Essen Game Day 2025: First Impressions, Standout Games, and Must-See Highlights

Post-Essen season is honestly one of the most magical times of the year. Imagine Christmas, but earlier, and with a sprinkle of extra sparkle. ✨ The real magic? Getting to unbox and try all the fresh, exciting games that hit the tables at Essen, right here at Gaming Library. Whether you’re a seasoned hobbyist or a casual player, this is the perfect opportunity to see what’s trending, test your strategies, and get a feel for the newest titles before anyone else.

Here’s a roundup of our first impressions from the games we’ve tried so far, along with some photos from our play sessions. My good friend China Helped me write this blog and my good friend David also had some thoughts on some games.

So tell us, which new game are you most hyped to try?

 

Sanctuary

Ark Nova had been one of our absolute favorites for a good stretch, so Sanctuary instantly became a must-try the moment it hit the table. Sanctuary casts players as modern zoo planners working with a whopping 135 unique tiles featuring animals, buildings, and conservation projects, each one boosting either your environmental impact or your visitor appeal. It feels a bit like a “gotta catch ’em all” challenge for tabletop conservationists. The streamlined action-card system gives the game a clean rhythm, with each slot determining how strong your chosen action becomes. While Sanctuary clearly takes inspiration from Ark Nova, it reimagines the experience with a puzzle-driven mindset, offering tile placement that brings to mind the elegance of Cascadia mixed with the satisfying combos and set-collection flow hobby gamers crave. It’s fresh, approachable, and friendly even for players who found Ark Nova a bit too long or too crunchy.

In our sessions, Sanctuary really did feel like the quicker, more accessible evolution of Ark Nova that fans have been hoping for. It shifts emphasis toward smart spatial optimization and clever tile synergies, giving it a distinct identity rather than just feeling like a “lighter version.” Think of it like Physical: Asia, the 2025 Netflix spin-off that we didn’t know we wanted, familiar world, completely different vibe. We enjoyed how consistently engaging it stayed, delivering interesting decisions without dragging down the pace. For players who love tactical puzzles, meaningful combos, and that deeply satisfying “my zoo finally works” moment, Sanctuary has serious potential. It stands confidently on its own and offers a welcoming entry point for new players while still rewarding long-time Ark Nova fans looking for a fresh twist.

 

12 Rivers

12 Rivers taps into one of those simple, universal joys: watching things roll downhill. (After running up that hill, naturally, we earned it!) The game delivers this beautifully with its elevated ramp-style board, colorful marbles, and charming presentation that immediately grabs attention. Each round starts with marbles dropped at the top, and players strategically slot their pieces in the channels below. Placing higher guarantees specific colors but costs cards, while lower placements save cards for special abilities but limit marble options. Then, with a dramatic lift of the gate, the marbles cascade down, landing in your pieces and creating a truly satisfying spectacle before players collect their rewards. It’s practically cinematic tabletop gameplay, think “Marble Run meets a 2025 TikTok trend” in tactile form.

"Really nice and aesthetically pleasing game. I think the mechanics come together well enough. I do find the set number of rounds—five—kind of weird in relation to how the turn orders swap around, but I think it’s okay for the playtime."

-David

From our experience, 12 Rivers is a gateway-weight puzzle game with huge visual and tactile appeal. The flowing opalite marbles may not deeply affect strategy, but they make the table presence irresistible, keeping new players and families engaged. The game moves at a comfortable pace over five rounds, offering meaningful scoring choices without ever dragging on. Production quality is solid, and the chunky components feel great to handle, though we do have minor concerns about the long-term durability of the board stands if they’re constantly assembled and disassembled. Marbles occasionally get stuck in empty slots, which can be a touch anticlimactic, and the artwork has received mixed reactions, with some comparing it to vtuber-style visuals.

Overall, 12 Rivers is a delightful, approachable tabletop experience, the kind of game that looks gorgeous on the table, draws people in instantly, and makes you want to say, “One more round!” before anyone even notices.

 

Bohemians

Bohemians is a race-to-achievement deck-builder where players compete to collect a set number of Achievement cards, with the target scaling neatly based on player count. What I love right away is that these Achievements don’t just clog your deck. Instead, they sit there like artistic milestones, giving you ongoing perks that genuinely shape how you play. Mechanically, the game revolves around building a tableau using four card types: Habits for your daily artistic grind, Muses that elevate those actions, Hardships that complicate your life (as they should), and Achievements that track your progress. You slot these across four times of day, and watching your routine slowly click into place feels smooth, intuitive, and deeply satisfying.

