Playte Games at Essen: Small Boxes, Big Fun
- Coty
- Oct 22
- 8 min read
Every October, Spiel Essen lights up with the hottest board games, indie gems, and clever reprints you might otherwise miss. One publisher that has been catching my eye is Playte. Over the last few years, I’ve played a bunch of their titles, and I love their clever design, compact boxes, and thoughtful use of every component, sometimes even the box itself. Whether you’re at the convention or following from afar, these are the kinds of games that sneak into your bag and onto your table. Playte will be at Booth 6D-310 and their games can be ordered in Amazon, Ebay, or pre-order for Essen at: https://tally.so/r/mBYNZe
Playte games may come in small boxes, but they feel like big games. They’re portable without sacrificing gameplay. For example, I used to carry the classic Can’t Stop, but it was way too bulky to travel with. Now I keep Playte’s version in my car for a quick game anytime
Many Playte titles are brand new, while others are smart reprints of older gems (looking at you Circus Flohcati) I might never have found otherwise. The components are top-notch: vibrant, sturdy, and thoughtfully produced. My only gripe? The English translations could use a bit of polish. Thankfully, their team is super responsive on Instagram, so any confusion is usually cleared up fast
Besides the list below, I’m also looking forward to trying Unlock, Orapa Space, and Batam. Oh, and I recently picked up Playte’s Railway Chips. These are tiny poker-style chips for tracking victory points. I’m already eyeing a second set because while they scale well for most games, some heavier titles definitely need more 1s
Here’s my Essen-ready Playte ranking for the games I’ve enjoyed and recommend:
3–12 player game that takes about 30 minutes
Vampire Queen is a sneaky card game where you try to get your vampires back to their tombs without getting stuck with high-value cards or a pesky vampire hunter! Timing, clever plays, and a little chaos make every round tense and fun. The queens are tricky, the hunters mess with everyone, and only the player with the fewest points at the end of five rounds wins. If you like fast, cutthroat games that mix luck, strategy and cute art, this one bites just right
The game is designed by Wolfgang Kramer. He's the same genius that made 6nimmt, Princess of Florence, Tikal, and Wandering Towers. What I really appreciate about his games is that no game of his I've tried feels like the same game. I'm actively taking more Kramer recommendations, thank you!
Another Wolfgang Kramer game! 2-4 player game that takes about 10 minutes per player
In this game, you are an architect trying to build your dwelling by alternating cubes and trying to make sure your color is not visible from any side. The 3D aspect is very neat. The Playte components are super nice and sturdy.
The game is very abstract and really requires spatial ability to succeed. It feels more and more calculated the more you play it. It is very reminiscent of chess in that sense. I prefer this one at two, and I’m curious how it would play with four really spatially sharp players
Moon Leap is another one of the clever L-shape boards in Playte games. The game playls 2-4 players, and I think it plays best at 4. The game takes about 10 minutes per player
Moon Leap is all about timing your movements with a gorgeous set of well designed astronaut meeples. Roll the dice, move your meeples and hope to score big. Do you go big? Do you change the next big score? Once you advance, there's no going back. The game is simple and it plays well with kids and adults alike
Tasso Banana is a fun 2–6 player game that takes less than 15 minutes to play
It’s another one of those clever Playte L-shaped boxes where the box becomes the game. I love the components; they’re wobbly, chunky, and hilariously tricky to stack. This fits perfectly with the goal to defy gravity and tower your bananas as high as possible while trying to get rid of all yours before your opponents do. The game is silly, quick, and especially fun with a drink or with the kids in the family
Quick and clever 2-player game that takes about 20 minutes
This one is one of those Playte Games that the box opens and becomes the board game. In Ada's Library, you’re both book lovers—well, one of you is (me), and the other is a master organizer (my wife). This game is all about sorting books on the shelves with a dash of friendly competition. The gameplay is simple but smart: you’re racing to arrange your library just right while trying to outwit your opponent. I’ve been trying to beat my wife at it, but she’s always a step ahead. Is it luck? Strategy? Or just pure organizing genius?
If you like light strategy and cozy head-to-head battles with a bookish twist, Ada’s Library is a perfect fit. Pair it with a cup of tea or coffee and voila! The start of date night
Mino Dice plays 3-6 players and it takes about 30 minutes to play
The game is loud, exciting, and full of dice. It's all about predicting how much you'll win and hoping you bet correctly. Picture trick-taking game but with dice! The unpredictability and wishing you were right, gets me every time
The component quality is top notch. The dice is chunky and colorful. I really wish there was a two player mode because I would play it way more!
