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The analogue PC mystery game »Die Vulkaninsel« by Kosmos

A game that you can “save” at certain points and that draws you into its story sounds like a computer game. But who says that this is only possible virtually? Kosmos’ “The Volcanic Island” is presented as an analogue version of a video game in which you are tasked with investigating mysterious incidents on a volcanic island – and you can stop in between, because your investigations will be extremely demanding and will take time.

That sounds like really exciting gaming fun, which will particularly captivate those of you who like to play cooperatively and with a focus on crime. Find out here what you can look forward to in the adventure game “The Volcanic Island” and how it plays.

Game information for the card game The Volcano Island« by Kosmos

Short description

“Adventure Games – The Volcano Island” is a cooperative adventure game. It works like a PC game – only in analog form. Simple rules allow the parlor game to start quickly. The players slip into the roles of four students who are on the trail of smugglers and mysterious events on a volcanic island. As in a crime thriller, they must solve puzzles, track clues, examine and use items, and make decisions that will affect the course of the adventure. They experience a story together. The course of the game is variable and plays differently in each group, also due to the two different final chapters. If you want, you can have the texts read aloud via the app. Another exciting team experience from the series of cooperative event games from KOSMOS!”

Publisher: Cosmos
Idea: Matthew Dunstan & Phil Walker Harding
Graphic: Andreas Resch, Fine Tuning – Michaela Kienle
Illustration: Udo Smialkowski
EAN: 4002051693169
Released: 2019

About the Adventure Games by Kosmos

The “Adventure Games” by Kosmos can be seen as a kind of escape game derivation, with there being more than one ending to the story. The stories of the games are designed like a point-and-click adventure like some of you are familiar with from the computer. What is also special about them is that you have the option to end them after a chapter and continue playing at a different point in time.

Player:inside type

  • board game
  • card game
  • cooperative game
  • thriller

Number of players, age and duration

  • 1 to 4 players
  • from 12 years
  • around 3 x 90 minutes

Contents

  • 1 adventure book
  • 20 place-name signs
  • 120 cards
  • 1 guide
  • 4 game figures
  • 34 tiles
  • 2 zip bags
  • game guide

The price of »The Volcanic Island« by Kosmos

“The Volcanic Island” currently costs between around 10 and 20 euros, depending on the provider. The RRP in the Kosmos online shop is 14.99 euros.

How to play “The Volcanic Island”

You can choose whether you want to read the text yourself or have it read out to you by the KOSMOS explainer app.

Get the game started

Stack the adventure book and the location and adventure cards so that you can see the backs. You have to make sure that the letters on the cards are in ascending order – you must not see the front!
Now choose your favorite character.

Now you take a location card, an adventure card T1 and T2 and place the location card face down on the table. All other location cards form a face-down stack, under which you place the face-down adventure cards as a stack. Make sure that these are divided according to their numbers and form 3 more stacks:

T3&T4
M1-M5
a1-e3

You lay the adventure cards T1 and T2 on top of each other. Finally, you take the 4 character cards and the turn overview and place them face up in your midst.

That’s how it’s played

When it is your turn, you always go through four phases:

  • swap adventure cards at any time
  • move character
  • Reveal the location card
  • perform action.

It’s best if one of you grabs the introductory text and reads it out loud so that you all become immersed in the gameplay. At this point you will already learn the first possible courses of action – this is how it goes throughout the game.

On the location cards you will find numbers that represent your options. You choose one, look for it in the adventure book and read the text. So you search rooms and objects to solve the puzzle of the volcanic island.

You are free to trade adventure cards at any time – either when you are on the same location card or you agree on a free trade, which can take place at any time in the game.

Then you move your character onto an open or within a location card, or you remain standing. As you can see, there are always several options.

You turn over a face-down location card and read out the text. This takes you even deeper into the story, after which you can perform any action:

  • investigate a place or
  • combine two adventure cards with each other or
  • combine an adventure card with a location.

This is how you act through the story, discovering, executing and getting closer and closer to your goal. But that doesn’t mean that everything runs smoothly, because during the game some things, people and places disappear or your options are limited.

In total you play 4 chapters, after each you can stop and “save” it. The best way to do this is to take a photo of your setup.

At the end of each played chapter you get points for the collected cards.

Everything has an end

As soon as you decide on a path you have already taken, the game ends. Then you count the points of the story stack, which you can find using the magnifying glasses in the corner. How the story ends can also be found in the game instructions and depends on the number of points you have collected.

That’s why we like “The Volcanic Island”

  • very simple rules of the game
  • ideal for smaller children
  • cheap price
  • is well suited for on the go or to take away
  • always a different ending

Our “The Volcanic Island” conclusion

“The Volcanic Island” by Kosmos is not a game that you play “on the side”, because it is too tedious and too exciting. You can pause after a chapter, but there should not be too much time in between. This adventure game is ideal for everyone who likes to play long rounds and cooperatively – this is where the game really blossoms and offers you the appropriate gaming fun. There is a solo mode, but we would recommend at least 2 players.

Worth knowing about »The Volcanic Island« by Kosmos

More adventure games

  • The dungeon
  • Monochrome Inc
  • Grand Hotel Abaddon
  • The Gloom City File
  • In the fog realm
  • Expedition Azcana

Rules of the game in brief

Basic

The place cards tell you via numbers what your options are. Choose one and read the corresponding text from the adventure book. So you search rooms and objects to solve the puzzle of the volcanic island. When it is your turn, you always go through four phases.

Phase 1: Swap adventure cards at any time
You can swap your adventure cards at any time.

Phase 2: move the character
Once you have decided, you move your character to a location card or stay where you are.

Phase 3: Reveal the location card
Reveal a face-down location card and read the text.

Phase 4: Execute action.
This is followed by any action such as B. investigating a location or combining an adventure card with a location.

Collect points

At the end of each played chapter you get points for the collected cards.

End of game and winner:in
Whoever has the most points at the end of the game wins.

What kind of game is »The Volcano Island« by Kosmos?

It is a cooperative adventure game that can be interrupted after its individual chapters. You slip into the roles of students investigating a volcanic island and its incidents.

For whom is »The Volcanic Island« by Kosmos suitable?

For everyone who enjoys cooperative exit games where they have to puzzle and combine. The publisher recommends the game for ages 12 and up.

How many players can play with Kosmos’ The Volcano Island?

You can play the game from 1 with up to 4 people.

Who will win “The Volcanic Island” by Kosmos?

Everyone wins together, because they choose the paths together and collect points for solving the disappearance.

Anyone who calls themselves a board game fan cannot avoid Monopoly, because it is the best-selling and best-known game in the world. No other title lasts as long and keeps coming around with new variants as this game. The classic edition is enough for you, you are looking for new challenges or changed rules? Then we have the 10 best Monopoly variants to choose from here.

5 tips for correctly choosing the best Monopoly variant

  1. Consider whether you want to play a classic variant or one that doesn’t follow the usual rules or has special elements (e.g. Monopoly for bad losers or Monopoly Speed).
  2. If you are a fan of a series or a city, you can certainly get hold of the right version (e.g. “Monopoly Wacken” or “Monopoly Disney”).
  3. For children, a Monopoly Junior variant such as B. “Junior Banking”)
  4. As an alternative to board games, there are also card, console and mobile phone games.
  5. Are you looking for an older or new edition? Older editions may no longer be available on a regular basis (classifieds and auction markets) or have reached collection status (more expensive).

We recommend these 10 Monopoly variants

  1. Speed
  2. Imperium
  3. Cheating and cheating
  4. Banking Ultra
  5. Mega edition
  6. Voice banking
  7. The longest game ever
  8. Monopoly for bad losers
  9. Deal – The card game
  10. McDonald’s Monopoly

Monopoly Speed

Most Monopoly variants take quite a long time – if you don’t feel like it or just don’t have the time, a round of Monopoly Speed might be for you. The moves take place simultaneously and you do without the breaks. You don’t have to pay prison bills or rent. Fun in about 10 minutes!

Special feature: The stopwatch puts you under time and urgency, there are 2 LOS fields and you roll the dice and buy at the same time.
Who wins? Whoever was able to earn the most wins after just 10 minutes.
How many players can play »Monopoly Speed«? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Around 10 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly Speed«? From 8 years.

Monopoly empire

It’s not about roads for you, but about brands? Then play a round of “Monopoly Imperium”, where you can “fight” with your fellow players over corporations such as Xbox, Coca Cola, McDonalds, EA, Samsung and many more. Instead of building houses and hotels, you equip your personal billboard with big brands.

Special feature: Instead of just constructing buildings and hotels, you concentrate on expanding your billboard in order to be able to collect as much rent as possible.
Who wins? Whoever manages to fill out their own advertising tower with advertising signs first.
How many players can play »Monopoly Imperium«? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Around 20 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly Imperium«? From 8 years.

Monopoly: cheat and deceive (formerly “cheat and mouse”)

Do you love the deception, the uncertainty, the “what if”? Then you are well advised with »Monopoly: cheating and deceiving«. This version is all about getting the most cheats without the other players getting wind of it. At the same time, you also have to keep your eyes open and try to catch your fellow players if and how they cheat their way through the game while you buy properties, collect rent and try to make the most money.

Special feature: You don’t have to follow the rules if you don’t want to – but you mustn’t get caught.
Who wins?
How many players can play »Monopoly: Cheat and Deceive«? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Around 20 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly: Cheating and Deception«? From 8 years.

Monopoly Banking Ultra

“Monopoly Banking Ultra” offers a nice change for fans of electronics, because nobody has to take over the bank, everything is regulated by the small device. Otherwise, the rents fluctuate depending on the development of the game. The playing cards can be read electronically, which ensures a pleasant flow of the game without a lot of calculations.

Special feature: You play with an electronic card reader. Rental prices can go up, but they can also go down.
Who wins? As soon as one of you goes bankrupt, the game ends and the player with the most money wins.
How many players can play »Monopoly Banking Ultra«? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Around 20 minutes.
From what age can you play “Monopoly Banking Ultra”? From 8 years.

Monopoly: Mega Edition

If Monopoly Classic is “not enough” for you, you should take a look at “The Mega Edition”: a larger game board, larger monetary values, larger buildings – everything. You can take advantage of train depots and skyscrapers and play with nine new lots and 12 additional fields – including California, Florida, South Carolina and more. However, this Monopoly variant is faster because you try to get to your destination with a speed die and bus cards.

