sea Salt & Paper is one of my wife's favorite games. Why this origami card game keeps coming back, and why Extra Salt makes it more dynamic.
Co-opTwo-playerThe First Flight Was Bumpy. Then Came Sunday.Sky Team
Sky Team is a 20-minute co-op dice game for exactly two. It didn't wow us on the first flight, and it still keeps coming back to our table.
FamilyThe Real Skill Is Knowing When to Give UpSmall World
Small World is a quick fantasy conquest game with wild race and power combos. Our take after it joined our shelf, plus what we hear in the community.
StrategySix Hours, Zero RegretsStar Wars: Rebellion
Star Wars: Rebellion took us six hours for our first full game, and every minute was worth it. The most immersive two-player game we know, if you find the time.
- Party
The Music Quiz That Hijacked Our Game NightSupershazam
Supershazam mixes a music quiz with sneaky action cards. Eight people, 85 songs, one living room: our take on the prototype, with full transparency.
StrategyLong, a Little Ugly, and We Keep Coming BackTerraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars is long, a bit ugly and still one of our favorites. How it plays, where it stings, and when Ares Expedition fits.
FamilyA Hit Every Time. Sometimes Not Enough.Ticket to Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride: Europe is easy to learn, fun and a hit every time. But sometimes we want more. Our verdict, the kids' angle and what others say.
StrategyQuiet, Gorgeous, and Barely Any InteractionWingspan
Wingspan is quiet, gorgeous and still great with two. What we like, where it stings, how it works with kids, and a word on the European Expansion.
StrategyTwo-playerMy Daughter Loves It, I'm TornWingspan Asia
Wingspan Asia's Duet mode makes two-player Wingspan a real duel. Why my daughter prefers it, why I'm torn, and why the small deck shows its limits fast.
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