German board game award Spiel des Jahres has announced its Game of the Year nominations for 2023, with the top family games recently released.
Stay tuned for the winners later this summer on Sunday, July 16, 2023. In the meantime, here are the nominees!
MORE SPIEL DES JAHRES WINNERS: 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
Dorfromantik: The Board Game
Dorfromantik: The Board Game is a strategic tile-laying experience inspired by the beloved video game. Players create charming rural landscapes by placing hexagonal tiles depicting forests, rivers, meadows, and buildings. The goal is to connect tiles and expand the countryside while fulfilling objectives for points.
Careful planning is essential to maximize scoring potential, as players must balance resource management and spatial constraints. Unlocking new tiles adds depth and variety to the gameplay.
With its captivating artwork and immersive mechanics, Dorfromantik offers a relaxing and creative tabletop adventure. It invites players to strategically craft idyllic landscapes, fostering a sense of tranquility and rewarding their ingenuity.
Fun Facts
Fun Fact is an entertaining and engaging tabletop experience that brings a world of fascinating trivia and knowledge to players’ fingertips. Designed to entertain and educate, this game is filled with interesting facts from a wide range of subjects.
In Fun Facts, players compete to answer trivia questions and complete challenges to earn points. The game covers diverse topics such as history, science, pop culture, sports, and more, ensuring a wealth of knowledge is shared during gameplay.
With its accessible rules and varying difficulty levels, Fun Facts caters to players of all ages and knowledge levels. It encourages friendly competition, sparks conversations, and enhances players’ understanding of the world around them.
Next Station London
Next Station London is an immersive and strategic board game that invites players to embark on an exciting journey through the bustling city of London. Set in the world of public transportation, this game challenges players to manage and expand their own network of bus and underground routes.
In Next Station London, players strategically place route cards to connect iconic landmarks, neighborhoods, and transportation hubs across the city. They must navigate through the city’s ever-changing demands, balancing passenger needs, limited resources, and unexpected events.
As the game progresses, players must optimize their routes, adapt to changing conditions, and outmaneuver their opponents to become the most successful transport tycoon. With a combination of tactical decision-making, resource management, and a dash of luck, players will experience the excitement and challenges of running a thriving public transportation system.
Established in 1978, the renowned Spiel des Jahres award holds a revered status in the world of German board games, standing the test of time. Initially dedicated to family-focused games, the award expanded its horizons in 1989 with the inclusion of a children’s category and later introduced the esteemed ‘Kennerspiel’ category in 2011.
While we may not boast the same longevity as Spiel des Jahres, GameCows holds its own perspective on the greatest board games of all time. We confidently offer recommendations for the finest family and kids’ board games, ensuring your collection is brimming with exceptional choices.
Kendra has always been a hardcore fantasy nerd. Growing up in the worlds of Tolkien, Sanderson, Jordan, and Abercrombie, DnD & board games just came naturally. She and her husband, Bryan, started GameCows.com in 2018 as a fun passion project that just took over their lives. An avid board gamer since childhood and chronic DnD chronicler for more than two decades, she loves to play, write, travel, and learn dead languages.