Feature: Bigger and faster than the classic game. You get: 12 additional fields, 9 new buildings and a speed die.
Who wins? The player(s) who doesn’t end up bankrupt.
How many players can play »Monopoly: The Mega Edition«? 2 to 8 players
How long does a round last? Around 90 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly: The Mega Edition«? From 8 years.

Monopoly Voice Banking

Monopoly Voice Banking« is suitable for all bank lazy people. Instead of one of your group having to declare themselves bankers, you can commission the interactive banking cylinder. He handles all monetary transactions via voice control. You can even ask him questions, give orders and let him guide you through the game.

Special feature: An electronic cylinder handles the entire monetary transaction, which remembers and organizes everything to do with account balances, the bank, deposits and withdrawals.
Who wins? Whoever has the most money at the end.
How many players can play »Monopoly Voice Banking? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Around 30 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly Voice Banking? From 8 years.

Monopoly – the longest game ever

If you just can’t get enough of this great game and would like to delay the ending forever, you should get Monopoly – the longest game ever«. The rules have stayed the same, but the playing time has been extended many times over. To make the rounds last longer, you won’t be thrown out if you go bankrupt and you can keep trying to grab all the properties.

Special feature: Bankruptcy does not remove you from the game
Who wins? Who first each plot of the three versions.
How many players can play »Monopoly Millionaire«? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? definitely over 60 minutes
From what age can you play »Monopoly – the longest game ever«? From 8 years.

Monopoly for bad losers

The rules of Monopoly aren’t always fun unless you’re playing “Monopoly for bad losers,” because in this variant you need them to win. Only if you pay rent or go to jail can you snag them “loser tokens” to get Mr. Monopoly and turn the tide for you. One of the best Monopoly variants on the market for us!

Special feature: First you have to do the unpleasant things to ensure you have a chance of winning.
Who wins? Whoever has the most money wins!
How many players can play »Monopoly for bad losers«? 2 to 6 players
How long does a round last? Around 20 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly for bad losers«? From 8 years.

Monopoly Deal – The card game

If you want to play Monopoly but don’t feel like playing a board game, check out Monopoly The Card Game. Here, too, it is about owning complete streets and upgrading them with hotels and houses. Planning is important in this game, because you don’t always get the cards you need to build your empire, which is why you have to rethink things quickly.

Special feature: It is a card game, not a board game.
Who wins? As soon as one of you has got hold of 10,000 euros, the game ends and this:r wins.
How many players can play »Monopoly – The Card Game«? 2 to 6 players
How long does a round last? Around 15 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly – The Card Game«? From 8 years.

McDonald’s Monopoly

The »McDonalds Monopoly« is just as popular as the classic and its editions from HASBRO. In this adaptation, you don’t play against others, you play for yourself. Every time you buy drinks and food, you collect stickers that you use to collect streets and train stations. As soon as you fill up some of them, you have the chance to win great prizes, but you also often get smaller discount vouchers if there is no street under the stickers.

Special feature: It is an adaptation in the form of a competition.
Who wins? Virtually everyone who participates. The smallest prizes are discount vouchers for online shops and instant vouchers for McDonalds.
How long does a round last? As a rule, you can collect the stickers for 2.5 months.
From what age can you play »McDonalds Monopoly«? Participation is possible from the age of 18 or with the consent of the parents.

Monopoly variants for small children

Looking for a Monopoly for little kids? Check out the following titles suitable for your child(ren) aged 5+.

Tip: Children often cannot concentrate as long as adults, which is why the junior editions are particularly suitable for youngsters due to their short playing time.

Monopoly Junior

Monopoly Junior« is suitable for small children who should and want to practice dealing with money and numbers in a playful way. The game board and the game pieces have been modified to suit children and the rules have been simplified. In addition, the playing time is much shorter.

Special feature: dog, cat, car and ship as game figures, simplified rules, design suitable for children.
Who wins? As soon as one of you has no more money, the game ends and the player with the most money wins.
How many players can play »Monopoly Junior«? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Around 15 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly Junior«? From 5 years

Junior Electronic Banking

Monopoly Junior Electronic Banking« is, so to speak, the light version of the title for ages 8 and up. There is also a small reader here, which takes over the game management and counting and scoring. Otherwise, the game is made suitable for children, so that even the smaller Monopoly fans can have fun.

Special feature: dog, cat, car and ship as game figures, simplified rules, design suitable for children, electronic device for counting and scoring
Who wins? As soon as one of you has no more money, the game ends and the player with the most money wins.
How many players can play »Junior Banking«? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Around 15 minutes.
From what age can you play »Monopoly Junior Banking«? From 5 years

Selection of other children’s Monopoly variants

  • cars
  • Peppa Pig
  • The icequeen
  • The ice queen 2
  • my farm
  • Spirit – Riding Free
  • Mascha and the bear
  • e-banking
  • Super Mario
  • sandman
  • dinosaur
  • party
  • Monster Inc
  • Kung Fu Panda
  • The Incredibles
  • Yokai Watch
  • Benjamin the Elephant
  • Dragons
  • Miraculous
  • Bee Maja

Monopoly (world) records

  • A Monopoly collector from Great Britain owns over 1,800 Monopoly variants.
  • The most expensive variant to date cost 2,000,000 euros because it is made of gold and diamonds.
  • The world’s largest Monopoly board measures 440 square meters, the smallest 2.5 centimeters edge length.
  • The world’s longest game round lasted 70 days.
  • Players played 148 hours in an elevator, 240 hours in a tree house, a diving club managed 1080 hours thanks to a custom-made product.
  • So far, over 5.12 billion houses and over 200 million games sold have been registered (as of 2001).

Which is the most popular Monopoly?

As beautiful as all the other 150+ editions are, nothing beats the original Monopoly Classic.

How many Monopoly games are there worldwide?

Monopoly is available in over 1400 editions in 37 languages ​​and 103 countries.

Are there Monopoly collectible editions?

Yes!

When did Monopoly come out?

The board game appeared in 1935 and is still the most popular of its kind.

How expensive is the world’s most expensive monopoly?

There is a version made of gold and diamonds. The game cost 2,000,000.

Who invented the game Monopoly?

That was the Quaker Elizabeth magic, who first brought out the game under the title “The Landlord’s Game”.

Which streets are the best in Monopoly?

We recommend the orange ones because they are very popular.

Why was Monopoly banned?

The game was criticized because it demanded extreme rents for Schwanenwerder, because it was considered a prominent district, because the “Reich Propaganda Minister” Joseph Goebbels lived there. This led to a ban during the “Third Reich”. It was also banned in the GDR, and still is in North Korea and Cuba today.

What’s the point of Monopoly?

You can get into the role of a real estate speculator and build your empire. By increasing rents by building houses and hotels, you drive your fellow players into bankruptcy.

What is the best monopoly?

The Classic version is by far the most popular Monopoly. It’s hard to say what the best game is, because there are so many variants that everyone can find the right one for them. Really good titles are, for example, Monopoly Speed, Monopoly Imperium or Monopoly for bad losers.

Can you play Monopoly with two people?

Why, surely! You should play with at least two people, most Monopoly variants are for four players, but there are also versions for up to six or eight players.

Selection of further Monopoly variants

  • Black Mega Edition Monopoly
  • Monopoly skyscraper
  • Monopoly Secret Vault
  • game
  • Banking cash back.
  • Banking Ultra.
  • rain of money
  • banking
  • 80 years
  • City
  • Classic edition
  • deluxe
  • The stock exchange
  • Compact
  • Mega 2nd edition
  • millionaire
  • My Monopoly
  • nostalgia
  • revolution
  • World
  • World Travel
  • Zapped

Fan Monopoly variants

  • Ruth
  • game of Thrones
  • Fortnite
  • grumpy unicorn
  • Bundesliga
  • Angry Birds
  • Assassin’s Creed
  • Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
  • Disney
  • Disney Cars 2
  • DisneyPixar
  • Marvel Universe
  • Pokemon Kanto Edition
  • The Legend of Zelda Collector’s Edition
  • turtles
  • France 98
  • World Nintendo
  • World of Warcraft
  • Beatles Collector’s Edition
  • AC/DC
  • 07 James Bond Edition
  • The Hobbit
  • The Hobbit 2 – The Desolation of Smaug
  • The Geissen family
  • Family Guy
  • Despicable Me
  • Jurassic World Edition
  • Spongebob
  • Simpsons
  • The Big Bang Theory
  • the Walking Dead
  • World Star Wars
  • World Star Wars Saga Edition
  • WWE

Collector Editions

  • Chicago Blackhawks
  • South Park
  • Peanut’s edition
  • Smurfs
  • star Wars
  • TheOffice
  • Detroit Red Wings Edition
  • Littlest Pet Shop
  • United States Navy Edition
  • Horse lovers

Cities

  • Monopoly Fribourg
  • Fulda
  • Germany
  • Aachen
  • Allgaeu
  • Aschaffenburg
  • Baden-Wuerttemberg
  • Baden-Baden
  • Bamberg
  • Bavaria
  • Berlin
  • Lake Constance
  • Bonn
  • Bottrop
  • Brunswick
  • Bremen
  • Buxtehude
  • cottbus
  • Dusseldorf
  • Emsland
  • gain
  • meal
  • Europe
  • fehmarn
  • Foehr
  • francs
  • Frankfurt
  • Freiburg
  • Garmisch-Patenkirchen
  • Goeppingen
  • Ginzburg
  • Hall
  • Hamburg
  • Miniature Wonderland Hamburg
  • Hamm
  • resin
  • herne
  • Ingolstadt
  • Kaiserslautern
  • Karlsruhe
  • kassel
  • Kempten
  • constancy
  • Leipzig
  • lip
  • Ludwigshafen
  • marburg
  • Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
  • memmingen
  • Moenchengladbach
  • Munich
  • Muenster
  • Nuremberg
  • Upper Palatinate
  • Oberursel
  • Offenburg
  • Ostfriesland
  • Baltic Sea
  • Paderborn
  • Passau
  • regensburg
  • Reutlingen
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
  • Saxony
  • Sauerland
  • Schleswig Holstein
  • Schwabing
  • Swabian Alb
  • Black Forest
  • Sindelfingen
  • speyer
  • Straubing
  • Stuttgart
  • Sylt
  • Thuringia
  • Ulm
  • Velen Ramsdorf
  • Villingen-Schwenningen
  • Wangerooge
  • Weilheim
  • Wiesbaden
  • wiesmar
  • Wolfsburg

Other Monopoly variants

  • Deal (card game)
  • Monopoly Plus for PC, PS4 and Xbox One
  • Monopoly for Switch and Stadia
  • MY Monopoly for PS4 and Xbox One
  • Monopoly Deal for PS4 and Xbox One
  • for Android and iOS
  • as a browser game

If you are looking for new games, you can hardly avoid the new releases from Ravensburger Verlag. Also this year, the publisher has brought out a lot of great games, which we would like to present to you in our list of the best. There are children’s and adult games that are entertaining, but also promise long fun. Here you will find the 10 best new releases from Ravensburger Verlag for 2022.

