May 18 the Spiel des Jahres 2015 nominees were announced. As always, the panel had to choose from a huge number of really great games. (I kind of want to be on that panel, don’t you?) The Award started in 1978 as a way of rewarding and promoting the best quality games in Germany. Since then, the award has become a world-wide indicator of worthy games.
Spiel des Jahres games are chosen by those in the gaming industry as well as game reviewers based on four criterion; game concept (originality and playability), rule structure (composition and clarity), layout (box and board), and design (workmanship and functionality).
2015 Nominees–
Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) Nominees
Colt Express-
Colt Express is a fun family game with some assembly required. You actually get to assemble the train, and load it with passengers before playing. While rolling across the country, the train is attacked by bandits. Players move around the train, steal loot and outwit bandits.
This game lasts around 30 minutes, and is good for 2-6 players ages 10 and up.
Machi Koro
Machi Koro is a card based city building game that uses dice. You start small, with a bakery and a wheat field. By rolling dice and collecting cards and coins from the bank… or other players, you become more powerful. The first player to complete his city wins. There are expansions available to keep this game exciting.
The game lasts around 30 minutes for 2-4 players ages 7 and up.
The Game
The Game by Steffen Benndorf does not seem to be available yet in the US. From the sites I’ve seen, the game is a fairly simple, and somewhat addicting, co-operative card game based on getting a set of discards in numerical sequence. I’m looking forward to getting a closer look at this one.
Kinderspiel Nominees 2015 (Children’s Game Nominees)
Push a Monster
Push a Monster looks like a lot of fun for littles. Monsters gather in an arena, and as more and more arrive (via the roll of a die), some are pushed off the edge. Sadly, Push a Monster is not available in the US… unless you can find it on ebay from Germany.
Schatz-Rabatz
Schatz- Rabatz is a pirate game, and who doesn’t love pirate games? Each player has to fill their Pirate Chest with as many jewels and treasure as possible… but beware, it shouldn’t spill out!
Spinderella
Spiderella is a race game with spiders… you want to get your three ants across the Jungle floor before the spiders swoop down to gobble them up.
Two to four players ages 6 and up.
Buy on Amazon-
Kennerspiel Nominees 2015
Kennerspiel translates to Expert Player Game. These are games for experienced players; games that take time and an understanding of good game play. The award has only been given over the past few years to acknowledge those excellent games that may just not be for everyone.
Broom Service
Broom Service is a Ravensberger Game which usually means high quality pieces. The premise of the game is this- Witches use brooms to deliver elixir to druids. Unfortunately this game is not yet in the US… unless you find an international seller on ebay.
Game is for ages 10 and up
Elysium
Elysium is a card drafting game where you are a demi-god trying to stake your claim on Mt. Olympus. You earn Victory points by telling tales using the cards that they have collected or by employing powers from those cards.
Elysium will be released in the US May 28, 2015.
Orleans
Orleans is a game set in medieval France. You must assemble farmers and tradesmen, merchants and scientist to further your city.
2-4 players ages 12 and up.
Buy on Amazon
Recommended Games that Didn’t Make the Nomination List-
These are all noteworthy games… they just didn’t make the cut.
Recommended Games- Spiel des Jahres-
on Amazon…
not yet available stateside-
Recommended Kinderspiele-
These are still only in Germany….
Fliegenschmaus
Chef Alfredo
Der Verdrehte Sprachzoo
Honig Bienchen
Joe’s Zoo
Shau mal! Was ist Anders?
Recommended Kennerspiele
On Amazon
So, there you have it, the nominees for Spiel des Jahres 2015…. and some other great recommendations.
Spiel des Jahres 2015 nominees
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