So today saw the announcement of the Spiel des Jahres and Kennerspiel des Jahres winners.

The winner of the Spiel des Jahres was the super popular game Codenames. Whilst the winner of the Kennerspiel des Jahres was Isle of Skye.

So I’m betting you are just dying to know what a middle aged, rotund, balding man thinks of the results.

So fitting that demographic perfectly let me tell you.

I think Codenames is a good winner. I’ve heard Tom Vassel throw around the figure of over 400,000 copies sold already. So it’s a very popular winner. But is the game any good? I think so, as does the majority of the Fenland Gamers. We enjoy playing it. One or two have bought their own copies. I have to say I think I’d be happier if Imhotep had won. For me it’s a better game.

Considering the games Isle of Skye was up against this is the biggest surprise. For me Pandemic Legacy is a better game. I can’t say if Time Stories is, because it hasn’t hit my table yet. But if I had to put money on it, I’d be betting that Isle of Skye is the weakest of the three games.

Unusually for me, this year I’ve played four out of the six games in the two awards. I do think it’s a very strong selection of games. My feelings about Isle of Skye will be backed up when it’s award will die of loneliness, whilst Pandemic Lagacy will be building an extension to house all of its. And the only game(s) that will match it for awards collected will be Codenames and Time Stories.