We recommend these 10 new releases from Ravensburger

  • Labyrinth Team Edition
  • GraviTrax THE GAME
  • EXIT advent calendar “The Abandoned Factory”
  • My first Lotti Karotti
  • EAMES House of Cards® Medium
  • Minecraft Heroes of the Village
  • echoes The dancer
  • Mystery Games: The Breakout from Arazar
  • Super mario level 8
  • Scotland Yard: Sherlock Holmes Edition

Labyrinth Team Edition

Instead of making life difficult for each other trying to get out of the maze, in the “Team Edition” you team up and conspire against the ghost Daedalus. Of course you have to find all the treasures again.

“Labyrinth Team Edition” was awarded the “German Toy Prize 2022” in the category “For the whole family”.

Genre: Cooperative game, Hidden object game, Sliding game
Special feature: Every day there is a new puzzle that you have to solve in order to be able to open the next door. Different levels of difficulty.
Who wins? Either you or the spirit of Daedalus
How many players can play »Labyrinth Team Edition«? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play »Labyrinth Team Edition«? From 8 years.
EAN: 4005556182336

GraviTrax THE GAME

Growth for GraviTrax: With the “The Game” sets you can work on 30 puzzles each, which give you a start and a goal. But how do you have to build the track that leads from A to B? That’s what these exciting expansions are all about.

“GraviTrax THE GAME” was awarded the “German Toy Prize 2022” in the category “For my friends and me”.

Genre: marble run, creative game. logic game
Special feature: “The Game” is available in 3 different sets, each with 30 task cards
How many players can play »GraviTrax THE GAME«? From 1 player: inside
From what age can you play »GraviTrax THE GAME«? From 8 years.
EAN: 4005556270163 (flow)

EXIT advent calendar “The Abandoned Factory”

Among the new releases from Ravensburger Verlag in 2022, a very special advent calendar will surprise EXIT fans. Look forward to 24 different riddles to be cracked in the run-up to Christmas. You can only open the next door if you solve this correctly

Genre: EXIT, puzzle game
Special feature: Every day there is a new puzzle that you have to solve in order to be able to open the next door.
Who wins? Anyone who proves their power of deduction, imagination and creativity.
How many players can play »EXIT advent calendar “The Abandoned Factory”«? From 1 player: inside
From what age can you play »EXIT Advent Calendar “The Abandoned Factory”«? From 10 years on.
EAN: 4005556182336

My first Lotti Karotti

The very young offspring can look forward to a “Lotti Karotti” title from the “my first games” series. The kids have to remember the hiding place of the bunny, which hid under story hills. So you have to be careful, even if the stories are very sweet and exciting.

Genre: child’s game, memory game
Special feature: Electronic rabbit figure with light sensor, with which you can play different game variants.
Who wins? Who can best remember where the bunny is hiding.
How many players can play »My First Lotti Karotti«? 1 to 3 players
How long does a round last? Any
From what age can you play »My First Lotti Karotti«? From 1 ½ years.
EAN: 4005556209163

EAMES House of Cards® Medium

House of Cards is not completely new, but this anniversary version is. As simple as the rules of the game are, the results can be as complex and surprising when you build houses from the cards.

Genre: Card game. creative game
Special feature: The cards are equipped with slots so that you can build daring houses.
How many players can play »Coco Crazy«? From 1 player: inside
How long does a round last? Around 20 minutes.
From what age can you play »Coco Crazy«? From age 6.
EAN: 4005556184446

Minecraft Heroes of the Village

In Minecraft – Heroes of the Village you team up and try to protect your village from an enemy attack. At your side are the animals, which have special abilities and help you.

Genre: board game, family game, cooperative game
Special feature: 3 different levels of difficulty
Who wins? Either you or the enemy camp
How many players can play »Minecraft Heroes of the Village? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Around 20 to 25 minutes.
From what age can you play Minecraft Heroes of the Village? From 7 years.
EAN: 4005556209149

Echoes The dancer

Slip into investigative roles and try to unravel the secret of the dancer. To do this, you have to listen carefully to the echoes app and prick up your ears to get clues about the case. The game ended up on the 2022 game of the year recommendation list, so it’s a real insider tip among the new releases from Ravensburger Verlag in 2022 that you shouldn’t miss.

Genre: Audio Mystery Game, Adventure Game
Special feature: It is best to play it with at least iPhone 6s with iOS 12.0 or newer / Android device with at least Android 7.0 and compatible with Google Play services for AR. Alternatively, you can also enter everything manually.
How many players can play »echoes The Dancer«? 1 to 6 players
How long does a round last? Around 60 minutes.
At what age can you play »echoes Die Tanzerin« at all? 4 to 7 years.

Mystery Games: The Breakout from Arazar

Your goal is to escape from prison. But only if you make your decisions wisely will you succeed. And that’s exactly where the catch is: Do you manage to plan your decisions wisely and think ahead sufficiently? An atmospheric and free reading app provides the right atmosphere.

Genre: Adventure game, Mystery
Special feature: The story develops based on your decisions.
Who wins?
How many players can play »Mystery Games: The Breakout from Arazar«? 2 to 4 players
How long does a round last? Between 60 and 120 minutes.
From what age can you play »Mystery Games: The Breakout from Arazar«? From 12 years.

Super mario level 8

Attention Mario fans, a new game is waiting for you! In Super Mario Level 8 you box your way round by round through various tasks that consist of colors and sequences of numbers.

Genre: card game
Special feature: In each round you have to complete certain tasks in order to get to the next level.
Who wins? Which of you completes all your tasks first.
How many players can play »Super Mario Level 8«? 2 to 6 players
How long does a round last? Around 45 minutes.
From what age can you play »Super Mario Level 8«? From 8 years.
EAN: 4005556273430

Scotland Yard: Sherlock Holmes Edition

Scotland Yard was and is one of the cult games par excellence and has not let go of many game fans to this day. Ravensburger thought of going one better and launched the classic as a Sherlock Holmes Edition. In this new release from Ravensburger Verlag 2022 you are now on the hunt for the criminal Moriarty. But where is he?

Genre: board game, detective game
Special feature: In each round you have to complete certain tasks in order to get to the next level.
Who wins? Either the criminal Moriarty or you if you can catch him.
How many players can play »Scotland Yard: Sherlock Holmes Edition«? 2 to 6 players
How long does a round last? Between 45 and 60 minutes.
From what age can you play »Scotland Yard: Sherlock Holmes Edition«? From 10 years on.
EAN: 4005556273447

Where does Ravensburger produce?

Around 90% of the products are manufactured in our own factories, which are located in Germany and the Czech Republic. The remaining 10% come from the Far East because Ravensburger cannot produce them itself. This includes, for example, parts made of paper and cardboard.

How much does a tiptoi pen cost?

The Ravensburger tiptoi pen (with recording function) is available from €27.99.

Can you order spare parts from Ravensburger?

You can order spare parts from Ravensburger using the spare parts service contact form if they are still in stock. The spare parts cost different amounts. However, you cannot get game boards, full color sets, or full game content.

When did Monopoly come out?

The board game appeared in 1935 and is still the most popular of its kind.

How many people work at Ravensburger?

The toy manufacturer offers 2,150 jobs (as of 2018).

Halloween is fun for children and adults that is looked forward to all year round. If you spend the day with your loved ones, make yourself comfortable with a few games. We present you the most popular Halloween games suitable for adults, kids, families and all kinds of parties.

We recommend these popular Halloween games

  • board games
  • ZOMBIE SNAP!
  • Hangover – the dead don’t freeze crime dinners
  • As if by magic
  • EXIT – The Game – The Cemetery of Darkness
  • Till death do us part – escape room game

Party games

  • wrap mummies
  • Witch Hat Ring Toss
  • scary box (feeling box)
  • eyeball race

Halloween games for kids

  • Escape Scavenger Hunt – Unravel the mystery of the haunted mansion
  • haunted castle
  • Illuminated memo ZAPPENDUSTER
  • Spooky Black Stories Junior
  • Pick a Boo

Zombie snap! by Mattel Games

You are in a house where zombies have also locked up. To escape, you need the keys to the doors, which you get by cleverly combining cards. But the zombies in »Zombie Schnapp!« by Mattel Games don’t like that at all and they keep trying to grab you.

Genre: Matching game
Special feature: The zombie hand that snaps increases the thrill
Who wins?
Playing time: Up to 3.5 hours with dinner
How many players can play Mattel Games’ Zombie Snap! 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play »Zombie Schnapp!« by Mattel Games? From 5 years.
EAN: 0887961864632

Hangover – The Dead Don’t Freeze Crime Dinners by Hidden Games

“The completely different crime dinner” called “Hangover – Dead do not freeze” Crime dinner by Hidden Games takes you into the following story: You rent a weekend cottage and on the first night one of your troops dies under mysterious circumstances, because none of you can remember the evening.

Get together, prepare a Halloween dinner while playing this game for a real murder mystery dinner.

Genre: crime dinner, cooperative game
Special feature: You can play the game as a game or in connection with a meal together
Who wins?
Playing time: Up to 3.5 hours with dinner
How many players can play “Hangover – Dead don’t freeze” crime dinners by Hidden Games? 4 to 6 players
At what age can you play »Hangover – Dead don’t freeze« crime dinners from Hidden Games? 14 years and older.
EAN: 4260686490823

As if by magic from Megableu

The game about truth or dare in a scary design: Which one of you the zombie hand is pointing at must decide for truth or dare. The other players decide whether the task has been solved to everyone’s satisfaction.