2-4 push-your-luck player game that takes about 10 minute per player
This is one of those addictive dice games that you can take anywhere and think, yes, I have this. And you really don't. Both Playte editions turn into a compact adventure that becomes one of their famous L-shape boxes. Both versions (the blue and brown) one are very portable, but the brown one has a mountain backdrop that is just magnificent. However; if I am going to a bar, or somewhere a bit dark, I prefer to take the blue version. Do you like big risks? And the thrill of just one more? Then Can't Stop is a game you should definitely checked out. For a card version of the same feeling, check out Flip 7
Alright, fellow Battleship lovers. Here comes the next upgraded version that plays up to 5 players in about 30 minutes
Orapa Mine takes the classic guess and blast game and gives it a colorful twist. You have moved on from the ocean, and are now a miner. You are looking for hidden gems and are trying to identify the right path by following clues one step at a time. The game is relatively quick, interactive and has the right dose of deduction to keep you on your toes
2-8 player trick-taking game that takes about 40 minutes to play. This is one of those trick-taking games that plays well at any count. The game is all about betrayals, hoping for bonus points, mermaids, and wishing that you made the right bet. You don't only want to win tricks, you want to make sure you win exactly the amount of tricks you predicted. If you get it right, big points! If not, well . . . get ready to walk the plank
This game is wild, swingy, and can get loud. My only complaint is that you need someone to help with scoring as this can be a bit tricky during your first few times
2- 6 player adorable card game that plays in 15 minutes or less. Stack penguins into a pyramid and try to play all your cards before you are unable to match the colors and build your way up. The art is super cute, the game has more depth than what it seems. It plays well at any count, with friends, family, children, experience gamers, or new comers. I like how the game looks inviting, but it also has a good dose of sabotage
For a game with a similar feel, but 3D, try K3
5. Perudo
2 to 6 players and it plays in about 20 minutes
This bluffing classic gets the Playte treatment with gorgeous components in a perfectly compact box. Liar’s Dice is all about rolling secretly, bidding boldly, and calling each other’s bluffs. It's basically, who can lie best without getting caught
Each player gets a cup and five dice. On your turn, you raise the bid or call someone out. The rules are simple, and tension builds fast. Every round, someone loses a die, and the last player standing wins
Fast, fluffy chunky dice game about your favorite pet that plays 2-4 players in about 15 minutes
You play as a butler trying to spoil your cats with toys, food, and accessories; however, the chunky wooden dice don’t always roll in your favor. Match patterns to collect cards, build sets, and earn points while the cats silently judge your every move
It’s got that Yahtzee meets cat café vibe, with adorable art, easy rules, and just enough luck to keep things unpredictable. Super cute, quick to teach, and a purr-fect filler for game night or a cozy coffee table showdown!
1-4 player flip-and-write game that takes about 20 minutes to play
Layer Puzzle was a surprise to me. It doesn't quite fit the usual Playte style. Well, maybe it's closer to Orapa Mine, but regardless. I'm here for it. This game is like Tetris meets memory. It's all testing your memory and stacking, forgetting, and then regretting it. You stack transparent layers by marking X shapes. The goal is to leave no blank spaces, but good luck. You'll hide your first four rounds and then try to connect them all after the fifth round. The game is easy to learn, but it is hard to master. Any tips on how to make my memory better?
3-5 player game that takes about 20 minutes to play
High Society is a fast and clever auction game where you bid on fancy items to boost your status—without going broke [hopefully]! Spend too much, and you’re out. Timing and bluffing make every bid tense and fun
Just like Penguin Party, this one is designed by Reiner Knizia, a master of elegant and sharp game design. I love Knizia. From Lost Cities to Medici and Ra. His games are elegant and tight. If you like auctions and smart choices, High Society is a big game in a small box. I really wish there was a two player variant for this one!
Another Reiner Knizia title. 2–5 player push-your-luck card game that takes about 15 minutes to play
In Circus Flohcati, you’re putting together the wildest flea circus imaginable. Each turn, you draw cards to recruit performers, clowns, acrobats, and all sorts of tiny troublemakers. But push your luck too far, and your act falls apart! The goal is to collect colorful sets and trios to score big while knowing just when to stop. It’s light, fast, and full of those “one more card… oh no!” moments that make everyone laugh and regret their choices. If you like push-your-luck games with a bit of flair (and a lot of chaos), this one’s a classic worth trying
2 to as many players as you want and it plays in about 15 minutes
This clever, quick dice game is my favorite from Playte Games. It’s small enough to fit in your purse, with the box holding the dice, sheets, and four tiny pencils. (I recommend laminating the sheets because you definitely won’t want to play it just once)
On your turn, you roll 1 die, then 2, then 3, up to 5 dice. You can choose to add a special die that can give positive or negative points, adding a fun risk element. After rolling, you add up the dice and write the total somewhere on your sheet, trying to build the longest ascending chain of numbers. The twist? There are sum chains that can give you less points, so think strategically.
This game is quick, fun, simple to learn, and perfect for family night, or a quick night cap
Conclusion
So yeah, Playte might be all about small boxes, but they pack them with charm, clever design, and real staying power. Every title feels like a complete experience that just happens to fit in your glove compartment, backpack, or purse. Whether you’re chasing vampires, stacking bananas, or flexing your brain with Ada’s Library, there’s a Playte game for every mood. Their catalog keeps surprising me with how much game they squeeze into so little space. If you spot that signature L-shaped box at Essen, or online, do yourself a favor and give it a try. Odds are, it’ll end up being the one you actually bring to game night.
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