Looking for a board game that’ll get your brain working without relying on the whims of dice rolls or sheer luck? Enter the world of Eurogames, where strategy and skill take center stage. These aren’t your childhood games of pure chance – here, brilliant minds gather to build empires, solve intricate puzzles, and outsmart opponents, all without the frustration of take-that mechanics.
I’m a huge Eurogames fan, and when I was diving into board gaming, I had my own struggles with all the terms and definitions. But don’t worry—my hope is that this blog will help clear things up for you! If you’ve ever been curious about these games or wondered why they’re such a big deal, you’re in the right place. This guide will explore what Eurogames are, their defining characteristics, a bit of their history, and how they differ from Amerigames. (Keep in mind that the definitions of Eurogames and Amerigames are subjective and ever-changing. The goal of this blog is to help you get to know and appreciate the different types of games and mechanics out there.)
Plus, we’ll also highlight some popular Eurogames for those looking to expand their board game collection.
But First, What is a Euro Board Game?
Eurogames, also known as German-style or Euro-style games, are a genre of tabletop games that focus on strategy, skill, and player interaction rather than luck and conflict. Unlike many traditional American board games, Eurogames typically feature more complex rules, longer playtimes, and deeper gameplay mechanics that require thoughtful decision-making and planning. (I have to be honest, I am a big fan of Eurogames)
Eurogames are a favorite among players who love strategic thinking, long-term planning, and intricate decision-making. If you enjoy games that challenge your mind and require you to think several moves ahead, Eurogames are likely a perfect fit for you.
These games are also fantastic for those who prefer indirect competition and enjoy games where everyone stays engaged until the very end. Eurogames can be enjoyed by a wide range of players, from casual gamers seeking a fun yet challenging experience to hardcore strategists who thrive on deep, complex gameplay. Sometimes you just want your engine to work, or to solve a puzzle.
The social interaction and competition for resources or points make these games ideal for game nights with friends or family gatherings.
Why Are They Called Eurogames?
The term "Eurogame" comes from the fact that many of the most influential and popular games in this genre were designed in Europe, particularly Germany, during the late 20th century. The rise of Eurogames can be traced back to the success of The Settlers of Catan (now called "Catan"), designed by Klaus Teuber and released in 1995. This game became a global phenomenon, showing that board games could offer immersive experiences without relying on luck-based mechanics or aggressive player interactions.
Other notable designers, like Reiner Knizia, have also shaped the genre with games such as Tigris & Euphrates and Ra, distinguishing them from the more luck-driven American games of the time. Themes in Eurogames can vary widely, from medieval farming, urban development to the more controversial colonization, but the gameplay mechanics generally aim to minimize player elimination and keep everyone engaged until the end.
This approach has garnered a dedicated following worldwide, influencing game design beyond Europe and contributing to a global board gaming renaissance.
Characteristics of a Eurogame
Now that we know what Eurogames are, let’s dive into their key characteristics:
Strategic Depth
Eurogames often require players to think several steps ahead, considering the long-term consequences of their actions. This level of strategic depth is a hallmark of the genre.
Limited Randomness
While some Eurogames include elements of luck, such as dice rolling or card drawing, these elements are usually minimized. The focus is on skill and strategy rather than chance.
Indirect Conflict
Unlike many American games that feature direct conflict and player elimination, Eurogames tend to involve indirect competition. Players often compete for resources or points rather than directly attacking one another.
Economic and Resource Management
Many Eurogames revolve around efficiently managing resources. This could involve trading, building, or expanding territories in a way that maximizes points or achievements.
Theme and Aesthetics
Themes in Eurogames can vary widely, but they often feature historical, economic, or agricultural settings. The artwork and components are typically high-quality, adding to the immersive experience.
Player Interaction
Interaction is key in Eurogames, but it's often more about competition for resources or strategic positioning rather than direct confrontation.