Genre: Truth or Dare
Special feature: The life-size electronic hand
Who wins? Whoever got the most points at the end
Playing time: around 30 minutes
How many players can play Megableu’s »Wie von Geisterhand«? From 2 players: inside
From what age can you play Megableu’s »Wie von Geisterhand«? From 7 years
EAN: 3760046784537

EXIT – The Game – The Graveyard of Darkness of KOSMOS

Mysterious notes cast a spell over you because you really want to find out who sent them to you and what they are all about. But you don’t have forever to unravel the mystery, so you have to explore the cemetery and solve the various puzzles.

Genre: Escape Game, Puzzle Game, Party Game
Special feature: exit game for the kitchen table, level: for advanced players
Who wins? you or the game
Playing time: Between 45 and 90 minutes
How many players can play »EXIT – The Game – The Cemetery of Darkness« by KOSMOS? 1 to 4 players
From what age can you play »EXIT – The Game – The Cemetery of Darkness« by KOSMOS? From 12 years.
EAN: 4002051695163

Till death do us part – escape room game by CRIMETIME

In this cool Halloween game, you slip into the role of an investigator, with great attention to detail. You go in search of the killer and crack the case.

Genre: escape game, cooperative game
Special feature: with 40 deceptively real documents, own investigator software and other interactive content
Who wins? 2 to 3 hours
Playing time: Up to 3.5 hours with dinner
How many players can play »Till Death Do Us Part – Escape Room Game« by CRIMETIME? 1 to 6 players
From what age can you play »Till Death Do Us Part – Escape Room Game« by CRIMETIME? From 16 years.
EAN: 4005556209149

Escape Scavenger Hunt – Unravel the mystery of the haunted mansion

If you want to play something in a larger group, the 1st »Escape scavenger hunt – reveal the secret of the haunted mansion« is ideal for this. You get everything you need for the scavenger hunt and you can play inside and outside. Your goal is to unravel the mystery of the mysterious haunted mansion.

Genre: Scavenger Hunt, Escape Game
Special feature: Treasure hunt with lots of fun and excitement with customizable invitations, sticker sheets and recipe ideas
Who wins? Which team solves the puzzle first
Playing time: Varies
How many players can play “Escape Scavenger Hunt – Unravel the Mystery of the Haunted Mansion”? 2 to 12 players
From what age can you play »Escape Scavenger Hunt – Unravel the Mystery of the Haunted Mansion«? From 8 years.

Haunted Castle by Schmidt Games

Things are heating up in the haunted castle: After you have penetrated the magnificent castle of the Baron von Haunted Houses, you have to make sure you get out as quickly as possible, because he doesn’t like visitors at all.

Genre: Race Game, Board Game, Running Game
Special feature: labyrinth of rooms and paths
Who wins? Who will be the first to find their way out
Playing time: 25 to 40 minutes
How many players can play »Haunted Castle« by Schmidt games? 4 to 6 players
At what age can you play »Haunted Castle« by Schmidt Spiele? From age 6.
EAN: 4001504406196

Illuminated memo ZAPPENDUSTER

You can play this memory game in the dark! The cards light up and put you in the right Halloween mood with their spooky motifs.

Genre:mory
Special feature: luminous cards
Who wins? Whoever got the most pairs at the end
Playing time: around 30 minutes
How many players can play »Light memo ZAPPENDUSTER«? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play »Light memo ZAPPENDUSTER«? From 4 years

Spooky Black Stories Junior by KOSMOS

In “Spooky Black Stories Junior” by KOSMOS, “50 spooky riddles full of horror” await you. Your goal is to solve the puzzles by asking questions, guessing and combining.

Genre: puzzle game
Special feature: colorful and fun: version for children
Who wins? you or the game
Playing time: variable
How many players can play »Spooky Black Stories Junior« by KOSMOS? 2 or more players
From what age can you play »Spooky Black Stories Junior« by KOSMOS? From 8 years.
EAN: 9783964550088

Pick-a-Boo« by noris

In »Pick-a-Boo« by noris, as bogeys you set out to scare people. However, you cannot scare everything and everyone who gets in your way, but you have to wait for “your” people. The cards tell you who you can and should scare.

Genre: reaction game, card game
Special feature: trains logical thinking skills, reaction time and comprehension
Who wins? Whoever is the fastest to place the matching ghost on the card wins the card. Whoever has collected the most cards at the end wins
Playing time: Varies
How many players can play »Pick-a-Boo« by noris? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play »Pick-a-Boo« by noris? From 5 years.
EAN: 4005556209149

You don’t want to search long when it comes to the best games of 2022? Then stick to our game tips and the “Game of the Year 2022” award or the nomination and recommendation lists. We present these titles to you.

These are the best games of 2022

Our games 2022 tips

  • Harry Potter: House Cup Contest
  • first advice
  • echoes – The Ring

Game of the year 2022 nomination list

  • Cascadia
  • scout
  • top ten

Game of the year 2022 recommendation list

  • 7 Wonders: Architects
  • Magic Rabbit
  • MyGoldMine
  • Echoes: The Dancer
  • So Kleever!
  • Trek 12: Himalayas

Our gaming tips

Harry Potter: KOSMOS House Cup Contest

Attention Harry Potter fans: With »Harry Potter: Contest for the House Cup«, KOSMOS has launched a new title that will fascinate you. Back at Hogwarts™, you must complete the Charms, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts quests to earn gems that will earn you the house trophy.

Genre: Strategy game, Competitive card/deck building game
Special feature: 3-D hour glass, all four houses can be selected
Who wins? Whoever solves the most tasks and gets the house points.
Playing time: around 70 minutes
How many players can play »Harry Potter: Contest for the House Cup« by KOSMOS? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play »Harry Potter: Contest for the House Cup« by KOSMOS? From 11 years.
EAN: 4002051680855

First Council by Pegasus Games

You slip into the roles of curious rats who want to get to the bottom of the legend of the cheese moon. But first they need a rocket! Anyone who can obtain the most components and has the bravest astronaut rats in the family can embark on this special journey, but for this you not only have to work against each other, but also from time to time together.

Genre: Board Game, Solo Game
Special feature: Kenner game, with a solo variant
Who wins? Whoever has the best strategy to get hold of components and train their rats
Playing time: 30 to 75 minutes
How many players can play »First Rat« by Pegasus games? 1 to 5 players
From what age can you play »First Rat« by Pegasus games? From 10 years on.
EAN: 4250231729942
Authors: Gabriele Ausiello, Virginio Gigli

Echoes – The Ring by Ravensburger

Winner of the ToyAward 2022 (novelty prize at the toy fair 2022)
A cursed ring harming a young woman – is that possible? Solve the case as quickly as possible to prevent worse. This game series is so special because of its camera recognition, with the help of the free echoes app you can hear sounds and voices of the connected game content, which leads to a very unique flair.

Genre: cooperative audio mystery game, brain teaser
Special feature: game experience with camera recognition of the game materials, but can also be played manually
Who wins? you or the game
Playing time: around 60 minutes
How many players can play »echoes – Der Ring« by Ravensburger? 1 to 4 players
From what age can you play »echoes – Der Ring« by Ravensburger? 14 years and older
EAN: 4005556208661
Authors: Matthew Dunstan,
Dave Neale

Game of the Year nomination list

Cascadia by COSMOS

Game of the year 2022
Official best game of 2022: In »Cascadia« by KOSMOS it is your task to create habitat for the wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. The placement game does not work randomly: You have to pay attention to the special needs of the animals, but at the same time keep an eye on the largest of the areas in order to get the necessary victory points.

Genre: Puzzle, board game for adults and children
Special feature: game elements made of wood
Who wins? Whoever creates the largest habitats and thus scores points.
Playing time: Between 30 and 60 minutes
How many players can play »Cascadia« by KOSMOS? 1 to 4 players
From what age can »Cascadia« by KOSMOS be played? From 10 years on.
EAN: 0887961864632
Author: Randy Flynn

Scout by Oink Games

As ringmasters, you set to work to put on an amazing show, for which you need really cool artists. But with »Scout«, more does not automatically mean better, which is why you always have to look at the individual when choosing your team.

Genre: card game, parlor game, trick-taking game, family game
Special feature: You can play the game as a game or in connection with a meal together
Who wins? Who puts on the best circus show
Playing time: around 20 minutes
How many players can play »Scout« by Oink Games? 3 to 5 players
From what age can you play »Scout« by Oink Games? From 9 years.
EAN: 4571394092354
Author: Kei Kajino

Top Ten by Asmodee / Cocktail Games

Game of the year 2022 nomination list
Asmodee’s »Top Ten« aims to give trivia games a new feel. It’s about finding the right answers or putting them in the correct order, which sounds easy at first but is sometimes quite tricky.

Tip: »Top Ten« is also available in an 18+ version!

Genre: party game, cooperative card game, parlor game
Special feature: The life-size electronic hand
Who wins? you or the game.
Playing time: around 30 minutes
How many players can play Asmodee’s Top Ten? 4 to 9 players
At what age can you start playing Asmodee’s Top Ten? From 12 years
EAN: 3760046784537
Author: Aurélien Picole

Recommendation list game of the year 2022

7 Wonders: Architects by Asmodee

Have you always wanted to build a wonder of the world? Then try your hand at »7 Wonders: Architects« by Asmodee. At the same time you have to expand your city and increase your military, because such a wonder of the world costs a lot of resources.

Genre: connoisseur game, strategy game
Special feature: suitable for color blind people
Who wins? Who could build their wonder of the world first
Playing time: From 25 minutes
How many players can play Asmodee’s 7 Wonders: Architects? 2 to 7 players
At what age can you play Asmodee’s 7 Wonders: Architects? From 8 years
EAN: 5425016925676
Author: Antoine Bauza

Magic Rabbit from Lumberjack’s Magic

Many magicians’ show looks fluffy and fluffy, but the one in “Magic Rabbit” by Lumberjacks Magic is upside down. The bunnies are doing what they want, the hats are still rolling across the floor and you only have two and a half minutes to arrange everything. Only if you work together quickly now can you put together a great show for you and the audience.

Genre: party game, cooperative card game, parlor game
Special feature: Extremely short game rounds
Who wins? you or the game.
Playing time: 2.5 minutes
How many players can play »Magic Rabbit« by Lumberjacks Magic? 1 to 4 players
From what age can you play »Magic Rabbit« by Lumberjacks Magic? From 8 years
Author: Romaric Galonnier, Julie Dutois, Ludovic Simonet and Cecile Ziegler

My Gold Mine by KOSMOS

As a dwarf, you try to “free” a mine from its gold nuggets. However, Dragobert Drache doesn’t like that because he wants to keep his treasures. Can you outwit him and make off with the precious metal?

