What is a Euro-style Board Game? Detailed Look

What is a euro-style board game? A euro-style board game is one that focuses on seamless game mechanisms, with less emphasis on game themes. A core component is heavy use of strategy, while minimizing the amount of luck that can affect the game. They often contain an economic or resource focus, where wise playing earns some sort of victory points. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins.

As with most things, no board game fits perfectly into the genre of euro-style games. But understanding the defining characteristics of these types of games makes it easier to identify how it’s patterned.

Distinguishing Characteristics of Euro-style Games

No Luck Here

Euro-style games typically have very little to no luck used within the game. What that means is that players that are losing can’t rely as much on a luck to turn the tides of the game. Dice aren’t usually included, which is often an element that is used to level the playing field somewhat.

Because very little luck exists in euro-style games, therefore lots of strategy is the main focus. Players must look to outmaneuver others with the many elements built into the game, which sometimes comes in the form or sabotaging other players. Though this is not the main focus, it demonstrates how players much utilize everything within their power to win.

Though luck is not a main part of euro-style games, most have some luck built into them. One common element employed in euro-style games is having a board that is built in random order each time, like in Catan or 5 Tribes. Having a board built favorably for you can give you a slight advantage, but it ultimately will come down to your ability to strategize and maneuver your way to victory.

That’s not to say that other types of games (namely ameritrash) don’t heavily use strategy as a focus, but what makes euro-style games unique is the abolishment of luck from this style of game in a major way.

Less Player Interaction

Another major feature of euro-style games is that players can, more or less, “play their own game”. What we mean here is that playing the game doesn’t necessarily require direct interaction and conflict. They can make a move, place a worker, or choose a card that doesn’t directly impact the other players. Their choices do indirectly affect the other players because their choice often means the other players can’t make that choice. Let’s contrast that with games where player interaction is central to gameplay. Risk, for example is an area control game where each player’s only purpose is to destroy the other players in the game through attacking their territories on a map. This is clearly direct interaction because players’ advances are other players’ retreats.

One key thing to remember is that players can interact and thwart others in euro-style games (when it makes sense to do so). If player 1 could profit substantially from a specific move, another player will often make that move, even if it doesn’t really benefit him or her. We are not saying that there is no player interaction, it’s just not the purpose of the game to smash another players town or invade a territory with an overwhelming force. It’s often a by product of players attempting to move toward victory.

Players Aren’t Eliminated

In certain types of games players are eliminated throughout the game until there is only one player left—the winner. Continuing on our example from before, Risk would also fall into this category. Players fight one another until one has dominated the world. In euro-style games, however, all players generally play to the end.

Some players may not fair well, but they are usually around to the bitter end. Consequently, players that are faring well cannot finish off another player in an attempt to reduce the threat or gain some advantage. In some ways, these games are harder because everyone is always able to block others from completing their objectives, whether intentionally or not.

Without player elimination, another path to victory must exist. Euro-style games almost always determine their winner through victory points. This will definitely look different depending on the game, but it is often through favor, jewels, fame, clout or just plain points. In some games, the point totals can be vastly different depending on the range of skill levels between players. Other games, however, have a much more narrow point spread.

Abstract or Mild Themes

Most euro-style games still have themes, but they are far less integral to the game than other styles. In other types of games—specifically ameritrash games—the game doesn’t make sense without the theme and thus wouldn’t be any good; Or at the very least, the game wouldn’t be nearly as exciting without it. In Euro games, the theme could almost be removed and no one would care. They are much more focused on the mechanics and mechanisms within the game. Most of the time, players are trying to build something, collect many things or even arrange things to work in their favor.

Euro-style games tend to have more historical and/or muted themes. One that we see a lot is historically themed agricultural games where people are farming or growing crops. Another might be where players are trying to build up an economy through clever innovation. Yet another could be to become the richest merchant in the city. Though this isn’t an exact science, the trend is for the games to rely less on the theme and more on the mechanics.

Varying Number of Players

Various numbers of players can usually play in Euro games. They aren’t usually for large parties of people because they tend to have more rules than would work well in that type of setting. That’s not to say they are necessarily complex, but they do require a bit of learning before playing on a strategic level. Most Euro games are designed for 2-6 players and they don’t tend to be for solo players.

Abstract Game Pieces

An easy way to see if a game is euro style is to look at the pieces. One defining characteristic is game pieces made of wood, such as meeples or tokens. Another characteristic is that they are less detailed and a bit more abstract. If the pieces in a game look like this, then it is very likely a euro game. If the pieces are plastic, and very detailed, then it probably doesn’t fit into the euro category.

This distinction is fading, however, as game designers and manufacturers are developing more detailed pieces. They are incorporating evermore elements into their games. It’s unclear whether this trend will continue but I’m not sure that anyone is complaining about cool looking pieces as long as the gameplay doesn’t suffer.

Alternative Major Game Genres

Because we have dedicated posts for each of these genres of games, we won’t go into exhaustive detail here, but we did want to make sure we mention the other main genres of games from a broad perspective so that the concept of euro games is clarified. Some consider Ameritrash games as the only other category at this level, but we’ve included mass market games as well, because they don’t necessarily fit into the other two genres very well.

Ameritrash Games

Ameritrash games are basically the opposite of euro games. The name ameritrash originated from those that thought this type of game was inferior to euro games. It was meant to be a pejorative term, but those that enjoy them embraced the name and use it today. Many refer to Ameritrash games as thematic style games because the themes are critical to the game itself.