Eurogames vs. Amerigames
Now that we know what Euro board games are, let's compare them to Amerigames (also known as American-style board games or "Ameritrash"). The primary difference lies in their focus: Eurogames prioritize strategic depth and decision-making, whereas Amerigames emphasize bright and splashy theme and narrative, with mechanics designed to support the story being told. (But again, these definitions can be fuzzy)
This distinction extends to conflict. Eurogames typically feature indirect conflict, where players compete for resources or points without directly attacking each other. In contrast, Amerigames often involve direct conflict and player elimination, with battles and combat being central elements. Eurogames tend to have economic themes rather than military and usually keep all the players in the game until it ends.
Another key difference is the level of randomness. Eurogames minimize luck, focusing on skill and strategy. Eurogames emphasize strategy while downplaying luck and conflict. Amerigames, on the other hand, frequently incorporate high levels of randomness through dice rolls and card draws, which can heavily influence the outcome.
While both genres can feature high-quality components and artwork, Amerigames often lean into more elaborate and thematic designs, sometimes at the expense of streamlined gameplay.
So, are you looking for a thematic adventure with a dash of luck and excitement? Then go for Amerigames. Do you crave strategic depth and tight decision-making? Then a Eurogame might be perfect for you.
Popular Eurogames at Gaming Library
If you're on the hunt for a strategic challenge and a deeply satisfying gameplay experience, and you want to find your next favorite game to enjoy with friends and family, here are a few popular examples (and some of my favorites 😊).
Catan
Ever dreamed of settling on a new island? In Catan, you get to roll dice, gather resources, and build settlements, cities, and roads. The goal? Be the first to reach a certain number of victory points and claim the island as your own. Since CATAN (originally known as The Settlers of CATAN) was released in 1995, it has become a modern classic, available worldwide in over 40 languages. To date, more than 40 million copies have been sold.
Splendor
Step into the Renaissance as a gem merchant in Splendor. You’ll collect gems, buy development cards, and build your wealth. The game ends when someone reaches a set number of prestige points, crowning them the winner.
This year, the beloved game Splendor is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and to mark this milestone, a new edition of the game is being introduced. For all the dedicated fans who have played it countless times, rest assured: the core of the game remains unchanged. The fundamental mechanics, costs, bonuses, and points for each card are exactly the same in this new edition as in the original.
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure where players collect and play matching train cards to claim railway routes that connect cities across North America (and many other maps like Europe and more in their extended map collection). The longer the routes, the more points they rack up. Extra points are awarded for fulfilling Destination Tickets by linking two far-flung cities, and for the player who builds the longest continuous railway. So, get ready to lay down some tracks and make sure your journey is a smooth ride to victory!
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of Ticket to Ride! (Yes, Ticket to ride is celebrating its 20th anniversary - it just goes to show the longevity of this modern classic). Also, Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West was nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2024.
Agricola
In Agricola, you start off as a humble farmer in a wooden shack, just you and your spouse with barely anything else. Each turn, you get to take only two actions—one for you and one for your spouse—from a list of farmyard possibilities: collecting clay, wood, or stone; building fences; and more. You might consider having kids to help out, but first, you’ll need to expand your house. And don’t forget, you’ll need to figure out how to feed all those little munchkins!
In 2022, Agricola marks the 15th anniversary of Uwe Rosenberg's classic game with an XXL box packed full of all the material created since its debut.
Everdell
The award-winning Everdell series invites players into a beautifully immersive world filled with constructions and critters. Everdell is a streamlined worker placement game that brings its detailed world to life through stunning artwork. With a tableau-building mechanic, players work to create a vibrant city of critters and structures.
Everdell is easy to learn but offers plenty of strategic depth and replayability. The Standard Edition is perfect for newcomers, while The Complete Collection provides added complexity and depth for seasoned gamers. And if you’re searching for a board game for kids, My Lil’ Everdell has got you covered!