Genre: card game, family game, parlor game, party game
Special feature: With magnetic box
Who wins? Whoever escapes the cave with the most gold nuggets.
Playing time: around 25 minutes
How many players can play »My Gold Mine« by KOSMOS? 2 to 6 players
From what age can you play »My Gold Mine« by KOSMOS? From 7 years
EAN: 4002051680770
Authors: Michael Loth, Christof Schilling, Dr. Hans Joachim Höh, Felix Wermke

Echoes: The Dancer by Ravensburger

Ravensburger’s audio mystery game »echoes: The Dancer« has made it onto the 2022 recommendation list! This “chapter” takes you to a Scottish country house haunted by the ghost of a young girl. But how did she end up there? That’s what you need to find out!

Genre: cooperative audio mystery game, brain teaser
Special feature: game experience with camera recognition of the game materials, but can also be played manually
Who wins? you or the game.
Playing time: around 60 minutes
How many players can play »echoes: The Dancer« by Ravensburger (20812)? 1 to 6 players
At what age can you play »echoes: The Dancer« by Ravensburger (20812)? 14 years and older
EAN: 4005556208128
Author: Matthew Dunstan,, Dave Neale

So Kleever! by Asmodee

Are you looking for a guessing game where you can test how well you know each other and how well you can read? Then check out »So Kleever!« by Asmodee. One of you draws a keyword and notes down similarities that should lead the others to the solution. Each correctly guessed word gives points. Whoever has the most at the end wins, but the aim of the game is to beat your high score every time.

Genre: party game, cooperative word association game, parlor game
Special feature: This game does not necessarily aim at a winner, but rather at the replay character
Who wins? Always you when you increase your score or whoever leaves the round with the most points
Playing time: around 30 minutes
How many players can play Asmodee’s So Kleever! 3 to 6 players
From what age can you play »So Kleever!« by Asmodee? From 10 years on
EAN: 5425016925010
Author: Aurélien Picole

Trek 12: Himalayas by Lumberjacks Studio

The Roll & Write fans among you will get their money’s worth with “Trek 12: Himalayas” from Lumberjacks Studio. Get out of the mountain as fast as you can, discovering new routes and surroundings along the way. You can choose between three game variants or even play alone.

Genre: Roll & Write, Strategy Game, Family Game, Parlor Game, Solo Game
Special feature: Comes with three game variants and a solo mode
Who wins? you or the game.
Playing time: around 30 minutes
How many players can play Trek 12: Himalayas by Lumberjacks Studio? From 1 player:in
From what age can you play Trek 12: Himalayas by Lumberjacks Studio? From 8 years
EAN: 4015566602649
Author: Bruno Cathala, Corentin Lebrat

Conclusion: The best games of 2022

In the end we have to say: Have fun discovering new games! We hope we were able to introduce you to a few titles and make them palatable, which will sweeten your game nights with your loved ones. Feel free to tell us which games have grabbed in 2022 and why. We always welcome suggestions!

Games are particularly good for teaching children how to enjoy learning. They impart knowledge in a playful way and promote, for example, language, strategic thinking and much more. We have put together the best games for children aged 10 and over for you, which we can unreservedly recommend.

What should games for children aged 10 and over be able to do?

  • The aim of children’s games is to convey and promote knowledge and skills while having fun
  • From the age of 10, more complex titles are suitable that are also fun for adults

These are our best games for kids aged 6+

Minecraft Builders & Biomes by Ravensburger
EXIT- The game – The enchanted forest of KOSMOS
MicroMacro: Crime City by Pegasus
Truth or Dare – The Children’s Edition by mvg Verlag
Europe« by KOSMOS
Aqualin – swarm tactics for two by KOSMOS
Escape Game – Deluxe« by Clementoni
Who Words by Ravensburger
Hidden Games Junior« by Pegasus
Saboteur – The Lost Mines« by Amigo

Games for children from 10 years: place 1 to 5

Minecraft Builders & Biomes« von Ravensburger

Minecraft captivates young and old alike. So it’s no wonder that there are now one or the other board game to tear the kids away from video games. in Ravensburger’s “Minecraft Builders & Biomes” you must also explore your world, fight monsters and construct buildings to shape them and create an infrastructure. You play over three rounds with certain goals that bring you experience points.

Promotes: tactical and strategic thinking
Genre: parlor game, board game
Special feature: analog implementation of the C video game
Who wins? Whoever was able to collect the most experience points at the end
How many players can play Ravensburger’s Minecraft Builders & Biomes? 2 to 4 players
Playing time: 30 to 60 minutes
EAN: 4005556261321

EXIT- The game – The enchanted forest of KOSMOS

The first three “EXIT” titles were also awarded the “Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017” prize: “The Secret Laboratory”, “The Pharaoh’s Tomb” and “The Abandoned Hut”.
Smaller puzzle friends who want to solve mysteries are in the right place with the »EXIT- The Game« titles. »The enchanted forest« takes you into a forest, the bridge of which suddenly dissolves, taking you out of the way. Find a different way of putting your heads together in this cooperative game.

Promotes: memory, creativity, complex thinking
Genre: escape room, puzzle game, cooperative game
Special feature: Escape room adventures for beginners
Who wins? you or the game
How many players can play »EXIT – The Game – The Enchanted Forest« by KOSMOS? 1 to 4 players
Playing time: 45 to 90 minutes
EAN: 4002051695149

MicroMacro: Crime City by Pegasus

Game of the year 2021
In »MicroMacro: Crime City« by Pegasus, 16 exciting cases with different levels of difficulty are waiting for you to solve them. In a mix of detective work and hidden object game, you will find the clues on a huge map, which ideally will lead you to the solution of the case at the end.

Promotes: strategic thinking, logical thinking
Genre: cooperative game, detective game / crime game, parlor game, hidden object game
Special feature: game principle of bartering and trading
Who wins? you or the game
How many players can play »MicroMacro: Crime City« by Pegasus? 1 to 4 players
Playing time: between 15 and 45 minutes per case
Author: Johannes Sich
EAN: 4250231728075

Truth or Dare – The Children’s Edition by mvg Verlag

“Truth or Dare” is a classic game that most adults know from happy parties. mvg Verlag has launched a children’s edition that is a lot more harmless: “This version of the popular party game brings together tasks and questions that are perfectly tailored to the everyday life of adolescents”.

Promotes: communication,
Genre: card game, communicative board game, party game
Special feature: New variant especially for children and young people
How many players can play “Truth or Dare – The Children’s Edition” by mvg Verlag? As many as you want
Playing time: any
EAN: 9783747401033
Author: Emma Hegemann

Europe by KOSMOS

Where exactly is Prague? Where Athens? You get to the bottom of these and other questions in »Europe« by KOSMOS. You have to type where the searched location is. The closer you get, the more points you get – or none, because some places you probably haven’t heard of yet.

Promotes: concentration, knowledge of Europe
Genre: Board Game,
Special feature: Playable with and without the app
Who wins? Who guesses best
How many players can play »Europe« by KOSMOS? 2 to 6 players
Playing time: around 45 minutes
EAN: 4002051692636
Author: Günter Burkhardt

Games for children from 10 years: places 6 to 10

Aqualin – swarm tactics for two by KOSMOS

The sea creatures want to get a place on the reef, but that doesn’t really work in the floating chaos. Your task is to gather the animals in swarms – you have 36 turns to do this.

Promotes: Strategic thinking
Genre: board game, strategy
Special feature: Large acrylic stones
Who wins? Who could form the biggest swarms at the end.
How many players can play »Aqualin – Swarm Tactics for Two« by KOSMOS? 2 players
Playing time: around 20 minutes
EAN: 4002051691554

Escape Game – Deluxe by Clementoni

Escape Game – Deluxe« by Clementoni is more of a collection than a single game. You get 4 different adventures, the solution of which you have to look for piece by piece by playing the roles of investigators.

Encourages: Strategic thinking, concentration, logical skills, mathematical thinking, observation skills and language
Genre: Escape Game,
Special feature: Bring 4 adventures with you.
Who wins? you or the game
How many players can play »Escape Game – Deluxe« by Clementoni? from 1 player:in
Playing time: around 60 minutes
EAN: 8005125592579

Who Words by Ravensburger

Game of the Year 2019: Nomination
»Who Words« by Ravensburger puts you in the role of villagers or werewolves who either try to guess a certain word or prevent them from doing so.

Promotes: language, communication, strategic thinking
Genre: board game, party game, guessing game, cooperative games
Special feature: app supports with 10,000 terms
Who wins? Who can be the first to put together a four-leaf clover after several rounds?
How many players can play “Who Words” by Ravensburger? 3 to 10 players
Playing time: around 10 minutes
EAN: 4005556260256
Author: Ted Alspach

Hidden Games Junior – The Lost Sword of Pegasus

Who stole the sword of the famous gladiator Maximus? You will get to the bottom of this question in »Hidden Games Junior – The Lost Sword«. Put your nose into all the clues and evidence that could lead you to the thief and investigate together to bring the sword to its rightful owner.

Promotes: logical thinking, combination skills, language
Genre: detective game
Special feature: app support
Who wins? you or the game
How many players can play »Hidden Games Junior – The Lost Sword«? 2 to 6 players
Playing time: 60 to 90 minutes
EAN: 4260686490458

Saboteur – The Lost Mines by Amigo

In AMIGOS »Saboteur – The Lost Mines« you slip into the role of dwarves. You embark on a more or less dangerous treasure hunt in old mines, where obstacles and evil dragons await you. But your fellow players are not without… You can’t trust anyone!

Promotes: logical thinking, combination skills, language
Genre: Board Game, Family Game
Special feature: Can be played in large groups
Who wins? Who has collected the most valuable treasures after two rounds
How many players can play »Saboteur – The Lost Mines« by Amigo? 2 to 9 players
Playing time: around 45 minutes
EAN: 4007396018004

KOSMOS Verlag is a fixture in the world of games. Some titles have received awards and are very popular with players. Here we present 12 popular games from Kosmos Verlag.