Where Bohemians really shines is how confidently it marries theme and mechanics. The messy, expressive art perfectly captures the romance and frustration of the artist’s life, very much in that French joie de vivre meets existential struggle kind of way. At times, it even reminded me of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. (I only just started playing) Not in mechanics, but in vibe. That same poetic tension between beauty and burden, hope and hardship. Every card feels like a tiny story prompt, and the whole experience leans into narrative without becoming overwhelming. Beneath the painterly charm is a solid, decision-rich deck-builder that will keep hobby gamers engaged, especially fans of Canvas or players who enjoy games that tell stories as much as they test strategy.

"Pretty nice deck-building game that’s not too complex haha. I really like the theme! The little details, like asymmetry on the boards, subtitles on the cards, and other touches, are really nice. Very cute that each Muse card has a subtitle hahaha. I thought the game would be quick since the mechanics are simple, but it’s surprisingly not that easy to build an engine quickly, I felt."

-David

Deck-builders are having a quiet resurgence in local groups, and Bohemians already has buzz among players who like thematic, slightly artsy titles. That said, there are a few rough edges. Sorting the different card types isn’t immediately intuitive, and the big “B” on every card oddly made me expect an “A” deck somewhere. A small nitpick, but worth mentioning. Still, if you’re into theme-forward games with strong narrative flavor, artistic flair, and a thoughtful deck-building core, Bohemians is well worth your time. It’s imperfect, yes, but charming, ambitious, and unmistakably French in spirit.

 

I Made You A Mixtape

From the first draft, this game delivers a clean, intuitive card-drafting experience that’s about more than just set collection. You’re constantly managing flow and balance across your tableau, which keeps turns snappy and decisions interesting. What really sold me, though, is how confidently it leans into mixtape culture. This feels like it was designed by someone who truly lived through the age of boomboxes, dual cassette decks, and rewinding tapes just to catch the perfect transition. Think No Scrubs, Smells Like Teen Spirit, I Want It That Way, and Wannabe playing in the background while you curate your ultimate playlist.

The theme alone was an instant hook for us, and it’s quickly become a game we bring to the table without hesitation. It’s easy to teach, plays fast, and has enough visual pop to justify its larger table presence. More importantly, it consistently draws in players who don’t usually consider themselves “board gamers”. That mix of approachable mechanics, strong nostalgia, and eye-catching presentation gives it real crossover appeal, the kind that gets people asking, “Wait, what game is that?” mid-play.

Overall, if you’re looking for a music-themed card game, a nostalgic 90s board game, or a light drafting title that brings both vibes and value, this one deserves a spot on your shelf and your table. 

 

Insurrection

Among Gaming Library’s Essen take-homes, Insurrection was one of those games that instantly made us sit up and pay attention. At its core, it clearly riffs on Fantasy Realms, borrowing familiar ideas and remixing them into something sharper and more confrontational. The result is a tense, fast-paced card game that plays smoothly and begs for “one more round,” the same way a good D&D encounter or a late-night Stranger Things binge does. It’s quick to the table, easy to reset, and satisfying across multiple plays in a single sitting.

That said, if you already own Fantasy Realms or Marvel Remix, the overlap is noticeable. For some players, that familiarity is comforting. For others, it might feel like déjà vu rather than discovery. Still, Insurrection does enough with its pacing and presentation to justify its own space, especially for players who enjoy tight card combos and high-stakes decisions without the rules overhead of heavier strategy games.

One thing Insurrection absolutely nails is art direction. The illustrations are bold, cohesive, and immediately eye-catching. They do a lot of heavy lifting in selling the theme and mood, making the game feel dramatic and immersive. On the table, it pops, and that visual clarity goes a long way in making Insurrection memorable after the cards are packed away.

 

Hanbok Runway

Hanbok Runway was one of those Essen finds that instantly pulled us in, thanks to its bold visuals and refreshing theme. Layering fabric and style cards to create modern hanbok designs feels surprisingly clever, mixing just enough luck and strategy to keep every turn interesting. Play is quick, a little tense, and perfect as a palate cleanser between heavier games. It’s the kind of title you finish and immediately say, “Okay, one more.”

What really sells it is the vibe. There’s a stylish, high-energy flair here that feels very now, almost like a K-pop demon hunters fantasy where fashion is your weapon and every outfit is a power move. That pop-forward aesthetic makes the game memorable, even beyond the mechanics, and gives it a strong identity on the table.

Wild Wild Taco

Wild Wild Taco feels like the kind of game that was practically designed to go viral. If you’ve ever played Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, you already know the chaotic, laugh-out-loud energy it brings to the table. This one builds on that formula and gives it a fresh remix. The new Taco mechanic, where the pile can only be slapped after two action cards in a row, adds just enough tension to make everyone second-guess their reflexes. It’s fast, frantic, and absolutely unhinged in the best way.

The rhythm of the three-word chant, the extra animals, and the split-second reactions feel very 2025 TikTok-coded. Think blink-and-you-miss-it moments, slap fails caught on camera, and instant “POV: you thought you were fast” energy. It’s easy to imagine this popping up in short-form videos, especially with families and barkadas competing to see who has the quickest hands and the loudest reactions.