7 Wonders
As the leader of one of the seven greatest cities of Antiquity, you'll develop your city through scientific advancements, military conquests, commercial agreements, and impressive structures, all while keeping an eye on your neighbors' progress. With similar ambitions all around, will your wonder stand the test of time?
With nearly 2 million copies sold worldwide and over 30 international awards, 7 Wonders is a must-have for any modern board gamer. In just 30 minutes, you'll build an ancient city from its humble beginnings to its grandest tower.
Expeditions
In Expeditions, the sequel to Scythe, players venture into Siberia following a meteorite crash near the Tunguska River. Led by Dr. Tarkovsky, one expedition studies the meteorite, while war heroes fund their own adventures for artifacts and glory. It’s a competitive, card-driven game focusing on exploration and engine-building.
This year, the Gears of Corruption expansion for Expeditions introduces new elements of risk and danger with secret bonuses on map tokens and a corrupted mech that roams the land. To tackle these threats, the expansion brings in 2 new mechs, 4 new character/companion pairs, and even components for a 6th player.
Wingspan / Wyrmspan
Wingspan is a fun and competitive board game where you get to play as a bird enthusiast. Your goal is to attract the best birds to your wildlife preserve. Created by Elizabeth Hargrave, this medium-weight, engine-building game features over 170 beautifully illustrated bird cards. You'll collect food tokens, lay eggs, and draw bird cards to create powerful combinations in your habitats. After four rounds, the player with the most points wins.
In Wyrmspan, you step into the role of an amateur dracologist building a sanctuary for dragons. You start with three spaces in your Crimson Cavern, Golden Grotto, and Amethyst Abyss. As you play, you'll excavate more spaces and entice dragons to roost, chaining their abilities and earning favor from the Dragon Guild. Inspired by Wingspan but a standalone game, Wyrmspan challenges you to manage your sanctuary and dragons to gain the highest favor and win.
Concordia
Concordia is a peaceful strategy game set in Roman times for 2 to 5 players, ages 14 and up. Forget dice and cards; this game relies solely on strategic thinking. Keep an eye on your rivals to see what goals they're chasing and find ways to outmaneuver them!
This is my Roman Empire! 2,000 years ago, the Roman Empire thrived around the Mediterranean with peace, harmony, and a flourishing economy. Guide one of the mighty Roman dynasties, send colonists to remote realms, develop your trade network, and appease the ancient gods to secure your path to victory!
Kutná Hora: The City of Silver
Step into the shoes of ambitious guild leaders as you mine and develop the renowned City of Silver during its explosive economic growth in the 14th century. From the initial discovery of silver near the Cistercian monastery to the rapid rise of Kutná Hora as a major city in central Europe, you’ll play a key role in its transformation.
Kutná Hora is a historical city-building Eurogame for 2–4 players that offers a real-life supply and demand experience. Every action you take affects the game’s ever-changing economic systems.
Explore the World of Eurogames at Gaming Library
Eurogames have carved out a special niche in the board gaming world with their strategic depth, engaging gameplay, and top-notch components that appeal to a wide range of players. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer looking to expand your collection or a newcomer curious about the genre, there’s a Eurogame out there for you.
Understanding what makes Eurogames unique compared to Amerigames can help you appreciate their special qualities even more. So why not dive into the world of Eurogames and find a new favorite for your next game night?
If you’re keen to explore this genre further, check out the Gaming Library’s catalog for some of the best titles available. Happy gaming!
About Gaming Library
Gaming Library is your ultimate destination for board games, offering a diverse selection perfect for families, friends, and gamers of all levels—from beginners to seasoned pros. 🌟 We carefully curate our collection by sourcing the best titles from around the globe, ensuring there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore hobbyist. 🎲 Our mission is to bring people together, strengthen family bonds, and create lasting friendships through the joy of tabletop gaming. Beyond the fun, we believe board games are a powerful way to develop essential skills and sharpen critical thinking—skills you can carry into everyday life. Explore our world of games and discover the perfect match for your next game night!