Popular games from Kosmos Verlag: our top 11

Top 6: Popular games from KOSMOS for children

  1. CATAN Jr
  2. Fun Science – noctilucent bouncy ball power
  3. High Score – Challenge Accepted!
  4. The NO Horn«
  5. Easy electric start
  6. Karak

Top 6: Popular adult games by KOSMOS

  1. EXIT – The Game – The Sunken Treasure
  2. The Adventures of Robin Hood
  3. Cascadia
  4. my city
  5. TARGI
  6. The Crew – Travel together to the 9th planet

Popular games from KOSMOS for children

CATAN Junior

Younger “Catan” fans have their own game with “CATAN Junior”, which inspires with simpler rules and a shorter playing time. In the role of pirates, you go to sea to discover new islands, set up pirate camps and put Captain Klau to flight.

Genre: Children’s Game, Board Game, Parlor Game, Strategy Game
Special feature: open game world, game plan changes
Who wins? As soon as one of you has built your seventh pirate camp, you end the game as a winner.
How many players can play »CATAN Junior«? 2 to 4 players
At what age can you play »CATAN Junior«? From age 6
How long does a round last? Around 30 minutes
EAN: 4002051697495
Author: Klaus Teuber

Fun Science – noctilucent bouncy ball power

The KOSMOS experiment sets are great for children who want to discover the world. There are now quite a number of sets, but one of the most popular is “Fun Science – Noctilucent Bouncy Balls” with which you can make “20 colorful power balls”.

Genre: Experimental Set, Solo Play
Special feature: Kenner game, with a solo variant
How many players can play “Fun Science – Noctilucent Bouncy Ball”? 1 to 5 players
From what age can you play »Fun Science – Night-glowing bouncy ball power«? From 8 years.
EAN: 4250231729942

High Score – Challenge Accepted!

A dice game where you have to solve challenges. In each new round you have to face your tasks and give your all to achieve the best result.

Genre: Dice Game
Special feature: Dice game with challenges
Who wins? Who collects the most points
How many players can play »High Score – Challenge Accepted!«? 2 to 5 players
From what age can you play »High Score – Challenge Accepted!«? From 8 years.
How long does a round last? Around 30 minutes
EAN: 4002051680572
Authors: Rainer Knizia

The NOhorn

This game targets children’s responsiveness as they have to uncover cards and find the matching word to the card and say it out loud. Whoever hesitates or is wrong gets the stack and thus minus points.

Genre: Puzzle, board game for adults and children
Special feature: promotes the ability to react, game based on the well-known children’s book, with a team game variant
Who wins? Who can be the first to put together a four-leaf clover after several rounds?
How many players can play »Das NEINhorn«? 2 to 6 players
From what age can you play »Das NEINhorn«? From age 6
How long does a round last? Around 15 minutes
EAN: 4002051680848
Author: Marc-Uwe Kling

Easy electric start

You can carry out experiments on electrical engineering with »Easy Elektro – Start«. The game comes with sixty experiments dealing with physical phenomena such as current and voltage, electricity and magnetism.

Genre: experiment kit, knowledge game
Special feature: Conveys further knowledge about electricity and magnetism
How many players can play »Easy Elektro – Start«? From 1player:in
From what age can you play »Easy Elektro – Start«? From 8 years
EAN: 4002051680848

Karak – The adventure begins

Slip into the roles of your character and use their special abilities. Explore the maze and fight off the monsters!

Genre: parlor game, board game, family game
Special feature: The game changes again and again
Who wins? Who defeated the dragon and collected the most treasures.
Playing time: around 45 minutes
How many players can play »Karak – The Adventure Begins«? 2 to 5 players
From what age can you play »Karak – The Adventure Begins«? From 7 years
EAN: 3760046784537
Author: Petr Miksa, Roman Hladik

Popular games by KOSMOS for older kids, teens and adults

EXIT – The Game – The Sunken Treasure

With over 9,300 reviews on Amazon, this part of the KOSMOS EXIT games seems to be the most popular. Those of you who like to test your nose and track down puzzles should definitely try this series of games.

In “EXIT – The Game – The Sunken Treasure” you get to work to unravel the mystery of the wreck of the Santa Maria and her treasure. This is a title for beginners.

Genre: EXIT, escape room game, puzzle game, card game
Special feature: beginner level
Who wins? you or the game
This is what matters: team spirit, creativity and combination skills
How many players can play »EXIT – The Game – The Sunken Treasure«? 1 to 4 players
From what age can you play »EXIT – The Game – The Sunken Treasure«? From 10 years on
How long does a round last? 45 to 90 minutes
EAN: 4002051694050

The Adventures of Robin Hood

2021 Game of the Year Nominee
Dive into the story of this hero and his companions Little John, Maid Marian and Will Scarlet in The Adventures of Robin Hood. Fight injustice and uncover a dark secret to save the community. The special thing about this game is that you have to work together and the game mechanics offer you completely new freedoms.

Genre: Cooperative Adventure Game, Family Game, Parlor Game, Board Game
Special feature: open game world, game plan changes
Who wins? you or the game
How many players can play »The Adventures of Robin Hood«? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play The Adventures of Robin Hood? From 10 years on
How long does a round last? Around 60 minutes
EAN: 4002051680565
Author: Michael Menzel

Cascadia

Game of the year 2022
Official best game of 2022: In »Cascadia« by KOSMOS it is your task to create habitat for the wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. The placement game does not work randomly: You have to pay attention to the special needs of the animals, but at the same time keep an eye on the largest of the areas in order to get the necessary victory points.

Genre: puzzle game, parlor game
Special feature: game elements made of wood
Who wins? Whoever creates the largest habitats and thus scores points.
Playing time: Between 30 and 60 minutes
How many players can play »Cascadia«? 1 to 4 players
From what age can you play »Cascadia«? From 10 years on.
EAN: 0887961864632
Author: Randy Flynn

My City

2020 Game of the Year Nominee
Ahead of you lies a land waiting to be cultivated and shaped by you. As your city develops, new rules for building and materials are added, so the game evolves just like your city.

Genre: Family Game, Legacy Game, Board Game, Parlor Game
Special feature: Legacy mechanics: New rules and materials are added as the game progresses
Who wins? Whoever creates the largest habitats and thus scores points.
Playing time: Between 30 and 60 minutes
How many players can play »Cascadia«? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play »Cascadia«? From 10 years on.
EAN: 0887961864632

TARGI

Award “A la Carte Best Card Game 2012”
Nomination “Kennerspiel des Jahres 2012
In »TARGI« you duel over dates, salt and pepper and constantly have to decide when it’s time to visit the dealer and do business. Also makes it difficult for your opponent to act.

Tip: There is now also an extension!

Genre: Competitive card game
Feature: duel
Who wins? Who ended up making the best trades
Playing time: around 60 minutes
How many players can play »TARGI«? 2 players
From what age can you play »TARGI«? From 12 years.
EAN: 4002051691479
Author: Andreas Steiger

The Crew – Travel together to the 9th planet

Kenner game of the year 2020
You embark on an expedition to the bottom of the sea, on which you can only advance step by step. Those of you who already know “The Crew – Mission Deep Sea” should definitely play this game as well.

Genre: cooperative game, trick-taking game, card game, family game, parlor game, successor game
Special feature: The game becomes more difficult with each mission. After each mission you can pause and continue playing later. The team wins when each individual player is successful.
Playing time: around 20 minutes
How many players can play »The Crew – Travel to the 9th Planet Together«? 2 to 5 players
From what age can you play »The Crew – Travel to the 9th Planet Together«? From 10 years on.
EAN: 4002051680596
Author: Thomas Sing

Our conclusion: popular games from Kosmos Verlag

You can spend many enjoyable and exciting hours with these 12 popular games from KOSMOS. We wish you a lot of fun and hope you can discover one or the other title for yourself with our top 12 list.

Are you looking for thrills, adventures and long game rounds in which you have to combine and work together? How about an escape game? We have searched for the best escape room games for you and will briefly present them to you.

What are escape room games?

In recent years, a game genre has conquered the board game market: escape room games, or exit games. The term comes from English and means something like “escape game”. At first they were played “offline”, because that way the adventures could be experienced better, but that wasn’t enough for many escape room players.

In the Ecape Room game you slip into different roles and get up close and personal in a scenario. For example, you have to investigate a murder, defuse a bomb or solve other mysteries – and all within a certain time. Offline, you equip yourself with a (light) costume and are given a real room in which your adventure takes place. In recent years, many providers have sprung up offering escape room games that are a fixture in almost every major city.

It’s similar for the board game market. The difference is that you stay at home, you don’t necessarily have to dress up and the games are much cheaper. Escape room games for the home come in different levels of difficulty, scenarios and types, so that each of you can find the right game.

Why are escape rooms so popular?

They strengthen the team spirit, because you don’t play against each other, but with each other and have to find solutions together. They also increase your creativity, the stories captivate and help you discover new talents or put them to the test. So one of you can find connections particularly well, read other tracks and so on. This results in exciting games that you will not soon forget.

The best 7 escape room games

  1. EXIT® – The Game: The Secret Laboratory
  2. Unlock!: Space Cowboys – The escape game
  3. EXIT – Advent calendar – The hunt for the golden book
  4. Escape Room (Base Game)
  5. Crime scene crime game Case 1 – The Klein-Borstelheim case
  6. X-SCAPE – The Magician’s Studio Magician
  7. Escape Game – Deluxe

Our Top 7

EXIT® – The Game: The Secret Laboratory« by KOSMOS (69274)

Level: Advanced
Theme: Find a way to avoid ending up as a “lab rat”.
KOSMOS has launched a whole range of EXIT games, including »The Secret Laboratory«. You were actually invited to take part in a medical study, but on site you feel that nothing is going right. You quickly find out that you are planned as test objects – and you want to prevent that. Find a way out of the lab by solving the puzzles and following the clues to where the path to freedom is.

How many players can play »EXIT® – The Game: The Secret Laboratory« by KOSMOS? 1 to 4 players
From what age can you play »EXIT® – The Game: The Secret Laboratory« by KOSMOS? From 12 years
How long does a round last? 45 to 90 minutes
EAN: 4002051692742
Authors: Inka Brand, Markus Brand

Unlock!: Space Cowboys« von Asmodee (SCOD0071)

Level: From beginner
Topic: Finding a thief, rescuing Robin from the dungeon, solving a murder
This box contains three adventures for you to complete together before time runs out. You take on the roles of investigators to catch a thief and help Sherlock Holmes and the roles of Robin Hood’s friends who have to free him from the dungeon. You use a free app to play.

