The day before Essen. We have a drop out for medical reasons but a promising replacement. It will be a little bit weird this year, with probably a couple of games back home on Saturday.
Check me out on twitter @jurdj the coming days as I play stuff and post images.
It's been some time since I set up my watch list for Essen 2013, but I've been watching the updates and there's some good stuff out there for the Ameritrash minded.
The 10 games that I look forward to most are:
Ace Detective. Richard Launius + 'noir storytelling card game that rewards imagination'
Corto. I love the Corto Maltese comics, so I'm certainly going to check this one out. The fact that Seb Pauchon is involved is a good sign!Coup. The buzz is good, and some new editions are on the way.
Duel of Ages. The new edition has been very favourably reviewed by two Mikes! see for Mike 1 and Mike 2.
The Mushroom Eaters. A game by Nate Hayden (of Cave Evil and After Pablo fame) is bound to be special. I'm interested in the action path mechanic and of course the highly original theme
Pathfinder. See Michael Barnes' rave review
The Rats in the Walls. Henning Poehl´s fun games, great artwork and the Lovecraft setting might just be awesome.
Sigismundus Augustus: Dei gratia rex Poloniae. The theme of the game appeals, but it's quite heavy and worker placement, not a stand up conflict game. There's a favourable review at Little Metal Dog
A study in Emerald. Gaiman + Wallace + Lovecraft. It's almost to good to be true. Either elation or deep disappointment
Veto by Kuznia Gier. Polish 17th century history, political infighting an intrigue! However, the company is going through a rough patch and is unlikely to attend the show. I'll check anyway.
On the Essen 2012 front, I managed to get a game of the Lupin III expansion set in as evidenced by my review. But I will give myself a pass for Signum Mortis, which was late in delivery anyhow. That is also a good warning for me to trim down the loot to the absolute necessary this year and forget about games that I don't have the time for to learn.
Of course, time is a matter of priorities.