It’s October, which means it’s once again time for the biggest tabletop event in the world: Essen. To celebrate the return of the annual German fair, we’ve picked out ten of the finest ‘Eurogames’ to ever grace the tabletop.
For those not in the know, Eurogames are generally considered to be more complex, skill-dependent and thematically drier than their so-called ‘Ameritrash’ (it’s a term of endearment, honest) cousins, which tend to favour theme and luck. Of course, these are just broad terms rather than specific cut-and-dry definitions – many of the best games on both sides of the Atlantic combine elements of luck, skill, theme and mechanical complexity in equal measure.
Still, the traditional allure of Eurogames continues to produce some of tabletop’s most acclaimed designers, many of whom make an appearance in this list. Whether you’re a Euro expert or a complete newcomer looking for something a little heavier, all of the following games are guaranteed masterworks. Dive in.