How many players can play Unlock!: Space Cowboys by Asmodee? 1 to 6 players
From what age can you play »Unlock!: Space Cowboys« by Asmodee? From 10 years on
How long does a round last? Around 60 minutes
EAN: 3558380082149
Authors: Mathieau Casnin, Marion du Faouet, Dave Neale

EXIT – Advent calendar – The hunt for the golden book« by KOSMOS (681951)

Level: From beginner
Theme: Find Santa’s lost book.
Advent calendar and escape gaming don’t go together? Yet! This is proven by KOSMOS, who have launched a series of escape advent calendars. Pass the pre-Christmas period with 24 exciting puzzles. There is always a theme for each advent calendar, around which the 24 puzzles revolve. In this case, you have to save Christmas by finding Santa’s Golden Wishes Book.

How many players can play »EXIT – Adventskalender – The hunt for the golden book« by KOSMOS? From 1player:in
From what age can you play »EXIT – Adventskalender – The Hunt for the Golden Book« by KOSMOS? From 10 years on
How long does a round last? 24 days
EAN: 4002051681951

Escape Room (Core Game)« by Noris (606101546)

Level: From beginner
Theme: time travel
You play the escape games from Noris with a so-called chrono decoder, which is compatible with all extensions. In the basic game you get four cases to start with.

How many players can play »Escape Room (core game)« by Noris? 2 to 5 players
From what age can you play »Escape Room (core game)« by Noris from KOSMOS? From 16 years
How long does a round last? Around 60 minutes each

Crime Scene Crime Game Case 1 – The Klein-Borstelheim Case” by Hidden Games

Level: From beginner
Subject: Investigated in a murder case
Slip into the roles of clever investigators who are investigating a real criminal case. Checks alibis, investigates clues and clues to catch the culprit.

How many players can play »Tatort crime game case 1 – the Klein-Borstelheim case« by Hidden Games? 1 to 6 players
From what age can you play »Tatort crime game case 1 – The Klein-Borstelheim case« by Hidden Games? 14 years and older
How long does a round last? 90 to 180 minutes
EAN: 4260478341142

X-SCAPE – The Magician’s Studio« by Pegasus Spiele (‎MBT00001)

Level: Beginners, more advanced
Theme: Escape from the up to no good magician
Pegasus Games puts you in the hands of an evil magician and you have to escape from his studio as quickly as possible. Can you find a way out together?

How many players can play »The Magician’s Studio« by X-SCAPE? 1 to 5 players
From what age can you play »The Magician’s Studio« by X-SCAPE? From 12 years
How long does a round last? 120 minutes
EAN: 4260484032348
Authors: Inka Brand, Markus Brand

Escape Room – Deluxe« von Clementoni (59257)

Level: From beginner
Topic: Find a way out, the exact topics remain secret
This escape game by Clementoni is intended for the whole family and comes with four puzzles. Reveal the secrets and rejoice in your successes. Each adventure includes a card set with puzzles, a game board with the respective setting, and mysterious objects.

How many players can play »Escape Game – Deluxe« by Clementoni? 1 to 6 players
From what age can you play »Escape Game – Deluxe« by Clementoni? 14 years and older
How long does a round last? 30 to 60 minutes each
EAN: 8005125592579

Our conclusion: escape room games are simply awesome!

If you like puzzling, love adventure, and prefer to play with others instead of against them, an escape game is a good choice. Together you set to work to solve a case or to get out of captivity, for which you have to combine pretty well and look for clues. It can get tricky at times, but it’s a lot of fun. Have fun trying out our top 7 escape games.

What is the best escape room home game?

Escape Room In A Box: The Werewolf Experiment. Amazon. $30.
Exit: The Haunted Roller Coaster. Amazon. $15.
Star Wars: Unlock! Amazon. $33.
Betrayal at House on the Hill. Amazon. $39.
Think Fun Escape The Room The Cursed Dollhouse. Amazon. $34.
Hunt A Killer: Death at the Dive Bar. Amazon. $30.

Where can I play escape room games online for free?

Brightful.
Spy Apprentice Digital Escape Room Adventure.
A Lost Memory.
Hogwarts Digital Escape Room.
Oregon Trail Escape to Willamette Valley.
Romeo and Juliet Escape Room.
Jumanji: Escape Room.
Secret City Trails.

What is the best free online escape room?

Hogwarts Digital Escape Room. Picture this: you’ve finally got your letter from Hogwarts.
The Crimson Room.
Mr X.
Minecraft Escape Room.
Oscar’s Stolen Oscar.
Escape: The Midnight Express.
See Me Escape Rooms.
Oregon Trail Escape to Willamette Valley.

What kind of games are in escape rooms?

Linear Escape Room Games
Non-Linear Escape Room Games
Mixed Linear/Non-Linear Escape Room Games
Red Herrings Escape Games
Scavenger Hunt Escape Games

How do you make an escape room for adults?

CREATE YOUR SETTING AND THEME. Don’t just put players into a game—draw them into a new world.
DETERMINE HOW PLAYERS DISCOVER CLUES. Once you’ve landed on a theme, you can choose props and clues that fit into the scenario you’ve created.
DESIGN YOUR PUZZLES AND GAMEFLOW.

Maze games are a lot of fun, because not only do you try to find the wrong way, you also have to pay attention to your fellow players who have the same goal. At the same time, make life difficult for yourself in order to win. But there are also other types that we present to you under our 7 coolest maze games.

The 7 coolest maze games: Our recommendations

  1. The crazy labyrinth
  2. The Magic Labyrinth
  3. Harry Potter maze
  4. Labyrinth – The Swedish skill classic
  5. Escape the Labyrinth” – the cooperative puzzle maze
  6. 3D maze
  7. Labyrinth – The card game

Our top 7 maze games

The Crazy Labyrinth« by Ravensburger (26955)

The classic remains (for us) simply the coolest version of the Ravensburger labyrinth games: In “The crazy labyrinth” you have to reach treasures that are given to you on the cards you have drawn by moving the passage cards.

How many players can play Ravensburger’s »The Crazy Labyrinth«? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play Ravensburger’s »The Crazy Labyrinth«? From 8 years
How long does a round last? 25 to 40 minutes
EAN: 4005556269556
Author: Max Kobbert

The Magical Labyrinth« by Schmidt Spiele / Three Magician Games (‎SSP40848)

Children’s game of the year 2009

A maze is already pretty tricky under normal circumstances – but what if you can’t see the walls and they magically block your way? In the role of the little sorcerer’s apprentices Vicky, Conrad and Mila you have to work your way through the magical labyrinth step by step in order to get to the magical symbols you are looking for.

How many players can play “The Magical Labyrinth” by Schmidt Games / Three Magicians Games? 1 to 4 players
From what age can you play »The Magical Labyrinth« by Schmidt Spiele / Drei Magicer Spiele? From age 6
How long does a round last? Around 15 minutes
EAN: 4001504408480
Author: Dirk Baumann

Harry Potter Labyrinth« by Ravensburger (26031)

A re-imagining of the classic – a must-have for all Harry Potter fans who want to save their beloved heroes. Scattered across the maze are the Hogwarts residents who can’t find the exit – anyone who’s read the movies and books knows how confusing it can be there. That’s why you have to start looking – but the other players also try to make their way.

How many players can play Ravensburger’s Harry Potter Labyrinth? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play Harry Potter Labyrinth by Ravensburger? From 7 years
How long does a round last? 20 to 30 minutes
EAN: 4005556260317
Author: Max Kobbert

Labyrinth – The Swedish Skill Classic« by BRIO (34000)

A different kind of classic maze game, this title is about skill. Your goal is to navigate the ball through the maze from start to finish – without it falling into any of the holes.

How many players can play Labyrinth – The Swedish Skill Classic« by BRIO? 1 player:in
From what age can you play Labyrinth – The Swedish Skill Classic« by BRIO? From age 6
How long does a round last? Any

Escape the Labyrinth« by Ravensburger (20543)

In “Escape the Labyrinth” you try to find your way out of a magical maze. Your goal is the magic gate, which can take you out of this crazy labyrinth. That sounds really easy, doesn’t it? But it is not! For this you have to use your brain and solve the magical puzzles.

How many players can play »Tatort crime game case 1 – the Klein-Borstelheim case« by Hidden Games? 1 to 6 players
From what age can you play »Tatort crime game case 1 – The Klein-Borstelheim case« by Hidden Games? 14 years and older
How long does a round last? 90 to 180 minutes
EAN: 4005556205431
Author: Kai Haferkamp, Max Kobbert

3D Labyrinth« by Ravensburger (‎26113)

In this “The Crazy Labyrinth” version, the rules have remained the same, but here you move rows of towers and not just tiles to reach your goal.

How many players can play »3D Labyrinth« by Ravensburger (‎26113)? 2 to 4 players
From what age can you play »3D Labyrinth« by Ravensburger (‎26113)? From 7 years
How long does a round last? 20 to 30 minutes
EAN: 4005556261130
Authors: Max Kobbert / Michael Feldkötter

Labyrinth – The Card Game« by Ravensburger (20849)

The labyrinth as a card game is based on a similar game principle as the original, only here the cards are not moved but are placed further and further in order to get to the valuable treasures.

How many players can play »Labyrinth – The Card Game« by Ravensburger? 2 to 6 players
At what age can you play Ravensburger »Labyrinth – The Card Game«? From 7 years
How long does a round last? 20 to 30 minutes
EAN: 4005556232062
Author: Max J Knobbert

What is a maze game?

A maze is a type of puzzle games where a player moves in complex and branched passages to find a particular target or location. One method to create a maze is the Growing Tree method.

What is that scary maze game?

Game developer Jeremy Winterrowd is credited with creating the original scary maze game, which his website calls “The Maze,” in 2003. The flash-based computer game requires a player to navigate a multi-level maze without touching any of its walls, demanding intense concentration.

How do you play the game maze?

Students take turns according to their number and they each get a chance to guess where the path is. When it is their turn, they will step into the maze at the start and begin to choose an adjacent square – either forward, to the side or diagonal to the one they are standing on.

Are maze games good for you?

Mazes improve the cognitive skills of children. They work like brain boosting exercises. While solving them, it makes them think, reason and remember. Simultaneously achieving all of these, sharpens their memory, builds their focus and increases the concentration level of their minds to a great extent.

What age can children do mazes?

Labyrinth mazes require preschoolers to maneuver a ball through a raised maze board. This type of maze can help preschoolers improve and develop both fine and gross motor skills — make your own from CD cases with help from The Journals of Giddy Giddy.