 

The Great Evening Banquet

At first glance, we weren’t totally sure The Great Evening Banquet would click with us. Then, as usual, Saashi & Saashi did what they do best and quietly won us over. What you get here is a light, elegant puzzle that’s easy to learn, quick to play, and surprisingly charming. It’s very approachable, making it a great fit for casual and entry-level players, even if it doesn’t quite have the strategic bite of heavier Saashi & Saashi titles like Come Sail Away. Veteran gamers may want a little more crunch, but that’s not really what this game is aiming for.

The vibe feels delightfully like Bridgerton. Think polite competition, refined table manners, and just enough social tension to keep things interesting, minus the scandalous whispers behind the drapes. The game moves at a brisk pace, which means even your most analysis-prone friends won’t overstay their turn.

The signature Saashi & Saashi art style is once again on point, clearly reinforcing the brand while evoking a charming historical setting. A 3D element for the carriage area could have boosted table presence even more, but the clean, flat design ultimately keeps the game accessible and easy to read. 

 

Shall We Dance

We honestly didn’t expect to enjoy this one as much as we did. If you’ve played Bus & Stop, the vibe will feel familiar, but with the Take-That twists cranked up just enough to keep things cheeky and tense in the best way. Decisions seem simple at first, but once experienced players start reading the table, timing partners, and predicting moves, it blossoms into a delightfully cunning little duel. There’s nothing like someone boldly declaring, “Shall We Dance?” to nab a partner, always earns a laugh and injects energy straight onto the table.

At its heart, it’s a charming, easy-to-learn card game about pairing dancers for points while juggling set collection, color majorities, and the ever-present threat of losing partners to opponents. The rules are clean, the card play is clever, and multiple scoring paths add unexpected depth. And yes, the classic Saashi & Saashi art style continues to charm, giving the game a polished, elegant look worthy of any Bridgerton-style ball. Light, playful, and perfectly paced, it’s a game that’s easy to pick up but keeps players coming back for more.

 

Bingsu

Bingsu is a total mood: a playful, take-that twist on card games where instead of trashing each other, you’re racing to build the perfect shaved ice. Gameplay is all about snagging ingredient cards from opponents in a Go Fish–meets-Unggoy-ungguyan kinda way. A sharp memory helps track where the strawberries, condensed milk, or syrup drift, but luck can swoop in at any moment, keeping things chaotic, fun, and totally unpredictable. And honestly, we were humming “You’re my soda pop, my little soda pop” the entire time, because the energy is just that infectious.

Korean culture continues to be a hit here, and “Bingsu” taps right into that. Social, interactive gameplay? Check. Big player count? Check. Fun theme everyone can get? Double check. Bingsu shines: simple, snappy, and extra chaotic at higher player counts. Perfect for anyone who loves fast, interactive party games with a cute, lighthearted theme.

 

Curses and Covens

If you’re into social deduction with a magical twist, Curses & Covens is an absolute treat. Imagine a world where one player is the witch hunter and everyone else is a coven trying to stay hidden—think Charmed meets Avalon. The game nails that one-vs-many setup, with a mix of guesses, bluffs, and risky reveals that keeps the tension high and the laughs even higher. Every win condition is clear, but getting there? That’s where the chaos and drama happen, making it perfect as a quick filler or a convention-style session that leaves everyone shouting “rematch!”

"I really like it! I’m a big fan of hidden/asymmetric information games, and I think this one really showcases game theory and Prisoner’s Dilemma concepts, even though it’s not exactly social deduction. I haven’t tried playing as the Witch Hunter yet, but I feel like both sides would be fun! It’s also pretty funny how easy it is to forget the no-communication rule after Phase 1."

-David

Tarot-sized cards, gold foiling, and diverse character art give it a deluxe feel that’s hard to resist. Basically, it looks and feels magical enough to be in your own Halliwell Manor.

The learning curve can sneak up on you, not because the rules are tricky, but because figuring out how to hit your win condition takes some intuition. Teaching tips or a bit of guided strategy during demos can help prevent long stalemates, especially when hunters and witches start getting hyper-focused.

 

Post-Essen 2025 reminded us why this season is so exciting. From tactical zoo puzzles in Sanctuary to chaotic slap-card fun in Wild Wild Taco, the variety, creativity, and production quality across these titles is astounding. Whether you’re drawn to strategic deck-builders like Bohemians, visually striking games like Hanbok Runway, or social deduction and party games like Curses & Covens and Bingsu, there’s something for everyone.

Essen continues to deliver fresh, engaging experiences that make you want to play, replay, and explore. For gamers in the Philippines, these titles are a sneak peek at what’s next, and we can’t wait to see which ones hit your tables first.