The Must-Play Board Games from 2026's Biggest Board Game Fair

I filled my days and nights in Essen, Germany with playtesting and interviews, trying some of the most anticipated upcoming releases along with small titles from up-and-coming designers worth watching. Here are the seven best games I played at SPIEL Essen and when you’ll be able to buy them. A session of Gloomhaven takes hours to set up and complete, but Mercenaries Wanted offers a taste of its rich fantasy universe in just 45 minutes. One to six players draft a team of characters from Gloomhaven’s mercenary packs and then send them on jobs.