Ice stock sport or stick shooting, also known as curling or stick sport, is particularly popular in the Alps. The rules of the game are similar to the more well-known curling, but there are differences in the material and rules of the game. Basically, this recreational or competitive sport is a precision sport.

In the past, curling could only spread in areas with freezing water and establish itself as a popular winter sport. Today, this recreational sport is played all year round and is mostly organized in clubs.

This sport probably originated in Scandinavia, where a similar sport was played in the 13th century. The aim is to let the ice stick slide and bring it to a standstill as close as possible to a goal – the so-called Daube. Paintings from the Alps and Holland from the 16th century show people playing curling. The first clubs were founded before 1900, but there were no fixed rules. From Upper Bavaria it has been handed down that entire villages often competed against each other in curling on a frozen foothills of the Alps.

The first European curling championships were held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1951, and the first curling world championships in 1983 in Frankfurt am Main. However, this sport is not an Olympic discipline, despite efforts to do so in 1936 and 1964. The centers of this sport are traditionally located in the Alps in southern Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and Switzerland. Furthermore, curling is popular in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Poland and attracts interest in Australia, the USA and Canada, as well as in Africa and South America.

Requirements and Equipment

A curling stock, the target object (the stave) and a suitably marked playing surface are required to practice this sport. There are no regulations for the clothing of the athletes. A so-called ‘Daube’ is placed on the marked field as a target. The players take turns throwing the ice stick. The aim of the game is to “place” the curling stones as close as possible to this stave. There are also competitions where the distance achieved is important. It can be played as an individual competition or as a team competition.

The playing field

The playing field has markings for the starting zone and the end zone with the center cross. The end zone is marked by four concentric target rings with a cross in the middle. Sticks falling outside of these rings are no longer valid for the game.

The stave is positioned at the center cross at the beginning of the game. The distance to the playing zone is 15 to 20 meters, in competitions 24.5 meters. In curling, the playing surface is ice in winter and asphalt, concrete or concrete paving stones in summer. There are also curling carpets. It is played indoors or outdoors. The dimensions of the playing field are always the same: the distance between the starting point and the center cross in the target field is up to 24.5 meters.

The Ice Stick

Today, standardized, detachable, modern curling stones are common. In the past, these were individually made of wood and provided with an iron ring. This tire provided both the necessary hardness when hitting other sticks and optimal weight distribution. The bottom of the curling stone was made slippery with ski wax.

The modern tournament stick consists of three parts, a handle, a stick body and a sole. These are available as summer outsoles made of plastic and as winter outsoles made of rubber. These have different degrees of hardness (Shores) and therefore different gliding properties. There is a corresponding color code for this. The particularly soft purple outsole requires the most strength. The gradations are blue, yellow, orange, grey, black, green and white. The light, red outsole with a special profile is popular in summer.

The stick body weighs between 2.73 and 3.83 kilograms. Depending on their weight, these stick bodies are provided with a code letter, which must be visibly attached: Type M, L, P or E (student stick).

Type M: 3.80 to 3.83 kilograms
Type L: 3.70 to 3.73 kilograms
Type P: 3.50 to 3.53 kilograms
School stick type E: 2.73 to 2.78 kilograms

The older types of poles made of wood are also used as a leisure sport in winter. In Austria, for example, there are the so-called Birnstingl, sticks made of pear wood.

Competition rules for curling

Ice stock sport can be practiced as a leisure or competitive sport. A distinction is made between team competitions, distance and target competitions.

Game play and game duration

A game usually lasts about 30 minutes and usually consists of four so-called turns. A turn denotes a game run. This regulation applies to individual competitions as well as to team competitions. If both teams have thrown four times each, a turn is over. You play twice in one direction and then twice in the opposite direction.

Players throw the stick at baseline with a kickstand and are not allowed to cross that line. It is permissible for a newly thrown stick to displace the already positioned sticks or even the stave. However, if a curling stick shoots beyond the marked end zone, it is no longer in play. The winner is the player whose ice stock comes to rest closest to the daube in all turns. Teams score points per turn and the team with the most points wins.

Team competition

In a team competition there are a total of six turns. Usually two teams (in the language of the Stockschützen “Moarschaften”) of four to five players compete against each other. Each player has a shot and it is the turn of the team that is not in the best position to save. The face-off changes with every turn, regardless of the outcome of the last round.

As in the individual game, in the team game all members of a team try to bring their sticks as close as possible to the stave. The stave is placed on the center cross before the beginning of each turn. Players are allowed to move sticks or staves that have already been thrown. She remains in this new position, which then applies to the scoring.

Each player can thus put himself and his team in a position closer to the stave. This only has to be put back on the center cross if it ends up outside the target field. If a stock falls outside of the target field or the end zone, this stock is no longer in play and is therefore not evaluated.

When both teams have played with all their sticks, the turn is over. The team whose sticks are in the best position gets the stick points in this round.

Scoring

For the stick in the best location (closest to the stave), three stick points are awarded.
Each additional stick of the same team that is closer to the stave than the opponent’s closest stick scores an additional two points.
Points are deducted for sticks outside the target field, three stick points for the first stick of the team with the best location and two points for all other sticks.

The team with the greater number of stock points receives two profit or game points, the other none. In case of a tie, each team gets one point. The team with the most winning points after all turns wins the tournament. If two teams have the same number of winning points, the quotient of all own and opposing stock points (the stock score) decides.

The target competition

There are additional markings on the playing field for this competition: two further target zones are located on the left and right behind the usual field with the center cross. There are also 6 additional markings for the aiming sticks distributed on the field.

A target competition is usually held in 4 rounds with 6 attempts each. Up to 60 points can be achieved in each round. For the overall ranking, 2 rounds, i.e. two times four rounds, are usually played. In championships, there are usually one or two more final rounds for the top-ranked players. A target competition can be an individual or a team competition.

Playthroughs

In an individual competition, one player plays all rounds and is scored individually.
In the team competition there is a different player in each round and the individual results are added together.

  • Round: 6 attempts on the middle target rings to bring a stick as close as possible to the center cross. The respective ring in which the stick is placed is evaluated. Rings count from outside to inside: 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 points.
  • Round: 6 attempts at a target stick, which is placed alternately in certain marked circles on the playing field. This stick has to be transported out of the target field, but the player’s stick should remain in the target field. Depending on the final position of the poles, 0, 2, 5 or 10 points are awarded for each attempt.
  • Round: 3 attempts each to the left and right rear target (target fragments) and the stick should be brought as close as possible to the centers of the rings. The respective ring in which the stick is placed is evaluated. Rings count from outside to inside: 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 points.
  • Round: 6 attempts at a shooting stick in the respective 6 markings. In attempts 1 and 2, the goal is to hit the target stick in such a way that the player’s stick comes to a standstill as close as possible to the center cross. In attempts 3 and 4, the aim is to hit the shooting stick so that it comes to a standstill as close as possible to the center cross. In attempts 5 and 6, the aim is to move the shooting stick from the target rings to the rear rings. In attempts 1 to 6, the respective ring that the stick reaches is scored. The rings count 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 points from the outside to the inside.

The distance competition

In long-distance competition, it is not the accuracy and direction that matters, but the speed and length of a shot. Therefore, the technique of the wide shooters differs significantly from the other competitions. The shooter is positioned in the center of the semi-circle on a stand and must run out to the 7-meter line. All players use the same stick body and outsole. However, the curling stick can be changed, everyone can use their own sticks.

The aim is to shoot the stick as far as possible in a funnel-shaped path. Everyone has five tries, the best of which counts. If the stick leaves the lane, the length measurement is only valid up to the point of leaving. The dimensions of the track depend on the season. The summer track on asphalt or concrete pavement is narrower than the winter track on ice. The funnel track can be extended as required and the widths are considerable. The world record at 566 meters.

Team competitions are also possible here by summing up the individual results of several players.

Special shapes

There are regional and natural differences in traditional curling in the Alps. In the Alpine region, poles made of pear or maple wood are common in recreational sports, and they can vary in shape, size and weight. These sticks have a wrought iron ring and a wooden handle made of birch or ash.

The shots are usually taken outdoors, on frozen ponds, lakes or dammed streams. Outdoor ice rinks are often used for this purpose. The track length here can be 40 meters. A wooden cube measuring 10 by 10 centimeters with beveled corners is usually used as the stave.

There is a special form of curling in Carinthia, Austria. With otherwise very similar rules, the so-called Carinthian stick is used. Despite the smaller diameter of about 20 centimetres, this stick weighs more than 5 kilograms. In addition, a Carinthian stick has a wooden plate with rubber nubs of different hardnesses instead of flat rubber outsoles. With modern sticks there are also metal and plastic running plates.

In “Styrian wild shooting” it doesn’t matter where the stave falls during a hairpin bend. The only thing that counts here is to place the stick as close to it as possible. Team sizes are also not limited and cannot be regulated by and can range from 4 to 20 people.

What is curling sport?

Curling features two teams of four players sliding a large, granite stone on a rectangular sheet of ice. The goal is to deliver the stone from one side of the sheet to the circular scoring area on the other side, called the house. The closer to the center of the house, known as the button, the better.

What kind of rock is used in the Olympic sports curling?

The main source of granite used for curling stones comes from Ailsa Craig, a small isle located off the coast of mainland Scotland. Most of the curling stones used in the Olympics and the Paralympics have come from Ailsa Craig. Kays of Scotland has the exclusive rights to harvest granite from Aisla Craig.

What is the ball called in the sport curling?

The curling stone, or rock, is made of dense polished granite from Ailsa Craig, Scotland, and in the Olympics, each rock weighs 19.1 kg (44 lbs).

Is curling really a sport?

Curling is a team sport, played on ice, where two teams take it in turns to slide stones made of granite towards a target – known as a House. It is an Olympic and Paralympic winter sport with medal disciplines for Women’s, Men’s, Mixed Doubles, and mixed Wheelchair teams.

Why do they sweep in curling?

The basic principle behind sweeping is deceptively simple. The heat produced by the friction generated by sweeping melts the ice and produces a thin layer of water over which the heavy granite stone slides more easily since the friction between the stone and water is less than that between the stone and ice.

How does a curling work?

Sweeping in front of the stone reduces friction and helps the curlers control the amount of curl the stone undergoes. The sweeping quickly heats and melts the pebbles on the ice leaving a film of water. This film reduces the friction between the stone and ice.