Euro Games are a genre of Board Game. Sometimes called "German Style Board Games" or "Designer Board Games", they originally gained popularity in Europe.
They are primarily distinguished by a focus on indirect interactions, such as resource gathering and management, rather than direct conflict; low degrees of randomness; and intricate gameplay mechanics. Typically there is some degree of theming (meaning they are not abstract like Go or Scrabble), but with less focus on it than Ameritrash Games (which will often prioritize theme over mechanics).
They often feature wooden pieces
, victory points (often with a track around the board for counting said points), and have common mechanics such as trading materials and tile or worker placement. Other common elements are bilingual materials (such as cards and rules in multiple languages, or cards using symbols or images rather than words), the importance of player choice and skill in winning, and an emphasis on mutually beneficial player cooperation, even if only one player can win in the end.
Euro Games tend to have no Player Elimination, unlike some classic games like Monopoly or Risk. The game's end condition is typically when a certain number of turns have been taken or a certain amount of resources have been gained or spent, meaning the amount of time needed to play should be fairly consistent. In other words, there are Timed Missions a plenty.
It is worth noting that the exact definition of what is or is not a Euro-game can vary depending on who you ask, and this has only been complicated in recent years as American game developers have taken to including more Euro elements in their games and vice versa. In some gaming communities, such as those that play exclusively combat-oriented games, the term "eurogame" may be used to describe any board game that is not combat oriented — even Robo Rally, a game that meets essentially none of the above listed definitions, having no victory points nor resource management, and with the possibility of player elimination (though managing to get wiped out is actually something of a feat).
As a result of the genre's emphasis on player skill, it leans competitive in the Casual-Competitive Conflict. And with BoardGameGeek being mostly populated by players on the more hardcore side, expect to see many eurogames at the top of their lists. With that said, some genres are known even outside of board game circles. These games include CATAN, Carcassonne, Puerto Rico and Ticket to Ride.
Euro Games will more often than not receive a Market-Based Title and suffer a severe case of No Export for You.
There is a tendency for games to have multiple Expansion Packs, giving the player new buildings, and powers, and sometimes expanding the number of players who can play a game.
Not to be confused with Ero Games (Although you never know...) nor with Eurojank.
Examples:
- 7 Wonders
- Agricola
- Age Of Steam
- Brass: Birmingham
- Carcassonne
- The Castles Of Burgundy
- Caylus
- Settlers of Catan
- Dominion
- El Grande
- Flamecraft
- Gaia Project
- Great Western Trail
- Le Havre
- Lionheart
- Lupin III
- Notre Dame
- Puerto Rico
- Power Grid
- Race For The Galaxy
- Revolution
- Scythe
- Small World
- Stone Age
- Terraforming Mars
- Terra Mystica
- Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization
- Ticket to Ride
- Traders Of Genoa
- Tigris And Euphrates
- Underwater Cities