Ameritrash games, though talked about in great detail in our article, What Are Ameritrash Games, are games that—along with their heavy thematic element—are focused on Drama within the game. Designers accomplish this in a number of ways.

In order to add drama into Ameritrash games, designers add one or more elements to make them more interesting. One of those is to have direct player interaction and conflict. They also tend to have individualized and unique characters, that have special abilities other players’ characters don’t have. There is usually more luck and randomness in the games, which can equalize the competition. Traditionally, these games included pieces that are highly stylized, whether the pieces are tiles, tokens or miniatures.

Some Ameritrash type games include

Descent
Risk Legacy
Arcam Horror

Mass-market Games

You can probably guess what mass-market games are by their name—they are the games that have extremely large appeal to huge audiences. They can be found most easily in major box stores like WalMart or Target. They are cheaply produced in mass with very easy rules that take almost no time to learn. Most people recognize these games because they are in the major stores.

Several types of games fall into this category. It certainly isn’t an exact science, but a few fit the category well. One of those types of games is Trivia games. Trivia games have broad appeal because they are usually based off of an extremely popular series of movies or a TV show. Another game that fits in this category is party games. Though they can be great games, party games are also cheaply made and have very simple rules—so that groups don’t have to spend much time learning them.

Euro Game History

Euro-style games have been called—and are called—by several different names. Historically they have also referred to as German-style board games because they originated there. Over time, they spread across the continent and are generally referred to as euro-style games or euro games.

Originally euro-style games referred to games actually coming from Europe itself, but that has completely changed over time. Now it simply refers to the style of game, as we’ve described it throughout this article. Euro-style games are often produced in the United States and Ameritrash games are produced in Europe.

The line is beginning to blur between Euro-style games and Ameritrash games. It’s almost as though they are coming together in some ways. Though all games have lied somewhere on a spectrum between Euro-style and Ameritrash games (or mass market games), they previously were much more in one camp or the other. Today, we see Euro style games that have many elements of Ameritrash games built into them. And we see the reverse with Ameritrash games.

Though we don’t think this trend means that most games will eventually be some weird combination of the two (or three if you count mass market games), but they might not hold to the traditional definitions.

Examples of Euro-style Games

The Euro-style game category encompasses such a wide array of games and mechanics that one game may play very differently than another. Some games can be further categorized by a major mechanic that is employed in the game. The game, however, could still fall within the general category of a euro-style game.

7 wonders

This is a game where players are each attempting to build their own empire through three phases of play. Each player receives a deck of cards per turn and can purchase one. After purchasing, each player passes the deck to the player to the left or right and makes another purchase. They continue this throughout the game until all cards are exhausted. The cards the players purchased are worth a certain amount and interact with one another to earn even more points. The player with the most points wins the game.

Clearly a Euro-style game due to all the options and strategies available to players. There is almost no luck involved, as players can win or lose depending on the choices they make. Players interact some but attacking others or taking their stuff isn’t a central feature, as it is in other games.

5 Tribes

This game is played on a series of tiles that are laid out at the beginning of the game. The tiles are laid in a square pattern in random order, which affects the special abilities on the tiles and their worth. Three meeples chosen randomly from the bag are placed on each tile. There are five different colors of meeples that each have a specific ability. Players take turns completing actions that are special to each color, and gaining victory points through those actions. The player that collects the most victory points, whether through one primary strategy or several combined, wins.

Many components of euro-style Games are used in 5 Tribes. One major mechanic that is worth mentioning is a variation of worker placement (though some are now categorizing it as worker displacement). It is used as players take their actions to receive associated benefits. As each player chooses which of the five colors will be the greatest benefit, others can no longer choose that action and benefit.

Splendor

Splendor is a game that has become very popular over the last few years. Players take turns collecting various coins and buying cards. Owning cards helps them buy more cards that are too expensive at the beginning of the game. The more expensive the card, the more points it is worth. Eventually, once players have collected enough cards, they can receive a visit from a noble that is also worth a certain amount of points. The player that has the most points when the game ends wins.

Splendor shows its belonging in the euro game space as you observe the theme. Though a cool theme with awesome tokens to collect, the theme could be completely removed and the game wouldn’t change much. The mechanics are the shining star that makes this game fun.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne, one of the all-time greats! Carcassonne is set at, you guessed it, the castle in Carcassonne, France. Players in this game take turns laying down tiles in specific ways to earn points. They can earn points through possessing a castle, owning a road, controlling a farm, or standing on a monastery. Some points are totaled as the game progresses, while others aren’t determined until all the tiles have run out and the game ends.

Carcassonne certainly fits within the genre of euro games. With its old-time theme and abstract, wooden pieces, you would be able to decipher its place almost immediately. Additionally, there is lots of strategy and you have to watch closely so that another, more crafty player, does not change the entire course of the game by connecting the fields no the game board.

Dominion

Yet another fantastic game. Dominion is a bit different than any of the games mentioned so far. Players build their own decks through buying cards from the middle. These cards create their hands for the rest of the game. Players must choose and play them wisely in order to buy more cards with more powerful benefits. On each turn a player has the opportunity to play a card and buy a card. The eventual goal is to use those cards to buy points and win the game. Dominion comes with dozens of different cards that can be used in numberless combinations that alters how the game plays.

In Dominion, there is very little luck and players must choose carefully throughout the game, or they may fall behind. Players can fall behind because they chose the wrong cards and filled their decks with little benefit. Thinking through turns and strategizing carefully would serve players well in this game.